Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Yesterday’s Scripture Reading from ourdailyverse.com was Colossians 4:2. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” What a gracious gift God has given us through these words of Paul. We have been invited into a life of prayer. He doesn’t demand it but graciously offers us the privilege to not only come boldly before His throne but to come often – actually to stay in an attitude of prayer, making it the “heartbeat of our existence.”
“It is an opportunity to experience the profound intimacy of continual communion with our Creator, to align our hearts with His in every waking moment.” ourdailyverse.com
Through the years of knowing/quoting this verse, God has trained my heart to hear His voice, to be alert not only to the guiding hand and voice of His Spirit, but to watch with expectation for His answer and to discern His purposes unfolding in and around me. It has been in the watching and the staying alert, as Paul instructed his readers to do, that my prayers have morphed into not just requests but offerings of thanksgiving and praise. This way of praying becomes a way of living and has the power to change us from the inside out. It changes not only the way we think but the way we live and how we respond to life, to others, and to God.
We recognize that every blessing, every trial, every moment is an opportunity to experience God’s grace and faithfulness. Gratitude becomes the lens through which we view life, transforming even the darkest days into opportunities for praise.
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14
Using the analogy of a runner, Paul teaches us to press on … to continue on by keeping our focus on the goal, which he identifies as “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” He encourages his readers to “forget the past” and keep moving forward by focusing on what we can do today and in the days ahead to live for Christ until we meet with Him ~ whether through death or His return.1
He wrote a similar message to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14) – telling him to remain faithful, despite the evil that was around him, to continue on in the things he knew to be true, the things of faith which he had learned and been assured of and professed to others.
To the Colossians, he wrote that they were to continue in prayer, to be devoted to it. He wanted those he was writing to understand that prayer was an essential part of their faith and should be a constant in their lives, not just something scheduled for certain times or places. As one commentary explains, “It is meant to be an ongoing dialogue with the Lord.” Paul reiterates this in his letter to the Thessalonians when he tells them to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Paul mentions two important aspects of prayer. First, believers are to be “watchful” in prayer. This carries the idea of standing guard, or staying awake at night to make sure a location is safe. Prayer demands ongoing attention, just like the guard at a city gate. In practical terms, this means prayer is not supposed to be a careless, casual, or frivolous act. We should pray with specific purpose and with deliberate intent. Bibleref.com
John also writes to believers about continuing on in their faith… specifically to keep (continue, remain…) abiding in His love (John 15:9-11) and to abide (continue, remain…) in Him (John 15:4-7). Only when we choose to remain (continue on) in Him will we know the fullness of His joy and bear spiritual fruit for His glory.
Friends, continuing on isn’t always easy. It wasn’t in the days of Paul and John, and it isn’t in the days and times we live in now. Yet it is the calling of Jesus on our lives and the example He (and His disciples) set before us – even to the cross that Christ hung on and the unimaginable deaths that many of His followers faced. – May our God of grace and mercy help us to press on to the “mark of His high calling in Christ Jesus”. May we remember that He has given us everything that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4) and that through Him nothing is impossible.
Reflection and Application
What is the key to pressing (or continuing) on in our faith, even in this sin-infested world?
What is the key to remaining in Christ?
How can we encourage others to continue on in the faith?
Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 25 and Ephesians 3:20
From being barren for twenty long years to a complicated pregnancy to delivering twins, the road to having children was not an easy one for Rebekah and Isaac.1 Unlike today, barrenness in the days of Isaac and Rebekah came not only with the disappointment women experience today but with the added stigma of social shame and disgrace. This was in large part due to the cultural beliefs that childbearing was equated with a blessing from God and/or a woman’s worth. So, like Hannah and others2 we have studied in our journey through the women of the Bible, barrenness could frustrate marriages or have crushing mental effects on a woman who struggled to conceive.
Rebekah also serves as an example that when we feel barren God can intervene. She, volume 4/p58
I particularly appreciate one of the commentaries by Biblehub.com, which points out (and I paraphrase) that the stigma not only affected the barren woman but also her husband and extended family. However, as the commentator points out, God often used these situations “as a backdrop for miraculous divine intervention.” I know the reality of this statement from my own years of barrenness, and I am forever grateful for God’s sovereign timing (divine intervention) in opening not only my womb but my mind and heart to His saving grace and mercy. These gifts (mercy and grace) led me out of the physical barrenness, but also out of the hopelessness and spiritual wilderness I had been wandering in for far too long.
Her husband prayed to the Lord on his wife’s behalf.
