Living In LOVE

Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Amen, Mark Lowenstein. http://marklowenstein.blogspot.com/

Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.

When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.

If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Roman 12:9-15

If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?
1 John 4:20

But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.
1 John 4:8

Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
Jude 1:21

Prayer:
Dear precious Father,

Let my love be genuine for everyone in heaven and on earth. Help me hate what is evil at all times and everywhere. Help me focus onto what is good. May I rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation. Let me be constant in prayer. May I contribute to the needs of your holy people. Help me be very hospitable. Lord, help me to bless those who persecute me and help me to bless them, not to curse in return.

Jesus is Lord,
Amen

God Is LOVE

Jesus said: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

Question: If this is not how we are known, when will we start?

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-11

Question: Is this how we love?

We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:16-21

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all the people ( mom, dad, wife Cindi, daughter Kayla, Fairfax Church of Christ brothers and sisters, Mark Lowenstein - deaf minister at Fairfax, Frederick Church of Christ brothers and sisters, Dirk Albrecht - deaf minister at Frederick, our Heavenly Father, and His only son Jesus) you have bless me with love. Thank you for the blessings you have provided me. They have blessed my life in so many ways, so I'm asking you now to bless their lives with your grace, power, and Spirit.

In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.

Ten Things To Do When You're In A Battle

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
Philo of Alexandria

The devil hates it when we worship the Lord!

I understand more about the weapons God has given us to fight, resist, and defeat the devil. The greatest weapons are God's Word, prayer, praise, and worship. The Word says to submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

God blesses us with His presence when we worship Him and in His presence we are kept safe.

God says to be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that the same suffering are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

One of the best examples of the power praising God when the enemy comes against us was when King Jephoshaphat found that there were enormous numbers of enemy soldiers gathered against him. He was afraid but he sought God and called his people to fast. He said to God, "In Your hand there is not power and might so that no one is able to withstand You?" 2 Chronicles 20:6

And the Lord spoke to Jephoshaphat one of the greatest promises of the Bible: "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for this battle is not yours, but God's. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. 2 Chronicles 20:15-18

The battle is not ours, it is the Lord's!

Our eyes are on You, Lord!

1) Stop everything and worship God!

2) Praise Him for already defeating your enemy.

3) Thank Him for fighting the battle for you.

4) Ask God if there is anything He wants you to do that you are not doing.

5) Fast and pray.

6) Declare your dependence upon Him.

7) Recognize that the battle is not yours, but the Lord's.

8) Position yourself in the right place before God.

9) Refuse to have fear.

10) Quiet your soul in worship and watch God save you.

The Lord instructs us to put on the whole armor of God and having done all, to stand strong. Ephesians 6:13

Lord,
I praise You as my Deliverer and thank you that You will deliver me from my enemies. Thank you, Lord, that my enemies will fall and perish at Your presence ( Psalm 9:3 ). And when the battle is over, I will be able to say that this was the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in my eyes. ( Psalm 118:23 )

Jesus is Lord,
Amen.

JESUS Taught Us How To Pray

When Jesus taught us how to pray, He told us to first establish our relationship with God as our heavenly Father, and then praise and exalt His name. He said to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Luke 11:2

And He said, "When you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly". Matthew 6:6

As a child of God, we have privileges that other people don't have. We have become a large part of a large family. We have a special place to live for eternity. We receive many wonderful blessings and gifts. We have amazing inheritance. God says that the thoughts He thinks toward us are "of peace and not of evil" to give us "a future and a hope". Jeremiah 29:11

We love and acknowledge Him as our Father is living by His rules. One of His rules is that we honor Him with worship and praise. That is also the way we come to know Him better. The unconditional love of your heavenly Father is something you need never live without. Your heavenly Father is waiting to hear from you.

I praise and honor You as my Father God and give thanks always for all things, especially Your Father's love. Esphesians 5:20

TEN THINGS GOD NEVER SAYS

1) "Oops!"

2) "What have I done?"

3) "How did I let that happen?"

4) "I made a mistake."

5) "It was an accident."

6) "I don't know what to do."

7) "I'm afraid of what will happen now."

8) "I can do better than this."

9) "What do you think I should do?"

10) " What didn't I think of that?"

The reason it is important to know these things that God never says is because it means He never says them about you either. Everything God created is good. He says so Himself. That includes you and me.

Whenever we see anything of God's creation that doesn't seem to be good, we can be sure that man has done something to ruin it. Sin spoils everything. God wants you to be thankful for the way He made you.

"God created man in His own image; in the image of God. He created him; male and female He created them" ( Genesis 1:27). That means you have your Father's eyes. And your Father's heart. You are also a brother or sister to His Son, Jesus, and you are destined to become like Him. That means you are part of a really big family.

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created ( Revelation 4:11 ). I worship You as my Creator and I praise You for all that You have created.

Thank you, Jesus, that You are the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation ( Colossians 1:15 ).
Amen

Seven Good Reasons to PRAISE Jesus as Lord

1) Because of Jesus, I am forgiven.

2) Because of Jesus, I have peace with God.

3) Because of Jesus, I don't have to live with guilt or condemnation.

4) Because of Jesus, I have a great inheritance.

5) Because of Jesus, I always have someone enterceding for me.

6) Because of Jesus, I have eternal life with Him.

