Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 AMP

A number of years ago, I worked for a professional baseball team as an athletic trainer. There was one particular person I had a very challenging and difficult time with…my immediate boss. He was a former professional baseball player and the manager for the minor league team I was working for.  He had an unusual personality and frankly never seemed like he was in a good mood. I really believe he had some bitterness because he was no longer a player and was now a coach. He was quite intimidating and I felt like I was always walking on eggshells around him. Whenever I had to approach him for something I needed, I hesitated and waited for what I thought was a good time…when really there was never a good time!

I was afraid of his responses to my questions and needs as I had already experienced his rude remarks on a number of occasions. I can recall on one particular instance, I approached him and asked him about an injured baseball player. His response? He yelled at me in front of the entire team. And the list of these experiences went on from him throwing a chair across the locker room to trying to fine me for being late…which I can honestly say I was not!

Have you ever had an experience like this?

Well, maybe not to the extent of having chairs thrown around on your behalf but maybe say approaching someone of authority like your boss for a pay raise or even a few days off? Have you been hesitant or intimidated because this person of authority was not very approachable for one reason or another?

Some of our needs today go far beyond asking our bosses for a pay raise or a few days off of work. You may be struggling with an illness or sickness in your body, a marriage that is falling apart, or a child who is resisting your authority (Oh, my Lord, I know this one too well having 2 boys!). You may be struggling with emotional pain from past disappointments or have suffered a major financial loss in this struggling economy. Maybe your need is to forgive yourself from past failures or simply to receive God’s forgiveness for your sins.

I can tell you that I used to feel hesitant turning to God in praying for my needs. At times, I felt fearful approaching God (and I don’t mean the healthy fear of God defined as reverence) because I struggled with trusting him. I felt at times that I didn’t want to “bother “God and other times I was convinced that he didn’t hear me especially when I didn’t get my answers right away!

Well, I can tell you today that you have someone that you can approach who welcomes you and your requests with open and loving arms, who you can approach with no fear or hesitation, who can fill your needs better than any person ever will, whose responses are gentle and full of grace, mercy and love, and …who wants you to come to him!

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV

I absolutely love this scripture! And want to share it with you in more detail with hopes of it encouraging you to draw closer to God with greater confidence and faith(not hesitation) and to pray for all (not some) of your needs and requests with greater boldness(not fear)!

Hebrews 4:16 begins with “Let us.” That means you and me. We as Christians have been given the awesome privilege to approach God. Thanks to Jesus Christ, by faith we can enter directly into God’s presence through prayer. We know we will be welcomed with open arms because we are God’s children through our union with Christ.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

The next word “then” can easily be overlooked but is so important. It means next or afterward. So this implies that we need to look at the scripture just before Hebrews 4:16 at verse 15 to gain a better perspective.

For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Hebrews 4:15 AMP

So amazing that Jesus was both God and man and as man he shared in our weaknesses and temptations but was without sin!  As my pastor always says, Jesus came to us as “God in a bod” (aka body) when he walked here on this earth. This verse also exemplifies Jesus’ power and sovereignty as well as his understanding and sympathy towards us as our high priest. And knowing this, “then” we can approach him.

“Approach” The word “approach” means to come near or nearer to someone or something in the distance. It is a verb and therefore requires us to take action.

Have you been standing back and waiting to approach God with your needs? Well, it is time to step forward and to him with your prayer requests!

“The Throne” What is a throne a symbol of? The Greek word used here is thronos, indicating “a stately seat, implying power.  In other words, a throne is a position of power and authority and therefore whoever sits on the throne carries all the power and authority implied.

But it isn’t just a throne…it is a throne of grace!

“Grace” is unmerited favor. The Greek word for grace is charis meaning “benefit, favor, gift, graciousness. This benefit, favor or gift is not earned but is due to the generosity of the giver and in this case our God.

So we are approaching a God who extends grace to us even when we don’t deserve it!

Ok…stay with me! I know this is a lot to take in!

“With Confidence” So how do we approach God’s throne of grace?…with confidence! According to the amplified version of the bible, “fearlessly”, “confidently, and “boldly”. “Confidence” means firm trust, faith, reliance.

How confidently are you approaching God with your needs? How much are you trusting him when you come to him with your issues, problems, and requests?

Here are a few ways we can perceive the God that we are approaching in contrast to someone of authority in our lives who may be unapproachable:

1)    He has the reputation and character that denotes the fruit of the spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control. (Galations 5:22-23)

2)    He is never in a bad mood nor are his emotions fickle or changing. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8)

3)    God’s resources will never run out. You can’t out ask, out request, or out petition God with your prayer needs!

4)    There is no need to determine the right timing to ask him. Although his answers may be based on his timing, your requests are not!

Excuse my lengthiness today as I have obviously taken a lot of time focusing on the first half of Hebrews 4:16 and may continue the rest of this scripture in a later blog. But I hope to have encouraged you in knowing that you and I have the privilege to come near our gracious God with firm trust and reliance “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Reflection Points:

1)    What are you in need of today?

2)    Have you approached God in prayer with confidence or hesitation? Why?

3)    How confident are you that he hears you? (Psalm 116:1)

4)    How well do you know who you are approaching?

Action Points:

1)    Approach God confidently today with your requests.

2)    Trust and have faith that he hears you.

3)    The more you get to know God, the more you will understand and trust who he is, not just what he can do for you. A perfect way to get to know God better is by reading his word!

Last summer our family joined our town’s community swimming pool. Since we don’t have a pool, I wanted to get the boys more exposed to water. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go much at all because both boys didn’t know how to swim and it became very challenging for me alone to keep a close eye on them.

My youngest son, Bryce, my little daredevil, has absolutely no fear. He is so bold and will walk right into the deep end if I don’t stop him! …Which is not comforting for me at all. My older son, Connor, is very cautious and hesitant which is good but when it came to getting him in the water, it was no easy task. I stood there in the pool about waist deep and told him to jump and I would catch him. He looked at me like I was crazy!

He stood at the very edge of the pool with his toes barely hanging off with a look of absolute fear and terror. I continued to encourage him to jump reassuring him each time that I would catch him. He even said, “Mommy I know you will catch me but the water is so deep!” And then finally, after what felt like hours, he jumped into my arms! Certainly a thank you Jesus moment!

You see, Connor said he trusted me but he was afraid to demonstrate his trust by jumping in the water. Until he actually jumped in, his faith was not demonstrated and was only just a thought in his mind. It was empty faith with nothing to back it up! There is a difference between believing and agreeing in your mind something to be true (called intellectual assent) and having genuine true faith proven by action.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead. James 2:17NIV

You see his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. James 2:22 NLT

Many times we hope, believe and pray for things to happen in our lives…we say that we have faith and trust God, but we hold ourselves back from taking the first step because of fear, insecurities, pride, maybe even laziness. So we wait and say that we will move forward when we overcome what’s holding us back…Or we wait and believe God is going to make the first move.

