Scripture:

Psalm 65:2

 "You who answer prayer, to you all people will come."

"He Hears Us"

Recently, I was watching something on YouTube, a short in which Shawn Ryan shared about the many problems he has and has prayed for, and has not received an answer.   But here in Psalm 65:2, we are clear that God answers prayer, so I thought that I would share with you 8 reasons the bible says that prayers don't get an answer.

1. Unconfessed or Cherished Sin (Psalm 66:18): 
2. Choosing to hold onto sin or ignoring it breaks fellowship with God, hindering prayers.
3. Doubt and Lack of Faith (James 1:6-7): Praying with doubt rather than faith makes a person "double-minded" and unlikely to receive from God.
4. Wrong or Selfish Motives (James 4:3): Asking for things solely for selfish pleasure or personal gain, rather than in accordance with God's will.
5. Mistreating Others/Bad Relationships (1 Peter 3:7): Treating people poorly, specifically being insensitive to a spouse or having marital discord, can hinder prayers.
6. Ignoring the Poor/Lack of Generosity (Proverbs 21:13): A lack of compassion and refusal to help those in need can cause God to ignore cries for help.
7. Pride (James 4:6): God is opposed to the proud, and a lack of humility in prayer prevents answers.
8. Disobedience (1 John 3:22): Purposefully disregarding God's word and commands, making prayers an "abomination".
9. Not Actually Praying/Asking (James 4:2): Simply failing to ask God, or not praying with sincerity, but instead trying to use worldly means to achieve goals

Because the application here is obvious, that we should examine our hearts, 

I want to share another story. A young woman was diagnosed with cataracts in one of her eyes. The condition was progressing, and she had to receive injections to alleviate some of the symptoms — her vision in that eye was severely impaired. On this particular day, she was heading to see her doctor, and while sitting in her car, she prayed. In an authentic, unguarded moment, she told the Lord, "In my head, I know You still heal — that You have the power to heal me, that You can do it — but I don't believe it in my heart. I have doubts. Help what's in my head get into my heart." That day, the doctor found no cataracts. Her eye was fully healed.

I just want you to pause with that... let that simmer.

Lord, may the understanding that is in our heads, make it to our hearts, may doubt not exist in our prayers, may we fully trust you, don't allow unconfessed or unrepented sin block our prayers, let us be reconciled in our relationships, let us be generous, let us not be disobedient or rebellious, lets us always ask, and Lord move mountains, the things that are impossible make them possible, you know the mountains we face, Lord let them move, in in your great love and grace and mercy accomplish it, in Jesus' name, Amen!

Scripture:

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God

"Where You Put Your Trust Matters" 

As young men, we are taught to be self-reliant, that the only person we can rely on is ourselves. People let us down, jobs let us down, things let us down, so we project this idea that we can't trust anyone.   But this is simply not true, and I love our portion today because it is a reminder, David again is reminding us that where we put our trust is "important," that we should put our trust in the Lord.   His name is good, His promises are good, there are many things you could put your trust in, but none compares with God.   Notice that David contrasts chariots and horses with the Lord, and he says some trust in them, because they are mighty for battle, horses and chariots, they are game changers, they often determine victory in battle.  But what David is saying in his contrast is that greater victories are always had when we "Trust in the Lord."

Don't look to things to satisfy, or to put your trust, don't rely on things that could be take away, or could let you down in the moment of need, put your trust in the Lord, He will never let you down, He will never fail you, He will never leave you in your need, He will not forsake you, His name is Good.

Lord, thank you for your "Good Name," that we can rely, trust, depend on you, that you are better than 10,000 horses or chariots, that  they cannot compare to you, you never let us down, you never leave us, you never forsake us, your way is better, your strength is stronger, your power is greater, your purposes are fulfilling, we can put our trust in your good name, thank you Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen

Scripture:

Psalm 53:2

God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

"All In"

God is looking over the earth for those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9) for those who are "All In!"  

