I’ll pray for you

I’ve been thinking this week about the seriousness of telling someone else that you will pray for him/her.  When people have told you that they would pray for you, have you ever wondered if they really did?  What if they didn’t?  I’m not saying their intentions weren’t good…

Is the phrase, “I will pray for you,”  just that….. a phrase?

A survey I found online said that only 74% of people who said they would pray for someone else actually did.

I think these words are sometimes used by people who don’t even have a relationship with God.  Can the prayers of a non-Christian matter any way? 

Is saying my thoughts are with you the same as I’ll pray for you.  I don’t think my thoughts will help anything.  However, taking your need to the throne of God and praying can make a difference. 

We should never take prayer lightly.  God hears all our prayers.  Prayer makes a difference.  When you tell someone you will pray for them, that’s like making a promise. 

So, how do we keep our verbal commitment to pray?  I think the best way is to go ahead and pray for that person immediately.  Whatever you are doing, stop, take a minute and pray for that person or situation.

 

What the Word of God says about prayer:

James 5:15  “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”

Romans 12:12  “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Philippians 4:6  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Matthew 21:22  “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Proverbs 15:29  “The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

1 Peter 3:12  “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Ephesians 6:18  “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 saints.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17  “Pray without ceasing.”

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What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

John 14:13-14 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Do you end your prayers with “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”  Do you do it quickly without thinking about it?  Is it kind of like a “good-bye” to God?  Sort of a  “so long”, “see you later”, or “over and out.”  Do you really think about what it means to pray in Jesus’ name? 

It’s not a magic formula that you have to add in order to get what you want.  It’s not a way of saying, “I’m done praying now.”  They are the words that communicate everything about what gives us the right to pray to God.

When we pray in Jesus’ name we are putting our whole faith for the answers to our prayers in His hands.  It has nothing to do with who we are or what we’ve done; it’s totally about who Jesus is and what He’s done.

Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with Jesus’ authority and asking God (the Father) to answer our prayers because we come in the name of His Son. 

Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to God’s will.

1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

When you seek the Lord with your whole heart, your prayers will line up with His will. 

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He Chose to Do It

No time to write this morning but I read this yesterday on Facebook and thought about it quite a bit..

"When life doesn’t make sense and things aren’t going your way - always return to who you are. You are a one-time-only, creative expression of a God who would rather die than live without you."

It still amazes me that the God of the Universe would lower himself to become a man.  That He came and walked this earth with His creation.  That He would willingly allow himself to be crucified on the cross for us.  He didn’t have to do it.  He chose to do it.

The above is quoted from Kevin and Talyor’s Facebook – 104.7 The Fish.

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Be Prepared

 

After giving the faculty devotion at the all staff meeting the beginning of October, the headmaster asked me to repeat that devotion for the October school board meeting.  The day finally came for me to do that.  As usual, when asked to speak in public, I got really nervous.

However, as I stated in a previous blog, it is a privilege to talk about God.  Even if public speaking isn’t your gift, when given the opportunity, you need to take advantage of it and speak up for God. 

1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

If you were asked to give the reason for the hope you have, how would you answer?  Would you share it willingly?  Would you know what to say?  Can you verbalize your testimony or the plan of salvation?

Peter wrote these verses to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted.  Those of us who live in areas where we can freely share our faith need to be ready to do that and we need to take every opportunity to share.  Never shy away from telling others about Jesus – no matter how nervous you get.  Trust God, and “just do it.”

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How are you running?

In church tonight the pastor was speaking from 2 Samuel 18:18-28.

The story is about a battle that the Israelites won but in winning Absalom was killed.  Absalom was King David’s son.  David was anxiously awaiting news from the battlefield.  Ahimazz begs Joab to let him run and tell David that they won the battle.

Ahimazz is seen by the watchman from a distance.  He is recognized by the way he runs.  David replies “He’s a good man.  He comes with good news.”

How do people see me?  Does how I live my life give credibility to my testimony?  When people see me do they say I am a good person?  Am I trustworthy in everything?  Am I always truthful?  Do I always do the right thing?  Do I always do my best?

