Weve All Been Guilty Of Crying Out To God At A Critical Time Of Urgent Need, But There Are Two Things

We’ve all been guilty of crying out to God at a critical time of urgent need, but there are two things about this that most people do not understand about why prayers of desperation are never answered.

First, prayers of despair are like a 'Hail Mary' pass that hopes that the prayer will be 'caught by God' and receive immediate attention. After all, since God is in the business of “saving” doesn’t it make sense that God will help you in a time of need? However these kind of prayers are never caught in the heavenly end zone!

Second, God DOES NOT Answer — or Even HEAR — prayers that are not spoken in FAITH — and the Word of God tells us why when it says:

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, Even their prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9

You see, based on this and many other passages in the Bible, we must listen to and walk consistently with God. If not our prayers are NEVER answered unless there is:

Relationship to God

Obedience to God

Faith in God

The reason why is that our prayers will only be answered when we are in a healthy stature with God, and not only HEARING His instructions for our lives but Doing Them (James 1:23). Then and only then will God answer our prayers, otherwise the faithless are out of bounds and will run afoul of any attempts to connect with him.

But there is ONE prayer of desperation that God ALWAYS ANSWERS and that is when you realize your need for Him to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to save your soul. So if you are in a desperate situation right now and are not a person of faith, start with seeking Him for your salvation, apply FAITH in Him and then you will realize the assurance He promises for those that put their trust in Him.

The LORD is there patiently awaiting your call.

Will you reach out to Him in faith today?

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

When some people think about God’s character, they might frame him as a harsh taskmaster that has little patience or mercy to those that violate his harsh rules. However, today’s scripture presents a different a vastly different picture because his nature is quite the opposite.

The Bible tells us an immense amount about God̵s character. For example Jesus tells his famous parable about the Prodigal Son who runs away to a far-off country where he wasted all his money in ruinous living. Then there is the wonderful example of the father, standing at the edge of his home and straining daily looking across the fields looking for his son who finally appears walking over the horizon.

The beauty of the father’s actions in this story are a perfect picture of God’s Patience & Mercy.

First, despite his son’s irresponsible behavior, instead of the father being angry, he instead patiently waited for his son to return. Then once he did come back, instead of punishing him he showed him great mercy and treated him royally. And just as the earthly father was in this story, so is our Heavenly father likewise to us.

The word 'PATIENCE' at it’s root is translated as 'long-suffering' and like the father in this story, he no doubt suffered long over his son, and the word 'MERCY' is best defined as “NOT getting what we DO Deserve.”

Friend, if you resemble the son in ways you’ve lived, your Heavenly Father is patiently waiting for you to come to him, and when you do, his loving mercy is there for you too. He is ready to forgive you and take you back for anything and everything you’ve done in your life. Seek Him out today — and receive his MERCY & GRACE.

He is patiently waiting for YOU.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

by Dr. Jeanne Sheffield Estrada

Remember that ’ole familiar song, “Love Makes The World Go “Round? Yes, it does and if ever we needed it, we sure do need it right now! Let me ask you, have you ever tried to define love? I would venture to first say that my own definition is “love” is the most powerful emotion of our human existence. It is the greatest power within the heart of the Creator of the universe to design this world and all that habit it, especially man whom He made in His own image to live life in His unconditional love.

We were given explicit instructions in how to love when God gave us the Ten Commandments. But God has done more than define these love commands - He continues to teach us that there are many, many characteristics of REAL love! Here are some “Love Guidelines” for us to follow.

* Love means saying goodbye to expectations. We all want people to behave the way we want them to — to be more affectionate smarter, outgoing or ambitious. All of these things are expectations and are just your requirements for “acceptability” of loving someone. But true love has no expectations. It simply loves “as is.”

* Love doesn’t play the victim role or blame others. Love doesn’t think others are “out to get them” or think their loved ones are wrong. Love works together and takes responsibility. It forgives and allows other people’s actions to be their journey. Love doesn’t take things personally.

* Love includes letting go. Love doesn’t possess. Just as the saying goes, “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, then it never was.” Love allows people their freedom and doesn’t hold them tightly and crush their wings in an attempt to keep them. Love is willing to set you free if you want to be.

* Love is the absence of fear. You can put all emotions on a continuum. On one end, you have love...then appreciation ...after that joy, happiness, contentment and satisfaction. On the opposite end of the continuum of love is fear. Other fear-based emotions include, hatred, insecurity, jealousy or greed.

* Love is not needing, but wanting. Needing someone is a feeling based in fear. You fear that you can’t live without them, so you need them, and remember, fear is the opposite of love. Wanting someone in your life gives them the freedom to leave, but still shows them you love them.

* Love is an action, not just a feeling. Humans tend to be addicted to intense emotion — especially when it feels good. So, when we’re in love, we want to feel that way forever. But guess what? That higher than “Cloud 9” feeling goes away after a while, but it doesn’t mean you don’t love the other person anymore, it just means that it’s not new anymore. Show the person you love them. Don’t just assume they know.

