Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Vacation Time...A Time for Prayer

Hi Friends~

I want you to know that I checked and there were only comments in the past week from Michele and Joan. Thank you Michele and Joan for sharing with everyone, even though you are not eligible to win these fabulous cards. With that happening, there will be no winner this week for the "He IS Able Card of the Week!" 

This has happened for 2 weeks now...so I am upping the offer for this one time.  The next winner of the "He IS Able Card of the Week!" will win the card showing on the right side bar...and an additional beautiful card based on "Friendship."

I hope this will entice you to share something, or ask something in the comment section (Which is located at the very end of each post.) before
8pm next Tuesday.

This really will be a challenge as I will be on Vacation and will be returning on Wednesday with a new post.  So, you can reply to each other's comments.  Comment on any post.  If you missed a post...go ahead and read it, you can comment in that section...it will still show up in the "behind the blog scenes" as a comment for this current week.  Click on the title on the right side of the blog.

You can ask for Prayer Requests and Needs...we just had a major hurricane pass through a large section of our country.  I would think there would be many prayer requests.  We will pray for any of the needs...big or small.  Because nothing is too small for God...and no problem is too Big for Him, either.  So prayers will be said...with thanksgiving in our hearts.  Prayers will be said for your family members, your illnesses and injuries, your pets, for guidance, for financial needs...for anything that is important to you. Just ask us to pray.  And, if it is confidential email me.  My email is on the right.  Only Joan and I will pray in that case.    Do you know that whatever is important to you...is important to Him?  It is.  It may not be in the way it is important to you...but He will answer your prayers.  And, His answers to prayer will lead you on the best path of your life...it may not always seem it now.  But, if you follow it...it will.  He promised.

Have a good week!  Write your comment and prayer requests.  We are honored to help carry your burden.

"A Friend Loveth at All Times."  Proverbs 17:17

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather

Monday, August 29, 2011

Listen to Your Heart!

Hi Friends~


I hope that everyone is safe from Hurricane Irene, and that you have had no major damages to your property.  If you have a prayer request, please write it in the comment section, and we will be happy and honored to pray for you and your loved ones.


The writing I would like to share today is from Quiet Moments in the Presence of God, which is published by Bethany House.  It is called "Listen to Your Heart."  Enjoy!  And, think about what an amazing miracle the points made in this essay really are!  Praise God!

_______________________________________

 
Listen to Your Heart

 
"Our soul waits for the Lord;  He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name." 
 Psalm 33:20-21


God's favorite dwelling place is in your heart.  He lives and speaks to you there.  He tells you how special you are to Him.  In your heart, you know the truth about how much you mean to God.

 
In your heart, you have a powerful interaction with God.  From there you can talk with God confidently about His will for you. From there you can speak clearly about your needs and can focus directly on the One who supplies you needs.  Your heart is the holy place where you and God meet.

 
Your heart is where you can bask in God's presence and hear His words of love and wisdom.  Listen to your heart."

 
"You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and new wine abound."  Psalm 4:7
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Isn't it amazing that God lives within you?  I find that to be amazing.  And, it gives me a whole different feeling about being His vessel.  Do you feel His love?  Do you have conversations with Him?  Or formal prayer only?  Do you know God's will for you?  Do you know God?  Does He know you? 


 
If you want to know God and His Son, Jesus, pray this prayer shared with us by the Church in the Son:

 
"Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.  Forgive me for all my sins.  I open the door of my heart to You and receive You now as my Savior and Lord.  Please give me eternal life.  I recognize that the blood You shed on the cross was the full payment for my sins.  I acknowledge You as the Risen Savior and Son of God.  Take control of the throne of my life.  Help me to follow You and obey Your Word.  Amen."

 
If you prayed this prayer, or one in your own words, please let us know.  We would like to celebrate with you and pray for you or with you.  And, I will do my best to get a Bible for you to use through your new life.  We are very happy you are here.   If you have any questions about anything in that prayer...please ask us about it in the comment section.  We would not want you to pray something that you either do not understand or do not agree with.  We are here to support and encourage you.

 
Please remember to leave a comment.  It encourages us tremendously, and we enjoy knowing you are here and where you are from!  By the way, did you read Michele's post on Friday about Rebekah?  It was wonderful.  The next Precious Women of God--This Includes You!! will be shared on the 3rd Friday of September.  You may want to look at Friday's post from last week, if you missed it. It is very interesting!

He IS Able!
Traci S. 

Friday, August 26, 2011

Precious Women of God--This Includes YOU! (Rebekah)

Hi Friends~

As promised, Michele has written a wonderful post about Rebekah!  As I was reading it, it reminded me of how powerless most women really were in those days.  So, as Michele points out so beautifully, women had to find ways to actually make the decisions they want happen.  We have come a long way, Ladies!


Michele found some of her information at this site: http://womeninthebible.net/  as well as adding her own thoughts and questions. This is a longer post than usual...but there was so much to share!  I encourage you to read on!  Thank you Michele for taking the time to put this together!

