I Will Call On The Lord...

Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Psalm 86; Titus 1
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I Will Call On The Lord...

Scripture

Psalm 86

7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.

Observation

In Amos I read this morning that the people refused to call on the Lord even though He did many things to get their attention. He brought disaster on them and yet they refused to call on Him for help.
Sometimes things like working on a car cause me to pray but only after I can't figure out how to fix it. If only I would get in the habit of praying about everything...

Application

I will call on the Lord today about some things that I cannot figure out. I need Divine intervention. They seem impossible but I know that they are not.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the great I AM. Nothing is too hard for You. I will call to You whenever I'm in trouble, and You will answer me.

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Work At Telling Others the Good News!

Amos 1; Amos 2; Amos 3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4
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Work At Telling Others the Good News!

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

5 “...Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

Observation

Work at it...Work at telling others the Good News! Then Paul adds, “and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” Do you make excuses for not being faithful? Can people count on you? What ministry has God given you? Are you fully carrying out that ministry?

Work...every great idea turns out to be a lot of hard work! God gives us great ideas and we need to be willing to put in the hard work to make it happen.

Application

I will work hard at telling others the Good News and I plan to carry out the ministry that God has given me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to focus on sharing the Good News. Help me to work at it. And help me carry out the ministry that You have given me. I want to make You smile today. You are my Lord and my Savior. You are the Mighty and Awesome God. You are worthy of all praise! Be glorified through me today.

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Want To Live A Godly Life...Prepare to Suffer Persecution

2 Kings 13; 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3
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Want To Live A Godly Life...Prepare to Suffer Persecution

Scripture

2 Timothy 3

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Observation

I don't think about persecution very much. As I read about Christians in other countries and see how they are persecuted I know that one day I will experience persecution like that in my life one day too.
Persecution for me today comes more from those within the fellowship and it is mainly in the form of criticism.

Application

It is my desire to live a godly life. So I know that I will experience some form of persecution because this verse tells me I will.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I experience persecution help me to handle it in a way that brings You glory. It is my desire today to please You. Help me to do just that!

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Time Is Short! Hell is Hot! Work Hard!

Jonah 1; Jonah 2; Jonah 3; Jonah 4; 2 Timothy 2
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Time Is Short! Hell is Hot! Work Hard!

Scripture

2 Timothy 2

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Observation

Work hard! Everyone of us should work hard! Time is short. Hell is hot. Work hard.
Be a good worker!
Time is short. Hell is hot. Work hard.

Application

I will work hard.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me be lazy. I want to work hard everyday for You. Help me to stay focused. Help me serve You with all of my heart. Help me to work hard and help me to enjoy everything that I do.

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Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-discipline

Joel 1; Joel 2; Joel 3; 2 Timothy 1
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Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-discipline

Scripture

2 Timothy 1

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord...

Observation

No excuse...we have the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline! So we should never be ashamed to tell others about Jesus! Paul was encouraging Timothy to stay strong and not be bashful about sharing his faith. I think Timothy was a little timid, probably an introvert and Paul seemed to think that he might be a little afraid.

All of us need a Paul in our life to give us a kick us in the rear end to keep us moving in the right direction!

Application

I will put into practice verse 8 and I will not be ashamed to share my faith today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have given me the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline so help me today share my faith with boldness. Help me get everything done to get ready for a big day tomorrow at church. I pray that people would be saved and lives would be changed as we worship You tomorrow. Thank You for the lives that have been changed this week at Kid's Camp and the block party at the Oaks at Riverview.

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Help Me To Be Content

2 Kings 11; 2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6
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Help Me To Be Content

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Observation

Do you have enough food and clothes? If you do and if I do then we should be content. Look around...nothing is going with you when you leave this earth. Think about it, all your stuff and all my stuff is just stuff. It doesn't bring contentment and it isn't true wealth. True wealth is what we can take with us to Heaven or actually it is what we have already sent up ahead.

What we do for the Kingdom is the only thing that will not pass away. All of our stuff will either break or wear out, or just become the property of someone else eventually, but true riches that are sent ahead to Heaven waiting and are waiting for us.

Application

I will strive to live out verse six today, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to live a godly life and I want to be content with just serving You. I pray that when I get to Heaven I will have something to show for my life here on earth. I don't want to get to Heaven and realize that I messed up while I was here on earth. I want to finish well. I want to live for You until the moment You take me to Heaven. Help me to live out verse six today. Help me be content.

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The Lord's People!

2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22; 2 Chronicles 23; 1 Timothy 5
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The Lord's People!

Scripture

2 Chronicles 23

16 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.

