Sunday, April 17, 2011

Seeking The VISITATION of CHRIST the KING

Seeking God….to Fill the World With His Glory

Scene One:

“And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’  And He answered and said, “I tell you, if these become silent, ‘the stones will cry out.’ ” Luke 19:39-40

In the face of opposition, criticism, and intimidation Jesus would not quiet His followers AND they would not be quiet!

Followers of Christ – One                        Rocks - Zero

Scene Two:

By Thursday night, the disciples are having dinner and the scriptures record this: “And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.” Luke 22:24  From praising Jesus to this……oh my!

Scene Three:

In the garden, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the Garden to pray…. “Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.  And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.  And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” Luke 22:43-45

Scene Four:

Moving ahead to (Good) Friday, we have a different scene.  At the cross the crowds are subdued, weeping……..and quiet.  Turning to the scriptures again we read this: “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook……and the rocks were split….”  Matthew 27:50-51

Followers of Christ – Zero                      Rocks - One

What about you and I – every day?  What will the score be?  In the face of doubt, fear, opposition, criticism, and intimidation, will we be prayed up?  Will we praise? Our scorecards are prepared each and every day to be filled out!

Followers of Christ – __?__                    Rocks - __?__   The daily score is simply up to us.

Today, Palm Sunday, Patricia and I visited Oakhill Jackson Church. One of the verses used this morning was 1 Corinthians 15:57.  “…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  We were challenged to live daily WITH the victory in mind.  We were encouraged to be counted among those that will not wilt in the face of some “trial” when we already have the victory.

Pray with me!

We pray that You would visit Your people in ways that rock the nations and turn the attention of all upon You. 

Come!  Fill this world with Your glory. 

Come!  Find our city prepared by our prayers to welcome You! 

Come!  Find our city prepared by the praises of Your people in the midst of those that do not yet know You!

Our eyes may not yet behold You, but You can make Your presence felt. 

Reveal the mountainous majesty of Your wisdom.

Cause everyone to sense the surpassing grandeur of Your governing love.

Display the dreadful magnificence of Your wrath against evil. 

Reveal Your ferocious passion for Your beloved!

You Word tells us that Your mercies are new each and every day….May we have eyes to see these mercies and tell You….may we PRAISE You for them!

May I, may we, be filled with an expectancy to see Your invisible nature in the creation all around us each and every day!

May our daily score, each and every day be……..

Followers of Christ – __100__                Rocks - __zero__  

……as we walk in a lifestyle of Seeking Your Face, seeing Your nature, acknowledging Your hand in our daily lives minute by minute and thanking You for Your great love.

In the mighty and precious Name of our Lord and Savior – Jesus The Christ.

Charles Daugherty

Serve The City

Saturday, April 16, 2011

SEEKING the JOY of the KINGDOM

Seeking God…..for His Dwelling Amidst His people.

“While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst.”  Luke 24:36

Have you ever wondered if there will be anything manmade in heaven?  Scripture teaches us there will be only one thing in heaven that is manmade: the scars on Jesus’ body.   

 Why would God leave these manmade prints on His only Son? 

One reason is to remind us that we are not alone when we go through the trials of this life.  He is with us in good times and bad.  He is with us every second of every day. No matter the gain or loss, Jesus understands everything we are going through and is with us.     

Another reason is His love.  Every time we see the holes from the nails and spear we remember He died on the cross bearing our sin, resurrected from the grave and offers eternal life to all who trust in Him for salvation.

After the resurrection Jesus appeared to His followers, stood in their midst and said “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)  Just as Jesus was “in their midst,” He is still in our midst today.  He promised us that He will be with us to the very end of the age.  While this is true, we also have within our very being, the deep abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.  God is truly dwelling among, in and through His people!

Is life throwing you a curveball?  Are you facing trials? Look again at Jesus’ scars.  He has “been there, done that” and will help you.  Lean on the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within you and drink deep of Christ’s friendship.  As you do, people around you will see Christ standing in your midst.  They will see his scars and be drawn to Him, seeking His dwelling amidst His people.   