This verse is a reminder that God is looking for those who want an authentic relationship with Him, one where nothing is held back, one where we pursue Him with all of our hearts.  Notice that He couples that with this phrase, "any who understand," any who understand the power of pursuing Him,  that a relationship with Him is the greatest pursuit you and I could have, understanding that He holds all wisdom, all understanding, all power, that He holds our future, that in His presence there is freedom, joy, peace, provision, power, purpose.   Do you seek Him? Do you know Him? Is He a priority or a second thought? Do you give your best to Him, or your leftovers?

Seek Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. This is willfully, thoughtfully, and with all your strength, make it the highest priority in your life.  This pursuit will change your life.

Lord, let us be the ones you find, find faithful, find pursuing you, let our hearts and our minds be given over to you, that the things of heaven would be drawn down into our lives, that we would be transformed by this pursuit, that we would be a people fully committed, all in, in Jesus' name, Amen!

Scripture:

2 Samuel 9:1

Then David asked, 'Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?'

Observation:

"Grace"

This is a picture of grace; no King would normally spare the lives of the Kingdom that preceded them. Much less, those who had sought to take your life as Saul did, unjustly as it was.   

But here in this portion, David is looking to show "kindness," again, here we have the Hebrew word "Hesed", which means loyal-love, or covenant-faithfulness, this undeserved grace and mercy. 

When I read this story, I think of this: “There is a place for you and me at the King's table!”  Not because we deserve it, simply because Jesus gave His life to make a place for you.  You could not have earned it, nor could you have paid for it, it was the “Hesed” faithful-love of God who in His mercy, made a way so that you and I could sit at His table.

“There is a place for you at His table!”

Application:

The application here is to grant grace and mercy to those who don't deserve it; To be "hesed"- kind.   We should be challenged today not to look like the world, to be different, to be kind when others might not expect it, to be gracious because God is gracious toward you, and to be merciful because God is merciful.

To remember that because of Christ, you have a place at God’s table, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, you have a place at His table, because of His great Love & Mercy.

Prayer:

Lord, help us respond to those around us with grace and mercy and kindness, even when it is not merited, or the world thinks we shouldn't.   Let us stand out in the world and be different, let grace and mercy and kindness be evident in our lives. Thank you, Lord, that you are faithful, you are gracious, you are merciful, you are kind, we praise you in Jesus' name, Amen!

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Scripture:

Psalm 105:24,37

24. He increased His people greatly,
    And made them stronger than their enemies.

37. He also brought them out with silver and gold,
    And there was none feeble among His tribes.

"Thrive"

It is the Lord who causes us to thrive, not our circumstances, not the place we are at, not the people we are with; it is Him.   He is the LORD of increase; in fact, the bible says He makes all things beautiful in their season (Ecc 3:11).   We tend to think I can't thrive here, this is not the place I am meant to be, this is not my land, not my people, and we can even grumble.  But if the LORD is with us, if He is IN IT, this verse reminds us that we will "INCREASE" while the enemy is trying to restrain us, while the enemy is trying to cause decrease, we will flourish where people will think how is that possible, because the LORD is with us.   I love this, get this, "He brought them out with the silver and gold of Egypt," not only did He deliver them, but He plundered the goods of Egypt.   "I am going to go into the enemy's camp and take what he took from me..."  (1 Sam 30). 

No matter where you are, if you are with the LORD, you will thrive.

The application here today is to remember that your heart position is more important than your location.   Because with the LORD, you can thrive anywhere.   Change your focus.    If you are in a season or a circumstance that you don't belong in, remember that the LORD is with you and that He is able to cause you to thrive in it, to increase when the plan is for decrease.  Stand firm, go with God, know that in due time He will take you out and with greater blessings than you came in with. 

Lord, thank you that you can do such mighty works, that your presence brings us freedom even in the land that calls for lack, even in difficult circumstances, you and cause us to flourish, to grow, to be better, and that you can take us out better than when we came in, that your hand is not too short, your wondrous works they deserve praise and today I praise you and thank you Lord for them, in Jesus' name, Amen!