And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings
that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father
 who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony
with God’s own will.  ~ Romans 8:26,27 NLT

There are moments when the right words, or even the right thoughts fail us, as we call out to God in prayer.  These are times when we may be too tired, too sad, too hopeless to express our request.  It is especially then that the verses above from Romans 8 should encourage us.

The Holy Spirit, who lives in true believers’ hearts, jumps in to intercede on our behalf.  He not only prays when we lack words, but is always interceding for us.  And we read he always prays in harmony with the Father’s own perfect will.  Why is that important?  Because we can be guaranteed that the Father will answer those prayers since they are aligned with his desires, plans and purposes for us. 

Just think what that means.  The Father knows everything about us, our past, present and future. He knows our hearts, our needs and desires. Our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and, as a good father, always wants what is best for us, his chosen children.  But it seems, for some requests, he waits for us to pray in order for the answer to be released.

We can be assured that Father God is delighted to release good things to us.  James 1:16,17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes down to us from our loving heavenly Father and that we are deceived if we think anything good comes to us from any other source.  In other words, everything good comes from God, our good Father.  And apparently, he is just waiting for it to be the perfect time, and to be asked.

Confirmation of that truth follows immediately after these two verses in the well-known verse, Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

So, dear one, God is in us.  God is with us and for us. God really knows us and desires to give us the good gifts we need to accomplish our purpose for living.  So, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for them.  Do you believe that today?  I challenge you to take the next 21 days to meditate on Romans 8, considered by most Bible scholars to be the mountain top of the New Testament. Let’s do it together. Who knows what good gifts the Father wants to give us as we meditate and pray into it!

Dear friends, be blessed as you commit to meditate on Romans 8 with us.  May you receive fresh revelations of who God is, how much he loves you and the amazing power of the gospel of grace. May you be filled with his peace and overflow with his joy. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ January 30, 2024

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. ~ Philippians 1:6 NLT

As we turn our minds to the year ahead, many of us are pondering it with uncertainty, even fear.  The Bible is clear, we who are in Christ should have no fear of the future. As soon as we turn to Jesus and fix our gaze on him we understand that we can trust him with our past, as well as the future.  In doing so, we experience his overwhelming love, compassion and peace.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” We are not alone as we face 2024.  God is on our side.  The Holy Spirit was given to us, in part, to help us grow and finish well.  The Spirit is literally leading our way, by giving us the Father’s desires to motivate us.  Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding on our behalf and cheering us on.
 
So, we can be as certain as Paul, when he encouraged his disciples in Philippi, that it is God, by grace, who will finish the good work within us.  As we, by faith, surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we will be pleasing to the Lord.

As we start the New Year, let’s remember that our Lord Jesus knows everything about us.  Even so, he chose us and loved us so much that he died so we could live with him forever. Believe the truth of how precious and cherished you are to God.  Choose to believe that Jesus is worthy of your trust. Then choose to love and obey him, no matter how your circumstances may appear.

You can rest in his presence, and be sure that his plans for you are just what you need.  Knowing that should cause you to praise God and join with him in his work of bringing Heaven to earth.

Dear friends, be blessed as you choose to surrender to Jesus and trust him with the year ahead. May you be covered in his wings of protection, held close to his heart and be restored in his peace and love.  Let’s praise God and thank him for his goodness and faithfulness to us! Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ January 3, 2024