Repentance Prayer
Lord Jesus awaken me to hear your voice at this hour when I need you most in this wicked world. Please strengthen me in your hope and tighten your grip on me as I go and renew myself once again. Open my eyes to what I have done to you and myself-respect. Thank you, Jesus, for stirring my heart. I ask you Holy Spirit to put something fresh and alive into my heart and help me work it out for the good of your will. I’m asking you Lord for the forgiveness of my sins and that you will continue to work in my life through thick and thin. Touch me oh Lord while you hold me up. Lord turn me around and teach me how to be obedient to you and your Word. Please change me by your mighty power oh Lord. Oh, Holy Spirit come now and sweep over me and touch me now. Quicken me in your words and deeds. Oh, Jesus, I do need you, I need your touch and your love, forgiveness, please forgive me Lord for being careless and please Lord wake me up to what I have done to you and others. Keep me awake so the enemy can’t deceive me. Remove all my sin and blossom out my growth in you and cleanse me with your blood. I trust you JESUS for hope, cleansing, and forgiveness. I know you will keep me because I am giving you my life right now. I commend my life to you and all that I am and all that I have. To my blessed Jesus. Lord, I thank you for hearing me and becoming my lord and my God of my life. In Jesus Christ Holy Name I Pray, Amen!
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Dear Christian, you are to hate and do battle against your sin, but never believe the lie that your sin has affected God’s love for you! You are forgiven of your sin; you are declared to be righteous; you are an adopted child of the Lord God; you are the apple of His eye; you are loved with an everlasting love, and you can count on the faithfulness of God being shown to you forevermore! Praise be to God!
Our Testimony
Experiencing the Church in our lives we had great things happen to us. After joining the church and the body of believers we found a church home. A place in the country where God encouraged us to be. After receiving information about the church and meeting the pastor. We started to receive many blessings from God. Mostly cause the church’s prayers were un-ending. We thanked the Lord for the many blessings and answered prayers. We have been married for six years and tried to have children. We lost one from being too small. It was so disappointing, that we thought waiting to enter the Kingdom of God would give us the chance to hold our only child.
Soon after entering the church we asked for more prayers. And behold our hearts were filled with Gid’s love. He gave us a baby girl who would soon come into His created world. To give her lover of life and praises back to Him. However, that is not all. We continued to ask the church for more prayers. One day our washer and dryer stopped working. Three days later we received used ones that worked for a long time. Then we started getting other things we needed for our new family. The wife even got her a job helping the handicapped. She got to work with gifted people who had gotten looked over from society.
Our marriage has sparkled since day one of entering into the body of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for this company of people and the answers to their prayers. The church felt like the first church in the book of Acts. We hope that we become a great part of this Church of Christ’s body and we are willing to grow from within it.
“Pray one for another.” — James 5:16
An encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. In all the incense which our Great High Priest now puts into the golden censer, there is not a single grain for Himself. His intercession must be the most acceptable of all supplications — and the more like our prayer is to Christ’s, the sweeter it will be; thus while petitions for ourselves will be accepted, our pleadings for others, having in them more of the fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, more brotherly kindness, will be, through the precious merits of Jesus, the sweetest oblation that we can offer to God, the very fat of our sacrifice. Remember, again, that intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought! The Word of God teems with its marvelous deeds. Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren. When thou hast the King’s ear, speak to Him for the suffering members of His body. When thou art favored to draw very near to His throne, and the King saith to thee, “Ask, and I will give thee what thou wilt,” let thy petitions be, not for thyself alone, but for the many who need His aid. If thou hast grace at all, and art, not an intercessor, that grace must be small as a grain of mustard seed. Thou hast just enough grace to float thy soul clear from the quicksand, but thou hast no deep floods of grace, or else thou wouldst carry in thy joyous bark a weighty cargo of the wants of others, and thou wouldst bring back from thy Lord, for them, rich blessings which but for thee they might not have obtained: — C.S.
“Oh, let my hands forget their skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
If I forget the mercy-seat!”
Comfort hides secretly in the heart. Great hearts can only be made through great efforts. There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul. Through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is of good spirits.
