What do we think of prayer? Many people believe prayer is only making requests to God. They are happy if God does what they want Him to, but they are frustrated, disappointed, or devastated because they prayed and did not get what they wanted. Some people get angry with the Lord and walk away. God is not a vending machine. He desires a relationship.
Prayer should be based on a relationship with the Lord. It is communication, talking, and listening. If we lived in a house with other family members and never spoke to them, we would not have a good relationship. If we only talked to them when we wanted something they might feel exploited. If we never told them we loved or thanked them for what they did for us our relationship would not be the best. Do we only pray when we want something from God?
Prayer is our private communication with the Lord. How we communicate with our spouse and family is unique; it is not the same as how others communicate with their spouse or family.
Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him teach us to pray. He did not ask to teach us how to pray but to pray. Jesus had an intimate relationship with the Father, and that is what is conveyed to the disciples In Luke Chapter 11.
Copyright @December 2024 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
Have you ever opened your mouth before considering what you were about to utter? We all voice the wrong things from time to time. We all make mistakes when, as believers, our ‘old man’ rises to the surface. Too often, we do not contemplate what we are about to say or our actions. In a race, we have the words ‘get ready, set, and go’, but speaking we ‘go’ by opening our mouths or doing something before consulting the Holy Spirit. Our feelings and emotions get the best of us and we say or do something before we fully think. Sometimes we are just too full of ourselves; thinking we know what is right or we know what is best. When we are impulsive we justify and make excuses deeming ourselves to be okay when we are not. Have you ever later thought “Why did I do that? Why did I say that? I made a mess of things. I made myself look foolish.” Sometimes we wish we could go back and do it over.
If we do not rely on the Holy Spirit, and take the time to listen to Him we are in danger. We need help all of the time. We need to realize that the Lord’s way is always right. So as we listen and follow the Holy Spirit we will do and say what is right. We need to measure all we do and say by God’s Word, way, and will. His Word tells us to walk in love, forgive, be kind, be patient, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, be generous, be tolerant, whatever we perform do it as unto the Lord, and be humble. The Lord is right all of the time about every situation and circumstance. We need to remember to check in with the Holy Spirit before we go ahead and blurt something out or do something irrational.
When we do not listen to the Holy Spirit, and we usually do not walk in the Lord’s ways we will cause ourselves hardships and problems. Proverbs 4:10-12 “My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.” James tells us if we lack wisdom ask the Lord and He will give it to us. In all situations and encounters, we need to ask the Holy Spirit what to do and what to say.
Copyright @December 2024 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
The Word of God tells us to “walk in line” with the Holy Spirit. If we do not earnestly seek and consult Him daily, we cannot “walk in line” with the Holy Spirit. Another way of saying “walk in line with” is to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (AMP) “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit, we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]” The Holy Spirit has given us life so we should let Him direct our steps also. Do we ask the Holy Spirit daily to direct our steps? This should become our daily habit. If The Holy Spirit is the source of life, He should direct our thoughts, attitudes, actions, behavior, and speech.
The Book of Acts states that the Holy Spirit directed the disciples on what to do and where to go. We can be assured He will provide us with the same kind of help today. When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we will have His grace (enabling ability) and power. We will stay in line with the Word of God.
Copyright @November 2024 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
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