Built Up and Held Close

Mercy me, it’s good to see you, friend! Why don’t you just come on up here and sit for a lil’ spell on this here ol’ front porch! Sure do appreciate you comin’ over today. The sunlight is slippin’ through these pecan branches like it’s tryin’ to hear what we’re talkin’ about, and a plump ol’ possum is waddlin’ around the woodpile actin’ like he’s the mayor of the whole property. A jittery lil’ squirrel keeps fussin’ at him from the safety of a stump, and watchin’ that back‑and‑forth plum reminded me of Jude 1:20-21, which says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God.” That’s God’s way of sayin’, “Stay close to Me, friend, and let My Spirit keep your heart real steady.”

Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” That’s Bible talk lettin’ you know that your help don’t come from your strength, your cleverness, or your ability to juggle life like a circus performer. Your help plum comes straight from the One who made the critters, the trees, the sky, and you.

You know, prayer is one of the sweetest gifts God ever handed to us. Why, some folks in Lambert, Mississippi, even set up a “Drive‑Thru Prayer” place on 6th Street. People pull up, roll down a window, and pour out their troubles like water flowin’ from a leaky ol’ bucket. And right there, in the middle of a Tuesday mornin’, God meets ‘em.

Jude says to pray in the Holy Spirit, and Ephesians 6:18 tells us to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” That plum means prayer ain’t just somethin’ we do. It’s somethin’ the Spirit helps us do.

And when the Spirit is within us, we ought to stay spiritually alert so that we’re keepin’ an eye out for danger the same way a lil’ ol’ barnyard rooster watches for anything that might come and snatch a hen.

Missed a few days of prayer? God ain’t one bit mad. He’s plum missin’ your company. He sho’-nuff’ longs for your fellowship. He plum wants you back in the rhythm of talkin’ with Him.

Jude goes on to say we ought to show mercy, help the doubtin’, and even snatch folks from the fire when they are fallin’ apart. Prayer ain’t just for us. It’s for all them folks God puts in our path. Charles Spurgeon said, “The very act of prayer is a blessing.” And friend, he was plum right.

Father, draw me close today. Teach me to pray in Your Spirit. Make me alert, tenderhearted, and ready to help those You place in my path. Keep me in Your love and steady my steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Alright then, friend, you gotta git to holdin’ this here truth in your heart the way a mama deer tucks her fawn into the tall grass when the wind starts changin’. Prayer just ain’t no kind of a chore. It’s a real lifeline. It’s steady like a creek that keeps runnin’ even when no one is watchin’. It’s gentle like the hush that falls over the woods at dusk. And it’s powerful enough to pull you close to God and pull others out of trouble. Walk forward today with your heart wide open and your spirit wide awake. God is sho’-nuff’ listenin’, He is near, and He is ready to meet you wherever you call on Him.

With joy,

Gwen