Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 23

21 Scripture Prayers to Pray

When you pray for others, what do you pray? Often the first things that come to our minds are physical needs. We often pray for their health, physical protection, jobs, relationships, and school. And God does want us to pray for these things (See Matthew 6:11, Acts 12:5, 2 Corinthians 1:10 and James 5:14-16).

But, those needs are only temporary. Our loved ones have needs much greater than their physical health. And yet many of us rarely pray for their spiritual and eternal needs. We may not even know how to pray for those things.

Thankfully, the Bible is full of examples. In fact, the majority of prayer examples in Scripture are spiritual in nature. Although the following list of Scripture prayers is not exhaustive, it’s a good start! In just a quick search, I found twenty-one things in Scripture we can pray for the spiritual needs of others. I’d love to share it with you!

Scripture Prayers to Pray for Your Loved Ones

Thank God for them – Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3
Ask for God’s mercy – 1 Timothy 1:2
Protection from evil people – Romans 15:31, 2 Thessalonians 3:2
Protection from Satan – John 17:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Opportunity to witness – Colossians 4:3
Courage in witnessing – Ephesians 6:19-20
Right words and clarity in witnessing – Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:4
Spiritual strength/growth – 2 Cor 13:7-9, Colossians 1:11, 2 Thess 2:17
Increased love & unity – John 17:21, Philippians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Better understanding of God’s love – Ephesians 3:17-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Joy, peace, comfort, and encouragement – Col 1:11, 2 Thess 1:2; 2:16-17
To know God better – Colossians 1:10, Ephesians 1:17
Increased spiritual wisdom & discernment – Eph 1:17, Phil 1:9-10, Col 1:9
Knowledge and understanding of God’s will for their life – Colossians 1:9
To be holy, pure, and blameless – John 17:17, Philippians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
To live a life that pleases God and honors Him – Colossians 1:10
To obediently follow God’s will – Colossians 4:12
To grow in righteousness and Christ-like character – Philippians 1:11
Live a life of good works that produces spiritual fruit – Colossians 1:10
Full understanding of their eternal inheritance – Ephesians 1:18
Stand firm in God’s truth – Ephesians 4:15

Feel free to print the PDF version of this Scripture prayer list! Stick it in your Bible and use it as a prayer guide!

Also, I’d love for you to add to the list. What Scriptures do you use to pray  for others?

You may also like:

The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer
5 Reasons Real Prayer is Hard
The Armor of God is More than a Prayer
How to Pray Scripture Back to God

21 Scripture Prayers to Pray by Kathy Howard.

What’s the “Good” of Romans 8:28?

A lot of people have been quoting Romans 8:28 lately. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all been looking for some “good.” We want to believe that no matter how things look right now, everything is going to work out in the end.

Disappointments, grief, difficulty, trials, and strife fill this life. These things have touched each of us. It is the human experience. But in the midst of suffering, we cling to a promise found in Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome:

“For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, NIV

Christians find comfort, encouragement, and hope in these words. And rightly so. Unfortunately, many of us have misapplied this well-known verse. Our understanding is shortsighted. We slap God’s promise on the current and temporal, expecting our physical circumstances to soon look “good” – better even than when things went awry.

Do all things really work together for good?

Isn’t that what Romans 8:28 means? Isn’t our commonly condensed version of this passage – “all things work together for good” – accurate? Doesn’t God divinely control all the events and circumstances of our lives to make things turn out great for us?

Does God control our circumstances so we experience #good? #Romans8:28
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In order to understand “all things work together for good” accurately, we must not only consider the entire verse, but also the context of the larger passage.

In Romans 8:18-39, Paul is comparing present, earthly suffering of believers with the eternal glory to come. (See Romans 8:18.) On this earth, we “groan” or experience difficulties because of the effects of sin. But God has conquered sin. In His sovereignty, He is working out His plan to save, sanctify, and glorify those He has “called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28-30).

The who, what, and how of #Romans8:28. What’s the #Good?
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So, what is the “good” of Romans 8:28?

