Prayers Devotionals

  Cradle Christians don't necessarily Know Jesus. You don't need a priest to talk to God for you, you can do that at Any time, Any where. He is with Every single one of us. Even in our minds, so you can talk to Him that way, even if you're surrounded by people, you can think "I love You, God, please help me", and He hears you.    Jesus wants a Relationship with you, not for you to "have" religion.   

  Many people claim to have a relationship with Jesus but don’t think going to church is necessary. Some think, “Can’t I just listen to Christian radio, sermon podcasts, or watch online instead of attending worship services weekly?” This is selfish and prideful thinking. Meeting together regularly is never about us, it’s about the community of believers. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. HEBREWS 10:24 In today’s passage, the author of Hebrews inspires and strengthens the readers for their regular sacrifice of gathering in worship. The author begins by grounding the importance of meeting together in what Jesus has already done for them. The Savior made a way through His death for sinners to be in God the Father’s presence. Jesus’ death made it possible for us to enter God’s throne room, too (vv. 19–21). Sinners can draw near to God because their sin has been washed away by the power of Christ’s atonement (v. 22). As a result, the author urges bel

Our Heavenly Father Matthew 6:8-13 When Christ taught His disciples to pray, He told them to address God as "Our Father." They had previously heard Jesus say, "My Father," but now they, too, shared in that privileged family relationship. All of us who has been born again into the household of God have this same right. Since our concepts of God are shaped by our earthly fathers, we all have different perceptions of Him, but Jesus is the only one who has a completely accurate understanding of the heavenly Father. Consider some of the ways He cares for His children: • Loves: God's love is unconditional, since it's based on His nature rather than our performance (1 John 4:16). • Listens: When we pray, He gives us His full attention (Ps. 55:16-17). • Provides: The Father assumes responsibility for meeting all our needs (Phil. 4:19). * Guides: He is the one who directs our path when we trust in Him (Prov. 3:5-6). • Protects: The Lord shields us spiritually, emotio

  The great sin of the Bible is to live independently of God, to try to live as if God does not exist. Satan wants you to become like him—in rebellion against God. Satan wants you to stop thinking like a manager and start thinking like an owner. Yet God wants you to faithfully steward that which He has placed in your care by looking to Him as the owner of all.

  ANTICIPATING CHRIST'S RETURN  1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 I am becoming completely dependent on the Maps app on my phone. If my GPS failed to alert me when to turn, I would be constantly lost. Driving in any city can be a headache but knowing that my route has been mapped out makes it a little easier and less stressful. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16 At first the Thessalonians thought they might have missed Christ’s return. Paul acted as their GPS and wrote them a letter informing them they hadn’t missed a thing. So, every day they woke up wondering if today would be THE day. They also questioned what would happen to those who died before Christ’s return. Would they see them again, or would they be gone forever? Again, Paul informs them that those who have died (that is, fallen asleep) will return with Jesus at His returning (v. 14). Many refer to this as the Rapture (v. 16). He says this eve

  Paul makes it clear that the teaching and counseling of the church should not rest solely on the pastor’s shoulders. Every member has the responsibility to instruct and inform one another, based of course on godly wisdom. One of the main ways Paul suggests that we teach and admonish one another is through sharing music or poetry. We are to do so out of a heart of gratitude, not out of an ulterior or selfish motive. Whatever we do, especially when it comes to teaching and instructing our fellow believers, we do so humbly and in the name of Jesus (v. 17). As you attend your local church this Sunday, take a moment to express your appreciation to the musicians or worship leaders. We are so thankful for those who use their musical gifts to bless and encourage us. Then, consider sharing one of your favorite psalms, hymn, or Christian songs on social media.

CHURCH IS HARD.  Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement. Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body. Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world. Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t. Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service. Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families. Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service. Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child. Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics. Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader. Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man. Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love. Church is hard for the single woman and

 "Avoid foolish questions." — Titus 3:9 Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we s

  God, who is so gracious and merciful, hears their cry and rescues them. But all too often, people abandon God after He has delivered them—after He has put their marriage back on track, after He has led them to get a job, after He has freed them from their addiction. In effect, they’re saying, “Thanks, God! Until the next crisis!” But in doing this, they’re actually missing out. That’s because the real blessing of coming to faith is not just being rescued from a crisis. That is one of the fringe benefits, but the real blessing is knowing God and bringing Him glory. Yet so many people miss this. They want only what they can get from God, and when they’ve gotten it, they abandon Him. The greatest blessing of all is walking with God and knowing Him. G.H.

