PM#0427 Being Thankful Luke 17 verses 12-17

PM#0427

Being Thankful

Luke 17 verses 12-17

There is an account in the Bible of ten lepers who went to Jesus and asked for healing.  Jesus honored that request and healed them.  This is found in Luke chapter 17 verses 12-17.  Only one returned to Jesus and thanked Him.  The Lord was very appreciative of the one who thanked Him, but asked the question, where are the others?

Probably all of us at one time or another have forgotten to be thankful.  Reminders such as Thanksgiving time are important to us.  They help us to take account of all that we should be really thankful for.  When we take time to thank the Lord for our blessings, Jesus really does appreciate that thankfulness.

If you haven’t taken an account of, and thanked the Lord for the blessings you have, why not take time to do so today. 

Consider a prayer like this, ‘Father, help me to be thankful for blessings.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why is it important to thank the Lord?

Why do we act as if it is not necessary to be thankful?

Have we ever taken blessings ‘for granted’?

PM#0539 Look At God's Handy Work Matthew 6 vs 28-29

PM#0359

Look at God’s Handy Work

Matthew 6:28-9

Psalms 19:1. 

When life seems routine and run down, maybe we should look around us and also look up.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:28.  Consider the lilies of the field, yet Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Do you ever admire the beauty of flowers in a field?  Jesus did.

This glory of the flowers can dispel darkness that overwhelms us.  When everything seems to be overwhelmed by problems, and going in a way that there seems to be no hope, it is time to once again look at the glory of God and be reminded that God cares and wants to lift our hearts up.  He understands where we are at, and he knows how to encourage us. 

When times and situations are bleak, consider a brief prayer like this: ‘Father, help me to see you handiwork around me, and may it encourage me and lift my heart to give you praise.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0324 God's Help in Raising Children Prov 3 vs 5

PM#0324

Prov 3:5

God’s Help in Raising Children

There is probably not a parent around who has not experienced a child having a strong will.  Sometimes we look at a strong willed child at first as cute, but if that strong will continues and left unchecked, it could lead a child down the wrong path, and that path can have disastrous consequences.

What are we to do?  Probably the best place is to seek God’s help through prayer and not lean on our own understanding (Prov 3:5).  This invites God’s involvement and help in our family.  In addition to asking in prayer for that help, we should diligent learn what God’s word says and how it applies to raising children.  God’s word is a powerful help in guiding our activities and our prayers.

Father, may Your word teach us how to protect our children through prayer and guide our actions in raising them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why should we take time to learn what God’s word says when we ask for help from God?

Why is God’s word a powerful help in guiding our activities and our prayers?

Why is it important to have God’s help in raising children?

PM#0538 Joining Together

PM#0538

Joining Together

Matthew 18:19, Hebrews 3:13

Joining together, in prayer can accomplish much.  Christ taught on that subject in Matthew 18: 19, and in Hebrews 3:13 we have the encouragement to encourage one another daily.

Joining together and praying together go together.  Consider how the great redwood trees are able to grow 350 ft tall.  They do not stand alone.  They grow in groves and their roots are intertwined and sometimes fused together.  That gives them tremendous strength against high winds and floods.

Praying alone is needed, but joining together, encouraging one another, and supporting each other can help us stand firm in the storms of life. 

Consider this prayer.  Father, help me to join with others in prayer, and also encourage them.  In Jesus, Name, Amen.

PM#0069 Scripture Prayers I John 5 vs 14

PM#0069

Scripture Prayers

I John 5:14

Do you ever need a guide in helping you pray?  There is much help in the Bible concerning how people pray.  A good source of examples is found in the Apostle Paul’s letters to the churches.

The Apostle Paul included many of the 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 in praying for others.  These recorded prayers are scripture. Scripture is God"s will revealed to us.  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 pray.

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

PM#0535 Obedience

PM#0535

Obedience

Recently I underwent major surgery.  Surgery is major.  However it is only the start of long term healing in regaining all the functions that I had lost.  After surgery, In my case after surgery, I was presented with a program of Physical Therapy that was moderately aggressive.  I found that as I did each item in the program progress did come. 

Similarly, when we take time to learn and obey God’s word and pray—we will grow spiritually.  We need the discipline of leaning God’s word, learning to let it speak to us.

There are so many things that can get in the way of taking time to learn God’s word.  Taking time in God’s Word takes a basic commitment.  If you have had trouble in the area, consider this prayer:  “Father, help me find time each day to read your word, learn what it means and to pray.  In Jesus’ Name.”