It is not merely enough to say or think that you have faith or trust God. That faith must have action behind it. It must be activated!

What are you hoping and believing God for in your life? What are you doing to activate your faith?

There are many incredible instances in the bible of activating faith. In Exodus 14:15-22, we find the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. God had promised to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and now the Israelites felt they were trapped. With the Egyptian army behind them and the Red Sea in front of them, they began to lose faith in God. Their response was one of fear, grumbling, complaining, and despair.

The Lord said to Moses in Exodus 14:15-16, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry land.”

And later, verse 21 says, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.”

Check this out! God told Moses what he had to do. He just needed to do it! It wasn’t enough for Moses to know that God could deliver them or that He could part the sea. God did not perform this miracle until Moses stepped forward and put his faith into action…activating faith! When Moses raised his staff and reached his hand out over the water, then God parted the sea!

Sometimes we know in our minds what we need to do, but we pray for more guidance and direction. As a result, we postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then it is time to get moving or “move on” like God told the Israelites! Many times we know God can do this and God can do that but we must activate our faith and step out.

In Joshua 3:13, we see another amazing example of activating faith when Joshua crossed the Jordan River. Joshua has now taken over as the leader of the Israelites. Joshua and the Israelites were carrying the Ark of the Covenant when they came up to the Jordan River. At this time, the Jordan River was in its flood stages so the water was very high. God told Joshua to tell the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant that when they reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, they are to go and stand in the river.

Joshua 3:15 “Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away…”

I absolutely love this! So interesting that God chose the springtime when the Jordan River was at its’ highest water levels to demonstrate his power… and when the priests needed to activate their faith!

Sound familiar? Do you feel like what you are believing for is like those insurmountable high water levels? This is the perfect circumstance for you to activate your faith and for God to show his great power!

What if these priests were afraid to step into the river? They had to step into the water in order for God to perform this miracle.

You don’t know the miracle God has for you until you activate your faith and step out!

In these examples, Moses and Joshua and even Connor demonstrated activating faith by putting their faith into action.  They may have felt afraid, discouraged, or insecure but they exemplified genuine true faith…doing it afraid, doing it with discouragement, and doing it with insecurities. They are no different than you and me and if they can activate their faith, so can you!

Reflection Points:

1)    What Red Sea or Jordan River are you wanting to cross? What are you praying and trusting God for in your life? Have you activated your faith?

2)    If not, what staff do you need to raise? What river do you need to step into?

3)    What is holding you back from putting your faith into action?

Action Points:

1)    Determine what you need to do to activate your faith.

2)    Determine what is holding you back from taking that first step.

3)    Pray for the Lord’s courage and strength to help you overcome what is holding you back and activate your faith today!

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had to read a number of books about pregnancy…books like “What to Expect While You Are Expecting” and “Your Pregnancy Week by Week.” These books helped me because I had no clue about counting weeks and the different development stages of my baby leading up to my due date. My first son came one day after my due date while my second son arrived 9 days early. In our world of calendars and clocks, we can get so caught up with this concept of time. In my eyes, my 1st son was late and my 2^nd son was early…but in God’s eyes they were both on time!

Our concept of time is certainly not the same as God’s concept of time because God is the creator of time and His timing is perfect! Would you expect his timing to be anything less than perfect from a God who is perfect himself?  

The word “perfect” is defined as “excellent or complete beyond improvement, without flaws, accurate in every detail.” Sure sounds like our God! …Doesn’t it? When it comes to God’s perfect timing, he is never early, never late and ALWAYS on time!!!!

I know waiting on God is never easy…praying is one thing, waiting another! I know it can be hard at times when you are believing and waiting on God to answer your prayers. You can be believing for a new job, a healing in your body, a Godly man to propose (to all you single ladies in waiting out there…and yes, I did say Godly man), or a child to be conceived. Or maybe you are praying for guidance in making life decisions such as when to buy a house, when to change jobs/careers, when to move to another location. The list of what we are praying, believing, and waiting for can go on and on!

 Never Early

The story of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-50 is a great example of God’s timing… timing that is not early but perfect! 

To summarize…Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.  He was sold in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials who was the captain of the guard. Joseph found favor in the eyes of Potiphar because Potiphar could see that the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did. Through everything Joseph went through, the bible says over and over that “the Lord was with Joseph” Genesis 39:2

Now Joseph winds up in jail after being falsely accused of making a move on Potiphar’s wife. Even in prison, Joseph found favor in the Lord’s eyes and was put in charge of the prisoners which specifically included 2 individuals…the cupbearer and the baker who offended their master, the king of Egypt. These 2 men had dreams one night and God had given Joseph the ability to interpret the dreams. Basically the dreams meant that within 3 days, the cupbearer would be restored to his position as the king’s cupbearer and within 3 days, the baker would be hung on a tree and killed. And within 3 days, everything Joseph said happened proving his interpretations to be true.

After Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream he asked him, “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness, mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.” Genesis 40:14

Unfortunately, the cupbearer did not remember Joseph and Joseph remained in prison for 2 more years!!! If I were Joseph, I would be pretty upset…wouldn’t you?!

But God’s timing is never early…you see if God had rescued Joseph from prison at that time because of what the cupbearer told the king, Joseph would be put back into his original position as Potphar’s servant. But God allowed 2 years to pass because God had something much greater in store for Joseph even though Joseph didn’t know it!

Joseph was remembered years later by the cupbearer when Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a dream that no one could interpret. The cupbearer mentioned Joseph’s name to Pharaoh and how accurate his interpretations were while they were in prison. Pharaoh called upon Joseph from prison and God once again gave Joseph favor and the ability to interpret the king’s dream. The king’s dream had very specific instructions for the land of Egypt to survive the great famine they would face in the near future. Joseph was then rewarded for interpreting the king’s dream.

Because of God’s perfect timing, Joseph was placed 2^nd in command over all of Egypt! Can you believe that? He went from Potiphar’s servant, to prison, to being in charge over all of Egypt.

“So Pharaoh said to Joseph ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.'” Genesis 41:41

Sometimes when we doubt God’s timing and feel that we have done enough waiting, we may not necessarily see the big picture just like Joseph. We have such limited views of our lives. God knows the beginning and the end and everything in between. He may not answer you too early because he has something much greater in store for you!

Never Late

God’s timing is perfect and his timing is never late. Another example of God’s perfect timing is in John 11: 1-44 in the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.

