"Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."
~John 14:13-14
I believe pray is the most important part of Christian life. It's how we communicate with our heavenly Father. But I have to confess, I'm not very good at it. In fact, I dread being called upon at church to open or close in prayer. My pastor and his wife are world class pray-ers. At Wednesday night prayer group, these two are tag team prayer warriors that carry us through the hour of prayer time. At home, I pray a lot, or at least, I have conversations with God but like a lot of people, I wonder if I'm really being heard, and doubt I pray fervent or effectual prayers (James 5:16).
"Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through His flesh), and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22)."
Prior to the death and resurrection of Christ, only the high priest could enter the Holy of hoiles and approach the Mercy Seat of God. But when Christ was resurrected and ascended into Heaven, we were granted direct access through Him. His death upon the Cross changed everything. We were no longer required to make sacrifices because Christ is the ultimate sacrifice. We no longer have to have a priest sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat because Christ's blood was shed once for all (Hebrews 9:12). Christ became the only High Priest we ever need, giving us complete access to Heaven.
Prayer is meant to be heartfelt communication with God for the purpose of glorifying God. God is glorified when our prayers are answered, and when we ask in the Name of Jesus, it moves God to act. That doesn't mean we can go to God like a kid with a quarter to stick into the candy machine. Our prayers must also line up with the will of God. Does that mean asking for financial increase, a new home or car is wrong? Absolutely not. More finances mean we can contribute more to our church, missions, and help for the needy. A new home, or better home might mean a safer neighborhood, being warmer in the winter, or room for everyone in the family. A new car means reliable transportation for work, doctor appointments and getting to church on time. It's our motivation behind our prayers that matters (James 4:3).
"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15)."
Read 1 Samuel 10-13
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)."
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Feed Your Spirit
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."
~2 Corinthians 4:16
I am acutely aware every single morning that I'm not getting any younger. With every creak of my joints, every new ache and pain, I am reminded I am no longer young. Ever time I complain about the text on packaging getting smaller, or have to tell people to look at me when they speak so I can understand them, I am reminded that my outer self is wasting away. This old girl isn't what she used to be. However, while my body aches, my heart does not. My inner self, my spirit, is renewed and refreshed each day.
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)."
There is a native American story about two wolves that war within us. One is good and the other evil, and the one that wins is the one we feed the most.
"Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world' (John 6:32-33)."
Just as our bodies need food to stay alive, our spirit also needs food to thrive. What you feed yourself determines what you look like. Eat processed junk food and our bodies get fat, which affect our bodily functions and causes heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes etc. When we eat right the opposite occurs, and we are healthy. When we feed our spirit with things of the world instead of things of Christ, we lose heart, become angry, bitter, depressed or worse.
There is a war going on within us - a battle between the worldly and the heavenly, and the one we choose to feed will either bring eternal death or everlasting life.
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)."
Read 1 Samuel 6-9
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~2 Corinthians 4:16
I am acutely aware every single morning that I'm not getting any younger. With every creak of my joints, every new ache and pain, I am reminded I am no longer young. Ever time I complain about the text on packaging getting smaller, or have to tell people to look at me when they speak so I can understand them, I am reminded that my outer self is wasting away. This old girl isn't what she used to be. However, while my body aches, my heart does not. My inner self, my spirit, is renewed and refreshed each day.
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)."
There is a native American story about two wolves that war within us. One is good and the other evil, and the one that wins is the one we feed the most.
"Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world' (John 6:32-33)."
Just as our bodies need food to stay alive, our spirit also needs food to thrive. What you feed yourself determines what you look like. Eat processed junk food and our bodies get fat, which affect our bodily functions and causes heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes etc. When we eat right the opposite occurs, and we are healthy. When we feed our spirit with things of the world instead of things of Christ, we lose heart, become angry, bitter, depressed or worse.
There is a war going on within us - a battle between the worldly and the heavenly, and the one we choose to feed will either bring eternal death or everlasting life.
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)."
Read 1 Samuel 6-9
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Shalom!
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
~Romans 5:1
When I was a very young Christian, I was told to study the Bible by looking for the word, "therefore" and ask myself 'what is this verse there for?' It helped me to read the Bible more often and to look more closely at particular verses. As I grew in the knowledge of the Lord, I came to realize how short my understanding of the true meaning of God's word was due to the lack of understanding of Hebrew and Greek. I began to seek out people who were much smarter than me and I was introduced to both the Greek and Jewish Bibles. As I grew in the knowledge of those languages, I grew in the true meaning of the English translations of God's word.
