Beginning A Relationship With God

In order to begin to seek, develop and understand our relationship with God; it is important that we understand that like any relationship we need to commit to it.

I’ve learned that having this relationship means that I first have to be willing to leap into what I call my truthful self.   I need to be able to see who I truly am and speak to God with truth on our tongue, a humble heart and a surrendered mind.  Only at that point did transformation begin on my life.

A few guidelines that helped and continue to help me in my journey  I found in ourdailybread.org , and I would like to share some with you.

TIME. Set aside time.  Setting time aside for prayer; for our devotional with God is important. It begins a stability in our faith.

READ. Read a Bible passage.  Do not be intimidated by the Bible. It is only intimidating because we fear it. Let God speak to you. Read it, research it, reflect on it.

MAKE IT YOURS.  Personalize your prayer.  Your prayers  do not need to be formal. Speak to God in truth for he will only respond in truth.

ASK OTHERS TO PRAY WITH YOU. You will be surprised how many people are in search of Gods hand in their life.  Invite others to pray with you. There is power in numbers.

Do not give up.  Sometimes in prayer we feel like He is not listening. This too is normal remember this is new to you. Like anything new it will take time  become comfortable in prayer.

God Bless You

 

A Thankful Prayer

As our 30 Day Prayer Challenge comes to a close we can reflect on each day. what we have learned through Jesus Christ, and how much we’ve grown spiritually just this month alone by feeding our spirit with prayer and God’s word daily. Prayerfully, these past 30 days have served as a sort of “acceleration lane’ to a new and improved prayer life.  This Is just the beginning, yet we have so much to be thankful for.

Being thankful, for the average person, is showing gratitude for receiving material goods, receiving kind words, or being the recipient of a good deed.  But for the Christian, it goes much deeper than this.  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says to pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  So while we thank and praise God for our material blessings, we must also thank and praise him in the midst of our storms.  Our lives will not always be sunshine and rainbows.  We, being spirit wrapped in flesh, will have to deal with sickness, death, financial blows, scandals etc.  Though we walk through dark valleys, we are NEVER alone.  God comforts, strengthens and sustains us, and for that we must be thankful.  This is what we call the Sacrifice Of Praise.  Praising God when your world is crumbling around you is a difficult thing to do, because we are not always going to understand God’s ways.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)  It is a personal sacrifice to surrender our burdens to God and thank him.  Yet, through faith we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

So today, and everyday, and continuously as a matter of fact, we give thanks to God.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Pray For Your Enemies

 

 

In Matthew 5:44-45 Jesus instructs us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.  Why?  What does this mean?  How do we do this?  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary explains:

It is the duty of Christians to desire, and aim at, and press towards perfection in grace and holiness. And therein we must study to conform ourselves to the example of our heavenly Father, (1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.  

When we pray for our enemies, it is not only for God to change their hearts, but to also strengthen our own faith and shape our righteousness.

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The Lord’s Prayer — Even for Your Enemies

The place to start in praying for our enemies is the prayer that the Lord taught us to pray. Whatever else you pray for your enemies, pray for them like this:

Father, grant that my enemy — my colleague who snubs me, my wife who belittles me, my child who disrespects me, the ISIS member who wants to kill me — grant that they would come to hallow your name. Grant that they would treasure you above all, and reverence you, and admire you more than anything.

Father, grant that my enemy would come under the saving, purifying sway of your kingly rule and that you would exert your kingly power to make my enemy your own loyal subject.

Grant, Father, that my enemy would love to do your will the way the angels do it in heaven with all their might, and without reservation, and with the purest motives, and with great joy.

Grant, Father, that my enemy would have all the physical resources of food and clothing and shelter and education and health-care and transportation that he needs to fulfill your calling on his life.

And forgive my enemy his sins, as you bring him to repentance, and make him a forgiving person, and protect him from overpowering temptations, and from the destructive power of the devil.

This is what we should be praying for ourselves. And therefore, it is what we should be praying for our enemies.

-www.desiringgod.org “Pray For Those Who Abuse You”, Feb. 17, 2015

Pray For Unity

 

 

Paul wrote [1 Corinthians 1:10–17] in a letter to the divided body of Corinthian believers. The church was allowing a disagreement to hinder their fellowship. Paul knew the steep danger of dissension among believers.

Scripture is clear about the church’s mission. Some of its highest goals include sharing the gospel with all nations, caring for those in need, and worshiping together, along with loving, encouraging, and admonishing one another in God’s truth. None of these is fully possible if a church is divided, whether physically or mentally.

God wants His people to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV). So if all Christians base their beliefs on the Bible, they should be able to settle every argument according to its truth, right? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Our human nature, preferences, and different interpretations of Scripture can cause disagreements. Consider, for example, how many churches have experienced strife over music styles.

Tragically, when differences are divisive, our mission becomes blurred and we are ineffective. Just as fishermen cannot catch fish with a broken net, we are unable to effectively share Jesus with the world when our fellowship is not intact….

