Konversations with God

Konversations with God

By Kay-Dee MashileReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Konversations with God episodes

  • Extra Oil Day 6: His Will vs My Need
    Day 6: His Will vs. My Need
    It's Day 6, how are you holding up? Let me know. Drop me an email or DM me. I am getting a bit tired, in general, but it really helps to have this commitment to remain accountable to. Anyway, let’s do this!
    INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. First things first, let's pray before we start:
    pray out loud for today's devotional
    2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:
    Mark 14:36
    Matthew 6:10-11
    Job 13:15
    Matthew 7:11
    3. Let's get into today's discussion
    Today's Devotional:
    His Will vs My Needs
    We've been learning a lot about God, so I thought to mix things up a bit today. Instead of looking at just one element of the Lord's Prayer, I thought we could combine "Your will be done" and "Give us this day our daily bread". It recently dawned on me, when studying the prayer, that there's a thin line between our needs and God's will.
    So far, we've learnt about the genesis of prayer, God's kingdom and His righteousness. So, it's safe to say that it has all been about God so far. Which, I guess, makes sense when having a faith-based study on any topic. Everything begins and ends with God (and you will hear me say this a lot on the podcast series). He is, after all, the Alpha and Omega. But, I don't think it's only about God. It's about us too. That's how relationships go, right?
    God is no different. Except, He's not only our life partner. He is also our Lord, Savoir and Father. So, He actually doesn't require much from us. And we learned this yesterday on the righteousness episode. But he still wants to partner with us.
    Another reason why I believe that it's about us too is the fact that He, the God of the entire universe, chose to die FOR US. If we didn't matter in this equation, surely He wouldn't have bothered! As if that's not enough proof, He goes further to encourage us to cast all our cares and burdens into Him because He cares for us. He goes even further to say that we ought to ask for what we need and it shall be given to us. We matter!
    But... Where does the line begin and end? What if what we need, desperately, isn't the will of God? Perhaps I would have to qualify what I mean by need as we don't always need the things we need. But, I mean that in the plainest of ways possible. Like a newborn baby needs the mother who died during labour. Like one needs that job because the bank is about to repossess the car and the landlord has served them an eviction notice. These are serious needs. Surely God cares about our needs, right?
    The answer is yes, God cares more than anyone else. And He meets our every need in many different ways. Even what He didn't plan, He repurposes for our benefit and good. However, the million-dollar question remains, isn't it God's will that we have our needs met? Is it not His will that we have our daily bread? And, if it is, why don't we always get what we need? Why do people still die from hunger?
    Well... Let's pray about it together. The only One with all the answers is God. And what we know for sure is that He is good and we are loved. And whether we don't see how now, it will all definitely work out for our good and His glory.
    Practical Tasks:
    - Read today's scriptures in context (full passage or chapter) and write down your lessons. If you like, you may also share them with me at [email protected] or DM me @kaydee_mashile on all social media platforms.
    - Meditate on the prayer prompts listed on the cover image.
    Optional:
    - Listen to the song of the day: Thato Ya Hao by Lebo Sekgobela
    - Share Today's Podcast with a friend
    27 min
  • Extra Oil Day 5: Righteousness
    Day 5: Righteousness
    It's Day 5, super late. But, we’re here. So let’s get right into it.
    INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. First things first, let's pray before we start:
    pray out loud for today's devotional
    2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:
    Matthew 5:21-24
    Psalms 24
    Matthew 6:33
    3. Let's get into today's discussion
    Today's Devotional:
    If I never thought pursuing righteousness was hard, I now definitely do. The idea was to record and work through today’s devotional at 15:00 so that it could be live at 16:00. It is currently 20:29 as I begin to type this. From spending an hour awaiting a transaction that was only meant to take mere minutes. The rest of the day just spiralled from there. But isn’t that how life goes? We start off planning to lead a life of “righteousness”. We want to do the right thing, be good people. Obey God. Live right. We plan it all out. But life doesn’t always cooperate with us and the plans we have. Paul says, what we want to do isn’t what we actually do. Instead, we do that which we really wish not to do. We get out of course more times than not. Things don’t always go according to our plans.
    But alas, God knew that we couldn’t do it by ourselves. Even after giving us the opportunity to choose right, we failed. From the very beginning of time, and probably until the end of time, we fail. We fail even when we mean to do right. That is why God didn’t make us have to earn our own righteousness. He didn’t make us have to work for it either. That is why He sent His only Son to save us. The Bible says, in 1 Corinthians 5:21 that, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. In an article on www.thestandard.co.zw in 2019, a writer stated that:
    “A layman's definition of righteousness is simply, right standing with God. Righteousness is the condition of being in a right relationship with the Lord. This can only happen through total faith and dependence upon Christ.”
    So, no matter how much we try, we cannot make ourselves righteous. But, this isn’t a licence to sin and sin more abundantly. It is actually the opposite. It is the ultimate gift of love- an invitation to an eternal love relationship. That is why Jesus said, in the book of John, that loving Him is shown through obeying His commandments. He actually finds obedience to be so important that He says it is more important and better than sacrifice. Let me try to break it down.
    God created everything and planned how everything should go in His perfect will.
    He then decided to create people, in His image. Not only did He give them wisdom to make decisions, grow and multiply- He also gave them (read us) free will.
    Now, God had a plan for what these people and all things in nature should do for all things to remain in their perfect state. But He also had foreknowledge of all that would, in fact and possibly, happen.
    God made a plan to save us. First He sent Jesus then gave us the Holy Spirit and The Bible, to help us navigate through life.
    He then told us to obey Him at all costs, because that is the only way He could help us steer away from trouble.
    So, you see, the only contribution we can make to the pursuit of righteousness is to follow God’s loving guidance. Not to earn right standing, but to actually save our lives. You’ll agree with me that it would hurt your heart if you had to watch someone you love fall into a life-threatening trap. God doesn’t want to see us parish- that is why He offers us help and guidance throughout our life journey. So, what’s my point: The only way to seek God’s righteousness (and live it out) is to accept God’s help to walk in obedience to His word. And it is then when we can boldly walk into his presence. Like the priests did in the olden days. And that, however, is a topic for a whole other devotion.
    26 min
  • Extra Oil Day 4: Seek God FIRST

