He will wipe away every tear

Photo from dreamphemera.wordpress.com.

"Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: 'Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4, HCSB).

Across the media in America yesterday were floods of memories of what happened on 9/11 in New York City. My friend reminded me of God's promises in the verses above. On that day, I remember the shock I felt. It seemed like it wasn't real for some time afterward.

As we honor those who work hard to protect our country and as we pray for them today, let us fully trust that in the end God will conquer all evil. He has power over it. What's more, because of Christ's sacrifice, God can bring redemption, peace and a renewed heart to a world in need of a Savior. How much we all need Him.

Do you know someone who is suffering or grieving? Let's pray for them or with them. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say if we're given an opportunity to help them see more of who God is, this God who keeps His promises and saves.

This reminded me of how Queen Esther may have felt before asking the king, her new husband, to save her/God's people. Below are lyrics from a song about this (produced by VeggieTales actually):

"Mordecai: You wanted to know why you became queen
I told you God must have a reason
Perhaps he put you here, for such a time as this
Perhaps this is the reason.

"Esther: Tell me why, I don't understand 
Tell me why, or show me your hand
Tell me why because I can't see my way through
What now... should I.. do?

Kelli Martin

"The battle is not ours 
We look to God above
For He will guide us safely through
and guard us with His love

"I will not be afraid
I will not run and hide
For there is nothing I can't face when God is at my side"

You can listen to a clip from this song on YouTube here.
You can read this part of the story with Esther and Mordecai on Bible Gateway here.

Too Busy to Pray?

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;

 for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

 

                                       I got up early one morning

                                        And rushed into the day

                                     I had so much to accomplish

                                  That I didn't have time to pray.

 

                                     Problems just tumbled about me

                                      And heavier came each task;

                            "Why doesn't God help me?"  I wondered,

                                      He answered, "You didn't ask."

Sharon Beougher

 

                         I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "You didn't seek."

 

I tried to come into God's presence,

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,    

"My child, you didn't knock.:"

 

                                  I woke up early this morning

                           And paused before entering the day

                                 I had so much to accomplish

                                 That I had to take time to pray.

 

                      Lord, help us not be so busy that we don't take time to pray. 

                      Teach us how to pray without ceasing.  As we pray, always

                      let us be aware of at least one person we can pray for to

                      come to know You and Your plan of salvation.

     

        

The Best

"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search with all your heart'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13, New American Standard Bible). 

God's unconditional love is something that reveals His divinity and His unmatchable, pure heart. He encourages us to receive His love. He invites us to trust in Him and talk to Him through prayer.

In Isaiah 46:4-5, God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah and said,

"Even to your old age I will be the same and even to your graying years I will be with you! 

I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you. 

To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare me, that we would be alike?"

The God of all time - past, present, and future (a.k.a. the "I AM") - has a divine plan to save His people. He sent Jesus Christ to show us His love on earth, as He came to speak and live God's Word, as well as sacrifice for our sins.  He did all of that so He could bring us out of the sin that threatens to damage us and into His family, where we are forgiven for our sins, are given the Holy Spirit, and can grow in our relationship with Him.

In Jesus, we can see even more how God loves us and wants the best for us and His kingdom. What's our response to God? Do we trust Him? Have we asked for forgiveness and leadership from Him? Are there ways we can share who He is with others today?

Lord, thank You for Your incomparable love and for wanting the best for us. Help us love You more and to trust in Your plans. Help us share where our hope comes from with others today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo is a print by Kyle Steed found at steedagrams.com.

We pray hearts turn to God

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you..." (Acts 3:19-20, New American Standard Bible).

"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent" (Acts 17:30, New American Standard Bible).

Have you been inside a tunnel before? I remember riding in a car through a tunnel on vacation in Alaska with my parents and a friend. As we approached it, I noticed this tunnel went through a mountain, and I wondered how long it would last. It was cold outside, a sort of biting cold, even though the sun was shining. Once we were inside, it was dark and felt hollow, although there were lights along the sides as guides. It was an interesting experience, but I was relieved to be on the other side in the open air and sunlight again.

Similar to the darkness of the tunnel, sin can make us feel trapped. When we see the damages that come from our sin, we may wonder if there is a way out. The Holy Spirit can help us see sin in our life and see that the way out of it is to turn to God for help. When we turn to God, it is like God is reaching out to pull us into His light.

God sent Jesus to rescue us from sin (Romans 5:19), and He asks us today to repent and return to Him (Acts 3:19). This is a message to all people in all nations (Luke 24:47, Acts 26:19-20). When we believe in Jesus and ask for forgiveness from our sins, He will be faithful to forgive us and will give us the Holy Spirit to help us to walk with Him (Acts 13:38-39). Times of refreshing come from the Lord, as our sins are wiped out and forgiven (Acts 3:20, 26).

Do you know someone who is caught up in sin today? Maybe it is ourselves. Let us pray that others, especially unbelievers, may turn from their sin, too, so they can have a restored relationship with God.

Lord, lead us away from sin. For that person on our mind, the one who does not know you, help them to turn from sin, too, so their sins are forgiven and so they can experience new life with You. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo from http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/

We ask God to remove strongholds

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, New American Standard Bible).

War, weapons, power, destruction, fortresses, captivity - what sort of war is going on? At this point in Scripture, people were arguing with Christians about whether Christ is the Messiah, the One promised to come to earth to restore God's reign. Christ, indeed, came to save the world from being separated from God through their sin, while satan wishes people to feel trapped in sin and away from the Lord.

Paul tells the Corinthians that these thoughts that questioned Christ and God did not need to be countered by the way the world wages war. Instead, He encouraged Christians to trust in God's power. God wishes to fight for His people, to win them to Him. As believers wanting others to come to have a relationship with God, we trust in God's power because we believe it is the strongest. The power of the Holy Spirit is far greater than the power of the devil that seeks to put barriers between God's creations knowing and trusting in their Creator.

Is there someone on your mind who does not have a relationship with God? Let's pray for God to remove any strongholds that block them from having faith in our Lord and Savior. We hope they will trust in God, our God who renews minds and teaches truth.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo from http://my-god-is.com/

We ask God to draw others to Himself

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." - John 6:44, New American Standard Bible

It amazes me how some plants, like the arctic poppy in the photo to the right, grow towards the sun. That is known as heliotropism. Like those plants need the sun, we need our Creator God, the God who sent His Son to die for us and who can renew us on the inside.

At this point in John, Jesus was in His public ministry, right after He fed a bunch of people with a small amount of food (John 6:1-14). He was teaching about the bread of life, and how our source of life is from God (John 6:25-35). God draws us with everlasting love and kindness (Jeremiah 31:3), and we can see that in how God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and then was raised from the dead (John 6:39).

Let us pray that God draws others who do not know Him yet towards Christ. We can pray this in hopes that they can experience life with our Savior, too.

Lord, thank You for bringing us life. Please draw this person on our mind, the one who doesn't know You, to Yourself. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo above from www.plant-and-flower-guide.com/heliotropism
John Fowler has some striking photos of arctic poppies online at johnfowler.photoshelter.com

We pray for boldness

"'And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence'...And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." -Acts 4:29, 31, New American Standard Bible

Two prominent Christian leaders, Peter and John, had just come out of a trial in the courts, where they were warned not to share their faith. As you can imagine, believers who followed Christ dove into prayer. They asked God for confidence to share His message. Even in the face of potential danger and risk, they looked to the Lord to give them boldness to continue to share Christ with others.

After the prayer, God answered them by giving them this confidence and boldness through the Holy Spirit. Even today, the Holy Spirit can help us see past whatever may threaten to block us from sharing Christ, so we can speak freely and with no reservations. He gives believers the courage to speak what He has done through His Son, Jesus, dying for us, and how God continues to work in our lives today. No matter what is on the road ahead, let us pray for the courage to continue to share the great love and grace God has shown us, especially through the sacrifice Christ made for us, so that more people may know God's forgiveness.