With the larger context in mind, let’s discover the “who,” “what,” and “how” of this passage:

Who is the promise for? – This promise is only for Christians, those who have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus. Not only did Paul write this letter to believers, but the verse itself defines the “who” – “those who love [God], who have been called according to His purpose.” We cannot apply this verse to all people.
What is our “good?” – This is probably the most often misunderstood and misapplied part of this verse. “Good” does not mean our happiness, physical comfort, or material abundance. The larger context of the passage refers to our spiritual condition and sure hope of one day sharing in Christ’s glory. Verse 29 specifically says God’s purpose for us is to be “conformed to the likeness of His Son.” This is our calling, God’s goal – and “good” – for us. In His power and sovereignty, God is working through the circumstances of our lives to make us like Jesus and to bring us to our eternal glory.
How does God accomplish it? – God works in and through our trials, difficulties, and pain and suffering to move us toward His will (Romans 8:27) which is conformity to Jesus and future glory with Him (Romans 8:29-30). (See Romans 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, and James 1:2-4.) In order to be like Jesus and share His glory, we must also share His sufferings (Philippians 3:10-11). God uses and works through our physical circumstances to bring about the spiritual condition He desires in us.

God’s “good” for us is eternal

God’s “good” for us is far greater than our temporary, physical circumstances. His plan is spiritual in nature and eternal in scope. God intimately knows our physical needs and cares greatly about each one (Matthew 6:25-33). But He cares even more about our spiritual condition. He wants us to be like His Son.

#GodCares more about our #spiritual condition than He does our physical
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Is this understanding of God’s “good” for us different than you’ve understood it in the past? In what way?

 

 

 

 

 

What’s the “Good” of Romans 8:28? by Kathy Howard.

When Life Doesn’t Turn Out the Way You Expect

Things don’t always turn out the way you expect. I expected to visit New York City in April with my daughters and daughter-in-law. We spent months planning our trip. Two Broadway shows. The Statue of Liberty. The 911 Memorial and Museum. A walking food tour. Central Park. All the touristy things. Then COVID-19 crashed in and things didn’t turn out the way we expected.

The spring of 2020 didn’t turn out like any of us expected. And the summer is looking shaky.

Some of you have battled the virus. Others have been devastated by loss. Most of us have been left with big holes in our calendars. All of us have had to adapt to a different way of doing things, like working from home and home schooling children.

The last few months have also been filled with big disappointments. Holidays, special events, and celebrations did not turn out the way you expected. Weddings, birthdays, and graduations have been postponed or revamped to fit social distancing guidelines.

God’s Way is Always Better than the Way You Expect

Few people experience life just as expected. The Bible is full of examples. David expected to raise sheep in his home town of Bethlehem. But God called him to be a king. The young Jewish girl Mary planned to marry Joseph and quietly settle down in Nazareth surrounded by family and friends. But God called her to birth and raise the Savior. Paul the Pharisee expected to rise in the ranks of the Jewish faith and continue to defend the Law. But Jesus intercepted him on a dusty road to Damascus and called him to take the Good News to the Gentiles.

COVID-19 did not take God by surprise. It didn’t throw Him off track. He didn’t say, “Well, I guess I’ll have to change my plans.” God’s purposes for the world are the same today. And His original plan for you is still His plan for you. Even post COVID-19. In fact, perhaps He will work through the virus to bring about His perfect will for your life.

You can be sure of this. God has a plan for you and it is NOT derailed. He decreed His purposes for you even before you were born.

God has good works for you to do:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, NLT

God has good work to do in you:

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6, NLT

God’s way is always better than the life we expect for ourselves. So, how do we find His way? How do we get on track when life has taken an unexpected turn?

4 Tips for Walking the Unexpected Path

The apostle Paul lived an “unexpected” life. After one dramatic encounter with Jesus, his life took off on a totally new trajectory. A paradigm shift of gigantic proportions. Paul’s example shows us how to not only survive unexpected circumstances, but also how to thrive when life doesn’t turn out the way you expect.

