B2B Concert of Prayer – Where is Your Faith? #776

Posted on January 1, 2012 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 776

“Where is your Faith?”

Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)       One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples…

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Have you thought of yourself as being a person of faith only to find yourself in a situation where your faith is shaken to the point that you wonder if you ever had any faith at all?  There are several lessons to take note of in our reference scripture taken from the Gospel of Luke:

Jesus said, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake” – Note that they were all together in the boat.  Living the Christian life means to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ after accepting His free gift of salvation.  Being Christian also means giving Jesus lordship over our lives and to follow and obey Him.  Reflect on your life journey.  Is it characterized by a personal relationship with Jesus?  What path or journey has Jesus called you to embark upon as you follow Him?  Do you acknowledge His abiding presence in your ‘boat’ as you navigate the seas of your life journey?

Jesus fell asleep – Sometimes we set out in the direction we know Jesus has asked us to go and once along that path we seem to no longer hear from Him.  It is as if Jesus is asleep and we are going on alone.  Perhaps the going is easy for us at first and we begin to rely on our own intellect, training and strength.  We have fair winds and a following sea and all is right in the world so we tend rely on the Lord less and rely on ourselves more.  It is during these protracted times of silence and prosperity that we are in danger of trusting more in the things of this world than in Father God.  If the Lord seems distant, it is only because we have distanced ourselves from Him.  He has not left us.

The Storm hit– Being a Christian follower and believer in Jesus Christ does not exempt us from the storms of life.  Our faith will be tested and we will endure trials.  To think otherwise is foolish and not biblically sound.  We need to understand that Jesus is always there to help us through them rather than to help us avoid trials altogether.

The disciples woke Jesus in panic and fear – When we have become accustomed to relying on ourselves most of the time, we will experience panic and fear when we encounter situations too difficult or beyond our ability to handle.  To have a depth of overcoming faith our relationship with Jesus must be more than that of a 911 operator whom we call when we are in a crisis.

Where is your faith? – When we have a continuous personal relationship with Jesus, and prayerfully offer Him every day and every event and seek His wisdom in every situation of our life no matter how big or small, we will have much greater peace and joy when the tough times come. Up to that point the disciples had been in total reliance upon their seamanship skills to get to the other side of the lake.  Jesus wants us to rely on Him continually in all things.  I can do nothing in and of myself.  I can do all things through Jesus Christ.

Where is your faith?  Your faith lies in the depth of the personal relationship you have with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith, Obedience, Perseverance, Relationship, Trials | Leave a comment

B2B Concert of Prayer – Straining Forward #775

Posted on December 25, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 775

“Straining Forward”

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)   … I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own … one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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Have you ever reached for something that was so close but just out of reach?  Perhaps there was something blocking you or someone or something holding you back preventing you from getting a solid grasp on what you were reaching for.  This is the image conveyed by the words ‘straining forward’ in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  The original word in the Greek means to stretch intently towards your goal.  Perhaps your initial attempts failed so you work to remove any obstructions as well as any hindrances holding you back and you strain forward again.

It is OK to fail.  Thomas Edison persevered through ten thousand failed experiments before he successfully invented the electric light bulb. From every failure comes the seed of an even greater possible success.  Without failure, we can never grow to our full potential.

Why do some people encounter failure and give up while others like Edison persevere through to success?  The difference is commitment.  With each failure, Edison moved forward armed with the knowledge of what did not work.  He was committed to his goal and he persevered through each failure.  He ‘failed forward’.

We will encounter more failure than success in this life.  Failing forward means to turn past failures into a platform that moves you closer to reaching your goal rather than anchors that hold you back.  Failing forward means that you do not let your past failures solidify as barriers in front of you telling you that ‘you can’t’, ‘you’re unable’, or ‘you will never’.  Instead you see past failures as keys, tools, and methods of overcoming any perceived barriers that hinder your reach.

People will fail us in our families, workplaces, churches and other relationships.  We will fail to live up to our expectations for ourselves and others every day.  Is this reason and cause to give up, throw in the towel, and call it quits?  Or will we fail forward and continue to stretch intently towards our goal because we are committed?

What are you committed to?  Are you committed to following Jesus Christ?  Then failures along the way will only strengthen your character.

Are you committed to your spouse no matter what the circumstance?  Then failures and difficulties in your marital relationship will become opportunities to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord and with each other as you move forward with a mutual commitment to make the marriage work.