_________________________________


For this month’s study I have been reading about Rebekah. When I read her story there were things that struck me as interesting.  The Bible states how she was a virgin, she was picked for Isaac and she agreed to go and move and marry this man she had never met.  This is something that is so interesting about the culture because I would have such a hard time leaving my family to marry someone I had never met.  What faith in God!  I also feel for her because of the relationship between her sons Esau and Jacob.  All a mother wants is for her children to love each other and love the family.  This had to be difficult and this is something that so many of us can struggle with and it has happened nearly since the beginning of time. 
Rebekah was the young woman who became the wife of Isaac, Sarah's son. Her family background is given in Genesis 22:20-23.
“Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah, coming out with her water jar on her shoulder. The girl was very fair to look upon, a young girl, whom no man had known. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up.”
It was Rebekah’s initiative that first caught the attention of Eliezer, the servant Abraham sent to find a wife for Isaac.  It was common courtesy to give a drink to a stranger, but it took added character to also fetch water for ten thirsty camels!
Read Genesis 24:1-27.  
Rebekah impressed Abraham's men who had stopped to rest at the well. They offered her valuable gifts, including a gold nose-ring and two gold bracelets, which she accepted.  Rebekah led the men to her home, to introduce them to her family. Her brother Laban spoke as head of the house, inviting them to stay in his household.  A proposal of marriage, on behalf of Isaac, was made. It was accepted by Rebekah and by her family.
 'And they called Rebekah and said to her "Will you go with this man?" She said "I will". So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham's servant and his man, and they blessed Rebekah.'
Rebekah had more say in whom she married than did Isaac,her future husband. Genesis 24:8 suggests that the marriage would not have gone ahead without her consent, but Isaac is expected to marry the woman brought home to him by his father's agents.

As she faced the journey to her new home, she seemed sure of her own judgment, and ready for this daunting new experience.             
When Rebekah and Isaac met, it seems to have been love at first sight. He took her to the tent that had once belonged to his mother Sarah - this tent was to be Rebekah's now.  Rebekah comforted Isaac after his mother's death; the deep bond that Isaac had with Sarah was replaced by his love for Rebekah. 
“Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah.  So she became his wife, and he loved her, and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”  Genesis 24:67
Despite her beauty, and despite Isaac's love for her, Rebekah did not have an easy time of it. She did not conceive for quite some years, and this was considered both a personal misfortune and a sign that she was not favored by God. Eventually however she became pregnant, but even then it was not easy.  She had a difficult pregnancy, since the two babies inside her were constantly moving, so that she had no peace. Like many women before and since, she wondered what she had got herself into.  
So she 'went to enquire of the Lord'. Rebekah was the first woman we hear of who sought God out and asked Him for some explanation of her condition.  God told her that:
'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.'
Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob.  The struggle in her womb had been a sign that there was to be:
·         a lifelong struggle between Esau and Jacob, and
·         a continuing struggle between their descendants, the Edomites and the Israelites.
'When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle, so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel, so he was named Jacob.'  
From the start, Esau was, good at hunting and outdoors activities, confident, careless, unconcerned. He had a good relationship with his father. He married two Hittite (non-Hebrew) women who did not get on well with Rebekah and Isaac (see Genesis 26:34-35). Jacob was quiet, more thoughtful, more interested in learning. He did not particularly enjoy outdoors activities. He depended on his intelligence and his wits rather than on brute strength. 
One day, Esau carelessly gave up his birthright, half of his inheritance, to his younger twin Jacob.  On the death of the father, property was divided in equal shares between the sons, but the eldest son got a double portion. This was called the 'birthright' of the eldest. Thus in a family of two sons, the elder would get two-thirds, the younger  would get one-third. Daughters had already received their inheritance in the form of a dowry.
When Isaac was very old, he realized that it was nearly time for him to die. This meant that he should give his formal Blessing to the son he wanted to succeed him. In ancient Hebrew tribes, the Blessing meant the handing over of legal power to a successor - a more valuable gift than any amount of property. The person who received the Blessing had authority over the whole clan, even over people who were older than himself. If Jacob had the Blessing, he would govern the tribe after Isaac's death.

But Esau was Isaac's favorite son. He had many of the qualities that Isaac lacked: he was hearty, carefree, a good hunter, and physically strong. The question was: would he be the best person to govern the tribe after Jacob's death? Rebekah did not think so. She believed that the quiet, intelligent Jacob would do a better job.  
She therefore colluded with her younger son, and under her direction, Jacob tricked his dying father into giving the Blessing to him.   
'Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob; and she put the skins of  kids (baby goats) on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck'  
In the modern world, we admire honesty and integrity. The actions of Rebekah and Jacob seem underhanded to us. In ancient times, however, this duo of schemers would have been admired. Trickery and cunning were valued, because the world was dangerous and unpredictable, and people needed every advantage they could get, to survive. Rebekah may have hated what she had to do - but it was necessary, given Esau's impetuous foolishness and the long term effect it would have on the tribe.
Rebekah had developed from a beautiful, confident young girl into a far-sighted and shrewd woman. She chose the son she believed was more capable of governing the clan. But some questions must be asked:
·         Did Jacob really trick Isaac into thinking he was Esau? Is it possible that Isaac was aware all along of what was happening?
·         Did Isaac go along with Rebekah's deception because he knew in his heart of hearts that Jacob was better suited for the task of leadership?
'Now Esau hated Jacob because of the Blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob". But the words of her elder son Esau were told to Rebekah.'

