Tag Archives: Paul

Interruptions

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Most of us like having a plan. We schedule our days, set goals, make lists, and decide where we think life should go. Yet life has a way of interrupting even the best-laid plans.

Sarah probably didn’t expect to give birth at ninety years old. Mary likely wasn’t planning to become the mother of the Messiah. Paul certainly wasn’t expecting to meet Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Again and again, Scripture reminds us that God often works through interruptions.

Proverbs 19:21 tells us: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Every one of us has experienced interruptions. Sometimes they come in the form of a friend who needs help when we already have a full schedule. Sometimes they arrive as an illness, an unexpected move, a job change, a financial challenge, or the loss of something precious.

In the moment, interruptions can feel frustrating, inconvenient, or even painful. Yet God often uses those very moments to accomplish His purposes.

A conversation we didn’t plan to have may become an opportunity to encourage someone. A struggle we never wanted may become a testimony that gives another person hope. A difficult season may teach us to depend on God in ways we never imagined.

Looking back, many of the most significant moments in my life began as interruptions.

What if we viewed them differently? What if, instead of resisting every interruption, we asked God what He wanted us to learn from it? What if some interruptions were actually invitations? Invitations to trust Him. Invitations to serve others. Invitations to become more like Christ.

The next time your plans are disrupted, remember that God is never surprised. His purposes are still at work.

Prayer

Abba Father, when my plans are interrupted, help me remember that Your purposes are greater than my own. Give me eyes to see the opportunities You place before me and a willing heart to follow wherever You lead. Interrupt me when necessary, and use my life for Your Kingdom. In the precious name of Jesus, make it so.

I first wrote this post on September 11, 2011. Today, I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.

Ask For Prayer

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Never be ashamed or hesitant to ask another Christian to pray for you!

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Paul was a firm believer in the power of prayer for one another. In seven of his letters, he requested prayer from fellow believers. In Romans 15:30-32 he asked the church to join in his struggle and pray for protection from those who persecuted him. To the church at Ephesus, (Eph. 6:18-19) he asked them to pray that he would be given the right words to share so others would understand the Word. He asks other Believers to pray – for deliverance (Phil. 1:19), for open doors to share the Word (Col. 4:3), without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), that God’s Word will be honored ( 2 Thess. 3:1), for safe travels (Philemon 22).

There are 650 prayers mentioned in the Bible and 450 recorded answers! That tells me that prayer is important to God. He wants us to talk to Him about every part of our lives. That includes all our joys, sorrows, successes, problems, people, requests, EVERYTHING!!!

Set aside a specific time to pray and do it every day. It will eventually become a habit and the day won’t be right without it.

Find 2 or 3 friends who will pray for and with you. Ask God who He wants to be your prayer partners. Build the kind of strong, trusting relationships where you can feel safe, be totally honest, and completely comfortable in your requests.

Abba, Father, hear our prayers, incline Your ear, and grant us Your peace. (Psalm 17:6)

Book Review – Paul, The Apostle

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I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I agreed to review this book.  Although I enjoyed comic books as a child this was certainly a bit different.  I’m not sure whether I can recommend the book or not.  Here are my likes and dislikes:

Likes

  • The story is accurate and portrays some of the difficulties Paul faced in his journey.
  • Each page gave a scriptural reference for what was going on.
  • Very appropriate for the 8 to 12 year age group.

Dislikes

  • Very difficult to follow the storyline bubbles.
  • More violence than I like to deal with. (Yes, I know the time he lived in was very violent.)
  • There were so many graphically portrayed characters I found it difficult to determine who was speaking.

With that said, I recommend parts read through the book first to be prepared for any questions their children might ask.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Beartruth Collective, LLC  and Bookcrash Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Jehovah Jirah

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tetragrammatonOf all God’s names and characteristics Jehovah Jirah speaks most loudly to me.  There are actually several interlacing characteristics to this Hebrew term.

First, He is the One who sees.  He sees every second of my life and knows what is needed.  He puts everything in place so that my life will play out His purpose.  Galations 4:4 gives us a great picture of what this means.  It says, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…”  The fullness of time refers to the fact that everything was in place, everything had happened as it needed to, and God was providing what was needed.  Is that awesome or what? Every single gift, event, circumstance, trial and more is planned out by My Provider so when it reaches me it is the ‘perfect gift’. (James 1:17)

Another layer of Jehovah Jirah is that He is showing us.  He is revealing to us what He wants us to know as we seek His purpose for our lives.  He supplies everything that that we need for every part of our lives.  Paul tells us, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory…” (Philippians 4:19)

The third part of the Name is He is my provider.  Even though it is often the first thought that is applied to the Hebrew word (Jehovah Jirah)  the actual meaning goes far beyond material needs.  As the Creator of ALL that is, was, and is to come, there is nothing that is not at His disposal for me (us).  It is His to give whether it be physical or spiritual.  And more than that He wants to!!!!

Worship Him in song!     JEHOVAH JIRAH

Jehovah Jirah, my Provider, how can I say thanks for what You have provided and will continue to provide.  Yet I must.  It is incredible that my little speck of life is of such importance to You that You have orchestrated all that must happen to show Your Glory!  Thank You for humbling me with Your greatness!  Use my life, Lord!  Make it so in Jesus Precious Name!