Their are many answers to this question, but the one I want to focus on for this post has to do with 'stumbling blocks.' I like to think of stumbling blocks as "sin block." Sort of like when you go to the beach and you put on a "sun block." The purpose is to keep the light out...to keep you the sun's radiation from getting to your epidermis. That's what a "sin block" does. It keeps the light out of your life and hampers your Prayer life...
I will divide these blocks up over the next one or two posts...this post will focus on three types of blocks.
So take a look at the next few questions and see if you can identify any of these areas in your life. You and I must be honest in these areas...analyzing ourselves is extremely difficult, no one likes to point out "sin blocks" in their lives, and maybe you need a trusted person to help point them out to you, but you must identify these areas and correct them if you want to understand what God is teaching you through these times of unanswered Prayer or lack of direction for your life so that you can open yourself up to all of His Blessings!
1. Confession and Repentance
Are you going to God and confessing your sin? Are you repenting? You may not know what sins your are committing...so ask God to reveal any dark areas in your life so that you can become aware of them. Good starting points are Psalm 51 and Psalm 32.
2. Husbands, Honor Your Wife...Wives, Respect Your Husband
I am not married but man does this verse slap me in the face!!! So men, if you are married, wow, you need to meditate on the following verse:
If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life.
Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 (CEV) (emphasis added)
Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 (CEV) (emphasis added)
And for the ladies out there, Ephesians 5.33 says....
".... and the wife must respect her husband." (emphasis added)
".... and the wife must respect her husband." (emphasis added)
3. The Three C's and Relationships
In his amazing book, "How To Win Friends & Influence People," Dale Carnegie writes a MEGA important principle about the fundamentals in handling people and Scripture shows how these fundamentals can become problems in our relationship with God. In the very first chapter, Mr. Carnegie says, "Don't criticize, condemn, or complain."
So the question is, are you criticizing, condemning, or complaining? Their is a difference between criticizing and critiquing. A critique is an observation meant to build up or improve. Criticism is negative and usually reflects back on the insecure person who makes the criticism.
Every time you and I make fun of someone's nose or ridicule someone we see on T.V. for their hair, etc, what we are really doing is saying that God is not a good artist...and in turn we are condemning ourselves. (See Romans 2 reference below). Being critical of others and making fun of them is a hallmark sign of INSECURITY. We are not comfortable in our own skin and so we deflect this reality by criticizing other people...what do you think God would have to say to us when we are making fun of someone that He created??
Many verses in The Holy Scriptures point us to these "sin blocks" in our lives that deal with the three C's. They are very important to meditate on because they may not just reflect our view of people we never speak to, but they bleed into how we treat our family members, our co-workers, our teammates, and people in our community.
Here are some amazing references that we can check ourselves on:
In his amazing book, "How To Win Friends & Influence People," Dale Carnegie writes a MEGA important principle about the fundamentals in handling people and Scripture shows how these fundamentals can become problems in our relationship with God. In the very first chapter, Mr. Carnegie says, "Don't criticize, condemn, or complain."
So the question is, are you criticizing, condemning, or complaining? Their is a difference between criticizing and critiquing. A critique is an observation meant to build up or improve. Criticism is negative and usually reflects back on the insecure person who makes the criticism.
Every time you and I make fun of someone's nose or ridicule someone we see on T.V. for their hair, etc, what we are really doing is saying that God is not a good artist...and in turn we are condemning ourselves. (See Romans 2 reference below). Being critical of others and making fun of them is a hallmark sign of INSECURITY. We are not comfortable in our own skin and so we deflect this reality by criticizing other people...what do you think God would have to say to us when we are making fun of someone that He created??
Many verses in The Holy Scriptures point us to these "sin blocks" in our lives that deal with the three C's. They are very important to meditate on because they may not just reflect our view of people we never speak to, but they bleed into how we treat our family members, our co-workers, our teammates, and people in our community.
Here are some amazing references that we can check ourselves on:
Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy?
Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies.
Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself.
Romans 2 (emphasis added)
Kindness is rewarded--but if you are cruel, you hurt yourself.
Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded.
Try hard to do right, and you will win friends;
go looking for trouble, and you will find it.
Prov 11.17-18, 27 (emphasis added)
Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Ephesians 4.29-32
Romans 2 (emphasis added)
Kindness is rewarded--but if you are cruel, you hurt yourself.
Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded.
Try hard to do right, and you will win friends;
go looking for trouble, and you will find it.
Prov 11.17-18, 27 (emphasis added)
Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Ephesians 4.29-32
Are we making God's spirit sad? When it comes to having our Prayers answered, it may not be that God is quiet, it may be that our criticizing is loud.
It comes down to relationships and viewing others through the lens of Christ. By meditating on The Scriptures, it looks as if the way we are Treating our spouses, our family, our friends has a direct effect on our Relationship with God. We need to Confess and Repent and then be radically changed...
It comes down to relationships and viewing others through the lens of Christ. By meditating on The Scriptures, it looks as if the way we are Treating our spouses, our family, our friends has a direct effect on our Relationship with God. We need to Confess and Repent and then be radically changed...
But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace,
whether they are Jews or Gentiles. God doesn't have any favorites!
Romans 2.10-11 (CEV)
whether they are Jews or Gentiles. God doesn't have any favorites!
Romans 2.10-11 (CEV)
