Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Greetings,

For those of you just joining us, Isa was my mother-in-law of almost 31 years.  She passed away after a brief 17-day battle with cancer a week ago yesterday.  I had the high high honor and privilege of speaking at her Memorial Service. 

For two days I prepared, and every time I sat down to write, my eyes would get so clouded from crying that I couldn't see the computer screen in front of me.  I cried for my father-in-law, my husband, his brother, the grandchildren, and myself. I did not know how I would ever stand in front of over 300 people and deliver the eulogy Isa was so deserving of.

And then I wrote the following words...

"We all also appreciate all the prayer warriors out there who lifted us up continually during this trial.  Such an overwhelming number of you.  God bless you!"

This tiny paragraph made all the difference.  I lost count of how many people texted, emailed, or called to say they were praying for our family.  We literally felt like we were being hugged by angels' wings, and it was because others cared enough to go to God on our behalf. 

When it was time for me to speak the day of the service, I took one final swipe at my tears with a tissue, I went out on the stage, and I held it together, for the glory of God.  It was so important for me to make sure we all celebrated Isa's life, and we did.

When we pray for someone else, God moves and strengthens, God brings peace, guidance, and hope. 

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people" (The Amplified Bible).

This verse is letting us know that prayer is a way of life. Prayer is a priority - not a last resort. We are called to be specific and we are called to be persistent; others are depending on us!  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is wonderful to know that our prayers are heard and that they make a difference. We are so thankful for anyone who has ever prayed for us. And we are also blessed in knowing that our prayers for others are powerful! In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Know Your Source

Greetings,

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." 

Have you ever cried out to God? Have you ever asked Him for blessings? Have you ever petitioned Him for increase? An increase in finances, health, peace, children, joy, wisdom...? Have you ever implored Him to protect you and keep you from trouble because, let's face it, no one wants to willingly suffer?

If you have, then you are in great company!

Jabez was bold, to the point, and honest.  Most importantly, Jabez knew His source.  He knew the only One Who could answer Him, the only One with the resources, power, and willingness to respond, was the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. 

And how did God respond? "God granted his request."

God gave Jabez what he asked for, and this encourages me to pray!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the source of everything we need in the life! Like Jabez, we cry out to You today and ask for blessings.  We also ask that you would enlarge our territories.  Yes, we want our businesses and jobs to prosper so we can bless our families and others, but we also want increase in wisdom so we can have better relationships and make better decisions.  We also pray for Your mighty hand of protection over us and those we love. Thank You that You are willing to answer us just like You answered Jabez.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

In Tandem Cont...

Greetings,

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance" (Emphasis mine).

Paul wrote this verse while under house arrest, and what I love about it is that he is confident teamwork will set him free.   He doesn’t hope, or think that prayers and Jesus will deliver him.  He KNOWS it.  Amen!

That word "deliverance" means liberation, a change in circumstances, rescue, saving.  And God, for whatever reason, has made it so that you and I get to participate in His handiwork.

This is a huge privilege and responsibility, and I trust we all take this seriously.

Think about it: We pray, and Jesus Himself changes our situation.

Notice how the verse does not say, “…as you pray for me OR as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me."  It says "and" because our words, petitions, pleas, cries for help, and convos with God go together and are in tandem with the Spirit of Jesus Who helps.

Where in your life do you need deliverance?  Maybe it’s someone you love who needs a change in their current circumstances.   Perhaps you are in need a full-out rescue.  The first thing to do is partner up with Christ by praying.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are humbled and amazed that our contribution in prayer makes a difference. Thank You that we can be proactive through prayer. We are blessed to be able to join forces with You – the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Today I pray for ___________, who needs ___________. Help us have the confidence of Paul who knew You would help. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

The Lord Has Granted my Petition~

Thursday greetings~

Today we revisit a woman named Hannah who was bold in her prayers. 

Hannah could not get pregnant, and it was heartbreaking.  To make matters worse, others in her community made fun of her because she didn’t have children.  (I guess mean girls have always existed), and surprise surprise, her own husband didn’t understand her.  “Don’t I mean more to you than 10 sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8. 

What did Hannah do?

1 Samuel 1:11-12, “Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried –   inconsolably.  ‘Oh God…take a good hard look at my pain, go into action for me by giving me a son.  I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.  I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.’”

Hannah is crushed, and by now we know that her own husband doesn’t get it.  She could have nagged him, tried to get him to see it her way.  But Hannah shows us a better way.  Rather than complain that he is not meeting her needs, she goes straight to God and cries out to Him – not just telling Him how much it hurts, but also boldly asking Him to go into action for her.

When we are inconsolable, there is no one better to turn to than to God.  

And then we read verse 19 and learn that as Hannah and her husband made love, “God began making all the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked.”

But wait a minute?  If Hannah asked God to go into action for her, why did she have to make love to get pregnant?

Sometimes we have to do something that is natural for God to move supernaturally.

It’s called taking a step of faith, and this is a principal we can apply to almost everything in life.

You want to get into a certain college?  God wants you to fill out the application first.

You need a job? God wants you to set up some interviews.

You want to get married?  God wants you to go out on a date and meet new people.

In other words, we pray, we take a step of faith, and then God acts accordingly.

Verse 20 says that “before the year was out, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son.  She named him Samuel, which means, ‘I asked God for him.’”

This chapter concludes with Hannah joyfully testifying, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition.”

When we pray amazing things happen in our families.  Samuel grew up to be a mighty man of God who was powerful and prominent in his nation of Israel.  

One more thing.  Hannah went from having no kids to having three more sons and two daughters for a total of six. AMEN!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We have learned that in order for You to grant a petition, we have to offer it up.  So we pray today and ask You to go into action for us just like You did for Hannah.  Here is my specific petition for You: _________________________________. I have prayed, show me how and when to take a step of faith, and thank You that You will act accordingly.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

I-Need-This-Now~

TGIAF--Thank God it's Almost Friday:)

I love it when a DEVO hits a nerve, and yesterday's was a doozy. Many of you were happy to see that not only is it okay to pray for yourself, but that God actually welcomes it and shows His approval by "granting the requests."

In honor of this awesome revelation let's examine the Jabez prayer.

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.

Jabez cried...

When the kids were in elementary school I made friends with another mom who was a nurse. One day she climbed onto a stool and started cleaning the ceiling fan blades. She lost her balance and fell backward and landed so awkwardly that she fractured both elbows. Yes, at the same time.

Picture this poor gal without the use of her arms for eight weeks. Picture both arms in casts up to the shoulders with a stick at the hip to keep them at an angle. Picture her needing help for EVERYTHING.

And when I think of her I think of Jabez, because on the day she fell no one was home and she cried out--loudly--for over an hour until a neighbor arrived.

Jabez's prayer was not some softly spoken, whispered, half-hearted request. It was an urgent, I-need-this-now petition. Time was of the essence!!!

God answers these kind of prayers. What do feel you feel the need to cry out for today?

And please note that Jabez cried out for more than one thing. Think of it as invitation to bring all your concerns before the Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You know we sometimes need to cry out for help, and thank You that You answer. Today I cry out for __________! In Jesus' name, AMEN~