Scripture: Romans 1: 9-10 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Observation: Evidently Paul had a prayer list. Verse 10 implies that Paul prayed specifically that he would have the opportunity to come to Rome. It is also implied that he prayed specifically for the church in Rome. Other scriptures corroborate that he prayed for his church plants throughout the world.
Application: It is fascinating to get a glimpse into the Apostle Paul's prayer list. Wouldn't you like to read all of his prayer lists? Would they not be insightful to help us develop our own prayer list. Do you have a prayer list? Do you pray? What do you pray for? Does it sound like what the Apostle Paul prayed for? Another interesting study is to look at what Jesus prayed for.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be people of prayer. Help us to pray with fervency and passion. Help us to pray like you prayed, and like the Apostle Paul prayed.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
faithful in the little things
Scripture: Luke 16:1-14: And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him], and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Observation: At first it appears that Jesus is commending the steward for stealing from his master. However, as I understand the concept of stewardship in that day, the steward was entitled to do whatever he wanted to with the masters resources. The master's recourse, was to do as he did, and remove the steward's authority. Jesus used this concept of stewardship in other places for illustrations. It is liken to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lives are his, but he gives us full control of them and we are authorized to do whatever we want with them. But ultimately we will give an account to the master for our lives. The closest thing we have in our culture is a lease.
Application: Jesus is teaching us that we need to be mindful that our lease on life will be called. There is an end, and when that day comes we will give account for the things we have done. We need to be faithful in the little things, as well as the large.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the gift of life that you have given us. Let us savor and live life to the fullest for you. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you, and let us be about your business. Let us use the resources you have given us for your business, and not our own.
Observation: At first it appears that Jesus is commending the steward for stealing from his master. However, as I understand the concept of stewardship in that day, the steward was entitled to do whatever he wanted to with the masters resources. The master's recourse, was to do as he did, and remove the steward's authority. Jesus used this concept of stewardship in other places for illustrations. It is liken to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lives are his, but he gives us full control of them and we are authorized to do whatever we want with them. But ultimately we will give an account to the master for our lives. The closest thing we have in our culture is a lease.
Application: Jesus is teaching us that we need to be mindful that our lease on life will be called. There is an end, and when that day comes we will give account for the things we have done. We need to be faithful in the little things, as well as the large.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the gift of life that you have given us. Let us savor and live life to the fullest for you. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you, and let us be about your business. Let us use the resources you have given us for your business, and not our own.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Prayer and Fasting
Scripture: Mar 9:28-29 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Observation: Jesus told his disciples that they needed to pray and fast in order to see his power and purpose come to pass in their lives. We know that God told us that he came so that we would be free; and most certainly it was his will that the young man who was demon possessed would be free of that oppression. However, his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. The purpose of prayer and fasting is not to break the demonic oppression, that somehow a session of prolonged spiritual warfare would have set the young man free. We know this because when Jesus set the young man free, he simply commanded the Demon to come out. He did not have a 24 hour prayer and fasting session. Rather, what Jesus demonstrated was prolonged times of prayer and fasting daily. His discipline was to go to a quiet place and have fellowship with the Father in prayer and fasting. Evidently his disciples were not so disciplined. At the garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus crucification, recall that his disciples could not pray for even an hour. Jesus however, was very comfortable spending hours in prayer and fasting.
Application: We need to be people of prayer and fasting. How many of us could pray for even an hour? How many of us spend a significant amount of time every day in prayer, worship, fasting, bible reading? How can we expect to see God's power and purpose come to pass in our lives if we don't?
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to live our lives fully devoted to you. Help us turn our lives up side down and begin to make you first in our lives. Let us be your people, and let us declare that you are our God in word and deed. May our lives be a testimony to your love and grace. May we act like your children, and may we not act like children of this world. In Jesus name, Amen!
Observation: Jesus told his disciples that they needed to pray and fast in order to see his power and purpose come to pass in their lives. We know that God told us that he came so that we would be free; and most certainly it was his will that the young man who was demon possessed would be free of that oppression. However, his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. The purpose of prayer and fasting is not to break the demonic oppression, that somehow a session of prolonged spiritual warfare would have set the young man free. We know this because when Jesus set the young man free, he simply commanded the Demon to come out. He did not have a 24 hour prayer and fasting session. Rather, what Jesus demonstrated was prolonged times of prayer and fasting daily. His discipline was to go to a quiet place and have fellowship with the Father in prayer and fasting. Evidently his disciples were not so disciplined. At the garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus crucification, recall that his disciples could not pray for even an hour. Jesus however, was very comfortable spending hours in prayer and fasting.
Application: We need to be people of prayer and fasting. How many of us could pray for even an hour? How many of us spend a significant amount of time every day in prayer, worship, fasting, bible reading? How can we expect to see God's power and purpose come to pass in our lives if we don't?
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to live our lives fully devoted to you. Help us turn our lives up side down and begin to make you first in our lives. Let us be your people, and let us declare that you are our God in word and deed. May our lives be a testimony to your love and grace. May we act like your children, and may we not act like children of this world. In Jesus name, Amen!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Power and Purpose
Scripture: Mark 9:14-16 And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
Observation: Jesus had just taken Peter, John and James up to the mountain where they witnessed the "transfiguration" of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of the father. When Jesus returned he saw a commotion, and it didn't take him long to figure out who was the cause of it. Jesus, being God, knew that the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees was at work. He had warned his disciples of this spirit, that it was like yeast, and would multiply and grow quickly. Jesus had left the weaker nine disciples, and left on their own, they did not do well. They were quickly trapped and accused by the scribes. An atmosphere of unbelief had manifested and the nine disciples were not able to perform the miracles they were accustomed to.
Application: Satan always preys on the weaker ones in the flock. We need to be watchful of his traps. As leaders we need to do as Jesus did, warn, teach, ready, and stay close to our team member who might be vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. If Jesus had not intervened, this situation could have been fatal for the nine disciples. Later in this chapter, Jesus identified that prayer and fasting were needed to overcome this type of situation. Through prayer and fasting our spirits become strong and we are able to instantly discern situations just the way that Jesus did. Prayer and Fasting are essential for spiritual leadership. We must always be in the anointing of God to be victorious and accomplish God's purpose on the earth.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to always stay close to you. Help us to build ourselves up in you through Prayer, Fasting, Worship, and your Word. Help us to always know that you are with us, and let us rely fully on your power and purpose in our lives. In Jesus Name.
Observation: Jesus had just taken Peter, John and James up to the mountain where they witnessed the "transfiguration" of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of the father. When Jesus returned he saw a commotion, and it didn't take him long to figure out who was the cause of it. Jesus, being God, knew that the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees was at work. He had warned his disciples of this spirit, that it was like yeast, and would multiply and grow quickly. Jesus had left the weaker nine disciples, and left on their own, they did not do well. They were quickly trapped and accused by the scribes. An atmosphere of unbelief had manifested and the nine disciples were not able to perform the miracles they were accustomed to.
Application: Satan always preys on the weaker ones in the flock. We need to be watchful of his traps. As leaders we need to do as Jesus did, warn, teach, ready, and stay close to our team member who might be vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. If Jesus had not intervened, this situation could have been fatal for the nine disciples. Later in this chapter, Jesus identified that prayer and fasting were needed to overcome this type of situation. Through prayer and fasting our spirits become strong and we are able to instantly discern situations just the way that Jesus did. Prayer and Fasting are essential for spiritual leadership. We must always be in the anointing of God to be victorious and accomplish God's purpose on the earth.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to always stay close to you. Help us to build ourselves up in you through Prayer, Fasting, Worship, and your Word. Help us to always know that you are with us, and let us rely fully on your power and purpose in our lives. In Jesus Name.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Watch and Pray
Scripture- Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak
Observation: The Garden of Gethsemane and the sweat of blood that Jesus shed prior to his crucification are perhaps some of the most heart wrenching scenes from the New Testament. Here we find Jesus trying to compel his inner circle, Peter James and John, to pray. One might assume that they prayers would be for him, since he has stated that he is very sorrowful. However, in this verse the subject of the prayers Jesus wants his disciples to pray are not for him self. He wants to keep THEM from entering into temptation. "Ye" in this verse is second person plural. That is, it is not Jesus who is being tempted and who's flesh is weak but rather the disciples.
