B2B Concert of Prayer – Rage #836

Posted on February 25, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 836

“Rage”

Ephesians 4:31(ESV) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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Anger-Man-Pointing-FingerI broke up a fight between two elderly ‘gentlemen’ in the parking lot where I work this week.  One repeatedly tried to hit the other with his car while he was walking across the roadway to get into the parking lot.  He even jumped the curb in one attempt to do so.  It seems the guy on foot was not getting out of the way fast enough.  Angry words were exchanged and as it escalated anything not tied down was thrown out the car window and then thrown back by the other guy.  Later that evening I stopped at a superstore to buy a few grocery items on the way home only to witness shopping cart rage in the aisle as a person became angry that the lady in front of him was not moving fast enough for him and their exchange of words escalated into shouts of rage.

Rage seems to be much more prevalent in today’s society.  We hear about people ‘losing it’ on airplanes and on the highways.  Workplace violence is more commonplace and on the rise.  What is the root cause of such anger and rage?  Sandi Mann, a psychologist, recently wrote an article on rage for the Huffington Post.  Her research indicates that rage results from two root causes: High, unmet expectations coupled with high stress levels.  There is actually a biblical basis that gives credence to her findings.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. – James 4:1

People expect to be served.  Dr. Mann calls it the customer charter.  As those who work in service industries will attest, the bar is set high for customer service and it is constantly being moved upward in attempts to compete for greater market share. Our world society is on a frantic, frenetic pace.  As the global economy struggles to get back on its feet, people are under a lot of stress to establish and maintain a standard of living that they expect and feel entitled to.  This stress creates a hair trigger for anger and rage to erupt when expectations of perfection are not met.

The antidote and vaccine against such rage becoming part of our character is found in the Word of God:

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. … put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:8

We can also defuse rage when we encounter it by bringing God’s love into the situation.

 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, – Proverbs 15:1

May you offer a gentle answer in response to someone’s fit of rage. May you seek to have the peace of Christ control your response to the stress triggers in your life.  May the Lord help you see others, friend and foe alike, through His eyes of love and may you be blessed of God because His Word says ‘Blessed are the peacemakers…’

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Breathe #835

Posted on February 17, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 835

“Breathe”

Psalm 39:4-13 (ESV)  O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! … surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers…

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no-time-to-breathe-a-few-simple-tipsTake a breath.  Release it slowly.  Do it again. Pause and contemplate for a moment how long it took to take that breath and release it.  From the perspective of eternity, that is how long a life span you and I have in this body of flesh we now occupy.

Take a breath.  Let it go.  How much time do you have in this life? What then is important during such a short time?

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. – Luke 12:20

Breathe in.  Exhale.  How much of your precious time is spent in worrying or fretting over circumstances you cannot control?  How much time is wasted on ‘what if ‘ scenarios?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? – Matthew 6:27

Take another breath.  Relax.  Breathe out.  How much of your time is spent in consideration of God: who He is, what He has done and is doing?  How often do you consider His love for you as Abba, Father?  Do you worship Him only for a certain time period on a certain day of the week and only when you find the time to do so?  Can you worship Him with every breath you take?

Be still, and know that I am God; you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 26:3

Breathe in and out.  Short, isn’t it?  Is serving Jesus as your Lord and Savior the focus of your heart, mind and soul during this mere breath of time you have in this life? Are you living for the temporary things of this world or for the eternal glory that is ours through Christ, Jesus?

 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many … walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… – Philippians 3:17

Breathe.  May every breath you take bring praise and glory to God. May every breath reinforce an eternal perspective of your heavenly citizenship and life as a sojourner here on earth.

Take breath.  Exhale. Pause and reflect on the Word of God: Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Garment of Praise #834

Posted on February 10, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 834

“Garment of Praise

Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV)  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

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dark-cloudsWe are living in the ‘year of the Lord’s favor’ – The time between the first and second coming of Christ.  Jesus declared that He had fulfilled the first part of this prophecy in proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-21)  The day of vengeance of our God will be fulfilled at His second coming.