One word of God is like the giving from a heart of God, and you are the keeper of a Heart of Gold. Let the Spirit of God help you shine on.
You are not poor in heart, you have heard it said, that when a Heart of Gold doesn’t shine on, go to God, ask Him to wax on your heart His joy, and then your joy shall also shine on.
Let a good friend help comfort your heart, because, there are many of life’s issues that seep out so unexpectedly.
I believe that God has set His great heart upon you, He loves you with an everlasting love. A love which many medical drinks of water cannot quench. And which the revolution of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish.
Sometimes the desire to grow makes us feel, “Too little” when in reality we are just the right size for now – and always good enough in God’s eyes.
Love you, friend, you are some kind of wonderful!
Friend, I know that you are suffering from many illnesses. And I am sorry that it has to be this way. But, regardless of your condition – you can handle other tough times as well.
Understand that other people have tougher times, and seeing them go about their difficulties can only bring the strong in spirit down.
I used to go desperately seeking for a “Quick Fix” – turning to alcohol and other drugs – and even struggled with getting cranky and sour. In the latter I still experience. Sometimes I am still confused about what life has to offer me. But I had learned to handle these harried times and to never give up all that this heart of gold has to offer you and me.
I. SUFFERING & DEATH ARE PART OF LIFE
–OLD RUGGED CROSS “DESPISED BY WORLD” = FEARED BY WORLD BUT ALL CREATION GOES THROUGH DEATH TO NEW LIFE
I. GOD CARES FOR US ALL!!
–SENT SON—FOR ANY WHO WOULD ACCEPT
II. EVERYDAY OF LIFE BETTER THAN DAY BEFORE BECAUSE OF BEING CLOSER TO ETERNITY (LIKE A CHILD WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS)
For the joy set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2
Throughout our lives, we have opportunities to show God we love Him. Again, we do these things not to earn His love but in response to His unconditional, unstoppable love. Because our hearts burn with the same kind of passion that lives in Him. So, activate that passion in your life today. Worship Him passionately. Seek Him first passionately. Share His love with your family passionately. Reach out to others passionately. Let’s turn our lives, our families, our communities, and the world around for Jesus!
Oh, Heavenly Father, give my daughters a deep desire to listen to You, Lord and have them pray often. Let the daughters learn early in life that to obey You, God, its the best way to the life their hearts true desires, May my daughters find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach them, hold them, and rescue them. May my daughters please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom? Let my daughters find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and they don’t know what to do, by keeping their eyes fixed on You, Give my daughters a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within them so their ears will turn to Your wisdom, May my daughters keep themselves under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger them. Give my daughters the ability to rise above the traps of people-pleasing so they can keep safe by trusting You, Lord, Let my daughters walk in the security of Your assigned worth of them. Give them a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all their tasks. Give them hearts that desire to extend their hands to those in need. Protect them, Father, for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let them be women of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes them most beautiful, And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” they do so with great grace,
Create in my daughters’ clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within them. May my daughters walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. So they can serve You and hold fast to You. May my daughters be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with them. You will never leave them or forsake them. Like Timothy, may my daughters be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity? May my daughters listen to the way of wisdom and be led in the paths of uprightness. Lord, be with my daughters in trouble; rescue them and honor them. May my daughters honor their father and mother. May my daughters have a love that issues from their pure hearts and a good conscience and a sincere faith? May my daughters think about whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may my daughters think about these things. I pray these things in Jesus Christ Name, amen.
Oh, Heavenly Father, give me a deep desire to listen to You, Lord and help me to pray often. Allow me to learn early in life to obey You, God, it’s the best way to the life my heart truly desires, May I find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach me, hold me, and rescue me. May I please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom? Let me find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and I don’t know what to do, by keeping my eyes fixed on You, Give me a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within me so my ears will turn to Your wisdom, May I keep myself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger them. Give me the ability to rise above the traps of people-pleasing so I can keep safe by trusting You, Lord, Allow me to walk in the security of Your assigned worth of me. Give me a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all my tasks. Give me a heart that desires to extend my hands to those in need. Protect me, Father, for the right relationships, family, teach me to respect you and godly honor you. And let me be a man of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes me most beautiful, And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” I do so with great grace,
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. May I walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. So I can serve You and hold fast to You. May I be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, my God, who goes with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. Like Timothy, may I be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity? May I learn to listen to the way of wisdom and be led in the paths of uprightness. Lord, be with me in troubles; rescue me and honor me. May I honor You Father? May I have the love that issues from my pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith? May I think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may I think about these things. I pray these things in Jesus Christ Name, amen!
