Tag: God

Who Are We Following? Part 3: Which Jesus?

On By LindaIn Who Are We FollowingLeave a comment
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Jesus once asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and received a variety of answers. The same holds true today. Everyone who hears about Jesus has to wrestle with this question. Did he exist? Does he exist now? If so, who was/is he? What does it mean to follow him?

People either believe Jesus existed, don’t believe he existed, or don’t care whether he existed. Most modern scholars agree that a man named Jesus did exist. They point to both Christian and non-Christian early writings which make reference of him. Generally they agree that Jesus was a teacher, had a reputation as a miracle worker, had a brother named James, and died a violent death. People that claim Jesus never existed have the right to say that but the facts don’t support their belief.

In this blog, I am going to focus on those who believe that Jesus lived, rose, and is who he said he is. However just believing Jesus is God does not make us a Christian. James 2:19 makes reference to faith in Jesus when he wrote “Even the demons believe – and shudder!”  What makes us a Christian is submitting ourselves to Jesus’ ownership over us. We follow all that he said, even the hard things. You would think that would result in a group of like-minded people, all worshipping and serving the same Savior. But as I talk to people, read social media posts, and listen to podcasts, it’s clear that not everyone sees Jesus the same way. People who call themselves Christians may describe very different Jesus’ – often one that supports their lifestyle or worldview. For example, there’s a social justice Jesus who was mostly concerned with the poor and needy, a religious Jesus who spent his time spiritualizing everything, and a philosopher Jesus who preached wise messages. Which Jesus is the one we are to follow? Does it matter?

  1. The Social Justice Jesus.

Those who follow this Jesus claim that he went around defending the poor and the marginalized. He taught equality and good relationships between all people. He spoke mainly of love, mercy, and peace. He accepted everyone as they were without judgment. This is the Jesus that society is most willing to accept. This Jesus says and does what confirms what society wants to say and do. This Jesus accepts every lifestyle, judges no one, and lives in peace with everyone.

I agree that Jesus defended the victimized and taught good relationships. However, Scripture doesn’t support that he accepted everyone without judgment or was concerned about social programs. He was very critical of hypocrites (Matthew 23, Luke 6:42), his ministry was for the Jews, not the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24), he told people to stop sinning after healing them (John 5:14; 8:11), he said he came to bring division (Luke 12:51), and his main message was to repent (Matthew 4:17).

In a way, people who follow the social justice Jesus seem to be actually following society.

  • The Religious Jesus.

Those who follow this Jesus say that he was holy, never sinned, and spoke about spiritual matters all the time. He was solemn, prayed a lot, and was mostly concerned with people’s relationship with God. He preached about sin and judgment and hell and doing good works.

Jesus was certainly holy and never sinned, and he constantly redirected people’s minds towards the kingdom. But he wasn’t the solemn, hand-folding man that kept his distance from sinners. He actually ate with sinners, attended parties and dinners, and contradicted the religious leaders. He had to have laughed and enjoyed people for children to be attracted to him. In fact, he ran the full range of human emotions from joy to grief.

In a way, people who follow the religious Jesus seem to be actually following religion.

  • The Philosopher Jesus

Those who follow this Jesus say that he had many wise sayings about how the inner self affects behavior. He made suggestions for getting along with others and how to live a peaceful life that would end with entrance into heaven.

There is no doubt that Jesus was full of wise sayings and parables. The Gospels are full of them. They are truthful and helpful in knowing the spiritual world and how to walk as a Christian. But this is not all that Jesus talked about. He said he was God (John 2:25-26; 8:58), warned that those who didn’t obey his words would face the wrath of God (John 3:36), that he came to bring a sword instead of peace (Matthew 10:34), and told us deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23). Viewing Jesus as just a wise teacher but dismissing the harder things is contradictory. Either he was wise and everything he said was true – or he was deceived or even crazy to make the claims he did.

In a way, people who follow the philosopher Jesus seem to be actually following themselves.

Other groups include Word of Faith (power, healing), Prosperity (wealth), deliverance ministries (freedom and experiences), hypercharismatic (feelings and experiences) and many more. Each group contains truth, but also error. By picking out some scriptures that support their view and ignoring the rest, their followers only get a Jesus in the image they prefer. This is deceptive, and deception is of the devil. Even worse is using those Scriptures to fight Christians who hold different views. If Satan can divide us and pit us against each other, he’s won a great victory. He has effectively weakened our light, tainted our testimony, and gotten everyone’s eyes on man instead of on God.

