food for thought

Have you ever prayed so hard for so long that you started losing hope? questioning whether or not God is even listening anymore?

E.M. Bounds on Prayer....(powerful powerful man of God)...if you've been wanting to improve your prayer life....PLLLLLLLLLEASE go to amazon (or something!) and buy his book. He will convict, encourage, move, and motivate you to get on your knees!!

"If Jacob's desire had been given him in time for him to get a good night's sleep, he might never have become the prince of prayers we know today. if Hannah's prayer for a son had been answered at the time she set for herself, the nation might never have know the mighty man of God it found in Samuel. Hannah wanted only a son, BUT GOD wanted more. He wanted a prophet, a savior, and a ruler for His people. Someone said that "God had to get a woman before He could get a man." This woman He got in Hannah. Precisely by those weeks and months and years there came a woman with a vision like God's, with tempered soul and gentle spirit and a seasoned will, prepared to be the kind of a mother for the kind of a man God knew the nation needed" (W.E. Biederwolf), p. 326.

God Restores

God never said the road would be easy, in fact He predicted that (2 Timothy 3: 12)"everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." A preacher once reminded that we are in the middle of a war, and there is no middle ground. You're either on God's side or you're not. As in all wars, there are casualties. As a result, no one should be shocked that life is hard. Casualties come in all forms, shapes and sizes. It could be the death of a family or a friend, receiving a speeding ticket, losing friendships, experiencing financial problems, depression, struggling with a specific sin. It could also be something as "small" as losing your key, dealing with a cold, etc.

The battle isn't really what you're dealing with, as much as it is how you're handling it. Do you betray your own? Deny God? Give up on life? or do you TRUST and Deal with the situation in faith?

It is no wonder that James 1: 2-4 encourage that we "consider it pure joy, 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."

I am no different than anyone on earth. As I grow older, it is so easy to get upset at God because life "seems to be getting harder and harder". In fact, the past couple years, my relationship with God has had many ups and MANY downnnnsss. (mercy!) There have been and will continue to be tears, heartaches, pains, etc., but deep down inside, I know that I am and will be nothing without God. There is no way I would dare deny Him after what I have seen Him done in my life.

If you feel as if your life is headed down a DEAD END street...if you are struggling to find the meaning or a purpose in your life...if you are finding yourself unable to forgive certain deeds in your life that you have done...if you are dealing with depression, have lost those you thought had your back.......

Always remember, dear friend, that GOD RESTORES. Just take it one day at a time. You have a purpose in life...in His time, with your trust and faith, He will reveal it to you. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

This song has been on repeat since the first time I heard it way back when!!