Lazarus had become very sick and his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus to come quickly to them.  At this time Jesus was with his disciples and he told them “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory, so that God’s son may be glorified though it.”  John 11:4 NIV

What is crazy is that Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary and Martha very much but when he heard of the news, he stayed where he was for 2 more days! He didn’t drop everything and rush to Lazarus to heal him while he was sick. No, because again God’s timing is perfect. It gets even crazier! When Jesus arrives, he finds that Lazarus was dead and had already been in the tomb for 4 days! Uuuuugh…you would think God’s timing is for sure too late here, I mean the guy is dead! How much later can you get than that?! 

But Jesus has the power over life and death because he is the creator of life…and he who is life can certainly restore it. Jesus raised Lazarus form the dead and said “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40

There were many Jews who eye witnessed this miracle and afterwards put their faith in Jesus. God had a purpose and plan in raising Lazarus from the dead. If Jesus healed Lazarus while he was sick, there would not have been as many people gathered as there were when they came to mourn his death. Without God’s perfect timing, all these Jews would not have put their trust in him.

God’s delays are not necessarily his denials. Again, when you think you have been waiting too long for an answered prayer and you pretty much think your request is as good as dead like Lazarus, God has a greater plan and purpose that can be beyond you and your prayer. His timing is perfect and he is never late!

God is not limited by our timetable. I may not always understand his timing but I continue to trust and believe that my Creator and the Creator of this universe has got it together more than I do!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9NIV

It is also important to remember that we may not always see God’s timing here on this earth. He may not answer you the way you think or when you think He should answer you. I know that’s a tough one to swallow!

When my mother was very ill 3 years ago, I was praying and believing in her healing. She ended up passing away… I may not always understand God’s timing but what I do know is that she has received her healing in heaven. I didn’t see it here on this earth but I will see it one day when I see her in heaven.

So when you get tired of waiting and feel like giving up….remember God’s timing is perfect…He is never early, never late and ALWAYS on time!

Reflection Points:

1)      What prayers are you waiting for God to answer? Have you been waiting so long that you are ready to give up?

2)      Do you have a difficult time trusting God’s timing?

3)      Have you placed expectations on God to answer your prayers a certain way or at a certain time…your way and your timing?

Action Points:

1)      Pray for God to help you develop greater trust in him and in his timing.

2)      Do not give up praying…even when you feel like you can’t wait any longer. 1Thess. 5:17 says “Pray without ceasing.” We still need to be persistent in prayer.

3)      Remember that God’s ways are not your ways and that his thoughts are higher than your thoughts. He may not answer you when you want him to or the way you want him to but “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

Well, summer is in full gear and boy it’s hot here in Arizona!

This summer has been a little challenging for me in trying to find activities, affordable camps, etc to get both my boys involved in and out of this 100 plus degrees heat. There are more activities available for Connor my 4 1/2year old than for 2 1/2 year old Bryce. Each day I try to plan out my day with them…balancing my work with my husband’s schedule and trying to satisfy the boys’ strong appetite for fun and adventure!

As I was midway through…well almost done…with writing this week’s blog, I felt the Lord pushing me in another direction…to spend as much time as I can with my 2 little boys.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJB

Just maybe there is a reason why I haven’t gotten my boys involved in various activities and camps this summer…and just maybe the Lord is orchestrating this time for me to spend with them… above and beyond my passion and love for writing the weekly devotions.

You see both boys will be beginning school in August part-time …Connor will be in Pre- Kindergarten and Bryce will be in preschool.

Through careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to take the month of July off from writing new weekly devotionals so I can pour into my boys and spend as much time with them as I can before they begin school.

Some of you may know that I absolutely love writing the weekly devotions…  but you may not know that they certainly don’t come easy for me…from choosing the topics… to researching scriptures… to trying to share God’s word in such a way that my readers are engaged, encouraged, enlightened, and equipped.

And by the way, I have so appreciated all the positive feedback I have received from many of you! It has really blessed and encouraged me…more than you know.

This was a very difficult decision for me as I am very passionate about the blog. Although I feel that I would be letting all my readers and supporters down, I feel this is the right decision.

Beginning next week and throughout July, I will be re-posting some of my previous blogs…some of which you may not have read… and I will resume with new weekly devotions in August. I thank you all again for subscribing and hope that you will continue to be encouraged each week!

Much Love and Blessings,

Taleen

Have you ever visited the Hoover Dam? I have heard some amazing things about this National Historic Landmark that forms the border between the state of Arizona and Nevada…even though I haven’t personally visited it. Drawing nearly a million visitors a year, Hoover Dam is considered to be the world’s largest dam and an engineering marvel at the time of its construction in the 1930’s. This concrete arch-gravity dam straddles the Colorado River and brings much needed water and power to the Southwest.

What truly amazes me is how this dam has the ability to hold back so much water! Its reservoir holds 9.2 trillion gallons of water and produces 2.8GW of power, roughly as much as 3 nuclear power stations! And then I think, wow! …What if something goes wrong and the dam can’t hold back all this water? (I know…not the most positive mindset!)

Even in our world of modern technology and design, there have been times in our history that various dams throughout the world have been breached. A breach is a breakthrough of a dam caused by various reasons such as erosion, geological instabilities, human error in design, etc. I can’t imagine just how much water pressure is formed and built up just before the breach or breakthrough of water!

Just as the water pressure builds so greatly in a faulty dam, we too can experience this in life as the  pressures and challenges of obstacles building in our lives are so great…so great that they may bring us to a point of giving up!

Whatever the obstacles we face…whether we have pressures or struggles in our finances, health, marriage, families, relationships, jobs …don’t we all just want a break sometimes?

We pray, “Lord, just make it stop or go away. I can’t take it anymore!” You may feel tired of hurting…tired of fighting….tired of believing…just flat out exhausted…exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally!

We have all faced difficult obstacles…and we may be facing one right now and we just want out. We pray and cry out “Lord please take away the stress…please take away the pain…please take away the burden…please remove this obstacle…please make things peaceful!”

Have you ever felt this way?

So do you think God will give you a break? ….Or a breakthrough? …Because there is a difference.

The dictionary defines break as “disruption of the regularity, uniformity, or continuity of, end”

And that is exactly what we sometimes pray for…for our struggle or difficult situation to end. Just make it stop. God just give me a break!

And yes, God can certainly give you a break….I certainly won’t deny His ability to do so! But…

The dictionary defines breakthrough as “an act of surmounting an obstacle, obstruction or restriction” Another definition I found interesting for breakthrough is “an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare.” Keep this one in mind as I will speak on it later.