While our focus is on Rebekah in this part of our journey through God’s Word, it should also be noted, as the my study journal points out that Isaac prayed for his wife because she was barren and the Lord heard Isaac’s plea and God gave them even more than they asked for, or, as He so often does ~ He gave them exceedingly abundantly more than he asked or even imagined (Eph 3:20). When it came time for her to deliver she delivered twin boys. In Genesis 25:23 the Lord had described them to her as “two nations…two manner of people would come from her…one would be stronger and the other would serve the younger. Of course, if you know the story of Jacob and Esau, you know that every word God spoke to Rebekah about her babies was proven true, they could not have been more different.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Reflection and Application
How did Rebekah go from barren to doubly blessed? (list out all the ways/things that you can think of that played into it.)
Think of ways God has blessed or doubly blessed you and/or someone else you know and why it happened.
The More We Know
Rebekah did not have an easy pregnancy and Scripture tells us that she talked to the Lord about the difficulty (Genesis 25:22) ↩︎
Notable matriarchs who wrestled with the stigma of barrenness include: Sarah (Sarai): She endured years of childlessness before God miraculously enabled her to conceive Isaac in her old age (Genesis 11:30, Genesis 21:1-2). Rachel: She famously cried to her husband Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” (Genesis 30:1). Hannah: Mocked by her husband’s other wife due to her infertility, she poured out her anguish in prayer to God, eventually giving birth to the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1:6-8, 1 Samuel 1:20). Elizabeth: In the New Testament, she was publicly disgraced for being childless, but gave birth to John the Baptist in her old age (Luke 1:7, Luke 1:24-25). ↩︎
In our previous post, we traveled with Eliezer, Abraham’s oldest servant, to Abraham’s homeland1. Abraham, desperate and determined that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman, had sent Eliezar on a mission to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his own people. Eliezar took the mission seriously, promising Abraham that he would do just as he had requested. He not only relied on Abraham’s promise that God would send an angel to help him, but when he arrived in the land of Abraham’s brother, he prayed a very specific prayer. We read it on yesterday’s journey and again today as he recounts both the prayer and God’s answer to Rebekah’s family.
And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master’s son.
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son. ~Genesis 24:42-48
Friends, praying ‘specifically’ not only builds a more personal relationship with God, but it also enriches our prayer life with trust, confident boldness, and joy. Last year, when I was going weekly to the knee doctor and my knees were really bad, I would pray for God to save me a parking place. I would remind Him of my pain and how the parking lot gets so crowded, and the steps in the parking garage were excruciatingly painful. I would pray the day before, the morning of, and on the way to the appointment. I learned to watch for His answers and would often laugh and rejoice as I pulled up and saw an empty spot or a car backing out of a spot very close to the door. A smile would line my lips, and praise would flow forth.2
This is similar to how Eliezar responded when God so specifically answered his prayer: from
Rebekah showing up at the well
to her offering not only Eliezar a drink
but also his camels, just as Eliezar had prayed
and then finding out she was the daughter of Abraham’s brother
26 The man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. 27 Praise the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,’ he said. ‘The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.’
Genesis 24:26-27
~God’s attentiveness to the prayers of His people is evident and a tremendous encouragement, not to mention a source of motivation for us to pray specifically. Even more so would it have been an encouragement to Rebekah and her family when they sat together hearing Eliezar recount his prayer concerning a wife for Isaac, his master’s son, and how Rebekah (not knowing his prayer) had responded just as he had prayed. Now she had listened as Eliezar retold why and how God had led the servant to them, and why he believed Rebekah was the one God intended for Isaac. So, when given the choice to stay or go, she said, “I will go”. As we will see in the remainder of our Journey, “Rebekah has many blessings awaiting her because of her willingness to do what the Lord had purposed for her”.3
Rebekah also serves as an example of what can be found when we are willing to go where the Lord directs.
~She, Volume 4/p54
Reflection and Application
Where is the Lord directing you to go?
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” ~ Isa. 6:8
The Rest of the Story…Make no mistake, there were days when there was no parking place available within a comfortable walking distance – yet, even on those days, I learned to praise Him. I learned to trust that there was a reason for the answer I had received (yes, “no, not today” is an answer). On one of those days, as I was wondering why He had me park in the garage, nowhere near the elevator ~ I was blessed on the walk out of the garage to be able to share the love of Jesus with a young man who was having a rough day. My guess is I will never see that young man again, but I fully believe that God parked me in the garage for the purpose of talking to that man. I continued to pray for the close spots, but I trusted and watched each time for His better purpose, and praised Him just the same. ↩︎
adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, volume 4/pp51-52
Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 24: 1-21
The day and time were different in the days of Abraham. Parents often, if not typically, chose not only who their child would marry, but purposefully arranged for them to marry within the same family line.1 This is where our journey through Rebekah’s story opens. Abraham, described as a “very old man” now, is making arrangements with his oldest servant, Eliezar, who was in charge of his household, to make arrangements for Isaac to marry a relative from their homeland2 and not a Canaanite woman.
Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, ‘Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. 3 Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. 4 Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.’ Genesis 24:1-4
Eliezar has a few questions, but in the end, he promises to do as Abraham has requested. Abraham assures him that God will send an angel to help him. Scripture says that the servant went to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled. He made the camels kneel beside a well just outside the town. It was evening, and the women were coming out to draw water. So he stops to pray a very specific prayer, saying:
O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,’ he prayed. ‘Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. 13 See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. 14 This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ — let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.’ Genesis 24:12-14
Have you ever prayed for God to show you something in such a specific way? While our journey’s focus is on Rebekah and not Abraham or Eliezar, I can’t help but stop and focus just briefly on this prayer of Eliezar. It is a prayer that God has used through the years to teach me how to pray specifically. It is also a vivid reminder that God’s gift of prayer is an opportunity for us to talk to Him, not just thanking Him for things He has already done (though that is important), but casting our cares on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and yes, asking Him for things we need.
Specific prayers build a more personal relationship with God and enrich our prayer life with trust, confident boldness, and joy. ~Me, from the inside-out
Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah. ~Genesis 24:15
Rebekah serves as an example that the LORD has a purpose appointed just for us💜
She, Volume 4, p52
Don’t you just love it? Before the servant had finished praying, a daughter from the tribe of Abraham was coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. Whether there were others there at the same time is not clear, but we do know that Rebekah is the one he saw and that she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up again. When she did, he ran to meet her, saying: “Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.”
Little did Rebekah know it, but with the water jug on her shoulder (most likely, like every other day), she was prepared for what God had planned for her today. Her life was about to change as God was answering the specific prayer of Abraham’s servant for the provision of a wife for Isaac and clear direction as to who that should be.
She was prepared for what God had planned for her.
She, Volume 4, p51
Tomorrow’s journey will reveal more details on God’s answer to Eliezar, the beauty and benefit of praying specifically, and Rebekah’s response to what Eliezar was seeking. Today, let’s rest in the beauty and comfort that come from knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, but also a desire to make His way known to us. May we learn from Eliezar to pray specifically and watch for God to answer.
The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you.
As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it.
Luke 19:41
Friends, we have journeyed for weeks now, toward the cross, and we have known this day would come. The day God planned from eternity past, the day His only begotten Son would hang and die for us, sinners, condemned unclean! Yet in this world of animatronics, it is easy to forget that He came not as a spirit or a robotic type creature, but as “fully man”! He came as a baby in a manger – a suffering servant – the son of God, yet sent to earth as the son of a carpenter – sent not to sit on a royal throne and be served but to serve and ultimately to die for the world God so loved. Yet not before He would seek and save those who were lost. For He came to dwell among them, teaching them about the God who saves, and to show them the way to live and the way to eternal life. A life that could only come through death – the death of the spotless, scarificial lamb of God.
Just days before His death, we find Him walking into Jerusalem, weeping as He entered the city.
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
Luke 19:41-44
Even as He was being welcomed by the crowd as He rode in on the donkey, the crowd was waving palm branches and shouting, “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest heaven!” Even then, (like us today), He wept for He knew what the leaders and rulers were planning. He knew then what had to be – ‘fully man but fully God,’ -He knew and had come to accomplish it – to redeem the lost, a lost and dying world – a world God had chosen to love and to save through the blood of a lamb – a people who would believe in this man – who was also fully God! He knew the death He would die and the destruction that would come upon this city and its people, and He wept – lamenting that the Jews – “of all people,” would have understood the way to peace! He was that Way, but they had rejected Him. They could not see Him as the rescuer He was, but rather as a threat to be done away with! — So He wept, and continued on the road … the road that led to the Temple…the road that led to Him lamenting their blindness, their lack of understanding, and what would come because of it – not just His own death – but the destruction of Jerusalem – The City of God!
Jesus Clears the Temple
Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.
