B2B Concert of Prayer – Night Deposits #756

Posted on August 14, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 756

“Night Deposits”

Psalm 16:7-8   I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

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 In the late hours of the night the international bank building is closed and silent, yet deposits continue to pour in electronically from somewhere else in the world.  Instructions for transactions are being deposited continually even into the night waiting to be acted upon.  Your car’s GPS system constantly receives information providing you with updated directions as well as weather and traffic alerts as you proceed on your journey.

Are you tuned in to hear from God continually, even in the night while you are sleeping?  Or are you so preoccupied with the worrisome static of life’s problems that you cannot clearly receive the counsel of the Holy Spirit during the day or into the night?

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things…- John 14:26 

The Holy Spirit is there when you feel anger and rage well up inside and He speaks peace … did you hear Him?  He is there when temptation is present and He speaks redirection by the Truth of God’s Word … did you hear Him?  The Spirit is there when you toss and turn restlessly at night while your mind races with one worry after another denying you rest and He speaks comfort and quite to your soul … did you hear Him?

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. – Psalm 127:2

The psalmist said that ‘I have set the Lord always before me … I will not be shaken’.   Do you desire that level of steadfastness, peace and confidence in the love and goodness of the Lord? The root meaning of the phrase ‘I have set’ is ‘to agree with, to be or become like’.  To set the Lord always before you is to look to Him to be your standard and example to become like.  It means that you agree with the direction and instruction provided by His Word.

Are you at a crossroads in your life, seeking clear direction which way to go?  Perhaps you are contemplating a career or job change.  You may be considering a major relocation to ‘start over’ in another location.  You are being cautious, not wanting to go from the frying pan into the fire as it were.  You want to be as sure as you can before you commit to a direction.  How are you to know which way is the right one?

First, be clear of your motives for the change.  Are you seeking first the Lord’s kingdom and righteousness in every aspect of your life or are you taking matters into your own hands seeking first increased income, power, position, or prestige? Are you trying to survive these difficult times relying on your wits, instincts, and abilities rather than trusting in God to provide?  Ask yourself if this is a door the Lord has opened for you or one that you are trying to pry open by force?

Stay close to Jesus in order to hear from Him. Study His Word, pray continually and live a lifestyle of worship.  Be sensitive to the ‘check of the Holy Spirit’ and act in obedience.  God is faithful.  He will guide you and speak truth and direction to your heart even while you sleep.

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

Posted in Business as Mission, Direction, Obedience, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Relationship, Trials, Trust | Leave a comment

B2B Concert of Prayer – Horns of Refuge #755

Posted on August 8, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 755

“Horns of Refuge”

 Psalm 31:19; 36:5      Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you … How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

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The Brazen Altar was the altar of sacrifice for the atonement of sin.  The Altar of Incense represented the sweet aroma of intercessory prayers offered to God.  Both the Brazen Altar and the Altar of Incense used in Old Testament worship of God were fashioned with four horns at the corners.  The horn is a symbol of strength and power in the Bible.  Twice in the Bible we see men run to the Altar of Incense and take hold of the horns seeking refuge and forgiveness.

Are you in need of refuge today?  Do the pressures of life in this tough economy and uncertain future have you weighed down to the point of desperation?  It is during these difficult times that the enemy will plant seeds of doubt in our minds.  We begin to doubt if God hears our prayers.  We begin to wonder if we have been ‘good enough’ to earn His love.  We begin to doubt if God cares about us.

The enemy of your soul will also tempt you to ‘numb the pain’ of these difficult times through satisfying the lust of the flesh.  It may be substance abuse in extreme cases.  It may also be through indulging in ‘comfort foods’ that lead to poor nutrition, obesity and poor health.  The ScienceDaily News recently reported on an Oxford University study that suggests that people living in countries with ‘free market’ regimes are more likely to become obese due to the stress of being exposed to economic insecurity.

No matter what your circumstances are you can always find peace and assurance in the knowledge that God is always good and that God always loves you.