Now if we look further at the word “surmount” used in the definition of breakthrough, it means “to get over or across, to prevail over or to overcome. To get to or be on top of”

God wants us to get over or across, to prevail over, to overcome our challenges and obstacles in life…not feel defeated and give up. I know…easier said than done! But He wants to give us breakthroughs in our lives…not just a break! Why?

Because He knows that the road to your breakthrough will draw you closer to Him, make you more dependent upon His power and strength, and help you grow in your faith and relationship with Him!

The Lord is known by many names in the Bible and His names reveal His character. In 2 Samuel 5:20, we see that the Lord is a “Lord of Breakthroughs.”

When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?”

And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim. 2 Samuel 5:17-20NASB

This battle with the Philistines comes at a critical point for David and marks the moment which Jerusalem became a royal city. David had started his work as king at the age of 30 and had already reigned over Judah seven years and six months from Hebron.

This ‘breakthrough’ marks the beginning of his reign at Jerusalem, where he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. David’s move to Jerusalem brought the Philistines against the city, and it was prayer to God which gave David the confidence to fight and win.

And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 2 Samuel 5:20 ASV

“Baal-perazim” means “The Lord of breakings through”… “The Lord who bursts through.”

Breakthroughs in life are not necessarily always about God as they are about us…

Yes, God is able to open doors that no man can open…He is able to provide a way out when there seems no out….He is able to do the supernatural when the natural doesn’t look too favorable….Yes, He can do above and beyond what we can ever think or imagine when we face obstacles in life! Yes, God is the “Lord of Breakthroughs!”

But it is before and through our breakthroughs that we draw closer to Him…grow more intimate with Him… develop a stronger relationship with Him. And if God just gave us a “break”…we would not experience this growth and intimacy with Him.

When I say that breakthroughs are about us, I want to refer back to the 2^nd definition of the word breakthrough… “an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare.”

There is nothing we could ever do to force God’s hand behind his back and make Him do what we want, however, there are some things that we can do that please God when we are seeking a breakthrough. There are some things that we can actually do “offensively”…and not just sit back and expect God to give us our breakthrough.

Prayer is a powerful “offensive” weapon that we have…not just to ask God what we need…but also to include and accompany our prayers with some very powerful aspects that truly please our God.

In 2 Samuel 5:19, we see that David went to God in prayer which gave him the confidence to fight and win and receive his breakthrough.

So what powerful aspects of prayer lead to our breakthroughs?

1)      Prayer and Petition

It is so important to petition God in our prayers when we are trying to overcome obstacles and need breakthroughs in our lives.

The bible says we must “petition” our requests to God… Petition/ supplication (another word for petition) is a form of prayer in which you make a humble or earnest request to God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16b NLT

2)      Prayer and Praise

There is also great power in praising and thanking God!  The bible actually says we should enter his gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

There is an incredible story in Acts 16:22-26 of how praising God brings breakthrough. Paul and Silas were in prison and chained in stocks. They prayed and praised God singing hymns and suddenly the prison doors flew open and everyone’s body chains were broken! A literal breakthrough! You got to check this one out for yourself!

3)      Prayer and Fasting

There is so much power…breakthrough power… in prayer and fasting!

The bible is filled with many individuals who prayed and fasted to receive breakthroughs.

One such example is King Jehoshaphat. With his nation faced with disaster, he prayed and fasted for deliverance from opposing armies. (2 Chronicles 20:1-5)

For more on fasting, check out my blog called “Why Fast?”

4)      Prayer in Faith

Praying in faith pleases God and is another component in receiving our much needed breakthroughs. You may have heard the saying… “Prayer is the key, but faith unlocks the door.”

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11.24 ESV

5)      Prayer and Patience

Sometimes…many times…our prayers must be accompanied by patience…Because we know that God’s timing isn’t our timing as much as we would like it to be! This can certainly be challenging when we feel that we just can’t wait anymore for a breakthrough.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; Psalm 130:5 NLT

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13 NLT

So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and      compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.Isaiah 30:18 NLT

I know that we can experience great stress and pressures when facing obstacles in life…sometimes more than what we can bear! But be encouraged that just like the pressure that builds so greatly before the breakthrough of a dam, so too it is with us!

The pressure and stress may be increasing but the breakthrough is coming…don’t give up…keep hanging on…keep praying! God is pleased by your breakthrough prayers and will see it through for you!

Reflection Points:

1)      Are you facing any obstacles in your life? Do you feel like giving up?

2)      Are you looking for a break? Or a breakthrough?

3)      Are you acting on the offensive or just sitting back and expecting God to give you a breakthrough? Are you praying by petition, with praise, with fasting, in faith, and in patience?

Action points:

1)      God doesn’t want you to give up! He may not just give you a “break”, but He will lead to your breakthrough!

2)      If your prayers haven’t incorporated the important aspects mentioned above, begin today! What have you got to lose? If you are at the point of giving up, give these aspects of  breakthrough prayer a try…It is better than giving up and you will be strengthened and encouraged and God will be pleased!

I went through a season in my life when I was single where I struggled financially and had a hard time with the salary I was getting paid for my job. I had gotten my bachelor’s degree from UCLA and received my master’s degree from A.T. Still University….accumulated a lot of debt in school loans because of these degrees…and couldn’t get past how much…really how little…money I was actually making!

I looked at some of my friends around me in different occupational fields and they were making more money than I was…and didn’t have nearly the degrees that I did! As I continued to focus on comparing myself and my job to others, I began to grow discontent and jealous.

Do you ever compare yourself with others? Do you compare your life with the life others have? How do making these comparisons make you feel?

Comparison is defined as “the examination of the similarities and differences of two or more things, ideas or people.”

As women…even Christian women…we can so easily get caught up comparing ourselves with others! We live in a world that is saturated with people and images of what the world says we need to look like, what the world says we need to have, and what the world says we need to be.

We compare ourselves to what other women look like…what other women have…and who other women are!

We compare ourselves as wives and mothers…our accomplishments/ abilities or lack thereof…our marriages…our families…our husbands…our children…even their accomplishments/abilities! We compare our homes…our jobs…our education/ degrees…our shoes and our purses (yes I am being facetious, but there is some truth here too)…just about anything!…The list of what we women compare with others is endless!

Comparisons are not necessarily bad…but especially as Christian women, let’s not be fooled or deceived about this!

If comparisons go unchecked and you begin to focus on them, they can consume you…pull you away from who you really are…pull you away from who God uniquely created you to be…and pull you down an unhealthy and even destructive road.

I am calling this blog “The Comparison Seed” because comparison is like a “seed”…a deeply planted seed that grows…and if not dealt with, the seed can grow into discontentment, jealousy, hatred …sin. If this comparison seed can be prevented from taking root in our hearts, then we can stop these negative feelings from developing and even consuming our lives.

