Sunday, May 27, 2012

Memorial Day


PM#0496
Memorial Day
John 15:13

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served and are serving in our military.  When we did not properly honor those who serve, deep hurt came upon them and our country.

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

Turning to God’s way, we should honor that love by finding ways to bless. 

Consider this prayer as you remember those who are serving and have served our country in the military:

Father, help me to continually find ways to show honor to those serving and who have served in the military, and bless my country, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Blessing Others


PM#0495
Blessing Others


If you had the opportunity to do something to help someone else and yourself, would you do it?  Most likely you would.  What action would help someone else and yourself?  It is simply the Biblical principle of blessing the other person. 

Not only is just blessing the other person helpful, but it also encourages a deeper spiritual walk and relationship with the Lord.   Blessing, especially Biblical Blessings found in God’s word, bring life in to our being and situations.    God’s word is light and life.   When we grumble, judge, fail to bless or encourage, we are actually hindering the work of God’s word in someone else, and that action or lack of action as it really may be, also effects us and hinders our relationship with the Lord.

Consider this prayer:  Father, help me to bless others with your words, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Encouraging Others


PM#0494
Matthew 18:19

How often when we are involved with others, do we fail to encourage God’s calling for that individual?

Here is a way that may help.   Christ said in Matthew 18:19, that where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst.  Coming together with others in prayer, invites Christ to be with us and help us. He can help our hearts to open to each other as we pray.  When hearts start to join together in prayer, relationships develop that are started by Christ, bringing connection with each other.

As we grow together, Christ can help us encourage one another, and to appreciate each other’s calling from the Lord.  Then we can encourage one another to move forward. 

Consider this thought and prayer.  ‘Father, help me to join with others in prayer, and may You help me to encourage others’.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

PM#0493 Blessing


PM#0493
Blessing
Romans 12: 14, Mark 10:16

Many of us when we pray, often pray just for requests like for a need.  However, have you ever considered taking time in prayer to bless someone?

Through out the Bible we find a many encouragements to bless.  A major encouragement to bless is found in Romans 12: 14 which says:  Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.  Jesus gave us the example in Mark 10:16 of blessing children.

Looking back on my own personal experience, the majority prayers that I saw were for ‘problems’ or ‘needs’.  They were needed addressing, but I rarely saw people blessing each other through prayer.  I have now learned that blessing not only benefits others, but the he who blesses will also be blessed.

Why not follow the example of Jesus and encourage others through blessing them. 

Consider this prayer:  ‘Father, help me to learn to bless others as I pray’ In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

PM#0492 Benefits of Praying Together


PM#0492 
Benefits of Praying Together
Matthew 18:19-20

A number of people have been taught that prayer is a personal thing.  That is partly correct, but it misses the benefit of praying together. 

The Lord encouraged us to pray together in Matthew 18:19-20.  There are three benefits.  One, praying with others helps us through the involvement of prayer to encourage others.  Secondly, when we pray together we see the Lord working on our behalf.  Thirdly, the Lord promises to be present in our midst.  All of these help us to grow in our relationship with Jesus.  In time, those praying together will see evidence of that growth, which is a result of praying together, and shows God’s love and His word.

So why not take time to pray with someone today.  Consider this prayer:

Father, Lead me to someone whom I can pray with today.  Thank you, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.