Prayer Blog Message for Tuesday - December 1, 2009
What will occupy you most this Christmas season? Burdens or joy?
The shepherds that first Christmas night were probably burdened with the usual culprits: straying lambs, wool ticks, cut hooves, and nighttime cold. Suddenly they were exposed to angels, international news, and glory --- brilliant, radiant, Shekinah Glory! They never could be the same again. They returned “glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.”
Luke 2:20 (New International Version)
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Surely they returned to wool ticks and cut hooves, but forever after they would see all their annoyances through new eyes.
“Are you burned with the “usual”?
We to too have been exposed to the splendor, all the joy, all the majesty of God’s eternal plans, set in motion by the birth of Jesus Christ.
Let’s not be absorbed by burdens! Our mission this Christmas season should be to glorify and praise God for all we have seen and heard.
Oh, ring Noel, each Christmas bell;
God’s good news is great news all over the earth!
And Christians – all sing it, as bells ring and ring it;
Applaud it and laud it, this wonderful birth!
Yes, ring it out, fling it out, chiming and clanging:
On this joyous morn, Our Redeemer is born!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Generosity Encouraged This Christmas Season
2 Corinthians 8:1-12 (New International Version)
Generosity Encouraged - This Christmas Season
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
In today’s reading the following message stuck out to me: 10”And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have”.
As Christmas time is always a time of giving, I feel that the Lord is telling us that although some may have the means to give financially, we should not get caught up in the “material” aspects of giving and be eager in doing so according to our means. If you have the means do something special for someone who doesn’t have the means do something special for someone who doesn't. Society has taken giving gifts during Christmas time to the extreme. In today’s’ economy gifts such as "celebrating the Lord’s birth - which should be our focus", spreading God’s love, joy, peace, one’s service toward another, a simple card, making a homemade item, showing someone you care, as well as gifts from the heart are gifts “acceptable to what one has, not according to what he does not have”.
Christmas is a time of great “joy”. We should not “allow” ourselves to be overwhelmed by the world’s opinion of what Christmas means which enables us to take our minds off of the real reason for the season. There are so many messed up and hurting people in the world who have this misconception. They need us as Christians to be “the light” that sets the example by showing them that “material things” fade away, but the “abundance of Christmas is God’s love, compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness and grace” are gifts that last a lifetime.
My prayer: I pray that in your distress in your need that you might feel God's love when you pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance also. Let us rejoice and take time to celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas season. Amen
Generosity Encouraged - This Christmas Season
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
In today’s reading the following message stuck out to me: 10”And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have”.
As Christmas time is always a time of giving, I feel that the Lord is telling us that although some may have the means to give financially, we should not get caught up in the “material” aspects of giving and be eager in doing so according to our means. If you have the means do something special for someone who doesn’t have the means do something special for someone who doesn't. Society has taken giving gifts during Christmas time to the extreme. In today’s’ economy gifts such as "celebrating the Lord’s birth - which should be our focus", spreading God’s love, joy, peace, one’s service toward another, a simple card, making a homemade item, showing someone you care, as well as gifts from the heart are gifts “acceptable to what one has, not according to what he does not have”.
Christmas is a time of great “joy”. We should not “allow” ourselves to be overwhelmed by the world’s opinion of what Christmas means which enables us to take our minds off of the real reason for the season. There are so many messed up and hurting people in the world who have this misconception. They need us as Christians to be “the light” that sets the example by showing them that “material things” fade away, but the “abundance of Christmas is God’s love, compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness and grace” are gifts that last a lifetime.
My prayer: I pray that in your distress in your need that you might feel God's love when you pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance also. Let us rejoice and take time to celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas season. Amen
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Christmas Star
Christmas Star
A diamond shines no brighter
than that lovely Christmas star.
It shines in all its brilliance;
it's seen from near or far.
A symbol of the Christ child
as He lay upon the hay,
It tells to all the waiting world
a King was born that day.
O Bethlehem Star keep shining -
give us faith and hope and love.
Keep our thoughts forever turning
to the Savior up above.
Give us strength and hope and courage
to do our best by far
And never falter in our faith
as we watch that Christmas star.
Author Unknown
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Christmas Angels
“The Christmas Angels”
If you see some different lights
Around your Christmas tree
It could be Christmas Angels
Hiding there to see.
The fun and joy of Christmas
As they watch the children play
And as they watch you celebrate
This very special day
But there’s another reason that
The Christmas angels appear
They’re here to remind us why
It’s a special time of year
This is the day that Christ was born
Years ago in Bethlehem
He’s the one who is our Savior
He is King of all the land
So celebrate His birthday
With your presents, cheer and love
And let Him know you’re glad He is
Our Savior up above
Then the Christmas Angels
Will be happy they were here
And they can leave but don’t you fret
They’ll be back again to remind you that God is so very dear
Friday, November 27, 2009
Baby Anthony Bruno This One Is For You Dear Child
Tiny baby Anthony Bruno IV, this baby blanket was crocheted with fasting, prayers and petitions lifted up by me on your behalf in intercession to the Lord. God bless you dearest child. .
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers today and always. I thank the Lord for His mission for me to intercede on your behalf.
Numbers 6:24-26 (New Living Translation)
24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
Sincerely,
Bonnie (Thanksgiving 2009)
Numbers 6:24-26 (New Living Translation)
24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
Sincerely,
Bonnie (Thanksgiving 2009)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Be Thankful for the Things You No Longer Have to Have
Wednesday - November 25, 2009
Psalm 131 – A Psalm of Humility, Simplicity, Integrity
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
Be Thankful for the Things You No Longer Have to Have
As the song says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” The surprise is not just in the outward material blessings of the last year. It is also in the times of pain and suffering which seemed to be for no good purpose but turned out to be blessings in disguise. That, too, is the goodness and grace of God.
In the spirit of Psalm 131, we should sit down sometime between now and Thursday and make a list—a very personal, private list—of the things that we have been weaned in the past year. That is, make a list of the things that through suffering and hardship God has taken away from us in the last twelve months. As a result our faith is stronger and deeper and our walk with God means more than it ever did before.
We should list those things we used to think we couldn’t live without but now we know we can. It could be a dream we had for our life that consumed all our energy but God has taken it from us and we have found, “Yes, I can live without that.” It may be a relationship, an idea, something we owned, a personal possession, a promotion or a new job we just had to have, or a new account we set all our hopes on.
Thanksgiving is only two days away. We ought to be the most thankful people on the face of the earth.
My prayer: May our days be marked with humility, simplicity, and integrity. Let us be thankful not only for the things we have but also for the things we no longer have to have. And let us as the people of God hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. Amen
Psalm 131 – A Psalm of Humility, Simplicity, Integrity
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
Be Thankful for the Things You No Longer Have to Have
As the song says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” The surprise is not just in the outward material blessings of the last year. It is also in the times of pain and suffering which seemed to be for no good purpose but turned out to be blessings in disguise. That, too, is the goodness and grace of God.
In the spirit of Psalm 131, we should sit down sometime between now and Thursday and make a list—a very personal, private list—of the things that we have been weaned in the past year. That is, make a list of the things that through suffering and hardship God has taken away from us in the last twelve months. As a result our faith is stronger and deeper and our walk with God means more than it ever did before.
We should list those things we used to think we couldn’t live without but now we know we can. It could be a dream we had for our life that consumed all our energy but God has taken it from us and we have found, “Yes, I can live without that.” It may be a relationship, an idea, something we owned, a personal possession, a promotion or a new job we just had to have, or a new account we set all our hopes on.
Thanksgiving is only two days away. We ought to be the most thankful people on the face of the earth.
My prayer: May our days be marked with humility, simplicity, and integrity. Let us be thankful not only for the things we have but also for the things we no longer have to have. And let us as the people of God hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. Amen
Offering Gratitude this Thanksgiving
God’s Blessings Are Ours to Cherish
There is so much to be thankful for in this world –
the love of our family,
a warm home, good friends,
our health and happiness,
the beauty that surrounds us.
Yet when things aren’t going our way,
when sorrow enters our lives
or dreams seem out of reach,
we too quickly forget how fortunate
we really are.
When difficulties occur,
we must learn to rise above the
feelings of sadness and despair.
We must accept the wisdom of God’s plan
and go on with our lives,
grateful for His many blessings,
secure in His love.
By – Anna Marie Edwards
"Offering Gratitude this Thanksgiving"
Gratitude takes practice because we inhabit a culture where millions of advertising dollars a day go into making us feel that who we are and what we have is not good enough. Gratitude takes practice, because like the Pilgrims, life does not always treat us gently. Sometimes we find ourselves weathering one storm after another, facing one failure after another, until we are left with the feeling that there is very little to be grateful for.
Practicing gratitude, ironically, is often the one thing that can lift us out of that place of depletion and despair. Try it sometime when you are feeling desperately bad - try thinking of even just one good thing in your life - perhaps even something relatively trivial. Having a spirit of gratitude will help rescue us from the pit of despair, as will begin to shift our thinking from all that we lack to a more realistic and hopeful place.
That's the magic of practicing gratitude - that shift in awareness from how bad things are to a place where we can gain a toehold to lift ourselves out of the pit. I'm not saying that this shift is easy, or instant. It requires that we take the time - over and over -- to pause, to open our eyes, and to notice what is good. But with patience and practice, we become more open and more aware; and our hearts fill more with the blessings from the Lord than with what we perceive as curses in our lives.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty I come to You dear Lord to offer my prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving. Please forgive me for the times that I have been so selfish in not being grateful for all of the wonderful blessings in my life. Most Holy Father I honor You today as I come to You Lord, Jesus with my praise and adoration. In Jesus’ name I pray today. Amen
There is so much to be thankful for in this world –
the love of our family,
a warm home, good friends,
our health and happiness,
the beauty that surrounds us.
Yet when things aren’t going our way,
when sorrow enters our lives
or dreams seem out of reach,
we too quickly forget how fortunate
we really are.
When difficulties occur,
we must learn to rise above the
feelings of sadness and despair.
We must accept the wisdom of God’s plan
and go on with our lives,
grateful for His many blessings,
secure in His love.
By – Anna Marie Edwards
"Offering Gratitude this Thanksgiving"
Gratitude takes practice because we inhabit a culture where millions of advertising dollars a day go into making us feel that who we are and what we have is not good enough. Gratitude takes practice, because like the Pilgrims, life does not always treat us gently. Sometimes we find ourselves weathering one storm after another, facing one failure after another, until we are left with the feeling that there is very little to be grateful for.
Practicing gratitude, ironically, is often the one thing that can lift us out of that place of depletion and despair. Try it sometime when you are feeling desperately bad - try thinking of even just one good thing in your life - perhaps even something relatively trivial. Having a spirit of gratitude will help rescue us from the pit of despair, as will begin to shift our thinking from all that we lack to a more realistic and hopeful place.
