Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)   What a privilege is ours, the privilege of prayer!

Just think, we have the incredible privilege of approaching the God of the Universe, the “Most High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy!” (Isa. 57:15)  We can only do this because Jesus Christ has opened the way.

We pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving.  We pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud.  We pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and weak.  We pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient.

Pray, believing in the promise of God’s Word that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)  The Lord gave us this invitation in the book of Jeremiah: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."  (Jeremiah 33:3)  Prayer is a privilege given to the child of God. So pray with fervor, pray with energy, pray continually. Don't ever give up praying, because you never know what God will do for you!

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” Isa 54:17

You may face a situation when someone is talking badly about you, even slandering your name. The first inclination is to defend yourself and retaliate, however Isaiah tells us no one can injure us with words and accusations. Be firm in your beliefs and stand up for your righteousness. Words can be weapons - they can hurt deeply, but God will protect you and there is nothing they can say that will damage your relationship with Him. HE is the only one who knows the hearts men, God and God alone. HE has a special place prepared for His Christian servants and no person and no weapon can destroy it.

People have mocked, ridiculed, and harassed Christians for thousands of years and they will continue to do so. Have no fear, God will punish the wicked according to his will. You don’t have to take matters into your own hands and seek vengeance. Simply pray that the attacks, lies, and harassment stop because in the end God will take care of evildoers.

“So also, the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire.” James 3:5 “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8 The tongue is a tool that has two extremes, to build up or tear down. Let us choose our words carefully.

The first song I remember my mother and grandmother singing to me was, “Jesus Loves Me.” As a three-year-old I sat on my grandmother’s lap and asked her to sing it over and over again. We all still sing  or hum this song to our children today whenever they need it. Why? We were made to worship.

To worship God is to walk into a familiar, welcoming place. To worship God is to know we are truly home, acting on a desire deep in our souls. Long before we rationally understand the truth of Christ, we want to praise someone or something for bringing love, joy, and hope into the world.

We are made to be worshipers - worshipers of God from the heart - thinking and working worshipers. Teach us to worship, Lord. Not just to be

emotionally ecstatic, but true-hearted worship of You, my spirit with Your Spirit.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24) 

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (Psa 95:6-7)

Your righteousness reaches heaven, God, You who have done great things; God, who is like you? (Psalms. 71:19)

An awesome promise is made over and over again in the Bible: Whatever “it” is, God can handle it.

Our life isn’t always easy. Sometimes it is far from it! Life can be very, very difficult. But even then, during the darkest moments, we’re protected by a loving Heavenly Father. When we worry, God can reassure us. When we’re sad, God can comfort us. When our hearts are broken, God is not just near, He is already there. So we must lift our thoughts and prayers to him. When we do, He will answer our prayers. Why? Because He is our shepherd, and He has promised to protect us now and forever.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John10:11)

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my own know me. (John 10:14)

Lord, you are our Shepherd. You care for us. You comfort us. You watch over us. We will praise you Father for your glorious works, for your protection, for your love, and most of all for the gift of your only son.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentation 3: 22-23)

We are experiencing difficult days for our nation and for our families. But, thankfully, God is bigger than all of our challenges. God loves us and protects us. In times of trouble, He comforts us. In times of sorrow, He dries our tears. When we are troubled, weak, or sorrowful, God is as near as our next breath.

If you are concerned for the well-being of your family, you are not alone. We live in a world where temptation and danger seem to lurk around every corner. We - parents, grandparents, and children alike - have a good reason to be watchful. However, despite the evils of our time, God remains steadfast. Even in these difficult days, no problem is too big for God.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121: 1-2)