PM#0545 Unity in Prayer Matthew 18:19, John 12:32, John 17:21

PM#0545
Unity in Prayer
Matthew 18:19, John 12:32,  John 17:21

Traveling across the United States we are a diverse people with different customs.  Yet we are one nation.  Acceptance of different customs is an important part of unity.

When it comes to prayer we often have differences that need God’s help so when people pray together we can ask in prayer that the Holy Spirit work and help us accept differences so we can be in Godly unity as we pray.  I believe that a fruit of this unity will be the Love of Christ being shed among us.   This love will lift up Christ, and the Bible says that when Christ is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. John 12 vs 32.
 
Father we ask your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts so we can come together in unity.  May your love be evident in us because of this praying together.  In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Reflection:  

What is in us that keeps us from accepting differences?

When we do not accept differences is this a form of judgment?

Those questions being asked, we need to stop a moment and recognize there are basic elements of our faith in Jesus—that we should pray in accordance with God’s Word and come to the Father in Jesus’ name.—Still when praying with others of differing customs of prayer—it can be difficult. 

One more thought to consider—why do you think that Christ prayed that we would be one?   See John 17:21 “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.”

PM#0355 Forgiving but Harboring Resentment Jeremiah 17 vs 9

PM#0355

Forgiving but Harboring Resentment

Jer 17:9

How many of us say we have forgiven someone, or something, but our actions and words still show judgment or running away from a situation?

When we dwell on issues, it is very possible that we have judged that issue or one involved with the issue.  Because of that judgment, we cannot see clearly to resolve the issue God’s way.  Our heart is very deceitful, and it may cause us to sense our heart is actually speaking what God wants.  I know I can plead guilty to this happening. 

We can learn, however, to see clearly by leaving the issue that has been forgiven at the foot of the Cross of Christ.  Perhaps we should pray that the issues which we have forgiven is placed and will be left at the foot of the cross.

Father, may issues which we have forgiven be placed and left at the foot of the Cross. We need your help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection:

Is our forgiveness really from our hearts or our minds?

Is judgment affect our ability to forgive from the heart?

If forgiveness is really from our heart—shouldn’t that be reflected in our actions—by not showing judgment-especially in our words?

Why is it important to lay issues at the foot of the cross and leave them there?

PM#0358 Forgiveness and Mercy Acts 7 vs 54-60

PM#0358

Forgiveness and Mercy

Act 7:54-60

Steven had a heart of forgiveness and mercy.  This came from his being changed by the Love of Christ.

Our normal response when we view evil is to view the one committing it as evil and unforgiveable.  When we make that kind of judgment, it actually empowers the other person to have the power to condemn us.  None of us like that to happen. 

On the other hand, acting in forgiveness frees us and also helps us to accept accountability for our choices that may have contributed to evil.   Forgiveness then can allow us to submit to the healing brought by the Holy Spirit of God to us when we have been wronged.

God’s Love will not isolate us from trials and suffering, but it will guide us and help us.

Father, thank you, that you can guide us and help us to forgive others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

We all have deep emotions to deal with when we are faced with danger.  What do you think helped Steven with his emotions to forgive?

Why does forgiveness free us?

How does forgiveness help us submit to the Holy Spirit of God?

Can Forgiveness make a difference when we pray?

PM#0227 Forgiveness Heals

PM#0227

Forgiveness Heals

Matthew 6: 12.

Matthew 11:29 & 30

“Time will heal all wounds”.  Have you ever heard that statement?

Many of us have, and I must confess that I even have believed it.  The truth is that it is God who is in the healing business.  Not time.  And He has given a way to us that let’s Him work.   What is that way?  It is forgiveness.  Christ instructed us to forgive.  It‘s found in the prayer that He taught His disciples, which we call the Lord’s Prayer.  You can see that in Matthew 6:12.

When I don’t forgive, sin builds up and weighs me down.  Christ said to take His yoke, it is light.  He said that in Matthew 11:29 & 30.  He wants to take our burdens and free us.  When I forgive, Christ takes the heavy weight from me.

