Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

It is important to do a heart check during prayers because our prayers, needs and desires should always be geared toward glorifying his kingdom and his great name. When our motives are good and our goal is to glorify God our prayers may still go unanswered, but there is hope in unanswered prayers. I am thankful for the opportunity to step outside of the fog and gain clarity. Sometimes I move forward kicking and screaming, but by faith in the Lord I do move forward. God is always looking out for my best interest and as each day passes I gain a greater appreciation for His working hand.

James 4:3, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

The devil is always looking for a way to destroy our reputation and remove credibility in our testimony for Christ. To avoid this kind of intervention the Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Hold steadfast to the Word and promises of God; take refuge in Him and be diligent. We are weak in the flesh, but strong in the Lord. We cannot defeat Satan on our own; he is wise, he knows the Word of God and is able to manipulate the Word of God in such a way that we learn to justify illogical reasoning. Ultimately, we may be sacrificing our soul to the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We must be faithful in Christ, all trusting and full of hope that His promises are true and unanswered prayers are full of blessings. Unanswered prayers are God’s way to mold you, break you down, guide you, love you, teach you, boost your strength, steadfast devotion, and prepare you for the path uniquely predestined before the foundation of the earth was formed. He knew you then, he knows you now and he sees what we do not see. He prepares for what we do not know is coming and strengthens our frame to endure it and overcome it.

Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

In God we make our boast all day long,  and we will praise your name forever.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him,  my Savior and my God.

These things I remember  as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God  under the protection of the Mighty One  with shouts of joy and praise  among the festive throng.

Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;  gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name,  and glory in your praise.”

He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

The Lord is my strength and my defense ;  he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him,  my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;  the whole earth is full of his glory.”

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice,  and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts.

Matthew 27:50-53 (NIV)

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection andwent into the holy city and appeared to many people.

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.”

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

Revelations 21:4 (NIV)

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathor mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.