Mar 18 19
God’s Will is Not Automatic
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
These verses of Scripture prove a principle that many Christians never get a hold of, and I believe it grieves the heart of God. I have heard some of the Lord’s followers say things like, “I don’t have to pray for God’s will, because if something is His will, it will just happen.” If that were true, the Holy Spirit would never have inspired the apostle John to say that “if we ASK anything according to [God’s] will, He hears us . . .” and “we know that we have what we ASKED of Him.”
The fact is that much of God’s will for us is not automatic. Much of the time, He expects His followers to partner with Him for His will to come to pass on this earth. One reason this is true is that the Lord has given us a free will, and He is not in the habit of imposing His will on us. Instead, He constantly attempts to lead us along His pathway of righteousness and abundance. He says to us, “Follow Me,” rather than dragging us by the heels to go His way.
Also, let us not forget that we have a formidable spiritual enemy, Satan, who has multitudes of demons at his service. And he is constantly working overtime to lead us away from God and His perfect plans for us. He will tempt us, accuse us, and deceive us as much as he can in order to get us to buy into his dark and destructive ways. The last thing he wants to do is to see us walking in the perfect will of God, where we can do some serious harm to his kingdom.
No, the will of God is not automatic. If it were, Jesus would never have instructed us to pray to the Father, “May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NLT) You and I have a job to do while we are here. And that job includes us getting to know God and His Word so well that praying His will for ourselves and others becomes second nature. When we “approach God” with “confidence” and “ask anything according to His will,” He will move heaven and earth to bring His will to pass!
Lord, fill me with a desire to study Your Word, and to get to know You better all the time. Do a thorough work in me so that the desires of my heart will never be in conflict with the desires of Yours. Remind me often of the heavy resistance in the spiritual realm to Your plans and purposes in this earthly realm, and teach me to be relentless in prayer. Thank You that as I “ask anything according to [Your] will,” You will move mountains for my good and for Your glory!
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Mar 10 19
Praise Him as You Pray
“I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke.” Psalms 66:17 NLT
My husband, Joe, and I got hit with a barrage of problems recently. First, my computer crashed. Then my car broke down, and the company that held our extended warranty refused to pay for the necessary repairs to make it drivable again. On top of that, the new exercise bike I purchased arrived damaged, so that I couldn’t use it. As the weeks dragged on, it seemed as though the right solutions were constantly evading us.
All during this time, I prayed and stood on God’s promises, expecting the Lord to act on our behalf. But doors kept closing, and the problems kept coming. I finally got on my knees and asked the Lord to show me what I had to do to receive the assistance and answers that I knew He had in store for us. That’s when the Holy Spirit showed me the answer in Psalm 66:17 (NLT): “I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke.” I was already doing the “crying out to God” part, but I wasn’t “praising Him as I spoke.”
Once I realized my mistake, I began praising God that, although my car was in disrepair, Joe and I still had his car to rely on. Though I didn’t yet have a properly working computer, I expressed gratitude that the one I had as a backup was better than nothing. And even though my new exercise bike was unusable at the time, I thanked God that I still had my broken down old one that I could squeeze a workout out of on occasion.
As I mixed praise with my prayers, something wonderful happened. Everything began falling into place, and doors began to open, so that all of our problems were resolved suddenly and beautifully.
As I pondered this experience, the Lord brought to my remembrance Philippians 4:6 (NIV), which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The Lord invites us to come to Him with our prayers, petitions, and requests. But if we don’t mix our prayers “with thanksgiving,” as this verse instructs, we can’t blame Him when our answers don’t come.
God has custom-made solutions in store for us when we lift up our petitions to Him with heartfelt praise. And He will accomplish for us what we could never accomplish on our own!
Lord, when trouble strikes and I call on You for help, remind me to “praise You as I speak.” Give me a grateful heart, and teach me how to count my blessings in the midst of my problems. Guard me from grumbling and complaining, and help me to look for the good in every situation. Thank You that as I mix praise with my prayers, You will move mountains and open doors on my behalf!