Lord, thank You for giving Your Holy Spirit to believers. Fill us with boldness to share Your love and message of hope with others, so that we honor You and so others can experience life with You, too. Amen.

More on these verses: Acts 4:1-31 - biblegateway.com

YouTube.com music video clip - "You Make Beautiful Things" by Gungor

Study based on the workbook, HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

We look for opportunities

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:5-6, New American Standard Bible). 

Some translators note that "making the most of the opportunity" means "redeeming the time." It reminds me of "soaking up the moment." When we run across someone else who does not have a relationship with God, I pray that we are aware of times that God gives to us, to share with them who He is and how He wants us to have a relationship with us.

Moments like that, to share our faith with someone who doesn't know Him, are like open doors. Doors can be so unique, like the one pictured above. They can symbolize a way to welcome outsiders. Have there been times recently that you have seen an "open door" to share something about your faith in Christ? I pray that God gives us the wisdom to see how to respond to opportunities where we can welcome people into knowing our life-giver, Lord, and Savior - Jesus Christ.

A wise woman, who preferred to be called Sistah Pat, once wrote, "Ask God to show you the opportunities.  They are all around.  Be encouraged that God is still using the ordinary to do the extraordinary."

Lord, thanks for all You've done and for what You're doing in our lives. Help us see opportunities to share with others who You are. Lead us in making the most of those moments. Amen.

Verse and topic used for study from HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart by Jaye Martin (1999)

Photo of carved door found on artfactory.com  - inspiration from Chateau des ducs de Savoie, 16th Century France

We ask for guidance

"'But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come'" (John 16:13, New American Standard Bible). 

Campus tour guides at my college impressed me. When I first went on a tour, it seemed like the grounds stretched on for a good five miles as the  guide talked and told us about campus traditions, classes, and campus life.  She kept my attention as I could see they wanted to interact with us, but also I hoped they wouldn't actually run into a tree or something!

In this passage, Jesus was trying to tell His disciples in the Upper Room that He would leave the earth soon.  They wouldn't be left to sort out things by themselves, though - God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them.  God the Father sent His Son, Jesus to die for all, and now God gives the Holy Spirit to help believers through life.  Jesus went on to explain, "'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you'" (John 14:26, NASB).

Lord,  thanks for what You have revealed to us about Yourself already.  Please teach us more about You, reveal your will to us and help us walk through life.  Please guide us in how to reach out to others and help them see who You are.  Thank You for this new life You've given us.  Amen.

Verse used for study from HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart by Jaye Martin (1999).

Photo above of a University of Missouri (aka Mizzou) campus tour from www.cafnr.missouri.edu

We ask for wisdom

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord..." 
-James 1:5-7, New American Standard Bible

When I first think of wisdom, I usually think of being practical. When I worked in downtown Louisville, I had a couple of pairs of work heels that I loved to wear. After a couple of trips, I realized how much these business shoes were not built for the rain or for running.  I was grateful when some co-workers said they had spare shoes for walking along the streets.  What's the wisdom that James wrote about, though?

Wisdom from God is full of goodness and truth.  James advised readers to ask God for wisdom, and to ask for it full of faith instead of doubt.  As we ask for wisdom from God and trust He has the best answer, He is faithful to lead us as we put Him first in our lives.  James described God's wisdom as he wrote, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).

Lord, thank You for Your goodness and wisdom. Please let our source of wisdom come from You and help us show others more of who You are. Amen.

The study above is based off of the verses mentioned for study in the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Illustration "Dr. Who" above by Steve Mack from spotillustration.com

More about wisdom: 1 Kings 3:9-28, Ephesians 4:14-16, Craig Blomberg's commentary at zondervan.typepad.com/koinonia/.

