Speech and Your Heart

PM#0477

Matthew 15:18, Psalms 139:23-24, II Chronicles 7:14, Nehemiah 1:6

What expressions do we commonly use?  Many of those expressions show what is in our heart.  The Bible says that out of the heart, man speaks. (Matt 15:18)

New Years is a time to confess those wrong words spoken cleanse our heart, and to let Jesus cleanse our heart.  However, if we hide sin, in hidden places in our heart, he can't cleanse that.  That hiding of sin keeps us speaking wrong.

When you speak without thinking, are you using wrong expressions that actually address a false god, or something related, or down-grade someone?  To keep doing it is like a rut. 

To get out of that rut, we must confess all sin and let Christ work his cleansing in us. Consider this prayer:

Lord, show me what is not right in my heart, even those sins of my fathers which affect me today. Lead me in following your word, and in turning away from those sins by confessing them to you.  Cleanse my heart, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Celebrating Christmas...

Prayer Minutes PM#0476

 As we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the coming of light into our world.  John 1: 9 says “There was the true light, … which lighteth every man, coming into the world.”  In John 1:4 the Bible says: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”  That life reflected the nature of God, which is Love.  I John 4:8. 

What keeps us from accepting that love?  Many of us have grown up with fear, and have done wrong things which we don’t want to even speak about.   Those things have a hold on us like a rope around our neck that can’t be removed. Christ came not to judge us, but to give us life. 

We can have that life if we believe on Jesus.  John 3:16 says: “For God so love the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish.” All we need to do is believe in Him.  Have you really personally done that? 

If not, then consider this prayer:  “Jesus, I believe in you as my savior.  Help me to love You.  Amen.”

Remembering Christ at Christmas

PM#0475

In the Christmas Season, and here is much hustle, traffic jams, and crowded stores.  There are beautiful lights everywhere, yes many are beautiful, but none are as beautiful as the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas is not about what we get, or all the glitter and lights.  Christmas is about a Savior being born for you and me.  It was a humble birth of one who showed love to many by caring for them, and was willing to lay down His life, so that we could have eternal life by believing on Him.

Why not this Christmas, take time to remember what Jesus Christ has done for us.  He came because He loved you.  If you have never put your personal trust in Him, and asked Him to be your Savior, don’t put that decision off.  Do it now, and pray this prayer:  “Jesus, I invite you to be my personal Savior and want you to help me love others as you love me.”

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, we would love to hear from you.

Prayer for Upcoming Leaders

PM#0474

Prayer for Upcoming Leaders

Based on Matt 13:3-7

John, is a man who appears to be an upcoming leader in your organization or church.  How are you responding to him?  Are you sitting on the sidelines watching, are you questioning his sincerity, or are you encouraging him and praying for him?

Most every one of us has probably seen someone like John.  Here is an interesting thought about upcoming leaders.  If they have encouragement, they generally do well.  When they do not have encouragement, then they are like the seed that fell on hard ground, and don’t often amount to much.

Encouragement does help people move forward.  Encouragement can be in the form of prayer for them, asking God’s help for them to grow and develop.

Consider a prayer like this in praying for an upcoming leader.  “Father, encourage my friend, John, who has been growing in the Lord and serving you.  May he look to you and your word daily.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving

PM#0473

The United States has set aside a day to be thankful for our blessings which come to us two ways:

• Ones that we have
• Ones that we give. 

We may sometimes recognize something as a blessing, but more often than not we need to be reminded of the many blessings around us.  We often forget the little things that really are a blessing—like a cup of cold water.  The old hymn is very true—“Count your Blessings”.  When we recognize our blessings, we will be surprised what God has done.

Then as we recognize our blessings, are we learning to reach out and bless someone else?  Blessings shared, bring much joy and encouragement to others.

I encourage you to take time today and count your blessings, and then look for ways to bless others. 

The Lord will help us do this if we ask Him in prayer.  “Father, help us to recognize our blessings and to be able to bless others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Politics and Religion

PM#0472

Politics and Religion

Based on Proverbs 2:4-6a  "If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. For Jehovah giveth wisdom;"

Whenever there is a political race, some in the race want the support of Christians.  Now there is nothing fundamentally wrong with that desire.

We need to ask a real question and it needs to be truthfully answered.  Is that support sought for control purposes?  Or is it the result of one involved in politics to genuinely see God’s wisdom? 

