Known to God: Bruce's Prayer Blog

Mt 15:7-8

2009-02-07T23:20:00.002-05:00

"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay longer over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" ~ Matthew 15:7-8 (ESV)

Father, you are a God of justice, and one day you will enact your justice throughout the earth. But, you are also a God of patience. You were patient with the Israelites, from the beginning. And you are patient with people still today. I pray that during this time, while there is still time, you will change peoples' hearts and let them hear Jesus calling them. Change their hearts and let them know of your greatness and love. And I pray that I and others who have been adopted as your children will not lose heart or grow weary of waiting for our reward and justification. Give us the strength and spirit to use this time wisely for your glory. I pray that I will be among the faithful because you have made me persevere to the end. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Missions Monday

2009-02-02T17:23:00.000-05:00

Father, you are a missionary God. You are not only the supreme ruler, and not only master, but you are the loving father who made a way for helpless, rebellious people to be reconciled to you. And you did this for your glory and renown. Let all the earth praise your name.

Father, I ask that you bless the ministry of T, the new worker in Slovakia. Give him courage to risk for your name. Open the hearts and ears of those who hear of you through him and his fellow workers. Use T and other believers in Slovakia to change the world around them.

I pray for M and her coworkers in Asia. Give them boldness to speak of your love. Open doors for them to spread your good news. Work in the hearts of those people who have surrendered to you through M's ministry, and use those new believers to reach their families and friends. Make your glory spread through Asia. Keep M and her coworkers healthy and satisfied in you.

I pray for Ionel and the other workers in Romania. Give them words to speak as they reach out to the people around them.

I pray for the Martinez's in South America. Bless their work and grow their churches through your Spirit.

And I pray that you would help me be a missionary in my world.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

reformation

2009-02-01T17:03:00.002-05:00

"‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your
servant your greatness and your mighty hand.
For what god is there in heaven or on earth who
can do such works and mighty acts as yours?"
~ Dt. 3:24, ESV

Father, you truly are great and wondrous. You created the entire universe--its vast reaches and unfathomable expanse--by your own will. And you created every single human, including me. And you did all this for the glory of your name.

And you sustain everything by your power, according to your will, for your glory. May all creation praise you and tell of your magnificence.

Teach me your word. Give me a heart to know you and live for you. Let my passion in life be to bring you glory and enjoy you forever.

And let my passion for you overflow in front of others. Let me be a witness for you. Make me a city on a hill; make me live so that people see you working through me and give you glory. Bring me opportunities to share your good news, and give me the words to speak when those opportunities appear to me.

Bless my church family; unite our hearts together as the body of Christ. Let us experience the fullness of your Spirit, and use us to present your glory and grace to our community and throughout the world. Teach us your word and give us hearts to love your truth.

Teach me to use my career for your glory. Teach me to work for you and not for worldly purposes.

I ask these things confidently by the name of Jesus, my high priest and advocate before you. Amen.

more on prayer

2009-01-03T14:11:00.001-05:00

More on prayer from Desiring God:

9 ways to pray for your soul

What to pray for our children

Desiring God prayer week

2008-12-31T10:07:00.003-05:00

A few recent Desiring God posts on prayer:

Promises of Answered Prayer
"The best way to strengthen our faith and our resolve is to read what God has promised to those who pray. Here is a sampling:"

10 Reasons to Pray the Scriptures
"Here are some of the reasons you should pray and meditate over biblical truth."

What Should we Pray for?
"One way to answer this question is to look at what the early church prayed for. Here is a list gathered from the New Testament. It can guide you in how you pray. "

long absence

2008-09-27T13:35:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted for more than 3 weeks.

Since my last post, I've finished reading the Gospel of Mark and Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God. But, that's about it as far as spiritual things. I've been so busy now that I'm back at school and teaching Earth Science, Biology and World Religions. I have a Google Reader that is piling up with posts from Desiring God, Church Matters, etc. I have 58 unread posts on Challies Dot Com alone.

So, for the two people I know who read this blog--assuming one of them hasn't given up--I can ask for your prayers that I find a way to manage my time and get back on track.

Missions Monday - part 2

2008-09-01T10:10:00.002-04:00

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."
Matthew 9:37, ESV

Jennifer checked the mail this morning; she hadn't checked it since Friday. And when she opened a package, it contained two library books-by-mail: one for Charlotte and one for me. The book for me is J.I. Packer's Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God. It seems to be a short book, and I look forward to starting it later this afternoon.

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Father, there are billions of people in this world who are living their lives as your enemies. They do not know you, and they sin against you constantly. If only they could come to know you and your great love. In the name of Jesus, I pray that you will send out missionaries into the world to share your good news. Send missionaries into the unreached nations; send missionaries who are willing to risk themselves for your glory and the salvation of those trapped by earthly lusts. And let your church be missionary in their hometowns. Give us a heart for reaching our neighbors. Send your Spirit ahead of us to open the hearts of those to whom we minister. For we do not bring them worldly wisdom; we do not speak with eloquent words. But instead we seek to demonstrate your Spirit.

Amen.

Missions Monday

2008-09-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

John Piper recently posted about praying for the suffering church in Orissa, India, where Christians are being blamed--and killed--by Hindus for the murder of a Hindu leader. Even though a communist revolutionary group has claimed responsibility for the murder, the Hindus insist the murder was part of a Christian missionary plot.

Piper cited Hebrews 13:3 as an example of why to pray for the suffering church.

“Remember those...who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”

I'd also like to add Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV):

Then the King will say those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

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Father, your word says that Christians are being killed daily. "Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered." Yet your word also tells us, "in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us." Because of you, those of us who have been adopted into your family cannot be put to shame. We cannot lose our inheritance. We will be victorious when all things are made known.

Father, bring comfort to those in your church who are suffering through this persecution. Let them know that you are in control. Let them know that all things work for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purposes.

And I pray that in this time of trial, you will use your people in India to show your love and glory. May the Christians of that nation encourage one another and show forgiveness to those who seek to take their lives. May they be like Stephen, who as he was being stoned, saw your glory and sought his killers' salvation.

May those trapped in the evil of Hinduism see that there is a God of the universe and see their inability to warrant your favor. Call out from among them people who will become part of your family, people who will know what it means to find freedom from the seemingly endless cycle of sin and suffering.

And may those of us living in safer nations remember that we have received a blessing, like the Corinthian church, so that we can use our resources to help those in need. And may we be inspired to take on that missionary spirit among our own people, even to the point of risking our own lives to bring your good news to those who are dying apart from you.

In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Sunday Supplication - Ps 95

2008-08-31T05:15:00.000-04:00

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:1-7c, ESV

13 reasons to love God's word

2008-08-27T19:15:00.001-04:00

Thursday Thirteen, 7th edition

13 reasons to love God's word, from Psalm 119

1. God has commanded that his word be obeyed (v. 4).

2. By keeping God's word, you "shall not be put to shame" (v. 6).

3. Keeping God's word stored in your heart prevents sin (v. 11).

4. God's teachings are better than material wealth (v. 14).

5. Love God's word because it is eternal and life on earth is temporary (v. 19).

6. Keeping God's word will keep God from having to teach you the hard way (v. 21).

7. Knowing God's word gives you answers to those who taunt you (v. 42).

8. God's word can provide comfort during times of hardship (v. 50).

9. Love God's word because it is true and he is faithful (v. 75).

10. Loving God's word builds hope in our eternal salvation (v. 81).

11. Knowing God's word will make your wise (v. 98).

12. The Holy Spirit helps you understand the word (v. 169).

13. Blessed are those who know and follow God's word (v. 1).

Missions Monday

2008-08-25T06:59:00.003-04:00

In April 2002, Barack Obama was an Illinois Senator getting ready to vote against the Born Alive Act. Apparently, it was not uncommon during an abortion attempt for the "fetus, or child--however you want to describe it" to be born alive. The abortion doctor would then have to make a choice--a medical evaluation--to determine whether the now-born baby had a chance to live, or was a hopeless cause. If the baby had a chance, the doctor would, of course, have to try to save the baby. But, if the doctor determined the baby was going to die anyway, because it was too weak, or too injured, or too whatever, then the doctor could simply ignore the baby and let it die. Some people thought this was a little questionable, especially since doctors never seemed to conclude the baby has a chance to survive. So, the Born Alive Act would have required abortion doctors to call in another doctor and get a second opinion before simply letting the baby die.

These are the actual words of Obama during the Senate discussion of the bill:

As I understand it, this puts the burden on the attending physician who has determined, since they were performing this procedure, that, in fact, this is a nonviable fetus; that if that fetus, or child — however way you want to describe it — is now outside the mother’s womb and the doctor continues to think that it’s nonviable but there’s, let’s say, movement or some indication that, in fact, they’re not just coming out limp and dead, that, in fact, they would then have to call a second physician to monitor and check off and make sure that this is not a live child that could be saved.... [This bill] is really designed simply to burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion. Now, if that’s the case — and — and I know that some of us feel very strongly one way or another on that issue — that’s fine, but I think it’s important to understand that this issue ultimately is about abortion and not live births.
State of Illinois 92nd General Assembly Regular Session Senate Transcript, pp. 32-33

So, there is it. Obama voted against the bill because the issue, to him, is not about the "live births" of fetuses, babies, or however your want to describe them. To him, this issue is about not putting any "burden" on the woman or her doctor. Imagine the horrible burden on abortion doctors who would have to get a second opinion before letting a baby die.

Obama believes whether the fetus or baby is, in fact, a fetus or baby is "above [his] pay grade." And apparently, he thinks even a born baby, breathing on its own, outside the womb, is still questionable. And only the doctor who was paid to kill the baby in the first place--the doctor who just failed to kill the baby the preferred way--is able to determine whether the baby is fit to live or should be killed in a less preferred way.

What evil lives in the hearts of men.

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Father, you are the God who created mankind; you made us in your image. And it did not take long before the sin of murder entered humanity. And that sin has continued on for all the generations. How evil is the heart of man when we can look at the killing of 50 million babies in this country and not have the will to call it utterly evil. Oh how evil the hearts are that cannot even bring themselves to decide whether a baby matters, or when a baby is deserving of even the most basic protection.

And, Father, I hear some people who call themselves Christians referring to this issue as some side-topic, at best, or some "distraction," at worst. Can anyone who knows you not see this evil and be filled with pain and anger? Can anyone who truly knows you not long to see this evil wiped off the face of the earth?

I pray that your church would be filled with righteous passion. Give us a passion to reach out to those who are so lost they would think of killing their own children. Give us a passion to care for them and with them, to give them help, and to show them the value of human life--value that comes from us not being mere animals, but being created in your image. And give us a passion to never stop proclaiming the truth that abortion is murder and your justice cannot be withheld forever. Every single one of us will one day stand before you and be held accountable for every act, even every careless word.

I pray that Barack Obama would come to know, before it's too late, that he will one day have to face you and see your response to his unwillingness to decide when a child is entitled to human rights. And I pray abortion doctors, before it's too late, will realize that will one day be held accountable for every murder. May these people see your glory and your salvation. For you are willing to forgive any sin, even murder. You called Saul, who murdered your chosen people, and you chose him to carry your good news throughout the nations.

And I also pray that we in your church will keep in our minds that we were once like them. We were filled with evil thoughts and deeds, and we deserved your wrath as much as any abortion doctor. But, we are saved by grace, through faith. We are not better; we are not naturally good, for there is no one who does good on his own. But, it is only because of your Spirit living in us that we are able to turn from our sinful ways and praise and honor you.

May the world see us, see our thankfulness to you, and come to know you through us. Remove their hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh. Call them and let them hear the voice of their shepherd.

May abortion become like slavery--an evil in our country's past. And may abortion end, like slavery, because your church stood up and defended the weakest among us.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Saturday Supplication

2008-08-23T18:58:00.002-04:00

Prepare to meet thy God, O Christian! Betake thyself to thy chamber on the Saturday night, confess and bewail thine unfaithfulness under the ordinances of God; ashamed and condemn thyself for thy sins, entreat God to prepare they heart for, and assist it in, thy religious performances; spend some time in consideration of the infinite majesty, holiness, jealously, and goodness, of that God, with whom thou art to have to do in sacred duties; ponder the weight and importance of his holy ordinances...; meditate on the shortness of the time thou hast to enjoy Sabbaths in; and continue musing...till the fire burneth; thou canst not think the good thou mayest gain by such forethoughts, how pleasant and profitable a Lord's day would be to thee after such a preparation. The oven of thine heart thus baked in, as it were overnight, would be easily heated the next morning; the fire so well raked up when thou wentest to bed, would be the sooner kindled when thou shouldst rise. If thou wouldst thus leave thy heart with God on the Saturday night, thou shouldst find it with him in the Lord's Day morning.

George Swinnock, Works, I:234

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Father, you are the God Most High, the eternal God, creator, sustainer, Lord of all powers. Pharaoh was your servant; Cyrus was your servant; every king, every governor, every tribal chief has been your servant. For you are in control of all; it was only by your permission, even your provocation, that Satan was allowed to torment Job. And it is only by your will that a small bird dies. As Job found, nothing can thwart your plans. No one is your counselor. There were no other gods beside you when you laid the foundation of the world. And there is no other god besides you that can save people.

Help me to appreciate your glory. Help me to contemplate your vastness, your power, your care and your wisdom that set the universe in motion and ordered its laws. Let me understand your greatness.

Father, I am a sinner. I am undeserving of your love. Yet, you chose to love me. And I love you because you first loved me. While I was still lost in my sinfulness, you called me and set me apart for your purposes. Before I was born, you sent Jesus to save me by dying on the cross for me. My freedom has been purchased by his blood. Help me to appreciate the reality of the cost.

I thank you for forgiving all my past sins and my future sins. Help me to truly repent of my sin; help me to see the sin for the evil it is and to hate the sin as you hate the sin. Help me see the sin that is still living in my heart.

Give me a Christ-like love for others. Let me see your image in people, and help me show them your love.

Help me reject laziness. Too often, I am like the rich man who desired nothing more than the relaxation afforded by storehouses of food. Yet, that fool did not realize he would not live to enjoy his wealth, or that he would have to account of himself to you. He wasted his life pursuing the god of his stomach; he lived in idolatry to himself. Do not let me make that mistake. Do not let me look back at my life in shame at the wastefulness of it all. Give me the wisdom and passion to live a life for your glory and to make the most of every opportunity.

Father, prepare my heart for the Lord's day, tomorrow. Prepare my heart to come together with other believers in worship. Prepare my heart to hear your word taught and to sing your word aloud. Let me put aside all pride and selfish ambition. Let me take that time to see my own smallness and your greatness. Let me take that time to worship Jesus as my lord and savior.

As your word is read and taught, open my heart to see your glory.
Let me see wonderful things in your instruction.
Let me store your word in my heart so that I will not sin against you.
Let me store your word in my heart so that I will have an answer for those who come against me. Let me store your word in my heart so that I will hope in your salvation.
Let me store your word in my heart because your word is truth and by it I can be made wise.
Let me store your word in my heart because it is eternal and will not return to your void.

You are a God of revelation. You have not hidden yourself from your people, but have revealed yourself to us through your word. Mat your word be taught throughout the world this Lord's day and may your church be one as you and Jesus are one.

