In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Failure to cooperate with God in the three responsibilities in the power of the spirit accounts for every failure in Christian living – why we’re here (doing this study,Continue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part three)”
Tag Archives: prayer
A Series of Ascents
Dearest Rachel – The last dozen or so of the Psalms are referred to as “songs of ascents,” as they’re meant to be sung while en route to the city of Jerusalem, which is, as you’ll recall, built on the top of a mountain (Mount Zion, or going even further back, Mount Moria, where AbrahamContinue reading “A Series of Ascents”
So Many Random Little Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – Some days, I wake up in the wee hours of the morning with no desire for anything but to roll over and go back to sleep. I thought this morning was going to be the same – especially given that today is a Saturday; who wakes up early on a Saturday? ButContinue reading “So Many Random Little Thoughts”
from Rachel: Allies and Enemies
…the only women we’ve seen so far were Belshazzar’s wives and concubines, and they contributed little to the character of our gender. “(The queen mother was wise and helpful 5:10)” What does Daniel 11:59 tell you about this woman? “She is the daughter of the king of the South.” Let’s have a quick review andContinue reading “from Rachel: Allies and Enemies”
from Rachel: Jumping Ahead
Please read the following segments and record God’s obvious point in each one:Isaiah 41:24-24 – “False gods can’t prophesy accurately”Isaiah 44:6-8 – “God is the only true God.” Describe each thing Isaiah 46:10 says God does.“He makes known any part of history He wants. His purpose will stand and He will do what He wants.”Continue reading “from Rachel: Jumping Ahead”
from Rachel: Now Answers / Delayed Actions
If you can relate, offer your own: what request were you fully convinced God had answered affirmatively?“The incidents that come to mind were all followed through fairly quickly. The most recent I can think of being my safety through surgery and the tumor being benign.” ⛤ In my own attempts to distinguish my desires fromContinue reading “from Rachel: Now Answers / Delayed Actions”
from Rachel: While I Was Still In Prayer
Read Daniel 9:20-23. How does the word ‘while’ emphasize timing?The angel Gabriel came to Daniel…verse 20: ‘while “I was speaking and praying”’verse 21: ‘while “I was still in prayer”’ Imagine you’re in the throes of desperate pleas to God, pouring out confessions and cries of intercession, when suddenly you’re interrupted by a celestial messenger whoContinue reading “from Rachel: While I Was Still In Prayer”
from Rachel: A ‘We’ Kind of Attitude
…tally the times you see the word ‘we’ in Daniel’s prayer and record the total here: “16” Put yourself in Daniel’s position. Why do you think he shared the blame for the sins of the masses even though he was innocent of many of their transgressions? “He was honored to be Jewish and part ofContinue reading “from Rachel: A ‘We’ Kind of Attitude”
Serving in the Shadows
Dearest Rachel – Last weekend, when we were moving most of Sylvia’s stuff out of her home so she can live with Ellen (and be watched over by Jeanette when she can stop over), we moved a lot of stuff into the U-Haul. I could safely assume that the sisters packed up what they consideredContinue reading “Serving in the Shadows”
Are Things Not Satisfactory?
Dearest Rachel – There’s an old joke about a child who, for the first few years of his life, appeared to be completely mute, much to the consternation of his parents. They took him to doctors and specialists, who couldn’t find anything wrong with his vocal cords or his neural connections. Eventually, they gave upContinue reading “Are Things Not Satisfactory?”
