Identifying Triggers In Your Marriage Part 1
They were both convinced they had married the wrong person. From almost the very beginning of their marriage, Amber and Guy Lia experienced various tensions and personality clashes related to house cleaning, backseat driving, workaholism, and intimacy. In this two-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Amber and Guy discuss how they bravely faced the triggers head-on, and committed to working on their own relationships with Jesus. As you listen to the Lias story, youll feel hope that you, too, can see real marriage transformation!
A Heartfelt Prayer From Our Hearts
Praying is our greatest communication with God. It is not only about us telling all our needs and requests to him. But, it is a time where we can praise him for his faithfulness and trusting that he will provide for us. We can also improve our personal relationships and strengthen our faith in him. Though God doesnt look at how long or what words we say in our prayer, the Lords prayer in the Bible serves as a model on how we can pray to God. Even though we memorize it word by word, it is still important that we understand the context behind this powerful prayer. God always listens to our prayers as long as it is heartfelt. When we pray, we must think of all the things we should be thankful for and how God has given us everything we need.
Jesus answered the apostles question on how to pray. The Lords prayer in the Bible teaches us the goal of prayer, means of prayer, and all the obstacles to overcome. As we read and pray this prayer, we should remember the meaning and importance of this. Let this be an encouragement to us to pray as many times as we can. With this, we can learn to put our trust in the hands of God. This conversation between us and God makes us remember how he loves us unconditionally and how he deeply cares for us. Even if all the churches have different approaches with the prayer, the significance is still the same. Hence, as we pray the Lords prayer, lets say this with a sincere heart.
The Promise Of Gods Sure Answer
Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks, receives and he who seeks, finds and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.
This verse simply states that those who keep on asking, seeking, and knocking, who persist in prayer, will receive answers from the Lord. They will receive, they will find, and God will open the door.
It is helpful to note that the present tense is used with each of these verbs regarding Gods sure answer . In verse 9, the future was used, but not here, at least not with the first two. There is a manuscript problem with the third and it is difficult to determine from the evidence if this should be the present or the future. Probably the present as with the first two verbs.
The present tense stresses the actuality of Gods sure answer even more emphatically. This may be what we call the future present which denotes an event that has not occurred, but which is regarded as so certain that in thought it may be viewed as a present reality. Or, it may be the gnomic present of what is a general, timeless principle. The Lord consistently gives to those who persist in prayer. Its Gods pattern. The Lord is emphatically assuring us of Gods concern and involvement in our lives to direct us, transform us, and answer our prayers.
Now to strengthen our faith and to demonstrate why we can be assured of Gods answer and concern, the Savior focuses our thoughts on Gods MUCH MORE GRACE by calling our attention to Gods infinite and holy love as our heavenly Father.
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Dr Tim And Mrs Noreen Muehlhoff
Dr. Tim Muehlhoff is a professor of communication at Biola University in La Mirada, California where he teaches classes in family communication, interpersonal communication, apologetics, gender, and conflict resolution. Tim and his wife, Noreen, are both on staff with Biolas Center for Marriage and Relationships where he is a co-host of The Art of Relationship podcast.
Why Your Kids Misbehave And What To Do About It
Tantrums. Talking back. Throwing toys or food. Meltdowns. Slamming doors. Kids know just how to push your buttons. Youve tried all sorts of methods, but nothing seems to work. In this book, Dr. Kevin Leman reveals exactly why kids misbehave and how you can turn that behavior around with practical, no-nonsense strategies that really work . . . and are a long-term win for both of you.
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Lessons We Can Learn From Daniels Prayer
Confess With A Genuine And Contrite Heart
Daniels prayer shows his heart clearly he speaks humbly with a contrite heart to God as he prays. He is genuine and earnest about confessing the sins of his people as should we since this is God that we confess to.
Acknowledge The Specific Sin To Confess
As Daniel prayed from verses 5 to 6, notice he specified the sin of the people. Being specific with our sins helps us acknowledge them and be accountable to God. Confessing our sins is also a form of healing prayer because it brings our darkness into the light. Hiding them without confessing results in serial sinning to the point of numbness.
Be Affirmed Of Gods Mercy
Just as Daniel prayed in verses 9 to 10, let us take comfort knowing that no depth and amount of sin can separate Gods love and mercy for us. And it is promised that when we confess and turn away from our sins, God will show us His unchanging mercy .