And so it is with all other areas where failures disappoint.  Our commitment to our families, employers, coworkers, churches, communities and country will see us through difficult times of trial and failure.  Because of our commitment we fail forward to success.

May the Holy Spirit transform and infuse your heart with commitment, perseverance and purpose to fail forward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus for this life and the next.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Salted with Fire #774

Posted on December 19, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 774

“Salted with Fire”

Mark 9:49 (ESV)  For everyone will be salted with fire.

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Jesus knew how to get people’s attention using extreme terminology to get His point across. When He taught His disciples about dealing with temptation to sin He ‘suggested’ that they maim themselves by cutting off their hand or foot or pluck their eye out if these members of their body were the cause of their sin.  He taught that it was better for them to enter into life and the kingdom of God crippled than to have whole bodies and be thrown into hell.

Understand the frame of reference that the disciples had.  The idea of entering into eternal life and the kingdom of God was incomprehensible.  Their understanding of an acceptable sacrifice and offering to God was that it had to be without spot or blemish and here Jesus is suggesting that they could approach God in a maimed condition.

Jesus continues to lead their thinking along their tradition of sacrificial offerings to God which were always salted. He is alluding to the fact that their lives would be acceptable to God because they will all be ‘salted with fire’.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become living sacrifices to God.

… present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

We do not have to be perfect when we come to Christ.  Christian followers of Jesus Christ are forgiven of their past, present and future sins.  Yes, present and future sins.  We will not be perfect as long as we are in these earthly bodies on this side of eternity.

Like the disciples in His day many of us are in bondage to a doctrine of perfection in order to be acceptable to God.  Jesus is teaching us today as He taught His disciples then that you do not have to be perfect in this body in order to have eternal life and enter the kingdom of God.  Remember what John the Baptist said about Jesus:

…“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. – John 1:29, Matt 3:11

Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb without spot or blemish.  Through Him and by His death and resurrection we can be called children of God and be acceptable to Him as we are cloaked in His righteousness. Everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is salted with the purifying fire of God’s Holy Spirit.

And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and restedon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… – Acts 2:3

May you be a living sacrifice to God salted with the fire of His Holy Spirit.  May His refining fire cleanse you from the desire to sin, purifying your heart and sanctifying your life for His purpose and plan.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Ears to Hear #773

Posted on December 11, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 773

“Ears to Hear”

Mark 7:32 (ESV)  And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

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Life in general is frustrating.  You live in a world of total silence and are constantly startled as someone suddenly appears in your field of vision because you cannot hear them approach.  Communication, the ability to hear, understand, speak, and be understood is the most frustrating of all.  Your tongue feels like a lifeless log in your mouth and though you can feel the vibrations in your throat from the noise you make, by the expression on people’s faces you know the noise is unintelligible.  Unable to read or write, your most effective means of communication is to point and use hand gestures.

You have friends and family you totally rely upon and trust to care for your needs.  Your security is wrapped up in them and you willingly go with them when they take you by the arm to see the Man that the crowds are following.

Fear wells up inside of you as this Man takes you by the arm and leads you away from the crowd and the people you feel most secure with.  You keep turning your head looking back at your friends seeking assurance from them that this is going to be alright.  Then you feel His hands cup your face and gently but firmly turn your head so that you are looking at Him and only Him.  He has to do this a few times before you understand that He wants to communicate with you so you decide to meet His gaze intently.

You feel His fingers touch your ears and you realize that He is going to do something about your hearing.  A feeling of anticipation begins to flood your soul.  He turns His head and spits and then He touches your lifeless tongue with His fingers.  Spitting is not something your tongue has allowed you to do so you understand that He is showing you that He will do something to heal your ability to speak.  Now He breaks eye contact with you and looks up to Heaven.  You look up also and realize that what will happen to you is going to come through prayer and by God’s hand.  To God be the glory!  Then you feel His breath.  You cannot hear His prayer but you feel it as He exhales His deep sigh close to your face while mouthing the word “Ephphatha”.  A cacophony of sounds assault your ears and you can hear for the first time in your life.  Then you hear the sound of your own voice clearly speaking praises to God and there is no stopping the flow of praise and testimony as you tell everyone what Jesus has done for you.

Is Jesus seeking to communicate with you, one on one?  Is He leading you away from all that you place your trust and security in instead of Him?  Do you feel His hands gently cupping your face to turn your head to look to Him and only to Him for what you need?  What is He touching in your life to communicate to you that He is going to do something about it?