Esau was angry and he had been betrayed by his mother and his brother and lost the inheritance that was due to him, his birthright and the Blessing. He planned to kill Jacob as soon as his father died.
Once again, Rebekah stepped in, helping Jacob to escape. She also maneuvered Isaac into arranging a marriage between Jacob and one of the daughters of Laban, the brother she had left so many years ago in Mesopotamia.  
The story of Rebekah makes it clear that women can feel ambition, love greatly, deceive, and be self-sacrificing. The nature of the person shapes what they are, not their gender. Rebekah was a leader of people and an organizer of the future. It did not matter that she was a woman. She used the abilities she had, in the best way that she could.
The more of these stories that I read-- it really has me thinking, who am I more like?   Do I have some of each of these biblical women in me?  Meaning their traits and how would I have handled some of the situations.  I can honestly say, I understand why Rebekah did what she did and we all make the best choices we can in life.  With each of these realizations, I have become so thankful for the power of Jesus and what gifts He bestowed on the church. Thankful that we don’t live under the same law as in the Old Testament.  Life was so very different as far as the Law – with Jesus I feel the grace and forgiveness and so thankful for His sacrifice for me.  Jesus would have come to earth and endured what He did for just one lost person.  He is there in Heaven on the Right hand of God interceding on our behalf, it makes me so thankful for the friend I have in Jesus.  He is my savior, my Redeemer and my Strength.
God bless you.
Michele G.
_________________________________
I apologize for the different size fonts and awkward spaces. No matter what I tried I couldn't get them to be in alignment. 

 So, after reading this would you have done what Rebekah did?  Would you have been deceitful to get the better result, in an age when women had no power?  Do you feel that the ends justified the means?  Tell us in our comment section. 

 Leave any comment before Tuesday 8pm, and you may receive the card on the side bar, and postage...if you live in the US.  I'm sorry, I can not send cards out of the country.  We are glad you are all here!  Michele will have another post on a Biblical Woman on the 3rd Friday of September.  You get decide if you are like the woman or not!

Praying that everyone is safe from the hurricane.  Please join us in prayer for each other and people everywhere that need Him.
He IS Able!
Traci S.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

He IS Able Card of the Week! And, May Our Worst Prayers Be Our Best Prayers?

Hi Friends~


Today is Wednesday, and therefore the day to announce our "He IS Able Card of the Week" Winner!  However the only comments came from Joan and Michele, who lead our Prayer Team and write for the blog respectively, and are not eligible to win.

Why do we have these "He IS Able Card of the Week" drawings?  To encourage each other to share your love of Jesus with these beautiful hand made cards!  To thank you for being here!  To Glorify God!  To learn from each other!  To make this blog interactive...by reading what is on your heart, your mind, your prayer needs...anything you want to share through the comment section that makes you eligible for the "He IS Able Card of the Week!"

We would LOVE to have you leave a comment every time you are here...just a few words would make you eligible to win the card on the side bar!  We love to give away these cards!  And, we love your being here!  Thank you for being a part of our lives and making this a community blog with many writers and Prayer Warriors!  Whatever role you want to take on with this blog...we are grateful!

We have been sharing about prayer for two weeks.  I have two quick posts to share with you from the Devotional Book titled Whispers of Promise.  This book is published by Barbour.  Our first writing is by C.S. Lewis and is titled Our Best.


Our Best

"What seems our worst prayers
 may really be, in God's eyes, our
 best.  Those, I mean, which are
 least supported by devotional
feeling.  For these may come from
 a deeper level than feeling.
  God sometimes seems to speak
to us most intimately when He
 catches us, as it were, off our guard."
~C.S. Lewis

The second writing is about listening, truly listening for God when we pray.  It is the "Be still" part of the Psalm 46:10.  The writing is called Be Silent and was written by Francois Fenelon.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, 
I will be exalted in the earth!"
(Psalm 46:10)

 
Be Silent


How can you expect God to speak
in that gentle and inward voice
which melts the soul, when you are
making so much noise...?
Be silent and God will speak
again.
~Francois Fenelon~

___________________________________

Friday's post will be written by the very talented Michele.  It is time for
"Precious Women of God--This Includes You!"  Since this post was not shared this past Friday...it will appear this week!  Please tell your friends and family members!  Michele writes about different women of the Bible, and asks questions for us to think about.  Questions like if we are similar or unlike the person she is writing about.  Would we have done the same thing that person did?  What could we learn from this Biblical woman and add to our lives today?  The next post of this type will be posted on the 3rd Friday of September...so don't miss "Precious Women of God--This Includes You!"  We hope you will be here on Friday!  May God bless each of you!

