"And there was Anna, a prophetess... which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day" (Luke 2:36,37).
No doubt by praying we learn to pray, and the more we pray the oftener we can pray, and the better we can pray. He who prays in fits and starts is never likely to attain to that effectual, fervent prayer which availeth much. Great power in prayer is within our reach, but we must go to work to obtain it. Let us never imagine that Abraham could have interceded so successfully for Sodom if he had not been all his lifetime in the practice of communion with God. Jacob's all-night at Peniel was not the first occasion upon which he had met his God. We may even look upon our Lord's most choice and wonderful prayer with his disciples before His Passion as the flower and fruit of His many nights of devotion, and of His often rising up a great while before day to pray.
If a man dreams that he can become mighty in prayer just as he pleases, he labors under a great mistake. The prayer of Elias which shut up heaven and afterwards opened its floodgates, was one of long series of mighty prevailings with God. Oh, that Christian men would remember this! Perseverance in prayer is necessary to prevalence in prayer.
Those great intercessors, who are not so often mentioned as they ought to be in connection with confessors and martyrs, were nevertheless the grandest benefactors of the Church; but it was only by abiding at the mercy-seat that they attained to be such channels of mercy to men. We must pray to pray, and continue in prayer that our prayers may continue.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
To you My Lord I pray
To You My Lord I Pray
To You My Lord I Pray,
As for so many blessings,
Always with Me
Your Constant Guidance Stay.
So To You My Lord I Pray,
That your Light, Power and Forgiveness
Extended be,
To ALL the Humans in Darkness,
To ALL the Innocent Suffering People,
Art of Your Perfection, The kids, the elderly, the sick,
For That my GOD I Pray,
And If I might never find True Human Love
for Long a Wish of My Heart, if Selfish it may be,
Still My Lord to you I PRAY!
For Your Light and Guidance
Upon me and ALL Around be Forever laid.
As the air I breath, the life I live, and the food I eat
Come from You and only you My God,
To You and Only you, My Lord I pray!
To You My Lord I Pray,
As for so many blessings,
Always with Me
Your Constant Guidance Stay.
So To You My Lord I Pray,
That your Light, Power and Forgiveness
Extended be,
To ALL the Humans in Darkness,
To ALL the Innocent Suffering People,
Art of Your Perfection, The kids, the elderly, the sick,
For That my GOD I Pray,
And If I might never find True Human Love
for Long a Wish of My Heart, if Selfish it may be,
Still My Lord to you I PRAY!
For Your Light and Guidance
Upon me and ALL Around be Forever laid.
As the air I breath, the life I live, and the food I eat
Come from You and only you My God,
To You and Only you, My Lord I pray!
Quiet Walk
Quiet Walk
Mark 14
Jesus spends His last two days in intimate communion with His closest friends.
INSIGHT
Prayer is one of the true mysteries in the Bible. It is inevitable, as we grow in our prayer life, that we will struggle with an inadequate understanding of how to pray.
The example of Jesus praying in Gethsemane helps us with what we can know and understand about prayer. First, we can know that prayer does not eliminate emotional struggling.
A second thing we can learn is that prayer can make us stronger spiritually and keep us from temptation. In each account of His prayer, Jesus says to His disciples, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation." (Mark 14:38). If we watch and pray, we will be strengthened against temptation.
PRAYER
· As you continue your time with the Lord, offer to Him this praise:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all
(1 Chronicles 29:11).
· Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
· As you confess your sins, pray this affirmation of God's Word:
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength. . . .
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint
(Isaiah 40:29, 31).
· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater insight into the Scriptures,
· the hungry around the world,
· your activities for the day.
· Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace
(Numbers 6:24-26).
Mark 14
Jesus spends His last two days in intimate communion with His closest friends.
INSIGHT
Prayer is one of the true mysteries in the Bible. It is inevitable, as we grow in our prayer life, that we will struggle with an inadequate understanding of how to pray.
The example of Jesus praying in Gethsemane helps us with what we can know and understand about prayer. First, we can know that prayer does not eliminate emotional struggling.
A second thing we can learn is that prayer can make us stronger spiritually and keep us from temptation. In each account of His prayer, Jesus says to His disciples, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation." (Mark 14:38). If we watch and pray, we will be strengthened against temptation.
PRAYER
· As you continue your time with the Lord, offer to Him this praise:
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all
(1 Chronicles 29:11).
· Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon
(Isaiah 55:6-7).
· As you confess your sins, pray this affirmation of God's Word:
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength. . . .
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint
(Isaiah 40:29, 31).
· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater insight into the Scriptures,
· the hungry around the world,
· your activities for the day.
· Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace
(Numbers 6:24-26).
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Preparation For The Future
The motto of the Boy Scouts is "Be Prepared." To fulfill that motto they learn how to build a fire, pitch a tent, tie a knot, and follow a trail. "Be Prepared" could also be the motto of the Christian.
Jesus often taught us to be prepared for his return. There is that strange parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) who, having cheated his employer, cheated him again in the hope of getting a job with someone else. Jesus did not comment that man's character or integrity, nor did He recommend his business practices. Jesus told the story to illustrate one point only: the man made some preparation for the future.