In the verse above, having peace with God seemed to mean that I was no longer at war with Him. Or I was no longer opposing Him. But the word "shalom" translated here means much more than the absence of war or opposition. The word 'peace' is the Jewish word 'Shalom,' and is much richer and more powerful than the English translation.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3)."
To be in perfect peace, or perfect Shalom, does not mean absence of conflict. Being a Christian does not mean we never have problems, in fact, being a Christian brings on an enemy, the devil, who wants to see us fail! What peace we have is inner peace in the knowledge that no matter what is going on in the world, Christ is in control. We no longer have fear that something is going to go wrong and we won't be able to fix it. We can rely on Jesus Christ to have everything in hand, freeing us from worry, stress, and fear.
No matter where you are or what situation you are in, you can have perfect Shalom in Christ. The world is like a hurricane spinning out of control, destroying everything in it's path. Jesus is like the eye of the hurricane, calm and serene.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)."
Read 1 Samuel 1-5
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~Romans 5:1
When I was a very young Christian, I was told to study the Bible by looking for the word, "therefore" and ask myself 'what is this verse there for?' It helped me to read the Bible more often and to look more closely at particular verses. As I grew in the knowledge of the Lord, I came to realize how short my understanding of the true meaning of God's word was due to the lack of understanding of Hebrew and Greek. I began to seek out people who were much smarter than me and I was introduced to both the Greek and Jewish Bibles. As I grew in the knowledge of those languages, I grew in the true meaning of the English translations of God's word.
In the verse above, having peace with God seemed to mean that I was no longer at war with Him. Or I was no longer opposing Him. But the word "shalom" translated here means much more than the absence of war or opposition. The word 'peace' is the Jewish word 'Shalom,' and is much richer and more powerful than the English translation.
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3)."
To be in perfect peace, or perfect Shalom, does not mean absence of conflict. Being a Christian does not mean we never have problems, in fact, being a Christian brings on an enemy, the devil, who wants to see us fail! What peace we have is inner peace in the knowledge that no matter what is going on in the world, Christ is in control. We no longer have fear that something is going to go wrong and we won't be able to fix it. We can rely on Jesus Christ to have everything in hand, freeing us from worry, stress, and fear.
No matter where you are or what situation you are in, you can have perfect Shalom in Christ. The world is like a hurricane spinning out of control, destroying everything in it's path. Jesus is like the eye of the hurricane, calm and serene.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)."
Read 1 Samuel 1-5
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Monday, April 9, 2018
The Highest Calling
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
~Acts 20:24
For me, this is the highest calling a Christian can have. And it's what I pray for everyday. If I can live out my life in a way that glorifies Jesus Christ and is an example for others, then I will have finished the course set out for me. I don't always feel as if I'm being very successful in that area. Sometimes I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels and having no impact on the Kingdom of God at all. But Christian ministry is like that. You don't always see the results of your efforts.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)."
We each have our own place in God's plan. We are a team of people working for one purpose - to glorify God in all we do by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. No position is more important than another, whether pastor, teacher, evangelist, worship leader, the person who cleans the church, door greeter, or nursery attendant, everyone's job in the body of Christ serves another. Every position is important to God. It's not the job we have that makes a difference, it's how we do the job given us.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24)."
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master' (Matthew 25:23)."
Serving the Lord is not a burden, it's a joy to be able, in some small way, to share His love and faithfulness.
In Matthew 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. The master gave three of his servants money. To the first he gave five talents, to the second he gave two, and to the third he gave one. While he was gone, the first two invested the money and doubled it. The third hung on to it. When the master returned, he was happy with the first two but angry with the third.
God gives us "talents" as well. We might not see them as such but no matter what they are, they are important to God. Seeing talent in others can be easy. A singer, musician or artist has no problem using their talents but not all of us has such obvious talent. Some of us have to work at it. Even if you haven't discovered your particular niche, there's still opportunities to serve the Lord in every day life, in real world ways. Whether it's being faithful in attending church, paying tithes, volunteering at the local shelter, or cleaning church bathrooms, there is no unneeded person in the body of Christ.
