Prayers Devotionals

  Matthew 7:13-14 Have you ever been accused of being a narrow-minded Christian? Those who level such accusations against us certainly mean it as an insult. According to Jesus, however, that’s the only way to walk if we want to experience abundant life now and eternal life with Him in heaven. But it will require a deliberate choice on our part, because no one automatically drifts onto this pathway. The broad way is easy to find. In fact, unless you make a conscious choice to avoid it, you’ll find yourself on it. Most people like this wide path because it encompasses all philosophies and belief systems. Everything is acceptable, and everyone’s “truth” is valid. It even seems like the loving path because no one is left out. There are no restrictions, and freedom is unlimited. Or is it? What those who travel this road fail to realize is that it’s a downward descent into destruction. All the promises it gives of satisfaction and fulfillment end in disappointment because it’s a path without

And God's glory is intrinsic. (belonging to the essential nature of a thing : occurring as a natural part of something). Whether you recognize it or not. There are two created things that do not recognize God's glory: Satan and his angels, and mankind. Men tend to believe that life is all about them.  God created us for His glory, not for our own. Most of us are anthropomorphic, which means we are (man-centered), rather than theocentric, which means (God-centered). We tend to ask, "What's in it for me?" But that's God's question, not ours. God's glory is His own passion. He is seeking the highest glory for Himself, and rightly so because He is the greatest in every way. God's glory is the chief end of all things. You will know if someone has a heart for God based on whether or not they are seeking His glory. Your growth will always be demonstrated in an increased passion for His name, His glory, and His recognition.  He Can Use Anyone.

 A late pastor once said, “If the Devil can’t beat the church, he will join the church!” How prophetic his statement was, and how sad that we are seeing the proliferation of sexual abuse in the very places that should be safe and trustworthy. https://biblehub.com/psalms/27-1.htm

Freedom Is Mission God desires to save us and set us free. What are we to do with our freedom? We are tasked to serve Him. How? For starters - What about helping people who are still enslaved by sins? Prayer: Lord, thank you for releasing me from my bondage. Enable me Lord to serve You by helping those who are still struggling so that they too can be free from oppression. In Jesus' name Amen.

 I will declare thy name unto my brethren . . . —Psalm 22:22 There are those near you in your own community who need the regenerating power of Christ. You can call them by name. I suggest that you make a list and begin by spending time in prayer for them. Ask God to show you how to witness to them and how to win them. Their lives can be transformed by the message you give them. You are to share this Gospel you have received. If Christ has done anything for you, then share it. In so doing, you are showing mercy! As you have received the mercy of God by the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life-thus you are to show mercy! And in showing mercy you will not only receive mercy but you will find a stimulating happiness! Prayer for the day As I close my eyes in prayer, let me see the faces of those who need to know You, beloved Savior.

Sooner or later we will be asked to make such a choice: "What shall I do with Jesus?" Will we be like Pilate who chose safety and thus washed his hands of his responsibility? Or will we stand up for Jesus and defend what He represents? Prayer: Lord, give me the boldness to accept my duty and exercise my God-given obligation to take a stand and defend those facing injustice in my workplace, my church and at home. Grant me also the wisdom to deal with the situation with Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29 NKJV). All too often we’re tempted because we’ve put ourselves in a place of vulnerability. We’ve put ourselves in a place where we shouldn’t be. Maybe you’ve found yourself hanging out with the wrong people at the wrong time, about to do the wrong thing. Then you wondered how it happened. How did it happen? You set yourself up for a fall. Jesus was always in the will of God. He said, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29 NKJV). Except for the moment on the cross when all the sin of the world was placed upon Jesus as our substitute, He never was out of harmony with the Father. It’s worth noting that Jesus never did a miracle for His own benefit. If Jesus had to get from point A to point B, He walked there like anyone else. Thus, Jesus got tired like we do. Jesus got sleepy like we

. . . our Lord Jesus Christ . . . which hath loved us . . . comfort your hearts . . . —2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Christ is the answer to sorrow. When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.” In your sorrow, turn to God. There are thousands of people who have turned to God, but you may be still carrying your burdens. God begs of you, “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You who must go through the valley of the shadow of death, you who must say goodbye to those whom you have loved, you who suffer privation and misery, you who are unjustly persecuted for righteousness’ sake-take heart, take courage. Our Christ is more than adequate for sorrow. Prayer for the day In sorrow, Jesus, Your comfort will take

 John the Baptist: Despite this great calling on his life and his widespread popularity, John was a very humble guy. You might say that John’s motto was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). He understood exactly what his role was. His mission was to get out of the way and prepare people for Jesus. And that’s our mission as well.

It isn’t God’s, it isn’t your pastor’s, and it isn’t your spouse’s. The only one who can guarantee that you enjoy a strong faith is YOU. Feeding your faith is the seed; hearing it, again and again, is how you water the seed and build faith. Prayer God, please help me to continue to have faith in you that things will get better for me and my family. Please help me to stay positive and to keep the devil’s evil ways away from me and my thoughts. In your name, I pray. Amen  

  Accept Your Roots   The bible records the genealogy of God's people. Because where we come from is important. Hence, stop rejecting yourself. Rather, know that God does not make mistakes. Accept who you are and work with what you have. You will have a blessed life.   Prayer: Lord, thank You for who I am, and that You have a good plan for me. It is great to know that I am wonderfully made by You and pleasing in Your sight. My whole life is written in Your book of life. In Jesus' name. Amen. http://sirteddy.com/roots.mp3

  We might as well face it, strife has even infiltrated our church life. It is true enough that the Church is now the Church militant. But, as such, its warfare ought to be that of dedication to revealed truth and divine holiness, and not intramural bickering and carnal disputes. We read in the second chapter of Luke that Joseph and Mary lost Jesus one day. Where did they lose Him? They lost Him in the most unlikely place in all the world-the Temple. I have seen many people lose Jesus right in the church. I hav e seen them lose Him in a dispute about who was to be choir director, who was to play the organ, who was to be an elder, or who was to be the minister. Yes, because we are human, though Christian, it is easy to lose sight of Jesus right in the temple! Prayer for the day Don't let me lose sight of You, Lord, in the complex logistics of everyday life.

  Mark 16:15-20 Although the message is always the same, methods of making it known are many—including the spoken word, music, printed material, and electronic media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God's people. It is every Chr istian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission. Some Christians think that this role is given only to pastors, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front ministry." But all of us have the responsibility to be involved in whatever way we are able and in whatever opportunity God gives us. Not everybod y is called to go abroad as a missionary, but we all can give, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lord has done for us. When you're truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of us—nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limiting factor