John Seitz

Antioch Christian Church

Friday, April 15, 2011

SEEKING the JOY of the KINGDOM

Seeking God… for Joy in Extravagant Worship.

Have you ever experienced worship so joy-filling that you never wanted to stop, or leave the Holy ground where you were?  Have you ever had an experience that focused so deeply on Who God is as our Creator, our Sustainer, our Redeemer, and Friend that you just didn’t know what else to do or express, but allowed the Spirit to fill you with sounds of praise?  

When I was in college, I had the unique experience of attending the conference Urbana ’93 in Illinois.  There, 25,000 plus college-aged students from different areas of the US, and from around the world gathered for an experience of worship.   What an experience it was to be in the presence of other believers lifting their voices in joy and praise to our Heavenly Father!  I remember thinking to myself, “What a taste of heaven!”  People of all races and all walks of life, giving praise and glory to God for what He has done, continues to do, and will still do for us!  

That memory remains in my heart as I continue to fix my heart on who God is, and as I allow Him to fill my heart with joy each day.   That experience has been a continual reminder of the glory which comes in knowing The Savior and experiencing life here on earth with Him, in anticipation of the complete fullness of life to come in Glory.

Psalm 89:1-2, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations!”

Father, let us not quickly forget your grace, love, and mercy in our lives each and every day. May we forever bring praises to your name so that others will realize Who you are, and be drawn to You because of your amazing grace.  

God's richest blessings,

Kristina Sjogren

Lieutenant
Corps Officer
The Salvation Army – Cedar Rapids, IA 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

SEEKING the JOY of the KINGDOM

Seeking God…..for Abundance with Contentment

What a blessing it is to be counted among those called to intercede for their land. In this season we focus on not only the world, but specifically for our immediate surroundings, our city, our more loosely those who are our neighbors in the geographic location where we each live. Looking at the scope of the events in our world can be very distracting, taking away the passion for the things that are close at hand.

I was talking with a man recently that was concerned that the world was falling part around us so quickly, and his worries are shared by so many. As I was encouraging him as to the faith required to live in peace in a tumultuous time was imperative. His perception of this peace was interpreted as inaction and passivity. I pondered only for a brief moment in his statement spoken with such conviction. I calmly replied that this peace and confidence comes from our Lord and savior, who having no anxiety in the matters of this world, allows us to take a place of quietness thus allowing the Spirit of God to lead us in the direction in which we are to pray. 

This is a privilege Gods allows us, to empower His mercy and grace in the lives of the lost, as well as His people to being released from the bondage that quenches the destiny God has planned for all who will choose to humbly surrender to Him. 

Who will tear down the walls of Jericho in your city? Will you in your mighty work and strength alone, or will you let God through your faithfulness in prayer and obedience allow Him to accomplish all He has planned in his strength and timing.

Keep praying... remain faithful... and Believe! Remain a servant Of God.

Thomas High

River of Life Ministries

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Seeking the Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God….For Abundance with Contentment

“Our riches have made us comfortable, but we are not comforted.”  Isn’t that the truth? 

To be brutally honest, my prayer of late has been for contentment.  The request is revealing, in and of itself.  For, in spite of living in the most prosperous nation in the world, serving in a profession that I purposefully chose and a ministry that I feel intimately called to – not to mention being surrounded by loving, devoted families, both at home and at church – I still find myself often struggling with feelings of unrest, discontentment and dissatisfaction.  The thing is … I don’t think I’m alone.

Jeremiah 31:14 concludes with God declaring “My people will be satisfied with My goodness.”  The DSP (Dan Sanford Paraphrase) unpacks this as: “Discontentment will rule in your heart until you forsake your idols and find true contentment only in me.”  We live in a greed-driven culture.  Media and marketing constantly bombard us with messages that our lives are incomplete until we purchase their products or acquire their services.  Additionally, our selfish flesh and a devious adversary conspire against us to pry our eyes away from the immeasurable Treasure within; onto the paltry “treasures” without.