THE RED SEA IN MY LIFE
In Exodus chapter 14, the Israelites are fleeing from Egypt when they found themselves on the verge of being brought back into slavery or even killed. The sea in front of them and an army behind them, they felt hopeless and impossibly trapped.
Undeniable act of God can lead you safely out. Between the Red Sea and the army that brings death is not a good place to be. It is a scary place to be.
When I find myself in a Red Sea moment, I don’t typically anticipate the sea drying up and everything turning out ok. I don’t expect to walk out on dry land where there was a sea. I can’t imagine a scenario where the powerful army of Pharaoh is going to be swallowed up in defeat. What I do see are bills that are due, I see danger, I see pain, I see discouragement, I see defeat, and it is all I can do to decide if I am going to swing away at the enemy knowing I am not going to make a dent, or just toss aside all God has taught me over a lifetime and surrender.
But the most overlooked aspect of the Red Sea moment is this: it was God who put them there.
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
When God has us firmly entrenched in a Red Sea moment, it requires much prayer, much faith, and much trust. Our deliverance is not going to come quickly or easily, but it will come in such a way that God is glorified. It will become a moment that sustains you through a lifetime of pain and a moment that can be celebrated in times of joy. It’s ok to be afraid, but not ok to let that fear overtake your faith. For faith is stronger than our fear, and God is stronger than any situation we face.
Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Just as an honored guest in ancient times was welcomed with anointing oil, so Christ invites us to sit down and enjoy fellowship with Him. In the midst of whatever threatens or troubles us, we find refreshment in His presence. After spending time alone with Him in His Word and prayer, our empty cup has been filled to overflowing, and we have the strength to face another day.
The benefits of faithfully following our Shepherd are found in verse 6: “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Everything good that God does for us is covered by this verse. He not only lavishes us with His grace every day of our lives, but one day He will take us home to heaven where we’ll dwell with Him forever. Jesus truly is our good Shepherd. https://raymond.water.blog/
Psalm 93:1-5
1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea–the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.
We thank God for his presence in our lives and the knowledge that he will never forsake us, no matter what we face. We praise him for his majesty as we see his mighty works all around us each day. Even as he is from eternity, we rest in the promise that we will go with him into eternity when we leave this temporary place and our earthly bodies we know in this life.
Heavenly Father, I praise you for your majesty, your power, your wisdom and your holiness. I know that I cannot really understand or fathom your greatness or just how awesome you are but you have revealed enough to me that I can know you are God, creator and ruler of all the universe. Yet, I am held in awe that you can know me and love me enough to give your Son to die for my sin so I can live for you now and with you in eternity. Thank you Lord for giving me parents who loved you. Give me a loving heart today. I pray in the name of Jesus.
John 19:32-34 includes details about Jesus’ crucifixion not recorded in the other three Gospels:
“The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other man who had been crucified with Him. But coming to Jesus, when they saw that He had already died, they did not break His legs; but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.”
Hours after the Lord Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals who were crucified with Him. The Romans routinely broke the legs of crucified prisoners to hasten their deaths, but since Jesus had already died, they left His legs unbroken. One of them, though, pierced His side with a spear, and out came blood and water.
What is the meaning of these details found uniquely in John? Why did he include them? Some think it was simply to prove Jesus had died. But John already established the fact that Jesus had died by writing that the soldiers saw He had died and therefore didn’t break His legs. So why did John include this word about blood and water? What does it mean?
The picture of blood and water
The note on blood and water in the New Testament Recovery Version is tremendously helpful in understanding this picture.