When I was going through the season I described above, I read a passage in the bible that gave me a totally different perspective about making comparisons and specifically for me…comparing my job and earnings to others.

 It is called The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16).

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay them a denariusfor the day and sent them into his vineyard. (FYI…a denarius is a Roman silver coin in the days of our Savior and Apostles worth about 15 cents. It was the pay for a day’s work.)

³ “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

⁷ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

⁸ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

⁹ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

¹³ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

¹⁶ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Now this passage is actually a teaching about salvation and God’s grace and generosity. However, what really spoke to me was the comparison that the first vineyard workers made with the other workers who did not work as many hours as they did. These first workers expected to get paid more even though they agreed to the initial amount of one denarius. They began to grumble and complain showing discontentment and jealousy when they turned their eyes upon the other workers and what they were getting paid.

And did you catch Jesus’ reply? So convicting and eye opening to me! Jesus states that He is not being unfair and asks if the workers are being envious because of His generosity.

God does not want us to be jealous of what He has given another person. He wants us to focus on His gracious gifts to us and to be thankful for what we have. When we compare ourselves with others, it can be a form of jealousy that results from not trusting in the Lord’s love and fairness.

There are a number of instances in the bible where the comparison seed has taken root in the hearts of men and women and consequently the seed has grown into feelings of discontentment, jealousy, and even strong hatred.

1)      Saul became jealous of David for his success as a soldier in his army.

This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.1 Samuel 18:8-9 NLT

2)      Joseph’s brothers became so jealous of him…to the point of conspiring to kill him.

These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt… 7:9

3)      Rachel was jealous of her sister Leah because she couldn’t bare their husband Jacob children and Leah could.

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Genesis 30:1 NIV

What does the bible say about comparisons because clearly even bible folk weren’t immune to this comparison seed taking root in their lives.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud… 1 Corinthians 13:4 

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! 2 Corinthians 10:12

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.             Galatians 1:10 NIV

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 NLT

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

So why do we as women struggle so much with comparison and how can we prevent this “comparison seed” from taking root in our lives?

1)      Know that God has made you fearfully and wonderfully inside and out (Psalm 139:14) …uniquely created you with unique gifts and a unique purpose for your life! …Not to be compared to anyone else!

[Sisters] think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. 1Corinthians 1:26-31NIV

2)       Know that your contentment and security lies in an unchanging God…nothing in this world will satisfy or fulfill you…only Jesus! Comparison many times stems from our own shortcomings and insecurities.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21NIV

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26 NLT

3)      Fill yourself with God’s word and what he says about you as His daughter …know and accept who you are in Christ!

…Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as [daughters] through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

If we can focus on becoming who God created us to be…instead of who we think we should be or who the world wants us to be….instead of what we need to have or what the world wants you to have…instead of how you think you should look or how the world wants you to look…We can experience a sense of peace and security that will enable us to resist focusing on what everyone else around us is doing. And then we can focus on the God who wants to fulfill His purpose and destiny in us and through us by using the abilities and gifts that he has uniquely blessed each of us with!

Today, my prayer is that you and I can live our lives walking in the fullness of God, recognizing the unique abilities and gifts he has blessed us each with, and knowing…and knowing …and knowing… without a doubt in our minds…whose we are…and who we are in Christ!

Reflection Points:

1)      Do you compare yourself to others? Why?

2)      How does comparing yourself to others make you feel?

3)      If it causes negative feelings to develop, then you must realize that the comparison seed can be taking root in your heart.

Action Points:

See points above about how to prevent the comparison seed from taking root in your life.

On our wedding day, I remember the promises that my husband Billy and I made during our marriage vows. We both shared the traditional vows that went something like …I, Taleen, take you, Billy, to be my lawfully wedded husband…to have and to hold…from this day forward…for better, for worse…for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health…until death do us part.

Thousands of men and women make these promises to one another each year and unfortunately statistics have calculated that 50% of marriages end in divorce…and this is true among Christian marriages as well! Statistics that are certainly unfortunate and that truly sadden me!

Whether you are married or not today, we are all accustomed to promises. We are accustomed to not only seeing promises made but also seeing promises broken. If we were to reflect on our own lives, I am quite sure we have all made promises that we may have not kept.

There may be a number of reasons why this is true. We sometimes forget…we sometimes are negligent…we sometimes don’t take the promise seriously…sometimes it just may be due to circumstances beyond our control and the list can go on. We may have good intentions of keeping our promise when we made it, but for some reason or another we just end up not fulfilling it.

I have been around a number of brokenhearted women who had expectations of being married but their wedding was called off. And I have heard them say… “But he promised to marry me!” And the answer that usually comes back is “Yes, but he changed his mind”. Yes, people do change their minds….and unfortunately they do break their promises too.

Has someone broken a promise they made to you lately? Have you broken a promise you made to someone lately?

We may live in a world where unfortunately promises are broken…but as Christians we serve the God of promises…a God who not only promises but also fulfills His promises!…a God who never lies or changes his mind!

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 NIV

Did you know that there are over 3,000 promises recorded in the bible? Wow! Promises for you…and promises for me! Promises that God wants to fulfill for us and through us in our lives!

Promises of love, joy, peace, hope, provision, guidance, healing, protection, power, eternal salvation, His presence…just to name a few!

The question I have for you today is not about the specific promises God has for us… Because really? There are thousands of them and they are awesome! But the question I have for you is…

Do you believe God? …or do you just believe in God? Do you believe God and His promises for you?…or do you just believe in God?

Catching the difference that one tiny little word like “in” can make, will make a tremendous difference in your relationship with God!

You see believing in God is believing He exists which of course is important…but many people believe in God…believe in His existence…even demons! …demons also believe in the existence of one God!

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. James2:19NIV

On the other hand, believing God is believing what He says in His word…believing His promises…and believing He is able and willing to fulfill them!

Many people believe in God….believe in his existence…but there are many…yes Christians… who don’t necessarily believe Him….believe what He says…believe His promises….and believe that He has the ability and willingness to fulfill His promises.

As Christians, if we want all that God has for us, it isn’t enough to just believe in God…we must believe Him!

Believing God and His promises for us can be difficult if we have experienced hurt, betrayal, and disappointment by broken promises in our lives. But first and most importantly we must look at the God who is making these promises…

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 NIV

Man/woman will lie….God does not….Man will change his mind….God does not…Man will speak and not act….God speaks and acts….Man will promise and not fulfill….God promises and fulfills…God is faithful and trustworthy! We must believe Him and trust Him!

You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10 NIV

One commentary states…“But God’s people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise.” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Believing God is more than just believing in your mind …it is believing in your heart. Because when you believe in your heart, your behavior and actions change. When you believe something in your heart, you will speak and act according to that belief. When you believe God and what He says, you will speak and act according to His word and His promises for you!

