Tag: hopeforthefuture

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“Wonder and Be Astounded“

The Kedge Anchor


A few years ago I read a book titled, Amazed and Confused by Heather Zemple. The book is based on the book of Habakkuk about his determination to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and how his expectations didn’t line up with God’s actions. Habakkuk wasn’t afraid to ask God questions about the evil and injustices he saw. How could a good God allow bad things to happen to good people? I think we all have asked that question at some point.
Habakkuk pleaded with God for revival in the hearts of those who were faithless and return back to God. “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a
work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (1:5 ESV). God’s vision was one of warfare and exile. Not what one would expect from a “good God.”


The part about our expectations and God’s actions hit me. How often have you been in a situation where you are always thinking of a way out or a solution. “Maybe if I did this, “ or “Maybe if I try this,” or “What if I said this?” often mulling over and over in your head how things could possibly work out even after hours and days of praying. Exhausting, right?


I have learned there is two parts to walking through a trial and expecting an outcome. One, is waiting. Ugh I know. Habakkuk wasn’t afraid to pour out his heart to God asking questions why and how long to the injustices he saw, Habakkuk 1:1-4. (I encourage you to read Habakkuk, read some commentaries along with it, it’s only four chapters). Chapter 2:2, God instructs Habakkuk to write down His answer to warn others. God is telling Habakkuk in verse 3 to wait, wait for what He is going to do. I think it’s helpful to write down our prayers and requests in a journal and document when and how God shows up, so that we can look back and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. The hardest part about verse three, is wait. Ugh how hard is that?! Especially when it comes to injustice, we want results NOW!


Recently my husband and I were praying for a situation where he works. Everyone was pretty much unhappy and grumbling. I began to pray a dangerous prayer and ask God to work so that his workplace would be a blessing to everyone there and the community. Not long after that four people quit!! Not what we were expecting, maybe some changed hearts and attitudes, raises perhaps is what we were looking for. But God replaced those people with others who had better attitudes and wanted to work.


So we may find ourselves in a situation where we just don’t know how we are going to make it through. We have more month than money or a relationship is broken and it seems like a resolution is not going happen, we need and are looking for a miracle. We play over and over in our head various outcomes. We try to predict how God will work. Anyone else do this, it is just me? Do you find yourself predicting an outcome in detail? I do and it hasn’t worked for me, ever. All it does is frustrate me and causes me to doubt, a trap by our enemy.
Then God lovingly reminds me, Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” – Psalm 115:3. God is sovereign, He sees the big picture. What appears to be unfair
to us now, God is delivering us grace. That can be a hard pill to swallow. Through all the injustices we see now, all the heartbreak, God sees, He knows what He is doing. We need to have faith and trust Him.


The other thing I have learned, that when I am in the middle of doing life, living, doing
the things God has placed before, housework, making art, caring for someone else in need, noticing needs in others, anchoring in Jesus, actually letting go and letting God do His work, that things work out better than I can imagine. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV). When I am not mulling over and over possible outcomes and not worrying, God will reveal His answer. Not. An. Easy. Task. I am still learning how to do this and I am seeing how God works without my trying to take over. My outcomes never line up with God’s. My expectations and God’s actions are never the same. It’s never what I expected, it’s always better, but sometimes I am confused by the outcome. That’s ok because, Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,…”


So I am learning that the only expectation I need to have is to expect God to work things out, for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). It may not be the outcome I am looking for but God is sovereign and He sees the big picture. All we need to do, or learn to do, is trust, be obedient, remain faithful and faith-fueled. Stay close to God, it makes the wait easier.


Here’s something to think about, what is the difference between grace and fairness? What we think isn’t fair could be God being gracious and what we think isn’t grace could be God being fair. Romans 11:34, “Who can know the mind of God…”


Scripture verse to memorize – “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” – Habakkuk 1:5

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Focused on God’s Work

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

The past few weeks at church our pastor has been speaking in Acts. This past Sunday we were in Acts 6: 1-7. In this passage the Hellenists; Greek speaking Jews, had a complaint against the Hebrews or the apostles. They noticed that the widows weren’t getting their fair share of the daily distributions. A legitimate complaint. So they went to the 12 apostles.

