Tag: God

Prevailing in Prayer

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“And Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.”

~ Genesis 32:12

This is the sure way of prevailing with the LORD in prayer. We may humbly remind Him of what He has said. Our faithful God will never run back from His word, nor will He leave it unfulfilled; yet He loves to be enquired of by His people and put in mind of His promise. This is refreshing to their memories, reviving to their faith, and renewing to their hope. God’s Word is given, not for His sake, but for ours. His purposes are settled, and He needs nothing to bind Him to His design of doing His people good; but He gives the promise for our strengthening and comfort. Hence He wishes us to plead it and say to Him, “Thou saidst.”

~ Charles Spurgeon, Devotional on Genesis 32:12

Where Our Minds Are

~ A Prayer Life ~ 5 Comments

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

~ Philippians 4:8

The old adage goes something like this: “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” The thoughts of our mind ultimately become the destiny of our life. The thoughts we entertain, like the charts on a ship, set our lives on a particular course. And this course charted for us by our thoughts can be for better or worse depending on what thoughts we allow ourselves to cultivate and take root in our mind.

In our text today, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians at Philippi to constrain their thoughts, to discipline their minds, to focus, to think or meditate on such things that please the Lord and conform their thinking to such lofty ideals that bring about His honor and glory. He tells these believers, whatever is true, whatever is lovely or of good report, whatsoever has virtue or is praiseworthy, that it is in these things; it is here where our heart and mind should lie.

The inward topics our mind should dwell on should tend towards outward holiness and righteousness in our life, not away from it. The characteristics of truth, love and virtue are of a godly sort. These are the attributes of thought and attitudes of heart those who follow Christ should seek to develop because they will move us ultimately closer to Him.

Two of the most beneficial ways to train our minds to dwell on such noble things are Scripture reading and prayer. Through these two means of grace, our minds, which are by nature opposed to such thoughts, will, by God’s grace, slowly yet surely bend towards His goodness and glory. But like in our passage, Christians must be reminded of our duty in this regard.

So, are you actively seeking to conform your thoughts to such characteristics as Paul describes here in Philippians? Do you find your mind wandering into areas of unrighteousness which may lead to sinful patterns of life? Do you make diligent use of Scripture and prayer to help keep you on course towards holy and pure living? May we seek God’s help to do so.

~ apl

None Like You

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.

~ Psalm 86:8 (NKJV)

As we continue our brief exposition of this Psalm of prayer, in verse 8 we find David exalting God above all the other gods of this world. To be sure there are many false gods and religions in the world today. And millions of people place their trust in these so-called deities. Here the Psalmist lifts up and praises the true and living God among all the false gods of this world.

For among all the gods of this world, Jehovah God, the God of Holy Scripture, is the only One who can hear our prayers and deliver us from trouble. As it pertains to our prayers, an idol of wood, rock or stone cannot respond to the supplications of a people. Those who ultimately place their trust in anything short of the Lord God will find their hopes sorely disappointed.

Yet, the child of God who brings his petitions to the Lord, he can know there is a throne of grace which is always accessible to him; while to others there is none. There is One to whom he may always come in prayer; while others, they sadly cry out in vain. As we bring our prayers to God, let us remember He is the living God. He is not like the false gods and idols of a worldly making. He will hear you. May we believe about God, in faith, saying there is none like You.

~ apl