7) Because of Jesus, I can have more life in this life.

COMMUNION WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER

The Christian’s most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible. Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails. The approach is backward. Prayer should come first because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it especially because God encourages us to do so.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16-18

PRAYER OF FAITH

PRAYER OF FAITH

Is any one of you in trouble?

He should PRAY.

Is anyone happy?

Let him sing songs of PRAISE.

Is any one of you sick?

He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. In Scripture, oil was both a medicine and a symbol of the Spirit of God. Christians should not separate the physical and the spiritual – Jesus Christ is Lord over both the body and the spirit.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. People in the church are not alone. Members of Christ’s body should be able to count on each others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick or suffering. The church should stay alert to pray for the needs of all its members.

“The prayer offered in faith” does not refer to the faith of the sick person, but to the faith of the people praying. God heals, faith doesn’t and all prayers are subject to God’s will. But our prayers are part of God’s healing process. That is why God often waits for our prayers of faith before intervening to heal a person.

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 5:13-16

Prayer Is A God Thing

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Have you noticed how God has been calling many different groups within His church to prayer. God is making it clear that He wants us to pray. It is essential for us as Christians to pray and seek the Lord’s will in everything we do. Without His Spirit working in us, we can do nothing to advance His kingdom. God is answering prayer. God is working in our midst in a great way. Pray that everyone in the church will know God more intimately through prayer.

Pray that God will help us as individuals and as the church to make the following commitments.

We will spend more time with God in prayer.

We will make time to memorize God’s Word and incorporate it into our prayers.

We will pray that God will raise up many who will become involved in prayer.

We will pray for our leaders and staff, and their families.

We will seek to know and pray those things which are on the heart of God.

We will pray for our enemies, until we truly love them as much as Jesus does.

We will make prayer the center of our family life.

We will commit to pray for those who are suffering for Christ’s sake and the Gospel.

God promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. That is why to Pray in 2005.

UNCEASING PRAYER

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. Colossians 4:2-4

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.

In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

CLOTHED WITH CHRIST

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Dear Father,
Grant that we may clothe ourselves with Christ, for he is agarment of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearance and forgiveness. Above all, clothe us with his love, which will bind us together in perfect harmony.

In the name of Jesus.
Amen.

HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS

How many people in your life could be touched if you prayed in this way?

1. Be thankful for their faith and changed lives ( Colossians 1:3 )

2. Ask God to help them knw what he wants them to do ( Colossians 1:9 )

3. Ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding ( Colossians 1:9 )

4. Ask God to help them live for him ( Colossians 1:10 )

5. Ask God to give them more knowledge of himself ( Colossians 1:10 )

6. Ask God to give them strength fr endurance ( Colossians 1:11 )

7. Ask God to fill them with JOY, STRENGTH, and THANKFULNESS ( Colossians 1:11 )

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY!

Why should we pray? We need to pray because we are in a spiritual battle. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12

Yes we are in a spiritual battle, but the battle is the Lord's. We are weak but He is strong. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We can overcome through Him: because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

I am reminded of David as he faced Goliath. David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

Ephesians tells us, Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:18

REJOICE AND PRAY!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle {spirit} be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-6

Dear Father,

Let us rejoice in the Lord always! Again I ask this from you: Let us rejoice always! Let us be gentle, open to reason, slow to make negative judgments. Let this forbearing spirit be apparent to everyone. I know the Lord Jesus is near, so I have no reason to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let us present our requests to you. We believe in you, Father, a God who transcends all human understanding. We believe that the peace which comes from you, which transcends all understanding, will keep our heart and our mind in Christ Jesus.

In the name of loving Jesus.
Amen.

A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN - PRAYING With PAUL

Dear Father,

I want to join all your holy people in imitating the example of your apostle Paul, and I want to take notice of people in my own time who live by the same example. Thank you, my God, that my citizenship is in heaven, from which I wait the return of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you, Father, that he will come to change my lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him to subject all things to himself.

In the name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving

A life in thankfulness releases the glory of God.

Bengt Sundberg

Interrupt Our Prayers

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:8

Beside displeasing God, anger and strife make prayer difficult. That's why Jesus said that we should interrupt our prayers, if necessary, to make peace with others. God wants us to obey him immediately and throughly. Our goal should be to have a right relationship with God and also with others.

Paul"s Thanksgiving and Prayer

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

Prayer:
Dear precious Father,

Help our love to abound more and more, with knowledge, so that we may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ, to your glory and praise!

In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.

Love and Trust

May God give you peace, dear brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God's grace be upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Ephesians 6:23 - 24

Dear precious Father,

May your peace be with all my brothers and sisters throughout the world. May you and the Lord Jesus fill them with love and trust in you. Father, I do love the Lord Jesus with unfailing love. Let me never outlive it.

In the name of Jesus we adore,
Amen.

Time to Pray for victory

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. Ephesians 6:18-19

Dear precious Father,

May we fill our time with prayer and plea to you. Help us to keep alert for prayer. And to keep on, and keep on, and keep on. We offer supplications for your holy soldiers everywhere, especially those who preach your word. Give them the words and the boldness they need to publish openly the secret of your Good News about Jesus and his resurrection victory!

In the name of Jesus and by his authority we ask for victory against everything that stands in opposition to your will. Amen.