The parable of the bridesmaids (Matt. 25:10) also emphasizes the need to be prepared. Five had brought sufficient oil for their lamps to keep burning through the night. The other five had, foolishly, not made sufficient preparation.
Along twisting highways in the southern Appalachian Mountains one often saw hand painted on rocks "Prepare to Meet God." The next death defying curve gave immediacy to the warning. One never knows is such well-meaning warnings were ever heeded, but believers need always to prepare for the return of our Lord. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).
Jesus often taught us to be prepared for his return. There is that strange parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) who, having cheated his employer, cheated him again in the hope of getting a job with someone else. Jesus did not comment that man's character or integrity, nor did He recommend his business practices. Jesus told the story to illustrate one point only: the man made some preparation for the future.
The parable of the bridesmaids (Matt. 25:10) also emphasizes the need to be prepared. Five had brought sufficient oil for their lamps to keep burning through the night. The other five had, foolishly, not made sufficient preparation.
Along twisting highways in the southern Appalachian Mountains one often saw hand painted on rocks "Prepare to Meet God." The next death defying curve gave immediacy to the warning. One never knows is such well-meaning warnings were ever heeded, but believers need always to prepare for the return of our Lord. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Maker of Heaven and Earth (All Things Bright and Beautiful)
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;--
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Jan Bagwell
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;--
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Jan Bagwell
Heaven
Heaven
In the book, Salt, the author describes a fictional character (though based on fact) who left the southern Appalachians to live and work in Kansas. When she became ill she said she wanted to go back to North Carolina to die. She got on an eastbound train, but died before she arrived. She died on the way home! All Christians die on the way home. This world is not our home, has never been our home; will never be our home. Whether we die on an outbound journey, or die in some distant place, all Christians die on the way home.
In the book, Salt, the author describes a fictional character (though based on fact) who left the southern Appalachians to live and work in Kansas. When she became ill she said she wanted to go back to North Carolina to die. She got on an eastbound train, but died before she arrived. She died on the way home! All Christians die on the way home. This world is not our home, has never been our home; will never be our home. Whether we die on an outbound journey, or die in some distant place, all Christians die on the way home.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Script Writer
The Script Writer
==================
Feeling a bit wobbly with the chaos in the world today? Time
to check what you are standing on. A guest speaker at my
church on gave a great illustration of this fact.
When he was a boy, the speaker said he often watched the old
Batman television series. In every episode, Batman's enemies
like the Joker and Catwoman always seemed to trap him by the
end of it - like over a shark tank or buried alive
underground. The announcer would say to tune in tomorrow at
the same "Bat-time" and same "Bat-Channel" to see how it was
going to turn out.
Somehow Batman always managed to get to his utility belt which
would contain shark-repellent or a collapsible shovel that
would be just the right tool to get him out of his situation.
The speaker said that while he was worried about how the story
was going to turn out, one person was not worried.
The script writer.
See, the script writer already knew exactly what trouble
Batman was going to face. Not only that, but the script writer
knew exactly what was going to get Batman out of it - after
all, he had already written victory into the story.
If you are worried about the troubles facing you with your
health, your finances, or your relationships, then know that
God has already provided the answers for you just as surely as
the Batman script writer did for his creation.
For example, in terms of my health I stand on this promise:
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in
health, just as your soul prospers.
So whenever I feel sick, I pray as if I am already reading the
end of the story in which I am in health and prospering. After
all, that's what the script says is going to happen!
Jan Bagwell
==================
Feeling a bit wobbly with the chaos in the world today? Time
to check what you are standing on. A guest speaker at my
church on gave a great illustration of this fact.
When he was a boy, the speaker said he often watched the old
Batman television series. In every episode, Batman's enemies
like the Joker and Catwoman always seemed to trap him by the
end of it - like over a shark tank or buried alive
underground. The announcer would say to tune in tomorrow at
the same "Bat-time" and same "Bat-Channel" to see how it was
going to turn out.
Somehow Batman always managed to get to his utility belt which
would contain shark-repellent or a collapsible shovel that
would be just the right tool to get him out of his situation.
The speaker said that while he was worried about how the story
was going to turn out, one person was not worried.
The script writer.
See, the script writer already knew exactly what trouble
Batman was going to face. Not only that, but the script writer
knew exactly what was going to get Batman out of it - after
all, he had already written victory into the story.
If you are worried about the troubles facing you with your
health, your finances, or your relationships, then know that
God has already provided the answers for you just as surely as
the Batman script writer did for his creation.
For example, in terms of my health I stand on this promise:
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in
health, just as your soul prospers.
So whenever I feel sick, I pray as if I am already reading the
end of the story in which I am in health and prospering. After
all, that's what the script says is going to happen!
Jan Bagwell
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet Thy tribute bring!
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing?
Praise Him! praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise Him for His grace and favour,
To our fathers in distress!
Praise Him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless!
Praise Him! praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness!
Father-like, He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes,
Praise Him! praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows!
Frail as summer's flower we flourish:
Blows the wind, and it is gone.