Where is true satisfaction or contentment to be found?  “My people will be satisfied with My goodness.”  “My goodness.”  Contentment is the byproduct of fixing our gaze upon Jesus, who is the fullest expression of the Father’s goodness.  I find that the more I can turn my inner radio station off of KDAN (“all Dan, all the time”) and cultivate an inner dialogue with the Holy Spirit, the more contentment I find.  When I stop looking for contentment “out there” and understand that “the Kingdom of God is within,” then I begin to enjoy “the sacrament of the present moment.”

“Our riches have made us comfortable, but we are not comforted.”  Jesus promised us only one “Comforter,” and that is his Holy Spirit.  My inner feelings of discontentment, truly, serve as a warning bell that my eyes are looking for satisfaction without, instead of within. 

As we cultivate our secret, inner life with Christ during this season, may “the things of Earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.”      

Dan Sanford, Pastor

First Church of the Open Bible

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Seeking the Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God….to Restore Desolate Communities

Seeing God is as simple as a fat man losing weight. Fat men lose weight by reducing their caloric intake. Consistently pressing past the breakfast donut and choosing the Kashi cereal instead (I've gotta try that someday) easily said, difficult to make a lifestyle habit. It's the same with seeing God; you have to make a habit of searching just a little more when seeking to find him.

I've recently been searching the internet for a class on evangelism. One of the core subjects of evangelism is how to deal with difficult questions. On a site dealing with the subject, I found this question and how to deal with it:  "The Bible claims that Jesus sweat blood….that can't be true?" The answer to that question I've included below:

Although this medical condition is relatively rare, according to Dr. Frederick Zugibe (Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York) it is well-known, and there have been many cases of it. The clinical term is “hematohidrosis.” “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.” Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.” As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.

From: Did Jesus really sweat drops of blood?

www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t018.html.

If I were to have just stored this bit of knowledge away and moved on, I would have missed a wonderful experience of seeing God. A part of the text caught my eye: Then as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture.  I was inspired to see God so; I looked up the scripture passage in Luke 22: 39-45. I was looking for that moment of when “the anxiety passes" and found this portion of the scriptures:

vs. ⁴³ And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

vs. ⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Note that an Angel strengthened him which allowed Jesus the ability to pray with more earnest. At that point I was able to see two great truths and see God even clearer. The first truth was the scriptures perfectly line up with science. The second was that seeking God in earnest brings about the passing of anxiety. That tickled my soul. If I hadn't wanted to see God more, I would have missed seeing him. Wow, I'm almost inspired enough to go on a diet…..almost.

Michael Parsons

Oak Hill Jackson Community Church

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Holy Spirit is a gift that has been sent to us to help us in prayer.

Look at Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT): “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? ¹⁰ Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ¹¹ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

My kids look to me to provide for them, it is a gift to them.  When I come back from a trip, my kids look for gifts from dad.  Recently, before leaving on a trip to Ireland, my youngest daughter asked me to bring her back a snow globe – she loves to collect them.  Of course I returned to Iowa with a snow globe!   I searched most of Northern Ireland to find it.   

I am their dad, and they love it when I give gifts to them, and provide for them.  And they know how much I love them by the ways that I provide for them.  The more they look to me for that love, and find it, the more they trust in me as their dad.  This relationship with my kids helps me to understand this verse - let’s read it from Luke’s Gospel.

Luke 11:11-13 (NLT): “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? ¹² Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! ¹³ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

The context of Luke 11 is Jesus teaching on prayer.  He is saying that when we pray for the Father’s provision, that His provision is good, and the more that He provides for us, the more that we will trust Him as our Father.

Did you notice the difference between the wording in these two passages?  In Luke it says that our Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.  In Matthew it says that our Father will give good gifts to them that ask Him.  To me, Matthew’s version makes more sense because he is initially talking about giving good gifts.

With Luke’s gospel we could ask…What if we weren’t asking for the Holy Spirit, what if we were asking God the Father for something else?  The answer to this question unfolds the reason why God sent the Holy Spirit to us.

