God – Page 29 – Word for the Soul

Select Believability

March 4, 2024February 27, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” Psalm 110:1 NLT

“Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” Matthew 22:45 NLT

A survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries in 2020 found that 52% of adults in the United States believe that Jesus is not God. Taking the results of that survey at face value, it mirrors 52% of U.S. adults do not believe in the Bible or have what I call ‘select believability.’ It is tragic to fall into the trap of considering certain portions of scripture as subject to debate or simply not true. I would hate to think John 3:16 or Romans 10:9, or even 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (NLT) would fall under select believability.

The very basis of our salvation is found in the truth of Jesus Christ being God. Yes, fully man and fully God. A perfect sacrifice was needed to redeem us from our sin and Jesus being only a man would not qualify. There needed to be perfect, sinless lamb to take away the sins of the world. (Jn. 1:29) Sadly, those who believe Jesus is not God have no hope of eternal salvation. Their hope lies in what they believe or disbelieve in scripture. It comes down to what makes the most sense and is logical. Jesus Himself assures us that he indeed is God.

Jesus was constantly being bombarded with questions from the Jewish rulers during His day. All their questions were to trap Him and disprove His claim of deity being the Messiah. Jesus finally got His chance to submit a question to them, which cleared up the whole matter and silence them once and for all. Jesus was able to do what the Jewish rulers could not do, He trapped them with their own words. They couldn’t answer accurately without acknowledging Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus asked them whose son is the Messiah. The answer was well-known by all Jewish people, the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus then quoted David’s prophecy in the book of Psalms, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” (110:1 NLT) Then He asked the rulers, “Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” (Mt. 22:45 NLT) If the rulers answered correctly, they would have said the Messiah is the divine son of God and existed before David from all eternity, but they could not. “No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mt. 22:46 NLT) Don’t fall in line with the 52% suffering from select believability when the truth is plain to see in scripture. Jesus is God!

Bible Studies

“Handwriting on the Wall” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

March 3, 2024March 1, 2024 Loring Schultz

“So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” Daniel 5:3-4 NLT

The statement ‘Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it’ is attributed to American philosopher George Santayana. To quote him in ‘The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense’ he wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Babylonian empire had a rich history which was well-known within and outside the empire. But George Santayana’s statement rings true for King Belshazzar, he did not learn from history, and he was about to repeat it in a big way. Doom is sure to follow.

As we approach chapter 5 in the book of Daniel, we find a new king as head of the Babylonian empire. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C. and the events of chapter 5 take place 23 years later in 539 B.C. Babylon had been under siege by the armies of Medo-Persia who were just outside the walls of the city. King Belshazzar, to boost morale for his nobles, gave a great feast for them to enjoy. During the feast he gave orders to bring in the cups of gold and silver that were captured from the temple in Jerusalem to be used to drink from. Perhaps a part of his strategy was to flout the destruction of Jerusalem years earlier presenting the cups as evidence of a mighty conquest. But his real objective was to use them to praise their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone in hopes of being delivered from the Medo-Persians. Belshazzar mocked the God of heaven as his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had done years earlier.

Living in Babylon today there are plenty of leaders who are mocking God praising and leaning on their idols of power, money, idealism, greed, military strength, the cultural revolution, and the three ‘isms’, fascism, socialism, and communism. These leaders fail to accept there is a God in heaven who is the ultimate authority, and He has entrusted them to governed in order that we may live peaceful lives. Even those who believe there is a God are far from governing in line with the pages of scripture. I’m afraid my own country, the United States, is sadly among them.

This gala event was in full swing, perhaps at the height of the party, when “Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote.” (Dan. 5:5 NLT) You’ve heard of ‘the handwriting on the wall’, well this is it right from the pages of the Bible. The mighty King Belshazzar turned white with fright. His knees knocked together and he nearly collapsed immediately calling for his wise men to read the writing and explain what it means. Again, as in Nebuchadnezzar’s Day they were of no help to him for they were deceivers themselves worshiping the same idols. “So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.” (Dan. 5:9 NLT) It was time once again to call in Daniel, the only one who worshiped the God of heaven.