PM#0534 Building a Relationship with Jesus Luke 18 vs 1

PM#0534

Building a Relationship with Jesus

Luke 18:1

There was a day

when people gathered to pray

But along life’s way

Distractions their way

Pray should come out of relationship with God, and it takes prayer to build a relationship with God.  To cut prayer short for any reason hurts that relationship with God.

Jesus said in Luke 18:1 “that men ought always to pray and not faint”.  But when prayer time—over the years has been replaced, crowded out—we forget how needed prayer is.

May we humble ourselves before God, and turn to him daily in prayer.

Father, help us to constantly come to you in prayer, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0533 Watchmen --Based on Ez 22 vs 30

PM#0533

Watchmen

Some might ask how might I pray for our country?  One way would be to pray for people whom God has given us to be watchmen.  Watchmen stand in the gap protecting our nation.

I have seen people pray at various locations in our country.  Later in those areas, God had led other people to stand for the truth, exposing evil deeds.  God placed these people in critical positions or situations for this purpose.  They are watchmen and when they sound an alarm, it is time to pray and act. 

Also we should pray for these watchmen, even before they sound an alarm, that they might have insight and wisdom, and alertness to recognize the evil, then sound the alarm.  Those prayers are needed to encourage the watchmen.  May we be faithful in our prayers for them.

Scriptural References:

Ez 22:30

Ezra

PM#0532 Consider Somthing Beautiful

PM#0532

Consider Something Beautiful

Matthew 6:28 & 29

What next?  Have you ever asked yourself that question after listening to the news?  It doesn’t matter whether it is the evening news or the morning news. 

There are times I need a lift from all the news rift-raff, and consider what Christ did.  He recognized a source of beauty.  He said in Matthew 6:28 and 29 to consider the lilies of the field…yet Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Evidently Christ enjoyed something beautiful.

I would encourage you to follow Christ’s example; take time and enjoy the beauty of the flowers.  It will lift you day, much better than the news.

Consider this prayer,  Father, help me enjoy the flowers that you have made, and give you thanks for them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0531 The Way I See it

PM#0531

The Way I See It

Do our minds control how we let God work?

That is a question that I would like to answer by sharing from my own experience.  I have heard the words “The way I see it” so many times, I now recognized that that is self thinking.  I personally have been there, and have justified my words many times.  What I missed when I justified those words, was recognizing how I was limiting the way God could work.

The words “The way I see it” do not allow for me the opportunity to let God be fully involved in my life.  It is hard to let go of self thinking.

So what did I do?  I started seeking His wisdom.  Am I perfect at that approach—no—but I have a God who helps me.

Perhaps our Prayer should be:  Father, teach me your way.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

PM#0529 What is Our Focus

PM#0529

What is Our Focus

Heb 3:13

Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet “to be, or not to be? That is the question".  Frankly, the real question for Christians should be: ‘how do we share the Love Christ has shown us and encourage others to look to Jesus.’  The first question is focused on ourselves.  The second question is focused on others.

How does each affect our praying?  If our focus is like the first question, then our prayers may be self focused.  If we are focused on others, then our prayers will likely be focused on others.  Heb 3:13 says to “encourage one another daily”. 

How do we change our focus?  Simply ask Jesus to help you.  Father, I ask that you help me pray from a heart focused on encouraging others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

 

Reflection Questions:

Do self issues drive us to Prayer?

Some people will answer yes—and for many they do. 

Note:  Sometimes self focus does drive us to pray--Sometimes it is needed.  Still we should consider--Why is important to learn to focus on others?

PM#0528 Do You Encourage or Control? The "I" Factor

PM#0528

Do you encourage or control?

Hebrews 3:13

Is our focus on the “I” factor, or is it on encouraging others? 

So many times the I factor shows up, even though it is disguised. 

The Bible encourages us to build up one another in Heb 3:13, and to look on the affairs of others for the purpose of encouraging them. That is in Philippians 2 vs 4.

So what is difficult about that?  I know all of us have our rationale, but the behind that rationale could be an “I” desire to control.  Sometimes, rationale can make recognition of the “I” desire to control very difficult to recognize.

What can we do?  Through prayer, humble ourselves and ask God to show us “I” issues in our life. 

Consider a prayer like this:  Father, help me recognize when I have an “I” problem.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection:

What might identify “I” factors in us?

Is it important to submit those “I” factors to Jesus?

PM#0527 Praying for Our Leaders

A-PM#0527

Praying For Our Leaders

I Timothy 2:1-3

Have you ever wondered how prayer affected past leaders of the United States of America?

Research has found that George Washington prayed before many of the revolutionary battles that he fought in.  Further study reveals how God answered his prayers and gave victories that led to the foundation of the United States of America.

Through prayer, George Washington humbled himself before the Lord Jesus Christ and sought God's help on behalf of our new forming Nation.