But while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Praise Him, Praise Him,
Praise the high eternal One!
Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face:
Sun and moon, bow down before Him;
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise Him! praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace!
Jan Bagwell 1/20/09
To His feet Thy tribute bring!
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing?
Praise Him! praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise Him for His grace and favour,
To our fathers in distress!
Praise Him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless!
Praise Him! praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness!
Father-like, He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes,
Praise Him! praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows!
Frail as summer's flower we flourish:
Blows the wind, and it is gone.
But while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Praise Him, Praise Him,
Praise the high eternal One!
Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face:
Sun and moon, bow down before Him;
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise Him! praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace!
Jan Bagwell 1/20/09
Monday, January 26, 2009
Heaven _ Bound
Heaven-Bound – John 14:1-6
As Christians, we’re looking forward to our Heavenly home and eternal bodies. But we still have questions about life in Heaven.
For example, we wonder whether earthly marriages and families will exist in Heaven. Based on Matthew 22:23-30, Dr. Stanley doesn’t believe there will be family affiliations as we know them in this life. Our capacity to relate to other believers in Heaven will far surpass what we experience here on earth. In their new form, these relationships will be more satisfying and fulfilling. There will be no sin nature to tarnish them.
We also wonder about what we’ll do there. Worship of God will continue. But it will be richer, deeper, and backed up by an angelic chorus. We’ll experience times of fellowship with Jesus and each other in perfect unity. There will be no angry words, misunderstandings, or disagreements to damage our relationships. Revelation 22:3 says serving God will also be part of our Heavenly lives.
The most important question about Heaven is, How do I get there? Contrary to popular opinion, entrance isn’t based on good works, high morals, church attendance, baptism, or membership in the “right” denomination. It centers on the person of Jesus Christ. If we acknowledge we’re sinners separated from God, receive Jesus’ sacrificial death as payment for our rebellion, and trust Him as Savior and Lord, we instantly become a child of God. Then, a place in Heaven is reserved for us. Are you sure you’re Heaven-bound?
As Christians, we’re looking forward to our Heavenly home and eternal bodies. But we still have questions about life in Heaven.
For example, we wonder whether earthly marriages and families will exist in Heaven. Based on Matthew 22:23-30, Dr. Stanley doesn’t believe there will be family affiliations as we know them in this life. Our capacity to relate to other believers in Heaven will far surpass what we experience here on earth. In their new form, these relationships will be more satisfying and fulfilling. There will be no sin nature to tarnish them.
We also wonder about what we’ll do there. Worship of God will continue. But it will be richer, deeper, and backed up by an angelic chorus. We’ll experience times of fellowship with Jesus and each other in perfect unity. There will be no angry words, misunderstandings, or disagreements to damage our relationships. Revelation 22:3 says serving God will also be part of our Heavenly lives.
The most important question about Heaven is, How do I get there? Contrary to popular opinion, entrance isn’t based on good works, high morals, church attendance, baptism, or membership in the “right” denomination. It centers on the person of Jesus Christ. If we acknowledge we’re sinners separated from God, receive Jesus’ sacrificial death as payment for our rebellion, and trust Him as Savior and Lord, we instantly become a child of God. Then, a place in Heaven is reserved for us. Are you sure you’re Heaven-bound?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
“…
--Nehemiah 8:10
Remember the old saying, “Time flies by when you’re having fun”? I think there’s a lot of truth to this statement.
When things aren’t going the way we want, or if we’re bored, time seems to slow down to a crawl. But when we fill our lives with things we enjoy, time just zooms by. I believe the same is true of us in our Christian lives.
Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. This means that as believers we should be strengthened and encouraged by our relationship with the Lord. He should be the reason we serve and His glory should be the goal of everything we do.
Unfortunately, when we are out of fellowship or out of touch with Christ, we usually lose the joy of serving. At that point, serving God and worshipping Him become tasks we dread and events that just seem to go by in slow motion.
However, when we’re in vibrant fellowship with Christ, we enjoy serving and worshiping Him…and the time goes by so quickly that we are hardly aware of the passing of the hours!
I pray that you will feel great joy in serving the Lord today and every day. He promised us that He will be our strength each and every hour if we will remain in Him.
--Nehemiah 8:10
Remember the old saying, “Time flies by when you’re having fun”? I think there’s a lot of truth to this statement.
When things aren’t going the way we want, or if we’re bored, time seems to slow down to a crawl. But when we fill our lives with things we enjoy, time just zooms by. I believe the same is true of us in our Christian lives.
Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. This means that as believers we should be strengthened and encouraged by our relationship with the Lord. He should be the reason we serve and His glory should be the goal of everything we do.
Unfortunately, when we are out of fellowship or out of touch with Christ, we usually lose the joy of serving. At that point, serving God and worshipping Him become tasks we dread and events that just seem to go by in slow motion.
However, when we’re in vibrant fellowship with Christ, we enjoy serving and worshiping Him…and the time goes by so quickly that we are hardly aware of the passing of the hours!
I pray that you will feel great joy in serving the Lord today and every day. He promised us that He will be our strength each and every hour if we will remain in Him.
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