May you order your life to have alone time with God and His Word.  May you have ears to hear His Holy Spirit communicate direction and purpose to your life.  May you know His peace as you trust in Him and seek His kingdom and righteousness first in your life.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

Posted in Business as Mission, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Relationship, Trust, Worship | Leave a comment

B2B Concert of Prayer – First Things First #772

Posted on December 5, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 772

“First Things First”

Mark 2:3-12 (ESV) And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

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Imagine yourself as one of the four men in this Gospel account. Your friend is paralyzed and in a desperate state. He needs to be cured and the doctors can do nothing for him. You have heard about the miraculous healings that Jesus has been doing and along with three other friends, you covenant together to bring your friend to Jesus in hope that He will heal him. …at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee – Mark 1:28

The four of you struggle to carry your friend on his mat for some distance. Your arms ache. You feel like you are going to lose your grip and you have to stop and rest a few times before continuing on. Yet you persevere. You press beyond the pain and difficulty in hope for what Jesus will do.

Then you arrive only to find no way into the house. The crowd fills the house and spills out the doorway and windows openings. You appeal to the people to make an opening for your friend but your words only solidify the wall of people. In a last desperate measure you find a ladder and rope and summoning renewed strength you hoist your friend on his mat up onto the flat roof of the house. You locate the area in the house where Jesus is and identifying the area between the timbers you and your  friends begin digging.

The roof is around 3 inches thick of compressed layers of a lime-mud plaster, reeds, chalk, earth and ash. The crowd is now shouting at you as debris is falling down inside the house. This provides an adrenalin rush and you work much faster to get the job done before you are stopped. There is an added benefit in that the falling debris clears a spot beneath you right in front of Jesus.

Exhausted, sweaty and dirty, you lower your friend down on his mat directly in front of Jesus and you hear Jesus say “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

Wait a minute! We brought him here to be healed, not have his sins forgiven! All that work, and his sins are forgiven? The Scribes and Pharisees are also upset by what Jesus said but for different reasons. Then you hear Jesus speak again and it all becomes clear.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home”… so that they were all amazed and glorified God – Mark 2:10

This Gospel account clearly shows the first things first priority of God’s Kingdom. All things physical are temporary and secondary to the spiritual which is eternal. The paralytic’s body eventually died but because his sins were forgiven he has eternal life with Jesus. Note also that all is done to glorify God. The man born blind, the paralytic, Paul’s thorn in the flesh – all were allowed by God to bring Him glory and to further His kingdom.

Sometimes we may labor and wrestle in prayer to the point of exhaustion seeking the physical when we should be seeking first a personal relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins which only comes through Jesus Christ.

May you know the peace, joy, and power of the abiding presence of God as you set your heart’s priority order to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Inadequate #771

Posted on November 28, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 771

“Inadequate”

Exodus 4:10 (ESV) Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? … Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

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Have you ever been asked to perform a task for which you felt grossly inadequate? Perhaps you protested to the point that someone else had to be found to fulfill the role in your place and then deep down inside you regretted that you had let the opportunity pass you by.

Such appointments occur in our jobs, society and the church. Perhaps you have been offered new responsibilities or a promotion at work that has you feeling inadequate. At times we are asked to serve in the church, to teach or lead and we are intimidated by the perceived spiritual giants that surround us. Raising children and providing for a family in these difficult economic times is another source of the feeling of inadequacy.

God is concerned with all aspects of our lives and He desires to be glorified through all that He asks us to do. It is because of our inadequacy that God has room to work through us. It is when we are so full of ourselves that our pridefulness edges God out of the picture as we seek to bring glory to ourselves by doing things our way and in our own strength.

God uses inadequate people who can be filled with the power and anointing of His Holy Spirit. All God desires on our part is obedience to His call.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”- 2 Cor 12:9a

God used Moses to free the nation of Israel from captivity. Jesus sent out the 72 disciples ahead of Him equipped with no material possessions. He supplied all their needs through the Holy Spirit and they healed the sick and cast out demons in His Name. Gideon was called to go against insurmountable odds with only 300 men so that God could be glorified in delivering Israel from their enemies. Throughout history, the biblical record shows how the powerful moves of God occurred through the most common and ordinary of people – people who were inadequate by the world’s viewpoint.