from Rachel: Daniel’s Interpretation
Read Daniel 2:27-30. Review Daniel’s response to the king when asked if he (Daniel) could describe an interpret his (the king’s) dream. In what ways did Daniel carefully credit God with the revelation? “He basically said no person could do it, but God could do much greater things than any human.” What will happen toContinue reading “from Rachel: Daniel’s Interpretation”
from Rachel: Praise to the God of Heaven
Rule for victorious living: when the stakes are high, bow down low. Please read Daniel 2:19-30. When did the revelation come (v. 19)? “during the night” To whom did it come? “to Daniel” If you can think of a time when you were in this position, share it. “I can’t think of any times withContinue reading “from Rachel: Praise to the God of Heaven”
from Rachel: Urgent Tact, Urgent Prayer
Pray for insight, then read Daniel 2:13-18. Who was Arioch? “He was the commander of the king’s guard.” How does verse 14 describe Daniel’s approach to Arioch? “He spoke with wisdom and tact.” How does Daniel’s approach to Arioch show tact? “Daniel somehow manages to get him to talk before acting, and they have aContinue reading “from Rachel: Urgent Tact, Urgent Prayer”
Singing Through Clenched Teeth
Dearest Rachel – With the multi-front war going on in the Middle East, it was determined the other Sunday to make the weekly communal moment of prayer about the situation. The thing is, given the fog of war, it’s hard to know what, exactly, to ask God for; aside from the question of the goodContinue reading “Singing Through Clenched Teeth”
from Rachel: God Talks Back
On a scale of 1 to 10, how convinced are you that your prayer time is an honest-to-goodness two-way communication? “10 – how convinced I am“7 – how often it actually is… (or maybe 6?)” If we don’t ‘ask or imagine,’ what does God have to out-do? Glance at the first half of [Psalm 132]Continue reading “from Rachel: God Talks Back”
from Rachel: To Be Heard
Based on your life or someone else’s (including any historical figure), can you think of an example when survival was in itself a crowning achievement? “Earlier I mentioned Sokun, she and another friend (her name escapes me right now) escaped Cambodia with their families as small girls ([in the] mid-70s), lived for several years inContinue reading “from Rachel: To Be Heard”
To Talk to Him as I Should
Dearest Rachel – I honestly forget which service I was at this weekend where I heard about it, but one of the pastors I listened to described a cartoon of God, sitting at an ornate cloudy desk, as might be found in a heavenly office. One’s focus wasn’t so much on Him and what HeContinue reading “To Talk to Him as I Should”
from Rachel: Our Own House, Our Own City
What were Paul’s feelings towards the believers in Philippi (Philippians 1:3-8)? “He thanked God for them.“He longed for them with all the affection of Christ Jesus.” Accepting that no fellowship of believers is perfect, what are a few things you really love about yours? “I love the wealth of generational diversity. The Kindred Spirits especially,Continue reading “from Rachel: Our Own House, Our Own City”
from Rachel: Woe to Me
Did you get the three approaches? “Say it –> Work it –> Pray it” In my distress, I called to the Lord and He answered me. “Too many times to count, and even in the mundane He answers me.” I’m in trouble. I cry to God, desperate for an answer. “Less hopeful version, whether orContinue reading “from Rachel: Woe to Me”
from Rachel: Worship on the Way
What does 1 Peter 5:6 say to you? “If I humble myself under God’s mighty hand, He will lift me up when the time is right.” What brings you to this study? “Convenience of schedule. I still have to rearrange a little, but mornings are still much better than evenings. I know I need aContinue reading “from Rachel: Worship on the Way”
from Rachel: The Freedom of Unfailing Love
Why do you think we readily accept God’s love for others but struggle with the belief that He loves us equally, radically, completely, and unfailingly? “Maybe low self-esteem, perhaps because we know first-hand how big our own sin (does that mean we at least have the plank in the eye lesson mastered, or is itContinue reading “from Rachel: The Freedom of Unfailing Love”
from Rachel: The Obstacle of Prayerlessness
Begin with the following words, and… complete the two verses accordingly. “Do not be calm about anything, but in everything… “…feel stress and anxiety, with fear, and hold it all inside yourself. And the nauseous, nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach will continue and grow until you feel like you might throw up.”Continue reading “from Rachel: The Obstacle of Prayerlessness”
from Rachel: Prayers That Give Life
How does God respond to those who call on his name? (See Romans 10:13) “He saves them – ‘everyone’” What is Jesus’ promise for the person who believes in His word and trusts in God who sent Him? (See John 5:24). “Having eternal life and not being condemned.” Who is John talking about in [1Continue reading “from Rachel: Prayers That Give Life”
Keeping Up With the Time
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like we haven’t flown long distances from east to west in recent memory; it’s not even been half a year since we returned from the Holy Land via Istanbul – a flight taking about the same ten or eleven hours as that from San Francisco to Tokyo. So the factContinue reading “Keeping Up With the Time”
from Rachel: Asking According to His Will
Based on your experiences, are you fearful to continue hoping in prayer based on an ‘unanswered’ prayer? Do you doubt your amount of faith? Do you think if you’ve been more disciplined in prayer God may have responded more favorably? “No, it’s more that God already is going to do what He’s going to doContinue reading “from Rachel: Asking According to His Will”