“Two substances came out of the Lord’s pierced side: blood and water. Blood is for redemption, to deal with sins (1:29; Heb. 9:22) for the purchasing of the church (Acts 20:28). Water is for imparting life, to deal with death (12:24; 3:14-15) for the producing of the church (Eph. 5:29-30). The Lord’s death, on the negative side, takes away our sins, and on the positive side, imparts life into us. Hence, it has two aspects: the redemptive aspect and the life-imparting aspect. The redemptive aspect is for the life-imparting aspect.”
This note helps us see that the blood and water signify two important matters: redemption (blood) and the imparting of life (water). In another post, we discussed the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God who shed His own blood on the cross for us. Christ’s redeeming death accomplished a marvelous redemption for us, giving us the forgiveness and washing away of our sins. We can never praise and thank Him enough for His redemption! This is the significance of the blood.
But God doesn’t simply want us to be clean. He wants us to be living. Sin brought in death, making us dead in our offenses and sins. So while an unsaved person needs forgiveness for his sins, forgiveness only solves part of his problem. A sinner needs forgiveness, but a dead person needs life. We need life. Christ’s death absolutely takes away our sins, but it also imparts life into us to make us living. This is the significance of the water.
Life is messy, relationships are messy. Times of stress can strain relationships and we end up hurting each other and destroying the unity we have worked hard for. Satan’s goal is to destroy our unity. Let’s fight together toward living in peace and harmony. God has given us the ability to be patient, kind, and loving through actions and words. Scriptures remind us that it is our responsibility as Christians to lead the way for unity among all nations and people.
A Prayer for Unity: God, We need you. Some days feel so broken and uncertain. We’re hurting, we’re struggling, and we’re aware, more than ever, of our own weaknesses, and of the dark forces that constantly surround us, fighting to gain ground in our lives and families. We choose to stand our ground today and say, “no more.” We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love. We ask that you surround this country and cover us with your mighty hand. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, listen to your words, and be willing to make a difference in this land. Give us courage to speak out. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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Repentance Prayer
Lord Jesus awaken me to hear your voice at this hour when I need you most in this wicked world. Please strengthen me in your hope and tighten your grip on me as I go and renew myself once again. Open my eyes to what I have done to you and myself-respect. Thank you, Jesus, for stirring my heart. I ask you Holy Spirit to put something fresh and alive into my heart and help me work it out for the good of your will. I’m asking you Lord for the forgiveness of my sins and that you will continue to work in my life through thick and thin. Touch me oh Lord while you hold me up. Lord turn me around and teach me how to be obedient to you and your Word. Please change me by your mighty power oh Lord. Oh, Holy Spirit come now and sweep over me and touch me now. Quicken me in your words and deeds. Oh, Jesus, I do need you, I need your touch and your love, forgiveness, please forgive me Lord for being careless and please Lord wake me up to what I have done to you and others. Keep me awake so the enemy can’t deceive me. Remove all my sin and blossom out my growth in you and cleanse me with your blood. I trust you JESUS for hope, cleansing, and forgiveness. I know you will keep me because I am giving you my life right now. I commend my life to you and all that I am and all that I have. To my blessed Jesus. Lord, I thank you for hearing me and becoming my lord and my God of my life. In Jesus Christ Holy Name I Pray, Amen!
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Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Dear Christian, you are to hate and do battle against your sin, but never believe the lie that your sin has affected God’s love for you! You are forgiven of your sin; you are declared to be righteous; you are an adopted child of the Lord God; you are the apple of His eye; you are loved with an everlasting love, and you can count on the faithfulness of God being shown to you forevermore! Praise be to God!
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Our Testimony
Experiencing the Church in our lives we had great things happen to us. After joining the church and the body of believers we found a church home. A place in the country where God encouraged us to be. After receiving information about the church and meeting the pastor. We started to receive many blessings from God. Mostly cause the church’s prayers were un-ending. We thanked the Lord for the many blessings and answered prayers. We have been married for six years and tried to have children. We lost one from being too small. It was so disappointing, that we thought waiting to enter the Kingdom of God would give us the chance to hold our only child.
