Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:2-6
Dear Father, who answers our prayers,
Help me to be steadfast in my praying to you, even to stay awake
that I may pray!
Fill my life with thanksgiving to you.
O God, I pray for all your servants everywhere that you may open a
door for us to proclaim your Word. In the name of Jesus I ask you to fill our lives with your holy life and to claim all our motives and deeds as your own. Amen.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Friendship
I have come to see prayer as a privilege, not a duty. Like all
good things, prayer requires some discipline. Yet I believe that life
with God should seem more like friendship than duty. Prayer includes
moments of ecstasy and also dullness, mindless distraction and acute
concentration, flashes of joy and bouts of irritation. In other words,
prayer has features in common with all relationships that matter.
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
good things, prayer requires some discipline. Yet I believe that life
with God should seem more like friendship than duty. Prayer includes
moments of ecstasy and also dullness, mindless distraction and acute
concentration, flashes of joy and bouts of irritation. In other words,
prayer has features in common with all relationships that matter.
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
Thursday, December 21, 2006
What Jesus Did
I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people that will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people that believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. John 17:20-21
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ's rising from death. Now we wait to get the blessings God has for his children. Those blessings are kept for you in heaven. Those blessings cannot ruin or be destroyed or lose their beauty. God's power protects you through your faith, and it keeps you safe until your salvation comes. That salvation is ready to be given to you at the end of time. You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can't see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained. And that joy is full of glory. Your faith has a goal. And you are receiving that goal--your salvation.
1 Peter 1:3-5,8-9
I praise you for your love, mercy, power, and grace. I bow down before you and offer you my life, my future, and my time to your glory.
Amen.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ's rising from death. Now we wait to get the blessings God has for his children. Those blessings are kept for you in heaven. Those blessings cannot ruin or be destroyed or lose their beauty. God's power protects you through your faith, and it keeps you safe until your salvation comes. That salvation is ready to be given to you at the end of time. You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can't see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained. And that joy is full of glory. Your faith has a goal. And you are receiving that goal--your salvation.
1 Peter 1:3-5,8-9
I praise you for your love, mercy, power, and grace. I bow down before you and offer you my life, my future, and my time to your glory.
Amen.
Hope
For I know the plans to give you hope and a future, 'declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-13
We all are encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Roman 12:12-13
Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
We all are encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Roman 12:12-13
Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Prayer Reminds Us
Prayer is the recognition that if God had not engaged himself in our
problems, we would still be lost in blackness. It is by his mercy that
we have been lifted up. Prayer is that whole process that reminds us
of who God is and who we are.
I believe there's great power in prayer. I believe God heals the
wounded, and that he can raise the dead. But I don't believe we tell
God what to do and when to do it.
God knows that we, with our limited vision, don't even know that for
which we should pray. When we entrust our requests to him, we trust
him to honor our prayers with holy judgment.
Max Lucado in Walking With The Savior
problems, we would still be lost in blackness. It is by his mercy that
we have been lifted up. Prayer is that whole process that reminds us
of who God is and who we are.
I believe there's great power in prayer. I believe God heals the
wounded, and that he can raise the dead. But I don't believe we tell
God what to do and when to do it.
God knows that we, with our limited vision, don't even know that for
which we should pray. When we entrust our requests to him, we trust
him to honor our prayers with holy judgment.
Max Lucado in Walking With The Savior
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
His Prayer Is Answered
He asked for strength that he might achieve;
he was made weak that he might obey.
He asked for health that he might do greater things;
he was given infirmity that he might do better things.
He asked for riches that he might be happy;
he was given poverty that he might be wise.
He asked for power that he might have the praise if men;
he was given weakness that he might feel the need of God.
He asked for all things that he might enjoy life;
he was given life that he might enjoy all things.
He has received nothing that he asked for, all that he hoped for.
His prayer is answered.
-Its origin is unknown, though it is often attributed to a Confederate
soldier in the Civil War.
he was made weak that he might obey.
He asked for health that he might do greater things;
he was given infirmity that he might do better things.
He asked for riches that he might be happy;
he was given poverty that he might be wise.
He asked for power that he might have the praise if men;
he was given weakness that he might feel the need of God.
He asked for all things that he might enjoy life;
he was given life that he might enjoy all things.
He has received nothing that he asked for, all that he hoped for.
His prayer is answered.
-Its origin is unknown, though it is often attributed to a Confederate
soldier in the Civil War.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Fellowship With Him
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20
Prayer is opening your life to Jesus. He is at the door, knocking. In prayer, you are simply responding to His love that seeks you out.
Times of prayer are times of fellowship with Him, as if He were in your home sharing a meal with you.
This week, during your prayer time, let your mind’s eye see Him as He sits just across from you. Talk right to Him and let Him talk to you.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
Do for others what you would like them to do for you. Matthew 7:12
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
A Child of God
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - inall your speaking and in all your knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Apostle Paul was amazing. He is writing one of the most problematic churches and yet finds reasons to give thanks for them. He is thankful for them because Jesus died for them. When God extends his grace to others, how can we not do the same?
Paul's example reminds us that a child of God is something to be cherished, even if that child has problems.
Apostle Paul was amazing. He is writing one of the most problematic churches and yet finds reasons to give thanks for them. He is thankful for them because Jesus died for them. When God extends his grace to others, how can we not do the same?
Paul's example reminds us that a child of God is something to be cherished, even if that child has problems.
LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are so journing in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.
--Abraham Lincoln - October 3, 1863
We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are so journing in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.
--Abraham Lincoln - October 3, 1863
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Personal Prayers
Lord God, help me to remember to give thank to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all things and to maintain an attitude of prayer.
Colossians 1:3
Thank you, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete.
Colossians 2:10
Help me to bear fruit daily in the work I do and increase the knowledge of You. Colossians 1:10
I pray that You will have first place in everything in my life.
Colossians 1:18
Help me, as a husband and father, to grow in love for and understanding of my wife and children.
Colossians 3:19,21
I pray that my children will be obedient to us as parents in all things because this pleases You.
Colossians 3:20
In whatever I do, show me how to perform my work happily for You, rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
Help me to devote myself to prayer, keeping an alert in it, with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Lord, help me to be faithful to whatever You have called me to, and help me fulfill it in faithfulness.
Colossians 4:17
Colossians 1:3
Thank you, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete.
Colossians 2:10
Help me to bear fruit daily in the work I do and increase the knowledge of You. Colossians 1:10
I pray that You will have first place in everything in my life.