We pray for gentleness

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
-1 Peter 3:15, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

This verse is striking to me, since I do not typically see the word "defense" used in the same sentence as "gentleness."  As believers, God is on reserve as the leader of our hearts, of what goes on at our core.  When people ask about our faith, we are able to respond not only with words but also with our actions - there is this window of time where we can explain who God is, what He's done, and even how He has done it - we can answer in a way that reflects His own gentleness.

What is this believer's hope?  We have hope in the past - in God's forgiveness for our sins and how He makes us new (1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 1:3, Acts 3:19).  We have hope for today - He guides us through good and tough times (Romans 8:26, Romans 5:5).  We also have this hope for the future - He has a plan for our lives (1 Corinthians 4:16-17, Psalm 27:4).

The way we share our hope is just as important as the words we use, because it shows who God is - it shows the transformation God can make inside someone.  Gentleness comes from God; it's a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  So, the unique thing in this defense is that we are talking with someone who we have something in common with - we are all in need of God's gentleness, as we ask Him to forgive us.  We are able to respond in a considerate and respectful way with God's strength.

Lord, thank you for sending your Son to die for us and for the world.  Please help us remember to put You first in our lives.  When there is opportunity to share the hope you bring, please help us explain it with the gentleness You have shown us. Amen.

Devotion above based on the verse highlighted to study in the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo above, "Gentleness," taken by K. W. Sanders - photographyblogger.net - Horse Photos

We pray for Christ's attitude

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." 
-Philippians 2:3-5 (New American Standard Bible)   

What does Christ's attitude look like?  In this chapter, we can read how Christ is the ultimate example of selfless love.  God came down to earth and walked along the streets of His creation.  He showed us how to love with humility, even suffering on the cross, so we wouldn't have to pay the price for our sins against Him.

How does that impact us?  We are changed, not because we are wise or perfect, but because of what God does with our lives when we ask for forgiveness and turn to Him.  God is the One who can transform us from the inside out.  When we receive Him into our lives, we let Him take the reins and lead.  As He works on our hearts, He heals us.

How does this impact our life?  Recently, my community group, friends and family chipped in, in different ways, to help me move from Louisville to Houston.  Moving can take so much time and can feel exhausting, and it was a blessing to have their help.  As we serve Christ, God is working through us.  Hopefully, as we serve Him, others will see more of who this God that we serve is, and want to know Him, too.

Lord, thanks for sending Your Son, Jesus, to sacrifice for us.  Help us see how to have an attitude of humility.  Please help us live out of a deep love for you and a desire to help others know You, too.  Amen.

A great video - YouTube music video "Be" by Selah

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29, NASB).

For more study: Philippians 2:1-18, Romans 15, Philippians 1:1, Galatians 1:10

The above study was based on the "Praying God's Heart" guide for study from HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Martin, 1999).
Photo from icaruscreative.org

Praying God's HeartCall: We ask for forgiveness

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions." -Mark 11:25, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God calls us to see His forgivness, to seek His forgiveness, and to live His forgiveness. When we learn more about who God is, forgiveness makes more sense. God is not only holy and just, but also slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 103:8). This is great news, because this is where we can catch a glimpse of how we are forgiven and of who He is. God forgives us of sins we confess with a believing heart (see Mark 11:22-23). He lives this example of forgiveness.

 Also, He calls us to ask for forgiveness ourselves. 1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (NASB). This reconciliation between God and people comes about because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who came to die for us while we were still lost in sin. As we turn to Him for help, seeking Him for freedom from sin and asking for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive. This faithfulness puts me in awe when I think of some things I have done, but nevertheless, He can forgive us no matter what.

 So, His call is for us to turn to Him for forgivness and as our Guide. God not only teaches us, but also He can transform us more and more every day to be a people with more forgiving hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can forgive others by His strength and because we have witnessed the same sort of forgivness He shows us (1 John 4:19).

Lord, thank you for Christ's sacrifice and example. Help us see your forgiving nature. Please forgive me of my sins against you and against others. Help us to forgive like you forgive. Amen.

 The devotion above is based off the verses used for study in HeartCall: A Call to Prayer (Jaye Martin, 1999), in the section "Praying God's HeartCall."
"Forgiven" painting by Colleen Shay, from fineartamerica.com

Prayer: A devoted + thankful heart

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

-Colossians 4:2, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

What do you think of when you hear someone is devoted to something?  I think of an ongoing passion, like the persistence of a trail runner as they run across easy and challenging trails.  

How can we be devoted to prayer?  In Colossians 4:2, I see how we can have a dedication to talking with God and thanking Him throughout the day.  As we pray with devotion, our focus is drawn to depend more and more on Him.

How are you thankful today?  I have been thinking how I am thankful for God’s patience with me and His love for the world.  He had the creativity to make the world, plus the love to send His Son, Jesus, to sacrifice for the people He created.  Even though we are not perfect, this Creator and Lord still loves us and wants to save us and to be our guide.  I am thankful that God wants a relationship with us and that He’s able to renew our hearts and minds.

Will you pray with me?  Lord, please help us devote ourselves to prayer with thankful hearts.  Please help us remember your love that doesn’t end.  Thank you for the incomparable power you have to transform us and the world.   

The above study is based on HeartCall: A Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from the San Francisco Chronicle, taken by Penni Gladstone (http://www.sfgate.com).

CALL on the LORD for JM Leaders

 2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is His name, 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’  (Jeremiah 33:2-3, NASB).

My apologies for the lack of communication lately. I am still alive! God is still at work and very soon, our team at JM Leaders will be meeting and getting down to serious business as we kick-off our new ministry! We promise to keep you informed and we certainly want your input! As we embark, our first task is to CALL on God! We have been doing that but together we will bow before the Father and formally call on the LORD of all, who made the earth, to answer us and to tell us mighty things that we know not of! Please be in prayer for us!

Our mission is to equip believers to share Christ and lead others

through resources, trainings, and networking parnerships.

Jaye Martin & Leaders Inc. is the legal corporate name. JM Leaders is the DBA (doing business as) name. There will be four facets of ministry:

The overall umbrella organization is JM Leaders. JM Leaders networks with churches and Christian entities to provide strategic leadership, speakers, trade books and resources.

The other three brands are HeartCall, Gifted2go, and eco market. HeartCall trains believers in sharing Christ, Gifted2go equips leaders to mobilize laity, and the eco market provides additional support to churches through marketplace studies.

We invite you to CALL on the LORD in our behalf. Our desire is to serve him wholeheartedly and to train leaders to reach their worlds for Christ. We'd love to have your prayers so feel free to post them here or on Facebook, or to email them to us at help@jmleaders.com.

Thanks for your prayers and we will keep you posted!

Jaye

 





Expect Challenges

Problems with Prayer? “Expect Challenges”

II Cor. 12:7-10, I Cor. 1:26-31, James 1: 2-3

            On Christmas day 2012 Charles Schulz Peanuts Classic comic strip published in the Houston Chronicle depicted Linus upset about something and talking earnestly with Charlie Brown.  Linus explained how he had gotten the bike and train set he’d asked for.  He got the ball glove he’d put on his list.  He had more toys than he could desire.  He turned and looked and Charlie Brown and said: “If I get everything I want, how will I ever develop any character.” 

Most of us are not at the place where Linus was on Christmas day.  We know we’re developing character. We’d like to develop a little less character. However, Paul noted that not everything he asked for was always granted him, even though we would agree that Paul was right in the center of God’s will for his life.  Indeed, he lamented that an unnamed “thorn in the flesh” never left him, and was a constant hindrance to him (II Cor. 12: 7-10).  Fortunately, the thorn in the flesh did not prevent him from accomplishing what God wanted him to do.

