- Jul 2, 2006
- 90,798
- 20,531
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- US-Others
Upvote
0
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)
- Thread starter ImHisServant
- Start date
- Status
rosiecotton
Veteran
- Mar 6, 2005
- 1,605
- 174
- 62
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
How's Your Love Life?, Part 4
Now, beginning in verse 4 of chapter 13, Paul's going to talk about the characteristics of love. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," a song used to say. And, I suppose, that could be a title for this paragraph: "Love is a many splendored thing." Paul talks about 15 different characteristics of love. Seven of them are negative: Love does not...or love is not....Eight of them are positive characteristics: This is what love is; this is what love does.
As a diamond has many facets, Paul holds up the diamond of love to the light. He challenges us to hold up our lives to the light and let the Master Jeweler--the Master Cutter--look at our lives and put our lives under a magnifying glass. I don't know about you, but I don't quite like it when there are flaws in my life. I don't want everybody else to see them. I don't want to magnify those flaws, but it does take putting a magnifying glass of God's Word and His Truth over our lives to say, "Okay, what are the flaws? What are the defects in your love life?"
Love is something that is very active. It's not passive. These are active verbs. For example, love doesn't just feel patient--that's the first characteristic, love is patient--but Paul is emphasizing the fact that love practices patience, actively, aggressively. Paul's saying love doesn't just have kind feelings, but love actually steps out and does kind things.
As we read this passage--as we read these characteristics--we're going to see that Paul is painting a picture. It's a picture of love, that's obvious in the passage. But you know what else? It's a picture of Jesus. It's as if Jesus is sitting for the portrait of love.
We're going to see that these characteristics describe Him. If we want to have this kind of love, we must allow Jesus to fill our lives. We must be willing to be emptied of ourselves because naturally everyone of us is born selfish. Our natural instincts are self-protective, self-seeking, clinging to our lives, holding on to what is best for us. But when Jesus comes in and fills our hearts with His love, then we find we're able to love in that same selfless, sacrificial and serving way that He loved.
This is a passage that ought to be worked into the warp and woof of our everyday life. Just one other practical challenge--and that would be to take this whole chapter and read it out loud every day for 30 days, asking God to take this passage and get from our heads into our hearts and into our lives.
Let me read this paragraph, verses 4-7. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
We begin with the first quality of love: Love is patient. "Love suffers long" some of your translations say. That's actually a good translation because love does require suffering. Sometimes it requires suffering not just for the short-term, but for a long time. This kind of patience--this long-suffering--speaks of a capacity to be wronged and not to retaliate even when it's in your power to get back.
It's a patience that focuses on patience with other people. There's another word in the New Testament that's used for patience with circumstances or events, but this kind of patience is speaking of being long-suffering with people who really try your patience, people who get on your nerves. Does someone come to mind? And do you have God's kind of long-suffering love toward that person? This is a person who's long-tempered.
This kind of patience is the opposite of anger. A loving person is slow to anger, slow to be provoked. We'll see that that's another characteristic of love. He refuses to pay back evil for evil. There's no retaliation. The world considers vengeance a virtue, and it often makes heroes of people who fight back, people who stand up for their rights; but God's love in us is a kind of love that's willing to be taken advantage of. It's a love that is concerned more for the welfare of others than for how they affect my life.
That's not to say we won't be hurt. We will be. In fact, you'll never have this quality of love if you don't have some irritating, trying people in your life because that's how we learn patience--through trying circumstances and people. If you want to have God's love, and if you pray for God's love--expect that God will probably put some people in your life who are really hard to love, some people who (cause) you to go "Ooooh, that person gets on my nerves."
We all have those difficult people in our lives, but true love--this long-suffering, long-tempered, slow-to-be angry love--doesn't look out for how they affect me. It looks out for "how can I really help that person and be committed to that person's best interests?" This kind of long-suffering love is not just gritting your teeth: "I'm going to love that person if it kills me, and it probably will!" It's not just enduring, though there is endurance involved. It's active, aggressive, long-suffering--investing in the very lives of the ones who've hurt me the most.