Jesus was anointed by God to bring good news to the poor.  This is the Gospel message of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus presented to all of mankind who is afflicted by sin and without power to overcome the separation from God that sin brings.

He was sent by God to bind up the brokenhearted. He came to heal and bandage the hearts that are crushed and shattered under the weight of sin and trials in this world.  He brings hope to shipwrecked lives.

Jesus came to bring liberty and to release from captivity those who are bound up by sin.

… I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:21

Jesus came to comfort those who mourn.  We mourn for more than the loss of a loved one.  We mourn for the loss of jobs, careers, health, homes, family relationships and friends. We mourn the loss of freedom and independence as we grow old and infirm.  We mourn the loss of mental faculties and strength of body.  Many of us are living under a dark cloud of sadness and depression because of our circumstances.  Our energy is sapped as we remain stooped over under the weight of a wet blanket burden of trials.  This is the image of the prodigal son returning to his father.

…the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’- Luke 15:22

This is the time of the Lord’s favor.  Will you allow Jesus to remove your burden and clothe you with the garment of praise?  Will you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and allow Him to anoint you with the oil of gladness in spite of what your circumstances look and feel like?

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28

Regardless of trial or circumstance may you celebrate this time of the Lord’s favor with praise and gladness of heart through Jesus Christ and to the glory of God our Father.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Found Ready #833

Posted on February 6, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 833

“Found Ready”

Luke 12:35-38 (NIV)  Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes… even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

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24-71I don’t like surprises.  I hate being caught unaware and unprepared.  Until I developed disciplined study habits in school I used to dread pop quizzes.  Once I learned to be prepared and not procrastinate assignments my attitude changed to ‘Bring it on, I’m ready!’

Far too many of us allow trivial distractions to preoccupy our time. We gravitate toward what is not urgent and not important in life and procrastinate important items to the point that they become critical and we find ourselves in crisis mode. How many of us as parents have experienced the ‘night before its due’ crisis of a child’s class project?  How many of us have been thrust into crisis mode at work because of a coworker’s failure to plan and execute according to plan?

Our tendency to waste time on the trivial carries over into the spiritual realm of our lives as well.  The attractions of this world as well as its worries all work to distract us and keep us distanced from God.  Like the student or employee who procrastinates preparing their assignments, we also tend to procrastinate preparing and nurturing our spiritual well-being.

Jesus said to ‘Be dressed ready for service’.  This meant to gird up one’s loins. This was done by tucking the loose ends of one’s outer garment into one’s belt. Loins were girded in preparation for running, for battle, or for service for a master. Jesus is saying, ‘Be ready for action’.  Picture in your mind Olympic speed skaters poised at the starting line like a coiled spring. They are dressed in special garments ready and waiting for the starting signal.  Jesus wants us to be that alert, waiting, anticipating and ready for when He returns.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ …“Be holy, for I am holy.”- 1 Peter 1:13-16

Jesus continued saying ‘keep your lamps burning‘. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus said to His disciples “You are the light of the world.” He also said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world” and in John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

The earth’s moon provides light to the dark side of the world by reflecting the sun which is the source of light in our solar system.  Similarly, we are expected to reflect the light of Jesus Christ in this dark world. In order to keep our lamps burning we need to avoid allowing the trivial things of this world to distance us from God.  To reflect His light, we must remain close to Him.

Jesus stated in our reference Scripture that we are to be waiting for Him. Many of us do not wait well. We become weary in waiting.  Then the enemy begins to distract us and we let our lamps dim or go out completely.

Consider him who endured … hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted;And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  – Hebrews 12:3; Galatians 6:9

May your lamp always burn brightly and may you be found ready when He comes.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Forsaken #832

Posted on January 27, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 832

“Forsaken”

Psalm 27:10 (ESV)  For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

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abandonedTo be forsaken is to be completely deserted, helpless and abandoned. When you feel forsaken you feel cold and empty like an abandoned house.  You feel vulnerable, alone and unloved.