I come and worship you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

13 common phrases that come from the Bible

2008-08-20T08:31:00.000-04:00

Thursday Thirteen, 6th edition
13 everyday phrases that come from the Bible:

Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8)

Eye for an eye (Exodus 21:24)

The apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10)

The golden rule (Matthew 7:12)

Blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:14)

By the skin of our teeth (Job 19:20)

Can a leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)

Drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15)

Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5)

Labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Letter of the law (2 Corinthians 3:6)

My brother's keeper (Genesis 4:9)

nurseries of wickedness

2008-08-19T13:32:00.003-04:00

Following my prayer yesterday for my new school year, I happened across something on VoddieBaucham's blog about his attempt to get the Southern Baptist Convention to encourage California parents to pull their kids from public schools. In his post, he shared these words from John Wesley:

Let it be remembered, that I do not speak to the wild, giddy, thoughtless world, but to those that fear God. I ask, then, for what end do you send you children to school? “Why, that they may be fit to live in the world.” In which world do you mean, — this or the next? Perhaps you thought of this world only; and had forgot that there is a world to come; yea, and one that will last for ever! Pray take this into your account, and send them to such masters as will keep it always before their eyes. Otherwise, to send them to school (permit me to speak plainly) is little better than sending them to the devil. At all events, then, send your boys, if you have any concern for their souls, not to any of the large public schools, (for they are nurseries of all manner of wickedness,) but private school, kept by some pious man, who endeavours to instruct a small number of children in religion and learning together.

“But what shall I do with my girls?” By no means send them to a large boarding-school. In these seminaries too the children teach one another pride, vanity, affectation, intrigue, artifice, and, in short, everything which a Christian woman ought not to learn. Suppose a girl were well inclined, yet what would she do in a crowd of children, not one of whom has any thought of saving her soul in such company? Especially as their whole conversation points another way, and turns upon things which one would wish she would never think of. I never yet knew a pious, sensible woman that had been bred at a large boarding-school, who did not aver, one might as well send a young maid to be bred in Drury-Lane.

Wesley, John. (1836). Sermons on Several Occasions. p 305.

How true it is that most Christian parents send their kids to school with little thought other than that their kids are being prepared for life in the world. And how true it is that schools prepare their kids to be part of the world.

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Father, you have been so kind to bless me with a little girl. May I be a good parent to her--not a good parent in the world's eyes, but a good parent in your eyes. May I raise her to know you, and may I always take responsibility for her education; when she is with me, may I teach her to know you. And on the occasions when I entrust her education to others, such as leaders in the church, may I be careful to ensure she receives an education that brings you glory.

If only more Christian parents would take leadership and responsibility for their children's educations, perhaps our children would change the world in ways we never imagined. And of course, for parents to ensure good education means the parents themselves must be educated. May we parents set the example for our children, showing them the value of wisdom and knowledge. May we set aside the frivolity and license of this world and devote ourselves to eternal glory. And may our children see in us a passion for you and a single focus on living God-glorifying lives.

I pray that Christian teachers throughout our schools would make a difference in the lives of children. May we teachers demonstrate to our children what it means to do everything for your glory. May we live and teach as ministers--servants--for the good of others. I pray that Christian teachers would serve as your witnesses among our students and our coworkers.

And I pray your church would devote themselves to helping parents raise their children to know you. For you have commanded your people to not only know you, but to teach our children to know you as well. May we speak and teach of your goodness and glory so that the young ears will hear, eyes will see and mind will understand your greatness.

I ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Missions Monday

2008-08-18T19:19:00.003-04:00

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:16-20, ESV

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Father, you are a missionary God. From the beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned, you sought them out. You called out to Adam and confronted him with his sin. And you cast them out of your presence and sealed off their path to the tree of life. But, you also promised to provide for their atonement. And throughout the generations until Jesus, your people looked forward to your promised salvation. And since that time, your people have lived with joy from their faith in Jesus--the knowledge that their sins are forgiven and they have been set free to live their lives for your glory.

You called out to Abraham and chose him to receive a blessing and promised that through him, all people groups would be blessed. You sent Jonah to the lost people of Nineveh and showed your care for even those who live their lives in evil. You gave us your law to show us that we are all evil; there is no one who does good. And you sent Jesus to show us that, despite our own weakness, we can be saved through your strength.

You have called your people to speak your word as they live their lives. You have called us to tell the people throughout the world about you. You have called many of us to leave our homes and move to foreign nations so that your good news might be proclaimed among the people. I pray that you would bless those missionaries. And I pray that you will call more of us to take your good news throughout the earth. And I pray that your church would see the great task and devote themselves to sending missionaries.

And I thank you for the chance to live in America and to be a teacher. As a teacher, the nations come to me. Help me to be a witness for your glory as I live my life and do my job. Help my students see your love in me. Let me be a lamp for your light. Help me see my students and my coworkers as people you lovingly made in your image. Help me make the most of every opportunity. Give me wisdom to act according to your will. May Christian teachers throughout the world fulfill your purposes and communicate your glory to their students.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sunday Supplication

2008-08-17T07:02:00.003-04:00

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, ESV

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Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus, through who you adopted me as your child. May your name be praised and celebrated throughout the earth. I pray that today, on our sabbath, your church across the globe will lift up their eyes toward you and sing of your glory. I pray that pastor-teachers around the world will proclaim your word with faithfulness and passion.

Thank you for your faithfulness to those members of your church who are suffering through persecution. Thank you for being faithful to your word and calling out people from among every tribe and nation. So many societies make it a crime to worship you, and the people of those societies continue to build up more and more wrath from you. But, may you withhold your wrath as you call more and more people out from those nations; continue to save people from your wrath.

And for your children in those societies, continue to strengthen them and build in them the abundant faith to carry them through their trials. Continue to build in them love for their fellow believers and for their persecutors. May they live as witnesses to your love and mercy, and may they show your glory through their lives.

Father, when the time is right, send Jesus back to claim his bride. May everyone in the church look eagerly forward to that day. And until that day, let us make the most of every opportunity; let us live by your wisdom, not being filled by the world, but being filled by your Spirit. Let your church, today and every day, put aside the worries and cares of this world, and live by faith in you.

Amen.

Fruit of the Spirit series, Part 8

2008-08-15T04:00:00.003-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness….
Galatians 5:22-23a, CSB

Fruit of the Spirit series, Part 8

So, what is gentleness? Is it a Mr Rogers-like quality? Is it being docile? Is it having a manicure? Or is it being a gentleman, holding doors for ladies and following other standards of cultural decorum?

The Greek word prautes means humbleness and modesty. The fruit of the Spirit is an attitude of humility and modesty before God and others. Shortly after writing about the fruit, Paul used the same word in Gal 6:1.

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit (prautes), watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also.

So, when a fellow Christian sins, do not be afraid to confront the person. This is not a gentleness of fear or passivity. But, confront the person to restore him. A Christian is not seeking to demote, but to promote. And do so with an attitude of humility, knowing that you are not any better. We are all sinners and live by the grace of God. And further, seek to restore in humility because you know how easily you could fall into sin. Perhaps you may be tempted into the same sin. Or perhaps you may be tempted into the sin of pride for being above the sin of your fellow Christian. Or perhaps you may be tempted into the sin of despair at how your friend has sinned. Be humble and rely on God.

After all, we are saved by grace, through faith. As James 1:19-21 tells us:

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly (prautes) receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.

Our natural inclinations are toward quick speaking and slow listening, quick anger and self-righteousness. But, we put our own selves aside and humbly take in the word of God. By that, we are saved.

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Father, I come humbly to you knowing that you are the almighty creator of heaven and earth. And yet, I come boldly to you knowing that in Jesus, you have adopted me as your son and welcome me. Help me to be humble, trusting your goodness, your wisdom and your power above anything in me. But also give me boldness, that when I humbly trust you, I can faithfully live for you trusting that you are my hope and my help.

As I read your word, help me humbly absorb your instruction. Help me delight in your word and make it part of my soul.

When I see another person in need, give me the love and humility to reach out to that person and offer a helping hand. Help me lift up others; forgive me for the times when I seek, out of my own pride, to push others down. Help me understand that I am nothing more than a sinner saved by grace, and help me show that grace to others.

Bless your entire church with a sense of humility that leads us to build each other up and strengthen the entire body. A great arm is less useful with a weak hand. And a strong hand is less useful with a weak arm. Let the different parts of the body work together and strengthen each other.

I ask that you, especially, give a sense of humility to your missionaries around the world. Let them reach out to the lost and show the way to you. Let them, with humility, offer themselves for the good of those perishing apart from you. And bless their work by calling many to hear your word and respond with faith in your son. And bless all your people with a personal commitment to being missionaries to the lost surrounding them. Make us all fishers of men.

I ask all these things in the name of Jesus who humbly came to earth and lived a human life, even giving himself up to death on a cross, so that I could enjoy eternity with you. Amen.

13 passages offering forgiveness

2008-08-14T00:01:00.002-04:00

5th edition of Thursday Thirteen

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For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.

Matthew 6:14-15

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One.

1 John 2:1

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

Therefore repent and turn back, that your sins may be wiped out so that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 3:19

It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more. Take Me to court; let us argue our case together. State your [case], so that you may be vindicated.

Isaiah 43:25-26

"Come, let us discuss this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Ephesians 1:7

I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.

Hebrews 10:17

Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him

Daniel 9:9

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:12

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You took away the guilt of my sin.

Psalms 32:5

For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You.

Psalms 86:5

coming out of Exodus

2008-08-12T05:38:00.004-04:00

After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out; and their cry for help ascended to God because of the difficult labor. So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the Israelites, and He took notice.

Exodus 2:23-25, CSB

"You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave it, like the engraving of a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD

Fasten it to a cord of blue yarn so it can be placed on the turban; the plate is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron's forehead so that Aaron may bear the guilt connected with the holy offerings that the Israelites consecrate as all their holy gifts. It is always to be on his forehead, so that they may find acceptance with the LORD.
Exodus 28:36-38, CSB

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This past Sunday, I visited Trinity Presbyterian Church. During their education hour, they were discussing a Bible study method that seemed pretty good to me. The basic premise of the method is to follow these steps:

1. Preparation -- Think and pray about the fact that these are God's words
2. Focus -- Think and pray about the fact that God reveals his glory to me in these words
3. Wonder -- Think and pray about how wonderful is his glory
4. Opposition -- Think and pray about why my representation of his glory is so dim.
5. Opportunity -- Think and pray about what would be good for me to change.
6. Commitment -- Think and pray about what I am committed to changing.

There are many specific questions for each of the above steps, as well. For example, during preparation, I should also consider the author of the text and the condition of my soul as I prepare to read. During the focus step, I should consider the central idea or truth being taught in the text using terms such as "God is...," "God desires...," "God does...," etc.

Since I was reading through Exodus, in my Bible reading plan, I was thinking about this method in terms of Exodus. Although the teacher at the church used a short passage (Ps 146:5) for his example, I think this method can work for much longer passages, even entire books, as well.

So, when I think about Exodus, I think that the central truth is this: "The LORD is our salvation and he demands pure worship."

God is the only person in whom we can place our absolute trust. He is all powerful, omnipotent. Not even Pharaoh and his entire army could hinder God. And God is perfect and demands to be worshiped by his standards. Holy is the LORD. And we can see Christians, throughout history, living their lives by trusting God's salvation. William Tyndale and many other martyrs lived their lives trusting in the LORD, even to the point of death. And they sought to worship God is Spirit and in truth. Of course, it is only in heaven that we fully worship in Spirit and in truth. Then, in heaven, we will be like Moses who God spoke with face to face (Ex 33:11).

And why is my reflection of God's salvation and worth so dim? Because I am a sinner, by nature. I want to trust in my own salvation. I want to show myself worthy. But, I cannot save myself and I am only what God has made me. My self-reliance and self-aggrandizement is a terrible rejection of God's power, love, and authority. As I make myself out to be a god, I make God out to be less than he is. Thankfully, by the grace of God, he is working in me and making me more like his Son. He is transforming me. With God's help, I will continue to trust more in him and less in myself.

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Father, you are so great. Your works among the Hebrew people are still encouraging today. Your great acts to free your people from Egypt and keep your promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have been told for thousands of years. You heard your people's cry and you took notice of your people. May you be praised forever.

You led your people out of Egypt and you guided them through the desert. You gave them your word and taught them how to worship you. But, they could not and would not follow your instruction. So, in time, you made a new covenant. You sent your Son Jesus to call your people. You gave us your Spirit to replace our dead hearts with hearts alive in you. May we live by your Spirit.

Father, help me to put away my old sinful ways. Help me to trust in you for my salvation. You are my hope and my help. Give me a faithful heart.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Missions Monday

2008-08-11T10:51:00.003-04:00

When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

Matthew 9:36-38, CSB

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Father, you are a great God, wonderful, full of compassion, full of grace, full of love, full of justice, full of righteousness. You are the greatest being in the universe; you created the universe for your glory. You created mankind as the crowning achievement of your creation, and you have chosen to make yourself known among us. How could mortals possibly know the eternal God except for your action to make yourself known to us. Thank you for speaking to the prophets, providing your written word, and sending Jesus to show yourself to us. May we delight in knowing you, and may we seek our whole satisfaction in you.

Father, make yourself known among the lost people of this earth. There are still so many people who have no one to tell them about you. Work in their hearts so that they can catch a glimpse of you through your creation. Let them look into the night's sky and see your glory. Let them look at the power and design of your creation and see your works. But also, Father, send them missionaries to carry your word to them. The fields are waiting for their harvest; send out workers.

And Father, continue to bless and work through those missionaries on the field right now. Give strength, courage and comfort to those missionaries far from home, far from their native cultures, who are carrying your word into places without a church. Encourage them in their difficult task, and let them know that you really are with them, even to the ends of the earth. And bless those missionaries who are working among people whose culture was once built upon the Christian faith, but has lost that background. They, too, have a uniquely difficult task. And as they work to rebuild the Christian theology among the people, may that rebuilding be done in the hearts and minds. Teaching Christian ideas is worthless if it does not result in a change of people's hearts, for true faith is a belief that you sent your Son to earth and that you raised him from the dead. May people throughout the world today hear that message and find the good news in that they, too, can be raised with Jesus. May they die to their sin and find life in you.

May all your people gladly give what they cannot keep to gain what they cannot lose. Help me to see that you are worth more than any other treasure.

I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sunday Supplication - 08.10.08

2008-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday, Between Two Worlds published this post on worship:

When Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 to present our bodies as living sacrifices, he is instructing us about a proper approach to worship.... When we gather as the people of God, as many of us will do this morning, we are called by God to present ourselves as living sacrifices, and that is the kind of worship/service (a priestly word in our passage) that will be pleasing to him.

