Jesus, if You do this one thing for me, I won’t ask for anything else ever.
I can’t be a good reflection of You, God, dressed in last year’s fashion.
I need this job and its big salary so I can donate more money to the church.
We’re never going to wear God down with our fake promises, warped logic or clever excuses. God doesn’t deal. God blesses.
If You loved me, Lord, You’d give me what I want.
We think we can whine and guilt God into doing things our way.
God’s short answer: I love you so much I died for you.
Can’t whine about that.
In my younger days, I threw some legendary tantrums. I still do. I’ve been known to slam my fists, stomp my feet and pitch a fit before the throne of grace. And when I finally wind down–sobbing and sodden–the throne of grace becomes a rocking chair as my heavenly Father wraps me in His arms and gently tells me He has a better plan.
Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you.
You pray for something, and it doesn’t happen. What do you do?
If God did everything the way you–not He–wanted, He wouldn’t be God. Bad behavior on your part isn’t going to wear Him down, change His mind or guilt Him into giving in.
People are starving in Venezuela. There’s help available, but those in power block this desperately needed aid. The Christian Post explains:
“The U.S. announced Saturday that USAID will be sending hundreds of tons of food, medicine and supplies . . . It could be days or weeks before USAID’s shipments are distributed to malnourished Venezuelans, but the Christian humanitarian aid group World Help is already providing assistance in the country through its partners, who know how to get food and supplies to families under the radar.”
“Under the radar.” God works well under the radar. Our prayers do too.
Lord, protect those who work behind the scenes and under the radar to get food and supplies to desperate Venezuelans. Close the eyes of those who would prevent it and open the doors to the greatest needs.
Lord, we pray for those whose hearts are inclined to evil, those who even now are plotting death and destruction. Transform their hearts of stone. Fill them with hope instead of despair. Turn their thoughts from death to life, in Jesus’ name.
Think twice before pointing your finger of blame.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
There are unseen powers of evil behind the visible acts of evil. Keep your eye on the real enemy.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Matthew 6:13
Deliver us from the evil one.
Look at the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer–two of the best-known Bible passages. They don’t say, “If God loved me, there’d be no evil.” They do say, “God protects me, so I’m not afraid.”
Mass shootings. Sexual predators. Racism. Contempt. Lies.
What say you? Are the forces of evil winning?
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
“Good.” In Greek, agathos: pleasant, joyful, excellent, honorable, acceptable to God.
God’s good way. Not an act of Congress, it’s an act of the will. Not a social media post, it’s a way of life. Live the good life.