I am not sure what the Hellenists were expecting the apostles to do. I don’t think how this plays out, many of us would have expected the situation to unfold as it did. The complaint was that the widows weren’t getting their fair share of the daily distributions. It was a legitimate complaint. No one was denying it and it was good that others were looking out for the widows and they spoke up. I’m not sure if the Hellenists were expecting the apostles to fix the problem themselves. There was a need that just wasn’t being met and they went to people who could take care of the situation.

However, the apostles had work to do. God’s work, to spread His Gospel. Verse 2, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” They knew exactly what God had called them to do and they were focused and committed. Much like Nehemiah, they were focused on what they need to do. (I touched on Nehemiah back in March) Their job was to serve others God’s Word, not tables. They were committed to prayer and the ministry of the Word. So the apostles told the Hellenists to choose seven men of good reputation from the multitude to serve the daily distributions. I like verse 5; “And the saying pleased the whole multitude…” Saaaaay whaaat?! How often does that happen??? “… And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,.”

Here’s an incredible thing that happened, verse 7, “ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” God blessed the widows, the disciples, the ministry and the multitude all because the apostles were focused and committed to obeying God. I think some credit needs to be given to the Hellenists for having an opened mind as to who should serve tables. They could have expected the apostles to do it, or if they were asked they could have said no we don’t serve tables, we’re too good for that, or when they specifically weren’t asked to serve they could have had their egos bent out of shape for not being chosen for the task. But they knew who to look to for an answer. I’m not sure, I’m guessing the apostles were in charge and if that’s is true, as leaders they knew how to delegate and knew what was important. The apostles could have taken this task upon themselves but there would have been a different outcome.

The apostles were were obedient to God and His Word, they were aligned with God’s Word, they knew what to do. Sometimes we go to the wrong people to do something we can do ourselves. It’s ok to reach out and ask others for help but don’t expect the one(s) you are reaching out to to be the one(s) to handle the problem. Oftentimes, like the apostles, others will delegate, provide resources or assistance in some way. God will always give us an answer to our problems. We need to be in alignment with Him and focused on Him so that will know His voice and what He wants us to do.

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Design for Life Extra – Fear of Failure

The Kedge Anchor
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How many times have I sat down to paint or hand letter and that inner critic starts chatting. Instantly I hear the voice that causes me to fear others will find out that I can’t really do this, I don’t know what I am doing, I’m no good at this. How many times? Every time. Something has to change.

There is a Christian principle in this. Matthew 23:11 and Matthew 20:27, to be first we need to be a servant. To be first we must be last. Mark 9:35 – “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” We need to humbles ourselves. Pride comes before a fall as Proverbs 16:18 reminds us. James 4:6 – “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” We need to follow God’s design for life. Last to be first, humble to be lifted up, the opposite of what the world tells us, opposite of what our flesh tells us.

I began to realize, to stop the inner critic I need to stop thinking I need to be perfect, I need to get rid of any pride, I need to humble myself. I need to realize I am human, I make mistakes, I have made mistakes and will make mistakes. So let’s apply this to making art. What is keeping you back from making art, from focusing on that idea in your head you want to put on paper? What is keeping you back from living the design for life God has for you? I struggle with perfection, fear of not being perfect, fear f judgements. Here’s the thing, God doesn’t want my perfection, he doesn’t want my success, he wants my surrender. I need to surrender my will and desires to God. I need to humble myself and have a servant’s heart. I need to surrender, give up my desire to be perfect. I can’t be perfect, I never will be without the blood of Jesus Christ covering me. I need to stop trying to be perfect and not be afraid to fail, in my art or in life.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Whether or not I think my art is bad or good, it doesn’t matter. I can do it for the glory of God. He can take my mistakes in life and turn them into something good, turning ashes into beauty. He can use my art for His purposes for His glory no matter what I think of it, no matter what anyone thinks of it. He can help me take the mistakes I make and turn them into something beautiful.

Recently, I read in a commentary by Matthew Henry, “Thinking good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan’s attacks.” Philippians 4:8 “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, … think on these things.”

