“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last, you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭12 ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about making a spiritual resolution and moving forward with God’s good work. On this Thankful Thursday, I want us to find joy through prayer.

I was able to find joy this past weekend as we stayed in a beautiful bungalow on a horse farm while visiting our son at Clemson. I made sure to get up early so I could see the sunrise from the comfort of my rocking chair. At first, I was disappointed that the dense fog blocked my view of the sun. In the meantime, I had the joy of witnessing the horses being fed as I patiently waited for the fog to lift. The horses had been eating grass out in the pasture when a farmhand drove up with feed. Immediately most of the horses made their way back to the barn, except for a few stragglers that had to be whistled in. It was amazing to witness the horses and how they knew that the farmhand was supplying their food. Within a matter of minutes, I was able to witness the fog lift. I was reminded of the secret of being content. Does life feel like a dense fog lingers over you? Are you struggling to find joy? Or has the fog lifted and you can see and feel contentment? Let’s pray.

Father, As I come before You, show me the path of life; that I might find the dance, for in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Help me to focus on the blessings I receive within Your full measure of joy (John 17:13). As I live by Your Spirit, help me to keep in stride with Your spirit of joy (Galatians 5:22-25). I long to learn contentment through all circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Help me to find contentment in every situation, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or want (Philippians 4:11-12). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about how the process of transformation starts inwardly in the unseen places with God. Today I want to talk about resolutions. Not the ones we make in January and don’t keep, but a lasting spiritual resolution. According to the dictionary, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something. In our key verse, we know that God has already begun a good work in each of us. Although God has equipped us, we must make a decision to step out in faith and do that good work. In Hebrews 13:21 NIV, we read that God will: “Equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Where are some areas in your life where you need to stand firm? Are you walking on water or sitting in your boat? I have created my own spiritual resolution. I encourage you to recite mine or create your own. Let’s join together in creating a legacy of faith by being a Water Walker.

My Spiritual Resolution: I resolve to conquer my fear! I will live my life on purpose, earnestly seeking to honor my Lord in my actions and reactions. I will focus on His promises and not my fears. I will spend time in His word and prayer, basking in His truths so that I can demolish any strongholds. I will hear His call and respond by becoming the wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend God has designed me to be. I commit to leaving a legacy of faith. I resolve to be Brave!

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about continually having praise on our lips. In order to have praise on our lips, we must mirror that praise in our hearts. Transformation is an inward process. Even though those around us may hear or see a transformation, it first starts in the unseen. 

In our key verse, we are taught where to pray. We are instructed to go behind closed doors, in the unseen. He also teaches us how to pray through the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 NIV. Below I have created the Lord’s prayer in my own words. What version of the Bible do you read the most? For me, it is the New International Version or The Message. I encourage you to take a moment to read these verses from Matthew in several different versions. Really let the words soak in. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Blessed be Your name, Sacred, the Great I Am. Let Your kingdom reign. Transform me in Your image so that I may submit to Your lead and not my own will. You are the Bread of Life, may I rely on Your strength and not my own abilities. Help me to live unoffended and choose to love my offenders, through Your grace. May Your spirit of truth keep me on the narrow path. And when worldly things overtake me, may Your redeeming love deliver me. I acknowledge all the power and glory be Yours for all eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about prayer being our first line of defense. What better way to put prayer first than to continually praise God. Were you able to make a prayerful declaration? Has it helped change your mindset for this Monday? Mind over matter is using our willpower to overcome. In similar thinking, if we continually offer a sacrifice of praise, we can overcome the mind. I love the image of “the fruit of lips” in our key verse. Like the berries on the tree pictured here by Ray, when rooted in God, we can have His sweet word on our lips.

One of my favorite forms of prayer is called Lectio Divina which is a dialogue with God through scripture. We may not always know what to think, say, or pray but thankfully we can turn to God’s living word to find the words we need. These words are sharper than a two-edged sword that can cut through Satan’s ploys. I have shared with you a prayer using God’s word. I encourage you to use this example to create your own prayer using scriptures.

Father, Thank You for Your living water that quenches my thirst spiritually and never runs dry (John 4:14). Help me stand firm upon Your word so when trials arise I will stand tall (Matthew 7:25). May I live without fear for the future knowing You have redeemed me, You call me by name, I am Yours (Isaiah 43:1). As I hear Your call may I step out in faith into the waves (Matthew 14:29). When I obey Your commands, I experience Your peace like a river, Your holiness crashes over me like the waves (Isaiah 48:18). May I continually offer a sacrifice of praise on my lips (Hebrews 13:15). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a follow-up to Deborah’s week on self-examination, I want us to focus on our prayer life this week. I love this quote from Oswald Chambers: “We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense.” How often do you make prayer a last resort? Is prayer your first line of defense? It is easy to make prayer a last resort when the enemy is constantly trying to derail us. Listening to Satan’s lies can be like going through the Inversion Tunnel pictured here by Ray. Thankfully we walk rooted with a God who fearfully and wonderfully made us. He desires a relationship where we devote ourselves to prayer. In our key verse He tells us to be watchful and thankful.

How do we make prayer our first line of defense? I feel as though once we get in the habit of turning to God before turning to our people and things, it will become a daily practice. Author and Pastor Mark Batterson says we can make and break habits in 30 days. I encourage us to start by making a declaration. According to the dictionary, a declaration is a formal or explicit statement or announcement. You can use my example or you can create your own. This doesn’t have to be a public announcement but rather a private conversation between you and God.

My Declaration: I can choose my thoughts! I don’t have to accept Satan’s lies! I have victory in Jesus! Fear is a liar! Christ is in me! I am enough! I praise my God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Claiming victory today in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Now it’s your turn. Let us join together this week in making prayer our first line of defense.

“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” John 3‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬

Join me for See You Saturday as I talk about our Invitation from God to be His bride.

You can read the full passage in John 3:22-36.

Let’s pray though Jeremiah 33:11.

Dear God, I am full of joy and gladness at the sound of Your voice. I give thanks to You Lord Almighty, for You are good and Your love is everlasting. I seek to be Your bride. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Mark 1‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s invitation from God is to follow Him. As you can see in Ray’s key photo, fishing is a vital food supply to our area. We live along the beautiful coastline of the Low Country. There are many places to fish, shop, and dine for fresh, local fish. Take a moment to assess your faith in action. Are you following Jesus? Are you fishing for men by sharing your faith? What opportunities are you taking?

Sharing our faith with others should be as easy and enjoyable as catching fish. The truth is, sometimes we get paralyzed and can’t find the right words to say. Living out our faith in our actions and reactions can be just as powerful. The photo below is of our son Trevor fishing. He is holding a Red Drum out on Winyah Bay. This is both a passion and a stress reliever for him. The next time you share Your faith, go in confidence and be reminded of the simplicity of fishing. Let’s pray through Deauterotomy 31:8 to courageously guide us in sharing our faith.

Dear God, You are with me always. Thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me. Help me not to be afraid to share my faith. Help me not to get discouraged when sharing and living out my faith looks different than I had planned. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.