Observation

It is a decision that each one of us needs to make and that decision is this: will we be the Lord's people. It is a decision of the heart. It is the most important decision that we can make.

Are you one of the Lord's people? If you don't know ...then you aren't.
If you have never surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ then you are not part of the Lord's people. Helping people make that decision begins with you and me. It is our job to be ambassadors for Christ and plead with people to make a decision for God. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. We will be His people.

Application

Today I will help people make the decision to become part of God's family...part of the Lord's people.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray today that You would help me stay focused on the main thing and that main thing is helping people hear and understand the Good News of Jesus Christ. I love You. You are worthy of praise. I thank You that I am a part of Your people.

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Our Hope Is In The Living God

2 Kings 8; 2 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4
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Our Hope Is In The Living God

Scripture

1 Timothy 4

8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Observation

In Paul's day the people worshiped man made gods. Those gods made of wood were dead. Our God is a living God and we worship Him now because we are His children and we will live forever with Him in Heaven. So training in godliness is so much more important than anything else. Jogging in the morning is a good habit, but getting up in the morning and spending time with God in His word is so much better because it benefits us in this life and in the life to come! Lets get ready for Heaven while we are living here on earth.

Application

All night I have been thinking about the word “Glory”. It is the secret to living the Christian life. When we pray it is to bring God glory. Will our requests bring Him glory or are we just asking selfishly for our own little kingdom here on earth. Our lives should bring Him glory. What we pray for should bring Him glory.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...all for His Glory!
I will try to remember to pray in this way today, God answer my prayers only in a way that will bring You Glory. If what I am praying about does not bring You glory then don't let it happen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, put Godly desires on my heart and then give me the power to do those things that please You and bring You glory. Be glorified in my life today.

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God Wants To Fight Our Battles!

2 Kings 6; 2 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3
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God Wants To Fight Our Battles!

Scripture

2 Chronicles 20

12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
17 “... stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

Observation

King Jehoshaphat prayed and asked God to save them. God answered his prayer and destroyed the armies that had marched against them.
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:

“Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
When you are in a real pickle and everything is against you: Pray and give thanks to the Lord. Trust in Him and watch Him fight the battle.

Application

I will thank the Lord today for all that He has done. I will thank Him for all that He is going to do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Melanie today that You touch her body and heal her. I pray that her husband will find work and that they will be able to get off of the street and have a home to raise their children. I pray that You provide for them. Thank You for fighting my battles for me. Thank You for blessing me and my family with so much. Your faithful love endures forever!

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There Is Only One Mediator – The Man Christ Jesus

2 Kings 4; 2 Kings 5; Psalm 83; 1 Timothy 2
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There Is Only One Mediator – The Man Christ Jesus

Scripture

1 Timothy 2

5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

Observation

There is only one Person that can be the go between for us and God – the man Christ Jesus. He is the only One who can save us. He gave his life to purchase freedom for us.

Any other way that you try to get to Heaven is not going to work. There is only One way. Jesus in the only way to God. He is the only bridge between man and God. Have you surrendered your life to Him? Is He your Lord and your Savior? Do you have peace with God through Him.

Application

I will share this morning at Mission Tampa that Jesus Christ is the only way to go to Heaven. He is the bridge between us and God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me make the message this morning very clear that Jesus Christ is the only way to have a relationship with You. Thank You for making this message clear to me at just the right time in my life. I pray that my children and my grandchildren will all understand this message and accept You as Lord and Savior too.

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Examples To Those That Don't Know Christ

2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 2; 2 Kings 3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1
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Examples To Those That Don't Know Christ

Scripture

1 Timothy 1

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

Observation

My salvation is a reminder to myself that if God saved me then He can surely save those that I am praying for too! I hope that by the change that has happened in my life that others can see what God has done and they too will accept Christ.
I didn't decide to get saved. God saved me. He worked in my life to bring me to a relationship with Him. And He can save you too.

Don't give up on the people that live around you. God can save them. He wants to use us as examples of His saving grace.

Application

I will continue to pray for those around me to be saved and I will continue to live a Christ like life in front of them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I have been saved by Your grace and because of Your mercy. I don't deserve the salvation that I now have. Help me to be a good witness in front of those that still do not know You. I pray that Your hand would continue to stay on our church. I pray for Pastor Bruce today that You do a mighty work through Him as he speaks. Help us please You today as we gather for worship.

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Thankfulness Is The Key To A Successful Prayer Life!

1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4
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Thankfulness Is The Key To A Successful Prayer Life!

