Could Practice Make Perfect?

The practice of praise is to be continual, but it will only become that as we discipline ourselves to practice the praise of God.

In The Hallelujah Factor Jack Taylor tells of a converted atheist who related how he and his atheist friends would gather in their meetings and take turns publicly blaspheming God. They were so adeptly trained that they could stand for hours and hurl insults and ridicule toward God without ever repeating themselves.

How can we train ourselves to praise God? Perhaps David was so skilled at worship because he did it often. He wrote, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments" (Ps. 119:164).

To begin practicing the praise of God, let's declare with the psalmist: "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise" (57:7).

Dear Jesus, I need Your strength to continually praise You.

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15).

 Memory Verse for May 

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).

Prayer Request   Pray for a continued summoning by the Holy Spirit so that every woman who should be at the conference will learn about it and be drawn to attend.

The Perfect Husband for Ann

From a secular worldview Ann's marriage is miserable. Her husband is not affectionate, never calls just to say "hi," and is often critical and sarcastic. Nor does he live a Christian lifestyle. At times, Ann has wondered if he cares about her at all. She has even thought about divorce.

But Ann says that coming from a Christian worldview, she has the perfect marriage. Twenty-eight years ago, Ann married Ron. She was blind to her own faults and thought she deserved a perfect husband--someone who would always be there for her and wipe away every tear. Little did she know then that the only one who can fulfill all her needs is God.

During the first years of their marriage, their home turned into a battlefield. She was filled with anger and remorse. She blamed herself for not making better choices and blamed God for allowing her to make those choices. Then she blamed her husband for everything else.

But somewhere along her journey she began, in desperation, to call out to God. By the power of the Holy Spirit and by her own choice to follow God's lead, she stopped fighting so much. Gradually she began to awaken to the purpose God has for her life--to love and serve God. It felt good to agree with Psalm 16:5: "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."

Now she says that Ron no longer wears the countenance of someone created solely to bulldoze her joy. Today Ann thanks God for her husband. Mostly, though, she is thankful for the changes she sees in herself.  She now answers a harsh question or comment with a soft reply. She now tolerates things that in years past would have sent her into a rage, and she can now love unconditionally a man she knows God has placed in her life simply because He loves her. She is no longer in "wait" mode--waiting for God to change her husband so she can live happily ever after.

Thank You, Jesus, for knowing the best ways to teach us patience, self-sacrifice and unconditional love.

"The LORD will indeed give what is good" (Psalm 83:12).

 Memory Verse for May  

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7). 

Prayer Request   Pray for a continued summoning by the Holy Spirit so that every woman who should be at the conference will learn about it and be drawn to attend.

A Mother's Promise

Gwen's son was contemplating a decision that was outside God's will. When he told his parents they were heart broken. They knew God would never bless such a decision, nor would it bring any true happiness. As always, the only thing for Gwen to do was to go to her Heavenly Father. As she talked to Him about their need, she noted a promise from Isaiah and claimed it for her son: "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and streams in the desert." This fit the situation perfectly. She prayed that God would make a way in the wilderness of his life. She knew He would do so; He had promised! Gwen clung to this promise and continued to pray for him, often reminding God of His Word. Then one day her son said it was no use. He was going to make the wrong decision. Their hearts sank. He left after his parents shared God's Word with him. Gwen did not give up even then because God had promised. However, she did not know God's timing. She and her husband decided to meet with other members of the family for comfort and strength. When they arrived, they rang the doorbell and who should answer the door but their son! With outstretched arms, he said, "It's all over, Mom. It's okay." What a day of rejoicing that was! His Dad offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His love and faithfulness. They celebrated with pie and ice cream. Thank You, Lord, for mothers whose prayers change the lives of their children. "The Lord is good to those that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him" (Lamentations 3:25 KJV).  Memory Verse for May    "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).  Prayer Request   Please pray for Beth Coppedge, our keynote speaker for Come to the Fire.

Surprises Await Us

I read of an old man who years earlier had met a young student from India. Even though he had not heard from the student since, for 50 years he had prayed that he would come to know God and serve Him.

When a friend told the man that the Indian was now one of India's best known Christian leaders, that he had founded hundreds of churches, and that whenever he traveled, believers gathered at train stations to speak and pray with him, the old man sat there literally open-mouthed.

I wonder if some day in heaven, we, too, will be open-mouthed when we learn how carefully God answered our prayers? One day I was rather routinely praying down my prayer list and remembered that my husband had asked me to find a certain paper. That could be an all day job!

"Dear Lord, please help me find it," I prayed and continued praying down my list.

Soon a certain file came to mind, one that I normally would not have thought of checking. I looked and the paper was there. Then it was as though God said, "I heard and am answering all the other prayers you prayed, too."

Thank You, Lord, that when I continue to pray, even though I see no evidence of an answer, you recognize the perseverance as faith.

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45).

 Memory Verse for May  

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7). 

Prayer Request  
Please pray for Beth Coppedge, our keynote speaker for Come to the Fire. 

Restore the Joy

After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, Nathan the prophet came to him and said, "Why did you despise the Word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes."

David humbly confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13), and then he wrote Psalm 51: "I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me...wash me."

Some who have sinned can never forgive themselves and could say continually with David, "My sin is ever before me."

But David prayed to get beyond the continual self-flagellation. He added, "Let me hear joy and gladness...Restore to me the joy of your salvation."

Later he felt so totally forgiven that he could write, "I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God...I have been blameless before him" (2 Samuel 22:22).
David had accepted God's forgiveness and this pleased God for He delights in those "who hope in His mercy" (Psalm 147:11 NKJV). When God forgives us, He wants to also restore our joy and gladness.

If we have a cloud because of some failure to respond to His will or even some conscious transgression, we should seek forgiveness and then trust in His mercy.  What joyful words Paul wrote: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

I praise You, God, because You freely give us the joy of our salvation after we repent of our failures.

"Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake" (Psalm 79:9).

 Memory Verse for May  

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7). 

Prayer Request  
Please pray for Beth Coppedge, our keynote speaker for Come to the Fire.