Are your actions and words strengthening your fellow Christians? Or do you gossip, express negativity, and push your own preferences and opinions? Be careful. God has mandated that our conduct positively impact the church’s unity. This is essential if we are to accomplish His purpose.

Taken from “Togetherness in the Body” by In Touch Ministries

Pray For One Another

 

Today, we pray for one another. This is also known as intercessory prayer. We intercede on behalf of others for the glory of God. James 5:16 says Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Daniel’s prayer for Israel (9:1-19) is an excellent model because it contains all the elements of true intercessory prayer: it’s in response to God’s divine Word, it is… fervent and self-denying, it identifies selflessly with God’s people and is strengthened by confession, it is dependent on God’s character and His will, and the goal is ultimately God’s glory. The Word tells us we are to pray for:
Leaders
Ministers
Jerusalem
Friends
The sick
Our enemies
Those who persecute and forsake us
All people!

All Christians are called to be intercessors, you don’t need a special prayer degree to do it. It is our Christian duty to pray for others (1 Samuel 12:23, Galatians 6:2, 1 Timothy 2:1) As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts and just as He intercedes for us, in accordance with God’s will, we are to intercede for one another (Romans 8:26).

Remember today as you pray, that our prayers are not just vain words or idle chit-chat to a static distant deity. As we pray God’s word for other it is living, moving and active. It is endowed with God’s power and can destroy strongholds, cast down arguments and every instance of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. Our prayers take every thought captive to submit to Christ’s authority! (2 Corinthians chapter 10:3-5)

To GOD be the glory and don’t forget to ARMOR UP!

Pray For Leadership

Today we will be praying for both worldly and spiritual leaders. In order to do so it is important that we understand the characteristics of Jesus Christ Our Savior as a leader. Today as after we armor up let’s ask God provide clear understanding for leaders across the world to fulfill their purpose in God.

(1) 1.   Jesus was not self-promoting. (Mark 1:11)

As Jesus began his ministry he made it clear that there was a great power at work.  The fact, that he placed himself under the care of John the Baptist to allow himself to be baptized also showed that Jesus was going to teach his followers submission does not mean weakness.  What Jesus was displaying was the first expression in his ministry of what true servanthood looked like.

In Matthew 3:13-15 the bible explains in more detail why Jesus began his ministry by not promoting himself but allowing John to be in charge.  Matthew writes these words,

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.” (NIV)

2.  Jesus was obedient to the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:12-13)

After Jesus was baptized, the Gospel writer Mark says that  “at once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,  and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”

As the Gospel writer Matthew tells this story of Jesus going into the wilderness he goes into more details.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands,  so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:1-11)

Jesus was tested in every temptation known to man in these three temptations.  The Apostle John places all sins in three categories when he wrote his epistle to the early New Testament Church.  He wrote,

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:14-18)

All sins fall into these three categories, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Here is how Jesus temptation and the teachings of John go together.

• The lust of the flesh – “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

• The lust of the eyes – “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

• The pride of life – “Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.’

3.  Jesus cast a vision, with clarity, simplicity, and directness. (Mark 1:15)

Not long after Jesus began his ministry John was arrested.  When this happened “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

One of the most powerful components of Jesus’ ministry was his ability to be simple, clear and direct.  This was shown in his preaching and teaching.  His ability to tell a truth through a simple parable was the foundation of all he did.

These parables had a purpose that was greater than the story.  Jesus explained it to his disciples when he said,

“This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:13-15)

4.  Jesus was a strategic team builder. (Mark 1:17)

When Jesus called the first four disciples, who were fishermen,  to follow him he said, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” When Jesus began the process of calling his disciples to follow him he began with men who had something in common.

In the Gospel according to Matthew (chapter 4) the first two men that Jesus called were fishermen who also were brothers.  Their names were Peter and Andrew.  The next two recruits were friends of Peter and Andrew who were also fishermen.  They were brothers whose names were James and John.  Is this process of Jesus’ first recruits insignificant or is there a lesson to be learned?

The act of Christ in recruiting the first disciples is a lesson in how important it is for any leader to begin with people who share common traits and values.  These four men did not have to explain themselves to one another, neither did they have to learn each other’s backgrounds.

Anytime a leader is attempting to build a team it is essential to have a core group of people who understand each other.  This enables the establishment of stability before diversity and conflict come along.   Be sure of one thing conflict will evolve in any team effort.  Before Jesus recruited the other disciples this stable core was created.

5.  Jesus was a relationship builder. (Mark 1:19)

As noted above Jesus began recruiting his disciples by finding those who shared some common ground.  This strong foundation led to calling those of differing character.  Take for example, Matthew the tax collector for Rome and Simon the Zealot (not Simon Peter).  The make-up of these two individuals shows how Jesus can build relationships.

