Pray Like You Believe It~

Isaiah 59:1 "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear."

Before we proceed, let's all take a moment to reflect.

Are we alive and kicking on life's journey?

Then let's thank Him: "Thank you, dear Lord!"

Let's proceed...

That verse above is one of my all-time favorites. It's an in-your-face assertion that does not hold back.  If it weren't for all the sensitive people in the world, God might have even finished the verse with the words, "As if, honey child!"

This verse reminds us of a powerful fact: God's hand is more than enough to save you from whatever you need saving from.

Think about the most intense prayer request you have ever received. Or think about the most pressing personal need you have ever had. Some are biggies, like when a friend asked for prayer for her upcoming cancer surgery.  Others are not quite so urgent like when a little girl asked me to pray so she could find a lost earring.  Either way, God's hand is long enough to reach down and save those who believe that His ears have heard their cries.   

And notice how God does not put any exceptions in this verse.  He does not limit His saving for specific needs nor His hearing for certain requests.  Everything and anything is within reach of our Lord, and it is our responsibility to pray like we believe it!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that Your hearing is perfect and that You have tuned in to my prayer right now. I invite Your awesome, far-reaching hand to save me from _________ and save the one or ones I love from _________. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Back to Business~

Tuesday greetings ~

Isaiah 41:13 “I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.’”

What can we expect when God takes us by the hand?  The book of Mark in the Bible provides one glorious answer with three different miracles.

Mark 1:31 “He went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”

Mark 5:41 “He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (Which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.”

Mark 9:27 “Jesus gently took his hand and raised him to his feet, and he stood up.”

When God takes hold of our hand, we get up! We get back to business!  We don’t stay down; we rise by His power and live! 

In all three of these verses there was no hope left.  But when Jesus took each of these folks by the hand, a mighty reversal took place.  What is that “thing” that has you down?  Is it your child? Two of these miracles were performed at the request of a parent.  Is it a relative? The other miracle was for Peter’s mother-in-law.  Is it you? God takes a hold of YOUR right hand today.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Take our hand, please, and lift us up.  You are speaking into our hearts today and promising to help us.  Do Your thing! In Jesus’ name, we receive it! Amen~

Back to Business~

Tuesday greetings ~

Isaiah 41:13 “I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.’”

What can we expect when God takes us by the hand?  The book of Mark in the Bible provides one glorious answer with three different miracles.

Mark 1:31 “He went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”

Mark 5:41 “He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (Which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.”

And our verse from Friday’s DEVO, Mark 9:27 “Jesus gently took his hand and raised him to his feet, and he stood up.”

When God takes hold of our hand, we get up! We get back to business!  We don’t stay down; we rise by His power and live! 

In all three of these verses there was no hope left.  But when Jesus comes to us and helps us, we can expect a reversal.  What is that “thing” that has you down?  Is it your child? Two of these miracles were performed at the request of a parent.  Is it a relative? The other miracle was for Peter’s mother-in-law.  Is it you? God takes a hold of YOUR right hand today.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Take our hand, please, and lift us up.  You are speaking into our hearts today and promising to help us.  Do Your thing! In Jesus’ name, we receive it! Amen~

As If~

Isaiah 59:1 "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear."

Before we proceed, let's all take a moment to reflect.

Are you alive?

Did you make it?

Did you receive startling news and yet you survived?

Did you have a rough week but arrived at Friday nonetheless?

Then thank HIM!

"Thank you, dear Lord!"


Now, that verse above is one of my all-time favorites. It's an in-your-face assertion that does not hold back. If it weren't for all the sensitive people in the world, God might have even finished the verse with the words, "As if, honey child!"

You all know I like to break it down a La Macarena style. And if we do that what we get with this verse is a simple yet powerful fact: God's hand is more than enough to save you from whatever you need saving from.

The laundry list of requests just from this week alone include prayer for sick kids, broken hearts, spouses who need surgery, those looking for love, job issues, school concerns, relationship struggles...and honestly it would be overwhelming except for two truths: (1) I am not God and therefore I feel no pressure to act like it, and (2) God's hand is not too short--NEVER EVER NEVER!!!

Let that penetrate to your weary soul. Accept it at face value. Don't put any "excepts" after it. Live as though it's 100 accurate.

And the second part of that verse is important as well: God hears us when we pray.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that Your hand is PHENOMENAL. Save me from _________ and save the one or ones I love from _________. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Written, Engraved, Inscribed, & Tattooed~

Wednesday greetings:)

As we continue on our journey with Jabez, I pray your hearts will be greatly encouraged.

1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
The third thing Jabez cried out for was for God's hand to be with him.

God's hand...what image does it conjure up in your mind?

Do you picture a strong, invincible, big, muscular hand? Think again and think even bigger! God's hand is so vast that all of His children's names are written on the palm.

Isaiah 49:16 "...I have written your names on the palm of my hand."

Other versions say "engraved," "inscribed," and even "tattooed."

Our names aren't going anywhere, and neither is God.

When we talk to Him through prayer it's more about our faith growing stronger than making sure He's around. We are the ones who struggle with doubt and fear, and prayer helps us overcome all that mess.

I dare you to cry out for God's hand every single day for a week. (But by all means, keep on praying after a week). And at the end of those seven days you will find yourself with a bolstered up faith--the kind of faith that can look a person in the eye and confidently say, "God' s hand is with you; go forth with joy!" After all the times I have said this, yelled this, and cried this, my own family would have disowned me by now if they hadn't experienced it for themselves.

Before we pray, think about these two questions: Can anyone erase you from God's palm? Is there anything or anyone bigger and stronger than our God?

I feel better already.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let Your hand be with us! Let Your hand be with our families! You are awesome, and we are at peace in Your tender-loving care. In Jesus' name, AMEN~