And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. I John5:14-15. NLT.

I have a confession to make; there have been times when I have prayed that I did not ask in faith. I simply talked or thought into the air…thinking I was praying. But looking back, I was not engaged in the who (or is it whom) I was talking to!

If we are to connect in prayer it is very obvious we need to remember the “who” we are praying to. When my husband was alive, there were times when I was frustrated and I would speak to him, not with him. I momentarily forgot who he was to me or for me. I was only concerned about him hearing my concern. I think this can happen with our relationship with the Lord, as well. Jesus, in his prayer example, starts us off with “our father”. When we truly remember He is our Father, we engage differently.

I don’t know about you, but there are several serious battles going on in both my friends and families lives. I need to be able to pray and hear His response. These are bigger than any of us can handle. Sometimes, the “biggies” seem so overwhelming we share it with Him, but we don’t actually release our faith to believe he not only hears, but he is moving.

So after we connect to the “whom”, we must deal with any fear that may hinder the releasing of our faith. Sometimes it is helpful to nail down exactly what you are afraid of–instead of some nebulous feeling or lie. Are you afraid of God’s ‘no’s”? Then meditate on His character. As we prayed for my husband’s stroke recovery, I had to trust and believe that God knows best. We saw so many miracles–which of course made me want more! When he joined the Lord in heaven, I had to trust that it was best for him, because for a while I could only focus on my loss, not his gain. When I began express my thankfulness and gratitude, fear of my future without him began to subside and faith for my future began to rise. If we want to release our faith when we pray, we must deal with our fears.

Oh my friends, if you are facing difficult situations where you need His hand to move but find it difficult to release the small faith you have, take time to build your faith. Read Psalm 91 or Isaiah 41:10. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. He is so able to abundantly above and beyond what we can ask or think. We may not know His specfic plans for a situation, but we do know it will work out for good, if we follow Him and His ways. This leads to peace. When peace is present it is so much easier to release our faith and trust.

I am so grateful for His Word. Have you noticed Paul, in his letters, intersperses prayers for his audience? I have found myself focusing on them. It is so encouraging. This week I discovered this little nugget in 2 Thessalonians 1:11. so we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Isn’t this what every believer needs? I know I need this power to fulfill His assignments in my life, and according to Paul we all have it!

Don’t avoid prayer if you don’t like your situation. Take the time to talk it out with the Lord and you will be amazed at how perspectives can change when you pray it through. He is able and willing to help us–in every way needed. It’s hard to want to pray when we are battling unforgiveness or bitterness, but that is when we must seek Him.

Faith and prayer are intertwined. When I sit down and focus on Him, my prayers don’t seem too hard or too large. He is God, after all,

Father, I thank you for loving us enough to teach us how to pray. I thank you that you hear our soft groanings and move to answer them. Help us to understand that faith truly comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God–which you have freely given to us. Big problems in our eyes are not big problems in Yours, and for that I am so grateful. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV.

Oh my friends, as we seem to be racing to 2024, I looked back at my thoughts, hopes and “goals” for 2023 and it seems like a blur. I know this is Thanksgiving week in the U.S., but I want to encourage us, no matter our age in the natural or in the Lord we can change.

I have the privilege to lead a Life Group in our church. We just finished an encouraging study on the book of Luke*, with Lisa Harper as our teacher (info a the bottom). Every week we learned about God’s compassionate heart toward outliers and outcasts. She is a very gifted and transparent teacher. But there was one session she called “A Tale of Two Rooms”. In this session she compared the first Upper Room held during Passover, with the institution of the Lord’s Supper and the second Upper Room experience Luke describes after Jesus’ ascension.

She pointed out the behavior of the disciples. Right after the partaking of the first Lord supper, Jesus shares But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him. The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. Luke 22:21-23. This seems to be logical and understandable, and maybe a bit shocking to discover a betrayer among this close knit group, that they would take the time to wonder who it would be. But how that conversation moved into the next scripture is perplexing. Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Luke 22:24. As we read this scripture it struck me how immature these fellows were. All I could think about was children crying “what about me?”. “What about me?”. Then I realized my own tendency to go there too.

We all want to be seen and heard. I don’t know how Jesus felt, listening to their clamoring and bickering about such a small issue…but he goes on to say: In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people’. But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Luke 22:27.NLT. This is the last time Jesus has to really teach these men. I know his mind may have been on his coming crucifixion, but he took the time to try to help them get a different perspective.

