Saturday, March 12, 2011

Seeking God for power to forsake falsehood.

Today’s post is going up on Sunday….and is an unplanned example to you, the reader, that we are under grace and not law as we pursue prayer using this book as a resource.

Disguise: To modify the manner or appearance of ___ in order to prevent recognition…to conceal or obscure, a false show, misrepresent.

Dalliance:  Another word for “flirtation” or frivolous spending of time.

As I read/prayed the Old Testament prayer for today, I was both sad and joyful at the same time. 

Sad? I was remembering the times before I had surrendered to Christ. The times that I sinned – made a mistake – fell short – slipped up – let people down and I tried to disguise the situation (worthless attempt to ‘hide’ my sin) to look good.  Oh the stress, worry and anxiety of someone finding out and condemning me…walking away from me…never talking to me…making fun of me.

Joy? Oh the knowledge of turning my life over to Jesus and knowing He would NEVER leave me nor forsake me…that nothing could separate me from His love.  I meet so many people that are walking around Linn County with disguises.  I have no condemnation for them for I was once one of them and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit did not condemn me!

We all come by it honestly.  “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the cool of the day and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8

I can remember attempting to partition off my life and justify living one way on Sunday/Wednesday and another way the rest of the week!   It never worked before and it will not work today…for anyone.  There was/is something in me just as there is in every single person on the planet that desires an open/transparent relationship with the God! We were made by the Father in our mother’s womb.  We were fashioned for a purpose by the God whose very being defines the word purpose.  He is the designer and each one of us is a design masterpiece.

May I encourage each one of you to return to the New Testament prayer for today and pray the two bullet points with passion for specific people!  Name them in your prayer.  When you pray for them in this manner you are fulfilling your mandate in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21…for them to be reconciled to God, He and us not counting their trespasses against them, but entreating them in prayer while loving them in humility.

Integrity:

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.

3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

Pray with me:

Father God, we do pray for each person that is called by Your name, that they may be steadfast and immoveable in their love for You.  May Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven into, all around, in front and behind each one of them.  Your Word tells us that we have been given a sound mind. You have made us whole beings.  You have taken our divided minds and given us a sound mind.  You have made us complete human beings that are seated with You in heavenly places right now.  Such is the mystery of the Kingdom.  It is beyond our own reason.  Thank you Father God for loving us.  We accept that You are sending us into this world to pray for, care for and share with them who You are and the indescribable freedom that can be found in You.  Amen.

Charles Daugherty

Serve The City

Friday, February 26 - Day 10

Day 10: Seek God … for God to unite His people.
[Psalm 133:1,3; John 17:22-23]

The “unity” or “being one” of these verses does not mean “let’s be one big happy denomination”! These statements point out a “relationship” desired by God of His followers. This is not just a relationship with God, but it is a relationship with fellow believers that glorifies God!

Think of it like this: The Body of Christ is a Family. The various Church congregations are like brothers and sisters in this Family. Each “child” has his or her own unique qualities and character. That does not make one “child” better than the other. Each is loved by the Father; each will accomplish its purpose. But the Family is still one!

Now, consider these verses from this perspective: “How good and pleasant it is when the various Church congregations get along together! … For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forever more.” (Psa. 133:1,3). And think of the prayer of Jesus in John 17 when He prays (vv. 22-23), “The glory which You have given Me I have given to those who are true followers but belong to different church congregations, that they may be of one purpose in bringing glory to My Name, so that the world may know that You have sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

It’s like what I’ve told my church family, “We don’t have a corner on truth, but we do have the Truth on the corner of 29^th and D Avenue NE. Know it; believe it; live it; and share it!”

Lord: Renew our appreciation of Your desire for all of Your followers to be united in purpose; forgive us where we have wandered away for our own selfish preferences; give us a new heart of love for each other, even as You have for us, and let it be all for Your glory! Thank you! Amen.

[Pastor Gary Austin, Cedar Rapids Grace Church, Cedar Rapids, IA]

Tuesday, February 23 – Day 7

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God....for Christ's resurrection power

Seek God on behalf of Marriages

When I think about marriage - I specifically think of my marriage - I waited a long time to get married - I wanted it so bad - but never thought I was good enough. I was 32 years old when I met my husband and we didn't get married until I was 34 years old. I remember Christmas of 2003. I couldn't wait to open my Christmas present from him - it was a ring - but not an engagement ring - I was crushed. I knew that the reason my "boyfriend" was dating me was because I professed to be a Christian, so I continued to watch my Christian friends that have had successful marriages and asked them what I should do - their answer was simple – “keep the relationship focused on Christ.” That next Thanksgiving I was engaged and married on Christmas Eve.

Five years later – I couldn’t love my husband more – and as we continue to follow that advice to keep Jesus at the center of our relationship, I also pray for so many relationships that aren’t centered on Christ, and end. It saddens my heart to hear of adultery, domestic abuse, and divorce when I know God has so much more for us. So in my prayer time – I am seeking God on behalf of all marriages, (like my parents who have been married for 44 years, and a couple at church married 55+ years and the couples that are planning their marriages for this year –that they all focus on Christ).

Lord my prayer for your resurrection power is that you would be with struggling couples and that you would place your hand on them and help all of us to resurrect our marriages, make all of them stronger (even those that appear to be strong). Help us to re-listen to the vows we made when we said I do. “Until DEATH do us part.”

God Bless you all!
S.H.

Saturday, February 20 – Day 4

Lord Jesus, today our city and nation is praying for righteousness and peace. Please help us and all those around us to know that true, lasting, real peace only comes through You, Jesus. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and for making me right with You so that I can know what peace feels like. Thank you for leading and guiding me. Please bring my friends, family members and all those around me into a lasting relationship with You and help us all to be passionate followers of Jesus.


In Jesus' Name,
Amen

SB