So, when that inner critic starts chatting, regardless if you are working on a piece art or not, remember these tips: one, recognize, be aware of what or to who you are listening, you don’t have to listen to that. Two, humble yourself. Offer yourself, your work to God, allow Him to work through you, have a servants heart. God doesn’t want your perfection or success He wants your surrender and third, think good thoughts of God, think on good things, think about the times God has come through for you, recall the miracles God has performed in the Bible, the miracles He has performed for you.

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Remembering Charles Stanley

The Kedge Anchor
Photo from Charles Stanley

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.” I am sure is what Charles Stanley heard when he met Jesus. Not knowing Dr. Stanley personally, he was faithful, loved God with a passion and not afraid to show it or tell it. He had his struggles as man and as a Christian and never held back how he dealt with them. But it was through those struggles that he was able to help others grow in grace and knowledge of God.

I can’t remember exactly when I first heard Dr. Stanley, but I can say that it was on the radio station my mom always had playing, WARV 1590, Warwick Rhode Island. : ) WARV has been broadcasting for over 40 years so it’s safe to say I grew up listening to In Touch. I always enjoyed listening to stories of his growing up and the trouble he would sometimes find himself in with his mother. His sermons would inspire me either by cutting deep and causing me to squirm or by opening my eyes and reminding me to how much God really loves me.

Praying for the Stanley family and for the ministry and the employees of In Touch as they celebrate the life of Dr. Stanley.

Coloring Page

Happy Good Friday – 2023 and FREE Easter Printable

The Kedge Anchor

Have you ever seen a baby bird or chick hatch? It is the most amazing thing to watch. Seeing new life is always encouraging and makes me happy. Baby chicks always remind me of the new life that spring brings. I love the blossoms despite the sneezing and coughing but it’s just an ahhhhh moment for me after a long cold winter.

These blossoms are just outside the house and God reminds me there is beauty in the struggle, even as we get ready to move and all the issues that come up, if we take the time to look there is beauty. God gave us new life through His Son. He can take our ashes and turn them into something beautiful.

Good Friday is the day the worst thing happened to the best person. This always gives me hope when I see something unfair or unjust and I ask why? If Jesus, perfect in every way took upon the sins of the world… how is that just? We live in a fallen world where we may have trouble, but Jesus overcame the world, John 16:33.

Jesus willingly died for our sins so that we could enter into His Kingdom with Him for eternity. He gives us new life.

Something fun for the kids and adults, a free coloring page. This is Sheldon. He’s been making an appearance since 2016ish on my various social media pages. This is free to print out. Make several copies have a coloring contest with the kids this Easter. Maybe stick some fun art supplies in their Easter baskets.

sheldon ccb2016Download Here

HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!

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Keeping Your Eye on the Prize

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Recently, I have had an already challenging situation, moving, with a challenging person constantly challenging my situation, my patience, my being Christ like. It’s really hard to to keep my mind from wanting to tear into this person and just being done with them. But this person claims to be a Christian. You can’t tell this person anything, know everything. Always right and has to explain everything to you. I struggle with am I being judgemental or discerning? There is just something not right. Actions, words, things aren’t lining up making me question the validity of this claim. It makes me feel horrible and question myself. Do my actions line up with my words? Am I doing anything to cause this person to behave this way? What did I do wrong? I’m constantly asking for forgiveness. I find my mind going off in angry tangents wasting mental and emotional energy. Sounds like a tactic of the enemy. But, when I catch myself doing that, I am quickly reminded where I need to focus my energy; moving, packing, rejoicing.

God reminded me of Philippians 3:14 – “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” This verse is talking about running the race and reaching the prize of a heavenly calling, the crown of righteousness. Like an athlete running a race, pressing forward to the finish line. 2 Timothy 4:8 – “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” That is my ultimate goal, the ultimate prize. And my angry thoughts are distracting me not only from packing and looking forward to our new place, but they are distracting me from running the race, I’m losing my joy, and most importantly distracting me from reaching the crown of righteousness.

God also reminded me of Nehemiah, a man of prayer and who was instructed by God to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. Nehemiah answered the call from God to restore the wall. and naturally was confronted with opposition, fear, and temptation from his enemies. Nehemiah’s enemies sent him a message asking him to meet them at one of the villages. He realized his enemies were plotting harm (Nehemiah 6:2), so he sent a reply “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3.

