“God is watching over you. I know because I asked Him to.” Unknown

There are many ways to pray for the people in our lives. We may give thanks for them. We may ask God for favors on their behalf. We may ask for wisdom in how we can best serve them. This last one is part of what it means to pray in the Spirit. God will partner with us in serving others. He can lead us to the right attitude and words that we need in approaching Him on behalf the people in our life. We may wonder why He involves us at all until we remember that sharing goodness is His favorite pastime.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Eph.6.18 Conversations Within” ts 11/23/2017

"No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me." Charles Spurgeon

I covet the prayers of others. I know well the grace that comes to people when we pray for them. I want it. I want to share it by praying for the people in my life. The simplest, yet most effective way we can love others is to include them in our prayers. What a privilege it is to pray for people, and to serve them with our intercessions.

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” 1Thess.5.25 Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2017

“If you spend time praying for people instead of talking about them, you get better results.” Unknown

If I am tempted to talk about someone, it would be better to gossip to God instead of others. I find that when I talk to God about others He turns my prayers about them into prayers for  them.  My prayers for grace and mercy for them are often changed into prayers for us. Father has a way of reminding us that the faults we so easily see in others are often disguised in our own thoughts and actions. This is why Jesus told us to pray for us and our, instead of them and theirs.

“Forgive us our debts.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2017

“No matter how much you have hurt me, I still pray for you every night.” Unknown

How like Jesus to encourage us to pray, not just for our friends, but even for those who have wronged us. His encouragement tells us the best way to make something good out of something bad. He is after all, goodness incarnate. He wants us to share in spreading it, and to do so where it is needed most. Surely hurtful people often need healing most. Shower them with prayerful seeds of goodness; perhaps something good will spring up in them.  

“Pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/20/2017

“Nothing proves that you love someone more than mentioning them in your prayers.” Unknown

We should not limit our prayers to saying grace when we eat, or simply asking God for for help in a crisis. We are encouraged also to pray for the people in our lives and purposefully seek blessing for them. God will often use our prayers to water other people’s gardens and rain grace on them. What better way to love someone than to seek favors for them from the One who is in a position to bless them in countless ways.

“As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” 1Sam.12.23 Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2017

I don’t want the giving of thanks to be an afterthought; I want it to be my every thought. I want gratitude to be as natural as breathing.

It is one thing to say thank you, and another to live as a grateful person. Gratitude isn’t an occasional, or seasonal activity, it is the ambiance of the person who finds life before God to be the greatest treasure. I want to radiate gratitude, and to be the aroma of it, to be God’s delight and share the deliciousness of each moment together with Him and with those in my life.

“The cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” Prov.15.15 Conversations Within” ts 11/16/2017

“The secret to having it all is knowing you already do.” Unknown

This moment I cannot think of a single thing that I need. When I look back on my life, I realize that this has been the case every other moment every other day. If I lacked something it was probably this knowledge and probably worrying about some future something instead of being where I was. I am amply supplied. I have air in my lungs, and every other basic necessity. As I express gratitude I am coming to realize that knowing you are blessed is itself the greatest blessing.

“I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Ps.63.5 Conversations Within” ts 11/15/2017

“Not what we say about about our blessing, but how we use them is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” W.T. Purkiser

There are so many ways to say thank you. We may return a favor or pass a favor forward to someone else. I am pretty sure Father likes that one a lot. Surely one of the ways we can give thanks for the blessings He has sent our way is by blessing others with them. Give thanks to God by giving others a reason to give thanks for you.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Prov.11.25 Conversations Within” ts 11/14/2017

“There is always something to be thankful for.” Unknown

All the petty stuff we complain about hardly adds up to all the good that surrounds us each day. It is so very true that there is always something to be grateful for, always! Are my eyes tuned to spot all the blessings that surround me? Is my heart inclined to be grateful or to grumble? It is in those moments that challenge us to be grateful where we can train ourselves to see the good, appreciate it and give thanks for it.  

“In everything give thanks.” 1Thess.5 Conversations Within” ts 11/13/2017

“O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.” Henry David Thoreau

What are blessings if we do not take the time to enjoy them. Consider all the unused gazebos or porch swings, places set-aside for enjoyment, but hardly ever used. This day too is a blessing, but will I enjoy it? Will I enjoy those around me? I believe we were created to enjoy and be enjoyed--to love and be loved. Lay hold of the absolute joy of being alive and discover the wealth of each moment and each person.

“Always be clothed in your celebration clothes.” Ecc.9.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2017

Joyfully living our life is one way we show God how grateful we are for giving it to us.

One aspect of a full life is simply the sum of living each day to the fullest. We should not confuse the number of activities we can cram into a day with the quality of our interactions with each activity. May the quality of our interactions this day be as though we have lived a thousand years in it. Give thought to all the ways you can enrich every activity, not just the special, but make special even the mundane. Caress life as you would a soft puppy.

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 1Pet.3.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2017

Stoke your stoke.

I find that my resolve at the beginning of the day is not nearly as resolved at the end of the day. I may decide in the morning to walk that evening, or only eat during meals not in between them.  But by the end of the day what I set out to do has often lost its umph and I give in and do the exact opposite. Perhaps it is wise to build into the rhythm of each day a pep rally to pump our umph back up. One young man kept his daily stoke by setting aside a time to pray three times a day. Having a prayer rally is one way to have the cheer of God attend your pep rally.  

