Expectant Prayers ®

Our schedules can become hectic and hair bending this time of year, with all the parties, gift shopping, and programs.  This morning in my prayer time, I felt compelled to encourage my friends today that time alone with God is essential in a healthy Christian walk.  Even Jesus found it necessary to get alone and pray!  Don't neglect your time with Him.  You will reap what you sow.  If you are sowing to the whirlwind, then you'll reap the whirlwind!  If you sow in righteousness, you will reap in righteousness.  All of us should be spending time EVERY DAY alone (apart from family, friends, church, etc) in the Word and in prayer!  Your spiritual life is depending on what kind of investments you are making toward it.

During these past few weeks as my family has undergone a trial of sorts; we felt it necessary to get totally alone with the Lord; to seek His will and quiet/still our hearts to hear His voice.  My Bible reading this morning mirrored our journey:

"Because of the LORD'S great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.  Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.  Let him bury his face in the dust-there may yet be hope.  Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.  For men are not cast off by the LORD forever.  Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love.  For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."  Lamentations 3:22-33

"Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him."  says it all.  

I wanted to speak a bit about trials today as well.  So MANY people are facing trials/grief/sorrow in this polluted world we live in.  Here are 3 thoughts that were on my heart.  They may help us in dealing with understanding or experiencing a trial:
Trials of different sorts will play out as uniquely as the individual who is going through them.  How each one responds to trials will depend on 
1.) How serious is the trial?  This question is like the difference between major and minor surgery.   People who have minor surgery can get up and walk out of the operating room the same day, but people who have major surgery usually like to be left alone to heal ...and we obviously respect their plight.  Spiritual and emotional traumas are very similar.  Just because we can't see the pain or spiritual condition in one's life doesn't mean it isn't there.   Also realize that something YOU may not think is that big of an issue may be HUGE to the person going through it.
 2.)  Spiritual Maturity - if a person is close to the Lord, healing can come more quickly than those who haven't become strong in Him prior to the onset.  Trials produce even more maturity in the believer.  We need to encourage spiritual maturity in the church and trials/grief are a good reason why!  Spiritual maturity will also play a role in the person's level of need in....
3.)  Their Support System in the Body of Christ-  if we are operating like we should be in this area, we should support one another in our weaknesses.  Be careful how you respond to those who are in trial or grief, however.  We need to heed Proverbs 25:20. "Being happy-go-lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather, or rubbing salt into his wounds." TLB      We are bear one another's burdens, according to the Word.   That doesn't mean you need to know private details in order to pray "specifically" for someone.  Most of the time, it's none of your business what someone else is going through. People who nag to know information are like whining little gnats in your ear!  It's an annoying bother and NOT a help! 
Be willing to mentor someone who comes your way if they need help, but don't force yourself into situations where you are not needed.  Prayer and Scripture are the best support you can give anyone.   For those of you seeking help, choose mentors/prayer partners who are trustworthy and have exhibited spiritual maturity.  You will save yourself a lot of heartache and trouble if you do!


So remember friends, spend time alone with God today.  Enjoy the Christmas Season and stop and reflect on the meaning of His birth, His sinless life, His atoning work on the cross, His death and resurrection, His ascension, His place at the right hand of the Father- interceding for you today, and the promise of His soon return.  

Blessings and we'll see you again tomorrow!