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Mar 3 19
Prayer that Gets Results
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NLT
I used to wonder why Jesus used so many parables to get His point across. I have a better understanding of that now, because of how many times God has used things in my own life to teach me. He taught me a wonderful lesson about prayer, using my bath tub as an illustration. At one point, I couldn’t get it clean, no matter how strong a cleaner I used on it. Finally, I gave up and resorted to using a simple household cleaner, just to reassure myself that at least the tub was sanitary.
I faithfully maintained that tub a little each day, and I was amazed when I realized some weeks later that the tub sparkled! God showed me that it’s often the same way with prayer. If I faithfully prayed each day for the things He put on my heart – for myself and others – He would work wonders as a result. He assured me that I didn’t have to get ten people to agree in prayer with me, and I didn’t need to have a famous evangelist pray for me. While those things can be good, I believe that most of the time, the only way we can receive the answers to our prayers is by praying and standing in faith day after day. This is why, when Jesus was teaching on prayer in the above verses, He said we should keep on asking, seeking, and knocking.
Right before Jesus speaks these verses, He tells the parable of the persistent man who knocks on his friend’s door at midnight to appeal to him for bread. The Master concludes the story by saying, “But I’ll tell you this – though he won’t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you everything you want – just because of your persistence. And so it is with prayer…” (Luke 11:8-9 TLB) It’s then that the Savior instructs us to ask, seek, and knock.
This kind of prayer speaks of urgency and desperation. It’s not a faint-hearted, hit-or-miss kind of prayer. It’s not for quitters or for half-hearted believers. One reason we don’t see God’s people enjoying more answered prayer is that we have a tendency to give up before we receive the answer. By the grace of God, our prayers can bring salvation to the lost, healing to the sick, and deliverance to the oppressed. But only if we persist.
What happens when we don’t keep asking, seeking, and knocking? We don’t receive, we don’t find, and the door isn’t opened to us. Just like my tub suffers when I neglect it, our prayer life will suffer from neglect, too. Don’t be a quitter. Persist in prayer and receive all the blessings God has in store for you and the ones you love!
Lord, teach me how to ask, seek, and knock the way You want me to. Increase my faith daily so that I will pray and stand in faith for the people and things You put on my heart. Make me patient and persistent so that I won’t quit and give up before the answer comes. Thank You for all of the answered prayer that I will reap as a result!
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Feb 24 19
Wait for the Harvest
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:7-8 NIV
When I made a quality decision to devote myself to the Lord twenty-six years ago, people began noticing a difference in me almost immediately, and not everyone was happy about it. My husband, Joe, for instance, felt confused, bewildered, and threatened by some of the changes he saw in me, and he constantly let me know that he wasn’t pleased with his “new” wife. I spent time alone with God each day, praying, reading His Word, and seeking His comfort and His counsel. Even though a part of me understood my husband’s hostile attitude toward my newfound faith, I felt deeply wounded and betrayed by it. As I persevered and did my best to plant seeds of faith and love in the soil of Joe’s heart, the Lord honored my efforts and turned his heart toward Him. Today, my husband is my biggest supporter where my love for the Lord and my ministry are concerned.
This experience was a reminder to me that when we plant seeds of faith in the hearts of others, we usually have to endure a waiting period. If you are like me, you not only want to impact others’ lives for God, but you want to see the fruit of your labor right away. The Lord used the verses above to remind me that, like farmers planting their crops need to be patient and wait for their valuable harvest, we must patiently wait to see the results of our efforts for God’s kingdom. While these verses actually relate to the Lord’s Second Coming, I also see a principle at work here that helps me to understand how we must often wait upon God to reveal His presence and power in people’s lives and circumstances. Through our prayers, words, and actions, we can plant seeds in the lives of others that will produce a harvest for their good and God’s glory. But if we become too frustrated or anxious, we could literally dig up the seeds we have planted before they have had a chance to take root and bear fruit. There have been many times when I have become impatient with the spiritual progress of those around me – especially my closest loved ones – and out of anger and frustration, I have uprooted the seeds of faith I had tenderly planted in their hearts. In many cases, it took months – or even years – to undo the damage I had done in just a short time.
