Organizing Your Prayer Journal

August 3, 2017July 31, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

The Word of God is my favorite Book. Oh, how I love it. My Bible is a treasure to me. Its worn, marked up pages and loose binding are all precious, and I wouldn’t take a million dollars for it. I mean it.

Now, let me tell you about my second favorite book. It’s my prayer Journal. I began using this almost ten years ago. It has been to the “hospital” many times. I’ve had to make new pages and add paper reinforcers. I’ve had to remove pages to make room for more requests, more answers to prayer, and more notes from my morning Bible reading.

When I look at its pages and see the check marks, which reveal an answer to prayer, my heart leaps with gratitude and joy at my wonderful God. It’s a reminder to me that God answers prayer! It keeps me coming back day after day, moment by moment to cry out to the Lord for the burdens and needs in my life and the lives of others I know.

Corrie Ten Boom referred to prayer as our steering wheel. I’ve likened my prayer journal to a car. Without the car, the steering wheel wouldn’t have direction or a place to go! Of course you can pray without a journal, but in my experience, before I began a serious prayer journal, I prayed, but I really didn’t have a prayer life. A life is the period of existence, activity, or effectiveness of something inanimate, and without the direction of my journal, my prayer life really wasn’t that effective.

Using the imagery of a car, let me explain how a prayer journal can help your prayer life.

It’s great to have a glove box (pocket) at the front in order to hold verses of Scripture that you can pray.

The radio being on, (you singing a song of praise) is a great way to start your time alone with God.

Every car needs a clean windshield (heart), and it’s helpful to have windshield cleaning fluid (a time of confession of sin) ready to do the job necessary to have a clean heart..

It’s time to start the engine (petitioning) when you specifically ask God for the requests before you. Have a seat for everyone (a different page for each family member). List their needs for each day of the week.

What a blessing it is to look in your rear view mirror (at the past) and see how God has answered your prayers! Be sure to make a check mark beside that request and write how God took care of that request. It will increase your faith and cause you to pray more fervently in the future!

If you have a trunk (back pocket) in your binder, put your prayer bulletin there, missionary prayer cards, or other tools that will help you pray more specifically.

Park the car (sit still and alone) while you pray. Don’t let the engine idle (don’t have distractions around you). Be all there so you can pray and then listen to God.

Rosalind Goforth, missionary to China in the late 1800’s wrote a book, How I Know God Answers Prayer. She had to have a method of recording His answers in order to write a book like this. Could you write a whole book of how God has been at work while you’ve prayed? It will only happen as you record it, otherwise you will forget.

I challenge you to get a journal of some model (kind) started. See how it will change your prayer life!

Do you use a journal when you pray? What’s keeping you from starting one?

With love,

What If Everyone Could Hear Your Words?

July 28, 2017July 28, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

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What if everyone could hear your words? Would you be okay with that?

Imagine my horror recently when I discovered that my cell phone had been on “Record voice” mode for thirteen minutes to a group text!

It was just a couple weeks ago on a Sunday morning and I had been texting with a group of friends while getting ready for church. I slid my phone into the outside pocket of my purse and headed downstairs to make breakfast and finish my meal prep for lunch, totally oblivious to the fact that my every step and word was being recorded.

I set my purse down in the kitchen and made my way to my husband’s office where he and I had a brief conversation. Making my way back to the kitchen, I busied myself with my kitchen chores. About thirteen minutes later, I heard a notification on my phone. It was when I went to check it that I realized I’d been recording myself! I quickly sent a message to my friends to delete the recording, then I proceeded to listen to what I had accidentally sent. I heard footsteps, my question about what my husband would like for his breakfast, and my banging and moving about in the cupboards. Yeah, that could’ve turned out unpleasantly, but it didn’t, thank the Lord.

However, as I finished my work, I couldn’t help but think about how careful my words would be if I knew they were being recorded and replayed for all to hear! I wondered…

What if that had happened on a day that I was being unkind to my husband?
What if I had said something unkind about someone else?
What if I had been griping and complaining?
What if I had been going off on some rampage?

Yeah, what if? But of course the truth is, God always hears those words. My complaints, my hatefulness, my griping, my complaining, my slander. He hears it all.

Psalm 139:4
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, you know it altogether.

After that incident, I would start to make a comment, and then close my mouth, knowing that I wouldn’t want that recorded! Sometimes they were just words that weren’t needed. It was best to allow the silence to fill the room, instead of my talking. Other times they were words that shouldn’t be said. It was best to be still.

Wow. What a lesson that was to me, and one I pray I won’t forget.
Maybe asking yourself,

Would I want this to be broadcast for everyone to hear?

will keep you from saying what doesn’t need to be said.

Oh, and you might want to check your cell phone to be sure it’s off. I remember some time last year a friend going “Live” on Facebook without ever knowing it! It could happen to any of us, but if we guard our words, it won’t be a worry if it does.

Refresh others with your words!

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Christian Life · Speech · tongue

Let the Fire Die

July 27, 2017July 26, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

fire pit

A fire in a fire pit is a great thing! A fire in your lap…not so much! You may say, “A fire in your lap? That’s dumb! Who would want that?” The answer is no one!! Proverbs 26:20 says,

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer,
the strife ceaseth.

You see, a person who bears tales (gossip) causes strife. It’s like having a fire in your lap. No one wants it!

The strife that tale bearing causes is as hurtful as a fire burning in your lap. Even if the words are true, they are painful to hear. What do you do with this “story” after you’ve heard it?