Colossians 1:18
Help me, as a husband and father, to grow in love for and understanding of my wife and children.
Colossians 3:19,21
I pray that my children will be obedient to us as parents in all things because this pleases You.
Colossians 3:20
In whatever I do, show me how to perform my work happily for You, rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
Help me to devote myself to prayer, keeping an alert in it, with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Lord, help me to be faithful to whatever You have called me to, and help me fulfill it in faithfulness.
Colossians 4:17
Pray For You
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:3-11
Thank you for the joy I feel about my fellow believers. Thank you for the partnership we have in your Son Jesus.
God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:9-10
I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly
Ephesians 1:16
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
1 Thessalonians 1:2
Thank you for the joy I feel about my fellow believers. Thank you for the partnership we have in your Son Jesus.
God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:9-10
I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly
Ephesians 1:16
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
1 Thessalonians 1:2
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
True Prayer
Christians today are beginning to awaken to a foundational truth: all
true prayer is spiritual warfare. This is true because all of our aims
in prayer---closeness with God, spiritual refreshment, other people's
forgiveness, blessings from God, forgiveness, peace, joy---are contrary
to Satan's design. In prayer you are moving out into enemy territory.
As your enemy, Satan will oppose your church's efforts to reach out.
Prayer is your most powerful weapon in defeating him.
-Alvin Griend(The Praying Church Source Book p.228)
Ephesians 6:10-20
A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too. I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
true prayer is spiritual warfare. This is true because all of our aims
in prayer---closeness with God, spiritual refreshment, other people's
forgiveness, blessings from God, forgiveness, peace, joy---are contrary
to Satan's design. In prayer you are moving out into enemy territory.
As your enemy, Satan will oppose your church's efforts to reach out.
Prayer is your most powerful weapon in defeating him.
-Alvin Griend(The Praying Church Source Book p.228)
Ephesians 6:10-20
A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too. I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Our Forever Faithful Priest
Another difference is that there were many priests under the old
system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. But
Jesus remains a priest forever, to save everyone who comes to God
through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.
-Hebrews 7:23-25
system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. But
Jesus remains a priest forever, to save everyone who comes to God
through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.
-Hebrews 7:23-25
Monday, October 30, 2006
Why He Was Heard
"While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with
a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death.
And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God." -
Hebrews 5:7
a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death.
And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God." -
Hebrews 5:7
Monday, October 16, 2006
Believe
I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I
can see it, but because I can see all that it touches.
-- C. S. Lewis
can see it, but because I can see all that it touches.
-- C. S. Lewis
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Pray, Pause, and Listen!
The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says
"Amen" and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening
to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.
-- Frank Laubach
"Amen" and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening
to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.
-- Frank Laubach
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Creator's Divine
"When the Creator's divine plan is ignored the truth of human nature is lost."
- Pope Benedict
"A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels." -anonymous
- Pope Benedict
"A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels." -anonymous
Friday, September 08, 2006
Teach Me
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good
Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10
We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus.
For this to happen, we must open our hearts to the will of God.
There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do
your will." That is what it means for him to be God, to have
control over our lives and our wills.
David's prayer was to be taught to do God's will, not his own. A prayer
for guidance is self-centered if it does not recognize God's power
to redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure priorities awakens
our minds and stirs our wills.
Theme: A prayer in midst of hopelessness and depression. Our prayer
should fit into what we know is consistent with God's character and
plans.
Author: David
Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10
We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus.
For this to happen, we must open our hearts to the will of God.
There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do
your will." That is what it means for him to be God, to have
control over our lives and our wills.
David's prayer was to be taught to do God's will, not his own. A prayer
for guidance is self-centered if it does not recognize God's power
to redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure priorities awakens
our minds and stirs our wills.
Theme: A prayer in midst of hopelessness and depression. Our prayer
should fit into what we know is consistent with God's character and
plans.
Author: David
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Be His Friend
On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do
fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God
requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can
do that. -- Bruce Larson
fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God
requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can
do that. -- Bruce Larson
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Worry or Pray?
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and
praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything
coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's
wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of
your life. -Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything
coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's
wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of
your life. -Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Lean On Me
Click on Lean On Me ( this will take you to Heartlight.org article on Lean On Me )
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17
I love this prayer...
Father, I pray that you give me the character of Ruth. Her commitment to Naomi humbles me and encourages me to be a better friend, husband (wife) and brother (sister). Thank you for her faith. Thank you for her strength. For if we could all be a Ruth to our families and friends, this world would be a better place! Amen.
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17
I love this prayer...
Father, I pray that you give me the character of Ruth. Her commitment to Naomi humbles me and encourages me to be a better friend, husband (wife) and brother (sister). Thank you for her faith. Thank you for her strength. For if we could all be a Ruth to our families and friends, this world would be a better place! Amen.
Jesus Quotations...
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:22
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 6:1
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." John 14:6
"Of that day or that hour no one knows, not even angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come." Mark 13:32-33
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." - Matthew 22:37-40
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 6:1
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." John 14:6
"Of that day or that hour no one knows, not even angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come." Mark 13:32-33
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." - Matthew 22:37-40
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
God Whispers To Us..
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
--C.S. Lewis
"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." --C.S. Lewis
--C.S. Lewis
"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." --C.S. Lewis
Thursday, August 17, 2006
With Him
Perhaps one reason God delays His answers to our prayers is
because He knows we need to be with Him far more than we need
the things we ask of Him. -- Ben Patterson
because He knows we need to be with Him far more than we need
the things we ask of Him. -- Ben Patterson
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Prayer Hinders Sin
Not only does sin hinder prayer; prayer hinders sin. The two
are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the
less we will pray. The more we pray, the less careless we will
be about sin. Both sin and prayer are powerful forces. Which
one is moving you? -- Dr. Alvin Vander Griend
are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the
less we will pray. The more we pray, the less careless we will
be about sin. Both sin and prayer are powerful forces. Which
one is moving you? -- Dr. Alvin Vander Griend
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Let Him Go
After Jesus said this he called in a loud voice, "Lazarus,
come out!" The dead man (Lazarus) came out. His hands and
feet were wrapped with pieces of cloth. He had a handkerchief
covering his face. Jesus said to the people, "Take the cloth
off of him and let him go." John 11:43-4
I love Jesus' words, "Unwrap him and let him go!" Death cannot bind him
anymore, so don't let his grave clothes bind him either! Think of the
power of this statement! One day, Jesus will speak our name, call us to
himself, and forbid death to bind us. Lazarus is the great example of
what we anticipate -- receiving back those who have died and gone
before us and receiving our call to be set free from the demands of a
mortal body. Lazarus is the great reminder that we are free from the
power of death to hold us captive!
