COAL OR DIAMONDS

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Some people look at their lives and see only lumps of coal. Disappointment, losses, even betrayal sum up lives of regret, sadness and anger.

Beautiful, translucent black obsidian, which we called Apache tears when we would go out on the dessert after a New Mexico sand storm to look for them, is like coal that has been placed under such stress it turns to a glass-like stone. They are gorgeous and can be used in making jewelry. There’s another coal-stone that becomes even more precious when events in the world press in tightly and change it into . . . diamonds.

That is just like our lives. I know that stress can cause illness, damage to the body and a crippled will to change our circumstances. Many of us are not strong enough to withstand the pressure of loss and repeated set-backs. Jesus Christ told Paul, he did not have to be strong because His strength is made perfect in his weakness, and in ours. Jesus would be strong for Paul and for us.

No, God may not give us the desires of our hearts. He may not give us diamonds. But, my friend, to refuse the beauty of obsidian because it does not hold the power we want, is to refuse the gift of sparkling jewels, designed just for us. Let us pray:

“Father God, your name brings strength to my body and my will. It is the precious diamond I had sought when I thought I received only coal. I never looked for the jewel at the center of the lump of my life, because I believed I could not correct my weaknesses. And, I refused to let you find the obsidian that glistened just beneath the storms of my life. Today, I give you my weakness and place my life within your strength. Forgive me when I have let negative emotions weaken me. You are strong and in you I will find my strength. May I help a stranger find freedom from weakness as well, and rest in the secret places of your heart. In the power and strength of Christ’s love, I pray. Amen”

Doris

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

Prayer Therapy of Jesus  should be available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  Only the eBook version is up so far.  It will be on Cokesbury.com soon.

Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World - Advent 2014, is now available at www.amazon.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and others. This Advent devotional uses the Prayer Therapy of Jesus in prayer formation.
Lincoln’s Christmas Mouse has been reformatted to fit in a Christmas Shoe Box ministry container. It should be available to order on Amazon in a week. Watch for progress on www.dorisgainesrapp.blogspot.com

The Family of God

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household - (you are members of God's family [NLT]), having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2: 19-21 NIV)

"I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God," the Gaithers wrote in their song by the same title. We don’t all wear the same tee shirt that says, "God’s Family Member," like we’re attending a large family reunion and each "clan" is identified by the patriarch or matriarch heading it. Come to think of it that sounds nice. "I’m one of God’s family. I belong to the Jesus Clan."

Yesterday, my husband Bill (the pastor of sweet country church) was sick. On Saturday, not a word came out of his mouth. By Sunday, he could squeak. However, not even a well-placed lapel microphone could have picked up his message. So, Sunday morning I asked for volunteers to give prayers, bless the offering, and lead the choruses and hymns before the time of the "message." Then, for the-word-of-God-from-the-people-of-God, I stood in the pulpit and facilitated an expression of love. The congregation was asked to read their favorite scripture and, if they would like, tell why that passage meant so much to them. I read the scripture printed in the morning’s bulletin. Then, eight of our church family gave testimony-through-scripture about God’s presence in their lives through the words He had written on their heart.

What is your personal witness to the work of God in your life? You are the only one who can tell it, and there are those out there who are longing to hear it. Won’t you speak up and speak out, becoming a witness for the Lord our God? Let us pray"

"Holy Father, your family has spread your word around the world. Your children worship in churches, homes and under trees everywhere. May this be the time you bring your kingdom to earth, so we, like the angels in Heaven, may dwell with you. Abba, I hear you calling me to bear testimony to your love, forgiveness and salvation. Your children everywhere are threatened by a secular vision that is trying to kill your message of Love. Extremists are demanding that we hush our voices and sing songs of self, rather than melodies of your love. Forgive me when I have remained silent and give me the courage to speak up for you. Let this be the day when I say or do something for someone who needs your words and touch. May I not know who it was, when it happened or under what circumstances it happened, because I do not wear Glory well. All honor and praise and glory go to you and my blessed redeemer, Jesus Christ, your son, my brother within your family. It is in His name, and by his power, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

Prayer Therapy of Jesus will be available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com by the end of the week. It will be on Cokesbury.com soon after.

Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World - Advent 2014, is now available at www.amazon.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and others. This Advent devotional uses the Prayer Therapy of Jesus in prayer formation.

