PM#0496 Memorial Day John 15:13

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.

Reflection:

Have we every thought of the those who serve our country in the Military,, serving because of Love?

How might blessing be a way to honor their service?

PM#0313 Interest in Others

PM#0313

Interest in Others

I have seen some people who talk just about themselves or their kids.  Even when I take an interest in them, they rarely take an interest in what is happening to me.

After a period of time, I honestly feel slighted the other person, because he did not reciprocate and take an interest in me. 

At this point, I should ask myself the question: does my personal self interest have to be met before I can reach out to others?  I will admit that it is encouraging when someone takes an interest in me.   When our Lord was on earth, He took an interest in others, and His focus was to help them learn to help others.  That then should be what motivates me to take an interest in others.  That should bring true self worth and serving others can be done with prayer for them and helping them.

Father, help us to learn to serve others by praying for them and helping them.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection:

How might you define Joy?  Ever think of what the letters J O Y mean?

J is for  ___________

O is for ___________

Y is for____________

The answer is Jesus, Others, then you –that spells Joy!

Question—when we put self interest first—does that bring more meaning to us or does real meaning come when we reach out to help others?

PM#0109 God's Call to Us to Pray for Others

PM#0109

God’s Call to Us to Pray for Others  

Do you ever get the feeling something is urgent?  You may not know why, but you have a strong feeling that it is?

There are indeed times when we sense a need to pray for someone and we may not understand why we sense the need.  Often when that happens, God is asking us to intercede for a particular person or situation.  We may never know or hear of what the need was, but because we prayed, God was able to work in that person's life or in that situation.  Sometimes Lord later on, makes it clear why He asked us to pray.

When we pray for others it releases the power of God in their lives on their behalf.

Father, help us to recognize your call to pray for others, and to obey.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflection:

When God gives us a name in our thoughts, might it be an invite to pray for them?

Have you ever sensed a situation where a name came to you and you did not know why?  Perhaps later you learned of something that happened that prayer may have made a change concerning the person whose name came to your thoughts. 

There are other times that a name comes to our thoughts, but we never learn of a need—when those times happen—wouldn’t it be better if we pray for that person? 

Perhaps you may want to share how you saw God work through bringing a name to you, and you prayed for them.

PM#0107 God’s Scriptural Wisdom for Prayer Col 1:9

PM#0107

God’s Scriptural Wisdom for Prayer

Col 1:9

What do you look to when you seek guidance?  Is it horoscopes, people, or what?  Did you ever think we need guidance when we pray?  If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, then we should look to the Bible to guide our prayers.  The Apostle Paul prayed that we would have wisdom.  Col 1:9 says "For this cause we also, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

This prayer of Paul's is a scriptural example of a prayer.  There are other examples in the Bible, and they are there to guide us.  I believe that God wants us to use these prayers when you pray and if you do, you will have God's blessing for those whom we are praying.

Father, may God fill us with the knowledge of His will, and may it guide our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection: 

Have you ever thought to look to the scriptures to help us pray?

If you have, could you share a few references of scripture that have helped you?

What affect have you found from using scripture in your prayers?