Many of us want to pray more for our friends and we all need prayer! Sometimes we get busy and forget or it can seem like there are so many things and people to pray for that we don't even know where to start - so we just don't. I believe, though, that God hears our prayers and responds - even if our prayers are brief! If they are offered in faith, God listens and loves to hear our requests.
I want to help you pray this summer. Just think - if you take ONE MINUTE a day to pray for someone, that will add up to an HOUR of prayer by the end of July. What a gift!
What's even better is when we also SHARE with others so they can pray for us, too. THAT'S what being part of the Body of Christ and Family of God is really about.
I'm creating prayer prompts that can help you pray. I may be in over my head to try to do this for every day of June and July, but I believe in prayer and I know this is going to help me pray for my friends, too. So it's worth it.
It's so easy to look at our lives or the lives of others and think we know what it means to be BLESSED, whether we feel like we are being blessed as much as others or not. But what if there's more to being blessed than having a nice home, happy family, and flawless instagram feed? Let's see what Jesus has to say in Matthew 5.
This recording is part of a series to help us walk with Jesus through Lent and toward Easter. You can watch it on youtube or right here:
May you be TRULY BLESSED beyond measure as you seek God's kingdom this spring.
~Melissa
(If your podcast app doesn't host the Sister Studies podcast, let me know and I'll add it!) The original recording shared here was made in February 2019 for the Sister Studies blog.
Hello, Sisters! Temptations test us all the time. How do we pass the tests? Let's learn from Jesus as He is victorious over Satan in the wilderness.
A couple of weeks ago I shared that I was working on something special for Lent. (Read about it here if you missed that post.) The recording I'm sharing today was made in February 2019 as I was reading through the Gospels. I'm encouraged to see again how Jesus faced temptations and want to encourage you to think about a few things the next time you're struggling...
FIRST, pray and ask God these questions...
1. Holy Spirit, what is the temptation I am facing? Am I being tempted to give in to discouragement? Jealousy? A specific sin of some kind? We know exactly what Jesus was tempted to do in Luke 4, but sometimes it's harder to identify the specific temptations we are facing. God can help us understand what's really going on.
2. Lord Jesus, what does Your Word say about this temptation? If a relevant scripture doesn't come to mind, search online for a verse about what you're facing or, even better, ask a friend!
3. Father God, what do I do? Ask for direction from God about how to resist the temptation you are facing.
SECOND, submit to God, ask for His strength to obey, resist the devil, and tell him to flee! Remember James 4:6-10 (NLT):
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