Soon after entering the church we asked for more prayers. And behold our hearts were filled with Gid’s love. He gave us a baby girl who would soon come into His created world. To give her lover of life and praises back to Him. However, that is not all. We continued to ask the church for more prayers. One day our washer and dryer stopped working. Three days later we received used ones that worked for a long time. Then we started getting other things we needed for our new family. The wife even got her a job helping the handicapped. She got to work with gifted people who had gotten looked over from society.
Our marriage has sparkled since day one of entering into the body of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for this company of people and the answers to their prayers. The church felt like the first church in the book of Acts. We hope that we become a great part of this Church of Christ’s body and we are willing to grow from within it.
“Pray one for another.” — James 5:16
An encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. In all the incense which our Great High Priest now puts into the golden censer, there is not a single grain for Himself. His intercession must be the most acceptable of all supplications — and the more like our prayer is to Christ’s, the sweeter it will be; thus while petitions for ourselves will be accepted, our pleadings for others, having in them more of the fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, more brotherly kindness, will be, through the precious merits of Jesus, the sweetest oblation that we can offer to God, the very fat of our sacrifice. Remember, again, that intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought! The Word of God teems with its marvelous deeds. Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren. When thou hast the King’s ear, speak to Him for the suffering members of His body. When thou art favored to draw very near to His throne, and the King saith to thee, “Ask, and I will give thee what thou wilt,” let thy petitions be, not for thyself alone, but for the many who need His aid. If thou hast grace at all, and art, not an intercessor, that grace must be small as a grain of mustard seed. Thou hast just enough grace to float thy soul clear from the quicksand, but thou hast no deep floods of grace, or else thou wouldst carry in thy joyous bark a weighty cargo of the wants of others, and thou wouldst bring back from thy Lord, for them, rich blessings which but for thee they might not have obtained: — C.S.
“Oh, let my hands forget their skill,
My tongue be silent, cold, and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
If I forget the mercy-seat!”
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Suffering Through it All
Comfort hides secretly in the heart. Great hearts can only be made through great efforts. There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul. Through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is of good spirits.
One word of God is like the giving from a heart of God, and you are the keeper of a Heart of Gold. Let the Spirit of God help you shine on.
You are not poor in heart, you have heard it said, that when a Heart of Gold doesn’t shine on, go to God, ask Him to wax on your heart His joy, and then your joy shall also shine on.
Let a good friend help comfort your heart, because, there are many of life’s issues that seep out so unexpectedly.
I believe that God has set His great heart upon you, He loves you with an everlasting love. A love which many medical drinks of water cannot quench. And which the revolution of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish.
Sometimes the desire to grow makes us feel, “Too little” when in reality we are just the right size for now – and always good enough in God’s eyes.
Love you, friend, you are some kind of wonderful!
Friend, I know that you are suffering from many illnesses. And I am sorry that it has to be this way. But, regardless of your condition – you can handle other tough times as well.
Understand that other people have tougher times, and seeing them go about their difficulties can only bring the strong in spirit down.
I used to go desperately seeking for a “Quick Fix” – turning to alcohol and other drugs – and even struggled with getting cranky and sour. In the latter I still experience. Sometimes I am still confused about what life has to offer me. But I had learned to handle these harried times and to never give up all that this heart of gold has to offer you and me.
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WHAT THE CROSS MEANS TO ME
I. SUFFERING & DEATH ARE PART OF LIFE
–OLD RUGGED CROSS “DESPISED BY WORLD” = FEARED BY WORLD BUT ALL CREATION GOES THROUGH DEATH TO NEW LIFE
I. GOD CARES FOR US ALL!!
–SENT SON—FOR ANY WHO WOULD ACCEPT
II. EVERYDAY OF LIFE BETTER THAN DAY BEFORE BECAUSE OF BEING CLOSER TO ETERNITY (LIKE A CHILD WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS)
For the joy set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2
Throughout our lives, we have opportunities to show God we love Him. Again, we do these things not to earn His love but in response to His unconditional, unstoppable love. Because our hearts burn with the same kind of passion that lives in Him. So, activate that passion in your life today. Worship Him passionately. Seek Him first passionately. Share His love with your family passionately. Reach out to others passionately. Let’s turn our lives, our families, our communities, and the world around for Jesus!
