Walking By Faith

Last night my facebook friends were either transfixed by colorism or by the Grand Canyon.   Both topics were getting lots of comments and conversation.  This post will focus on the Grand Canyon.

If you aren't aware, Nik Wallenda walked across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a safety net.    And he did it live on the Discovery Channel.  So, by know you are scratching your heads and wondering why I even care... Here's why: As Nik walked across the GC he gave honor to God.  He walked and praised and walked and praised.  Now, some of my friends say that he is an idiot to put himself in harms way and then call on God to assist him.  But I disagree...

Who is to say what God told Nik to do?  God has given some seemingly crazy assignments to people in the past.  Don't believe me, just open your Bible.  But beyond that history lesson, what about the fact that this man went on his job and gave glory to God.  He wasn't embarrassed.  He was talking to Jesus.  How many of us would do that?  Not only that but he was praising and witnessing to folks on live tv.  Some folks watching may have never stepped foot in a church but may have been moved by his praise.

And are you ready for a real kick in the butt?  How many predicaments did you get yourself into and then turn to God to get you out of? I know I am raising my hand.  Are you really going to make me call roll?  From "God, I know I shouldn't have slept with him, but please let this period be on time" to "Jesus, I know that she was ratchet, but please do not let her be pregnant" to "I know I have had too much to drink and there is a cop behind me but Jesus I swear if you keep me out of jail I will never do that again."  Are you raising your hand now?  We ALL get into predicaments and then ask for help.  Even if Nik hopped up on that tightrope without any divine nudging, who are we to judge him?  Don't we do the same daily?

I don't know Nik, but I do know that I was moved while watching him walk.  Imagine if all of our "faith walks" were as strong...

#MyriadPrayer - Sarafina "The Lord's Prayer"

#MyriadPrayer - Health and Healing

Isaiah 53:5

 "But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed."

"Father, thank You for health and healing.  Father, I so often take health for granted.  I so often forget to honor You by honoring my temple.  Jesus, I am grateful for the use of my body.  I know there are many people who do not have the use of their limbs or are filled with constant pain.  Thank you Father for protecting me and my family from serious illness.  Father, I love You and thank You.  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Don't Get Sidetracked

On Sunday my pastor preached from Galations 5: 1-7.  (You can watch it here.) The last line smacked the mess out of me.  "⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"  Well, dang.  I was running a good raced but what (or who) stopped me from obeying the truth?  Did that smack you too? 

So when I got home I had to expand the chapter.  What did the Word say after verse 7?  Well, it said a lot.  Here is a snippet:

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

That person or thing that is stopping you from obeying what God has called you to do is like a little yeast.  You have to move biblical metaphors.  A little yeast changes a whole batch of bread dough, right?  Just a little time with the person that is distracting you from purpose can change your whole life.  Makes you re-evaluate your habits and folks in your life, huh?

"Father, please help me to clear out all the distractions that are keeping me from drawing closer to You.  God, please remove the people and things that are in the way of me being exactly where You want me to be.  God, remove those distractions no matter how much I want to hold onto them.  Take them away - far away- so that I may not be tempted or distracted by them again.  Father, I trust that You know best.  I love You and thank You!  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Proverbs 29:25

About a year ago, I attended a small workshop at church and the ministry leader said that whenever you need guidance turn to Proverbs and the date.  So today is 6/29/12 and I am reading Provers 29.  The part that jumped out at me was Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." 

I've battled fear for a long time.  Fear of what?  Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough.  I know what I am good at doing.  I know that everyday I am learning that God is stretching me to learn more and do more.  And I wonder what would have happened if I trusted that feeling, that inner voice that said I was "bigger than my current situation" a long time ago.  Fear makes you complacent.  Fear makes you think that just enough is ok.  Fear crushes dreams.  And let's be honest, half the time it is fear of what others will say.  But who cares what they will say?  The proverbial "they" are already talking about you, right?  And why are we more worried about what "they" will say instead of focusing on what He will say?  I want to hear "well done." 

"Father, help me to lean on You and focus on pleasing You.  This fire that You have placed inside of me to stretch, grow, learn, be needs to be nurtured and fed.  Today, I refuse to feed fear.  Today I will press on toward whatever dream, vision, plan that You have shown me.  I will trust You even when I don't see the entire picture.  Father, thank You for trusting me with a piece of the kingdom.  I love You and thank you.  Amen.  Amen."

#Myriad Prayer Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I love this scripture.  Why?  Because it says that while you may not always see it, God sees it.  He knows what is around the corner.  He knows when the breakthrough is coming.  He knows when the storm will be over.  He knows.  We have to trust Him.  That trust will keep you walking even when you don't see the next step. 

The prayer for today is "Yes, I will go.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer Gifts and Guidance

"Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for Your gifts and guidance.  Father, please shift my perspective on situations.  While I know that 'all things work together for Your good,'  I have to admit that when bad things happen, my first reaction isn't always a positive one.  Please help shift my focus so that I worship and praise first.  That will leave no room for worry or panic or complaining.  Father, I know that I don't have to like negative situations but I need to have peace in them.  Send Your Holy Spirit to envelope me and keep my fire going.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."