Update on Prayers & Answers

The beginning of this year I started the precious little book (this is what I think of it.)

Prayers & Answers, A Keepsake of God’s Handiwork

First of all, the design and coloring of this book is beautiful.  Just looking at it drew me in. The words on the back express exactly how I felt each time I opened the pages.  I could not describe it any better than Evelyn did, so let me read the back of her book to you.

 Welcome!

 Come inside to a peaceful place…

…a place to rest in the presence of God,

…a place to record His answers, and

…a place to reflect on your responses.

Each page will become a priceless chronicle, detailing your relationship with God and how it was transformed through times of trial and triumph.

Be encouraged, be inspired, and be forever changed by the power of prayer.

This little treasure lasted for only 40 days, but those days have been so meaningful for me.  Everyday I looked forward to opening the pages of this book and beginning my communication with God. 

Looking back over the pages, God has answered many of my prayers already.  There are some blank lines under God’s Answers, but I am confident that eventually God will answer all of my prayers in one way or another.

I had lunch with my sister today.  She’s going through a very difficult time in her life.  As I was writing about this precious book, I realized that I needed to go out and buy 3-4 copies and give them to people I know.  Who knows, one of them might be you! 

Thank you, Dear Evelyn, for writing this precious little treasure.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for inspiring Evelyn to write this book.  I believe it will continue to be a blessing in people’s lives for a long time.  I have been so encouraged with your answers as I worked through this precious book.  Thank you for how you have answered my prayers

 

 

Changed when I study God’s Word: Chapter 4

Quote from the book Lord Change me. Evelyn:  page 52

Should I let God change me through devotional reading or Bible Study?  This is not a fair question, because both are essential for a well-rounded, transformed life.  Devotional reading is never a substitute for deep, systematic Bible study—but it is a complement to it. And the Lord does change me when I study His Word.

Can I relate to this?  Does the Lord change me when I study His word?  Have I experienced changes in my life from the words in my Bible? 

Yes, over and over again God has spoken change in my life through the words of the Bible.  God does speak to my heart through pastors, teachers, and other people, but the words of the Bible have always confirmed any changes that are needed in my life.

Most Christian people know God will speak to us about the BIG things in our lives, but what about the small everyday things? 

Many years ago as I read until God spoke to me; I realized he was speaking to me about the small things in my life.  He changed my prayer life by showing me how much he cares about the small things in my life. 

Don’t worry about anything.  Pray about EVERYTHING.  Tell God your needs, but don’t forget to thank him for his answers.                 Philippians 4:6  (Living Bible Translations)

After I learned how important it was to give the small things in my life to God, I was able to pass it on to others. I would like to share an example with you today.

One day while working in a church, Carl called.  He sounded sad so I asked him,  “What’s the matter Carl?”  He replied slowly, “I cannot find my glasses.”  Without even thinking about it I said to him, “Did you pray about them?”  He said, “No.”  So I encouraged him to hang up and pray for God to help him find his glasses and then call me when he did.  Less than five minutes later Carl called.  With excitement in his voice he said, “I prayed God would help me to find my glasses.  Then I thought about a place where they might be and sure enough, they were there.”  He was praising God that day.

Quote from the book Lord Change me. Evelyn:  page 63

…but the change comes when I personally apply what Scripture means to my everyday life.  The “Lord, Change me” comes when I let His word abide, take up residence, in me (John 15:7).  The change comes when I am a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. (James 1:22-25)

I wanted to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. When God speaks to me that I should pray about anything, even the small things, than I should do it. 

God has taught me that I can pray about everything. When he answers, I cannot forget to thank him.

Don’t worry about anything.  Pray about EVERYTHING.  Tell God your needs, but don’t forget to thank him for his answers.  Philippians 4:6

Dear God,

Thank you for speaking to me today.  I desire to listen and obey.  Help me be a doer of the word. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Change Me when I read until you speak

My fingers, wrapped loosely around the cool door knob, I slowly turn it.  Click, it is ready to be opened.  I walk quietly into the room and a peaceful feeling is all around me.  I turn for a brief moment and close the door behind me.  Then I look around the room thankful for this quiet place, my place to be alone with God.  I call it My LISTENING Room.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:6

The walls are painted a soft beige accented by the motivational pictures hanging around the room.  A tiny angel light sits on a high standing glass top table desk.  Directly above it, there is a window.  When I look outside, off in the near distance I see the river flowing gently down stream.  A few moments later, I turn around and sit in my mauve reclining chair, which was my mother’s chair in the last days of her life.  I sit still, letting the cares of my world go.

“Be still, and know that I am God…   Psalms 46:10a  

The past two weeks I have been going into My LISTENING Room and ‘reading until God speaks’ over and over again.  It amazes me how specific he can be.  He stops me when I need to confess something, or when I need to learn something, or when he wants to encourage me.   

I have been going through the book of Proverbs over and over again.  God continually speaks to me about wisdom.  He encourages me that he will give me the wisdom I need to accomplish his task for me.

Quote from the book Lord Change me. Evelyn: page 44

God’s speaking to you in the Scripture may be only a little nudge, or you may think some words are popping out in bold print.

Having practiced ‘reading until God speaks’ for many years now, it does not take me long to hear him speak, but hearing him speak is not the end to what God wants.

Quote from the book Lord Change me. Evelyn: page 50

The changes come, however, not when God speaks but when we obey what He has told us.  We are changed only when we apply to our lives what He has said.

If I ask God to speak to me, I must be willing to listen and more importantly obey.

Dear God,

Please speak to me.  When you tell me to do something, help me to obey.  If I run from obedience, do not give me any peace until I submit to you and obey.  Go before me this week and speak to me as I go into My LISTENING Room to spend time with you.