Sunday, August 31, 2014

Powered by Faith

"'Aeneas,' Peter said to him, 'Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up."
Acts 9:34


Faith is a powerful tool in the Christian toolbox. It separates the liberated from the captive, the found from the lost, the healed from the sick, the hopeful from the despairing, and the living from the dead. Faith is believing God can do the impossible. Faith is acting on what God can do. Aeneas didn't question, didn't hesitate, didn't try to come up with reasons and logic, and he didn't say, "Oh, I'll get up later when I feel like it." No, Aeneas immediately got up. He believed, and he acted on his belief. That's faith. That's taking part in God's power. Doing and not just saying makes all the difference, and the best thing about faith is that the more you use it, the more power you experience!  Let's put that powerful tool to use today.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

More Prayer Boxes...

"Never stop praying."
1 Thessalonians 5:17


Praying is a way we can constantly release the things we hold onto and let God handle them.  But sometimes, I find myself still holding on.  I don't think there is anything wrong with praying the same thing over and over to God; in fact, I am certain He delights in my constant communication.  I do know that I am wrong if I present the same request again and again because I am still holding on to my will and not letting go for His will to be done.  I am not fully trusting God if I am holding on.  





One way that has helped me to let go and let God is a prayer box.  I've posted before about prayer boxes (prayer boxesinspired by boxes), and today I needed the reminder of why I have a prayer box.  I need to physically let go of some of the prayers that I hang onto.  This isn't to say I will stop praying.  No, no, I will "never stop praying" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  This is to say, I will stop weighing myself down with the worries, with the what ifs, with the wonderings.  I will write these down and release them into the hands of God as I place them in my prayer box.  This physical action is so helpful for me to know, "Okay, God's got this.  I don't need to carry it anymore."


I want to encourage you today to never stop praying.  God's got you.  He assures us in 1 Peter 5:7 that we can give all our worries and cares to Him because He cares for us.  Sometimes it helps to write those worries and cares down.  Try that today.  Release the things you may be holding onto; let God handle them.  He loves you.


Here are some more prayer boxes to inspire you: