What we think about, we often think is a secret. The truth is that there is One who knows everything that passes through our minds, regardless if we speak a word. That shocking truth can be scary to those who think and plan evil, but to many others, who know the One who knows all — we are greatly comforted. WHY? Because there is ZERO condemnation to those who know Jesus as Lord. God tells us He will overcome the world that tries to control your thinking. Just imagine being interviewed by the greatest Employer of all. You walk in with your resume and He says “I understand you want to make a difference, to have a purpose. By reading your mind I know that you desire to build something, a legacy, something significant that will last. Can you start today?” By witnessing miracles, by listening to the amazing testimonies of others who have the same Employer, our FAITH is built to last.

Our prayer time, is anytime we are responding by FAITH unto God. Walking, working, sitting, driving, writing or anytime we thank God for the sunrise, a parking spot, a meal, the weather, our health, the trial, the victory — we are actively praying. Our Father knows what we are thinking before we speak a word, and He is pleased. Considering all the promises of God for His people would take a lifetime — of thoughtful prayer to ponder all His patience, kindness and goodness. Prayer time does not need to be at a designated place, at a regimented time, on our knees, eyes closed and head down. How we respond to God, is an ongoing time of gratitude, which is prayer. The window into His holy presence is ever open. He never departs, He is always with us, always loving and encouraging us with surprises to astound and delight us. He promised He would never forsake us and He is faithful to His word. Stop and consider the lightning that strikes to deliver necessary nitrogen to plants, for caterpillars to munch on, for the flower to bud so that the butterfly could thrive. God did all that for a butterfly, what has He done for you? Thank Him.

On a few occasions, I have been stilled by a word, and felt His mighty, overwhelming holy presence. Those peak intimate times are cherished, however, true friends do not need to be asked “are you with me, do you love me?” Our true friends gladly respond to us with joy. We can trust that if we have a need, they are there for us. The relationship is stable and we simply enjoy their company when we see each other. Jesus calls us His friends and as our Friend, we do not need to beg Him to move on our behalf. Jesus has already done all that He came to do on the cross for us and He assures us “I will never leave you.” remember He said “It is finished”. Our Father does not NEED our participation in order to complete His mission on earth, but He invites us to be a part of it. God does not hold anything back, His mercies and favor are fresh every day.  All relationships build during ordinary times spent together. We simply appreciate the beauty, provision, protection and the simplicity of our day to day life experiences together. God renews our minds and hearts and we are daily transformed as we think about all God has done for us. Thanking our best Friend Jesus for all things, we enter into His presence with a joy that is not easily diminished by what the news may report for the day. God is not mad at us, our Father loves us.  His Word says that we are not condemned and we must know with certainty that our Father does not expect perfection. Like our dog Rags runs over to greet us with joyful affection, our Father desires that we enter His presence with Thanksgiving. Where? Anywhere, day or night. As children of God, we should approach Him with joy, not self condemnation. “For NOW, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 — We are to believe that word with great rejoicing! We do not need to appease an angry God with lofty words and long hours crying out. He gave us (past tense) our daily bread, a word to feed our spirit, at any moment, anywhere. All provision has been supplied, thank Him for His plan and His will to use our testimony for His glory. Praise Him in advance of the next miracle!

To maximize our potential for intimacy with God, we must trust His way and all His promises. “You will have trials” is one of the promises of God. John 16:33. We live in a fallen world and our Father did not tell us it would be easy. The world we live in demands our endurance. We are encouraged to run the race to win the prize which is eternal life without suffering. Some consider that God is slow in answering our pleas. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 KJV Speak the truth and speak it plainly. God is not slow, instead our Father is patient toward us. God is never late! If we are tempted to think He is slow, He is merely building our patience. He prepares us to handle whatever comes that we learn to strongly resist the devil as we cling tightly to Him. The promise of 2 Peter 3:9 is definitely FOR YOU, but it is not entirely ABOUT YOU. As we walk boldly through the fiery trials of life, all who witness Christ in you, His hope for glory — all will be transformed and blessed by your faith. His promise is that you will be a part of the transformation of the nations as you come out of the fire not even smelling of smoke! Just like those in Daniel’s time, God does not want that any should perish….to finish the promise, our Father’s clearly stated that by our testimony, that ALL might come to repentance —-for the FAITH they witness in you. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in My presence only, but now much more in My absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you —both to will and to do —for His good pleasure.” For it is God who works in us, He is doing all the transforming. “I go to the church where God is doing the doing.” Pastor Jack has a word to encourage you.

Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV — Did you know that DL Moody prayed only 45 minutes a day! He did not tell God of his detailed needs. Moody communed with God like a happy Owner is greeted by a loving dog, just happy to see the One who feeds it.  Moody was confident that his Father loved him, that his past, present and future misbehaviors were forgiven. He believed that all his sins were covered 2,000 years ago. In other words Moody knew that his heavenly Father was full of mercy, grace and goodness.  Whenever the Holy Spirit nudged him about any whining, Moody simply confessed, but he did not beat himself up over it. The time Moody spent with his Abba  Father was in admiration of what He has done, promised to provide and the plans God Almighty had for him on that very day.  “Here I am Lord, fully equipped and ready to be of service”.  Moody trusted that the Spirit of God was on him, in him, guiding his footsteps, and giving him power from on high in every encounter, every day. Moody knew that God is faithful and his ministry flourished because his faith was steadfast in Jesus, not in popular opinion! Like Abraham, Moody praised God for things that God promised, without any hard evidence needed.  God said so, and so it is. Trust Christ and do not grieve God with constant groveling in prayer, just live according to the Spirit and declare your DEPENDENCE on GOD.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your minds that you may be able to prove what is good, acceptable & perfect will of God” Romans 12:2 He who does the transforming and the renewing of your mind is in you. Like Pastor Jack said “Just surrender and let Him do what only He can do for you. Our part is to surrender.