B2B Concert of Prayer – Cover Me #866

Posted on September 22, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 866

“Cover Me”

I pray for them…Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one…My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… (John 17:9 NIV)

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24-7-protectionThe point man needs to gain a tactical position against the enemy. He looks back at his team and says ‘cover me’. They provide a hail of gunfire causing the enemy to hunker down allowing him to advance through an open area of greater vulnerability. While a barrage of gunfire is an effective temporary protective cover in urban warfare, prayer cover is what is required to afford around the clock protection in the urban warfare of everyday life in this world.

God’s Word tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) An effective tactic of an enemy is to take down the leaders first. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). Jesus informed Simon Peter that Satan had sought to sift him as wheat but that He had provided him with prayer cover. (Luke 22:31) Our moral integrity and character is tested through temptation. We are sifted to see what we are made of. Will our moral character be nothing but chaff or will it be proven to be the character of Christ in us – pure and holy?

Hardly a day goes by that we do not see or hear about leaders who suffer moral failure. Leaders are found at all levels from parents to priests to presidents. They are all targets of the enemy. Corporate and government leaders give in to greed and the lust of the flesh and the ripple effect of their failure is felt for years to come. Priests, Rabbis, Ministers, and other church leaders succumb to moral failure with devastating results that ripple through their fellowship. Teachers, coaches, parents and troop leaders are caught in inappropriate moral behavior. The victims of their moral indiscretion are widespread and the lasting emotional scars adversely affect them and society as a whole for generations to come.

We need prayer cover 24/7. Our leaders need prayer cover 24/7. All those who are part of our lives from family to friends to coworkers and acquaintances need prayer cover 24/7. God’s Word exhorts us to pray and Jesus set the example when He prayed for His disciples as the future church leadership.

In your prayer time allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind those who need prayer cover and intercede on their behalf in the power of the Name of Jesus. Let us not leave them vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. As the Lord places them on your heart throughout the day, may you hear them say ‘cover me’ and pause to provide prayer cover for them. …The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Direction Correction #865

Posted on September 16, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 865

“Direction Correction”

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”…. (Isaiah 30:21)

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asking-for-directionsI don’t know why I have a GPS in my car. Perhaps it’s because I desire a second opinion to ignore before deciding to go my own way. I tend to heed the GPS directions only after I am hopelessly lost. The Word of God exhorts us to follow Jesus yet our reference Scripture refers to the Voice we hear behind us which implies that we are not following Him and have gone our own way.

Sometimes we go our own way with great intentions to do a mighty work for the Kingdom of God. If God is not in it and leading the way, our labor is in vain. (Psalm 127:1). Do you find that your prayer and quiet time with the Lord is characterized less and less as worship, praise, and hearing from Him and more and more as your mind wandering, planning, and thinking about how and what to accomplish? Do you sense the ‘pull’ of the Lord accelerating the ministry over a level path or is everything a struggle requiring you to push uphill over rough terrain? Is the joy of ministry gone? Have you come to rely on your skills and the skills of others more so than on God to sustain the ministry? If so, it is time to pause and hear the Word behind you and heed His direction correction.

Notice also from our reference Scripture that if we are hearing His voice behind us we have our backs turned to Him. All too often we turn our backs on God and in our pride go our own way. They have turned to me their back and not their face. And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction. (Jeremiah 32:33) Sometimes the prosperity of this world brings us to the point of no longer trusting and relying on God as much as we used to. We begin to trust in our business skills, our employers and our investment portfolio’s more than we trust in God. This was the case of the rich young man that could not follow Jesus and went away sad. (Matthew 19:20-22)

Other times we give in to the temptation to sin and turn our backs on Jesus and follow a wrong path. The fact that we hear His voice calling out behind us is a powerful testimony of His love and grace. Jesus will not lose any that the Father has given Him. (John 10:28)

Perhaps you grew up in the church and had a religious experience which you have left behind as you grew into adulthood. You have heard the Word preached and perhaps have read some of the Bible. Now your life has you taking paths of your own choosing and you have never accepted Christ as your Savior and are not following Jesus. You find that these paths leave you empty and spent. You wonder what your purpose in life is. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Jesus is the living Word of God. It is His voice you hear behind you, directing you to come and follow Him. …Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… (Psalm 95:7-8) You will know the Way by knowing His Word. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

May you hear His voice behind you. May you turn from your own path and accept His direction correction and follow Him as your Lord and Savior.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Good Life #864

Posted on September 8, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 864

“The Good Life”

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)