Spend Extra Time with God – After Jesus appeared to Paul, his friends led him into Damascus where he fasted and prayed for three days (Acts 9:1-9). Everything Paul had built his life on was shattered. He had to come to terms with a new reality. After his sight was restored and he was baptized, Paul went into Arabia for an unspecified time (Galatians 1:11-18). Many scholars believe Paul spent this time alone, studying and praying. Just Paul and God. Paul needed time with God to adjust his thinking and plans and expectations to God’s. Like Paul, when life takes an unexpected path, let’s go to the One who is never surprised when life takes a detour. (For tips on spending time with God see “11 Tips for a Quality Quiet Time with God.”)
Find Contentment in Your Present Circumstances- God never promised life would be easy and trouble-free. (For more on this see “Why Does God Allow Suffering in the Lives of Christians?”) But He has promised to help us experience contentment no matter our physical circumstances. We will find all the strength we need in Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
Follow the Holy Spirit’s Direction – Paul made plans, but he knew to hold them loosely. During his second missionary journey, Paul had expected to go into one geographic area, but the Holy Spirit redirected him into another (Acts 16:6-10). God wants us to know His will for us. He will guide us if we wait, ask, and listen. (For more on hearing and following the Spirit, see “7 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice.”)
Embrace New Opportunities – Paul wanted to take the Gospel to Rome. But he had not expected to go in chains. Paul had planned to preach in the synagogues and share the Gospel in the marketplaces. Instead he was confined to a house under guard. But God was not surprised. He already had plans in place to bring the people to Paul (Acts 28:16-25; Acts 28:30-31). COVID-19 erased many plans for all of us. But it’s also opened new doors of opportunity. I had to take retreats and conferences off my calendar. But God has added multiple online ministry opportunities. Look around you. What new opportunities has God given you because of  our current circumstances? Embrace them. These were God’s plans for you all along.

What has been your biggest disappoint caused by COVID-19? What has been the most exciting new opportunity?

When Life Doesn’t Turn Out the Way You Expect by Kathy Howard.

How to Have a Quiet Time When You Have No Time that’s Quiet

COVID-19 has changed many things. Perhaps even your daily time with God. After all, how do you have a quiet time when you’re literally never alone. With schools and daycares closed and your spouse working from home it’s even hard to get to the bathroom by yourself.

I don’t have a fail-safe masterplan. But you may find the following tips helpful. There’s also some links at the end of the post to some other articles with some practical advice.

7 Tips to Help You Have a Quiet Time during COVID-19 Quarantine

Let go of expectations – Everything looks a little different these days. Including our quiet time. Our time may be shorter. At a different time of the day. And our “quiet time” may not even be very quiet. “Paw Patrol” may be blaring from the other room. And honestly, that’s okay. Right now, let’s take the time God does give and make the most of it. Even if it’s five minutes.
Focus on the relationship over the routine – The purpose of a quiet time is simply to spend time with God, to foster our relationship. To talk with Him and hear from Him. Developing a habit of spending time with God is vital for the long haul. But when a dramatic change in our daily routine interrupts the habit, we might be left floundering. But if we keep our relationship with God our top priority, we will find a new routine.
Be prepared – Be ready to jump when God opens the door for the two of you to spend time together. Gather what you need and keep it all together in a bag or basket – things like your Bible, a journal, Bible reading plan, pens, and highlighters. Then you’ll be able to take advantage of even a small window of time. Spouse take the kids on a bike ride? You’re ready!
Ask your family – Tell them why you need a few minutes alone. It won’t work all the time, but it might work some of the time. Even small children will occasionally be cooperative. Side benefit: You’ll be showing your family just how important your relationship with Jesus truly is.
Put together a “quiet time only” box – Gather some special toys, games, books, and even snacks that your children can only access when you are spending time with God. Yes, it’s bribery. Pure and simple. But it just might work with your kids. And your husband…
Find a place to “escape” – If the family won’t leave you alone, maybe you can leave the family. Find a quiet closet. Or take a lawn chair to the far corner of the yard. Or sit in your car with praise music blaring.
Ask God – God wants to spend time with you. Ask Him to show you how, when, and where. Ask Him to create a regular opportunity for you to be alone with Him. That’s a request He will surely honor. But keep your eyes and your heart open. It may look differently than you expect.