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT

As a child of God, we must speak and act in our lives like we believe Him. We must speak and act out our faith and trust in His promises. Our hearts determine our behavior and actions…the course of our lives.

Believing God requires us to believe 2 things in our hearts…

1)      God is able to fulfill his promises

2)      God is willing to fulfill his promises

Both of these points require faith and that faith means for us to see with our hearts.

God is able

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

We need to see with our hearts that God has the ability to do what He says beyond what we may think…He has the power, sovereignty, and might!

Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he promised…Romans 4:21NIV

Fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:21 ESV

Abraham was fully persuaded …fully convinced…that God had enough power to fulfill his promise.

We need to trust …be fully persuaded…be fully convinced that God is able to fulfill His promises to us!

Are you fully persuaded or partially persuaded that God is able and has enough power to fulfill all his promises?

God is willing

Do you believe that God is able but struggle to believe that he is willing to fulfill His promises to you?

Many times we get stuck with this one…What I mean is that we can grasp the point that God is able but we struggle with the point that God is willing.

Believing that God is willing is sometimes harder for us to understand and accept. We may see God fulfilling his promises and answering prayers for others but don’t trust and believe that he will do the same for us too. The way I have learned to look at this is… “Wow God did that for you! That just shows me and encourages my faith that He will do it for me too!”

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. Hebrews 11:11 NIV

God is faithful! He will fulfill His promises to us…He is both able and willing!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

 This scripture is clearly showing us that trust comes from our hearts and not from our minds. It even encourages us to not lean on our understanding.

So where are you today? Do you believe God or just believe in God? Do you believe God is able and willing to fulfill His promises to you?

Don’t let the broken promises of this world discourage you from believing a God who loves and cares for you and wants to fulfill all His precious promises in your life! Believe Him today!

Reflection Points:

1)      Do you believe God today? Or do you just believe in Him? Why?

2)      Do you believe God is able and willing to fulfill His promises to you?

3)      Do you struggle with trying to understand in your mind so much that it holds you back from having faith and seeing with your heart that the Lord wants to bless you?

Action Points:

1)      Begin believing God today.  He will not disappoint you as the world may. He is not man…He is God!

2)      Read God’s word to learn the promises He has for you. The more you read the more you will trust and have faith that God is able and willing to fulfill His promises to you.

3)      Stop trying to figure it all out in your mind…see and trust with your heart. Speak and act like you believe God.

Last September my oldest son Connor turned 4 years old. I always get so excited to buy my boys gifts for their birthdays…some gifts that I just want them to have (mostly gifts that are educational…not usually what they request) and other gifts that they may have requested.

Now many of you may know that Connor loves trucks….mostly construction trucks and garbage trucks. He has all kinds of trucks at home from previous birthdays or Christmases. So before his 4^th birthday, I just figured he might want something else…not so much. He requested another garbage truck and an excavator (now if you don’t know what an excavator is…don’t worry, I didn’t either… but I have learned the name of every construction truck that exists due to his great love for trucks!)

I tried to explain to him that he already has both of these trucks but it didn’t seem to matter to him. He was not satisfied with the ones he already had. He wanted more.

As I raise my little boys, I am learning each day how many things bring about discontentment in their little world!  They are not satisfied with the amount of toys they possess or the amount of chocolate syrup I pour on their ice cream sundaes or how long they get to play outside or what shoes I would like them to put on or how many books my husband and I read with them before bed…and the list goes on and on and on! They continually want more because in their eyes more is better!

More may sometimes seem better in my eyes too as I am also learning about how many things bring about discontentment in my own life. I want more counter space in my kitchen to cook…which is something I love to do! I want more closet space… our small master closet  is so jam packed that we have had 2 of our shelves fall down because they couldn’t bear the weight of all the clothes. I want to lose the last 5 lbs of my post baby weight…I workout and workout and eat healthy… I snack on carrots when I really want some chips… just to try and lose the last few pounds which keep me dissatisfied.

Now, these things that bring about dissatisfaction or discontentment are not necessarily bad or sinful desires…but if nothing ever changed in the above situations or circumstances, would I be ok with that?

Whether it’s the little things in life or the bigger things in life, we can so easily fall into the trap of discontentment. Whether it’s how we want to look, what corporate ladder we are trying to climb, how much more money we need to make…whether we are a working mom wanting to stay at home or a stay at home mom wanting to work…whether you are single wanting to be married or you are married wanting to be single( and yes…there are many out there unfortunately)…whether you want more understanding and love from your spouse or you want to have more children and your spouse does not…whatever it is that you are wanting different in your life, not satisfied with, or wanting more of that causes discontentment…

Is there anything in your life that you are just not satisfied or pleased with…that brings about discontentment? Do you feel that “more” will bring you contentment?

Wanting more is not necessarily bad but if it consumes you and has you convinced that it is the key to contentment in your life, then it may be time to re-evaluate some things.

Contentment is defined as “the state of being pleased and satisfied with what one has or is… the state of not needing more.”

The Greek word for contentment is autarkeia which means a condition in life in which you have sufficient supplies for the needs of the moment.

From these definitions, we can see that contentment is not only not wanting more but also not needing more. The difference between wants and needs is a subject for another blog as I would like to focus on contentment here which according to the definition doesn’t depend upon either being met.

True contentment is not determined by having our wants and needs fulfilled. Contentment is a state of not wanting more or needing more!

Are you living a life of contentment? If you are not, what is the secret of being content?

In the bible, the apostle Paul is a great example of someone who discovers the secret of being content. His joy and contentment was not dependent upon having his wants and needs met.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 NIV

What is amazing about Paul is that he is saying this from prison! I can think of a number of things to be discontent about if I were in prison, can’t you? Just how was Paul content while in prison?

To first give you more info about verse 10, Paul is rejoicing and referring to a gift that was sent to him from the Philippians, but he then clarifies some things. He is basically saying that while he appreciates their gift, he’s not dependent upon it or motivated by it. He would still rejoice and be content even if they hadn’t sent him a gift.

One commentary explains…“The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favorable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want.” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

In verse 11, Paul says something very profound…He says that “…I have learned to be content.”

Contentment is a learning process…it is not something we are just born with or discover one day…it is learned. So how like Paul do we “learn to be content whatever the circumstances?” How do we find “the secret to be content in any and every situation” like Paul did?

True contentment comes from having the right perspective, having the right priorities, and connecting to the right power source.

