If you have a coupon you wish to redeem at the grocery store, you are trading a worthless slip of paper for its cash value from the manufacturer. In other words, the real value of the coupon didn’t exist until it was redeemed.
We are not defined by our history, we are remade and redeemed by it. Our true value is revealed through redemption. Our history brings us into an even deeper relationship with our Maker. God takes our past and weaves a new narrative which brings new life and a DEEPER life with Christ as our advocate and example.
In 2nd Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Through faith in Christ, we are made new. This verse reminds us that when we are in a relationship with Jesus, our past no longer defines us. We are transformed into new creations, with a fresh start and a renewed purpose.
Regardless of our past mistakes, failures, or regrets, God’s grace and forgiveness are available to us. In Christ, we can leave our old ways behind and embrace the new life that He offers.
In the book of Revelation, chapter 8, there is a direct link between the victory of God during the final days, and the prayers we pray. Billions of prayers are heard and stored up in heaven. It is proclaimed that the victory of God is coming, and it is coming through the prayers of God’s people. So, the question is not whether our prayers are heard and/or answered, but rather, DO WE UNDERSTAND the answers?
King David authored 73 of the Psalms and some of them have a direct correlation with a specific life event. Many are written in the form of praise to God for answering his prayers.
Psalm 34 specifically states that God always hears our prayers, sees us, and cares for us. He is for us.
In verse 17, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.” God hears and will respond. In Psalm 5, we read that God is never indifferent to His people when they call out to Him. “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
David is known for His anointing from God Himself, but He is also known as a prayer warrior. Prayer warriors are summoned and gifted by God to pray for others as intercessors for those of us who have difficulty in the area of prayer.
We have all acted as prayer warriors for those on our prayer lists. I can tell you truly that when I am desperate for prayers there are others, I call upon to pray on my behalf.
When the questions as to when my prayer is answered, or how is it answered, or when will I know it is answered, I ask those prayer warriors for guidance. I know that I am too smart to see the obvious, and too dumb to realize the answer. I am confident that God answers but that I just may not understand His answer today.
God is in my life for the long haul, and yours too. For those of you who are often asked to pray for others, it is likely that you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit as an Intercessor. You are called to be a prayer warrior. Friends, family, and acquaintances come to you with their needs, asking you to pray on their behalf.
Sometimes, you receive a prayer request from the Holy Spirit because an intercessor is required. This appeal comes to you as an inner urgency, placed there by God Himself. You don’t always understand why you wake up in the middle of the night with a news story from across the world, replaying in your mind. All you know is that you must pray.
Other times, prayers are requested by those who sense how powerful your prayers are and how seriously you take your ministry of intercessory prayer warrior.
In Thessalonians 5:18, we are instructed to give thanks in all circumstances because this is the will of God for us.
The writer is not saying that we should thank God FOR everything, but IN everything. Evil does not come from God, so we don’t thank Him for that, but we can thank Him for His presence during that evil, AND for the GOOD He will accomplish through the distress.
In other words, our attitude of gratitude must not be dependent on our circumstances or feelings, but rather on the confidence that God is making all things work together for good.
Remaining thankful in all circumstances places us at the center of God’s will. It creates a spiritual atmosphere that is welcoming to His Presence. Gratitude invites the power of God to alter our perspectives and halt the trajectory of our spiraling thoughts.
You inhabit the praises of your people. Psalm 22:3
Our works, that is our actions in everyday life, is a byproduct of our faith. We are moved by faith.
Many of us have tried to show we had faith through our actions – our good works, but felt unsuccessful and discouraged when we grew tired. This was because we were confusing the cause with the effect.
Think of salvation like a sailboat. God’s grace and promises are the wind — already blowing, already available. Our faith is like raising the sail. Once the sail is truly raised, the boat must move — not by paddling or effort, but because the wind carries it.
That movement of the boat is what we call works — the natural result, not the cause, of salvation. So, when someone says they have faith but there’s no movement — no change, no obedience, no fruit — it’s like saying their sail is raised but the boat isn’t moving. That’s impossible if the wind is real and the sail is truly up.
The book of James says, “Faith without works is dead.” He’s not saying our works save us, but rather, true faith always creates movement.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this the will of God concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
As we prepare for the holiday of Thanksgiving, with all of the planning to gather with family, friends, and loved ones, we get anxious, don’t we? We often worry about shopping, cooking, relationship challenges, or maybe how past holidays turned out.
These are legitimate reservations that we need to listen to, but also realize that we can be thankful for these feelings. All of these holiday anxieties show us that we cherish these relationships regardless of past interactions that may have left us distanced from others.
We have reason to be thankful every day of the year. But Thanksgiving Day is special. A full day dedicated to gratitude is a gift – one we should not take lightly.