What does the presence of an unrelenting “thorn in the flesh” mean for us in our prayer life?  First of all, it does not mean that we are outside the will of God.  James 1:2-3 tells us that trials we experience are part of a process that matures us.  Don’t believe those who tell you that your seeming weaknesses are a sign of lack of faith. God chooses the weak things of threw world to confound the wise. I Cor. 1:26-31 tells us that God chose the foolish and weak things of the world to produce His results.  Why? So that God can be glorified and we’ll know that He gets the glory, and not us. Consequently, when God asks us to go outside of ourselves, and beyond our comfort zone, He does it to grow our faith and teach us to trust in Him.  When we see results, then we won’t be able to give anyone credit other than the God who provided. (I Cor. 1:29-31).

God answered prayers of many patriarchs in the Old Testament, and when He did, often they established a monument to remember the event. Abraham established one that he called “God Provides” in Gen. 22:14 when God provided a sacrifice instead of his only son.  Joshua established a monument for the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 4:1-24). The purpose of the monument was so everyone would remember that the Lord’s hand is mighty, and so everyone will remember to fear the Lord. (Joshua 4:24).  We too can establish our own version of a monument to remember own answers - to increase our faith and remind us of God’s provision. Remember the old “pet rocks” created by some clever person back in the 70’s to make money.  Get one and put it in your pocket. Identify it with the answers to prayer you recall. Mark them in time and use them to increase your endurance of the tough times, and become more mature in the faith.    


Dana Martin

Problems with Prayer?

“I Thank God For Unanswered Prayers”, Garth Brooks

Jeremiah 29:10-13, Hebrews 11: 17-19,
Genesis 22: 1-22, James 2: 21-23

                Garth Brooks wrote a song that has a nice sentiment, but is incorrect theologically.  His quote was “I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers,” recounting things he’d wanted in life that did not work out the way he had prayed. Primarily, the song focuses on a lost love which, unrequited, was replaced by something better. Indeed, we all remember a time when we asked for something we did not really need, or, if God had said “yes” would have left us in a worse position that we have ended up in.  The problem with the theology is that it really wasn’t an unanswered prayer at all.  God said “No” to Garth, and God had something better for him, his current love. As such, it was an answered prayer, just not answered as requested.

Many of us face problems that seem unresolved or unresolvable. The first consideration is our faith.  First, do we have the belief that God really has our best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29:10-13. Jeremiah had been the prophet of doom throughout his youthful years. Now that the children of Israel were taken into captivity the people came to him and asked how long the captivity would last wand what they should do during the interim.  Jeremiah told them that God had a plan for them, to prosper them and not to harm them.  He said, you will call on me and I will listen when you pray with all your heart (v 12-13).  God always has our best interests at heart.  What He wants is us to come to Him with all their heart. Too often we hold something back. Too often we count on our own strength and don’t turn it all over to Him.

Hebrews 11 is the roll-call of the faithful.  Beginning with the definition of faith (v1), it gives us examples of those who suffered and waited, sometimes beyond their life-span for the promised results they knew God would provide.  If we want real results we need to examine the lives of examples like these. Abraham for instance was promised to be the Father of a great nation, and how many kids did he have? One. When did he have that son? When his wife was 80 years old.  And guess what? Once that son had grown a bit, God asked for Isaac to be sacrificed to show Abraham’s faithfulness to God. Gen. 22 shows that when God called Abraham he said: “Here I am Lord.” When God asked Abraham to do the unthinkable (and sacrifice his only son) he went ahead and began accomplishing the task.  How was it walking up the mountain, knowing his son would be required of him?  How hard was it when the son asked him where is the sacrifice. It must have been close to impossible to draw back that knife, but God stopped His hand and provided a ram for the sacrifice (Gen 22: 13). In Hebrews 11;19 Paul recounts the event and said that Abraham believed in God even for raising his son from the dead, and his faith was counted to him as the justification for a blessing of an entire nation (Gen 22:16-17).