He IS Able!
Traci S.

Monday, August 22, 2011

A Specific Salutation!

Dear Friends~


I owe each of you an apology.  When I told you I was back, and feeling better from my long illness...I had no idea I would have the worst fibromyalgia attack I have ever had...and that it hurt to move even my fingers...so I have not been using my computer except to check for prayer requests.  You may have noticed that there are some words posted in orange in recent posts.  When you see these orange words...they are personal challenges for you!  Try it out!

I am sorry if you were here on Friday for our Precious Women of God--This Includes You!---and you realized there was no post.  This very special post written by Michele, will be shared this Friday.  After this week, it will go back to being posted every 3rd Friday of the month.

Speaking of which, Joan, our Prayer Team Leader is in need of prayer.  If you are willing, please lift her up for a quick recovery for back pain and tendinitis in her knees.  We know that Jesus is the "Great Physician" and can heal her with just a word.  And, we know that when 2 or more Believers are gathered in His name...in agreement...like praying for the same thing...He is there with us.  I know that Joan would appreciate this very much.  I appreciate it, too.  We are here to support each other in prayer...that is why we are looking for people to join our Prayer Team.

______________________________________

I have a post today from Quiet Moments in the Presence of God.  This book is published by Bethany House.  Today's Devotion is called,

 
"A Specific Salutation"
"This, then is how you should pray: Father in Heaven: May, Your Holy name be honored;  may Your Kingdom come;  may Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."  (Matthew 6:9-10  GNT)

 
"The Disciples saw Jesus often on bended knee and, one day, asked Him to teach them how to pray.  He taught them that the first thing to do is to address God directly, to be specific in salutation, to know what God means, and to call Him what He is.

 
Prayer acknowledges the personal nature of your relationship to God.  God is a friend with whom you share and in whom you confide.  Through prayer, you speak to God and God speaks to you.  The strength of your prayer comes from the intensity of your bond with God.

 
When you talk to God, you talk to someone you know well and with whom you have a deep and close relationship."

"God!  Let people thank and enjoy you.  Let all people
thank and enjoy you."  Psalm 67:3

____________________________________

Here are some names for God and the name in Hebrew: 
God, Mighty Creator-Elohim
The God Who Sees Me-El Roi
God Almighty-El Shaddai
The Everlasting God or The Eternal God- El Olam
The Lord Will Provide- Yahweh Yireh
Lord- Yahweh
Lord Master- Adonai
The Lord Who Heals- Yahweh Rophe
Holy One of Israel- Qedosh Yisrael
Father-Abba
Refuge, Shield, Fortress, Strong Tower-Machseh, Magen, Migdal-Oz

_____________________________________

 
Thank you for sticking with us.  We are all back....I am back, and will be on a regular basis...Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.  Please leave a comment...perhaps a prayer request, or how you refer to God when you pray...we would love to learn that...so we can learn from each other.  There are many more names for God than listed above.  And, please remember to pray for Joan, and for this blog to encourage people in their lives with Christ Jesus, and to Glorify God in every post!  We hope you will leave a comment before Tuesday night at 8pm...because your comment may be randomly drawn and you may win the "He IS Able Card of the Week!"  This fortunate winner will be announced on Wednesday!  God bless you!

 
He IS Able!
Traci S.

p.s. "The strength of your prayer comes from the intensity of your bond with God."  This sentence really struck me from the Devotion above.  I believe I will write it on a paper and put it on my "Wall of Inspiration."  Have I told you about that?

Friday, August 12, 2011

Prayers and Answered Prayers

Hi Friends~

I wanted to make sure you know, if you haven't read the comment sections, by clicking on them, you don't know what you have been missing!  There has been so much wisdom for anyone in those sections, especially the last post, they had to do with prayer.  I encourage you to take a peek!


Going on...since we have been sharing about prayer this week, I wanted to end the week by listing several Scripture here today..."One About Praying"...and the next about "Answered Prayer."  When you look at them in this manner, it is so easy to see how He set up this wonderful way of communicating for us.  We can be with Him at all times...He IS with us at all times...but we can actually praise Him, ask for forgiveness, pray for others and ourselves, ask for guidance, or share His Scripture with Him in prayer.  Question:  BTW, did you try sharing the Scripture of the concept of a Scripture with Him when you prayed this week?  I would love to know how it worked for you.  Like most new processes, it takes time to get used to it.


Let's take a look at "A Scripture about Prayer" and "A Scripture about Answered Prayer"...  Perhaps you will challenge yourself and try to memorize one this week!  Let us know how it goes...and you may find yourself with a He IS Able Card!