Scripture

Colossians 4

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Observation

We are to have an alert mind and a thankful heart when we pray. We should pray for others that they are able to proclaim the message of Christ clearly. I have some friends that are getting ready to go to Uganda on a two week mission trip. I pray that they will be able to communicate the message of Christ clearly and that the Lord's hand is on them as they go.

Do you have a thankful heart? What have you thanked God for during the past 8 hours? Life is too difficult and complicated to handle without God's help and if you have God's help then you need a thankful heart. God loves to be thanked. It is an act of worship.

Application

I will thank God all day today for everything that comes to my mind!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Millie and Hugh as they go to Uganda. I pray that they will be able to communicate the Gospel clearly. I pray that You bless them and their team with success. I pray that Your kingdom would be extended through their efforts. Give them favor with the local authorities and give them traveling safety. Help me to have a thankful heart as we start this week of kids camp at our church.

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Representatives of Christ

1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3
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Representatives of Christ

Scripture

Colossians 3

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Observation

You and I represent Christ to a lost and dying world. So it is very important that we let the message about Christ fill our lives.

How well did we do this week as Christ's ambassadors or representatives? When and if we ever wonder about something we are getting ready to do whether it is OK or not all we have to do is think about verse 17 and ask ourselves this question, “Is what I am getting ready to do something that would be a good reflection on Jesus Christ? If He was here would He do the same thing?

Application

I will represent Christ today in a way that pleases Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I go through this day let me do it in a way that pleases You. Don't let me do something that would not be a good reflection on You. Give me a thankful heart. I pray for Kathy today on her birthday. I pray that You bless her with good health. I pray that You give her the desires of her heart. I pray that You answer her prayers and I pray that You make her plans successful.

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New Life In Christ

1 Kings 17; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19; Colossians 2
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New Life In Christ

Scripture

Colossians 2

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Observation

Let your roots grow down into Christ! Are you deeply grounded in Christ? Are you overflowing with thankfulness? It would be a good test as to whether you are deeply grounded in Christ. If you and I are not overflowing with thankfulness then it may be a sign of how shallow our faith may be.

Is your life built on Christ? How much time are you spending with the Lord everyday? Do you spend time in His word as soon as you get up? Do you pray to Him during the night?

9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

You are complete if you have accepted Christ. Our union with Christ joins us in a special relationship to God our Heavenly Father.

Application

I will follow Christ today. I will be thankful today for all that He has done for me and for who I am in Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have provided a way for me to have a special relationship with You through the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to follow Him today. For in Him lives all the fullness of You in a human body. Help me to have a grateful heart that overflows with thankfulness. You are so good. I am blessed.

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And This Is The Secret...

1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15; 2 Chronicles 16; Colossians 1
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And This Is The Secret...

Scripture

Colossians 1

27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Observation

Here is the secret to living a rich abundant life here on planet earth: Christ lives in you, or better put: Christ needs to live in you.
If you have Christ living in you then you can live the life that God intended for you to live. Without Christ living in us and through us there is no way to live on this earth like God intended for us to live.

This secret to living the abundant life is available to everyone. It is available to you. Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Can you say that today? Are you experiencing a life filled with meaning and purpose?

This was Paul's motivation, “28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
He depended on Christ's mighty power that worked within him. You and I need to do the same thing today.

Application

I will work hard today depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for letting me in on the secret to living a life full of meaning and purpose. Help me share that secret with everyone around me. I pray that Christ's mighty power that works in me will touch those that I come in contact with today. I pray for Millie Roberts today on her birthday. I pray that you bless her and her husband Hugh and use them today to further Your kingdom.

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Don't Worry About Anything!

1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13; 2 Chronicles 14; Philippians 4
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Don't Worry About Anything!

Scripture

Philippians 4

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Observation

I was just reading in 2 Chronicles 14, where an Ethiopian made the mistake of attacking Judah with 1,000,000 soldiers. One million soldiers came against Asa the king of Judah. The million soldiers didn't have a chance because of Asa's faith in his God. ...Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “They were just mere men. Even if there was one million of them they were nothing against the God that created them. Think about it.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Do you have anything in your life that would compare to the problem king Asa faced? Probably not! I know I don't. What we face is small potatoes compared to what king Asa faced that day. He trusted in God in spite of the odds. You and I need to do the same thing.

Application

I will trust my God with the impossible situations that I will face today.

Prayer

O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

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I Want to Know Him

1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3
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I Want to Know Him

Scripture

Philippians 3

“...I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead”!