I have been approached by many emotional appeals that sound good.  If I join them I need to ask will they focus on the Kingdom of God principles, or will the elevate one particular party or a candidate who will use that bandwagon to manipulate us?

Probably the best way to resolve this issue is to seek Godly wisdom, in earnestness, using God’s word. 

Consider this prayer ‘Father, I need your wisdom concerning the issues in the upcoming political race.  Please guide me according to your word”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Veterans

PM#0471

Veterans

John 15:13, Rom 12:14

Vietnam veterans were deeply hurt when protesters did not respect. 

The protestors had forgotten that our freedoms come with a cost, one which we fought to preserve, and some gave their lives to protect those freedoms. The Bible says in John 15:13 that ‘Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”  

Yes, veterans have experienced a rejection of that love as a country. Turning to God’s way, we should forgive and find ways to bless.  Rom 12:14 says “Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.”

Fortunately, our country is now honoring its veterans.  Still, all of us who are veterans should consider this prayer:

Father, help me to continually find ways to bless my country, I forgive those who hurt us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have You Encouraged Someone Today?

PM#0467

Heb 3:13

Many of us often think by telling a person what to do, we are encouraging them.  That can be helpful, but many times that directive approach does not really come along side of the person we are trying to encourage.  What we often forget that is Christ came along side of us, drawing us gently with His Love and listens to us where we are.

People are crying—come alongside of me.  Don’t preach at me.  Just listen, and help me consider Christ.

That may be putting it simplist, but it is true.  Let’s be honest with ourselves.  When is the last time that you actually came along side of someone and really reached out to help them?

Perhaps the Lord is telling us to come alongside and consider praying a prayer like this:

'Father, help me learn to come along side and help others, because of your Love for them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.'

Clearing Offenses

PM#0466

John 1:9, Matthew 5:23-24

Have you heard the best defense is an offense?

You have done something that has offended or hurt someone.  If you don’t go to the other person to clear the offense, that offense dims the light affecting our vision.  When light is dim, we can’t see.

In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the Light of the world.  (John 1:9).  If our eyes are full of darkness then we do not have the help of the light of Jesus.  If we wait for the person whom we hurt to come to us—it may not happen.  Correcting the offense is to go in humility to the other person.  (Matthew 5:23-24).  The action of going to the other person will remove an offense or hurt that has been blocking the light of Jesus to us.

Consider this prayer:  ‘Lord search me, and help me take the step to go to the brother whom I have offended or hurt, and ask forgiveness.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.’

Have You Thrown a Stone of Silence?

PM#0465

Heb 3: 13

You have difficulty with a person we will call John, so you think the best way to keep peace is to keep silent. 

Actually that silence is a judgment of something you see in a person.

But you have never really gotten to know him.  Your decision to keep silent is definitely blocking getting to know him.  To carry the silence further, it includes never encouraging John.

The Bible says to “encourage one another daily”.  Heb 3:13.  This issue of silence towards another person goes directly against that scripture and is like throwing a stone at him.

What should we do?  It is time to repent of the judgments that we have made concerning John, and ask the Lord to help us find a way to encourage him.

Consider this prayer:  Father, I have made judgments against John.  I ask your forgiveness, and I ask your help to find ways to encourage him.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I Will Lift My Hands

PM#0464

Ps 134:2

When you get excited at a game, what happens to your hands?  Do you keep them down beside you?  Probably not.  Most likely you make jesters with your hands that reflect your excitement.

For those who trust Jesus, they have much to be thankful for, and that should cause them to want to lift their hands to the Lord, in genuine thanks and praise.

Though we know that should happen, we should ask the question, when is the last time you used your hands and lifted them up to the Lord in praise and thanks giving?  Be honest now—the answer probably is not frequent enough.

I know the Lord will encourage us to do so, if we ask Him in prayer.

Lord, help me to be thankful and show you not only with my words, but with my hands too.  In Jesus' Nane, Amen.

Let Peace Be Your Guide -- A Prayer

PM#0463
Col 3:15
John 14:27

Many, many seek peace, yet this world is troubled from the East to the West. Though we seek peace, it seems to allude us.

Even in the Bible we are taught to let Peace be our guide. That is found in Col 3:15.

However, the peace spoken about is not the way man thinks. It is actually the peace that Jesus gave us. See John 14:27. It comes from knowing Jesus as your personal savior, and trusting your heart to His guidance and care. When we do, we will truly find the peace that Jesus gave us, guiding us even in the midst of turmoil.