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Oh, Heavenly Father, give my daughters a deep desire to listen to You, Lord and have them pray often. Let the daughters learn early in life that to obey You, God, its the best way to the life their hearts true desires, May my daughters find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach them, hold them, and rescue them. May my daughters please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom? Let my daughters find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and they don’t know what to do, by keeping their eyes fixed on You, Give my daughters a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within them so their ears will turn to Your wisdom, May my daughters keep themselves under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger them. Give my daughters the ability to rise above the traps of people-pleasing so they can keep safe by trusting You, Lord, Let my daughters walk in the security of Your assigned worth of them. Give them a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all their tasks. Give them hearts that desire to extend their hands to those in need. Protect them, Father, for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let them be women of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes them most beautiful, And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” they do so with great grace,
Create in my daughters’ clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within them. May my daughters walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. So they can serve You and hold fast to You. May my daughters be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with them. You will never leave them or forsake them. Like Timothy, may my daughters be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity? May my daughters listen to the way of wisdom and be led in the paths of uprightness. Lord, be with my daughters in trouble; rescue them and honor them. May my daughters honor their father and mother. May my daughters have a love that issues from their pure hearts and a good conscience and a sincere faith? May my daughters think about whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may my daughters think about these things. I pray these things in Jesus Christ Name, amen.
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Oh, Heavenly Father, give me a deep desire to listen to You, Lord and help me to pray often. Allow me to learn early in life to obey You, God, it’s the best way to the life my heart truly desires, May I find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach me, hold me, and rescue me. May I please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom? Let me find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and I don’t know what to do, by keeping my eyes fixed on You, Give me a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within me so my ears will turn to Your wisdom, May I keep myself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger them. Give me the ability to rise above the traps of people-pleasing so I can keep safe by trusting You, Lord, Allow me to walk in the security of Your assigned worth of me. Give me a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all my tasks. Give me a heart that desires to extend my hands to those in need. Protect me, Father, for the right relationships, family, teach me to respect you and godly honor you. And let me be a man of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes me most beautiful, And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” I do so with great grace,
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. May I walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. So I can serve You and hold fast to You. May I be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, my God, who goes with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. Like Timothy, may I be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity? May I learn to listen to the way of wisdom and be led in the paths of uprightness. Lord, be with me in troubles; rescue me and honor me. May I honor You Father? May I have the love that issues from my pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith? May I think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may I think about these things. I pray these things in Jesus Christ Name, amen!
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THE RED SEA IN MY LIFE
In Exodus chapter 14, the Israelites are fleeing from Egypt when they found themselves on the verge of being brought back into slavery or even killed. The sea in front of them and an army behind them, they felt hopeless and impossibly trapped.
Undeniable act of God can lead you safely out. Between the Red Sea and the army that brings death is not a good place to be. It is a scary place to be.
When I find myself in a Red Sea moment, I don’t typically anticipate the sea drying up and everything turning out ok. I don’t expect to walk out on dry land where there was a sea. I can’t imagine a scenario where the powerful army of Pharaoh is going to be swallowed up in defeat. What I do see are bills that are due, I see danger, I see pain, I see discouragement, I see defeat, and it is all I can do to decide if I am going to swing away at the enemy knowing I am not going to make a dent, or just toss aside all God has taught me over a lifetime and surrender.
But the most overlooked aspect of the Red Sea moment is this: it was God who put them there.
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
When God has us firmly entrenched in a Red Sea moment, it requires much prayer, much faith, and much trust. Our deliverance is not going to come quickly or easily, but it will come in such a way that God is glorified. It will become a moment that sustains you through a lifetime of pain and a moment that can be celebrated in times of joy. It’s ok to be afraid, but not ok to let that fear overtake your faith. For faith is stronger than our fear, and God is stronger than any situation we face.