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key2I watched a video of the most recent sweepstakes winner as he was presented with the award of $5000 a week for life. I contemplated the impact of his new found situation. Does this mean that he can now live the ‘good life’ – a life of wealth, comfort and entertainment without concern about the cost? Then the Lord spoke to my heart – his life could end tomorrow. (Luke 12:20)

Indeed, no amount of worldly wealth and possessions can define ‘the good life’. If we examine the experience of David from God’s Word we find keys to unlocking the good life as God intended it to be. David was fast-tracked from being a shepherd in the fields to being highly favored and living in the king’s court. He was even betrothed to King Saul’s daughter. He was living ‘the good life’. Then Saul turned on him forcing David to flee, leave it all behind, and hide out in a cave. It is from the cave that David was shaped and taught by God’s Holy Spirit and it is there that he wrote: Psalm 34, Psalm 57, and Psalm 142.

From his cave experience David came to deepen his understanding for his need of a personal, intimate relationship with God. (Psalm 34:8)

It was in the cave that David gained clarity of God’s sovereign purpose for his life. (Psalm 57:2)

Having lost all he had in this world, David experienced God’s provision, protection and presence during his time in the cave. (Psalm 34:9, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 142:5)

Like David and others recorded in the Bible, God sometimes leads us out into wilderness experiences. Caves happen. What we deem as ‘the good life’ gets turned upside down and inside out and we find ourselves asking, ‘Lord, what did you do that for?’ Saul of Tarsus lived the good life. A Pharisee and Hebrew of Hebrews, Paul was well-respected and well educated and he zealously persecuted those who followed Christ. Then he encountered Jesus and found the true good life in Christ. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

Paul was struck blind in his encounter with Jesus and was later healed by the Lord through Ananias. This blindness – the sudden darkness, the fear, the sudden dependency upon others was a cave experience in and of itself for him. It was most certainly a time of reflection and a time of hearing the truth of God speaking to his heart. Paul took what he learned in his cave experience and taught others of the contentment that characterizes the true good life. (Philippians 4:11-13)

The good life is unlocked by our personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we have abundant life (John 10:10). May you move from religion to relationship. May you know the good life – its contentment, peace and joy – no matter what circumstance you find yourself in.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Jabez Prayer #863

Posted on September 1, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 863

“Jabez Prayer”

…And God granted what he asked. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

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1chron4-10_jabezWe all want our prayers answered and we tend to want them answered in the manner we have preconceived. Therefore, when we see a passage in Scripture that concludes with God granting a request it gets our attention. Could it be that there is some special formula, recipe, routine, or ritual that will guarantee results? Is there a method to manipulating God’s hand through prayer?

The truth of the matter is that God is sovereign. He is God and we are not (Daniel 4:35). We must be careful to maintain a proper perspective in our relationship with God as our Father and to avoid the tendency to attempt to manipulate His hand through prayer and works. The prayer of Jabez recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 is a beautiful example of a prayer relationship with God. Unfortunately, it has been ritualized and marketed to the masses as a means of gaining God’s favor and material blessing. Let’s examine it further.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers… (v9): To be honorable is to be characterized by integrity and righteousness. It is through salvation and being born again by the Spirit of God that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us (Philippians 3:9). When we approach God in prayer we should approach Him with a humble acknowledgement of our sinful nature and with a confidence that comes through the righteousness of Jesus (Luke 18:9-14).

Jabez called upon the God of Israel… (v10): We are to call upon the one, true God in prayer. Far too many who proclaim to be Christians dilute their prayer life by calling upon saints, and other deceased in their prayers. Many follow ritualistic methods of repetitious prayer with their words being many and their hearts remaining far from God (Isaiah 29:13). We must come to God and God alone in prayer. By faith in Jesus we are children of God. We must come into His presence in prayer as a child comes to their loving Father.

…Oh that you would bless me… (v10): We are first and foremost blessed with eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we should acknowledge and rejoice in this blessing. We are further blessed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, giving us power, wisdom and His gifts to be overcomers and victorious over the darkness and sin of this world. We err when we take the blessing of our personal relationship with God for granted and seek first in prayer the things of this world and not the giver of such gifts (Matthew 6:33). Scripture does indeed exhort us to ask God for what we need and desire. However, we are to do so with proper motives of heart (James 4:3).

…enlarge my border… (v10): Is this request solely for greater land and possessions? Could it be for greater influence in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing the lost to salvation through faith in Christ? Let the Holy Spirit reveal your heart’s true motives in your prayer requests.