Ask God For Forgiveness
And finally, in verses 18-19, Daniel asks God to forgive his people all while understanding that they are not deserving of forgiveness. Daniel asked for forgiveness boldly not because of his righteousness but because of Gods grace and mercy. Likewise, when we ask for forgiveness, know in our hearts that it is not by our strength or works that we are forgiven, but because of Gods graciousness.
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Temptation and sin often go hand in hand. Whenever we come face to face with temptation, it is difficult to resist. Sometimes, God allows temptation to test us. Hence, this part teaches us to sincerely pray for us to be delivered from these trying times and for deliverance from Satan and his deceit. All Christians struggle with temptation. Sometimes, it is so subtle to the point we dont even realize that it is happening to us. Yet, God promised that he wont allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. So, we must ask God to help us recognize temptations and to give us the strength to overcome it.
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What Is The Biblical Context Of The Shema Prayer
The Shema Prayer is divided into three sections which are each taken from a different passage in the Old Testament respectively: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41.
Deuteronomy takes place at the end of the Israelites 40 years of desert wandering. The generation who didnt believe Gods promises and rebelled against God by refusing to enter the Promised Land has died. Gathered at the border of this land, the new generation stands ready to follow God in faith and take hold of the territory He provided. Moses, due to an act of disobedience , wont be accompanying them into this new era. Before he hands off leadership to Joshua, he reminds the new generation of who God is, what He has done, what He will do if they obey Him, and what will happen if they dont.
The third passage in the Shema takes place shortly after the first generation of Israelites embarked upon their wilderness wandering. In these verses, God instructs His people to create a physical reminder of Gods commandments to help them obey.
Lessons We Can Learn From Hezekiahs Prayer
In Troubling Times, Seek God First
The immediate action Hezekiah took after receiving a letter of battle that ridiculed his faith in God was to seek God in hopeful prayer and petition. Neither did Hezekiah complain nor wallow in self-pity. He simply chose God. As a child bringing his broken toy to his father for repair, so Hezekiah laid the issues in Gods sight for resolution.
In verses 15 to 16, Hezekiah took the time to establish and acknowledge Gods identity as the King of majesties. Watch how after Hezekiah declared God is God alone, he recognized Gods power as the maker of heaven and earth. In recognizing this power, Hezekiahs faith and courage began rising! Likewise, when we pray, make declarations! Declarations strengthen your courage.
When You Seek for Deliverance, Remember It Is for Gods Glory
Note how Hezekiah ended off his prayer in verse 19 so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.. Hezekiahs request for deliverance was not rooted in self-interest but Gods. He asks for deliverance so that God may be glorified. When we face trials and challenges, it is okay to ask for deliverance from God. But the best pleas are those for Gods honor. This is why the Lords prayer begins with Hallowed be thy name and ends with For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. All glory to our God.
When You Seek For Courage, Be Certain
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Solomon After Becoming King
“Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
Solomon has just been ordained by his father, King David, to take over the throne. One night, God appeared to him in a dream, inviting Solomon to ask Him for anything he desired. Instead of asking for power and riches, Solomon acknowledges his youth and inexperience, and prays for wisdom in how to rule the nation.
Solomon’s ambition was to be righteous rather than rich, and displays a focus on the things of God. When I ask God to grow me in Christ-likeness before anything else, my prayers become an invitation for God to change and use me.
Mothers And Sons: Being A Godly Influence
Rhonda Stoppe describes her early motherhood challenges of raising a son, which was intimidating to her. She found help through group of older women mentors. She urges moms to see their role as ministry in shaping sons to be good and godly men. Rhonda outlines several practical suggestions to moms about spiritual training, how to communicate with boys, and supporting the father-son relationship as a wife.
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Jesus Teaches Us About Prayer
Some of us probably build a mindset that our prayers must be full of words to be effective. But whats the sense of having a long prayer when it doesnt actually make sense and not even heartfelt? It defeats the purpose of prayer. Jesus said that we should keep our prayers simple. God will listen to us no matter if our prayers are long or short. Sometimes, we dont even know what to say in our prayers, and thats okay with Him. Even if we dont know the right words, He still knows what we mean because thats Gods nature. He knows us even more than we know ourselves.