That's the magic of practicing gratitude - that shift in awareness from how bad things are to a place where we can gain a toehold to lift ourselves out of the pit. I'm not saying that this shift is easy, or instant. It requires that we take the time - over and over -- to pause, to open our eyes, and to notice what is good. But with patience and practice, we become more open and more aware; and our hearts fill more with the blessings from the Lord than with what we perceive as curses in our lives.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty I come to You dear Lord to offer my prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving. Please forgive me for the times that I have been so selfish in not being grateful for all of the wonderful blessings in my life. Most Holy Father I honor You today as I come to You Lord, Jesus with my praise and adoration. In Jesus’ name I pray today. Amen
Monday, November 23, 2009
Counting Our Blessings
Psalm 100:4 (New International Version)
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
Song Lyrics to “He Has Made Me Glad”
I will enter his gates with
thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter his courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the
Lord has made
I will rejoice for he has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for he has
made me glad (2x)
Deuteronomy 8:7-18 and Luke 17:11-19
"Remembering To Give Thanks: Blessing God"
God treats us well even when we are not treating Him well or thinking kindly about Him. Sometimes, we don’t show appreciation for what we have or act like we are aware of where things come from.
Deuteronomy 8:7-1, is an example and serves us as a reminder of how this was apparent to God in the Old Testament times.
It emphasizes that Moses, after telling the people of Israel how they will prosper in the promised land, that they are about to enter after so many years of slavery and then of wandering in the wilderness, they will eat their fill, and have fine houses and large herds, and that their silver and gold will multiply, says:
“Do not say to yourself, "my power and the might of my own
hand have gotten me this wealth. But remember the Lord
your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth,
so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your
ancestors, and as he swearing to you today."
Chapter eight of Deuteronomy of the Old Testament speaks so well of what we all know somewhere in our hearts, but often seem to forget in our actions and our attitudes.
It explains that everything we have is a gift from God, which may be a gift worked upon by our hands, a gift perhaps even enhanced by our own strength, but a gift none-the–less and most importantly, as God gives us the hands we need, and God gives us the strength we have.
If we would remember this at all times - it would make our lives
much easier, it would bless everyone around us, and as well as it would bless God..
Not so long ago famous people all over the world were polled by a
magazine which asked them the question - "If you could be granted
one wish that would come true right now - what would that be?"
There were some very interesting responses - but one response
impressed the magazine's editors so much that they commented on it.
That response was this -
“I wish that I could be given an even greater ability to appreciate all that I already have."
This is an interesting answer and an interesting thing to wish for.
What do you think would happen if everyone of us suddenly became
a more thankful person? What if all of us suddenly became more appreciative people?
No one likes to be taken for granted - or to see someone that they love taking things for granted.
All of us like to be appreciated, all of us like to be thanked, and all of us, like to see those we love live thankful lives, appreciative lives, so much so that we teach our children this virtue - at our supper tables,- during birthday parties, - in the middle of visits from their grandparents,- just about anytime that they are receiving something from someone or asking someone for something.
It is a great thing to teach our kids to say please and thank you, and it helps them out in this world. It is a great thing to be appreciated, to be thanked; but we should think with holy and prayerful minds as we thank God with our worship for the harvest we are all enjoying.
The questions God put on my heart today are, “Where is your sense of thankfulness?” How complete is it? How deep does it run in your life?”
I Thessalonians, chapter five, verse eighteen says
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." and in Ephesians, chapter five, where Paul is telling new Christians how they should live, it says: "Give thanks to God the Father at all times and forev erything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The standard of the early church of the disciples and the apostles was really incredible. It had incredible results in the lives of those disciples and apostles, and in the lives of all those around them.
They lived happy and triumphant lives. Scripture shows that they rejoiced even when they were being afflicted and persecuted as their fellowship continually grew until it reached the ends of the earth.
Give thanks in all circumstances. Give thanks for everything. Give thanks at all times.
This is a step beyond remembering God and thanking God for all the wealth that we enjoy in this our promised land. This is a step beyond remembering God and obeying his commands because He gave us fine houses and filled our bellies. This is even a step beyond thanking God, as the leper thanked Him, for healing him through Jesus of his disease.
This is the kind of “Thanksgiving” “in our living” which is demanding and rewarding. Demanding because when we are feeling pressed to wall and find it difficult to fulfill the word that says:
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
“Demanding” to us when we are feeling struck down by some affliction or angry because someone did something thoughtless; upset because our dog escaped out the door in the morning; when we have difficulty feeling grateful to God for the circumstances we are in; when we want to feel sorry for ourselves for the trouble we are in; when we want to yell at the kids for being whatever kids are when they are thoughtless; instead of wanting to praise God - or to pray to Him about the situation with thanksgiving,
How about you? Do you have a faith that is “thankful” in everything?
It's something to think about especially it is something to think about when you consider the power of “Thanksgiving” and of how not only are we blessed or rewarded for it, but so is God and all those around us.
When we forget - hard things get harder. When we allow the situation we are in to swallow us up and to swallow all thought of God's power and goodness up; when we begin to think we have earned and deserve all the good things we have, and when we forget that God is able to help us in the midst of all the bad things that occur, well - life becomes bleaker, and true virtue becomes harder to find.
God wants us to celebrate his love. God wants us to “give thanks in everything”.
God doesn't want this because He is greedy for praise. The Lord doesn't want it so that He will feel better about Himself. He wants it because it will bless us and because it will bless the world He has made.
He wants us to remember what He has done- so that we will not be afraid when we are in need of help, and so that we will not grow arrogant or rude when we are prospering. He wants us to remember and give thanks to Him, and to those around us so that our lives will be full of light and hope and so our actions full of tenderness and love.
As the psalmist declares - "It is good to give thanks to the
LORD, to sing praises to his name". Praise be unto God and thanksgiving for his many blessings Amen.
My Prayer: What bountiful harvest we have received from You. We count our blessings without number. You give us heath, a warm family, life, prosperity and a peaceful heart. You give us Your strength through adversity and security in turmoil. You give us opportunities to serve which enrich our lives. We acknowledge the rich blessings You showered upon us. Help us to appreciate them. Remove from our heart the idea that our recognition of these blessings will earn us future blessings. Allow us to focus this “Thanksgiving” on what You have done for us and rejoice in the daily blessings You give us. In this I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
Song Lyrics to “He Has Made Me Glad”
I will enter his gates with
thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter his courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the
Lord has made
I will rejoice for he has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for he has
made me glad (2x)
Deuteronomy 8:7-18 and Luke 17:11-19
"Remembering To Give Thanks: Blessing God"
God treats us well even when we are not treating Him well or thinking kindly about Him. Sometimes, we don’t show appreciation for what we have or act like we are aware of where things come from.
Deuteronomy 8:7-1, is an example and serves us as a reminder of how this was apparent to God in the Old Testament times.
It emphasizes that Moses, after telling the people of Israel how they will prosper in the promised land, that they are about to enter after so many years of slavery and then of wandering in the wilderness, they will eat their fill, and have fine houses and large herds, and that their silver and gold will multiply, says:
“Do not say to yourself, "my power and the might of my own
hand have gotten me this wealth. But remember the Lord
your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth,
so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your
ancestors, and as he swearing to you today."
Chapter eight of Deuteronomy of the Old Testament speaks so well of what we all know somewhere in our hearts, but often seem to forget in our actions and our attitudes.
It explains that everything we have is a gift from God, which may be a gift worked upon by our hands, a gift perhaps even enhanced by our own strength, but a gift none-the–less and most importantly, as God gives us the hands we need, and God gives us the strength we have.
If we would remember this at all times - it would make our lives
much easier, it would bless everyone around us, and as well as it would bless God..
Not so long ago famous people all over the world were polled by a
magazine which asked them the question - "If you could be granted
one wish that would come true right now - what would that be?"
There were some very interesting responses - but one response
impressed the magazine's editors so much that they commented on it.
That response was this -
“I wish that I could be given an even greater ability to appreciate all that I already have."
This is an interesting answer and an interesting thing to wish for.
What do you think would happen if everyone of us suddenly became
a more thankful person? What if all of us suddenly became more appreciative people?
No one likes to be taken for granted - or to see someone that they love taking things for granted.
All of us like to be appreciated, all of us like to be thanked, and all of us, like to see those we love live thankful lives, appreciative lives, so much so that we teach our children this virtue - at our supper tables,- during birthday parties, - in the middle of visits from their grandparents,- just about anytime that they are receiving something from someone or asking someone for something.
It is a great thing to teach our kids to say please and thank you, and it helps them out in this world. It is a great thing to be appreciated, to be thanked; but we should think with holy and prayerful minds as we thank God with our worship for the harvest we are all enjoying.
The questions God put on my heart today are, “Where is your sense of thankfulness?” How complete is it? How deep does it run in your life?”
I Thessalonians, chapter five, verse eighteen says
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." and in Ephesians, chapter five, where Paul is telling new Christians how they should live, it says: "Give thanks to God the Father at all times and forev erything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The standard of the early church of the disciples and the apostles was really incredible. It had incredible results in the lives of those disciples and apostles, and in the lives of all those around them.
They lived happy and triumphant lives. Scripture shows that they rejoiced even when they were being afflicted and persecuted as their fellowship continually grew until it reached the ends of the earth.
Give thanks in all circumstances. Give thanks for everything. Give thanks at all times.
This is a step beyond remembering God and thanking God for all the wealth that we enjoy in this our promised land. This is a step beyond remembering God and obeying his commands because He gave us fine houses and filled our bellies. This is even a step beyond thanking God, as the leper thanked Him, for healing him through Jesus of his disease.
This is the kind of “Thanksgiving” “in our living” which is demanding and rewarding. Demanding because when we are feeling pressed to wall and find it difficult to fulfill the word that says:
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
“Demanding” to us when we are feeling struck down by some affliction or angry because someone did something thoughtless; upset because our dog escaped out the door in the morning; when we have difficulty feeling grateful to God for the circumstances we are in; when we want to feel sorry for ourselves for the trouble we are in; when we want to yell at the kids for being whatever kids are when they are thoughtless; instead of wanting to praise God - or to pray to Him about the situation with thanksgiving,
How about you? Do you have a faith that is “thankful” in everything?
It's something to think about especially it is something to think about when you consider the power of “Thanksgiving” and of how not only are we blessed or rewarded for it, but so is God and all those around us.
When we forget - hard things get harder. When we allow the situation we are in to swallow us up and to swallow all thought of God's power and goodness up; when we begin to think we have earned and deserve all the good things we have, and when we forget that God is able to help us in the midst of all the bad things that occur, well - life becomes bleaker, and true virtue becomes harder to find.
God wants us to celebrate his love. God wants us to “give thanks in everything”.
God doesn't want this because He is greedy for praise. The Lord doesn't want it so that He will feel better about Himself. He wants it because it will bless us and because it will bless the world He has made.
He wants us to remember what He has done- so that we will not be afraid when we are in need of help, and so that we will not grow arrogant or rude when we are prospering. He wants us to remember and give thanks to Him, and to those around us so that our lives will be full of light and hope and so our actions full of tenderness and love.
