"He shall save his people from their sins."
-- Matthew 1:21
"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity." If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be
counted among his people.
It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all his people from
the wrath to come; he saves them from the fearful condemnation which
their sins had brought upon them; but his triumph is far more complete
than this. He saves his people "from their sins." Oh! sweet deliverance
from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work, he casts Satan
from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer.
Pray this with me...
Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable
me to honor my Savior.
I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own. Deuteronomy 30:16
“You will never stand alone while standing on the Word of God.”
— Kathryn Souza-Wine
Friday, February 09, 2007
Pray Always & Pray One for Another
"Praying always."
-- Ephesians 6:18
"Pray one for another."
-- James 5:16
Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked
that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our
sin. He heard us.
But when he had blotted out our sins like a cloud,
then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for
sanctifying grace.
For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard
you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and
helped you, even when you dishonored him by trembling
and doubting at the mercy-seat.
Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has
thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers.
Remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever
hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character.
Our prayers for others, having in them more of the
fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, and more
brotherly kindness.
All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from
heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has
flowed from the living rock-Christ Jesus the Lord.
-- Ephesians 6:18
"Pray one for another."
-- James 5:16
Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked
that God would have mercy upon us, and blot out our
sin. He heard us.
But when he had blotted out our sins like a cloud,
then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for
sanctifying grace.
For as your prayers have been many, so also have been God's answers to them. He has heard
you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you, and
helped you, even when you dishonored him by trembling
and doubting at the mercy-seat.
Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has
thus graciously heard your poor weak prayers.
Remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever
hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character.
Our prayers for others, having in them more of the
fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, and more
brotherly kindness.
All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from
heaven, and all the water of which it has drank has
flowed from the living rock-Christ Jesus the Lord.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Prayer Retreat
About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there.
Luke 6:12
Weekend retreats in the mountains with a group of men is something I would like to experience. Have you ever gone to a weekend retreats in the mountains?
I would like to take at least two men who are close friends and know what to expect. The rest can be men I know little or nothing about. We want to attract guys who truly need this kind of getaway but would not normally be interested in a prayer retreat. We can arrive on a Thursday evening, share dinner, learn a little about each other, PRAY together a little, and then get some sleep. On Friday morning, we can go over some Scriptures and then learn how to listen for God through Scriptures.
We can go for a walk or sit under a tree if they prefer just as long as they are comfortable and quiet and able to let their hearts be open to the Holy Spirit. We can share stories, emphasize the importance of honesty and humility before God and then encourage them to go out and try it.
On Friday evening, we have the opportunity to share with the group what happened and did not happen. I am sure we will hear something amazing. The three themes usually surface in the testimonies and often confessions from the men.
* An acknowledgement of an area in their lives God wants to improve.
* A true sense of forgiveness from God for where they have fallen short.
* A fresh vision and hope for the future.
This all takes place without a sermon or lecture. They get it directly from God.
Have you ever spent time before God, honestly laying yourself open to Him? When is the last time you did that and begged Him for transformation?
I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider fasting. And go have an extended talk with God.
I pray we will get to experience a weekend prayer retreat in the mountains with Jesus.
Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed. Luke 22:41
After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. John 11:41
Luke 6:12
Weekend retreats in the mountains with a group of men is something I would like to experience. Have you ever gone to a weekend retreats in the mountains?
I would like to take at least two men who are close friends and know what to expect. The rest can be men I know little or nothing about. We want to attract guys who truly need this kind of getaway but would not normally be interested in a prayer retreat. We can arrive on a Thursday evening, share dinner, learn a little about each other, PRAY together a little, and then get some sleep. On Friday morning, we can go over some Scriptures and then learn how to listen for God through Scriptures.
We can go for a walk or sit under a tree if they prefer just as long as they are comfortable and quiet and able to let their hearts be open to the Holy Spirit. We can share stories, emphasize the importance of honesty and humility before God and then encourage them to go out and try it.
On Friday evening, we have the opportunity to share with the group what happened and did not happen. I am sure we will hear something amazing. The three themes usually surface in the testimonies and often confessions from the men.
* An acknowledgement of an area in their lives God wants to improve.
* A true sense of forgiveness from God for where they have fallen short.
* A fresh vision and hope for the future.
This all takes place without a sermon or lecture. They get it directly from God.
Have you ever spent time before God, honestly laying yourself open to Him? When is the last time you did that and begged Him for transformation?
I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider fasting. And go have an extended talk with God.
I pray we will get to experience a weekend prayer retreat in the mountains with Jesus.
Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed. Luke 22:41
After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. John 11:41
Hungry for God?
Pray it through...
Read Psalms 42:1
As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God.
Has your soul gets thirsty for God? What was it like? What did you do about it?
Read the following Scriptures slowly, allowing them to penetrate your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your sense of longing, hungering, thirsting, and desperation for God.
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth." So the LORD told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you." Then Moses said, "I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory." Exodus 33:15-18
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. Psalms 63:1
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:3,6
You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you. Jeremiah 29:12-13
If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.
Isaiah 55:1-2,6
Are you starting to develop a healthy hunger for more of God? Tell Him about your longings. Ask Him how and when you can get away for an extended time with Him. If there are things that make you hesitate, confess these openly to Him and invite Him to help you.
I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider adding fasting. Go have an extended talk with God. What you find there will be a gift you treasure forever.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
I longed for prayer retreat with my prayer warriors.
Read Psalms 42:1
As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God.
Has your soul gets thirsty for God? What was it like? What did you do about it?
Read the following Scriptures slowly, allowing them to penetrate your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your sense of longing, hungering, thirsting, and desperation for God.