So I began to think, why can’t this be applied to anything God gives me to do? God has provided a much suitable place for us to live. I have packing to do and a new home to set up, I can’t come down, I can’t waste my time on renting the space in my head to this person. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, I am human but I do catch myself and have to put myself back on track, refocus and press forward once again.

This is a challenge not giving in to angry thoughts. I just want justice. As the line Jonathan Roumie says as Jesus said in the Season 2 Episode one of The Chosen, (Thunder) – “Strong passion can be a good thing when channeled for righteousness.” If this person truly loves God, then God will have to deal with this person. For now, I have to focus on the prize. Anchor in Hope.

Trust God

When It Seems Like God isn’t Talking

The Kedge Anchor
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When titling this post I was torn between the current title or “When We Don’t Hear from God.” But, I know this God is always speaking to us, we aren’t always hearing. Even if God is silent, He is still speaking to us, through His creation, through others.

God was silent for 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. We don’t know why God chose to be silent. I like to think that it was because people needed time to process what was taught (hold this thought) generations before or to rest a beat like in a musical piece, to highlight what was about to come in the New Testament, a theatrical pause. If you don’t think God is dramatic, read the book of Daniel and Revelation. But God doesn’t need to answer for His decisions. We just need to accept and trust. (I know not always easy). God may have been silent, but He was still working.

Today, God gave me an ah-ha moment. Have you ever experienced a “oh wow” revelation whilst reading God’s word? Heavenly information just keeps flowing. Sometimes I feel like I can’t keep up so my writing becomes almost illegible and I end up rewriting everything. Then the next day, I want more and I hear nothing. I get a little disappointed. Has this happened to you? What’s even more disappointing, the next day, I can’t remember what the passage of scripture was or what point God was trying make.

So, here’s what’s happening. My husband and I are getting ready to move and as you know the house is kinda outta sorts, boxes, not to mention a disruption in the daily routine, trying to keep up with my art projects and this blog, etc. Yesterday was one of those days where God revealed to me what I needed to focus on. He gave me Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I have so many things that I need to do, we all do, and I can get so distracted by one thing, to shift my focus not only from God but from the tasks He has for me. Then He brought to my mind, Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was focused (and a man of prayer). He had distractions and opposition (expect that especially when doing God’s work). But, yet Nehemiah kept the mindset he needed to finish the work God had for him. Nehemiah 6:3 – “And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” I cannot come down is the focus I need when distracted.

Ok so let me tie these verses together. God gave me Philippians 3:14, to press toward the goal. My goal right now is to not be distracted by the unsettled feelings, distrust and disappointment I have towards someone right now. We don’t have time to acquiesce to their requests that aren’t urgent. I have so many other things to focus on other than what I feel this person is trying to do to make our lives difficult and it’s distracting me from my focus on God Himself. God will be the judge, vengeance is His. (honestly for the life of me I don’t know what we did to make this person act the they are and I am asking God to reveal that to us).

Today, I wanted God to give me more. And guess what? Nothing. Say what?! C’mon I thought I was on a roll? Then another ah-ha moment. God wanted me to learn, commit to heart what I learned yesterday. The Bible is God’s word, the Bread of Life right? God wants me to chew on it, savor it. And like Mary in Luke 2:19 – “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” God is giving me a pause before the next big reveal. He is giving me time process and treasure up. I am sure He is thrilled I want more but if I can’t remember what He spoke, what’s the point.

So the next time you sit down to read your Bible or do a devotional and you don’t hear anything from God, go back to the day before or a few days before and re-read the passage, maybe there’s something there you may have missed. Read your favorite verse and pick out the words that speak to you and look up the original Hebrew or Greek words. But don’t despair. Keep seeking Him. Be still and know that He is God. He may seem silent but He’s still working and still speaking.

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Design for Life Extra – If Jesus Was Your Favorite Color

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If Jesus was your favorite color, what would that be? Colors have values. Value is one of the seven elements in art; line, shape, space, form texture, color and value. “As an element of art, value refers to the visible lightness or darkness of a color” (thought.com). What a color is mixed with determines it’s value. or lightness or darkness.