One of Jesus’ purposes in becoming man was to restore the relationship between God and man so that man could have eternal life with God (John 3:16-17. The peace the angels sang about is peace between God and man. God created man. Man sinned. Jesus paid the price of that sin. Relationship restored. Along the way he healed people to show who he was (John 36-38), directed people towards the kingdom of God, and spoke with wisdom and authority. He accepted people but spoke out against their sin (Mark 9:42-48; John 8:34). He cared about the poor but never rallied for social programs. Instead he told people not to worry but to trust God for their needs (Matthew 6:25-26). He spent much time with his Father (Luke 5:15-16) but thoroughly enjoyed attending parties and dinners of sinners as part of his ministry (Mark 2:17). He spoke about the kingdom but demanded obedience in order to get there (Matthew 7:21). His final direction to his followers was to call all people to repent and to become disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:45-47).

Jesus is much bigger and more complex than just what we see from our own biases. Christianity is not a cafeteria where we get to pick from the Bible what looks good to us. We follow all that Jesus said, even the hard things whether we understand or agree with them or not.

So… who are we following? The Jesus as he has revealed himself to us or the Jesus we create to support our beliefs and desires, the one that seems right in our own minds?

Scriptures:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25

How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye.” When you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. Luke 6:42

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. Luke 12:51

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well. Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:11

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things. “Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:25-26

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:24

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not the call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:15-16

Then he ope3ned their minds to understand the Scriptures and said to them, ‘Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:45-47

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fires are not quenched. Mark 9:42-48

Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25-26

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Romans 10:3

Do you day of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me, but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” John 36-38

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17

A Prayer for SIL, Day 97

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, God, she did it again. And she had no idea why it hurt me. “It’s just a joke. I didn’t know it offended you,” she had retorted and then dismissed the whole thing. Jesus, how did You live here without being offended by people? You got angry and frustrated at times – but at people’s lack of faith and their hypocrisy – not for personal reasons. Teach me how to do it so I can be more what I need to be with SIL instead of self-protecting and being too busy dealing with offenses.

Hated stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Lord, I pray that I will learn to cover offenses, sharing them only with You and those You direct me to. And that that will be enough.

I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.  Jeremiah 33:8

Father God, just as You forgave the Israelites time and time again, I pray You forgive us yet again. I pray that You cleanse us from all the guilt of our sin against You – for that is who we ultimately sin against – and that You forgive all the guilt of our sin and rebellion against You. When we don’t care if we offend someone, or if we withdraw from those who offend us, we are not obeying Your command to love others as ourselves. We are choosing not to obey. That’s rebellion. Jesus, I can’t repent for SIL, but I can pray that You forgive her just like You prayed that the Father forgive those who crucified You.

In Your Merciful Name,

Amen

A Prayer for SIL, Day 58

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, I lift up SIL to You. Heal her body as You heal her heart. Just like a cough can disturb the ability to sleep, I pray that You remove the cough in her life. Remove the infection that is causing the cough which is also causing so many other problems. Maker her to understand that she can’t live the way she wants to live but will have to adjust her position before You to protect her heart and her relationship with You.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

For he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2b

Give her restful sleep tonight. As she sleeps, fill her mind with dreams and visions of You and her place in You. Raise her up to be a mighty woman of God.

In Your Restful Embrace,

Amen

A Prayer for SIL, Day 44

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Jesus, may Your Spirit minister to SIL as she sleeps tonight. Bring her hurt parts into good health. Remove her hardened heart and replace it with a soft heart that is focused on You.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27

Lord, as SIL responds to Your Spirit, I pray You clean her, remove her hard heart and give her a heart of flesh so that she will walk in Your way and she will be careful to obey Your rules.

In Your Cleansing Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 41

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Jesus, I lift SIL up to You again. Hold her in Your arms. Heal her scars and the hidden festering wounds that bind her. Fill her need to be loved with Your love. Give her the strength to act on the things she should or needs to do.

So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:10-11

God, I pray that SIL will walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You. May she be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might. And may she endure with patience and joy.

In Your Glorious Might,

Amen.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 7 – The Toads

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

The loud croaking of toads – I mean the LOUD croaking of toads drew me towards the plastic fish pond next to the larger dug-out pond. I had drained and cleaned the smaller one in preparation of lining it when I lined the larger pond but then abandoned it when the lining wasn’t long enough to cover both. My neglect was evident as I looked into the muddy rain water that now dirtied the pond. Clay is horrible to clean. It stains everything it touches. Because I had not protected the pond, I would now have to drain it again and ruin more towels when the new liner arrived.

