Three Simple Steps

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Sounds easy enough. Three steps to fulfilling God’s will for your life. Be joyful, pray and be thankful. Three simple steps.

Simple, but not always easy. Between life’s trials, our finite mind and faltering faith, there are many roadblocks to keep us sad, non-communicative and grumpy! But if it were not possible to be and do those three things, God would not have asked it of us. He supplies the means to rise above the world and live in a realm where we can be joyful, thankful and in constant prayer.

We may not live in that state for days on end, but each time we practice the presence of God, it becomes a little more familiar. Each time we stop to remind ourselves that this is God’s will for our lives, we may be encouraged to try it again.

These requirements are not dependant on our feelings, our social status, our education, or anything else – except obedience. If we are obedient to keep pressing forward to the life we could have in Christ Jesus, He will reward us with confirmation in our spirit.

Lord, I take a moment right now to express my joy, speak to you, and be thankful for your saving grace.

There but by the grace of God......

I am reminded today of the great mercy of God. I am thankful that he shows undeserved mercy to me when I stumble. Most of us don't have to air our sins in front of the cameras for everyone who has a TV to see. You may not be a golf fan, but celebrities have the disadvantage of living in a fish bow. We at least can hide behind closed doors.

I don't know if Tiger Woods is a believer - it's not for me to judge. But I know that he at least might be considering his spiritual life in these dark days. It could be that someone will enter his life at this time and offer him the answers to his questions. I would want that for any sinner - even me.

I do know that the compassion Jesus feels over the pain of those of us who stumble, is a miraculous thing. He cares for all of his children the same and gave his life for all the Tiger Woods in the world. It's a humbling thought to consider. Sin is sin, pain is pain, and God is the judge and healer.

I hope we will pray for Tiger today. It may sound silly, but it would be like praying for all of us who fall and rise again to face another day.

Model For Prayer

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:2-4 Matthew adds: And do not lead us into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen

The disciples that followed Jesus were in a position to observe His communion with the Father. No doubt they could sense there was special power in Jesus' prayers. If it were me, I would have wanted to have the kind of communication that existed between Jesus and his heavenly Father. His followers had been given a glimpse of the true Kingdom, but weren't sure how to enter into a fuller understanding of belonging there.

This model of prayer that Jesus gives them speaks to God's holiness, life on earth, provision, forgiveness and sin. Embedded in the words are declarations, praise and supplications. It is a guide for concise and deliberate prayer or conversation with God. It's simple, to the point and powerful.

We need not make prayer a complicated endeavor. God already knows our heart and the thoughts rolling around in our brain. I believe it is the praise and declarations that provide effectiveness for our prayers, and continual communion with our heavenly Father provides us with stability and peace.

Lord, help me to continually commune with you. I desire to seek your Kingdom and know You more.