This may have been the first encounter the king had with Daniel. It appeared Belshazzar didn’t even know Daniel when the queen mother persuaded the king to call him based on her previous knowledge of Daniel’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel wasted no time in responding to the king, but first gave him a history lesson. Daniel began by saying, “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.” (Dan. 5:18, 20 NLT) Daniel proceeded to tell the king in detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s demise and then let Belshazzar know, “O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself…..……you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan. 5:22, 23b NLT) He didn’t learn from history the consequences of not giving the God of heaven praise for the kingdom He had given him or even for his own life.

What was written was straight to the point; ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.’ Mene means your days are numbered. Tekel means you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up. Parsin means your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. It happened quickly. “That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.” (Dan. 5:30-31 NLT)

The Lord God of heaven does not share His glory and He is not mocked. (Gal. 6:7) King Belshazzar found that out and world leaders today also will find it out for themselves if they do not change their ways. But this is not just a lesson for world leaders. It applies to each of us living in today’s Babylon. Being outnumbered as Daniel had been requires Christians to be on guard and faithful to the Lord God of heaven. We are to know all that we have is from God, and He is the one who receives all the glory and the praise!

Read: Daniel 5 NLT – The Writing on the Wall – Many years – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Thank God for your Everyday Problems

February 23, 2024February 22, 2024 Loring Schultz

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 NLT

Have you ever had one of those days where everything is going wrong? Your alarm didn’t go off, congested traffic made you late for work, you stepped off a curb into a puddle only to realize in your haste you were wearing two different types of shoes, and the ATM is out of order. How would you react to escalating problems that are piling up all around you with your day just beginning? The way you handle them will determine how the rest of your day will turn out. If handled correctly will also give you a firm foundation in building endurance and character.

Paul writes in Romans, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” (5:3 NLT) The apostle’s advice is to rejoice in our problems and trials. He is not saying we should rejoice ‘because of them’ but ‘in them.’ Rejoicing in our problems and trials makes us aware that they are there for a purpose. As Christians we know God always has our best interests at heart.

Working through trials in difficult times with the Lord’s help is what is best for us. It develops endurance as Paul noted and that leads to strength in our character. Suffering of any kind for believers in Christ is always beneficial and will produce positive results. When we learn to persevere in our small everyday problems as they mount up and become bigger, we will have the strength of character in the Lord to overcome them. Paul says our character also strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Thank God for your everyday problems, for He sends them to help you develop endurance and strength of character for the bigger problems in the days ahead.

Devotionals

A Place of Undeserved Privilege

February 22, 2024February 21, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Romans 5:2 NLT

The most coveted championship ring in all sports is the NFL Super Bowl Ring. Depending on the design and the materials used to produce them, they range from $30,000 to $50,000. The winning team orders the standard 150 rings. There are many who are not in uniform and on the field but are on the sidelines and within the organization in various support positions. The distribution of the Super Bowl rings is at the discretion of ownership. Obviously, every player and the coaching staff receives a ring, along with those deemed vital to the team’s success on the field. But there are others receiving a ring who may have a sense of an undeserved privilege in receiving one due to their limited role. Clubs have been known to give rings to the members of the practice squad and even the cheerleaders among others.

Have you ever felt you have been put in a place of undeserved privilege? Perhaps you received an award with your corporate team members for outstanding accomplishments knowing your input was of a limited nature. Awkwardness surrounds you as you share in the glory with your teammates. No matter how hard you try you cannot shake the undeserved feeling until your team leader says you were brought on to share in this joy. You may have felt undeserved, but your team leader wanted you on the team.

God wants us on His team. He has made it possible by sending Christ to provide the way for us through His death and resurrection. Romans 5:2 says, “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (NLT) It is by our faith in what Jesus Christ has done for us that we are brought into this place of undeserved privilege. An important note to remember is that everyone God’s team is an undeserved member. God chose us for His team, not for our abilities, but because of His love for us. We now have the undeserved privilege with our teammates to share God’s glory confidently and joyfully with others in need of a ring.

