The Believers' Prayer

When reading Acts I am constantly reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. It makes me so hungry for more of that power. Then I have to remind myself that it is there within me. The God that was in the early church and the power of the Holy Spirit is the same God that lives in me and the same spirit that is moving amongst us today. This really excites me.

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:24-31 (NIV)

This prayer has inspired me over the last few weeks. I hope you will also see how allowing the power of God that is within you to shape you and use you to shape others and whatever circumstance you might face.

I Love You

Thank you Richard for 9 wonderful years of marraige.

Finding the right balance

Is it me or does housework take up so much time. There is always something to do. It's really hard to keep up. I'm not someone who enjoys housework, (who does?) , I guess there are those that do. However, I am motivated by having a tidy house. Sometimes I feel like there is so much I'd like to do but I think I'd better put another load of washing on first or put away the toys spewed all over the living room floor. Then find actually now it's time for bed, I'd better read my Bible because I've not done it yet! Then there are days I just look at the house work and think, "I'll leave that till another day". Everything inside is saying no and the guilt comes.

This reminds me of the story of Mary at Jesus' feet while Martha was getting on with what needed to be done. I feel for Martha. I can imagine her busily getting on with her jobs thinking if only you would help I'd have it finished by now then I can sit at Jesus' feet too. Then I think what must Mary have been going through, "I know there are jobs to do but there will always be something, I may never get a moment like this again".

Mary certainly made the right choice. What is the point in having a perfectly clean and tidy house, being tired out because it's perfect, and never having the time to have quality time with friends, family and God. Having the right balance is important. Praise God that Jesus will always give us the wisdom to find it.

Habakkuk's Prayer

The picture is a little melodramatic, but some times we can be like this when things don't go our way. When I read Habakkuk's Prayer, it reminded me that it does not matter what we go through or what circumstances we are in, our God is always faithful.

Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

(Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV)

We can enter into his presence and he ministers his peace and strength to us. Praise God!