“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.” Psalm 139:1-4 NLT
My thoughts: God knows us better than we know ourselves. The Psalmist goes on to say,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (vv 23-24) Read full chapter
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Matthew 8:5-13 NIV Read full chapter
The centurian came to Jesus:
In humility (“I do not deserve to have you come under my roof)”,
Understanding Jesus’ authority (v.9),
And with “great faith.”
May the Lord teach us to approach Him this way when we come to Him with our needs. May we ponder who He is before we begin our prayer.
Note: In Luke’s account, the centurion sends intermediaries. Both Matthew and Luke are correct. In the 1st century, it was understood that when a representative was sent to speak for his master, it was as if the master was speaking himself.
Several years ago, I received an urgent prayer request from an orphanage in Africa asking me to pray for 2 young children with Malaria. Their fever was raging.
Although my heart was breaking, I felt like my prayers did little good. If my prayers were working, wouldn’t I feel something?
Not necessarily. Faith has nothing to do with feelings. It’s not an emotion that can be mustered up. Faith is believing God’s promises, believing His Word, and trusting Him to accomplish His will.
When we feel like our prayers aren’t making it out of the room, we need to remember what God has said in His Word.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV
Prayer isn’t something we have to do. It’s something we get to do. As the old hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
ABOUT What A Friend We Have in Jesus : What a Friend We Have in Jesus was written by Joseph M. Scriven. Joseph Scriven’s life was filled with many trials and sorrows. His fiancée died in a drowning accident on the eve of their wedding in 1844. Eventually, he found love again, but his plans for marriage were dashed again when his new bride-to-be died after a short illness in 1855. That same year, he received news from Ireland that his mother was terribly ill. He wrote a poem to comfort her called “Pray Without Ceasing”. It was later set to music and renamed What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Scriven did not have any intentions nor dream that his poem would be published in the newspaper and later become a favorite hymn among the millions of Christians around the world.
There is nothing more loving you can do for your children than to instill in them a love for God’s Word and teach them to pray by your example.
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:4-7
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
When your life is hidden in Christ, no matter how weak you may feel or how discouraged you might be, stop and remember that God is with you. You are not alone.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Testimony from a Moroccan Christian:
“Every time I feel this pain, I cry. But I also pray. It’s through prayer that I can get through this. In all the sadness, I behold Christ in my life because when I remember that He’s with me, I feel joyous.” (“Batoul” was tormented by her mother and sisters when she became a Christian.)
After church one Wednesday night, my daughter asked me to stop by her house because she had something to tell me. I knew right then I needed to brace myself. I had no idea what she wanted to tell me, but I had a feeling it was going to be something I wouldn’t like.
She sat me down on the couch and with all seriousness she said, “God has called me to be a missionary. I’m going to Africa. My heart practically stopped.
The witness in my spirit said this was of God, but the mother in me froze in fright. She wasn’t going with an established missionary society. She was just going alone. But first, she would be stopping off in Bangladesh. (I reminded myself to breathe.)
She Face-Timed me along the way. “Hi Mom, I’m at the airport in Istanbul!” (Breathe!)
“Hi Mom, I’m in Kisumu. A man just asked Helen how many cows he would need to pay to marry me! (Breathe!)
Then, COVID-19 hit, and all flights to America from Nairobi were canceled. I didn’t know it then, but it would be six months before I would see her again. I’m sure I needed God’s strength more than she did. You’ll understand if you’re a mother.
She had never lived far from me. I thought I could always protect her and keep her from harm. Now she was on the other side of the world. I was in for the greatest spiritual battle of my life – against fear.
I made a conscious decision to trust God and not cave in to fear. I fiercely fought against fear every day, refusing to let it in for even a minute. I refused to entertain thoughts of what could happen. I knew that if I didn’t trust the Lord to bring her home safe and sound, I would never make it.
God gave me the peace that passes understanding. I know that. It wasn’t by my own strength. It was the grace of God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Clinging to the Lord and His precious promises, I wrote this poem, now a song. Listen below:
🎶 Your Love, Oh God
The Poem, My Prayer
Your love, O God, Will hold us near. It shields us from our darkest fears.