Bible Studies

“Willing to Die” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

February 18, 2024February 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.’” Daniel 3:28 NLT

The third chapter of the book of Daniel records the first of two favorite children Sunday School stories found in Daniel. Of course, I’m referring to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. As the story goes, these three young men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (their Hebrew names) refused to bow down and worship the gold statue Nebuchadnezzar had erected. The king demanded worship of the statue at the instant of hearing musical instruments. Any who refused would be thrown into a blazing fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to die than to worship any pagan gods, even a golden statue set up by the king himself.

I’m sure Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t anticipate this tragic event happening. They were in obedience to the Lord in participating for the welfare of Babylon, their new home. They were also in Nebuchadnezzar’s service as a few of the most educated and wisest officials in the king’s court. But they were living in a pagan culture with no regard for the God of the Hebrews, the true God, and was governed by a ruler who was as fickle as the weather.

King Nebuchadnezzar had earlier praised the God of Heaven for revealing his dream to him through Daniel, but he quicky forgot God. He elevated himself by erecting a statue overlaid in gold to represent himself and his kingdom as in his dream, the head of gold in chapter 2. An announcement was made to gather all the officials of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire to pledge their allegiance in the dedication of the golden statue. “Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up.” (Dan. 3:2 NLT) The king demanded worship of the golden statue which represented his kingdom, but also possibly the god Nabu meaning ‘Nabu, protect my son!’, or ‘Nabu, protect my boundary!’ The Jewish people were truly living in a pagan culture, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will soon find out how much it would cost them.

Much like in our day with the tolerance, D.E.I., reproductive rights, and hate speech police watching every move of Bible believing Christians, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their own thought police keeping tabs on them. Their colleagues in the king’s court blew the whistle on them. Daniel 3:8 &12 says, “But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews…. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” (NLT) Naturally these men were jealous and envied the three Hebrew officials who had a higher rank than them. Not only did they have powerful positions, but they did not bow down to the cultural demands of Babylon. Those in authority today are under supreme pressure to compromise to get along with the culture, but it also comes at a high cost, not only affecting themselves but others as well.

When brought before the king; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their minds made up. They didn’t need to think or pray about what their answer would be. “(They) replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you……Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.’” (Dan. 3:16, 18b) The king was furious by their outright refusal not to obey an order he had given. Not to be humiliated in front of those who were present he ordered them to be thrown into the blazing furnace. God miraculously saved them sending an angel in the heated furnace. Not a hair on their head was singed, nor the smell of smoke on them. But going in, they did not know if God would indeed save them.

We haven’t yet reached that point in our present-day Babylon in the United States, but other believers in other parts of the world have and will continue to do so. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before we are faced with a Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experience. But if or when we are, will we be willing to die saying, “that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Read: Daniel 3 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue – King – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

What have you done to be accepted by God?

February 16, 2024February 15, 2024 Loring Schultz

“Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Romans 3:27-28 NLT

Paul, writing to the church in Rome, says, “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law.” (Ro. 3:27 NLT) There are many churches today, denominational, and autonomous, that have incorporated sets of rules or by laws to be agreed to and followed by members of the church. But in no way by obeying them along with your good deeds of kindness do they guarantee you or help you get a seat in heaven. Paul further goes on to say, “It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” (Ro. 3:27b-28 NLT) Paul was referring to the Old Testament law of Moses, but it can be easily applied here in our day. The people in Paul’s day, both Jews and Gentiles, were saved by faith in Christ and not by keeping the law.

There has been a false narrative passed down from generation to generation that says, if my good deeds of kindness outweigh my bad deeds, God will accept me into heaven. No one can take issue with ‘good deeds being good.’ Yes, they are, and we should do as many of them as possible. But where do we find reasonable evidence that God accepts these as good enough for entrance into heaven except in our mind. The only rock-solid evidence we have for entrance into heaven and eternal life is found in the pages of scripture, the Holy Bible.

