New Layout

Just wanted to ask for your personal ideas on the new layout and design of the blog. This is my second try at re-vamping the look of the blog, and I thought I would take a totally different approach at the whole visual concept. Thanks for your continued prayers and I have an idea for my next post, plus several reviews that are overdue. Have a blessed day and please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

An observation and question...

Last night as we got ready to begin our services, I received a text with some information I would rather not get, especially when preparing to be in front of the church leading music. Immediately the passage found in Philippians 4:6 & 7 came to mind..."Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7)And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We are told to not get over-excited for anything, but rather hand it over to the Lord to handle. The human, male part of me wanted to stop and try to fix everything. But, just as the verse 7 states, a peace came over as I prayed it into God's hands. When something comes into your life at the "inopportune" moment, what scripture gives you peace? When has Satan attacked you lately? If he hasn't, is there a reason he's leaving you alone? Satan won't hinder someone not about the Father's business, right?

Share a thought or two and let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Say a Prayer...

I have spent quite a bit of time in prayer today as I review through the Twitterverse (universe of Twitter, that is). I have been praying for several requests, including a family who lost 4 members of their family this morning locally, the upcoming Compassion Bloggers trip to India, praise and worship services this coming weekend, and the many friends who are learning at Catalyst West Coast.

I am amazed at how folks are willing to share prayer concerns with "complete strangers" through Twitter. I have recently become involved in the @worldprayr group and have been helping in moderation and posting on the home site found here.

We need to be mindful that prayer that moves the heart of God can move the hand of God. I know I have heard Bro. Boyd say that many times, though I can't remember who he references with learning it from. The verse that comes to mind is found in James 5:16..."Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." If we will but take our petitions before the Lord we could see miraculous works done in Jesus' name!!!

Today, I wanted to open the gates for everyone to share a request (public or unspoken) that we could all lift before the Lord on each other's behalf.

I want to lift up a couple of requests myself...first for the Dale Welch family, as Dale's cancer has progressed and he is in his last days with us. May God comfort the family and allow us to open our arms in Christ's love to them. Also, The Howard family, as sister Howard is nearing life's end.

Finally, I would like to lift the Flood family up. The father and 3 children were killd this morning when their vehicle ran a stop sign and were hit by a semi. The mother was airlifted to OKC this morning.

I would ask that you pray for these and pray for me as I pray for you...

Please drop a request and take a moment to word a prayer for those who have posted before you...thanks!!!

Praying for You

I know that there are so many people that are going through struggles today with economic and other issues. I found this video over at The Katinas blog and wanted to share it with you today. I hope it encourages you!



If you have something you're struggling with and need prayer, please let me know how I can word it on your behalf!!!

Get uncomfortable...

I was asked this morning about the challenge I have taken here on the blog of learning verses each week and how that is going. I told him how the verses and blog were becoming quite a challenge to do daily, because things seem to keep coming up to detour my thoughts.

Then, he asked the question...so, what is the challenge you are facing in life? Hmmm...well, the challenge I struggle with is stepping out of the comfort zones and getting uncomfortable and reaching out to help others. I'm sure you have all seen the list of where our priorities as Christians should be, right? God, family, church, friends, others, then you...in that order!!! Well, being honest, I struggle putting myself to the bottom rung of the ladder. It's so easy to say "but that's not what I want for this situation"...or..."that's not how I want things to be done"...when I should really be concerned about how God wants things done and down the list and so on and so forth, yadda-yadda-yadda.

Do you struggle with this? I found that to keep this challenge, I must work on four aspects for my life to stay on track...First, my Bible study or devotion time must be there and evident in my life...Second, I must be asking for God's directions...Third, I must work on my marriage (because the devil will try to pull at family)...and finally, sharing with others (getting out of comfort mode).

My struggles definitely aren't the same struggles that many of you may face today, but if there is some part of your life that you are fighting with, know that God is always there to help when we ask. Take a look at 2 Corinthians 1:4..."He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God." So, what I am battling can be used for the glory of the Lord...the strength that I gain from giving it to Him can be shared with others I come in contact with who think there is no hope.

To wrap things up today, let's review our verses for the weeek from Romans 8:1 & 2..."There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Make time for your Bible study, prayer time, family, and share what God is doing with another today. Take the verses into your heart...let God use them to speak to you, and share what you have learned...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Redeem the time...

Okay, before we get to our verse to memorize this week, let's take a look back at our last verses. Our first verse came from John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Last week's verse was in Acts 6:4..."Be we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word." How many of you were able to say those without help of reading the scripture written out? Let me know how you are doing on your memorization so far.