We see in the Scripture, all the way through the Scripture, how long-suffering God is with His rebellious creatures. Some of us get a little uncomfortable when we read, particularly, those Old Testament passages about God wiping out whole groups of people who have sinned; and we think, Oh, that seems a harsh judgment! You know, what astounds me more than that is the fact that there are so many groups of people that God never wipes out. It astounds me that God hasn't wiped me out because every one of us deserves the wrath.
He withholds His anger, and Peter tells us why. He doesn't want any to perish. He wants all to have an opportunity, time to repent, to come to the knowledge of the truth. God is holding back His righteous anger against sin. He withholds judgment--not forever!--but for now, so that we can have an opportunity to repent.
He calls us to endure, to suffer long in that way. When you think about that mate, or that child, or that fellow worker, or that person in your church who has been such an offense to you, who really annoys and irritates you--and when you think, I've endured all that I should have to endure! I should not have to put up with anymore--then think of Jesus.
What does Peter tell us about the love of Jesus? "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges rightly. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:21-24).
Series: How's Your Love Life?
A diamond displays beauty when it reflects the light around it. In the same way, we reflect the beauty of God's perfect light when we show love to others. Today we'll learn some practical ways we can show that kind of love. We're looking at the love chapter--the love hymn--1 Corinthians 13. We saw in our last session the absolute necessity of love--not a love that says, "What's in it for me?"--but a love that says, "How can I serve you?".
Now, beginning in verse 4 of chapter 13, Paul's going to talk about the characteristics of love. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," a song used to say. And, I suppose, that could be a title for this paragraph: "Love is a many splendored thing." Paul talks about 15 different characteristics of love. Seven of them are negative: Love does not...or love is not....Eight of them are positive characteristics: This is what love is; this is what love does.
As a diamond has many facets, Paul holds up the diamond of love to the light. He challenges us to hold up our lives to the light and let the Master Jeweler--the Master Cutter--look at our lives and put our lives under a magnifying glass. I don't know about you, but I don't quite like it when there are flaws in my life. I don't want everybody else to see them. I don't want to magnify those flaws, but it does take putting a magnifying glass of God's Word and His Truth over our lives to say, "Okay, what are the flaws? What are the defects in your love life?"
Love is something that is very active. It's not passive. These are active verbs. For example, love doesn't just feel patient--that's the first characteristic, love is patient--but Paul is emphasizing the fact that love practices patience, actively, aggressively. Paul's saying love doesn't just have kind feelings, but love actually steps out and does kind things.
As we read this passage--as we read these characteristics--we're going to see that Paul is painting a picture. It's a picture of love, that's obvious in the passage. But you know what else? It's a picture of Jesus. It's as if Jesus is sitting for the portrait of love.
We're going to see that these characteristics describe Him. If we want to have this kind of love, we must allow Jesus to fill our lives. We must be willing to be emptied of ourselves because naturally everyone of us is born selfish. Our natural instincts are self-protective, self-seeking, clinging to our lives, holding on to what is best for us. But when Jesus comes in and fills our hearts with His love, then we find we're able to love in that same selfless, sacrificial and serving way that He loved.
This is a passage that ought to be worked into the warp and woof of our everyday life. Just one other practical challenge--and that would be to take this whole chapter and read it out loud every day for 30 days, asking God to take this passage and get from our heads into our hearts and into our lives.
Let me read this paragraph, verses 4-7. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
We begin with the first quality of love: Love is patient. "Love suffers long" some of your translations say. That's actually a good translation because love does require suffering. Sometimes it requires suffering not just for the short-term, but for a long time. This kind of patience--this long-suffering--speaks of a capacity to be wronged and not to retaliate even when it's in your power to get back.
It's a patience that focuses on patience with other people. There's another word in the New Testament that's used for patience with circumstances or events, but this kind of patience is speaking of being long-suffering with people who really try your patience, people who get on your nerves. Does someone come to mind? And do you have God's kind of long-suffering love toward that person? This is a person who's long-tempered.
This kind of patience is the opposite of anger. A loving person is slow to anger, slow to be provoked. We'll see that that's another characteristic of love. He refuses to pay back evil for evil. There's no retaliation. The world considers vengeance a virtue, and it often makes heroes of people who fight back, people who stand up for their rights; but God's love in us is a kind of love that's willing to be taken advantage of. It's a love that is concerned more for the welfare of others than for how they affect my life.