I have had to learn the hard way that planting a harvest for God takes time, patience, and understanding. Now, when I begin to get anxious and impatient with the spiritual growth of others around me, I often think of my experience with my husband. It reminds me that even when it seems that my efforts are failing miserably, God could very well be working behind the scenes to make them fruitful somewhere down the line. I believe that as long as I am praying in faith and planting seeds according to the Holy Spirit’s leading, the Lord will keep working in that person’s life somehow. I have seen God go to great lengths to put pressure on people, and to surround them with believers, simply because I began praying for them and asking the Lord to change them. Now I take great comfort in knowing that even if I cannot impact someone personally, God knows who can, and He will send the right person across their path as I pray for them in faith.
I am sharing all this with you today to encourage you not to give up on your efforts to influence others for God. Satan will try to convince you that all your prayers and seed planting are a waste of time and energy, but don’t you believe it. Instead, put your hope in God, who is urging you today – “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near!”
Lord, when I am tempted to become impatient with seeing the fruits of my labor for You, please remind me that my impatience can do more harm than good. Show me how to plant seeds of faith in people’s hearts and lives, and to nurture them with prayer, godly behavior, and understanding. Thank You for the abundant harvests that will bless many and glorify You!
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Feb 18 19
Boosting Our Prayer Power
“And [we] receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.” 1 John 3:22 NIV
This Scripture reveals an important Biblical principle – the power of our prayers is directly related to our obedience to God’s Word, and to our desire to do what pleases Him. As we progress in our level of obedience to the Lord, the effectiveness of our prayers will increase. I have seen this principle at work in my own life, as well as in the lives of other believers who walk closely with the Lord. Proverbs 28:9 (NIV) says, “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” This is another verse which shows a connection between our obedience and our prayers. Even though we have made a decision to trust Christ as our Savior, we cannot expect ready answers to our prayers when we ignore God’s commands. Psalm 66:18-19 (NIV) says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.” If we want God to honor our prayers, we cannot wink at sin, or have unconfessed sin in our lives.
We also cannot afford to harbor unforgiveness toward anyone. Jesus made that clear when He was teaching us how to have mountain-moving faith in Mark 11: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (v.25 NIV) The Bible reveals that the quality of our relationships can determine the effectiveness of our prayers. Peter says that husbands must “be considerate” of their wives and “treat them with respect” so that their “prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7 NIV) This principle applies to our other relationships, as well.
Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7 NASB) The Lord is promising us here that if we will live for Him and obey His Word, He will hear and answer our prayers. If you have unsaved or backslidden loved ones, your prayers can make all the difference in their lives. Job 22:30 (NIV) says, “[The Lord] will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” Our prayers of intercession can be especially powerful when we are fully committed to the Lord. This is particularly important when we are unable to reach our loved ones with our conversation or example. Our prayers can be our best “secret weapon” in winning them to Christ.
Scripture admonishes us to, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10 NIV) If we will do our part in committing ourselves to learning and doing God’s will, the Lord will do His part in blessing us and honoring our prayers. God does not expect us to do it on our own. Philippians 2:13 (NLT) promises: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” And we can pray like David did: “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10 NIV) I encourage you to start getting serious about obeying God, and start boosting your prayer power today!
Lord, forgive me for the times that I have not taken my prayer responsibilities seriously. Remind me that my prayers can bring salvation to the lost, healing to the sick, and deliverance to those in trouble. Give me the grace and the desire to do Your will in all things. Thank You that as I sow seeds of obedience, I will reap an abundant harvest of answered prayer!
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Feb 10 19
Look UP to God
“When all these things begin to happen, stand and look UP, for your salvation is near!” Luke 21:28 NLT
The Lord taught me some valuable lessons on pain and suffering recently which helped me to gain a more godly perspective on them. He warned me not to turn inward to self-pity, or outward to anger – but to turn upward to God.
A good definition of self-pity is: “A self-indulgent dwelling on one’s own sorrows or misfortunes.” Anything that causes us to focus too much on ourselves is a detriment to our health and well-being. It’s also destructive to our relationships. It doesn’t bring us closer to others; it actually drives them away. It doesn’t help us to heal, but it keeps us bleeding. Self-pity is actually a form of pride. It causes us to get our eyes off of God and onto ourselves. We may initially like the attention it gets us from others, but eventually, it will cause them to turn away from us.