It is when doubting thoughts and temptations come that we need to run to the altar of God and take hold of the horns seeking His refuge and strength.  Envision yourself getting a grip on the horn of God’s goodness with your left hand and with your right hand on the horn of God’s love for you. These two attributes of God are true and unwavering.  God is good.  He works all things for our good.  God is love.  He loves us immeasurably.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good …- Romans 8:28

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Romans 8:38

Under the new covenant, altars of burnt offerings are no longer needed.  Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father, continues to intercede in prayer on our behalf.  He is our refuge and our strength.  Come to Jesus and know beyond all doubt that He is good and that He loves you.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,  my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,  my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Word Filter #754

Posted on August 1, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 754

“Word Filter”

James 3:17 (ESV)      But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

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The well water where I live is high in sediment and odiferous with a strong odor of sulfur.  As I researched multi-stage water purification and filtration systems I was reminded about the ‘Living Water’ of eternal life that should flow through all Christian believers in Jesus Christ.

“…Whoever believes in me …‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” – John 7:38

The words we speak should be like the wisdom from heaven in all contexts of life.  We should not carefully choose our words when we are in church or around ‘young ears’ and let them be unfiltered or uncensored when at work or in other social settings.  Our words must first of all be pure as our reference Scripture states.

… out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks … I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak …” – Matthew 12:34

Have you ever spoken words that you later wished you could have taken back?  Our words are a powerful force which can bless and curse, heal or hurt, encourage or discourage.

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. – Proverbs 10:19

After purification our word filter should remove volatile words from our speech.  Our words are to be peace-loving. It takes two to fight.  ‘Turning the other cheek’ may be to simply not say the hurtful words that came to mind – words that you know would strike a blow to the other person.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

The result of a good word filtration system powered by the indwelling presence of The Holy Spirit is that our words will be considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Do your words allow for patient listening and consideration of others’ feelings and needs?  Are your words compassionate and tender or are they judgmental and without grace?

Are your words beneficial to others?  Are they empty, lacking nourishment or are they uplifting and educating so that others can learn and benefit from them? Is there prejudice in your words?  Are your words spoken so as to manipulate others or are they sincere and true?

Peter writes in 1 Pet 4:11, ‘If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God … so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ….’

May your words be a continual testimony of the indwelling presence of God in your heart.  May your words be a wellspring of the Living Water of Jesus Christ.

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

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Marriage, Peace, Relationship, Words, Workplace | Leave a comment

B2B Concert of Prayer – Life Symphony #753

Posted on July 25, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER 

Pray Week 753

“Life Symphony”

Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV)       Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore … be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

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I do not have an ear to play music or carry a tune.  I can however appreciate the difference in sound from that of an orchestra tuning its instruments to the melodious symphony of sound that is produced under the direction of the conductor.  Our life ‘walk’, its direction and character, is also a melody of sorts.  Some have the character of fingernails on a chalk board and people cannot get away from them fast enough.  Others are a pleasant melody and people enjoy their company.  What key is your life symphony in? Let us examine the characteristics of some life symphonies using the metaphor of musical keys.

B-FLAT:  NPR reporter Robert Kurlwich reported a few years ago on his morning edition radio program how the key of B-Flat makes alligators bellow and want to bite.  The story also details NASA’s discovery of a black hole that hums in B-Flat.  When our character is a B-Flat we are all about darkness and the lack of light like a black hole. The melody of a B-Flat person is the sound of sadness, loneliness, doom and gloom.  This person becomes an emotional drain on those around them.  Their glass is always half-full.  They will always have greater pains and illnesses than anyone else. B-Flat people are worriers.  If they are Christian, their life melody destroys their witness to the lost concerning the love of God.

B-SHARP:  A sharp note is one that is raised a semitone above natural pitch.  The B-sharp note exists, yet sounds like a C and does not have its own piano key.  In our life melody metaphor this is akin to a hypocritical modern day Pharisee.  B-sharp people consider themselves to be better or holier than other ‘sinners’ yet like the C-natural note they are no different.  They will have nothing to do with a sinner, regarding themselves as too holy to be seen with an unsaved person.  Jesus was criticized for eating and drinking with the sinners by such B-sharp people and His response was a scathing critique of their hypocrisy.  As Christians, B-sharp people push more people away from Christ and the Gospel message than they attract.

B-NATURAL:  Natural notes are the pure notes.  Jesus demonstrated this life melody for us.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 4:15

As Christians, we are to follow Christ’s example.  We are in the world but not of it.  We need to relate to the unsaved without compromising our Christian values and integrity.  When faced with the same storms of life as the unsaved experience, our prayerful and faith responses serve as a life symphony for others to see, hear, be encouraged by, and learn from.

And finally, God wants us to B-AVAILABLE.  Although not an actual musical key term, the Christian with a B-Natural life melody will be available and ready in season and out of season to share the Gospel message with those whom God places in their path by divine appointment.  What key is your life symphony in?  Pray for God to shape, mold and tune you to be naturally pure, holy, and available as you live out His purpose and plan for you.