A Scripture about Prayer:
 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For
 where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the
midst of them.”  (Matthew 18: 19-20 NKJV)


A Scripture about Answered Prayer: 
"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7 NIV)


A Scripture about Prayer:
 "The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
  He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them."
(Psalm 145:18-19 NKJV)


A Scripture about Answered Prayer:
"And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."   (James 5:15-16 NKJV)


A Scripture about Prayer:
"You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
  Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
   In the day of my trouble I will call to You,
for You will answer me.
(Psalm 86:5-7 NIV)


A Scripture about Answered Prayer:
"‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you Great and
Mighty things, which you do not know.’"  (Jeremiah 33:3)


These are only a few Scriptures about Prayer and Answered Prayer...I could go on listing them all day long. Question: Do you have a favorite Scripture about prayer or answered prayer?  Perhaps one that isn't listed here?  Do you pray for others?  Do you ask others to pray for you?  We  would be blessed to know.  How about letting us know in the comment section...if you would like. Of course, you may share anything else there, too!


I chose the first Scripture because that is particularly special to Michele. She hasn't told me it is her favorite...but it doesn't have to be THE favorite...I know she is drawn to this prayer, and it reminded me of her.   She wrote a few words about it in the last comment section. (Check it out.)  I love what and how she writes, and I look forward to the next post of "Precious Women of God--This Includes YOU!"  This special post is shared on the 3rd Friday of each month...and she shares about a different woman of the Bible.  She gives us information about this woman, and asks us thought-provoking questions.  Would we have done things the same way that she did?  Would we have stepped up if our life was in danger?  Are we like her...or not like her?  Things like this....Mark your calendar!


James 5:15-16 was listed because it really reminds me of Joan, our Prayer Team Leader.  She has such a heart to pray for others, she prays for the sick...KNOWING that if it is His will, they will be healed...and she won't stop praying for that person until the situation has changed.  I know this about her, and when I saw this Verse, I said, "Wow, Joan is like that..."The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  (We know that the Bible uses the term "man" to mean "people.")  Would you join Joan, and myself, and be a member of our Prayer Team?  We pray for our guests and their prayer needs if they let us know about them, for the blog to Glorify Him...and encourage others...and to reach those who don't know about Jesus yet...along with other requests.  She is very encouraging, and we will fit the prayer requests she gives you to fit your time availability. (You don't have to pray for EVERYTHING on the list!)   If you can give us 10 minutes a day, or every other day, it is a great way to serve the Lord, and serve your Brothers and Sisters in Christ!  Please let me know via email....(Traci on the side bar) ...or in the comment section.  We will be happy to welcome you to the Team!

A friend of mine passed this on to me...it is beautiful, has lovely sound, and fits our theme.  Please check it out.  Cathy, thank you!

Click -->  HERE.

He IS Able!
Traci S.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Learning to Talk to God...and Teaching How! And, Announcing our "He IS Able Card of the Week" Winner!

Hi Friends~

I'm so sorry this didn't get to be the early post I wanted this to be!  It was storming from before I woke up until just recently.  And, I am trying to hurry before the next storm.  This is traditional Florida weather with a twist.  It doesn't usually storm in the morning...it usually is in the late afternoon only! 

OK-- I read a wonderful article in the Discipleship Journal, Nov./Dec. 2003.
It shares about teaching children to pray, especially using Scripture in their prayer.  Something that I have really gone back to doing.  I find a different depth in my time with Him.  The article is about teaching children to pray in this manner.  I hope you will look at it as a tool that you can use to teach anyone to pray with Scripture.  And, if you don't pray in this way, I hope you will be convinced to give it a try.  I am not going to quote the article...the author, however is Lee Braes.

Prayer is learned the same way a child is taught to talk and learn as they grow.  They learn by listening.  As we all do.  The children then add the next step...they listen and then they imitate the sounds they hear.  They may not get it just right...it's a process.  That is how they learn to speak...and that is how we learn to pray.  Jesus knew that the Disciples would need to be shown how to pray. 


 "And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And He said unto them, When ye pray, say,
 Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth.
 Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation;
 but deliver us from evil."(Luke 11:1-4 KJV)

Samuel Chadwick said, "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray."

 
In the Bible there are prayers for many different occasions.  There are prayers for: praise, pain, warfare, thanks, grief, frustrations, joy and many other reasons.   As I said, this article teaches how to teach someone to pray using Scripture. 

If someone has the burden of stress for example, the author would lead them to one of David's prayers.  He would take them to Psalm 57:2-4 or perhaps Psalm 63.  Mr. Brase remembers that prayer is a language.  And tries to help people use the words of Moses of David, Paul or Jesus.  When David was fleeing from Saul, he prayed:

 
"I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 
 He sends from Heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me.
 God sends forth His love and His faithfulness.

I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,  whose tongues are sharp swords."
(Psalm 57:2-4)

 
These words may have fit David's situation perfectly as he called out to God.  The people that we are discipling these days are facing their own struggles and battles.  The author suggests this to the person he is mentoring:

 
"Father, I am in the midst of a lot of uncertainty and stress.  I feel as if my life is being drained out of me."  It is very important that people state things as they are to the Lord, and not to try to sugar coat things or tone them down. Tell Him how you are really feeling. You don't need to worry about venting to Him.  Just be honest.  Pray specifically. 