Being accepted by God is not about doing good works or obeying the rules for church membership as important they may be. Acceptance by God for salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

If you feel you have fallen short with all you’re trying to do for God’s acceptance, you’re right! If you feel you are doing enough or the best you can to be accepted by God, I’m sorry but you are wrong. Salvation and acceptance by God into heaven is through simple faith as recorded for us in God’s Word. So, what have you done to be accepted by God? All you need to do is have faith!

Read: Romans 3:21-31 NLT – Christ Took Our Punishment – But now – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Can you keep a Secret?

February 13, 2024February 12, 2024 Loring Schultz

“And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” Romans 2:16 NLT

There are specific things in our lives we would like to remain secret. Not all these things are of a sinful nature, referred to as secret sins, but also certain matters of embarrassment we rather not be made public. I can recall many dumb and embarrassing things I have done in my life I’d rather be left in the memory of those who have witnessed them. True friends will keep the secret, but others are not so obliged in revealing the episode to others. There is not much you can do after the fact except hope it will not be used against you as a butt of a joke or even worse to make sport of you to harm you.

Some people are good at keeping certain areas of their lives extremely private and secret. This is not to condemn one who does, but for whatever reason you choose not to share and keep secret, there is one who knows everything. God the Father knows every detail and the deep dark secrets of our lives. We are unable to keep any secret from God. He even knows what we are thinking, or what we are about to think. But God will not reveal what He knows about us to anyone. God can keep a secret.

Although God can keep a secret, He will never allow us to get away with any sin in our lives unconfessed. And there will be a day when all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives, both public and private. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (NLT) May we keep in mind even though God forgives us of our sin, and can keep a secret, “that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Rom. 2:16 NLT)

Bible Studies

“Guilty by Association” LIVING IN BABYLON: The Book of Daniel

February 11, 2024February 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends.” Daniel 2:12-13 NLT

Living in a godless society is like walking on eggshells for God-fearing people. It’s walking a tightrope high above a sea of debauchery. One false move and you either fall into it willingly and participate in the corruption, or you call on the Lord to sustain you through it. Christians often find themselves needing to choose between conforming to the accepted norms of the culture or take a stand for the Lord and the truth of His Word. We saw last week in our Biblical Insights on the book of Daniel, the stand Daniel took in refusing to eat the king’s food in violation of the Hebrew law. Offering a plan B to the king’s chief of staff to replace the food with vegetables and water was blessed by God. Daniel and his friends were well nourished and appeared healthier compared to the other trainees in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. This week we highlight the Lord’s blessing on the value of prayer while living in Babylon.

Christians living in a godless culture may also find themselves guilty by association in a whimsical moment to convict all in a certain group whether guilty or not. Chapter 2 begins with Daniel in the royal service of King Nebuchadnezzar who has a disturbing dream that kept him up all night. “He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king, he said, ‘I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.’” (Dan. 2:2-3 NLT) Needless to say, his so-called pagan wizards and astrologers had no clue. They needed the king to first tell them his dream and then they would conjure up something that sounded good to please the king. The king threatened to have them all executed if they couldn’t tell him the dream and then interpret it. The astrologers tried to convince Nebuchadnezzar by saying it was impossible for any human to tell beforehand a person’s dream. The pagan king then ordered the execution of all the wise men which Daniel was one.

Living in Babylon, a pagan culture, is not without hope. Daniel had seen the Lord’s hand at work in placing him and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the king’s service. He knew they were not without hope for the Lord was with them. Daniel requested more time from the king, which was granted, and he and his three friends prayed to the God of heaven and sought His help in telling and interpreting the dream. The Lord answered by revealing the dream to Daniel and its interpretation in a vision that night. God does not forget those who are in His service even when placed in Babylon.

