A New Year's Prayer to Reflect

A New Year's Prayer

A new year is upon us - a time when we naturally begin to think deeper about ourselves, our families, our friends, and the world around us. We long to feel better, look better, "do" better, to grow closer to God and our loved ones - to be better in every way.

As we begin this year anew, we offer this prayer with a hopeful and expectant heart for God's blessings for you and for us all.

God, we praise you with all that we are (Psalm 103:2-3), knowing our strength comes from joy in you (Nehemiah 8:10) now and always.

We praise you for your mercy, for forgiving our sins (Ephesians 1:7). Remind us that mercy always triumphs over judgment (James 2:13), and that only you, the God of all grace, will restore us and make us strong (1 Peter 5:10).

Renew our hearts in this year, and let your gentle Spirit lead us down the right path (Psalm 143:10).

Please grant us peace in our hearts (Proverbs 14:30). May our burdens lead us to rest in you as we grow closer to you each day (Matthew 11:28).

Let us fill our minds with truth, righteousness, beauty and all things worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Thank you, God, for your promise to watch over us always (Psalm 32:8) and to hold us up with your victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Thank you, God, for giving us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Let us take every action in the coming year, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Amen.

Source: Used with permission - ARTICLE by Melody @ DaySpring, via the eCard studio December 31, 2015 http://www.dayspring.com/ 

HE IS ALIVE

HE IS ALIVE!

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! Rev 1:18
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Do you know Jesus? If you do not know Jesus and would like to know more - when you have time to spare go to this site and browse reflectively - there is a small booklet, videos and many testimonies. go to:  http://www.whosjesus.com/

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He Still Chose the Cross

He Still Chose the Cross

"Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, Who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth they replied. I am he,' Jesus said.'" John 18:3-5a, NIV

As we study the gospels it's quite clear that Jesus knew the purpose for which He came to earth, and that was to redeem mankind out of the hand of the enemy, and reconcile us to Father God. Several times in Scripture Jesus spoke to His disciples about His pending death and resurrection. He also predicted Judas Iscariot's betrayal and Simon Peter's denial (John 13). In the ninth chapter of Luke we read that 'As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem' (Luke 9: 51). The King James Version says that Jesus 'set his face' in the direction of Jerusalem, which further emphasises the determination He had to fulfil His purpose, no matter what the personal cost.

In today's scripture Jesus is about to be arrested and eventually will be led off to die on a cross. Judas has just betrayed him for thirty silver coins; the price for a slave! He guides a detachment of soldiers and officials from the chief Priests and Pharisees to the olive grove, where Jesus and His disciples are meeting. In their hands they're carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Neither Jesus, nor those in His company at the time, were blind to their intentions. It was obvious that they'd come to arrest Jesus. Everyone would have been seized with a sense of dread, but only Jesus fully knew what would unfold over the next few days. Yet He still surrendered Himself to them, and more importantly, to the will of God. When Peter tried to defend Jesus and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest, he was told to put down his sword. 'Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?' (Matthew 26:53-54).

Jesus also knew that He'd be bound, brought before Annas and the high priest, Caiaphas, and would undergo an illegal trial (John 18:12-13, & 24). He knew that He'd stand before Pilate, who would try to release Him, but would eventually give in to the wishes of the Jews (John 19). Jesus knew that He'd be brutally whipped by the Roman soldiers, until His flesh hung like ribbons from His back; that they'd ridicule him, spit on Him and press a crude crown of thorns on His head; dress Him in a purple robe and pretend to pay homage to Him. He also knew that they'd pull out His beard and strike Him in the face. Jesus knew that the crowds, incited by the Religious leaders, would cry out vehemously 'crucify, crucify!' Jesus knew that long, thick nails would be hammered into His ankles and wrists and that He'd die a prolonged, agonising death.

He knew that even while He hung exposed on a crude Roman cross, the venom of His accusers wouldn't be satisfied, and they'd continue to mock Him in His vulnerable state. 'Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God', they would taunt. The two robbers crucified with Him would also heap insults on him. His beloved Mother would watch all this from the foot of the cross and it would pierce her heart like a sword. Jesus even knew that His Heavenly Father would turn His face away from Him as the sins of the world were laid on His shoulders, and for the first time in all of eternity, He would experience the pain of being forsaken. Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, knew all of this, long before it took place, yet He still chose to give His life as a ransom for many. He died for you and He died for me! O what a Saviour we have! O what great salvation!

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that even though You knew what awaited You, when You left heaven and came to earth, You still came. Thank You that You endured the cross, scorning its shame, so that I could be reconciled with Father God and spend eternity in heaven. I'm forever grateful to You. Amen.

 

Source: Devotional from Ellel Ministries International - Seeds of The Kingdom Apr 2, 2015 - Today's Writer: Sue Dare www.seedsofthekingdom.com
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Reflective Thought:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him." Romans 5:8–9

 

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

The Bible Is God Speaking to You

The Bible Is God Speaking to You

'...The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' John 6:63 KJV

Did you know that the longest telegraphic message ever dispatched was in May, 1881? It carried 118,000 words. It was printed in full that day in the Chicago Times. One of the nation's leading newspapers gave space for four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Romans. 'A triumph of publicity' was the verdict of the nation's press. All this was done because the Revised Version of the New Testament in English was on sale that day. In New York City, 33,000 copies were sold within 24 hours, setting a new sales record for any book.

Why does the Bible remain the world's most widely read book?

For one simple reason: you read every other book - the Bible reads you!

You say, 'But I don't get a lot out of the Bible when I read it.' You are not alone; many people say the same thing.

 But it doesn't have to be that way. FB Meyer, one of history's great Bible teachers, writes, 'Read the Bible not as a newspaper, but as a love letter. If a cluster of heavenly fruit hangs within your reach, gather it. If a promise lies upon the page as a blank cheque, cash it. If a prayer is recorded, launch it as a feathered arrow from the bow of your desire.'