Well, that leads us to this weeks verses. I have to admit, I got this from the daily email devotion from Lifeway's "Experiencing God Today" from this morning. It shared the following verses from Ephesians 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

These verses are calling us to be careful and walk through this world with our "eyes open" to what is going on about us. Redeeming the time...do you wonder what that could mean? Have you ever taken glass bottles back to "redeem" them for trade-in value or "redeemed" a certificate for payment? What this means to me is that we share our testimony of Jesus in us, so that we may "redeem" those works for crowns in the hereafter. Redeem the time and give it to Jesus for His purposes for your life today.

Think of what is said in John 9:4..."I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." We must do the work today, don't procrastinate and put it off for another day or another person to do. If someone is placed in your way today, you MUST do what you can to share the words that God has given you to share with them.

Do your part in the coming days, weeks, months, and even years...because we know not when the Lord will come and no man can work anymore. Chances will be gone. I relate this again to the song...what if we lived everyday like we were dying? Would we be more willing to share and get out of our comfort zone? Think about that one...

Let's look again at our verses for the week from Epheasian 5:15 & 16..."See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Think on it, share it with others, and let God speak through His Word to everyone of us today!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Unceasing prayer...

Fall is definitely in the air! Cooler weather and leaves all over the ground. We just finished our Sunday School campaign at our church and I am looking forward to what God is going to do this weekend. I am also looking forward to seeing the classes take what they've been focused on for eight weeks, and running with it. The focus has been reaching out "missionally" with each individual class. The campaign has ended, but we have challenged the teachers and classes to not let it end there.

Let's take another look today at our verse for the week in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Have you got it memorized? This week's verse I kept getting words turned around. This morning, I can say that I typed without the assistance of YouVersion. The past couple posts, I can't say that for. Have you been setting aside your time for prayer AND Bible study? Some days are easier to follow through than others, but let's make a concentrated effort to do it daily!

Okay, now let's test your memory from last week. The verse is John 3:30..."He must increase, but I must decrease." Do you still remember that one? I went in to church Wednesday and was just saying hi to one of the members, when they started quoting the scriptures we have been memorizing. It is a blessing to see others taking the initiative to learn scriptures, too. Have you taken the challenge seriously? Start today and see what God will do if you are willing to take His Word into your heart...

Let's take another look in the scriptures today, that will go right along with our verse of the week. It comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:17..."Pray without ceasing." This can be a challenge during our hectic, loud days to take a few moments to be still and silent and lift our voices unto the Lord. Do your prayers have an end??? do they seem to continue on??? We are called to pray without ceasing and be in a mindset of prayer at all times.

Take a few moments and go over our verses from the past two weeks again. Let the words speak to you. Repeat them over again...and again...think on them...pray that God will use them in your life today...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

He's still on the throne!!!

Am back at the computer this morning, after quite an eventful day with a dentist elbow-deep in my mouth doing a root canal. Okay, maybe not elbow-deep, it just seemed that way. First things first, let's look at our verse to memorize for this week. It's found in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." At the point we are in our history as a nation and Christians, this is more important than ever!!!

The signs of the times are everywhere. I have heard that my whole life, but am starting to notice it myself, as well. I guess that is a sign of growth and maturity? Never thought I would link those words to myself, but things do happen.

Since the results of the election, I have heard varied responses from...this is the end of life as we know it...to people equating our new President-elect to the anti-Christ...and even calling him the Messiah...now that is scary and unnecessary! My biggest thing in all this is...God is still on His throne and in control!

This is evident throughout history and is shown quite well in the book of Daniel, which we have been studying on Sunday nights. God can use even the vilest of rulers for His cause. He can also use His people to show His power to an unbelieving ruler, as well.

For those of you who have lost heart, I was sent this verse via Twitter the other evening by Max Lucado. It set my concerned mind at ease. It is found in Proverbs 21:1..."The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

WOW!!! We can keep our faith in the Lord and He will take care of things??? Okay, that was sarcasm. But, when we take our eyes of Him and start wondering what we are going to do in dire circumstances, we need a reality check. Don't lose faith...there is hope...remember our verse this week and give yourself to prayer continually and the ministry of the Word!!! Don't put all your hope in man, they will fail and disappoint, put your faith and hope in the One who has never failed!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today!!!

Feeding the wolf...

Okay, before we get into the news of the day, I want to take another look at our verse of the week. It comes from Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." Rather simply, we are called to keep in contact with the Lord both through our prayer time as well as our Bible reading and study time.

Yesterday, we focused along the lines of prayer, so today let's look at a few verses in relation to our study of the Bible. Our first verse comes from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." I am sure you have all heard this verse, but have you ever noticed that it portrays our study as a job? We are called a "workman"...and we are supposed to study the bible and be confident in what it tells us. If we spend no time in the Word, how can we be confident that we know and are doing what it says?