Application: Since this verse is one that is applicable to the disciples, and if we are a disciple of Christ, then perhaps we should be more cognizant of it in our lives. We DO need to watch and pray so that we don't enter into temptation. As a believer in Jesus Christ, his spirit lives in us, and so yes our spirit is willing to do God's will in our lives, but it is most often our flesh who is weak. The solution given here is to watch and pray. Many other verses in the Bible encourage us to watch and pray. Watch implies staying awake and being vigilant. The enemy is out to kill, steal, and destroy. We need to Watch and be ready. Our response to the attempts of the enemy is prayer. Our prayer should be words of faith to bring to pass God's will on earth.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that we stay vigilant to the wiles of the enemy. Teach us to pray, Father of ours. Let us pray with faith, not doubting, that the kingdom of heaven would be manifest here on earth. In Jesus name.
Observation: The Garden of Gethsemane and the sweat of blood that Jesus shed prior to his crucification are perhaps some of the most heart wrenching scenes from the New Testament. Here we find Jesus trying to compel his inner circle, Peter James and John, to pray. One might assume that they prayers would be for him, since he has stated that he is very sorrowful. However, in this verse the subject of the prayers Jesus wants his disciples to pray are not for him self. He wants to keep THEM from entering into temptation. "Ye" in this verse is second person plural. That is, it is not Jesus who is being tempted and who's flesh is weak but rather the disciples.
Application: Since this verse is one that is applicable to the disciples, and if we are a disciple of Christ, then perhaps we should be more cognizant of it in our lives. We DO need to watch and pray so that we don't enter into temptation. As a believer in Jesus Christ, his spirit lives in us, and so yes our spirit is willing to do God's will in our lives, but it is most often our flesh who is weak. The solution given here is to watch and pray. Many other verses in the Bible encourage us to watch and pray. Watch implies staying awake and being vigilant. The enemy is out to kill, steal, and destroy. We need to Watch and be ready. Our response to the attempts of the enemy is prayer. Our prayer should be words of faith to bring to pass God's will on earth.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that we stay vigilant to the wiles of the enemy. Teach us to pray, Father of ours. Let us pray with faith, not doubting, that the kingdom of heaven would be manifest here on earth. In Jesus name.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Power of a Blessing
Scripture: Num 6:23-27 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
Observation: There is tremendous power in a blessing, especially when it comes from someone in the office of the priest. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the office of Priest by being grafted into Jesus Christ when we dedicate our lives to serving him. We are adopted priests if you would (smile)! When we speak a blessing over someone, things are established in the supernatural which will affect the natural (although the supernatural is more real than the natural).
Application: We need to serve our Lord, daily. We need to speak his blessing over those whom the Holy Spirit prompts us to.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. I pray that this day I may serve you will all that I have. I pray that your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, this day, through me. Open my heart, Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see things they way you do. Lead me and guide me. Help me to let your words be my words. Help be to speak your blessing over those who need your protection and guidance. Thank You Lord for your love and your provision over our lives.
Observation: There is tremendous power in a blessing, especially when it comes from someone in the office of the priest. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the office of Priest by being grafted into Jesus Christ when we dedicate our lives to serving him. We are adopted priests if you would (smile)! When we speak a blessing over someone, things are established in the supernatural which will affect the natural (although the supernatural is more real than the natural).
Application: We need to serve our Lord, daily. We need to speak his blessing over those whom the Holy Spirit prompts us to.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. I pray that this day I may serve you will all that I have. I pray that your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, this day, through me. Open my heart, Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see things they way you do. Lead me and guide me. Help me to let your words be my words. Help be to speak your blessing over those who need your protection and guidance. Thank You Lord for your love and your provision over our lives.
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