Why do we keep going back to the Bible?

Because in a world where trust is in short supply, '...Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave...' (1 Kings 8:56 NIV)

'...I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.' Job 23:12 NIV

Psychologists are agreed on this point: people only keep doing what rewards them! So when Bible reading becomes unrewarding, we quit. As a result we feel guilty, and become spiritually weak and discouraged. Your soul can no more thrive without God's Word than your body can thrive without a daily intake of food.

The Bible says, 'He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.' (Deut8:3 NIV)

One of the dangers of our always-connected technological age is that you begin to live on 'hits' of information and short messages limited to 160 characters or less. This creates spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder).

God cannot be reduced to a limited word count or a few hurried moments in your day. To prosper, you must meditate day and night on the Scriptures (Psalm 1:1-3).

You say, 'But I don't have time to read the Bible.' How much time do you spend each day watching television? Hours? If you find television to be rewarding, but not God's Word, your soul is in need of intensive care!

If you want to change your life, change your habits and start reading the Bible. Job, who had more trouble than any of us will ever see, said, 'I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.'Job 23:12 NIV

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that...you may grow...' 1 Peter 2:2 NIV

Henry J. Heinz, founder of the Heinz food company, introduced the marketing slogan '57 Varieties' in 1896, depicting the range of their products. Well, most of us have at least that many excuses for not reading our Bible every day.

You say, 'But I have a very busy life.' Edgar G. Watts of California, aged 84, read the Bible from cover to cover 161 times. And here's something you probably don't know: he had the use of only one eye for 55 years. Can you imagine telling a physical trainer you'd really like to be fit, but you don't have the time to come to the gym? He'd say that you're not serious!

Jeremiah said, 'When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight...' (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)

Developing a love for the Scriptures requires three things:

(1) Decision. You must establish Bible reading as one of your daily priorities or it'll never happen.

(2) Duty.You may not feel like going to work each day or caring for your family, but you know it's your duty so you do it. What about your soul? Don't you have a duty to feed yourself spiritually and stay strong?

(3) Delight. When you reach this phase, the battle over Bible reading is won. When business leaders are about to make an important decision, they say, 'It's time to pull the trigger.' Stop 'dabbling'! It's time to pull the trigger and give God's Word its rightful place in your life. 'Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up.'

'...You received His message... And this word continues to work in you who believe.' 1 Thess 2:13 NLT

In the Bible you will find a solution for just about every problem you face in life. How often have you gone for help to a pastor or counsellor or friend, only to have them direct you back to the Scriptures? When you get sick enough, you won't argue with the doctor, you'll just take the medicine! Paul writes, 'When you received His message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very Word of God - which, of course, it is. And this Word continues to work in you who believe.'

God's Word works - when you work it! But it only 'continues to work in you who believe.' So don't read it and then go out and say something different; get into agreement with God. Let His Word on the issue be word on it too!

The Amplified Bible says, '...The Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].' (1 Thessalonians 2:13 AMP)

One day an atheist said to a believer that it was quite impossible to believe in any book whose author was unknown. The believer asked him if the compiler of the multiplication table was known. 'No,' he answered. 'Then, of course, you don't accept it?' the believer asked. The skeptic replied, 'Oh, yes, I believe in it because it works well.' The believer replied, 'So does the Bible.'

The greatest investment you can make in yourself is reading your Bible.
'Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.' Psalm 119:140 NIV

Can you imagine how honoured you'd feel to have a personal audience with a president or prime minister? What are the chances you'd say, 'Sorry, I'm too busy. I can't come'? No, you'd approach them with profound respect, observe every protocol and hang on every word. Well, you can have a personal audience each day with the King of Kings and He will speak to you personally through His Word.

When you're in love with someone, you want to spend every possible moment with them, delighting in what they have to say and responding to them from your heart. David said, 'The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.' (Psalm 119:72 NIV) Again he said, 'Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.' (Psalm 119:140 NIV)

An unknown poet wrote:

'Though the cover is worn and the pages are torn, and though places bear traces of tears, yet more precious than gold is this book worn and old, that can shatter and scatter my fears. When I prayerfully look in this precious old book, as my eyes scan the pages I see; many tokens of love from the Father above, Who is nearest and dearest to me. This old book is my guide, 'tis a friend by my side, it will lighten and brighten my way. And each promise I find soothes and gladdens my mind, as I read it and heed it today.'

Whatever you have to sacrifice, whatever priorities you have to rearrange, Please read your Bible every day.

Source with permission: UCB: The Word for Today 12 -16 March 2014 http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au/ Authored by Bob and Debby Gass 

WHO I AM IN CHRIST

WHO I AM IN CHRIST 

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, this doesn't just mean that you are the same person but have just "accepted Jesus and going to Heaven". 

 

No, it means that you are a whole new creation - NOW and for all eternity. 

You are "born again" spiritually and have become a new creation in Christ (Read John 3). Even as believers for years, we often fail to see all that we are in Christ and/or just plain need some reminders. So here are some reminders straight from God's word - He tells us just who we are (whether we FEEL like it or not!) Let's all soak in these truths today and remind ourselves of them often. 