…that your hand might be with me… (v10): This is seeking first His kingdom. We need God’s presence to be with us in all our endeavors. This is a prayerful desire to maintain a close walk with God as we live out our daily lives in work or play.

…that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain! (v10): Our life on earth will not be without trial and difficulty. Through our close relationship with God, we come to rely on and trust in His perfect will, love, protection, and grace to see us through the rough patches. He may not always deliver us from them, but He is faithful to always give us the grace to get through them.

May your prayer life be powerful and effective (James 5:16).

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Faith, Prayer, Priorities, Relationship, Salvation, Trials, Trust, Worship | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

B2B Concert of Prayer – Battle Weary #862

Posted on August 25, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 862

“Battle Weary”

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)

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armor_of_godThe terms ‘battle weary’ and ‘battle fatigue’ have become synonymous with the phrase ‘The thousand yard stare’. Upon arrival at the front lines servicemen recount stories of the vacant eyes they saw in their battle weary squad. The physical and emotional demands and stresses placed upon our servicemen day after day with little relief eventually takes its toll and manifests itself later in life as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Not all of us serve our country at the front lines during a time of war. We all, however, are engaged along a spiritual battle front with eternal ramifications. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

This spiritual battle never ends and we can end up battle weary. The enemy of our soul attacks us when and where we are weakest. Each of us fights against our own points of temptation to sin. Perhaps we are battle weary because we are on the defensive in our own strength against temptation. Physical strength and willpower are good but it is like bringing a knife to a gun fight in our battle against spiritual forces. Just as our military servicemen put on their full body armor and take up their weapons each day, we too are exhorted by God’s Word to put on His ‘full armor’. How many of us venture out each day ill equipped and unprepared to fend off the attack of the enemy let alone to be able to take the offensive? Are you tired of being a battle weary Christian, constantly bruised and battered by the attack of the enemy on you and your family? Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13)

There is a critically necessary discipline required of us. We must begin each day in prayer and communion with God. We must not allow the worldly demands for our time to take precedence and crowd out and eliminate quiet time with the Lord in prayer and the reading of His Word. Neglecting this time in fellowship with God is akin to going into battle, unprotected, alone, and without weapons. The full armor consists of the belt of truth which allows us to nimbly navigate through the minefield of lies that the enemy seeks to trip us up with. The breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith protect our hearts and minds from the accusations of the enemy that we are not worthy, not good enough, not saved, or inadequate to serve the Lord. Lastly we must take up the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – with which we can do battle and do more than just hold our ground.

God’s Word tells us that …The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16) Therefore don’t let the enemy intimidate you into hunkering down in fear and defeat. Your righteousness is the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. Stand firm against the attack of the enemy on you and your family, your businesses, coworkers, and your country. Take up the Sword of the Spirit and brandish it boldly. Wear the full armor of God every day and take the offensive to advance the kingdom of God and be an overcomer in the power of His Word.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Wise and Innocent #861

Posted on August 19, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 861

“Wise and Innocent”

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

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3932478825_snake_dove_answer_4_xlargeNothing exemplifies the idea of sheep among wolves as do the elderly and the young. Human predators among us prey upon both age extremes using all mannerisms of cunning and disguise so as to deceive the innocent.

Jesus exhorts us to have the practical wisdom of the serpent which God’s Word says was craftier than any other beast that the Lord created. (Genesis 3:1) This wisdom however, is to be tempered with the innocence and harmlessness of a dove. There are four qualities of practical wisdom that we need to adopt as character traits.

BOLDNESS: We need to be bold in our defense of the faith and in answering our call to the Lord’s service.

WATCHFULNESS: Our boldness must be tempered by remaining alert and watchful of our surroundings. We need to know what is happening around us so that we are not blind-sided and surprised by the attack of the enemy.

WARINESS: Boldness is further balanced by a sense of caution or wariness. Not everyone is to be trusted. Not everyone who says they have a word from the Lord for you truly does. (1 John 4:1)

OPENNESS: Lastly, we need to maintain an openness and transparency such that there is no appearance of hidden agendas for personal gain. These four character traits in balance define the practical wisdom that Jesus wants us to have.

The book of Esther in the Bible illustrates these character qualities in action. Haman sought to kill all the Jews and he manipulated the king into giving him carte blanche to do so. In God’s perfect plan, Esther was uniquely positioned as a Jewess and as the Queen. Compelled by Mordecai, her uncle, she took action. Her most important first step was to call the community to a time of prayer and fasting. Esther knew that she needed God’s power and presence to succeed.