COVID-19 won’t last forever. Soon we will have a new “new normal.” Or we’ll have our old normal. Through our lives we will have to adjust again and again. So, don’t give up pursuing time with God. He is waiting to meet with you.

How has your quiet time changed since COVID-19? How have you adjusted?

A few other posts you might find helpful:

8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from “Want to” to “Get to”
11 Tips for Spending Quality Time with God
7 Tips to Start or Restart a Quiet Time with God
How to Have a Daily Quiet Time
How Parents Can Take Time for Themselves During Quarantine
8 Tips for Working from Home During COVID-19

How to Have a Quiet Time When You Have No Time that’s Quiet by Kathy Howard.

Why Does God Allow Suffering in the Lives of Christians?

Hardship has been part of the human story since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden and sin entered the world. But, why? Our all-powerful God could prevent every evil and difficulty if He chose. So, why doesn’t He? Why does God allow suffering in the lives of believers?

Everyone has asked these kinds of questions at one time or another. Especially recently, in light of COVID-19. While the Bible doesn’t fully answer all our questions, it does give us some solid answers.

3 Foundational Truths about Suffering in the World

God is still and always in control (Psalm 77:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Ephesians 1:18-21) – Our God is all-powerful. No thing, no one, and no circumstance is stronger than Him or beyond His ability to stop. Even COVID-19 and all its effects. Nothing happens in this world or your life that God does not allow.
God is NOT surprised by trouble and evil in the world (John 16:33, 1 Peter 1:6) – We live in a broken world. God’s creation was perfect until humanity chose their own way over God’s. Sin has affected everything. Things like natural disaster, disease, evil, death, violence, persecution, and war are the consequences. Jesus told His followers they would experience trouble in this world. He warned them – and us – to expect it. But, praise God, we can also count on Jesus to fulfill His promise. He will give us His overcoming peace in the midst of trouble (John 16:33).
Christians will be persecuted by the world (John 15:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:12) – The world hated Jesus because His righteousness exposed its sin. Many in the world will hate Christians for the same reason. Our right standing with God reminds them they are at odds with Him. Some will come to repentance, but many will choose to lash out instead. From ridicule and scorn to hatred and violence, believers will experience persecution until Jesus returns.

Why Does God Allow Suffering? 5 Reasons from Scripture

God works through our difficulties to display His power and faithfulness (John 11:4, 40) – When Jesus’ friend Lazarus became ill, Jesus waited until he died before going to him. Many wondered why Jesus did not come earlier, did not heal Lazarus when he was sick. Jesus simply stated that God would be glorified through Lazarus’ death. Then Jesus resuscitated Lazarus and called him from his grave! We certainly don’t see God act in such a dramatic fashion very often, but He still works through our trials today to bring honor and glory to Himself. In fact, every trial we encounter is an opportunity for God to prove Himself powerful, faithful, and gracious. So, watch for His activity in your trials today!
God uses our pain and trials to bring about His greater purposes (Genesis 50:20, Acts 17:24-27) – Joseph, a prominent figure in the book of Genesis, faced severe trials in his life. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, falsely accused of attempted rape, and unjustly thrown into prison. Yet, God worked in and through these circumstances to eventually place him in a position of power that would enable him to save all of Egypt and his own family from starvation. Although a dramatic example, it illustrates the truth Paul talked about to the philosophers in Athens. God works through people, nations, and history to carry out His eternal purposes. The most significant purpose being that people will seek and find Him (Acts 17:27).
God uses everything He allows into our lives to purify and grow our faith (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:1-5) – Christians are like unrefined metals, full of impurities that hide our beauty and limit our use. God must rid our lives of these impurities so He can fully use us for His purposes and make us more like Jesus. Like metal refiners use crushing and heat to purify gold and silver, God uses the pain, grief, and difficulty He allows into our lives to purify and strengthen our faith. We often feel as though we are going through a blast furnace! But in the midst of this refining, we can rejoice that none of our pain is wasted. God uses it all to shape us into the people He wants us to be.
God uses persecution to point the lost to Jesus (1 Peter 2:11-12) – Only God can sustain and strengthen a believer to stand firm in the face of persecution. When the lost see a Christian suffering for their faith, yet continuing to cling to Christ, it is a brilliant testimony to God’s power and faithfulness. Through the history of the church, God has saved countless souls through the persecution of His people.
God sometimes works through pain to discipline His children (Hebrew 12:7-11, Deuteronomy 8:5, Proverbs 3:11-12) – Just as a loving parent disciplines a child for her protection and growth, God disciplines His children for our good. Sin is so destructive and God wants to protect us from its effects, like a parent wants to protect a child from a hot stove. Not only does sin bring its natural consequences, but God also intervene to bring His children back to obedience. Painful circumstances are not always God’s discipline, but they can be. Prayerfully consider if any trials in your life might be the result of sinful actions or attitudes. If they are, submit to God’s discipline and let Him do His work. Yes, discipline is painful. But it is temporary and the results are worth it. We’ll look more and more like Jesus.