I am a Child of God!
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

I am not the Great 'I AM' but, I am what I am!
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Cor 15:10)

I am the Salt of the Earth whereby others see Jesus!
"You are the salt of the earth." (Mat 5:13)
I am the light of the World whereby others see Jesus! "You are the light of the world." (Mat 5:14)

I am a branch in Christ! I will bear much Fruit!
"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." (John 15:5)

I am Christ's Friend!
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

I am Chosen by Christ! I will bear much Fruit!
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last." (John 15:16)

I am free from Sin! I am a slave to Righteousness!
"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Rom 6:18)

I am a Slave to God! I have Eternal Life!
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Rom 6:22)

I am a Son ( Daughter ) of God! God is MY Father!!!
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Rom 8:15)

I am an Heir of GOD and a Co-Heir with Christ!
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Rom 8:17)
I am the Temple of God! God's Spirit live in ME!
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor 3:16)

I am part of the Body of Christ!
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:27)

I am a NEW Creation - the Old has gone the New has come!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17)

I am Christ's Ambassador!
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf:" (2 Cor 5:20)
I AM A SAINT! ( i.e. Forgiven Sinner ) "To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:" (Phil 1:1)

I am God's workmanship! I have work to do that he planned!
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph 2:10)
I am a Member of God's household! I BELONG! "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household," (Eph 2:19)

I am Created to be Like God in Righteousness and Holiness!
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:22-24)
I am a Citizen of Heaven! "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," (Phil 3:20)

I am Hidden in GOD!
"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." (Col 3:3)

I will be with Christ in Glory!
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Col 3:4)

I am Chosen, Holy and Dearly LOVED!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Col 3:12)

I am of the Light!
"You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." (1 Th. 5:5)

I have a Heavenly Calling!
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." (Heb 3:1)

I am Chosen, Royal, a Priest, part of a Holy Nation and belong to GOD!
"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." (1 Pet 2:9)

I am an Alien to this World!
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Pet 2:11)
I will be like Christ when He appears!
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)

I am SAFE in CHRIST! Nothing happens to me that doesn't pass through Christ!
"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (1 John 5:18)

I am able to do ANYTHING if it is Christ's will! I am totally dependent on Christ!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philipians 4:13)
"...Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

I am being changed each day to be more of who God intends for me to be!
"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Used with permission: Taken from Chris Long Laugh and Lift Daily Issue for March 25, 2010 Newsletter - (Source Vince DeMartino) http://www.laughandlift.com


Please note you may find helpful "Prayers to pray using Scripture' in 2009 archive. Other Affirmations/scriptures to speak out can be found in my other Blogg 'Prayer Reflections"you will find link for this at top of page then go to May Archive 2007

Garments of Grace

"The Story: Garments of Grace"

Nearly all of us have been here at one time or another embarrassed, humiliated, and heartbroken.

Some of these moments involve simple pride and embarrassment.

After over 35 years of speaking around the world, I still feel the embarrassment of my first public speech. Cub Scouts... explaining our project... making a little boat... and I remember exactly what I said that night. "My name is Phil Ware and..." There was nothing said after the "and"! I stood there with my face turning red, my insides quivering, and wanting to be swallowed by a large hole in the floor. I couldn't say a word. In front of my friends and family, I shut down, then ran out... humiliated and embarrassed, vowing to never speak again. While the sting remains, my vow didn't hold... thankfully! 

 Some of these moments, however, involve unspeakably deep wounds that came from someone very close to us betraying us, abandoning us in our time of need, or seeking to do us harm. What makes it even harder is that at one time, they had been committed to us as a friend, business partner, or a spouse and have now used that closeness to rip our guts out.  

Sometimes, our humiliation is actually brought on by our own failure that brought deep wounds to others and destroyed something precious between us.   These unspeakably deep wounds can take forever to heal.  

They can be re-opened by a thought, a memory, a song, a poem, a smell, a place... or a jillion other things. Yes, these are unspeakably deep wounds of humiliation and hurt and failure and live with us, just under the surface of our facades.  

This week, many of us have remembered Jesus on the way to the cross. He had been journeying toward the cross for quite some time. He has been warning his closest friends and followers that he must go to Jerusalem and die (Mark 8:31-32; Mark 9:30-32; Mark 10:32-34).  

But now, this awful and certain future is near the plans are underway and the dark forces behind this awful set of events are already in motion. And nearly everyone close to Jesus whether friend or foe is about to fail him through betrayal, denial, abandonment, mockery, and murder.  

Jesus' band of friends and followers sleeps in the garden, unable to stay awake and pray with Jesus as he wrestles with his dark destiny, and as he submits himself to the will of God above his own desires and fears. Even his closest friends, Peter and James and John, cannot stay awake with him!  

Judas arrives with his retinue of cowardly co-conspirators the soldiers from the Temple and the priests there to do in the night with swords and torches what they would not dare do in the daylight. Judas betrays his Teacher, his Lord, with a kiss!   He will later hang himself for betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver so deep is Judas' despair with his own failure and self-humiliation.  

As Jesus steps forward and offers himself to the arresting soldiers, his closest friends abandon him, desert him, and run for their lives as the Gospel of Mark says so hauntingly, "Then everyone deserted him and ran away" (Mark 14:50).  

They will eventually hole up in the upper room to hide in confusion, disarray, and despair, not once remembering his promise to rise from the dead  clueless of how or where to regain their lives from the dark night they had entered. 

Peter, who had emphatically proclaimed that he would be loyal no matter what the others in their little group would do, is now about to deny his Lord for the third time. His eyes meet Jesus' eyes from across the courtyard after Peter's final betrayal. Jesus' "Rock" then hears the rooster crow. His soul is torn apart by the shearing forces of shame, confusion, and grief as he watches Jesus handed over to be crucified.  

Peter then breaks down and weeps uncontrollably. 

There is one verse, one simple and mysterious reference in the Gospel of Mark, that speaks to all of us and to all of this this spineless, visionless, abandonment of the Son of God. They leave him alone, abandoned to face the hosts of hell and their human partners in the Sanhedrin, the High Priest's household, Herod's rule as King of the Jews, and Pilate's procuratorship as the enforcing power behind the Roman boot of oppression.  

