A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Bob Gass Ministries)
Scripture for the Day (April 28, 2017)
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
We have talked a lot recently in our devotionals about hearing the voice of God. With that same thought in mind, let’s look at the prayer life of Jesus and see when and how He communicated with the Father.
(1) He prayed when the pressures of life increased. “News about him spread…so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed…But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16, NIV). It’s when you think you don’t have time to pray, that you need to pray most. Spending time with God is the secret to having power with Him.
(2) He prayed when important decisions had to be made. When it came to picking His closest friends, Jesus sought His Father’s guidance. He “went out to a mountainside…and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve…[as] apostles” (Luke 6:12-13 NIV).
(3) He prayed when His heart was heavy. During His ministry on earth, His cousin John the Baptist was arrested and publicly beheaded for confronting a king about his sin. “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew…privately to a solitary place” (Matthew 14:13, NIV).
Disappointment, desertion, and death will write their chapters in the book of our lives. Thank God for therapists and doctors, but ultimately there’s no one who can heal a broken heart like God. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power” (Psalms 147:3-5, NIV).
When you really think about it—the truth hits you up the side of the head! We can spend a year, not to mention a small fortune, planning a wedding. Yet amazingly we won’t seek God’s guidance when it comes to choosing a mate to spend the rest of our life with.
God is not just the creator of the universe; He’s the CEO who runs it. Can you imagine what He knows about operating a successful business? His résumé reads: “I am the Lord…Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17, NKJV). Before you hire an employee, form a partnership, formulate a plan, or invest a penny, God invites you to discuss it with Him and get His input.
“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do…he’s the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:6, TM).
By failing to pray—you set yourself up to fail. The reason Jesus never failed is because He never failed to pray. Are you in a pressure filled situation? Are you in a position where a major decision has to be made? Are you heavy hearted because of something that has happened in your life? Do what Jesus did. Take time to get alone with God and pray about it. He will speak to you!!!‘
Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’ (Jeremiah 33:3, Amplified
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