Read Ruth 1-4
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~Acts 20:24
For me, this is the highest calling a Christian can have. And it's what I pray for everyday. If I can live out my life in a way that glorifies Jesus Christ and is an example for others, then I will have finished the course set out for me. I don't always feel as if I'm being very successful in that area. Sometimes I feel as if I'm spinning my wheels and having no impact on the Kingdom of God at all. But Christian ministry is like that. You don't always see the results of your efforts.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)."
We each have our own place in God's plan. We are a team of people working for one purpose - to glorify God in all we do by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. No position is more important than another, whether pastor, teacher, evangelist, worship leader, the person who cleans the church, door greeter, or nursery attendant, everyone's job in the body of Christ serves another. Every position is important to God. It's not the job we have that makes a difference, it's how we do the job given us.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24)."
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master' (Matthew 25:23)."
Serving the Lord is not a burden, it's a joy to be able, in some small way, to share His love and faithfulness.
In Matthew 25:14-30 is the parable of the talents. The master gave three of his servants money. To the first he gave five talents, to the second he gave two, and to the third he gave one. While he was gone, the first two invested the money and doubled it. The third hung on to it. When the master returned, he was happy with the first two but angry with the third.
God gives us "talents" as well. We might not see them as such but no matter what they are, they are important to God. Seeing talent in others can be easy. A singer, musician or artist has no problem using their talents but not all of us has such obvious talent. Some of us have to work at it. Even if you haven't discovered your particular niche, there's still opportunities to serve the Lord in every day life, in real world ways. Whether it's being faithful in attending church, paying tithes, volunteering at the local shelter, or cleaning church bathrooms, there is no unneeded person in the body of Christ.
Read Ruth 1-4
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Friday, April 6, 2018
Blessed Days
"Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have
2thanyoanswered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's
23doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the
24day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~Psalm 118:19-24
This week has been exceptionally long for me. I don't know why this week felt different because the routine was basically the same. Maybe it was the weather. We had snow, ice, rain and warm sunshine this week. And a few times, it was all in the same day! It's like winter and spring are playing tug of war.
We can be like that sometimes too. Our day can start off great and quickly go downhill. Or it can start off badly and then brighten up as the day goes on. That's life. It has it's ups and downs. Our moods also have ups and downs, and can change from one moment to the next just like the weather. The difference is, we can control what we say and do in spite of our moods. We don't have to spread bad moods, but we can share cheerful moods. Even when we don't feel great, we can choose not to share the misery. Too many people are doing that already.
Today, and every day, is the day the Lord has made. Choosing to rejoice and be glad in each day is choosing to rejoice in the Lord. No matter what goes on in life, our happiness is found in our steadfast faith in Christ, not in the circumstances around us.
"Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will life my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow on Your wings"
~Your Love, Oh Lord by Third Day
(Psalm 36:5-6)
Read Judges 14-16
Weekend reading - finish book of Judges
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
2thanyoanswered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's
23doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the
24day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~Psalm 118:19-24
This week has been exceptionally long for me. I don't know why this week felt different because the routine was basically the same. Maybe it was the weather. We had snow, ice, rain and warm sunshine this week. And a few times, it was all in the same day! It's like winter and spring are playing tug of war.
We can be like that sometimes too. Our day can start off great and quickly go downhill. Or it can start off badly and then brighten up as the day goes on. That's life. It has it's ups and downs. Our moods also have ups and downs, and can change from one moment to the next just like the weather. The difference is, we can control what we say and do in spite of our moods. We don't have to spread bad moods, but we can share cheerful moods. Even when we don't feel great, we can choose not to share the misery. Too many people are doing that already.
Today, and every day, is the day the Lord has made. Choosing to rejoice and be glad in each day is choosing to rejoice in the Lord. No matter what goes on in life, our happiness is found in our steadfast faith in Christ, not in the circumstances around us.
"Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will life my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow on Your wings"
~Your Love, Oh Lord by Third Day
(Psalm 36:5-6)
Read Judges 14-16
Weekend reading - finish book of Judges
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Heartfelt Prayer
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I've been sick the past ten days or so. It started with a sore throat a week before Easter, then became laryngitis that I battled all week because I had a part in the Easter play at church, and there was no one to replace me. Thankfully, I was able to talk that Sunday morning but my voice was squeaky and hoarse. I've been coughing and sneezing since, and cold medicine has done little to relieve the symptoms. As of this writing, I'm not feeling much better, which brings me to the above verse. I don't want to pray today and I'm not feeling very thankful at the moment. I'd rather go back to bed.