Psalm 27 struck a chord with me this week in my daily devotional and Bible reading.  It is hard to imagine but the sad truth is that parents are forsaking their children in ever increasing numbers.

There were 50 million legal abortions in the United States between 1973 and 2008.  Couple that with the dramatically increasing rate of abandoned babies that we are now seeing nationwide.  In an attempt to save lives, all states have enacted legislation allowing children to be ‘properly’ abandoned to foster care without fear of reprisal or prosecution.

Then my heart broke when I read about Lamar West in a NY Times article.  In foster care at age 4 and adopted at age 5, Mr. West was abandoned once again at age 18. He is part of a growing group of homeless young adult men and women that were adopted under the government’s push in 1997 to reduce child welfare costs by subsidizing adoptions.  They become forsaken once again and turned away from those whom they have come to know as family once the government monthly adoption subsidy attached to them ceases.

Even as adults we can be forsaken by others.  Sometimes we feel abandoned by God.  This is a lie of Satan.  Even though our very parents forsake us, God never will forsake His children.  Jesus experienced being forsaken so that we would never be forsaken by God.

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice …”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Mark 15:34

It was at that time that God placed the sins of the world on Jesus and had to ‘turn away’ from Him.  Jesus became sin for us.  It was our sin, not His. Jesus felt for that one and only moment in eternity the cold emptiness of abandonment and separation from God that sin produces.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Cor 5:21

By Jesus’ death and resurrection we can be made righteous and by our confession of faith we can become children of God never to be forsaken by Him.

…by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. – Romans 5:19

…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

…But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…  – John 1:12

May you become a child of God through Jesus Christ.  May the Lord, your God fill you with the warmth of His presence.  May He wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you as a Father embraces His children.

Be strong and courageous … He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deut 31:6

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Fear #831

Posted on January 20, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 831

“Fear”

Psalm 91 (ESV) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” …You will not fear … Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place…

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fearIt is incorrect to say that I have a fear of heights.  In actuality what I fear is the sudden deceleration syndrome resulting from a fall.  The feelings I experience are more psychological than they are physiological.  The problem is that my mind visualizes the fall which feeds my fear making it feel real giving rise to vertigo, dizziness, and a loss of balance which can result in an actual fall.

An acrostic for the word ‘FEAR’ has been defined as False Expectations Appearing Real.  False expectations in life feed our fears causing us to worry, distrust and to feebly attempt to control our circumstances.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Isaiah 26:3-4

We feed our fears by what we feed our minds.  We feed our minds by what we listen to, speak out, and visualize.  A steady diet of the nightly news broadcasts will feed our fears.  When we speak out negative prognostications we feed the fears of others and reinforce our own.  When we visualize the worst case scenarios we begin to expect and believe them giving rise to worry and fretting.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things … and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9

We cannot escape being bombarded and affected by all that is negative in this fallen world.  We can however vaccinate ourselves from fear and worry by keeping our mind stayed on the Lord and to think and speak about the things that bring the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds.

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:6

What is it that you fear? Is it sickness, dying, growing old, or losing independence?  Do you fear financial loss and failure? Do you fear for your children’s or grandchildren’s future?  We become open to fear when we allow ourselves to become distant from God.  We become vulnerable to fear when we neglect to daily put on the whole armor of God.

May your mind be protected by the helmet of salvation from whatever it is that you fear.  May you be protected by the shield of faith from all that Satan throws at you to feed your fears.  May you wield the sword of the spirit by speaking out the Truth of the Word of God to encourage your heart and the hearts of others thereby destroying strongholds of fear through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid…of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence …- Proverbs 3:23-26

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Envy #830

Posted on January 13, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 830

“Envy”

1 Samuel 18:8-9 (NIV) Saul was very angry; …“They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

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envy (1)“Mine!” one child cries out as it wrestles a toy out of another child’s hands.  Some children will be perfectly content until they see another child with a toy that attracts them and the “Mine!” struggle ensues.