What does that mean? Well, at least on one level it means that worship takes work. For the priest to offer a sacrifice, it meant a great deal of work on his part. So also with us. We come before the Lord to sing his praise, and confess our sin and hear his promise of forgiveness. We come before the Lord to confess our faith and hear his word. And it takes work and practice to do this together as the people of God. We should sing vibrantly; we should respond joyfully and clearly in corporate prayers and readings. We should be engage throughout the worship service. We should have attentive ears as the minister preaches the Word. We should participate in communion as if we have been lifted up into heaven to sit with Christ because indeed, that is where we are by faith. And we should leave with the blessing of God knowing that we are going out into this world as salt and light. In our culture, all of these issues take practice and patience. May the Lord give us the grace to lean against our cultural trends and present ourselves as living sacrifices to him.

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Indeed, Father, give us the grace to lean against our cultural trends and present ourselves as living sacrifices to you. May we reject the consumerism of our culture. My we reject the selfishness of our culture. May we reject the consumerism and selfishness within our own hearts. May we come together this morning, around the world, to worship you with all our hearts, all our strengths, all our minds, and all our souls. May we focus more on the messages of our pastors than on the suits and ties of our pastors. May we focus more on the theology of our hymns than on the tempos of the music. May we see sweet things in your word and in your work among us. May we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, join together for the mutual support and encouragement of our family. May we build each other up and send each other out into the world to have an impact for you. And let us, through your Spirit, turn the world upside down. May we dedicate our entire beings to your glory.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Charlotte's birthday

2008-08-08T23:14:00.003-04:00

Today, 08.08.08, Charlotte Moon turns 1 year old. She moves from baby to toddler. She is walking and knows some sign language. She even created her own sign for "hug." She's just so cute and lovable it is almost unbelievable.

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Father, thank you for the wonderful gift of Charlotte Moon. All good things come from you, and having a child is an unparalleled blessing. Help me to be a good father. Help me model your love, discipline, compassion, grace, and wisdom for her. Help me to teach her about you so that she will come to love you with all her heart, all her mind, all her strength and all her soul. Work in her life and call her to know you. Help me plant a seed in her soul; but only you can make her grow spiritually. I pray that you will cause her to grow in you; conform her into the image of your Son.

Help me live my life so that she sees in me what it means to know you. Help me to be an encouragement to Charlotte. Help me care for her and guide her. And help me to trust her to your care.

Father, make Jesus the foundation of my household.

Amen.

Hermeneutics Part 3

2008-08-07T20:37:00.004-04:00

I've been seeing a lot about hermeneutics in blogs lately. In part 3 (after 1 and 2) of my unintentional series of linking to others, John Walton discusses the biblical interpretation in children's curricula.

Dr. Walton states children's curricula often makes one or more of theses five mistakes:

1. Promotion of the Trivial
2. Illegitimate extrapolation
3. Reading Between the Lines
4. Missing important nuance
5. Focus on people rather than God

To read his explanations, click the link.

I think those problems exist in most church curriculum, children's and adults'.

13 biblical passages about children

2008-08-06T21:04:00.004-04:00

Special 4th edition of Thursday Thirteen in honor of my daughter, Charlotte Moon, on the last day of her first year.

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Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Dt 6:5-7

And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Eph 6:4

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Pro 13:24

He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children

Psalm 78:5

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Dt 4:9

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won't become discouraged.

Col 3:21

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Pro 13:22

The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

Pro 20:7

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

1 Tim 3:1-4

Look! I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Cor 12:14

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.

Pro 14:26

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:1-3

God's glory shown through a fridge

2008-08-06T18:26:00.006-04:00

When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words. Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.

Matthew 6:7-8, CSB

When Jennifer I moved into our new home in June, it came with appliances. We didn't need the washer/dryer or the refrigerator. So, we decided to sell them. The washer/dryer sold pretty quickly, but the fridge just wouldn't sell. There was no interest, except for an Internet scammer who Jennifer reported to the FBI.

Yesterday, I decided to donate the fridge. Of course, the most obvious places to donate include Goodwill, a local Care Center, etc. But, I got the idea to call the Florida Baptist Children's Home in my town. As I was calling, I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool if they had a need for a fridge?" Well, the Children's Home immediately accepted my offer and sent someone out today to pick it up.

One of the guys who picked it up told that just a couple days ago, the fridge in one of their homes quit working. Yesterday, a technician looked at it and decided it needed some $500+ part, so the Home decided they just needed a new fridge. It was later that day that I called offering a free brand-new fridge.

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Father, thank you for knowing our needs before we know them. And thank you for caring about our needs. Of course, our greatest need is for you. We sinned against you and made ourselves your enemies. But, you saw our need and gave us Jesus. And you have continued to take care of us in countless ways. May I remember, everyday, that you supply my needs and I can trust you, for you love me more than the flowers of the field and will care for me even more than you care for them. If even a bird cannot die apart from your control, I have nothing to worry about under your care.

I praise you and thank you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Hermeneutics revisited

2008-08-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Not too long ago, Pure Church had an interesting post on a new book about preaching. I think his points can apply equally well to us layfolk because Bible reading should include preaching to one's self. I thought I'd add this post to compliment "Hermeneutics 101" posted on 8/3.

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10 Tips from Grudem on Bible Interpretation

Grudem's chapter in Preach the Word offers some helpful reminders on correctly interpreting the Scripture.
1. Spend your earliest and best time reading the text of the Bible itself.

2. The interpretation of Scripture is not a magical or mysterious process, because Scripture was written in the ordinary language of the day.

3. Every interpreter has only four sources of information about the text: (a) The meanings of individual words and sentences; (b) the place of the statement in its context; (c) the overall teaching of Scripture; (d) some information about the historical and cultural background.

4. Look for reasons rather than mere opinions to give support to an interpretation, and use reasons rather than mere opinions to attempt to persuade others.

5. There is only one meaning for each text (though there are many applications).

6. Notice the kind of literature in which the verse is found.

7. Notice whether the text approves or disapproves or merely reports a person's actions.

8. Be careful not to generalize specific statements and apply them to fundamentally different situations.

9. It is possible to do a short or long study of any passage. Do what you can with the time you have, and don't be discouraged about all that you cannot do.

10. Pray regularly for the Holy Spirit's help in the whole process of interpreting the Bible.

Grudem goes on to encourage his readers to keep the "big picture" in mind with 6 other reflections.
1. The Bible is a historical document. Therefore, always ask, "What did the author want the original readers to understand by this statement?"

2. The original authors wanted the original readers to respond in some way. Therefore always ask, "What application did the original author want the readers to make to their lives?"

3. The whole Bible is about God! Therefore we should always ask, "What does the text tell us about God?"

4. The center of the whole Bible is Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament leads up to him and points to him, and the entire New Testament flows from him. Therefore, we should always ask, "What does this text tell us about the greatness of Christ?"

5. All history can be divided into several major "ages" or "epochs" in salvation history. Therefore, we should read every passage of the Bible with a salvation history timeline in our minds and constantly remember where every passage fits on the timeline.

6. Themes: Because the Bible is a unity (it has one divine Author though many human authors), there are many themes that develop and grow from Genesis to Revelation. Therefore, for each significant element in any text, it is helpful to ask, (a) Where did this theme start in the Bible? (b) How did this theme develop through the Bible? and (c) Where is this theme going to end in the Bible?

Happy Bible interpreting!

still Missions Monday

2008-08-04T18:55:00.004-04:00

It's still Missions Monday and I received an email from M in Asia. She'll be working with some new missionaries and asked for prayer as they adjust. She also asked for prayer for those new Christians she's working to disciple.

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Father, help M and her teammates form a new team devoted to accomplishing your mission in Asia. Help them form a Christian bond together so that they can encourage each other and strengthen each other. Help them minister to each other and each of them ministers to the people of Asia.

Bless those new Christians among them. Give them the strength to resist those things that will try to pull them away from you. Give them courage to face any persecution and to stand for your glory and their salvation. Bless them and build them up, for M and others may plant the seed and water the seed, but only you can make it grow. And we can have confidence that you will make it grow, for we know that you will complete the work you have begun in their lives. You place your seal on each new believer and promise to keep them, through your power. And no plan of yours can be thwarted.

I praise you and pray to you in the name of Jesus, because the LORD saves. Amen.

Missions Monday

2008-08-04T00:01:00.002-04:00

Father, thank you for being a missionary God. All the false gods of the world seek to be served by people, but you sent your son to die in service to us. You called your people out from the world; you chose us to be your people, adopted into your family. You gave us an inheritance that can never be taken away, an inheritance that will last for eternity. You have given us the right to enjoy eternity with you. While our adversary comes to us to destroy, Jesus came so that we could have life in abundance.

Jesus' last words to his disciples were telling us to take his good news throughout the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And for 2,000 years, Christians have been following Jesus' words and the Christian faith has spread through so much of the world, through so many nations, among so many people. Yet, after all that time, there are still too many people who have never even heard your good news. Too many people have never even heard of the freedom you offer--freedom from sin and its slavery, freedom from guilt, freedom from our deserved, eternal punishment.

Father, I pray that you would send out missionaries into the field. Send missionaries to the Bohra people of India who have no one to tell them. They lie trapped in Islam, seeking to serve you, but not knowing you. They lie trapped by the endless, impossible task of trying to be good enough to warrant your acceptance. Send them witnesses who can tell them your good news; you offer acceptance, not based on their deeds, but based on Jesus' life.

And send missionaries to the Majhi people of Nepal who remained trapped in Hinduism. They live in belief of an endless cycle of the universe, but they do not know the Creator of the universe. And they do not know that you have planned an end to this world. Send missionaries to tell them how to prepare for their ends.

And send missionaries to the Baori Hindus, and the Tanti Hindus, and the Charan Hindus of India. Each of these people wait to hear your word, living in darkness without anyone to bring them the good news.

The Dagbamba people of

Ghana, the

Makasar people of

Indonesia, and the

Persians of Iran live under the law of Islam. Free them by the power of your grace and mercy. Send them missionaries to carry your good news and bring them liberty.

And Father, put it in the hearts of your people to support and send missionaries. Call out from among us those who will carry your word to the ends of the earth. And put in the heart of every Christian to be part of this effort by contributing their resources and their prayers to support the work of worldwide missions.

I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Hermeneutics 101

2008-08-03T17:20:00.006-04:00

I found this guide on the New Attitude blog. You can download it as a PDF here.

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Hermeneutics (hur-muh-noo-tiks) n. [Grk.]: the craft of interpreting Scripture

7 Questions to Ask Every Passage*

1. Who is the author and who is his audience?

2. Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?

3. How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?

4. What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to? (e.g., parallels, word pictures, specific details, repetitive words/phrases)

5. What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?

6. How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and Godʼs disposition to provide a Savior?

7. What response or action does this passage call for?

A Starter Bibliography: For Further Study
• Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul: Short and sweet. Start here.
• The Message of the Old Testament & The Message of the New Testament by Mark Dever: One chapter for each book of the Bible.
• Godʼs Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts: A helpful introduction to storyline of the Bible.
• The ESV Study Bible: Our favorite study Bible (or it will be when it releases this fall).
• Your Pastorʼs Sermons: Every week your pastor helps you interpret Scripture and apply it. Listen closely.

* Of course, these questions arenʼt meant to be exhaustive but may provide a helpful starting place.

© 2008 New Attitude.

The LORD has given you the Sabbath

2008-08-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

Understand that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day He will give you two days' worth of bread. Each of you stay where you are; no one is to leave his place on the seventh day." So the people rested on the seventh day.

Exodus 16:29-30, CSB

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Father, thank you for the gift of the Sabbath. That you for giving us a day of rest to refresh our bodies and minds and to worship you in spirit and in truth. After 6 days, you rested--not because you ever need rest, but to model rest for us.

As the members of Jesus' church gather today, around the world, bless us through your Spirit. Give us the desire--the passion--to worship you. Give us a heart for you and your glory. Let us see your majesty and power, your love and mercy. Let us see your goodness; and change us for your glory making us more like Jesus.

Let us be one, as you and Jesus are one. Let us truly be many parts of one body. Make us healthy as the body. Give us feet to carry your good news throughout the world. Give us a mouth to speak your truth to everyone on earth. Give us hands to care for those in need.

In Jesus name we come to worship you. Amen.

Making decisions should not be difficult

2008-08-02T19:53:00.004-04:00

Challies has posted a relatively long (for a blog), but very interesting post on teaching children about God. In his discussion, he mentions how often he sees Christians struggle with discerning what God would have them do in specific situations. He wrote: "Making decisions should not be difficult. Hearing the voice of God and receiving guidance from Him is as simple as opening the Scriptures." Oh how true that is. He mentions a book by Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God, that helped him. I would also like to add Bruce Waltke's Knowing the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? But, first, read Challies's post.

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Father, thank you for being a God who does not hide your will from your children. Thank you for being a God of communication, of revelation. You have revealed yourself to your people. I think of the words of Augustine, who said, "Love God and do as you please." Help me to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength and all my mind. If I do that, I cannot help but also love my neighbor as myself. And with those two greatest commandments, I can know your will in any situation. Do what is motivated by love of you and others. Do what honors you and shows your glory. Help me to do that, for in my body, I am weak. I am sinful. But through your Spirit, I am being changed and made into the image of your son, Jesus. May I be more like him every day. And in his name I pray. Amen.

Why won't John Piper leave me alone?

2008-07-31T21:02:00.001-04:00

Why won't John Piper leave me alone?

He harasses me when I watch TV. You see, I was once listening to his podcast, "Ask Pastor John," and he was discussing entertainment. He said he doesn't watch much commercial entertainment because most entertainment asks us to be entertained by things that Jesus died to end.

Now, that makes it a little more difficult to watch That '70s Show and Friends. And it's not a legalism thing; it's just reality. So now I sometimes hear John Piper when I try to watch TV. His words harass me.

So, what am I to do with my time? If I have people around, I guess I could talk to them. But what about when I'm alone? I can read a little, but not for hours; that's just not the way I roll. So, this evening, I turned off the TV, read a couple chapters of Exodus (book 3 in my reading plan) and then listened to some podcasts.

This evening, I was able to listen to a few short lectures about Exodus and the Covenant from Biblical Training, and I listened to a sermon on the reliability of biblical texts from Mark Dever. I could have watched re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond and Friends, which is more my M.O. But, I think I might have done something better with my time.

Why won't John Piper leave me alone? Because the Holy Spirit is at work in me through his words.

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Father, thank you so much for the wonderful gifts of godly teachers. Thank you for John Piper and Mark Dever. Thank you for the gracious ministries, such as Biblical Training, that make their resources available free for the building up of the body of Christ. Help me to desire you more than frivolous entertainment, for you are not a frivolous God. You are a God of purpose and focus. And you focus on your glory. Help me rejoice in your glory and the name of Jesus. Amen.

God hears our cries

2008-07-31T20:13:00.003-04:00

Exodus 2:23-25, CSB

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Father, you are so great and merciful. You are so compassionate and beneficent. We sinners do not deserve anything from you but your judgment. I do not deserve anything but your wrath and condemnation. And we all suffer because of our sinfulness. But, you hear our cries for help, and you remember your promises to our fathers. You save us out of your boundless love and grace. Oh, how great is your grace and how blessed are we to know you!

When you made your promises to our spiritual fathers, it was not because of anything they had done good. You chose Abraham, not because of his strength or righteousness, but because of your plan for your glory. It is through saving us in our weakness that your are shown to be strong, and how strong you are. Nothing stands in your way, not even Pharaoh and all his army. May your name be praised throughout the world.

