Tag Archives: quietness

Yes, You Do Have Time to Abide, Young Lady

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Andrea Graham| Comments Off

“But he was wounded for our transgressions;  he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)

So Easter is upon us and our verses of the day are turning our eyes towards the cross. Not a bad focus to have. It can be so easy in the rush and the stresses of life to focus on our problems and leave the lord out. Sometimes we have to force ourselves to step away, find a quiet place, and pray. Lord knows how hard that is for some of us. He understands, but we need to do it any way. (OUCH.)

Reach out, if you find yourself locked in a tizzy, absolutely convinced you’re far too busy for abiding in the very Lord you’re serving, and ask him to set you free from that mental, physical, and spiritual strong hold. Deep down we know it’s not healthy to live in go-go-go mode. We need healing in our minds.

Christ died to give it to us. He took our suffering and our iniquities on himself so we could be set free. Lets seek his way today.

Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve fallen pray to our weaknesses. We stop and we seek you now. Thank you for your finished work on the cross. Thank you for healing and freedom. We lay our hearts and our minds before you. Transform us into your perfect image. Give us willing hearts, tender to you and  your way. Strengthen us to walk in your spirit. In Jesus name we pray, lord, amen.

Posted in Bible and Theology, Prayer and Devotions

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The Lord your Shepherd Restores your soul

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Andrea Graham| Comments Off

“ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

These words of comfort reach across ages. The promise is true today. Humble yourself under the Lord’s rod and His staff and trust and hear no other voice. You know his voice, for you are his, chosen out of the world, beautiful and precious in his eyes. If you are tired, wrung out, stressed out, discouraged, and/or afraid, allow him to lay you down in green pastures and beside still waters in His Spirit today. Take time out of your busy schedule to throw yourself into the Shepherd’s arms, awaiting his promise of restoration.  Whatever time it takes to work through it will be time well invested.

However, before he can restore us, we must first both stop listening and believing the lies of fear and doubt and hate and any other wicked voice that may be oppressing us today. Let him reveal your heart to you today and pour it out before him. Let us not forget, it is for His name’s sake that He leads us. He loves us unconditionally, no matter our failures or mistakes, especially in regard to earthly things.

Lord, forgive us for the lies we have believed. Let us no longer give the enemy a foothold. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts. Help us to identify fears as for what they are and eradicate any negative, self-defeating ways of thinking today. We ask you to restore our souls today, Father, and we thank you, that even if our human fathers actually were evil enough to give us snakes and stones when we asked for fish and bread, you are not that way. You give good gifts to us, your children, when we ask you. We confess it today and we ask you inscribe the truth of your loving-kindness on our hearts today. We are asking you today, in faith, Father, grant us our need and our rest according to your will, as we present before you now:

In Jesus’ name we pray, Lord, amen.

Posted in Bible and Theology, Fear and Anxiety, God's promises, Lament, Prayer and Devotions

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Buy and Labor For what Satisfies: the Lord

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Andrea Graham| Comments Off

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Isaiah 55:2,3

I think we’ve all found ourselves there, constantly doing, or eating, and never being satisfied, done, or full. We forget what we are really hungry for can’t be found in the rat race, or at the buffet line,  but in a still, quiet prayer closet. Much as us dieters might be tempted to take God literally and say, “Yay, all the chocolate and cheese cake I could want,” the rich food he had in mind is His word and Himself. He is our bread/our tree of life that we need daily to live.

What are we investing in? Let’s take time to re-orientate ourselves to His cross today and remember what we’re hungry for is found in Him. When we pray, let’s not do all the talking. Take time to quietly listen and receive direction from Him. What have we to fear? He’s made an everlasting covenant with us, his love is sure and steadfast. We only need to abide in him and open up our hearts to allow him to transform us into the image he originally made us in.

Lord, forgive us for getting caught up in the cares of the world. Quiet us today and draw us into communion with you. Wash away our fears and any wicked inclination separating us from you today. Open our ears and our hearts to hear and receive from you today. Here we are, Lord. We thank you for your finished work, and we present ourselves to you. Mold us into your likeness, show us more of who you are today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Posted in Bible and Theology, God's love, Prayer and Devotions

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