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Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Just as an honored guest in ancient times was welcomed with anointing oil, so Christ invites us to sit down and enjoy fellowship with Him. In the midst of whatever threatens or troubles us, we find refreshment in His presence. After spending time alone with Him in His Word and prayer, our empty cup has been filled to overflowing, and we have the strength to face another day.
The benefits of faithfully following our Shepherd are found in verse 6: “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Everything good that God does for us is covered by this verse. He not only lavishes us with His grace every day of our lives, but one day He will take us home to heaven where we’ll dwell with Him forever. Jesus truly is our good Shepherd.
https://raymond.water.blog/
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Psalm 93:1-5
1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea–the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.
We thank God for his presence in our lives and the knowledge that he will never forsake us, no matter what we face. We praise him for his majesty as we see his mighty works all around us each day. Even as he is from eternity, we rest in the promise that we will go with him into eternity when we leave this temporary place and our earthly bodies we know in this life.
Heavenly Father, I praise you for your majesty, your power, your wisdom and your holiness. I know that I cannot really understand or fathom your greatness or just how awesome you are but you have revealed enough to me that I can know you are God, creator and ruler of all the universe. Yet, I am held in awe that you can know me and love me enough to give your Son to die for my sin so I can live for you now and with you in eternity. Thank you Lord for giving me parents who loved you. Give me a loving heart today. I pray in the name of Jesus.
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John 19:32-34 includes details about Jesus’ crucifixion not recorded in the other three Gospels:
“The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other man who had been crucified with Him. But coming to Jesus, when they saw that He had already died, they did not break His legs; but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.”
Hours after the Lord Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals who were crucified with Him. The Romans routinely broke the legs of crucified prisoners to hasten their deaths, but since Jesus had already died, they left His legs unbroken. One of them, though, pierced His side with a spear, and out came blood and water.
What is the meaning of these details found uniquely in John? Why did he include them? Some think it was simply to prove Jesus had died. But John already established the fact that Jesus had died by writing that the soldiers saw He had died and therefore didn’t break His legs. So why did John include this word about blood and water? What does it mean?
The picture of blood and water
The note on blood and water in the New Testament Recovery Version is tremendously helpful in understanding this picture.
“Two substances came out of the Lord’s pierced side: blood and water. Blood is for redemption, to deal with sins (1:29; Heb. 9:22) for the purchasing of the church (Acts 20:28). Water is for imparting life, to deal with death (12:24; 3:14-15) for the producing of the church (Eph. 5:29-30). The Lord’s death, on the negative side, takes away our sins, and on the positive side, imparts life into us. Hence, it has two aspects: the redemptive aspect and the life-imparting aspect. The redemptive aspect is for the life-imparting aspect.”
This note helps us see that the blood and water signify two important matters: redemption (blood) and the imparting of life (water). In another post, we discussed the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God who shed His own blood on the cross for us. Christ’s redeeming death accomplished a marvelous redemption for us, giving us the forgiveness and washing away of our sins. We can never praise and thank Him enough for His redemption! This is the significance of the blood.
But God doesn’t simply want us to be clean. He wants us to be living. Sin brought in death, making us dead in our offenses and sins. So while an unsaved person needs forgiveness for his sins, forgiveness only solves part of his problem. A sinner needs forgiveness, but a dead person needs life. We need life. Christ’s death absolutely takes away our sins, but it also imparts life into us to make us living. This is the significance of the water.
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Life is messy, relationships are messy. Times of stress can strain relationships and we end up hurting each other and destroying the unity we have worked hard for. Satan’s goal is to destroy our unity. Let’s fight together toward living in peace and harmony. God has given us the ability to be patient, kind, and loving through actions and words. Scriptures remind us that it is our responsibility as Christians to lead the way for unity among all nations and people.
A Prayer for Unity: God, We need you. Some days feel so broken and uncertain. We’re hurting, we’re struggling, and we’re aware, more than ever, of our own weaknesses, and of the dark forces that constantly surround us, fighting to gain ground in our lives and families. We choose to stand our ground today and say, “no more.” We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love. We ask that you surround this country and cover us with your mighty hand. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, listen to your words, and be willing to make a difference in this land. Give us courage to speak out. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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