Automated Calls

The majority of the calls we've been receiving lately have been automated. The phone rings, we pick up, we hear a brief pause, and then the message starts. Most of them have been from the schools our children attend, reminding us of an upcoming meeting or a vacation schedule. Some of the calls have been confirmations for upcoming dental appointments. Pretty soon we'll get calls from political candidates as the primaries draw near.

I'm still undecided if I like these automated calls. The pros are that I don't actually have to talk to anyone, I just have to listen. The cons are that I have to keep answering the phone when a real person isn't on the line.

Then there are those calls where a live person starts talking, telling you to hold on so you can hear a recorded message, and then to hold on afterward so he or she can get your response. I often hang up for those because I don't have time to listen to some messages, and I know they're going to ask me for money.

I wonder if our prayers sometimes seem like automated calls to God. Repetitive prayers are often rote responses. Yes, some prayers, especially the Psalms are beautiful and have wonderful meanings; and yes, there are times when I've prayed the Psalms as my own prayers because those words say what's in my heart. But if all we do is say the same thing over and over to God, without any true praise and thanksgiving and petitions thrown in, then we might as well record a message and use that for our prayers.

True prayer needs to be a personal call to God our Savior. It needs to be from the heart. He is interested in what we have to say. He wants true fellowship; and that comes when we honestly seek Him and earnestly call out to Him.

Are your prayers becoming too automated lately? Show God you really love Him by giving Him some real prayers from the heart.

Acknowledging the Great I AM

One of the verses I love to say when I pray is Psalm 8:9, which says, "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" I use this to give glory to my LORD and my God. It is to acknowledge the greatness of Who He is, and to stir my heart to give Him the total praise He most definitely deserves. This verse also puts me in an attitude of praise so I can focus on what a wonderful God I have Who loves me far beyond what my puny mind can comprehend.

We need to acknowledge God. He deserves our praise. What Bible verse do you use to honor Him?

Finding Strength

Where do you draw your strength from? Do you pull it out of something deep within you? Do you find it by sheer willpower? Do you rely on the strength of others?

True strength is found in God. He is the source of all strength. When I'm struggling or fearful or anxious, I turn to the Lord for comfort and strength.

Psalm 18:32 says, "It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect." Isaiah 26:4 says, "Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength."

Are you lacking in strength? Ask God to sustain you and build you up.

Speechless

Has God ever done something amazing for you? Of course, salvation is absolutely amazing, where the King of kings and the Lord of lords personally came down to earth to save each of us from our sins. But I'm talking about an event that happened to you as a believer, where God did something just way beyond your comprehension. It leaves you speechless, doesn't it.

But it's at those speechless moments when we need to give glory to God; where we need to just praise Him and worship Him and thank Him that He loved us so much to bless us in such an unique and wonderful way.

God will leave you speechless at various times in your life if you are living for Him. Be amazed. Be blessed. But most importantly, be thankful that you have a God who loves you individually and wants to wow you with speechlessness.

Reflection

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation'
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved."
Psalm 62:5-6

No matter what life throws at us, we need to trust in God and let Him be our refuge. With Him, our foundation is solid and nothing can knock us out of His hand.

On Your Knees

There are times when you need some intense one on one time with the Lord. You may be experiencing a heavy trial, or there is a big decision you need to make. Whatever it is, you need to get on your knees and ask the Lord for direction.

This isn't your regular every day prayer time. This is: "I have no other solution in the world, but to turn to You" time. You may even feel called to fast as you pray, showing just how serious you are. And when you do pray, make sure you lay everything at His feet: your hopes, your troubles, your fears, your doubts, your inhibitions, your failures. Then make sure you are open to hear what God is telling you, even if He shows that you may be part of the problem.

We need to be honest and open before God. Although He knows everything, our straight-forward communications help draw us closer to Him as we show we need His wisdom, comfort, interaction, and strength in our lives.

So when a difficult time comes, get down on your knees and lay it all out on the altar. God will answer as you wholeheartedly seek His will.

But Is He Real?

I think people have issues about God and faith because they think in terms of fantasy and fairy tales. They read stories about Noah's Ark and the parting of the Red Sea, about manna coming down from heaven, and Joshua granted extra hours in a day so he could continue to battle. These things can't be true, can they? Absolutely! There are mounds of evidence to support the truth of these Biblical claims. I will not go into details here, but check out www.answersingenesis.org and www.alwaysbeready.com to name just a few places to do some research.

So, if the Bible ends up being reliable in its claims, then can't the God of the Bible be true? Of course. And God gives you a way to test Him. In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." If you really want to know if God is real, then wholeheartedly ask Him to reveal Himself to you. If He is truly God, He will have more than adequate means to show you Who He is.

