Not Just Any Prayer

What kind of prayer is essential to render it effective?

Prayer that comes from a heart that belongs to the Lord.

It is this heart that will lead us to pray less and less selfishly and more and more Godwardly.

Matthew 21:22

Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Prayer's Role

I want to be spiritually minded.

I need to seek the Lord for the wisdom to be spiritually minded and live like it.

He has given me the privilege to pray.

In this sermon by Matt Chandler, he says,

"Prayer is a means to confessing and fighting sin, that is, it is a spirit driven activity."

"When we're praying we are disconnecting from the sinful falleness of this world and connecting to what is holy, right, and good!"

The Best Way

The best way to become spiritually minded is, quite simply, to ask God!

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given Him.

This applies to wisdom about all things. When we struggle to be more like Christ, we need wisdom to get there. Rather than reading the latest book, watching the latest talk-show host, or even turning to a mature Christian for practical "how to's", God tells us in James to ask Him!

Then and only then will we be seeking the Holy Spirit to bring about lasting change in our lives.

How Does Your Mind Work?

This week, I did some serious reading. There was something that came up several times. Not surprisingly, the issue was something I'd been pondering before the reading even began.

I've been wrestling with being spiritually minded. What I mean is, having God, His Kingdom, His Word, and His purposes on my mind at all times. The mindset that I long to have would change everything about me. It would make me able to look at circumstances, people, EVERYTHING differently and help me to act accordingly.

So, here's the verse that I came across at least three different times this week:

2 Corinthians 5:16

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

Here's an article that I found very encouraging.

Have you grown in your spiritual mindedness? Do you have any verses to share?

It is my prayer that I would continue to grow in this area. My goal in this life is to disciple as many people as I possibly can for the cause of Christ. I'm beginning to realize that if I'm not spiritually minded I'll be going about it all the wrong way and will miss loads of opportunities to delight in God by myself and with others.

The Wonderful World of Books

I made a commitment this year to be purposeful about what I was going to read.

Usually I just come across books that I want to read and read them, no planning involved. It works great except that it often means I read only what I LIKE to read and that I take much longer than I should to read a book simply because I don't have another one to get to after it.

I made a list. My goal was to read as many of them as I could and keep track of any others that I decided to read along the way.

I liked the idea so much that I've already started on next year's list!

What are you reading? Do you make reading lists for yourself? Are there any books that you think I should had to my list?

Lost

I heard this song the other day.

Where would you be if there was no remission of sins? or You got what you deserved by what you've been? or If Jesus never gave His life for you?

Truth in Action

I wanted to share with you all that all though Annie Keary wrote those words during her lifetime many years ago, they speak of God working in the lives of His people. The very words that she spoke, I have seen played out in my own life.

Have you found this to be true in yours?

I want to encourage you to join me in looking at what seem like "interruptions" as part of God's plan for your life. It is not easy to do, but in doing this, there is great reward. What sort of reward? I have found it to be peace in knowing that you are being a faithful servant.

"Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot

Here's an excerpt from a book that I'm reading. The title may have given you a hint, but this book is one that God used to speak those things to me that I referenced to in yesterday's post!

"Do Not Rush.

Trust.

And Keep a Quiet Heart."

"I think I find most help in trying to look on all the interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one's work. Then one can feel that perhaps one's true work - one's work for God - consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one's day. It is not a waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day - the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it."

Annie Keary, 1825-1879

From: "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot. Preface. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Servant Publications, 1995.

Listening to the Voice

Today I have felt sort of "ho-hum". It didn't help that the weather was such that I just felt like I had to stay inside.

This evening I picked up a little book that I bought a few weekends ago and my Bible. I sat to have some time with the Lord, knowing that seeking His face would bring me peace, joy, and purpose.

He began to speak to me, through His Word and the words of some of His faithful servants!

Here's what I've been reminded of tonight.

• The secret to serving God in any circumstance is keeping a quiet heart.
• The quiet heart is one that rests in Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Isaiah 66:13.
• When God looks at me He sees the work of His Son in my life.
• I am rich in Him.
• Nothing I could: be, have, or do would add any lasting sense of fulfillment to my life.
• Contentment, with godliness, is great gain!

Forgive me for not getting my thoughts across very well. Trying to sum up my time with God tonight is no easy task - He used many things to get these points across to me and finally after about two weeks I think I'm beginning to hear!