Tag: Prayer

Bible Studies

“Godly Leaders are Prepared” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber.” Nehemiah 2:7-8a NLT

Photo by Jopwell on Pexels.com

There are essential traits that every godly leader must possess. We will look at several of them during our course of study in the book of Nehemiah the next few weeks. Last week we noted the first and most important one, prayer and fasting. To be truly successful in any endeavor in life, especially leadership, a proper relationship with the Lord in prayer is a must. We closed last week with Nehemiah continuing to pray even though he had a plan. He knew having a plan was not enough. The Lord had to be a part of it. This week we will examine Nehemiah’s plan unpacking it and noting the value of his preparations for restoring Jerusalem starting with rebuilding the walls and gates.

As we begin chapter 2, four months have passed, and it is the month of Nisan in the spring 445 B.C… Nehemiah is in his usual position serving wine to King Artaxerxes. But there is a problem. The king notices Nehemiah’s countenance is not his usual self, but one of sadness. This frightens Nehemiah greatly for it was dangerous to display such a sad emotion before the king. The king’s officials were expected to always be happy in the presence of the king despite any personal situations they were dealing with. Nehemiah literally feared for his life. So, when the king asked him, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” (Neh.2:2 nlt) Nehemiah was terrified.

Nehemiah gave an immediate response. “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” (Neh.2:3 nlt) Nehemiah appealed to the reverence of one’s ancestral burial ground by noting the ruins around them. The city’s gates in those days represented the very life of the city. They were a place for social gatherings. It was also the place where the elders of the city met to settle disputes brought to them from the residents. Nehemiah was both honest and direct in his answer to King Artaxerxes which the king understood as a deep matter of concern. And due to the relationship built up over the years the king was quick to offer help in any way he could. Building relationships through trust with those you work for and work with will pay dividends in the future. This is one example, but of course, we don’t do it to get something out of it, but to be obedient to God as representing Him in the workplace.

A quick silent prayer was offered by Nehemiah to the God of heaven before his reply to the king. “So I prayed to the God of heaven.” (Neh.2:4b esv) When prayer is needed in the moment, Nehemiah’s response is the way to go. There is no time for proper posture, getting your list out, or reading scripture first, you need to pray now. Just do it! God will hear and answer. Nehemiah had been praying for such an occasion over the last four months. He never knew when the opportunity would come, so he needed to be ready. Ready to ask the king for his help when the time arrived, and of course he prayed. This was the day he was waiting for and he was prepared.

Praying, fasting, planning, and preparing are essential traits for godly leadership as mentioned, but ‘patience’ is also an essential trait. This could be the hardest to achieve, but nothing is impossible with God as you take it to Him in prayer. Godly leaders must be patient to work on God’s timetable. Rushing into a project, even well planned out, based on our own assumptions that the right time is right will prove disastrous. Prayer is vital in determining when God gives us the green light. Godly leaders will not go on their assumptions but will wait for clarity from the Lord.

The patience of Nehemiah paid off as the time had come that he was preparing for to deliver his request to the king. His prayer life and his confidence in God gave him the boldness of a godly leader who trust is in the Lord. Nehemiah boldly asked for a leave of absence from his important role as the king’s cupbearer. “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (Neh.2:5 nlt) The king granted his request, and the time of his absence was agreed to. Nehemiah then shown he had done his homework planning what he would need. He boldly asked King Artaxerxes for letters of authorization for clear passage through other jurisdictions. Nehemiah then asked for a letter of authorization to secure timber from the king’s forest to build the walls and gates of Jerusalem and even timber his own home when he gets there. He evidently researched and knew where to find the lumber he needed. Nehemiah prepared to take on the project of rebuilding Jerusalem. Beginning with prayer and fasting, working a plan, and preparing to present it to the king, and with great patience when the time had come, Nehemiah was ready.  “And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” (Neh.2:8b nlt)

Leadership today is need of a Nehemiah approach to be a godly leader. Whether involved in church ministry, working in the business world, or in government, godly leaders who pray, plan, and are prepare will confidently be able to accomplish much and make a difference where God has placed them. If you aspire to be a leader, be prepared. You never know when that door will finally open when the gracious hand of God is on you.

