Christmas

PM#0073

Luke 2:7

On Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. We focus on Christ, as our King, yet we may not understand the significance of His birth in a stable.

A stable is a place where animals including sheep were kept. Many a lamb were probably born in a stable in the cold weather. Have you ever thought that it was fitting and symbolic that Christ was born in a stable?

Christ is the Lamb of God. Being born in a stable was a true act of humility. As we come to Christmas, let us thank God that Jesus is the Lamb, who came to take our sin away.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus, who came to take our sin way. Help us to remember that as we celebrate Christmas. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2007 Lewis Turner

God’s Protection

PM#0072

PS 91:14-15

One day my wife desperately looked for one of our children, but could not find the child. So she made a diligent search and found a lady bringing the child to our home. It was a lady she had never seen or saw again.

There is no question the Lord knew the concerns of my wife’s heart which really was a prayer.

God’s word makes it clear that He will protect His children. Ps 91:14-15 says ”Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”

Father, thank you for your provision of protection to us, and that that protection is available to us when we pray.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Wisdom Needed

PM#0071

James 1:4

Many of us have been in situations where we wish we had wisdom to help us know what we should do.

Situations sometimes arise where we don’t know how to specifically pray. Sometimes when this happens, we really don’t know what is the real problem, or may have a dilemma where there are difficult choices.

There are situations which we need God’s wisdom and we can have that wisdom by asking for it in prayer. (see James 1:4)

If you are facing a difficult situation, join with me in this prayer. Father, we need your wisdom to help us through a difficult situation. In Jesus’ Name we thank you for it. Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Children’s Hearts

PM#0070

Deut 30:2-6

Do our dealings with children reach to their hearts?

God has entrusted children to us to care for, raise, and train. As we raise them, are we reaching their hearts?

Perhaps we should ask the question, do we have the power to reach their hearts and change them? The answer to that question is simple. It is no. The responsibility to change hearts is God’s. (See Deut 30:2-6) And God does that when we obey Him, which includes teaching our children about Him and teaching them to pray.

Father, help us to teach our children’s about You, and to pray. In Jesus Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Scripture Prayers

PM#0069

I John 5:14

Do you ever need a guide in helping you pray?

There is much help in the Bible concerning how people prayerd. A good source of examples are found in Apostle Paul’s letters to the churches.

The Apostle Paul included many prayers in his letters and these prayers show Paul's hopes and Godly desires for his fellow believers. They are a wonderful resource for us today in praying for others. These recorded prayers in the Bible are scripture. Scripture is God's will revealed to us and I John 5:14 says "if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us".

Don’t be afraid to let scripture guide you when you pray. Go ahead and search the Bible and use many of the prayers that are found in it. They are examples to help us to pray.

Father, encourage us to use your word in our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©2005 Lewis Turner

Resolutions

PM#0007

Psalm 51:10 Living Bible

How many times do we make a resolution to change our ways? And sometime later what has happened? Many find themselves failing their resolution.

They would probably have to admit that they did not ask help especially from Jesus. What God wants of us is to let Him help us; help us to develop in us what He wants for us. Coming to the Lord through prayer and humility can bring that help.

King David prayed a prayer, recorded in Psalm 51:10, which says "Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.”

Consider this prayer: Our Heavenly Father, create within me a clean heart, O God, and may it be filled with clean thoughts and right desires. I pray this In Jesus’ Name, Amen.