  

For example, what if something tragic happened to someone close to you, and you asked God for comfort.  God the Father doesn’t just give you comfort, He sends the Holy Spirit who is the comforter.  What if you were asking for help?  Our Father doesn’t just send help, He sends the Holy Spirit who is the helper.

Maybe you ask for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control.  The Father doesn’t just give you these things; He gives you the Holy Spirit who makes all of these things a reality in your life.

This is the great promise to us in prayer; we ask God for gifts in prayer, and He gives us the gift giver, we ask God for supply, and He gives us the source.

With the Holy Spirit you don’t just get the snow globe; you get the snow globe manufacturer – wouldn’t my daughter love that!   

Daniel Winn

Cedar Rapids Family Church

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Seeking The Joy Of The Kingdom

Seeking God….for Joy and Awe as God Moves in Answer to Prayer

My prayer:

As we move closer, Father, toward that day that we will celebrate which gives us hope,

may we not succumb to those distracting voices all around us. We are constantly being bombarded with advertising, music, movies and other solicitations that would want to dumb us down making us think that what they are offering is the norm.

May we never forget what normal really is and what it represents! Father, others may think they are happy with the pleasures of the world, but we know our real joy comes from our oneness with You.

On that Resurrection Day, You offered to us The Normal. Because of this, may those around us see and begin to realize what normal really is. As those around us find less satisfaction in things of this world, while those things seemingly fall away giving them less pleasure, may they see within us the Hope which we have. May they not only see, but may they also desire that Hope. And Father, may I never forget what is normal. Christ in me, my hope of glory. The Normal Christian Life!

Larry Janda

The Refuge Church

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Seeking the Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God….for Joy and Awe as God Moves in Answer to Prayer

When we ask, "Lord hear our prayer do we really believe God is listening?"

I have found solace in knowing God really cares and is listening to all our prayers and wants to love us.

At any time of the day he is waiting, watching, and hoping we use our ears to listen to him and words to talk with him.  We are opening up our minds and hearts to him and to receive love.

God answers prayers by saying yes, no, or wait.  Sometimes wait, sometimes yes, sometimes no.

He is our Father and we must respect and love our Father.  God loves us more than we love ourselves or each other.  We can't possibly know how great and the multitude of this love.  

All we need to do is let Him in our heart and God will bless us magnificently.

Carol Motske

St. Marks Faith & Life Center

Monday, April 11, 2011

Seeking The Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God….For The Joy Of Liberation

As a mother and grandmother I received the blessing of opened eyes when one of my pastors led a seminar on “GENERATION WHY?—Understanding Youth Culture”.

The eye-opener was a conviction concerning what my generation has contributed to the culture of youth.  A quote: “Though there are definite unique qualities and habits of youth, maybe much of what they are comes from the cues that they’re taking from adults.”

This raises the questions: Am I conveying to my children/grandchildren the idea that our media (TV, internet, music) can be accepted at face value without any scrutiny? Do I convey the perception that power, education, material wealth/possessions are valid life goals for us as believers in Christ?

Let’s look at our culture, and our part in it, through the lens of a transformed, renewed mind. (Romans 12:1,2) Let’s sort out the trash from the treasure!

Donna Hartman

Stonebridge Church

Monday, April 11, 2011

Seeking The Joy of The Kingdom

Seeking God….For The Joy of Liberation

I have a wonderful reflection to tell about the Joy of Liberation:

My parents were divorced when I was away in the Army so when my mother remarried another man (Mel) it didn't seem…real…almost.

In time I realized how this man loved my mother and truly cared for her. I also came to know the Lord a few years later and soon realized he and many other of my family members needed Jesus Christ.

Over the next 10 years I prayed for this man and several other family members to come to know Jesus as Savior. I heard about the "Left Behind" series and knowing my mothers second husband loved to read, I sent him some of these books and began to pray more often that God would use these books to touch his heart. And then the Lord led me to start praying for others to reach out to him from the local church. 

Amazingly enough a few months went by and I heard that my mother and her husband Mel were now attending a small church and soon after he was saved and baptized. I was so thankful to the Lord for answering my prayers and I thought how wonderful the Lord must have felt as Angels were singing on high that this man came to accept Jesus as his Savior.

Things went well for him and my mother until about a year later when he passed away at 49 years old of a massive heart attack. I traveled with my family to the funeral in Kentucky and when asked to say a few words, I promptly stepped up onto the platform at a small country church. (As I was going up to the front of the church I passed a wonderful photo of my moms second husband (Mel) being baptized.) I shared about how I prayed and how the Lord used these people in this small church to bring Mel to know Jesus as Savior. What a wonderful day to share how the Lord brought this man out of spiritual bondage and knowing that he was now in heaven with his Lord and Savior!

Let us not be weary of praying for our lost relatives and neighbors. And as we see the Lords hand in all we do, let's also not forget too soon all the wonderful things He has done for us.

As today’s devotional said, "It is no small thing for even one to come home to God."

Praise the Lord on high for He is so good to us!

Yours in Christ,

Phil Foster

Valley View Baptist Church

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Seeking the Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God…..For Confident Gladness in Turmoil

"always giving thanks to the Lord for everything" – Ephesians 5:20

Lord, we thank you that we can always give thanks for everything because we know that you are "working for our good in all things." Help us to stay on track, because we know that you are working for our good only if we love you and are walking in your will- doing what is right. We know if we stay in your will we can have confident gladness in turmoil. That certainly has been true in my life.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." – Romans 8:28

Grant Carpenter

His Hands Ministries

Oakland Church of the Nazarene

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Seeking the Joy of the Kingdom

Seeking God…..for Confident Gladness in Turmoil

As I began writing this blog, the lead story on my yahoo is "Another Strong Quake Strikes Off Tsunami-Hit Japan" and I begin to process this terrible news along with Psalm 46 which is listed in today's scripture prayer reading.  This portion of God's Holy Word has been a consistent signature of hope and strength throughout the ages for millions of people.  Through it I have a better understanding that God is present and when He declared creation to be good as we read in Genesis; He also remained actively involved with all creation even after sin entered.

Martin Luther certainly processed similar thoughts shared through Psalm 46 which inspired him to write the magnificent song "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".  Through the stanzas we are comforted in the reminders of the truths of God and the promise that His Kingdom will ultimately be fully established.  We certainly serve the ETERNAL God.  In the meantime as creation is being restored, God's grace is active and He is in control of all things.  Though we may not fully understand why such suffering exists due to natural disasters, we do know that ultimately the battle has been won through the power and the blood of Jesus Christ.  

"Did we in our own strength confide.
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side.
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name;
From age to age the same, and He must win the battle"  (verse 2)

We thank you God for being active among Your creation.  Your grace is sufficient and we rely fully on Your promises this day.  Lord, grant us more faith and may we begin to see life with an eternal perspective in mind and rely fully on the power that is in the name of Jesus.  Amen    

Michael Sjogren, Lieutenant
Corps Officer - The Salvation Army
Cedar Rapids, IA

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God….to Declare Peace Among the Nations

Peace for the world.  Interesting thought!  Pageant contestants when asked what they dream for they answer, “World Peace.”  Wouldn’t it be nice if there was peace in the world? 

For the last month and a half we have been watching conflict break out all over the Middle East and North Africa.  When the Libyans revolted against their tyrant leader who did they call out to for help?  Answer: The United State of America.  We were seen as a savior of the oppressed and persecuted.  And as usual we pick and choose our response and in this case we decided to help.  But, do they have peace? Do they have freedom yet? No.  If they do get it how long will it last?  One year, ten years, one hundred years?

Peace in a world infected with sin is impossible.  Or is it?  I am reminded of a great passage in Philippians 3 that reminds us not to worry.  Because of Jesus Christ we can have peace.  Peace that can only come from Him.  True peace in the world won’t come about by the nations choosing peace but rather you and I as individuals relying on “the peace of God that transcends all understanding as we live in Christ Jesus.” 

When you and I as individuals live out the peace of God in our individual lives we will live in peace with others. 

