Source: Look Up!!!
Praying to God Our Promise-Keeper
Do you believe in the power of prayer?
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
I invited my friend Wendy Blight to share with you today about Praying to God Our Promise-Keeper.
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Knowing God by name. Calling upon God by name. Praying His Word … His Promises … back to Him are powerful and effective ways to usher God’s life-transforming work into our lives because our God is a Promise-Keeper.
But prayer is hard. It doesn’t come naturally to most women. I know it didn’t for me. The thought of praying out loud intimidated me. Made me feel uncomfortable.
But I have also learned that without prayer, we will never get to know the promise-keeping side of God. In order to know our Promise-Keeper, we’ve got to interact with Him. Pray to Him. And more than just pray, pray His promises … His Word … back to Him. It’s the substance of His promises that transform our prayers to be those powerful and effective prayers James talks about in James 5:16.
This truth came alive to me last year at a women’s conference in Houston.
The women’s ministry leader invited me to share my testimony. It’s a hard story for me to tell. In 1986, just days after my graduation from Baylor University, I fell victim to an armed, masked man hiding in my apartment. The horrific events of that June day locked me in a prison of fear for years. I hated God. I felt abandoned and forgotten by the One I grew up believing loved and cared for me.
A few weeks after my attack, a friend gave me this promise: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6, NIV). But at the time, it meant nothing. In fact, I saw it as a lie. He had forsaken me. He sat on his throne in heaven and watched what happened to me and did nothing.
Thankfully, God did not leave me in that dark place. As time passed, my heart slowly opened to God’s Word. It was a long and arduous journey, but over a decade later, through much prayer and the transforming power of His Word healing came. Freedom came. My test became a powerful testimony.
As I closed my message and stepped off the stage, a woman walked up and shared her story. Little did I know it was my story too.
She had been a student at Baylor at the time of my attack. She was part of a ministry whose leader invited them to pray for the young woman who had been attacked (me). They prayed a passage from Psalm 62 over me every week … for two years! They prayed the promises of the Promise-Keeper.
Grasp the miracle here. At the very time I felt abandoned by God, He had raised up believers to pray. And not just pray, but pray God’s Word. His promises. She showed me her Bible. Yes, she still had it! Next to the passage was 1986 and my name.
As I read the passage, I saw clearly how each promise had come alive in my life. My promise-keeping God had honored each and every one.
I pray my story not only encourages you to pray but also opens doors for you to invite others to pray. Because you never know what God is up to in the midst of all those prayers!
Will you join me in praying God’s Word back to the One who is our Promise-Keeper? He always honors His Word. In fact, Isaiah 55:11 promises His Word will never return void and will accomplish everything He desires and achieve every purpose for which He sent it … even thirty years later!
In addition to God Our Promise-Keeper, there are hundreds of Names of God. I invite you to visit Wendy’s blog to get a sneak peek of her newest Bible study, I Know His Name and also sign up for her FREE companion devotional, “5 Days to Knowing God More Intimately.”
I Am Seen
Life was busy with two little kids, teaching, ministry, and marriage. Who had time to deal with septic problems? Not only were the issues prohibitively expensive, they were quite disruptive to our daily lives. So, my husband and I did like we always did – trudged on. Keith, being amazingly smart and thankfully not bothered by septic smells, fixed the issues. Life got back to normal, but it wasn’t long before the issues were back.
If you have never experienced a backed up septic problem, get on your knees right now and shout out a big, “HALLELUJAH!!! Thank you JESUS!!!” At first, we could laugh. We are blessed with potty humor, but as the issue got bigger, we stopped laughing. It wasn’t funny. Struggling financially, the cost to fix the issue might as well have been a million dollars.
It seemed impossible. The hardest part through this whole process was feeling so invisible to God. Prayers, petitions…all resulted in only the worsening of the problem. I wasn’t asking for boots, jewelry, or some other luxury item…
Lord, Your word says that You will supply all my needs. Is this not a need? Am I unworthy? Is some sin keeping Your answer away from me? Do you even notice my family here?
Have you ever felt like this? Totally unseen, overlooked by God…That your problems aren’t important to Him, because… (Fill in the blank).
May I tell you something? I was wrong.
Can I tell you something else? If you have those same thoughts, you are wrong too. Let that comfort you…because our God is the God Who Sees – El Roi. No one is out of His sight!
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40: 17
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me, “for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13
On a Saturday morning, naked in the shower, the water rising around my feet, I gave up. I told my sweet Savior, that I was all done. I wish I could take this part out of my story, but I feel I must be honest. I saw all the answered prayers for others, but not mine. People going on vacation, buying all organic food, going out on dates with their husbands and here I was ankle deep in poop water…naked.
Yup…there I was…but so was God. He didn’t leave me in my 30 – something temper tantrum. In fact, He saw me, loved me, and answered my prayer!
