Because you want Peace Every Day

Peace... Walking in peace. Making it real on a daily basis.

To listen to this podcast click here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/287fe507/because-you-wa...

So - you're in Brooklyn, or is it Boston, maybe Rome? The very idea that inner peace is achievable through relationship with Jesus Christ is really attractive (what I have been writing about in last Morning Briefings). Matter of fact, you have decided that you really do believe that he is the Son of God, and yes-a historical figure, who did what he said he was going to do. Amazing.

And forgiveness of your sin, clear conscience? Wow, what a concept. You're in.

But, what next? Building relationship with God. Like so many things, Jesus is our example. By intention, Jesus went regularly to a solitary place where he could be alone to pray to his Father. [Think on that a moment]. Each morning, coffee in hand, I go to my solitary place--my comfy chair next to a little table that holds my Bible, notebook and pen, among other things. I intentionally wake up early to have this time of solitude with the Lord, and then I pray, oft focused on a scripture verse or two. [And yes, I write my prayer because I am so easily distracted.]

Well here - allow me to demonstrate!

Today's Scripture: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."1 We have been looking at this verse, so let's do what Paul suggested we do and pray ... about everything.

I have a small, thin journal in which I write my daily prayers and keep with my Bible.2 And each day, I order my prayers as the following lines show.

Adoration - 

Just as Jesus first spoke in adoration to the Father saying, 'Hallowed be thy name,' meaning you are the only one to whom I pray, the only one worthy of my praise, so too I start my prayers. Often, I pray words from Scripture to God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I think of adoration, this verse comes to mind, so I may start with something like this: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."3 

And then the psalmist's sentiments make my heart swell, 

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."4   

Psalm 100 is great too! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20100&versio...

Add your own thoughts about God's greatness.

Confession ~

Like the psalmist, I often pray, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."5

O Lord, will you forgive me of my sins? 'any to name?

God promises that 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.'6

How freeing, how incredible that God promises to forgive our sins and remember them no more!7

Forgive us, O God, of our sins; cleanse us and make us new again.  

Hold on. 'Seems to me it is kinda hard for God to give us anything new if our hands, hearts and minds are full of yuck.

Why not get rid of whatever you are carrying that is holding you back?

           ~unforgiveness, unmet expectations, worry,

                   guilt, anxiety, bitterness, failure, shame. . .

Imagine that you are leaving each at the foot of the cross. "O God, you know how enslaved I have been to_____; I give it to You. Please take it, I surrender it to You right now."

Be free, my friend! It is for freedom that Christ came!

Listen! Ask God to speak to you.

Perhaps you have more to 'let go of', or are needing to make a decision. Ask God, then listen.

"I will listen to what God the Lord says..."8 indicating that God does talk to us! 

Or like Samuel, you could say, "Speak Lord, for your child is listening."9

What will God say to you if you are desirous and will listen?

Shhh .... Be quiet, listen now.

Ask God for what you need, what others are needing from him.

 ~ What requests do you have of God?

I pray for God to draw my loved ones to him, writing each name in my journal;

I pray for those who need healing, again- by name;

I pray for wisdom, blessing, favor, and that I will walk in God's presence;

Our God is loving and compassionate, desiring to bless us with good things.

Ask God for his touch on your life, ask him for your needs.

Thank God for his many blessings in your life - name them.

I thank you, Lord, for ____, ____, ____, 

This list could go on and on... so let it! Throughout the day, in awareness and by intention, thank God for that which you encounter-- could be a kindness, a privilege, something in Nature, freedom, etc., etc.

In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen

You know, I often hear people pray, 'O God, please be with me...' Christian, God is with you--you need to be with him! Starting each day in a set-aside time of prayer with God is the number one mechanism through which the Holy Spirit works in your life. It is how you come to know his peace, even in the most trying of times, and truly walk in the power of the Holy Spirit who is in you.

your attention: 'tis a 15-minute exercise that will radically change your life!

You will grow closer to God as you set your mind on him every day and experience his peace and joy personally this Christmas and every day.

Found this song... oh man! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dMpE7rfapc

Daily,

Christine

Holy Spirit #10

PastorWoman.net

p.s. print this out, get a lined journal, put it in your Bible ... PRAY!

1 - Philippians 4.6-7

2 - 5 x 7 lined Moleskine journals are my favorite--paper quality, line spacing, sized to fit in Bible

3 - Revelation 4.11

4 - Psalm 103.1-2

5 - Beautiful words from Psalm 139, vs. 23-24

6 - 1 John 1.9

7 - There are several scriptures that state God will remember our sins no more - an intentional choice by God not to look back and hold against us our already-confessed sins. He indeed is a good God. Psalm 103.12 As far as the east is from the west I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8.12; Jeremiah 31.34.

8 - like in Psalm 85.8

9 - 1 Samuel 3.9-10.