Burried Issues in Our ife

PM#0502

Matthew 6:12

If you are like many of us, if we could do somethings over again, we would probably make some positive change. Unfortunately, what is past is like a spent arrow.  Those issues can not be redone.

That thought could lead to despair, but when we invite God’s help, there is something that we can do.  That something is to forgive. Forgiveness includes not only forgiving someone else, but it includes forgiving ourselves.  Forgiving ourselves is difficult because we often feel guilty about what happened.

Taking the step of forgiving, opens the door to God’s help to us.  God wants us to bring those buried issues in our life to Him, and to forgive all those involved, including ourselves.  We can do this in prayer.

Consider a prayer like this:  Father, help me to bring the buried issues in my life to you and to forgive.  Help me to make things right.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0501 Lord, What is on Your Heart?

PM#0501

Lord, What is on Your Heart?

How often do we just start praying, but the prayer is just requests to the Lord?  Such a prayer may well be needed, but are we allowing enough time to ask the Lord, What is on His Heart?

We are so rushed, so busy, that prayer is often sandwiched in.  It is good that we may stop and pray a brief prayer, but it is sad that time may not allow us to ask the Lord, what is on His Heart and actually listen to Him.

Perhaps we need to slow down as an old poem stated,

Slow me down Lord, I’m a going to fast,

I can’t see by brother when he’s going past.

I miss a lot of good things day by day.

Slow me down Lord, I’m a going to fast.

Think about that poem, and consider this prayer:  ‘Lord, help me to slow down, so I can hear what is on Your Heart.’  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0500 A Church that Prays Together, Stays Together

PM#0500

A Church that Prays Together, Stays Together

Matthew 18:20, and John 1:1-9

There is a principle called the ‘together principle’ that goes something like this:  The family that prays together stays together.  You may have heard it stated other ways, but also applies to a church.

This principle is so important, that in Matthew 18: 20, Christ stated: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  

When we pray together, Christ is in our midst, and when His presence is in our midst we will have the light of Christ.   Christ is the true light.  See John 1:1-9. 

Praying together as a church is very important, and allows the presence of Christ to be with us. 

Let’s consider the following prayer:  Father, help us to keep praying together as a church so that the presence of Christ will guide and keep us together.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0499 I Need Help

PM#0499

I Need Help

Rom 7:21-21, James 1:5

Are we acting on our own knowledge or do we seek God’s knowledge and ways?  That question is important because there is a struggle between self and what God instructs us that rages in many of us.  (see Romans 7:21-23).

That struggle can be devastating, and take away peace, or even a sense of direction. 

Is there any thing we can do to stop that struggle?  There is one way, and that is to seek God’s knowledge which is found in the Bible, and then when we have found it, follow what it says.

James1:5 says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”  God wants to help us and we can have that help through prayer.

Consider this prayer.  Father I need your help.  Please lead me through your Word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0498

Lord, what is on Your heart?

John 14:26

When we pray, have you ever thought of how you pray?   To many their answer might be, when I pray, I let the Lord know my needs. 

Now, though that may be a part of prayer, it is not taking time to listen to the Lord.  Prayer is both talking to God and listening to Him.  God wants us to listen to Him.  We hear God through His Word, and what the Holy Spirit brings to mind from His Word.  See John 14:26.  The concept of listening in prayer is part of the relationship we should have with Christ.  Could you imagine having a friendship with someone who never listened to you?

I encourage you to consider using the following prayer to help you start listening to the Lord as part of your prayer life.

Father, please help me to be still, and listen to what is on your heart for me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0497 Unclear, Not Sure?

PM#0497

Unclear, Not Sure?

James 1:5

Have you ever been unsure of something?  Perhaps your thoughts about something are not clear.  Do you really want to be clear about that “something”?  Something you are not sure about?

Probably at one time or another most us have been through that experience.  What would help us?  There are several things, and I will suggest a few, that can help bring clarity.  One is to ask God for Wisdom (see James 1:5).   Learning God’s wisdom comes from knowing what God’s word says, which comes from studying it.  Then we should focus on the grace of God and how in God’s word, we see how God helped us.  That help may show us how to respond to that “something” we have been unclear about.

Take time in prayer as you seek for wisdom.  Consider a prayer like this:  Father, there is an issue that I am unclear about.  I ask you to show me your wisdom through your word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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.