When all Jesus' men have turned and run away from the Lord during his arrest, there is one young man who still follows. Just one. All the rest are gone. Presumably referring to himself, John Mark, the author of the Gospel, writes:  

And a young man, with nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving the garment behind (Mark 14:51-52). 

These are intriguing verses.Two haunting verses that serve as powerful reminders of the dangers of the night for Jesus' friends and followers.  

They are also reminders of the absolute "aloneness" that Jesus faces as he goes through the barbaric hours ahead. And for Mark, they become a way to say, "We were all exposed and naked, failures and disappointments to ourselves and to Jesus. Revealed for what we were pretenders and not protectors, fearful instead of faithful, and forsakers instead of friends. Seen for what we were, there was nothing left to do but hide in fear!" 

 Jesus' closest friends are exposed in the naked light of truth! Embarrassed. Humiliated. Hiding. Jesus goes to face his own naked light of truth on Golgotha. He will be stripped of clothes three times before the ordeal is done.

1. He is first stripped of his clothes so they can put a purple robe on him, strike him with rods, spit upon him, and mock him (Mark 15:17-19).
2. He is then stripped of his purple robe and his clothes placed back on him (Mark 15:20).
3. He is stripped a third time, this time given nothing to wear so he would hang naked and exposed, humiliated and battered, as he died before a hostile, morbidly gleeful crowd of onlookers while the soldiers cast lots to see who would win his clothes (Mark 15:24).

Jesus dies alone... humiliated... brutalized... and exposed for all the world to see. No secrets. No hidden wounds just gaping, horrid, fully exposed wounds. No privacy. No modesty. Inhumanity proudly displaying its latest victim, writhing in the throes of death, alone, on a barbaric tree, for all of us and in front of all of us.  

And the connection of grace that transforms these moments of humiliation? The redeeming virtue in all of this brutality, inhumanity, and barbarism?  

Two truths, both powerfully symbolized by the garments left behind.   First come the garments of humiliation... the dark night of humiliation... now shared humiliation... seen in the garments left behind by John Mark and Jesus' garments gambled over by unnamed soldiers. 

 For all of us who have had those moments of embarrassment, humiliation, abandonment, and failure, we find Jesus meeting us in the darkness of our worst moments, when we are fully exposed, naked before the world in our own failure. Jesus hangs there, letting us know that he knows what it is like to be there exposed, humiliated, and alone to face those who mock us. 

 For every John Mark that has run away, naked in the night, afraid of tomorrow, fully humiliated and embarrassed, Jesus speaks softly, with arms outstretched, and says:  "See, look at my scars. I received them before the eyes of every gawker and every mocker. I know how it feels, but I am here to let you know how it heals!" 

Next come the garments of grace... of hope and life and new days with bright dawns.

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed... (John 20:1-8 NLT).

Jesus left behind his garments of death! The grave clothes, the linen cloth that Jesus was wrapped in just like the linen cloth John Mark had stripped off him are left behind. The cloth for his head is neatly folded. There is no rush, no fear, no worry for the risen Son of Man. He neatly folds this head piece as testimony for those who find it. "I am risen," it says, "and I am alive for you!"

What powerful symbol! What powerful truth! What powerful hope!

Our task is to leave behind the garments of humiliation, failure, and death as we look in the empty tomb of Jesus and see the garments the risen Lord left behind to leave those behind and believe!  Humiliation has faded into gray, and fresh hope has dawned, bringing the promise of new life, clothed in Christ and his righteousness! No wonder the apostle Paul tells us:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

Resurrection happens, not just for Jesus, but for all of us who need fresh hope after our own failures and humiliations! But how can this be so? How can this be true? It is because we've left the garments of sin and death behind, and by faith we have clothed ourselves in the garments of resurrection!

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27 NIV).

Do you know what it is like to be humiliated, exposed as a failure, and an embarrassment to yourself and to all who know you?  

Do you know what it is like to disappoint yourself or others in how you've handled a painful and difficult time?  

Do you wrestle with doubts about your value or worthiness and feel that everyone sees you as less than what you want to be?  

Do you struggle with the painful loss of someone you love and crave one last word, one last moment to say what was left unsaid or to fix one last thing that was left unfinished between you?  

None of us not you, not me none of us has to keep wearing our garments of loss, shame, failure, and disappointment anymore.  

The angels invite us, just as they did Peter and the beloved disciple, to look into the empty tomb, to see garments of death left neatly behind, and believe a new day has dawned!

Our Jesus is risen. Death has been defeated. And grace has brought life to what once held us captive!

Source: Used with permission from Phil Ware 'Daily Heartlight' 03/31/2013 http://www.heartlight.org

Easter Reflection

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him." Romans 5:8

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
 

Do you know Jesus? If you do not know Jesus and would like to know more - when you have time to spare go to this site and browse reflectively - there is a small booklet, videos and many testimonies. go to:  http://www.whosjesus.com/

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To Those Who Do: What would you say if someone asked you "Who is Jesus?" Are you prepared to give an answer?

It is important to know our own testimony of what Jesus has done so be able share the basics of the path to salvation.

How do we do that? We start by reading our Bible and meditating upon God's word - spending time waiting upon Him and listening. May you truly be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 NIV

God is able

Reflective Prayer: Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

"that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Get into the Bible habit

I believe someone right now needs this message below - Change your life today and be refreshed. To be able to read a bible is a blessing many take for granted:

To view a video to encourage you to read the word daily visit: https://vimeo.com/49360338

The aim of the 'Live Light in 25 Words' campaign is to encourage Australian Christians to read the Bible every day for the month of October and turn that into the habit of a lifetime," said Bible Society's Chris Melville. The campaign seeks to address the main reason why people say they don't read the Bible -  they just don't have the time, their lives are getting busier, their stresses heavier and  attention span shorter.