Father, I cannot thank you enough, and I do not even feel enough thanks, to give you the praise you deserve for adopting me into your family, making me a child of Abraham. Give me the thankfulness I should have for you. Help me see, ever more clearly, the wonderful blessing I have in you. Help me know you more closely and deeply. Help me know you with breadth and depth and make you known through my witness.

Help me see wonderful things in word and treasure your word in my heart. Help me see Jesus in your word and see your unfolding plan of salvation through your prophets and your deeds.

Let me part of your continuing work today. Use me to advance your mission on earth. Help me reach out to those around me and love them as I love myself. Give me such a deep love for you, with all my soul, all my strength, and all my mind, that love for my neighbor naturally pours out. Help me be like a tree that bears good fruit, not for myself, but for those around me and for your glory.

Father, I pray for Heather. Heal her. Bless her. Let her know that you are there for her and that you hear her. Be her comfort. And bless her family through this time.

Bless your missionaries in China as that nation prepares for the Olympics. May this be a fruitful time and not a distraction. Be with those athletes that compete for your glory. And use this time to remind your children throughout the world that, like the Olympic runners, we are to run so as to claim our prize.

Because you heard the cries of Israel, I can know that you will also take notice of me. In whatever trouble I experience, you are not absent. You are there for me and with me. Your Spirit and your word guide me. Help me live by your Spirit and your word, and help me find refuge in your presence.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

13 deaths in the Bible

2008-07-30T23:30:00.007-04:00

"13 deaths in the Bible," Thursday Thirteen, 3rd edition

1. Abraham’s death:
He took his last breath and died at a ripe old age, old and contented, and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.

Genesis 25:8-9

2. Rachel’s death
With her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni, but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a marker on her grave; it is the marker at Rachel’s grave to this day.

Genesis 35:18-20

3. Issac’s death
He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 35:29

4. Jacob’s death
When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and died. He was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:33

5. Joseph’s death
So Joseph made the Israelites take an oath: “When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here.” Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

Genesis 50:25-26

6. Moses’ death
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

7. David’s death
As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon…. Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

1 Kings 2:1,10

8. John the Baptist’s death
Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.

Matthew 14:9-12

9. Stephen’s death
Then they screamed at the top of their voices, stopped their ears, and rushed together against him. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They were stoning Stephen as he called out: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And saying this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:57-60

10. Uzzah’s death
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:6-7

11. Ahaziah’s death
Then Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel for you to inquire of His will? You will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.’” Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken.

2 Kings 1:16-17

12. Saul’s death
The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons and killed his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers caught up with him and severely wounded him. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me.” But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it.

1 Samuel 31:2-4

13. Jesus’ death*
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

* Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after his death.

recent blogs I read

2008-07-30T10:16:00.004-04:00

Thank God for his holy, righteous goodness
Stacey's reflections on whether God is good

Thank God for godly parents
Molly Piper's reflections on her 3-year old's very short trip to Kenya

Thank God, especially, for godly adoptive parents
Jason Kovacs on The ABBA Fund

Thank God for biblical archaeology
The ESV Study Bible and Jesus' tomb

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Father, thank you. Thank you for your wonderful creation, which you have given to people and which you have used to shine your glory. The stars of the sky and the waves of the sea, and every living creature on earth, are a constant testimony to your power and majesty.

Thank you for the wonderful care you provide your people. Thank you for being a God of goodness, mercy and compassion. You are not arbitrary; everything you do is for a particular purpose--your glory. And may your name be glorified. You are truly a God of wonders. And you have given your instruction to your people so that we can know you and have a relationship with you. Bring us closer to you and help us know you better, more deeply.

Father, I thank you for the great blessing of parents. And may your people who are parents see their parenting as an act of worship. May we see our children as precious gifts from you and may we see ourselves as stewards of your children. May Christian parents desire for their kids to mature into devoted disciples who bring you glory, whether that is near home or in a far off land. And Father, I praise you for all the Christian families who have seen your model of adoption and have chosen to adopt children into their families. Bless those families and help them unite together for your glory.

And Father, I thank you for the wonderful witness your people have today through biblical archaeology. In recent decades, so much evidence has come concerning the historical trustworthiness of the biblical accounts. And through discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, we can see how your word has been faithfully preserved through the centuries. Bless your people with confidence in you.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I completed a reading of Matthew

2008-07-28T23:06:00.004-04:00

Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
Matthew 1:22, CSB

I have just finished Matthew, the second book in my Bible reading plan.

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Father, thank you for the amazing witness you have given your people through your word. You sent so many messengers to prepare the way for the Messiah, and you gave so many clues to his coming. And Jesus fulfills every one. Blessed is the person who has not seen and yet has believed. And you have given us such great cause to believe because your truth has been recorded and carefully passed on through thousands of generations.

Thank you for all those reverent saints who tirelessly cared for your word and copied your word for future readers. I praise you for the wonderful witness of those believers who were willing to risk their own lives to put your word into the hands of your children.

Thank you for preserving your word through the ages so that I could read today how Jesus fulfilled your promises. And because you have kept every promise in the past, I can have faith you will keep your promises in the future. Because you could cause Caesar to hold a census to get your son to be born in Bethlehem, I know nothing is too big for you. Because you told centuries ahead of time the price put on Jesus, I know no detail is too small for your attention.

Father, I can sleep tonight knowing that you are in control and I am in your care. I do not know the future, but I know that you control the future. So, I trust myself to you. I trust myself to your grace and compassion. I know that you, having given your own son to rescue me from my sin, will not withhold anything good from me.

Strengthen my faith and help me live by your love. Help me grow to be more like you. Help me keep your glory in thoughts and make your glory my motivation. Help me rejoice in you.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

13 Things to Pray for

2008-07-24T09:59:00.002-04:00

In my 2nd Thursday 13, I have decided to list 13 things to pray for.

Pray for your enemies (Mt 5:44)
Pray for God’s glory to be known (Mt 6:9)
Pray for God to send missionaries throughout the world (Mt 9:38)
Pray for the kingdom of God to come (Lk 11:2)
Pray God will provide for your daily needs (Lk 11:3)
Pray for forgiveness (Lk 11:4)
Pray that your faith will not fail (Lk 22:32)
Pray that you will not fall into temptation (Lk 22:40)
Pray for God to protect you from Satan (Lk 17:15)
Pray for boldness in witnessing (Acts 4:29)
Pray for your plans (Ro 1:10)
Pray for the salvation of others (Ro 10:1)
Pray for spiritual maturity (2 Cor 13:9)

faith from the Spirit

2008-07-23T18:12:00.005-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faith….

Gal 5:22, CSB

Part 7 in my fruit of the Spirit series

To be a Christian is to bear the fruit of the Spirit. So, what does it mean to bear faith? The Greek word used in Gal 5:22 is pistis, which means a conviction as to the truth of something. In the New Testament, it typically signifies a conviction that salvation is the gift of God through Jesus. And this faith is a dominant theme throughout the book of Galatians, so we can see what it means to Paul.

In Gal 2:16a, Paul wrote that “we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith [pistis] in Jesus Christ.” He reiterated justification by faith in 3:24 where he wrote: “The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith [pistis].” The law was merely a guardian (“tutor” in NASB) until God gave us faith in Christ. And because we are justified by faith, we should live by faith; Gal 3:11 states, “Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith [pistis].”

And by faith, we are adopted into the family of God; as Paul wrote in Gal 3:26: “For you are all sons of God through faith [pistis] in Christ Jesus.” And faith is what unites the members of God’s family. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith [pistis]” (Gal 6:10).

So, faith—the conviction that our salvation comes through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus—is the foundation of our salvation. Salvation begins with faith. But, faith is also the guiding principle of the Christian life, and faith is the uniting feature of the Christian church.

Faith, as a fruit of the Spirit, is something given to us by God’s Spirit. The faith that makes us Christian and saves us is given to us by God. And that faith is what characterizes the church—not ethnicity or language, wealth or station in life. The church is composed of people whom God has blessed with faith--those who heard the voice of Jesus and responded by trusting in him.

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Father, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for making salvation dependent upon the work of Jesus and not my works through the law. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross in my place. My rebellion against you made me deserving of eternal punishment, but you, through your love, compassion and mercy, sent Jesus to wash away my sins by his blood and bring me into relationship with you. And through your Spirit, you opened my heart to hear your word and respond in faith.

Faith is conviction about what I do not see. But that faith builds hope in me that I will one day stand in your presence and delight in your glory. Father, help me continue in faith so that I may live by faith and live my life, not with fear, but with hope. Continue the good work you have begun in me and bring me closer to you.

I pray that in due time, you will bless Charlotte Moon with faith that she may join your family. Help me and Jennifer, as her parents, model your character to her. Help us, through our lives, show her your character as she grows up, even before she is old enough to think about you. And as she matures, help us point her toward you; let her see your glory and grant her faith in your son.

Bless your church, Father, and help us see our unity in faith. Help us see each other as members of Christ’s body. And help us be a light to this dark world.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

In the beginning

2008-07-21T22:25:00.005-04:00

I have just finished reading Genesis--the first book completed through my new Bible reading plan. And here are a few quick observations about Genesis:

1) All the prophets testify about Jesus. "If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me" (Jn 5:46). In Genesis 48:10, I read: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, or the staff from between his feet, until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him." And Gen 22:18 states, "All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command."

2) As Tim Keller has noted, the Bible is counter-cultural. In ancient cultures, the eldest son was the blessed son and the one who received the inheritance. But, in Genesis, the eldest son is not the blessed one. Cain was the eldest and killed the younger son who pleased God. Abraham's eldest son Ishmael was not the promised and chosen son; that was Isaac. Isaac's eldest son was Esau, but Jacob received the blessing. Of Jacob's 12 sons, it was Joseph that God chose to use for the salvation of his family. In fact, at his death, Jacob pronounced this on his eldest: "Turbulent as water, you will no longer excel..." (Gen 49:4a). And just prior to that, Jacob went to bless Joseph's youngest son and Joseph tried to correct him.

When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's. Joseph said to his father, "Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head." But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation. (Genesis 48:17-19)

3) The characters of the Bible trust the sovereignty of God. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because of his faith in God's provision (Gen 22). Joseph saw all the bad things that happened to him as the will of God.

And now don't be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. (Gen 45:5-8a)

4) There is an amazing continuity in the Bible. Joseph and Job both saw everything, good and bad, as part of God's sovereignty and wisdom. Throughout the Bible, God chooses nobodies to do incredible things; an old nomad with no kids becomes father to millions and to the Messiah. The Messiah is born to a poor family in a small hamlet. But, of course, that birthplace was foretold because it was also where God called a poor shepherd boy--the youngest in his family--to become the great king. And finally, there is the constant theme of trusting God to fulfill his promises and be kind to his people.

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Father, 0pen my eyes so that I may see wonderful things in your instruction. Help me understand the meaning of your teachings so I may meditate on your wonders. Teach me, Father, and help me follow your way. Put your word in my heart and teach me to love your wisdom. Help me to follow your teaching and to take pleasure in your word. Turn my heart to your word and not toward temporary temporal riches. Turn my eyes from what is worthless to focus on what is priceless. May I be like the rich man who found the treasure in the field and gladly sold everything to buy that field. Make me like the good soil that hears your word and bears good fruit. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sunday worship

2008-07-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. The seeds along the path are those who have heard. Then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the seeds on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing. As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit. But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.

"No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is concealed that won't be revealed, and nothing hidden that won't be made known and come to light. Therefore, take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him."

Luke 8:11-18, CSB

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Father, for two thousand years, your church, the bride of Christ, has used each Sunday to worship you in community. For you are worthy of all our worship, and you alone deserve worship. Your people, from the beginning of mankind, have worshipped you as the creator and sustainer of the entire universe. And for thousands of years, your chosen people of Israel worshipped you as the God who made a covenant with his people. And for two millennia, your church has worshipped you as the loving father who was not willing for us to remain estranged from you and so devised a way for us to be rejoined into relationship with you. We worship you and love you because you first loved us.

I ask that on this Sunday, throughout the world, as your people gather together to hear your word, we will be like the good ground. We will hear your word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit. Open our hearts to hear your word and see great things in it. Fill us with your goodness, wisdom and love by your Spirit.

And as your word takes hold of us, I ask that your church would be like the lamp placed on a high table, bringing light to the entire room, destroying the darkness that causes people to stumble. May we be like a city on a hill, beautiful in the distance calling out to those wandering in the desert, offering safety and comfort, shining as a beacon to this lost and dying world. May people throughout the world, on this day, see the church and be like travelers who, after crossing a great distance, finally see their destination and are filled with hope and joy at the thought of passing through our gates. I ask that you would call people who do not know you and that you would take out their hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh so that they could hear and love the voice of Jesus.

I pray that you will bless the untold number of missionaries throughout the world who do not have churches to gather with on Sundays; and I pray for the millions of Christians around the globe that meet together in secret and at the risk of their own lives. May they be like Jason and the other disciples who were charged with turning the world upside down (Acts 17:5-7).

I ask all these things because I know you are great and able to accomplish whatever you plan. No plan of yours can be thwarted. And I ask these things in the name of Jesus who makes it possible for me to approach you as a son. Amen.

So far am I from the perfection of God

2008-07-18T21:58:00.004-04:00

It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he have previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself. For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustice, vileness, folly, and impurity.... So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue, to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness will become polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy will be condemned as the most miserable impotence. So far are those qualities in us, which seem most perfect, from corresponding to the divine purity.

~ John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

Hubble's image of part of the Eagle Nebula
~ 41,147,200,349,956,260 miles from earth

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God, you are unbelievably, unfathomably awesome. So often, I am tempted to think of myself as something special, someone who deserves good things because of my own merit. I am tempted, by my own sinful nature, to compare myself to others and ignore you. And when I compare myself to others, I excuse my own faults and amplify theirs. I look for cause to blame others and celebrate myself. I am tempted to think of myself as something decent, even good. I seek to promote myself. But, when I give any thought to you, I can see that I am, on my own, insignificant and hollow.

You, God, are great beyond compare and everything pales in relation to you. Except that you reached out your hand to me and chose me for your care and attention. You gave me significance when you adopted me into your holy family and promised me a glorious inheritance. You saw me in my complete sin and rebellion, and you saved me by your grace and for your glory. And you deserve every bit of the glory. Only you could save me and I owe everything to you, my creator and sustainer, my father in heaven.

Father, help me to always keep my focus on you. Help me resist the temptation to see myself only in flattering terms and promote myself to the level of a god. Show me how to look beyond this earth and see you, your majesty and power, your faithfulness and wisdom, your justice and compassion, your love and your mercy. Help me know the reality that I would be hopelessly lost without you, and help me live in constant thankfulness for the gifts you continually give me.

I come to you and I praise you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

reading through the Bible

2008-07-11T08:45:00.005-04:00

Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statutes,
and I will always keep them.
Help me understand Your instruction,
and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart.
Help me stay on the path of Your commands,
for I take pleasure in it.
Turn my heart to Your decrees
and not to material gain.
Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;
give me life in Your ways.
Confirm what You said to Your servant,
for it produces reverence for You.

