We conquer by faith. This is a common verse yet as I read it today it jumped out at me. Faith is all we need. When we pray, the Lord doesn’t always answer giving us the details of his quest. He may give us the Goal as when you feel led to do something but he doesn’t include in that calling a step by step guide.
The Righteous will live by Faith
Romans 1:17
The righteous will live by faith means we have to trust him when we don’t understand. Trust him when the way seems foggy. Trust him when our career goes asunder. Trust him when a loved one gets hurt, or even passes. An old hymn says we will understand it in the by and by. Understanding comes with:
Praying for Guidance
Reading the Word
Quiet Reflection
Listening for Directions
Looking back over your life and the evolution of its path
Connecting the dots to see where it’s leading
Sealing the time with Prayer
Trust God. Trust his leadership and guidance. Because his words says the righteous will live by faith not worry
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.
When God Says Go, obey Even when it doesn’t make sense. Often as he did with Abraham, he doesn’t tell us how, when and where. He just provides the GreenLight and the nudge. If we are in tune, we will recognize his leading.
Years ago I felt his quiet guidance to write what I see (Habakkuk). I obeyed and have been writing His words of encouragement to Quiet the hearts of those discouraged, sick, needing reassurance and just prayers for guidance.
Furthermore he has led aspiring authors who need help to me for my assistance to help them to do the same. Indeed I am humbled and will hold firmly onto him.
Today, I encourage you to follow his lead even when you’re afraid to step out as I was. But one thing I’ve always encouraged is for you to do it afraid. Don’t trust your fear… it will only hold you back.
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.
Often it seems you take so long to come to our rescue but your timing is always right. So We’ll wait in you just as long as you want us to. We only ask this one question lord, that you’ll strengthen us while we wait expectantly because can’t do this alone.
But we know that you are our Safe Place and in you we trust all the day long.
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.
Run like Joseph! That was the retort from my young adult daughter during a conversation with a youth group. They were discussing the temptations that exist in our society. Her retort was based on Joseph’s actions when confronted by Bathsheba’s seduction.
Pray Like David
Personally when life starts with its craziness, discouragement, sadness, tragedies and more, my retort is to “Pray like David”. In making decisions I found that David consistently consulted with the Lord before he acted. He never did anything without first asking the Lord. He beseeched the Lord for his guidance on whether he should pursue his enemy, make certain moves, fight or flight.
David then listened for the Lord’s leading and as he obeyed, he consistently enjoyed the fruits of success. Today I encourage you that whatever situation you’re in, be it decision-making, entrepreneurship venture, relationship, financial or mental hardship, take it to the Lord in prayer. Then wait patiently as you listen for his answer. As you obey his guidance and direction, be sure that you will enjoy success.
Be encouraged, the Lord may be long but he’s never late. So pray like David did.
GREENLiGHT 