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Posts Tagged ‘prayer’

Believe What You Ask For…

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , on February 28, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Matthew 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I think I’ve put too much emphasis on the last part of this sentence (“…and it will be yours”) and not enough on the middle “…believe that you have received it.” Now, I’m not an advocate for that 70’s “blab it and grab it” kind of faith, but I do think there’s a mindset that spawns trust. If I’m going to pray for/about something, do I or don’t I believe God is listening. Is God sovereign? Is God faithful? The answer is yes. So, why do I keep asking. Sometimes, it feels like there is a fine line between persistence and distrust.

The truth is probably closer to our disapproval of God’s answers. God doesn’t have a problem saying “no.” We have a problem with hearing it.

I think “believing what I ask for” includes believing that He is answering.

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On Self-Control 1

Posted in Fifty days with Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 28, 2008| Leave a Comment »

It’s interesting to me that self-control is the 4th leg of this journey for sustaining our faith over the long haul. This bears some comment in my mind that you must have your faith, then your virtue or ability to “do good” and then knowledge to understand the why of it all and only then, is true self-control possible.

This is a key for me right now, today. You see, I suffer terribly from lack of self-control … that is, self-control of the right type. Over the years, I have confused self-control with “control” in general. In other words, I try to control my environment and the people in my environment as a substitute for controlling myself. This is not God’s best plan for me (or for the poor souls that are entangled with me – e.g. my family).

I think things are getting better. One way I have learned to enter this process is by taking a “holy inventory” each day. During my devotion time, right after praising God for “who He is,” I speak the scripture outloud, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” [Psalm 139:23-24] and as God reveals those moments in the past 24 hours that were displeasing to Him, that were sin, that were out of control, I ask for His forgiveness. This is a cleansing time allows me to move on.

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