Matthew worked for Rome in the collection of Roman taxes while Simon the Zealot was an ardent Jewish nationalist.  For the Simon the idea of paying taxes to Rome went against everything he believed.  It would not be out of line to say that Simon the Zealot hated Roman tax collectors with a passion.

The bringing together of these two men showed the power of Jesus to merge diverse people together.  Jesus is all about building relationships. It started with two sets of brothers that liked fishing together to drawing in a tax collector and a Zealot.

6.  Jesus expressed control and authority as a leader, when needed. (Mark 1:23-25)

At the beginning of his ministry Jesus encountered a man possessed by demons.

“Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out,  “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” When the demon made this statement, Jesus said sternly, “Be quiet and come out of him!”

Never let it be doubted that Jesus had authority and expressed strong control when needed.

7.  Jesus engaged crisis head-on. (Mark 1:30-31)

Often a crisis will cripple many people however, Jesus often took a crisis head on.  The Bible story says,

“Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.  So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”

When Luke included this event in his Gospel he approached it from his occupation as doctor.  He noted that Peters mother did not have just a fever but a  “A great fever.” (Luke 4:38)  This type of fever was a very violent one, that threatened possible death, and was extremely dangerous to an old person.  The approach of Christ to deal with this situation was an expression of engaging the crisis head on.

There will often be times when a strong leader will have to take on what others fear. Jesus is the perfect example.

8.  Jesus practiced daily prayer. (Mark 1:35)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)  Jesus prayed every day.  Here are some examples of his daily practice.

• “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” –Matthew 14:23

• “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’” –Matthew 26:36

• “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” –Mark 1:35

• “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” –Luke 5:16

• “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” –Luke 6:12

• “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” –Luke 18:1

Not only did Jesus show us by his practices of praying that it is a good idea the Old Testament also shows that prayer can empower us to be better people.”

… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

The prophet Isaiah also pointed out the need for a prayer life when he wrote these words.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Prayer is a powerful and helpful tool for anyone who desires to be a healthy leader.

9.  Jesus was all about empowering others. (Mark 1:40-45)

Jesus’ entire ministry focused on the empowerment of others.  A perfect example of this was seen in the healing of a man with leprosy.

“And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-45)

The question was put to Jesus, “If you are willing you can heal me.”  The response of Jesus was quick and to the point. “I am willing!”  There can be not doubt that Jesus was all about releasing the best in all of us.

These nine characteristics of Jesus were a strong sign of what he thought was important in leadership.  These same points can enable any leader to achieve strong team development.  The example of Christ is a powerful lesson for anyone desiring to be a strong and healthy leader.

(1) http://likeateam.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Pray For Clarity

 

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33

In the letter Corinthians 14 Paul  The  Apostle was giving us clear instruction on how to worship and through doing so he guides us to understand that God is not a God of disorder.

Have you ever read scripture and did not grasp the message? In today’s prayer we will search on how to receive clarity in God’s Word.  First and foremost, like in all things God we must  know that we love Him. Second, we must be willing to do God’s will.  Lastly we must have a consistent prayer life.  To receive clarity in God’s Word we must study it not read it. God’s Word the living word when we are actively seeking Him.

For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Let’s pray that the Word of God continues to be the lamp to our feet. (Psalms 119: 105)  let’s pray that the Spirit of God guides us in truth (John 16:13)

 

Come As You Are

Together we have completed 24 days of prayer. All the praise and glory to God. In the last 24 days we have prayed for intimacy with God, we’ve prayed for guidance, we’ve prayed for healing, we’ve prayed for peace, we’ve prayed for understanding of His word, We’ve prayed for faith,  we’ve prayed for employment just to mention a few.
On this Sunday, we want you take a minute to reflect. Reflect where were you 24 days ago? How’s your prayer life gain some stability? Have you learned something in the last 24 days? And most importantly where has God taking you from and taking you to?
Reflect on this word-
Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your Lord, the Holy God of Israel, who saves you. Isaiah 43:1-3

When we pray today,  pray for whatever is in our heart. Reflect on how great our God is and talk to him.
God bless!

Pray For Health

 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

As Christians, we know God calls us to honor Him with our bodies . The health of our physical bodies is tied to our emotional, mental, and spiritual health. We are not simply a collection of parts that operate independently; we are an entire self that is interdependent. Health is not only being free of mental and physical disease; it is a wholeness of mind and body, which lets us live our lives.

 

While they are coming to fight with the Chaldeans and to fill them with the corpses of men whom I have slain in My anger and in My wrath, and I have hidden My face from this city because of all their wickedness: Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. Jeremiah 33:5

 

For today’s prayer we want to ignite our body and spirit. Our bodies and our spirits are parts of the same creature, and to insure the health of one, we must ensure the health of the other. We feed the body nutrition and our spirit we feed scripture we bring them together in obedience. Let’s armor up and ask God to align our body and spirit in obedience.

 

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