Observation

Paul wanted to know Christ. He wanted to experience the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. I do too. The rest of the verse is the difficult part to understand where he says, “I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death”. It is easy to say I want to experience the resurrection power of Christ, but to share in his death, that is difficult. I think it goes along with Galatians 2:20 where Paul says “I am crucified with Christ” never the less I live. It is living a life totally committed to God and to what God wants and not what we want. It is putting Him first in our lives. It is a daily commitment. We have to die to ourselves daily.

Application

I will put Christ first in my life today. I want to experience His resurrection power.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want You to be Lord of my life today. I want to live for You. I want to have the heart for You that Paul had. I want to please You today with my thoughts and with my actions. Help me to do just that. Don't let me sin. Keep me focused on Your priorities today.

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Shining Lights in a Dark World

1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; Philippians 2
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Shining Lights in a Dark World

Scripture

Philippians 2

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Observation

God gives us both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Think about that for awhile as you go about your day. When you have a desire to do something good...you will also have the power to get it done. Both the desire and the power came from God. Then we need to check our attitude because you may have a really good idea and the power to carry it out but if you do it with a bad attitude then you have just messed everything up. God wants us to shine out in this dark world. He wants us to live clean innocent lives as His children so the world will take notice.

Application

I will work hard today without complaining and hopefully not arguing either. I want to shine for Jesus today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as You give me Godly desires today and the power to do them help me not complain or argue. Help me have a good attitude today. Help me see things from Your perspective. You are Worthy to be served today. Help me serve You by serving others today and help me to do it with the right attitude. Amen.

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Praying For Others!

Song of Solomon 5; Song of Solomon 6; Song of Solomon 7; Song of Solomon 8; Philippians 1
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Praying For Others!

Scripture

Philippians 1

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Observation

Paul loved the folks at Philippi and prayed for them often. When he prayed for them he did it with joy and thankfulness. I am amazed at the prayers of Paul. Paul's prayer life puts mine to shame. He constantly prayed for others. He was constantly praying for the churches that were under his care. Who do you and I need to pray for right now? Can we do it with thanksgiving and with joy? Let's pray for some folks right now!

Application

I will pray for folks today with joy and with a thankful heart. I will ask God to do big things in their lives.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know that I have already been praying since early this morning for many people that you brought to my mind. My friends that are sick. I prayed for those in my family that are not walking with You yet. No greater joy than to one day see them in a right relationship with You. You are a Mighty God. You are worthy of Praise.

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Why We Need To Be Prayed Up!

Song of Solomon 1; Song of Solomon 2; Song of Solomon 3; Song of Solomon 4; Ephesians 6
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Why We Need To Be Prayed Up!

Scripture

Ephesians 6

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Observation

This verse is preceded by the fact that our battle is not with the people around us, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

This is always good to remember because we sometimes think that people are the problem, but the problem goes way beyond the mean people that we sometimes have to deal with. Our battle is really against forces that we can't see and Paul says that they are mighty powers. Evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world they are the ones that are really giving us problems. Wow! This is serious stuff.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion” would pretty much mean all the time wouldn't it! Persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere also covers a lot of ground. Prayer must be very important in this battle against this evil world we live in. It must make a difference or God wouldn't tell us to pray.

Application

When I pray for people today I will pray for them with the understanding that my prayers will make a difference.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guide me to pray for the people today that need for me to pray for them. I know that we are in a war. My enemies are not flesh-and-blood, but they are evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world. So help me to pray like I should. Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for being so good to me.

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Prayer For Inner Strength

Ecclesiastes 4; Ecclesiastes 5; Ecclesiastes 6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3
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Prayer For Inner Strength

Scripture

Ephesians 3

16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Observation

Psalm 18 and Ephesians 3 are for you this morning if you are feeling weak and defeated. Oh my goodness, what great passages these are to give us confidence this morning. Need to be encouraged? Dig in to these two chapters today. Meditate on what God is saying to us. We are more than conquerors when Jesus Christ is our Lord. We are on the winning team. We have a God that is huge. We can't even think of everything that God can accomplish through us. He is huge. He wants to do huge things through us. Are you ready? We have glorious, unlimited resources available to us. We can be empowered by His Holy Spirit to do anything that He has put on our hearts to do.

Application

I will pray for my friends today that need God to give them inner strength so they can be and do all that God has put on their hearts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for our staff that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower them with inner strength through Your Spirit. Now all glory to You, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

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God's Masterpiece

Ecclesiastes 1; Ecclesiastes 2; Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2
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God's Masterpiece

Scripture

Ephesians 2

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Observation

We have been created. We are God's masterpiece! He saved us by His grace and He saved us so that we could do the good things He planned for us long ago. So...are you doing the good things that He planned for us to do? Am I?
We have been created special to do good things. Salvation doesn't come from our doing good things, but we were created to do them. It is who we are.
We were designed to do good things. And we are doing them we fit right into God's plan which He made for us a long time ago.

