It’s embarrassing but there was a season where I dreaded Proverbs 31. I would cringe at posters, conferences and Bible studies that went on about that woman who had it all together. I struggled to relate with her. She was perfect! And I wasn’t. She made business deals, she purchased lands, she woke up super early, she had employees, she had great work ethics, she had a vineyard, she did philanthropic work, she was in the fashion industry, she made her own linen and bedding too (LIKE WHO DOES THAT? ) at the same time she managed to serve her husband and children. Look, I have not exhausted the list. This woman gave me a lot of pressure. She was super woman.

Now that I’m a bit older and wiser I see this portion of Scripture differently. Because of where you are in life you may miss some truths even when you read your Bible every day, your mind will filter some things. So, I’ve been reading Proverbs 31 and it’s like I’m reading if for the first time. Here are some things I missed back then:

1) This woman was not always like this. Her life did not just turn out like this. It was a process. When I read this portion I can sense her consistency in her doing what she does.

2) Verses 17 says, ” she dresses herself with strength”… This means that she needed strength for the life she had. She had moments when she was not strong. She had to make a conscious decision to “put” on strength cause there were moments she felt frail. Again in verse 25 the word “strength” is mentioned. “She puts on strength and dignity”…. She needed strength, why? Because she was not perfect. She needed strength to be faithful, to persevere and to walk in dignity. So yeah, after getting all that I gave this woman a break.

3) This is the part that struck me, it’s actually what I want to focus on today. For me Proverbs 31 is about the strength that is available for women to thrive in all areas of their lives. At the same time it’s a picture of the church preparing for the coming of Christ. The woman is a steward, she uses her gifts and talents to expand and make profit. This is our mission on earth, to be about our Father’s business.

I came across verses 18…”her lamp does not go out at night”. This woman was a busy woman. She definitely needed to sleep and probably did sleep to wake up early. So, to me that statement meant something deeper. It simply points to the fact that she had oil in her lamp. It reminds me of the 10 virgins in the book of Matthew 25. Five of them were wise and five of them were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. To me the oil is symbolic of our fellowship or communion with Jesus. Even in her hectic schedule, the Proverb 31 woman had her lamp burning.

Is the lamp in your heart still burning for Jesus ? How much oil do you have left? Do you need your flame fanned? Do you need a refill? Because you can get a refill you know? Jesus is here to fill you up. Sit at his feet like Mary did. Yes, I know you need to get things done like the Proverbs 31 woman… But take a moment to pour some oil in your lamp. May Jesus find you and I running on oil from spending time with Him and trusting in Him and not from the fumes of this fleeting world.

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,  as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks –Luke 12:35‭-‬36

Prayer

Lord, give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray. Give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning till the break of day.

Amen.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Keep Me Burning appeared first on Cup of Faith.

The bible speaks of Abraham as being a friend of God. I’ve always wondered how it looked like to have the All-Mighty God as a friend, the Creator of heaven and earth calling me His friend? I must be honest, there were moments when I thought that this was not attainable. It just seemed like it was not for everyone but later in my life, I came to understand that God desires to have a friendship with all of us, with you. It is the sole purpose of our existence, fellowship with God. In his book, Trevor Hudson delves deeper on the subject ‘Friendship with God’ and shares some important truths that will make us understand why we have deep yearnings to be in a friendship and how a better friendship with God can be life-changing.

In ‘Friendship with God’, Trevor highlights two themes that run through consistently in the book; friendship with God and personal transformation. As we learn to trust God and grow as His Friend our lives are transformed. Friendship with God births personal transformation into our lives. We will suddenly see a change in the way we think, feel, what we desire, and the way we treat others. We are wired for friendship, both human and divine. This explains why we feel a deep sense of heartache when we are alone or lonely.

One of the first few pictures we find in the bible on friendship is from the book of Genesis, the story of Adam and Eve. God walks in the garden, He calls out for Adam and Eve, “Where are you?”. He knew exactly what they had done yet He does not reprimand them. He only asks, “Where are you?” Because now they were separated from God. The friendship that they once had, had fallen to the ground and this was the very thing that God created them for, divine friendship. None the less God continued to pursue a friendship with them, as he continues today to have a friendship with you and me. The lesson we learn here is that nothing can put off the flame of God’s longing to be friends with us.

