Verse of the Day - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Never stop praying.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

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This simply speaks to me of continuing to go to God, keeping the communication lines open with Him, seeking His direction and His help in all that we face. He simply must be our life-line.

When we're embedded with an overloaded work schedule, or relational difficulties, or a chronic illness, one would think that, as believers in Jesus, praying would be automatic and continual. But sometimes, these trials tend to distract us, rather than attract us to God. Rather than seeking the God who knows us and loves us and can help us, we sometimes side-step Him, in favor of worry, fear, and despair.

Our best and only hope in this life is our connection with God. Please don't sever the communication ties with Him because you're too busy, too frustrated, or in too much pain. Don't let the devil get a foothold on your spiritual life by tempting you to side-step your heavenly Father. Instead, run to Him continually, with ALL that is going on in your life. Ask for help in accepting His will for you...ask for spiritual insight to rise above earthly troubles...ask for His peace when difficulties are not being removed. Talk to Him. Be with Him.

Jesus said we would be challenged in this life with various trials and tribulations, but that we should take heart, because He has overcome this world (John 16:33). No one is exempt, not even His children. I believe that when we stay in open communication with God, we have a better chance of "taking heart" (that is, staying encouraged with a hopeful spirit) than if we become distracted and pull the plug on our spiritual dialogue with Him.

And remember, praying doesn't have to come with folded hands and bent knees in a stained-glass chapel. God's not waiting for you to get to church with a prayer shawl in order to dialogue with you. Prayer is simply talking to God, and I, for one, pray in the most un-sacred scenarios -- in the shower, in traffic, in an elevator, while plucking my eyebrows -- you name it! Who says it's un-sacred to pray to God when pushing a shopping cart through the grocery store? I say, wherever God is, there it is sacred ground. And when you talk to God, He is there -- listening intently to everything you have to say.

Oh, and don't forget to listen...that's probably the most important part of the dialogue. :-)

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice...

[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay.
~Word of God Speak, by MercyMe

Love,
Joelene