While these truths, don’t answer all our questions, they do help us trust God with what we don’t understand. Oh, and there’s one more very important truth to remember. God sees you. He knows about every aspect of your life. He cares about every detail. Every hurt. Every tear. (See Matthew 6:25-34, Hebrews 4:15, and Philippians 4:19.) Cling to these truths and trust God with the gaps.

Why does God allow suffering? Which of these truths most helped you answer that question today?

You may like these related posts:

Ten Promises of God for His Children
What’s the Good of Romans 8:28?


Six Truths to Remember When Life is Hard
My Changing Perspective on Christian Persecution

 

 

Why Does God Allow Suffering in the Lives of Christians? by Kathy Howard.

The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer

Do you struggle with prayer? Many of us do. Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus’ response, found in both Luke and Matthew, is commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. But some biblical scholars suggest it would be more accurately titled “The Disciples’ Prayer.” This prayer was Jesus’ example for us, His disciples.

A Few General Guidelines

Jesus began His prayer lesson with a few comments that help us know how to use and apply His teaching:

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Matthew 6:5-8, ESV

Pray with humility and sincerity(Matthew 6:5) – Sometimes when we pray, our sinful flesh gets in the way. Sometimes, we hope others will hear and think how spiritually mature we are. But, the purpose of prayer is to communicate with our all-powerful, holy Creator. Dwell on that a moment… This fact alone should humble us before His throne.
Pray alone with God(Matthew 6:6) – Prayer is a very personal, intimate exchange between a believer and God. That doesn’t mean we should not pray with others. The New Testament also sets the example for prayer together with other believers. However, each of us should have a healthy habit of being alone with God in prayer. Without any distractions. So, we can go anywhere and everywhere in prayer that the Spirit leads us.
Pray purposefully and specifically(Matthew 6:7) – Reciting memorized prayers or even repeated phrases is not necessarily sinful, it’s just inadequate. Even though there are instances where reciting a prayer like the Lord’s Prayer is appropriate, biblical scholars don’t believe that was Jesus’ intention when He gave us this example. This example was merely a framework for the way we should pray, for the kinds of things we should pray about.
Pray to connect with God(Matthew 6:8) – Jesus said the “Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Why then should we pray? Prayer certainly isn’t to inform God about our needs. Or even what’s on our minds. He knows all that. Prayer is the holy privilege of connecting with the God of the universe. To hear from Him. To open our heart so He can shape it to match His.

The 5 P’s of the Disciples’ Prayer (aka, the Lord’s Prayer)

You won’t find these five words that all start with “P” in the Lord’s prayer. But each “P” word does represent a particular type or kind of prayer found in Jesus’ example. The “Ps” is simply an easy to remember the scope our prayers should cover overall.

