Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

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What a Friend!

October 20, 2022 by Ellen Leave a Comment

It was a comfortable silence. He was looking at something on the iPad, I was reading a book. From time to time we would look up and smile at each other.

After several nights of this, I realized something: We’re not talking. We’re not sharing. I’m not sharing my life with him. My husband. My best friend. I didn’t exclude him on purpose. We had just become very comfortable with each other. Like two old friends sharing a bench.

And that’s a good thing! We’re at home and relaxed with one another. But we also have to be careful not to take things for granted. Not to become TOO comfortable. Ever so slowly a distance can creep in. Our relationship can become three miles wide, and two inches deep. No depth, no substance. Kind of like the relationship I have with 400 of my closest friends on Facebook!

That isn’t the type of connection John and I want with each other. We want depth. To have that, we need to be deliberate in cultivating a stronger, deeper relationship.

I want the same thing with Christ. Deepness. And I need to be intentional about it. If I’m not careful, I can take this very important relationship for granted. I can become too comfortable during my prayer times with Him. This relationship with Christ – above all others – needs to move from shallow to deep. And then deeper still.

And so, just like in my marriage, I began to make adjustments. I began conversations. I tell Him about my day, my deepest feelings gushing out. I read His word, slowly dwelling on passages that speak to me.

I stop and listen to Him. I pour over the scriptures, careful to pause if a verse catches my attention. And then I read the passage again, slowly, letting it sink deep into my heart. And then I ask questions.

“Why, Lord? Why should I care what this scripture says? What does it have to do with me, today, 2,000 years after it was written? Why does this matter? What are You saying, Lord? Is this something I need to apply to my life? Is there a change I need to make?”

I love the questions. But more than that, I love when I sense God’s  answers!

“Ellen, that scripture was written so that you can know the lengths I will go for a relationship with you. So that you know I love you and will pursue you. So that you can share with others how deep my love is for my people.”

Are you intentional about your relationship with Jesus? Are you cultivating the depths of His friendship?

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
John 15:15 (NLT)

Lord, how thankful I am that You count us as friends, that we can bring anything to You in prayer. Yes, indeed, what a privilege! Thank you for being such a personal God – You listen and hear our prayers. In Jesus powerful name, Amen.

Until next week,

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This post was originally published 1-16-201

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Ordinary to Extraordinary Prayer: Worship

July 28, 2016 by Ellen Leave a Comment

We’ve been talking about moving our prayers lives from Ordinary to Extraordinary these last few weeks. We discussed ways to warm up to prayer, getting into God’s word and wisdom from His word. Today, we’ll we’ll take a look at what we’ve learned and Worship our Savior in prayer!

Prayer is simply talking to God. So then, what if you’re not much of a talker? What if the idea of speaking to our holy and almighty God makes you tongue tied? What then?

PRAY GOD’S WORD
That’s when we dig back into God’s word. Take the scriptures you’ve been reading and pray them back to Him. In her book Praying God’s Word, Beth Moore likens praying scripture to two sticks of dynamite taped together. Powerful and explosive! How’s that for extraordinary prayer?

Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT)
Oh Lord, help me to be disciplined in setting aside a time each day to pray. Holy Spirit, fill me with a desire to pray!

What attribute of God have you seen in a passage? What have you learned about Jesus in a verse? Use these things you’ve learned to praise the Father and the Son.
When He (Jesus) looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (MSG)
Oh, Jesus, break my heart for the people you love. Help me to have compassion for others, just as You have had compassion and mercy on me!

no words

Is there a promise to claim?
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Lord, I’m scared. This situation fills me with anxiety. But, God, I’m clinging to Your promise: You will go with me. You will never leave me!

PRAY WITH EXPECTATION
Each time you come before God in prayer, be expectant and anticipate that you will hear from Him, and encounter Him personally. Now, I know this isn’t always easy. I’m a “cut and dried, black and white” kinda person myself.

Praying with expectation is where our faith comes in. Our holy God is personal. He hears our cries. He answers our prayers. Expect that you will meet Him and find Him, when you search for Him will all your heart.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB)
God, I’m looking for You! Jesus, I want to see You! With all my heart I want to find you!

PRAY WHEN YOU HAVE NO WORDS
Several years ago, after my Mama died, I had absolutely no words. I continued to get up in the morning for my time with God. I read my Bible, and also some devotions for those who are grieving, but no words of response would come out of my mouth.
Perhaps you are grieving, or have suffered a terrible loss. It’s difficult to pray. Words just won’t come. You don’t know what to pray, and you’re hurting terribly.

At times like these, remember Roman 8:26:
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He (Holy Spirit) does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. (MSG)
Sometimes the only prayer you can pray – and the most powerful one – is this:
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

Will all these things make you a perfect pray-er? No, not this side of heaven. But it will strengthen your relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. And it will change you. We worship God with our prayers. And when we pray, we exchange our human wishes for His divine wishes.

Lord, teach us to pray like this, that our wishes would be exchanged for Yours, and Your wishes would become our prayer.

Be sure to click Subscribe for Updates (top right) to receive “7 Scriptures to Ignite Your Prayer Time” – my gift to you!

Grace be with you,

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