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?