Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Taking the train to the city is an interesting experience. If you commute you know what I'm talking about. Trains in Melbourne are getting more crowded every month and you feel like you are squashed in like cattle. Now this is not a criticism of the transportation system but rather an observation on what we do on it. The number one activity I notice is the amount of people on Facebook, a few read the news and even less read a book.

A rare few I see read a bible or a devotional.  So often we have busy schedules and feel like we don't have time to read our bible. But on our commute every morning is a perfect opportunity before your day really starts to get in a little one on one time with the Lord in prayer, read the bible, listen to a pod cast or even review Sunday's message from church.

In our busy lives we need to learn to carve out time to be with the Lord. Now you might have already done this in your life and this is not directed at anyone in particular but I have had people come up and share with me that they have no time in their week to read their bible or pray.  I'm trying to show us that we do have time where we can spend a few minutes every day with God, even when we lead busy lives.

When you are sitting there on the train you don't have to worry about traffic or stoplights or anything. Depending on where you get on, you could have up to 40 minutes. Even if its 15 minutes it's still ample time to read and mediate on a scripture. If you drive to work, pop in a CD or download a few messages on your smart phone and play it on your car radio.  It's really amazing to see how your day will change and your attitude will change when you get some encouragement from the word of God.

To be honest, the more time we spend with God the better our lives will become and we need to make sure we try our best to build some of that God time into our busy day. We will be better for it.

What time do you see in your day where you can fit in some prayer, or study or listening to a encouraging word? Maybe its driving to the grocery store, on the bus or train, in your car to work or back home? How about when you are at the gym? There are really many ways to fit in some time. 

If we don't spend any time doing this I recommend we start, however , we would love to get to the point where rather than trying to fit the word into our lives , we make time in our day to dedicate to it. This should be our ultimate goal.  But hey let's start here.

If you are part of Transform Church we have an app that contains a number of messages and YouTube videos as well as written encouragement. You can download that here:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/transform-church/id1060270860?mt=8

If you are not why don't you download it and give us a listen. There are many, many ministries that offer free encouragement and in this present day and age it's not hard at all to find something no matter where we are.

My prayer is that your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ gets stronger each day of your life. He is the best guide, teacher and mentor you could ever find!

Blessings   

A Powerful Prayer

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV

Prayer for Wisdom. 

Did you know there are many prayers listed in the bible? Here is an especially powerful one. Paul hears about the great things the church people in Ephesus are doing and he says he will pray for them and he writes down his prayer.  It's a powerful prayer and full of insight into the great relationship Paul had with God and the deep revelation he gives us. It's a prayer of one who knows whom they are, and whom they belong to. 

He identifies where wisdom comes from. He prayers for them to come into the revelation of a deeper knowledge of Jesus. He prayers for spiritual enlightenment, only a spiritually enlightened mind can fully understand and appreciate the hope and inheritance we have in Christ. He speaks of the greatness of God's power that is working in us. Did you know God is constantly at work in you, and loving you to greatness? He is! And that's an comforting though. 

 I might not have it all together yet, but God is not finished with me.  Just like a master painter he is taking His time to make us His masterpiece. 

Paul also gives us insight into the fact that the very same power that rose Jesus from the dead is the same power at work in us. Wow! That's resurrection power! And an important aspect that he mentions as he prayers is that Paul does not ask for this power to be given to the believers. No! He says we already have it. He prayers that we might become aware of the power we already possess! 

Then he reassures us that Jesus is the highest authority. The name of Jesus is above every other name, not just in the past or the present but the greatest name of all time, including the future! 

We can rest safely knowing that our great God Jesus Christ has us in His arms. 

I have often prayed this prayer and made it personal. It's such a powerful prayer and if you will,  I'm going to ask you to make it personal as well as we pray and put ourselves in that place of blessing

Let's begin:  

Lord God I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to ME the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of MY understanding be enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of His calling IN MY LIFE, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in ME, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward ME WHO  believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

I PRAY THESE THINGS IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS! Amen 

May God truly answer your prayers and give you all that you have prayed for!

Have a God day! 

A note to father

Father, you are my shield and my protector, you have covered me with Your love! You found me when I was lost and dismayed and my aimless life was headed for ruin. You gave me purpose, you flooded my heart with Your love. You took me out of a pit of destruction I had created for myself. I love you not only for what you do, but who You are! 

You are the only one who understands me completely, you know my heart thoughts, you see my failures but yet you don't judge me, you embrace me into better, you correct me in your love. I wish I could say I am not afraid, but I'm learning to not be afraid. Your steady hand never wavers and you are proving your steadfast love in my life. Yet there are times when I stop holding your hand because I think I can do it and find out I can't. I am glad you still hold out your hand to lift me up, even though I have let you down. 

I hope to trust you completely, but honestly I know I'm not there yet because I look at situations and I question. I know you promised all things work for good for me because I love you. But sometimes daddy, I get scared because I look at the problems and I don't look at you. Help me keep you in focus. I do love you and I know you love me, thank you for loving me through my faults. I know you have the best for me daddy Jesus! 

What is your focus?

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)

Our desire often determines our focus. What do you desire the most? Whatever it is you will find yourself spending time thinking about it, planning for it and even imagining it.

 

Paul's ultimate focus was Jesus Christ. His life's spotlight sought out Jesus to put Him in focus and put Jesus the centre of His life. He realized ultimate love, agape love had sought him out and while he was busy planning his life, that Love had apprehended him. He was on a path to destruction, but love caught him on Damascus road. It changed and transformed his life. No longer bitter and hateful, no longer breathing fire and anger, a transformed Paul realized that it was the Savior's love that saved him and healed him. Now that love was the focus of his life, to apprehend that love, that everlasting, unconditional, pure love of the grace of God. To follow after, to hold on to it, to revel in it. He knew that ultimate love was in Jesus Christ, for God is love! 

Our desire determines our focus!

What's your desire? 

Trust Him!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NKJV)

When you are feeling afraid, when the future is uncertain, when all the plans you made have come to nothing. When you feel like your heart is about to break, and you feel you cannot go on anymore. This is a promise that will take you through. The song writers of yesteryear said "take it to The Lord in prayer". Don't be anxious, don't stress, don't throw up your arms in frustration.  God is faithful,  He can give you His peace that can surpass your worry and concern. He will guard your heart, He will calm your mind. He is the God of love and Peace. Trust Him! He is faithful to the end, He will be there when all else fades. He loves you and you are safe in His arms!