The Importance Of Prayer

Sometimes, things seem impossible to overcome, and it feels like prayer can't make a difference. But that can't be farther from the truth. The Bible says, "You don't have because you don't ask." (James 4:2).

The truth is that prayer is a profound and essential means of communicating with God. We should "pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We should approach God in hardship and peace on good days and bad. Prayer is a way of supporting a relationship between ourselves and God. Communication seeks to bring His divine wisdom, mercy, and help into our lives.

If we pray according to God's will for our lives, He will listen to us. (1 John 5: 14). Therefore, knowing His plans for our lives is essential. He wants to prosper us and not harm us. He wants to give us hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11). It is also His will that not one of us perish. (Matthew 18:14).

Timing is up to God. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1). We must be patient and have faith. We must persevere despite what we are dealing with while hoping for a better day and His help.

God sees all. "His eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (Prov. 15: 3). So never be afraid because He knows what you are going through. He will work "all things together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28).

You've always got someone on your side who hears your every prayer and knows your every thought! Keep praying, believing, and holding on because you are never alone! He will never leave you or forsake you! (Deut. 31: 8).

Living With The Mindset Of Love

Love is a powerful force, capable of transforming our lives when we understand its true essence. Society often portrays love as physical, conditional, and transient. However, the true definition of love, as revealed in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, is far more profound. It is patient, kind, and enduring. It doesn’t envy, boast,  or behave inappropriately. It doesn’t seek its own way, is not easily provoked, and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. Love rejoices with the truth,  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Love, in its true form, never fails.  

Love is the stuff of Heaven. True love comes from God, and love is who God is. For us, love is a decision. It doesn't fail or change depending on our moods. We are instructed to "let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from us, with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, and forgiving, just as God also in Christ forgave us." (Ephesians 4: 31-32). We are told to "set our minds on the things above, not on the things on the earth." (Col. 3:2).

In order for us to live as God would have us live, we must help and support each other, build each other up, and offer encouragement. Living as God would have us live means following His commandments, showing love and compassion to others, and striving to be more like Christ. We are human, and none of us is perfect. We need each other to become better and to improve. "Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens his friend's countenance." Proverbs 27:17.

Love rejoices with the truth because when the truth is revealed, it can be accepted, worked through, and healed, allowing us to be set free. Love 'covers a multitude of sins' (1 Peter 4:8). When we live in God's love, we see the good in others, and we don't focus on their wrongs. We encourage each other to heal and improve so that we can live more fulfilling, peaceful, and meaningful lives. Everyone needs a safe place where understanding people can guide us to healthier, happier mindsets. It is all part of God's process to lean on each other and make the world better, holding each other accountable, but from a place of compassion and caring. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit' (Romans 8:1). As long as we are steadily moving forward, healing and growing, we are doing everything we can and living life the way we are designed to live-lives of love, mercy, compassion, and caring!

(All references are from the World English Bible, available in the public domain).

Faith Requires Grit And Resolve

Before I became a Christian, when I heard the phrase "have faith," I felt as though faith was a passive stand-by stance, a person just waiting for something to happen. It had the connotation of weakness somehow.

After more than thirty years of walking in faith, I've learned that faith is not about wavering or wondering. It's about standing firm, even when our minds are prone to wander. It's about maintaining our stance, unwavering in the face of life's challenges. This steadfastness is what defines our faith journey.

We must believe firmly in God's word. Proverbs 3: 5-6 states," Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Faith is active. It is believing and trusting no matter what things look like around you. It is knowing that "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8: 28). It is submitting to God's ways even when our flesh is screaming to do the opposite. It's challenging a lot of times. Very tough. That's why Christians have to "fight the good fight of faith". (2 Timothy 4:7).

Faith is a lifestyle. It is a daily decision and sometimes even a minute-by-minute decision. Stay tough and keep your stance of faith. Believe and trust. Know that God's word is absolute truth and that nothing can refute it. If you don't give in and refuse to give up, you will be delivered and set free from the problems you are facing. It's all in God's timing. So keep the faith and know you are a strong soldier as you're doing it. If you do, everything will work out for your good no matter what the situation may currently look like!