Is Prayer futile?

If God already knows what is going to be in our lives, why do we pray? Will our prayers change what God has already planned for us? What about the people who claim God answered their prayers because a loved one didn't die; or becuase they themselves were saved from some terrible situation such as abuse or a serious car accident. Does that mean for those who did lose a loved one; or who did get seriously hurt in an automobile accident, that God didn't care enough about them to answer their prayer and keep them safe as he did the others? It upsets me a great deal to hear people say, "I know God loves me because He protected me from being abused." or "I know God is watching out for my child because He had me walk into the room just as he nearly hung himself on the cord." Again I ask. Does that mean God didn't love the one who was abused? Does He care less for the mother of the child who did hang himself on a cord? If God already has His will for us set out, why pray for healing, or for a sick loved one, or for protection in a harmful situation? These questions lead me to believe that prayer is about us. Not God. Prayer is showing us that we need God, no matter the answer. The answer or no answer to a prayer isn't what is important. It is the fact that when we go to God in prayer, we are reminding ourselves that we need God. If we didn't, why are we praying? Why not take care of the situation ourselves? Also, by going to God in prayer, we are admitting we believe He exists. God doesn't need my prayers. He already knows what I need. He knows what I feel. God knows all about me. If you doubt this,read
Psalm 139. It is I who needs prayer. To be humbled. Prayer is about praising God for who He is, not what he does.I may not understand why I pray at times. I may question whether or not God cares or will answer according to my will. But what I do know is He is listening and if I believe that, then I must believe He exists. When it comes to prayer, God's will be done!

Can a Christian be "petty"?

Once again I was confronted with making a decision to stand up for truth or let it alone. Shame brought me to my senses. A group of us were on our annual Christmas tree cutting. Two of us are believers. We were joined by a young lady fresh out of college who is a faithful Catholic. I saw this young lady's faith in action. Mary, (a ficticious name)a fellow believer who comes every year,once again cut down a small tree for her dining room table. About four feet in height. Every year Mary,who is a Seventh Day Adventist, cuts down an extra tree. And every year it bothers me. This year the young lady spoke up and told Mary what she did was wrong. It was stealing. I wanted to hug and kiss the young lady! I was also embarassed at my lack of courage to stand up to Mary over the years we had been cutting trees together. Mary's responce surprised me. "Cutting down a small tree isn't a sin." I could not hold it back, I spoke up. (finally). I told the young lady I was in complete agreement with her and that I admired and respected her faithfulness to God. I could tell I had made an enemy out of Mary. She said we were making a big deal over nothing. Later that afternoon I heard her blatantly use our Lord's name in vain. I could not help but wonder if perhaps she was no longer a believer and that is why she was acting so disrespectful towards God. I also found myself upset. Was I being petty? Did it matter to God whether or not I took an extra tree? If it wasn't wrong, why were they hiding it under the bigger trees? Is stealing only stealing if it is in a large capacity? Would Jesus say, "Oh, thats ok. it's just a small sin."? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I think it is very clear that stealing is wrong and also unwholesome talk. Eph.4:28 says "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. and verse 29 states, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." I cannot judge Mary, I can only humbly admit that I too can blend in with non-believers when I give Satan a foot hold. I am also once again reminded of how important it is to be in His word and around fellow believers who are mature in their faith and trying to live the way our Lord wants. I am not expecting perfection. But where do we draw the line of complacency and truth? Is it possible for a Christian to be "petty" when it comes to doing wrong, no matter the size of the wrong-doing?

being in the world, but not of the world..

Being in the world but not of the world. This has been on my mind for some time now and recently it has been very bothersome.It is becoming more and more difficult for me to know who is a Christian and who is not at work, in the stores, on the phone, doesn't matter where I am I cannot honestly tell the majority of the time if I am talking to a fellow Christian or a non-believer. How this saddens my spirit. I am hungry to hear about Jesus and what He is doing in people's lives, or what He has done to cause one to love Him and believe in Him. I thirst for other believers to stand out so I can talk to them about Jesus and my own struggles with faith or my excitement in the ways I see Him working in my spirit. But what I find are Christians wanting to talk about worldly things, problems they are having with family members or co-workers, etc. Is this bad? No,not necessarily; but what I find discouraging is that Jesus is never brought into these conversations. I am made to feel embarassed when I bring him up or ask one if they would like to pray on the topic. "Not here, its too public" or "I already did" are the two most freguent answers I get. Why would we want to "stand out" by praying in public where others can see us. I find myself uncomfortable praying at the dinner table with my husband because he is a non-beleiver. However I have chosen to do it just the same. Perhaps if I live my faith it will cause him to want what I have; inner spiritual strength and peace. However, as I trudge this Christian walk alone I find my strength and inner peace wavering. I wonder if we really believe what we say we do. Seems to me I would be more confident in my faith if others were willing to share theirs with me. I know I am responsible for my own faith. I also know it is up to me if I choose to believe or not. But I also believe strongly that we would all believe and be encouraged to live differently among non-believers if we didn't feel we were doing it alone. Didn't Jesus send his Apostles in pairs out into the world? Didn't He himself need his Apostle's support when he was struggling before he was arrested? So why should we not need one another? I have decided once and for all no more excuses; I want to look, act and be different from the world. No matter how lonely it may feel at times, no matter how uncomfortable or disliked I become; I want to know and experience what be a true believer is like. Perhaps by living these things myself, I will meet other's who believe or feel as I do. I hope so.