Let’s take the color red and use watercolor to illustrate. Red is a primary color. There aren’t two colors you can mix together to make red. But red can be mixed with other colors to create various shades of red and other colors. Mix red with any of the other two primary colors blue and yellow and you get purple and orange. So with one color such as red we can create different levels of lightness and darkness by adding various amounts of water or pigment. Add lots of water and you have light wash of red or pink. By adding more pigment we are adding value or darkening the red.

The same principle can be applied to our relationship with Jesus. If Jesus was your favorite color what would that be? Jesus is the color in our lives, He adds value. Without Jesus we are nothing. That may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. We are all sinners fallen short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23. How much value does Jesus have in your life? Are you a light wash with some pigment or are you a bright, vibrant red with lots of pigment? How much pigment of Jesus are you adding to your life daily?

When we choose to serve God by serving others, when we seize opportunities to share what Jesus is doing in us, when we are praying and obeying we are adding pigment to our lives. We are deepening the value of who we are in Jesus. The blood Jesus that covers us and washes away all our sin gives us value. Only Jesus can take His deep, rich, red, precious blood and wash our hearts and make them white as snow. I can make lots of colors mixing paints and I can turn red into pink but I can not make anything white with the color red. How are you letting God add value to your life? Please comment below and please like and share this post. Thanks : )

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Design for Life – Alignment

The Kedge Anchor
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There was a point and there are times where I felt like and feel like my prayers were and sometimes are hitting the ceiling. I begin to wonder if God is hearing me, why isn’t He answering me. 

But I know that’s not true. 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (ESV)

Jeremiah 29:12-13; “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 116:1-2 ; I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. 2 Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!”

So when I feel like I’m on mute, I stop and evaluate what am I doing or not doing? If I am spending time with God and my prayers still aren’t being answered, what gives? It’s not only to whom I am praying but what am I praying for. Are my prayers self centered? Am I asking for material things? I then realized I need to pray His will, “Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done …”  Matthew 6:5:15. I realized I need to pray His will for my prayers to be answered. I needed to align myself with His plan (whatever that is) for me, or for the future.
 

After some research in scripture and reading some books on prayer, I already knew this but I’m not so sure I always practiced this. God may hear us but He won’t answer our requests if we have any sin or unforgiveness in our hearts.

Psalm 66:18; “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” 

Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

So now let’s look at how we can apply scripture to the design principle of alignment. Let’s define, in art terms, alignment. 

Art definition: “…it’s the foundation upon which your design stands and appears attractive to the viewers… alignment refers to the arrangement of different design elements on various positions. Alignment declutters the design and frees it from becoming a disorderly chaos. Believe me; no one likes a design with scattered text and misaligned graphics. It’s the worst design sin anyone can commit!” (https:// http://www.designmantic.com/blog/art-of-alignment-graphic-design/) 

When we aren’t aligned with God our lives can become chaotic and disorganized. I like how this definition states, “Alignment declutters the design and frees it from becoming a disorderly chaos.” I am sure it’s a pleasing sight to God when we are in alignment with Him. 

There are four ways to align objects, elements and text in a piece of art. 

  1. Center 
  2. Justified 
  3. Right flush 
  4. Left flush.

So how do we align ourselves with God? What does that look like? What does it look like and what happens when God is the center of our lives? What does God tell us? 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33

 Have no other gods before me – Exodus 20:3 

To me, both these verses mean that God comes first.

How can we do that? We need to highlight some things in our lives, make them habits, make them a priority.

– Reading and spending time in God’s word – Matt 4:4 ““It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

  • Prayer – 1 The 5:17; “Pray without ceasing”

    – Serving, our families, community, church 1 Peter 4:10; “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

    – Tithes and offerings – 2 For 9:7;”Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

    – Using our gifts and talents for God’s Kingdom – Romans 12:6;”Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:…”
  • Obedience – John 14:15; “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
  • Forgiveness, asking God for forgiveness and forgiving others. Ephesians 4:23; “…forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

These are all things that God asks us to do. This is His will for us.