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Wisdom Cries Aloud #752

Posted on July 18, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 752

“Wisdom Cries Aloud”

Proverbs 1:20-22 (ESV)         Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?  How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

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A modern day parable is told about a man who liked to race his convertible sports car on winding rural roads.  One day as he approached the next blind turn he noticed a woman hiking on the side of the road.  They made eye contact and she shouted “PIG!” Thinking that he had just been insulted, and not to be outdone, the driver turned his head and shouted back “COW!” to the hiker.  The driver then proceeded to round the blind corner and plowed into a herd of pigs in the road.

The driver in this story was blinded to the possibility that the hiker may have been issuing a word of warning and not an insult.  God’s Word tells us that Wisdom cries aloud in the streets but as naïve and stubborn fools many of us tend to ignore wisdom and continue along our own reckless path.

Wisdom cries out about the dangers of adultery and fornication, yet our society cannot seem to get enough of pornography and sexual stimulation.

With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. – Proverbs 7:21

Wisdom cries out about the dangers of tobacco and drug and alcohol abuse.  Wisdom also cries out that proper diet and exercise are necessary to maintain the health of our bodies, yet our nation is becoming increasingly obese and unhealthy.

…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.  – 1 Cor 6:19

Wisdom cries out about the majesty of God through His creation, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and that life begins at conception yet our leaders pass laws that turn our country’s back upon God and violate all that He has ordained.

Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. – Matt 10:14

Wisdom cries out that there is no salvation apart from Jesus, and wisdom is labeled as too conservative, exclusive, given to hate-speech, and narrow-minded.

Are you too proud to heed wisdom’s call?  Are you too full of yourself to consider the possibility that you need Jesus?  Are you in denial about the very real dangers you face when you engage in risky behaviors and lifestyle habits?  How long will you indulge your flesh, ‘driving your life car in a reckless manner’, and ignoring Wisdom as she cries aloud warnings and correction?

Wisdom is crying out to you.  Don’t be too proud and stiff-necked to heed the call of God.

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Dishonest in Little #751

Posted on July 11, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 751

“Dishonest in Little”

Luke 16:10 (ESV)   “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

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The ‘No Child Left Behind’ law is being blamed for the projection that eighty-two percent of the nation’s schools are expected to fail to meet education proficiency targets.  This means a loss of federal aid to already financially strapped school systems.  The recent Atlanta cheating scandal is only the tip of the iceberg of a growing number of teacher-cheating allegations across the United States.  “When test scores are all that matter, some educators feel pressured to get the scores they need by hook or by crook,” says Robert Schaeffer, a spokesman for the National Center for Fair & Open Testing.  “The higher the stakes, the greater the incentive to manipulate, to cheat.”

What makes normally honest people do dishonest things?

Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. – Proverbs 30:7

Agur, the writer of this Proverb, knew that there are pressures in life that drive wrong behaviors.  The need for money drove the Atlanta school administrators to order their teachers to change test scores.  The need for their job drove the teachers to follow the order even though they knew it was wrong.  The love of money or the need for it is a powerful force that drives dishonest behaviors.

When filling out your income taxes, do you stretch the truth a bit about the value of that donation, or the mileage traveled?  How about on your travel expense report?  How many of your employer’s office supplies can be found in your desk at home or in your child’s book bag?  Are you faithful in the stewardship of your tithes?  Did you fail to mention to the cashier that they forgot to charge you for an item or gave you too much money back in change?

Did your friend enjoy that movie you duplicated or the song you downloaded without paying?  Do you make copies of copyrighted material to avoid purchasing them?  How long will you continue to enjoy free cable before you notify the company that they failed to turn it off?  How many times have you loaded that single user software license on computers other than your own?  Do you conduct personal business or engage in idle social chatter while being paid by your employer to do work?  Do you declare a senior discount or underage child to pay less admission when in fact neither is true?  How many personal copies have you made on your employer’s copy machine?

While it is true that there are much ‘bigger’ crimes of dishonesty, it is in the everyday living however that we become calloused to the truth that we too are violating God’s commandment not to steal.

We have to come to the heart realization that we own nothing and it is by the grace of God that we are appointed as His stewards over what we do have.  God will entrust more and more to us as we demonstrate our trustworthiness with what he has started us out with.  No matter how we try to rationalize our actions, when we cheat and steal, whether large or small, we violate God’s commandment.  Pray for an honest heart and pray for the strength to right things that are wrong and begin fresh and anew.