That's not to say we won't be hurt. We will be. In fact, you'll never have this quality of love if you don't have some irritating, trying people in your life because that's how we learn patience--through trying circumstances and people. If you want to have God's love, and if you pray for God's love--expect that God will probably put some people in your life who are really hard to love, some people who (cause) you to go "Ooooh, that person gets on my nerves."
We all have those difficult people in our lives, but true love--this long-suffering, long-tempered, slow-to-be angry love--doesn't look out for how they affect me. It looks out for "how can I really help that person and be committed to that person's best interests?" This kind of long-suffering love is not just gritting your teeth: "I'm going to love that person if it kills me, and it probably will!" It's not just enduring, though there is endurance involved. It's active, aggressive, long-suffering--investing in the very lives of the ones who've hurt me the most.
We see in the Scripture, all the way through the Scripture, how long-suffering God is with His rebellious creatures. Some of us get a little uncomfortable when we read, particularly, those Old Testament passages about God wiping out whole groups of people who have sinned; and we think, Oh, that seems a harsh judgment! You know, what astounds me more than that is the fact that there are so many groups of people that God never wipes out. It astounds me that God hasn't wiped me out because every one of us deserves the wrath.
He withholds His anger, and Peter tells us why. He doesn't want any to perish. He wants all to have an opportunity, time to repent, to come to the knowledge of the truth. God is holding back His righteous anger against sin. He withholds judgment--not forever!--but for now, so that we can have an opportunity to repent.
He calls us to endure, to suffer long in that way. When you think about that mate, or that child, or that fellow worker, or that person in your church who has been such an offense to you, who really annoys and irritates you--and when you think, I've endured all that I should have to endure! I should not have to put up with anymore--then think of Jesus.
What does Peter tell us about the love of Jesus? "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges rightly. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:21-24).
Upvote
0
LivingLifeHisWay
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.
Thursday's Topic: How is your love life?
WOW! I needed this right now because I saw my mother in law on Wednesday...need I say more? She gets under my skin, she is mean...plain mean. And my son Tyler doesn't like her...if she even looks at him he screams for me. It's like he sees evil in her...and I'm not kidding. Anyway- love....yes that's what I was supposed to respond about. I spent all night Wednesday praying to God, asking Him to show me how to love her because in my flesh I can't. She is very controlling, out right mean, screams at my kids, makes fun of them and the list goes on. During that prayer fest God told me...yes but she is blind, she doesn't know the truth you know. What were you like before you knew me? And then I wept.
It would be so easy to wipe her out of my life, to ignore her and never speak to her again....that's what I want to do. but I can't.
I can't because God has asked me to love her. Right now that seems impossible but I know that with His help I can. Even though I will be kicking and screaming all the way....
WOW! I needed this right now because I saw my mother in law on Wednesday...need I say more? She gets under my skin, she is mean...plain mean. And my son Tyler doesn't like her...if she even looks at him he screams for me. It's like he sees evil in her...and I'm not kidding. Anyway- love....yes that's what I was supposed to respond about. I spent all night Wednesday praying to God, asking Him to show me how to love her because in my flesh I can't. She is very controlling, out right mean, screams at my kids, makes fun of them and the list goes on. During that prayer fest God told me...yes but she is blind, she doesn't know the truth you know. What were you like before you knew me? And then I wept.
It would be so easy to wipe her out of my life, to ignore her and never speak to her again....that's what I want to do. but I can't.
I can't because God has asked me to love her. Right now that seems impossible but I know that with His help I can. Even though I will be kicking and screaming all the way....
Upvote
0
burn97
A Bruised Reed Yet My Gentle King Loves Me Anyway
A Deeper look at Psalm 23: Part 6
Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The Shepherd who protects, and possess his sheep. The Bible is replete with this picture of God:
The imagery is carried over to the New Testament:
He is the great shepherd of the sheep (see Hebrews 13:20)
Eighty percent of Jesus' listeners made their living off the land. Many were shepherds. They lived on the mesa with the sheep. No flock ever grazed without a shepherd, and no shepherd was ever off duty. When sheep wandered, the shepherd found them. When they fell, he carried them. When they were hurt, he healed them.
Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to 'calm waters ' (Psalm 23:2). They have no natural defense - no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a 'rod and . . . . walking stick ' (Psalm 23:4) to protect them. They have no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them 'on paths that are right' (Psalm 23:3)
So do we. We, too, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls around seeking who he might devour. We, too, get lost. 'We have wandered away like sheep; each of us have gone his own way' (Isaiah 53:6)
We need a shepherd. We don't need a cowboy to herd us; we need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us.
And we have one. One who knows us by name.
-Is there any area in your life that you are 'straying'?
-Can you think of anything that you're still holding onto which needs to be handed over to the Lord?
March 16, 2007
' He Leads Me In Paths Of Righteousness '
The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding
trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross.
' He Leads Me In Paths Of Righteousness '
The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding
trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross.
Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The Shepherd who protects, and possess his sheep. The Bible is replete with this picture of God:
"The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1)
"We are your people, the sheep of your flock" (Psalm 79:13)
"He made us, and we belong to him, we are his people,
the sheep he tends"(Psalm 100:3)
"We are your people, the sheep of your flock" (Psalm 79:13)
"He made us, and we belong to him, we are his people,
the sheep he tends"(Psalm 100:3)
The imagery is carried over to the New Testament:
He is the shepherd who will risk his life to save
the one straying sheep (see Luke 15:4)
He has pity on people because they are like sheep
without a shepherd (see Matthew 26:31)
His disciples are his flock (see Luke 12:32)
When the shepherd is attacked, the sheep
are scattered (see Matthew 26:31)
He is the shepherd of the souls of men (see 1Peter 2:25)
the one straying sheep (see Luke 15:4)
He has pity on people because they are like sheep
without a shepherd (see Matthew 26:31)
His disciples are his flock (see Luke 12:32)
When the shepherd is attacked, the sheep
are scattered (see Matthew 26:31)
He is the shepherd of the souls of men (see 1Peter 2:25)
He is the great shepherd of the sheep (see Hebrews 13:20)
Eighty percent of Jesus' listeners made their living off the land. Many were shepherds. They lived on the mesa with the sheep. No flock ever grazed without a shepherd, and no shepherd was ever off duty. When sheep wandered, the shepherd found them. When they fell, he carried them. When they were hurt, he healed them.
Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to 'calm waters ' (Psalm 23:2). They have no natural defense - no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a 'rod and . . . . walking stick ' (Psalm 23:4) to protect them. They have no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them 'on paths that are right' (Psalm 23:3)
So do we. We, too, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls around seeking who he might devour. We, too, get lost. 'We have wandered away like sheep; each of us have gone his own way' (Isaiah 53:6)
We need a shepherd. We don't need a cowboy to herd us; we need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us.
And we have one. One who knows us by name.
-Is there any area in your life that you are 'straying'?
-Can you think of anything that you're still holding onto which needs to be handed over to the Lord?
Upvote
0
burn97
A Bruised Reed Yet My Gentle King Loves Me Anyway
You know I can really relate to this. My MIL and I for years went round and round. I couldn't stand her, she couldn't stand me. And there are times to this day, that my patience is wared thin. Probably hers too. But, over the past two years, I've really tried to 'love' her, and in return, we have formed a relationship, one that even enjoys each others company.
I like how you said, ' what were you like before you knew me'. How true is that! What an awesome example of Grace!
We're not to dwell in our past, but by looking at our past, we can see the work the Lord has done. Inch by inch, He's torn down the walls of the old, the anger, the bitterness, the hatred, the selfishness, and built new walls, ones that can withstand the blows of the enemy, ones that can take more than we ourselves can imagine. Isn't that amazing? Through His work, we are able to love like Him, have patience like Him, be kind like Him. Through Him, we truly are able to do the impossible, to become the person that we were created to be.