If Satan can't make me bad, he'll make me busy

I once heard a preacher say, "If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy. How these words have rung true to me this week. My compulsive obsessiveness was shining brighter than sunshine on snow. My mornings were filled with what to wear, which purse should I use; or maybe backpack. Each time I went to sit down to read the Word and pray something would enter into my mind and I would run with it. Cleaning up the kitchen, pick up the dining room. Oh, and then of course I have to walk the dog before I head to work. In the back of my mind I could hear my thoughts telling me to just sit down and spend time with my heavenly father; if I do this He always make time for what is important to get done. What I may believe is important may not be so important after all. The kitchen can wait and it really doesn't matter what purse or backpack I use for that day. If I get honest with myself, the most important three things are: Take a shower, (my co-workers will appreciate this), Walk the dog and spend quality time with God in His word and prayer. Not in that order necessarily. When I don't listen to the words of wisdom I started with, I leave for work remorseful that I hadn't given my Heavenly Father the time due Him. Just think. Suppose God said, "Cathie, I know you need time with me, but I am just too busy with other things that are more important to me." I would be devastated. And I believe God feels sadness when I too say by my actions, "God, I know I should spend time with you, but I am busy with these other things." Spending quiet time with our Lord isn't for His benefit; but for mine. It is a time I spend reminding myself how much I need Gods help each day. How important His word is to know so I can use it when struggling with something that day. Resting in God isn't just for the Sabbath day rest, it is for daily sabbaths throughout the day for me whenever I am agitated, fearful or just plain self-centered.So, the week is just about over and now the real question is; how important is God to me? How important is His word in my life? I guess I will see in the next few days. Will Satan continue to make me busy? Or will I rely on Him who is stronger?

Sabbath #3

Well, it was a wonderful day of rest yesterday. I slept in and when I rose out of bed, I thought how interesting it would be to start the Sabbath with believers I did not know. After all, Jesus does not belong to one particular church building. So I drank my coffee as I searched the internet for a church to visit. I found it. It was a small, old church with 13 members. The Pastor was full of the word and shared a stong message. Normally I would not enjoy such a tiny church but this morning I found myself smiling and enjoying the intimacy I felt among the members. They were so kind and I was made to feel welcome. As I sat there listening to the message I felt a peace within that only the Spirit could give. I was there for the message and to worship with believers who shared the same the faith in a different manner. The building resembled the church on the show," Little House on the Prairie" It was a wonderful way to begin the day of rest. I found myself thinking how enjoyable it would be to visit different churches once a month; to keep from becoming complacent in my walk with our Lord.

I enjoyed a day of not rushing around to do things or get things done. finding myself having more time to do things I enjoyed; taking my dog to the dog park; reading; spending intimate moments with my husband talking and playing a game. I am excited to share that he, a non-believer, is beginning to enjoy these days with me! We felt closer and laughed through out the day; all pressures of the work week were no longer weighing on either of us.

Throughout the day I found myself more aware of God. My thoughts turned to Him often without effort on my part. I enjoyed cuddling up in my favorite chair reading.

I realized when my husband and I retired for the evening how effortlessly we spent the Sabbath day resting and enjoying whatever came to mind that was not work or pressure. I also find that this morning as I walked my dog before work, how I looked forward to small sabbaths throughout the week spent on time in the Presence of God. I am beginning to understand the reasoning for us to observe the Sabbath. I also watched out for legalistic thinking on my part as to what I could or could not do. That would take away the joy I felt throughout the day.

I have been pondering a lot lately about the Sabbath. I realize we are no longer under the old law. However, I have often wondered what my work week would be like if I took the Sabbath seriously. If I took Sunday as a true day of rest. Rest from shopping, cleaning the house, and other forms of work or play that take my focus off our Lord. I have made the decision to observe the Sabbath every week for a month and journal the results I find. It would be very interesting to see if my job performance and relationships improved. How could they not? I would be rested and have had personal, intimate time with my Heavenly Father.I am ashamed to say the most difficult thing to give up will be the television. I don't realize how much time is spent in front of that noise box. I justify it by working on crafts while I listen. I wonder, is it God's will that I take a Sabbath rest or my selfish desire to get out of house work? Seriously, I have found myself feeling tired and irrational lately and realized how little rest I have been allowing myself. With no rest; how does one find time to be in the Word? How do you spend time in God's presence if you are too busy to settle down for a day? These were questions that intruded into my thoughts as I struggled to do God's will regarding my walk with Him.