What opportunities has God placed in your path that you are shying away from because you feel inadequate for the task? The best job to have is the one that keeps you on your knees before God seeking His strength and wisdom. The best ministry to serve in is the one where you recognize your inadequacy apart from the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit flowing through you.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

If you desire to serve God more but feel inadequate, rejoice in your inadequacy and step out in obedience to God’s call, trusting in Him to provide all that you need at the precise time that you need it. To God, and God only, be all the Glory!

… I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Cor 12:9b,10

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Finding Joy #770

Posted on November 20, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 770

“Finding Joy”

Psalm 16:11  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;

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It had been a quiet morning since the shop opened and Sarah, the lone clerk at the time, busied herself with merchandising tasks for what she hoped would be a busy, and profitable, business day.  The atmosphere of background Christmas music was momentarily interrupted by the jingle of the bells that announced someone entering through the front door.  On a busy day the door’s jingle sound had a prosperous yet annoying ring to it at the same time as people entered and exited with frequency.  A well-dressed, middle-aged woman walked slowly into the store.  She had an almost apprehensive look about her as if she was not sure if she was in the right place. Sarah approached the customer and greeted her warmly.

‘Good morning! How may I help you today?’

‘I’m not sure you can,’ she replied.  ‘I’m looking for joy and no matter what I buy, all I get is a temporary happy feeling that does not last.  Can you help me?’  Sarah could not help but notice the song being sung in the store’s background music, Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room…

Taking that as her cue in a divine appointment Sarah replied, ‘Joy and happiness are two different things.  Happiness is relative to your circumstances at the time.  It is an emotional response that lasts only as long as circumstances remain the same. People are no longer happy with their car once the new car smell is gone.  Their happiness with the latest technology gadget lasts only until the next best thing comes around.  Happiness needs to be constantly refueled with the things of this world.  When it cannot be, that is when people become depressed and feel empty.’

‘You are so right,’ the woman replied. ‘I always feel sadness during the holiday season when I know I should be rejoicing.  Where is joy found?’ The music had transitioned to Away in a Manager, Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray…

‘I have just the book for you over here,’ Sarah replied as she led the woman over to the Bible section of the bookstore.

‘I don’t need a self-help, new-age kind of book’, the woman quickly stated as she hesitated to follow.

‘We don’t have anything like that in this store,’ Sarah said. ‘Joy is not found in things or through a religious experience. True joy that lasts is only found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God. It is only in His abiding presence that we can have joy and peace regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?’

Your words were found … and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart… – Jeremiah 15:16

‘I used to go to my parent’s church as a child.  But, no I do not know Jesus that way.’

‘Do you want to?’ Sarah asked.

‘Yes.  Yes, very much so, she replied.’

Sarah shared the Gospel and led the woman to Christ. The woman left with more than a Bible gift in her hands.  She left with Christ in her heart and had found true joy at last.  The door’s bells jingled as it opened and closed behind her.  It was the sound of angels rejoicing in Heaven.

Now … keep his words in your heart … Throw away your gold …  Let Almighty God be your gold, and let him be silver… Then you will always trust in God and find that he is the source of your joy. – Job 22:21

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – More than These #769

Posted on November 13, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 769

“More than These”

John 21:15 (ESV) Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon … do you love me more than these?”

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‘Do you love me?’ she asked her husband seated across from her at the breakfast table.  ‘Of course, 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 sharp reply.  ‘Oh, I guess that you do’ she sighed as she got up from the table.  Her husband did not notice her leave.

Much is said in marriage counseling about the above scenario, which is all too common.  The bottom line is that true love transcends mere words and is evidenced by active loving relationships.  God’s Word calls His church the ‘Bride of Jesus Christ’ and the parallel to human marital relationships is very real.  Our love for Christ is evidenced by our active loving relationship with Him.

To love Jesus is to love others more than ourselves.

…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. – Matthew 22:36

Jesus asks us, as He asked Peter, ‘Do you love me more than these?’

What did Jesus mean by ‘these’?  ‘These’ can be defined as anyone or anything other than Christ.  He is asking, ‘Do you love Me more than your friends, relatives, money, job, food, drink and physical lusts and passions?’  If we answer ‘yes’ to Jesus’ question, the truth of our response is evidenced by our uncompromising adherence to God’s commandments. It is further evidenced by our sacrificial, selfless loving behavior to our fellow man.