Luke 19:45-48
It was a road that led to His authority being challenged…the road that would lead to the upper room…the washing of feet…the last supper with His disciples…the Garden of Gethsemene and His heartfelt prayer of lament that the Father would “let this cup pass from Him” It was the road that led to…Judas’ betrayal and the arrest that followed…Peter’s denial…the trial… and ultimately the road that ended at the cross, or more appropriately stated today – “On the cross”, where He suffered and bled and died, not as one without feeling, but in agony,1 on a cross of scorn, of sin, and shame meant for us.
Friends, Jesus could have called down 10,000 angels to take Him from the cross – , where He suffered and bled and died, not as one without feeling, but in agony.1 It wasn’t His cross to bear, it was ours – a cross of scorn, of sin, and shame but as a sacrifical lamb led to the slaughter He took our place, our scouraging, our nails, our pain and shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching. – Luke 23:48-49
Prayer of Response
Father this day brings great sorrow to me, a great awareness of Your sacrifice, of Jesus’ suffering, and of my sin. But I do not sorrow as one without hope – but one who knows that Sunday is coming! And so I cry with grateful heart, thank You, God, for loving me. Thank you, Jesus – Lamb of God, for Your tears and Your willingness – even through lamenting – to not turn back but to take my stripes and my wounds and all the torment it must have been. I am forever indebted and forever changed because of Your love and Your obedience to the will of the Father. Amen and amen! – May my life and lips forever tell Your story!2 –
The More We Know
Credits for today’s graphic belong to Susan Hill’s excellent Easter Devotional, “A Savior Is Risen”, p121.
Dear Reader: If you do not know the story of Jesus, the truths of His Word and the invitation that is open to you to receive salvation through Faith in Jesus, the sacrificial lamb of God – I invite you (urge you) to click on “Know These Truths” and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ~ the Way, the Truth, and the Life -~ to all who believe.
This passage can often be misunderstood or taken out of context, so to help us not fall into this trap, I am starting off with some helpful commentary from bibleref.com:
In a further effort to withdraw from crowds, Jesus has withdrawn from Israel entirely. He has travelled into pagan Gentile territory east of Galilee. Even here, though, it seems He is known at least by some. This is somewhat ironic, as Jesus had earlier referred to this region of “Tyre and Sidon” in His criticism of Israel’s stubbornness (Matthew 11:20–24).
Here, a non-Israelite Canaanite woman comes to Him. She is crying, and she asks Jesus for mercy, addressing Him as Lord and Son of David. This woman’s reference indicates she knows something about Israel and Judaism. She tells Christ that her daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. His response seems confusing, at first, but proves to have an important lesson attached (Matthew 15:23, 28).
Demon oppression and possession were common around the known world of this era. The existence of demons was not debated. Too many people had seen a person oppressed by a demon to doubt it. Various symptoms of demon oppression witnessed in the New Testament include drastic personality change, refusal to wear clothes, supernatural strength, violent actions, illness, being mute or deaf, and intentional self-harm.
Bibleref.com/Matthew 15:22
I love the way the study guide outlines the woman’s actions:
She cried unto the Lord…
She was a mother and desperate for someone to help her daughter.
She fell at His feet in humble desperation…
She was a Canaanite, a gentile, yet she addresses Jesus as the “Son of David,” indicating that she knew He was the Messiah of Israel.
She did not receive an answer immediately…
Jesus seemingly pays no attention to her.
She kept praying…
His silence doesn’t deter her; if anything, it only makes her cry out all the more, so much so that Scripture says the disciples were bothered by her cries for help.
It’s unclear if the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away without helping her. More likely, they wanted the Master to heal the woman’s child, so she’d go away and leave them alone (Luke 18:1–8).1
She persistently prayed for her need…
Whether it was desperation for her daughter or a deep faith in Jesus, or both ~ the waiting did not shake her faith!
Perhaps it was because of the disciples concern over her annoyance, or maybe it was the persistence of the woman, whatever the reason – Jesus answers her, explaining: “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep ~ the people of Israel.” – When the woman persisted by worshiping Him and pleading again for His help, Jesus responds with words that would have, at the very least, been hurtful for the woman to hear, and often a portion of the passage that is “taken out of context, making it seem derogatory, or even hateful. It’s neither: Jesus has a purpose for this dialogue (Matthew 15:28).2”
The suggested purpose by the commentator is that “Christ’s intent, apparently, was to test the woman’s commitment to her request, and her faith in Him.” Which, by their continued dialogue, we see is exactly what happened.
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Matthew 16:26-28
The final observation, and what I believe is one of the best takeaways of the study, cannot be said any better than this: “The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.”
The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.
She, volume 1/p58
Reflection/Application
What are you persistently praying about? What could you or should you be persistently praying about?