Application

I will look for the good things that God wants me to do this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that I don't have to be good enough to earn my salvation. Help me to do good things this week because it is what I am created for. I pray for my friends that need healing today. I pray for Dave and Don. I pray that You touch them with Your healing power. You are a Mighty God.

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Incredible Greatness of His Power For Us!

Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1
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Incredible Greatness of His Power For Us!

Scripture

Ephesians 1

19 “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead ...”

Psalm 33

6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

Observation

In Ephesians 1 God's word says that before He even created the earth He was already thinking about us and He loved us. We need to understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! It is available to us. We need to be aware that God has made available to us His incredible power.

Application

I will apply His power to what I face today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I can do all things through Your power today. Give me Your strength and You supernatural power as I go through this day. You are mighty and we can do mighty things through You.

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With God's Help We Will Do Mighty Things!

Proverbs 28; Proverbs 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16
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With God's Help We Will Do Mighty Things!

Scripture

Psalm 60

12 With God’s help we will do mighty things,
for he will trample down our foes.

Observation

Do you say this when you get up in the morning? How about starting today! With God's help we will do mighty things! I love it. Don't let your enemies defeat you. He will trample down our foes.

Application

With God's help I will do mighty things this week! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, with Your help we will do mighty things. You will take care of our enemies. Help me to please You today. Help me to trust in You completely. You are a mighty God.

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Who Are You Living To Please?

Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; Proverbs 27; Romans 15
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Who Are You Living To Please?

Scripture

Romans 15

2 “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself...”

Observation

Most of the time I must admit that I am living to please myself. You can always tell whether you are living to please yourself or living to please others by how grumpy you get when your plans get messed up. Did you get it... “Your Plans”?
You have plans for your day off and what happens, “somebody messes up your plans” with plans of their own. How dare they mess up my plans! But if we were seeking to serve others then it would have fit in perfectly with our plans because our plans would have included all interruptions.

I am not there yet. I am way too self centered and worry way too much about my plans and what I plan to do. A verse that I read this week said that the Lord directs our paths and if that is the case He also brings those interruptions into our lives doesn't He? He does it so we can serve people. Who are you living to please? Who am I living to please?

Application

I will serve the Lord today by serving others. I will serve those that come into my life as interruptions! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me help others today.

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Following Your Convictions

Proverbs 22; Proverbs 23; Proverbs 24; Romans 14
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Following Your Convictions

Scripture

Romans 14

23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Observation

If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. You may ignore what the Bible says and say that you don't believe what it says about a certain sin and do it but it is still sin. What Paul is talking about are those gray areas in our lives where something may be a sin for one person but not the other. Drinking a glass of wine or a can of beer may fit into this category today. We don't have to worry in our culture about food that has been offered to idols, but we have other stuff. Watching an R rated movie could be another or for some people it could even be wearing jewelry or getting a tattoo etc.

If I think it is not right but I go ahead and do it anyway then it is sin. It could be walking into a casino or buying a lotto ticket. If I think it is wrong but I go ahead and do it then it is sin.

Application

I will not judge others about where they go and what they do. And I will be careful not to do the things that I believe are wrong.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not do the things that I believe that are wrong even it is OK for other people to do them. I pray that You give me strength to stay away from things that would cause me to sin against You. It is my desire to stay pure today. So I pray that You would allow me to walk close to You so that I do not fall into temptation.

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Chill...The Lord Is Directing Our Steps!

Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13
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Chill...The Lord Is Directing Our Steps!

Scripture

Proverbs 20

24 The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?

Observation

Here is a huge truth, “The Lord directs our steps”. He has been directing my steps all of my life and He is going to continue to direct my steps today and tomorrow so I need to chill and not worry about why this happened or this didn't happen. I need to chill and trust in the Lord who is directing my life.

Application

As I think about today I will remind myself that God is directing my steps. He is guiding my life. This is huge.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for directing my steps. I know that there is no way to understand everything along the way. Your ways are way too high for me to understand but I can trust in You completely. Thank You for guiding my steps. Keep me away from sin. Keep me going down the right path. Help me to stay focused on the way You have set out for me. I know the direction You want me to go I just don't understand and now I know I will never understand the “why's” along the way. You have been so good to me. I am not worthy of how You have blessed me.

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