Does your love for Jesus translate into love for your spouse and children such that you can deny your self-destructive pleasures?  Do you indulge your cravings for tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or junk foods such that you place your spouse and children at risk?  Are your children and spouse denied a vibrant relationship with you because of your constant preoccupation with your occupation?  Can you put down the newspaper, book, or magazine and engage in a meaningful conversation with others close to you?  Without resentment, can you turn off the video game or televised sports event to interact with those in need of your love?

Do you love Jesus more than these?

Many of us will only love Jesus up to a point.  Jesus is asking each of us today, ‘Are you willing to deny yourself rather than deny Me? … Do you love Me more than these?’  May you have ears to hear Jesus and a compassionate heart to respond to Jesus’ call to feed his lambs and tend His sheep with the sacrifice of your life.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Bullheaded #768

Posted on November 6, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 768

“Bullheaded”

Acts 26:13 (ESV)  I saw … a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me … ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

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Cattle, oxen and other beasts of burden will not willingly serve man.  They must be goaded to pull a plow or wagon in the direction we want them to go.  A goad is a pointed stick, sometimes tipped with iron that was used to prod cattle along.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. – Psalm 32:9

People can be as stubborn and headstrong as beasts of burden at times.  A bullheaded person is one who refuses to change an opinion, direction, or plan even though it is the right thing to do.  There are sixteen million unemployed people in America today.  Most businesses are undergoing significant changes in order to weather the economic storm and are all too often being met with stubborn, bullheaded resistance by some of their employees. It is inconceivable that at a time when people should be pulling together and thankful that they have a job, they are instead complaining and resisting necessary changes in direction.  The Christian in the workplace should not be counted among them.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23

If you willingly serve Jesus, you will willingly submit to the authority He has established over you in this world.  If you willingly serve Jesus, you will willingly come under the authority of your parents, pastor, employer, and government officials.  If you willingly serve Jesus, you will not need to be painfully goaded along but will be able to heed the direction of God’s Holy Spirit spoken to your heart or through others in the Body of Christ.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth …- John 16:13

The words of the wise are like goads… – Ecclesiastes 12:11

Are you being bullheaded about something that you know you need to change?  Is it pridefulness or fear that keeps you stubborn and headstrong on this point?  Let God deal with the root issue of your heart that manifests itself as bullheadedness.  Yield to Him and willingly serve Him and serve others in His Name in all the relationship areas of your life.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Strange Happenings #767

Posted on October 30, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 767

“Strange Happenings”

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

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‘DOR’ is a Navy Seal acronym that stands for Drop-On-Request. The Hell Week training is the toughest of all trainings that a SEAL recruit will ever face. SEAL recruits are subjected to a high pressure environment where mental stress and physical fatigue is natural. In such a scenario, most SEAL instructors keep telling the boys, “Just ring the bell thrice and you can go to a nice place, have a bath, good food, beer, and some sleep”. Ringing the bell means a recruit has opted for “Drop-On-Request”. It takes a lot of mental strength and courage to avoid the temptation of “ringing the bell.”  Once the bell is rung there is no returning because the real battles in life are won and lost in the mind first and for the recruit who opted for DOR their mind will ‘look for the bell’ again in a future clutch situation.

Jesus was tempted three times by Satan to ‘ring the bell’ while fasting in the desert for 40 days and nights.  Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus faced His clutch situation.

And he … prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42

God allows trials in our lives to shape and mold our character and spiritual strength and resolve to do His will and fulfill His purpose for us in furthering His kingdom.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.- Matthew 6:8

We have been taught to pray the Lord’s Prayer since childhood.  How many of us truly understand and are committed to ‘your will be done’?  How many of us are more committed to having God’s will conform to our will?  How many of us find it strange and are surprised when we face trials as children of God?

These are the times that the enemy seeks to get us to ‘ring the bell’ and give up.  In our mind we become convinced that divorce is the best option for us.  Others give up on God altogether in apostasy.  The enemy seeks to trick your mind into believing that you need various substitutes for God such as tobacco, alcohol, comfort food, or other drugs in order to deal with your present circumstances.  Our minds must be transformed from the carnal in order to avoid ‘ringing the bell’.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

May the Holy Spirit transform and renew your mind, strengthening your resolve to remain steadfast in following God’s perfect will for you.

I desire to do your will, O my God…. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground … We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire. – Psalm 40:8 – Psalm 143:10 – Isaiah 26:8  

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.

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