Attitudes of Freedom

I am taking a break from the series Answered Prayer: Keys to Receiving because today I am excited to announce that I am a guest poster on John Beehner's blog Ask Wise Counsel


I was contacted back in December to be a guest poster for his Freedom Blog Tour.  This blog tour features a variety of authors from across the nation.  I was a little hesitant to participate at first because I was not familiar with John Beehner's ministry or blog.  However, after reviewing his blog and subject matter, I decided I would be honored to be a part of this event.

I am all about Freedom!  I hope you will take a moment to read Attitudes of Freedom
and the other posts written on freedom!



THANKS!

Answered Prayer: The Keys to Recieving {Part 2}

We are in part two of a series on unlocking the answer to prayer:  "The Keys to Receiving".  In Part 1, I mentioned the first key to receiving is having clean hands and a pure heart.  See this link to read Part 1.  
http://www.livingfreeinhim.blogspot.com/2012/01/answered-prayer-keys-to-receiving-part.html

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  1 John 3:21-23

Again, we see the first key mentioned above.  To have confidence before the Lord, we need to have clean hands and a pure heart that does not condemn us.  Jesus paid the price for us to have a clean and pure heart. 

So often, we think we have to earn our way to a clean heart.  Beloved, we already have a clean heart if we belong to the Lord and have asked Him to forgive us of our sins!  We CAN have that confidence toward God it says above.  However, we cannot continue to live in habitual sin and have it!  We have to keep His commandments and do what pleases the Lord.  When we mess up, we then have to go to Him with a sincere heart that is sorry and a desire to live right.   

For too long, I lacked confidence toward God because I didn't believe I was forgiven!  I was forgiven.  I just wouldn't receive it from the Lord because I didn't feel I deserved it.  None of us deserve it, but that is the beauty of grace.     
 

We have to be vigilant in examining our hearts.  The heart can be deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).  It will condemn us when we are innocent and it will tell us we are fine when we are fallen.  The only way to be certain of the condition of our heart is to go to the Lord frequently for examination and cleansing.  If you abide in the Lord, you will be able to hear your heart correctly.  


Sin hinders us from receiving from the Lord.  Sin also hinders our relationship with the Lord.  Living right, obeying His commandments and pleasing Him allows for answered prayer. 

 
The second key to receiving from the Lord: Keeping His Commandments and living a life that pleases Him


It said in the verse above, "Whatever you ask you will receive from Him".  That is exciting!  We achieve a heart that pleases the Lord when we abide in Him.  When we abide in Him and His Word, we KNOW His will and His heart.  As a result, our prayer requests and His will line up.  It is so good to have a clean and pure heart and to know God is pleased.

The third key to receiving is.....stay tuned.... :  )

Answered Prayer: The Keys to Receiving {Part 1}

Several years back my husband and I shared a testimony at our church on how God had blessed us and provided for us.  That testimony emerged from truths God taught us over a length of time.  The truths we learned helped us get out of a dark time in our lives.  However, that testimony and story is one for another time.

At the end of the testimony, our Pastor called us up saying he had a Word from the Lord for us.  It was a prophetic Word.  Life altering.  We were blessed beyond words by what the Lord had to say.  Then, our Pastor said something I will never forget.  He looked straight at me with laser focus and said,  "Do you receive this Word?"

Did I?  Did I believe it?  Did I believe that what he said the Lord was saying would actually happen?  Did I believe I was worthy of it?

Of course, I nodded.  It was a timid nod, but nevertheless, a nod.  I suppose I nodded in faith.  The truth in my heart was that I did not feel worthy of the blessing he spoke over me. 

Receive.  What did it mean to receive?  It led me on a search of discovery.  How could I make certain I could receive?  How important was it to receive?  I mean, if God wanted me to have it, wouldn't I just get it?  Did I have to receive it?

The answers were found in God's Word.  Unlocking the answer to prayer, the keys to receiving.....

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive blessing from the Lord.   Ps 24:4-5

  
The first key to receiving from the Lord: Clean hands / pure heart



We see above we need to have a clean and pure heart.  That is easy enough.  Jesus paid the price for us to have a clean and pure heart.  

So often, we think we have to earn our way to having a clean heart.  Beloved, we already have a clean heart if we belong to the Lord and have asked Him to forgive us of our sins! However, it is up to us to continue to keep our hearts clean and pure.  One way to do this is to frequently (at least daily) ask the Lord to forgive your sins.  Come clean with Him.  He already knows anyway.  Ask Him to cleanse your heart and renew a right spirit within you (Ps 51:10).  You are on your way to unlocking the doors to answered prayer.