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food...” Dan.1.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2017

“One’s greatest challenge is to control oneself.” Kazi Shams

Am I a slave of my desires or master over them? Can I say no to myself when it is in my best interest to do so? We become what we do and do and do. If I repeatedly give into a desire to talk when I shouldn’t, or eat and drink too much, or have judgmental thoughts about others, I strengthen their hold over me. If I daily practice holding unhealthy desires and thoughts in check, I will be a master not a slave.  

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Prov.25.28 Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2017

“Never do something permanently foolish because you are temporarily upset.” Meme

Surely one of the things we must control is our temper. An uncontrolled temper will always get the best of us. Refuse to make decisions when angry, except for one--decide to cool off. Stop talking, and turn your ears to the inner voice that reminds you of what truly matters. Say no to anger by reminding yourself that it has never given you a single moment of happiness.

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;  do not fret—it leads only to evil.” Ps.37.8 Conversations Within” ts 11/8/2017

“Self-discipline The ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” Elbert Hubbard

The power to say no to yourself is made more powerful every time we do it. Everything gets easier with practice; it’s when we first start out that it’s tough. We must often drag certain desires behind us until they catch up with what we have decided is best for ourselves. We can be encouraged that the benefits of self-discipline always catch up to us.

For the grace of God... teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...” Titus 2 Conversations Within” ts 11/7/2017

The only remedy I know for poor self-control is to keep flushing out what you want until all that remains is what you really want.

My dilemma has always been how to keep what I want most in life at the forefront of my list of desires, to make sure that what I want this moment is what I really want most. I suppose this must be accomplished one decision at a time. Define what you want most, then pursue it with all of your heart until it defines you.

“Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you.” Col.3.16 Conversations Within” ts 11/6/2017

“The man who has no inner-life is a slave to his surroundings.” Henri Frederic Amiel

Sometimes I react, other times I respond. When I do the first I lack self-control; when I do the latter I possess and practice it. We must learn how to master our own heart if we would know peace. According to Jesus, it is truth that will make us a master instead of a slave. We must speak it to our heart, even preach it when necessary. We must internalize it, then purposefully act on it. The master responds; the slave reacts.  

“The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2017

“If you are looking for someone dependable, caring, truthful, loving, reliable, loyal, God is available.” Meme

In an ever changing world, it is good to know that some things never change. There is nothing fickle about God. He is a precious constant. Our circumstances may change, but God’s love for us will not. He is as constant as the rising sun, and the ocean waves that lap the shoreline. He will not cease to give His tender mercies or fail to keep His promises to those who trust Him.  

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2017

“Improvise! Adapt! Overcome!” Clint Eastwood (Heartbreak Ridge)

Hardship often accompanies positive change. Do not yield to the negative temptations of complaining, or giving up. Figure it out.  Use your energy to improvise and improve the situation whatever it is. As always, we can improve the situation by first improving our attitude. Don't cry about breaking your right arm, laugh as you learn how to use your left.

“Do all things without grumbling…Give thanks in every circumstance…” Phil.2 1Thess.5  Conversations Within” ts 11/3/2017

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Meme

I want and need to be comfortable with change. The sooner we can adapt to any positive changes in the transformation of our character, the sooner we can peacefully cooperate with them. Go with the flow where positive change is concerned. Join the dance, and rejoice at every opportunity to grow.

“Keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal.5 Conversations Within” ts 11/2/2017

”Every end is a new beginning!” Meme

I find it interesting that in the Scriptures every new day is said to begin, not in the morning, but in the evening. The end of the day is the beginning of a new day. Just when we think something is over another something has only begun. Every ending is a new beginning to those who have the living hope of a fruitful and even eternal life.  

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2017

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

There are very few things in life that cannot be improved by a simple attitude adjustment. So powerful is this sweet grace it may just be the single most important thing we can do at the beginning of every new venture. Look at everything from the standpoint of eternity, and train yourself to see with the eyes of Heaven.

“Have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil.2 Conversations Within” ts 10/31/2017

“Do not be afraid of change, it is leading you to a new beginning.” Meme

Growth requires change. This pretty much means that we should learn to embrace it if we want to grow. Of course there is good change and bad change, and it is the good kind we want. God always leads us to the good kind. This is something to be grateful for, and gratitude usually puts us in the proper frame of mind for accepting His guidance, even learning something new.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Is.43.19 Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2017

If something is good keep repeating it.

Some things bear repeating. Jesus repeated Himself. I suppose He did so for emphasis so that we would not miss His message. Let me repeat what He emphasised to emphasize it to my heart. He wants us to live joyful and fruitful lives. We cannot do this without Him. He promises to answer our prayers and give us whatever we need to answer His call. His call is for us to love one another. Ask away!

“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit...so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2017

Life in every breath; every breath a prayer.

Every interaction of prayer involves both asking and receiving. Even when we show gratitude we must first take from God the very breath we give back in thanks. Before our lives can offer anything of value to God, or to others, we must first receive power and grace from Him. Here is the single most important skill we must learn in life. Discover what God requires of us each moment, then ask His help doing it.

“ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/26/2017

”God is like oxygen. You can’t see Him but you can’t live without Him.” Meme

I will do nothing this day without the benefit of air, and I will do nothing this day without God. Both are invisible to my eyes, yet integral to my life. Neither are obtrusive, yet always with us.  Without them nothing can be done. Even though we are not required to keep them at the forefront of our thoughts to benefit from them, the one thing we must do, is breathe.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/25/2017