Let's look at the prayer of David again:

"I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from Heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me.
God sends forth His love and His faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords."
(Psalm 57:2-4)

The next step is to help people observe the heart and vision of the person whose prayer is recorded in the Bible.  Ask these following questions about David as he prayed.  (I am quoting this section by Lee Brase.  He was the international prayer-ministry coordinator for The Navigators.  He is also the author of several books.)

 
"1.  What were the circumstances surrounding the prayer?  What caused the person to cry out to God?

 
2.  What did the person believe about God?  What titles did he use for God?  What kind of attitude did he display toward Him?  What did he recall about God?

 
These are critical questions because our concept of God will determine how we talk to Him; it determines what we can believe Him for.  In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus believed that God was the Heavenly Father.  This concept of God spurred Jesus to ask for the Father's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  It also caused Jesus to believe that the loving Father would give His children food, forgiveness and protection.  For novices in prayer, the study of God Himself is more important than the study of other prayer topics, such as spiritual warfare, which can be covered as their prayer lives mature.

 
3.  What is the major content of the prayer?

 
"They raised their voices together in prayer to God. 
 "Sovereign Lord," they said, "You made the heaven and the earth
and the sea, and everything in them."  Acts 4:24

 
"Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.  Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus."  vv.29-30

 
It is essential to take beginners in prayer to passages such as that one.  That's how they learn to pray about what's on God's heart rather than praying in a self-absorbed way.

 
4.  What if anything, did the person ask God to do?  It can be surprising to see what someone in the Scriptures requested in light of his apparent needs.

 
5.  What did the person expect to see changed as the result of prayer?  This question is closely related to the preceding one.  It's valuable to examine Scripture to see how God answered a particular prayer.

6.  If you are looking at an Old Testament prayer, how might that person have prayed in light of the death and resurrection of Christ?  As a general rule, New Testament prayers are primarily concerned with the inner life of God's people, not with the destruction of an enemy or physical needs. For instance, David often asked God to destroy his enemies.  When Jesus came, however, He told us to pray for our enemies, not against them.

 
 "But I tell you, love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:44

 
In the Old Testament, the blessings of God on His people were usually directed toward the fruitfulness of their land.  This was because God's people lived in one location:  Israel.  The fruitfulness of their land was a sign to other nations that the God of Israel was blessing them.  In the New Testament, God's people are scattered throughout the world.  His blessing has to do with fruitfulness in their lives. 

 
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:8


 
Discipling others in prayer goes well beyond helping them learn to pray for a given situation:  The goal is to help them become attentive to God and to grow into people who long to communicate openly and to live in utter dependence upon Him.  When these things happen, prayer becomes the rich, organic language it's meant to be.

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When I pray, I try to actually use the Words of Scripture in my prayer.  I find that it helps me concentrate on who He is, and it helps me to memorize Scripture and store it in my heart.  I concentrate on who He is first...before asking for the prayer need, or for forgiveness.  I remind Him that I know what He has done as The Great Physician, for example,...and use Scriptures even if I do not know the words perfectly! This helps me focus on His Mightiness...His Wonder...His Worthiness! 

 
Question:  When you pray...do you have a certain order of things that you pray for?  Do you relate to Him as the Mighty One He is?  Or do you just start listing all of the needs you know of?  I really am curious.  We have all been raised by different people...unless you are relatives--lol...  Please take a second and share about your Prayer Life.  I would love to learn from reading your comments...I am sure others would also.

Today's "He IS Able Card of the Week" Winner is Becky!
Becky writes a very inspirational blog with wonderful cards every time! It is called A Diamond in the Rough.   I love how she shares her personal experiences with our Lord so openly. Anyone reading her blog, will learn a lot about Jesus, and how she shares her day with Him. Her cards are very creative and very beautiful. You really should check her blog out.  It is listed with the list of blogs on the side bar.  Please let her know you learned about her blog from the He IS Able blog.  

Please be sure to leave your comment, prayer request, prayer in response to someone else's need, or the answer to my questions  (above) in the comment section before Tuesday evening at 8pm.  I really would like to learn about your prayer style.  Thanks for being here!

He IS Able!
Traci S.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Rain, Rain--GO AWAY!

Hi Friends~

It has been storming all day long today...so I could not get the time to post for the blog.  I will post tomorrow...and Wednesday.  I'm sorry, but I can't risk the computer getting zapped by lightning.  I hope you understand.

Off to bed now...so I can get up and type before the storm comes tomorrow!

Praying for all of you, and all of the people who do not yet know of Jesus!

He IS Able!
Traci S.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Cards by Traci and Lyrics About a Very Special Friendship!

