What does it really take to see our prayers answered? Without a doubt we have all seen those times when (to our surprise!) God just moves quickly and miraculously, and we know He has heard our request. However, there are other times when it just seems like nothing is happening and we just keep bumping into the same old problem. I have found that this concept  of “renewing our minds” is a major key to see answers to many of these issues. Often the main reason we are having a problem is because we are out of alignment with God’s way of doing something, and we are simply reaping what we are sowing. This could relate to anything from marriage issues, to farming, to running a country! Maybe you don’t really need a miracle, maybe you are just doing it wrong! Meanwhile we are getting angry and asking God why He doesn’t do something, while He could be asking us the same question!

The Word of God is an instruction book for life, and you can find instruction there on pretty much anything if you take the time to look. Not only do we need to find out what the word says on a given subject, but we need to get our minds so soaked in it that we literally have a change of thinking that becomes our “new normal.” This leads to new behaviors, that leads to answered prayer as we sow good seed, and prove true the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy ad my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

What kind of ground are you… today?

Every time that we encounter the written word through our daily devotions, and when we receive the Rhema word as we sense the Holy Spirit speaking with us personally, we are encountering “the sower.” The seed that He sows is always good and will be fruitful every time as long as it lands in good soil.

So how is your soil today?  Has seed been sent to you, but you were just too occupied to even notice? Did you receive it, get very excited about it, and then just lose sight of it as the pressures of the day crowded it out? Did you have other things that just seemed more important? Or did you recognize it as having high value, receive it, nurture and grow it until it bore fruit in your life?

God’s promise is that He will provide, and every day He is faithful to make the seed available to us. Too often it is us who does not receive the provision that when properly cared for, digested, meditated on, and incorporated into our lives, would blossom into everything we need for every situation.

Todays seed may be the beginning of growing the provision that you will have need of six months from now. Will you grow it or will you let it die?

You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it. Psalm 65:9

“For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’ …‘But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.’  But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10: 37-39)

We met in Starbucks. She was just passing through town and it was a treat to get together in person. As usual, we jumped in at the deep end and wanted to share what God was teaching us these days. As she raised requests I suggested we pray. Quietly, with open eyes, I asked God to meet the needs of her life.

We talked more and then she said she wanted to pray for me. With not so quiet a voice and with eyes pressed closed and hands grasping mine across the table she lifted her heart to our Heavenly Father. And I felt my heart shrink back. Could she pray a little quieter or a little less intensely? I am ashamed to say I felt a twinge of embarrassment enter my heart.

Very shortly after that God put a book in my pathway that challenged just this very thing in my life. In essence I was denying Christ. I thought of Peter and how easy it was for him to deny Jesus on that night of Jesus’ death. Then in my own devotions I read these words,

“For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’…‘But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.’ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10: 37-39)

It took me by surprise that I could find myself in that same position as Peter found himself in…only I was in Starbucks where there was no threat at all to my faith or my life. How good God is to reveal the very nature of our hearts to us when we feel we are being “faithful” followers. What a challenge it is to grow in our boldness in following our Lord and Savior.

Today, whether you are a quiet Christian, a bold witness, or somewhere in between why not join me in asking God to fill you with a greater boldness and more courage to stand in persevering faith?  One never knows when in this world we will be called upon to stand firm. We need to be determined not to shrink back. God will help us as we ask Him to.

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for shrinking back when You call me to boldness. May my heart be ever more courageous to stand for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Question: How can you express greater boldness and more courage as you walk your Christian life?

What can you do when a friend fails you?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3,10)

All I heard was yelling.  It was as if my head was submerged under water.  I could hear her speaking to me but couldn’t fathom what she was saying. It felt like I was  going to be sick.  What was she saying? What was I supposed to say? As I stood in my kitchen that day and listened to my dear friend yell at me, I wondered how we could have gotten to this place.

We had been doing life together for about 5 years, my friend and I – having babies, hanging out as families and doing ministry together.  We were the only two women in a world of men and we were allies.  But our roles had recently changed and she did not like the decisions I was making.  We were no longer allies or even friends and my heart was breaking.  Why couldn’t we just work this out?  Why did it have to be like this?  Didn’t she know me well enough that she could trust that I had her best interest at heart? 

I watched as our friendship blew up in my face and could do nothing to stop it.

I met with a mentor as I wrestled through what God wanted me to do in regards to our relationship.  As we were discussing the situation my mentor made a statement I’ve never forgotten.  He said, “What you’re seeing here, Kristi, is the purest form of legalism – she is saying, “it’s my way or the highway”.  God’s answer to legalism is grace.  And I believe God has given you an extra measure of grace to reach out to her and draw her back into fellowship.  But with that grace I believe that God is calling you to take the higher road, to humble yourself and go to her and seek to restore your friendship.”

I remember thinking at the time, “This is completely opposite of what the world would tell me to do.  The world would say, ‘she did you wrong, run as far away from her as possible.  You shouldn’t allow yourself to be treated like that.’” 

