365 Days of Praise

I’m often asked, “If I’m a Christian, why do I keep sinning?” If you’ve asked similar questions, I understand. We want to be holy. We want our lives to count for Christ and be vessels through whom His Spirit flows. Galatians 5:24 is a “go to” verse in regard to our flesh. “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.” If you’re scratching your head and silently objecting that the very problem is that your flesh isn’t dead, consider the following. 1. We can’t crucify our flesh. Our flesh would never climb on a cross and nail itself to the wood. Our spirit might be willing, but our sin nature wouldn’t. Our flesh being crucified must be understood in the context of Paul’s words, “those who belong to Christ.” Our fleshly crucifixion took place on Christ’s crucifixion. It is what is called the doctrine of identification. When we place our faith in Christ, we are identified with Him in His death. But what about our daily lives, our daily walk? What about our “passions and desires” being crucified to which Galatians 5:24 refer? If we were to stand at the foot of a cross where someone has been crucified, we would note the following. First, the past tense. The person was crucified. The nails in the person holding the person to the cross – done. They have been crucified. Second, the present tense. They are crucified but still breathing – struggling more at times, but still alive. Third. They are crucified and no longer alive. We follow suit in the analogy of Galatians 5:24. We have the past tense experience of being crucified with Christ in that we identify with Him in His substitutionary crucifixion for our sins. We have the present tense experience. We have been crucified with Christ but are still breathing, alive. Third, we will one day no longer be breathing on earth and will be resurrected to new life with Christ. We struggle with our flesh because although we have been crucified with Christ (past tense), our fleshly passions and desires take a long time to die. A person dying on a cross could use the foot brace to lift themselves up to take a breath and extend their life a few more minutes or hours. Are we lifting our fleshly nature up to give it air?  Or, are we refusing to accommodate our flesh when it wants to be lifted and given oxygen? The body takes time to die on a cross. The fleshly nature takes time to die. How much are we helping it live and in what ways? Figure that out and we can accelerate the death of our fleshly passions and desires. Will we?

Heavenly Father, Jesus was the first of the three to die on the cross. Show us how we can accommodate Your will and Spirit rather than give life to our fleshly nature.  

Prayer of My Heart – where I record my prayers and my Heavenly Father’s responses. Available on Amazon. 

I have a question for you. Is it true that whatever we ask in prayer, believing, we will receive? Yes or no? _____ What is your Scripture reference? If you said yes and provided Matthew 21:22 as your source, then why didn’t God answer Jesus’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? Certainly, Jesus asked in prayer, believing. On a more personal level, why doesn’t God answer the prayers of the faithful to heal their dying loved one? I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I do know that it is important for us to take the whole counsel of God rather than “cherry pick” verses. In the context of prayer, Jesus has already taught His disciples important, foundational principles of prayer in “The Lord’s Prayer.” We have a Father in heaven who alone is holy. He has a kingdom and will. Twice in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus referenced God’s kingdom – at the beginning and end of the prayer. It was clearly on His mind and a central part of His teaching on prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus echoed Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done,” even while He allowed us to hear His “Son of Man” desire to avoid suffering, shame, and separation. As disciples of Christ it is critical for us to study and know the whole counsel of God. In the context of today’s question, we must remember Christ’s foundational teaching on prayer – praying God’s will. First John 5:14-15 is helpful. “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” Can you trust your life and loved ones to God’s will?

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for not only teaching us how to pray but for also modeling it. We love and adore You. Help us be wise stewards of Your word by our words and life. 

Prayer of My Heart – where I record my prayers and my Heavenly Father’s responses. Available on Amazon. 

How are you today? If I asked that in passing, you’d probably say, “Fine. And you?” I might answer, “Fine.” Or, “Doing great!” However, often, we aren’t fine. It’s not that we’re intending to lie when we reply. Rather, it’s a societal politeness. “How are you?” And, “how are you?” With those with whom we’re close, however, we share how we really are. We may say, “I’m sick of quarantining.” Or, “I’m really concerned about…..” If you’re wishing you had someone to confide in, remember that you do. Jesus is more than a God to worship. He’s a God who counts you worthy to die for and most certainly worthy to listen to. When we read in 1 Peter 5:7, “He cares for you,” that’s not a platitude. It’s our Heavenly Father letting us in on a little, no a big secret. Our wonderful Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ care for you. Talk to them. Tell them the secrets of your heart.