This reminds me of a bumper sticker that I have seen over the years on cars.  It says, “Know God, Know Peace, No God, No Peace.”  In closing I say to you all:

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Keith Pitts

Associate Pastor of Youth and Children

Valley View Baptist Church

Chaplain Linn County Juvenile Detention Center

Friday, April 8, 2011

Seeking the Peace of the Kingdom

Seeking God . . . to Raise up Champions of Peace by His Spirit

Seeking God for….Broken Families

Today we pray for broken families.

“Lord, how your heart must break when you see the pain and despair that accompanies divorce and family separation.  I pray that you would pour your wisdom and peace upon husbands & wives and those couples who live together outside of marriage.

Help them, Lord, not to point the finger every time that an issue arises, but rather help them to work together to solve the problem.”

A few years ago experts told us that children were strong – resilient - and divorce did not affect then…that quality time was better than quantity time.  We now know that this is wrong, that these are lies from the enemy. 

“Please Lord, help families to stay together.  Help children who need two parents.  Bring others alongside to help single parent families.  We pray that Godly couples will help mentor those couples who need their wisdom on staying the course. Help couples forgive each other as Jesus forgives us. And we pray Lord that you would be a Father to the fatherless and a husband to the single mothers & the widows. We ask you to heal the broken hearts and pour healing balm in all their wounds.  Amen.

Patricia Daugherty

Serve The City

Friday, April 8, 2011

Seeking the Peace of the Kingdom

Seeking God . . . to Raise up Champions of Peace by His Spirit

On the night of Christ’s birth the heavenly host proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14 KJV)  Isaiah 9:6 tells us that one of the names given to the child would be “Prince of Peace.”

While men speak much of peace it has proven itself time and again to be quite elusive.  Even now nations are at war with nations, politicians of differing philosophies shout at one another across the aisle as to how to secure peace, churches divide over inconsequential matters, families are filled with strife, and the minds, hearts, and spirits of individuals are deeply troubled.  Men and women long for peace but seem unable to lay their hands upon it.

The missing piece in many people’s search for peace is the child of Bethlehem.  And that is where the Christian comes in.  We are to proclaim God’s peace and good will toward men just as the heavenly host did so long ago. 

The apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV), “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.  And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

In finding peace with God one will be able to find peace with him/herself and with others.  And we have the opportunity, nay, responsibility, to be those of whom Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV) 

May we rise up as ambassadors of the Prince of Peace!

Bill Holley

Eastview Christian Church

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God…..To Rebuild Devastated Cities

To Rebuild Devastated Cities is our prayer focus today. In light of recent events from the devastating floods out east to Japan’s killer-quake and subsequent tsunami reaching all the way to our most western cities – it’s time to pray!

With civil uprisings from Cairo to the shores of Tripoli one can’t help but be mindful of Jesus’ end-time discourse in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Prior to His return Jesus warns that wars and civil wars, famines and earthquakes, violence and intolerance would increase. Like the birth pangs of a woman they will increase in frequency and intensity as the return of our Lord approaches. 

Lest you think I’m a gloom and doom prophet – let me say how excited I get (maybe enough to shout!) when I read Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

We have the Message!  We bring tools of hope and the message of life to rebuild our devastated cities. No one needs to hang their head in fatalistic despair but we can all lift our heads towards a brighter tomorrow in Christ Jesus.

Father, today we pray for those whose lives are in ruin.  Empower us to reach out through your love to them spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Thank you that our faith in you is unshakable.

Larry Sohn

First Assembly of God

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Seeking The PEACE of the KINGDOM

Seeking God….For An Early Homecoming For Prodigals

Heavenly Father! Hear the cries for our Children. We hold fast to you Lord God asking for wisdom in these dark times.  This world is spiraling down so fast that our Children are being drowned in a sea of darkness. The darkness is cleaver and disguised as all things exciting, shiny & thrilling.  You father are our only need, our strength our hope and our Journey.  Father, light the path homeward for the lost Children, Husbands who are blinded by distractions & Wives absent from their vows.  Set a moral compass within their hands and lead them to back home.  The home built with the brick & mortar of the Love of God whose foundation is resting on solid rock. We pray this blessing to be etched into the hearts of the modern day prodigals.  In the name of our Mighty Powerful Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!

