The Answer Is No

Do you ever feel like God's answers to your prayers seems to be "No" a lot more than "Yes"? Did you ever consider that He probably has a good reason for that?

It could be that what you are asking for doesn't line up with His will. Or it could be that He knows what is best for you (just like you do as a parent). I'll bet if you looked at some of your requests in the past, you can say, "I sure am glad He didn't give me what I was asking for then!"

No matter what, God has your best interests at heart at all times. Watch this short video for a glimpse of this.

Lord, help us to be "so be it" Christians - people who are joyful at all times - people who pray continually and people who are thankful in all circumstances!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What Do You Ask From A King?

In our Truth At Work roundtable group this morning, one of our members told a story that really stuck with me (the details might be a bit sketchy, but the point of it is still there!).

Apparently, years ago, Jack Nicklaus was playing golf in a foreign country with the king of that country. The king was so grateful after the round that he told Nicklaus that he wanted to give him a gift. Jack kept saying, "No, you don't need to give me anything."

Finally, someone from that country approached Nicklaus and told him, "You really need to accept a gift from the king. To not do so would be an insult."

The king said again, "Mr. Nicklaus, what would you like?"

Jack, not wanting to be too much trouble responded, "Well, how about a golf club?"

The king said, "It is done. I will give it to you before you leave."

The next morning Nicklaus awoke and went to say goodbye to the king. When he arrived, the king presented him with a deed to a golf club...18 holes and all!

So the moral of the story is this: In the presence of a king, don’t ask for small gifts.

Well, guess what? We are in the presence of a King at all times. So you know what to do!

A Prayer-less Leader

While I was in Hong Kong several weeks ago, I heard Allen Hood speak. He is with the International House of Prayer (aka IHOP) in Kansas City. He said something that has been rattling around in my brain for the past weeks, "A prayer-less leader is a power-less leader."

As much as I don't want to admit it, that's one of those axioms that I think is right on the money. This is an area in my life where I have not been extremely strong. However, I was convicted during my time overseas that I needed to step up my prayer life. I am doing so by continuing on with my daily time with God and adding a trip to the Greater Toledo House of Prayer once per week. This morning is my morning to go. And you know what? I am actually looking forward to it! That is a good thing for me!

"It is written," He said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer..."
Matthew 21:13

When Fear Abounds...

As if you didn't know, we are living in different times. Times are tough. Jobs are being lost daily. Stock portfolios are shrinking. House values are dropping. Fear abounds. Yet...through it all, God is in control!

A passage that has really captured my attention recently is found in Isaiah 26:3-4:

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

I don't know about you, but those words are very comforting to me. I need to continually be reciting this and I have been the past couple of days.

My good friend Ray Hilbert, founder of Truth At Work had some great things to say on this topic in his most recent post including the following:

Fear Grips our heart and produces 6 Effects:

Fear Replaces faith
Fear Destroys dreams
Fear steals our joy and blessing
Fear spoils victories
Fear paralyzes us
Fear robs us of memories
Fear causes us to hesitate because of disbelief

The opposite of fear is faith, trust, and belief.

Check out the rest of this excellent post here.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Highs & Lows

Each night when we are able to eat dinner together as a family we try to do our "Highs" and "Lows." We each take turns telling our low point of the day followed by our high point.

Last night, something happened which was a first for us. My daughter Kristin who is in her last year of nursing school said that her high and low were both the same thing.

She had a final exam yesterday morning at 8 AM which she had been studying tirelessly for. For some reason her alarm clock volume was turned way down so she did not hear it yesterday morning. She ended up getting up at 8 AM, the exact time her exam was starting!

She raced around, put her hair in a pony tail and brushed her teeth. Thankfully, my wife Connie was home as she prayed with Kristin before sending her on her way out the door.

Kristin arrived very late and calmly took her exam. She said that though she was 45 minutes late, she finished her exam before many of her classmates. She said she had a very clear mind and was filled with peace and she thinks she did well on her final.

Upon hearing this, two things immediately came to mind:

1. The incredible power of prayer and
2. Our troubles can actually turn out to be victory when we let God enter in.

We may not see that victory immediately, but it will eventually happen if we love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Encouragement

Once ever two weeks or so, I have breakfast with a great friend and we help to hold each other accountable in certain areas of our lives. We eat at the same diner each time and are usually served by the same two waitresses.

This morning we were greeted by Wendy who was obviously not in a good mood. In fact, she was pretty mean which was not like her.

So when she brought our food to us, we told her that we were going to ask God to bless our food and that we wanted to pray for her. We then asked her how she would like to be prayed for. She told us and we did pray for her.

She came back about 10 minutes later and told us that she really appreciated the prayer and she said she was feeling much better. It was apparent to us that her mood had been lifted.

Her mood was more than likely improved because of the following two reasons:
1. God touched her heart and brought her peace as a result of our prayers
2. She was touched and encouraged that someone would actually pray for her.

This was a great lesson to me about how powerful it can be to ask if you can pray for someone, especially when they are down. Try it today, it might just be the encouragement someone needs!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Politics Schmolotics

Like me, are you tired yet of all the political ads and accusations going back and forth? Are you worried about how the election will turn out?

I receive a weekly inspirational email from Brian Keel at Toledo YMCA corporate office. I thought I might share it here:

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. “ Romans 13:1

The quadrennial American trip though the mud is nearly over. Yes, I do mean the Presidential election, a process that seems to become more angry, divisive and hard to stomach with each go-around. Politics by its nature creates opposites...every issue has a camp for and against after all. But more and more that difference of opinion on issues quickly leads to anger, harsh words and attacks on a person’s very character.

I believe the verse above is clear. We are called to submit to, or show respect for, those who are elected to lead us. Just a few days ago Sen. Obama from Illinois showed up unannounced at the YMCA branch attached to our corporate offices for a morning workout. I disagree with the Senator on a variety of economic, political and social issues. But he had come to our facility not to discuss policy, but rather for a quick strengthening of the spirit, mind and body. And so I took the opportunity to observe him in a candid moment, to see him accept an offer of prayer from our YMCA pastor and even to shake his hand. In a few weeks he might be elected to lead our country and whether we agree with that decision or not, we must show respect to the office. I did it...it’s not as hard as you think…..

Those are great words.

In addition to this, the result of this election is really in God's hands. And as I shared last week, He works everything out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 paraphrased). The bottom line is that God is in control. Why worry if He has it taken care of?

I have heard it said, if you are going to worry, why pray? If you are going to pray, why worry? I would suggest we pray!