9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13, ESV

Praise (vs 9) – Jesus starts His prayer example by giving the Father honor and glory. Although God deserves all our worship, we sometimes forget and jump right into asking Him to do things for us.
Purposes (vs 10) – Jesus prayed that the Father’s perfect will – already accomplished in heaven – would be fully realized on earth. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and ask God to carry out His will in our heart and lives, in our families, churches, and communities, and in the world.
Provision (vs 11) – The “bread” Jesus asked for in His prayer example represents our daily needs. God invites us to bring our needs to Him, so let’s ask boldly! (For more about asking God to meet your needs, see “Prayer: More Than a Way to Get Stuff from God” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.)
Penitence (vs 12) – Yes, I had to search a thesaurus for a “P” word that means “repent!” Jesus did not need to ask the Father for forgiveness, but He included repentance in His example for us. We are the ones that continuously need to bring our sin, disobedience, and bad attitudes to God and ask for a heart change.
Protection (vs 13) – Jesus specifically modeled the need for us to ask the Father for spiritual protection. He knew we would be surrounded by temptation. So, let’s ask God for help!

We may not cover these 5 areas every time we pray. For instance, there will be days when a situation overwhelms us and we concentrate on our needs. But keeping these 5 “Ps” in mind can help foster an overall, well-rounded prayer life.

There are other tools to help us in prayer. What do you use?

Other posts you might like:

5 “Probing” Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture
Quiet Time Tips
COVID-19 Prayer Guide

 

 

The 5 Ps of the Lord’s Prayer by Kathy Howard.

6 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life

About now, you may be wondering how much more you can take. Times have been tough and they may continue to be challenging for a while. But I do have some good news. God doesn’t waste anything He allows into your life – particularly trials and difficulties.

God knows every loss and heartache in your life, every detail. He sees every need and cares deeply about each one. However, as much as He cares about your physical needs, He cares even more about your spiritual needs. His primary purpose for His children is that we become more and more like Jesus. (See Romans 8:29.) The spiritual and eternal take priority over the physical and temporary. But how does God do the work?

Trials “Work” Our Faith

Let’s consider a physical analogy. If we want to strengthen our muscles we must add “stress.” When we lift a heavier load than our muscles have lifted before, a physical process begins to adapt the needed muscles to the new load. Without stress, our muscles are content with their current size and strength. Add stress, and our muscles begin to change to meet the need.

Our spiritual strength and character are similar. The difficulties of life “stress” our faith. Trials give our faith a work out like heavy loads work our muscles. As we faithfully endure, we grow spiritually stronger. Without difficulty, our faith tends to stagnate. Do you want stronger faith? You need stress.

#Trials are a #SpiritualWorkout for a Christian’s #faith
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Trials work our faith. Like using our muscles to carry heavier loads make them stronger, the trials of life give our faith a workout. God will use them to grow and develop our faith so we will be spiritually mature, not lacking anything!

God never wastes a #trial He allows into a #Christian’s life
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Our gracious God never wastes a trial He permits to enter our lives. If we will cooperate, He will use every difficulty, heartache, and hardship for our good and His glory.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4, NIV

 6 Ways God Uses Trials in Our Lives

God uses trials to break our independence and foster our dependence on Him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
God uses trials to purify our faith and develop our moral character (Romans 5:3-5).
God uses trials to test, prove, and strengthen our faith in Him (1 Peter 1:6-7).
God uses trials to prepare us for His purposes (Romans 8:28-29).
God works through trials to prove Himself powerful and reliable (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
God uses trials to prove our faith works (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

God is not finished with you yet. And He is definitely not finished with me. I know more difficulties lie ahead. Honestly, I wish God had chosen to work another way. But I will choose to trust His infinite wisdom and submit to His refining process. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste any trial or difficulty!

In what ways has God used trials in your life to refine your faith and character? To make you more like Jesus!?

Other posts you may like:

God is Good Even in Loss
COVID-19 Prayer Guide
3 Spiritual Benefits of Need

 

6 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life by Kathy Howard.

