In Constant Prayer BOOK REVIEW

In Constant Prayer is a down to earth book that is easy to read.  The author, Robert Benson, speaks of the ancient prayer practices and staying in constant prayer, which we all should be aware of doing.  He does not persuade you one way or the other, he writes in the now and how we conduct our lives now and don't mean to forget how we christians are to stay in constant prayer.

There is a hunger in every human heart for connection, primitive and raw, to God.  To satisfy it, many are beginning to explore traditional spiritual disciplines used for centuries.

In Constant Prayer is your gateway to deeper communion with God.  Expect something new to unfold before you and within you while heeding this ancient call.

I found reading this book very eye opening and consider this an excellent book.  I would like to read another book of his considering I loved this book so much.

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Have a Great Day!

Carol

 

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

1 Timothy 2:1-4

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth."

 

We are to pray for all people, especially leaders. We're to pray for peace in our land so that the gospel can be preached freely. Make it a habit to pray for leaders in government and the media, and in the judicial and education systems. Pray for leaders everywhere!

Matthew 6:31-34

"'So don't worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

"'So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.'

People of the world anxiously seek to meet their own needs. Jesus says when we trust God and make his kingdom our priority, the Father who knows our every need will provide. Can you trust that today? Can you invest in eternal things and rely on God to take care of the temporary? We usually have it backward: We focus on the temporary and leave the eternal to God. Reverse the order, and see what miracles happen!

Genesis 19:15-17, 28

"At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. 'Hurry,' they said to Lot. 'Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!' "When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, 'Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!' "[Lot] looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace."

 

The angels warned Lot and told him exactly what to do to escape destruction. Elsewhere in Scripture, God always warned his people before he rained judgment. It was then up to his people to obey and live (like Lot), or disobey and die (like Lot's wife). It's the same now. Scripture offers plenty of warnings and instruction as to what the way of life is (essentially, to trust in Jesus). When we obey, we put ourselves on that path of life.

Proverbs 4:23

"Guard your heart above all else,
 for it determines the course of your life."

 

What's the most important thing you can do for yourself? Guard your heart, according to Solomon. Don't let wrong images, beliefs, or sinful practices creep in to pollute you. Everything in your life springs from your heart. Just as your physical heart keeps life in your body, your spiritual heart is the source of the issues in your life. Your heart determines the course of your life. Whatever your life is like now, it has its roots in the things you've allowed into your heart, and cultivated in your heart. So guard your heart, above all else.

TrueFaced BOOK REVIEW

Anybody who feel guilt, hurt, disappointments– this book is an excellent read.  I had a hard time putting it down. It is also a very easy read.

When we speak of ourselves – who are YOU?  Do you just move along pretending everything is 'just fine'when it is not?  Do you tuck you hurts, fears, and disappointments,to name a few hidden so deep inside that periodically they surface andyou don't know why?  Others tell you 'it's okay, you'll get overit', but are they really standing by you no matter what?
We all wear masks to hid what we arereally feeling, due to, hurt, fear, disappointment, unforgiveness, andmuch more.  We are human and we all sin and continue to sin even thoughthat was not our intention.  Some of us think that the sin that hasbeen done will never be forgiven by God, and that is the worse mind thinkingyou can put upon yourself.  God loves you and wants what is best forYOU, but you MUST trust him wholeheartedly, and many of us do not turnto Him in need.
We stroll through life pleasing God andbelieving we are pleasing him by being a good Christian.  Being aChristian has nothing to do with pleasing God, it is TRUSTING God.  TrustingGod pleases Him and he wants that from us every day.
Let's take off the mask; tell othershow we really feel, and most of all, Trust God to bring out the you withoutthe mask.

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Have a Great Day!

Carol

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

Genesis 18:32

Finally, Abraham said, 'Lord, please don't be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?'"

Do you ever worry, when you read prophecies of God's terrible judgments on the world, that you too may have to suffer God's wrath? From the beginning of redemption history, starting with Abraham, God spared the righteous, those who trust in him. He will also spare you. Many promises in Scripture state that those who are in Christ will escape God's wrath; that's a big part of what salvation is. So if you trust Jesus as your Savior, and follow him as your Lord, you will stay connected with him until the end, and have nothing to fear.

Genesis 18:23-25

Abraham approached him and said, 'Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?'"

Abraham approaches God—even almost argues with God—on the basis of God's own character. God's actions are always an expression of his character. Abraham knows this. So his appeal is based on his knowledge that God is the Judge, and he would only deal in fairness. When you appeal to God, do it on the basis of his character. Then you can be sure God will answer. If you need forgiveness, appeal to his mercy. If you need provision, appeal to him as the Lord who owns all of creation. God responds gladly to prayers based on who he is.

Jonah 2:2-9

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

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Have a Great Day!

Carol

 

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

Proverbs 20:18

"Plans succeed through good counsel;
 don't go to war without wise advice."

Are you battling something in your life right now? Are you attempting to accomplish something? Don't do either without seeking support and wise counsel. Go to people who have already been where you want to be or who have conquered what you want to conquer. Who is already in your "posse" of supporters and counselors? If you need more wise counselors, pray for God to show you whom to approach. Then ask for what you need!