Dear Friends~ 

Today I would like to share a few cards that I made at the SCS VSN (Virtual Stamping Night) Mini last Friday night. Saturday I posted them to my Gallery there.  The VSNs are so much fun!  They have a group of volunteer hostesses and leaders, and they choose a theme for each VSN...which is about every 3 months.  They had a mini--it started at 5pm and the last challenge was posted at 10pm.  They have a weekend long VSN on another date in that month. The big VSN will be August 26-27! They have fun challenges, teach new techniques of all types, challenge you to use a certain item/color, and they still give you a lot of room for your originality. The catch if there is one...is that you have 45 minutes to complete your card!  They also tell you what special items you may need to complete the challenges.  Basically, it is a blast!   And, you can join SCS for free...if you want to be a Fabulous Fan Club Member there is a nominal feel.  I hope you will make it to the August 26-27th VSN!  You will end up with a huge stack of cards ready to go at the end!  I don't know the theme!

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OK--You have seen this stamp of mine before by Inkadinkadoo.  I just love it.  I just wish it was the whole poem.  It is so moving.  As I said, the Mini VSN took us to the Rodeo...who knew I would have so much fun! The theme of this card is the Queen's Wave. No, not THE Queen...the Rodeo Queen. I believe they have a pageant...and the Rodeo Queen goes around waving to this person, and that camera...waving all the while. Well, our theme was to do something about "waving." This card has small waves!  I enjoyed painting this card. I love using Twinkling H20's they are so shimmery! I added a couple of little shells that I had on the lower corner.  I should have put 3...they say that you should use items in the quantity of 3's, 5's etc...it is more appealing to the eyes. 

______________________________




It is a Grand Start to the Rodeo!  At a rodeo they have a huge parade at the beginning with horses, and flags and cowboys and girls, and rodeo clowns.  For this challenge we were to show part of this special festivity!  I had so much fun making this card for the VSN Mini! I didn't have a horse stamp...so what is a girl to do when the theme is rodeo?! After a moment of thought, I took my carousel horse, and cut the pole off! Did you know that in Biblical times the white horses were considered the best in the land?  They were given to the king and queen...so I left her white! I just colored her hair, and flowers and decorations.   The flag pole?  A coffee stirrer--and red, white and blue twill for the pennants!  Part of the challenge was to use red, white and blue...accomplished with the flag.  I love how she came out!  I tilted her up a bit, so it would look like a small jump or gallop.  She is special!  I also glued on a section of a golf decal...an award, and put it over the horse's neck...like at the races...for she is the winner of the rodeo, of course!

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You may be wondering why these cards are being shared while we have been talking about "Friendship" this week.  Well, I am glad you asked!  LOL  I wanted to remind you how a card can really make a person's day.  Especially a card that isn't for a birthday, anniversary, etc... An unexpected card is THE best!!  Occasion cards are so sweet, and I am always grateful for them.  But, it is something EXTRA special to receive a card because someone is thinking of you.  They want to remind you that you are a great friend, that they are loved, that you have something funny to tell share, or perhaps something that could change their life. The He IS Able Card of the Week that we give away each Wednesday is a great way to share the most important information news, the Good News with anyone!  It is a great opportunity for you to use the card for any of the above reasons...but especially to share about the love of Jesus, or your relationship with Him, or perhaps something interesting you found out in your reading of His Word that day.  I made these cards to use for upcoming family holidays...but we have many   He IS Able Card of the Week Cards to give away.  We take all of the comments from last week until Tuesday at 8pm, and one comment is randomly chosen.  The writer of that comment, whether a prayer request, comment, or question,,,whatever they choose to share...wins the card! The cards don't all have Scriptures on them...you of course, could share your favorite Scripture on the inside!  I have one more card to share...

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I can't wait for the VSN at the end of the month...I hope you will join me in the fun! This was probably my favorite challenge! Talk about BLING Galore! The theme was "All That Glitters..." And, we were to use sequins some where on the card...not everyone decorated gowns...some decorated flowers or rodeo decorations.  In the description of the challenge, the Hostess shared about some of the dresses the Queen sometimes wore.

Elmers did the trick! Even her shoes had some extra pizazz as I used Glossy Dimensions over the Sakura Pink Metallic Gel! I really like her crown and make-up for the big day! I think she enjoyed having a face...she doesn't usually! LOL  I also put a large tiara on the side of the card.  I am not sure but I think it may be a "Unity" stamp.  I put some larger "Gems" on this, and a rhinestone.  I didn't have the sentiment stamp that I wanted...so I stuck to the old scrapbook rule---use your own handwriting!  My niece will love this...both Sparkly and pink! 

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I'd like to finish off with the lyrics that I wish I could find on Wednesday.  I am the worst at searching on the computer! I apologize about the numbers being in the wrong places. Please think on these words as you go through your day...and weekend.  Be blessed, my friends!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
  1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
    All our sins and griefs to bear!
    What a privilege to carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
    Oh, what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
  2. Have we trials and temptations?
    Is there trouble anywhere?
    We should never be discouraged—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Can we find a friend so faithful,
    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness;
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
  3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, still our refuge—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
    In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
    Thou wilt find a solace there.
  4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
    Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
    May we ever, Lord, be bringing
    All to Thee in earnest prayer.
    Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
    There will be no need for prayer—
    Rapture, praise, and endless worship
    Will be our sweet portion there.
He IS Able!
Traci S.

p.s.  Please remember to check out the Comment Section for prayer requests to be lifted up to the Lord.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

What a Friend You Have in Jesus! He IS Able Card of the Week Give Away!