Lord God Almighty, the Father of all that lives, thank you for giving
us back what we throw away with sin. Thank you for the assurance that I
will be united with those that I love who have died in faith. Thank you
for the assurance that death cannot hold me captive. In Jesus' mighty
name I pray.
Amen.
from www.heartlight.org
come out!" The dead man (Lazarus) came out. His hands and
feet were wrapped with pieces of cloth. He had a handkerchief
covering his face. Jesus said to the people, "Take the cloth
off of him and let him go." John 11:43-4
I love Jesus' words, "Unwrap him and let him go!" Death cannot bind him
anymore, so don't let his grave clothes bind him either! Think of the
power of this statement! One day, Jesus will speak our name, call us to
himself, and forbid death to bind us. Lazarus is the great example of
what we anticipate -- receiving back those who have died and gone
before us and receiving our call to be set free from the demands of a
mortal body. Lazarus is the great reminder that we are free from the
power of death to hold us captive!
Lord God Almighty, the Father of all that lives, thank you for giving
us back what we throw away with sin. Thank you for the assurance that I
will be united with those that I love who have died in faith. Thank you
for the assurance that death cannot hold me captive. In Jesus' mighty
name I pray.
Amen.
from www.heartlight.org
Friday, August 11, 2006
Seconds
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one
to say 'thank you?'
-- William A. Ward
to say 'thank you?'
-- William A. Ward
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
5 Fingers Prayer
You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.
Psalms 119:114
I received this "5 fingers prayer" from a friend.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them". We need Jesus in our midst, so we need to pray together with other believers. Matthew 18:20
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" Hebrews 3:13
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Colossians 1:9
Psalms 119:114
I received this "5 fingers prayer" from a friend.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them". We need Jesus in our midst, so we need to pray together with other believers. Matthew 18:20
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" Hebrews 3:13
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Colossians 1:9
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Why Pray?
One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is that God wants us
to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even
though He already knows everything. So why pray?
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps the thoughts of the
19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave
for prayer are these:
* Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to
resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18).
* Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from
Him (Luke 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2).
* Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find
“grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
* Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us to obtain
freedom from anxiety and to receive “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command in
1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and realize that God wants
us to talk with Him. Yes, He is all-knowing, but He also desires our
fellowship.
When we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our
relationship with Him. That’s the most important reason to pray. —JDB
Our Daily Bread, November 25, 1998
to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even
though He already knows everything. So why pray?
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps the thoughts of the
19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave
for prayer are these:
* Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to
resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18).
* Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from
Him (Luke 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2).
* Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find
“grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
* Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us to obtain
freedom from anxiety and to receive “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command in
1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and realize that God wants
us to talk with Him. Yes, He is all-knowing, but He also desires our
fellowship.
When we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our
relationship with Him. That’s the most important reason to pray. —JDB
Our Daily Bread, November 25, 1998
Rejoice & Pray
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 16:23
Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks
to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me in
Christ Jesus.
May I never put out the Spirit's fire in myself. May I never be
contemptuous of the prophetic word and the interpretation of it.
But let me test everything I hear. Help me hold on to what is good,
and to avoid everything that is evil.
In the name of your Holy Son, Jesus, who gave us the Spirit, I
pray. Amen.
Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks
to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me in
Christ Jesus.
May I never put out the Spirit's fire in myself. May I never be
contemptuous of the prophetic word and the interpretation of it.
But let me test everything I hear. Help me hold on to what is good,
and to avoid everything that is evil.
In the name of your Holy Son, Jesus, who gave us the Spirit, I
pray. Amen.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
You're In!
I just received New York City Marathon official handbook in the mail and a letter that says You're In! Entry number47262. This will be my 3rd time and it's a fun race in NYC, the Big Apple. Ache & pains!
November 5, 2006
http://www.nycmarathon.org/home/index.php
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. Pslams 18:2
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish Sea Colony triathlon - it's my favorite triathlon race. It's by the beach in Delaware and it's a great cause to fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses.
Money raised from the event helps the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses. Many wishes continue to be fulfilled because of the generosity of friends, colleagues, matching gift programs, etc.
More information on this race - September 23-24, 2006
http://www.tricolumbia.org/make_a_wish.html
Let's share our blessings and fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses.
Solitude
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
Psalm 128:1
Solitude is a time when we withdraw from the company of others in order to give God our undivided attention.
- Shut out external stimulation.
- Allow ourselves to become quiet.
We need to plan how we spend our time with God. A plan helps us to stay focused.
For example:
Silent listening
Scripture reflection
Prayer
Journaling
A slow meditative walk
Worship music
Singing praises
Experiencing Solitude. Find a quiet place that is free of distractions.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:31-32
Tell God what you need. Use a simple prayer:
"God, I just want to be with you."
"God, I need your guidance."
"Lord, I want to feel your love."
Be clear about what you would like to receive from God. Be fully present. Give Him your undivided attention. Speak to Him directly about whatever you are thinking or feeling.
Use Scriptures to listen to God. Invite God to speak to you through His Word. Read Psalm 23.
Read it slowly and deliberately, as through you were reading a love letter from God to you.
Respond to what you hear God saying to you through Scripture or in prayer. Speak to God about what you have sensed and felt and heard. Do this verbally or by writing.
Express gratitude and commitment. Spend a few minutes thanking God for his presence with you. Express your commitment to respond faithfully to whatever it is you have heard from him during this time. Close your time in solitude by thanking God.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening...
Psalm 128:1
Solitude is a time when we withdraw from the company of others in order to give God our undivided attention.
- Shut out external stimulation.
- Allow ourselves to become quiet.
We need to plan how we spend our time with God. A plan helps us to stay focused.
For example:
Silent listening
Scripture reflection
Prayer
Journaling
A slow meditative walk
Worship music
Singing praises
Experiencing Solitude. Find a quiet place that is free of distractions.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:31-32
Tell God what you need. Use a simple prayer:
"God, I just want to be with you."
"God, I need your guidance."
"Lord, I want to feel your love."
Be clear about what you would like to receive from God. Be fully present. Give Him your undivided attention. Speak to Him directly about whatever you are thinking or feeling.
Use Scriptures to listen to God. Invite God to speak to you through His Word. Read Psalm 23.
