Touch His Heart

"And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for." 1 John 5:14-15

I believe the Father will move all of heaven to answer the prayer that moves His heart. But who will touch His heart today?

The Father has given you unhindered access to His heart as a child of God. Abba delights in you, just as He delights in His very own Son. Do you believe it? So much hinges on your ability to receive this truth. God sees you, and hears you. You’re the apple of His eye.

Jesus demonstrated a lifestyle of intimacy with the Father while he was here on earth. He enjoyed Abba’s presence and listened for His voice every day. Pulling away from the noise and the busyness, He drew near to the heart of God in prayer, prioritizing the Father's will above His own, and living in response to what He experienced in the secret place of prayer. I think we’d all agree that this relational prayer strategy yielded extraordinary fruit in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Sons and daughters of God, now it's your turn to do the same. You hold the key to Abba’s heart. Everything Jesus experienced with the Father while here on earth is available to you today as a child of God. The whole enchilada. Doesn’t this make you eager to draw near to the voice of your good Father today? As your identity is rooted more deeply in Him, you become so aligned with His purpose and filled with His pleasure that passionate prayers will burst forth from your lips, moving your Father's heart. You can be confident in this.

Go ahead, reach out and touch His heart.

AJ Picard

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Holy Fire

Photograph by Barb Wibling

“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple … When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD saying: For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 7:1,3 (NKJV)

“Keep the fire burning on the altar continuously. It must not go out.” Leviticus 6:13 (MSG)

Throughout history, God has demonstrated His approval of people devoted to prayer by sending fire from Heaven. At the dedication of the Temple, this fire burned continuously under the altar of burnt offering, symbolic of God’s presence. Are your hearts burning as you seek Him in prayer and worship?

God lights the fire when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and then He tends it so that we will grow in grace as we walk with Him. We can also do our part to cultivate an awareness of His presence in our lives. By sitting often in silence, stoking the embers with His Word, and by seeking Him regularly in solitude, our hearts become one with His, and we can pray without ceasing. If our hidden life with His inner fire is cared for faithfully, it can offer warmth and light to others. Spending frequent time alone with Jesus gives birth to compassion, and we discover our life is a gift to be shared.

The Lord is calling us to carry the holy fire of His presence to the lost of our generation for His glory. Let’s set apart seasons to pursue His power passionately in extraordinary worship and prayer with gratitude for His goodness and grace. Then may there be fire on the altar of our hearts that never goes out.

Barb Wibling

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Living Water

"Jesus replied, If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me and I would give you living water." John 4:10

Recently I was sitting in a waiting room, using the time to pray for loved ones and friends. As I was praying quietly to myself, the above Scripture came to mind. Instantly the unsettling thought dawned on me that I was begging God for answers instead of approaching Him as the one who is able to give out living water.

I realize that the response Jesus gave the Samaritan woman was an opportunity to teach her divine things regarding her sinfulness and need of a Savior. But every time I read this verse, its impact upon my heart leaves me speechless. This woman had an encounter with Jesus that transformed her life. When Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah it says, "she left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone.” (John 4:28)

This got me thinking about the way I approach God when I pray. Do I always approach Him as if I’m begging Him to move on my behalf, or do I approach Him with the full awareness of who He is and the gift that He offers? I'm realizing that when I do the latter, it engages my faith and allows me to fix my eyes on God instead of my circumstances.

Do you know who Jesus is to you and the gift He wants to offer you today? Why not come to the well for a fresh encounter with God. Take some time to reframe the way you approach Him, gain a transformed view of His goodness, and receive living water for your soul. 

Lynne Bauman

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