Consider this encouragement from Matthew 7:7
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
“Some commentators suggest these words imply a progression. It’s possible that ‘asking’ means making a request, ‘seeking’ implies persistence or fervor, and ‘knocking’ represents continued and ongoing persistence.” bibleref.com
The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness.13 For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Ephesians 3:10-13
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
Hebrews 4:14-16
For me, the highlight of today’s readings was the portions on the bold and confident access we have to the throne of God, through Christ Jesus. I love that we do not have to worry about coming into His presence. We do not have to wonder if He will hear us or not. The throne room does not close; we have 24/7 access. As today’s journal entry points out, “We enter into His presence through prayer. Prayer is speaking and listening to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us to confidently approach the throne of grace because it is where we will be met with mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16).”
Through the blood of Jesus, we have unlimited access to God, the God who created the world and all that is on it, and the seas and all that is in them. We are not limited to morning prayers or evening prayers. We can come before Him 24/7, 365 days a year! To be clear, unlimited access doesn’t mean we will always get what we ask for. I have learned, perhaps I should say – I am constantly learning or being reminded – that we aren’t told to have bold confidence in the answer we seek, but in the true and living God, to whom we pray. This means we must trust He knows best and answers according to His perfect plan and purpose for our lives.
Friends, we are most blessed. Prayer like this is not just a gift; it is an immeasurable privilege and an opportunity for a close and intimate relationship with God. If you want to strengthen your faith and your relationship with God, start making prayer – not just part of your day but a way of life.
The More We Know
The revelation of God’s multifaceted wisdom wasn’t displayed to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms on a whim. It was not a secondary plan but was set in place from the beginning of time. The phrase “multifaceted wisdom” caught my attention and sent me chasing Scripture squirrels to understand what it really means. I hope you’ll take a minute to follow the link to Gotquestions.org for some wonderful insight and encouragement.
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Ephesians 1:16-17
After nearly three years of living with the believers at Ephesus, Paul had come to know them well. He was impressed, not only by their faith but by their love for one another. It was clear to him that they knew the facts and blessings of salvation as well as the future hope believers have with God. Clearly, this knowledge and his relationship with them fostered the beautiful and heartfelt prayer for them to more fully understand the importance of their salvation and eternal hope, and grow in their knowledge of God. Oh, that we might pray for and encourage each other like this.
Today’s journal entry by the Love God Greatly team is too beautiful and encouraging not to share. I pray it blesses you as it has me. I pray for each of you, truly from the heart, that together we might understand the blessing of our salvation and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. I pray that He might give us spiritual wisdom and insight so that, together, we might grow in our knowledge of God. You are dearly loved and such a blessing to me. 💕🦋
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
John 15:16
Early on in this journey, we learned or were reminded that we are filled with God’s Spirit and called to bear His fruit. Today’s Scripture adds to this knowledge that not only are we commissioned to bear fruit, but we are also chosen by Christ.
Friends, I believe this is a crucial part of our faith. It is a truth that we must grasp to truly understand and appreciate the relationship we have been given with God – the Father, Son, and Spirit.
We were not only chosen, but we were given purpose and the responsibility to go and produce lasting fruit. Or, as today’s journal entry explains: “We didn’t just stumble into a relationship with Jesus by chance. He saw us, loved us, and appointed us for an incredible purpose. And make no mistake, this is not a random selection but a deliberate choice made by the Creator of the universe. He hasn’t just chosen us to become His own but to have a fruitful life, a life with the lasting legacy of love and service that reaches through eternity.”
Because of this relationship with Christ, who abides in us and has invited us to abide in Him, we have the privilege of asking anything, according to God’s will. We have also been told to expect to receive what we ask for. While this is a wonderful promise, we must be careful to understand what it is to pray according to God’s will. Borrowing again from today’s journal entry, I’m sharing what I believe is a helpful explanation/example of praying according to God’s will.
What are some of the things we can ask for in the name of Jesus? A godly character and lasting fruit! To be a fruitful Christian, it is absolutely essential that we come to God in faith through prayer, expecting Him to work in us the things we ask for. We abide in Jesus by depending on Him for fruit, and the way we show our dependence is through prayer – through asking Him and trusting Him to answer.
Abiding in Jesus, p175
Surely we are thankful to belong to and be loved by God. Yet, it can be daunting to realize the responsibility to bear fruit that lasts. May God help us to abide in Jesus every day that He gives, and may He help us make a lasting impact for His Kingdom. – Amen
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control …
Me From the Inside Out 