For me this message is very powerful, it puts into perspective the reason why God wants and loves us. But how do you start building a friendship? You will know from personal experience that even your natural friendships are built on a foundation. Now, what is the recipe for your friendship with God? What is in the foundation? Where do you even begin to develop your friendship with God? Here are some key points that Trevor highlights for us:

Meditating On The Gospel Stories – Keep company with Jesus by meditatively reading the Gospels. Receive personal knowledge that comes from living with Him each day and entering His heart and mind as we do with our other friends.

Doing What Jesus Said – Once we have begun our friendship with Jesus we will want to please Him in everything we do. This is why Jesus told His disciples, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching”. A good place to begin our journey of practical obedience is to make a conscious decision to become a loving person.

Prayer (Intentionality) – Good friendships take time, effort and planning. So the first thing I encourage you to do if you want to deepen your life of prayer is creating a space to be with God on a regular basis.

Conversation – Our friendship with Jesus grows as we talk to Him. On the other hand, like any good friendship, we also need to listen to God. During my one-on-one times with Jesus, there are moments when I am simply silent.

Transparency – When we do not express what we are thinking and feeling to the Lord, a sense of distance grows between us. Whenever we keep our more “negative” feelings and attitudes away from God in prayer, we hinder the movement towards intimacy. Honest prayer involves sharing our doubts and disappointments, our anger and resentment, our loneliness and grief.

In this book, Trevor continues to share some insights into developing our friendship with God. What makes it more interesting for me is that he uses his life-long experiences and stories to make us understand, this brings it home. You can even sense his pastoral heart coming through, he earnestly wants us to taste what he has also tasted, the sweet friendship the God. I must say that the book stirred up in me a new passion to know the Lord even deeper, to give attention to my friendship with God, to know that there is always more.

Imagine living each moment conscious that you are a friend of God. Jesus says that you are no longer servants but friends meaning that He will share the deepest truths with us because we are in partnership with Him. When we hear his voice and follow, we make room for our friendship to transform the person that we are for His glory.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Friendship With God appeared first on Cup of Faith.

Today, I want to discuss a well-known parable in the Christian community. You know the parable of the ‘Prodigal Son’ right? If not, It’s is found in the book of Luke 15:11-32. I want to use a different approach to what many of us have heard before. I was listening to a Pastor reading this passage when I heard a small voice (not audible) in my heart ask, “Do you know he was not always the prodigal son?”. I gave myself the task to study this passage to get a deeper understanding. So here was my takeaway.

Many times when we read this parable, we focus on the son coming home. I understand why… this picture is important because it shows how God is always waiting to receive us back when we come home with repentant hearts. However, today, I want to talk about the relationship of the son with his father before he left home.

I can imagine the son sitting at the breakfast table with his father and his older brother. The father speaking blessings over them, going over what needs to be done for the day, secrets on how to grow the family business, legacy, knowledge, and wisdom being imparted to them as future leaders. They were close to their Father’s heart, especially the youngest cause I am sure there was so much he wanted to still share with him.

The son had everything he ever needed and will ever need. His father was a wealthy man. How do I know? In the passage we see he killed a fattened calf, you had to be doing well to own a fattened cow. He had servants, he also gave a robe, ring, and sandals to his son when he returned home. All this shows us that this young man was in good hands. But something happened…

The son somehow felt out of place. He felt he could do better outside the wings of his father. He probably felt like he was held back by being in the presence of his father. He felt he needed something more. So he decided to leave home. He took his inheritance. He didn’t see the full picture, that he was connected to his father and that his inheritance was also connected to his father.

How many times have we shifted away from God in a certain area…thinking that we didn’t have to do it God’s way anymore? In which area have we “outgrown” our Father’s counsel. We do not sit at the table anymore because we know that only “truth” is served, and we do not want to hear it. I believe that the prodigal son was deceived in his heart. I could just see him days before he spoke to his father about his inheritance…his heart had changed; it had moved away from home. He probably missed some meals so he could avoid his father, this time around he complained so much about tending to the cattle or being responsible for the administration of the family business, he probably thought he was due for a promotion.