    Day 3: Seek God first

    It's Day 4 already! Grab your Bible and notebook. Let's get right into it!

    INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

    pray out loud for today's devotional

    2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

    • Matthew 6:10, 33
    • Psalms 37:4
    • Exodus 33:15

      • 3. Let's get into today's discussion


      Today's Devotional:

      I've recently had this revelation about desiring God. That we don't always only want God. We want good health for our loved ones. We want wealth. We want love-filled marriages with beautiful babies. We want degrees and successful careers. Lord knows we want good jobs and healthy work environments. We may also want that coworker to get a better offer elsewhere. Or for our neighbour to make a little less noise on weeknights.

      My point is that, as a Christian, I know you desire God. And I hope your desire for God is greater than every other desire you may have. Yet, I'm also realistic enough to know that God isn't your only desire. There's so much that we often desire, need even, that may even threaten our faith in God. Because they're that important to us.

      But, there's saving grace. The saving grace is that God knew that we'd need and desire other things. He doesn't even condemn us for that. On the other hand, He also knew that all that we need and desire can be found in and through Him. He knows that we can hustle. That we have it in us to make ends meet. But He has a different plan. One that is easier and lighter than our burdensome way. He wants to partner with us and guide us through every step. That in meeting our needs, we don't miss out on purpose.

      So, when God says seek Me first, it's actually for our good. And when He warns us to desire Him above all else, it's because He knows that where our desire is there our hearts and attention will also be. So, while you're busy worrying, you can't really see Him directing you to the very answer you seek. Save yourself time and energy, seek God first. Focus on Him. And obey Him as He guides your steps to the provision He has already prepared for you.