Sometimes circumstances make us feel a lot more human than spiritual. Sometimes prayer, thankfulness, praise, or reading the Bible seems burdensome rather than enlightening. And those feelings can bring on a whole other set of problems like feeling guilty, not good enough, or other emotions humans are so adept at beating themselves up with.
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)."
There is nothing about us that isn't already known to the Lord, including our weakest moments. He knew I was going to be sick, weak and tired before it happened. I'm not hurting His feelings because I can't muster a hallelujah. And even though I don't feel like praying, I can say, "Thank you Lord for being here when I'm weak." Our prayers don't always have to be some drawn out liturgy, they can also be a few heartfelt utterances in time of need.
"Don’t you yet understand? Don’t you know by now that the everlasting God, the Creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows faint or weary? No one can fathom the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak (Isaiah 40:28-29)."
Read Judges 10-13
A year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I've been sick the past ten days or so. It started with a sore throat a week before Easter, then became laryngitis that I battled all week because I had a part in the Easter play at church, and there was no one to replace me. Thankfully, I was able to talk that Sunday morning but my voice was squeaky and hoarse. I've been coughing and sneezing since, and cold medicine has done little to relieve the symptoms. As of this writing, I'm not feeling much better, which brings me to the above verse. I don't want to pray today and I'm not feeling very thankful at the moment. I'd rather go back to bed.
Sometimes circumstances make us feel a lot more human than spiritual. Sometimes prayer, thankfulness, praise, or reading the Bible seems burdensome rather than enlightening. And those feelings can bring on a whole other set of problems like feeling guilty, not good enough, or other emotions humans are so adept at beating themselves up with.
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)."
There is nothing about us that isn't already known to the Lord, including our weakest moments. He knew I was going to be sick, weak and tired before it happened. I'm not hurting His feelings because I can't muster a hallelujah. And even though I don't feel like praying, I can say, "Thank you Lord for being here when I'm weak." Our prayers don't always have to be some drawn out liturgy, they can also be a few heartfelt utterances in time of need.
"Don’t you yet understand? Don’t you know by now that the everlasting God, the Creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows faint or weary? No one can fathom the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak (Isaiah 40:28-29)."
Read Judges 10-13
A year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Life Changing
"Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. “Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.” And the children of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel."
~Judges 10:13-16
I have not always been a Christian and I've done a lot of things I regret. Even after becoming a Christian, I haven't always gotten everything right, which I regret even more. Not being a Christian and messing up might hurt the ones we love, but life goes on. However, when Christians mess up, God is the One we hurt. I don't mean things like losing our temper with our spouse but sins that lead us away from God, church, and prayer. Sins that can put our souls in danger. I've seen it happen many times when people commit to the Lord outwardly, but inwardly, they're really just going through the motions.
The Israelites had a long history of missing the mark with God. Time after time, God delivered them from the messes they made and forgave them for following people rather than Him. He forgave them for worshipping gods made by the hand of man, yet they couldn't quite hold on to their confessions of faith. As soon as God straightened out their lives and delivered them from slavery or oppression, they went right back to their old way of life. How many of us are like that?
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Corinthians 7:10)."
The word 'repent' means to turn away from our sins and go in a new direction. Repentance leads to salvation, and salvation delivers us from our old way of living. It should be obvious that our old way of living wasn't working or we wouldn't feel the need for change, yet we continue to turn back to that old life. Why? Because the desire to change has to be an inward desire to live according to God's will and not our own. God isn't a get out of jail free card that we can use when life gets out of control.
Giving lip service to God doesn't work. I know someone who is in and out of church regularly. She complains about her life and declares she's changed every time she comes to church. In the meantime, she's living with someone she's not married to, getting drunk and high on weekends, and then takes to social media to play the "no matter how hard I try, nothing works out, feel sorry for me card." Real repentance causes an inward change that leads to an outward expression of that change. When Jesus forgave the woman accused of adultery, He didn't tell her to go back home and enjoy her life, He told her to "go and sin no more" (John 8).
Like the children of Israel, we aren't always going to get it right, but God isn't looking at us the way we look at others, or even ourselves. When God looks at us, He looks through the blood of Jesus. If we've truly repented and turned from our sins, the blood has completely washed them away. If we've only given lip service with our own agenda, there's nothing covering our sins, and God sees them all. We can fool most of the people most of the time, but we can't fool God any time.
"You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you (Proverbs 28:13)."
Read Judges 7-9
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
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