Why wouldn't you want more people praying for & with you? So why would you limit asking for prayer to just a few people or groups, you do know there's power in prayer, don't you? There's no shame in asking more than 1 person to pray for you or just to 1 single group of people, there's power in prayer and the more people you ask the wonder working power of prayer. Yes I know there are those that don't want anybody to know there business, so I can understand that, now posting it online you don't have to say there name you can use for a friend or a very special person as I have seen, yet to just ask 1 certain prayer group to help and not others that is just a waste, you know the more prayerful the prayer God hears any and all but if you have 2 or more and I mean MORE praying for you or another it would seem to me, it would be most pleasing to God. Right now are you praying for our country to get back or keep fighting the fight of morality and keep us a Chri

THERE YOU ARE!  Philippians 2:1–4  It’s been said that there are two types of people in the world. I’m not talking about the “Haves” and “Have Nots” or introverts and extroverts. There are “Here I am!” people and “There you are!” people. The “Here I am!” people walk into a room with a look-at-me attitude and a mouth full of their accomplishments. But “There you are!” people walk into a room and immediately show genuine interest in somebody else. They inquire about and ask questions to really get to know someone, to make a deep connection. God is in the business of turning “Here I am!” Christians into “There you are!” Christians. In humility value others above yourselves. PHILIPPIANS 2:3 In today’s passage, Paul reminds the Philippians they are to treat one another with humility and love, just like Jesus. He begins in verse one with four rhetorical questions reminding the Philippian Christians that, since they have received these things, what follows is how they must behave. Paul says t

C. S. Lewis Daily 11-16-2022 Prudence means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it. Nowadays most people hardly think of Prudence as one of the ‘virtues’. In fact, because Christ said we could only get into His world by being like children, many Christians have the idea that, provided you are ‘good’, it does not matter being a fool. But that is a misunderstanding. In the first place, most children show plenty of ‘prudence’ about doing the things they are really interested in, and think them out quite sensibly. In the second place, as St Paul points out, Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary. He told us to be not only ‘as harmless as doves’, but also ‘as wise as serpents’. He wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert

  SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER Some may think that submission means defeat and loss of control. For example, in a match, the losing wrestler is forced into submission. It is no wonder that when we read the word submit in the Bible our defensive walls go up. We don’t like the idea of submitting to anyone or anything. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. EPHESIANS 5:21 Paul’s teaching on submission in Ephesians 5 follows his urging that we “live as children of light” (v. 9) and in ways that please the Lord (v. 10). He begins with a general statement. As Christ followers, we are to “submit to one another” (v. 21). The word submit is typically used within a military context. For example, a private is under the rank of a general and therefore submits to the ranking member. The private shows the utmost respect, dignity, and honor to the general, but the general also bears responsibility to care for each person under his charge. Paul wants believers in a marriage to show a similar atti

 " Paul Harvey Letter From God"

 Often when trials come, we can feel that God has forgotten about us. Sometimes our sinful disobedience has lead us to believe that God has rejected us forever. Just as God was merciful to the Israelites, He is good and merciful to us too. The Lord does not hold sins against us. He remains faithful today and always. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger abounding in love. His love endures forever.  When you are faced with a decision to follow God or to follow the world, your choice will reflect which one you love most.

The Problem of Habitual Sin Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. (1 John 3:9 NLT) Judas was able to do the wicked things that he did because he never really knew Jesus. Sure, he knew about Him. In fact, he knew about Him more than most people did. But he never personally knew Jesus. Judas’s life could be summed up by this statement about him: “So he went his way” (Luke 22:4 NKJV). He lived the way that he wanted to live. If you can habitually commit sin without any remorse, that’s a clear indicator that you don’t know God. There are a lot of people running around today saying, “I’m a believer. I’m a follower of Jesus.” Yet, if they can persist in sin, something isn’t right. The Bible doesn’t say that a Christian won’t sin, only that a Christian won’t habitually sin.