      Practical Tasks:

      • Read today's scriptures in context (full passage or chapter) and write down your lessons. If you like, you may also share them with me at [email protected] or DM me @kaydee_mashile on all social media platforms.
      • Meditate on the prayer prompts listed on the cover image.

        • Optional:

        • Listen to the song of the day: Nothing Else by Cody Carnes (https://youtu.be/DLBvCTV23qw)
        • Share Today's Podcast with a friend
          • 21 min
        • Extra Oil Day 3: Honouring the King

          Honouring God

          Welcome back! We are 3 days in, and I want to celebrate that for a moment before we start. We're still redefining prayer, with today's focus being honouring God.


          INSTRUCTIONS:

          1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

          pray out loud for today's devotional

          2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

          • Nehemiah 1:4-5
          • Matthew 6:9

            • 3. Let's get into today's discussion


            Today's Devotional:

            One of the biggest truths that God has revealed to me in my Christian walk is that His glory is independent of my situation and His response to it. God isn't glorious because He did this, that or the other. He is. Period. Glory is innately within His identity. He is a glorious God.

            In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to also acknowledge this fact when we pray. He teaches us to centre ourselves by honouring God before we say anything else in our prayers. This, I believe, is more for us than it is for God. It reminds us who it is what we're speaking to. It calls us into a place of humility and awe, regardless of the main reason why we're praying. It is important to first know to whom it is that we are praying in the first place. What makes Him worthy of our supplications and capable of meeting our needs?

            • ACTIVITY: Take a moment to think about who God is to you… why do you pray to Him and not another deity? What sets the God of heaven apart for you?

              • When we find Nehemiah in the very first chapter of his book in the Bible, he is in turmoil. The worst thing is happening, the walls of the city of God are falling and there's nothing he can do about it. He acknowledges that he cried, prayed and fasted until he came to the point in verse 5 where he is composed enough to "pray properly". Perhaps he first asked the why questions we all get when we're in an unfavourable situation. Perhaps he asked God to fix it… but the first time we get an insight of Nehemiah's words to God, He follows what Jesus would later note to be the exemplary introduction to prayer: acknowledge and honour God!

              I know that it can be very difficult for me to honour God when I feel robbed. As we relearn how to pray, let us learn to honour Him first. Regardless of what's happening or how we feel because His glory is not dependent on anything. It is who He is. And it is befitting to praise the King when you enter into His courts.


              Practical Tasks:

              • Read today's scriptures in context (full passage or chapter) and write down your lessons. If you like, you may also share them with me at [email protected] or DM me @kaydee_mashile on all social media platforms.
              • Meditate on the prayer prompts listed on the cover image.

                • Optional:

                • Listen to the song of the day: I honor You by Bishop T.D Jakes (https://youtu.be/O2I_DUSrujA)
                • Share Today's Podcast with a friend
                  • 23 min
                • Extra Oil Day 2: The Genesis of Prayer

                  Day 1: Genesis of Prayer

                  Okay, let's go! I want us to hit the ground running. This week, we're looking at our definition of prayer and refining that.

                  INSTRUCTIONS:

                  1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

                  (pray out loud for today's devotional)

                  2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

                  • Genesis 3:8-10
                  • Matthew 6:9
                  • Psalm 100:4

                    • 3. Let's get into today's discussion


                    Today's Devotional:

                    When doing research on the first prayer in the Bible, I found out that scholars are in disagreement as to whether the first official prayer was when Abram pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah or when Adam and Even spoke to God from their hiding place after The Fall at the Garden of Eden. Either way, prayer seems to have started from a place of unworthiness (from our side) and grace (from God's side). But, even more importantly, God initiated both these conversations. So it wasn't as much about mankind seeking God's grace but God offering it for mankind to receive.

                    Before we get too carried away, it won't be fair to speak about redefining if we don't have an anchor- which in this case is a common understanding of the current meaning of prayer.