"This Australia-wide campaign is an invitation to Christians to make a fresh start on their Bible reading habit with just 25 words a day. It can grow from there," Mr Melville said. The Bible Society has produced a range of resources on their "25 Words" web site to help churches and individuals engage with the Bible. So far there have been over 22,000 downloads from the site. Everyone who registers will receive a daily Bible reading of around 25 words, together with a short comment and a question. "We hope that families will use these together or that others will read the verse and discuss the questions with a friend," Mr Melville said.

Resources include videos for churches and children, Bible reading guides from leading Christians, theologians and preachers plus Bible study resources for individuals, churches and small groups. A full list of details http://www.25words.biblesociety.org.au/ 

Source: Bible Society
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Get into the Bible habit in October 

 THERE it was, in the drawer of the bedside table, as expected. Navy cover, crisp untouched pages and the Gideon logo embossed in gold. A copy of the Bible was found in many of the hotels we stayed in during our recent New Zealand holiday. Not Harry Potter, Fifty Shades of Grey or even Pride and Prejudice. But this book that has been in print since the 1400s, circulated as an oral tradition prior, and continues to trump all other literature in the volume of books sold each year.

It is widely acknowledged as the best-selling book of all time. The Guinness Book of World Records names the Bible as the best- selling book of non-fiction with more than 17 million copies sold of the Good News version to 1995 alone. It has been translated into 349 languages and 2123 languages have at least one book in their tongue.

Many are sold, but few read it, so it seems. Sadly, statistics reveal that Bible reading among churchgoers is abysmal at best. The latest National Church Life Survey reveals that 19 per cent of church attendees actually read their bible daily or "most days". The survey of 500,000 people also concluded that 12 per cent read the bible a few times a week, 5 per cent once a week, 27 per cent occasionally and 37 per cent hardly ever, or never.

Another study by the Centre for Bible Engagement says that there is a prevailing perception that the Bible is not important to everyday life. Hmm. I hear that often enough and I beg to differ. I couldn't tell you how many times I have opened my Bible, read a few lines and felt like God was speaking directly to me, in my unique situation.

Irrelevant, they say. Verses have told me to be bold, throw off fear, focus on good, demonstrate love.

A book of folklore and fairytales, they say. Jesus' words from thousands of years past have acted like a balm on old wounds.

Nothing but stuffy rules and traditions, they say. The Bible is perhaps more misunderstood than ever.

Today marks day one of The Bible Society's campaign to encourage people to give the good book a second (or third or 10th or 186th) chance.  Live Light in 25 Words gives people tools to delve into the Word, to rediscover truths of freedom, hope, love and peace in its pages. The idea is to build a habit over October's 31 days by reading the bible with some familiar faces - Masterchef 2011 winner Kate Bracks, Olympic swimmer Elka Whalan, popular blogger Erica Bartle to name a few (and, er, maybe my face is in the mix too).

Just 25 words each day from the Bible and I guarantee your life will be altered. Head to 25words.biblesociety .org.au  to sign up to receive daily motivation via your choice of a range of different formats.

In John 6:63, Jesus says this: "It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life" (ICB version).

We pay ample attention to the needs of our flesh, what of our spirit?

Source: Claire van Ryn's musings  faithlikeamushroom. wordpress.com 

FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

In the valley stood a ten-foot-tall giant, bellowing out threats against God's people and mocking their God. "Send one man out to fight me," he roared. "If I win, you will serve us. If he wins, we will be your slaves."

If the physical presence of Goliath wasn't daunting enough, the stakes for Israel were. It would be an all-or-nothing fight for the future of the people. On top of that, he mocked God. The fight would be a showdown between the giant's pagan gods and the God of Israel. Courageous David decided to face the monster. King Saul, looking at David's physical disadvantage, insisted the young man take his armour.

But David knew the spiritual battle was more crucial than the physical battle. Faith in God, not superior weaponry, would be his salvation. David stepped out in the name of God, and the giant fell.

Most of us are so focused on our physical circumstances that we fail to see the basic spiritual challenges before us. We spend our energies trying to make ends meet. We exhaust ourselves by constant activity. We are so distracted and frightened by what we see that we miss our chance to slay the giant. Instead, we find his foot on our neck.

Christian attempts to live victoriously in Christ when in a hostile environment could become frightening if we did not believe that God provides for us in every trial. The sovereign God of eternity knew every kind of attack the enemy would use before time began.

And He has provided His spiritual armour:  His Word, Prayer and the Holy Spirit 
so that we might be victorious when these attacks come against us. God has equipped you as a servant-soldier of Jesus Christ with these spiritual weapons, the resources you need to defeat the enemy and gain great victories for His kingdom.

Paul instructed Christian converts to put on the impenetrable armour of God coverings God provides so that we can stand victorious in every situation we face as we move forward confidently in the work God has called us to do. He also understood it to be a protective covering for the mind and spirit, ensuring that injuries to the body will not embitter or destroy the soul.

Response: Today I will take advantage of all the spiritual armour God provides for me to stand strong.

Prayer: Help me Lord to not try and fight spiritual battles in my own strength but with the resources You freely provide.
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THE WARRIOR'S PRAYER

"Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11

The Bible clearly says to use the full armour. We usually feel we are doing okay if we have most of the pieces of armor in place. Yet, if even one piece is missing, we have a weak spot where Satan can injure us, causing us to lose ground rather than standing firm. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The New Living Translation in Ephesians 6:11 puts it this way;

"Put on all of God's armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil."

It further says in verse 13, "Use every piece of God's armour to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm."

Response: Today I will put on the full armour of God to stand strong against Satan's darts of doubt, denial and deceit.
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"The Warrior's Prayer"

Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armour of God!