C. S. Lewis Daily TO VERA GEBBERT, who had told Lewis of her pregnancy and of her having read Isaiah 66:9 from the Bible she kept open on her dining table: On not wishing to be pregnant. 23 March 1953 Your first story (about mistaking [your pregnancy] for seasickness) is one of the funniest I ever heard. In our country there are usually alterations of shape which would throw grave doubts on the sea-sick hypothesis!... but no doubt you manage things better in America. Any way, congratulations and encouragements. As to wishing it had not happened, one can’t help momentary wishes: guilt begins only when one embraces them. You can’t help their knocking at the door, but one mustn’t ask them in to lunch. And no doubt you have many feelings on the other side. I am sure you felt as I did when I heard my first bullet, ‘This is War: this is what Homer wrote about.’ For, all said and done, a woman who has never had a baby and a man who has never been either in a battle or a storm at sea, are, in

Why do so many people ignore the Bible and its message week after week? My experience with “born-again believers,” which is what they used to call themselves, is that they spend less time reading the Bible and more time listening to their preachers. In other words, while some fundamentalist believers do read the Bible routinely as they believe that they should do, others also believe that they should read it but they don’t actually read it; instead, they listen to what their preacher says the Good Book means. I suspect that the second group outnumbers the first. In any case, when professed Christians ignore the Bible, it’s safe to assume they are ignoring those parts that they (and their preacher) don’t think are very important or might get in the way of what they want to believe.

Moses and Aaron

EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES In the late fall, football teams that thrive have usually remained healthy and each teammate embraces his unique contribution. Can you imagine a team where a defensive lineman tries to play quarterback? Or a running back wants to be punter? Instead, each player makes a contribution that, when everyone works together, makes the team strong and successful. The body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:14 Paul reminds us in our text today that the body of Christ ought to function as a team. Even though there are many diverse people in the family of God, we are to function as one (vv. 12, 14). What makes it possible for believers to become one “body” is the saving work of Jesus Christ (v. 13). Paul shows a bit of his humorous side here to make a point: even though there are different personalities and gifts within the church, you are all one body. He begins by addressing those in the body who may feel neglected or excluded. The foot does not

Understanding Guilt John 8:1-11 Guilt over doing something that violates the conscience is a normal emotion. However, living under a cloud of remorse for no discernible reason is not. The Lord designed feelings of culpability and regret to serve as a reminder that a person has done wrong and needs to repent. But Satan twists those emotions to imprison men and women: those living in shame are uncertain of God's love and often lack self-confidence. Good guilt--the Lord's effective tool for prompting repentance--is a gift that helps us find the right path. However, the Devil encourages false guilt, which involves taking responsibility for things outside our control and then suffering self-condemnation for not changing the outcome. This unhealthy type of guilt is also a widespread problem for those in legalistic churches or lifestyles--certain behaviors or thoughts are labeled as wrong, and then people feel ashamed for doing or thinking those things. Self-condemnation stunts a re

Victory Over Unforgiveness Daniel 6 Immediately after teaching His followers to pray, Jesus gave a warning about allowing unforgiveness to reside in the heart. He said that those who refuse to forgive others won't be forgiven by the Father. Do not misunderstand Jesus' meaning here. Believers don't lose their salvation when they refuse to forgive. Rather, they break fellowship with God because their unrepentant attitude gets in the way of regular confession and repentance. The Lord cannot ignore sin, and His Spirit will bring wrong behavior to the believer's attention until he or she deals with it. Forgiveness is an act of the will more than an act of the heart. Often people don't feel like being merciful to someone who has wronged them. But a resentful spirit grows into a terrible burden. The Lord knows that forgiveness is best, even when it is difficult. You won't deal with a sin until you see it as God does. So assume full responsibility for your unforgiving a

UNSPOKEN PRAYER REQUEST (where do you stand?) (Lets face it people ask for unspoken request all the time, so what is the right answer for this, as a believer in the power of prayer I just pray for them, so looking around and there are so many more opinions on this out there here are 4 I found, are they the right answer I don't know it's up to you to decide so with that I say just pray for them and give it to God our Father in Heaven and Jesus our Lord and Savior. Now there are those that are just looking for something to gossip about, so you can relate as to why some people don't as they say want there business out there. So with that just pray and include it in your prayers we all know God is listening, and he knows, yes he knows.) How do you pray for those with unspoken prayer requests? Lord Jesus, I pray today for those with unspoken prayer requests, those whose hurts are too deep to be spoken, those whose hearts are too broken. I pray for those who can't dress their

LAWSUITS AND ONE ANOTHER What should you do when a disagreement escalates between believers? We realize that we are all sinners, and sin can draw a wedge between people. As Christians, we are not spared from these conflicts. But is legal action advisable between two Christians who clash? Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other. EPHESIANS 4:32 In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses some believers in Corinth who were at odds with one another. The situation had become so hostile that they were going to court. Notice Paul’s dismay when he writes, “[D]o you dare to take it before the ungodly?” (v. 1). Paul was not concerned that the Corinthian judges were unjust, but that believers would sue one another before an unrighteous judge and spectators. In Corinth, the judge’s seat, known as the bema seat, was in the center of the town square. You can still see some court houses in town centers today. And much like today, lawsuits then were public knowledge. While cable news did

LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER Romans 16:1–20 The Cavalry Scouts are the eyes and ears on the field for the United States Army, collecting information about enemy locations, weapons, and activity. This vital group helps commanders make informed decisions. Churches need scouts too, not for military action, but for spiritual warfare. Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way. ROMANS 16:17 Some scholars think Romans 16 shouldn’t even be included in the book of Romans. Let’s face it, who would really miss a list of strange names? But I think, that after Paul talked about how strong and weak believers should get along and work together in chapters 14 and 15, he was reminded of some of his family and friends at the church in Rome who knew how to work together. These were the people who made up a church that the entire world was noticing (1:8). This church had grabbed the attention of the selfishly false teachers in Rome. Paul urged them to be Christian “scouts” for o

JUDGING ONE ANOTHER A student once asked me, “Professor, how do you minister to people in the gray areas of life?” After a lengthy conversation, we concluded that we can either focus on making a point or making a difference in that person’s life. Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. ROMANS 14:12 Paul speaks on the subject of how we relate to differences within the body of Christ, saying that “each one of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (v. 12). He then addresses how (“therefore”) we, as believers, should judge one another. Some Roman Christians were judging other Christians based on specific practices: what they ate or what days they kept as sacred. They did this with a condemning attitude. Paul encouraged them to stop making a point and to start making a difference in how they treated one another. To live in unity with one another they should stop passing judgment about “disputable matters” (14:1). Instead, “make up your mind” not to put a stumbling block

A Commitment to Obey Psalms 1 The Bible declares the Lord's great power and majesty while also revealing His deep mercy and love. He is worthy of wholehearted, passionate submission, but He doesn't often get it. Are you among the few who offer themselves to Him without reservation? Complete obedience is a choice to follow God regardless of the consequences. This means that we obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different path or when suffering or embarrassment is guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important than our own comfort or personal ambition. We commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises: He will never leave us (Heb. 13:5), and He makes good out of every situation (Rom. 8:28). Notice the word 'commitment' in the title of today's devotion. I'm not writing about obedience that is born of the moment (as in, I choose to follow God in this instance) but about submission as a way of life. Setting restrictions on compliance is so tempt

 Paul adds another element of living in harmony with one another: humility. Being humble and not proud is reflected in Romans 12:3: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” As C. S. Lewis states, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” When we think of ourselves less, we think more of others and see everyone as Jesus does, with immeasurable value. Christians are to include and interact with everyone.

Forgive No amount of suffering can exempt us from the Lord’s commandment - Forgive those who have hurt us. For unforgiveness is venom that eats into our soul - causing us pain and eventual death to the many wonderful human relationships that God lovingly intends for us - So forgive! Prayer: Lord, I know that my unforgiveness towards others causes tremendous harm. Please help to renew my mind, so I will see my offenders with your eyes. I make the decision to forgive right now, as you have done for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

C. S. Lewis Daily On fasting The problem about avoiding our own pain admits a similar solution. Some ascetics have used self-torture. As a layman, I offer no opinion on the prudence of such a regimen; but I insist that, whatever its merits, self-torture is quite a different thing from tribulation sent by God. Everyone knows that fasting is a different experience from missing your dinner by accident or through poverty. Fasting asserts the will against the appetite—the reward being self-mastery and the danger pride: involuntary hunger subjects appetites and will together to the Divine will, furnishing an occasion for submission and exposing us to the danger of rebellion. But the redemptive effect of suffering lies chiefly in its tendency to reduce the rebel will. Ascetic practices, which in themselves strengthen the will, are only useful in so far as they enable the will to put its own house (the passions) in order, as a preparation for offering the whole man to God. They are necessary a

Psalms 23:1-2 https://biblehub.com/parallel/psalms/23-1.htm https://biblehub.com/parallel/psalms/23-2.htm

Humbled and Healed Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. (2 Kings 5:1 NKJV) The great Syrian general Naaman was famous. He was celebrated. But he also had leprosy, and at that time, leprosy was incurable. However, Naaman heard about a prophet in Israel named Elisha, whom God had used to heal people. Naaman made the journey to meet with Elisha, no doubt expecting that as soon as he rolled in with his entourage, the prophet would come to greet him and promptly heal him. However, when Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha sent his servant with a message for the general: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10 NKJV). This offended Namaan. He effectively thought, “What? He didn’t even come out to greet me! I’m going home. We have better r