He looked around and thought he deserved more. These are all just examples, the point here is I am trying to show you the posture of his heart…he was having a hard time remaining humble. Isn’t that similar to the story of our lives? We become tired of waiting for the promotion letter so we apply for one. We want to make things happen before God’s time. God is a good Father to us, He has great plans for every single one of us. I do not want you even for a second to doubt it. Likewise, the father probably had great plans for his sons like any parent. At the same time, parents can discern the maturity of their children. They know how much they can trust their children before they put more on their plates.

Sis, I want to encourage you to submit to God. Submit all areas of your life…open up to the truth of God’s word. It may not be what you want to hear or do but it will save you pain and heartache. It will be part of the spiritual inheritance you will pass down to your family and our generation. Your obedience today fortifies the future. Do not allow your heart to deceive you, to make you feel that you will thrive without the presence and counsel of God. Do not move from the table even if you do not understand what God is doing with your life. Silence your heart.

Our God is an awesome Father. He is always waiting for us to return, He knows we know where to find Him. In Luke 15:20 the bible says,” But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”. It’s interesting that when the father saw his son he was not filled with joy or excitement, maybe he did just a little but he was more overwhelmed with compassion.

The heart of his father broke. He knew his son made a mistake, he probably saw how dirty his clothes were and already knew that his son went through stuff, maybe the son had also lost some weight since he did not have money to buy food anymore. He had compassion for him. God looks at us with compassion. Whenever we are outside His will and plans He has compassion on us. We don’t always understand His ways so we throw tantrums yet His plan not to harm us but plans to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you have shifted in any area of your life today. If you have left the table. Return home. Return to the table. Your Father is waiting with widespread arms to receive you. He looks at you with compassion. Sit in His presence once again, soak in His truth. Silence your heart. Trust His timing and in due season you will receive your promotion, you will get your promised inheritance because Jesus has made away.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Sit At The Table appeared first on Cup of Faith.

We make time to stand in front of the mirror, even if we are late. We will carry a small pocket mirror in our handbags. We don’t always find it odd to quickly take out a mirror and take a quick look at our make-up, if our hairstyles are still intact, if the lipstick has not smudged, or to check if there isn’t a crumb of toast on our lips that is screaming for attention. We do this to make sure that we somehow look presentable and flawless (whatever that means).

Now, the word of God acts as a mirror for our spirit man (See James 1:23-25). The only way to take a look at your spirit is to look into the word of God. We need to make time to study the bible daily. When we do this we get to see what is not right about ourselves, character, attitude, thoughts, and hidden beliefs. The word will reveal your heart and where your heart is at that season and time. When you know what is not right, you start asking the Holy Spirit to help you to become more Christ-like in that area.

You begin to ask for a humble spirit, self-control, patience, strength, love, and gentleness. If we can make our appearance a priority then we can make our hearts a priority also. So today “selfies” are quite common (I bet you have a selfie or two on your phone, I got lots), we make sure that the lighting is great, that the angle is perfect, you even decide how wide your eyes will open and what should be in the background. But what if we were to take a spiritual selfie right now…

How would I look? How would you look? Remember that God looks at the heart, not at our waterproof mascara.  He wants you to reflect His word in the way you speak… your speech should be seasoned with salt.  Your life is a sweet aroma to those who are perishing and to those who are in darkness, You are a city on a hill, on dark nights you shine so bright that people who see the light come to it. Your life is an invitation. Your life shouts COME to Jesus. What a beautiful thing! Sometimes we tell people about Jesus and sometimes our lives do the telling.

See, bearing fruit is glorifying to the Father. Jesus says that we can only bear fruit if we abide in him. (John 15) We must remain in him (stay in; dwell in, to be engrafted). If we are in him then we will draw life from him and fruits will start to grow not just any fruit but long-lasting fruits. We in ourselves cannot produce anything. We need to look into the word of God. let the word deal with you. You need to know what God is saying to you and grow.

No one is perfect, but we should all carry a desire to be changed into what God has called us to be. We need to allow God to work in us. Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit. If he says that the make-up of your spirit needs re-doing, trust him and be sure that he will bring to completion the good work that he has begun in you.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Mirror, Mirror on the Word appeared first on Cup of Faith.

So, you have given your life to Christ. The old is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Sometimes in our journey of life we will go through experiences that are hard, it may be a brokenness in a certain area of your life. From time to time when believers go through hardships the enemy will use that season to make them believe that they are not worthy to be serving the Lord because of their adversity. The lies of the enemy will put a blanket over what God has called you to do simply because you feel like you can no longer be used by your heavenly Father.