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

Posted in Business as Mission, Character, Holiness, Morality, Obedience, Stewardship, Temptation, Workplace | Leave a comment

B2B Concert of Prayer – Where is the Awe? #750

Posted on July 3, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

 Pray Week 750

“Where is the Awe?”

Psalm 22:23 (ESV) You who fear the Lord, praise him … glorify him … and stand in awe of him…

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Our reference scripture verse mentions the ‘fear of the Lord’.  The word translated ‘fear’ means ‘reverence’. Reverence, as defined in Webster’s means ‘profound respect mingled with love and awe’.  Oh, how we have fallen!  As a society we have lost our sense of reverence for God, our Creator and Savior.

No matter where we go, we cannot escape being exposed to the disrespect of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our movies and television programming have become increasingly secular and audiences are more open than ever to a wacky, nonreligious version of ‘the man upstairs’.  The Name of God and of His Son Jesus is blasphemed in casual conversation in the workplace as well as every other area of social interaction.  Where is the awe of God?  Where is the respect for His Name?

The truth of God’s Word tells us repeatedly that wisdom, knowledge and understanding is directly linked with our reverence for God.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise. – Psalm 111:10

The Word of God tells us that our reverence and awe of God is not to be limited to occasional church services and religious feast days.

…continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. – Proverbs 23:17

Are you offended by irreverence?  Do you laugh at jokes that belittle God?  Do you tolerate His name being used abusively?  Are you entertained by movies portraying God in a negative light?  It is too easy for us to get caught up in or to tolerate irreverence toward God.  Far too many Christians fear peer pressure and ridicule so they ‘play along’.

So what is a Christian to do in the workplace when confronted with disrespect for God?  If a social gathering of coworkers is the context for blasphemous talk, quietly leave the gathering.   Sometimes we are exposed to vulgar blasphemy by our customers, many who use such words casually without even being aware of it.  In this context we cannot simply walk away.  In this case let the abuse of the Name of Jesus and our Father God prompt you to silently pray for these people and ask God to forgive and to change their heart.

We are in the world but not to be of it.  We are sojourners here with heavenly citizenship.  But while we are here we must be salt and light.  We must not become chameleon Christians that choose to blend in with our surroundings.  A coworker may ask you why you quietly left their social gathering.  This is an open door to share the truth of God’s Word in love without casting judgment or condemnation on others.

May the Holy Spirit fill you with a profound respect mingled with love and awe for God.  May you have zeal for reverence for God that Jesus demonstrated when He walked this earth.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! – Psalm 33:8

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Intently Listening #749

Posted on June 26, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 749

“Intently Listening”

Psalm 17:6 (ESV)  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

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There used to be a television commercial for an investment firm that depicted a noisy restaurant lunchtime environment that would suddenly go quiet when the firm’s name was mentioned at one particular table’s conversation.  Everyone else in the restaurant was seen leaning in toward that table, intently listening for what investment advice was about to be divulged.  People intently listen to what is important to them.

To ‘incline your ear’ means to lean in and actively and purposefully listen to what is being said.  It conveys to the speaker that they and what they have to say is very important to you.

What do you actively listen to?  What is important to you such that you will ‘incline your ear’ to it?  When your children or grandchildren want to tell you about their experiences do you incline your ear to them or to the television program you were watching?  When your spouse shares their heart and the burdens of their day with you do you incline your ear to them or do you tune them out concentrating instead on something of greater importance to you?

When the Holy Spirit whispers to your heart, do you ‘incline your ear’ to hear what God is saying to you or does the noise of the ‘more important’ things of this world drown Him out?

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! – Psalm 78:1

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. – Psalm 119:36

You are important to God and He intently listens to you.

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1

Reflect on the truth of God’s Word to you for a moment.  Our almighty, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and holy God considers you of such importance that He will incline His ear to your voice.

O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear… – Psalm 10:17

In fact, His love for you is so great that He gave His only Son to bear the punishment for your sins so that you may have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.  It stands to reason then that such love as God has for you would continue to manifest itself in His intently hearing your prayers.  Do you take the time to speak with God in prayer?

Take stock of what is important to you.  Does it have eternal staying power or will it all burn?  May you purpose to incline your ear to God’s Word.  May you convey your love and care to your spouse and loved ones by intently listening to them.  May you know the reality of intimate fellowship with God as He inclines His ear to your worship and prayer.

