PM#390 New Years--Removing Deep Hurt Hebrews 12 verse 15

PM#0390

New Years - Removing Deep Hurt

Heb 12: 15

As we approach this New Year, we do so with everything that has happened to us, whether good or bad.  Unfortunately some of the bad issues may have deeply disturbed us and could influence how we respond to others.

We can chose whether to go into the New Year carrying hurt from those issues or giving them to the Lord and forgiving what happened.  Forgiveness frees us, so we can move forward.

If we do not forgive, that hurt can turn to bitterness (Heb 12: 15) and cause a critical spirit to rise up making things worse for us and others in the coming year.  Most of us really don’t want that.  The best way to keep that critical spirit from developing is to remove that hurt by forgiving.

Perhaps we should consider this prayer of forgiveness:  Father, last year, I experienced deep hurts that I have not forgiven.  I choose to forgive them now.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Forgiveness is important—why might lack of forgiveness give opportunity for a critical spirit to take root and affect us?

Did Christ consider forgiveness important?  See Matthew 6:14-15.

PM#0338 A Christmas Meditation and a Prayer At Christmas Luke 2 vs 7

PM#0338

A Christmas Meditation and a Prayer at Christmas

In Luke 2:7  The Bible says: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling    clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

As we approach the Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Christ.   We focus on Christ, as our King, and His birth in a stable. What is the significance of His birth in a stable?

A stable is a place where animals including sheep were kept and many lambs were probably born in a stable.    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 remember His humble birth and thank God that Jesus is the Lamb who came to take our sin away.

Father, as we celebrate Christmas, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God, who came to take our sin away.   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have you ever taken time to think why Christ, who is the Son of God, would humble himself to come to earth to eventually die for us?

Would you describe that action of Jesus humbling himself to be born in a stable an act of Love?

The Story of Christmas is about God’s Love to us.

PM#0026 Prayer for Our Military Psalms 68 vs 30

PM#0026

Prayer for Military

Psalms 68:30

Like it or not there are people who will try to take peace away.  These people are never satisfied and their nature can be violent and indeed they try to make war.

When our military is engaged against them in battle, how should we pray?  In the book of Psalms King David gives many examples.  In Psalms 68:30 we find a prayer that is prayed that we can use.

It says: “Scatter Thou the people that delight in war where the enemy is completely removed, war will cease.”

Father, we bring this request to You, in Jesus Name, that You scatter the people that delight in war, those that come against our troops. Amen.

Reflection and Questions

Many in this country have not been involved in the military, and do not fully understand what it takes to win a battle.    The Lord says in Proverbs 21:31 that “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”  It is the Lord who gives victory. 

Knowing this, what might be one of the best ways that we can pray for our troops in battle?  To ask the Lord’s help to scatter the enemy.