1)      Perspective

2)      Priorities

3)      Power Source

Perspective

Contentment comes from having the perspective of the eternal, not the temporal.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2Corinthians 4:18NIV

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36 NASB

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5NIV

 Priorities

Contentment comes from having the priority of godliness, not gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1Timothy 6:6-7 NIV

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV

 Power Source

Contentment comes from being connected to the right power source…God.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

I heard someone once say …“The gospel doesn’t obligate me to contentment; it equips me for contentment.”

As I reflect on my own life and the things that make me discontent, I pray that I am able to learn the secret of contentment as Paul did…whether or not my wants and needs are met!…And my prayers for you too is to grasp this secret and have a life marked by contentment!

One pastor defined contentment:  “Contentment is not having all that you want. True contentment is wanting only what you have.”

Reflection Points:

1)      Do you have discontentment in your life? Is there anything that you are not pleased or satisfied with?

2)      Are you always trying to obtain more, achieve more, do more or be more?

3)      When you reach that “more” level, are you finally content?

4)      If not one more of your needs or wants were met, can you still be have contentment in your life?

Action Points:

1)      We must first realize that true contentment does not come from having your wants and needs met.

2)      We must begin with the right perspective, right priorities, and rely on the right power source…God…not us… to have a life marked by contentment.

3)      Begin to have an eternal mindset, put God first above everything else…all your wants and needs….and finally rely upon his power and strength to live in contentment.

When I was single, I remember always struggling financially to provide for myself. I had some great jobs but it just seemed like I was just barely getting by each month paying for rent, food and my bills. Now don’t get me wrong…I was extremely thankful that each month everything got paid…even if it was barely getting by with really no money left over. But I remember hoping and praying that one day I would be married and that my husband and I would be more secure financially.

When I met my husband Billy, he did well financially with 2 businesses. I remember thinking… “Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers! Now I won’t have to struggle financially and live paycheck to paycheck each month!”

When Billy and I were first married, we lived in a beautiful house, drove nice cars, had great jobs, and had a great marriage. But my hopes and expectations of a financially secure future were short-lived when the economy declined ending my “dream life” expectations.

To make a long story short… we lost our home, my car, and faced major pay cuts with both our jobs. And to top it off, we had our first child! (Yes truly a blessing from God…but how many of you know babies will cost you some money!) I was so disappointed…this was not my idea of how I would have liked to celebrate our first years of marriage! My expectations were no longer being met and this led to great disappointment.

Have you been disappointed lately?

Webster’s dictionary defines the word disappointment as “failure to satisfy the hope, desire or expectation of.”

Life can be full of disappointments. People will disappoint us….our circumstances will disappoint us. We experience disappointments when our expectations are not met. Many times our immediate cry to God is “Why, Lord?”… “Why God is this happening to me?”

Satan’s goal is to bring us down with our disappointments. He will try to push us down a road…a gradual road…until we are defeated. I saw a great illustration that describes this gradual “wedge” that can invade our spirits.

If we make the decision to let disappointment fester, the wedge is driven a little farther and we experience discouragement. If unchecked, discouragement becomes disillusionment. The wedge is driven deeper when it proceeds to depression…and ultimately we end in defeat.

How can we prevent the penetration of this deadly “wedge” into our spirits? As Christians, how should we respond to life’s disappointments?

The Bible is full of men and women that experienced disappointments. A young woman named Leah is a great biblical example of someone who faced life’s disappointments…So how did she handle these disappointments?

Leah’s story is found in Genesis 29-30. If you aren’t familiar with these chapters, check them out  to better understand the example Leah is for us today.

These chapters exemplify that Leah certainly had her share of disappointments….even in the brevity of her story with her name only appearing 28 times in the bible!

If we take a look at these chapters more closely, we can see the disappointments that Leah faced.

1)      In Genesis 29:17…Leah is referred to as having “weak eyes” whereas her younger sister Rachel “was lovely in form and beautiful.”  Hmmm…I would venture to guess that Leah had some disappointments growing up alongside beautiful Rachel and not being considered as pretty as her.

2)      Leah’s father Laban uses her to coax more years of work out of Jacob by giving her away to marry Jacob and not Rachel, the woman Jacob truly loved. If I were Leah, I too would certainly be disappointed in seeing this behavior and deception from my own father!

3)      Leah’s week long wedding reception with Jacob is not much of a celebration…knowing that afterwards, she will suffer through another 7 days when her “pretty sister” Rachel is the center of attention for marrying her husband Jacob too. So now her husband gets to also marry the woman he has always loved! Talk about another disappointment!

Leah has to bear the burden of living with the knowledge that she is not desired or loved by Jacob…living with the disappointment of being married to a man who never chose to marry her and consequently feeling unloved by him.

4)      And finally, Leah bears a son to Jacob when Rachel remains barren. She hopes that this son will give Jacob a reason to finally love her…but her hopes again lead to disappointment.

Leah certainly had a lot to be disappointed about…don’t you think? But how did she handle her disappointments? What decision did she make?

Although Leah was rejected and not loved by Jacob, she remained loyal and devoted. Not only did she love Jacob but she also loved God with all her heart.

Leah bore six sons and one daughter from Jacob but there is something very interesting to see through the names that Leah gives her first 4 children. We see not only Leah’s devotion to God but also the progression from her disappointment and desperate cry for Jacob’s love… to her praising God. Praising and thanking her God!

1^st son Reuben meaning “behold a son”

2^nd son Simeon meaning “hearing” or “God has heard me.”

3^rd son Levi which means “joined” or “to adhere to”

4^th son Judah which means “praise”

She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah… Genesis 29:35 NIV

Even though bearing children for Jacob didn’t change his feelings towards her, the children were a blessing that would capture her heart. Through these children, “unloved” Leah was much loved.

Leah praised God…even through her disappointments…disappointments by Jacob, disappointments by her own father, and disappointments by her circumstances….she praised God. She found something…in this case…her children to be thankful for!

When we are faced with life’s disappointments, we have a decision to make. We can choose to focus on our disappointment or focus on our God.

We can choose to be thankful…for something…anything! Being thankful turns our attention away from our disappointment and on to God. No matter what we are going through, we can find something to be thankful for. A heart of gratitude will change our attitude!

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Being thankful furthermore leads us to ask “What now, Lord?” versus “Why, Lord?” We have a tendency to ask God “why” when we are going through disappointments in our life. And focusing on the “Why, Lord?” prevents us from moving forward.

”Why, Lord?” focuses on our disappointment…. “What now, Lord?” pushes us past our disappointment.

“Why, Lord?” keeps you in the past…. “What now, Lord?” uses the “now” to push you on to the future.

God doesn’t want us to focus on the “Why?” but the “What now?”

Leah praised God for Judah and the “What now” …her praises… which resulted in Judah being the very generational family line that our Savior Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, would come!