If you do not have this peace, pray this prayer from your heart: ‘Dear Jesus, I invite you to be my savior. Please come into my heart. I want your peace to guide me. Thank you Jesus, Amen.’

PM#0461 Following Instructions Proverbs (seeking wisdom)

How many times do we try and do something with out instructions? If it is putting something together, this to men— may be a challenge that many may try before they read the instructions.  However in reality, things usually, I say again usually, go better when we follow instructions.

Instructions are like wisdom. The Bible encourages us throughout the book of Proverbs, to seek wisdom.

How do we do this? The best way is to search the scriptures, and ask God through prayer to help us understand them. God is the one who knows how to apply His word to our situation and will lead us to His instructions to us if we search for it.

Consider a prayer like this: ‘Lord, I need your help. Anything I do on my own is not working. Please show me through your word, your directions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Voice, God's Peace

PM#0453
God’s Voice, God’s Peace

One day goes well, the next does not. Life seems to be full of ups and downs but could it possibly be just our emotions swinging wild?

Just maybe we should ask the question, what is it that we are doing? Are we striving for a good cause, but -- Running ahead of God? What do we really want? Do we want—recognition—of self accomplishment or God’s voice saying ‘well done’—and His peace?

I know many say they want God’s voice, but something tells me that they really want that self-esteem build up. That may work for a while, but in time it too will leave, leaving emptiness.

In life’s struggles, we should seek the Lord, and consider this prayer as we start the day:

Father, help me to seek your help in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

First Thoughts

PM#0452 First Thoughts
I Cor 15 vs 31

What are your first thoughts when you wake up? Do you have a heavy heart and need to speak something, that you think will help, but in reality by speaking it, it is really getting that thought out of your system?

First thoughts in the morning are often private thoughts that we do not share even with those very close to us. We want our ‘coffee’ first.

First thoughts often reveal issues that are in our heart that we have not turned over to the Lord. Maybe this is one thing the Apostle Paul may have meant when said I die daily to self. See I Cor 15 vs 31.

Perhaps all of us need to daily die to self in the morning and ask God for help to encourage those around us to focus on Him throughout the day.

Consider this prayer on awakening: Father, help me to focus on You and encourage others today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reactions, is God’s Word in Our Hearts?

PM#00447
Ps 119:11

There are times we react often with a judgmental reaction and comments. We want issues to belong to the other party and not ourselves.

Often those reactions are emotional reactions. And to carry it further, emotions often reflect judgments. Good issues bring good pleasant emotions. Bad issues bring reactionary judgment. Both men and women reaction in one way or another.

Reactions founded on God’s principles of helping someone are not against His will and word. Those not based on God’s word may lead us away from God. That leads to the question: ‘What should we do?

We need to get to know God’s word and pray, asking God to be involved with us daily. Consider this prayer: ‘Father help me to study your word and hide it in my heart that my reaction to issues would be from the word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (see Ps 119:11)

PM#0444 Are We Blessing Others? Heb 3 vs 13

PM#0444
Are We Blessing Others?
Heb 3 vs 13

The Bible encourages us to encourage each other daily. See Heb 3:13. But are we doing this?

Many of us would have to say we are so busy with the daily affairs of life taking care of ourself, that we forget about helping others. Yes we know that we should bless those who wrong us, but what about those around us. They may not have done us wrong, but are we extending them any blessing or encouragement? If we are tied up in the daily hustle and bustle of life, probably we are not.

When someone gives you encouragement, doesn’t that help you? I know from my job, many years after I had given encouragement to two people, that I learn how it had helped them do a better job. I only wish I had given more encouragement to others.

Think about how encouragement has helped you and consider this prayer: Father, help me to be one who finds a way to encourage others everyday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0439 Are we listening to others?

Matthew 15:18 -- But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart.

When a person speaks, did you know that what they say comes from their heart and may be important to them?

According to Matthew 15:18 that is true. Perhaps we should examine our response to them. Does our response show that we care or is it of indifference?

If our faith is truly in Christ then we should look for ways to encourage other people. Hebrews 3:13 says "encourage one another daily".

Let's be truthful. How many of us have focused on our own personal issues that we fail to listen to others? I believe that may happen all too often.

Perhaps we should turn to prayer and ask God's help in adjusting our focus to be able to encourage other people.

Father, help us to learn to encourage others and to listen to them, In Jesus, Name. Amen.