Esther was bold in her plan knowing full well that the king could have her killed. (Esther 4:16) She remained watchful and aware of the plans that Haman was concocting. Esther was wary and cautious about who knew her nationality and in whom she trusted with her plans. She exercised caution through two separate invitations to dinner in order to create the best possible environment for success. Through it all Esther remained open and above-board. She gave credit to Mordecai about the news of the assassination plot and did not falsely accuse Haman but rather invited him to the dinners with the king to be confronted face to face with the truth.

Jesus was up front about the trials and persecution that lay in store for us in this life on earth. This is why He taught us to pray and why He sent us the Holy Spirit after He returned to the Father. May you begin each day in prayer and worship. May you be equipped with the full armor of God and go forth each day in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. May you have ears to hear His guiding whisper of wisdom and to willingly obey His check to maintain innocence in the presence of evil.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Celebrating Evil #860

Posted on August 11, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 860

“Celebrating Evil”

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

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satan swallowing worldI may be naive, but I continue to expect better entertainment choices from our television and cable networks. In reality, I am repeatedly disappointed and disgusted by what is being piped into our homes and portable electronic devices every day. Just when I think it could not get any worse it sinks to new levels of depravity. The pattern that is emerging seems to be one of indoctrination into a new morality that will be passed on to younger generations. The coveted target audience by the networks is the 18 to 34 year old population – the ones that will have the greatest impact in influencing future generations. What does the new morality look like? What is the enemy’s agenda as he seeks to swallow up the earth? One major theme threading its way through comedies, cartoons, reality series, and crime solving shows is sexual immorality. Promiscuous behavior, fornication, adultery, and same sex relationships are presented as normal and acceptable behaviors.

Violence is another theme that is being used to desensitize us to the horror and heinousness of crimes against our fellow human beings. The sanctity and respect for human life is devalued. What used to be a program about the science of solving crimes – the classic ‘whodunit’ – has now become more about the graphic depiction of the torture, rape, and murder of others.

God and Christianity are ridiculed in much of the programming genres. The occult and the paranormal are promoted. New depths of vulgar and crude behavior, alcoholism, revenge, jealousy, and greed, are offered as comedic reality ‘entertainment’.

The Psalmist asks a question that is highly relevant to today: …if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3) The Word of God offers the answer through Paul’s letter to the Romans: …the hour has come for you to wake from sleep…So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:11-14)

As parents we must be parents. We must exercise our God-given authority to protect the hearts and minds of our children from being immersed into the cesspool of the new morality that is being pushed upon them through the media and, unfortunately through our public education system. Let us not be the one who allows our children to be tempted to sin by the abdication of our responsibilities as parents. Woe to the world for temptations to sin…woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! (Matthew 18:7)

As Christians in this world we will struggle with our flesh desire to sin. …when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. (Romans 7:21) We must seek first the kingdom and God and His righteousness. We must avoid feeding our flesh and make a priority to seek purity and integrity of heart, mind, and spirit. It can be as simple as changing the channel to something better or just turn the TV off.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Deny Yourself #859

Posted on August 4, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 859

“Deny Yourself”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

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‘deny yourselfDo you love me?’ she asked her husband seated across from her at the breakfast table. ‘Of course I do — you know that I do’, he responded without taking his eyes off of the sports section of the newspaper. ‘How do I know that you love me?’ she pressed hoping to make eye contact. ‘Because I tell you that I do’ was his sharpened reply. ‘Oh, I guess that you do’ she sighed as she got up from the table. Her husband did not notice her leave.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” “…If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 13:34-35 & 14:15)

When we think of what it means to deny oneself our tendency is to have a mental picture of somber-faced Christians drearily trudging along through life carrying their ‘cross’ as they say ‘No’ to any pleasures in this world. We need to turn this image upside down and inside out. Denying yourself is more about saying ‘Yes’ as it is about saying ‘No’ and it is more about joy than it is sorrow. …do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10) At risk of over simplification, to deny oneself means to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ commandment to love as He loves.

To deny yourself and respond in love is sometimes as simple a matter of putting aside the newspaper, turning off the TV or other electronic device and engaging in a meaningful conversation and relationship with your spouse, family member, friend or acquaintance. Sometimes denying yourself is a bit more challenging as we are asked to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ commandment to forgive and respond in love to those who hurt us and are hateful to us.