Read it slowly and deliberately, as through you were reading a love letter from God to you.
Respond to what you hear God saying to you through Scripture or in prayer. Speak to God about what you have sensed and felt and heard. Do this verbally or by writing.
Express gratitude and commitment. Spend a few minutes thanking God for his presence with you. Express your commitment to respond faithfully to whatever it is you have heard from him during this time. Close your time in solitude by thanking God.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening...
Friday, July 21, 2006
Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalms 116:2
When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3
Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Psalms 142:5
Oh, don't be so angry with us, LORD. Please don't remember our sins forever. Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.
Isaiah 64:9
"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:5
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Matthew 6:7
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. Matthew 6:9
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields." Matthew 9:38
Keep alert and pray. Matthew 26:41
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:10
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalms 138:3
Then I pray to you, O LORD. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Psalms 142:5
Oh, don't be so angry with us, LORD. Please don't remember our sins forever. Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.
Isaiah 64:9
"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:5
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Matthew 6:7
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. Matthew 6:9
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields." Matthew 9:38
Keep alert and pray. Matthew 26:41
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. Romans 1:10
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Three Kinds of Life
There are three kinds of life mentioned in the Bible:
Physical life -union of the soul with the body.
Spiritual life - union of the soul with God.
Eternal life - eternal union of the soul with God.
Jesus said, My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me. John 10:27-28
The gift of God is eternal life. One receives this gift when he believes in Jesus as his own personal Savior. Having eternal life, he will never perish.
You can work for sin but is is a cruel master. When it pays you off, its wage is death - separation from God forever. God does not pay wages. He has a free gift to offer - ETERNAL LIFE. There is nothing that one can do to earn this gift. If one could earn it, it would not be a gift, it would be wages. ETERNAL LIFE is just that - ETERNAL - it never ceases.
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11
Physical life -union of the soul with the body.
Spiritual life - union of the soul with God.
Eternal life - eternal union of the soul with God.
Jesus said, My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me. John 10:27-28
The gift of God is eternal life. One receives this gift when he believes in Jesus as his own personal Savior. Having eternal life, he will never perish.
You can work for sin but is is a cruel master. When it pays you off, its wage is death - separation from God forever. God does not pay wages. He has a free gift to offer - ETERNAL LIFE. There is nothing that one can do to earn this gift. If one could earn it, it would not be a gift, it would be wages. ETERNAL LIFE is just that - ETERNAL - it never ceases.
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
To Fear Or Not To Fear
People in the Bible who were confronted by God or his angels all had one consistent response - FEAR. To each of them, God's response was always the same - DON'T BE AFRAID. As soon as they sensed that God accepted them and wanted to communicate with them, their fear subsided. He had given them freedom to be his friends. Has he given you the same freedom?
Person:
Abraham
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 15:1
Moses
But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." Numbers 21:34
Joshua
Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. Joshua 8:1
Zacharias
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. Luke 1:13
Mary
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
Shepherds. Luke 2:10
Peter
and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." Luke 5:10
Paul
"For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Acts 27:23-24
JOHN
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17-18
Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day? Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?
The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Do not think you need extraordinary qualifications - he accepts you as you are.
"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
Person:
Abraham
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 15:1
Moses
But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." Numbers 21:34
Joshua
Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. Joshua 8:1
Zacharias
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. Luke 1:13
Mary
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
Shepherds. Luke 2:10
Peter
and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." Luke 5:10
Paul
"For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Acts 27:23-24
JOHN
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Revelation 1:17-18
Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day? Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?
The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Do not think you need extraordinary qualifications - he accepts you as you are.
"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15
Monday, July 10, 2006
Pray
Pray, and let God worry. -- Martin Luther
But I keep right on praying to you, LORD, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Pull me out of the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Rescue me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters. Don't let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. 16 Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Psalms 69:13-1613
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them". We need Jesus in our midst, so we need to pray together with other believers. Matthew 18:20
But I keep right on praying to you, LORD, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Pull me out of the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Rescue me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters. Don't let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. 16 Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Psalms 69:13-1613
Jesus said that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them". We need Jesus in our midst, so we need to pray together with other believers. Matthew 18:20
Saturday, July 08, 2006
True Commitment
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26
When Jesus used this picture of his followers taking up their crosses ( suffering ) to follow him, the disciples knew what he meant. Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution and condemned criminals had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus meant a true commitment, the risk of death, and no turning back.
The possibility of losing their lives was real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implies real commitment pledging our whole existence to his service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing our true eternal life. If we protect ourselves from pain, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living.
When we do not know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span, determines our eternal life. What we accumulate on earth has no value in purchasing eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective and you will find your values and decisions changing.
When Jesus used this picture of his followers taking up their crosses ( suffering ) to follow him, the disciples knew what he meant. Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution and condemned criminals had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus meant a true commitment, the risk of death, and no turning back.
The possibility of losing their lives was real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implies real commitment pledging our whole existence to his service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing our true eternal life. If we protect ourselves from pain, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living.
When we do not know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span, determines our eternal life. What we accumulate on earth has no value in purchasing eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective and you will find your values and decisions changing.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
God's Promise
Through prayer, our faith is placed in His promises.
"Because he loves me, "says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:14-14
GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RESCUE YOU, RUN TO YOUR AID, AND RAISE YOU UP.
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14
GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RENEW YOUR HOPE AND REDIRECT YOUR FUTURE.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RESPOND PERSONALLY AND REVEAL POWERFUL TRUTH.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RELIEVE THE PRESSURE AND REPLACE IT WITH REST.
All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will recieve. Matthew 21:22
GOD'S PROMISE: YOU WILL RECIEVE WHEN YOU REQUEST.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL REPLACE YOUR ANXIETY WITH MY PEACE.
Put prayer to work in your life and you will be tapping into a power source that allows you to experience the joys of life and gain God's peace.
"Because he loves me, "says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:14-14
GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RESCUE YOU, RUN TO YOUR AID, AND RAISE YOU UP.
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14
GOD's PROMISE: I WILL RENEW YOUR HOPE AND REDIRECT YOUR FUTURE.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RESPOND PERSONALLY AND REVEAL POWERFUL TRUTH.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL RELIEVE THE PRESSURE AND REPLACE IT WITH REST.
All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will recieve. Matthew 21:22
GOD'S PROMISE: YOU WILL RECIEVE WHEN YOU REQUEST.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
GOD'S PROMISE: I WILL REPLACE YOUR ANXIETY WITH MY PEACE.