As the psalmist declares - "It is good to give thanks to the
LORD, to sing praises to his name". Praise be unto God and thanksgiving for his many blessings Amen.
My Prayer: What bountiful harvest we have received from You. We count our blessings without number. You give us heath, a warm family, life, prosperity and a peaceful heart. You give us Your strength through adversity and security in turmoil. You give us opportunities to serve which enrich our lives. We acknowledge the rich blessings You showered upon us. Help us to appreciate them. Remove from our heart the idea that our recognition of these blessings will earn us future blessings. Allow us to focus this “Thanksgiving” on what You have done for us and rejoice in the daily blessings You give us. In this I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Rejoicing In The Lord
Psalm 97:11-12 (New International Version)
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
My Prayer: Almighty Father of all creations, today I give thanks for Your bounty and rejoice in remembrance of Your holiness. This is a day of celebration and song, of joyfulness and sunshine – a day You made for our enjoyment. Help us forget the cares of this world for today; fill our hearts with light as Your blessings fall upon us and we grow closer to You dear Lord this day I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Michael W. Smith – Song Lyrics – Here I Am To Worship
Light of the world
you stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes
let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
hope for a life spent with you
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
all for love's sake became poor
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
to see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
to see my sin upon that cross
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
My Prayer: Almighty Father of all creations, today I give thanks for Your bounty and rejoice in remembrance of Your holiness. This is a day of celebration and song, of joyfulness and sunshine – a day You made for our enjoyment. Help us forget the cares of this world for today; fill our hearts with light as Your blessings fall upon us and we grow closer to You dear Lord this day I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Michael W. Smith – Song Lyrics – Here I Am To Worship
Light of the world
you stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes
let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
hope for a life spent with you
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
all for love's sake became poor
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
to see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
to see my sin upon that cross
Friday, November 20, 2009
The True Secret Of Thanks
Prayer Blog Message for Saturday - November 21, 2002
Psalm 21:6 (New International Version)
6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
“David knew the secret of thanks. As real thanks is tied to the true nature of God. In this Psalm – David offers gratitude to His Lord for specific blessings and ends describing God’s eternal gifts. All the psalmist’s joy cannot be separated from His Maker’s presence.”
My Prayer: Almighty Father of all creation, today I give thanks for Your bounty and rejoice in remembrance of Your holiness. This is a day of celebration and song, of joyfulness and sunshine – a day You have made for my enjoyment. Help me forget the care of this world for today; fill my heart with light as Your blessings fall upon me and I grow closer to You, I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Psalm 21:6 (New International Version)
6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
“David knew the secret of thanks. As real thanks is tied to the true nature of God. In this Psalm – David offers gratitude to His Lord for specific blessings and ends describing God’s eternal gifts. All the psalmist’s joy cannot be separated from His Maker’s presence.”
My Prayer: Almighty Father of all creation, today I give thanks for Your bounty and rejoice in remembrance of Your holiness. This is a day of celebration and song, of joyfulness and sunshine – a day You have made for my enjoyment. Help me forget the care of this world for today; fill my heart with light as Your blessings fall upon me and I grow closer to You, I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Thursday, November 19, 2009
God Will Make A Way
Blog message for Friday - November 20, 2009
Watch ye therefore, and pray always… (Luke 21:36 – KJV)
Song Lyrics to: God Will Make a Way – By: Don Moen
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today
“Don’t be overwhelmed…take it one day and one prayer at a time. – Stormie Omartian
My Prayer: Lord, Your Holy Word commands us to pray without ceasing. When we are discouraged, let us pray. When we are lonely, let us take our sorrows to You. When we grieve, let us take our tears to You, Lord, God, in prayer. When we are joyful let us offer up our prayers of thanksgiving to You. In all things large and small, joyful or sad, let us seek Your face, Your wisdom and Your grace in prayer. This I pray today, in Jesus’ name Amen.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always… (Luke 21:36 – KJV)
Song Lyrics to: God Will Make a Way – By: Don Moen
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today
“Don’t be overwhelmed…take it one day and one prayer at a time. – Stormie Omartian
My Prayer: Lord, Your Holy Word commands us to pray without ceasing. When we are discouraged, let us pray. When we are lonely, let us take our sorrows to You. When we grieve, let us take our tears to You, Lord, God, in prayer. When we are joyful let us offer up our prayers of thanksgiving to You. In all things large and small, joyful or sad, let us seek Your face, Your wisdom and Your grace in prayer. This I pray today, in Jesus’ name Amen.
Real Joy Comes From The Lord
Psalm 118:24 (New International Version)
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Fresh New Day
“Today, life begins anew. Today, you are blessed with fresh, new opportunity.
You can build on the best of what has been. You can look clearly and objectively at the limitations that have held you back, and find new ways to transcend them.
Today, you can make amazing progress. Today, you can reach higher than you've ever reached before.
All your mistakes are behind you, and you've learned much from each one. All your experience is still with you, and you can use it in innovative new ways.
This day has begun, and with it comes your chance to make a difference. In these moments you can bring your dreams to life.
From deep within your purpose, look out and see all the great possibilities. This is a day that's now here for you to live more richly than ever”
.
-- Ralph Marston (Sent to me last night by a dear friend – Tracie)
Today is very special. Every single chronological day is ushered in anew by the Lord. God gives it to us as His gift. God has invested our lives with 24 hours. What a privilege. What a responsibility. What an opportunity. To live in the now! We shouldn’t be content to look back to yesterday. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be just engaged in what’s ahead. We need to thank God for the past and live in the hope of the future. But God wants us to live today with the assurance that this is His day given to us. As bland or as difficult as it may seem, it is a very special day for all of us.
The sovereign Lord is with us in this day. Have you ever really thought about that fact? I know you’ve heard it before. Have you really stopped to think about its implications? This is not only a great day. “This is the day the Lord has made. . . .”
He is sovereign. He is in charge. No matter how discouraging life may seem we are not alone. We didn’t stumble into this day. This day is not an accident. The very God who created us, the very Christ who has redeemed us, the very Holy Spirit who sustains us—these three manifestations of the Lord are engaged in helping us make the most of this day.
We are to be a people filled with joy. This is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, joy and gladness are specifically and consistently related to the whole life of Israel and the church. Joy is not an isolated or occasional consequence of faith. It is an integral part of the whole relationship we are privileged to have with God. The Holy Spirit produces this enthusiasm. We live in the presence of God. We don’t produce your own joy. It is the joy of the Lord. Our joy is not in our strength. It is in His strength. Our joy is not in our cleverness. It is in His wisdom. Our joy is not in the connections we have here on earth. It is in His divine empowerment. Our joy is not in the money we’ve accumulated. It is in His provision.
We have the right to be joyful. God is the one who produces this kind of joy. It’s not the joy of denial. It’s the reality of knowing that the almighty God is there helping us.
God makes us joyful for a reason. He wants us to be a joyful person, not primarily for our own desires, which is a indirect blessing. He wants us to be joyful for others. The direct purpose of our being joyful person is that only a joyful person can bring joy to other people. If we are a sad, downcast, complaining, miserable person, we will convey these same attitudes toward others. An un-joyful person is a nuisance and throws a wet blanket. Some of us do it and think we are being “spiritual.” Where in the Scriptures does it say that a Christian is to be an unhappy, depressed, gloomy person, carrying the whole weight of the world on his/her shoulders? You and I are to be stewards of this world which God has created. We are to be a joyful, purposeful people and communicate the authentic conviction that God is alive. He made this day. And you and I should strive to make the most of it. So our primary function is to convey this joyous spirit to others. A secondary spinoff of this is that we find a new blessing in our own lives.
My prayer: Father, God, I pray that although we as humans have lots of ‘stuff” going on in our daily lives that we stop for a moment to seek Your face so that we will know where real joy comes from. It’s not in what society thinks it should be or in the things that wear us down. Real joy comes from You, Heavenly Father and if we allow it to do so it will permeate from Your heart dear Lord and penetrate into our very soul. Teach us dear Lord that happiness is a temporary feeling but that the real joy You give us is everlasting. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Fresh New Day
“Today, life begins anew. Today, you are blessed with fresh, new opportunity.
You can build on the best of what has been. You can look clearly and objectively at the limitations that have held you back, and find new ways to transcend them.
Today, you can make amazing progress. Today, you can reach higher than you've ever reached before.
All your mistakes are behind you, and you've learned much from each one. All your experience is still with you, and you can use it in innovative new ways.
This day has begun, and with it comes your chance to make a difference. In these moments you can bring your dreams to life.
From deep within your purpose, look out and see all the great possibilities. This is a day that's now here for you to live more richly than ever”
.
-- Ralph Marston (Sent to me last night by a dear friend – Tracie)
Today is very special. Every single chronological day is ushered in anew by the Lord. God gives it to us as His gift. God has invested our lives with 24 hours. What a privilege. What a responsibility. What an opportunity. To live in the now! We shouldn’t be content to look back to yesterday. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be just engaged in what’s ahead. We need to thank God for the past and live in the hope of the future. But God wants us to live today with the assurance that this is His day given to us. As bland or as difficult as it may seem, it is a very special day for all of us.
The sovereign Lord is with us in this day. Have you ever really thought about that fact? I know you’ve heard it before. Have you really stopped to think about its implications? This is not only a great day. “This is the day the Lord has made. . . .”
He is sovereign. He is in charge. No matter how discouraging life may seem we are not alone. We didn’t stumble into this day. This day is not an accident. The very God who created us, the very Christ who has redeemed us, the very Holy Spirit who sustains us—these three manifestations of the Lord are engaged in helping us make the most of this day.
We are to be a people filled with joy. This is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, joy and gladness are specifically and consistently related to the whole life of Israel and the church. Joy is not an isolated or occasional consequence of faith. It is an integral part of the whole relationship we are privileged to have with God. The Holy Spirit produces this enthusiasm. We live in the presence of God. We don’t produce your own joy. It is the joy of the Lord. Our joy is not in our strength. It is in His strength. Our joy is not in our cleverness. It is in His wisdom. Our joy is not in the connections we have here on earth. It is in His divine empowerment. Our joy is not in the money we’ve accumulated. It is in His provision.
We have the right to be joyful. God is the one who produces this kind of joy. It’s not the joy of denial. It’s the reality of knowing that the almighty God is there helping us.
God makes us joyful for a reason. He wants us to be a joyful person, not primarily for our own desires, which is a indirect blessing. He wants us to be joyful for others. The direct purpose of our being joyful person is that only a joyful person can bring joy to other people. If we are a sad, downcast, complaining, miserable person, we will convey these same attitudes toward others. An un-joyful person is a nuisance and throws a wet blanket. Some of us do it and think we are being “spiritual.” Where in the Scriptures does it say that a Christian is to be an unhappy, depressed, gloomy person, carrying the whole weight of the world on his/her shoulders? You and I are to be stewards of this world which God has created. We are to be a joyful, purposeful people and communicate the authentic conviction that God is alive. He made this day. And you and I should strive to make the most of it. So our primary function is to convey this joyous spirit to others. A secondary spinoff of this is that we find a new blessing in our own lives.
