From 2023 and even now.
I have been thinking about what is prayer again. What battle are you facing in your life that requires powerful, meaningful prayer? In looking at my own prayers as they relate to God and what I "hear" and/or His response - I must simply listen. Prayer is a conversation between Father and the pray-er. Would you broadcast your private conversations between yourself and a friend?
And the asking for forgiveness... as a follower of Christ we know we are already forgiven - it is something really, that needs not to be "reviewed" constantly with God, (for myself, like a little child whose been caught being naughty; I want to make sure Father yet loves me, in spite of my disobedience - He still does!); but, it would be better we "confess", (and so honestly acknowledge them to ourselves), and so, go before God to seek out His guidance for a better, less sinful walk... Matthew 6
Folks I’m just thinking aloud here… Needless to say, this is not gospel… Just an older lady thinking.
…and what does it mean to “Bless the Lord”. Worship, honor, uplift, to consecrate, invoke favor, celebrate, thanking, approve of… These are all synonyms and the list is way longer…
In church people applaud… Lifting their hands towards Heaven where we seem to presume Father God is… but is He not, all around us? And scripture says, in Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices, (gifts) of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” Actually, there are many Psalms that speak of “blessing” God, (please read them)… When we bless someone, it’s usually a gift that is given or support or special acknowledgement… So coming before Father with such a mindset of giving - what could we possibly give to God, but our broken hearts for Him to use for His glory. Father God wants His children Home with Him, so being useful - sharing the Hope and Glory - makes Him pleased - blessed. The closest analogy I can imagine is when - once upon a time - all my children were with me in church - I was always so happy/joy-filled having my babies seated around me, (I do long for this now…)… I know that Father desires all to come to Him, but sadly, not everyone will, but it is a gift/blessing that we can give to Father, sharing about Jesus’ sacrifice and love, so those who will come - will.
Also, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
What does that light look like coming from Christ followers, to the world? I think, it is not so much a physical appearance, but a behavior, a state of being. Is it that thing that sets you a part? Do you feel burden with something about you that causes others to shy away from you - and you don’t even know what it is, and so you may feel lonely… Remember, feelings are deceptive- you are a chosen son or daughter of the King - and so you do indeed look more and more like Him everyday, (and since Father God is Spirit then that look is a spiritual look). The world fears exposure and runs in the opposite direction away from the light… Sadly, the world - some believers included - prefer to believe a lie… A lie that only comes from the father of all lies… “You did the wrong thing,… You should have kept your mouth shut!,… You should never try, you’re only going to fail - again.,… You are alone, no one cares, no one sees what you do…” All seed lies beloved. Frankly speaking, I could write a book on the lies that I and other folks I’ve allowed to garden in my heart. Do NOT believe the lies… Seek Father in His Word and talk with Him - without ceasing. Like breathing - you can not live without doing it, so is the case with Father’s Word and time with Him.
From 2023: I just had a thought . Isn't it interesting that God brings about major conquering changes by using sound? Remember at the walls of Jericho? The children of Israel had to shout after they marched around the walls seven times and there was another time when they had to break pots and so they won a battle because the folks were confused. There are other times but this is why I think the Rapture trumpet will be a pitch that only Father's children will hear... and so we will be translated in a twinkling of an eye...That loud and that fast... 😉
2024 God is so good... everyday! He gives one thing, (actually, He gives a ton), but we take it for something different or less and really it's something so much better. He alone takes death and says it's New Life! A crazy paradox but with God -endless beautiful possibilities!
2024 How do you think God gives us relief from our sin/sinful past? Especially since nothing is ever wasted… Father repurposes. Thanks be to Father God, He gives us a changed perspective on our behaviors… good and bad and changes them for His glory. We get a testimony… Also, lessons for others and/or lessons we get to re-learn when we forget… Seventy times seventy…
2025 What do you suppose when Father God is silent? When people I love are silent for whatever reason, I start assuming way too much - mainly thinking - what did I do wrong? However, in the case with Father God, I assume the same but sometimes I suppose there’s a lesson I’m missing… But, I just heard a thought - sometimes Father wants me to see what I would do…in His silence. It’s an opportunity for me to develop or grow my relationship with Him - Faith . It’s similar, (not the same), to when Father asked Adam, “Where are you?” Father God knew where Adam was, but Adam didn’t know his own state of mind, nor his own heart towards Father God… Perhaps IF Adam had given the question some deeper THOUGHT… Maybe, I wouldn’t be giving any thought to this question at all…
Last thought… On dark and light: You know the darkness is as light to Father. He sees all that you do in the dark- but once again we put Father God in a box of our own making and say, “Oh God is like this-He is like me!” You do know what you do in the dark, but you pretend that you do nothing and that Father God, being like you, (this is a grave mistake- to make Father like us and so small and incapable of anything… but I digress…), can’t see what you pretend isn’t there. Father God can see into the dark and has no fear - He made that darkness - its cloak hides nothing from Father. Come out of the darkness into Father’s Light.
One more thought, before posting - I had a silly thought but not so much… What if folks walked around with signs or stickers saying “Hello my name is”_____ (insert a characteristic), describing the type of people they are. Then I thought again - many people may never be spoken to because of their character and/or lack thereof. I thought about this because I’m going a trip by rails, (my preferred mode of travel), and I usually don’t engage people unless they start speaking with me… Once upon a time, (I’ve shared this in a past posting), I’ve been told I was very gullible aka lacked discernment… Hence, why I do tend to stay to myself - unless Father God prods me onward… But, with the use of handy character stickers - problem solved, right? But this is exactly why Father God allows us free will… We get to choose and figure life out our way -because of love… not because we know everything ahead of time… Father does not leave us alone, (and He alone knows everything about everybody). He is with us every step of the way and we get to choose His way or not. Think about it for a minute… He knows exactly what we are going to do - imagine how painful it is knowing everyone’s bad and hurtful decisions… So imagine knowing someone’s character and so never speaking to them, because he or she is that type of person. It’s kind of like stereotyping… In some cases some people never get the opportunity to show how different they are because of a sticker/stereotype… but your simple kind greeting or even just a smile at someone could make the difference to a self damming perception… Because people can CHANGE - thank God! It’s that choice thing! We do have free will to be our stickers or grow to be better, different,… and so get rid of the stickers.
I take risk, even being an old bird; every day. For me I think this is what Father God wants me to do. It’s not lacking discernment, but trusting Father God to guide me to whom I should speak and share a thought with… No, I don’t take strangers home with me… anymore… Do I share the food I may have… yes. Do I take steps in faith… always… Of course, most people I think have me pegged as soon as they see me… I think. I pray that they see my Father’s Love… for this there should never be a sticker needed.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Happy Father’s Day ABBA
Nina 🙃
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