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Read: Nehemiah 2:1-8 NLT – Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem – Early the – Bible Gateway

A Christian Perspective

Standing in the Gap for America

Loring Schultz

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” Ezekiel 22:30-31 NLT

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The United States of America is still the greatest, most prosperous nation in the world today. Cemented on Judeo-Christian values from the pages of Holy Scripture by the founding Fathers, the United States has been blessed as no other nation for the undivided attention given to God’s commands and the truth given to us from our creator. But, I’m afraid those days are surely coming to an end. The United States as a country has abandon God and we are starting to see the beginning of the end of our freedom unless a radical change back to God is made very soon.

It is impossible for anyone to not be aware of the deterioration of the very fabric of our nation. Even the casual observer of the news is confronted with political turmoil, ever increasing crime, hatred towards others, racism, scandals within our government institutions, attempts to silence free speech, discrimination, churches turning away from the truths of God’s Word, and Federal government spending causing the rise in the debt ceiling. The fact is, although being aware of the crisis in our country, many people are either disinterested or simply don’t care. Others are too busy with their own concerns, some are part of the problem, and then there are others who do care but only complain. They never take the initiative by getting involved to help in any way they can, even praying for the country.

The Lord speaking through the prophet Ezekiel was looking for someone to intercede on behalf of the people of Jerusalem who were about to be taken captive, and the city destroyed. Their continued sinning by turning their back on God is about to unleash the consequences. Sadly, the Lord found no one to ‘stand in the gap’ rebuilding the wall of righteousness. There was no one to teach repentance and return to the Lord their God. Jerusalem was destroyed and the people taken to Babylon in captivity.

The United States must heed this warning from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, if the Lord God did not spare His own people from destruction due to their sin, what makes us think He will spare the United States of America? “So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” (Ez.22:31 nlt) Who will help rebuild the wall of righteousness, the sacred Judeo-Christian values that established the United States, and stand in the ‘stand in the gap?’ Will it be you? Will it be me? May it be both of us!

The link below will help get us off to a good start. Today is Day 2 of ’40 Days of Prayer before the U. S. Presidential election.’ May we all be in prayer as we stand in the gap for the next 40 days for America and other countries around the world.

40 Days USA | A Call To Pray For Our Nation

Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash
Bible Studies

“Prayer and Fasting” Godly Leadership: the book of Nehemiah

Loring Schultz

“The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire. When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:3b-4 NLT

Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

Today we start our Biblical Insights Fall Series with a study into the book of Nehemiah. While there are many themes and insights we can glean from this book, our focus will be on Godly Leadership in a time of crisis. A selection of events of his leadership from his own memoirs provide the context for this Old Testament history book. Nehemiah demonstrates unmatched skills for his day in overall leadership and organization. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “No portion of the Old Testament provides us with a greater incentive to dedicated, discerning zeal for the work of God than the book of Nehemiah. The example of Nehemiah’s passion for the truth of God’s word, whatever the cost or consequences, is an example solely needed in the present hour.” (1) With that said, let us begin.

Nehemiah was a trusted Royal official in King Artaxerxes court. Artaxerxes was King Ahasuerus’ son from our study in the book of Esther. In fact, Esther was his stepmother. Nehemiah was one King Artaxerxes most trusted officials for he was the king’s cupbearer. He would choose and taste the king’s wine safeguarding it from being poisoned. He was highly trusted and would be used by God for His purposes as Joseph, Daniel, and Esther. Once again God’s people found themselves in an uncomfortable and dangerous situation.

Some quick background; The Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem from captivity in 538 B.C. and completed the rebuilt temple 515 B.C… There was a second mass return from the Persian Empire under the leadership of Ezra in 458 B.C… The book of Nehemiah begins in Nov/Dec 445 B.C. as Nehemiah receives word from his brother and others who had traveled to Jerusalem to report on the conditions of the city. Nehemiah was concerned for the people there and anxious to receive the report. Scripture does say how involved Nehemiah was in these men going to Jerusalem, but he was certainly concerned. Nehemiah possessed a caring attitude for his brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. When he heard of the bad report he was devastated by the news. “They said to me, ‘Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace.’” (Neh.1:3a nlt) When he heard the news, Nehemiah took the first step a Godly leader takes, he mourned for those in Jerusalem, fasted and prayed. Godly leaders know who to turn to when people are in trouble. A lesson appropriate for leaders today.

