Author Archives: Stephen Nielsen

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About Stephen Nielsen

I'm an author, a self publisher, and a painting contractor. I live in beautiful Minnesota, USA . Welcome to my blog site.

What Shall the People Do?

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What shall the people do when its leaders are corrupt, when its judges are evil? What shall we do?

We should cling to God and listen to His voice. We should do what we know is His will. We should continue in the word and in prayer and be kind to our neighbors. When the world around us is sinking in sand look to God who alone can save us. Pray concerning all things and all people. Then trust Him to do as He pleases. He will put things right; He will accomplish His will.

So, as the world of evil marches on, we must lift our head and be blameless. They may be crooked and perverse, yet we must shine as lights of righteousness and hold forth the word of life until the day of Christ.

Can’t Think of What to Pray

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I laid in my bed last night waiting to fall asleep, and I couldn’t think what to pray for. What is my prayer request to God? I didn’t have any difficult jobs coming up to pray about. I don’t feel particularly fearful about anything. I’m good I guess. After an hour or so, still not asleep, it came to me. I will pray for a desire for godliness and holiness. Yes, It I can’t think what to pray for, I must be lacking in godliness and a desire for it. I am certainly not so good that I don’t need prayer. I most definitely need prayer—I need to be more like God. I eventually found a passage in Ephesians 5:1-4 that fit my case.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

A Stronger Faith

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It came to me the other day (about 5 days ago) what I should do about my fears and worries. For some reason fears and worries over many things tend to be stronger and harder to handle now than they use to be. I think perhaps the devil if trying to shut me down in order to take away my influence. And that is in some ways an encouragement, knowing that he thinks I have some influence in the world.

But anyway, here is what I have been doing lately: since these fears of mine tend to work on me during the night, I have started—just before I go to bed—to record a very specific prayer to God asking Him to give me whatever it takes (wisdom) to wipe out my fears and help me. I use James 1:5-7 as a promise, that if I ask believing He will give it to me. This is my stronger faith. It is a faith that will without a doubt work every time—because it is built on the promise of God.

Now I sleep better knowing that God is working all through my night hours to deliver me and to set me up for the next day—to be a victorious conqueror like Joshua—not being afraid or discouraged, knowing that the LORD my God is with me wherever I go and whatever I do (Josh. 1:9).

Other things

The Timberwolves won in the 7th game last night. Very fun!

My small painting jobs are going so well—especially since I have been praying in faith over them. It has always been very important for me to do good work—working for the Lord.

The writing of my book on heaven is going well too. I even have some ideas on a book cover—the first thing people see.

I’ve been struggling lately with what is now a teaching topic in our Sunday School class: all about discipleship. It seems to me that some people put too much emphasis on it and it is making many feel guilty if they are not “making disciples.” Any thoughts?