My prayer: Father, God, I pray that although we as humans have lots of ‘stuff” going on in our daily lives that we stop for a moment to seek Your face so that we will know where real joy comes from. It’s not in what society thinks it should be or in the things that wear us down. Real joy comes from You, Heavenly Father and if we allow it to do so it will permeate from Your heart dear Lord and penetrate into our very soul. Teach us dear Lord that happiness is a temporary feeling but that the real joy You give us is everlasting. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Learning to be Still Before the Lord
Prayer is a conversation not just a monologue. We need to listen as God’s voice is often “still” and “small” and we can drown it out. We can express our respect and adoration allowing Him to speak to our hearts by waiting in quietness before Him. He may speak to us through a sense of His nearness, His love, His welcome, His power or His guidance. He may bring to mind scriptures that speak to our heart. The strength we obtain from the Lord and the quietness of heart He gives prepares us to pray effectively. We can come before God with expectancy rather than wearily dragging ourselves into His presence. Although when it is necessary dragging ourselves into His presence is a good thing. It is less necessary as we let God drain away our inner stress and infuse us with His strength day by day.
When we meditate on the truths God has revealed about Himself we can concentrate on them attentively. Then we are to pause and be still – relax, let go, cease striving – and know in the depths of our inner most being that this awesome, exalted, dependable person is God. We can let our thoughts about His greatness lead us to an inner stillness that absorbs His reality and responds to Him with a relaxed confidence.
Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Waiting on God and resting in Him have much in common. Both result in absorbing His strength; both involve truly turning in to God and His word. The more we have His word dwelling in our hearts, the more it can help us be quiet, restful, and attentive to Him during our walking hours.
Song Lyrics – Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord – By: David Evans
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here
Come bow before him now
With reverence and fear
In him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendour he is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant king of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister his grace
No work to hard for him
In faith receive from him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
My Prayer: Dearest Lord, God Almigty please help us to be still so that we can absorb Your presence and Your strength. Help us to know that the more we seek You and have Your word in our heart, it can help us be quiet, restful, and attentive to You during our walking hours. In this I pray today, in Jesus' Christ name. Amen
When we meditate on the truths God has revealed about Himself we can concentrate on them attentively. Then we are to pause and be still – relax, let go, cease striving – and know in the depths of our inner most being that this awesome, exalted, dependable person is God. We can let our thoughts about His greatness lead us to an inner stillness that absorbs His reality and responds to Him with a relaxed confidence.
Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
Waiting on God and resting in Him have much in common. Both result in absorbing His strength; both involve truly turning in to God and His word. The more we have His word dwelling in our hearts, the more it can help us be quiet, restful, and attentive to Him during our walking hours.
Song Lyrics – Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord – By: David Evans
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here
Come bow before him now
With reverence and fear
In him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendour he is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant king of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister his grace
No work to hard for him
In faith receive from him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
My Prayer: Dearest Lord, God Almigty please help us to be still so that we can absorb Your presence and Your strength. Help us to know that the more we seek You and have Your word in our heart, it can help us be quiet, restful, and attentive to You during our walking hours. In this I pray today, in Jesus' Christ name. Amen
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Prayer As A Way Of Life
“I can not tell why there should come to me
A thought of someone miles and years away.
In swift insistence on the memory,
Unless there is a need that I should pray.
Perhaps just then my friend has fiercer fight,
A more appalling weakness, a decay.
Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right;
And so, in case he needs my prayers I pray.
By: Rosalind Goforth
While on earth Jesus prayed continually. Before feeding the five thousand, the raising of Lazarus, before choosing His disciples, with His disciples, for His disciples, all night, early in the morning, in the garden, on the cross – Jesus prayed. Prayer is a way of life to Him. He continues to intercede for us. As we become more like the Lord, prayer becomes a constant, treasured part of our lives.
When we pray continually we are obeying God’s command, “1 Thessalonians 5:17 (New International Version) 17pray continually”. Wow! How can be obtain this when so many things in our life demands our attention?
Apart from our times set apart for prayer, much of our praying is a simple awareness of the Lord, with the attitude of dependence or gratitude, with a quit spirit, almost world-less sense of communion. (We can do this by remembering that God chose us to be “in the world, but not of the world.”) Having a God-centered attitude allows us to abide in Christ, Jesus. It allows us to bring our requests to Him along the day as they come to mind. We should include our best which is our Heavenly Father, in our daily experiences instead of ignoring Him throughout the day. This can be casual remarks as simple as, “Yes Lord, Thank You Lord, or a quiet Hallelujah.” Other times throughout the day we may share with Him an ongoing conversation regarding our thoughts, feelings, desires, and concerns. When we include Christ in our lives our minds are like “the hand of a scale that points upward, unless something is being weighed down.” In a similar way our concentration can be on the Lord, as we focus upward, unless our full attention needs to be on a task or social interaction. Other times we can direct a quick “arrow” of prayers to the Lord about what we are doing; and sometimes glance our minds in His direction just to say, “Lord I need or others need Your help in this situation today.” We can lift to Him our love, as well as our (and others) needs throughout the day reminding Him that we are depending on Him.
My Prayer: I pray Dearest Lord; Father Almighty, that as we go through life’s hectic days that You will remind us to turn to You more often with short arrow prayers. Prayers that rise to You throughout our waking hours. Please give us prayers for people we see, people that we relate to, and people who come to mind. Heavenly Father, I ask that you touch, bless and be with each person who reads this prayer and that if they have not already done so, that they will look to You in a relationship of prayer so that they will witness the glory that You have for them when they obey and walk with You. This I pray in Jesus’ name today, Amen
A thought of someone miles and years away.
In swift insistence on the memory,
Unless there is a need that I should pray.
Perhaps just then my friend has fiercer fight,
A more appalling weakness, a decay.
Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right;
And so, in case he needs my prayers I pray.
By: Rosalind Goforth
While on earth Jesus prayed continually. Before feeding the five thousand, the raising of Lazarus, before choosing His disciples, with His disciples, for His disciples, all night, early in the morning, in the garden, on the cross – Jesus prayed. Prayer is a way of life to Him. He continues to intercede for us. As we become more like the Lord, prayer becomes a constant, treasured part of our lives.
When we pray continually we are obeying God’s command, “1 Thessalonians 5:17 (New International Version) 17pray continually”. Wow! How can be obtain this when so many things in our life demands our attention?
Apart from our times set apart for prayer, much of our praying is a simple awareness of the Lord, with the attitude of dependence or gratitude, with a quit spirit, almost world-less sense of communion. (We can do this by remembering that God chose us to be “in the world, but not of the world.”) Having a God-centered attitude allows us to abide in Christ, Jesus. It allows us to bring our requests to Him along the day as they come to mind. We should include our best which is our Heavenly Father, in our daily experiences instead of ignoring Him throughout the day. This can be casual remarks as simple as, “Yes Lord, Thank You Lord, or a quiet Hallelujah.” Other times throughout the day we may share with Him an ongoing conversation regarding our thoughts, feelings, desires, and concerns. When we include Christ in our lives our minds are like “the hand of a scale that points upward, unless something is being weighed down.” In a similar way our concentration can be on the Lord, as we focus upward, unless our full attention needs to be on a task or social interaction. Other times we can direct a quick “arrow” of prayers to the Lord about what we are doing; and sometimes glance our minds in His direction just to say, “Lord I need or others need Your help in this situation today.” We can lift to Him our love, as well as our (and others) needs throughout the day reminding Him that we are depending on Him.
My Prayer: I pray Dearest Lord; Father Almighty, that as we go through life’s hectic days that You will remind us to turn to You more often with short arrow prayers. Prayers that rise to You throughout our waking hours. Please give us prayers for people we see, people that we relate to, and people who come to mind. Heavenly Father, I ask that you touch, bless and be with each person who reads this prayer and that if they have not already done so, that they will look to You in a relationship of prayer so that they will witness the glory that You have for them when they obey and walk with You. This I pray in Jesus’ name today, Amen
Monday, November 16, 2009
Lord I Believe In You
While driving to work on Saturday the Lord showed me this beautiful cross. I looked up in the sky and saw that the Lord formed this cross by His hands with clouds. "Yes, Lord I believe in you!"
God is saying today, “I believe in you.” But the question He is asking is, “Do you believe in Me?” Please, let’s join hands, form a circle and be completely connected - all around the world as we come together united in prayer…
The famous husband and wife comedy team George Burns and Gracie Allen duo took radio by storm back in the 1930’s and 40’s. They had their own television show titled: “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” which debuted on October 12, 1950 and lasted eight hilarious seasons. While the comedic couple filmed several pictures during their career, nothing really stood out for them. Tragedy struck when George Burns sadly lost the love of his life in 1964 after Gracie suffered a fatal heart attack. Rather than grieving and giving up, George mourned but moved on to what became a new and second lease on life for the perpetual smoker. He continued performing on both stage and screen for another full 32 years until his death only months before his 100th birthday. The pinnacle of his stardom was in 1977 when he was in his young 80’s. He starred in the leading role of the movie, “Oh, God” portraying the Creator Himself. His co-star was country/folk singer John Denver as the honest, humble and wholesome character “Jerry Landers”, an assistant grocery store manager. Teri Garr (real life daughter of comedian Jackie Gleason) played the role of Denver’s wife. With the casting of these great actors and actresses, as well as a simplistic and heart warming script – the film became an instant success with audiences worldwide. While the movie is unbiblical, unscriptural and fictitious movie-goers understood it for what it was: an entertaining comedy. The plot is this: George Burns as God appears to Denver as a little old man wearing glasses, tennis shoes and a fishing cap. Denver in turn thinks someone is playing a real big joke on him. God, or George Burn’s first job, is to number one; persuade Denver that He is real – that He is God manifest in the flesh. He accomplishes this by performing a few “small miracles.” God’s second job is to use Denver as “a messenger” to accomplish one task: to bring people back to faith in Him. When Denver finally believes and is convinced that he has truly met God and discovers his “purpose in life” is to tell the world about the Lord, he ends up on a famous Television Show speaking as a modern day prophet with a message for the masses. Apprehension sets in and Denver becomes dreadfully fearful thinking people will think he’s nuts and he’ll lose his job at the grocery store. The movie culminates with God on trial, very much like Santa Claus in the movie “Miracle on 34th Street.” As George Burns – God on trial – tries to testify in defense of himself, trying to prove it is really him the next words that came out of this fictitious character’s mouth are: ’If you find it hard to believe in me, maybe it would help you to know that I believe in you.”
“I believe in you.” Those words have caused many to weep uncontrollably. Yes, it was a movie. Yes it was fictitious. No, George Burns is not God. But at the lowest point in our life, in our most desperate moment of weakness, the one true, living God of the universe can use a silly, fictitious movie to breathe words of hope, words of encouragement and words of life into ones soul – “If you find it hard to believe in me, maybe it would help you to know that I believe in you.” This means that God who is someone actually cares and believes in us as well as in mankind.