What was hard for Nehemiah to grasp was not that the walls and gates were torn down, but that the work had stopped in rebuilding them after their return to the land. There was much opposition and delays when building the temple, but the people were able to see it to completion. Apparently, those distractors still had a stronghold on Jerusalem’s residents that they did not continue the work. This was extremely dangerous for the safety of the people and the protection of the temple with no walls of defense. Nehemiah was not a religious leader but understood what the city of Jerusalem was to the Lord God. It was the city where God had put His name, and His name was not being glorified by the total completion of the city walls when His people returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah had godly insight into the problem which a Godly leader needs to have to be successful.

Notice another trait of a Godly leader. Nehemiah identified with the people in his prayer. “Listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!” (Neh.1:6 nlt) Nehemiah recognizes perhaps the people have not been obedient to God and therefore the walls of protection are gone so he prays to that end and adds his own sin and confesses. Godly leaders confess their sins and the sins of those they represent.

Nehemiah reminds the Lord of His covenant with Israel in his prayer, not that he needs to be reminded but plead with God to activate His promise to them if the people repented. “But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.” (Neh.1:9 nlt) The Lord had indeed brought them back and now Nehemiah is asking God for His name to honored again in Jerusalem through His chosen people. “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.” (Neh.1:10 nlt)

Nehemiah closes his prayer with a request that the king’s heart would be kind to him when he makes his approach to ask permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. He already had a plan. A good leader does go about haphazardly but has a plan in place. We can all use this advice in our daily lives. God may change your plans but have a plan in place Nehemiah did.

Finally, a Godly leader understands the value of bringing everything before God in prayer. Nehemiah prayed recognizing the transcendent God, who is high and mighty far above His people and close enough to help them in their time of need. We have the same God today. May all those in leadership positions follow Nehemiah’s first step when faced with a crisis. Pray!

Read: Nehemiah 1 NLT – These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son – Bible Gateway

(1) Pfeiffer, Charles F, Harrison, Everett F. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 1990.

A Christian Perspective

Pray for Christian Leaders in Government

Loring Schultz

“Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, ‘Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.’” Daniel 6:4-5 NLT

Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash

Government officials who profess Christianity are looked upon as a threat to our way of life. Adhering to Biblical principles accuses them of intolerance, taking away rights, discrimination, limiting freedom, and dare I say a threat to democracy. Of course, none of this is true for the God of the Bible would never support those things listed above. In fact, the Bible speaks quite openly just the opposite when administered according to His standard of truth and His holiness. God has established government for an orderly way of life in our world to maintain peace by punishing criminals and providing safety and protection for all its citizens. The guidelines to follow are found in His book He has written to us, the Bible. It is when government seeks to establish their own reasoning of right and wrong contrary to God’s standards that we have an unorderly world.

Christians in government leadership positions need our daily prayers. They are in an uphill battle with mostly every piece of legislation being debated or with laws they need to follow which are against God’s Word. There are many who want to silence them and see them out of office. I believe the Lord has placed them there by His grace and will use them for His glory not only for a more stable government, but in advancing His kingdom by leading others to Christ. They have a great responsibility to maintain integrity among their colleagues with whom they are in opposition for the greater cause for doing the right thing for the people.

The prophet Daniel in the Old Testament could well represent a modern-day government official. He, indeed, was one. One of the top three in Darius’ administration. Daniel’s character and integrity were above reproach, and his work was of excellent quality. He was on his way to being promoted but his two companions wanted him out of office and tried to find some accusation against him but couldn’t find any. Daniel’s godly character and work ethic made it impossible to find anything negative in his service to the king. His opponents knew they could only get him to violate the law if it was something that went against his God, so they devised a plan and they passed such a law. This is being done in our government before our very eyes in 2024.

Be praying for all who hold office in our government, Christians and non-Christians alike. For those who do not know the living savior to come to know Him and for Christians to be able to stand for the truth and not be persuaded to compromise God’s Word in fear of losing their jobs. Pray they will maintain their integrity and conduct their work to highest standard as a follower of Jesus. And continue to pray for the United States in the upcoming election that men and women of God will be elected to office governing as God’s Word commands.

Devotionals

Pray for our Pastors and Elders

Loring Schultz

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you……lead them by your own good example” 1 Peter 5:2a, 3b NLT

Photo by Frank Alarcon on Unsplash

Our church pastors and elders have a God-given task entrusted to them in shepherding or caring for the members in the church they serve. We are God’s flock, the church, His children. So are the pastors and elders. Even though we all are guided by Jesus, the Great Shepherd, the leaders of the church have that special assignment to lead those entrusted to them by loving the sheep, caring for the sheep, and feeding the sheep. And if you look around the church, in fact any church, you’ll realize why we need to pray for our pastors and elders. We are all like sheep and if not guided by godly shepherds we will go our way. We could be a stubborn bunch.