What we do and how we live will affect our reputation and that will affect our testimony.  Would you be recognized by how you run?  How are you running the race?

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

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Swearing

I read a blog that is written by a public school superintendent.  He says that one of the things he has had to deal with lately is the language being used by children as young as first grade.  He says
six-year olds now use the “f bomb” frequently. 

What has our society come to if our children don’t know how to speak without using four letter words.  The blogger states that he doesn’t think these first graders even know it is a bad word and that they are less and less afraid of the consequences.

How did this happen?  It has taken time but it is has gradually filtered down from adults to teenagers to middle school students and now it has infected our first graders. 

Are Christians also involved in this?  Do Christians think it is wrong to swear?  I’ve heard plenty of them do it. 

I think there are three main reasons why people swear. 

1) They get really angry at their spouse, mom. child, boss, etc., and they just let it fly. 

2) They are really insecure and in order to make themselves look tough, they hide behind curse words. 

3) It’s a habit.  They swear without even considering a different adjective.

I think swearing is wrong and here are my reasons:

1. Instead of swearing, we need to spend time building each other up.   Ephesians 4:29- "Let nothing unwholesome come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up others, so that it might help those who listen."

2. It damages our testimony.  The word Christian mean Christ-like.  Unbelievers watch our conduct, attitude, and speech to see it all of that really lines up with our profession of faith. 

3. Matthew 12:34 “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”  If the heart is clean, how can curse words come out?  If a holy God has taken up residence in your life, how can you use language that is unpleasing to Him?

4. James 1:26  “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

5. Our words can have either a positive or a negative impact on those around us.  We should be spending our time blessing instead of cursing. Psalm 34:1 “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

6. Ephesians 5:4 “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

7. 1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”

There are other things that some people do who wouldn’t dream of swearing.  Some people don’t think twice about gossiping, back-biting, telling confidential information, or using their words to cut others down.  These individuals are just as wrong as the person who cusses. 

Remember that you reap what you sow.  Sow blessings in other peoples lives and you will be blessed.

May God richly bless you……

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No Whiners

How do you react when things don’t go the way you expect them to?  Are you someone who steps up and puts on a positive attitude or are you a complainer?  It is really easy to whine and complain.

We all have been that complainer.  It is hard to always keep upbeat.  It is easy to complain.  It is easy to make excuses. 

Is it wrong to complain?  Does your complaining show an ungrateful or bitter attitude?  What do you think God thinks?  Can complaining lead to a worse problem?  I think it causes you to lose sight of all the good things God has done for you.  If you focus on negative things it will not only affect your relationship with Christ but will make you completely ineffective as a witness for Christ.

Things will go wrong in your life.  That one you can bet on.  You can let that thing take your eyes off of God or you can look to find a way to make things better.  Focus on God’s love for you.  Remember all the times God has provided for you.  Keep a positive attitude and pray that God will use this situation for good in your life.

Figure out what it is in your life that brings out your “grouch” or your “whiner”?  Concentrate on these areas and determine not to let that complaining spirit rear up its ugly head. 

Focus on the blessings in your life.  Focus on God’s love for you.

Have a great week filled with God’s love and grace.

 

Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without complaining or arguing,”

Ephesians 4:29 - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:11 – 13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Step Out in Faith

I was given the “privilege” of giving the devotion at our faculty and staff meeting.  (about 150 people)  I used the word privilege and I do mean privilege.  I am not a good public speaker.  I get very nervous.  However, anytime we have the opportunity to talk about God and His love for us, we need to do that. 

I was a wreck.  I didn’t sleep much the night before.  You might be wondering why this would bother me so much.  I really don’t know why it bothers me, I just know it does. 

I believe that God gives us each gifts and talents and we need to use those to serve Him.  I also believe that God can use us when we are outside our comfort zone – when we are doing things we aren’t necessarily gifted to do.  These are the times we are driven to our knees.  These are the times we show our faith in Christ when we step out in faith and believe that God will accomplish the task through us. 

Want to see God work?  Then attempt something that you can’t do on your own.  Something you have to trust God to get you through.  Step out in faith trusting God to get you through and then look back afterwards and give Him thanks.  He won’t let you down.

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