For the Sake of Former Adversaries
Dearest Rachel – Back in the day, I rarely had nightmares about work – or at least, not that I can remember. After all, I would wake up a little after five in the morning in order to begin preparations to get myself ready for work, and the alarm would essentially interrupt any dream thatContinue reading “For the Sake of Former Adversaries”
Matin-tide Prayer
Father God – I know You heard my thoughts while I stood in the shower this morning. I wonder what Your thoughts were in return; were they along the lines of “well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” or “where have you been, My son?” as if you didn’t know. Time was, I used toContinue reading “Matin-tide Prayer”
from Rachel: God All-Knowing and All-Powerful / Letter to Kerstin
How often have you wondered if God knows what’s going on in your life? Your heart? Does He see what happens in your family? Can He have any idea about the struggles you face? Tell me your thoughts. “Wow! Those questions are a foreign concept to me. Each sounds completely ludicrous to my ears.” GodContinue reading “from Rachel: God All-Knowing and All-Powerful / Letter to Kerstin”
A Prayer For Daniel
Father God – First of all, thank You for being willing and desirous for us to call You that. The idea that the Creator of the Universe is willing to consider us His children when we, as a rule, do little more than bring You embarrassment and regret that You even thought to create us,Continue reading “A Prayer For Daniel”
from Rachel: A Place to Belong
“May 7 “Yes, I feel it does. On Monday nights I am a Sparks leader and have been the song leader. On Tuesday mornings I babysit the children of any moms who choose to attend the Bible Study. I take home all of the office’s paper trash for recycling. Wednesday night we have choir orContinue reading “from Rachel: A Place to Belong”
from Rachel: Developing Your Friendship with God
“May 5, 2004 “I will try to remember to pray often, ‘Dear Jesus, more than anything else, I want to get to know you intimately.’” “I need to remember that it is very important to grow closer to God, even if my main reason to want to want to is self-preservation – I would ratherContinue reading “from Rachel: Developing Your Friendship with God”
from Rachel: Becoming Best Friends with God
“May 4 “I read this chapter first thing in the morning, so I put on my fish ring as a reminder of God’s constant presence with me. Then, I decided to go one better, and I took my purple polish with me. While we were outside with the kids (Ladies Bible Study), I painted myContinue reading “from Rachel: Becoming Best Friends with God”
from Rachel: The Reason For Everything
“May 2” “Lately I think I’ve been doing better at this. The dog walking gets me out into nature and, more recently, I’ve begun singing a few hymns as we walk along. “As the weather warms, I would like to go out on the deck first thing every morning for a quiet time. “I shouldContinue reading “from Rachel: The Reason For Everything”
from Rachel: Made to Last Forever
“4/23: I should stop staying up past midnight, so that I may be able to start getting up earlier to have some quality time with my Lord. Thus, I should also start reading from the Bible every day and praying diligently and earnestly for family, friends, church, neighbors, etc.” Dearest Rachel – It’s a fairlyContinue reading “from Rachel: Made to Last Forever”
Losing Focus
Dearest Rachel – I know how pointless it is to do so, but I can’t help considering the whys and wherefores behind your departure. Now, I know full well that it may just be a case of “things happen,” like Jesus’ reference to the tower of Siloam. And yet, it’s human nature to try andContinue reading “Losing Focus”
Art In Heaven
Dearest Rachel – Yes, yes, I know. That first word in the King James Version is nothing more than a archaic conjugation of the verb “to be.” Still, when you look at it – and you have a better view of it than I do at this point, don’t you? – it seems an appropriateContinue reading “Art In Heaven”
from Rachel: **Gratitude
“I know I had many wonderful years with my ‘Daddy,’ but it’s never quite enough. May I be grateful for all the time I had. “I loved my car, also but I can be grateful for the chance for upgrades.” I suppose I should be saving some of these sermon notes that clearly hail fromContinue reading “from Rachel: **Gratitude”
Thy Kingdom Come
Dearest Rachel – I know the thoughts that I have in the shower will never be registered in r/showerthoughts. They’re just neither original nor bizarre enough to qualify, and I guess I’m okay with that. Which is of course, not to say that I don’t have thoughts in the shower. I mean, don’t we all?Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come”
from Rachel: A Different Perspective
How can you add God’s truth to your truth today? “This to do list is too long. But God is able to give me maximum efficiency if I’ll let Him and be willing to let do” (let go?) “of some items.” “I beg to differ” about circumstances being too much for Him. “Perhaps [they are]Continue reading “from Rachel: A Different Perspective”
from Rachel: Psalm 19:13
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I really wish I knew the context behind some of the notes you left behind for me to find – although that is surely not what you intended. Honestly, you seem to have kept a lot of secrets about yourself – things written down for nobody’s eyes butContinue reading “from Rachel: Psalm 19:13”
from Rachel: Morning Prayer
Dearest Rachel – While going through the stuff in the laundry room outside our bedroom, I found this post-it note attached to the corner of the mirror. It was a bit out of my line of site, but you must have had it there by the sink to remind you to offer this prayer asContinue reading “from Rachel: Morning Prayer”
Letters to Rachel 