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life--the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--that which we have seen and heard we proclain also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." 
1 John 1:1-3

Hi Friends,

This week we are sharing about friendship!  I hope you checked Monday's post.  We gave away many He IS Able cards.  We gave one card away for every post I missed when I was ill.  And, one card for each "He IS Able Card of the Week" give away that we missed due to my illness.  So, be sure to check out the list!  There is a wonderful post from Marybeth Whalen there...on Friendship in Action!


Today's post is from Dr. Jack Graham.  He has a post called Power Point and we have permission to share this wonderful column.  He started with the Scriptures above.  Here is the column:

What a Friend You Have in Jesus                           March 2, 2011

 
If you had to describe the most important human relationship in your life today, what words would you use?  I'm talking about that one person in your life that you're closest with and can open up to when you need to talk.  It may be a spouse, family member, or a good friend, but you've probably had that kind of companionship at some point.

 
But while your relationship with others can be a tremendous blessing, your relationship with Christ can be deeper and richer than any human friendship ever could be!  And that's because Christ is the only person in the world who knows you fully.  He knows your deepest, darkest secrets that you've never told anyone.

 
So here's the question I have for you today:  Is that relationship reciprocal?  Christ has invested so much in you, giving His own life on your behalf.  So how much do you invest in giving to Him?

Jesus isn't somebody I just talk about.  He's somebody I know and He lives inside of me.  He's my daily companion.  Whether I'm in my car, on an airplane, spending time with my family, or spending time alone, I know the reality of the presence of God.  And, if you know that fellowship, you'll experience that same reality of the presence of God.  And, if you know that fellowship, you'll experience that same reality in your life!

 
YOUR RELATIOSHIP WITH CHRIST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FRIENDSHIP, YOU HAVE.  SO EXPERIENCE HIS PRESENCE BY KNOWING HIM THROUGH HIS WORD.

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"Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10


He IS Able Card of the Week Winner


 
Congratulations, Catherine Kraft!!  You have been randomly chosen to receive this week's "He IS Able Card of the Week!"


 
Here's her comment from this week:
"Great post!! This really spoke to my heart in so many areas. My husband has always been a friend I can rely on!! I'm really blessed to have several friends who truly are friends like in the scriptures that were shared. We have been attending a special church for the past 1 1/2 years and I can share that they are friends and family to us. This body knows how to be a friend and support. It's wonderful to know that you can call anyone, e-mail to our church yahoo group for prayer and they immediately go on their knees on your behalf. My Mom not only raised me to be a true friend but led by example, which I am so grateful for. It was a big shock as a young person to realize not everyone looks at friendship as something special. I strive to be a friend that can be relied on, who prays and tries to be there for our friends. The other day I was sharing with Traci that an area I need to work on is making cards and getting them out as the Lord brings people to mind. The cards I will be receiving from He is able will be used in sending out to encourage to get this started in my life. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. Continuing to pray for this group and for Traci's continued recovery. Blessings~
 
 
I have your address from the other times you have won, Cathy, Congratulations!  Your card will soon be on its way!
 
 
"The joy of the LORD is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10
 
 
He IS Able!
Traci S.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Friends in Action...by a guest blogger

Hi Everyone~

Friends in Action. This was a blog post that Michele shared with me when I was ill, thinking I may be able to type it out, and get it to you.  We contacted Marybeth Whalen, and she gave us permission to share this post with you.  You can visit Marybeth's blog at www.marybethwhalen.com.  Please visit her and tell her how you read her post on the He IS Able blog. Thank you Marybeth!

Please be sure to check Friday's post, if you haven't already.  It has a list of many winner's for the many cards we gave away for each time I was absent when I was ill, and again for every time we missed a "He IS Able Card of Week."  You may be receiving a bunch of cards!

Here is Marybeth Whalen's Entry titled:

Friends in Action

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13

What makes a goof friend?  Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick?  Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break?  Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens?  Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you?  Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?

In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form.  As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of frienship in action.  Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship.  Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend--even if it was just to sit silently beside him.  They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.

Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us.  Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him.  For Paul this was a huge blessing.  Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails.  I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends.  I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.

Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned.  But that didn't stop them from what they could.  They gathered together to pray.  The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying 'without ceasing."  These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.

Whether we physically go to our friend's aide or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends.

In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking pysical action in real time can mean.  We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness.  We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives.  Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend.  But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live accofding to the examples God has given us.

Please pray with me...
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action.  When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf.  Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.
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I am so grateful for my friends and Sisters-in-Christ who prayed for me while I was ill. There were also people who sent cards. And, Michele...thank you for sending me this wonderful post on "Friends in Action." For that is exactly what you all are to me.  Thank you so much for being here!

Are you a "Friend in Action" to the people you know? How could your friends be a better friend to you?   How could you be a better friend?  How could we, here at the He IS Able blog be a better friend to you?  How about telling us in the comment section.  We would love that.

Your Friend,
Traci S.