When Lazarus was in the tomb, Jesus called him out (John 11:43) The Spirit of God fell on him, and he came back to life. But he was still wrapped up by bandages symbolic of his past and to a certain extent his “brokenness” (the fact that he had died). Today, I want to disarm the thoughts that tell you that you should not be serving or pursuing God. God through His son Jesus has breathed His life-giving Spirit into you. You are alive, remove every bandage of self-doubt, fear of what people will think…since they know your past or current situation. Continue to be faithful in whatever God has called you to do, even if you have scars.

Did you know that God chooses imperfect vessels like me and you for His glory? People that have limitations, deficiencies and wounds. People who do not have it all figured out. But He replied, “My gift of undeserved grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9. So, if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

So YES! Sometimes God can send us out with our weaknesses still in evidence so that we can simply trust in His strength and walk in the grace He has endowed on us. I have learnt that in the pain and heartache or in the waiting I can still be a blessing to others. I can still tap in into the plan and purposes God has for my life.

The woman at the well is one of the best examples I can draw from (John 4:4 -26). This woman was living in glaring sin and I could add that she also experienced a type of brokenness. Society and culture would have branded her. However, the Master showed her that He was the solution for her emptiness. She was looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. Jesus’ words reached the deepest parts of her heart and she had a revival. She went and shared the good news in her surrounding and was not held back by her brokenness or her history to hold her back.

Our adverse experiences should never water down the truth of God’s word. God’s word is ever true and ever powerful in all seasons. Continue to do what God has laid in your heart, His power is available to you. Do not live in the shadows of your past. Do not allow your trying season to separate you from God. When we have been forgiven of our sins and clothed with righteousness through Christ, we should serve the Lord with joy and confidence in Jesus. Come out of hiding! Shine for Jesus in all seasons. You may be tattered, but you have been chosen by God.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Tattered But Chosen appeared first on Cup of Faith.

Various religions explain that it is impossible to be certain of your salvation, that you have to wait for judgement day for God to weigh your works to see if they are worthy of eternal life, but it is not that way for us. There is such an immeasurable sense of joy, peace and liberty for those who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus. We as believers can know that we are saved right here and right now.

“And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life”. – 1 John 5:11-13

John highlights three things to us:

1) God has already given us eternal life; this eternal life is received in the present. Eternal life has started, it will not start when we die but will only perpetuate after we leave this world.

2) Whoever receives the Son has eternal life; all who believe in the Son of God have eternal life. Eternal life is not only our future legacy but also our current possession.

3) Lastly, those who have the Son must know that they have eternal life, today. We don’t have to wait for judgement day to find out if we have eternal life or not. These are truths that every believer should remember quite often. It guards us against falling into a religious mindset and from trusting in our own efforts. It is Jesus only who can save us and He does it so well.

God has given us His Son so that He would be the sacrifice that would save us once and for all. God has not left us unsure about our salvation. There is a guarantee that has been issued to us who believe and that guarantee is in Jesus, the Son of God.

Jesus is the lamb and the priest. He has become a guarantor of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). This truth changes the way we worship and serve the Lord. Being rooted in Christ is the only way to see the Father. This is our testimony! We have an assurance; this casts away all fear, heaviness and condemnation. It restores our confidence in Christ and in His finished work on the cross.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post This is Your Testimony appeared first on Cup of Faith.

It goes without saying that 2020 was an unforgettable year. The way we knew life had dramatically changed when we got confronted by the pandemic, and since then, our lives have never been the same. We have been challenged to think smartly and differently, which can be hard, especially when you’re anxious and worried about the days to come. All of this unfolding has led to many being discouraged and despondent. I can definitely see why. We were not prepared for such a time, no one was. But life has to go on. 2021 must go on.

I want to encourage you to continue making those plans, setting goals, learning new things. Look at your life through God’s eyes. Look at life through the lenses of God’s word. You will see that there is hope. I’m reminded of Isaac in the book of Genesis 26:12, he planted during a drought and by God’s doing he reaped a hundredfold. In a year where many saw lack and despair. He saw the blessing of God at work.