Our next scripture comes from Luke 4:4..."And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." This verse shows the necessity of having the Word of God as a part of daily "intake". Not only do we need physical foods to live and survive this life, but spiritual foods to prosper in the sight of the Lord.

This reminds me of the story I heard about a boy visiting with his Cherokee grandfather. They were talking about inner battles we face in life. The grendfather equated the battles to having two "wolves" that battle for victory. One "wolf" is Evil and the other is Good. When asked which wolf wins the battles, the grandfather says..."the one you feed"...

Which "wolf" are you feeding in your life? Are you feeding on the Word of God daily or are you sustaining yourself with the fruits this world has to offer? The "wolf" you feed will win in your daily struggles. Take another look at our verse for the week in Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Think on it...pray about it...and feed yourself on the Words contained...

Finally, I would ask that everyone be in a state of prayer for the election going on today. I am not promoting here for one or the other, but rather that God's will be done. I voted this morning, and ask that you vote, too. Stand up and let everyone know you voted!!! Please don't stump for one or the other here, though...

Let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...

Give yourself continually...

For our memorization challenge for this week, we look at Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." This continues on with the teaching from last week's memory verse in John 3:30, where we learned that "He must increase, but I must decrease." If we are to grow closer to God and have His will made evident in our lives, we must follow these words CONSTANTLY!!!

As we go into this week, let's take a moment and see how we are or aren't to pray...Let's take a look at Matthew 6:5-8..."And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

This is calling us to a personal, private prayer relationship with the Lord. We are to pray as if no one is there but us and the Lord. It is not necessary to say the loftiest words and recitations to make ourselves look good. Because, those who pray to be heard have their reward. If we take our requests privily and secretly, the Lord will reward openly. Also, realize that the Lord knows your needs before you even state them. This doesn't mean to take that for granted, but rather feel confident to make them known personally.

We need to have a special place and time that we meet with God daily...whether in a closet, bedroom, office, or wherever you feel led. Not only do we need to spend our time in prayer, but also in the Word. Be thinking on our new verse during the coming days. Once again, it is Acts 6:4..."But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today...

Move mountains...

Mark 11:22-26..."And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (23) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (24) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (26) But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

This is a bold passage...Jesus states at the beginning to have faith in God. He continues on that with faith, not doubt, in your heart you can literally move mountains. If we believe what we ask for, it shall come. It states that what we desire when we pray, if we believe we shall receive. Would you ever try to get one over on God in prayer? I mean, would you actually ask for something you know that He wouldn't have for you? Just to clarify, God's interests in our lives must be best suited for Him to give what we ask for...once again, the heart is brought up in this context.

Another point is that to be forgiven, we must forgive. If we are holding off on forgiveness of others, how can the Lord forgive us. Is there someone who has done wrong to you? Have they asked your forgiveness, but you turned them away? Was it just too bad??? too hurtful??? too wrong??? What could be so wrong as to send God's Son to die on the cross??? To whom much is forgiven, much forgiveness is required. Just remember that our sins being forgiven cost God His only begotten Son. That makes the petty hurts and even the big ones seem much smaller.

So, from the passage today...forgive others...pray in faith, believing...and you can move a mountain TODAY!!!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf...

Confidence toward God...

1 John 3:21-24..."Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (24) And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

I find this passage quite self-explanatory...if our hearts don't condemn us, we are confident toward God. Simply put, we have a confidence to ask anything we will, because we are asking with pure motives. Our heart lets us know where we truly are spiritually. You can put on a good front for friends, loved ones, church members...but you can't lie to your heart. As it continues in verse 22, we receive what we ask for because we keep His commandments. Once again, if we're not keeping His commandments, our heart will know, we won't be confident to ask...and so on.

In verse 23, we find commandments that have been given to us...believe on the name of Jesus Christ...and love one another. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Seems to be a theme God is using...yesterday, today...maybe tomorrow, who knows? Love one another...

Finally, in verse 24 if we keep His commandments, we dwell in Him and He in us. And we will know that He dwells in us by the Spirit which has been given to us. Walk in that Spirit today...keep his commandments, ask with confidence, and you will receive what you ask...

I ask you to say a prayer for an 8-year-old girl in our church having open heart surgery today...please lift Sammy to the Lord in your prayers. Also, let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...be blessed!

Declare what He has done...

The text for today is Psalm 66:16-20..."Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. (17) I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. (18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me : (19) But verily God hath heard me ; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. (20) Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."