The Bible says in Psalm chapter 34 verse 18:The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
When everyone we love and those that we think love us abandon us and forsakes us, there is one who sticks closer than a brother who said He would never leave us nor forsake us – Hebrews 13:5b: 12 for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
When all my hope and strength is gone, and everyone gives up on us – including ourself– it is true LOVE that lifts us.
Yes, George Burns, is the fictitious character playing God who said, “I believe in you.” But you know what, today, the tables are not turned by our not being ashamed to say “I believe in You Lord.” Romans chapter 1 verse 16 says: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation
My prayer: I pray that we are not ashamed to say today – “I believe in You Lord.”
It is You who believes in me, when no one else does. It was you who loves me – in spite of myself. It was you who picks me up and carries me, when I am lost and feel I can not go on. And it’s you Lord today that I will willingly and humbly serve, with a joyous and grateful heart. This I pray in Jesus’ name today, Amen.
This is one of the songs that we sung in church yesterday:
Song Lyrics to Lord I Believe In You By: Krystal Lewis
Though I can't see Your holy face
And Your throne in heaven above
It seems so far away
Though I cant touch your nail scarred hands
I have a deep and unspeakable joy
That makes my faith to stand
Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I cant see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe
Born from above
You are Gods only chosen one
Youre the one and only true way
To the Fathers heart
You died for all sin
Then you rose and now live again
Conquering death and the grave
So that I might live
Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I cant see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe in you
Saturday, November 14, 2009
United Prayer
Matthew 18:19-20 (New International Version)
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
“Just like a tree’s root is hidden in the ground and its stem and leaf grow toward the sunlight, prayer needs for its full development the secrecy which the soul meets God alone as well as in fellowship with those who in the name of Jesus find a common meeting place.”
The bond that unites people with fellow Christians is real. Grace renews our relationship to God as well as to others. As believers we are not only of one family but are of one body. Each member of the body relies on the other and the potential of the spirit dwelling in the body depends on the union and cooperation of the members consisting of it. Christians can not reach the full blessing God wants to bestow on them through His Spirit unless they seek and receive it in fellowship with one another. In union and fellowship of believers, the Holy Spirit can reveal His full power.
My Prayer: Heavenly, Father, God Almighty I ask that you show us how You invite us to have unity with Your people by Your promises concerning united prayer. It is when we are one in love and desire that our faith knows your presence and the Father’s answers. Father God, I ask that when we pray that you remove all selfishness and self-interest, all narrow mindedness of heart and separation in which unity is hindered. Cast out the spirit of the flesh through which Your presence and the Father’s favor draw us closer to each other.
Grant blessed Lord, that Your church will learn and believe that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit, and united prayer that we can accomplish great things for Your glory; that Satan can be cast out; that souls can be saved; that mountains can be removed and that Your kingdom will be brought nearer. And grant, dear Lord, that in the circle in which we pray, the prayer of the church will be the power in which Your name and Your word are uplifted and glorified. Amen.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Child Step Out And Believe
The Lord impressed upon my heart to share this scripture and Beth Moore poem with others today. I am certain that it will touch your heart as it did mine.
My Prayer: As always, my prayers and thoughts are with you today. I know that there are allot of issues in this world that are discouraging and painful factors affecting our lives presently. We must remember that although "we are in this world, we are not of this world", and that which the Lord has for us eternally as His chosen people "is far greater than we ever could imagine." We need to use wisdom, stay focused, not add to the problems that will destroy our walk with the Lord and set our minds on things above. Let us give God, Our Heavenly Father praise for the victory He has already won! Sincerely - Bonnie
But, as it is written,
"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him."
1corinthians2.9esv
Has Anyone Seen The Life I Planned? By: Beth Moore
Has someone seen the life I planned?
It seems to be misplaced
I’ve looked in every corner
It's lost without a trace.
I’ve found one I don't recognize
Things missing that were dear
Promises I’d hoped to keep
And dreams I dreamed aren't here.
Faces I had planned to see
Hands I planed to hold
Now absent in the pictures
Not the way I told.
Has someone seen the life I planned?
Did it get thrown away?
God took my hand from searching
Then I heard him say,
"Child, your ears have never heard
your eyes have never seen
eternal plans I have for you
are more than you could dream.
You log to walk by sight
but I’m teaching eyes to see.
I know what I am doing
Til then, you must believe."
He's done so much, I felt ashamed
To know he heard my moans
To think I’d trade in all He's done
For plans made on my own.
I wept over His faithfulness
And how He'd proved Himself
How he'd gone beyond my dreams
And said to Him myself,
"No, my ears have never heard
my eyes have never seen
eternal plans You have for me
are more than I could dream.
Yes, I long to walk by sight
But you're teaching eyes to see
You know what you are doing
Til then, I must believe."
I felt His great compassion
Mercy unrestrained
He let me mourn my losses
And showed to me my gains.
I offered Him my future
And released to Him my past
I traded in my dreams
For a plan He said would last.
I get no glimpse ahead
No certainties at all
Except the presence of the one
Who will not let me fall.
Are you also searching
For a life you planned yourself?
Have you looked in every corner?
Have you checked on every shelf?
Child you ears have never heard
Your eyes have never seen
Eternal plans He has for you
Are more than you could dream.
Perhaps you long to walk by faith
But He's teaching eyes to see
He knows what He is doing
Child, step out and believe.
Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving In Our Hearts
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV
Do you ever become weary of praying? I do, when I don’t have my focus on God. To overcome this, I have found it helpful to make praise and thanksgiving a greater part of my prayer time. When I reflect on God’s character, His promises and His answers to prayer, I am encouraged to faithfully continue in prayer. Let’s stop now and remember how God has been faithful in delivering us from terrible things of this world such as sickness, trouble and sorrow and give Him thanks for the blessings we have received. Let’s remember all of His answers to the prayers we have offered up to Him and give Him praise!
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:21 NIV
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
I praise the LORD because he does what is right. I sing praises to the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17 NCV
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Psalm 56:12,13 NIV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4,5 NIV
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8,9 NIV
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57 NIV
Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 NNAS
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty as I come to you today in prayer as an intercessor, I do so with a humble spirit of thanksgiving and adoration for all the prayers that You have answered as well as for what You have done in our lives. You, Father God are the very breath that we breathe and the reason for our existence. Help us dear Lord to see the great things You have done and to not focus on our situations. I pray that as others come to You they will learn to trust You and have faith to be believe in the power of prayer. All glory is Yours today and forever dear Jesus, I pray. Amen
Do you ever become weary of praying? I do, when I don’t have my focus on God. To overcome this, I have found it helpful to make praise and thanksgiving a greater part of my prayer time. When I reflect on God’s character, His promises and His answers to prayer, I am encouraged to faithfully continue in prayer. Let’s stop now and remember how God has been faithful in delivering us from terrible things of this world such as sickness, trouble and sorrow and give Him thanks for the blessings we have received. Let’s remember all of His answers to the prayers we have offered up to Him and give Him praise!
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:21 NIV
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
I praise the LORD because he does what is right. I sing praises to the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17 NCV
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Psalm 56:12,13 NIV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4,5 NIV
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8,9 NIV
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57 NIV
Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 NNAS
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty as I come to you today in prayer as an intercessor, I do so with a humble spirit of thanksgiving and adoration for all the prayers that You have answered as well as for what You have done in our lives. You, Father God are the very breath that we breathe and the reason for our existence. Help us dear Lord to see the great things You have done and to not focus on our situations. I pray that as others come to You they will learn to trust You and have faith to be believe in the power of prayer. All glory is Yours today and forever dear Jesus, I pray. Amen
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Prayer For God's Smallest Angels
Psalm 139:13-16
”For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”.
Most of you are aware that when I moved to North Carolina in April that the Lord placed me on a mission as an intercessor to pray for others and crochet prayer shawl/blankets. As with any warfare and one especially one dealing with the lives of others in prayer the enemy does his best to defeat it.
Today I come to you with great joy and blessing in my life as I will be delivering baby blankets. As most of you know I have teamed up with a NICU Unit at a local hospital nearby that is allowing me to share this great gift. I ask for you to join with me and pray for God’s newest little angles as I’m dedicating this day to pray for them. Please continue to lift me up in prayer for although it is not necessary for me to know these little ones personally, I will forever be joined to them by heart.
I’m attaching a picture so you can see some of God’s beautiful colors and the masterpieces that He inspired for these little babies. I’m also including a beautiful poem that a dear co-worker was moved to write about my mission when I told her about God’s great plan for my life.
It is not about me, it about the Lord, God, Almighty and the work that He is doing in me. He is Lord, Almighty, He is God above. He is the one who enables me to do all things. He is the one who I give glory and honor to this day.
Dearest friends please know in your hearts that I love you dearly. Although the enemy has tired his best to destroy this great work, I take prayer seriously and I will continue to fulfill the mission that the Lord has placed upon my life to intercede for you in prayer.
Thank you Jennie and Jerry as three little critical infants in NICU and their family will receive a baby blanket full of prayer today because of your generous support. Also, thanks to Robin for the beautiful poem and all of you who have been praying for me as well as to everyone who has contributed to this great mission. It couldn’t be accomplished without you.
Sincerely,
Bonnie
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Prayer Blog - Wednesday - November 11, 1009
15:5 (New International Version)
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
A vine cannot grow without its branches and we can not have a relationship with God our Heavenly Father, Almighty without prayer. Our prayers and petitions should be offered up to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving in our heart. Often we have heard the expression “when the praises go up, the blessings come down.” It is so true that when we put our eyes and heart on the Lord instead of on ourselves we focus on His blessings which become clearer to us. Apart from God, our Creator in Heaven, we are nothing. He is the one who puts breath into our body and adds life to our very soul. So, if you are sad, lonely, or discouraged I pray that you will find comfort if you look to Jesus instead of at your situation. I am sure that His mercy, kindness and love are all things you can be grateful for. All glory and honor is His today, this Thanksgiving, Christmas Season, and always, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Hymn By: William Welford 1722-1850
1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Praise, Pray and Stand Firm In Your Time Of Trial
It is our attitude that matters the most when we go through trials. Being filled with anger, or insisting on complaining and blaming God only makes matters worse. When we go through them with “thankfulness and praise to God”, “He promises to bring good things despite of them.” His word tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2, 3) I don’t know about you but my “testing of faith” has produced allot of patience these past few years. Apparently though, God is not finished teaching me this lesson and that His plan for my life has more purpose in my learning this great value for my life.
Being an intercessor my prayers for others during their times of struggle may not change some of the things that they must go through. Sometimes my prayers help to avoid them, and sometimes they don’t. I am confident though that if we don’t suffer anything that our life would be shallow, less compassionate and more complicated. Praying helps us to maintain a positive attitude of gratitude, hope, patience and peace in the midst of our trials. It also prevents us from reaping the wrong response. We must not allow ourselves to stop praying, praising God and looking to Him as our source. Don’t get discouraged in the battle and remember to stand strong through it. God will sustain us while doing so. Our lives are a testimony of the goodness of the Lord, and I believe that the manner in which we go through trials has a lot to do with where we are today.