Jesus asks us today just as He asked Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ He is asking us if we have a divided heart with ‘these’ being defined as anything that would interfere with our following Him. He is asking, ‘Do you love Me more than your friends, relatives, money, job, food, drink and passions for things in this world?’ If we answer ‘Yes’ to Jesus’ question, the truth of our response is evidenced by our sacrificial, selfless loving behavior to our fellow man in His Name and to His glory. It is further evidenced by our uncompromising adherence to God’s greatest commandment to love Him and others. Our denial of self and love for Jesus is also evidenced by our unwavering commitment to say ‘Yes’ to His will and call to minister to people and in places that are far outside of our comfort zones. …Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. (Luke 22:42b)

May the Holy Spirit open your heart to see Jesus’ call to self denial as a positive, joyous experience and journey in His presence and power. May He flood your soul with His love and grace as He uses you as His precious and sanctified chosen vessel to pour out the Living Water of His love in all the divine encounters He has planned for you as you take up your cross and follow Him.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Don’t Feed the Dog #858

Posted on July 28, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 858

“Don’t Feed the Dog”

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices… (Colossians 3:5-9)

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bw dogsA story is told about a rancher that had two dogs, a white one and a black one that took to fighting. His neighbor asked the rancher, ‘Which dog will win?’ to which he answered, ‘The one I feed the most.’

When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our old nature, the tendency and desire we had to live in sin, needed to be put to death. We were to put on our new nature made in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many of us who profess to be born-again Christians have kept the old nature on life support systems. We have been feeding both natures and they remain in constant battle with each other.

We may be able to fool our Sunday church crowd about the dark side that we secretly nurture, but God is not fooled. Our worship is a vain offering when our hearts are far from Him. (Isaiah 29:13)

Bring no more vain offerings…I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. (Isaiah 1:13)

It is indeed a narrow road to walk in this life – to be in the world but not of it. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9) We guard our way by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness with our whole heart, not a divided one. Our hearts are divided when we feed both dogs of our nature. If we do not feed our sinful nature and feed our spiritual nature with the Word of God we will win the battle and overcome our old nature.

We feed our sinful nature by what we choose as uncensored entertainment. We feed our old nature when we choose to participate in lies, slander, obscene and coarse talk at work, school or another social setting – all in order to ‘fit in’.

We cannot walk the narrow path of Jesus Christ in our own strength. We need the strength of God’s Holy Spirit to live the pure and holy life that God desires for us.

May you make the commitment to follow Christ and stop feeding the dog from your old nature. May you obey the Holy Spirit’s ‘gut feel’ check when you begin to wander off the path of righteousness.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – No Excuses #857

Posted on July 23, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 857

“No Excuses”

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. (John 5:8-9)

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No ExcusesI confess that I become frustrated and impatient when I can’t get a straight answer to a direct question. Some questions illicit a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response, yet many people respond with an excuse-laden story that leaves me unsure of their answer. In our reference Scripture Jesus asked the paralytic a pointed question, ‘Do you want to get well?’ Instead of a direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response Jesus got a story and excuses from the man. (John 5:7).

What pointed question is Jesus asking you today? ‘Do you want eternal life?’ ‘Do you want to be healed?’ ‘Do you want to get out of debt?’ ‘Do you want to save your marriage?’ How do you respond to such close-ended questions? Do you tell a story about how religious you are and all that you do and give to help others? Do you relate to Jesus all that the doctors are saying and going to try? Do you tell Jesus about how badly others have hurt you and give Him reasons why forgiveness is out of the question? Do you respond succinctly to His pointed question or offer a story full of excuses?

It is well past the time for many of us to muster up some backbone. Get a grip! Make a decision. “Yes, Jesus, I acknowledge my sin and I want eternal life through you.” or “Yes, Jesus, I want my marriage to be healed.” Jesus healed the paralytic, but he made him take the action of getting up, picking up his mat and walking away. We also, after responding to Jesus, need to stand up and take action.

We take action when we repent and turn away from a lifestyle of sin and seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness. We take action when we forgive and seek forgiveness in our relationships. We take action when we change our materialistic behaviors and work to get out of debt by living within our means and being faithful stewards of God’s provision. These actions are all prefaced with a no excuse, ‘Yes’ response to Jesus.

Jesus wants us to stand strong against the schemes of the enemy. We can only do that if we are wearing the full armor of God and that is something we have to take action to put on. We have to act to stand up and stand firm. We have to act to advance against the enemy. We cannot wish the devil’s schemes away. It takes a backbone of prayer. It takes a backbone to deny oneself and say ‘No’ to the temptation of sin. It takes a backbone of faith and hope to say ‘Yes’ to Jesus.

May you have the spiritual strength to stand in the authority that is yours through Christ Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. May you walk continually in His presence living a no excuses lifestyle of faith.

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