There are at least six keys to receiving from the Lord.  I was going to try to cover them all in one post, but that would be one looooong post!  I will share the remaining 5 over the next week. 


Have I mentioned lately how much I appreciate all of you.  I really do.  Thank you for joining me here.  : ) 

Answered Prayers

I was flipping through one of my old prayer journals yesterday.  Pages became unhinged from the binding separating after years of age.  Answered prayers after answered prayers leaped off the loosely bound pages.

I thumbed through years of ink inscribing my deepest desires and struggles.  My heart.  My cares.  My passions.  My hurts.  My every heart's desire. 

I thought, "Wow, look at all God has done."  There are changes in my life now that I asked for back then.  I didn't even remember asking in some cases, but I am living those answers out in live form today. 

Prayer Changes Things


If you are struggling in your marriage...

Prayer Changes Things

If you are having difficulty with a child....

Prayer Changes Things  

If you are struggling financially...

Prayer Changes Things

If you need a job or a better job...

Prayer Changes Things

If you need friends or different friends...

Prayer Changes Things




Whatever you need, take it to the Lord.  Get a journal.  Write it down.  Give it to Him.  Then, watch Him work while you believe.  If you need to build your faith for the answer, get a verse or two to stand on.  Thank Him for the answer. 


So shall My word that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please.  And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11


So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock , and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Luke 11: 9-10


Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.  Matt 21:22

If you are thinking, I know all this, but I have been praying and nothing has happened.  I don't see any changes....

There are some key elements that God says are needed to get prayers answered.  Come back on Friday and I will share what God revealed to me about receiving answers to prayer. 

It isn't hard, it doesn't take work.  It is all about the heart.

Tebow's 316 yards: Coincidence?

I have to preface this post by saying I am no sports writer, and I am barely a sports watcher.  I usually only watch sports by default that I am married to a man who enjoys watching some sports.

It doesn't matter if you are like me and barely a sports watcher.  Unless you have been living under a rock (no offense intended for rock dwellers), you have probably heard of Tim Tebow.

For rock dwellers, he is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos.  He became well known during his college career in Florida as a talented quarterback with a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Every game he would write scripture references in the black under his eyes.  Now, he has become known nationwide as the quarterback that kneels to pray at every game.  The media has mockingly called it, "Tebowing", but he has embraced it in good humor. 

A couple months back, I read an article that called Tim Tebow, "Footballs most polarizing figure."  If this is true, I'd say he is in good company.  Jesus was and still is the world's most polarizing figure. 

The media was all over him stating that he wasn't a good quarterback and mocking his faith.  Soon after that he started winning victory after victory.  The nation watched in awe as he would bring his team a victory when the scoreboard was taunting them as defeated.  During the second half of the game, when his team was down, he would come through with a miraculous victory. Do you think God had something to do with that?  Hmmm?

God loves a good comeback and He loves to defend His children and Name.  Tim Tebow has humbly said that he doesn't think God interferes with the outcome of football games.  However, I wonder....

In his most recent amazing victory this past Sunday, his team was considered a big underdog.  However, they won with Tebow having 316 passing yards.  As Sean Hannity and others pointed out....316 passing yards, John 3:16?  Coincidence?  Is there such a thing or is coincidence just when God wants to remain anonymous? 

The best characteristic of Tebow is not necessarily his undeniable football talent, it is that he is Christ-like.  He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk.  He gets pummeled with remarks and ridicule, yet he handles it all with grace and dignity. Tebow does not revile in return, he actually blesses and exhorts those who scoff at him. (Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14) 

He reminds me of a modern day Daniel. 

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.  Daniel 6:3

Daniel stood above the cultural norm of his age.  His excellent spirit did not please everyone. Loved by kings and hated by some.  His life was plotted against, yet he stood firm in his faith. He was persecuted for bowing to pray.  

He knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.  Daniel 6:10

He knelt down and prayed even knowing it would mean the lion's den.
 
When someone has an excellent spirit and a pure heart, it sheds light on other's weaknesses and moral failures.  Those that find it uncomfortable scoff at it. 

Every time Tebow kneels down to pray, there are those ready to throw him to the lion's den.  And I'm not talking about Detroit.  : ) 

He inspires many to live their convictions in the face of opposition and scrutiny.  He encourages believers to stand for their faith and is a living testimony of the Lord to non-believers.  Let's pray for Him to continue to stand strong and stay faithful in his walk.  And if God wants to show off a little in the meantime, that would be super cool to watch also. 

