Guest Prayer: Precious Jewels

We are so pleased to introduce you to our friend Julie. Julie Evans Albracht has been wife to Cory Albracht for almost 14 years and is an amazing mother to almost 8 year old twin daughters. Julie lives in Colorado Springs and has a message of hope to wounded Christians in her blog Cushychristianity.com. Julie's blog is a refreshing look at today's Christians and their role as part of the Body of Christ.



Today we have asked Julie to share a prayer with us. We believe that as a mother you will be encouraged by Julie's honesty and humbleness as she asks the Lord's guidance in raising Godly children.


Our 7 year old daughters are continually exploring their relationship with God and what it means. They ask us many questions about God and His nature. One specific question they have asked recently is "Why did God put us on earth first if we are going to heaven eventually? Why don't we just go to heaven first?" Most of us probably have those days where we wish heaven were a present reality. Our very thoughtful response to this question also reminded us as parents why we are placed on earth at this time. We told them that not everyone will choose to serve God and go to heaven one day. God doesn't force us to serve Him, but gives us all a choice to make. God needs our help to show His love for others, so that they might join us in heaven for an eternity with our Lord.

Lord,

I pray that you will give us wisdom with our children as we are your example to their tender hearts. I pray you would help us show them your nature is not a forceful one, but very gentle and loving. We pray that your Spirit would do what we can't. Help us to show them your love so that they will understand and it would radiate from their hearts to others. I pray that we would be your light with our lives, not just our words. Let us show our children that being here on earth is not about our comfort, but about You in everything we do. May you use our lives to bring others to know your goodness and free gift of eternal life. Thank you Lord, for the tremendous gift of our children. May we guard and guide their hearts like precious jewels.


Amen


Thank you so much Julie for that heartfelt prayer. You can follow Julie and her Cushy Christianity Blog on Facebook by clicking the link below.

Cushy Christianity Blog - Julie Evans Albracht

Promote Your Page Too

On Our Hearts: Don't Worry, Be Joyful

I once heard it said that happiness is based on happenings, but joy comes from the Lord. Think about that for a second. We need people, places and things in order to be happy. But to be truly joyful all we need is Jesus. When we think about it that way, it is much easier it is to be joyful than to be happy. People will let us down, places will deceive us, and things will deteriorate. But the joy that God gives us never expires, never dissipates, and never fails. Oh sure, we will experience sadness now and then. But once you discover the inner joy that the Lord brings, your life will never be the same again.

Heavenly Father,

Please forgive us for having looked to the world to bring us joy. We may have found happiness, but it was only temporary. Fleeting pleasures that may satisify us in the interim, but they are no comparison to Your joy. This world is filled with so many disappointments and disillusion, and yet we continue to seek after the empty promises the devil would have us desire. Father, turn our hearts toward You so that we may receive Your magnificent joy. Only You can fulfill our deepest desire to be truly happy. We long to know what it feels like to have true inner joy and peace within our spirit. Help us to overcome any sadness that we may be feeling. Show us how to replace anger with forgiveness and grace. And let us pass this joy on to our children. May we be an overflowing vessel of joy to them. Lord, despite what may be going on right now in our lives, may we put a smile on our face and a sweet song in our voice to show the world the only way to find true happiness.

Amen

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." Psalm 4:7

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Saturday Scripture: A Lover's Song

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine..."

Song of Solomon 6:3

On Our Hearts: You Are a Warrior

This week our prayers have been focusing on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

Unlike what we see in the movies or on television the devil doesn't just appear to us with red horns and a pointy tail. He is more cunning than anything we have ever known. The Bible warns us repeatedly of the dangers of his schemes. And just when you think you've got the devil behind you, he sneaks back up and tries to tear you down, especially with our own thoughts. Hopefully this week as you have been praying God has shown you the places where the devil has set traps for you. Don't let the devil get in your head and try to deceive you. Stay vigilant. Be prepared. Put on the whole armor of God and be ready for the attack.

Gracious Father,

Thank you Lord for being our protector against all that is evil. You have covered us with your righteousness. The devil cannot get to us when You stand in the way. Lord just help us to keep You front and center in our lives. Don't let us become ambivilant toward sin and complacent in the world's ways. Keep us ever mindful of the ways that we are being attacked and give us the strength to stand up and stay strong in our faith. You may have delivered us from sin, but we not immune to it. Thank goodness where we are weak, You are strong. When we feel attacked let us not be ashamed to get on our knees and cry out to You, God. A battle cry that breaks through the darkness and shines Your mighty light for all to see.

Amen

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11

"Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are." 1 Peter 5:8-9

On Our Hearts: No More Excuses

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

Are you full of excuses? I can't do it. I don't have time. I'm not good at that. I don't know how. Are you using these same excuses with God? I can't pray in public. I don't have time to volunteer at church. I'm not good at sharing the gospel. I don't know how to lead a worship team. Do you honestly think God would put you in a position of expanding His kingdom without the proper equipment? The devil wants you to think so. However, the truth is God has fully prepared each of us for His calling. Look around, where are you needed? What is the Lord waiting for you to do? What have you put off out of fear or selfishness? Get off the bus, sister, it's time to put your feet to the pavement and walk His talk.