I recently had someone share a “fire” with me. The words were true, but I didn’t need to hear them. They stung. It was like sparks flying from a hot ember, touching my very heart. Trying to deal with the burning coals for the next day or so wasn’t easy. They needed to be extinguished with the Water of God’s Word. I was reminded of words that were flung at Christ; untrue accusations, ugly names, words of doubt about Who He really was. What did He do? He answered not a word.

Not a word.

For me to pass on what was shared would be to pass along the fire. No one else needs this in their lap. I told my Savior, and of course He already knew. He applied the salve of His love and comfort.

Do you know some “hot news?” Keep it to yourself. It could be a burning ember that will scorch the hearer. The fire in my fire pit needs to keep burning, but the fire that needs to go out is the one that will cause strife. May we each let that tale bearing fire cease.

With love,

Christian Life · Praise · Speech

With Words of Praise

July 26, 2017July 25, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

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This hideously adorable donkey lives on a farm about an hour from us. We have affectionately named him “Lester.” Lester is very jealous of the other animals on the farm. How do I know? If visitors gather to pay homage to the lovely peacock, or ooo and ahhh over the long neck of the ostrich who lives there, he will begin his very loud and obnoxious,

Hee-haw! Hee-Haw!

It’s really comical to hear him. Not only is his noise hilarious, his mouth and ears look quite funny when he’s going off on his rampage!

While listening to Lester, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m sure thankful I can sing! Wouldn’t it be terrible to open your mouth and sound like that?!”

The next day as I sat to have my quiet time, I read Psalm 145. I was moved at how many times it talks of using my mouth to praise the Lord. Words like, extol, bless, praise, speak and utter were all reminders that God wants me to use my voice for His glory. I must praise Him with speech and song. I must tell others of His goodness by the use of my voice. However, I often neglect the chance to speak up! I remain silent, or I don’t give honor belonging only to the Lord.

Even little things like praising Him like when someone passes and says, “It’s a pretty day, isn’t it?” needs to be followed with, “Yes, and I thank the Lord for making it.” Anything else would be like Lester’s “Hee-Haw!“
At testimony time at church, if I fail to stand and praise Him for prayer He’s answered, I’m belting out “Hee-Haw” instead.
When the opportunity to share the Gospel is given and I am too afraid to share it, my lips are uttering ol’ Lester’s ugly “Hee-Haw!” greetings instead of the Truth that will set that person free!
To miss the opportunity to pray my thanks for a meal, for God’s comfort, His presence, for answered prayer, or for provision is to selfishly call attention to myself rather than my great God. Hee-Haw!
“Hee-haw!” is what I’m really saying if I’m not singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and making melody in my heart during the song service at church.

We all have a voice, given by the Lord. Are you using yours to praise the Lord, or do the sounds that come from your lips resemble Lester? Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

With praise to Him,

Christian growth · Christian Life · trials

Why We Must Be Serious About Spiritual Growth

July 7, 2017July 7, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

This week I’ve shared posts about spiritual growth – how it happens and how to aid it’s development, but you may be wondering what the big deal is. Some women have the thought that when they get older then they’ll work on it then. Life is too busy right now to think about Bible study, prayer and a close walk with God. After all, their life is going along pretty good, so what’s the fuss about? Can I share a few reasons why it’s crucial that you’re a growing follower of Christ?

Christ didn’t just die to save you from hell. He died to have a relationship with you, and you with Him! John 15:15 –Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. A believer is truly cheating themselves out on so many blessings when they don’t walk with the Lord each day. He gives direction, guidance, help, conviction when we veer off the path, acceptance, joy the world cannot give, and a purpose for this life we live on the earth. People that get saved and then ignore Christ are missing the whole point and will be saved, “so as by fire.”
Trials don’t come with a warning. How can you be prepared for a crisis, then?
When a woman in the public eye learned that her husband was having an affair, how could she wake up in the morning and not be absolutely overcome with so much grief that she wouldn’t be able to function? How can parents endure the death of their infant? How do you face a health crisis of your own? Where do you turn for stability when a teen turns their back on everything they’ve been taught? The only way we can prepare for any crisis is by filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word and His promises and having them in our heart. It’s like having a room of ammunition ready to shoot at the lies that come to our hearts. Truth is in God’s Word. If we have waited until “some other day” to grow spiritually, you can bank on it – when a crisis comes, the only way to manage is to find a way out through substance abuse or escape. What a sad ending. Rather than having an anchor for our soul, we would be totally unstable. Now is the time to prepare for a storm.
Your testimony is at stake. The psalmist said in Psalm 119:74, They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. What do others see when they watch your life? Are you a Christian in name, but you don’t know what God’s Word says? Can you teach your children about the Bible, or is it a foreign book to you? Do others question the validity of your life as a follower of Christ because you know more of the world than you do of Christ and His Word? Our lives and words should match up, and that can only happen when we’re in the Word regularly, reading, studying, memorizing, making notes, and digging until we’ve heard from God. When we do that, it will change us! That’s a living testimony. Here’s how it will look:
1. You’ll step out in faith because you know you can trust God.
2. You’ll be a Word-filled person who speaks God’s Word to yourself and others.
3. You’ll be sharing the Gospel with the lost, conscious of those around you that have not heard the Good news.
4. You won’t fall apart in storms.
5. You’ll be consistent – not perfect, but steady and sure, keeping your eyes on the goal of heaven and eternity.

Growing in Christ is for every one of us. If you struggle with a desire to grow, ask God to give you that longing. He will, and then watch what happens over a period of time – it will be another act of God’s amazing grace!

Let’s keep growing, friends, it will refresh you like nothing else in this world!