Mike Donehey wrote a book, Finding God’s Life for My Will, Mike struggled for years wanting know God’s specific plan for his life, I think we all struggle with this. We want specifics. But Mike had an aha moment, he says; “Perhaps God isn’t giving me the plan because He wants to be the plan.” 

After all He is the plan of salvation, He is the way the truth and the life, John 14:6. There’s something else Mike said that struck me, “ God doesn’t want our success, He wants our surrender.” Whoa. We can align ourselves by making God the center of our lives, by surrendering ourselves, our plans, our desires to Him. We don’t have to work at being perfect, we don’t have to perform, we don’t even have to try. We don’t have to be successful. 

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness And all these things shall be added unto you.”

All these things being, rest, order, joy, peace. Our lives can become free of disorderly chaos when we are aligned with God and His word. His will for us is to be aligned with Him, He is the plan. If we are aligned with Him and we trust Him, and as we begin to hear His voice, we will begin to pray His will and He will lead us to take those steps of faith as Joshua and the Israelites did at the Jordon. 

If you are following this series on YouTube, thank you. Please like and share this post and follow The Kedge Anchor and Caryn’s Corner Btq on social media, it will help build this community.

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Praying Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

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“Be careful what you pray for, you might get it.” We’ve all heard that saying before. Sometimes what we get isn’t necessarily what we don’t want, it’s not what we expected and that can be either good or bad, depending on your perspective.

Think about the times you have prayed for someone, for their situation, for their salvation or for a situation to change and the outcome or the answer wasn’t what you expected. One thing that God has brought to my attention is as I pray I need to trust Him. Honestly, sometimes scenarios are going through my mind of how things will work out or how God will work things out. I don’t think that’s for me to know, I think that’s for me to trust.

“Not my will, but yours.” It’s God’s desire for all men to be saved, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” 1Timothy 2:3-4. When you are praying for someone to be saved and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, what are you thinking?(Not “what ARE you thinking?) What are you imagining to happen? Maybe that they will be driving along one day and have this overwhelming desire to know Jesus and be forever changed. Not that, that can’t happen. But look at Saul or Paul, he was stopped dead in his tracks and made blind for a while. I know I think of easy transitions, smooth sailing for others and for situations. Rarely does that ever happen. That’s not how God works. I am learning that.

Only God can work through situations and change hearts and for Him to do that, He sometimes has to bring us and others to our knees, whatever it takes if we are sincere in our prayers. That’s also not to say we are wishing ill on them or bad things to happen, heavens no, we want to see changes and sometimes that takes hard times. Look at Jesus and His ministry. His ministry was to preach salvation to all. He came to earth as fully human and fully God as a baby to grow up in stature, teach, and to one day die on the cross and rise again in three days. Things got bad before they got better, same with Paul.

This was an “ah-ha” moment for me. When we are praying for God to change situations, change hearts, we need to be prepared that things may get worse before they get better. We need to trust God. We don’t know how God will work in each individual or situation. God knows the details of every challenging situation and the hearts of the people He created. He works “all things together for our good and His glory” Romans 8:28. God will work things out according to His plan, we have to trust. God may direct you or use you in the plan (be prepared for that) and He may give you specifics through the Holy Spirit pressing in on you to say something or do something specific.

Think back to Jesus in the Garden, things had to get worse before they got better. Sometimes we or our loved ones need to go through situations that will get worse before they get better.

We need to remember this:

  1. Trust God, His Providence, His timing.
  2. Things may get worse before they better.
  3. Ask for endurance, courage to get through the next few days weeks, months, however long it’s going to take for God to work things out.
  4. When we get to the other side, when victory comes, remember to give thanks. “Give thanks always” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16 so let’s remember days, weeks, months, even years later to recall God’s goodness in the situation, or any situation. It’s good to keep remembering what God has done for us.
  5. Keep praying for the situation or person. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Now that things have changed, ask God to help you not make the same mistakes, to keep walking in His light, continue to pray for the person or situation that the person will grow spiritually and the situation will remain stable.

We have to trust God when we are praying for changes in others and in situations. We can’t know how God will work things out, other than He will work them out according to His plan for our good and His glory and that can and will look totally different than what we imagine. That’s dangerous prayer, are we bold enough to pray dangerously?