christianity

Let my love

/ Vincent Chough / 4 Comments

Sometimes it seems like we struggle to love freely these days. Have we grown cold over the years? Are we too cautious with our love?

True love is decisive and courageous. It’s not foolish, but it doesn’t make calculations either. Somehow, true love just knows. It’s secure. It’s sure.

This kind of love comes from heaven. It comes from God. And his love enables us to love like he does. And God loves us with a human heart. He loves us with the heart of Jesus Christ.

I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. 

John 17:23

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Let my love

Why do I hold back?

Why can’t my love be free?

Something must have happened. Some kind of hurt. Some kind of shame.

And so, I got cautious, wary, defensive. Scared. And I stopped loving freely.

Or maybe I’m not loving anyone at all.

But not you, O Lord. That’s not how You love.

You hold nothing back. You have no fear.

Your perfect love drives out all fear.

Let me love that way, O Lord. Let me love your way.

Let me not be afraid anymore.

Let my love be open, giving and wise.

I’m not interested in foolishness, but instead in life getting and life-giving love.

A strong love that thrives. A love that casts out doubt.

Let my love be like your love, O Lord.

A love that heals the hurt, and removes the shame, a love that sets me free.

For all those times

/ Vincent Chough / 4 Comments

Are you living with constant regret? Do you frequently talk to yourself in a negative way? Sometimes the failures and mistakes we made overwhelm us. We might think there is no way out. But don’t worry, there is hope.

While we should claim responsibility for our errors, they don’t have to define us. Our past sins do not have to dictate to us how we live now and in the future.

God sent his Son to forgive us and set us free. This is the most incredible gift ever. It’s an exaggerated love that can transform lives and even entire families. And it is never, ever too late.

So begin again. Begin today. Go to the Lord humbly, and he will forgive you. You are not condemned. Instead, in Jesus Christ, you are loved beyond measure. You are a beloved child of God.

And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

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For all those times

For all those times I wish I could have been there,

For all those calls and visits I never made,

For all the times I didn’t make it, when I could have helped, maybe even just a little bit… or even a lot.

I give it all up to you, my Lord.

For all those times I didn’t speak up or I wish I had said things a different way, only to realize later how I should have spoken,

I give up all those wasted words and words not said…

I give them all up to you, my Lord.

And for all those times I should have said, “I’m sorry,” but didn’t.

For all those times I hurt someone, knowingly or not, for all those times I let my pride get in the way…

I give it all up to you, O Lord.

For all those times that broke my heart, I give them up to you, my merciful Lord.

For only you can fill in the gaps.

You alone are sovereign.

You alone are the Lord.

And instead of living heartbroken, I will live thankfully.

For every time I didn’t make it or did it wrong, you were there to make it better.

Somehow, someway, only you make all things new.

Prayer for all the hurt you see

/ Vincent Chough / 4 Comments

You see them. They could be family members or friends. Or maybe you hear about them on the news. You see so many people hurting, and it affects you. You have a human heart after all. You might go for days, weeks, or even years witnessing the hurt.

Instead of keeping it all bottled up inside, let the Lord help you process it all. Let him take the anguish off your shoulders. Let him give you his restoration. This doesn’t mean you don’t care. It doesn’t mean you won’t help. It simply means you need God’s help to deal with and process all the hurt you see in this world.

Fear not, for I am with you,
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

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Prayer for all the hurt you see

O blessed Lord,

So many struggle and strive.

Many wander far from the light.

It hurts to see them all, for my heart has been made tender by your loving grace.

Do I wish it could be different? Do I spend all my energy worried and afraid?

But you have shown me, O Lord, you have taught me to fear nothing.

You show me a more excellent way.

So I bow down now, I seek you. I surrender to your will.

You rush in. You remove worry. Only you can set me free.

And all the pain and suffering I see, I give it up to you.

I invoke your holy name to heal my eyes, ears and heart.

Cast out the evil one, O Lord. Silence his lies.

I appeal to your mercy. Forgive us and set us free, in Christ, our Savior.

For we all have sinned and we all need salvation.

Let us come home to you.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Prayer for when you feel humiliated

/ Vincent Chough / 1 Comment

Who likes to feel humiliated? Nobody. But like all things, humiliation can be transformed into something that helps you grow as a person. No, it’s not pleasant. And it might not even be your fault at all. Sometimes, you experience humiliation, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

But what if instead of keeping all that bad feeling bottled up inside, you gave it up to God? What if instead of shutting down or boiling with anger, you opened your hurt and your heart up to the Lord?

Something miraculous can happen. Your shame and your pain can be transformed into a blessing for you. The experience can make you trust and love Jesus even more. Then you can move forward again, restored by the loving mercy of God.

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 

Romans 8:28-29

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Prayer for when you feel humiliated

O merciful Lord,

It happened and it hurt.

I felt so humiliated and ashamed.

It wasn’t my fault, or maybe it was, or maybe a bit of both.

But it still stings. It burns.

I want to scream, strike, and run away all at once.

Why must I feel this way? Won’t you help me, O Lord?

Calm my heart and mind.

Let me return to you. Let me find rest in you.

Let me remember that you also felt humiliated.

You also felt the pain.