I turned to go back to laying rocks around the big pond but the croaking interrupted me again. Where were those toads?

And then I saw them. Nine toads had fallen or jumped into the plastic pond. Apparently they couldn’t jump back out so it was up to me to rescue them. But how was I supposed to get them out? The bottom of that pond was too low for me to reach from where I stood. I didn’t really want to step into the water – shoes or no shoes. And they completely ignored the branch-ramp I carefully set in the pond.

Then I saw the fish net. Perfect. In minutes the toads were happily doing their thing among the plants in the larger pond.

Just like my neglect in securing the plastic pond caused a problem for the toads, our neglect in life can cause problems for other people. Broken promises to help someone in need can cause that need to remain unmet because the person was counting on us to meet it. Leaving early or not showing up for our shift serving at the food pantry can leave the group shorthanded. Inconsistently attending a Bible study and asking the group to catch us up on what we missed causes the whole group to lose momentum.

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Proverbs 18:9

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14

But the ones most affected by our procrastination and neglect, especially of something God called us to do, are ourselves. Not taking every thought captive to obey Christ can trap us in old thinking patterns and sin.  Inconsistently reading the Bible or not putting into action what we read keeps us from growing spiritually. Neglecting meeting with other believers or in going to church puts us in danger of growing cold and eventually being deceived into wrong beliefs.

Rationalization, justification, explanation – it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that something that should be done isn’t. God calls that disobedience.

Hear instructions and be wise, and do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:33

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? Matthew 21 28-31

And disobedience has dire consequences.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

In the case of my pond, I couldn’t finish it along with the other because I didn’t have the materials I needed. But that doesn’t excuse the way I left it. I could have covered it and protected it from the rain which would have protected the toads. Which reminds me of yet another of Jesus’ parables.

When the unclean spirits have gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. Luke 11:24-26a

Let’s take care of the jobs we have been given, and hopefully we won’t find later on that nine toads have moved into our lives.

More Scriptures:

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1 22-24

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 4 – Digging Deeper

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

After days of hard work, digging, chopping, and hauling away wheel barrels of heavy, moist clay, I had finally finished. The last step had been to remove the wall of clay between the old and the new areas.  With great anticipation I walked a few feet away and turned to look at the one great big pond I had envisioned.

But instead of the self-satisfaction I expected, all I felt was dismay.

I had thought I had dug deep enough.

I had thought my work was sufficient.

I had thought I was finally ready to line the larger pool area. But with the border removed, I could clearly see that the new section was not near as deep as the old section. I had a dilemma. Should I leave it as is or continue digging?

Immediately my mind began rationalizing.

  • It’s bigger than the fish used to have.
  • I’ve already spent days on this. My body is sore. At my age, I should be careful not to overextend myself.
  • The sooner I can get the fish out of the tubs and into the pond, the better. Especially with the surprising forecast of snow in the near future.
  • The fish can all squish into the small deeper area next winter. They will be fine.

Swirling around these justifications, like the hint of a sweet aroma, came some other thoughts.

  • The fish need a deeper place to live.
  • The depth provides protection from birds and extreme temperatures.
  • Don’t be lazy. Do what needs to be done. It’s the right thing to do.
  • Don’t accept inadequate work just because your body wants to be finished.

I had a choice to make. Keep digging or accept it for what it was and move on. The battle was between my flesh and the needs of the fish. And it was a battle. I really REALLY wanted to move on. Everything in me shouted to move on. It was just this soft voice whispering, “What about the needs of the fish?” that kept me from putting down my shovel.

Finally I made a decision. I went inside for a nap.

How many times in life do we face the same choice? Give in to our flesh or meet the need of someone else? How many times do we rationalize that what we did was enough when deep down we know we could do better, or that more was needed? How many times do we try to get by doing the least we can do? The bible has something to say about this.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 (or in my case, for fish.)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Whatever you do” mean just what it says. Everything we do, not just what we might consider most important to us. Not just what we feel like doing. Everything. Playing with our children. Visiting an elderly neighbor. Working at our job. Giving to the needy. Quiet time with God. Going to church. Cleaning house. Helping someone who is struggling. Nurturing a friendship.

And digging deeper.