* Love is unconditional. The word “unconditional” means that there are no expectations or limitations set. To love unconditionally is a difficult thing, and most humans aren’t good at that. But true love really does love without trying to change the other person.

* Love means putting other people’s needs equal to or before your own. Real love truly and genuinely cares about other people’s happiness and will go to great lengths to make people feel valued.

* Love requires attention. Love doesn’t ignore. It doesn’t look the other way. It wants to be present and be together. Real love actually enjoys giving attention to another person. It feels good, and doesn’t see giving attention to another person as a chore.

* Love understands and accepts differences. Let’s face it: We’re all different. Real love doesn’t make other people wrong for being different. When people truly love another person, they accept their differences.

* Love varies in how it is expressed and accepted. What makes us “feel loved” varies by use of words, actions, our acts of service or touch. It’s important to discover other people’s love language so you can understand each other and give love in a way that the other person recognizes it.

* Love has empathy. Empathy is the ability to put yourself into another person’s shoes and see a situation from his/her point of view. Love has deep empathy. People who truly love one another don’t want to hurt them. They want them to feel good. They care about their feelings and try everything they can to make them feel valued and worthy.

Remember, true love is genuine happiness, honest appreciation and a wholesome feeling of good. Anything other than that is not love. If we all loved one another as ourselves, the world would be a better place.

Let’s live the Love Life and when we do, Love will truly make the world go ’round!!

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Walking through this life isn’t always easy, often challenging, and sometimes even downright dangerous. The question — especially when times are tough and the answers uncertain — is 'What can keep you going and bring you to your goal?' and the answer from God’s point of view is FAITH.

The manual called “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (B.I.B.L.E.) says that “Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) The currency of heaven is the application of faith, because in God’s economy no transactions can occur unless faith is involved. The larger the investment of faith, the bigger and better the return on your spiritual investment.

Your results will be directly proportional to the amount of F.A.I.T.H. you invest in it by F-orwarding A-ll I-ssues T-o H-eaven. When you do and place your trust in God, LISTEN carefully to what He is telling you to do, TRUST those instructions and then faithfully FOLLOW His direction and the result will always be successful! God is right 100% of the time, and will always lead you on the perfect faith path.

Regardless of the circumstance or how difficult what lies ahead, do not just “have” faith but PRACTICE Faith. Truly Forward All Issues To Him, place your path in His hands, keep walking towards the cross, and His steps will always guide you upward and onward.

God ONLY honors faith, and your sure reward is at the foot of the cross of Christ. Step out boldly in your faith going forward, and what you invest will manifest “According to your faith (then) it will be brought to you.”

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org/archive

It’s so easy to allow ourselves to look at what 'appears' before our eyes and become discouraged by what we see or perceive in our natural human selves, but God sees things differently! Once you put your focus on Him instead of what you perceive, your perception will change for the better. Here’s why!

You see, as today’s scripture says, everything in this world and your life is temporary, but the things which are eternal are not subject to change because in the spiritual realm of God, He is “The same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) and the “HE” here is Jesus - The Word of God.

God’s Word is eternal, alive, and active but ONLY when you when you Believe it, Speak it and APPLY IT. The Bible has 7,000 promises to overcome any temporary situation you’ll ever face, no matter what happens in this volatile world you now live in. God’s promises never change and they will forever be the same.

If in bad health, PROCLAIM! “By His stripes I am Healed!” (1 Peter 2:24). If in lack, PROCLAIM! “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:19). If alone, PROCLAIM! “You are with me and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

So, my friend, don’t let this world or your circumstances bring you down and discourage you, because while they are looming currently, in actuality they are and will be temporary. Lay your eyes in faith on the promises we have guaranteed in the Bible and not get bound up by the temporary troubles we have in this life, and remember this promise by Jesus that leads to victory over temporary trials:

“I have told you these things, so that In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” - John 16:33

God Bless Your Day

Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

A Letter Written To And Answered by BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: You probably get asked this question a lot, but do you think we will be reunited with our pets in Heaven? Our dog died recently after almost 15 years, and I just can’t imagine being happy in Heaven unless he is with us. -- Mrs. S.J.

DEAR MRS. S.J.: God will provide us with everything we need to be happy in Heaven -- and if animals are necessary to make us completely happy there, you can be confident He will arrange for them to be with us.

Some Bible scholars have pointed out that the Bible suggests there may be animals in Heaven -- but without the aggressiveness and dangers that are part of their lives now. The prophet Isaiah saw God’s coming Kingdom as a place of absolute peace, where even animals that had once been enemies will be friends. He wrote, (Isaiah 11:6).

Over the years, my wife and I have had many pets, and I understand your grief; we are always sad when they die. I sometimes wonder, however, if God isn’t using them to remind us of a far greater reality -- and that is the reality of our own deaths. Life is brief, and it can end in an instant. The Bible says there is "a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

That is why we must never take life for granted, but see every minute as a gift from God to be used for His glory. And if we aren’t sure of our eternal destiny, now is the time to be sure by making our commitment to Christ.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You