In times of darkness Where I can't see, Your loving eye Will watch for me.
When I can't see What lies ahead, I'll trust you, Lord, And what You've said.
Your promises Are my delight. They guide my way. They are my light.
With my whole heart I trust in you. Your loving hands Will see us through.
Your faithful love Forever watches My precious child In all Earth's places.
In Africa, playing cards with the boys before bedtime.
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.‘” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
The Lord kept her safe and brought her home again. It was the experience of a lifetime – for both of us!
Maybe you’re wondering, “How? How do I trust and not give in to fear? Here are some practical steps you can take:
Write down the Scripture verses that strengthen your faith.
Read them whenever doubt starts to creep in.
Ask God to give you more faith to believe His promises.
Thank God daily for being with you (and her) every step of the way.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Whoever receives and welcomes one child such as this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives not [only] Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:37 AMP
There may be children in your church who will accept Jesus as their Savior because they went to Sunday School and had a teacher who told them about Jesus. Many times, I have taught children in Sunday School whose parents did not attend church.
It takes a lot of caring Christians to properly support the children who come to your church. I’ve been praying for God to send more Sunday School teachers and nursery workers. There never seems to be enough. Do you find this to be true in your local church?
When I consider the words of Jesus, I am amazed that we don’t have enough workers. After all, it is a privilege to serve the Lord in this way, and it honors God. To welcome a little child is to welcome Jesus and the Father.
There is another reason Children’s Ministry is so important. Consider this,
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15 (emphasis mine)
“Certainly these verses should impress the servant of the Lord with the importance of reaching little ones with the Word of God. The minds of children are most plastic and most receptive. W. Graham Scroggie said, “Be your best and give your best to the children.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Children are important to God. We must take care of them and teach them about our Lord.
There is almost always an opportunity to serve in Children’sMinistry.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
I met Jesus when I was only 6 years old. I am so grateful for the Sunday School teachers who taught me about Him. And I am thankful for those who serve our Lord in this way today.
Is God calling you to serve in this vitally important ministry?
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “HereamI.Sendme!” Isaiah 6:8
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
Do the holidays trigger thoughts about what should have been instead of what is? Are you feeling lonely? The strange thing about depression is that it seems to take your mind captive. You may think you can’t stop the downward spiral.
The next thing you know, you’re driving to the grocery store to buy food for the holidays, and tears begin to well up in your eyes. You hate it. You don’t want to be sad!
I know all about it because I experienced this one day.
I prayed. I asked the Lord to help me.
Just a few minutes later, my daughter called. (You should know, she loves to cook. I mean really cook, like they do on TV Cooking Shows. I, on the other hand, look for the easiest and quickest recipe possible.)
Christina: “Mom, would you get me a butternut squash while you’re at the store?”
Me: “Do you mean like a real vegetable butternut squash?” (I’m thinking, does that come in a package?)
Christina: (starts laughing hilariously) “Yes! A real vegetable butternut squash!!”
We both cracked up and had a good belly laugh! It felt so good to laugh!
Guess what? My mood completely changed right then.
I learned a valuable yet simple lesson about holiday blues.
Always go to the Lord in prayer.
Find a way to laugh!
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Mathew 6:8
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22
A book could be written on this subject, and I know that, but this is what happened to me. Sometimes a person needs a word of encouragement, not the whole book.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . . Psalm 25:1-2
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Find a way to laugh a little today!
(I hesitated to post this message again because I have posted it several times in the past, but every time it has been posted, many readers say, “I needed this today.” Christmas can be hard for many reasons. Let us pray for and encourage one another.)
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?”
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:3-4a and 3:8-9 NLT Read full chapter
My thoughts: Now is the time to spread the Good News, while Jesus tarries.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV (emphasis mine)
My Thoughts: Keep planting seeds because it is God whowill make them grow. If you know very worldly people, figuring out how to share the Gospel can be overwhelming. Maybe they are neighbors or co-workers you care about. May this verse encourage you to keep planting seeds! Pray that the Lord will make them grow!
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
Real Christian Women 