Watching infants and small children at play seems to indicate that it is in our human nature to covet.  As parents, we have to teach our children contentment and to share by our own life example more so than by our words.

Our behavior is not much different as adults, although the ‘toys’ get more expensive as do the consequences of covetous behavior.  Envy can make us sick in spirit and body.

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. – Proverbs 14:30

Envy rears its ugly head in every context in life and it is precisely this aspect of our flawed human character that is exploited by marketing agencies.  Take notice of how many advertisements and commercials appeal to our tendency to covet as a ploy to sell their product.

Envy pits neighbors, friends, and spouses against each other. It is a root of conflict between co-workers as well as pitting employees against employers.  Envy destroys relationships.  It will dissolve a business relationship and a marriage.  It will hinder your ministry.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. – James 3:16

God’s Word says that all the Law hangs on the two commandments to Love.  Envy is the opposite of Love. It is directly in opposition to both these commandments at the same time.

… And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:36

Is there disorder and evil in your workplace, home, or church?  Look for the root of envy and eliminate it with the authority you have through Jesus Christ

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

May the Holy Spirit strengthen you with contentment in all your circumstances.  May you resist the temptation to envy by the power and presence of Jesus in your heart.  May the Love of God be evident in your heart and in all your relationships.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Persevere #829

Posted on January 6, 2013 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 829

“Persevere”

Rom 5:2-5 (NKJV)    …we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

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underpressure newWhen we think of what it means to persevere we tend to think of Olympic athletes, marathon runners or mountain climbers. When I contemplate the character produced by persevering I am reminded of a time when my son was nine or ten years old.  His school conducted a basketball skills tournament of sorts where participants from different age groups competed by shooting hoops using various types of shots at certain angles and distances from the hoop.

The crowd became hushed when my son took his turn.  For what seemed to be a grueling eternity, I watched from the sidelines as my son missed every shot.  With persistent determination and steadfast demeanor, he continued through the routine, undeterred by his past performance at the prior hoop and gave each new challenge his absolute best.

I hugged my son at the end of the trial while he received a standing ovation from the crowd.  My son scored zero points, but he touched the hearts of everyone there that recognized and valued the character of perseverance demonstrated that day.

Our Lord, Jesus also highly esteems perseverance.  During our life journey, we all face trials and temptations that place us under severe pressure.  Sometimes the trials seem to last forever, and in spite of our continual prayers, it seems that God chooses to remain silent and distant.  The writer of Lamentations says it all:

…my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:17

It is precisely during those difficult times that we need to persevere with persistent determination to worship God and continue to trust Him and place our hope in Him. Thank God that the Bible does not leave us at verse 17.  The writer of Lamentations continues:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. – Lamentations 3:21

No matter what difficulty you are faced with, God will see you through it if you persevere.  Job’s wife told him to ‘curse God and die’ but Job persevered and continued to worship God and to place his hope and trust in Him.  There will be many who will counsel you to ‘give up’ saying that ‘it is hopeless’.  But there is only one voice you need to listen to and that is the voice of the Holy Spirit who will always counsel you with hope and strengthen you with peace and joy.

May you persevere in the power and strength of God’s Holy Spirit.  May the Lord shape your character to produce hope for yourself and for all those whose lives you touch by your life example.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Wrong Question #828

Posted on December 30, 2012 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 828

“The Wrong Question”

James 4:7 (ESV)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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crossing-the-lineA young man that was in a dating relationship telephoned a Christian radio talk show and asked ‘how far’ he and his girl friend could go with sexual intimacy before ‘crossing the line of sin’.

This young man’s question is far too typical and indicative of what is wrong with the Christian church today.  Far too many of us are seeking to ‘hug the line’ that should not be crossed.  Our carnal hearts’ desire is to have as much of the ‘forbidden fruit’ of this world as we can have and we seek to move and push the limits of the boundary lines.

To put it succinctly, we are asking the wrong questions.