Giving thanks is a spiritual discipline, and a day dedicated to developing this life-giving habit with people we’re close to is a luxury and a gift. Giving thanks in everything is the way to achieve the utmost satisfaction in life. God made us and He knows how our brains work best.
Staying thankful is the best way to live our best lives.Being thankful is the way to remain in the center of God’s will, trusting that He is managing the details of our lives.
As part of an ongoing prison ministry at Lansing Correctional Facility behind the razor wire, we discussed Tetelestai (It is finished) with the inmates. Together, we explored the truth and finality of the power of Jesus’ words which delivered complete healing, grace, and forgiveness to all of mankind.
Not only did it call an end to addiction, dysfunction, and criminal behaviors, but it created a starting point for the beginning of something new, powerful, and unexpected. On the third floor of an old stone prison chapel, we embarked on a weekly tour of Jesus words and works. We explored, discovered, and embraced the expansive impact of His words, “It is finished!” into other areas of our lives where we still struggled.
There we found freedom, commitment, courage, grace, love, compassion, fulfillment, and the desire to face our ailments and our addictions head on and in a permanent manner. Christ’s grace and what he did on the cross cannot be undone and neither can his words “It is finished.”
We documented what we discovered in that old prison Chapel. We wanted to preserve for others the testimony of our experience with the power of Tetelestai. Jesus’ word had enabled us to move out of a lifestyle of relapse, despair, hopelessness, and criminal behaviors. We were able to move into something life-changing, and life-preserving, just like Christ’s work on the cross. We were excited to share how Jesus made us each a new creation.
Numbers 11:23 “Is there a limit to my power?” the Lord answered.
You have invested your most valuable assets into the spiritual riches of God’s Kingdom. Your contributions of trust and loyalty are given freely to God and His returns never disappoint.
Unflinching faith comes to you like a divine download and you are often amazed by a sudden level of confidence which seems to appear out of nowhere.
You actively seek help from God because you know His power has no limit. As a reward for your humility and authenticity, the Holy Spirit infuses you with wisdom and power that far exceeds your natural human abilities.
You are able to accomplish things others have deemed unattainable and you give all the credit to Jesus who turned your impossibilities into possibilities.
You find that this realm of ‘ridiculous faith’ has proven to be the most exciting and fulfilling method of maneuvering through this human experience.
As a world of miracles opens before you, you scale to heights you never dreamed possible. And as your confidence in God grows stronger, you see your life filled with the reality of His limitless power.
We don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. In fact, sitting in the unknown is what keeps us intrigued and engaged. It places our curiosity on high alert and keeps us digging for more clues.
We enjoy stumbling through the vast expanse of the unknown because we love tapping into an intelligence that outpaces our own. We pray for a fresh word and feel certain there is always one on its way.
We make peace with our unanswered questions. We know they will serve as the driving force that keeps us captivated with the vast expanse of this great eternal mystery.
What are some unanswered questions that you struggle with?
As we level up, we begin to realize how unproductive it is to spend time analyzing controversial topics or arguing over the meaning of obscure scriptures. We avoid the debaters and instigators. We steer clear of the loud, sweaty preachers yelling about sin and eternal damnation.
We choose rather to participate in worship services, recovery groups, and Bible studies that are surging with positivity and hope. Our fellowship gatherings serve as a recharging station where we plug into the power and become energized for the work ahead. We focus on encouraging the gifts and talents of fellow believers.
We remain open to new opportunities, even though we feel awkward outside of our comfort zones. We understand that fear of the unknown is an obstacle everyone encounters, but it need not hold us back. We stay open to change and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice, in response to the Spirit’s directives.
You know how to give good things to your children. How much more then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:13
The Holy Spirit has infused you with clarity of purpose and divine destiny. You maintain a higher level of spiritual perception because you listen to the Spirit and follow the instructions you are given. You have the mind of Christ and share His thoughts, ideals, and goals.
Your Spirit-controlled mind gives you a supernatural vantage point which allows you to view life from the divine perspective, outside of time, space, and human emotion.
You receive increasingly more light as you walk with Christ through the seasons of life. Having the superior guidance system of the Spirit allows you to be in the right place, at the right time, making good decisions.
You deeply desire to live as the Spirit guides, because you want to do the right thing for yourself and those you love.
Spiritual directives come to you through divine insight and experience. You find comfort in knowing that the wisdom of Christ is gift from God rather than an academic accomplishment of your own human intellect.
You appreciate the strength of the Spirit when embarking on difficult journeys through forgiveness, regret, loss, and insecurity. You know that when your mind is controlled by the Spirit, the concept of faith is not difficult to comprehend.
As you continue to identify His thoughts and ideals emerging from your own mind, you realize that the Holy Spirit is truly yours and therefore, the possibilities are endless.
Finding Total Recovery in the Words of Christ, "It is Finished!" 