Coming up Roses

There are two rose bushes on my hill that have become overgrown with weedy vines.  Last week, I spent an hour pulling the vines off one of the rose bushes.  It was a tangled mess, during which a thorn pierced my thumb.  Two days later, ten beautiful pink roses bloomed from that freed rose bush.  They are still in bloom today.

What kind of beautiful flowers might be waiting to bloom in our lives, if only we could get rid of the tangled mess of sin?  Sometimes we need assistance to removing the vines.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...
[Hebrews 12:1]

Uncertainty

Through all the twists and turns of life, we know not what lies around the corner.  But we know the One who knows.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [I Peter 5:7]

Why Cleanse the Thoughts of Our Hearts?

Yesterday, I mentioned a phrase that is prayed every week at my church, "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit...."

There is a second part to that prayer.  It says, "...that we may worthily magnify thy holy name through Christ our Lord.  Amen."

There is a reason why God will cleanse the thoughts of our hearts.  It is so we will be qualified to amplify and build up the name of God.  All this can only be done because of Christ's saving work on the cross.

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O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. [Psalm 34:3]

Cleanse the Thoughts of Our Hearts

Found myself awake at 4 a.m., feeling afraid.  No, I'm not afraid of the dark.  These are grown-up fears; fears of what the future may hold for loved ones, fears of growing old, fear of the pain of grief.

I sought the Lord and the following phrase, which is said every week by our priest, came to my mind:  "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit..."

That verb, cleanse, usually makes me think of sins of impurity.  However, I realized that I needed to be cleansed of my fears. 

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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [Isaiah 41:10]

Absolute Refusal

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

I happened to read the above scripture this morning, and was struck by the strength of the words, "refused to love the truth."  The word 'refuse' sounds so deliberate and definite.  I often see people who aren't walking in God's way as those who are missing the truth.  But this verse talks about actual refusal....


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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
 [Galatians 6:7]

The Five-Minute Prayer Method

Take an honest tally of your actual time spent in concentrated prayer each day. Is it fewer than 15 minutes?  Is it fewer than five?

Now,
1. Take a timer or your smart phone.
2. Set the timer for five minutes.
3. Decide four things you are going to pray for.
4. Start the timer.
5. For the first minute, thank God for anything and everything.
6. For the second minute, pray for the first thing on your list.
7. The third minute, pray for the second thing, and so on until the five minutes is up.

Daniel prayed three times per day.  Try this five-minute method three times per day and you will have spent 15 minutes in concentrated prayer!  Try it once a day, and you still can look for God's answers.

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...In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
[Philippians 4:6]

Praying in the Moment

Last week, I found myself with a rare 90 minutes of free time - no immediate responsibilites required by home or family.  I was not at home and took a moment to ponder the various options regarding how to use this precious time. 

Then, I remembered to pray, asking the Lord  what would be His best use of my time.  Into my mind popped the idea of visiting a woman I know who lives in a nearby nursing home.  She is in her fifties, has multiple sclerosis and has been institutionalized for many, many years.

So, I stopped by and visited Sally.  What if I hadn't prayed and hadn't had the idea to visit Sally?  I would have been able to cross something else off of the endless list, something that had no eternal value.

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Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. [Psalm 86:11]