Turn to Acts 1, fifty days after the crucifixion and they watch his ascension into heaven. Then two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” I can understand why they were staring into heaven, can’t you? First, no one had ever seen someone ascend into heaven in that group. They just said a final goodbye to their leader and were left feeling alone and maybe afraid. Graciously, the Lord had given them directions to go back to Jerusalem and wait. Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:12-14. These were the same fellows that had been arguing over their placement in the Kingdom, now they were united in obedience to the Lord’s command. The KJV reads they were “united in one accord”. They had grown up!

What a change in these men. Dear friends, we can change also. Our divided hearts and selfish attitudes can change at the foot of the cross. We do not have to bicker with each other or within ourselves. I am so grateful for this teaching revelation. In all my reading of scripture, I had never put those two things together. But it gives me hope, not only for myself but for those around me. Jesus trusted His Kingdom work with these eleven men. Unity releases the Holy Spirit to move. These men came into one accord because they had an assignment to complete. If we keep our eyes on our assignment, it can help keep us away from selfish thoughts. Let us linger at the foot of the cross long enough to get our eyes off ourselves and on to His ways, and we will find ourselves changing.

*Luke, Gut Level Compassion Bible Study Guide, Streaming Video by Lisa Harper Published by Beautiful Word Bible Studies StudyGateway.com

Father, I thank you for your grace and mercy in this area. Your body is struggling with quarrels and fighting with in and without. I am so grateful that you still choose men and women who are flawed to do your work. Please help us grow up.

You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 Timothy 3:1 NLT.

I had a weird dream the other night…I dreamed I was discussing the difference between hard and difficult! It was like a philosophy debate, right inside my dream between me and me! When I woke up, I actually googled it! Google’s definition: something hard is tough, dense, solid, compact and impenetrable. It does not yield, its firm, like a wall, like a rock, like the concrete sidewalk you job on. Something difficult requires a lot more effort, is complex, arduous, irritating. But I think Quora gives the most complete explanation: Hard can be used to describe anything that is not easy. You can use it to describe an activity that requires a lot of effort or energy. Example: planting rice is hard. (It’s not especially complicated, but it does require intense physical labor.) Difficult suggests that one needs to overcome obstacles or resolve problems in the process of doing something that managing these complications requires some level of skill. Example: I just completed a very difficult exam. (In this care, you would have exercised critical thinking, which can be considered a kind of skill, to complete the task.

Life throws us both hard and difficult situations. It was hard for me to focus on sitting down and writing this blog, even though I had thought it through many times. If I am confident I can do something, the difficulty level decreases, if I am worried or insecure, the difficulty level increases. Our perspective on the level of hardness or difficulty can affect our outcome, can’t it? I want to encourage us to believe we are able to endure hard and difficult situations.

Paul’s words to Timothy are to help prepare him (and us) for very difficult times. I think we are living in some very difficult times right now, don’t you? Paul goes on to describe what believers will face during these difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that made them godly. Stay away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:22-5. NLT. Its people and their attitudes that we will find hard and of course their attitudes affects their actions.

As I read these verses, I realize it would be easy to separate myself into a “me” vs. “them” situation. Without God’s grace and mercy. I could become the people Paul warns against, I could easily be tempted to love only myself and money, to boast and be proud. My heart does not want to believe that I would ever scoff at God, but who knows? Paul warned Timothy to be careful. I was thinking about the “Karen” syndrome: people who become obnoxious, angry and feel entitled to use their privilege status to get their own way. They make life difficult for so many. This ought not be a believers stance. The very difficult times, Paul refers to is the action and attitudes of people. The Greek word is chalepos. Harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, painful, fierce, grievous, hard to deal with. The word describes a society that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices. Spirit-filled Bible Word Wealth pg.1598. I believe Paul was warning Timothy to not be ensnared or influenced by these kinds of people. We aren’t to make them our best friends, because we can be quickly influenced by their behavior.

We must stand strong in humility and love. We must allow the Holy Spirit to change us, not the world. Why would there be so many warnings in the Word about not letting our culture conform us to its ways, if it’s not a possibility? It is, my friends. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 2 NKJV. So is it hard or difficult not to be conformed to the ways of the world. It’s both. I don’t think the word choice really matters. We just need to do whatever we need to do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and His ways, knowing He will give us His strength when needed.