I put on the Belt of Truth. May I stand firm in the truth of your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Sandals of Peace. May I go out and proclaim the good news of the Gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith. May I be ready to deflect Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation. May I keep my mind focused on you so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit. May the two-edged sword of your Word be ready in my hands so I can use it to take authority over the Enemy.

By faith, your warrior has put on the whole armour of God. I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory. Amen.

"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." Proverbs 10:25

Source: STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM (SSTS) A daily devotional message by Paul Estabrooks © 2010 Open Doors International. http://www.opendoorsusa.org/ 

Pray in the Spirit

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Eph 6:18 nlt
    

THOUGHT: "Pray in the Spirit!" Paul is asking believers to pray consciously recognizing that the Spirit given them when they came to Christ (Eph. 1:13) gives them direct access to God to pray what is on their heart (Eph. 2:18; cf. Rom. 8:26-27) and to intercede for knowledge, power, and boldness for others (Eph. 1:17; 3:16;6:18-20).

Put in cornbread English, the Spirit who lives inside us, empowers our prayers, interceding directly to the heart of God, enabling our prayers to have powerful results! Our prayers are so much more than the words we voice. We pray, consciously, alertly, and persistently, speaking to the Creator of the universe, assured we are heard, knowing that God will respond with power and grace in the lives of those for whom we pray!

PRAYER: Oh Father, thank you for your incredible gift of the Holy Spirit who makes my prayers much more than my words. Thank you that I can
pray in the Spirit, speaking to you Spirit to Spirit, knowing I am heard, understood, and praying according to your will. Thank you that such intentional praying brings powerful blessings for those for whom I pray. In Jesus name. Amen.~~~~~~~~
 The Sword of the Spirit
                                                     

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 tniv
      

THOUGHT: The Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and the Spirit helps us understand the will of God (1 Cor. 2:6-16).
God's message of truth is much more than just the words of mere mortals; it is God's will given by God's Spirit (1 Thes. 4:8). This message has its origins in the Spirit of God, even though it is proclaimed by human messengers (2 Pet. 1:19-21).

In other words, I must not neglect the Scriptures as the Word of God. They must be allowed to teach, rebuke, correct, train, and equip me to live the
life of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). I must allow the Spirit to use God's Word to convict me and work on the attitudes of my heart as I am trained to distinguish good from evil (Heb. 4:12-13; 5:11-14).

What catches my attention today, however, is that I must "take" it. I must intentionally choose to pick it up, use it, and depend upon the Word of God, inviting the Spirit to lead me in the way of God!

PRAYER:    Holy God, thank you for giving me your Word in Scripture. Thank you for pouring out your truth through human messengers inspired by
the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the work of the Spirit to convict and enlighten me through your Word. I ask today as I seek your will in your Word that the Spirit be active and lead me in the way you want me to go. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Source: Used with permission from "Heartlight" http://www.heartlight.org/  - Please note 'The SpiritFire daily devotional' written by Phil Ware is part of a new year long devotional walk focused on the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives - You can subscribe - It's FREE! Just send a blank email to: join-spiritfire@maillists.heartlight.org

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis  (Jan 19, 2012)

 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord -- who is the Spirit -- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor 3:17-18 nlt
    

THOUGHT: Caterpillar to butterfly -- the process of metamorphosis.
This is the word image painted for us in this message from Scripture. While most people are ordinary humans, with ordinary human powers, and ordinary human lives, we are called extraordinary because of the work of the Spirit. While most people are limited to their natural abilities, we are given the freedom to overcome our natural limitations and failures by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to transform us to be more and more like Jesus. And how does this happen? Supernaturally, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we both contemplate and reflect the glory of Jesus.

PRAYER:    Father, thank you for giving me the supernatural ability to become more and more like Jesus. O Holy Spirit, please take control and conform me to the character and compassion of Jesus as I commit to know him more fully and display his life to those around me more completely. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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True Worshipers (Oct 13, 2011)

 [Jesus said,] "But the time is coming -- indeed it's here now -- when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth." John 4:23 nlt
      

THOUGHT: 

Genuine worship involves the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised this kind of worship to the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus poured out his Spirit at Pentecost and the church was born. The early disciples were filled with the Spirit as they prayed and sang. We are encouraged to pray in the Spirit and to be filled with the Spirit as we worship. The time is here! True worshippers are not bound by place and time, but are connected to each other and to God in worship by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit!

PRAYER: O great God and Father of us all, make your presence known in your people in powerful ways as we seek to honor you and bless each other as we are filled with the Holy Spirit as we joyfully assemble together to worship you! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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 Pray in the Spirit  (Oct 11, 2011)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.  Eph  6:18 tniv

THOUGHT:The Holy Spirit is our constant assurance of our access to the heart of God. The Spirit intercedes for us and communicates our words and our emotions according to the will of God. Like in all worship, the Holy Spirit fills us, is among us, and participates with us as we seek God. In prayer, the Holy Spirit also empowers and enables us as we pray. Prayer is much more than shouting words at heaven or begging God for help. Prayer happens because of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. God himself, in the Spirit, is praying with us and through us!

PRAYER:  Father, please hear the prayer I share with you using words. Father, please hear the prayer I offer you that is deeper than words and beyond what my words can convey. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who intercedes, empowers, and makes possible this prayer. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.
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Prayer in the Power of the Spirit  (Oct 12, 2011)

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jude 20 tniv
      

THOUGHT: So much of our physical world is dependent upon power. Yet the spiritual world is even more about power than the physical world. One of the great avenues of power -- a place where power is available to us and flows through us -- is prayer. We are commanded to rely on this power and not our eloquence, position, or physical might. So as we pray each day, let's consciously invite the Holy Spirit into our prayer life and ask the Spirit to empower our prayers.

