Praying for increase

If you are a normal human being, you have probably prayed more than once for God to pour out His blessings upon you and your family. You have, no doubt, prayed for increase in money, ability, vehicles, or in some other tangible item.

Why do we not pray for an increase in God's kingdom? Moses said, “May the Lord increase you a thousand times.” Now, that’s a big prayer! So what's wrong with our thinking and our praying?

Why are many Christians afraid of the church growing? How can we get over this fear? How do our prayers need to change?

Deuteronomy 1:11

God means business

When Mom starts counting, “One, two . . .” children know that “three” will bring about some kind of response that is unwanted.

We need to understand that God is counting. He is slow to anger, but unrepented sin will be judged. God's jealous nature reflects His desire to protect us and keep us as His own.

The text in Nahum 1:2-3a is a great reminder for each of us not to play at our faith. Our decisions have eternal implications. Jesus said if you’re not for me, you are against me.

Why do we at times fail to take God's word seriously? What steps can we take to ensure our obedience?"

Getting it Wrong

In Deuteronomy we read that Israel disobeyed God, rebelled against the victory that He promised and then sat at home and complained, grumbled and griped at God that he hated them.

Far too often, we are like the Israelites. We refuse to step into the victory by faith, and then all that is left for us to see are the giants and impossibilities that lie in front of us.

The amazing fact in all of this is that somehow we view it as God’s fault that we are depressed, burdened down and afraid. Oh, how easy it is for us to get the story wrong!

In what areas have you resisted God? What were the consequences?

Today’s scripture is Deuteronomy 1:26-28

Prayer Challenge

Chances are, right now if I asked whether or not you have a single, overwhelming prayer need — a deep concern that keeps your mind coming back to it — you'd say yes. Each need is, without a doubt, a serious one.

But that gripping prayer need for most of us likely is focused close to home, and not focused, say, on starving children in Ethiopia. It's probably not about AIDS victims in Kenya or about lost souls in Egypt who will die without hearing of God's love for them.

Here's a challenge. Next time your present need surfaces in your mind, try turning your attention to someone you don't know facing a different, serious need. Pray for them and their situation.

When we begin to do this, we turn our focus away from ourselves and our own problems, something our “me-first” culture doesn’t teach us to do. As we tune into others' needs, lifting them up in prayer, pretty soon we're dealing serious blows to Satan, each time driving a nail into his plans to make us feel frustrated or defeated.

Try it and let me know how it goes.

It's About Action

In Matthew 25, we read the Master's words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We all want those words to be what we hear from God when our time here on earth is done.

But it's important to notice that the Lord doesn't say, “well thought,” or “well intended” or “well planned.” He says “well done.” It's about action, and the action makes all the difference.

Are you a person of action? What will God say to you?

Possess the Land

God gave Israel the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 1:21, He told them to take possession of the land, and not to be afraid or discouraged.

Then in verse 22, where we would expect to see bold steps of faith, the Israelites called a committee meeting.

Why do we often do the same thing? Perhaps because we really do not trust God, and we are not really walking by faith. Perhaps we want to see what we can accomplish on our own. But these are the times that we just need to take God at His word.

See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21

Our Lord Provides

When the Israelites left Egypt, set free from slavery, they were over a million strong. As a result of their disobedience in not taking the Promised Land, they wandered in the desert for 40 years. They wandered until all the adult generation without faith died — all but Caleb and Joshua. Yet in the midst of God's anger at His people, He provides. Our God blesses our work, watches over our lives and provides for our lives. We are a blessed people!

Have you stopped to thank God lately for His provision?

The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deuteronomy 2:7