Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

Who Do You Represent?

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I didn’t want to write this post. By writing and publishing this you may assume Soaked and Sprouting is a political blog. It is not. But so often lately, politics can lead to prayer.

During the state of the union address, I was convicted that I needed to pray for certain people in our government. Those whose views are very different from mine. More so, since I am a visual person, the Lord “suggested” that I print a picture of them, those people who didn’t applaud the pro-life legislation suggestion of President Trump, and tape it in my prayer journal. I need to look into the faces of the people I am to pray for. 

Being totally transparent here, my first thought was “YUK!” I don’t want to look at those people while I’m praying for them. But I did it. I found a picture of the women in white, and taped it in my journal.

 

This is so very hard for me. My first thought when I see them is “They DO NOT represent me and my views!” But God. He is so very faithful to show me His ways, if I will only humble myself to listen.

“Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the LORD.” Exodus 28:12 NLT

Similar to the picture I taped in my prayer journal, Aaron had stones on his priestly garments to remind him that he represents the people before the Lord. 

Hmmmm. Did you see what I saw? Aaron represents the people whenever he goes before the Lord.

Even though those gals in white (and many other politicians and regular people) don’t represent me or my beliefs, I represent them when I pray for them. 

Oswald Chambers says “Has it ever dawned on you that you are responsible for other souls spiritually before God?” (Chambers, O. (1986). My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the year)

The people we are praying for, the leaders of our country, may not represent us or our values or what we stand for. But we certainly represent them to God and must bring them before Him in prayer. Whenever we do this, we implore the Lord on their behalf, praying that His will be done in their lives. Pray that He will draw them to Himself and save them for His purposes.  Pray for them to see today’s issues through the filter of God’s truth and His Ways and His love. Pray for hearts to be changed. But most of all, PRAY. God commands it.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB

Go ahead. Print a picture of those people – whomever they may be to you. Print it. Pray over it. For them. For you. And for our country. Represent them before God. 

Grace be with You,

Things Distracted Women Need to Know

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Let’s be real here. Transparent. Raise your hand if you ever get distracted during your quiet time with God. Yeah, me too! You would think that I could stay focused since I am spending time with the God of all creation! But no. I look up and see the crooked picture frame on the wall. Mentally, I straighten it out. Then, I look around the room and see dust and cobwebs that need to be cleared, instead of looking into the Word and clearly seeing Jesus. 

My friend Betsy, at Faith Spilling Over, has a new book that released February 26. It’s called More of God, A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times. It is a must read for all of us who can’t seem to keep our focus during our quiet time. Betsy has so much practical help in this book, that I think everyone should read it!

Part of MY problem just may be that I’m in a Quiet Time Rut. Have you been there? For the most part, I love a routine, but I recognize I need to shake up my mornings with Jesus every now and again. Betsy has some great suggestions that I will try, and they involve pretty colored pens! YAY!

The first is Verse Mapping. This is one way to dig deeper into God’s Word. And, as Betsy says “it puts a fun, creative spin on Bible study.” First, choose your verse, and write it in the center of an unlined piece of paper. Then, with different colors, circle, box, or underline words that stand out. You can also add notes around the outside of the verse – using carious colors, of course! And you could also do a Greek or Hebrew word study on your verse map. Betsy also suggests that we personalize the scripture with our own name, or the name of someone you are praying for. I’m no brain expert, but I think this would also make for easier memorization! YAY!!!

[tweetthis]We find new freedom and joy when we let go of what’s grown stale and open the windows to fresh ways of connecting with God. Betsy de Cruz, More of God [/tweetthis]

Very similar to verse mapping is Betsy’s suggestion to Prayer Map. Wow! I never would have thought to do this! Betsy says “something about looking at that map, with requests written out in different colors, keeps my mind focused on prayer.” By each prayer request on your map, you can add a specific scripture to pray.

You can find these wonderful tips and more in Betsy’s book More of God, A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times. Betsy gives many suggestions for helping us to focus and make our prayer times more meaningful. But she is quick to remind us that Jesus is with us all day long! 

“A meaningful quiet time is a springboard for inviting more of God into the rest of our day.” Betsy de Cruz, More of God      

And we all need more of God, amen?

Father, Forgive me when I lose my focus and become distracted while I am sitting at Your feet! Thank You Lord, for these new ideas to make my time with You more meaningful! I love You, Father God! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Grace be with you,

 

 

Meet Betsy:

Betsy de Cruz writes and speaks to encourage women to get more of God’s Word in, so they can live their faith out. She wrote her book More of God to help distracted women take small steps towards God to experience more of His presence and power. You can find Betsy online at Faithspillingover.com where she shares Bible study and prayer tips for distracted women, as well as encouragement for everyday faith and family.