Psalm 119:33-38, CSB

Have you ever read the entire Bible? I don't really know if I have. But, because I've never used a comprehensive plan for studying the Bible, I don't know that I've read everything.

And not having a comprehensive plan also makes it more difficult for me to sit down and study the Bible. When I taught a Bible study, I had something to study each week. But, in general, I just sit down and read something. But, what should I read? I usually end up doing one of two things: a) read a familiar section--perhaps 1 John since it's short and reasonable easy to understand, or b) randomly pick one of those sections I feel I probably neglect--perhaps Amos.

So, I have decided to try a plan to read through the Bible. Zondervan has a bunch of reading plans, but I chose this one because a) it's self-paced, b) it cover the entire Bible and c) I can check off what I've read and make sure I cover the entire Bible in time.

This morning, I read Genesis 1-3. It was a little tempting to pre-check all those parts that I know I've already read. But, I am not going to do that. I am starting fresh.

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Father, I pray that you will bless me as I read your word. Help me to understand your message and to take it in and love it. Give me a passion for you and your word, and give me the desire to know you more and more. Let me see your beauty and value so that I would not value anything above you; help me crush all my idols and live for your glory alone. Through your Spirit, and ebcause of your son Jesus, teach me to love you with all my heart, all my strength, all my soul, and all my mind. Amen.

Things I Star

2008-07-10T19:27:00.003-04:00

I use Google Reader to keep track of numerous blogs, and I have been starring some of the ones I wanted to look at again later. So, I had the idea of going back through and praying for/from these various topics.

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Father, you are truly great and have done great things for your people. I thank you and praise you for your kindness and goodness to your people.

I ask that you bless the young people in your church and bless their ministries. May everyone in your church be inspired by the young Christians who are changing the world. May they turn the world upside down and serve to bring your glory among the nations.

I ask you to bless the work of 9Marks and Capital Hill Baptist Church. Bless their work with the churches of Africa as they bring the real good news to the people. Thank you for the example shown by your church in Africa who demonstrate that the church is the body of Christ, not beautiful architecture, stained glass and a high-tech sound system. 9Marks has helped me understand better what the church can and should be.

Thank you for the work of pastor-teachers, such as John Piper and Wayne Grudem, who help me better understand how to know you.

Father, I thank you for the chance to teach world religions next year. I pray that your word would be heard and understood, and that it will penetrate the hearts of students. I pray that you will call these students--that they will hear the voice of Jesus and respond to him.

Father, I am grateful for the amazing heritage of Christians throughout history who have shown that You are more precious than life. And I thank you for those Christian missionaries who have shown me what it means to live among the world, but not of the world.

I am grateful for the plethora of great, biblical teaching, such as Frame's lectures and Dwell, that is now available free online. I’d also want to thank John Piper and Desiring God Ministries who had a “whatever you can afford” policy long ago and was a pioneer in putting everything online for free.

Father, I pray that you will continue to bless the ministries of your people around the world and that you will continue to help me grow in the image of your son Jesus. Amen.

God is good to us

2008-07-03T16:22:00.003-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness....
Galatians 5:22

In my last post on the Fruit of the Spirit, I noted that “kindness” was a moral goodness (righteousness) that cannot exist apart from the Spirit of God. Romans 3:12 tells us there is no one who naturally has that moral goodness. Now, I am on the next part of the Fruit, which is “goodness.” But, this goodness (Greek agathosune) is not an inward morality but an outward beneficence; it is an active working for the benefit of others, even at great cost to ourselves. The word for goodness in Gal 5 is from the root agathos, which Paul used in Romans 7:18 when he wrote, “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh.” Humans are naturally selfish; we don’t, even in our best days, look primarily toward the good of others. Yet, the Fruit of the Spirit is not only “kindness,” or an internal moral goodness, but “goodness,” in our actions toward others. Jesus even told us to do good (agathopoieo) to those who hate us and Paul wrote that from the beginning of time, God has been good to mankind giving them rain and crops, “satisfying your hearts with food and happiness.” The Fruit of the Spirit changes our inner being, giving us moral integrity, but it also changes our actions, giving us a desire labor for others.

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Father, you are truly good, having given humanity the blessings of this earth, which you created.
And you gave us the witness of your creation to testify to us about your glory and grace.

You bore with humanity as we turned your creation into an object of worship. We became idolaters. But, you sent prophets to Israel and taught your people about your glory. And when the time was right, you sent Jesus to do good to those who hated you. And you sent his disciples out among the people of the earth.

It is true, Father, that I cannot do good on my own. My sinful nature guides my passions toward myself. But, through the good work you have begun in me, you are changing my heart. I pray that you will continue to help me become more like Jesus; help me find such satisfaction in you that I would have the desire to do good even to those who do evil to me.

And even when I am not facing persecution, Father, build in me a heart for others so that I would work for their good. Allow me to be among those willing to sacrifice to bring your good news to others. Every day, I live with people who do not know you and are dying apart from you. Help me be a witness among them to your goodness. And give me the heart, Father, to do good as a husband and father, so that I can demonstrate your goodness to those you have entrusted to my care.

May I never forget your goodness toward me, and may I live each day in complete trust and awe of your grace.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Making the most of the time

2008-06-27T11:04:00.003-04:00

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,
giving thanks always for everything
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21, CSB

FellowElder today reminded me of a passage from Don Whitney’s advice, which he wrote in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, based on Paul’s words in Ephesians. So, if you followed that, I am blogging about what FellowElder blogged about, what Whitney wrote about, what Paul wrote about using our time wisely.

Anyway, I started a new summer job recently and I have moved to a new community recently. So, how I use my time, professionally and socially, has been on my mind. Of course, to use time wisely, I need to use every moment of every day to bring glory to God. And, as John Piper would put it, I can accomplish that goal of bringing glory to God by being “most satisfied in him.” In addition, my satisfaction in God should overflow in such a way that others see my joy is from him, not from earthly possessions or even happy relationships with other people—although God made us to be relational. If such joy overflows for others to see, that can accomplish the goal of being a witness—a lamp placed on a stand, or a city on a hill. Further, bringing God glory means doing the things with my time that God would have me do; that means, building relationships, studying his word, etc. “Do everything for God's glory (1 Cor 10:31).

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Father, I praise your wonderful and glorious name.
God, you are my God and I eagerly seek you.
I look to you for your strength and glory.
May my words and actions glorify you,
for your faithful love is greater than life.
May I always praise you as you satisfy me.
When I lie in bed at night, let me think of you,
because you are my strength.
Let me live each moment you give me to your glory.
I am not guaranteed another moment on this earth,
but I am promised that you will always be there,
and that you make all things work for the good of those you’ve called.
You are in control;
you set the world in place and sustain everything that exists.
Through Jesus, your Word, you created the universe;
let everything that has breath praise your glorious name.
In my work, let me bring your praise.
In my relationships, let me show your glory.
As a father and husband, let me show your love, faithfulness and protection.
As a friend, let me show your compassion and care.
As a teacher, let me show your wisdom and truth.
As a neighbor, let me show your hospitality and generosity.
As your child, adopted through your love shown in Jesus’ death and resurrection, let me live every moment with my eyes focused on you.
Let me love you with all my heart, all my strength, all my soul and all my mind,
and it will follow, as the night follows the day, that I will then love my neighbor as myself.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

our kindness and His kindness - fruit of the Spirit series

2008-06-01T09:19:00.004-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness....
Galatians 5:22

Well, it's been a while since I've posted and I want to continue my series of praying through the fruit of the Spirit. While studying what the Bible has to say about kindness, I found something interesting; the Greek word translated kindness [chrestotes] in Gal 5:22 means moral integrity and kindness and is used 10 times in the NT. One of those uses occurs in Romans 3:12:

All have turned away,
together they have become useless;
there is no one who does good [chrestotes],
there is not even one.

So, Paul tells us in Romans 3, quoting from Psalm 14, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, there is no one who does what is right, no one who does good [chrestotes] in the eyes of God. And yet, the fruit of the Spirit is kindness [chrestotes]. In other words, it is the Spirit in us that allows us to do what we could not do on our own. And moreover, it is only through the Spirit that we can do what God expects of us; without the Spirit, we are lost in our sinful natures.

Amazing grace!
How sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost,
but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

But, wait; there's more.

While chrestotes is used to describe our innate sin and later our fruit, it is most often used to describe the kindness God showed us through our salvation. Romans 2:4 tells us about "the riches of His kindness [chrestotes], restraint, and patience, [that is] intended to lead you to repentance." And Ephesians 2:4-9 states:

But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved! He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace in [His] kindness [chrestotes] to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

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Father, I am a sinner, who by nature, does not show kindness.
I am selfish and prideful.
My natural desire is to turn away from you.
But, you are the creator of the universe;
you are the one who truly is independent.
There have been so many times I knew the right thing to do,
but yet I didn't do it.
I cannot be good on my own.
But, because of your Spirit, I am now growing in the image of your Son.
It is through your kindness, in pouring your Spirit out on me,
that I am able to be kind in return.
When I deserved nothing but your wrath, you saved me.
And you saved me as a way to demonstrate your goodness.
In all those times I sinned against you, you were kind, restrained and patient.
And your kindness, your restraint, your patience allowed me to come to know you.
You brought me to repentance.
Help me always remember the kindness you have shown and help me show that kindness to others.
Continue the good work in me as you bring me to know you more deeply.
And may I live in constant praise of you because of the grace you have shown to me.
I praise you in the name of Jesus, your Son and my savior. Amen.

I am fickle

2008-05-13T19:24:00.003-04:00

fickle (fĭk'əl) adj. Characterized by erratic changeableness or instability, especially with regard to affections or attachments; capricious. (New American Heritage Dictionary)

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Father, I confess my fickleness; while I know your calling on my life, to take up my cross and follow Jesus, to find myself by losing myself, I too often turn back and lose sight of your plan in my life. I lose sight of my mission on this earth and begin to think like those who do not know you, like I did before I came to know you. I begin to seek my own comfort and security. But, in your amazing grace and love, you remind me--sometimes gently and sometimes more forcefully, but always for my good--to get back on the right path.

I pray that you guard me from my own fickleness; through your Holy Spirit, guide me when I stray. May Jesus shepherd me, for like a sheep, I am prone to wandering off. Let your rod and your staff comfort me.

I praise you and ask your guidance in the name of Jesus. Amen.

10,000

2008-05-12T20:22:00.002-04:00

At that time, some people came and reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And He responded to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all Galileans because they suffered these things? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well! Or those 18 that the tower in Siloam fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the people who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!"
Luke 13:1-5, CSB

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Father, you were not caught off guard by today's earthquake. You are in control of all nature, including earthquakes. Nothing happens apart from your will. People will ask, why did this happen. But, Father, do not let us use this to blaspheme your name. For while we do not always understand your mysterious ways, we do know your ways are not our ways; your ways are so much greater than our ways. And we do know that not even a bird cannot die apart from your will; so in the midst of disaster, we can trust in you and put our faith in you.

And Father, we can use this disaster to cling to you and to share your good news. May your church in China seize this moment to reach out to their neighbors and show your mercy and compassion. And may your church around the world see this opportunity to be rich on every occasion for the purpose of bringing you praise by sharing with those in need.

I thank you for the time you give each of us; not one person deserves this moment alive, yet you spare us despite our sins. For while we were still sinners, you sent your Son to die for us. May your love be known by more and more people.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Challies evening

2008-05-11T21:43:00.004-04:00

Earlier this evening I posted a prayer based on a Puritan prayer I found on Challies.com. Well, after thumbing through the site some more, I found a review on a new book titled "Praying Backwards." Apparently, part of the book focuses on the typical Christian's use of "in Jesus' name" in prayers.

[The words] "In Jesus name, amen!” [typically] close prayer and for most of us mean something along the lines of “well that’s done, open your eyes!” or “I really mean it!” Chapell premises his book on taking “in Jesus name” and placing it at the beginning of the prayer (hence “praying backwards”).

I have not read the book, so I will not try to critique its ideas in any meaningful way. Instead, I will put on my constructivist thinking cap (for all you educational theorists) and share what comes to my mind as I read the blog post.

I tend to end my prayers with "in Jesus' name," but I also try not to let that statement become a formula or trite conclusion. I try not to let it be a way of saying, "I'm done now Lord." For that reason, I sometimes try to adapt the statement to the specific prayer. For example, in my prayer for those affected by the cyclone in Myanmar, I closed with:

I ask all this in the name of Jesus, who suffered so much and now stands as a high priest who is able to sympathize with our needs. Amen.

And when I do not necessarily adapt the statement to the specific prayer, I often try to address some specific aspect of Jesus' character that gives me the freedom to approach God with my prayers. For example, in tonight's prayer on patience in the fruit of the Spirit, I closed with:

Father, I praise you and honor you in the name of Jesus whose death bought me the redemption my soul needed, and who became the firstborn among many children you have adopted into your family.

May all the glory and honor and praise be to you. Amen.

After all, the point of the statement is not to meet some prayer formula, that if we say it, forces God to respond in a certain way. This isn't the Prayer of Jabez. The point is to communicate our reliance on Jesus as the sole reason we have any claim to God. And we do have a glorious inheritance from God because, and only because, of the work of Jesus (Eph 1). Without Jesus, we approach God as defiled sinners who are repugnant to God. But, through Jesus, our Advocate (Zech 3), we approach God as pure and blameless. And this is true whether we put those statements at the beginning or the end of the prayer.

I have also heard of the ACTS method of prayer--Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. I think the method is based on the Lord's Prayer, but seems to generally be found in many biblical prayers. In my prayers, I usually try to address those major themes, but again I try not to pray by formula.

In my mind, it makes sense to begin with adoration. It is good for me to remind myself why I am praying to God. He is great; he is in control; he can meet my needs; he deserves my worship. Obviously, confession is part of prayer. We all fall short of the glory of God and must rely on his eternal, unwarranted, free mercy and grace. That leads necessarily to thanksgiving. And supplication is a major aspect of prayer; you have not because you ask not.

Another quick idea I'll share is from the Autobiography of George Muller (highly recommended!). He wrote that he previously had trouble staying focused while reading his Bible. But, he found that if he prayed as he read, about the things he read, it helped him stay focused. I have tried this and find it to be an amazingly simple and profound concept. Actually, I just remembered that I previously posted on this idea.

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Father, may I never treat prayer as a formula or an obligation. May I see prayer as a way of growing closer to you, and expressing my heart to you and learning your heart. May I always remember the glorious gift you have given me through Jesus that allows me to approach you with confidence. Because, I know that you who gave your Son for my salvation will not withhold any good thing from me. May your will be done and may I always have faith that you hear my prayers and answer them according to your loving kindness. Amen.

Puritan family prayer

2008-05-11T17:02:00.004-04:00

In honor of Mother's Day, Tim Challies posted a Puritan prayer for family on his site. I liked the prayer, but in order to ensure I reflected on it, understood it, and meant it, I decided to rewrite it from its archaic language into my own language. I also found that as I wrote it, I expanded it a little to not only include prayer for my family but to ask God to give me a heart for more people.