With this, I challenge you to prayerfully take your plans, desires and passions to God. Time and again, I’ve asked God to give me the wisdom I need to handle my affairs when I’ve felt like I don’t have a grip.

Do you remember the story of Ruth and Naomi? They were faced with a mountain of famine. To top it all off they had just recently become widows. They had to pick up their pieces and rebuild. Ruth had to go and glean for grain at Boaz’s field. This takes humility. In a time that no one understands and life could not be explained, humility can have you favoured just like Ruth was when Boaz told his servants to purposely give more grain for her to take home. – Ruth 2: 15 – 16.

So in 2021 are you planting or gleaning? Is it both? Whichever one it is. Remember that God is with you. Do not lean on your own understanding, it will fail you. Trust in the Lord. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Do not be affraid to glean. Be humble. Take on opportunities as they come or even ask God to give you the wisdom to create opportunities. Some of you have been holding on to those seeds for far too long. It’s time to throw them into the ground.

Approach 2021 with a new hope. Learn from all the experiences of last year and continue building. It’s a new day! It’s amazing how God is so purposeful in His nature that He has already inscribed his plans for our lives even before we were born.

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord , ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope – Jeremiah 29:11 AMP.

You have a future and a hope in God. Live like it, dream like it, believe it and work it.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Plant Your 2021 appeared first on Cup of Faith.

The Christian life is a race. When we believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross we are placed on a running track. We are expected to run the race of faith.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (AMP Version).

Like any race, there must be a winner. I used to be an athlete when I was in school and I remember how my coach was serious about our training. We would train after school whether we felt like it or not.

I also remember some races were a piece of cake but also how I would struggle with other races, not even two weeks later. So many factors can contribute to that, at times it was the scorching sun, or that I was so nervous and overwhelmed by the loud cheers around me, crumbling under the pressure!

But none the less I was an athlete that represented our school just like you are an athlete that represents heaven. You represent Jesus. Trust me, you may feel like this faith race is hard at times. Sometimes you have to face hurdles on your way. There will be levels where your track is full of obstacles right after another. Know that any war you will face is after your faith.

You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? This [deceptive] persuasion is not from Him who called you (to freedom in Christ] – Galatians 5:7-8 (AMP Version).

You were running so well. What happened? Did your faith get distracted? Did something or someone deceive you? Have you just gone through an experience that persuaded you that you were better off on the grandstands? Whatever your answer is…take courage. Catch your breath if you need to.

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power” – Isaiah 40:29 (AMP Version)

Let God know that you need Him to strengthen you. The word of God will give you signposts. It will train you, it will supplement your faith. Faith is like a muscle, when trained and nurtured it grows strong. Make the word of God your manual., so that when you are lost in the race it will be your information pack, helping you map out your path, direction, and light your way.

You might have a host of questions… God where should I go from here? God what is my purpose? How do I build a fruitful future for my children? How do I love my unsaved family? Should I invest in this business opportunity? How can I be a blessing to my local church? I believe that your faith should find expression in every area of your life. Like in any race your momentum will vary according to the twists and turns you come across. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your eyes on Jesus. What matters most is that you finish the race in faith and that you endure till the end.

One day when you have finished your race you will be like Paul. You will say

“I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” [firmly guarding the gospel against error]– 2 Timothy 4:7

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post The Amazing Race appeared first on Cup of Faith.

She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” -1 Samuel 1:10‭-‬11 ESV‬

This is a prayer that Hannah made to God. I’d like to believe that there were many times that Hannah prayed for a son. I can just see her whispering a prayer while she was kneading the dough close to the warm oven or when she looked outside the window and saw her husband playing with Peninnah’s (her husband’s other wife) children. What I like about this story is that Hannah is just an ordinary woman; we don’t read anything special about her, only that her heart was heavy with anguish. But on this day her prayer captured God’s attention.

What was so different about the prayer she made at the temple? It was different because this time it was coupled with a vow. Hannah didn’t want a child to compete with Peninnah. She put herself aside; she made a vow to give her son to God. This is where the shift comes in. She did not know that by giving her son to God she was tapping into eternity’s plan. Her son Samuel grew up in the fear of the Lord. He was the prophet who anointed the first king of Israel, Saul. This was a big deal! He would also be the one to anoint David who was after God’s heart. Remember David’s house was chosen by God to bring forth the Messiah; the salvation plan was hidden for years in his bloodline. Hannah’s son Samuel had an ear for spiritual things. He heard God’s voice and obeyed. This all happened because a woman allowed God to step in. She allowed God to take what was hers to be for the Master’s use.