9 Benefits of Praise

We naturally praise God when times are easy, but what about when times are hard? Do we purposefully praise God in the midst of grief, loss, and struggle? Can we praise Him now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? We know God always deserves our praise, no matter our temporary circumstances. However, we may not realize the great benefits of praise for us.

What is “Praise?”

Praise is humble adoration of our Almighty God. It recognizes God’s exalted position and divine qualities. Praise voices sincere and deep gratitude for who God is and what He has done. As we praise Him, we submit ourselves to the One who is worthy and express devotion for the One whose love is unfailing.

Why should we praise God?

God not only commands us to praise Him, He made us for that very purpose. We were created to worship the Creator. God made us for Himself (Colossians 3:16). He formed us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). Our eternal purpose is to glorify and worship the Creator in relationship with Him. God hard-wired us to praise Him.

The psalmist David declared he would praise the LORD at all times, whether those times were good or bad. He cultivated a constant attitude of praise. David also urged the afflicted, the poor, the needy to join him in praising God. To rejoice in the Lord together.

I will extol the   Lord   at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:1-3

Benefits of Praise

God deserves our #praise, even in #COVID19 But praise is also good for us. 9 Benefits
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David’s call to praise is also for us today. Praise glorifies God, but it’s also good for us. (See Psalm 34:1-8).

Praise refocuses our minds on God and connects our hearts with His.
Praise fosters awareness of God’s presence with us.
Praise push the worries of this life into the background.
Praise reminds us of who God is and what He has done.
Praise recalls God’s past provision, thus strengthening our hope in His future deliverance.
Praise voices our dependence on God, relieving our fears.
Praise helps develop an eternal perspective, paving the way for God’s peace.
Praise opens our hearts to receive God’s joy.
Praise fulfills the purpose for which we were created, bringing fulfillment.

As God’s people, we are obligated to praise Him. But this obligation is not a burden. Instead, praise ushers us into the presence of our Burden Bearer. No one who rejoices in God will ever be disappointed. He hears our praise. He is our Deliverer and our Savior.

When was the last time you purposefully praised God? God longs to bless you through regular times of worship, both individually and with other believers. Like David, will you commit to praise God in both good times and bad?

 

9 Benefits of Praise by Kathy Howard.

God is Good Even in Loss

Yes, God is good in the midst of grief, struggle, and loss. Recently, many of us have asked ourselves if God is still good. Many are sick. Many have lost jobs. Or savings. Or loved ones. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, some may be thinking God is good. Others, not so much.

Where is God in all of this? Has He been good to some but withheld His help from others? We are so quick to say “God is good” when things go the way we want. When our jobs are saved. When our sick loved one is healed. When the crisis is over. But do we still praise Him, do we still believe He is good when the trouble continues?

Our #circumstances do not define the #goodnessofgod
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The Bible teaches us that our circumstances do not dictate or define God’s goodness. God’s character dictates His goodness. God is good all the time. No matter the circumstances. God’s goodness does not depend on a healthy family. A lost job does not mean God has not been good to us. In fact, a lost job could be an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and grace in your life in a dramatic way.

Truths about the Goodness of God

It’s easier to trust in God’s goodness when we have a correct understanding of God and His character. Here are a few truths from Scripture to help us:

God’s will for our lives is always good (Romans 12:2). Sometimes – in fact, often – His will includes trials and difficulty that He uses for our spiritual refinement.
In all things, in all circumstances, our good God is working for our good (Romans 8:28). The Bible also tells us that God’s good plan for us is that we become more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). And God’s most effective tool for our spiritual refinement is trials (James 2:3-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7).
No matter the difficulty of the circumstances God allows into our lives, He provides the grace and strength we need to endure so our lives may be a testimony to His power and faithfulness (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
The assurance of God’s goodness enables us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to declare in easy times and hard times, “God is good!”

