Impractical, Impossible, Unexpected

We tend to dream small for things that are reasonably attainable, a good job with good pay if we work hard, an “A” on tomorrow’s test if we study, and some rain, which we know will come sooner or later. We hold on to small prayers and small dreams as to not be disappointed, having less room to fall. But what about big dreams? Is it only when a friend is deathly ill or a baby fighting cancer that we pray really hard, sweat pouring off our brow like blood? When only a miracle will do? And when the intensity of the moment has passed, do we settle back into our lukewarm prayer life, scrolling past sports scores and the foolishness in our social media feeds? (index finger pointed firmly in my own direction)

I have prayed for healing, changing hearts, wisdom and patience always adding “if it is Thy will”, though it feeds my doubt, lack of faith, and gives me someone to blame when prayers are left unanswered or unanswered to my liking. Instead of asking, asking, asking, begging, pleading, I am learning to thank God for what He is already doing in each situation. He has heard my prayers, my cries, my dreams, and He “is “moving mountains in His time in His way. Too often I pray in ignorance of what I want or need only to see God fulfill what I truly need.

It takes bold faith to ask for the impractical, unreasonable, really big dreams for a really big God to display His Greatness. Perhaps it takes the impossible and unexpected to show, without a doubt, it is the Hand of God at work.

Do not fear praying big prayers and dreaming big dreams. For as His ways are higher than ours, His dreams for us are so much greater than we could imagine.

Unreasonable? Some call faith in the unseen foolish. Impractical? The Son of God took on human form, walked among us and died on a cross in our place. Impossible? He rose again, defeated death, and still lives. I know because I spoke to Him just this morning, so anything is possible for the Creator of all things.

I pray hard for miracles and sometimes wonder if He will, or when He will, but I never question if He can.

HE can.

 

Special thanks to Pastor Mark Batterson and “The Circle Maker” for teaching me to draw circles.

thecirclemaker.com/


If these words have been a blessing, pass them along to another who needs to hear. Reach out to me at John@LiftedKeys.com and tell me your story. I would love to know where and in what way God has guided His words through my pen.

Echoes Intertwined

A silent church awaits a heart-wrenching melody. Fingers press ivory keys, felt hammers strike metal strings, music emerges through wood and iron – in Echoes. In the same way, our prayers, whether joyful or painful, journey through flesh and bone, breath and heartbeat to the heavenly realms – in Echoes. Yet unlike mimicked sounds bouncing off castle walls, prayers return in whispers, gentle (and not so gentle) nudges and God’s unique sense of humor – in Echoes.
Music flows through my fingers as lifeblood spilling over alternating ebony and ivory, intermingling with the precious blood of Christ. Melody and harmony in tune with the Almighty. Echoes Intertwined.

A collection of parables, lessons and God whispers
Humbly penned by john g. adams

Jabez and the Chronicler

The unknown author of the Old Testament books of Chronicles is referred to as the “Chronicler”; sounds like an old school Batman villain. As he recounted the lineage from Judah to David, he chose to pause and highlight a man named Jabez.

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain’.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

His name meant “sorrowful” or “causes pain,” an ominous foretelling of his future, yet Jabez would not settle for that fate. He believed in the power of God and was fervent in prayer, so much, so that he was more respected than his brothers.

“And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

The word “indeed” is inserted for the modified Hebrew word for “bless” meaning “intensely blessed”, undoubtedly or blessed in great measure. The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson tells of those immeasurably blessed by repeating this prayer. Though the book was a great success, it rang a bit empty for me as the prayer seems selfish, asking for much more when we already are so richly blessed. This prayer has been treated like a biblical ATM where you mindlessly put in a card, type in a code and money comes out the other end.

In his follow-up book, Beyond Jabez, Wilkinson takes a deeper look into the prayer and his initial concern of its selfish nature. God, in all His wisdom does not answer selfish requests, yet He granted Jabez so there must be more to it. God longs to bless us and does not need our permission to do so; His hand is with us always whether we ask or not. No, this prayer is not some magic incantation; it opens our hearts to the Sovereignty of God and gives us license to dream big and ask big. If offered in faith to bring Glory to God and further His kingdom, blessings will flow like rushing waters.

“You do not have because you do not ask God.”James 4:2

It is not that we do not ask, it is that we do not know how to ask. Jabez boldly approached God and asked for blessings, enlarged territories and not to cause pain as his name suggests. He did not ask specifically for money or fame, but to be blessed, as little or as much as God willed.

Praying boldly has never been my strong suit, as fear of rejection tends to hold me back. Is it more reasonable to ask that my writings touch a million hearts or touch just one heart of one person at the one instant the Holy One chooses? Either outcome would be a phenomenal result of my efforts. So, if I am confident in changing just one heart then why not a million? Perhaps it will take a million to find that certain one. That would be a blessing truly worthy of “indeed.”

Oh Lord, that You would bless me greatly, enlarging my territory, that Your hand would be with me and those I love, that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!

Amen …