The question is: Are you up to the challenge? It's easy to know the truth. Just ask God for it.

Reflection

"Then he [Moses] said to Him, 'If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.'" Exodus 33:15

If only we would put this Scripture into practice and be willing to stay put until we knew God was in whatever we were doing. Something to think about!

Looking Beyond Our Comfort Zones

I'm more comfortable working behind the scenes than I am center stage; yet God seems to feel differently. With my new book out, I have to be available for talks, signings, and school visits. They're fun and scary at the same time, mainly because deep down I'm still a bit shy. But I know this is what God is calling me to do, and so I pray for boldness, peace, and for the right words as I meet new people.

God often shakes our world and moves us from the comfortable to the sometime slightly uncomfortable, to the downright "I don't like this at all!" But He has His reasons. Maybe it's because we are to be that light in the darkness. Or there is someone who steps into our life that needs a bit of encouragement. Or maybe something you say will help a person make the right decision. Whatever it is, God has you where you are, in the perfect span of time. It is no accident.

So when you find God putting you somewhere you didn't quite expect to be, go with the flow. Ask Him to show you what you are to do while you're in your current situation, and then try to be a blessing and a witness to those you interact with. You may come away learning some valuable lessons yourself while helping someone else.

Terms of the Contract

Most major sales purchases, agreements, or business dealings require a contract. By definition it is a agreement by two or more individuals or groups that is generally written down and is enforced by law. A contract is a serious document because, based on your signature, and that of others involved, you are agreeing to follow the exact specifications or terms of this agreement with consequences to those who fail to keep their part of the bargain. A contract is not to be taken lightly.

We have a contract with God when we become Christians. We are agreeing that we recognize He is our Lord and Savior, and that we will follow His terms, not our own. This means that we are not to engage in actions that are contrary to His word: no sex before marriage, no looking with lust at another person other than your spouse, no lying or cheating or stealing, no drunken and disorderly behavior, no murdering (including that child within your womb), no putting anything before God (family, career, objects, etc.). When He is our LORD, these do not seem like outrageous requirements, because our love for Him tells us we need to obey, not only through our words, but by our actions.

God calls us to be Holy because He is Holy. We are not to live for ourselves, but for Him. Therefore, we must not pick the parts of our contract that we want to obey. We need to obey all the terms set before us.

Be honest. Are you keeping with the Terms of your Contract with God? If not, then you really need to consider if He is truly your LORD.

It's a Juggle Out There

No, I didn't mistype my title. I really meant to use the word "juggle," because that's how I feel my days have been lately. I feel like I'm tossing this and that up in the air, trying to get several things done at the same time.

It's been very busy trying to balance new schedules, activities, and projects. I'm a writer, chauffeur, confidante, tutor, and cook, among other things. It seems I'm accumulating more hats these days. So how do I handle all this juggling? I pray.

I couldn't balance and keep track of all this alone. I need help. And that help comes from God. When I give Him my cares and concerns, and even my schedule, He can help me keep on track. There will be times when He will move me to step back from something. And there will be times when God will tug at my heart to show me there is something I need to do. All I need to do is to recognize He is God, I'm not, and when I let Him lead, I will be much happier.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD will all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." I don't have to juggle my life's issues alone. God wants to help me. Are you willing to trust Him to help you balance out your life?

Allowing the Lord to Lead

Are you a backseat driver? Do you make a comment whenever another person drives? Do you do the same with God?

As a Christian we are supposed to let the Lord lead, but often we end up grabbing the wheel because we don't like how He's driving. We think we know a better way or a better solution out of the problem we are in. We think our answers are best. But if we are honest, we know that we can get ourselves into some sticky situations because we didn't want to be guided God's way.

We need to pull over and let God take control. We need to pray, submit to His authority, and then follow His directions. When we do, we can be sure we will get to our destination in one piece, gleaning some fine lessons along the way.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way."
Psalm 37:23

Dependent or Independent

In our society we are taught that it's good to be independent. We are taught to stand on our own two feet, to be responsible for our actions, and to succeed on our own behalf. But, although it is good to not slack in our responsibilities and to pull our own weight, we many times fail to recognize that we are to be dependent on God.

When we claim that God is our LORD (note the capital letters), then we submit to His authority. He is the One who is supposed to call the shots of our lives. We aren't supposed to be in the driver's seat or be a backseat driver; He is the One who is supposed to guide and lead, and we are to follow.

Being dependent on God is a good thing. It shows that we recognize we are a created being, not the one in charge. And it keeps us from getting ourselves into trouble based on pride and arrogance when we say we know what's better for us.

So toss out the world's idea of independence, and acknowledge your dependence on God.