First off, we see David excited to share what God is doing in his life. Hmm, sounds like something we should all be doing, right? Anyway, he talks about how he cried to the Lord with his mouth (aloud, not silent) and He was extolled with his tongue. I don;t know about you, but I had to pull out the dictionary for that one, just to make sure I was grasping it correctly. Extol means to praise highly or glorify. So, simply stated, the Lord was glorified by David's prayer...When we pray do we glorify God with our cries? If others heard our petitions, would they see God glorified, or just see a Christian asking for more? I am not saying we can't and shouldn't ask God for things, but our prayer should bring Him praise!!!

Verse 18 gives us a bit of a wake-up call..."If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me". To me, this speaks of our secret or hidden sins...is there really such a thing? (NO) If we are holding on to sin in our lives, the Lord won't hear our prayers. This makes it that much more important to cry out to God when we sin, rather than waiting...

Obviously, David confessed regularly because the Lord heard him, listened to his prayers, and was merciful upon him.

Do you feel like your prayers are not getting above the ceiling? not getting answered? Does it feel like His mercy is turned from you? Glorify God in your prayers, confess and let go of sin in your life, and turn from them...God will attend to the voice of your prayers...and will not turn His mercy from you.

When you do these things, you will be sharing with others what God has done for you with excitement!!!

Please let me know if there is a prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Confess to each other...

James 5:16-18..."Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (18) And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

Do you carry around baggage that weighs you down emotionally? Do you wish you could drop some or have someone help carry it? Maybe you've prayed and asked forgiveness, but have you ever shared your inner secrets with another?

Sometimes, what you need is a chance to open up and let it pour out, right? A counselor isn't the only person you can talk to, either. Do you have someone you can open up to? The Bible is teaching here to open up to a brother or sister in Christ. We all have our faults and part of growing together corporately is sharing our faults with one another that we may pray for one another. Not just praying for the back pain, the arthritis, or the in-law situations, but also the "inner demons" they face. It says for us to pray like that so we might be healed. Did you realize you needed healing? Listen up...you do!!!

Continuing in verse 17, it mentions that Elias was a man with passions like we have. He prayed earnestly...not grudgingly, not because he had to. He prayed for it to not rain, and you know what? It didn't...for three years and six months. For those of us in the Great Plains of the U.S. it sometimes seems like it's been that long, but not even close.

The amazing thing comes in verse 18...he prayed again, and it rained, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Here is a man like us, who prayed and asked God to stop the rain first, then asked to rain again and it happened. The key to having a prayer life that gets heard by God is??? At the end of verse 16..."The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Pray with boldness, confess to one another, pray for one another (deeply), and have faith. The God who halted the rain for Elias, can calm any storm in your life today. Please let me know how I can word a prayer for you today...

A prayer for grace...

This morning, as every Monday morning, I pray that my eyes will be fixed upon the things of God and not on this world. When I was reading, I stopped at Psalm 19 and came across a prayer that each of us should raise to the Lord. It begins in verse 12...

"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (13) Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

As we go through each day, we do sin. Whether you want to admit it or not, we are sinful beings. Sometimes, even though we have what we would think a great Christ-like day, we have sinned in our actions, words, or by omission.

I believe that is what David is referring to here. We as finite beings don't understand the infinite wisdom of God and can't grasp fully the sin we are indwelt with. Therefore, we need to pray for our secret faults as they are mentioned in the KJV.

In verse 13 he asks for power against what he calls presumptuous sins...Webster defines presumptuous like this: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties. So, David is asking to be kept from sinning willfully or boldly. He also states that if the sin doesn't overtake him he shall be upright and innocent.

Finally, in verse 14 may we be ever cognizant that our thoughts, meditation, and words be acceptable to the Lord, who is our strength and redeemer. If we keep our eyes on our redeemer and lean to His strength and not our own, the wiles of this world will have no allure to us.

My prayer today is that we may ask God to take away our presumptuous sins...What sin have you been taking liberty with? Will you turn it back over to Him and let yourself be upright and innocent? Please let me know if I can word a prayer of comfort for you today...

Walk worthy...

Ephesians 4:1-3 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called (2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Today, I was touched by this passage of not only looking inwardly, but making sure we stay unified for the cause of Christ.

May we always be mindful that the works which are accomplished are not because of what we have done. When we get too caught up with what WE are doing, that sets us up for a fall. Our time in prayer and in the Word is a necessity for spiritual growth. If we are grounded on true foundation, there is nothing we can't do through Christ (see Phillipians 4:13).

May we not take for granted our relationship with God. When we try to build human relationships, spending time with one another is key...building a relationship with God is no different.

Make time today and everyday to spend in prayer and in study...you won't regret it!!!