Put prayer to work in your life and you will be tapping into a power source that allows you to experience the joys of life and gain God's peace.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Appointment
I like this quote..
"My most important appointment today is with Jesus in prayer."
-anonymous
Monday, June 12, 2006
When We Suffer
God allows suffering so that nothing stands between Him and me. You
see, when we suffer, we're much more apt to fall to our knees, and when
we do, our hearts are open to the Lord. -Joni Eareckson Tada
"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." John 15:20
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12
Are we willing to suffer for Christ? If we avoid suffering and persecution, we may miss His will for our lives. Peter, who certainly knew his share of suffering, told Christian slaves, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21
Let's be willing to suffer for Christ. He sure did suffer for us.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
A Pleasing Aroma
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeith much" James 5:16 KJV
God commanded the Israelites to be a pleasing aroma before Him. The Bibles tells us we are to present ourselves before God as a living sacrfices ( Romans 12:1 ). The sacrifices have changed, but God still likes the aroma. John tells us there is a bowl full of odors that are pleasing to God, which are the PRAYERS of the saints. ( Revelations 8:3).
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the PRAYERS of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the PRAYERS of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth, and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelations 8:3-5
Are you presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God with PRAYER? King David wrote, "Let my PRAYER be set forth before thee as incense" ( Psalm 141:2 ). We honor God when we PRAY. Imagine God on His throne, seeing a tiny wisp of smike from someone PRAYING - maybe a small child, or perhaps someone just beginning his PRAYER life. Imagine a Christian who is mature in faith with a big plume of smoke, like an old factory. Our PRAYERS rise before God as a pleasing aroma. Let's be a giant smokestacks of praise.
The continual offering of praise requires stamina; we ought to praise God even when we do not feel like it. Praising Him takes away the blues and restores us to normal. - Harold Lindsell
Dear Lord,
Help me to pray, laying my burdens before You, knowing You answer.
In Jesus's name.
Amen
- Jean McCoy, Fayetteville, Tennessee
A censer filled with live coals was used in temple worship. Incense was poured on the coals, and the sweet-smelling smoke drifted upwards, symbolizing believers' prayers ascending to God.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Learn from the Penguins
Strength in Numbers
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" Hebrews 3:13
The Film, March of the Penguins, depicts the amazing life-story of the penguins in Antarctica. The films begins by showing the long march of the penguins from the sea to their inland breeding ground. They march in large numbers, forming long columns. As the narrator points out, a long penguin attempting this march rarely survives.
The penguins remain at the breeding ground during the Antarctic winter until their eggs hatch and their chicks are strong enough to march to the sea. During the period when a storm comes, the penguins gather in a tightly packed circle with their backs to the wind, those on the outside of the circle protecting those in the middle. So that all may have a chance to survive, the penguins take turns standing on the outside of the circle.
As Christians we can learn from the penguins. Life is difficult. Only by drawing close to one another, protecting and encouraging one another, can we survive the inevitable storms that life brings. No one should try being a lone Christian.
Our Father, thank you for giving us Your church. We thank you for the strength and comfort that You give us though one another. In Jesus's name. Amen.
written by Robert Raz, Winona, Minnesota
People in the church are not alone. Members of Christ's body should be able to count on others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick or suffering. The Christians's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Monday, May 29, 2006
Spiritual Army
You are being called to become a part of an army…It’s a spiritual army and it is the most powerful and effective army in existence. One of the great things about this army is that the battle field is wherever you are. You can go to war in your own prayer closet, living room, car, workplace, backyard or church. You can do your part alone or together with other believers…God has equipped everyone in this army with the most efficient and unbeatable weapons. The three most important ones are PRAYER, PRAISE and the WORD of GOD. Used properly there is no enemy that can prevail against them.
--Stormie Omartian, author and prayer warrior
--Stormie Omartian, author and prayer warrior
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
God's Mighty Weapons
Paul assure us God's mighty weapons - PRAYER, FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, God's WORDS, the Holy Spirit - are powerful and effective.
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. Ephesians 6:13-18
We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you became loyal and obedient. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
We, like Paul, are weak humans, but we do not need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God's mighty weapons are available to use as we fight against Satan's "strongholds". The Christians must choose whose methods to use, God's or the world's.
These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with the pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ, me may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God's weapons.
God must be the commander in chief even our thoughts must be submitted to his control as we live for him. In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities ( the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter ). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of his armor.
How can anyone pray on all occasions? One way is to make a quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a PRAYER. You can make your PRAYER your life and your life a PRAYER while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence. Praying for all saints means praying for all believers in Christ, so pray for the Christians your know and for the church around the world.
Use the power of PRAYER. In any battle, it is essential to really understand your opponent. Keep your eyes open. Use the POWER of PRAYER - I do this not because I am a spiritual giant but because I am desperate. The Bible is clear; it is our duty as Christians to pray regularly and often for and with our saints.
In the end, it will be God's word in your heart that helps him be a light in our dark world.
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. Ephesians 6:13-18
We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you became loyal and obedient. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
We, like Paul, are weak humans, but we do not need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God's mighty weapons are available to use as we fight against Satan's "strongholds". The Christians must choose whose methods to use, God's or the world's.
These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with the pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ, me may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God's weapons.
God must be the commander in chief even our thoughts must be submitted to his control as we live for him. In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities ( the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter ). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of his armor.
How can anyone pray on all occasions? One way is to make a quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a PRAYER. You can make your PRAYER your life and your life a PRAYER while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence. Praying for all saints means praying for all believers in Christ, so pray for the Christians your know and for the church around the world.
Use the power of PRAYER. In any battle, it is essential to really understand your opponent. Keep your eyes open. Use the POWER of PRAYER - I do this not because I am a spiritual giant but because I am desperate. The Bible is clear; it is our duty as Christians to pray regularly and often for and with our saints.
In the end, it will be God's word in your heart that helps him be a light in our dark world.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
God Answers
God Answers A Prayer.
Have you asked God to help you with something this week? What are some of the ways he might answer your prayers.
Abraham's servant asked God for guidance in this very important task. Obviously Eliezer had learned much about faith about God from his master. What are your family members, friends, and associates learning about God from watching you? Be like Abraham, setting an example of dependent faith. And be like Eliezer, asking God for guidance before any venture. He knew the important of having the right heart and he asked God to help him his task.