When my husband and I faced our disappointing financial circumstances, I can honestly say I went through a “Why, Lord?” period… But thankfully I didn’t stay focused on the “Why, Lord?” As a result, the “What now, Lord?” pushed my husband and I to eventually being blessed by amazing new jobs and being better stewards of our finances.

Pushing through and past our disappointments are not easy and certainly doesn’t minimize our pain or struggle, but God will honor our gratitude and our willingness to move forward.

Don’t ask “Why, Lord?”…Ask “What now, Lord?”

Reflection Points:

1)      Have you been disappointed lately? Are you having a difficult time handling life’s disappointments?

2)      Do you find yourself focusing on your disappointments pushing you down a gradual road to final defeat?

3)      Do you find yourself asking God, “Why, Lord?” when facing disappointments?

Action Points:

1)      Begin thanking the Lord in the midst of your disappointments. We all have something to be thankful for. You will begin to see your attention moving from your disappointment to God.

2)      Stop asking “Why, Lord?” and begin asking “What now, Lord?” This will help you use your present to push you to the future instead of staying in your present disappointment.

3)      Pray that God will show you what your “What now, Lord?” is. He loves you and wants to see you move past your disappointments!

I just recently ran into an acquaintance. We shared a few words like “How are you?”… “How is the family?”… “What have you been up to lately?” ….and after a short …somewhat “superficial” conversation, we went on our way. Now, I really didn’t expect much more than that…I mean we were only acquaintances. We didn’t have a closer relationship …we didn’t have what I would call a true friendship.

On the other hand, I do have friends that I may speak to sometimes even on a day to day basis where we may communicate not only the “superficial” things going on in our lives but also the deeper things. We may discuss our feelings and emotions about various events as well as give advice or encourage one another with biblical scriptures. We share our frustrations, our excitements, our challenges. Our communication goes much deeper than just an acquaintance…we have a stronger relationship…a true friendship.

As with any strong true friendship, communication is very important. We can’t expect to just share the “superficial” things and have an intimate relationship with someone…whether it is our husbands or our girlfriends. Friendships require time and effort…they require love, honesty, trust, patience, sometimes correction, and a good ear…they require sharing the good and the bad and sometimes the ugly.

Communication is the key and it can determine the depth of your friendship. The more you communicate and share with one another, the greater the intimacy.

Just as communication is important in our relationships in life, so it is also with our relationship with God. How is your relationship with God? Is it a friendship or an acquaintance? Do you communicate to God through prayer? Is it just “superficial” talk or does it go deeper?

Prayer is one way we communicate with God. In my experience in ministry, I see many Christians who have a difficult time praying to God. When I first accepted Christ…I was that Christian…having a hard time praying…especially out loud or in front of others. Why is it that we have such a hard time praying to Him?

Well, there are many reasons why we may have a hard time praying to our God…and one reason may be because we don’t view God as our friend although He considers us His friends!

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 NIV

Seriously? That God our creator with all his power and glory and majesty would consider you and me His friends?

If God says that we are His friends, then we can begin viewing and communicating to Him as our friend. Isn’t it easier to talk to a friend than to someone in a high position of authority and power? …And not just any high position, the highest position ever…as God? I know it can be intimidating for sure! Note: Considering God as our friend does not minimize by any means His grandeur and sovereignty which we should all have reverence for.

Do you consider God your friend? Do you have a friendship with Him?

Just as in any friendship, we can talk to God with honesty and share with Him our feelings. It’s as if God is saying, “You are my friend…Can you just talk to me?”

Praying is simply talking to God. Talk to him as you would a friend.

We don’t need to talk to him with eloquent verbiage or some grand thoughts or ideas. You don’t need to sound “good”…whatever that means. Praying is just talking to God. Just talk! Just share, express, cry, call out to Him!

You don’t need to hold back or even hide anything… because honestly He already knows it all!

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God…Hebrews 4:13 NIV

There is nothing you need to hide…your hurts, frustrations, pains or disappointments…your fears, difficulties, doubts, and challenges…your love, praise, gratitude, and adoration! Talk to him…He wants you to!

The Bible makes it clear that God wants us to talk to him…pray to him. He continually declares His desire for fellowship with us…His desire for intimacy with us. He actually invites us to be intimate with Him.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 NASB

Our sovereign and majestic God wants to have intimacy with us! He wants us to call, to cry, to pray to Him. And He longs to love, refresh, and encourage us.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Jeremiah 33:3 NLT

This is one of my favorite scriptures! I absolutely love it! That the God of this universe would first want to be our friend and then want to commune with us is remarkable to me! That he tells us great and unsearchable things…remarkable secrets! This really blows my mind! What an honor…what a privilege!

How intimate is your relationship with God?

The one person in the bible I think of when it comes to praying to God….crying out to God…calling to God…talking to God…expressing his fears, his doubts, his frustrations, his failures, his disappointments, his anger, his struggles, his sin to God…expressing his humbleness, needs, brokenness, praise and love for God…his hunger, desire, and intimacy with God…going all out, stepping all in and not holding anything back… is King David.

David wrote 73 of the Psalms and you can see the deep and genuine relationship he had with God. The book of Psalms is a very unique book of the bible…it is a great collection of songs and prayers expressing the heart and soul of humanity.

David had his failures…boy did he have some failures! But it didn’t stop him from communicating and praying and expressing his feelings to God.

David is a great example of a man who…failed, disappointed, sinned…a man who cried out to his God and wasn’t afraid to be honest with Him. He confessed his sins, expressed his doubts and fears, asked God for help in times of trouble, and praised and worshipped him.

No prayer “sounds” funny, isn’t significant, or bothers God. Our prayers are pleasing to Him!

Begin talking to God today! Don’t wait. Always go to Him first. Share your thoughts and feelings and concerns. Share your love and joy and gratitude for Him.

We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Oswald Chambers

Reflection Points:

1)      How is your relationship with God? Is it a friendship or an acquaintance?

2)      Do you feel uncomfortable praying to God? If so, why?

3)      Do you view your relationship with God as a friendship?

4)      Is it easier to pray…”just talk” to God knowing He considers you His friend?

5)      Can you express everything to him or do you keep some things hidden?

Action Points:

1)      Knowing God views us as His friend, we must begin viewing our relationship with Him as a friendship…though still honoring and revering His high position as God.

2)      Talk to God…the more you just “talk” to Him the more comfortable you will be.

3)      Begin praying and “talking” to Him out loud so you can hear yourself. You can do this when no one is around like in your car, room, etc. By praying out loud and hearing yourself, you will become more comfortable praying for others out loud.

4)      Take short steps and begin with short simple prayers…No one said your prayers need to be long and elaborate!