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Oh God, you are sovereign, so I come to you as the only sure hope in the universe.
You are the creator of all people; you made each person, carefully and wonderfully made each of us, and you sustain us.
You have chosen and adopted your people; you have chosen a small group out of the many to love and honor; your people are blessed, overflowing with your grace, and those who are willing to give up their entire lives to follow Jesus find that his burden his light and his calling and demands are good; your commands are wonderful and following your word we find joy and satisfaction.
But, I am a sinner still. Oh, how much I still rebel against you and despise your wonderful, amazing grace. How much of my nature is still constantly seeking to be its own god. I seek my own good above the good of others--my own glory above your glory. How often I turn from you and sin against you, many times willfully and many times without even considering you.
Father, have mercy on me and do not count my evil against me. Bring me to repentance, for my natural self is in rebellion to you and I cannot, on my own, submit myself to you.
Let me see the sin I commit as you see it; let me abhor it as you abhor it.
Let me know my weaknesses and find my redemption and model in Jesus.
Give me the spiritual discernment to turn from my evil thoughts and control my harsh words against my friends and neighbors.
Keep me from temptations and give me the strength to resist the Devil when he lies to me.
Through your Spirit, kill the sin living in my soul and complete the good work you have begun in me.
Give me a heart for the lost and dying world around me. Give me a heart for the needs of people, especially their greatest need--to know you are their God.
It is painful to think of the eternal suffering of those friends and family members who continue to reject you and die apart from you. Keep me from merely acting as if this fate is not real. Let me truly know your truth.
Let those people who I know and love come to know and love you. Choose them as those saved for your glory. Cleanse them, separate them from the sinful world, and make them your children. And give me a love for more people that I might pray for their salvation as well.
Make my personal relationship with you a pure, blameless and holy relationship so that I might be an example for those who know me.
Make me fruitful in my worship of you, and help me be a godly example and leader in my family, that I may one day present Jennifer to Jesus and teach Charlotte to love you with all her heart, all her soul, all her mind, and all her strength. May my home be a small church, teaching and doing your word.
Let me nurture and cultivate my family as a holy garden for your glory.
May no one I know ever be left believing that their own good deeds, their own morality, their own personality, their own intelligence, or their own anything, will get them into heaven. May all those I come into contact with, especially those who you have entrusted to my care, hear clearly the message that every one of us is a sinner who has exchanged your glory for idols and that our only hope is the redemption you offer through the blood of Jesus.
Give each of us the good fruits of a mind open to you, a receptive heart, and the hearing and understanding of your word.
Change the hearts of those who still reject you from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.
Save those who I love and make me love those who I do not.
I pray that your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. And I ask all these things in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

He is patient

2008-05-11T14:41:00.004-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience....
Galatians 5:22, CSB

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Father, you are truly a patient God. Before you even created the universe, you made a plan for the entire future of mankind. You planned the first people and put them in the garden, knowing they would sin against you. But, in your mysterious plan, you already knew what they would do in rebellion, and you knew what you would do for redemption. From the beginning, your plan was to make your glory known through the redemption brought by your Son Jesus. Looking forward, across a thousand generations, you set your plan in motion and waited for the fullness of time, until the time was right to send your Son. And after your Son redeemed your people, you continued your plan and are patient through this day, for you still have more to come. You will one day send Jesus back to lay claim to his kingdom and set everything under his authority. You did these things patiently, according to your plan for your glory.

And you have taught your people patience. You chose Abraham, not when he was young and strong, but when he was old and without hope of anyone to carry on his name. Not only did you allow his name to continue, you made his name great. And you did it on your own timing, even though he and Sarah tried to form their own plan to accomplish your plan. We must be patient according to your promises.

And you sent Joseph ahead of his people to Egypt to prepare a place for them. You told him that one day his brothers would bow before him. And you sent him, not at the moment he was needed, but many years ahead. But, he was patient and saw your plan fulfilled when his family came to him for deliverance from the famine.

And your people found patience necessary as they were enslaved in Egypt. And when Moses ran into the desert, you called him. But, you did not send him back to Egypt right away. Again, like Abraham, you waited until Moses was old and had no strength but you. And when he pleaded his own incompetence to accomplish your mission, you assured him that it would never be him who accomplished anything. But, it is you who accomplishes through your people. And when Moses returned to Egypt, you did not immediately rescue your people. But, you showed your glory, patiently, to Pharaoh and to the people of Egypt. And, when the time was right, you led your people out of Egypt and on to the path of discipleship.

You gave Moses your law. And in your law, you gave a glimpse of your coming Son. You established a system of laws and rituals, sacrifices for atonement, that could never bring people redemption or sanctification. But, you set these in place to prepare the way for your Son.

And over the next centuries, you bore patiently with your rebellious people. You sent many prophets to warn them and teach them. And despite their continual rejection of your glory, you never failed to bring yourself glory through them.

And when the time was right, you took another old man and old woman and gave them a son to serve as Elijah and prepare the way for the coming Messiah. And you sent your messenger to a young woman to tell her you were finally going to bring salvation to your people. How glorious is your patience because no matter how long you wait, no matter how much time passes, no matter how many struggles occur in the meantime, your people can know, without fail, that nothing--absolutely nothing--ever stands in the way of your will. And when you promise, you make it come to pass.

And before the birth of your Son, religious men in the east had been watching the skies. And they saw the sign you placed there, a star to show the way.

And Jesus grew up in a simple family, in a simple hamlet. And he waited patiently for your timing. When he was at the wedding and his mother told him about the wine, he merely said that his time had not yet come. He was not in a hurry to move ahead of your plan, but he was content to wait patiently and follow your lead and your timing.

And when the time was right, you had your Son lifted up and glorified. And now he waits patiently for the timing of your plan for his return. For only you, Father, know the time when you will complete your plan.

In the meantime, you continue to work in your people, through your Son and your Spirit. And you continue to teach us patience. When Paul was walking on the road to Damascus, Jesus stopped him and saved him. But, Paul did not immediately become the missionary to the Gentiles. Instead, he waited patiently for many years as he learned about the real you. As a Pharisee, he thought he knew you. But, only time with you, by your Spirit, would allow him to really know you. And he waited before he appeared to the apostles and was commissioned to bring the good news to the Gentiles. And he waited patiently, through imprisonments and numerous trials, as you showed him your power and showed others your glory through him.

And Peter, the rock you built from a weakling, encouraged your people to never think you are slow in keeping your promises. You are not slow, but rather you are patient in bringing about your plan, because your patience allows more and more people to have time to come to you and be adopted into your family. Thank you, God, for being patient with your people and giving us time to find redemption in your Son and to grow by your Spirit. Thank you, God, for giving us time to share your good news with the world and enjoy the grace you have let overflow in us. May we, God, have the courage and passion to take every moment, not letting any go to waste, to bring you honor and glory and praise.

And even in Revelation, Father, when your martyrs cry out for deliverance, you tell them to wait patiently for the total number of them to join their ranks. For you have a plan, a great, mysterious, unfathomable plan. And what you plan you bring to completion.

Father, may we always remember that you are a God who controls everything and knows everything. Nothing escapes your notice. Nothing is too great for you to accomplish. And nothing is too small to enjoy your care. May we remember that your creation, while it groans for deliverance, is entirely your creation. We are yours because you made us and you chose us. We owe everything to you. May we not try to make ourselves gods and think we know better than you when the timing is right for anything. May we trust you completely; may we rely on you and find our security in you. And may we remember that your Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee, to put your seal on us and mark us as your possession, so that we can know for certain you, who began a good work in us, will carry on to completion.

Father, I praise you and honor you in the name of Jesus whose death bought me the redemption my soul needed, and who became the firstborn among many children you have adopted into your family.

May all the glory and honor and praise be to you. Amen.

How Great is Our God!

2008-05-09T17:16:00.007-04:00

Just this week, I received two amazing emails about God at work in our world. The first email is from M, who I have mentioned in previous prayers. M is a missionary in Asia; I use an initial because she is in a nation where missions are illegal. She recently sent out a prayer request for a young girl she called Gentle. She gave the girl that name in hope that it would become true. For, it was not true at the time. In fact, Gentle was a martial arts expert with a history of violence; and she came from a violent family. Yet, in this recent email, M tells of a miraculous change. Gentle has accepted Christ!

The second email is from Dr. Johnny Bley. He’s the director of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. They offer fully accredited bachelor’s degree in ministry to prison inmates who will lead churches within the prisons. Crazy you say? But, these men are often so completely changed by the gospel it is amazing. And this email will show some more examples.

Part of the email from M:

I was telling you in my last letter that [Gentle’s] mom was beaten and verbally abused many times by her Muslim husband. Her mom told Gentle and her two other brothers that if it weren’t for them she would have ended her life long time ago. Gentle grew up often seeing her father abusing and beating her mother and her heart became colder and colder, full of anger and bitterness toward him.

Gentle went home [for the weekend] and on Friday night, at 11 pm, she called me on my cell phone and she was crying desperately. She told me that her father beat her and she was running away from home. Our conversation got cut off and I couldn’t get a hold of her for the next couple of days. She did come back to school eventually but she didn’t want to meet me for a few days because she was too embarrassed. When we finally met it took her a long time to look into my eyes and start sharing what happened to her. We walked around the campus and she kept sharing. I just felt that her heart was ready that night to hear the gospel. It was late, I was tired and my [ability to speak the local language] was pretty bad that night but God gave me peace and reminded me that all I had to do was just to be there for this…girl and love on her. She said that she really wants to get rid of her anger, to start her personal relationship with…the One true God who loves her so much. At the end of our time together she asked me something that was very surprising, especially coming from a…person [of this culture]. She said, “Can I give you a hug?” and then she just cried for a few minutes. Here it was, this [Asian] Muslim girl whose heart used to be so closed and full of anger and who now started to warm up and receive God’s love for the first time in her life. That night, on my way back home, I was riding my bike, listening to P&W and just praising God.

Thank you, Lord for the miracle of another [person] stepping out of darkness into your Kingdom, for the miracle of witnessing how this girl is becoming…GENTLE.

Please continue to pray for Gentle, for her spiritual protection as she started her journey with God. She has lots of wounds in her heart and she needs serious counseling (she showed me on her left arm the scars from her cutting herself with a sharp pencil! She said she did that many times as her way to find relief from anger).

And here is part of the email from Dr. Bley:

One of our 15 inmates at unit 32 [the super-max prison unit] was witnessing to an inmate on his tier. After a Monday night class, he was excited about what we had been discussing and decided to try to witness to this inmate again. Instead of listening to him, the inmate pulled a shank and attacked our student, cutting him 9 times: twice in the chest, four cuts on his head and three on his arms. Our student not only survived the attack but is back in class and has forgiven the other inmate for the attack. Our student's prison moniker is "Killer," and another inmate, a non-Christian, exclaimed, "Killer, Jesus really has changed you hasn't he!" He is a walking witness to God's ability to completely change an inmate from a killer to a martyr. Can you say WOW?

…In the past academic year, our men have personally led 82 men to the saving knowledge of Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Friends, personally there is no greater reason for me to shout "Wow" and "Hallelujah" for what our great God is doing in this place.

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Oh God, you are so unbelievably, unimaginably, uncontainably, awesome! You are truly the Lord of hosts--God of all powers. Only you can change the hearts of men, and no man's heart is so evil or so strong as to resist your amazing grace. I praise you for your great mercy and love, your forgiveness that you have given to all those who you have called into your family for your glory. May every one stand and praise your name and bring you glory for all eternity.

From the beginning, you have reached out to a stubborn people. You called out to Adam in the garden and showed him that you would make things right. You called out to Abraham and promised him a nation when he was practically dead. You called Moses while he was on the run, and through him you rescued your chosen nation. You called Jonah to preach your forgiveness to an evil nation, and when he refused and ran, you caught him and led him to Nineveh. And when he grew angry over your forgiveness, you showed him and me that you care for people more than any of us.

You sent Jesus to live the life that brings you glory--the glory every person has exchanged for idols--and to die in our place for our idolatry. And when Paul tried to kill off your church, you grabbed hold of him and showed him how much he must suffer for your glory.

And even today, you are changing hearts and minds, turning them upside down and focusing them on your name and beauty. You are taking people whose hearts are filled with hate and replacing that hate with love. Who else could take a murderer and turn him into a loving martyr? Who else could take a man who killed his enemies and make him into a man who would die for his enemies. Your people are not like those who follow the Devil. Your people do not seek power and martyrdom through killing. Jesus told Peter to put away his swords and he told Pilot that he could call angels to defend him, but his kingdom was not of this world. Your people know that the greatest love is not being willing to kill in your name, but being willing to give one's self over to death, if need be, for your name and your glory and your honor.

Oh God, I pray that you would continue to work miracles in Parchman, MS and Asia, and throughout the world. I pray that all your chosen people would hear the voice of their Shepherd and follow him. And I pray that all your people would take up their cross and follow him. Revive your church and give us power through your Spirit. Give us strength and courage to share your good news and to tell people-everyone--about their need of you and your offer of grace to them. And I pray that you would open their hearts to your word and write your law on their hearts. Remove their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh.

I pray that you would bless Killer and his ministry and word spreads throughout Parchman of how you changed him and made him new, how you removed his filthy clothes and gave him clean white clothes. And I pray for Gentle as she begins her new life as your child. May you bring her healing from the pain she has endured for so long and may you comfort her and show her what it feels like to have a loving father. Bless the ministries at Parchman and Angola, and in Asia; bless the missionaries who have carried your world into the parts of the world where you were not known, whether those places are in Asia, in maximum security prisons, or anywhere else in the world.

And may your church see these works of yours and now that you are God.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Baker's Dozen of Biblical 12s - 1st Thursday 13

2008-05-08T16:54:00.006-04:00

A famous blogger has been posting her Thursday 13s for some time now; and wanting to be as famous, I thought I'd give it a try. This week's theme is "gross" (144). Well, here are 13 verses from the Bible mentioning 12 of something(s). OK, so it's not a gross, but it's the square root of a gross.

1. These are the tribes of Israel, 12 in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing. (Genesis 49:28)

2. This was the dedication gift from the leaders of Israel for the altar when it was anointed: 12 silver dishes, 12 silver basins, and 12 gold bowls. (Numbers 7:84)

3. Twelve lions were standing there on the six steps, one at each end. Nothing like it had ever been made in any other kingdom. (1 Kings 18:20)

4. Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. (1 Kings 19:19)

5. Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1)

6. Then one of the Twelve—the man called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests…. (Matthew 26:14)

7. When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve. (Matthew 26:20)

8. While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 26:47)

9. He appointed the Twelve: To Simon, He gave the name Peter (Mark 3:16)

10. When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. (Mark 4:10)

11. Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

12. Then He took the Twelve aside and told them, "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. (Luke 18:31)

13. [The city] had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; [on the gates], names were inscribed, the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel. (Revelation 21:12)

* All verses are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

fruit series #4

2008-05-06T22:23:00.002-04:00

My next post in the Fruit of the Spirit series will be on patience.

But, you'll just have to wait for it.

Mt 6:7

2008-05-06T21:46:00.002-04:00

When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:7, CSB

My wife informed me that when she reads my prayer blog, she just reads the first sentence of every paragraph. Let's see what she sees.

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Father, when disaster strikes a land, you are in control.