O LORD, God of my master," he prayed. "Give me success and show kindness to my master, Abraham. Help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey. See, here I am, standing beside this spring, and the young women of the village are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, 'Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels, too!'—let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac's wife. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." As he was still praying, a young woman named Rebekah arrived with a water jug on her shoulder. Genesis 24:12-15
The man fell down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham," he said. "The LORD has been so kind and faithful to Abraham, for he has led me straight to my master's relatives." Genesis 24:26-27
Have you asked God to help you with something this week? What are some of the ways he might answer your prayers.
Abraham's servant asked God for guidance in this very important task. Obviously Eliezer had learned much about faith about God from his master. What are your family members, friends, and associates learning about God from watching you? Be like Abraham, setting an example of dependent faith. And be like Eliezer, asking God for guidance before any venture. He knew the important of having the right heart and he asked God to help him his task.
O LORD, God of my master," he prayed. "Give me success and show kindness to my master, Abraham. Help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey. See, here I am, standing beside this spring, and the young women of the village are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, 'Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels, too!'—let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac's wife. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." As he was still praying, a young woman named Rebekah arrived with a water jug on her shoulder. Genesis 24:12-15
The man fell down to the ground and worshiped the LORD. "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham," he said. "The LORD has been so kind and faithful to Abraham, for he has led me straight to my master's relatives." Genesis 24:26-27
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
You Can Pray For Anything
Jesus Says the Disciples Can Pray for Anything.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. I assure you that you can say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:22-25
The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for fruitfulness of God's Kingdom. It would seems impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that picture to say that God can do anything. God will answer your prayers, but not as result of your positive attitude. Other conditions must me met:
You must be a believer.
You must not hold a grudge against another person.
You must not pray for selfish motives.
Your requests must be good for the good of God's Kingdom.
To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.
Jesus, our example for prayer, prayed, "Everything is possible for you...Yet not what I will, but what your will" ( Mark 14:36 ). Our prayers are often motivated by own interests and desires. We like to hear that we can have anything. But Jesus prayed with God's interests in mind. When we pray, we should express our desires, but want his will above ours.
Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God's.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
Always be joyful.
Keep on praying.
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. I assure you that you can say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:22-25
The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for fruitfulness of God's Kingdom. It would seems impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that picture to say that God can do anything. God will answer your prayers, but not as result of your positive attitude. Other conditions must me met:
You must be a believer.
You must not hold a grudge against another person.
You must not pray for selfish motives.
Your requests must be good for the good of God's Kingdom.
To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.
Jesus, our example for prayer, prayed, "Everything is possible for you...Yet not what I will, but what your will" ( Mark 14:36 ). Our prayers are often motivated by own interests and desires. We like to hear that we can have anything. But Jesus prayed with God's interests in mind. When we pray, we should express our desires, but want his will above ours.
Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God's.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
Always be joyful.
Keep on praying.
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Take Time To Pray
The great people of the earth today are the people who pray - not
those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer;
nor those who can explain about prayer; but those who take time to
pray. -S.D. Gordon
those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer;
nor those who can explain about prayer; but those who take time to
pray. -S.D. Gordon
Knees
Prayer is, and should be, part of every Christian's life. It is how we communicate with God - giving Him praise and thanksgiving, as well as confessing our sins.
"When I get on my knees, God helps me to stand up to anything."
-Anonymous
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. Ephesians 3:14
I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers make, and all the people these prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequence of those prayers down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get off our knees for the rest of our lives. -Peter Kreeft
When people become acutely conscious of their weaknesses, it does one of two things to them: it either so unnerves them that they panic, or it drives them to their knees in prayer. Blessed are those who pray when there is no hope. God created the universe out of nothing. He can just as easily save us when we come to nothing. He not only can, but it delights him to do so. -Prayer Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2004) p.505.-
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
"Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down." John Wesley
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that {the limb} which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13
When Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven. 1 Kings 8:54
Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
Daniel 6:10
Get on your knees to pray, praise and give thanks. Jesus is Lord.
"When I get on my knees, God helps me to stand up to anything."
-Anonymous
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. Ephesians 3:14
I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers make, and all the people these prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequence of those prayers down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get off our knees for the rest of our lives. -Peter Kreeft
When people become acutely conscious of their weaknesses, it does one of two things to them: it either so unnerves them that they panic, or it drives them to their knees in prayer. Blessed are those who pray when there is no hope. God created the universe out of nothing. He can just as easily save us when we come to nothing. He not only can, but it delights him to do so. -Prayer Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2004) p.505.-
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
"Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down." John Wesley
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that {the limb} which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13
When Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven. 1 Kings 8:54
Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
Daniel 6:10
Get on your knees to pray, praise and give thanks. Jesus is Lord.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
OBSERVING THE LORD'S SUPPER
Heartlight.org
Christian Order..
But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. 1 Corinthians 11:17-23
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
Dear Father, giver of bread and wine,
When we come together as your family to partake of bread and wine,
let it truly be "the Lord's supper" which we eat. Let there be no
divisions or preferences among us, no putting ourselves first, or
putting our group first. Let there be no divisions between rich and
poor, young and old, dark-skinned or light, white collar or blue
collar. Let no one do anything that would humiliate another. For
"the Lord's supper" is a feast of love and unity.
Cause us to remember what was delivered to us by your apostles,
how the Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed took bread,
and having given thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body which
is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
In the name of Jesus, who is the daily bread and wine of our
lives, I ask. Amen.
Christian Order..
But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. 1 Corinthians 11:17-23
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
Dear Father, giver of bread and wine,
When we come together as your family to partake of bread and wine,
let it truly be "the Lord's supper" which we eat. Let there be no
divisions or preferences among us, no putting ourselves first, or
putting our group first. Let there be no divisions between rich and
poor, young and old, dark-skinned or light, white collar or blue
collar. Let no one do anything that would humiliate another. For
"the Lord's supper" is a feast of love and unity.
Cause us to remember what was delivered to us by your apostles,
how the Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed took bread,
and having given thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body which
is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
In the name of Jesus, who is the daily bread and wine of our
lives, I ask. Amen.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Jesus is All the World to Me
Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad to Him I go;
No other can cheer me so;
When I am sad He makes me glad:
He's my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings,
And He gives them o'er and o'er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain;
He sends the harvest's golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain:
He's my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me:
I want no better friend;
I trust Him now,
I'll trust Him when Life's fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy:
He's my Friend.
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad to Him I go;
No other can cheer me so;
When I am sad He makes me glad:
He's my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings,
And He gives them o'er and o'er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain;
He sends the harvest's golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain:
He's my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me:
I want no better friend;
I trust Him now,
I'll trust Him when Life's fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy:
He's my Friend.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Prayer Starts With The Relationship
Prayer does not work for you? Then you need to start with the relationship.