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth." So the LORD told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you." Then Moses said, "I pray that you will let me see you in all of your glory." Exodus 33:15-18
You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. Psalms 63:1
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! Matthew 5:3,6
You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you. Jeremiah 29:12-13
If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.
Isaiah 55:1-2,6
Are you starting to develop a healthy hunger for more of God? Tell Him about your longings. Ask Him how and when you can get away for an extended time with Him. If there are things that make you hesitate, confess these openly to Him and invite Him to help you.
I encourage you to set aside the time. Find a place of silence and solitude. Consider adding fasting. Go have an extended talk with God. What you find there will be a gift you treasure forever.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
I longed for prayer retreat with my prayer warriors.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Quote
"Never judge a person because of how they treat you until you learn what they are going through." - Shawn Alexander
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
God Already Knows
"We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us,"
wrote C. S. Lewis. To put it another way, we must trust God with what
God already knows.
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
wrote C. S. Lewis. To put it another way, we must trust God with what
God already knows.
-Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Seek His Kingdom
Weekly Prayer Tip:
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31 ).
Your daily prayer time lays the groundwork for an ongoing awareness of His presence. This week, during your prayer time, ask Him to alert you and call your attention to “kingdom moments” throughout your day. Watch for opportunities to enjoy fellowship with Him—waiting in lines, performing mundane tasks, for example. Being consciously aware of His presence will transform life’s irritants into opportunities for fellowship with Him.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31 ).
Your daily prayer time lays the groundwork for an ongoing awareness of His presence. This week, during your prayer time, ask Him to alert you and call your attention to “kingdom moments” throughout your day. Watch for opportunities to enjoy fellowship with Him—waiting in lines, performing mundane tasks, for example. Being consciously aware of His presence will transform life’s irritants into opportunities for fellowship with Him.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
The Praying Life Foundation
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Honesty In Prayer
I was teaching a class at a church in Chicago when a young woman
raised her hand with a question. I knew her as a shy, conscientious
student who attended faithfully but never spoke. The rest of the class
seemed surprised as well and listened attentively. "I'm not always
sincere when I pray," she began. "Sometime it seems forced, more like
a ritual. I'm just repeating words. Does God hear those prayers?
Should I keep going even though I have no confidence that I'm doing it
right?"
I let the silence hang in the room for a moment before attempting an
answer. "Do you notice how quiet it is in here?" I said. "We all
sense your honesty. It took courage for you to be vulnerable, and you
touched a nerve with others of us in the room. You seem sincere,
unlike a salesman, say, who gets paid to give a spiel. We're tuned in,
listening, respectful, because you are being authentic. And I imagine
it's the same with God. More than anything else, God wants your
authentic self."
--Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference, p.40-41.
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn back
on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. Proverbs 3:7-8
raised her hand with a question. I knew her as a shy, conscientious
student who attended faithfully but never spoke. The rest of the class
seemed surprised as well and listened attentively. "I'm not always
sincere when I pray," she began. "Sometime it seems forced, more like
a ritual. I'm just repeating words. Does God hear those prayers?
Should I keep going even though I have no confidence that I'm doing it
right?"
I let the silence hang in the room for a moment before attempting an
answer. "Do you notice how quiet it is in here?" I said. "We all
sense your honesty. It took courage for you to be vulnerable, and you
touched a nerve with others of us in the room. You seem sincere,
unlike a salesman, say, who gets paid to give a spiel. We're tuned in,
listening, respectful, because you are being authentic. And I imagine
it's the same with God. More than anything else, God wants your
authentic self."
--Philip Yancey in PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference, p.40-41.
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn back
on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. Proverbs 3:7-8
Devote To One Another
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. Romans 12:10
We are to be devoted to one another. We are to honor one
another. And the basis of this loving devotion and honor is found
in one central truth: Because God is our Father, we are one family.
We are siblings in God's Kingdom. Our relationship is eternal and
built on God's grace to us and our grace expressed to each other.
Thank you for the wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ
who have blessed my life over the years. Thank you for their
support and encouragement. Please use me to bless others in your
family as these precious people have blessed and honored me.
above yourselves. Romans 12:10
We are to be devoted to one another. We are to honor one
another. And the basis of this loving devotion and honor is found
in one central truth: Because God is our Father, we are one family.
We are siblings in God's Kingdom. Our relationship is eternal and
built on God's grace to us and our grace expressed to each other.
Thank you for the wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ
who have blessed my life over the years. Thank you for their
support and encouragement. Please use me to bless others in your
family as these precious people have blessed and honored me.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Be Real
The prayer preceding all prayers is "May it be the real I who speaks.
May it be the real Thou that I speak to." -C.S. Lewis
May it be the real Thou that I speak to." -C.S. Lewis
Monday, January 01, 2007
Just Pray
Do you want to know how to deepen your prayer life? Pray.
Don't prepare to pray. Just pray. Don't read about prayer. Just pray.
Don't attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer.
Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that
works for you. But don't think about it too much. Don't be so
concerned about wrapping the gift that you never use it. Better to
pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that's okay. Just
see to it that you are inspired every day.
-Max Lucado in When God Whispers Your Name
Happy New Year, friends.
Don't prepare to pray. Just pray. Don't read about prayer. Just pray.
Don't attend a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion about prayer.
Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal matters. Select the form that
works for you. But don't think about it too much. Don't be so
concerned about wrapping the gift that you never use it. Better to
pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when inspired, that's okay. Just
see to it that you are inspired every day.
-Max Lucado in When God Whispers Your Name
Happy New Year, friends.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Unceasing
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.
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.
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
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