Honey and I were browsing through an Under Armour store recently and noticed their tagline, "Protect this House". It struck a chord with both of us because it has so many different connotations. You can protect your physical "house" by eating right and exercising. You can protect your earthly possessions and the people you love etc... It's just a great line, kind of like "Just Do It".
At church yesterday I thought of that phrase again. Our pastor's message was titled "Pray Hard and Protect Well". He talked about when we are faced with opposition our typical response is to have fear, fight or to retreat...not to pray.
However praying about something does not release us from taking responsibility either.
For instance, if we are struggling in our marriage we should PRAY and seek Godly counsel. If we have lost a job we should PRAY and get a resume together. If we are having weight issues we should PRAY, eat less and exercise more etc...
It's so easy to just say you are going to pray about it. But practically speaking we need to pray, give it to God and move toward a solution. How else are we to protect this house...our lives, our livelihoods, our future. God will give you wisdom to know how to come against any opposition you face. Give it to Him and pray for the next step...
Nehemiah 4:14 I looked them over and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.
At the end of the sermon he called on the people who were struggling with opposition to come forward. The aisles filled and the entire altar area was overflowing. It brought tears to my eyes to see all those men and women on their knees praying for wisdom from the Lord. Thank you Lord that we can take anything to you in prayer and that you will give us the fight to protect our homes.
Have a blessed day.
****WINNER of the $50.00 Lisa Leonard Gift Certificate is...
Home's Where My Heart Is! Congratulations Erin:)****
Becky, I love this post. Prayer is something I truly struggle with, b/c somehow it's just easier to go do something all by my lonesome than to be still and call on the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder.
Alison
Beautiful, wonderful message:)
ReplyDeletesuch a beauty-FULL post. so true. thank goodness the Lord hears our cries!
ReplyDeleteBecky, I was just thinking about (being convicted about) how so often I say "I'll be praying about that" and then I fail to keep that promise. I'm very careful about that now... but also, you are so right, it seems like I exhaust all of my own abilities before I turn to God for help. It's like "I'm at the end of the rope...now can you step in...?" so crazy. He should be the first place I turn!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. I think I need to go spend some quality time on my knees!
What a sweet and thoughtful post -- thanks for sharing! Plus, your photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJanet
This is great, Becky. I love how the Lord reveals stuff to us, like how you were at that store, saw the sign and then at church your pastor said something similar. And now you get to share with us. I couldn't agree more with you about not being released from responsibility after we pray. Great post girl!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait to present the "Marked By Love" necklace to my friend and tell her that because of prayer, you and Lisa that she is getting this necklace. I am beyond grateful.
:)
What a timely and beautiful message. I needed this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMikal
Becky,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post - I really needed to hear this. I also love your take on the tag line and the sermon, very insightful :)
A different take on this subject of praying and going forward is a Chinese Proverb that I came across one time. It goes something like this.
ReplyDeleteGod gives every bird a worm, but he doesn't always throw it into it's nest.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I LOVE the pictures you have in your post, here today.
Oh I'm so happy for Erin, she is the sweetest thing & perfect timing for her to win a gift!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post too, I love that you spelled it out too!! Pray for the wisdom & the ability to do great things & of course for God's Will!
I love your profile picture, I literally smile when I see it, Your smile is Contagious!
Amen and Amen Friend!
ReplyDeleteMmmm, great post!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Thanks for sharing this! I'm going through one of those times where I needed to hear it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post my dear!
ReplyDeleteprecious. THANK YOU! Just what I needed!! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI just found your wonderful blog. And I am very impressed! So great! I will come back and would like to do a link to your blog. Hope that will be ok? Yvonne
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder - very timely. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love this... love the saying, thank you!
ReplyDeletexo,
LuLu
thank you so much for this post. i really needed this today.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Becky, sometimes I find it hard to share faith on a blog, but you do it so effortlessly, I love that. Also I find it difficult when someone says I am praying about that but I don't see them doing anything to move to a solution or as you stated the next step, you have to be proactive in this life God has chosen for you....xo
ReplyDeleteI like that message. I am a big believer in prayer, but your pastor is right that we need to be proactive and do. Really good post. It's a lot to think about. While I was commenting, the song NEEDS by Collective Soul came on. I love that song and hadn't heard it in the longest time! How awesome! Thanks Becky:-)
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog. What you write is always so true. I so often finding myself "going there" as in worrying and rehearsing situations that haven't even happened and just remember I was dealing with something, rehearsing how it was going to go and totally stressing out. Then I prayed. Peace came over me and it all worked out. I thought why didn't I do that sooner??? May God bless you today:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and message. I love the quote from Nehemiah that says..."Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight"
ReplyDeleteI find courage to fight in Him. Oh my, what a blessing when many times I feel so small.
I *love* it... pray about it then move toward a solution!! Exactly!
ReplyDelete~Jennifer
www.studiojru.com
Thank you for posting this Becky. I have been worried about protecting myself for awhile. I pray, and I've done what I can to help myself. Now it's time to give it up to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos Becky, they are all beautiful.
Mary
Great post, Becky. Great pictures too. I totally agree that we pray and take steps forward, not pray and sit back..Great message.
ReplyDeleteStunning post. I loved it, and the incredible photos to go with it!
ReplyDelete~Angela Harris
Aw man... I'm like the last to comment.
ReplyDeleteI hate Tuesdays! I can't get to my computer until bedtime! Dang.
But... this was a great post girl. Truly inspiring and so TRUE! I have heard that God can direct a moving person so much better than a person just standing still waiting for life to be handed to them. (not that He couldn't do amazing things for a person just standing around too..)
Also... so great to hear your voice again today. I told Adrain again tonight that the midwest just sounded nice.
He laughed at me. I think he sees through me. LOL
Love ya girl.
Excellent message. Couldn't agree more. I respect people so much who walk the talk (who are doers)not only for the sake of the body of Christ, but for the sake of unbelievers we come in contact with as well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Becky!! And so very true!
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes...that is a wonderful verse.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet girl...this strikes a cord with me...I LOVE that saying maybe more than any other...
ReplyDeletethis was a really great post.
ReplyDeletehow important it is to remember that praying doesn't take us out of the matter and we must be working to do His Will.
love those photos too~
have a wonderful day.
Love it--teary eyed!!!
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to peek into the life and work of a fellow painter/mom/bloggr/christian!
if you only knew...
ReplyDeletehow much I needed that today...
Bless you dear sweet Farm Girl who Paints!!
=)
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ReplyDeleteGirl, sometimes you just hit a chord! This is why so many people love your blog.... you have a way with words and your vulnerability gives us a place to "land" and think for a moment! xo ~ Cheryl Have a beautiful week!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that I stumbled over your blog. First of all it so beautiful! Secondly, I really needed this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words of wisdom,
Joyce