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life, abundant and eternal.
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
People have tried in several ways to bridge gap between themselves and God.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
I am a sinner. Admit your need.
Repent - Be willing to turn from your sins.
Confess and believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
Once the relationship is established, you will find that prayer is its natural expression. It is simply speaking and listening to your Heavenly Father. God wants to answer our prayers.
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life, abundant and eternal.
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
People have tried in several ways to bridge gap between themselves and God.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
I am a sinner. Admit your need.
Repent - Be willing to turn from your sins.
Confess and believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
Once the relationship is established, you will find that prayer is its natural expression. It is simply speaking and listening to your Heavenly Father. God wants to answer our prayers.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Pierced For Our Transgressions
Think about this while we take the bread & cup during the Lord's Supper on Sundays..
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and
by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6
I don't know how Jesus could stand up under its weight. He had
my sin, your sin, our sin. He allowed it to be placed upon him so
that we would not have to bear the ultimate consequences of it at
all. But in that sacrifice, as horrible as it was, we find
ourselves healed -- cured of the most awful disease a person can
have, a sin-sick soul. He was pierced, crushed, and punished for
our sins. In their place, he has left us his transforming peace and
a place to belong.
Lord,
Let me not forget the cost of your love. Stir in me the constant and
abiding memory of your redemptive grace. Thank you for your love
and mercy.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our
iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and
by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6
I don't know how Jesus could stand up under its weight. He had
my sin, your sin, our sin. He allowed it to be placed upon him so
that we would not have to bear the ultimate consequences of it at
all. But in that sacrifice, as horrible as it was, we find
ourselves healed -- cured of the most awful disease a person can
have, a sin-sick soul. He was pierced, crushed, and punished for
our sins. In their place, he has left us his transforming peace and
a place to belong.
Lord,
Let me not forget the cost of your love. Stir in me the constant and
abiding memory of your redemptive grace. Thank you for your love
and mercy.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Monday, March 27, 2006
Praise God for Ways He Has Acted In Your Life
Psalm 145. As you read each verse decide if you agree with what is expressed. Take those parts of the Psalm that truly represent your thoughts and feelings, and read those parts aloud to God.
A psalm of praise of David.
1 I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will bless you.
11 They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.
The LORD is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does. F108
14 The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
15 All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
18 The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the LORD, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever.
Use Psalm 145 and specifically praise God for ways he has acted in your life. Pray for Tim Stewart ( Fairfax Church of Christ deaf worship leader ) as he plans our services, and for the many scripture readers, prayer leaders, song leaders, and servers that help us worship each week. Ask God to increase our desire for more of Jesus as we worship together and as we live out our faith during the week.
Thanks to Tim and his team for all they do for Fairfax Church of Christ Deaf Ministry.A psalm of praise of David.
1 I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will bless you.
11 They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation.
The LORD is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does. F108
14 The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
15 All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
18 The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the LORD, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Hope
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Psalm 38:15
For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 71:5
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Lamentations 3:24
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Psalm 38:15
For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 71:5
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Lamentations 3:24
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
PERSONAL PRAYERS
Personal Prayers from Colossians...Christian's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer.
Lord God, help me to remember to give thanks to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all things and to maintain an attitude of PRAYER. Colossians 1:3
Build in me a strong faith in You and a love for all the saints. Colossians 1:4
Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all areas of my life. Colossians 1:9
Teach me to walk in a manner worthy of You and to please You in all things. Colossians 1:10
Help me to bear fruit daily in the work I do and increase in the knowledge of You. Colossians 1:10
Help me to be strengthened with Your power that I may have endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11
Help me to always remember that, as a believer, I have been delivered from darkness and brought into the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Colossians 1:13
I pray that You will have first place in everything in my life. Colossians 1:18
Father, I ask You to make my faith strong, stable, and fixed on the truth of the gospel. Colossians 1:23
Please knit my heart together in love with other believers in the body of Christ. Colossians 2:2
Create in me a good discipline and stability of faith in You. Colossians 2:5
Cause me to be firmly established in You, with a heart of gratitude. Colossians 2:7
Thank you, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete. Colossians 2:10
Teach me to keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at Your right hand. Colossians 3:1
Help me to focus my thoughts on Your purposes and not on worldy situations. Colossians 3:2
Lord God, help me to remember to give thanks to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all things and to maintain an attitude of PRAYER. Colossians 1:3
Build in me a strong faith in You and a love for all the saints. Colossians 1:4
Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all areas of my life. Colossians 1:9
Teach me to walk in a manner worthy of You and to please You in all things. Colossians 1:10
Help me to bear fruit daily in the work I do and increase in the knowledge of You. Colossians 1:10
Help me to be strengthened with Your power that I may have endurance and patience. Colossians 1:11
Help me to always remember that, as a believer, I have been delivered from darkness and brought into the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Colossians 1:13
I pray that You will have first place in everything in my life. Colossians 1:18
Father, I ask You to make my faith strong, stable, and fixed on the truth of the gospel. Colossians 1:23
Please knit my heart together in love with other believers in the body of Christ. Colossians 2:2
Create in me a good discipline and stability of faith in You. Colossians 2:5
Cause me to be firmly established in You, with a heart of gratitude. Colossians 2:7
Thank you, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete. Colossians 2:10
Teach me to keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at Your right hand. Colossians 3:1
Help me to focus my thoughts on Your purposes and not on worldy situations. Colossians 3:2
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Blood of Christ
Without the shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
Why does forgiveness require the shedding of blood?
There is no greater symbol of life than blood. Blood keeps us alive. Jesus shed his blood and gave his life for our sins so that we would not experience spiritual death, eternal separation from God. Jesus is the source of life, not death. Jesus gave his own life to pay our penalty for us so that we might live. After shedding his blood for us, Christ rose from the grave and proclaimed victory over sin and death.
...so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
Jesus is coming back. Are you prepared? Are you waiting?
Cindi's ( artist ) comments:
The picture of Jesus on the cross...I chose to do the final death on the cross as it is the exact position we would have been in if Christ did not die for us. We are all sinners, without Christ we're truly "dead."The striking contrast between the bold red (blood) color and the black background paper is the same as the contrast between life (blood and living in Christ) and death (no life, total darkness, no hope).
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Jesus Prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane
They Didn't Know What to Say!