God is Good Even if Our Circumstances Aren’t

#GodisGood even if our #circumstances aren’t
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Whether our physical circumstances are easy or difficult, how should these truths impact our daily lives? Here are a few suggestions:

Remember that God is good all the time. Not just when things are going the way we think they should.
Thank Him for His goodness and provision in every life situation.
Be sensitive to those around you who are facing difficult and painful circumstances. Don’t flaunt your “better” circumstances.
Declare His goodness in every circumstance, particularly in the hard times. Watch for His provision.
Lean on His strength and grace in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. His power working in you will testify of His greatness to others.
Remember that He can work in your pain and loss to bring glory to Himself.

God is indeed good all the time. He sees your every need and He cares. Lean on Him in every circumstance – good or bad. If you are able, be God’s tool to help someone else.

If your circumstances are “bad” right now, how have you seen God working in the midst of them?

You may also be interested in:

For a visual to help you remember God’s truth, see “5 Truths to Stand on for Unshakeable Faith.”
COVID-19 Prayer Guide

God is Good Even in Loss by Kathy Howard.

The Happy Soul is Dependent on God’s Provision

Thank you to my friend Katie Orr for sharing this extremely timely message of true happiness with us today! It’s an excerpt from her brand new book, “Secrets of the Happy Soul.” 

We often think of the book of Psalms as a happy book filled with praise and worship. Yet over a third of the Psalms are filled with lament. Again, and again, the psalmists question, complain, then cry out. However, alongside the wails, there is worship—a declaration of God’s good and steadfast character. They exhibit a deep trust in His faithful love and unchanging righteousness. The sad and sullen psalmists stood steady with an unwavering trust in the truth of who God is.

For instance, we see this in Psalm 42 and 43.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

The Happy Soul Finds Joy No Matter Her Circumstances

The psalmist told his soul what to do and feel. If we are to experience joy no matter our circumstances, the same is true for us today:

The Happy Soul wrestles with her hard reality, then instructs her heart what to do while she waits for God’s rescue.
The Happy Soul presents her doubts and questions to God, then sermonizes her soul toward the truth of His character.
The Happy Soul laments all she’s lost, but she also prompts her spirit toward the ever-present hope she has through Christ.

This life is hard. It’s okay to waver. To question. To grieve. To be conflicted. However, as we do, we must cling to truth. But if we are going to cling to truth through our troubles, we need a solid foundation of who God is. We cannot tell ourselves what is true of God if we aren’t sure of Him to begin with.

God sees. God cares. God heals. God controls. God comforts. God loves. God is good. Do you believe it? Do you know it deep-down in your soul? Do you know where in Scripture it tells you these things? It will be these truths—and the conviction of their validity—that will allow you to walk with hope in God amidst the everyday hardships and the unthinkable tragedies. Instead of being driven by our ever-changing emotions, let’s embed our anchor firmly in the bedrock of God’s unchanging character and steadfast love.

The Happy Soul Depends on God’s Character

The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7–8

This beautiful passage echoes the truths in Psalm 1 and provides us with a few extra details. The Happy Soul does not fear the fires around the corner. The Happy Soul does not worry during her desperate times of drought. Why? Because she is planted by the streams of God and has solidly situated herself in the banks of His character. She will be evergreen and resiliently fruitful—no matter what comes her way. The stream is her source of support. The enduring fruit of God’s people stems from the sustaining power of God.

The Happy Soul Depends on God’s Provision

Through all the ups and downs, through all the pain and problems, I can be a Happy Soul—not because I am strong and steady but because my God is. You can be a Happy Soul too! We don’t have to fear the future. We can kick anxiety good-bye. We can thrive regardless of our circumstances. We can never cease to bear fruit. This is the reality of the Happy Soul who trusts in the Lord. She knows that He is a good and powerful, personal and great God who will provide for her every step of whatever comes her way. The Happy Soul is dependent on God’s provision.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2–4

Katie Orr is a solid Bible teacher, author, and engaging speaker who is committed to sharing God’s truth and discipling others. Find out more about “Secrets of the Happy Soul” or order your copy now!

The Happy Soul is Dependent on God’s Provision by Kathy Howard.