I would like to encourage you to make your prayer requests with eternity in your heart. May we outgrow selfish prayers or prayers that are short-sighted. I pray that God will enlarge our scope and Vette our hearts when we pray.

“Put me on trial, Lord , and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart”. – Psalms 26:2 NLT

You never know, you might be an answer to someone’s prayer. It could be someone’s  prayer birthed you, it birthed your purpose. You are the hope for this generation. You may not be a Kingmaker like Samuel but you are called to take part in something that is designed by God, something that has eternity engraved on it.

If you know what your purpose is, I urge you to walk in it with all authenticity. Let it glorify God. Let it leave prints on people’s lives. Whether your purpose is big or small (if there is such) you get to contribute to eternity. Whether you’re a gatekeeper or sitting at the king’s table you have your role to play.

How do we start praying with eternity in mind?  When we pray with the understanding that God must get the glory and not us. It is when we pray non-selfish prayers. It is when we allow God to rearrange our lives. It is when we pray that our lives be used by God for His will and purposes. It is when we see beyond ourselves.

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

scripturelounge.wordpress.com/

The post Plugging Into Eternity appeared first on Cup of Faith.

I remember my first date with my husband; I went out of my way to really look good. I even thought about a list of things to talk about just in case we ran out of things to discuss and that never happened (laughing out loud). But where I’m heading is that everything about that day was intentional. We both desired the gift of marriage and we saw ourselves together. Something long-term was our aim, so we watered our relationship.

It’s exactly the same with our relationship with God. God desires to spend time with you more than you do. He really wants us to be intentional about Him. He longs to have something that is long-lasting. He wants to see our faces when we are sad, smiling, sorrowful, happy, broken and so on. This is the beauty of something that is long-lasting. It’s intentional! This space allows you to be real. It’s full of purpose and expectancy.

In my walk with God, there were many times I felt a pulling to pray or read my bible. And to be honest, it would happen when I least expected and when I didn’t always feel like it. In fact, I was always full of excuses.

One day, I stumbled upon Psalms 27:8, Lord, when you said to me, “Seek my face,” my inner being responded, I’m seeking your face with all my heart”. God showed me what kind of response He was looking for in me, in His children. He desires for us to respond with a YES! Yes, Lord, I will seek you. Yes, Lord, I will pray. God wanted me to be intentional about Him. God really wanted more of my attention. See, I knew that God is our vital necessity. A must-have in life. That’s why I was still giving him my crumbs, my spare time. If I didn’t feel like it, then hey…I had tomorrow. I had become too familiar with him, which is so sad!

God showed me that He wanted to sit at my table. He wanted me to look in His eyes. He wanted me to look forward to meeting with Him. He wanted me to be excited about our date. He wants our relationship to be fresh, new every morning. Jesus the Son of God understood this truth much better than us. “The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer” – Mark 1:35.

I know seasons are different. There will be times you will spend an hour with God, 30 and sometimes 10 minutes. I just want to encourage you to continue seeking God even in your packed schedule. Trust me you need an anchor…your anchor can only be God. We live in such trying times, storms come and go. Those few minutes in the word and prayer make a major difference. You will see it and so will the people around you.

In this day and age, the word of God is so readily accessible to us. What a blessing! If you are reading this, it means the chances of you having a bible app on your device are high. Make use of it, listen and read the word at any chance you get. Watch it draw you closer to God; watch it change you to be more and more like Christ.

May your heart experience an outburst of zeal anytime you think about seeking God. And when that passion is not there may the understanding of the need for God drive you to your knees just like Daniel. The bible says that he prayed three times a day, every day. “But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” – Daniel 6:10. May spending time with God become a ‘usual’ just like it was for Daniel. I pray for you. I pray for the mom, the entrepreneur, the teacher, the teller, the artist, the nurse to seek God. I pray that God will restore your relationship with Him. Pick up where you left off! Set a date. `

Delaree

 I love God and His word. I have a great passion to help women mature in their relationship with Christ…it’s possible because God’s grace has removed the boundaries. We have unlimited access to our Father. 

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