James 1:6-7 states emphatically that faith is an absolute requirement for answer to prayer. A doubter should not expect to hear his answer for he is like one driven a tossed by the sea, unstable in all his ways. Stability, like faith is seen by God in a person who evidence of what is hoped for the proof of the unseen. (Heb. 11:1).   God does not expect great accomplishments or fabulous sacrifices but a sustained and unwavering belief in His ability to provide in even the direst of circumstances. Our actions tell a lot about what we believe, and acting on that belief is a requirement for faith to have its legs. James 2: 21-23 reminds us that Abraham believed and he did what God said.  He didn’t run away, or question God, he went immediately, even to sacrifice his own son.  That kind of active faith, faith with legs, is what Goid honors,.  If we believe we pray and we go, even to a place with difficulty.  God recognized that kind of commitment in Abraham and will recognize it in us. Are we wavering doubting, tossed by the wind, and uncertain, or when called of God do we get up and go?  It is clear what will bring us answers.  Are we willing to go there?


Dana Martin

The Phone Booth Solution

Does God Change as a Result of Our Prayers?

Part 6: The Phone Booth Solution

Genesis 18 -19:27, Jonah

            In the dark, a man was outside a phone booth trying to see the phone numbers in a phone book by pulling the phone book outside the booth to see the book in a street light.  Someone walked by and suggested that he enter the phone booth and close the door to see.  You see, old time phone booths had lights inside that only came on when you closed the door.   We are frequently that way.  We look for results every other way but the obvious one, going to God alone in prayer.  If we just enter into His presence the light to solve the problem, or understand the purpose of God in a current situation, could become obvious.

             We really don’t change God as a result of our prayers.  Instead we learn to 1) understand his will, 2) merge our will with His, 3) become more grateful for everything he does, 4) grow in fellowship with Him, and 5) become active participants in what He has going on already.

            In Genesis 18 Abraham argued with God about his threatened destruction of Sodom and Gamorrah (v20).  Like many of us bargaining with God we don’t see His righteous justice, or His long-term purpose.  Abraham bargained with God to save a city with thousands of residents. He told God He certainly would not destroy the righteous with the unrighteous if there were 50 righteous.  God agreed (v 23-26). Realizing there might not be that many, Abraham reduced his number to 45 (V.28); 40? (V. 29); 30? (V. 30), 20? (V. 31), 10 (verses 32-33).  When Abraham’s brother’s family was all that could be identified, the place was consumed by fire (Gen. 19:27-29).   Abraham’s understanding of where God’s heart was was adjusted by His prayers and observation of the circumstances.

Jonah did not want to go to Ninevah to preach repentance to an evil nation (1:1-3).  In fact, he ran the other way (v3). He was in communication with God but he did not like the answers he was getting. In the end he did what God wanted Him to do (preach to the Ninevites) (3:1-5) and much to his chagrin they repented when they were promised a similar fate to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (3:6). His problem was that He was not on the same page with God about the lives of each person whether they were righteous or not.  God wanted each person to have a second chance, and Jonah was more concerned over a plant that sheltered him than he was the people who were threatened with God’s judgment (4:6-11). He needed a perspective adjustment, and His continued communication with God led Him to see the results of God’s mercy even if he didn’t agree with it.

Many times we need to spend time with God.  We need to get closer to what He thinks and where his priorities are.  If we do, our priorities will definitely change. We’ll see His judgments as righteous and His mercy as amazing, even though we don’t understand why His judgment is stayed or executed.  

Close the door of the phone booth, stop trying to see God from another light.  Get close to His light. Get alone with God, stay in touch with the creator and He will, adjust your priorities, and change your perspective so you can be used to fulfill part of His plan



Can we really Pray without Ceasing?

Phil 4:8, I John 5:14-15, I Thess. 5:17

God never intended us to walk about in an otherwise evil world without His presence there with us on a daily basis.   Instead, He always wants to be in communication with us. I Thess. 5:17 reminds us we should pray without ceasing. How does that look in real life?  Are we supposed to sit around at a church alter doing nothing but praying?  No, God wants us to be His hands and feet to accomplish his tasks in the world.

Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ came up with a good description of what praying without ceasing looks like.  He called it Spiritual Breathing.  The concept has true merit because it keeps us in tune with God and sensitive to God’s desires at all times in or lives.  It involves the concept of confession whenever we realize we have done something outside the will of God. We don’t wait until Sunday, or even until our evening prayers,  In realization of something which would lead us away from the Holy spirit we immediately acknowledge the affront and discuss righting the relationship immediately. Have you ever hurt someone you cared about and immediately wanted to take it back.  I was canoeing down the Guadalupe river with my wife (when we were still dating) and I overturned the canoe at a falls.  In my efforts to right the canoe and get us back inside I also hit my wife in the head with a paddle.  I wanted that one back. (It’s a wonder she married me after that one).

Many times in life we do something so foolish we wish we had it back.  When we are constantly in a spirit of confession we are also constantly seeking to replace the derogatory things in our lives with the positives God wants us to emphasize (Phil. 4:8). We can be in constant communication with God such that we won’t go many minutes without discussing things with Him.  I frequent catch myself saying: ’What do you think about this Lord?” If we approach God in that way, He will always want to be there for us.  I John 5:14-15. Can we get there?  Can we always be in an attitude of involving God in everything we do? If we do we can see our lives more in tune with what God is doing, and see our lives closer to the center of Gods will.



Do you think it’s come to that?

        Does God Change as a Result of Our Prayers?

Prayer? - Do you think it’s come to that?

I Thess. 5:17 and James 5: 13-18, Romans 8:26, Matt. 6:9-13

            Pastor Karl Elkins says the best prayer he had ever heard came from a woman whose life was crashing in.  Her husband had left her, he was behind in paying child support to her, her boss was insensitive, and he didn’t care about her situation, nor did he appreciate the long hours he required of her kept her away from home longer than she wanted to be.  She wasn’t sleeping and she was diagnosed with depression, but she didn’t have time to address it because she had two children under the age of ten.  At wits end, she asked her pastor what to do.  He asked her: “have you prayed about your situation?”  She asked, “Do you think it’s come to that?” He explained to her that prayer was not as complicated as she had made it out to be, and that it was just conversation with God.  She stared at him a minute, and then just bowed her head and yelled “HELP.”   Christians are promised a helper, the Holy Spirit, who will empower us to accomplish His work on earth. Acts 1:4-8, and we are also promised that the Holy Spirit will intercede for us when we pray and don’t know how to say what we need. Romans 8:26.  Sometimes we just don’t know what to say to God when we‘re in trouble, or how to say it.  

Some people think a relationship with God requires performance of an unknown and fearful set of prerequisite events unachievable by anyone other than the most righteous. Doesn’t it take a degree of perfection to come before a Holy a God with your problems? Nope.  Don’t get that idea.  God desires a repentant and obedient heart more than anything else. Psalm 51:16-17. Consequently, what can we better do for God than show Him that we rely on Him and that we know we cannot do it alone.

The question then becomes, what does prayer look like?  Jesus didn’t leave us without instruction.  He left us with His Model prayer. (Matt. 6:9-13). That prayer does several things.  The prayer begins by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all situations (v9). It notes that God’s will is best for us, and that we understand His desires would be best for us in the long run (v10).  It acknowledges our needs and that we are right in asking for them to be taken care of, but one day at a time (v11).  Recall that the children of Israel were hungry in the wilderness and God provided for them, one day at a time (Ex. 16:1-36).  In verse 12 it talks about our relationships, debts and debtors, and reminds us that we are to have God’s perspective on that as well. Be willing to forgive someone else if you want forgiveness. (Matt. 18:21-35). Jesus then reminds us that we need to stay close to Him to be able to escape the wiles of the devil, and that we are correct to seek God’s participation in our lives to avoid falling into the snares of the evil one v.13). God recognizes the activity of Satan in our world and that we don’t have the strength to endure his deceit without God’s help.