Upvote
0
W
woman.at.the.well
Guest
To answer these questions . . . more than likely I am in need of work on both straying and handing things over to the Lord. I AM getting better in both these departments though. The Lord has done a great work in me there. I still tend to get sidetracked by things and forget to hand them over to the Lord -- but the recoop time is faster now. The lightbulb
goes on sooner! So I'm making progress in these regards and that does feel good and is worth praising Him about! Hallelujah!
Upvote
0
Maharg
wanting greater intimacy with Jesus
How is your love life
A really hepful post. Thank you. It is amazing how liberating that kind of love is. It is self-seeking that leads to many of our problems and anxieties. When someone has been unkind and has hurt us, if we concentrate on what they did or said to us it can make us feel horrid inside, buit if we can focus on how to serve their best interests it liberates us from whatever was behind those things they did or said. I don't understand how this works, but I know that God has shown me this many times. I just keep on forgetting the lesson. Showing God's love to people is liberating for them and liberating for us. It changes us and changes them. It brings forgiveness and it brings an oppportunity to redeem the bad circumstances and use them for God's purposes. God's love is so hard and so easy. It's a real paradox. At times it is hard to love those who have hurt us, but when we begin to do it, it somehow opens a door so that light shines in.
Thank you Lord for giving us the precious gift of Your love!
A really hepful post. Thank you. It is amazing how liberating that kind of love is. It is self-seeking that leads to many of our problems and anxieties. When someone has been unkind and has hurt us, if we concentrate on what they did or said to us it can make us feel horrid inside, buit if we can focus on how to serve their best interests it liberates us from whatever was behind those things they did or said. I don't understand how this works, but I know that God has shown me this many times. I just keep on forgetting the lesson. Showing God's love to people is liberating for them and liberating for us. It changes us and changes them. It brings forgiveness and it brings an oppportunity to redeem the bad circumstances and use them for God's purposes. God's love is so hard and so easy. It's a real paradox. At times it is hard to love those who have hurt us, but when we begin to do it, it somehow opens a door so that light shines in.
Thank you Lord for giving us the precious gift of Your love!
Upvote
0
rosiecotton
Veteran
- Mar 6, 2005
- 1,605
- 174
- 62
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
How's Your Love Life?
This series really convicted me the first time I read it back in 2002. I am really needing it again though! Lately I have just really been struggling with frustrations in about all the areas of my life. And I haven't been showing much love to the people around me.
I have got to remember, 'it's not about me'. Lately I have been more selfish and getting upset when people (mainly my husband!) doesn't do the things I think he should!!!
So, I am really trying to put this stuff into action again. I hate being moody and grumpy all the time, I usually am not this way!!!
This series really convicted me the first time I read it back in 2002. I am really needing it again though! Lately I have just really been struggling with frustrations in about all the areas of my life. And I haven't been showing much love to the people around me.
I have got to remember, 'it's not about me'. Lately I have been more selfish and getting upset when people (mainly my husband!) doesn't do the things I think he should!!!
So, I am really trying to put this stuff into action again. I hate being moody and grumpy all the time, I usually am not this way!!!
Upvote
0
SunMessenger
Devoted To The Holy Spirit Of God
- Apr 27, 2006
- 163,144
- 13,244
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Private
- Politics
- US-Others
Upvote
0
LivingLifeHisWay
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.
Topic: Monday March 19th
Prayer
Matthew 18:19-20> "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Luke 11:9-10> "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
James 5:13a> Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
I'm sure you would all agree with me when I say that prayer is powerful! We worship a living God who works in each of our lives every moment of everyday.
According to God's word prayer has some conditions:
Prayer
Matthew 18:19-20> "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Luke 11:9-10> "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
James 5:13a> Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
I'm sure you would all agree with me when I say that prayer is powerful! We worship a living God who works in each of our lives every moment of everyday.
According to God's word prayer has some conditions:
- it must be according to His most perfect will
1John 5:14-15> This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him.
- we must have correct motives
James 4:2-4> You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
- we must confess any sin we have in our hearts/lives.
James 5:16b> The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
If we follow these conditions the power of prayer is endless! God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20)
Let's spend the day lifting eachother up in prayer.
Do you have a prayer request that you would like to share?
In response to someone's prayer request you may post a prayer if you'd like or you can pray and then post that you've prayed for that person.