Father, you have taught us to forgive.  May we start today to forgive others.  In Jesus’ Name.

Reflection:

Why do we fall back on the phrase-“Time will heal all wounds”?

Why does Christ say to forgive?  See Matthew 6:12

When Christ said to forgive, did he say forgive by letting time heal all wounds?  Letting time heal wounds – how would you describe this action in other words: ______________.

If we do not forgive but try to let time heal, is that unforgiveness weighing us down?

How does obedience to Christ by forgiving lighten our burden?

Note:  In defense of time—it is true that flared emotions do need some time, but forgiveness removes the root of what flared those emotions, and through forgiveness we have the help of Christ because of obedience to His Word to forgive.

PM#0495 Blessing Others

PM#0495

Blessing Others

                                                  

If you had the opportunity to do something to help someone else and yourself, would you do it?  Most likely you would.  What action would help someone else and yourself?  It is simply the Biblical principle of blessing the other person. 

Not only is just blessing the other person helpful, but it also encourages a deeper spiritual walk and relationship with the Lord.   Blessing, especially Biblical Blessings found in God’s word, brings life in to our being and situations.    God’s word is light and life.   When we grumble, judge, fail to bless or encourage, we are actually hindering the work of God’s word in someone else, and that action or lack of action, as it really may be, also effects us and hinders our relationship with the Lord.

Consider this prayer:  Father, help me to bless others with your words, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflections:

Though we have the opportunity by choice to bless, what do most of us do?  We grumble.  IE a beautiful sunny day may be too hot.  

Can you think of a scripture which encourages us to encourage someone daily?  Hint—it is in Hebrews

Has someone blessed you—not only did it affect you feelings positively—did that blessing make a difference?

Why does the Lord want us to bless others?

PM#0541 Unite Our Country’s Heart

PM#0541

Unite Our Country’s Heart

Psalms 86:11-12

There is a saying that goes, There is a saying that goes--'United We Stand, Divided We Fall'

In Psalms 86:11, the Psalmist asked the Lord to unite his heart.  That was the Lord moving him to pray that his heart would be united.

Hearts can be divided.  The heart of our country right now is seriously divided.  Perhaps we should consider doing as the Psalmist did, and ask the Lord to unite the heart of our country.  Such a request takes humility on our part, and it also begins with asking the Lord to unite our personal heart.

Here is a prayer to consider:  Father, we humbly come to you asking that you help unite the heart of our country, beginning with my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Why is humility important in our requests to the Lord?

Can Man fix the divided heart of our country?

In the Early days of our Nation, did leaders ask the Lord’s help when serious problems arose?  If so, what was the result?

Why should we ask the Lord to unite our personal heart, at the same time we ask Him to help unite the heart of our country.

©2013 Lewis Turner

PM#447 Reactions, is God's Word in Our Hearts?

PM#00447

Ps 119:11

Reactions, is God’s word in Our Hearts?

There are times we react often with a judgmental reaction and comments.  We want issues to belong to the other party and not ourselves.

Often those reactions are emotional reactions.  And to carry it further, emotions often reflect judgments.  Good issues bring good pleasant emotions.  Bad issues bring reactionary judgment.  Both men and women reaction in one way or another. 

Reactions founded on God’s principles of helping someone are not against His will and word.  Those not based on God’s word may lead us away from God.   That leads to the question: ‘What should we do?

We need to get to know God’s word and pray, asking God to be involved with us daily.  Consider this prayer:  ‘Father help me to study your word and hide it in my heart that my reaction to issues would be from the word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (see Ps 119:11)

Reflections:

Why are reactions often emotional reactions?  What do emotional reactions that tell us about our ‘Self’ nature?

How does God react?  --perhaps our answer might be from what we sere taught about God.  –Take a moment and reflect on I John 4: 8 and reflect on how emotions motivated by love react, vs our ‘Self’ Nature. 

Here is something to meditate on:  To know God’s Love is strong motivation to study His word.