Daniel was then brought before King Nebuchadnezzar confirming what the others had told him, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future.” (Dan. 2:27-28 NLT) Daniel then preceded to tell the king his dream providing the interpretation. The king’s dream is a prophecy partially fulfilled of all the world kingdoms from King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon to the final kingdom to come of Christ’s kingdom at His second coming. Daniel completed by saying “The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain.” (Dan. 2:45b NLT)

The Lord once again blessed Daniel by his promotion to ruler over the province of Babylon and chief of all Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were also appointed over all the affairs of Babylon while Daniel served in the king’s court. There is a lesson for us today as we live in Babylon. The Lord can and will raise up those who are faithful to Him when faced with adversity or get pronounced guilty by association. A life of prayer is a must when living in a pagan culture. Daniel and his friends were in high positions in godless government system. Their example teaches us it is possible to live in the light of God’s Word living in Babylon as we continue to take a stand and bring everything before Him in prayer.

Read: Daniel 2:1-19, 46-49 NLT – Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – One night – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

FOUNDATIONS, FISTS, AND FURY: GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT

February 10, 2024February 9, 2024 Loring Schultz

“God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’ ……It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.” Psalm 75:2, 7 NLT

There seems to be more heartbreaking news every day. The world in which we live is being shattered by evil, injustice, war, and natural disasters. Adding to the problem is the political unrest around the globe, a failing economy with rising prices, and a secular worldview that disregards any mention of the God of the Bible in solving our problems. There is no safe haven in which to turn, or so we think. But there is, for the Christian and the non-Christian alike, it is the Lord God, the God of the Bible.

Psalm 75 in the Old Testament can easily be applied to today’s world. Israel’s security as a nation was in jeopardy by godless worldly forces. Being threaten by outside nations Israel put their trust in God in this thanksgiving psalm. The psalmist begins by praising God and is assured by God in the next verse of His plan. “God says, ‘At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.’” (Ps. 75:2) As Israel depended on the God of the Bible thousands of years ago, we can still depend on Him to bring about justice in our world that has gone awry.

The foundations of the world are held safely by God. He is the one who has firmly planted them. No natural catastrophe, war, or political chaos will be able to upheave them. (Ps. 75:3) Those who shake their fists at God over such events are warned by God Himself not to be boastful and proud. Their defiant arrogant speaking is both evil and foolish. God is still in control of the events in this world, and He will judge according to His righteous judgement. (Ps. 75:4-7)

The Lord will pour out His fury, His righteous judgement, on the wicked. All who do evil will not escape the justice due them by a Holy God. (Ps. 75:8) The world’s safe haven is in the God of the Bible who will bring about true justice. Those deserving His righteous judgment will experience God’s wrath, and those in need justice from the wicked will be rewarded God’s favor. “For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.” (Ps. 75:10)

Take heart in the news of the day remembering that God is in control and that He is the one who said, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked.”

Read Psalm 75: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+75&version=NLT

Devotionals

Praying Intelligently

February 9, 2024February 8, 2024 Loring Schultz

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 NASB

Most people find it hard to pray, let alone pray intelligently. Sometimes we lag searching for the right word or the correct sequence in expressing our concerns to God. We tend to think if not spoken correctly God may misunderstand what we are praying for. We’re afraid of missing some important details of our request due to our many distractions squashing the whole prayer. Even the most experienced prayer warriors discover distractions, lapses in concentration, and the never-ending mind wandering as part of their prayer time. But through all the distractions and trying to find the best way to express ourselves to God, we are assured we can pray intelligently.

Praying intelligently is not having all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, or systematically referenced for comprehension, but having the Holy Spirit guide you and speak for you when you don’t know what to say or how to say it. Paul writes in Romans, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.” (8:26 NASB) We can take comfort in knowing the Holy Spirit knows and understands what we want to say and brings it before the Father. There are times when we find it difficult how to pray for a situation, the Holy Spirit is aware of that, and then there are times when we simply can’t pray at all, the Holy Spirit knows that too.

Our heavenly Father wants us to come before Him in prayer. As a father He desires the best for His children and wants to have quality time with us. We need to remember God knows what we need before we ask Him, and what we are going to ask Him before we ask. So why don’t we spend some quality time with our Father with the Holy Spirit as our helper and pray intelligently.