That dream was a bit crazy. My take away for myself and hopefully, for you, is we need to do whatever He asks of us. It may be both difficult and hard. Do the hard work of renewing your mind, it is always worth it. But the good news is we have Him to rely on. Him to strengthen us. Him to lead the way and help us overcome every obstacle that may try to stand in our way. Do not let the fear of hard work stop you from accomplishing any task set before you. Do not let the fear of failure stop you, either. Take the time to ask Him for wisdom, grace and favor on any task. He freely gives it! Remember, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6. NKJV. It is not by your might or power, but by Him. Be encouraged, my friends, we can do it!

Father, I thank You, that you are with us in both the hard things and the difficult things. You are not unaware of all the obstacles-physically, emotionally or spiritually that we need to overcome. I ask for Your strength today to accomplish Your will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would not live through it. 2 Corinthians 1: 8 NLT.

Paul begins this second letter to the church in Corinth with some of the most hopeful scriptures we can rely on when difficult trials come our way. He reminds us very clearly: all praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT. Hmm, do you believe that He is the source of all comfort? Last week I went through a difficult spiritual and emotional battle. Have you ever had one of those? It was later in the evening, and I tried to call my son, but he didn’t answer. (Found out the next day, his phone was on “do not disturb” because he wasn’t feeling well.) So I turned to the Lord and said, “Well, Jesus, I guess it’s just you and me, again”. During those battle times, I know that He is the only one who could really give me the peace and comfort I needed…but I still wanted someone with skin on. I actually apologized to Him, for not acting like He was enough.

The promise we can cling to is found in the next verse. He comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:9. My friends, I want to remind you that all of your trials and difficulties are not just for you alone, but as we allow Him to comfort us, we can pass on that comfort to others and strengthen God’s church. It becomes God’s domino effect–touching lives with our story, which they can share yours and their own and it gets passed on to many.

2 Corinthians 1:8 is interesting to me. Paul writes, we think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. It is hard to read and really comprehend that he and his friends were so crushed and overwhelmed that they thought they were not going to make it. Even in my spiritual battle the other day, no matter how tough it was, I knew I was going to wake up and be ok. But the next verse shows us Paul’s perspective on the trial. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9. Even though Paul had endured a lot by the time of this writing. There is some disagreement about his actual timeline, but for the most part by the time he wrote 2 Corinthians he had been on at least three different missionary journeys, so he had endured a lot. It only seems fitting that he had already learned to rely on the Lord, but here he states we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God. That in itself is amazing, but he adds the tag line: who raises the dead. Paul depended upon the power of God to do and endure what he was called to do. So should we. He might have wanted to quit, but he didn’t.

Paul goes on to write: And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. Paul expected to need rescuing again! Most of us today would be grateful for one rescue, and decide that is enough! But he set himself to run his race, no matter what the cost and where it took him. Have you done that? Have you settled in your heart, that no matter what, you will follow Him and His ways? He continues with: And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 2 Corinthians 1:11. NLT.

I know someone whose mother distributed smuggled Bibles illegally during the Cold War. They knew people who were arrested and tortured for their faith in Eastern Europe, but they were willing to risk their own imprisonment for their brethren’s sake. Other than that, the only “persecuted” believers I know are those who have been mocked by friends and family, but never in “mortal” danger. Reading through Voice of the Martyrs magazine, there are people all over the world who are being physically tortured for their faith. I think the Holy Spirit wants to strengthen us to stand, equipped with the armor of God not matter our trial. If we are not in the midst of active fire, what is our job? According to these scriptures, we are to pray for them and share their stories. We aren’t to compare ourselves among ourselves about who has it the worse. We are to run our own race, chosen by Him. It is my heart to encourage you, no matter where you are. As I read this scripture, I found so much comfort knowing that God is helping my family and their battles learn to rely on Him even more. We are trusting Him to answer our prayer for His glory, not our own.

No matter what kind of trial you are facing today, please know that there is hope in Him. Learning to rely on Him is never a bad thing.

Father, I thank you for Paul’s words to us this day. I thank you that you are the Comforter who not only comforts us in our trials, but teaches us how to comfort others. I ask you to teach us how to further rely on you and your ways, in Jesus’ Name, amen.