Heavenly Father,

We've made every excuse in the book as to why we can't serve You right now, and for that we repent. We've let our own apprehension get in the way of fulfilling Your will. Lord, we're asking You now to show us just exactly where we are needed. Right now. Up front, behind the scenes, in the trenches - Lord, wherever You want to put us is where we will go. Let us be an agent of Your glory, an associate of Your righteousness, and a partner of Your mercy. Lord, we trust that You have furnished us with all that we need to accomplish the task. You are a big, big God. You are able to work through even the meekest of individuals. You can create a lioness out of the most timid of does. Lord give us that courage to step out of our comfort zone, to take that risk and reach out to others. Prepare us heart, soul, and body for the work that You would have us do. We're ready, Lord. Show us the way.

Amen

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

On Our Hearts: One Of The Family

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

I was reading through John during my Bible study this week and was reminded of just how much suffering Jesus Christ endured during that time on the cross. Imagine if you were asked to be placed in front of your office or home nearly naked and beaten and mocked for hours, just so your co-workers or family could live a life free of sin. I'm not so sure I would accept that proposition. Would you? Not only did Christ accept this call on His life, He did it knowing He would suffer in the worst possible way. Without complaint, without manipulation, and without even a mild anesthetic He willfully suffered to welcome us into His family. The devil wants you to think that God is a distant, harsh dictator who only delights in punishing us. The Bible proves that nothing could be further from the truth.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We are so thankful that the blood You shed has washed us clean from sin. It is unimaginable the pain and suffering that You endured just for us. We are unworthy of the grace You have given us. God, we are Your child, You have accepted us. A child that longs for Your guidance, counsel, and protection. However, we can rest in knowing that our eternal salvation is secure in You. No amount of sin will compromise that. And no works are required to fulfill it. It is a free gift - underserving. And yet Lord we are so thankful that we no longer have to worry about our eternity. We have a Father in heaven who is ready to scoop us up and hold us in His arms. Our Abba Father who loves us unconditionally. A father who wasn't just handed his child, but a Father who took great care to choose us. What joy to have been chosen by the King of Kings!

Amen

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

On Our Hearts: God Loves Us

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.


We all have sinned. Repeat: We all have sinned. No matter just how well we know this, the devil creeps in and somehow convinces us that we are the only ones who have sinned that much. He tells us that God couldn't possibly forgive us, we just did too wrong, our sin was too big. Maybe you're feeling like God's made exception with you. Or that God is angry with you. How could God possibly forgive someone like you? Take heart because the Bible tells us that no amount of sin could separate you from God. You are cleansed pure by the blood of Jesus.



Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful that Your grace has replaced our sin. And Lord, we are also thankful that there is no condemnation with You. By Your blood we were redeemed, You paid the ultimate price so that we are no longer in bondage of sin. Let us be so filled with Your word that our ears are closed to the devil's lies. When we are armed with the truth we can clearly see the deception and false accusations the devil puts before us. We know that Your love is perfect and that nothing can separate us from Your love. We may have sinned and we regret having missed the many blessings You had for us, but Your love remains unchanged. We are so thankful that your mercy and grace are infinite.

Amen

"The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost." 2 Peter 3:9

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

On Our Hearts: Rejection

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.



We've all been there. Call it denied, overlooked, or ignored - it's still rejection and it still hurts. No one wants to feel unwanted or worthless. And it is especially painful when someone you love rejects you. It is in our nature to want to be accepted and valued. And yet how do we deal with the daily rejections? And let's face it, rejection happens to each of us daily. Our co-workers, our children, our friends, and even our own spouse will reject us at times. Jesus understands how you're feeling when others dismiss you, He felt it too.

Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful that you understand just exactly how we are feeling. Like us, you felt rejected, forsaken, and discarded by people. We've been told we're unqualified, unworthy and unlovable. But your word tells us that we belong to you, Lord. And You have not made us inferior. You have given us Your Holy Spirit and You have equipped us to overcome tribulation. You never overlook us, You never forsake us, and You never reject us. Thank you Father, for we are perfect in Your eyes. We have no need to look for acceptance here on this earth when we have Your unfailing love and devotion. Holy Spirit prepare us for the disappointments that we will encounter and strengthen us when we feel defeated. Remain in us to stand strong and to not let the devil steal our faith. Let us courageously stand up when we are told we are unlovable, and shout - Jesus loves me! When we are told we are disqualified, may we proclaim - I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God! And when we are told we are unwanted, may we declare - My Father accepts me just as I am!

Amen


"Everything and everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I won't turn any of them away." John 6:37


"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10

Saturday Scripture: His Purpose

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28

Saturday Scripture: Valuable to God

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 6:26

Easter Sunday

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."

1 Peter 1:3