Friday, January 15, 2016

Pray to the Living God

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Colossians 1:9-12 NASB

Yesterday I wrote… “There are no specific formulas for prayers or assurances to receiving answers to prayers. It is God’s prerogative—His will—to grant prayer requests of His choice.” That being said it is necessary to note that there are ways to approach God in prayer that gives more assurance of an answer.

First of all, it is helpful to BELIEVE IN THE GOD TO WHOM YOU ARE PRAYING, BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD (not as a prophet) and to BELIEVE that your prayers are being heard. One must approach the throne of God with a humble and repentant heart. In the old King James Version of the Bible that was called a contrite heart. Today in the New Living Translation we read…The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17 NLT. We need to acknowledge that God IS GOD—that He is all powerful, all knowing, and loving—yet He will bring judgment on those who refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord.

As in this passage above found in Colossians, I pray often for those I know…and those who read this blog…that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects—and filled with joy as you give thanks to God the Father.

Are you giving Thanks every day to God for all that He has done for you…and provides for you? During the month of November many friends on Facebook post daily the things for which they are thankful. I think it would be a good habit to do daily…or at least one day (besides Sunday) a week for the whole year. Choose a day. Let’s do it on Thursday. Thankful Thursdays! That will give you a whole week to note what God is doing in your life TODAY…and then be ready on Thursday to share your Thanks with God and others. Always be ready to give an account of what God is doing in your life—today, not 10 or 20 years ago. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil. Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:12-15

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I joyfully give thanks to you…and to the Heavenly Father. Fill me with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I may walk in a manner worthy of You, Lord, to please our Heavenly Father in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in knowledge and understanding of my God. Please strengthen me with all power, according to His glorious might.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
Since today would have been my Mom’s birthday, I want to share one of her recipes with you. This is one that she was actually chosen to be on a cooking show at KXLY TV station in Spokane, Washington in about 1956 to share her original recipe for left-overs.

Baked Hash
2 cups ground or diced left-over roast beef
½ cup minced onion
1 cup left-over cooked potatoes, or other left-over vegetables, chopped or diced
1 cup left-over gravy or 1 cup white sauce
1 egg, well beaten
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix together and bake in a loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour. 
Enjoy any meal of the day.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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