But I knew in my heart my mentor was right, that God was calling me to lay down my life for her and to go to her in humility and grace. I wish I could tell you that our relationship was restored but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way.  What I do know is that I did what God was calling me to do even though it was completely upside down from what the world would say I should do. He blessed me through my obedience.

In Matthew 5, Jesus talks about what it looks like to live in His upside down kingdom.  Jesus goes on to say, “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too…You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies!Pray for those who persecute you!”  (Matthew 5:39-40 & 43-44, NLV)

When we follow Jesus, He calls us to a higher path – a road less followed, a road of radical obedience to His WAY.  The world will tell you that you will be walked on if you do things His way; that you will be trapped and misused, if you hold to that kind of lifestyle. But Jesus says that living in His Kingdom sets us apart and shows the world that we are different!  The truth is that when we live in His upside down kingdom we experience a life of true blessing and freedom.

Father, When you call me to do the unusual, upside down thing, help me to act swiftly trusting that the upside down thing is also the very best thing.  Amen. 

Question: Think about a time when you had to lay down your life in obedience to Jesus that went against your personal feelings. How were some ways you overcame?

How can we pray for you today?

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” (Psalm 61:1-3)

During the month of February, you cannot help but notice attractive displays of hearts nearly everywhere you go. Card shops, jewelry stores, flower shops, and bakeries carry sentimental heart shaped items ranging from cards to eye-catching necklaces. We purchase such tangible items for our loved ones as an expression of our love.

What about spreading God’s hope, comfort, and love to those who are sick and dying? Sad to say, many avoid those who are physically fading, not knowing what to say or do during this stage of life. At this critical point, they don’t need a tangible item…they need hope, comfort, and love from others.

As followers of Christ, knowing which Bible passages to share to console those needing comfort during this transitional time makes a difference. A compassionate heart, filled with God’s truth and love, brings comfort to His beloved children as He prepares to bring them home. Their physical body may cease but spiritually they live on. Below are passages that will comfort those in need of hope and assurance of God’s promises during this transitional period.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)    

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

Additional passages to read: Psalm 23, 27, 84, 91 & 103, Isaiah 40, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21-22.

Heavenly Father, May we be readily prepared to bestow hope, comfort and love to our loved ones during the end stages of life here on earth. May we not shrink, hide, nor fear death for we know that our real home is in heaven and we will live with you in eternity. In Jesus name, Amen     

 Question: Is there someone who you can share the message of hope with during this Valentine’s season?

How can we pray for you today?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Not long ago I spent a lovely weekend in the magnificent beauty of the Alaskan mountains. I was privileged to be the guest speaker of a women’s retreat there. Precious women extracted themselves from their busy lives from Friday evening to Sunday noon. They took time they didn’t really have to come away…to let their hearts drink in rest and refreshment.

Life noisily demands our attention. It clamors, persistently moving us in many directions. It’s easy to forget that Jesus Himself has invited us to come and find rest for our souls.

Are you expecting His rest to refresh you today? Are you expecting to encounter His strength holding you today? Are you expecting His peace to sustain your heart even in what can sometimes be chaotic days? Are you expecting Him to meet your heart even as you read these words?

Let this invitation, to you from Jesus, steep into your soul like a pot of tea steeps to full flavor. You can expect God to deposit something into your heart even in this moment. Now read it again this way.

“Come unto me today, _____________ (Put in your name), with all the things that weary your body and burden your mind and heart and I will give you rest … for your soul.”

Today you can have the confident expectation that God will hold you as you COME to Him. You are invited. Come and receive:

1. C – CAST your concerns on Him: 

1 Peter 5:7  “Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you.”

Lord God, today I bring you the questions on my heart about ______, I bring you my disappointment in _________ and I look, with expectation to You to help me because You care. Thank you!

2. O- OPEN your heart:

Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.”

Lord God, Today I need  __________. I ask You for it. I trust in Your strength to hold me and I thank You that You will guide me and direct my path. I wait in expectation.

3. M-MAKE requests:

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Lord God, Your grace is enough for all I am dealing with today. You have promised that even in my weakness Your strength is made perfect. Today I feel weak in ___________. I trust You to strengthen me. 

4. E-EXPECT: 

Romans 15:13 “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Lord God, I receive Your joy and peace in my heart right now as I fully trust You to be the Manager of my day today. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Question: How do you COME to Jesus today?

Lessons also available in: Arabic; Chinese; French; Italian; Japanese; Malay; Spanish; Russian; Thai

1. Understanding Your Relationship With Jesus Christ
2. Experiencing God’s Love
3. Power for Living
4. Growing in Your Relationship with Christ
Need prayer? How can we pray for you?