Father, you are a loving God, and I pray for all the people directly affected by this disaster.

Father, I pray that people everywhere would see this and know that literally, "There but by the grace of God, go I."

I pray that your people in Myanmar will be able to use this disaster to share your glory as they trust in you and find joy in you.

I pray that your rich church in the Western world would wake up to the luxury and consumerism that plagues our spiritual lives.

Father, I pray that the great aspects of economic development, including good hygiene and the simple ability to communicate news of impending weather, could spread across the world.

May the world come to know you through this disaster.

I ask all this in the name of Jesus, who suffered so much and now stands as a high priest who is able to sympathize with our needs.

Amen.

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Since it's clear she would get the main points just from the first sentences, I am faced with two options to consider: either I am a babbler who thinks I'll be heard for my many words, or I am just a good writer who uses topic sentences well. Or, perhaps it's both. What say you?

That question was directed to you, Jennifer, since Google analytics tells me you're really the only one who reads my blog.

Lk 13:1-5

2008-05-06T17:11:00.003-04:00

John Piper has posted about "6 ways to react to the cyclone."

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Father, when disaster strikes a land, you are in control. You control whether a bird lives or dies, and you control whether a cyclone forms or not. You have set the laws of the universe in place, so even meteorology is at your hand. May you be praised and glorified in good weather and in bad.

Father, you are a loving God, and I pray for all the people directly affected by this disaster. I pray that those people who are undoubtedly trapped, but alive, would be found and saved. I pray for those people who have lost members of their families; comfort them and let them know that you are in control. I pray for the communities wrecked by this storm. May your will be done in those communities and your name be honored.

Father, I pray that people everywhere would see this and know that literally, "There but by the grace of God, go I." Because, Jesus told us not to be surprised when disaster strikes some people. Instead, we should be surprised you have not killed us all. You bear patiently with the human race, which is at war with you. You give us time to come to repentance. Every one of us is a sinner; we have rejected you and fought against you. But, you sent your Son to take our place and bring us to you. May this cause people to see they cannot find security in any thing but you and that, even though we are utterly undeserving of your mercy, you offer mercy and more--you offer your grace and eternal life.

I pray that your people in Myanmar will be able to use this disaster to share your glory as they trust in you and find joy in you. May their neighbors see their faith and come to realize that you are a treasure and you offer eternal life--reward that cannot be destroyed by moths, fire, or even cyclones.

I pray that your rich church in the Western world would wake up to the luxury and consumerism that plagues our spiritual lives. Sometimes, we feel we are rich and in need of nothing; we don't need a savior. Other times, we feel we are poor and need to be rescued, but we look toward government or products to give us a future. When we feel rich, we too often ignore the billions of people who lack so much. When we feel poor, we lose sight of the glorious blessings we have been given by you. May we realize that while a cyclone or a tsunami may hit and kill thousands, every day people are dying from living in absolute poverty, without adequate nutrition and clean water. We are rich in the physical world, and to those who much has been given, much is required.

Father, I pray that the great aspects of economic development, including good hygiene and the simple ability to communicate news of impending weather, could spread across the world. As nations develop, these disaster are less deadly. Yet, corrupt governments, war and other results of sin keep so many people mired in poverty. I pray that the benefits of development will come to the rest of the world; but I also pray that as economic progress spreads, these nations will not suffer the same consumerist idolatry found in the West. And, since all idols are an attempt to replace you, nations will only reject idols if they accept you. So, ultimately, the need of the entire world is a need for you. Nothing else matters without you.

May the world come to know you through this disaster.

I ask all this in the name of Jesus, who suffered so much and now stands as a high priest who is able to sympathize with our needs. Amen.

Word Cloud

2008-05-05T18:51:00.002-04:00

Here is my most recent word cloud showing what's frequently in my prayers.

peace and rest

2008-05-04T19:21:00.003-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace....
Galatians 5:22, CSB

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Father, I come to you in faith that you are the great and powerful God who created and sustains everything, and that you are the personal and loving God who has called me as an heir with Christ of your eternal fortune and reward. Because of your power and majesty, I can come with assurance that you are able to meet my every need. And because you are the personal God who called me as a son, I can come with assurance that you will hear me and bless me; I can come with the full assurance that you will make your face shine on me and give me peace.

Father, I thank you and praise you for sending Jesus to bring me peace through his death on the cross. For Jesus is my peace; he brings all your chosen people together and made us one in you (Eph 2:14). It was through his blood, shed on the cross, that everything has been reconciled to you (Col 1:20)—that I have been reconciled to you and made clean, washed of the filth that, in your eyes, covered me (Zech 3; Is 64:4). Now, it is through the justification that I have received by Jesus that I have been brought to peace with you (Ro 5:1). I am no longer your enemy, but can rest in your care. I was your enemy, but I am saved by Christ (Ro 5:10)! Now, through your Servant Jesus, you shepherd me and bring me peace (Ps 24). I can find harbor in your strength (Ps 36:7).

Father, help me set aside my old ways of selfish ambition, petty rivalry, jealousy, and whatever else put me at war with you and my neighbors. Let me love you will all my heart, all my strength, all my soul and all my mind so that nothing disturbs the peace I have in you. Show me how to be someone who brings peace to others (Mt 5:9). Give me the strength, wisdom and love to live at peace with everyone, as much as possible by your will (Ro 12:18). Give me peace through trials and challenges because I know that through Jesus I can overcome (Jn 16:33, Ro 8:37). And let me live at peace with others so that I might encourage them and show them your love, grace and mercy (Ro 14:19).

Father, keep me from the complacency and foolishness that leads people to find their security into the temporary things of the world (1 Thess 5:3). Let me always remember that you are in absolute control and nothing can thwart your plans (Job 42:2). May I always remember that my life is not guaranteed for another second, but I need to live every second you give me with an eternal focus on your glory and sovereignty (James 4:13-14). For, it is through my trust in your strength that I can have the peace that comes with assurance of my hope.

I pray that you would bring your peace to all your people throughout the world. Let us rise up as a church to sing your praises in a fallen world and to bring your good news of peace to all your chosen people. Let us glorify you and find our peace in your eternal rest.

Because there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, let us make every effort to enter that rest. Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess in Jesus, our high priest (Heb 4).

Amen.

serve with joy

2008-04-30T22:33:00.000-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy....
Galatians 5:22, CSB

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Father, you are a God of joy. You delight in your creation. You created the universe and declared it good, and created mankind and declared your entire creation very good. Then, you entered your rest in joy.

You command your people to serve you with joy and you disciplined Israel when they did not follow you with joy (Dt 28). And you sent Jesus so that our lives might be made joyful (Lk 2:10; Jn 10:10). Those who are called by you accept your good news with joy (1 Thes 1:6).

All of heaven rejoices when one of your lost sheep in found (Lk 15:7-10) because you are a God of mercy and forgiveness, and in that your people rejoice, too. Jesus' disciples wept at his death, but that sadness and distress was replaced with joy at the news that he had risen (Jn 16:20; Mt 28:8). And our joy in Jesus' triumph can never be diminished (Jn 16:22)!

Father, I can approach you and ask for your blessing because you want to make my joy complete (Jn 16:24).

May the members of your church encourage each other and bring joy to each other (Ro 15:32). May your church realize that we are united together by your Spirit through your gospel. May we take seriously our calling to be a family and to look out for each other and pursue each other's joy. May your church, in joy, reach out a helping hand to those in need (2 Cor 8:2). May our joy overflow into service for others and may our service overflow into thanksgiving to you (2 Cor 9).

Father, may I come to truly know and grasp the wealth of your love and the joy you offer. May I take hold of that joy and live my life with passion, knowing that you alone are my ultimate source of joy and that I can count on your power. May I enjoy the freedom you have given me in Christ.

May I find joy in praying for the needs of others and for your glory (Php 1:4). May I find joy in evangelism, sharing your glory and love with others (Php 1:25). May I rejoice in any loss I may suffer for your name (He 10:34) and may any loss I suffer be for your name (1 Pet 2:20).

Father, let me truly experience the joy that can only come from knowing you and experiencing your blessing on my life. May joy overflow from my life so that I live every moment rejoicing in you, praising you, and demonstrating your goodness to the world around me.

I have confidence asking all this because you, who gave your son Jesus for my joy, will not hold back anything that is best for my joy. May your will be done. Amen.

justice throughout the land

2008-04-29T19:50:00.002-04:00

"LORD my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David's place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. So God said to him, "Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.
1 Kings 3:7-12, CSB

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Father, I just read of yet another man freed from prison after DNA evidence cleared his name. 27 years in prison; I cannot imagine it. Father, I praise you for those who seek justice in this world. I ask you to bless the work of Project Innocence and help them right injustices throughout our nation. And, father, I plead that your church--your people called by your name for your glory--would take up the cause of justice in our nation. May we cry out for truth to be known.

Many times, your people are loud about injustices, such as abortion. And I am thankful that your people are active in that cause. But I pray that we would defend all those who are innocent, children and adults. Injustice anywhere cannot be tolerated. You are a just God; may your church raise up your banner and fight for justice, too.

And I pray for James Woodard and all the other innocent men freed from prison. Father, bless them and help them forgive. And help them as they transition back into society. For those who know you and love you, may they rejoice in knowing you are in control. Just as you were in control when Joseph was enslaved, and you meant for good to come from that evil, you are in control in events happening today. May those victims of injustice who know you also know that you work all things for the good of those who love you. And for those who do not know you, open their hearts to your word so that they may see, though they were incarcerated for crimes they did not commit, you offer them forgiveness and redemption for the crimes they did commit.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus, my advocate against the adversary. Amen.

Agape

2008-04-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love....
Galatians 5:22, CSB

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Father, you are love. In your love, you created mankind and blessed us. You made us in your own image to enjoy your forever. In love, you promised redemption to the first people who sinned against you. In love, you called Abram and gave him a new name; you gave him a son by your promise, and you made a great nation from him. In love, you sent Joseph to Egypt ahead of your people. In love, you brought Moses back to Egypt to lead your people into the Promised Land. In love, you bore with the Hebrews' grumbling through the desert. In love, you disciplined your people, even to the point of letting them be taken into captivity; but in love, you brought your people back to the Promised Land. In love, you sent prophets to your people and told them to look forward to your promised one. And when the time was right, you demonstrated your love to us by sending Jesus to live a perfect life and die a sinner's death, but then raised him from the dead and, through him, brought eternal life to all those who are called by you.

And to those you called, you have given your Holy Spirit to change our hearts so that we may love you and love like you. You changed John from a zealous youth who wanted to call down fire from heaven to kill the Samaritans into an elder whose heart was on fire for the cause of your mission. You changed Paul from a self-righteous Pharisee who sought the destruction of your church into a man who was willing to sacrifice his entire life for the cause of helping lose people find their home in your church. You have continued to change lives throughout history. You changed John Newton from the captain of a slave ship into a minister who stood amazed at the grace that saved a wretch like him. You changed George Muller from an rebellious sinner into a sinner saved by grace desiring nothing more than to show the world that you are faithful and can be trusted in everything.

Father, my I come to truly understand your love. May your love fill my heart and overflow from my soul. May your Spirit pour out your love into the hearts of your people so that your church would truly be known for the love it shows.

Father, teach us to love our enemies and give us the strength to put the needs of others above our own needs. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Give us a desire to ease the suffering of others and to heal their wounds.

Instead of loving you and loving what you love, our sinful nature leads us to love our own honor. We seek our own power and want to use that power over others. But, true love is a willingness to give our own lives in the service of others, just as Jesus willingly gave his life for us. Teach us to love.

Father, I pray that I would love you with my heart, all my soul, all my strength and my mind. And may that be true of everyone in your church.

I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

obliterated from the earth

2008-04-28T22:36:00.003-04:00

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh. Tell him: This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews says: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Otherwise, I am going to send all My plagues against you, your officials, and your people. Then you will know there is no one like Me in all the earth. By now I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague, and you would have been obliterated from the earth. However, I have let you live for this purpose: to show you My power and to make My name known in all the earth.
Exodus 9:13-16, CSB

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How great is the patience of God? Father, you are in complete control over the universe and you sustain everything that exists. Nothing exists without you. At any moment, you can take a life or destroy an entire civilization. Yet, you bear patiently with humanity, even though we constantly rebel against you. We, who depend on you for our very lives, try in futility to live our lives apart from you. We try to make ourselves into gods and act as if we have control or knowledge. And though we live this way, you have not destroyed us. Instead, you speak to us. You teach us. You forgive us by the life, death and resurrection of your son, Jesus. How great is our God!

You do more than spare our lives. You have even gone beyond forgiving our sins and pardoning us for our rebellion. You have adopted us as your children and made us heirs with Christ of your eternal fortune that we will enjoy in heaven for ever. And you, God, who gave us your son, will be faithful and kind to supply us with our every need so that we may bring you glory.

Father, I pray that you would bless Charlotte and help Jennifer and me as we teach her to love you and live her life for you. Through your Spirit, father, call her and give her a heart for you.

Bless my church, father, and help us live as a community of your people; help us encourage one another and be salt and light among our neighbors.

And guide me and teach me so that I may know you better and live the glorious life you desire for your people.

And I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

swimming in a septic tank

2008-04-27T07:11:00.003-04:00

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan: "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! May the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn't this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"
Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the Angel. So He spoke to those standing before Him, "Take off his filthy clothes!" Then He said to him, "See, I have removed your guilt from you, and I will clothe you with splendid robes."
Zechariah 3:1-4, CSB

Note: The Hebrew term for "filthy" means his clothes were dripping with human waste, as if he had been swimming in a septic tank. There the high priest stood before God with the sight and smell of human waste covering his entire body. That is the disgusting reality of our sin in the eyes of God.

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Oh Father, Yahweh, the personal and real, omniscient and omnipotent God who created and sustains everything, how amazing it is that you tolerate the awful sinfulness of mankind! Even Joshua, the high priest of Israel who helped rebuild the nation with Ezra and Nehemiah was a disgusting mess of sin in your eyes. Even the righteous acts of man are filth to you (Is 64:6). What hope can mankind have apart from you? None, there is no hope apart from you. May your people praise your name throughout the whole earth because you are merciful and gracious, loving and patient with us.

You did not leave Joshua, or your people, covered in such filth. But, through Jesus, you cleansed us--washed away all the sin leaving not a single toxic E. coli behind, and gave us heavenly clothing. You gave us the clothing of the priesthood and use as a nation of priests to minister to each other and to the lost and dying world.

I celebrate you God and your Servant, the Branch of David who you sent to be the propitiation for the sins of your people; you turned away your wrath from your people by the stone the builders rejected. And for others, the stone has become a stumbling block. Father, I pray that through your Spirit, people stumbling over Jesus right now would have their hearts opened and would hear the calling of their Shepherd. And I pray your people, as priests, would preach your good news and take your word to their neighbors and their enemies--making brothers and sisters out of both.

Bless your people and give us wisdom, strength, courage and love to turn the world upside down in your name, for your glory. Use us to bring justice and peace to our communities. May your people stand up and loudly reject the evils of our societies.

May your church serve as a witness to the preciousness of marriage; may our marriages serve as examples of love, forgiveness, faithfulness and godliness. May we recognize that what God has joined no man can separate.