Also, before Jesus gave the Lords prayer in the Bible, he gave a warning about self-righteousness, especially to the religious leaders . Some people want to be seen as holy, and public prayer was one way to get attention. However, Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts. So, he taught that the essence of prayer is not public style, but a private communion with God. Yes, theres a place for public prayer. But, to pray only where others will notice you indicate that your real audience is not God.
The Purpose Of Prayer
Prayer can often feel purposeless.
âNone of my prayers get answered anyway.â
Donât they?
We are assured that God hears them and acts on them. But his actions may not be what we expected, desired, or wished. However, we are assured that Godâs answers to our prayersâsome more obvious than othersâare always the right course of action and for our good .
âHe who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, âMy refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.â For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.ââ
âPray for the peace of Jerusalem! âMay they be secure who love you!ââ
âAnd I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, âThey are my peopleâ and they will say, âThe Lord is my God.ââ
âWatch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.â
âAnd he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.â
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Lessons We Can Learn From Jesus Prayer
Jesus Can Relate To Our Anguish And Distress
When Jesus made this prayer, Jesus was showing his vulnerable side to God. He was in distress about what he was about to face My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. This shows that whenever we pray, Jesus can fully relate and understand. Isnt it comforting to know that we are not alone because Jesus Christ has also been through such emotional turmoil himself?
Jesus Turned To God In Petition, Not The Disciples Who Were With Him
Jesus did not hesitate to take his petition up to God even though he knows he can talk about it to his disciples. However, Jesus knows that God is the only way and source of comfort that he needs. In times of trouble, we can always turn to our friends and family, but who we truly need is only God.
Gods Will Above Ours
We may never understand some of Gods plan for us and sometimes even wonder if God knows what is best for us. But God does. He knows what is best for us. His will and plans for us are to prosper and not to harm , plans to give hope and a future . And Jesus knows this because twice, when he asked God to take this cup from , Jesus reaffirmed his desire to accomplish Gods will both times. He firmly trusted Gods plan and obeyed him regardless of all his struggles. Praying for surrender and obedience is a powerful prayer we should all learn.
Gods Unconditional Love For Us
What Does The Bible Say About Prayer
Prayer is not a mysterious practice reserved only for clergy and the religiously devout. Prayer is simply communicating with Godlistening and talking to him. Believers can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously, and in their own words. If prayer is a difficult area for you, learn these basics principles of prayer and how to apply them in your life.
The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. The first mention of prayer is in Genesis 4:26: “And as for Seth, to him also a son was born and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.”
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Why Are Some Prayers Not Answered
Sometimes our prayers are not answered. The Bible gives several reasons or causes for failure in prayer:
- Self-indulgence – James 4:3
Sometimes our prayers are refused. Prayer must be in accord with God’s divine will:
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Third Jesus Prays For Those Who Will Believe Through The Message Of That Disciples
Jesus prays that his church will grow and that many people in all the earth will come to know Him through the faithful ministry of all His disciples.
What an amazing gift to believers today to be able to read this prayer and know that Jesus was, and still is, going to God directly and personally on their behalf.
~ excerpted from The Jesus Bible.
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Lessons We Can Learn From Davids Prayer
Always Thank God For Victory Over Our Enemies
Enemies here do not necessarily refer to humans out to harm you . They can refer to illness, ailment, or any burdens that you have. When we pray, pray for how God has allowed us to reign victory over all of these. No matter how big or small it is, always count our blessings to know that God is in control.
Dependence On God For Healing
In verse 2, David acknowledged and thanked God for healing him when he asked for it. Likewise, when you are healed from whatever burdens, recognize that God provided you with the people and circumstances for you to be healed.
Thank God For Keeping Us Alive
Life is a present from God. And He is the only one that has the power to give life and preserve life. Make it a daily habit to thank God for keeping us alive. We may not be facing the life-threatening situations David went through as seen in verse 9 but it always pleases God when we thank Him for preserving our lives to do His good works.
Be Bold And Give Thanks Aloud
Davids prayer teaches us to be bold and give thanks aloud because thanksgiving is one of the purest forms of worship. We dont worship in silence, do we? So let us glorify and give thanks to our Lord God boldly and loudly, for He deserves all the praise of heaven and earth.
Make Thanksgiving To God A Routine