Leo and Janet Bonifazi

Neighborhood Church

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God….for Forgiveness to Heal Broken Relationships

Forgiveness……. the dictionary definition of “forgive” means:  to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that I forget what has been done or to even trust the person again.  Trust has to be earned.  Forgiveness is a CHOICE, but the ABILITY to forgive needs the supernatural intervention of mighty King Jesus.  The process of forgiveness is beyond my own abilities; however, the choice is always mine.

I have been through much.  I’ve experienced physical and emotional hurt, rejection, a sense of abandonment and even betrayal by some family members, friends, church people and ministry leadership.  

But through it all I’ve passionately asked the Lord to “guard my heart”.  You see, forgiveness allows my heart to stay tender towards the things of the Lord and keeps anger and bitterness from poisoning my life and the lives of those I am around. 

My reaction to hurtful people and situations needs to be a CHOICE to forgive.  As I cry out to Jesus, He helps me through the process and at the end I no longer feel a sting of pain from the memory.  I am able to truly pray God’s best for that person. 

What choice will you make about the hurtful situations in your own life?  In your childhood?  I urge you to choose life…a life of freedom in forgiveness. 

Come Holy Spirit………..

Tawnya Gardener

The Salvation Army

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God….for Forgiveness to Heal Broken Relationships

Lord, help us to walk free of the prisons we have made for ourselves by our lack of forgiveness and lack of mercy.

Do so by comparing the magnitude of forgiven offenses against us by Christ with the petty offenses by others that have become a log in our eyes.

Enable us to walk in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.

TE

Jordan’s Grove Church

Monday, April 4, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God…to Teach the Nations His Way of Peace

The thoughts for this day, about God teaching the nations His ways of peace, reminded me of an episode that occurred a few months back at work.

On Friday mornings at work, before our work day begins, I meet with a fellow co-worker for prayer.  We span the globe, the nation, and our workplace.  Little did I know how our prayers would unfold this day.

I was looking for a co-worker  to ask him a question about a program and found him gathered with a group of about 4 or 5 others listening to one explain the rationale of having their teenager use a contraceptive because they were going to choose to become sexually active.  When this person got done, and since I had heard a good smattering of the explanation, the speaker turned the group’s attention to me and asked, “So, Bernie what do you think?”

I thought, “Wow, Lord”.  I could have quoted verses to them but that’s not what was needed now.  Instead I said something like, “It’s commendable that you want to protect your child, but all the things you proposed won’t protect their character, or their heart and emotions, or even their physical well-being.  Where is the special-ness in being used and given away over and over and over?  There are a number of serious STDs that are transmitted by skin to skin contact that could leave your child ruined for the remainder of their life – unable to have a child, managing chronic flare ups of legions and boils and warts, and, worst of all, struggling to stay alive with AIDS.  Outside of the one man- one woman marriage relationship, you are exponentially exposed to all these diseases.  (I gave her a link to the Aid to Women website.)

To my utter shock, one of my friends who is more cynical about God than Hawkeye Pierce (on MASH), was visibly nodding his head in agreement as I spoke.

God provided the "teachable" moment.  We had to be willing to show up and be used of Him.  And, "Lo and Behold", even hardened skeptics were willing to acknowledge the (biblically based) wisdom that God wants to impart.

Bernie Hayes

Noelridge Park

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Seeking The Peace Of The Kingdom

Seeking God….to Fill Our City With People Who Bring Peace

Peace. That word alone inspires me to pray. To seek God’s face. And to ask the Lord to bring peace to our city, state, nation and the world.

As I contemplate what it means to have peace, I also pray that we would have the mind of Christ.

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? I read recently that it means that our hearts can be filled with the redemptive, creative thought-life of God. (See 1 Cor. 2.)

Paul had it right. He wrote:

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:14-16).