How drunk or high can I get before it becomes sin?

How much of the ‘less wholesome’ movies, music, games, television, internet or theater can I be entertained by before it becomes sin?

How much foul language can I use before it becomes sin?

Are some words worse than others?  What if I modify the coarse words slightly so that they only sound like the original?

How much can I flirt with others before it becomes sin?

How much sexual intimacy outside of marriage is acceptable?

Instead of asking ‘How far can I move away from God?’ we should be asking ‘How can I get closer to God?’

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. – Isaiah 29:13

The Lord’s words from Isaiah ring true for too much of the church today.  We worship Him in ritual and form but our hearts remain far from Him.  We want to know how much of the sin of this world we can toy with.  We want to know how far away we can get from God and still be OK.

Just as our heart muscle needs oxygen and unrestricted blood flow to operate at its best, so too our spiritual heart needs the unrestricted flow of the Holy Spirit.  The sin we allow in our life is like spiritual cholesterol which restricts the flow of God’s Holy Spirit.  Our spiritual and moral heart becomes weak and ineffective.  We lose energy and passion for God when we allow sin to hinder the power of God from flowing freely through our lives.

Flee from sexual immorality; flee from idolatry; flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – 1 Cor 6:18; 1 Cor 10:14; 2 Tim 2:22

Prayerfully ask the Lord the right question.  Ask Him to show you how to get closer to Him.  He will make it clear.  May the Lord cleanse us of our double-mindedness. May He renew our steadfast resolve to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Greatest Gift #827

Posted on December 23, 2012 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 827

“The Greatest Gift”

John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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greatest giftThere was a man who loved to give gifts at Christmas.  Each year he would up the ante and try to give better and greater gifts than before.  This year as he sat down to prepare his gift list he struggled to come up with a greater material gift than the one he had previously given.  Finally, after making little progress, the man prayed, ‘Lord, help me to find the greatest gifts I can give each person on my list’ and the Lord heard his prayer.

‘Perhaps a Disney cruise this year would be the greatest gift for the children’, he thought to himself.  Then the Lord spoke clearly to his heart, ‘The greatest gift you can give your children is to love their mother as I have loved My church’.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… Eph 5:25

The man paused for a moment and reflected on the arguments he’d had with his wife.  How petty and selfish on his part the arguments seemed now.  He recalled the pensive look in the eyes of his children as they’d overheard their parents fight. ‘Yes, Lord.  Help me to be less selfish and more loving’, he prayed.  The Lord continued to speak to the man’s heart as he thought about his family: ‘The greatest gift you can give your family is to lead them by example in the love and respect of the Lord your God’.

…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life…be renewed in the spirit of your minds…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness…be imitators of God… And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us… – Eph 4:22 – 5:2

The man reflected on how he had not set a consistent example of daily prayer and reading of the Word of God.  He became keenly aware of how he had not made it a priority for his family to attend worship and be involved in their local church.  ‘I am leading my family on the broad path of the world’, he thought. ‘I am leading them away from God’. The man opened his Bible and read Psalm 51:10, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me’; he paused and prayed this Psalm of David, making it his own prayer of repentance.

As the man continued in worship the Lord spoke to his heart again, ‘The greatest gift you can give to your neighbors, your coworkers and everyone I send your way is to tell them the Gospel Message of Salvation through Jesus’.  ‘But Lord’, the man argued aloud, ‘They all know I am a Christian. I have the emblems on my car and I wear them on my person. What more can I do?’  The man felt the Lord’s love and compassion as He once again spoke to his heart. ‘The loudest message you speak is your life example. The greatest gift and clearest Gospel message will be spoken from the integrity of your life example as you follow me’.

The man put down his pencil and paper and knelt in worship.  The greatest gift that God gave mankind was salvation through Jesus Christ.  There was nothing in this material world that could compare.  He would give material gifts this season as before, but the greatest gift would be given every day throughout the coming years as he let the light of Christ shine through the integrity of his walk with the Lord.

 

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