The next day at church, our pastor, unbeknownst to us, announced that there was a family in need of a big septic overhaul and asked the congregation to help with the cost. In about 15 minutes, we had enough money to fix the problem! God. Sees. Me!!!
As amazing as it was to see the money raised, it was being seen that filled my heart with joy! Knowing God saw me in my darkest time was life changing – so much so that I pray often that people will know God sees them right where they are, because I know what power there is in being seen.
As the septic work was being done, I asked the surveyor just how bad it was. He told me that it shouldn’t have worked at all, never mind for as many years as it had. God was always there…always working.
Knowing that Jesus is El Roi, changed my life. I pray you know how much you are loved and seen. Please comment below and I would be so honored to pray for you.
Princesses, Problems, and Perfection
Do you struggle with how you look? Stunning smiles, smooth skin, and striking selfies…Me too. It is so easy to see all that I am not. What I am lacking is so obvious to me. So many of the beautiful women I know struggle with these issues too. I pray this post helps you to see yourself a little differently…maybe through the eyes of the One who made you.
Join me at Uniquely Yours Ministries.
Click here to read more ❤
Worth in the Rubble Part 2
Like Rahab, we have a choice in the midst of our biggest battles – to melt in fear or march forward on God’s side. We can choose to let past choices direct our future or choose to let God use our past for good. We can choose to wear our labels and let them define us, or we can learn all we can from them and use those lessons to bless others.
What will you choose?
Click here to read more at Uniquely Yours Ministries
Click here to read Worth in the Rubble Part 1
We, the Church…
So often I hear Christians (I’m guilty of this too) refer to the church as ” it” or “they”…as if it were its own separate entity, body, or building. What a tragedy! Church is “we” and “us,” “ours.”
We make up the body of Christ… the church…it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the body of Christ… That we get to serve one another and bring the gospel to the world!
Let’s take ownership of our church…let’s not wait for someone else to fill in where there is need. Let’s start focusing on what God has called us to do, not what we think others should be doing! Let’s get on our knees and lift up our church in prayer and stop complaining about her.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12: 26
“Comparison is the Thief of Joy”
Comparison is the thief of joy.- T. Roosevelt
Writing is hard—Plain and simple. Organizing the thoughts in my head into intelligible sentences – yes, even complete sentences is difficult – on a good day.
Add to this difficulty, a bazillion fantastic writers who link words together like chains on fences…perfectly placed prepositions…Biblical truths, funny stories, relatable lessons – with likes and shares on Facebook; Reposts on Instagram; Tweets on Twitter…
Then there are my posts: seemingly ineffective, just bouncing off the proverbial social media ceiling – returning to me having made no difference at all.
So why do I still write? Because I am compelled to write…to share what God is doing in my life. God designed me to write, to be a communicator. It is up to Him what He does with it.
I need to be faithful with the small things. To practice, to prepare, and to put out pieces as He calls me to do.
As I look to Him when I am feeling ineffective and small, He whispers words of encouragement. When I confess my sin of comparison, He is quick to gently remind me of small beginnings and to give me much grace as I stumble along this path of a writer’s life.
Perhaps these lessons are the very reason I’m here – to learn not to despise a humble start, not to compare my gifts, career, or life, to others, and be ready at all times to give and receive grace.
I can be confident in God’s ability to birth in me the character He desires. As I surrender to Him and His word, I can be assured that He will accomplish His plans for me.
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O LORD endures forever. “
Psalm 138:8
With this confidence, I cheer on my fellow writers, celebrating in their success, not coveting them. My heart will rejoice in their victories, not harbor envy.
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Proverbs 14:30
What a terrible thing to miss out on all the friendships birthed from similar interests! It is from your encouragement, that I began this journey! The encouragement I received from you gave me the courage to begin. Your love and kindness prompted me to take a chance and put my writing out there in social media land.
Thank you! Praise God! You, my Jesus sisters, are such shining examples of what Paul talks about in 1 Thessalonians 5: 11 “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
So, the next time I feel small and unimportant, I will remember you and your encouragement. I will write on, all for the glory of God!
Drawing a Line in the Sand
Good morning sweet friends,
Do you struggle with nagging? Nagging your husband, children, or others close to you? Perhaps this post will encourage you today ❤
Join me at Uniquely You Ministries during Marriage Week. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Blessings to you,
Melissa
A New Bible for A New Year
I am so excited to let you know that my sweet and funny friend Nicki Koziarz has featured me on her Friends on Friday blog post. Join in the conversation for a chance to win an ESV journaling Bible…sold out on Amazon! Blessings to you and your “Elizabeths.”
{Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 1
Source: {Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 1
Do you struggle with your worth? Who defines your worth? What labels do you allow to determine your value? Visit me today at Uniquely Yours Ministries and join in the discussion about just how valuable you are!
Taste & See Blog Spot 