An effective antidote for self-pity is thankfulness. Scripture says: “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP) No matter what is going on in our lives, we always have reason to give thanks to God and praise Him. It’s an insult to the Lord when we dwell on our misfortunes and losses, and we neglect to recognize and dwell on all of the blessings He showers us with daily. Turning inward to self-pity is definitely not God’s will for us when we experience times of difficulty and pain.
Turning outward to anger or revenge isn’t God’s will for us, either. It can be tempting to get mad at God or others when we’re faced with painful circumstances. It’s so easy to play the “blame game” when we’re hurting. But that’s not God’s way. Jesus told His disciples: “You’re looking for someone to blame… Look instead for what God can do.” (John 9:3 MSG) When we’re in a painful place, we need God’s help more than ever. But we’re not likely to get it if we’re not treating people right.
In every situation we face, God’s got a plan for our victory. But we have to cooperate with His plan, and do things His way, if we want to receive His highest and best. Scripture says: “Don’t let your suffering embitter you at the only one who can deliver you.” (Job 36:18 TLB) How foolish it is to get mad at God when things don’t go our way, since He is the only One who is able to offer us any real and lasting help.
And that’s why the Lord tells us that instead of looking inward or outward in times of trouble, we should look UPward to Him. The Bible says: “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1 NLT) Those of us who have made Christ our Savior and Lord have a God who is always approachable, available, and responsive to our needs. He is “always ready” to provide us with His wisdom (James 1:5), His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9), and His comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ). All we have to do is ask.
I’ve discovered that one of the best things we can do in difficult times is to release our hurt and heartache to God, and to tell Him: “Lord, I’m planting my trouble and pain as a seed, and I’m trusting You to grant me an abundant harvest of blessings and rewards in return.” God loves to cause our problems to profit us somehow. (Romans 8:28) Even when we are suffering the consequences of our own stubborn disobedience, He is there to help us all along the way, and to make sure we gain some benefit from our misery.
When Jesus spoke to His disciples about a time of great tribulation that would someday come upon the earth, He said: “When all these things begin to happen, stand and look UP, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28 NLT) Are you looking UP today?
Lord, when trouble comes my way, help me to resist feeling sorry for myself, or blaming others for my problems. Remind me that if my focus is on myself or others – instead of You – I will only be intensifying and prolonging my misery. Thank You that as I keep my eyes on You, and follow Your lead, I will experience the supernatural peace and power that can only come from Christ!
*For autographed books (with FREE domestic shipping for a limited time!), check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
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Jan 27 19
Released and Free
“But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2 NLT
The Scripture above is often quoted when the topic of healing is discussed. I have prayed this precious promise from God, and stood on it in faith many times over the years when I have needed healing, and I have experienced its power for myself.
One day during my private devotional time with the Lord, He showed me that I wasn’t receiving all of the benefits of this verse of Scripture. And He had me focus on the second part of this verse, which reads, “And you will go FREE, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” (NLT) The NIV translation says, “And you will go out and leap like calves RELEASED from the stall.” The Holy Spirit revealed to me that Malachi 4:2 doesn’t just promise God’s faithful ones healing – but it also promises that we will be released from whatever has us bound, and we will experience a freedom that can only come from the Lord Himself.
Sometimes, we are bound by our own bad habits. Other times, Satan and his demons are oppressing us. And then there are cases where we have allowed others to do us harm because we have failed to use godly wisdom in establishing boundaries for our relationships. The good news is that whatever, or whoever, has been holding us captive cannot keep a hold on us when the supernatural delivering power of Almighty God comes on the scene.
The very next verse in this passage says, “‘Then you will tread upon the wicked as ashes underfoot,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 4:3 TLB) Now, put these verses together as promises from God, and believe that He is willing and able to heal you, release you, and cause you to overcome everything and everyone that is coming against you. I can tell you from personal experience that it is just a matter of time before the Lord shows up and brings His Word to pass!
Lord, I thank You that because I fear and reverence You, You have healing in store for me when I take You at Your Word. I ask that You release me and set me free from everything that is hindering me from fulfilling my God-given purpose and potential. Remind me that You have given me authority over all the power of the enemy, and teach me how to make the most of that authority. (Luke 10:19) Thank You that as I take my stand in faith, I will prove to be the overcomer You have destined me to be!