                    Dictionary Definition: a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity.

                    Christian understanding: A conversation with God.

                    Pause and Ponder: What's your definition of prayer?

                    So, if we take the dictionary definition, it makes sense why scholars may assume that the first recorded prayer is on Genesis 18. Whereas, the Christian understanding takes us back to the beginning of mankind's relationship with God at the Garden. For the sake of understanding today's lesson, let us assume the latter is more correct. That prayer was born from God's pursuit of mankind after the very first sin (deliberate disobedience) was committed.


                    Practical Tasks:

                    - Read today's scriptures in context (full passage or chapter) and write down your lessons. If you like, you may also share them with me at [email protected] or DM me @kaydee_mashile on all social media platforms.

                    - Meditate on the prayer prompts listed on the cover image.

                    Optional:

                    - Listen to the song of the day: Out of Hiding by Steffany Gretzinger (https://youtu.be/XFkDqQtfs0w)

                    - Share Today's Podcast with a friend

                    25 min
                  • Extra Oil Day 1: Introduction and Centering

                    Introduction and Centering:

                    Hello and welcome to the Extra Oil 30-Day Prayer Challenge. Thank you for joining me and everyone else who raised their hands to walk with me on this journey.

                    So, just a brief intro: Let us first read the parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25 (https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.25.1-13.NKJV - I've also attached an image for your convenience).

                    Done reading? Let's continue.

                    So here's my full disclaimer: I am not starting and leading this journey as a wise virgin, but rather as a foolish one. Yet, I am hoping that the midnight hour hasn't come yet and that going to get extra oil now won't cost me (and you) the chance to meet the Bridegroom (Christ, at His second coming).

                    Prayer is an integral part of the life of any Christian person. It keeps us alive. Jesus also said, to the disciples, that it also keeps us from falling into temptation. And there's a lot of that out there. The biggest temptation being the lie that we can live without praying earnestly.

                    I believe that our prayer lives can be likened to the oil that keeps the lamp of our salvation and Christian walk burning. When we seek God's wisdom and guidance on how to evolve in our prayer life, it is as though we are stocking up on extra oil so that we may never find ourselves in the dark.

                    I can (and did on the podcast) say much more. But the essence of it all is that it's not too late to become a wise virgin. Throughout this month, we will relearn how to pray, together. For today, read and meditate on Matthew 25. Quiet your heart and get ready for this journey. Tomorrow, we will start with the daily devotions.

                    Prayer Prompts:

                    - Father, please teach me how to pray

                    - Father I dedicate (starting time to ending time) as my time of prayer, please help me to respect this appointment

                    - Thank You for the grace of being reminded while there's still time

                    Practical Tasks:

                    - Let me know when your prayer time will be (for accountability purposes)

                    - Get a journal or book where you will write each day's lessons and scriptures. This is a challenge, don't expect it to be easy. Choose to commit.

                    Optional:

                    - Listen to the song of the day: The Prayer Song by Terrell Grice (https://youtu.be/MpffkalfGG0)

                    - Today's Podcast: Live on Instagram at www.instagram.com/kaydee_mashile 

                    27 min
                  • Konversations with God: Let's pray about... Hagar! || Women in the Bible series
                    We all know a single mother in our family or close friendship circles. It is a growing phenomenon that is more devastating than culture wants to admit. In a time where it was not normal for an orphan, slave girl to find herself as a single mother with absolutely nothing to feed herself and the her son, God showed up and told her that He wasn't ashamed of her. That He sees her. She was among the few women who got to name God. If not the first and only. El Roi... The God who sees me. The God WHO SEES! He sees you too... And He isn't ashamed of you. You shouldn't either. Run to Him!
                    17 min

                  About Konversations with God

                  From the publisher's feed

                  Ever wanted to just sit down and talk to God? Not like pray for hours then fall asleep but like have a frank, honest dialogue with God... I mean even share the things you were taught to be "sinful" to…