Property Father

My husband and I enjoy watching HGTV.  There isn't much on TV that we can watch, but watching houses seems fairly safe.  So, we nest there frequently when we need to mindlessly relax. One show we enjoy watching together is "Property Brothers".  Have you seen it?  It is a fun show.  These two brothers team up to help couples find a battered-down home that is desperately in need of repair and they transform it into a work of art!  It is mind blowing.  When they are done, the inside resembles that of a state of the art dream home. Granite. Stainless Steel.  Hard Wood.  The works! 

That is what God does with us.  He finds us broken, battered-down and transforms us into a completely new person.  That is exactly what He has done with me.  I wish I could show you what a mess He got when He purchased me.  I wish I had a before and after picture.

We are broken.  Thankfully, God is an expert restorer.  He wants our lives so He can do a major fixer-upper job.  He wants to completely refurbish us from the inside out.

And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations.  
And shall repair the ruined cities.  The desolation of many generations...
Instead of  your shame you shall have double honor, 
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.  Isaiah 61: 4 and 7

All of Isaiah 61 is powerful.  This part is not as well known as the first verses, but they hold a special place in my heart because they describe what the Lord has done in my life.  He will do the same for you.   

I was speaking to a friend Wednesday night.  She seemed so full of peace.  I commented on how full of peace she seemed and she told me the Lord had spoken to her concerning her life.   Five simple words.  Five words of truth.  I make all things new.

What do you need God to make new in your life?  You may not need a total demolition job like I needed.  Maybe it is a new job, new home, new attitude, or newness in your marriage. Whatever you need, God will do it.  He will rebuild the old ruins and restore them to beauty.  If you think your old self is too much for Him, remember He has already restored you with His best.  He put in the stainless steel, granite and hardwood.  Your steel has already been made stainless by the blood of Jesus.  His Rock is more solid than granite.  The hardwood of the Cross He bore for you has covered it all.  You have been completely restored from the inside out.  Thank you Property Father.  I am so thankful You purchased this fixer-upper.

Lose the Fat

Happy New Year friends!!!  I have missed you!  Sorry I didn't post anything last week.  I was in Illinois visiting family and friends. We had a great time with everyone.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! 

I did work on one post while I was up there that I will be publishing as a guest blogger on another site in a couple of weeks.  The site I will be guest posting on is www.askwisecounsel.blogspot.com  .  It is the blog of author John Beehner.  I will post more information about it as the time comes. 

We got home late Saturday night. New Year's Day was a whirl-wind of a day unpacking, catching up on work, and trying to get settled in again.  However, I had to take a moment to say hello to you. 

In thinking about the new year and praying about what goals I should have for this year, a few words come to mind.  Simplifying.  Health.  Love walk. Commitments. Again, simplifying.

Simplifying can also be referred to as slimming down.  Many people have a different kind of slimming down as a New Year's goal, with emphasis on losing weight and fat.  It is probably the most common of New Year's Resolutions.  Count me in!  Yes, physical slimming down is definitely one of my goals  (I ate way too much junk in the last few weeks!)

However, the main kind of slimming down I need to do is to lose the fat from my life. In 2011, I overextended myself.   I mean slim back and stream line.  Cut out weight that has been holding me down, hindering intimacy with my Father, keeping me altogether too busy and overloaded. 

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, 
And to heed than the fat of rams.  1Sam 15:22

The word "heed" above is the Hebrew word, quashab.  It means to listen, to attend, to pay attention, to give attention.  

God is saying here to lose the fat and listen to Him.  


I have found it is hard to give the Lord much attention or hear His voice when I am overly busy, even if my busyness is in ministry for Him.  So, I am asking God some questions. 

Are all the sacrifices I am giving Him out of obedience?  Lord, is there anything you want me to lay down?  I only want to be obedient to you. Am I doing anything for appearance sake, to be seen by men and please men rather than to please the Lord?

The apostle Paul wrote about his fleshly service another way....He said he counted it all as rubbish (Phil 3: 5-8).  He was referring to all the "religious" activities he did and his own fleshly efforts to gain approval from the Lord. 

As Joyce Meyer said, "God cares more about your 'who' than your 'do'".  He is much more interested in how we are treating others and our intimacy with Him than our works and what we are "doing" for Him. 

I honestly do not believe anything I was doing for Him was merely for appearance sake.  I really felt led to do what I was doing.  I prayed over every commitment.  Sometimes we just get overextended.  Sometimes we mishear.  Sometimes the enemy comes in and adds things to get us overburdened.  Whatever the cause, I know and God knows it is time to lose some of the weight. 

Will you also seek the Lord with me to determine if there is any extra "weight" or fat rams keeping you from "heeding" the voice of the Lord.  Let's lose the fat and gain Christ...and also hopefully lose those 10 pounds as well.  : )