Women of Prayer

I'd like to start out by asking all of you:  Who is God?

Does this sound like a dumb question?  Maybe so, maybe not.  How do you see Him?  Who is He to you?  Is He just "the big guy upstairs"?  Is "Jesus your Homeboy"?  Or maybe you don't know God yet.  Maybe He is a stranger, a mythical idea or someone your Grandma talks about.  Or maybe, hopefully you know Him as the Almighty, sovereign God, creator of the Universe, who's ways are greater than our ways, who's thoughts are nothing like our thoughts.

The next question I'd like to ask is: Who are you?  

More specifically, who are you in comparison, in relationship to God?  If God is just your roommate who lives upstairs, or Jesus is your homeboy, you might have some hangout time, you might call Him up when the rent is due, but if God is the Almighty, the Alpha and Omega - beginning and end, the One you trust for the very breath you breathe, you might relate to Him a little differently.

See, here is the thing... our prayer life reflects what we really believe about God and who He is.  

Have you ever heard that you can tell what you care about by how you spend your money?  Like, if you want to know where your priorities are, look at your checking account - or credit card bill.  What we spend our money on is usually a good indicator of what we really care about.  Prayer is similar in the sense that we can tell how healthy our relationship with God is, and how we truly view God - by our prayer life.

Let me give you this illustration from the old testament.

This is Isaiah 6:1-5.  Isaiah has this vision.

"It was in the year King Uzziah died[a] that I saw the Lord. "

--- What is significant about this first sentence in the first verse is that King Uzziah had died and the people did not know who their leader would be.  The land was in an upheaval... we don't know any country dealing with that right now do we??? ---

I'll continue...  

 "He (the Lord) was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim (these are angels of purity), each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
    The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

I think this is so poignant because in this scene, God's robe fills the entire temple!  The angels who are perfectly obedient to God have to cover their eyes because He is so holy - too holy for even them to look at.  And when Isaiah sees God, he is immediately gripped by fear.  He realizes who God really is, and Isaiah realizes who he is - human and full of sin, and incredibly unworthy to stand before such a Holy and perfect God.  He says, "It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."  I love that.  Can you just picture Heaven's armies???  Batallion after batallion of dazzling angels with their magnificent wings, playing their beautiful music and singing praises to the one and only God over all creation.  The God who holds the world in His hands who reigns victorious.  

In one of his messages, Francis Chan says that when he prays he envisions the most majestic scene of God on the throne, dazzling in gems from head to toe, so he can remember who it is he is praying to.

And I love the book of Isaiah, because it gives us so much imagery of how big God is, and how great God is, lest we forget.  

Isaiah 40:12-15 says this:

Who else has held the oceans in his hand?  - picture this - all of the oceans - 71 percent of the Earth is ocean - in God's hand.
    Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? - the heavens that go on for infinity...
Who else knows the weight of the earth
    or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?[c]
    Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
    Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
    or show him the path of justice?

15 No, for all the nations of the world
    are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
    than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
    as though it were a grain of sand.

See, when we meet God - when we realize who He is, when we realize what Isaiah 42:5 says: 

"God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
    He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
    life to everyone who walks the earth."

We don't even breathe without God.  Our life depends on Him.  When we believe that this is who our God is, we are humbled.  Just like Isaiah, we realize how much we need God every moment of every day because we are nothing without Him.  We are not worthy to stand before Him, but we are made righteous because of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  When we start to really believe who God is, we pray.  Why would we not ask of the one who controls it all?  

There is a song by Natalie Grant called "King of the World" and the chorus goes like this:

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?

Let me talk about fear for a minute.  I think that as women we battle fear in a big way.  We fear all kind of things.  We fear things we don't even know we fear.  Fear leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to depression.  Did you know there are 365 verses in the Bible that say "do not fear" or "take courage"?  That is one command not to fear for every day of the year.  Here is something I'd like to share with you.  This is a quote from Charles Spurgeon that I borrowed from a friend.

"The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion it chases all other fears away." - Charles Spurgeon

Fear of God is not like the Earthly fear we experience.  It is not like the fear of failing, or the fear of spiders, the fear of God is like this unexplainable awe that we have.  A security in a power that is greater than ourselves.  The expansiveness of God, and the mystery of Him that we cannot fully understand - the belief that He will do what He says He will do - in blessing and in punishment - the fear of God is a powerful force in the life of a Christian.