Again he [Jesus] returned to them and found them sleeping, for they just couldn't keep their eyes open. And they didn't know what to say. Mark 14:40
Sometimes we just fail. Maybe it's because we don't understand the gravity of a behavior. Maybe it is because we are just too weary and distraught to do what we need to do. Maybe it's because we are weak or lazy.
The bottom line is that we are flawed people living in a fallen world. Despite our best intentions, our flesh sometimes triumphs over our faith. I can't think of anything that reminds us of our desperate need for Jesus to be our Savior more than Jesus' closest followers' letting him down in his moment of greatest need. Yet he dies for them and then calls them back to his service.
What a message of grace triumphing over sin, disappointment, failure, and death.
I pray in your name so often to praise, thank, and request things from the Father, that I sometimes forget to thank you for your incomparable love, mercy, and grace to die for us -- to die for me --when I have let you down and hurt you with my failure and sin. Thank you, dear Father, for such a divine plan to deal with human weakness and sin. All praise be to you, and to your Son. Amen.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
My Body
As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God's blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take it, for this is my body."
Mark 14:22
For Jesus and his followers, bread was the "staff of life" -- the essence of food and nourishment to people in Jesus' culture in Jesus' day. Jesus had already taught his closest followers that he was the bread of life. (John 6) Now, Jesus was providing these followers with a
way to remember him, his life-giving place in their lives, and the sacrifice he was about to make for them. In addition, he was providing his followers with a way of understanding their role in the world -- they were to be his bodily presence.
When we take of the Lord's Supper on Sunday like the early followers of Jesus did, we do so to remember him and to commit to keep his ministry to the world alive as we pledge to be his Body. We must never take this meal for granted.
Father,
Thank you for leaving us a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, hislife-giving grace, and our responsibility to keep his memory andministry alive as his Body, the Church. In Jesus name we remembered,
Amen.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Three Times A Day...
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10
Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayer are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules. Do not let pressures or busyness cut into your prayer time. Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God.
Daniel knew how to pray. As he prayed, he fasted, confessed his sins, and pleaded that God would reveal his will. He prayed with complete surrender to God and with complete openess to what God was saying to him. When you pray, do you speak openly to God? Examine your attitude. Talk to God with openness, vulnerability, honestly, and be ready for God's reply.
Are you willing to pray by pouring out your deel feelings to God? What would it take for God to get your attention? Do not wait until you are in a tough situation to learn about prayer.
Prayerfully live out your convictions in everyday life and trust God for the results.
Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayer are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules. Do not let pressures or busyness cut into your prayer time. Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God.
Daniel knew how to pray. As he prayed, he fasted, confessed his sins, and pleaded that God would reveal his will. He prayed with complete surrender to God and with complete openess to what God was saying to him. When you pray, do you speak openly to God? Examine your attitude. Talk to God with openness, vulnerability, honestly, and be ready for God's reply.
Are you willing to pray by pouring out your deel feelings to God? What would it take for God to get your attention? Do not wait until you are in a tough situation to learn about prayer.
Prayerfully live out your convictions in everyday life and trust God for the results.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Dedicated Service
A Living Sacrifice...
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
I present my body to you, O Lord, as a living sacrifice. May it be holy and pleasing to you. Let this be my spiritual act of worship constantly, moment by moment, day by day, night by night.
Let me be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may be able to test and approve what your holy will for me is - what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Teach me to notice others and value them just as you do. I know you loved me when I was not lovable, and redeemed me when I was not worthy. Help me to take my eyes off myself and see others as you see them.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
I present my body to you, O Lord, as a living sacrifice. May it be holy and pleasing to you. Let this be my spiritual act of worship constantly, moment by moment, day by day, night by night.
Let me be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may be able to test and approve what your holy will for me is - what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Teach me to notice others and value them just as you do. I know you loved me when I was not lovable, and redeemed me when I was not worthy. Help me to take my eyes off myself and see others as you see them.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Search Me
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Make this verse your prayer. If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God's "way everlasting."
God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Happy Valentine's Day to my precious girls - Cindi & Kayla.
Happy Valentine's Day, Mom!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Snow!
Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! Isaiah 65:18It's about time about we have SNOW in Maryland/D.C./Virginia area! It is truly a beautiful sight that the Lord has given us on Sunday. God wanted us to enjoy His creation.
Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom. As for me – I, too, will praise the LORD. Psalms 103:22
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts. 1 Timothy 4:4
We had a good day of bible reading and reading children's bible stories with Cindi and Kayla yesterday morning before we played and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled!
Thank you, God, for opening up your heaven to give us the beautiful white snow. God, when's the next blizzard?!
Mark Lowenstein is right - Spring is just around the corner!! :) It's suppose to be near 60 degrees on Thursday & Friday! http://marklowenstein.blogspot.com/2006/02/noreaster.html
The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalms 145:9
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Have a great week. Pray without ceasing. Please continue to pray for Hazel Taylor.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
To Know and To Love God
What does God wants?
"I don't want your sacrifice - I want your love. I don't want your offering- I want you to know me", says the Lord. Hosea 6:6
Instead of trying to do and say all the right things to make God love you, you need to realize he already loves you. You just need to learn how to love him back. God wants to help you to know him and love him more. All you need to do is ask.
So help me, Father, to know and love you more today.
The first purpose of your life is to know and to love God because that gives God pleasure. The most important thing you can know in life is that God loves you.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness," says the Lord.
Jeremiah 31:3
The most important thing you can do in your life is love him back.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
God knows everything about you and he still loves you. His deepest desire is for you to know him and love him in return.
God, if I do not get anything done today, help me to know you a little bit better and love you with a little bit more. If, at the end of the day, I know you a little better and I love you a little more, I will have not wasted this day.
"I don't want your sacrifice - I want your love. I don't want your offering- I want you to know me", says the Lord. Hosea 6:6
Instead of trying to do and say all the right things to make God love you, you need to realize he already loves you. You just need to learn how to love him back. God wants to help you to know him and love him more. All you need to do is ask.
So help me, Father, to know and love you more today.
The first purpose of your life is to know and to love God because that gives God pleasure. The most important thing you can know in life is that God loves you.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness," says the Lord.
Jeremiah 31:3
The most important thing you can do in your life is love him back.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
God knows everything about you and he still loves you. His deepest desire is for you to know him and love him in return.
God, if I do not get anything done today, help me to know you a little bit better and love you with a little bit more. If, at the end of the day, I know you a little better and I love you a little more, I will have not wasted this day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)