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.