Gina did this a few months ago and I think it would be great if we could bring it back at least once a month.
God Bless you!!!!
Upvote
0
cristianna
...dancing in the rain...
Thanks for bringing this up again LLHW! It was really nice when Gina did this.
Oh where to start.... where to start. LOL Really it's not that funny; what's so funny is I can immediately think of 1,001 prayer requests! I haven't decided if that's good or bad.
Lately I feel perplexed-- like I'm a dog frantically chasing it's tail tyring to understand and move forward the right way. Prayers for discernment would be fantastic and much more appreciated than I could ever express.
Upvote
0
jenrenee
Child of God
- Nov 16, 2006
- 1,478
- 153
- 42
- Faith
- Lutheran
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
What a wonderful idea to bring this topic back at least once a month! Prayer is one of the greatest things that we have - it is truly awesome. I'm sure I've mentioned before about my recently answered prayers. That my husband would 1-become baptized, 2-get more involved in church and church activities, and 3-become confirmed so that he will be a part of our church and can take part in communion. Over the past couple months, God has really answered my prayers! Nathan has met with my pastor and decided that he does want to be baptized - he joined a class group that will meet six times over the next couple months. This will allow him to become baptized and put him on the road to confirmation as well as becoming a member.
I'm so happy for him! So, not that we need proof that prayers works - but this is definitely proof!As for my prayer request, I have been praying for a long time now that we can start a family. I have had two miscarriages and at a doctor appointment last week, the doctor told me that my chances to becoming pregnant are not very high. He says it is definitely possible, and he thinks it will happen someday - but he said there are some things that will make it more difficult for me and it will definitely take time. I pray that it is in God's will for us to have children. I can't imagine life without them.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!
Upvote
0
LivingLifeHisWay
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.
Father in Heaven, I lift my dear sister Cristianna to you. I pray for discernment Lord, that she would be able to hear Your voice and know Your plan for her life. Wrap your loving arms around her and help her through each day. In Jesus' precious name I pray.
Upvote
0
LivingLifeHisWay
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.
What a wonderful idea to bring this topic back at least once a month! Prayer is one of the greatest things that we have - it is truly awesome. I'm sure I've mentioned before about my recently answered prayers. That my husband would 1-become baptized, 2-get more involved in church and church activities, and 3-become confirmed so that he will be a part of our church and can take part in communion. Over the past couple months, God has really answered my prayers! Nathan has met with my pastor and decided that he does want to be baptized - he joined a class group that will meet six times over the next couple months. This will allow him to become baptized and put him on the road to confirmation as well as becoming a member.
As for my prayer request, I have been praying for a long time now that we can start a family. I have had two miscarriages and at a doctor appointment last week, the doctor told me that my chances to becoming pregnant are not very high. He says it is definitely possible, and he thinks it will happen someday - but he said there are some things that will make it more difficult for me and it will definitely take time. I pray that it is in God's will for us to have children. I can't imagine life without them.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!
Father in Heaven, Thank you Lord for answered prayer. I thank you that you are drawing Nathan to you and speaking into his heart. I thank you for listening to Jenn and answering her sweet prayers. You are a mighty God who can do anything, even things that seem impossible, for nothing is impossible with You. Father, today I ask that you would bless Jenn and Nathan with a family Lord. It is their hearts desire to become parents and I pray that you would bless them in this way. I pray for the Dr's to have wisdom when dealing with the issues that arise. We know that you are more then able to answer this prayer, I thank you Father for what you are going to do. In your precious name Jesus, I pray.
Upvote
0
LivingLifeHisWay
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking.
Good Afternoon Ladies...and gents. (I know there are some out there.) :
:
My prayer request is for a new ministry I am starting. The Lord has led me to start a Jr High girls small group. Please pray for open doors. That the girls and their parents would be willing to become involved. That the small group would thrive and would bear much fruit.
Thank you in advance for your prayers.
:My prayer request is for a new ministry I am starting. The Lord has led me to start a Jr High girls small group. Please pray for open doors. That the girls and their parents would be willing to become involved. That the small group would thrive and would bear much fruit.
Thank you in advance for your prayers.
Upvote
0
- Status
Similar threads