*For autographed books (with FREE domestic shipping for a limited time!), check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
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Jan 20 19
Bitterness or Joy
“Only the person involved can know his own bitterness or joy – no one else can really share it.” Proverbs 14:10 TLB
My husband, Joe, and I have known each other for more than 45 years. On our first date, I shared my entire life story with him – the good and the bad – and instead of him being turned away, he actually told me that day that he was going to marry me. As close as we have been all these years, the truth of Proverbs 14:10 (NIV) still rings true: “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”
When I suffer a loss or a disappointment, as compassionate as my husband is, he cannot fully empathize with me and my pain. To be honest, there have been times when I have been angry with my husband because he couldn’t relate to my suffering. Then I would have to remind myself of the Scripture above, and how even he cannot share or feel the depth of my anguish, and it’s wrong for me to impose unreasonable expectations upon him.
But there’s good news. Hebrews 4:15 (AMP) says: “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” You and I have a Savior who “knows exactly how it feels to be human.” He “sympathizes and understands” our weaknesses, and He feels our pain. In His earthly existence, He wept human tears, and He suffered the pain of rejection and betrayal, as well as unimaginable injuries and wounds. And as one Bible commentator puts it, “He has taken His human experience with Him into heaven.”
One translation of Proverbs 14:10 (ERV) says, “When you are sad, no one else feels the pain; and when you are happy, no one else can really feel the joy.” Christ is the exception to this rule. When we are hurting, He feels our pain. When we are joyful, He shares our joy. As followers of Christ, you and I have a Savior who not only feels what we feel, but who sympathizes with us, and wants to comfort us and lift us up. Best of all, He is all-powerful and all-knowing, and He can do for us what no one else can do. Turn to Him. Run to Him. And release your cares and hurts to Him. He’s waiting for you!
Lord, today I surrender to You all of my disappointments, my losses, my hurts, and my wounds. Heal me, comfort me, and strengthen me as only You can. Vindicate me and right my wrongs. Fill me with a fresh sense of hope. Turn my misery into miracles. And draw me closer to You – and deeper into Your purposes for me – than I have ever been before. Thank You for making Yourself real to me now in healing, comforting, and life-changing ways!
*For autographed books (with FREE domestic shipping for a limited time!), check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
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Jan 13 19
The Right Place at the Right Time
“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT
If you carefully and thoughtfully read the verses above penned by King Solomon, they can either make you rejoice or get depressed. Here, he says that being the fastest or the strongest won’t necessarily make you a winner. And being highly educated or skilled won’t guarantee that you will be successful or prosperous.
I take great comfort in the fact that Solomon ends this verse by concluding, “It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” Why do I find this comforting? Because I have gotten in the habit of praying daily, “Lord, please make sure that I am always in the right place at the right time.” I know that God sees the big picture, while I only see a snapshot. Scripture says that the Lord knows the end from the beginning, and He is ultimately in control. (Isaiah 46:9-10 AMP)
To this day, I still marvel over the fact that more than 45 years ago, God lined up countless circumstances and people so that my husband, Joe, and I could meet in the same class at the same college, at just the right time. Then, God orchestrated our move to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, when our children were school age so that our oldest son could launch the first successful Bible Club at his public high school, and so that both of our sons could meet their future wives. There were times when Joe and I felt as though we were victims of our circumstances, but the truth was that God was directing our steps, and causing us to be in the right place at the right time, so that we could fulfill our divine destinies.
The best thing that you and I can do each day is to obey God’s Word which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT) In other words, if we will get up each day asking and trusting the Lord to direct our steps, He will make sure that we are always in the right place at the right time. Then, our provision, protection, and success are guaranteed by God Himself!
Lord, I thank You that because I belong to You, You are ordering my steps and directing my paths. Remind me often that it is not my abilities, gifts, or talents that will ensure my success, but You causing me to be in the right place at the right time. When I am feeling as though I am a victim of my circumstances, readjust my focus, and help me to see things from Your perspective. Thank You for leading me along the paths of Your greatest blessings all the rest of my days!
*For autographed books (with FREE domestic shipping for a limited time!), check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
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Jan 7 19