Thank You, Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ for caring for us. Thank You that we can talk to you about any and everything. Thank You that You listen and respond. We love you. 

Prayer of My Heart – where I record my prayers and my Heavenly Father’s responses. Available on Amazon. 

A few days ago I had a reality check. Was the woman in the mirror really me?  What about you? Have you ever had a reality check about yourself, but rather than do something to correct a bad habit you continued in it? Is there help available to those of us who want to change?  Yes. In Luke 24:49 Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit who would clothe His followers with power from on high. Talk about power dressing that affects not only us but our relationship with God and others. God knew we needed supernatural power to live out our faith. If you’ve not liked something you’ve seen about yourself lately, read Galatians 5:13-26, a great spiritual mirror. Then, pray to God to fill you with power from on high to walk out your faith. Find more tips in The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World and The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World.

LISTEN

“The Son of Man has come to SEEK and to SAVE  that which was lost, ” Luke 19:10.

Has anyone ever sacrificed something for you? Have they sacrificed sleep so you could sleep? Have they sacrificed advancing so you could? Have they sacrificed their plans so you could do yours? Sacrifice. Sometimes we sacrifice but do so begrudgingly. But Ephesians 5:2 tells us Jesus willingly SACRIFICED His life for us. He thought of us, not Himself. Hill Country Ministries is dedicated to telling others of Jesus’s great love and sacrifice. One way we have done this is by taking our P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference to every state. Christians are inspired and equipped to pray more purposefully and live more passionately for Christ. Seekers are given the opportunity to respond in faith to Christ. Thank you for your prayers as we seek how to reach the last 2 states – Oregon and Maine – during the Covid pandemic.

Do you sometimes wonder what our world will be like in the future? Revelation 1:5 tells us. “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the RULER of the KINGS of the EARTH…” Yes, one day Christ will rule the earth. Can you imagine what bliss that will be? Naysayers will be no where to be found. Lying. What’s that?  Shooting sprees. What are you talking about?  Yes, one day, the supreme RULER whose reign has no end and who reigns with justice and with mercy will rule the kings of the earth. If you’re a citizen of Christ’s kingdom, that’s a joyful thought when you put your head on your pillow tonight.

Have you ever heard someone say, “This stinks!” Or, maybe you’ve said it. It’s a saying for when something awful or suspicious occurs. If bad things repeatedly happen, the term might be broadened to “life stinks.” Instead of focusing on the foul, though, we have a choice to breathe in what Song of Solomon 2:1 refers to as the Rose of Sharon, a reference to Christ and His splendor, heavenly fragrance, and beauty. When life stinks, stay extra close to Christ. Breathe in His fragrance. “I am the ROSE of SHARON, the lily of the valleys.” Song of Solomon 2:1

Do you know who your ancestors are? How far back can you trace your family tree? Being able to trace one’s lineage is important to many and is definitely important in Jewish culture. Jesus’s human lineage can be traced to Israel’s King David. But, Jesus has an even more illustrious lineage as He states in Revelation 22:16. He says, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” In other words, His roots go further back than David. They go all the way to creation. Jesus is the bright morning star, heaven’s light. In our often dark and lonely culture, it’s important for us to daily bask in the SonLight. It’s important for us to invite others to join us.

I’m the richest woman in the world. I know. You’re wondering why I would say that since I’m not. I can say that because of Jesus, and you can say that, too. He’s given us riches beyond our comprehension. Sit back, take a load off from the cares of your day. Marinate your soul in the riches that have your name on them.

1. I am rich in mercy.  Ephesians 2:4  “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved me (us), even when I was (we were) dead in my (our) transgressions, made me (us) alive together with Christ.” I was poor and pitiful. Then, Jesus saved me. He poured His rich grace all over me. I am filled with His rich mercy.
2. I am an heir of the kingdom of God. James 2:5 “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose (me) the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” Earthly real estate a concern? Take heart. You’ve got a piece in the sky.
3. I am the rich bride of the King and His glorious brilliance. Revelation 21:2, 11  “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband…having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. Woohoo!  Our new home!

Friends, lift your head high and walk with a humble heart. Quiver at the reality of who you are, whose you are, and the glorious brilliance awaiting you.