05/06/2018
Prayer and living make up a two lane road. When we pray we know enough to listen for God to answer, but that conversation isn’t the two lane road we will speak of today... we will consider the impact our life is having on our faith, and prayers. How we pray influences how we live, and how we live has an incredible effect on how we pray. Can you have a terrible fight with someone, and then pray a sweet prayer? What we do in life each day sets the tone for our relationship with the Lord.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:7-8 ESV
I have always read this particular scripture to be a mental exercise in increasing faith, but it is much more than that... it speaks to our actions as well. Try replacing the phrase “think about these things” with the words “do these things”, and read this scripture again. We aren’t meant to simply think of a life of faith, but to live one. Our thinking is meant to reinforce how we live, but this is a two lane street isn’t it? It is hard to behave badly and then pray as if nothing had happened, and it is hard to pray humbly and with love... then immediately act in hatred. Our thoughts reinforce our actions, and visa versa, our actions affect our thoughts.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”
Acts 2:42-44 ESV
When I was a boy I would occasionally get into fights with my younger brother, and when they would get too rowdy, or I would hurt him, my mother would intercede and make me apologize to him and give him a hug. Those apologies and hugs were the hardest things in the world to give because they demanded that I do something physically that was contrary to how I felt mentally. This is how our lives, and thoughts of faith, interact with one another. But you know what? When I apologized and hugged him I could feel the tension and anger subsiding. What I did physically, even when I did it reluctantly, had an impact on me mentally and emotionally... and shortly thereafter we were playing together again.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
So with God’s Word being massaged within us, and our actions giving evidence to it, we can bolster ourselves in faith; one strengthening the other. The way we walk in our faith being tied directly to the very thoughts we are having as we go. Good thoughts producing good actions. Our prayers being meet with His answer just as our thoughts of righteousness are met by our Christ-like actions.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Are we maintaining a spiritually beneficial balance in the traffic which flows within us? Are our thoughts redoubling of faith, and driving good actions for all to see?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the times in my life when you lead me to an apology I don’t want to make, and for those times when I contemplate you in the face of a world that desires me to behave contrary to your Word. Holy Father, I see how my prayers, and my actions go hand in hand with one another, and I pray that you will strengthen me physically to withstand sin, even as you speak kindness and reassurance into my soul. Help me Gracious Father to be more like Nathaniel and demonstrate to the world those things that would lead you to say of me what Jesus said of him. Let there be no guile in me Father, no deceit, only the image of my Savior. I can do nothing without you Lord, so be with me every minute of every day, encouraging me in thought and deed, and I will praise you all my days! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God Almighty.
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”
John 1:47 KJV
Rich Forbes