God’s love fills every moment of our lives, even the toughest, loneliest most painful and difficult times. He is always there in our midst working things out when we, praise, pray and look to Him to do so. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) His purpose often brings us to go humbly before Him to experience breaking our inner, independent, self-sufficient which allows us to grow into compassionate, patient, spiritually strong, God-glorifying people. During our trials we must learn to trust Him and know that He loves and cares for us enough to bring us out of the tough times. (God didn’t say that we were not going to go through trials and tribulations, He did however tell us that He was going to take us through them.)
I can assure you that the more you pray through the rough spots, you will find your faith growing and your walk with God deepening.
I am carrying you in prayer today as I know that some of you are going through a very difficult time. Even though it hurts to see you struggle and I want to fix it, I trust that only God can do that. I pray that you are encouraged and look to Him as your source of comfort, love and mercy. I ask that the Holy Spirit move into your situation and transform your life. The bigger picture and our suffering are nothing compared to the glory of God working through us. God’s word tells us “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18) I encourage you to profess that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).Nothing can separate you from God’s love not what you are experiencing nor what you will experience in the future. No matter how bad it is, there is always hope in Christ, Jesus our Lord. Although our trials are purifying fire and cleansing water, the Lord will protect us from getting burned and we will not drown. God has to refine and renew us and He has promised that “in all things we are more than conquers”. (Romans 8:37)
My Prayer: “May you offer your praises to God while standing firm and waiting on Him to answer your prayers that will save you from the heat and keep you afloat.” And, may you know that God is the refuge and strength, who loves you very much and is the very present help in your time of trouble”. All glory and honor to you today, Christ, Jesus Amen
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Gift Of Forgiveness
While my children were growing up I often told them that the two best gifts that I could give them were my love and my prayers. I have found over the years though that there is a third very important gift and that is the gift of forgiveness. If we truly love – we are to do so unconditionally – that means without condition. Often as humans we forget about the gift of forgiveness and hang onto hurts in our lives. Sadly by holding onto these feelings by doing so we rob the other person and ourselves of the vital gift of bringing restoration and life to our lives.
I know I have said it a thousand times or more, “but they hurt me and it is hard to forgive them”, or even, “I can’t forgive myself for allowing such things to happen in my life.” Although we have asked for forgiveness, we have even lived with the guilt of having someone not forgive us. Well we have three choices and they are that we can either choose to live with the consequences of un-forgiveness for the rest of life, choose to ask for forgiveness, forgive, and let go and allow God to intervene in our lives. You can be assured that I have learned this the hard way. I have especially lived with the fact of my actions of hurting others and their not wanting to forgive me. That’s not what it is all about. What it is about though is our relationship with the Lord. In order to have closeness with Him we must practice the valuable gift of forgiving others as well as forgiving ourself. We must also go to Him as our Heavenly Father and ask for His forgiveness. All the pressure, anxiety and hurts will go away as we begin to apply this rule to our life and trust God with the faith that He knows what is best for the situation.
God’s word teaches us that we must turn the other cheek. Although the hurts in our life are sometimes of the extreme in order to get restoration for ourselves and others we must learn to let go of them, forgive and go on with our life.
Matthew 5:39 (New International Version)
39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Wow! What a powerful command. But God, you mean I have to literally turn the other cheek? But God, this hurts me!
Matthew 6:13-15 (New International Version)
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
These verses are so meaningful to me today. My, I have learned them the hard way. I could have had a more peaceful life as well as saved myself and others allot of heart ache by applying them to my life over the years.
Christmas season is a time to praise God for Jesus’ birth. Jesus gave us the gift of His life on the cross so that we as believers can live with Him in eternity.
Song Lyrics by Michael W. Smith – The Heart of Worship
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
My prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, as an intercessor for others I come to you and ask Father, God that You please forgive me as well as them for the times that we were arrogant, stubborn, or disobedient to You, Father, God as well as for not forgiving ourselves or others. I ask Lord that You teach us these principles so that we can apply them to our life, and that during this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season instead of focusing on material things, by being depressed, desponded or weary, that we focus on You dear Lord and allow Your light to shine through us with our gifts of love, prayer and forgiveness towards others. We offer our praises to You dear God, and all glory and honor is Yours today and always, Amen.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I Things Versus God Things
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New American Standard Bible)
16) Rejoice always;
1 7 pray without ceasing;
18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
God’s word says to “Give Thanks In Everything.” Wow! What a statement, but is this an attainable request?
Wouldn’t the world be much nicer if we were to count our blessings – “God things”, instead of counting “I things?” Humans sometimes get all caught up in what we think are bad things in our life instead of looking at all of the wonderful blessings that God’s mercy sheds upon us on a daily basis. I could choose to sit here a write what I perceive to be as misfortunes in my life. However on the other hand I could tell about the glorious blessings in my life. I can breathe, I can hear, I woke up this morning and was able to live another day, I have two wonderful children, a magnificent son—in-law, a beautiful young lady who will one day be my daughter in law, and a fantastic husband. I have a mother, father and sister who love me dearly. Those are all “I” haves, but “I” wouldn’t have them without God mercy blessing me with them.
Thanksgiving will be upon us shortly. There must be something we could all be thankful about. God made the sun, the moon and the stars. Sure some people can’t see, but they can hear all of the beautiful sounds around them, some are housebound, but they could pick up the phone and call someone, some may be out of work, but they have their health, some may not have their health but they may have a job, some may be old and not have their youth, some might have their youth and might be old, etc., etc., etc. The list could go on and on. What type of life would we have if we were animals instead of humans? Think about those poor cows sitting out there in the field, or the horse that has to carry that large load.
Through our trials and tribulations we might find it difficult to sift through the muddy water and praise God for the glorious fountain in front of us. We could dwell on all of the negative things in our life, or we could simply look around and praise God for all of the astonishing creations formed by His Almighty hands.
As we begin to praise and worship the Lord less of us and more of Him will be evident in our lives. It will allow us to take our minds off of ourselves the “I things” and view life through God’s eyes “God things”, as a vibrant picture instead of cloudy and blurred image we saw beforehand.
I am certain that if you look closely enough you will see sunshine on your rainy days.
As a Little Girl I Can Remember Hearing the Bing Crosby Song – Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
Mirriam-Webster’s on Line Dictionary
The definition of Thanksgiving:
1. The act of giving thanks
2. A prayer of expressing gratitude
3. A public acknowledgement or celebration of divine goodness
Thanksgiving Day – Mirriam-Webster’s on Line Dictionary
Thanksgiving Day:
A day of giving thanks for divine goodness; the fourth Thursday in November, observed as a legal holiday in the United States; the second Monday in October, observed as a legal holiday in Canada
Chris Tomlin - Song Lyrics – Here I Am To Worship
Light of the world,
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes,
let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you
And here I am to worship,
here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me.
King of all days,
oh, so highly exalted.
Glorious in heaven above.
Humbly you came
to the earth you created
All for love's sake became poor.
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely.
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me.
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
And I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
No, I'll never know how much it cost
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my god
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful
wonderful wonderful
Yes you are God
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
As an intercessor in prayer today, I am going before the Lord on your behalf with praise and thanksgiving in my heart.
Dear Lord, precious Father, Almighty, I come to You today to offer my praise and adoration to You. You above all are the mighty One, You alone are Lord. Thank You so much dear God for Your mercy, kindness and love. Thanks for touching each life and for allowing them to feel Your presence around them. Thank You Lord for giving us a new day to be able to see all that You have before us. Thank you dear Jesus for giving Yourself as a sacrifice so that those who believe in You will find rest, peace and comfort in knowing that Your doing so has given them the freedom to live with You in eternity. I give You all praise and glory this day and forever, Amen
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Passionate and Persistent Prayer
We must not go to God in prayer for something once or twice and give up. God does not want us to take His silence for a final answer; instead our hearts must be passionate and persistent to ask, seek and knock.
“Ask” implies our request for assistance. We need to realize our need for help. We must be humble in submitting our request.
“Seek” denotes asking but adds the aspect of action. We should not just express our need, but should get up and look around for help. This involves effort, which is the prayerful effort of searching for God’s answers, especially in His written Word.
“Knock” includes asking, which is taking action, and the aspect of preserving – like a neighbor pounding on a friend’s door at midnight.
The stacking of these words is extremely powerful in the Greek verb tense used. The literal mining is: “Keep on asking and it will be given to you, keep on seeking and you will find it, keep on knocking and the door will be opened.”
The three basic commands in Matthew 7:7 are:
Ask
Seek
Knock
Take a look at the first letters in each word in the list. It is as simple as that: Just ask! Jesus’ language in this verse is compelling as these three verbs indicate an ascending order of intensity.
When we pray we need to make it our mission to find out the will of God our Heavenly Father and pray accordingly. Prayer isn’t getting our way in heaven; it is having a relationship with our Lord and getting His way on earth.
“The prayer that prevails with God is the one that we place our whole soul into, stretching out toward Him in intense and agonizing desire”.
God promised a long time ago that His people would find Him when they search for Him with all of their heart, (Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart).
God tells us a great deal in the Word about how we should bring our requests to Him. This is something He wants us to do in relationship with Him often for His own pleasure as well as for our own well being.
1. Ask in Jesus’ name – by asking in Jesus’ name we are making a request not only in His authority, but also for His interests and His benefits.
2. Ask while abiding in Jesus – a fruitful prayer life begins with a total abiding in Christ, an alive and flourishing union with Him.
3. Ask according to God’s will – (1 John 5:14-16) when we approach God we should ask within His will, and know that He hears. It is our privilege as God’s children.
4. Ask in faith – we can see the requirement to have faith in the instruction that James gives us for requesting wisdom (James 1:5-7)
5. Ask with thanksgiving – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6) Thanksgiving is the inevitable and sometimes overwhelming – result of our faith in God’s answers to our prayers, and our faith in God’s loving control over every aspect of our lives.
6. Ask with the right motives – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. If our prayers aren’t’ answered the way we want, it does not necessarily mean that our motives are wrong – but we can be sure that asking God to stretch, bend, or manipulate His laws to fit our selfish desires or circumstances will lead to an unfavorable response.
When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us, we gain a built in tendency to take our concerns and needs to the Lord in prayer. When we open our hearts and prayers to God’s leading we join in His work to fulfill His plan.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God, Almighty, I come to you today in prayer and thanksgiving interceding for these who are so dear to my heart. Lord, God I ask that You, Father, God teach us the way that You want us to pray so that whatever we request of You is in line with Your will for our life. Please Father, God forgive us for any transgression that we may have in our hearts and wash our souls clean with the purified water that can only come from You dear Lord. Please Father God, give us wisdom in our daily walk with You and guide us so that whatever we do will be done while remembering to praise You, Lord, Almighty as well as for Your glory and honor this day. I also ask that You be with our nation and all of the men and women who have either served our county or that are preparing to serve our county against enemies on foreign ground. Please be with our teachers, firemen and policemen, pastors, leaders, and loved ones on a daily basis. In Your name, dear Jesus, I give You all honor and praise with thanksgiving in my heart as I pray, Amen.