PRAYER: O God, you are holy! I thank you, Father, for hearing my prayer. I thank you, Jesus, as I pray in your name. I invite you, Holy Spirit, to enter and to intercede for me as I pray. Please empower my prayers to be effective and a blessing, both to those for whom I pray and also to you, O God, the One to whom I pray.
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 Hear what the Spirit Says! (Oct 18, 2011)

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Those who are victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.  Rev 2:11 tniv
      
THOUGHT:

I remember the old Wolfbrand Chili commercials when we would see a steaming bowl of chili and a voice off camera would say something like, "When was the last time you had a big, steaming, bowl of Wolfbrand Chili? Well, that's too long!" Let's re-phrase that. When was the last time you were part of a church that called all its members to fast, pray, and open Scripture and then ask God to help the church hear the message the Spirit has for them? "Well, that's too long!" Jesus challenges those who heard his message to really listen -- not just with their ears, but also with their hearts. Let's be God's people who hunger to hear what the Spirit is seeking to say to us through Scripture!

PRAYER:  Father, forgive us -- forgive me! We have very seldom sought to hear your voice and your Word and the message the Spirit has for us in that Word. More than forgiveness, O God, give us a yearning to hear the message the Spirit has for our congregation at this time, with our challenges and opportunities. I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
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Be Filled with the Spirit  (Jan 22, 2012_

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Eph 5:18-21 nlt
     

THOUGHT: When someone is drunk, we talk about them being "under the influence." When a person is a follower of Jesus, he or she should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul lists five ways that we fill ourselves with the Spirit. Four we would normally identify with worship -- speaking to one another in song, singing, making music in our hearts, and giving thanks to God. Paul adds a fifth way to turn loose the Spirit in our lives: submitting to one another as part of our worship of Jesus.

 I don't know about you, but there are times when I have not wanted to do each of those things, but in doing it with a genuine desire to honor the Lord, I find myself blessed and empowered in ways I would never have expected. But we shouldn't be surprised: the Bible tells us that when we do these things, God's Spirit fills us!

PRAYER:  Loving Father, thank you for entering into me through the Holy Spirit. I am going to try to do all I can to worship you with my words and with my relationships, trusting that you will empower me with your Holy Spirit. Please help me see your presence and power in my life as I do these things. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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 Fruit of the Spirit  (Jan 21, 2012)

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law.  Gal 5:22-23 tniv
 
THOUGHT: Sometimes we confuse "fruit of the Spirit" by calling them "fruits of the Spirit." This seems like such a small thing; but, unfortunately, this small thing can lead us to a dangerously false conclusion.

The fruit of the Spirit involves all nine of these qualities. We can't excuse a lack of growth in one area or another as simply not having all the fruits of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is working to create the character of Jesus in us (2 Cor. 3:18; see Gal. 4:19). He wants to see us growing in each area and not excuse ourselves from one of these qualities of Jesus. I don't know about you, but there are several in which I need to grow -- but I believe the Spirit is making progress in them. Let's keep encouraging each other to let the Spirit lead us to become more like Jesus in every way!

PRAYER: O Precious Father, God Most High, thank you for your patience, grace, and forgiveness. I want the Holy Spirit to lead me and empower me to grow in every way, but especially so that I can be more like Jesus in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you for hearing my prayer offered in Jesus' name. Amen.

Source: Used with permission from "Heartlight" http://www.heartlight.org - Please note 'The SpiritFire daily devotional' written by Phil Ware is part of a new year long devotional walk focused on the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives - You can subscribe - It's FREE! Just send a blank email to: join-spiritfire@maillists.heartlight.org

Called to Disciplined Prayer

Called to Disciplined Prayer 

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. Acts 3:1

Disciplined prayer arises from two things:

First, a good general knowledge of God's Word;

Second, a strong desire to please Him.

In other words, I am talking here about praying as an act of sheer obedience whether we feel like it or not.

And it is the mature Christian who follows this way.

You may decide to spend more time in prayer, but then you find that everything seems to militate against it.

So you think, These things that are stopping me praying are providential. So don't be surprised if, when you commit yourself to prayer, everything seems to be hindering you.

There must be discipline.

One of the forgotten verses in the Book of Acts is the opening verse of chapter 3. The chapter goes on to describe how Peter and John healed the crippled man, but what is interesting is that it happened when they were on their way to the temple to pray. We see that even when the Spirit was present in great power, these early disciples were not afraid to go by a schedule. At this high peak in the history of the church it would seem that the first Christians still observed set times of prayer.

The principle is that if you live by the disciplined impulse, you will get the spontaneous impulse as well .....

 Here were Peter and John on their way to the temple, when the lame beggar held out his hand to them, expecting to receive some money. But Peter just turned to him and said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (v. 6, KJV). And the man was healed.

You never outgrow the need to pray. It is my job, not only as a Christian minister but also as a child of God, never to excuse myself again for what I haven't done regarding time spent in prayer.

Source:  (R T Kendall) Part Message - Excerpted from Worshipping God (Hodder & Stoughton, 2004).

Your Words Have Power!

Your Words Have Power

If you have ever handled sulfuric acid, you know how dangerous it is. It would eat away at your skin if it spilled on you.

Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."

If death is in the power of the tongue, will touching it hurt you like touching acid?

No, obviously that's not how it works. The death and the life the tongue can produce are not about the tongue itself but about the words it helps to create. The words can produce life and death. They can be like an infusion of vigor or like a slow poison.

Words are containers. They carry in them the power to teach and instruct, lift up and encourage, create humor and laughing, to bring peace and joy, and hope where hope was lost. They are also containers that can mock, belittle, embarrass, tear down, deceive, and destroy.

