A Christmas Gift of Prayer: Would You Trust God to Help?

Giving the gift of prayer at Christmas is a powerful way to communicate with your family and friends. It takes a minute to get use to the idea, as well as trusting that God will use this gift of prayer as a means of bringing people together.

Giving the gift of prayer may or may not be a replacement for other gifts. The gift of prayer includes talking with God so your heart and mind are in harmony with the Holy Spirit.

Remember you are a light pointing the recipient of your prayer to Jesus. Giving the gift of prayer will be encouraging as Jesus, the light of the world, shines in darkness. Merry Christmas and God bless you!

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An angel of the Lord appeared to [shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone over them…the angel said to them, …“I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord!”

~ Luke 2:9-11 Good News Bible

Jesus…said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”

~John 8:12 God’s Word Translation

Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.

~1 Timothy 2:1 The Living Bible 

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From Sunday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs are being posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

How Does Anxiety Weigh a Person Down?

Procrastination can become a habit comparable to an addiction when it takes control of a person’s life. A wheelchair-bound movie director, dependent on an oxygen tank for breathing, continued smoking against his doctor’s advice. He promised his family to quit smoking but would not keep his promise.

Procrastinating gives rise to others losing confidence in you to keep your word to do what is right. David in Psalm 39:2 said, “My suffering grew worse and I was overcome with anxiety.” David’s delay caused his burden to grow heavier.

Proverbs 12:25 affirms, “Anxiety inside in a man’s heart weighs him down.” But is there a better way? The answer is, yes! 

Ask God for courage to act immediately, and step up to the plate to do what is right. Believe you’re worthy of God’s help, and he will empower you to overcome procrastination. Trust in God to keep his promises.    

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When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you, [O Lord]. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting in [you, my God], what can mere man do to me?

~Psalm 56:3-4 The Living Bible

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You are invited to listen as I will be the guest on "Vital Issues in the Christian Home" tomorrow morning (Thursday, November 14) from 10:30-11:30 Central Time on KHCB radio at 105.7 FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, AR, and FL, please go to www.khcb.org.

Happiness Vs. Unhappiness

Unhappiness should be considered temporary rather than constant. There are situations when unhappiness is appropriate. Grief caused by the passing of a loved one, a divorce, or an extended illness creates periods of sadness. The degree of unhappiness should subside with the passing of time and healing.

When sadness or grief lingers indefinitely, an emotional or physical abnormality is preventing healing from taking place. Believing unhappiness is one's lot in life should be discarded and replaced by trusting God for the initiative to search for happiness produced by healthy relationships and meaningful life experiences.

Happiness is acquired by trusting that God designed you for a purposeful life. Listen to this challenge from Jesus in Matthew 5:3: "Happy are those who know they need God, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them." They are dependent on God to be the source for happiness and joy. You can trust Jesus to be your guide for every event life presents.  

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I would have died unless the Lord had helped me. I screamed, “I’m slipping, Lord!” and he was kind and saved me. Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.

~Psalm 94:17-19 The Living Bible

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Covering Up Temptation's Power and Privilege

Temptation is not a pleasant topic to discuss because of the difficulty of admitting our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Consequently, what gives temptation power and privilege is the tendency to cover up its intrusion and impact. It’s also easier to blame others for failing to fight off temptation’s allurement.

The more secretive we are about submitting to temptation’s advances, the harder it is to escape and recover from these attacks. We tend to forget that nothing can be hidden from Christ Jesus, who knows our struggles. He’s also aware of our weaknesses and promises to help us with strength to confront any allurement.

We open the door to temptation’s snare by being discontented with our job, relationships, or possessions. If you could list the desires of your heart at this moment, what would be included? Let me encourage you to place the Lord Jesus Christ first and then seek him with all your heart. He will satisfy your longing. Do that now.             

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But remember this – the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it.

~1 Corinthians 10:13 The Living Bible

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Listen to the Voice of Your Soul

 What about your soul? It’s been proposed that “the well-being of the soul can only be obtained after the body is secured.” This infers that the soul cannot be at peace when the body and mind are in a constant hurry or burdened down by guilt and unresolved conflict.

Our conscience is the voice of the soul so when your conscience tells you to take action that pleases God, you give it strength and authority as you follow through. The Psalmist asked in Psalm 42:11, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?" These words indicate the soul can be out-of-step with our momentary experiences.

God requires that we love him with all our heart, soul, strength, and intellect. Commit to doing this right now. That commitment may seem impossible at this particular time in your life, but God will give you determination and the will to move in that direction by trusting in his help and guidance. His desire is for your soul to be vibrant, healthy, and thriving.    

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Only carefully obey the command and instruction that Moses the Lord’s servant gave you: to love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, keep his commands, remain faithful to him, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

~Joshua 22:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

~Psalm 19:7 New Living Translation

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How Difficulties and Hardships Build Faith and Trust

We're often astonished by surprises that seem to be a part of every new adventure. College freshmen are often amazed at how different a university setting is compared to high school. By the end of the first semester some students will not be invited back due to failing grades and failure to attend class.

The Israelites were astonished by the problems they encountered after leaving Egypt for the Promised Land. Following each setback, they became more disillusioned with God’s promise for a bright future. They longed for Egypt, where their basic needs always had been met. Complaining and blaming did not build a pathway to faith and confidence.

God permits each believer to experience difficulties and hardships as a means for building faith and trust in him to provide needed help. Present your problems to the Lord, and do so with thanksgiving and praise for what he has done and will continue to do. Expect that he will follow through with good and appropriate solutions.

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Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?...No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!

~Romans 8:35,37 Good News Bible

 

With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises…Trust the Lord! He is always merciful, and he has the power to save you.  

~Psalm 130:5,7 Contemporary English Version

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