Tag Archives: Abba

The Call We Don’t Want To Answer

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Where—or what—is your Nineveh?
Where is God calling you?
Are you deliberately saying no?
Is your allegiance tied to something—or someone—else?

Jonah was a true believer. Up to the moment God called him to go to Nineveh, he had followed faithfully—in his life, his work, and his actions. But this? This was too much.

Jonah was deeply loyal to his country. He was willing to do and say whatever God asked…as long as it aligned with his own thinking.

But God said, Go to Nineveh.

In Jonah’s mind, there were already others—like Amos and Hosea—doing God’s work. Why send him somewhere so far outside his comfort zone? Surely someone else could go.

And we know how the rest of Jonah’s story unfolds…But what about our story?

What is God asking of us that we’re resisting? Where are we saying, “Lord, surely someone else would be better for this”?

Here’s the truth: God will accomplish His purposes. The question is—will we be part of it?

Will we miss the blessing of obedience because the calling feels too big, too uncomfortable, or too far outside our plans?

Look at Proverbs 3:5–6. When we trust in the Lord and honor Him in all our ways, He directs our paths. He never calls us to something beyond His ability to sustain—but He does call us to know Him, trust Him, and follow through.

Abba, Father, Creator of all this is, was, and is to come, give me an all-consuming desire to know Your Word so well that in every situation I recognize the path You’ve set before me. Lord, give me the courage to walk the path You’ve laid before me, even when it feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or too great for me. Help me to trust You fully, to lay aside my own plans. Give me the courage to say YES—no matter where my Ninevah is. Hear my prayer in Jesus’ holy name.

This blog was first published on 9,21,2011 as Ninevah or Bust.

Decisions

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It is of great importance that we memorize His Word. When we do that, we are imprinting the things we need for life into our brains. It brings us closer to God. It protects us from sin. It helps us encourage others.

There’s more to memorizing the Word than repeating it over and over until it is firmly branded on our minds. We need to be meditating on it, discovering it’s meaning, and becoming aware of how it applies to our lives. (Psalm 119:11, Joshua 1:8, Colossians 3:16)

This morning, I was doing that with Psalm 119:133. God had put it in my mind while I was falling asleep last night, and I woke up thinking about it. (Has he done that with you, too?) I think He wanted me to discover this truth: If His word is not part of our decisions, then the choice we’re making is not in line with what He has purposed for our lives.

Let me tell you, I was ‘blown away’ with that thought. How many times have I simply made a decision instead of letting His Words guide me? How many times have you done that? Many times the consequences have been good, but sometimes…

That’s why we must have His Word planted deeply in our hearts, minds, and souls. Making decisions based on His Word keeps us on solid ground.

Abba, Father, open our hearts to Your Word. Give us a great desire to know it so well that each time we face a decision, we can call a verse to mind that applies to it.

The Haiku above and this post are being shared with other bloggers at Five Minute Friday.

Ask, Seek, Knock

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I am praying for you!

These are the requests I’m making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant us all the ability to know You more and more. Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love. Make us aware of Your Presence, Peace, and Patience. Psalm 16:11

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place on each of us. Help us understand that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters. You are the Redeemer of our souls, lives, pasts, and futures. You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy. Help us know and understand Your great love for us. Psalm 31:7

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us. You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. Teach us to trust You. Hear us when we have no one but You. Oh, Lord, hear this prayer. 1 John 5:14

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, our Lord, our Provider, our Savior… Make it so!

Winter’s Stillness

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Winter is my favorite season. Especially the snow days.

For me it’s a time of waiting. A time for simply looking out my window and seeing my God. The whiteness reminds me of purity and peace. Stillness prevails. My mind is quieted.

Abba, Father, thank You for the reminder that You are always present. That You hear me. That You love me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

I’m Praying For You

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today I’m praying for you.  I may not know you personally or you may be among my group of besties but I AM PRAYING for you.  Here are the requests I am making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant every man and woman the ability to know You more and more.  Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love for each of us.  Make us aware that in Your Word we were not only created by You but created in Your image. (Genesis 1:27)

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place in each of us.  Help us understand deeply in every cell of our bodies that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters.  You are the Redeemer of not only our souls, but our lives, our pasts, and our futures.  You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy.  Help us know and understand Your great love for us.  (Psalm 31:7)

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us.  You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. You hear us when we have no one but You.  Oh, Lord, hear this prayer.  Grant each of us the ability to totally trust in You. (I Chronicles 5:20)

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, my Lord, my Provider, my Savior…     Make it so!

This post is linked to Literacy Musing Monday’s.