There’s a craze going around with thoughts such as be you; be your best self; and you name it, it’s yours. These are all centered on the “me craze.” Everything is about being me, me, me. Live your best life! And yes ….I often subscribe to these.
But…
And yes there’s always a but… there’s a balance. Use caution. Be yourself but be careful of your intake. This means be careful of what you put inside your head. It goes to your heart. Undesirables create feelings of negativity, apathy and sadness when your desire to please goes astray. Desirables create feelings of positivity, purity and optimism. Make sure you follow the right crowd.
Yes, be you but remain humble. Be Christ-centered, not self-centered. Be confident in who you were made to be but make sure you walk circumspectly as being wise. It’s a thin line and you can fall off easily if you go astray.
When we don’t know what to do, Father you do. When we don’t know what to Say, speak through us. If silence is all we have, help us not to fear it but receive it. Grant us comfort and strengthen hearts while we wait.
When we are far away from our ailing loved ones, you’re there. You’re near. When we feel helpless, grant wisdom When we are perplexed, grant clarity
Father, please intervene as only you can. Please Quiet all hearts right now. Grant comfort, quiet peace to the entire family’s anxious soul. Intervene now Lord as only you can. Please intervene.
Take care of the Ailing’s body and spirit Take care of the family. Take care of caregiver’s anxious mind. We pray these things in your name. Intervene Lord, intervene. Intervene as only you can.
It’s a mantra I teach my kids to Pray whenever the going gets rough. It might be a test. Fear. A challenge. An endeavor. Whatever it is, God is always here. He is always near. So just whisper whenever you feel like giving up or become afraid.
I can do all things I can do all things I can do all things
I can do all things through christ I can do all things Yes I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength
Those were the words I saw on a list of things to do written by my little one. She was in Grad school and as most of us know, moving becomes a part of college life. As she packed to move she had a list of things to do. A trait taught by her mom to ensure everything or most things are captured as part of planning life’s journey. As I went to help clear an area in the kitchen, I pounced on a post-it list of things to do for the packing. On the list I read the words “ask the Lord’s guidance“. Wow! As a mom I was happy see her giving the lord the place she needs in her life. My goal was to discreetly capture a picture of the list but my phone was some place else. Later, I left and forgot to capture the treasured list.
Commit to Memory
I think of Sergio’s family who lived in the building that came crashing down in Miami. A building labeled as a catastrophe (unknown to residents). It claimed the lives of over one hundred people while they slept. Immediately people of faith prayed and prayed, pleading with God for the safe survival of those affected. Sadly it was too much and after 14 days searchers resorted to a rescue mission instead to retrieve the remains of fatalities. This was a national crisis acknowledged by community leaders up to the President. Such catastrophes we may not easily forget as we remain on our knees.
I reflect also on Hailey’s mom who had a degenerative condition. Similarly, Ken’s brother was admitted in the hospital for prolonged treatment while Laila felt discouraged as she couldn’t find a job.
Common to these scenarios is that all asked asked friends, colleagues and the church to pray. Many joined in prayer at the outset but as time progressed forgot to pray and only remember intermittently. Life’s daily priorities often overshadow even the most devastating catastrophes as they linger.
Prayer Checklist
That’s where a prayer checklist comes in. It serves as a basis for times when there’s too much to remember. Though we mean well, our fickle minds forget to pray for the sick, those in relationship turmoil, the jobless, the discouraged, and our daily needs. Let’s not forget to mention how often we forget to give thanks for answered prayers.
A prayer list is invaluable. To satisfy your curiosity, here are five reasons:
It helps us remember what and who to pray for.
It serves as a testament for Praise and Thanksgivingwhen prayers are answered.
It provides a medium for reflection when we look back at what the Lord has done.
It serves as a means for acknowledgement of our journey with God. Sometimes he had to carry us. Sometimes he comforted. At other times we look back unable to understand how we made it through. That’s when he strengthened us in our weakness.
Most importantly, it serves as a yearend dialogue with family and friends when we reflect.
Start capturing those prayer requests today. An e-notepad (smartphone) or a simple sheet of paper will do, but a prayer journal will help to keep them more organized. You can get them at most pharmacies, grocery or convenience stores. But here’s GreenLight Journal that will definitely help.
Now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts about a Prayer checklist? Do you use them? Please share. We would love to hear.
I’ll wait for you as long as you want me to. I’ll wait until it’s your time. I’ll wait until you say yes. I’ll wait because I want nothing less than your will. I’ll wait on your direction, I’ll wait on your leading, I’ll wait on your guidance.
And when I get impatient Lord, hold my hand and make me stronger than I am.
Get up and Go. You can face any situation with him or without him. The choice is yours.
Charles Stanley
I Took some time to listen to my 𝒢𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓃𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 while on a nature trek. Actually accidentally. I was listening to another audiobook about women of God, finished a few chapters and decided to move on to another book. That’s when I pounced upon my own GreenLight book and said, why not? Haven’t listened in a while.
“𝓖𝓮𝓽 𝓾𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓖𝓸” was the tugging reminder of God’s grace. Charles Stanley reminded that We can face any situation with him or without him.
It’s in track 4 …. if you already have the book. If not, snatch yours here. Paperback and Kindle are options too.
The book was Inspired by the word of God and his direction. My Safe place and the soon to be released RedLight will complete the series. Follow his lead.
This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus
Overheard discussion with a professional medical personnel. The aged couple commented that they are getting up in age to which the young professional medical practitioner responded “that’s okay, we’ll be around for awhile”.
How do you know this to be true? Life’s not promised. Let’s be careful of our assumptions. Remember the guy who decided to store up and build barns because he planned to be around for a long time? He passed away that very night.
So think before you speak. No one knows the future.
Sitting next to me in church, 10 year old RJ whispered (bible in hand)… “nobody brings their Bible to church anymore”. Then he told me to look around. He was right. I did not even have my Bible in hand as Pastor Darryl read the displayed verses on the screen. Mine was in my bag. RJ proceeded to draw the cartoon comic discussion.
No excuses but the Tech era we are living in, most of us use the #bibleapp as our bible reading resource. Convenience at its core, It’s easy to carry around because we always have it on our phones. It’s also easy to share a verse or two to encourage others who cross our mind while reading.
But at times if there’s no WiFi we can experience connection issues if we didn’t download the App.
The risk though… we may end up scrolling to alerts that pop up… Unless we are very disciplined to avoid distractions. Nevertheless I love the convenience of the App.
But yep! I agree with RJ. Very few actually carry the Bible anymore. But let’s not be quick to judge as we rejoice in the convenience it brings while at work, on the move anytime, anyplace.
Join me in this simple challenge to take the physical book with us to church. Even more-so, let’s read our bible and pray everyday.
Blessings overflow to you as you listen while he speaks through the word. It ignites.
GREENLiGHT 