Proverbs 9:10 says this:

10 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment."

When fear comes upon us, knowing we have the Lord on our side chases all those fears away.  So when you're afraid, pray.  When you're sad, pray.  When you're happy, pray.  When you can't make up your mind, pray.  When you are worried - definitely pray.  When you lose something, pray.  When you need understanding, pray.  When you feel alone, pray.

Here is another little meme I wanted to share.  

"How I feel after a convo with God".

We can be like lions when we have God's power in us.  The day of our Thanksgiving program here at PWOC is election day.  Man, has this election season been brutal??  I can't tell if it's always like this or if I've just paid more attention this year, but man it has been ugly.  I'll tell you what, we better be praying.  If you plan to vote on November 8 and haven't prayed first, you shouldn't be voting.  But here's the thing, on November 9 we will have a new leader of the United States.  One of these candidates will become one of - if not THE most powerful leader in the world.  This thought can be frightening.  But remember how Isaiah felt when He saw the Lord.  These things are tiny compared to who God is, and what He can do.  The fear of God chases all these fears away.  Praise Him!

As women of God, we need to be more purposeful about prayer.  We should be acting out our faith.  If we say we believe, then we need to DO.  

I want to conclude with a word on Perseverance and endurance.  

I went for a run the other night.  I haven't worked out like that in a few months - but being a mom to three kids under six IS exercise!!  Anyway, about two minutes in to my run, I got tired and wanted to stop.  But the song I happened to be listening to in my earbuds was "The one I'm running to" by 7eventh Time Down.  The lyrics go like this: 

"Tonight I'm gonna fix my eyes
On the only Hope who satisfies my heart
You are the One I'm running to
Everything that's good and right and true
Jesus, I'm coming after who
You are, You are
The One I'm running to"

I literally started thinking that this is a metaphor for our walk of faith.  When it gets hard we aren't supposed to stop.  We are supposed to push through.  God wants to grow us, to strengthen us.  He doesn't want to keep us where we are, comfy on the couch.  Pain is designed to make us stronger.  Any parent who disciplines their children knows this.  Any person who has trained for a sport knows this.  No pain no gain!  

When it comes to prayer, it may be uncomfortable at first.  Getting up early and getting less sleep to spend time with God hurts at first.  Asking if you can pray with someone might be uncomfortable.  You may even have to give up some of your closet space to make a spot for you to be alone with God - like Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:5-6

"5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

Like we mentioned last week, the best way to pray better is to do it.  The more you talk to God, the more you will hear from Him, and the more you hear from Him, the more you will pray.  After all, it is Jesus we are running to.  It's worth the discomfort.

I ended up running 1.2 mile that night - more than I thought I could do.  The song that came on at the end of my run was "There will be a day" by Jeremy Camp.  The words go like this:

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
'Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
There will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame
And misery, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

Until then, let us be women of prayer.  Let us remember that we can go boldly before the throne of grace because Jesus died for all of our sins to be washed away.  Let us remember that the Lord of Heaven's armies is asking us to come to Him.  To bring our burdens, our fears, our worries, our illness, our pain, our guilt and our shame and lay it at His feet.  Let us "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" as we read God's word, and let the truth of who God is sink deep into our very being.  And let us live out our faith as women of prayer who go to battle with our hands folded and our heads bowed.

Father God,

We praise you Lord.  Help us to believe more about you and understand how to live in awe of you so that we rely on you for everything.  Help us to pray more and spend more time with you.  Increase in us a desire to know you more.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Women of the Word

Since we are women who are "not of this world", we need to be women of the WORD.  This book by Jen Wilkin inspired today's devotion.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00IFG0844&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_1hJ.xbY1850Q4

Studying the Bible is so important in the life of a Christian because it keeps us firmly planted in God.
Personally, I love studying the Bible.  I find it so interesting, and I can't get enough of it.  However, it hasn't always been that way for me.  When I was young, I felt as if reading my Bible was a burden, and I knew Bible stories and some scriptures, but I didn't understand it.  It hadn't gotten to my heart.  As I've gotten older, the Bible has come alive to me.  The more I read and understand it, the more I love God, and the more I love God, the more I want to read His word.

