What does it mean to be Righteous?
So often we get confused about righteousness and think in terms of “self-righteous”... the complete opposite of what God calls us to. We know that the Bible tells us that the “earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16) yet we know how far from being righteous we are! So how can we qualify as one whose prayers will be powerful and effective?
There are two things to consider in this matter of righteousness.
#1 - God calls us to tend our own hearts and to offer to Him all the places where our attitudes and actions are contrary to His ways. He gives His Holy Spirit to work it out in our lives and we simply need to be willing to let go of the things that we know we need to. When we confess them to God and desire to move away from them He empowers us with strength to accomplish it.
#2 - As today’s devotional states, the LORD is our Righteousness. That means that because He covers us over with the robe of forgiveness and cleansing, we can stand before God with our requests.
With no hidden sin in our hearts God hears us and responds when we come to Him in the name of Jesus.
Ask the Lord today to teach you to pray from a heart that is open and honest before Him. Thank Him that, because of the cross, You can be covered with His righteousness and your prayers will even be affected.
We need the power of prayer in our lives and in our families today. We need the power of prayer in our communities and our countries. Let us do our part to keep a right heart before Him so that our prayers are not hindered.
Blessings as you pray today.
Warmly,
Gail
On June 06 2009
Gail Rodgers said
Dear Judy,
I am so sorry your heart has been broken. You are wise to reach out to God for the peace and hope that only He can bring.
Your desire to share your life with a godly man is a desire that God has put in your heart. His word says that He created us to be in relationship with HIm and with one another and marriage is intended to be the highest form of human relationship. It is natural to desire that relationship.
There are 3 points that I would like to offer you as things to meditate on during this difficult time for you….
1. Isaiah 61:1-4 talks about the foretelling of the coming of Jesus and all that He would accomplish for those who trust Him. Healing of the broken hearted is one of the very reasons He came to this earth to die for us. These Scriptures tell how He will bring beauty out of ashes… build something completely new in your life…. and you will show His glory as a mighty oak stands to show God’s glory. Read these verses every day for the next week and ask God to begin to bind up your broken heart as you trust Him with your future.
Lord God, I ask that You would pour the oil of healing over Judy’s heart today. Bind her heart up in Your hands and comfort her and cradle her. Let her heart be assured that You will guide her path and bring her to new places of joy. In Jesus name I ask this, amen.
2. Ephesians 2:10 tells us…
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Judy, you are God’s special piece of artwork. You are created for a specific reason and at this very time in history. God has things for you to do…. things that will bring you real fulfillment. Ask Him every morning to use You to touch some life each day. You will be surprised and encouraged at the opportunities He will give you to do small things for others that will bring you great joy and meaning.
Desire to please God first with your life and allow Him to bring joy to your heart as you look to share His love with those around you. Your life has great purpose and meaning right now…. right as you are…. right where you are…. ask God to direct you and bring His joy afresh into your heart.
Father God,
You have created Judy with all the unique and special gifts, traits, interests and experiences that make up who she is. Stir in her the desire to share herself in new ways with those around her. Give her laughter with children, great conversations with other women, places where her words of encouragement and care will be a blessing. Help her not to retreat from life because of her broken heart. Bring Your continued healing to her through the blessing she can be to those in her circle of influence. Fill her with Your Spirit and grant her peace and unexpected joy in those around her. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
3. I once heard an illustration about singleness that I have seen to be true over and over again. It went something like this….
Don’t spend your time looking for someone whose song you can sing ..... rather sing your own song and someone will be attracted to your music.
So rise up, dear Judy, and begin to sing your song. You have things to do in the Kingdom of God and they will fulfill you in ways you cannot imagine. Allow HIm to bind up your broken heart and bring beauty to your life in fresh ways. In His time He will answer the desire of your heart.
Lord God,
Give Judy a new song in her heart. May she find joy in You and in reaching out to others. May her song ring out with joy and in time, please bring her someone who hears her music and is attracted to her song. Give her contentment in her journey and bless her as sings. Lift her up above the shadows and into the fresh sunshine of Your continuing love for her. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
God bless you Judy and give you strength and courage, joy and peace and hope in the future God has for you.
Warmly,
Gail Rodgers
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On May 24 2009
Judy said
Please pray that God will release a great measure of Peace and Hope into my life. I am a single female who has been into a relationship and has gotten my heart broken and I still want to be in a relationship but I am so afraid of getting hurt. Please give me scriptures to help me. And pray for me I want God to send me a God inspired man into my life to stay.