PM#0534 Building a Relationship with Jesus Luke 18 vs 1

PM#0534

Building a Relationship with Jesus

Luke 18:1

There was a day

when people gathered to pray

But along life’s way

Distractions their way

Pray should come out of relationship with God, and it takes prayer to build a relationship with God.  To cut prayer short for any reason hurts that relationship with God.

Jesus said in Luke 18:1 “that men ought always to pray and not faint”.  But when prayer time—over the years has been replaced, crowded out—we forget how needed prayer is.

May we humble ourselves before God, and turn to him daily in prayer.

Father, help us to constantly come to you in prayer, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0533 Watchmen --Based on Ez 22 vs 30

PM#0533

Watchmen

Some might ask how might I pray for our country?  One way would be to pray for people whom God has given us to be watchmen.  Watchmen stand in the gap protecting our nation.

I have seen people pray at various locations in our country.  Later in those areas, God had led other people to stand for the truth, exposing evil deeds.  God placed these people in critical positions or situations for this purpose.  They are watchmen and when they sound an alarm, it is time to pray and act. 

Also we should pray for these watchmen, even before they sound an alarm, that they might have insight and wisdom, and alertness to recognize the evil, then sound the alarm.  Those prayers are needed to encourage the watchmen.  May we be faithful in our prayers for them.

Scriptural References:

Ez 22:30

Ezra

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?