If that sounds a little harsh for some of you. I will just say, me included, if the shoe fits wear it. We are all not that bad, but we are all not that good either. Christians need the guidance of God’s earthly shepherds in the world in which we live. Their teaching, prayers, counselling, wisdom, and love are essential for the members of the church. Yes, there are other fine Christian teaching organizations, but nothing is as valuable as gathering as a church family for worship, love, care, and teaching from God’s appointed shepherds. The apostle Peter instructed the elders of his day to, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you (and) lead them by your own good example.” (1Pt.5:2a, 3b nlt) Our pastors and elders have an enormous responsibility to lead us by living a good example. We need to pray they will be able accomplish this unhindered.

For a church family to be well-led, the leadership must be prayed for daily. Satan and his demons don’t take a day off. They are eager to get a shot off at one of their favorite targets, pastors and elders. Leadership needs the encouragement they feel from the Lord through our prayers. Pastors and elders are human just as we are, they are not angels and need the hedge of protection against sin in their ministry. May we all as Christians be praying for our pastors and elders that they receive the encouragement, the care, and the teaching from the Great Shepherd growing deeper in their love for Him, for them to love, care, and feed us, God’s flock, the church of God.

Devotionals

Confidently Waiting for the Lord

Loring Schultz

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NLT

Photo by Nikolay Draganov on Pexels.com

Are you able to say with confidence that you always wait with patience for the Lord to help you? Do you have confidence that He will? It is not easy when a heavy burden overshadows your light of day. You find it difficult to concentrate, thinking ahead waiting for the burden to be lifted. You have prayed, but you just can’t leave it there with the Lord. Rehashing it in your mind causes anxiety and you feel the answer can’t come soon enough. Let’s take a look at King David in Psalm 27. He had a mounting problem with those who were conspiring against him, but he prayed to the Lord and waited patiently with confidence.

First of all, David knew he needed not to be afraid. He said, the Lord was his light, his salvation and his protection from danger. (Ps.27:1) David came to this conclusion from the experience of God’s help in the past. You can probably recall instances when God answered your prayers in the past. Rest on that! Secondly, David portrays God’s protection from his enemies as concealing and hiding him in His sanctuary. (Ps.27:5) The sanctuary in David’s day meant the presence of the Lord. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Rest also in that! And third, David had an intimate prayer session with God. “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’” (Ps.27:8 nlt) Rest in the fact you are invited by God to come and talk with Him!

David prayed earnestly pouring out his heart. He held nothing back and we shouldn’t either. God desires our honest prayers from the heart, so let it all out. David did and was able to say, “Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.” (Ps.27:13 nlt) And he closes his psalm by saying, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Ps.27:14 nlt)

Read: Psalm 27 NLT – Psalm 27 – A psalm of David. The LORD – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Days of Trouble

Loring Schultz

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15 NKJV

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

September 11, 2001, is a day that will always be remembered for all those who were alive and old enough to feel the devasting effect it had on the United States. A deadly Islamist terrorist attack organized by al-Qaeda killed 2,977 people by hijacking and crashing air liners into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Throughout the week following that Tuesday tragedy and on the following Sunday morning churches were filled with people calling out to God in the day of our trouble. The Lord had provided comfort for the nation and there was peace and unity for a time, but as is witnessed today that is long gone.

Why does it take a tragedy like a 911 to bring people together and call upon God? Granted there has been other tragedies that have brought Americans together the past twenty-three years such as school shootings, natural disasters, mass shootings in public places, and Covid-19. True to form, once the tragedy has past, America again forgets God. He is not call upon until the next the day of trouble. What a mistake that is, we have trouble every day in the United States. Prayer should be offered daily for America for the trouble we are in, our days of trouble.

On a personal note, each of us is in the same boat. Every day is an on-going challenge. We may be having a great day, but there is not a day that goes by that something doesn’t go wrong, so why not start the day by calling upon the Lord in your upcoming day of trouble. You’re going to have one! The Lord promises to deliver us, and we will be able to glorify Him daily for His care over us. Don’t wait until a tragedy comes into your life to call upon God. Yes, He will still deliver you, but He desires to deliver you daily from the small things in your days of trouble.

