714PRAYER – January 8, 2019

Open Blinded Eyes

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul makes an interesting statement about this those who have turned their back on God. They not only practice unrighteousness, but they give hearty approval of those who practice these things. (Rom. 1:32)

This comment is lived out on the streets, in the news, and on screens across the country. Things that would have made our society blush just a few years ago are now flaunted before the world with pride. Now they are even encouraged and viewed as normal.

Their sin has allowed Satan to blind them to the truth. They are living out Judges 17 where “every man was doing right in his own eyes.”

Today we’re asking God to open blinded eyes across our county. Giving spiritual sight to those who have been blinded to the sin their lives and those around them. They need a healing touch from the Father’s hand. Before they can repent, their eyes must be opened to their sin. They need a vision of the holiness and righteousness of God. (more…)

Recipe for ThanksLiving

If you live in the United States, “Happy Thanksgiving!” If not, this teaching will still be helpful.

Like many families, the next few days will be filled with family, friends, food, and thanks.

ThanksLiving is a lifestyle of thankfulness.

Thankfulness isn’t just for Thanksgiving. Thankfulness should be a part of every thriving Christian’s life. But for many of us, we get so caught up in all the details of life and forget to be thankful for all the blessings God has brought into our life.

No matter what situation you’re in, you can find something to be thankful for. We all know it’s true, but it’s easy to rush through the day forgetting to stop and be thankful.

Here is a simple recipe for building a life of ThanksLiving. (more…)

714PRAYER – God Moves in Response to Our Prayer

God moves in response to our prayer. Prayer is at the heartbeat of the Christian life. God invites us to bring our every need to Him in prayer. He invites us into His presence as His children. The very throne room of God is open to us, and we are to come boldly into His presence.

As Christians, we are often reluctant to pray. We consider prayer as a last effort instead of a first response. Too often we talk about prayer, but don’t spend the time before God in prayer. The book of James puts it this way,

You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. – James 4:2 (NASB)

We do not have because we do not ask. Could it be that God is waiting for us to pray before He moves in power? How many nights have we spent in worry instead of in prayer? How many days have we lived in fear because we haven’t brought our needs and concerns to the Lord? How many times have we spend 2 minutes in prayer and then 2 hours in distress? (more…)

714PRAYER – Pray for Pastors

714PRAYER is all about praying for spiritual awakening and revival in our nation, our church and in ourselves. Thank you for your commitment to join me each week in praying for spiritual renewal.

This week our focus is on praying for our spiritual leaders.

Rarely a week goes by without a news story of a pastor or Christian leader who has been caught or confesses a moral defeat.

It seems the Kingdom of darkness is working overtime to bring down our pastors and spiritual leaders. Satan knows that if he can destroy a pastor, it will affect the church, the Christians in the church and the Kingdom’s reputation in the community.

If he is not successful in tempting a pastor with compromise, he will try and beat him or her down with discouragement. With so many churches struggling, it’s easy for a pastor to feel discouraged and disheartened. (more…)

Five Lies Christians Believe – Part 3

As Christians, we know we are to confess our sin. However, how we define confessing our sin and what the Bible means by confessing our sin may not agree.

Our definition of confession means to agree or admit something. Television shows like Law and Order play out the scene in the courtroom. The tension builds as the attorney grills the person on the stand. “Were you with the victim the night of the murder? Is this your knife that was used in the crime? Did, in fact, you no longer loved your wife? As the person on the stand becomes more emotional and sweat forms on his forehead, the District Attorney points to him and says, “Sir, did you kill your wife?” The man on the stand burst into tears and confesses “yes, yes I killed her.” I confess.

When we confess our sin, we are acknowledging to God that we committed a particular sin. We have the promise of 1 John 1:9 that God forgives our sin when we confess the sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Now here is the lie, what if nothing changes? What if after confessing that sin, I continue to repeat that sin again and again? (more…)

We Need a Spiritual Awakening

Watch any newscast for more than 5 minutes, and you realize our country is in deep trouble. Our screens are plastered with news of new scandals, divisions, and violence. Deception and immorality have become the norm instead of the exception. From politics to business and even in the church scandal seems to be the word of the day.

As hard as we may try, it’s obvious we don’t have the answers to the problems our country is facing. New programs, leaders, and ideas always seem to take us down the same road of hopelessness, fear, and anger.

What we need is a fresh work of God in our country, our churches and even in our lives. (more…)

When You Pray – Our Father

Jesus had the richest prayer life of anyone who has ever walked on this Earth. The Disciples saw Jesus do many things, from feeding the crowds to healing the sick and even raising the dead, but when they saw Him pray they were amazed. One day the disciples asked, “Teach us how to pray.” I have a feeling they were asking, “Jesus, teach us how to pray the way you pray.”

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the model prayer. Traditionally, it’s called the Lord’s prayer, but it was really a model designed to teach us how to pray.

Jesus began the model prayer with the words “Our Father.” What words do you use when you pray? How do you address God? (more…)

The Power of Persistent Prayer – Part 3

Over the last two weeks, we have talked a lot about the power of persistent prayer. Persistent prayer is prayer that doesn’t give up. It is prayer that holds onto God until the answer comes. Persistent prayer says, “I will keep on praying until something happens, or God tells me to stop praying.”

Today we are going to look at the second part of that statement. Are there times when God tells you to stop praying for something or someone? (more…)