As we just read, "Death AND life are in the power of the tongue..." This is telling us that these containers we let come from our mouths have power—power to bring and support life or power to destroy. We probably don't realize how careless we can be with this power source that absolutely lifts up or tears down.

I wouldn't handle electrical wires without turning off the power source. Even though electricity is meant to be a blessing, it has to be channeled properly or it could kill. The same is true with our words.

As a young Christian, the Lord instructed me to listen to the words I'd hear people speak. This wasn't to be judgmental but to learn and pay attention to the good or bad words accomplished.

I did what the Lord said, except that I started with myself. I couldn't believe the words I'd let come out my mouth. They were often negative and too often words of death such as, "I'm going to lose my mind if this happens to me one more time...." or "It seems like everyone is getting the flu. I'll probably get it next." or "With the way the economy is going, I'll probably be lucky if I have a job by next year and if I do, they'll probably ask for a cut in pay." I could tell you a hundred phrases filled with negative, death-filled words that were a part of my regular speaking.

I began to listen to those around me, "Ha ha! The way I eat I'll probably be dead by the time I'm forty!" "Well, with the way my luck is going, if there is a drive-by shooter, he'll probably hit me! Ha ha!"

I was amazed at what I was hearing from myself as well as from those around me.

As I studied God's Word more, I began to understand that Words are a powerful part of God's creation and a creative force in itself. From the beginning of Genesis with everything He created He began by speaking "let there be...."

Everything God spoke, came into existence. He created everything we see from things that did not appear.

This is exactly what Hebrews 11:3 is telling us. "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

As I journeyed through the Word I noticed that God never spoke an idle word—and neither did Jesus.

My point today is that words are containers of power. They do affect us whether we realize it or not
whether we want to believe it or not. We all have experienced times when someone's words brought hurt to you possibly unbeknownst to the person who said them. They just blabbed them and they hurt you.

How could that happen? It could happen because words contain power.

Does that mean every word I speak is a power source? The answer is yes. It's just that it's not always measurable at the moment. Someone's kind words can make you feel good and even cry. Someone's destructive words can make you feel horrible and cry. We don't grasp the power of our words and all the ways they affect our life but they do. All words always have some effect.

 I learned long ago to make words work for me. Just as a framer frames a house before he can build the rest of it, I purpose to frame my world with words that encourage others and myself in God's will and plan.

If your tongue has power, you have power. You can frame your world with acceptable words that please God and create life and blessing for others, or you can spill words like sewage that bring hurt. God's will is always to bring life!

Psalms 19:14 says, "Let the WORDS OF MY MOUTH, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer."

Source: Used with permission: Pastor Tim Burt - Fresh Manna http://www.freshmanna.org/

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"Prayers to pray using Scripture' can be found in September 2009 archive (located on lower right hand side of this page). More articles about using affirmations can also be found in 'Prayer Reflections' May 2007 Archive (link to this can be found at top of page on right side.)

Are You Ready?

Are You Ready?

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks." Luke 12:35-36, ESV

Jesus so often challenges us and gives us responsibilities. To those who don't yet know Him as their Lord and Master He says 'repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near' (Matthew 4:17), but for those who belong to Him, love Him and know Him there are further responsibilities as they live in His Kingdom.

I like the simplicity of this instruction 'Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning'. Do you wonder what our lamps could be?

How about our passion for Jesus and the things of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus talks about the light in us. First of all, once we have the light of Jesus burning in our hearts, we must let others know.

'No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light' (Luke 11:33).

Then we have the responsibility to make sure the light doesn't go out or grow dim. Jesus says we must be 'careful' about that.

'Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light' (Luke 11:34-36).

How can we keep our lamp burning?

We can fix our eyes on the glory of Jesus and focus on praise and worship to Him. Not only can we pray those prayers of intercession, however short or long, and whatever time of day or night, but we can to continually give thanks and tell Him we love Him (rather than grumbling and complaining).

 We can also saturate ourselves in the Word of God each day.

Our eye can look upon its light and take in as much as possible. And yet even that isn't enough. We must also put into practice what we read in the Bible. 'But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' (Luke 11:28). Yes Jesus is coming back and we must be ready to meet Him at His return, or meet Him before then as we step into eternity. 'This night your soul is required of you' (Luke 12:19 – 21).

In Jesus' illustration the good servant is alert for the return of his master and aims to please him. The master comes back from the wedding banquet is so delighted with this servant that he gives him a huge reward. He actually waits upon him and serves him. What could be more surprising than that?

But the bad servant will be punished, for 'Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more' (Luke 12:48).

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the light You bring to me. Please help me to keep it burning. I want to be ready when you return so I can open the door for You and welcome You back. Amen.

Source: Devotional from Ellel Ministries International - Seeds of The Kingdom 2011 - Today's Writer : Liz Griffin www.seedsofthekingdom.com

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What the Spirit Says to the Churches

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 NIV

THOUGHT: Jesus uses the Holy Spirit to speak to his people, his churches, in the second and third chapter of the book of Revelation.
 

But don't you believe that if we seek God and are striving to worship God empowered by the Spirit, then the Spirit will also speak to us in fresh and powerful ways through God's word?

When we open the Bible, more happens than mere reading!

The Spirit who inspired that word also convicts us and calls out to us and corrects us and seeks to conform us to the will of God and the character of Jesus. So let's open our Bibles with expectation that the Spirit will use these old words in fresh and new ways and give us new insights for our old battles.

 PRAYER:  O God, help me hear your Word in the ways you want me to hear it. Shape and make me more like Jesus, your Living Word and Ultimate Word, as the Spirit works on my heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Source: Used with permission from "Heartlight" October 15, 2011 The SpiritFire daily devotional email is written by Phil Ware and is a year long devotional walk focused on the blessing of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Visit http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals  for other devotionals.