Read: Psalm 50 NKJV – God the Righteous Judge – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Preventing Falls

Loring Schultz

“You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” Psalm 18:36 NLT

 Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

As the human body ages, it can become difficult to get around. Not everyone experiences this at the same rate, but eventually most aging individuals will need to take measures to prevent them from falling. Seniors have several sources to aid them in preventing falls from their health organizations, family physicians, and government regulations. Getting a little older I find myself paying closer attention to these precautions than I did even a few years ago. I am beginning to find out things happen fast and unexpectedly.

Aging spiritually does not prevent one from a spiritual failure or fall. Whatever your age, young, old or in-between despite how many years you have been a Christian does not guarantee you will not slip and fall. In fact, when we think we have it altogether is when we lose our footing causing us to slip. And if we are unable to catch ourselves, we fall whatever our age.

Our Lord God is not going to sit back and not provide any preventive measures for us. David wrote that the Lord ‘made a wide path for (his) feet to keep them from slipping’ from the attacks and battles he faced from his enemies including King Saul. Christians are under constant attack by the deception of the evil one creating circumstances enticing us to follow his lead causing us to slip and fall. But the Lord has made a wide path for every Christian to walk through in our spiritual journey.

When we follow Him through daily prayer and reading His Word, we will be able to spot the potholes on the road of life designed to make us fall. We will be able to resist Satan’s detour signs of a shortcut or scenic route encouraging us to go another way. Preventing physical falls made be more concerning for older adults, but preventing spiritual falls is a major concern for Christians of all ages. Stay on the wide path.

Read: Psalm 18:30-39 NLT – God’s way is perfect. All the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Work for the Peace and Prosperity of Your City

Loring Schultz

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7 NLT

Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Pexels.com

There are cities across the United States and around the world that have a relatively orderly, peaceful, and prosperous land for its residents. You may be saying to yourself, name some because I would like to move there. It is true that many of our cities don’t resemble a place of tranquility. We do live in a fallen world, so we might expect it, but that does not mean there can be no peace and prosperity in the days we live, even if it is only for a period of time.

You and I should be working towards the peace and prosperity of the cities where we live. Christians are the biggest influence in their surrounding communities to make things happen, because we have the biggest influencer supporting us, the Lord God. The first step in being an influencer to bring about change in your city is prayer. The Lord told the captive Israelites as they were carried off to Babylon to do just that. They certainly did not want to be exiled in the heathen city, but the Lord God told them to “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jer.29:7 nlt) Very simply, God commanded them to pray for their city, a pagan city. As their city prospered, so would they and there would be peace.

You may be living in a pagan city, but the Lord’s command is the same to pray for your city. The second step is to start working towards peace and prosperity. You and a few others may be the only hope your friends and neighbors have of living a peaceful life due to your prayers and working as the Lord leads you. It will not only bring glory and honor to God as He answers your prayers through the welfare of all, but it will open the door to share the gospel of Christ, the only true source of peace in the world.

Devotionals

God’s Spam Folder

Loring Schultz

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

Photo by Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.u

Waiting for an answer from someone could lead to impatience if you do not know that person well. If there is a delay, you may begin questioning yourself if the one you’re waiting for an answer ever got your request. Did my email or text go through? Was I clear to my intentions for the request? Perhaps they sent me a response and I missed it, or it went in my spam folder. When it’s not in my spam folder and haven’t received an answer in a reasonable amount of time, I convince myself that my request was never received, or they would have answered. But then in a day or two I receive the answer. I created those impatient moments on my own for no good reason, but even more concerning is when I create impatient moments when I make my requests known to God.

We never need to worry if God hears our requests in our prayers. He does. The apostle John tells us we can have the confidence that He hears us, but he adds this, “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1Jn.5:14b niv) According to His will is not always something we like to hear. It would be better, so we think, if it was according to our will, that’s why we’re asking. But the Lord knows what is best for us and will only do what is best for us. If we haven’t received the answer we want from the Lord, perhaps the request went into His spam folder, oh He knows it’s there, but it’s not according to His will.

Be assured that God hears and will answer every request in every prayer to Him according to His will and in His timing. We need not worry if it is directed to His spam folder. God will delete them and will not grant you what is not His will for you. But know this, “if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1Jn.5:15 niv) We always have God’s best for us and that includes deleting the spam mail we send them.