January 5th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
We’ve all been there. Life feels like it’s falling apart, and we don’t know what to do. We panic. We fret. We isolate. What we need to do is go to God in prayer. The fourth part of the A.C.T.S. of prayer is SUPPLICATION. That’s a fancy way to say, “Bring your requests before God.”
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
God isn’t just our “God.” He’s also our Father, and fathers want what is best for their children. There are just some things that we cannot do for ourselves, and we genuinely need supernatural intervention. If my child is sick, I can give him medicine in hopes that he will be well, but God is the Great Physician, and He can heal without it. If someone I know is dealing with addiction, I know the Holy Spirit can step in and do His work, but I still need to ask. If my household is struggling financially, it is my responsibility to bring that before God and ask for His help.
I was once told a story about a man who was in Heaven, and he was being given a tour from St. Peter. He was taken through all of these amazing mansions and shown the most beautiful gardens. He got to see amazing streets of gold and waters so clear that they were like glass. Then he walked past what looked like a warehouse, and he asked Peter, “Can look in there?” Peter told him they could, but it might shock him. The two went into the warehouse, and it was packed from wall to wall and floor to ceiling with boxes full of stuff. The man just stood there confused. “Why are all these boxes here?” Peter just looked at him and said, “Those are blessings that were never asked for.”
Obviously, that isn’t scripture, but it does paint an amazing picture of what God wants for us. He wants to bless us. Unfortunately, we don’t always go to Him when we have need. Sometimes, it’s out of guilt. We think our problems are too small for an Almighty God to deal with. Other times, we just think we can handle everything ourselves, even though our brain knows better. King David, with all his faults, understood this better than most.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Ps 62:5–8
David understood that God is our ONLY rock and salvation and that we are to trust in Him at ALL TIMES. When needs arise, God should be the first one we go to. It isn’t our best friend, our spouse, our parent, or even our minister. We should FIRST take every need to God in prayer. He is the Great Provider, and He wants to provide for us.
And my God will supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Not only should we trust God enough to ask for His help, but we should have the FAITH that He will follow through on His promises. If God is who He says He is, then we should have certainty that God can do what He says He can do. Prayer needs to have faith backing it up, or we’re just saying empty words.
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
One last thing about prayer. It has power. The Bible is very clear on this. God wants us to take hold of prayer and allow Him to do His work through it. When we come to Him in faith, it’s amazing what God can do. Don’t avoid God when things get hard. Don’t go to others for help. Understand there’s power in prayer when we come to God in faith.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:13–16
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
God isn’t just our “God.” He’s also our Father, and fathers want what is best for their children. There are just some things that we cannot do for ourselves, and we genuinely need supernatural intervention. If my child is sick, I can give him medicine in hopes that he will be well, but God is the Great Physician, and He can heal without it. If someone I know is dealing with addiction, I know the Holy Spirit can step in and do His work, but I still need to ask. If my household is struggling financially, it is my responsibility to bring that before God and ask for His help.
I was once told a story about a man who was in Heaven, and he was being given a tour from St. Peter. He was taken through all of these amazing mansions and shown the most beautiful gardens. He got to see amazing streets of gold and waters so clear that they were like glass. Then he walked past what looked like a warehouse, and he asked Peter, “Can look in there?” Peter told him they could, but it might shock him. The two went into the warehouse, and it was packed from wall to wall and floor to ceiling with boxes full of stuff. The man just stood there confused. “Why are all these boxes here?” Peter just looked at him and said, “Those are blessings that were never asked for.”
Obviously, that isn’t scripture, but it does paint an amazing picture of what God wants for us. He wants to bless us. Unfortunately, we don’t always go to Him when we have need. Sometimes, it’s out of guilt. We think our problems are too small for an Almighty God to deal with. Other times, we just think we can handle everything ourselves, even though our brain knows better. King David, with all his faults, understood this better than most.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Ps 62:5–8
David understood that God is our ONLY rock and salvation and that we are to trust in Him at ALL TIMES. When needs arise, God should be the first one we go to. It isn’t our best friend, our spouse, our parent, or even our minister. We should FIRST take every need to God in prayer. He is the Great Provider, and He wants to provide for us.
And my God will supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Not only should we trust God enough to ask for His help, but we should have the FAITH that He will follow through on His promises. If God is who He says He is, then we should have certainty that God can do what He says He can do. Prayer needs to have faith backing it up, or we’re just saying empty words.
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
One last thing about prayer. It has power. The Bible is very clear on this. God wants us to take hold of prayer and allow Him to do His work through it. When we come to Him in faith, it’s amazing what God can do. Don’t avoid God when things get hard. Don’t go to others for help. Understand there’s power in prayer when we come to God in faith.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:13–16
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
May
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