The examples of leaders humbling themselves in prayer is an example to us to do the same.  Our leaders need our prayer support, seeking God's wisdom for them.  The Bible encourages us to do this in I Timothy 2:1-3.

Why not take time and pray for our leaders.

Reflection question:

Why is humility important in prayer?

PM#0526 God's Wisdom and Help in Prayer

PM#0526

God’s Wisdom and Help in Prayer

James 1:3

There are times when circumstances hit us and we draw a blank on how to pray.  Other times, we may not recognize needed areas to pray. 

Through prayer, we can seek God’s help and protection.  He already knows the issues we will be facing.  They are no surprise to Him.  When we draw a blank or do not recognize issues that might affect us, we should consider asking for God’s help and wisdom to guide us as we pray.

God’s wisdom comes from His Word, and listening to God’s Holy Spirit.  All we need to do is ask for it.  See James1:5.  The Holy Spirit always speaks in accordance with the Word of God and what God shares with us can help us in our prayers.

Consider a prayer for wisdom like this:  Father, I need your wisdom to help me pray.  Help me to listen to Your Holy Spirit speak.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

·        Be honest—are there times we pray without seeking God’s direction?

·        What was Jesus saying as an example to us in John 5:19: “but what he seeth the Father do: for what things so ever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

·        If you have sought the Lord how to pray—perhaps you may wish to share your experience here.

PM#0525 Repentance-it is a Key

PM#0525

Repentance-it is a Key

James 5:16

A few years back, my wife and I were counseled to open up to our children and confess issues that we may not have handled properly.  For a parent, it is difficult stepping down from the parent role.  

The Bible does say:  “confess your faults one to another.” That is found in James 5:16.  Now does that really mean parent should humble themselves to child?  Though it does not directly say it, I believe it is implied.

I have learned that confession removes issues that block our prayers from working.  Many charge ahead in prayer without seeking wisdom concerning issues that need clearing.  Those stubborn issues and remain blocking prayer.

For pray to work, they must be removed by confessing them and going to the person they affect.   

Consider the prayer:  ‘Lord, show me issues that need cleaning.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.’

Reflection questions:

If repentance is a key to prayer being answered, then why do you hardly hear of repentance?

Why is repentance difficult?

Have you seen where prayers have been answered because of the action of repentance?

PM#0524 Honor Your Fathe and Mother

PM#0524

Honor Your Father and Mother

Exodus 20 vs 12, Neh 1 vs 6

Recently, I have done historical research on areas my past family.

Very little of past research has been compiled about what was important to the family.   With the Lord’s leading, I went back to the home sight, and prayed over issues that I knew were not right, and also included good issues.  This followed Nehemiah's example.  

Later after that prayer, a question was asked me about my family homestead.  The Lord used that and brought new information in the form letters  and of old diaries, which Lord used to show good things about my past grandparents, to helped me to honor them.

Sometimes it takes prayer to confess issues that are not right—once those issues removed, the Lord can then share with us good things, that help us honor our past grandparents.

Consider this prayer:  Father, I acknowledge my sins and the sins of my fathers and turn to you.  In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Take a minute and listen to the Prayer Minute that is attached.

Consider the action this Prayer Minute has shared, and the results after that action.  Then take a look at what Nehemiah did.  Could he have moved forward without that prayer?  In that prayer he confessed his sins and the sins of his fathers.  Was that a turning point?

Do you face a problem of always seeing bad things in your family?  Would the action of confessing sins make a difference?

Maybe you have personally confessed your sins and those of your fathers.  What was the result afterwards?  Perhaps by sharing your experience, it may help someone else.

PM#0523 Complaints? -- Not Understood?

PM#0523

Complaints? –Not Understood?

When you have a complaint, there is usually a cause. 

When you are not understood, it triggers something in you that the action by the other person is not right.  It may be that you were ignored, or the other person does not understand the need you have.   What is happening is causing a hurt to you. 

What should we do?  First you should exam the reasons behind the hurt.  An old Indian saying was: ‘Do not criticize another, until you have walked in their moccasins.’  As you examine those hurts, give them to the Lord.   The Lord knows how to guide you through His word.  It may be that you need to go to the other person, or it may be that the Lord wants you to focus on Him. 

Consider asking God’s help with a prayer like this:  Father, there is a hurt in my heart that needs your help.  Thank you for helping.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

All of us have complaints, and sometime we are not understood?
Listen to the Attached Video, then consider the following reflection questions:
How many times do we try to resolve things on our own?
Are there times where we have been hurt?  -- and our focus was not correct?
Consider helping others by sharing what the Lord did to help you resolve a complaint--scripturally.