“Ask” implies our request for assistance. We need to realize our need for help. We must be humble in submitting our request.
“Seek” denotes asking but adds the aspect of action. We should not just express our need, but should get up and look around for help. This involves effort, which is the prayerful effort of searching for God’s answers, especially in His written Word.
“Knock” includes asking, which is taking action, and the aspect of preserving – like a neighbor pounding on a friend’s door at midnight.
The stacking of these words is extremely powerful in the Greek verb tense used. The literal mining is: “Keep on asking and it will be given to you, keep on seeking and you will find it, keep on knocking and the door will be opened.”
The three basic commands in Matthew 7:7 are:
Ask
Seek
Knock
Take a look at the first letters in each word in the list. It is as simple as that: Just ask! Jesus’ language in this verse is compelling as these three verbs indicate an ascending order of intensity.
When we pray we need to make it our mission to find out the will of God our Heavenly Father and pray accordingly. Prayer isn’t getting our way in heaven; it is having a relationship with our Lord and getting His way on earth.
“The prayer that prevails with God is the one that we place our whole soul into, stretching out toward Him in intense and agonizing desire”.
God promised a long time ago that His people would find Him when they search for Him with all of their heart, (Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart).
God tells us a great deal in the Word about how we should bring our requests to Him. This is something He wants us to do in relationship with Him often for His own pleasure as well as for our own well being.
1. Ask in Jesus’ name – by asking in Jesus’ name we are making a request not only in His authority, but also for His interests and His benefits.
2. Ask while abiding in Jesus – a fruitful prayer life begins with a total abiding in Christ, an alive and flourishing union with Him.
3. Ask according to God’s will – (1 John 5:14-16) when we approach God we should ask within His will, and know that He hears. It is our privilege as God’s children.
4. Ask in faith – we can see the requirement to have faith in the instruction that James gives us for requesting wisdom (James 1:5-7)
5. Ask with thanksgiving – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6) Thanksgiving is the inevitable and sometimes overwhelming – result of our faith in God’s answers to our prayers, and our faith in God’s loving control over every aspect of our lives.
6. Ask with the right motives – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. If our prayers aren’t’ answered the way we want, it does not necessarily mean that our motives are wrong – but we can be sure that asking God to stretch, bend, or manipulate His laws to fit our selfish desires or circumstances will lead to an unfavorable response.
When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us, we gain a built in tendency to take our concerns and needs to the Lord in prayer. When we open our hearts and prayers to God’s leading we join in His work to fulfill His plan.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God, Almighty, I come to you today in prayer and thanksgiving interceding for these who are so dear to my heart. Lord, God I ask that You, Father, God teach us the way that You want us to pray so that whatever we request of You is in line with Your will for our life. Please Father, God forgive us for any transgression that we may have in our hearts and wash our souls clean with the purified water that can only come from You dear Lord. Please Father God, give us wisdom in our daily walk with You and guide us so that whatever we do will be done while remembering to praise You, Lord, Almighty as well as for Your glory and honor this day. I also ask that You be with our nation and all of the men and women who have either served our county or that are preparing to serve our county against enemies on foreign ground. Please be with our teachers, firemen and policemen, pastors, leaders, and loved ones on a daily basis. In Your name, dear Jesus, I give You all honor and praise with thanksgiving in my heart as I pray, Amen.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
I Believe In Angels
Our Lord, God, Almighty is at work in our lives every moment. He demonstrates His love for us through angels, who watch over us during our times of trouble.
The words angels or angel is in the Bible 286 to 327 times, depending on the translation. Angels appear in every section of the Bible. In each case they are doing God’s work on earth. Billy Graham calls angels “God’s secret agents”. An agent is one who acts on behalf of another, doing work in the name of the one he represents. This is exactly what angels do as they do work in the name of God. They minister to us in various ways.
Angels told Abraham that Isaac would be born. (Gen 18:10) An angel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. (Luke 1:26-31) An angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. (Luke 2:8-11)
Angels also protect us as they protected Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions in the den where he had been thrown. (Daniel 6:22) Angels ministered to Hagar and her dying son Ishmael in the wilderness. (Genesis 21:17-18) An angel fed the exhausted and disheartened Elijah fleeing Jezebel’s wrath. (1 Kings 19:5), and angels delivered the apostle Peter from prison. (Acts 12:7)
Do we encounter Angels today?
Christians sometimes question whether angels are active in our live today. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
We have God’s promises of continuing angelic protection. (Psalm 91:11) says “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
There are many credible testimonies today because of their work among us. Angels are not here to make a show of themselves but to serve and help us. We can encounter angels anywhere. They are the person you have never seen who gives you encouragement or someone who appears when you desperately need help. I am convinced that angels are all around us everyday.
The Lord impressed upon my heart that Jennie’s grandmother possibly was helped by two male angels recently. As you see now in her mid eighties Granny has recently been suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Granny decided to go for a drive along the interstate. After driving for awhile she got tired and parked her vehicle along side of the road to go to sleep. When she woke up she decided to take a walk. Two men noticed her walking around confused, brought her back to her vehicle, got her some gas and gave her directions to get back home. After getting lost again and trying to find her daughter’s work she finally ended up walking around the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, I thank You tonight dear Lord for sending these two men, Your angels to protect Granny during her confusion while she was in the midst suffering from the affects of this dreadful this disease. Please bless these two men for their compassion and kindness to help Granny and not harm her in her time of need. So many people would have taken advantage of this situation dear Lord. I ask You dearest Father to be with Tiny and Danny as they take on the responsibility of caring for their loved one Mildred. Please give them Your Godly wisdom in all the decisions they make concerning their personal life as well as her affairs. Please bless their relationship with love and prosperity, and give them patience, comfort, and peace as they enter this season while making the commitment to be the caretakers of Mildred. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
The words angels or angel is in the Bible 286 to 327 times, depending on the translation. Angels appear in every section of the Bible. In each case they are doing God’s work on earth. Billy Graham calls angels “God’s secret agents”. An agent is one who acts on behalf of another, doing work in the name of the one he represents. This is exactly what angels do as they do work in the name of God. They minister to us in various ways.
Angels told Abraham that Isaac would be born. (Gen 18:10) An angel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. (Luke 1:26-31) An angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. (Luke 2:8-11)
Angels also protect us as they protected Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions in the den where he had been thrown. (Daniel 6:22) Angels ministered to Hagar and her dying son Ishmael in the wilderness. (Genesis 21:17-18) An angel fed the exhausted and disheartened Elijah fleeing Jezebel’s wrath. (1 Kings 19:5), and angels delivered the apostle Peter from prison. (Acts 12:7)
Do we encounter Angels today?
Christians sometimes question whether angels are active in our live today. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
We have God’s promises of continuing angelic protection. (Psalm 91:11) says “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
There are many credible testimonies today because of their work among us. Angels are not here to make a show of themselves but to serve and help us. We can encounter angels anywhere. They are the person you have never seen who gives you encouragement or someone who appears when you desperately need help. I am convinced that angels are all around us everyday.
The Lord impressed upon my heart that Jennie’s grandmother possibly was helped by two male angels recently. As you see now in her mid eighties Granny has recently been suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Granny decided to go for a drive along the interstate. After driving for awhile she got tired and parked her vehicle along side of the road to go to sleep. When she woke up she decided to take a walk. Two men noticed her walking around confused, brought her back to her vehicle, got her some gas and gave her directions to get back home. After getting lost again and trying to find her daughter’s work she finally ended up walking around the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, I thank You tonight dear Lord for sending these two men, Your angels to protect Granny during her confusion while she was in the midst suffering from the affects of this dreadful this disease. Please bless these two men for their compassion and kindness to help Granny and not harm her in her time of need. So many people would have taken advantage of this situation dear Lord. I ask You dearest Father to be with Tiny and Danny as they take on the responsibility of caring for their loved one Mildred. Please give them Your Godly wisdom in all the decisions they make concerning their personal life as well as her affairs. Please bless their relationship with love and prosperity, and give them patience, comfort, and peace as they enter this season while making the commitment to be the caretakers of Mildred. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Blessing Are Nothing To Sneeze About
Message for Thursday - November 5 - 2009
To bless in the biblical sense means to ask for or to impart supernatural favor. When we ask for God’s blessing, we are not asking for more of what we could get for ourselves. We are crying out for the wonderful unlimited goodness that only God has the power to know about or give to us. This kind of richness is referred to in Proverbs “The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth all our work adds nothing to it.” Proverbs 10:22
Jabez left it up to God to decide what the blessings would be and where, when and how he would receive them. This type of trust in God’s intentions towards us has nothing in common with asking God for a Cadillac, a six figure income, or some other material sign to cash in on our connection with Him. Instead the Jabez blessing focuses on our wanting nothing for ourselves more than what God wants for us. Seeking God’s blessing is an ultimate value in life as we are throwing ourselves entirely into the river of His will, power and purpose. Our other needs become secondary to what we really want which is to become wholly immersed with what God is trying to do in us, through us, and around us for His glory. God’s power to accomplish great things suddenly finds no obstruction in us as we move into His direction and pray exactly for what He desires. Unhindered forces of heaven then can begin to accomplish God’s perfect will – through us and our life will become marked by miracles.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, I come to You today Father, God, for each and every person who reads this message as in intercessor for them. I ask You dear Father to touch each person’s life. Please pour out Your Spirit on them and blessings on them dear Lord. Please allow them to recognize what is Your will for their life dear God so that they will begin to see Your wonderful miracles around them. I pray for financial needs, I pray for physical needs. I pray for emotional healing, I pray for restoration in families, I pray for our country dear Father God. Please touch each person as they read this message, and show them Your power, love, kindness and mercy today. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
To bless in the biblical sense means to ask for or to impart supernatural favor. When we ask for God’s blessing, we are not asking for more of what we could get for ourselves. We are crying out for the wonderful unlimited goodness that only God has the power to know about or give to us. This kind of richness is referred to in Proverbs “The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth all our work adds nothing to it.” Proverbs 10:22
Jabez left it up to God to decide what the blessings would be and where, when and how he would receive them. This type of trust in God’s intentions towards us has nothing in common with asking God for a Cadillac, a six figure income, or some other material sign to cash in on our connection with Him. Instead the Jabez blessing focuses on our wanting nothing for ourselves more than what God wants for us. Seeking God’s blessing is an ultimate value in life as we are throwing ourselves entirely into the river of His will, power and purpose. Our other needs become secondary to what we really want which is to become wholly immersed with what God is trying to do in us, through us, and around us for His glory. God’s power to accomplish great things suddenly finds no obstruction in us as we move into His direction and pray exactly for what He desires. Unhindered forces of heaven then can begin to accomplish God’s perfect will – through us and our life will become marked by miracles.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty, I come to You today Father, God, for each and every person who reads this message as in intercessor for them. I ask You dear Father to touch each person’s life. Please pour out Your Spirit on them and blessings on them dear Lord. Please allow them to recognize what is Your will for their life dear God so that they will begin to see Your wonderful miracles around them. I pray for financial needs, I pray for physical needs. I pray for emotional healing, I pray for restoration in families, I pray for our country dear Father God. Please touch each person as they read this message, and show them Your power, love, kindness and mercy today. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
Nothing is Insignifiant In God's Eyes
There is a middle ground between intercession as a life work and no praying at all. As we all know praying begins with a personal relationship with our Lord and not our performance. When God calls us to prayer it is an invitation to His power as we succeed in His eyes. He is in charge of the results of our praying, as He has promised to hear and answer our prayer. Although our prayers may seem insignificant in our eyes, there is nothing insignificant in God’s eyes. Beginning to nurture some praying in our life can become the launching pad for more prayer later.
“God doesn’t command us to pray like a drill sergeant, stand back to see if we will obey or come by only to inspect how well we are doing. His invitation welcomes us into the privilege of talking to Him. He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit within us to guide us for a fruitful prayer life”.
“Prayer is designed to demonstrate the riches of God’s grace and the poverty of our own resources.”
God encourages us to pray with these words, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Prayer and our times of need go hand in hand. Prayer helps us to admit that we are spiritually important. “We are dependent on God. We can either accept it by faith or learn the hard way through the difficulties of life.” “Pray without ceasing”.
Jesus walked on this earth as both God and man. He lived as man in dependence on His Farther, God Almighty, giving us an example of how we are to live. If Jesus with all of His power and perfection made prayer a priority in His life, then we ought to enter it into our life as well.
“God gives us life, breath, and all things” (Act 17:25)
George Mueller – Poem in response to God’s faithfulness
I believe God answers prayer,
Answers always, everywhere;
I may cast my anxious care,
Burdens I could never bear,
On the God who hearth prayer.
Never need my soul despair,
Since He bid me boldly dare.
To the secret place repair,
There to prove He answers prayer.
“God doesn’t command us to pray like a drill sergeant, stand back to see if we will obey or come by only to inspect how well we are doing. His invitation welcomes us into the privilege of talking to Him. He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit within us to guide us for a fruitful prayer life”.
“Prayer is designed to demonstrate the riches of God’s grace and the poverty of our own resources.”
God encourages us to pray with these words, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Prayer and our times of need go hand in hand. Prayer helps us to admit that we are spiritually important. “We are dependent on God. We can either accept it by faith or learn the hard way through the difficulties of life.” “Pray without ceasing”.
Jesus walked on this earth as both God and man. He lived as man in dependence on His Farther, God Almighty, giving us an example of how we are to live. If Jesus with all of His power and perfection made prayer a priority in His life, then we ought to enter it into our life as well.
“God gives us life, breath, and all things” (Act 17:25)
George Mueller – Poem in response to God’s faithfulness
I believe God answers prayer,
Answers always, everywhere;
I may cast my anxious care,
Burdens I could never bear,
On the God who hearth prayer.
Never need my soul despair,
Since He bid me boldly dare.
To the secret place repair,
There to prove He answers prayer.
Monday, November 2, 2009
We Can Make A Difference
Praying for God’s best in our lives is a part of giving ourselves to Him. When we accept God’s call to be partners with Him in praying for others it gives us the privilege of drawing them into His inner circle of love. We begin to step into a larger arena of prayer where we learn to pray more boldly with God’s purpose in mind. Our Heavenly Father, God Almighty invited us when He said “I’m up to something far more momentous than you might have supposed in your life, in the lives of your loved ones, and in the whole world – and I’m asking you to be a part of it”.
Jesus Himself taught us to pray "The Our Fathr", and when we pray “Give us this day our daily bread” we follow God’s example by acknowledging our need for His favors and help. God loves to hear us speak to Him about ourself and the people we love. He wants us to pray about our personal needs as well. Yet this is not all there is to prayer. “A child asking his daddy for candy and a hamburger is not all there is to a growing relationship of love between him and his father”. “The Lord’s Prayer has seven requests; six of them relate to God’s purposes and to our spiritual needs and one relates to our personal needs.”
Praying is our wonderful privilege of conversing with the awesome, all powerful God, who is Our Creator, Our Father Almighty and our Friend.
When we intercede for others in prayer with Christ, who is always interceding before the Father, we join Him in His inner circle of prayer where our prayers embrace His deepest longings as well as our own.
(Heb 7:25) Hebrews 7:25 (New International Version)
25 Therefore he is able to save completely[those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
When we pray for others we receive more than we give out and it allows us to become more than we are. Jesus promised, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Giving prayer is one way of spending ourselves for others. It puts us in position to receive more of God’s promises.
Isaiah 58:10-11. “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Intercessory prayer makes impossible things possible, not only for us but for the multitude of people and situations we are praying for.
The early century S.D. Gordon a well known devotional writer once wrote:
“The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer, nor yet those who can explain about prayer, but I mean those people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important, very important, and pressing, but still less important and less pressing than prayer.”
Wow! What a meaningful statement!
1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty I come to You with a heavy heart and burden for our nation. Your word says that we are a “royal priesthood”, “a holy nation”, and “a people belonging to You”. You Father God hand picked us and called us out of darkness to bring us into Your wonderful light. I pray Father God that You will give us Your wisdom so that we will join together as Your children in prayer with boldness leaving behind the bondages of this world to declare Your glorious name. All honor is Yours today and always, dear Lord, Jesus, Amen.
Michael W. Smith – Song Lyrics – I’m Going Back To The Heart Of Worship
Verse 1:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Jesus Himself taught us to pray "The Our Fathr", and when we pray “Give us this day our daily bread” we follow God’s example by acknowledging our need for His favors and help. God loves to hear us speak to Him about ourself and the people we love. He wants us to pray about our personal needs as well. Yet this is not all there is to prayer. “A child asking his daddy for candy and a hamburger is not all there is to a growing relationship of love between him and his father”. “The Lord’s Prayer has seven requests; six of them relate to God’s purposes and to our spiritual needs and one relates to our personal needs.”
Praying is our wonderful privilege of conversing with the awesome, all powerful God, who is Our Creator, Our Father Almighty and our Friend.
When we intercede for others in prayer with Christ, who is always interceding before the Father, we join Him in His inner circle of prayer where our prayers embrace His deepest longings as well as our own.
(Heb 7:25) Hebrews 7:25 (New International Version)
25 Therefore he is able to save completely[those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
When we pray for others we receive more than we give out and it allows us to become more than we are. Jesus promised, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Giving prayer is one way of spending ourselves for others. It puts us in position to receive more of God’s promises.
Isaiah 58:10-11. “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Intercessory prayer makes impossible things possible, not only for us but for the multitude of people and situations we are praying for.
The early century S.D. Gordon a well known devotional writer once wrote:
“The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer, nor those who say they believe in prayer, nor yet those who can explain about prayer, but I mean those people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important, very important, and pressing, but still less important and less pressing than prayer.”
Wow! What a meaningful statement!
1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God Almighty I come to You with a heavy heart and burden for our nation. Your word says that we are a “royal priesthood”, “a holy nation”, and “a people belonging to You”. You Father God hand picked us and called us out of darkness to bring us into Your wonderful light. I pray Father God that You will give us Your wisdom so that we will join together as Your children in prayer with boldness leaving behind the bondages of this world to declare Your glorious name. All honor is Yours today and always, dear Lord, Jesus, Amen.
Michael W. Smith – Song Lyrics – I’m Going Back To The Heart Of Worship
Verse 1:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
The Power Of Prayer
Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Have you ever pondered on why God planned prayer? Why did He choose to link His actions with our praying? Why would He decide that our prayers would accomplish certain things or expand on what He does? Why does our not praying limit Him? Lastly could God carry out His purpose more effectively without us?
Our Heavenly Father, God Almighty established prayer as a powerful influence on how and when He meets our needs. The answers to these questions go back to the fact that God, our Creator, created us to be His loved ones and His family to share a relationship with Him. God is so personal that He values loving relationships more than anything. He is “three persons” – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – who lives in perfect love, harmony and fellowship. He created us to be a part of His inner circle of love.
God's endless love is demonstrated when He meets our needs to overflowing. At times when we do not pray, He still keeps everything together and is our source for everything. Prayer reminds us that God is our resource and allows our lives to receive His greatest rewards. Praying keeps our lives connected to God’s purposes and His power. It brings us into an intimate relationship with God and allows us to realize that He is the one that we should depend on. The more we pray the more we trust that God will meet our needs as well as the needs for the people that we pray for.
As we pray we enter into a journey with God, our Heavenly Father our Creator, who gives us a growing sense of worth, wonder, delight, assurance and gratefulness.
My Prayer: As I come to You today dearest Father, God Almighty I ask that You touch each person that reads this message. Please give them the understanding that when they come to You in prayer they will find a more meaningful purpose for their life as well as learn to depend on You Father God as their source for everything. Please Father God open their eyes that they might see Your Glory shine through every situation. Help them Father God to trust You, and that when they pray they will find comfort in a loving relationship with You. This I pray today dear Lord, Amen.
Song Lyrics – The Power of Your Love by: Darlene Zshech
Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You
Lord I've come to know
The weakenesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
~ Chorus ~
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love
(repeat Chorus twice)
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Have you ever pondered on why God planned prayer? Why did He choose to link His actions with our praying? Why would He decide that our prayers would accomplish certain things or expand on what He does? Why does our not praying limit Him? Lastly could God carry out His purpose more effectively without us?
Our Heavenly Father, God Almighty established prayer as a powerful influence on how and when He meets our needs. The answers to these questions go back to the fact that God, our Creator, created us to be His loved ones and His family to share a relationship with Him. God is so personal that He values loving relationships more than anything. He is “three persons” – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – who lives in perfect love, harmony and fellowship. He created us to be a part of His inner circle of love.
God's endless love is demonstrated when He meets our needs to overflowing. At times when we do not pray, He still keeps everything together and is our source for everything. Prayer reminds us that God is our resource and allows our lives to receive His greatest rewards. Praying keeps our lives connected to God’s purposes and His power. It brings us into an intimate relationship with God and allows us to realize that He is the one that we should depend on. The more we pray the more we trust that God will meet our needs as well as the needs for the people that we pray for.
As we pray we enter into a journey with God, our Heavenly Father our Creator, who gives us a growing sense of worth, wonder, delight, assurance and gratefulness.
My Prayer: As I come to You today dearest Father, God Almighty I ask that You touch each person that reads this message. Please give them the understanding that when they come to You in prayer they will find a more meaningful purpose for their life as well as learn to depend on You Father God as their source for everything. Please Father God open their eyes that they might see Your Glory shine through every situation. Help them Father God to trust You, and that when they pray they will find comfort in a loving relationship with You. This I pray today dear Lord, Amen.
Song Lyrics – The Power of Your Love by: Darlene Zshech
Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You
Lord I've come to know
The weakenesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
~ Chorus ~
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love
(repeat Chorus twice)
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
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