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Toxic People #748

Posted on June 19, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 748

“Toxic People”

1 Kings 12:13 (ESV)  And the king answered the people harshly…

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Have you ever been around someone who always left you emotionally drained?  How about someone who is always negative?  Have you ever known someone who always left you feeling hurt or like you could do nothing right or good?

We have all encountered toxic people at some time in our lives that have made us feel bad.  We then try to avoid that person when we can.  If it is someone in authority over us we tend to lose respect for them and our work performance can suffer.  In fact, toxic bosses foster a toxic work environment.  Note how the people of Israel responded to their new toxic boss, King Rehoboam.

And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.  To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” – 1 Kings 12:16

If you are in a position of authority, how can you lead people if they feel miserable when in your presence?  Rehoboam learned that lesson the hard way.  If you are in a business leadership position how you make your people feel dictates how they will in turn make your customers feel.  A toxic environment of ‘customer-no-service’ is a recipe for failure in your business.  The root cause as well as the solution begins with the leadership. Don’t pass the buck and make no excuses.

If your job is in sales or another position where you deal with the public how you make them feel is just as important, if not more so, than the product or service you are selling.  Do you make them feel like a wallet to be picked or are you genuinely concerned about meeting their need?

 …let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18

No born-again follower of Jesus Christ should be characterized as a toxic person.  Are there people who leave your presence feeling bad because of the way you speak to them or act toward them?  Do you make some people feel ‘less than whole’?  It is an abomination that some people are not made to feel welcome in a Christian Church because of toxic prejudice present there.

…wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. – James 3:17

People were drawn to Jesus’ presence.  He treated everyone with sincere love and grace but He never watered down the truth of God’s Word.  The rich young man went away sad because he loved wealth more than the truth of Jesus’ words.  But to those who desired the truth, they left Jesus’ presence uplifted and encouraged like Zacchaeus the tax collector.

Do people sense the joy of the presence of our Lord in you or are you a constant bummer to be around?  How do you make people feel?  What ‘tone’ do you set in your church, home, or business environment?

May the abiding presence of the Lord be continually evident on your countenance.  May your words and body language convey the love and grace of our Lord.  As light and salt may you be the antidote to a toxic environment.  May people be attracted to Christ in you and may the Holy Spirit give you the power to share the gospel as the Lord opens the door of opportunity to do so.

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

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Ebenezer #747

Posted on June 13, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 747

“Ebenezer”

1 Samuel 7:12 (NASB) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

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Have you ever looked back after having gone through a protracted time of trial and marveled at the miraculous ‘touchstone’ events that mark where God intervened with His blessing and provision at just the right time of your need?

Perhaps your time of trial continues and you are not ‘out of the woods’ as yet.  Even in your present difficulties it is good to look back and reflect on God’s goodness, provision, and protection thus far.

Samuel set up such a stone of remembrance following the Lord’s deliverance from their enemies.  The name he gave the stone, ‘Ebenezer’ means ‘stone of help’ which should be a reminder to us of the Rock that is Jesus Christ who is ‘a very present help in trouble.‘ (Psalms 46:1)

The Israelites had to repent and turn away from the false gods of Ashtoreth and Baal and return to the one, true God before being delivered from their enemy.  Likewise, we need to be aware of what and in whom we place our trust first.  What ‘idols’ do you keep in your life that you trust and depend upon instead of God?  Is it your survival instincts?  Do you seek security in your employer, investments, or bank account?  Your security is found only in Jesus Christ.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalms 18:2

Do you seek comfort first in certain food, drink, or drugs rather than through a prayerful, personal relationship with God?  Your comfort comes through God, not the things of this world.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Cor 1:3

Note that God comforts us so that we may in turn be able to be a source of comfort to others who are in need.  Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of His church and He is our ‘stone of help’.  As members of the Body of Christ we are ‘living stones of help’ to others through Jesus.

…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:5

It is easy to forget the past mercies of our Lord when we are in the middle of a difficult time.  A written prayer journal is an excellent tool by which you can be encouraged and have renewed faith as you review prior entries and see the ‘Ebenezer stone’ notations where the Lord has thus far helped you.

May you cast off the ‘idols’ in your life that cannot help you in your time of need.  May you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus, your Stone of help.  May He be the Cornerstone of your life, your refuge and your strength. May He pour His love, mercy and provision upon you and through you to others as you become an Ebenezer to others in His Name.

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

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