Bible Archives - Page 2 of 12 - Grateful Prayer

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By Lorraine

Think on These Things thoughts from John…

Have you ever questioned God’s faithfulness? Did you ever think that He has left you or forsaken you? These are questions we sometimes are uncomfortable voicing or admitting. As you contemplate your answer, think of times of disappointment, loneliness, grief or despair. This is when we are most vulnerable to the thought that God had forsaken us. God uses His Word and sometimes a person, a quote, a book or even a hymn to remind us that He is and will always be faithful to His children. One of these classic hymns is my focus on today’s post… Great is Thy Faithfulness.Continue Reading

It is Well

By Lorraine

It is Well with my soul

Centered in Prayer Quote from Anne Graham Lotz

By Lorraine

“If prayer is our compass in life, then the needle that points north is the focus of our faith in prayer on the living God.” This quote is just one of several that I that have really liked from a new book I am reading. The Daniel Prayer, Prayer that Moves Heaven and Changes Nations by Anne Graham Lotz is part of an online Bible study I have recently begun.

He is the “North” on our “compass. “He is the center-point. When our prayers are focused, regardless of what life throws at us, whether it’s a long, hard climb to the top of our profession or career, or the steady trail of perseverance as we set out to achieve our goals, or the confusion and lost feeling that can envelope us when we find ourselves in a thicket of problems and pressures and pain, if our prayers are focused on the living God, they will make a difference. (Page 65)

Of the many things that come across my Facebook homepage, this one caught my attention. It came from Gateway Online Bible Studies. I signed up and really glad I did. It is an online study, free and short, just 6-sessions where Anne teaches how to pray powerfully and passionately. Each week she shares a video about the lesson. The series can be used in small group setting or done individually, which is what I do. The book and study guide can be purchased through the online site but I got mine from Amazon. There is a link below if you want to take a look.

Known to me only because of her dad, Billy Graham, I was not familiar with Anne. Viewing her videos and reading this book, I am impressed with the way she speaks with clarity and her knowledge of scripture.

Using the life of Daniel as an example, Anne covers the following topics.

Preparing for Prayer
Prompting in Prayer
Pleading in Prayer
Prevailing in Prayer
Battling in Prayer.

In her real and down-to-earth manner, Anne includes personal stories and gives an approach to Bible study that challenges the reader to hear and apply God’s Word in a systematic way. First by listing the facts, then asking yourself what does it mean, next thinking about what is means in your own life and finally how you might respond to the Word.

With a little practice I can see that I am gaining a deeper understanding of the passages I read and study.

Well, I didn’t intend for this post to be a promotion for this study as it turned out to be. Just thought I would share something I think valuable and that you would like to know about.

As you may have noticed, my husband John is becoming more involved here at Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. I love that we work together so well as a team. He has volunteered to write our Think on These Things Sunday Posts. It has become his lunch hour project while he is at work. Right now he is fighting a nasty sinus and ear and eye infection but I want to thank those of you who have commented or sent him a note. He appreciates each one and finds it to be a great encouragement. It seems like our days are filled with new and stretching opportunities. John will be back with his thoughts next week because he is so much better at it than I am. I’ll head back to the kitchen with my recipes and leave (most of) the faith posts to him 🙂

Perhaps you will take a moment to join me in praying for our nation as we celebrate the 4th of July this week. I can’t think of a better verse to pray than this one as we look at the great needs of our land.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

There are affiliate links in this post. That
means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
it won’t cost you anything additional.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

By Lorraine

A Post from John…

When I first read this phrase, it struck me with the thought that the place where you and I find ourselves in this vast world has been ordained by God’s sovereign will. It may be in a major city with millions of people, or a very rural town with people few and far between. It may be in a different country with mountains all about or even in a flat, dry desert region. Countless possibilities. It’s where God has ‘planted’ us and His good intentions are for us to prosper and thrive where ever we find ourselves.

Now thinking back with me to what we learned in elementary school… once a plant is ‘planted’, it begins to grow and mature as it is fed and watered. In time, it begins to produce flower buds that will shortly ‘bloom’ and produce fruit, the very fruit that will contain the seeds that will produce more plants of its kind.

To me, this is a wonderful visual showing the goodness of God. His intentions are for us to not only be content wherever we find ourselves but also to help and encourage those around us. How do we find the desire, strength and ability to be a help to those we come in contact? How do we effectively encourage one another? The answers comes in the choice we make in the source of our ‘food and water’.

If we choose to ‘feed and drink’ on impurity, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… the ugly things people do in this world… we will produce ‘bad fruit’. But if we are ‘feeding and drinking’ on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we will produce ‘good fruit’.

The Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-5

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

So, BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED and with God’s help, choose to produce ‘good fruit’, that you may help and encourage those that come into your path where ever you live.

Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.

Psalm 119:54

God has placed you here for a purpose,

Whatever it might be;

Know He has chosen you for it

And labor faithfully.

anonymous

If you’d like to learn to make text mask like the ones used in these quotes, check out this easy step-by-step HOW TO MAKE A COOL TEXT MASK tutorial using PicMonkey.

All Your Promises are Yes and Amem

By Lorraine

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

Have you heard this song titled, Yes and Amen? It was new to me until we sang it in church last week. I came home and looked up the words to mull them over. I don’t know about you but I appreciate reminders of God’s faithfulness to combat the daily discouragement and frustrations that can accumulate. You can read the lyrics and listen to a video below. It is a great worship song and one that will encourage you 🙂

Yes And Amen

Chris Tomlin

Father of kindness

You have poured out grace

You brought me out of darkness

You have filled me with peace

Giver of mercy

You’re my help in time of need

Lord I can’t help but sing

Faithful you are

Faithful forever you will be

Faithful you are

All your promises are yes and Amen

Beautiful Saviour

You have brought me near

You pulled me from the ashes

You have broken every curse

Blessed redeemer

You have set this captive free

Lord I can’t help but sing

Faithful you are

Faithful forever you will be

Faithful you are

All your promises are yes and Amen

Faithful you are

Faithful forever you will be

Faithful yes you are

All your promises are yes and Amen

I will rest in your promises

My confidence is your faithfulness

I will rest in your promises

My confidence is your faithfulness

I will rest in your promises

My confidence is your faithfulness

I will rest in your promises

My confidence is your faithfulness

Faithful you are

Faithful forever you will be

Faithful yes you are

All your promises are yes and Amen

Songwriters: Tony Brown / Chris McClamey / Nate Moore

Elements in the graphics in this post were from Free Graphic Blue Crush @ Twigs and Twine

www.gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com

God speaks to me in Springtime

By Lorraine

God speaks to me in springtime

When the earth is wet with dew

In the meadows and the prairies

As the grass comes poking through.

What Will You Say When the Question Comes?

By Lorraine

Thoughts of Good Friday are on my mind. Thoughts of the immensity of what the cross means and what it means for me. Thoughts of a love that goes far beyond my ability to grasp. But it is real.
In the words of an old hymn writer… What shall I do with Jesus? What shall my answer be? Question with question I answer, What will He do with me?

This hymn, written in the late 1800’s, caught my attention asking the question of utmost importance. A personal question. A question that can make us feel uncomfortable.

You have probably heard the Easter story. About forgiveness and redemption and that word no one likes to talk about, namely sin. It is a word that makes us want to walk away and think about other stuff. But sin is supremely important to God because it separates us and puts an impassable chasm between Himself and his beloved. Important enough to God that he provided a solution for it. A costly solution.

The Easter story tells of Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, His glorious resurrection in triumphant over sin and death, His ascension into heaven where He reigns as our Lord and Savior. This gives us HOPE and JOY. We no longer have to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus paid it in full. We can be forgiven and accepted and forever enjoy fellowship with God through Jesus. That is what Jesus meant when He uttered His last Words, “It is finished”. That heavy burden of sin we carry is dropped from our shoulders. That is amazing grace.

I hope you, dear reader, will take a moment to listen to the beautiful video below, listen to the words and if you haven’t already, consider the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Because, neutral you just can’t be.

What Will You Do With Jesus?
Excerpt from David T. Clydesdale’s “How Great Thou Art”

Jesus is standing there in Pilates’ hall; friendless, forsaken, He’s been betrayed
by all. Suddenly comes the fateful call, “What will you do with Jesus?”

Now Jesus stands alone on trial, ready to face the crowd. To walk His
destined mile. In your heart you’re hearing all the while, “What will
you do with Jesus?”

Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will You do with me?”

Will you deny Him just like Peter’s done? Will you reject Him? He is the
living Son. What will you say when the question comes? What will
you do with Jesus?

What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”

What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
What will he do with me?

Below are the words of the original hymn. They are similar to the words in the video and were probably the inspiration for it.

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall

Author: Albert B. Simpson (1905)

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall–

Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;

Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!

What will you do with Jesus?

Chorus:

What will you do with Jesus?

Neutral you cannot be;

Someday your heart will be asking,

“What will He do with me?”

Jesus is standing on trial still,

You can be false to Him if you will,

You can be faithful thro’ good or ill:

What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?

Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:

What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)

Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?

Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,

Daring for Jesus to live or die?

What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)

“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!

Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,

Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:

“This I will do with Jesus!” (Chorus)

What will you say when the question comes?

Neutral you just can’t be

someday your heart will be asking

what will He do with me

What shall I do with Jesus?

What shall my answer be?

Question with question I answer,

What will He do with me?

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

Bible Journaling

By Lorraine

Are you familiar with Bible Journaling? I have noticed many pretty photos coming across my facebook and Instagram feeds but didn’t realize this was such a trendy art form.

Hard Work Brings a Profit

By Lorraine

We had a blast of wintry weather this past week even though spring begins tomorrow. From my kitchen window I caught a glimpse of a little gray squirrel sniffing about the snow under the bird feeder.

What Time Will then Remain

By Lorraine

How easy it is to focus on the hard and difficult things that face us each day and fall into a pattern of complaining even if it is just in our own thoughts. The little annoyances, the circumstances we have no control over and situations that seem overwhelming can cause us to forget the many blessings we enjoy.

I think this is why I resonate with these words by RC Trench.

When thou hast thanked thy God

For every blessing sent,

What time will then remain

For murmurs or lament?

R C Trench

Perfect Love

By Lorraine

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:18-19

In Christ Alone My Hope is Found

By Lorraine

We sang this song again in church last week and it remains one of my favorite. There is a lot of truth packed into these lyrics. Hope you’ll read them and be encouraged!

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious of Christ.

In Christ Alone

Keith And Kristyn Getty

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless !

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in —

This is the pow’r of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

I Trust in You

By Lorraine

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you

Trust in You
Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Michael Farren / Paul Mabury

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what you see
I try to win this war
I confess, my hands are weary, I need your rest
Mighty warrior, king of the fight
No matter what I face you’re by my side
When you don’t move the mountains
I’m needing you to move
When you don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don’t give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you
Truth is you know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead you have not seen
So let all things be my life and breath
I want what you want Lord and nothing less
When you don’t move the mountains
I’m needing you to move
When you don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don’t give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you
I will trust in you
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
You plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go
You’ve not already stood
When you don’t move the mountains
I’m needing you to move
When you don’t part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don’t give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you
I will trust in you
I will trust in you
I will trust in you

I Wait for the Lord

By Lorraine

“Father, teach us all how to wait.”

― Andrew Murray, Waiting on God

Even So Come

All of creation
All of the earth
Make straight a highway
A path for the Lord
Jesus is coming soon
Call back the sinner
Wake up the saint
Let every nation
Shout of Your fame
Jesus is coming soon
Like a bride
Waiting for her groom
We’ll be a church
Ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing

Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come

There will be justice
All will be new
Your name forever
Faithful and true
Jesus is coming soon
Like a bride
Waiting for her groom
We’ll be a church
Ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing

Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come

So we wait
We wait for You
God we wait
You’re coming soon
So we wait
We wait for You
God we wait
You’re coming soon

Like a bride
Waiting for her groom
We’ll be a church
Ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing
Like a bride
Waiting for her groom
We’ll be a church
Ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing

Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come
Even so come
Lord Jesus come

Behold our God

By Lorraine

You will reign forever
Let Your glory fill the earth

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Scroll down to listen to this most beautiful song

Behold Our God

Who has held the oceans in His hands?

Who has numbered every grain of sand?

Kings and nations tremble at His voice

All creation rises to rejoice

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come, let us adore Him

Behold our King – nothing can compare

Come, let us adore Him

Who has given counsel to the Lord?

Who can question any of His words?

Who can teach the One who knows all things?

Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come, let us adore Him

Behold our King – nothing can compare

Come, let us adore Him

Who has felt the nails upon His hands?

Bearing all the guilt of sinful man

God eternal, humbled to the grave

Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come, let us adore Him

Behold our King – nothing can compare

Come, let us adore Him

You will reign forever

Let Your glory fill the earth

Following from Our Daily Bread

Although millions celebrate Jesus’ birthday, few seem to be aware of its real significance.

We recognize that His birth was unusual because He was born of a virgin. His life was unique too, for He was the only one who lived without sinning. His death was also unusual. Jesus was not a martyr. He was not the victim of unfortunate circumstances, dying for a worthy cause. Nor did He lay down His life just to set a good example. There’s much more to it than that. The Lord Jesus came into this world to be our Savior!

Jesus Himself said that He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Who are the lost? The Bible tells us that “all have sinned” and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). In order to save the world, Jesus had to die for it. He came and lived the perfect life and then died the death we should have died. The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was born to die. Because He was crucified and then rose from the dead, forgiveness of sin and assurance of heaven is now offered to all who believe (John 1:12).

Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation? If not, do so today, and this will be your most meaningful Christmas ever.