It's Not About Me

"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32 (NIV)

"But what if people don’t like my new book on Prayer Therapy? I’ll tell them that the book is finished, if I can make sure they wouldn’t criticize me."

I couldn’t believe I heard myself say those words. Of course some Christian people will criticize Prayer Therapy of Jesus. There are those who think their understanding and experience of God is the only one there is, at least the only "correct" one. I have been posting to this blog for several years. Have I not encouraged those who are afraid to speak out for fear the "good people" around them will defame the body of Christ? How silly is that? It’s not about me. It’s about Him.

God gives each of us a story to tell, a love story of grace and redemption. Along the way, He gave me an understanding of prayer that is not new to me. Jesus Christ taught the disciples, and us, to pray using the Lord’s Prayer. Parker and St. John did a study of the efficacy of prayer, using the Lord’s Prayer, in their book, Prayer Can Change Your Life. About fifteen years ago, I expanded on their concepts and developed my version of Prayer Therapy. I published a book which I have now expanded and re-titled, Prayer Therapy of Jesus.

When we bear testimony to the work of God in our lives, we are not saying, He blessed me just like He touched someone else. We are saying, "This is my testimony. I hope my words will resonate in your heart."

I will speak out and say, the words in Prayer Therapy of Jesus, are the words He gave to me and I give them to you. If you need to be released from negative emotions that bind you in heart and mind and soul, perhaps you too will be set free through the Prayer Therapy of Jesus. In my case, today I will pray for release from FEAR, fear of criticism. You can insert a different negative emotion and pray prescriptively, three times a day, for release from the illness-producing effects. Let us pray:

"Holy Father, your name is above all names. To utter your name in Hebrew, Yahweh, is to make the sound of the very air we breathe [Yaa ...way]. Holy, Holy, Holy is your name. May today be the day when your kingdom comes to dwell within me, as the angels in Heaven exist in your presence. For this day, Father, I ask that you release me from FEAR that can hush my tongue at times. I choose this day, to speak out for you and allow others to speak in their voice. Any criticism I may receive, I ask that you place on your shoulders, for I am too weak to carry it. Forgive me for being impatient, or even hurt, by other people’s Fear, that may be displayed in anger or illness. They are like me and I like them, but neither of us need to remain captive. May I touch someone today who is in FEAR and help free them too from the FEAR that keeps them in chains. Please, do not let me know who, when or under what circumstances it happens, so that I may not boast. To you belongs all glory, Father. In the name of your precious son, my redeemer, Jesus I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

Prayer Therapy of Jesus will be available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com by the end of the week. It will be on Cokesbury.com soon after.

Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World - Advent 2014, is now available at www.amazon.com, http://www.cokesbury.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and others. This Advent devotional uses the Prayer Therapy of Jesus in prayer formation.

Habits of the Heart

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4: 6-9

Where is your heart? What habits of thought and desire dwell within you? When you drive or do everyday tasks, how do you entertain your mind? For me, I create stories that I work on later, or simply enjoy them for their brief moment in my day.

If you tend to argue with your spouse, co-worker or boss in the quiet moments of your mind, as you travel and work, you are wasting good planning time. You are also robbing yourself of energy and you’re creating a tense body. Why? How does that benefit you?

Develop habits of positive thinking. I never put myself down. I say, "I don’t let other people talk to me like that and I’m sure not going to do it to myself." Learn from your mistakes but don’t make them evidence of your character. Whatever you did that didn’t work, is just a possibility you have ruled out. Move on and learn another lesson.

Do not develop a habit of anxious thinking. Trust in God to lead you and love you though all the times of your life. When you hear anxious, obsessive thoughts rattling around in your head, drown them out with hymns and songs of praise, prayers and joyous fellowship with the Lord. Put away anger and learn to love the Lord. Let us pray:

"Dear Lord and father of mankind, I stand in your presence as do the angels in your heavenly kingdom. You are holy and your name is sacred. I ask that your kingdom no longer be far off. May it dwell within me and I in it, just as you are in me and I in you. In your kingdom, I can find rest and peace of heart. Forgive me when I repeat words of complaint and criticism toward your children, including me. I give myself, my thoughts, and my plans over to you, Father. I want to step out into a whole new world where you are both King and my loving father. Thank you for all of your blessings. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and the Lord whom I follow, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp - Posted 10/5/14 for Monday 10/6/14

Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World - Advent 2014, is now available at www.amazon.com, http://www.cokesbury.com, www.cokesbury.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and others.