Sigh. I hear You, God.  I’ll get the shovel.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 3 – Tubs

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I wonder what the fish were thinking as the ground vibrated with each thump of the shovel. The serenity that they had once enjoyed in their crowded home now shattered with unexplained disruptions. Not only that, but the giant shadow that provided food had come more often but no new food ever appeared.

Did the confusion of the fish turn to apprehension as they were chased around the pond with a net in the decreasing amount of water and then deposited into small tubs?  If they were crowded before, they were now packed almost fin to fin. No more swimming laps around the pond. In this new place, they barely have room to swish their tails five times. Not only that, but they are covered by a net to keep them from jumping out and to keep them safe from birds and the neighbor’s cat.

Did they feel their world had been turned upside down?

Do we ever feel like our world has been turned upside down?

There are times we will be confined or put in a place we don’t like. It may feel like life is horrible. Cancer, losing our job, death of a loved one and the destruction of our house in a hurricane are all bad causes of forced changes. But sometimes that turmoil comes from happy events such as a wedding, birth of a child, or high school graduation. In each case, we may feel helpless, out of control, and out of place. Our peace is gone. Our familiar provision is gone. Our home is gone. So what do we do?

Do we jump out of our new circumstances and try to crawl our way back to our old familiar ones? Do we give up and just sink to the bottom in despair? Do we get angry and refuse to eat? Do we try to relieve our angst by attacking other people?

Or do we trust that the God who promised to be with us always is still in control?

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Can we say along with Paul…

…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger. Philippians 4:11b-12

Remember –

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Let us trust our wise and loving Father no matter which season and circumstance we are in.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 2 – Digging

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

The ground was wet and sticky in some places, yet hard and unyielding in other places. I stared at it, panting as I leaned on my shovel. I was used to the sandy soil of where I had spent most of my life, but this red clay was a whole new ball game. Who would have thought digging a hole would be this hard? Or that wet clay sticks to the shovel so tightly? I had been digging for hours, and I was not even halfway done. I wanted to give up. I wanted to walk away. But when I looked at the fish in their outgrown pond, I knew I couldn’t. It would be cruel to leave them as crowded as they are. With a big sigh, I straightened and carefully stepped back into the partially dug out pond extension.

As I dug, Isaiah 29:16 came to mind.

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

How difficult are we as God digs to mold us into something He can use?

When we gave our lives to Jesus, we gave Him the authority to make us into His image. Little by little we are shaped.

There are places in our lives where He scrapes away just enough to level us. Our weekly quiet time at the beach is replaced with people who need us, balancing our focus on ourselves with focus on others. A change in our job position requires us to seek Him more fervently, balancing our self-sufficiency with need for His help.

But there are times when He digs deep. It is disappointing when we no longer have the physical ability to do the things we love. It hurts when a close friend suddenly moves away. And it’s confusing when He tells you to get rid of all your dragons, including your favorite book series.

How do we respond? Do we resent and fight the changes? Do we hang on tight to what He is trying to remove? Do we grumble and wish for our old lives like the Israelites did? Do we despair because everything feels like a mess? Or do we trust that He knows what He’s doing and that it’s for our good?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

As we yield time and time again, we may think the process is unending, but there will come a day when it will be complete.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

After several days of digging, I looked down at the hole I had dug. Looking at it filled me with a mixture of satisfying pride and despair. So much had been done. So much more to do. But for now it was time to rest.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Note: I know I may be using these scriptures slightly out of context, but they are valid. We do tend to complain when God is molding us, He does have good plans for us, He will complete the work He has begun in us, and He does promise us rest in Him. Selah.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 3

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, calm the battle that swirls in and around SIL. Open her ears to the truth so that she can be freed. Bless the efforts she makes and call her to Yourself for healing and counsel. Jesus, she needs to be rescued as much as I did when You saved me. If this battle is one of her own making in which the enemy is taking advantage, show her what she’s doing that needs to be addressed. She can’t repent if she thinks nothing is her fault. She may feel as if she’s a helpless victim but she is not. Lord, if she is being convicted by the Holy Spirit for something, I pray You strengthen and enlighten her to see it so that she can confess what needs to be confessed, be forgiven, and be set free to walk with You. Keep her safe, Lord, in all of this.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9

Lord God, I pray that Your grace will bring salvation to SIL, that You train her to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and enable her to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in these troublesome times as she waits for Your glorious appearing. Jesus, You gave Yourself to redeem us – I pray that you redeem SIL from all lawlessness, and that You purify her for Yourself to be zealous for good works.

In You Glorious Name,

Amen.