POP Changes Us

How many of you have heard of POP? Perhaps you are thinking of a soft drink. Depending on where you live in the country you may realize we all have a different way of asking for a drink. In fact, some people can pick up on the geographical area you are from based on how you ask for it. For example, southern people refer to all soft drinks as a "coke" and if you are from the mid-west like me you would ask for a "pop" while others in the west prefer a "soda". Even though a lot of people enjoy drinking soft drinks they actually have no nutritional value.

However, there is another kind of POP that does have value and the ability to change us from within. It's not referring to a drink, although the outcome of it can satisfy and quench your thirst, your spiritual thirst that is.

This kind satisfaction can come from a universal language that everyone understands no matter what part of the country you are from. It's called the "Power Of Prayer". It has the ability to heal wounds, comfort souls, open our eyes, grant us wisdom and fill our hearts with peace.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

How many of you believe in the Power Of Prayer? Describe which answered prayer stands out the most to you and why.

Friends, we should consistently give thanks and remember our answered prayers because when we find ourselves overwhelmed by our circumstances we tend to be like the Israelites and quickly forget that God is still in control and that he is a God of miracles.

May we never underestimate the power of our prayers, it's the simplest gift we can offer someone that has the ability to impact their lives in a profound way.

Who do you need to pray for today?

James 5:13-16

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? he should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Today I challenge you to reflect on all your previously answered prayers to help regain that grateful perspective again.

I once read that you can only experience one emotion at a time. For example, you can't be overwhelmed and happy at the same time. Which means we have to intentionally choose an emotion.

This was a reminder I needed especially after experiencing my mother's death recently and hearing of a friends cancer that has returned as well as several other challenges within our family.

So let this be our reminder that no matter what struggles we have in life we always choose joy because as James reminds us we are developing perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime