Tag: prayer
Thank offerings!
Scripture reading for June 30th: Psalms 112-116
Key Scriptures: Psalm 116:15-17 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the Name of the Lord!”
This psalm was written by someone who experience God answering prayer for from death or a desperate situation. The psalmist realized that God alone showed mercy and kept him from acting rashly or without faith during the trial, which he almost did. He vowed to offer a thank offering to God and to call on His Name. Trials, when properly handled, drive us closer to God and bring new understanding of His ways.
Continually give thanks: “Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-18) ” . . . Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
Thankful for men who weep!
Scripture reading for May 8th: Ezra 8-10, Nehemiah 1-2
Key Scriptures: Nehemiah 1:3-4 “They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I (Nehemiah) heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah was a servant (cup-bearer) to the king of Persia. He heard a report from Jerusalem that the rebuilding of the city and its walls had stopped and the people there were demoralized and in trouble. This caused him to weep and fast before the Lord. He repented of sin and confessed wickedness. He poured out his heart in prayer and opened his life for God’s purposes.
Thankful for men who weep: Jesus Christ, too, wept, over Jerusalem and then offered Himself as the One who would give His life to save His people! “As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42)
Seven trumpets!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 8
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 8:1, 6-7 “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. . . Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.”
John had now observed the opening of all seven seals on the scroll from heaven’s throne. After the last seal was opened, silence filled heaven for a half-hour period. It was a pregnant pause before the sounding of the seven trumpets by seven more angels. This silence was the result of the finality and terror that would come with the trumpet judgments that were answers to the prayers of the faithful saints that had risen to God’s throne! (Revelation 8:3-5)
Observations for over-comers: Prayer is powerful and effective and rises to God’s throne. God answers prayers with releases of spiritual armies to fulfill His plan and purposes on earth! “. .while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have com to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, . .” (Daniel 9:21-23)
Satan’s hindrances!
Scripture reading for September 14th: 1st Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Thessalonians 2:17-20 “But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan stopped us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
Paul was sent out of town by night by the brothers from Thessalonica because of severe opposition and threat of death. He had sought again and again to return to them, but stated: “Satan stopped us.” Satanic opposition is part of every believer’s life and is especially active when missionaries take the Gospel where Satan has strongholds. Prayer by believers and persistence to do God’s will on the part of missionaries brings breakthroughs. Paul viewed the believers in Thessalonica as his “crown” and “glory and joy” when Jesus Christ would return!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers keep their eyes on the mission and on the return of Jesus Christ and their reward when He comes. Satan is a defeated foe who will suffer in the Lake of Fire forever! “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. “They will be Mine,” says the Lord almighty, “in the day that I take up My treasured possession.” (Malachi 3:16-17)
Love each other deeply!
Scripture reading for November 12th: 1st Peter 4
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1st Peter 4:7-11)
Peter, at that time, was convinced that the end of all things was near! That spiritual outlook is healthy for each generation as they await the coming of Jesus Christ. When we live as if Christ could come any time, we look upon prayer as a necessity, not an inconvenience! There are so many people that are needing salvation and only God can draw them! We must appeal to heaven with a clear mind and vision of consequences for those not found in Christ!
Our treatment of others is deeply important to our Lord! Peter encouraged the church to “love each other deeply”! Love covers sin, doesn’t expose and gossip about it! Love offers hospitality and is generous because of Christ’s generosity to us. Love also uses every God-given gift or talent to promote Jesus Christ and His Kingdom so that all may hear and be saved! When we love in these ways, Jesus Christ is praised and receives glory, now and forever!
Devote yourselves to prayer!
Scripture reading for September 11th: Colossians 4
In order to live successfully with a continual view towards heaven and God’s will, Paul encouraged the Colossians to pray specifically. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:2-4)
Paul knew that prayer was a key to fruitfulness and protection from the forces of evil. Believers must be watchful against the tide of evil in the culture as well as the schemes of Satan through false doctrine and teachers. (Colossians 2:7) Thankfulness is a state of humility that continually acknowledges God’s generous supply of all things in every circumstance.
Paul also asked for prayer himself. Although in jail, he didn’t ask to be set free. He asked for a open door for the Gospel message. Asked for empowerment to preach clearly and effectively, sharing the mystery of Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Savior of the world. This lead naturally to the next instructions!
Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders, make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know hot to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6) Believers are called to reach the lost–those outside the family of God. Watchfulness in prayer also includes recognizing opportunities to share the Gospel. Our conversations and life must exhibit the freedom of living under God’s grace. We must depend on the Holy Spirit to give answers to the questions and objections of the lost. Prayer and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit season our speech with salt, making the lost thirsty for God!
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday July 6th, 2014
Dear Friends of Jesus,
What a wonderful week of celebration of freedom in our nation! We are truly blessed to live in the United States of America! God’s blessings here are not to be taken lightly!
We who belong to Jesus Christ gather each week on the first day of the week to worship, pray, and thank God for His blessings! We come to listen to His Word and open our hearts to humbly allow Him to transform our thinking to mirror His thinking. We come to have fellowship with Jesus around His table in Holy Communion, remembering His sacrificial death until He comes again in glory for His redeemed people! We will start a message series called “Seek First the Kingdom” on stewardship. Don’t neglect God’s gathering of His people today! We need each other and Him more and more as we see the end approaching!
In His Love,
Pastor John and Mary
Sunday Rest and Reflection!
Sunday February 9th, 2014
Dear Friends of God,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man! This is another opportunity to connect with God and His people for prayer, worship and the Word! Pastor Brent will be preaching today on relationships. Come to give yourself to God in worship, to pray for other and encourage them, and to listen to God’s Word for instruction and transformation! God loves to meet with His Bride!
In His Love, Pastor John
Come out!
Scripture reading for February 27th: Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18
Jesus was a man who spoke with authority and was not afraid to rebuke demons or His own disciples! Mark records an incident in which a man had brought his son to the disciples. The son had an evil spirit that often tried to kill the boy by throwing his systems into symptoms of a seizure or stroke. The disciples tried to cast the spirit out but were unsuccessful. (Mark 9:17-18)
“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.” (Mark 9:19) Jesus rebuked the people and especially the disciples for their unbelief. Jesus had demonstrated their authority to cast out demons and they had been sent out and also had experienced people getting delivered. (Mark 6:7, 12-13) The problem was not with the evil spirit, but with those who should have had faith to see it leave!
When the boy’s father brought his son to Jesus, he asked Jesus to help him if He could. “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” “Immediately the boys father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” Jesus again corrected the father’s doubting request with a question. “If” is a word indicating doubt, not faith in the possibility! According to Jesus, there is nothing that is not possible for the person who will believe! This man cried out spontaneously for help with dealing with the unbelief! This was an honest prayer and Jesus answered by rebuking the spirit in the boy. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:25b)
When they left this family, the disciples wanted to know from Jesus why they could not drive out the demon. “He replied, “This kind can only come out by prayer.”‘ (Mark 9:29) Some manuscripts added “fasting” after the prayer. Our power comes only from God through faith in Him and His ability to do anything. These disciples were encouraged to focus on prayer as they dealt with situations like this. Only prayer will drive out unbelief and enable us to successfully confront Satan’s power.
Take some time to pray today for help with driving out your unbelief. Jesus wants His disciples to walk in authority and power that comes through faith in God! (Mark 11:22-24)
A pattern of powerful prayer!
Scripture reading for January 7th: Matthew 6, Psalms 5:7-12, Proverbs 2:1-8
Jesus was anointed of God by the Holy Spirit to teach. In this sermon, He taught on prayer, fasting, and giving as well as living a life of contentment instead of worry. A life of prayer and generosity will lead to a life of true contentment! Seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness leads to all we need being added to our life by God! (Matthew 6:38)
Prayer is our conversation and interaction with God the Father who made us and also created the universe. Sin has broken the relationship and our ability to communicate with God. We can even try to use prayer, fasting and giving in selfish ways. They can be all about us and drawing attention to our devotion to God instead of as an act of worship in response to God’s goodness or direction to us. Motives of the heart are important as we pray or give.
Jesus taught his disciples a model prayer that we call the “Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus never intended that we just say this prayer in mindless repetition, but taught a timeless pattern of prayer that would help with motives and having a right heart in communicating with God. The prayer starts with relationship–“Our Father in heaven”. His very name and title brings reverence and respect–“hallowed be Your Name”. We are children of our heavenly Father but must show respect as we would for our earthly father (or should).
The next petition concerns a desire for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. This is not fatalism, but an aligning of our wills with God’s will and a recognition that we are open to do His will here on earth and enforce it in our circle of influence by faith. We are dependent on God, however, for our daily bread and ask for our needs from Him.
Forgiveness is asked for, but with recognition that we must forgive others. This thought is reinforced, because it is one of the biggest stumbling blocks of our flesh. We are constantly under temptation and need God’s help and deliverance from the source of temptation, the “evil one”.
These elements are the Lord’s instructions for powerful prayer! Let’s apply these principles daily as we move forward by Spirit-inspired prayer!