Communicating with God

We talk every day to people around us, I not only talk to other people but I talk to myself! Now whether or not others or myself are listening is the difference between just talking and communicating.

True prayer is communicating with God, a two way conversation. Ideally we talk, He listens; He talks through His Word and the Holy Spirit, we listen.

What prayer is NOT:
~a cosmic wish list
~a grocery list of "can I have it?"
~an emotionless duty to stay on God's good side
~the last thing we do before we go to bed to ease our conscience
~a waste of time because God doesn't care anyway

True prayer is partnering with God in the lives of others. This may seem presumptuous (and it would be if it were man's perspective alone) but it is not. Why? Because God has ordained it, it is His chosen vehicle for us.

Lifting up the burdens of those around us, sharing in rejoicing, pouring out comfort, these are a few of the ways we partner with God. It is how we build relationships, fellowship with the saints, encourage other believers and minister to unbelievers.

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome in Romans 15:30, "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me."

Unanswered prayer

There was a country song a few years ago that told a story about a guy who didn't get what he prayed for... his response in retrospect? Thank God for unanswered prayer! Of course this represents a fictitious situation in a country song but it does stimulate some thought.

While building a theological case around a country song might be a little shaky, the question that arises from this is still a good one. Does prayer go unanswered by God?

{Of course, I am not a theologian nor have I undertaken theology courses. So please bear in mind that this short discourse is just some thoughts on prayer that I have thunk (borrowed from Winnie the Pooh).}

I would argue that while God does actually seem silent sometimes, the outcome points to an answer. The singer confesses that he prayed and God didn't deliver but He did. In the case of this song, requests were made and were not granted. God didn't answer yes to the crooner, He answered no.

God's answers vary, yes, no, maybe, and wait. If I have prayed that by a specified deadline I will have a specific answer and it doesn't happen, what was the answer?
Well if I have prayed that God will allow me to book a makeup job that is taking place on a specific date and I don't get that job then I would say, God said no. But I wouldn't stop there, I would go on further to say that He didn't just say no, it wasn't His will for me. God, in His Sovereignty, has not opened that door.

Many times we view prayer with such a limited view - I ask, God gives. What we don't see is that God has a plan for our life and every part of our lives figure in to that, even those little seemingly unimportant things. They really do matter, they capture our hearts and affections; because of that, they can either be for our good or our harm.

Do I thank God for those so-called "unanswered prayers"? As I begin understand God's character, I can thank Him for the answer to my prayer.... yes, no, maybe, or wait.

Time- spent or invested?

Time- a commodity we all possess and a commodity most of us struggle to gage well.

To spend time is to use it up, exhaust or consume it; while to invest time is to put it toward something permanant and less fleeting.

I know for me, time flies! Time seems to escape on wings never to return. So how can I clip those wings of time a little? Well maybe I can quit spending it and begin to invest it... I'm sure I have done both but I suspect that I spent it more than invest it on a day to day basis.

So here are some of the ways I've been thinking about investing my time:

~reading God's Word and praying: not in the "rote, check it off my list" sort of way but a purposeful, focused way, directing my heart, mind and soul to the things of God, connecting with His heart regarding my life, ministry, and relationships.

~relationships: taking the time to call my friends and family, to tell them I love them and make an effort to cultivate those relationships, invest time in them. If they are fellow believers, encouraging them in their Christian walk and devotion to God's Word, enjoying the fellowship of believers. If they are not believers, sharing my life and my faith with them, bringing them the gospel and loving them where they are at.

~ministry: carefully seeking what God would have me to do then pursuing it prayerfully, diligently, and wholeheartedly.

My life, my gifts, my time... these are really not mine. Life, gifts/talents, and time are a stewardship from my Lord meant to be used for His purposes and His glory. So as I go forward today, how will I apply the stewardship of time that has been entrusted to me?

Spend it or invest it?

Ephesians 5: 15-17

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."