This revelation is a big help to me. We have the mind of Christ. God wants us to have the Prince of Peace’s mindset, eyes, ears and discernment.

Paul wrote to the Galatians,” My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you" (Gal 4:19).

If we have the mind of Christ, we will have a spirit-led desire for peace. The very nature of Christ is peace.

I believe that God's goal is not only to see us saved and go to Heaven, but for Christ to be formed and living through us on earth. We are not just to have a religion about what Jesus did; we are called to possess the very substance of who Jesus is. If we have the “substance” of Jesus, then peace would surely reign. Wouldn’t it?

We have this promise: We will all go to heaven through a faith in Christ (John 3:16). But, in a world filled with strife and war, He can “showcase” His Son through us. It is ultimately only so Christ, in the midst of a “less than peaceful world”, reveals how His life overcomes death. Now that is true peace.

"For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor. 4:11).

My prayer today is…………..

” Grant us, Lord, the motives of Jesus. In a fallen world, teach us to think, not as a prosecutor whose quest is to condemn, but as the Savior whose heart is to redeem………I pray for the peace of Jesus Christ on our city, state and nation…………Lord, we especially pray today for people and churches and countries in Europe and Central Asia………..may you bring the peace of Jesus Christ………...Amen………..”

Carl Gonder

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Seeking The Righteousness of His Kingdom

Seeking God….To Come with Blessing, Guiding Many to Live Rightly

Hostage to Living a Godly Life

Today we pray “for God to intervene to restrain dark powers that hold people in bondage.”  

The true battle we face is the war in our head and how we deal with it; “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

If we identify Satan’s strong hold that is holding us hostage we can eliminate its power and replace it with Christ’s stronghold and His power. Our mind and what we dwell on holds us captive. Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ (Ephesians 3:1). If we can learn to hold all of our thoughts obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) then we are held hostage to the freedom of Christ.

Picture a crock-pot. When we take off the lid, pour in the ingredients, and let it cook, an incredible meal is served at the end of the day. I want you to take the lid off your head, pour in some Godly ingredients, and let them cook. These ingredients are recorded in 1 Peter 4:7-11. Throw them in your head and let them cook.

 Crock-pot ingredients to living right 

 Be Alert   v 7

 Be Sober-Minded  v 7

 Be in prayer   v 7

 Love each other deeply   v 8

 Be Hospitable   v  9

 Don’t Grumble  v 9

 Use Your Gifts  v 10

 Serve One Another  v 10

 Speak the Very Words of God  v 11

 Serve in the Strength of God  v 11

 In All Things Give Praise through Jesus  v 11

Jim Coyle

Neighborhood Church

Friday, April 1, 2011

Seeking The Righteousness Of The Kingdom

Seeking God…. For Courage To Contend For Righteousness!

Today we are seeking God for courage to contend for righteousness!

That phrase jumps out at me more than anything else on the detailed page, for in that phrase lies an exhilarating truth. We can kneel before an Almighty God and ask Him for courage…..a powerful brand of courage that will fortify us as we “contend for righteousness!”

I work at a Christian school.  Using baby steps of courage-building, our faculty trains their charges to seek God for courage in the simplest situations, so that as life gets bigger, and harder, and more complicated, these students will be unleashed into the world girded with courage, persistent and patient in crying out for justice. As they struggle with the enemies of righteousness, they will confidently call on the Lord for courage.

Whether you are a teacher, coach, parent, grandparent – whatever relationship you hold in a child’s life, you can be part of helping them develop courage! 

Give them love, for “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). 

Give them heroes; teach them about heroes of the faith. 

Be courageous; help them understand the costs and sacrifices that are involved in wearing the name of Christ (1 Peter 3:14-15). 

Share your experiences and ways you stood fast during trials. 

And, let them experience difficulty.  A wise columnist wrote, “When we protect our children from all that is negative or challenging, we deny them the opportunity to become brave and strong.”

Praise the Lord for building courage into the lives of this new generation.

Kathryne Oates

Isaac Newton Christian Academy