Romans 15:4New Living Translation (NLT)

4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

2 Timothy 3:16-17New Living Translation (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12New Living Translation (NLT)

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Romans 10:17New Living Translation (NLT)

17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

I was always pretty bored in school.  The subject matter didn't interest me much, so it was really hard for to want to study.  But now as an adult, it is one of my favorite things to study the Bible.  I think when it comes to studying something, you have to want to learn it.  It has to grab your interest.  When you know the Lord, and have experienced His greatness, it becomes easy to want to know more about Him.  But I also remember a time that I was not as excited about Bible study, and so here are a couple things I have found useful to getting excited about the Bible.

1.  Get a good study Bible - in a version that you can understand.  Here are some good ones:

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B005FD3X6U&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_EpJ.xbTCVCJ8D

https://www.amazon.com/Study-Bible-Personal-Paperback-Letter/dp/0310437334/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476277258&sr=8-1&keywords=niv+study+bible

2. Find out some background.  This is a great book that you can carry with you, but there are numerous books out there on studying the Bible.  It helps me a lot to know some of the historical background of the Bible and who is writing each book, and who they are writing to.

https://www.amazon.com/Know-Your-Bible-Explained-Applied/dp/1602600155/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277358&sr=1-1&keywords=know+your+bible

3. Memorize Scripture that applies to you and your life.  Use a 3x5 card pad, and jot down favorite scriptures, ones that speak to you, and when you need a scripture to "take every thought captive", whip out your 3x5 pad and there you have it!  Keep it with you at all times.

4. Find a good devotional.  This one is my favorite: https://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-Paperback/dp/1572937718/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277443&sr=1-1&keywords=my+utmost+for+his+highest

5. Keep a bible with you at all times - on your phone: check out the Bible App!  In your purse - read when waiting at the pharmacy, doctor's office, etc.

6. Ask questions and Google.  https://www.gotquestions.org/ is a website where you can ask Bible questions and get great articles on almost every topic!  To Every Man an Answer is a call-in radio show that you can get on podcast.  They answer all kinds of great Bible questions.

7. Look for books about the Bible that pertain to your season of life.  Like we do here at PWOC.

8. Use a commentary or read the Bible in different versions.  A lot of people like to read The Message Bible.  It is like a commentary but you can read a verse in NIV or NLT and then look it up in The Message.  It is plain language that helps you to understand the idea being conveyed more clearly.

https://www.amazon.com/Message-REMIX-Paperback-Wood-Contemporary/dp/1617479497/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277711&sr=1-3&keywords=the+message+bible

Our theme verse, Romans 12:2 tells us to "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind", and how else are we to do this, but by reading, studying, and absorbing the word of God?  The thing is, you cannot just merely read and memorize the Bible.  You have to apply it.  You have to let it sink into your heart, and believe that there is truth in these words.  You will never be changed if you don't believe God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.  And we cannot start thinking and living the way God wants us to without knowing who God is, and without this book, we can only get so far.

Psalm 119:11New Living Translation (NLT)

11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

We need to hide the word in our hearts.  The more we learn it, the more we live it, the more we will believe it, and it will become a part of us.  We will have to work less at the things of God, because we are already becoming more like Him.

Isaiah 55:10-11New Living Translation (NLT)

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

God's word never returns void.  Therefore, it will never be a waste of time when we read God's word.

Another thing that is really important when reading the bible, is make sure you read everything in context.  You can take a verse by itself and it will sound great and may fit your moment or issue, but when you put it in context, you realize that was not what the Bible was talking about.  We have to be careful not to use scripture to fit what we want it to fit, but to make our lives submit to what scripture says.  So we are going to read through Romans 12 - the whole chapter so that we are applying our theme verse in context.

First I want to read some background on the book of Romans.  This is taken from:  https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/romans

"The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16-year-old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. The political situation in the capital had not yet deteriorated for the Roman Christians, as Nero wouldn’t begin his persecution of them until he made them scapegoats after the great Roman fire in AD 64. Therefore, Paul wrote to a church that was experiencing a time of relative peace, but a church that he felt needed a strong dose of basic gospel doctrine."

Romans 12

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d]4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”[g]
    says the Lord.

20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Father God in Heaven, Help us to be women of your Word.  Help us to grow our love for reading and studying the Bible so that we may hide your Word in our hearts and take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.  Discipline us that we may live lives that show the world who you really are.  Bless us today to find peace and comfort and life in your Words that you have given us in your Holy Bible.  Please grow us and change us from the inside out.  Bless all the ladies that come to PWOC and heal any children that are sick.  Help us to do your will.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.