From the depths of my hurt, I give it all up to you.

Let the obstacles in my heart come crashing down.

May your Spirit come rushing in. May your grace overflow in me.

Only you can restore my soul.

Now a bit more humble. Now a bit less proud.

A bit more like my beloved Lord,

In Jesus name,

Amen.

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Providence

/ Vincent Chough / 6 Comments

Some might think divine providence is receiving great blessings from God, and this is partly true. His blessings might arrive in the form of a great opportunity or financial help. But God’s providence is much more profound than that.

God’s providence comes to its fullest expression when it is built on trust. If we place some kind of condition on his providence, then we miss the point.

Remember, God is the giver of life. He is sovereign over all creation. As we dig deeper into those truths, we can live more according to his providence. God’s providence isn’t magic or luck. Instead, it’s a process that involves the conquest of your heart.

Then, even in the most difficult situations, you don’t lose hope. You stay on track. And when you stumble, you rise up, as you rest in the palm of the hand of God.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Matthew 6:33-34

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Providence

Why do I always want to control things?

Why do I always want to have my way?

I think I know best. But you, O Lord, know better.

So I plan and I push hard.

I try to do it all on my own.

And when things don’t go my way,

I feel lonely, foolish and sad.

What if I seek you first above all things, O Lord?

What if I seek your Providence?

For Providence isn’t getting things easy.

Instead, it’s knowing you are my King and Creator.

And when I surrender to you, your will and your ways become my delight.

Then I can truly do my part.

I can plow forward with courage and confidence.

Not because I’m in control.

But rather, because I trust.

I see your signs and follow them.

Your Spirit leads my spirit.

My mind and body may grow weary.

My heart may feel troubled sometimes.

But I journey towards heaven.

My soul soars free.

Knowing I already have everything, always and

forever-more in the mercy of the Lord.

Beyond all limits

/ Vincent Chough / 4 Comments

Is it hard for you to accept limits? Are you experiencing a frustrating situation right now?

Maybe it’s an unreasonable employer or someone else you work with. Or perhaps it’s someone in the family that frustrates you. You see the mistakes they make, and it brings out the worst in you.

Situations can also set limits on you that are hard to accept. Maybe you want to advance in your career or education, but things stand in your way. Or maybe in your church or community, you feel things could be much better, but you are powerless to do anything.

Some limits are unavoidable, so what can you do about them? Don’t let them drive you to bitterness and anger. Don’t let them make you react in ways you’ll regret later.

Learn how to navigate and accept your limitations with patience and wisdom. There is no point in driving yourself crazy over things you can’t change. There is a much better way. Let your faith be your guide.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20

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Beyond all limits

Frustration gets the best of me.

My thoughts race. My mind cries out:

“This is all wrong. This is not how it should be.”

I hate this.

So, I get angry. Resentment boils up in me.

The devil loves to see me like this.

Angry. Arrogant. The proud know-it-all.

But the Spirit comes to me. He tells me:

Did you not know? Have you not heard?

In his hometown of Nazareth, he performed only a few miracles.

He did not stop Judas’ betrayal.

He did not stop Peter’s denial.

He did not stop the high priests condemning him.

Many left his side. They walked away.

He knows your anguish and frustration.

The Son of God had limits too.

And the hardest stop of all – the cross – even this he accepted, willingly, lovingly.

He knew beyond all limits, his Father was at work.

So he stayed faithful. He stayed true.

Learn from him. Trust in the Lord.

Come see the empty tomb and believe.

One day all limits will come crumbling down

– even the ones you keep in your heart.

So walk upon the waters of your frustration & fear.

In humility to God, all limits disappear.

Prayer for sanctification

/ Prayer for Anxiety / 5 Comments

Sometimes we might hesitate in our desire to be holy. We might think it’s too hard or that it requires too much sacrifice. And all of that is true.

If we take it fully upon ourselves to be holy, we’ll never make it. Instead, we need to lean upon the Lord. We need to rest in him and his ways. Yes, the process of purification can be challenging, even painful sometimes. We might compare it to hard exercise to get in shape. Or it might be like healing from an illness. But it’s worth it. Because when you follow a path of purification, then you end up stronger and healthier.

Perhaps the greatest reward to holiness is freedom. But it’s not the freedom to do anything you want to do. It’s not a lack of control. Instead, it’s freedom from pride and arrogance. It’s freedom from sin. Sanctification is true spiritual freedom that lets your soul soar free.

So be not afraid to seek holiness. It’s the same as seeking God and receiving his everlasting goodness.

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Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence,
    and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

Prayer for sanctification

O holy Lord,

My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve been hurt, and I’ve hurt others too.

Sometimes I’m so ashamed. Or I act like an arrogant fool.

Stains and scars were written on my history and humanity.

So, I ask you, O Lord, Purge me. Cleanse me.

Purify my heart and soul.

May the fire of your Holy Spirit burn away all the things that tie me down and tell me lies.

Let me return to that place, the beginning. A place of innocence and trust.

Let me go again to where everything is fresh and new.

I know I must trust in your plan and your process. I must do my part.

So, I will give up any hurt to the blessed cross of Christ.

Make me holy, Lord, sanctify me.

Then I can be useful to you, as you wish and as you will.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.