Saturday, March 20 – Day 32

Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities

Seek God....For the city to experience God’s righteousness.

In and of our own strength we can’t make more than a temporary impact in our communities. When we attempt to conquer the city for God on our own initiative, we see the black storm of life churning, the winds of injustice blowing and the raging waves of indifference crashing around us. When this happens we begin sinking into the dark waters of despair. It’s when we come to the end of ourselves, when there’s nothing left and we cry out to Jesus, that He takes our hand and lifts us up to kneel before Him, where the true power lies. And when His power is unleashed, people are changed!

No corruption, no indifference, nothing at all, can stand in the way when God moves. But it all starts with us in our most powerful position: on our knees before God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth!

As we willingly submit our meager strength before the Throne of Grace, He enables us to accomplish the tasks He has set out for us since before the beginning. His power works through willing and submitted hearts to win eternal victory in our communities.

“Gracious God,

Grant us eyes to see our weakness and our inability to effect change in our own strength. Enable our hearts to willingly submit to You and Your plan; and as we submit, work through us that the city might be brought into Your righteousness. For Yours is the kingdom, and power, and glory forever!”

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen

Greg Larson

Faith Bible

Monday, February 22 – Day 6

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God…to impart His life-giving Spirit

When Brother Charles asked me to write on day 6, he had no idea about 3 passions of my life. The first passion is “to impart His life giving spirit”. "I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me." ²²Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22 The second passion is the Athletic Industry. ²⁴You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! ²⁵Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. ²⁶I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. ²⁷I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. These 2 verses are life verses in my journey with God.

The third passion is praying for Haiti. I recently returned from Haiti as being part of the National Disaster Medical System. I deploy as a Dr of traumatic stress specializing in psychological disorders and as a Chaplain representing Christ in a faith based response to a disaster.

We are asked as a nation to seek God for the city. We are witnessing three events taking place right now under our eyelids; the Olympics, the devastation of a nation with catastrophic results of death, injuries, and loss, and the Holy Spirit available and willing to breathe life into the hearts of those drawing near to God. The prayers today encompass these three events.

I was schooled on faith in Haiti. I was surrounded by a people of faith because that is all they had. This is a nation that was maimed, lamed and shamed. This is a nation broken physically and emotionally. The Holy Spirit was imparting life all around me in a sea of death. I am humbled in pure faith and changed as a result. As we watch our Olympians compete and a nation survive an earthquake, my prayer is that we keep our purpose : seeking God, Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; disciplined in prayer, I do not fight like a man beating the air; and available for divine appointments, No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Lord Jesus, breathe life into our dead bones that we might rise from the depths of despair. Ignite a flame in us to consume those around us with your power and presence. May we learn lessons from the Olympians and Haitians in their journey for survival. May we become a city desperate for You. May we become a people humbled to a pure state of faith, hope and love.

Jim Coyle
Neighborhood Church, Cedar Rapids, IA