How can you be a better friend? Find out in “The Friendship Reflection” 

“I thank my God every time I remember you…” (Philippians 1:3)

On the first Saturday of this past December, I opened the doors of the kitchen cabinet that is high above all others. In that cabinet I store the red plates and cups that grace our table each Christmas. It is not just their color that makes them appropriate for the holiday season. Almost twenty years ago while living in Germany, a friend called to invite me to travel with her and a few other friends to a famous factory where Christmas dinnerware was manufactured. Unfortunately, my schedule was full for that day, but I asked her to bring back three or four of the less expensive plates and mugs.

A week or so later I opened my front door to see Cathy standing there with a complete set of the deep red dinnerware! Conflicting emotions immediately surfaced: “How absolutely beautiful our Christmas table would look!” And, “There is no way I can pay for all this.” But before the latter words came out of my mouth, Cathy said, “This is my Christmas gift to you.” And so through all these years, Cathy’s generosity has come to mind as I set our Christmas table.

This past December I noticed that the dinner plates were no longer bright and pristine. Surface scratches could no longer be hidden with white dinner plates set atop. It was time to pack up the plates and donate them to the re-sale shop down the street.

Even while twinges of sadness rose in my heart, I was reminded that while things wear out, memories remain. If I found replacement red plates, they would not be the same ones given by Cathy, but her generosity and love would be remembered. The temptation to grasp things is strong, especially in later years when such things seem to be the only tangible evidence of the past. But letting go of things while treasuring memories is a healthy way to live.

Dear Father, Thank you for the gift of friendship. Help me to be a good steward of the people you have placed in my life.  Amen.

Questions: Have you ever received an unexpectedly generous gift? Has God ever asked you to go above and beyond? How did you respond?

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment–to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”  (Ephesians 1:9-10)

One of the things I love about the English language is how words can contain hidden meanings. The same letters, when arranged slightly differently, can give us a whole different perspective. Take the words UNTIE and UNITE for example.

By simply flipping two letters, the entire meaning of the word changes. One word is becomes the opposite of the other. One binds together, the other separates. Spell check won’t pick that up by the way, since both are real words. But oh, how different the meaning becomes when you mistakenly switch those two letters.

Two letters make all the difference. I like to think that the “I” stands for “me” and “T” stands for “their, they or them”.  If I put their needs above my own, I take on the servitude attitude of Christ. But, as long as I stay in the two-year-old phase of my spiritual growth and think the world revolves around my desires I will separate people from me. My motives will be I-centered, not they-centered.  Instead of being a unifying factor, I will push people away with my self-centeredness.

But, you say, “Wait. That doesn’t work. In the word UNITE, I is before T.”

True, it doesn’t work, unless you add the UN – which means not.  Therefore, if I am “un” I, (or not me-orientated) I will unite.  But, if I’m “un” T (or not them- orientated), I will untie what once united me to them.

So what does the “E” stand for since it is at the end of both UNITE and UNTIE?  It stands for everything. Reread Ephesians 1:9-10.

As Christians we are in the uniting business. We are to unite our wills to Christ. We are to unite as a body of believers. We are to bring people together instead of letting pride, envy, greed, prejudice or anger separate us. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, and while not condoning sin, we should not let anyone’s sin cloud our judgment. We are to love the sinner into remission and help them back on the right path, uniting them back into the fold.

Christ is ultimately the uniting factor of all. He takes the unit (each of us) and makes it one. With Him as my guide, I can try each day to do that as well.  T before I.

Heavenly Lord, You came to unite all of us to You, to reconcile us by Your sacrifice on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Help me each day to put “them” before “I” in all I do, say and think, so I may draw those around me into Your loving embrace. Amen.

Question: What will you deliberately do to be “un I” today?

Do you have faith the size of a mustard seed? Do you believe God can use you to impact His Kingdom? We have an awesome opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of people each month. Will you help us impact this world? 

 “[Jesus] told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)

Jesus told many parables comparing the kingdom of God to something familiar to help people understand what Heaven is like. He said it’s like a tiny mustard seed (Matthew 13:31, Mark 4:30, Luke 13:18); like yeast that works through a large amount of dough (Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20), and like the seed a man scatters, which grows even though he doesn’t know how (Mark 4:26).

God doesn’t build His kingdom through a complex international strategy with a slick business or marketing plan. It doesn’t make national news. Instead, quietly – starting with one person of faith – it grows and spreads.

It starts with a person like you, who may not possess great communication skills, but who believes Jesus’ sacrifice paid for your sin. As you live in the freedom that forgiveness brings, you influence your husband and your children. The peace and joy displayed in your life changes the atmosphere of your home. Impatience, criticism and selfishness begin to melt away. Friends and neighbors start to notice.

A teaspoon of yeast can make three cups of flour rise. A single mustard seed grows into a plant large enough for birds to sit on its branches. Flower seeds planted in the garden each summer germinate and sprout while we sleep! It doesn’t take much because God does the work. We don’t even have to understand how it works; we just need to surrender our lives to Him.

Holy God, help me to understand what Your kingdom is like. May I willingly allow You to spread Your kingdom through me.  Amen.

Question: When have you seen a small step of faith produce something great?