May your church fight for justice and defend those who are oppressed. Father, I pray for Mohammed Maree and the political prisoners in Egypt and other repressive nations. Bring freedom and human dignity to those nations, but most importantly, bring your Spirit and your name to those nations; may the people in Egypt, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq, and every nation in the world hear your truth and find freedom in you. Father, I especially pray for those prisoners who are suffering specifically for your name. Bless Li M and the prisoners of China; bless your church in China as that nations increases its injustices leading up to the Olympics. I pray for your missionaries in China and throughout Asia. I pray for M and the team working among the Muslim people. Continue to bless their ministry and bring fruit to their work. And I pray for those who have come to know your through their work; give them comfort as they battle the spiritual forces that rise against them when they give themselves to you. May your word fall on good soil and yield healthy crops.

Thank you for all you do for your people. You bless us in innumerable ways and forgive incalculable sins. May we rejoice always in your greatness.

I ask all this and praise you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

thrown from the nest

2008-04-20T20:10:00.006-04:00

"...On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.... So those who were scattered went on their way proclaiming the message of good news. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them.... So there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:1,4,5,8 CSB)

Sometimes God's plan requires his people to be pushed from their homes, neighbors, friends and jobs into unfamiliar territory--even uncomfortable territory. The first Christians were Jews, and as Acts details for us later in the story, they were not initially interested in sharing the good news with the non-Jewish world. So, how did God bring the good news to the Samaritans and many other communities? He allowed one of the most prominent Christians to be murdered, and he allowed persecution that caused the new believers to flee for their lives. And through that, he brought great joy to people everywhere.

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Father, how amazing it is to realize that your ways are not my ways; your ways are greater than my ways. I cannot even fathom your providence that is so great you planned out redemption from the beginning of time and made it happen exactly according to every promise. No plan of yours can be thwarted and you frustrate the plans of those who fight against you. You used Paul's murderous rage to spread your good news and then you grabbed hold of Paul, changed his heart, saved him from his sin, and used him to spread your good news. You changed him so much that toward the end of his life, after immense suffering, he was able to say he could rejoice in living for your glory and proclaiming your name among the Gentiles, or he could just as readily rejoice in his own death because of his faith that death is no more than a gate on his path to eternal joy with you.

Father, I thank you for the witness of those who have lived before me and did so with a Spirit-filled love for your glory. Give me such a passion for your glory that I, too, could celebrate in living to proclaim your name or dying to be with you.

And father, I ask that you would bless your people throughout the world. Give us strength and courage, wisdom and faith, to live for you.

Bless Marsha and heal her arm. Show your mercy and care.
Bless the family of Ernie at this time after the death of his mother. Comfort those in the family who know you and love you; change the hearts of those who do not yet know you.
Bless Rhonda and meet her needs as only you can.
Be with Frank's parents and care for their health.
Work in Frank's heart and show him that he is lost without you; you are his only hope and salvation.
Bless all those affected by the tornado in Tennessee. Work through your people in that community to show your love and compassion.
Bless Myrna as she struggles to get her new home completed.

Father, give me the wisdom and spiritual maturity to lead my family to glorify you. Work in my heart to give me a true passion for you. I pray that you would bless my marriage; bring Jennifer and I closer together and help us, through our marriage, demonstrate to the world the mystery of Christ and his church. Bless Charlotte and help us be godly parents; help us raise her to know you and love you.

I ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

living in postmodernism

2008-04-16T22:51:00.003-04:00

There is a new viral video spreading through the Net called The Story of Stuff. Its topic is the ecological impact of our Western (especially American) consumerist culture. Since I'm teaching ecology right now, I decided to watch it. After fighting the urge to throw my computer, I decided to show the video to my students, and then after they all built up their rage against the machine of the military-industrial complex, I would show them the truth--how the film uses typical propaganda techniques to mislead viewers into thinking that corporate America is secretly trying to poison us all while driving polar bears into extinction.

Some of my students--the most liberal and least studious--actually became upset with me. They said it was not important to them whether every detail was true; they still agreed with the message of the video. And they said it was wrong of me to point out the lies in a video that encouraged people to be more environmental because by pointing out those lies, I might actually discourage environmentalism, which apparently is good enough in itself to justify lies used to justify environmentalism. Finally, they said that even though I had shown lies in the film, it was possible that someone else could maybe show lies in what I was saying, and their conclusion from that possibility is that since they can't trust anyone, they'll just stick with the message they personally like the most.

Postmodernism at work. Truth probably doesn't exist, and it's not worth investigating its existence because even if it does exist, it wouldn't be a significant consideration.

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"Do not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16, CSB

This includes lies about the evils of Wal-Mart.

Father, I am so glad that you are truthful. I am so glad that I can learn your promises and build my life on faith that you never break your promises and that you accomplish everything you desire. I am so glad that I do not have to rely on my own wisdom to control the future; I can rely on your sovereign authority to make all things work for my good.

Father, when people reject truth, they reject you. When they reject truth, they reject your authority. When they reject truth, they reject their own sin. When they reject truth, they reject the validity of Jesus' death as the satisfaction of your righteous judgement and as the tearing of the temple curtains that separated your people from your presence.

Father, may the young people of the world see the lies surrounding them and see the truth of your word. May the young people of the world come to be freed by the truth. May your light shine in the darkness of the relativism, arrogance and apathy.

May your name by glorified and may your people, who you chose from the beginning of time, hear your voice and follow your commands to take your truth throughout the world.

I ask this is the name of Jesus. Amen.

Yahweh is my God

2008-04-13T06:50:00.003-04:00

I was preparing to teach a Bible study on Genesis 3 and I noticed something about the name of God. Much has been made in the past about the change in names between Gen 1 and Gen 2-3, from simply "God," to "the LORD God," but I saw something different. Gen 3 generally uses "the LORD God," referencing both the majestic, powerful, Creator Elohim ("God") of Gen 1 and the personal Yahweh ("LORD") of those called into his covenant. But, the serpent of Gen 3--Satan--only refers to "God." Satan does not use the personal name of God. And in answering the serpent's questions, Eve only refers to "God." Then, the serpent is even able to tell the woman that she can be like elohim, a term also used to describe angels and even earthly rulers. While she could never be like Yahweh, the serpent never claims she could be. And in her desire to be wise, she forgets the love and care of Yahweh.

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Father, I praise you for not only being the Creator of the universe, which by itself makes you more worthy of praise than anything in creation, but I praise you for giving your people your name, Yahweh, by which we know you and live in a relationship with you. May your people always remember that we not only have a God who is in control, but we have a God who has chosen to love us, covenant with us, provide for us, disciple us, protect us, and forgive us. We have a God who knew from the beginning how things would end and from the beginning promised his people that you would make a way to restore us to what we destroyed. May your people look forward with hope and faith to the day when we are welcomed into your city and led back to the tree of life.

I praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

praise for his glory

2008-03-22T08:49:00.003-04:00

Father, you are an amazing God who never ceases to show your glory and grace to your people. Those who place their faith in you will never be put to shame (Ro 9:33).

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2 Cor 4:8-12, NIV)

You are truly faithful, even to a doubting, rebellious people. You have saved me and every one of your people through your own loving kindness, your own grace and mercy. You sent Jesus to be our ransom, to pay our debt, through your mercy. You sent Jesus to not only die for us, but to rise from the dead so that we could live forever with you, through your grace.

May I, through your Spirit, live my life for your glory, living by faith in your power and love. May I know that in all circumstances, you are in control. No plan of your can be thwarted (Job 42:2). And everything that works out according to your plan works out for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose (Ro 8:28).

For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Ro 8:29-35, CSB)

How unimaginably glorious it is that your people who constantly rebel against you, who have rejected you so many times, who have wished to be their own god, would be saved by you, the only one who is truly God and can save us from our own sins! How unimaginably glorious that you would, in your mercy, pay the price of our sins, and then in your grace, save us from the eternal deaths we deserved. And now, we can face any challenge, any pressure, any persecution, any temptation, any failing, any heartache, anything life offers and praise you in that time knowing that those you called will be held to the end and will be glorified in heaven so that we can glorify you forever.

I praise you for the faith shown to me through your people. Your church is to be salt and light in the world, a city on a hill serving as a beacon of hope before the world (Mt 5:13-16). And I have seen your majesty shining through your people. Joy has been faithful in her time of heartache and she trusts you for the good. She praises you in time of disaster knowing that all things are in your hand and that no matter what, your love sustains. I pray that you would meet her needs and answer her prayers. May your name be glorified and your will be done. And I praise you for M, serving you in Asia, as she has shown your majesty, persevering through trial after trial, and as she finds her care in you after leaving her friends and family behind following you to the ends of the earth. Bless her ministry and bring people to know you through her service. And hold onto those who come to faith in you in the land through all the trials that will come their way. Let the seed she sows be seed that falls on good soil and develops strong roots to withstand the rains and winds. And may those branches growing on the vine of Jesus bear much fruit.

I praise you for your faithfulness to Jennifer and me. Give us wisdom and peace to know your will and follow your direction. Help us live in such a way that you are glorified in us as we serve as your ambassadors on earth. May people see your joy in us so that they desire to find that same joy in you.

Father, I pray that through your Spirit, Jennifer and I would be godly parents for Charlotte. May we always remember the responsibility we have from you to care for her and bring her up to know you and love you. I pray that when the time is right according to your plan, you would call her through Jesus and she would hear his voice and respond to him. I pray that she would live her life for your glory, that you would bless her and protect her, that your face would shine upon her, that you would be gracious to her, that you would look with favor on her and give her peace (Num 6:24-26).

I pray that you would continue to bless my marriage with Jennifer. At a time when even the church has too often lost sight of the mysterious meaning of marriage, as a symbol of Christ and the church, help us to remain faithful and strong, loving and forgiving, encouraging and uplifting to each other for your glory. May we have a family that brings you glory by serving as a model of Jesus and the church for all in our community to see. And I pray that I would understand what it means to love my wife as Christ loved the church, that I would understand what it means to give myself up for her, that I would put her above myself and keep her good and your glory first in my mind; help me to be what you intend husbands to be, to bring her joy and satisfaction, and to bring you glory and honor and praise.

And I pray that your church would find, once again, the true meaning of marriage and would stand up and call your people to live out that meaning. May church bodies encourage and strengthen marriages and speak with boldness and love about the purposes and meaning of marriage.

I thank you for all the good you do for your people. May we realize every day that you are in control, that the entire earth is yours, that every good thing comes from you, and that only through you do we have anything. And may we live every day, and not just Easter, thinking about the greatness that comes from Jesus' death and resurrection.

I come to you and praise you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I am weak. He is strong.

2008-03-20T04:56:00.002-04:00

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit." You don't even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15, CSB)

You may say to yourself, 'My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,' but remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today. (Dt 8:17-18, CSB)

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Father, how tiny am I compared to you? If it were not for your compassion and care, I would be nothing. I could not even exist. Without your will, I cannot live another day. Yet, my sinful nature wants to be self-determined. I cannot even know whether I will survive my drive to work today, and yet I want to be in charge of my next decades.

Through your Spirit, help me to live my life for you and through you. Help me to always recognize that you are in control and I owe everything to you. Even when I plan and work hard, success is ultimately from you. And when I plan and work hard, but do not succeed, even that is from you. And in those cases, help me rejoice and celebrate, even in failure, knowing that in all things you are glorified and in all things, you are working for my good. For all things work for the goof of those who love you and are called according to your purposes. So, whether in success or tragedy, your people can look up with pleasure at you, trusting you and glorifying you.

Give me the strength and wisdom to enter the world each morning as an ambassador for Christ and your glory. May I be faithful to you and witness to the world the great pleasure, the fullness, that comes from life in you.

I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

3/18/08

2008-03-18T05:02:00.007-04:00

Father, your power and glory are all around me. I see you working in the world in so many ways. Your grace and mercy are evident in the lives of friends who trust you through extreme trials. You are truly sufficient to meet all our needs. How can we not joyfully come to you in our times of need when we know you are the one who created the entire universe from nothing? Who else could possibly meet our every need? How can we possibly not come to you in our times of need when we know that you love us and showed that love by sending your son to serve as a ransom for us--rescuing us from our sins? Who else would possibly meet our every need? But, still, our sinful nature, our pride, our constant rebellion from your authority and power, leads us to try things our own way. How can we possibly come to you when our very nature puts us at war with you? Only through your calling and grace can we come to you; you change our hearts and draw us to you. Father, how thankful I am that you bridged the gap between us; when I was eternally lost, you came in search of me. Father, you sent your Son Jesus, who came down from eternal glory and lived and died for me, so that I could come to you. I pray that I would find my strength and security in you, rather than in myself. For I know that you are able to meet all my needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Father, I pray that you would be with Frank and he returns to Iraq. He is investing so many years of his life to this cause; bring him success and bring peace to that region. Help him prepare the security forces of that nation to maintain peace in their land. But, more importantly, change the hearts of the people there; for that is the only way true peace will come to them. And I pray that you would continue to bless Rhonda and her children through this difficult time. Give them peace in their hearts. And may they serve as a witness for you to Frank and others. I pray that you would bring people into Frank's life who can be a witness for you and show him your glory.

I ask that you would be with Marsha and her doctors; help them know what is wrong and how to fix it. Bring healing to Marsha. And work in the life of Joe to bring him to know you; change his heart so that he too could know the power of your love and grace.

I pray that you would bless Todd and Sheri as they search for a church. Help them have wisdom and discernment to find a church family that can meet their spiritual needs as well as offer a place for them to become part of a true community of people called out for your glory.

Father, please bless M in Asia as she reaches out to the people. Give her strength and peace in her heart through all the trying times; help her overcome every struggle. Your grace is sufficient. Give her success in her ministry according to your will. And I pray the same for all your missionaries throughout the world.

And Father, I pray that you would give Jennifer and me wisdom and discernment to know what is right in our lives; help us know which paths to take. We know that you, the God who would send his Son to die for us, would not then withhold anything we need to bring you glory. And we know that you would not hide your will from us. If anyone lacks wisdom, all he has to do is ask the one who gives generously; and so we ask you for your guidance in our lives.

We thank you for being not only great and powerful, but loving and gracious. While we were rebels deserving nothing but your wrath, you ransomed us through the death of Jesus; through his resurrection, you gave us eternal life. And now, we who were once your enemies, have become heirs with Christ to an unimaginable fortune of grace and glory. May we remember everyday we are here for you. May we remember that we are not here to be served, but to serve, just as Jesus modeled for us. Bless us as we enter the world each day to serve others for your glory.

I ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

2-weeks absence

2008-03-14T05:16:00.002-04:00

It has been a while since I posted a real prayer. And while I have been praying offline, I have also missed this blog. There is something nice about typing it out; doing so makes the process a little more conscious and reflective.

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Father, great and awesome Creator--all powerful and all knowing, all wise and all loving, all just and all righteous--you alone deserve worship and praise. I rejoice in knowing you are my king and father. I rejoice in knowing I can approach the throne of the one who can do anything and who loves me enough to do what is best for me.

Father, please continue to bless Joy Barker and heal Darryl. You have shown so much grace already, and Joy has been an amazing human testimony to faith in you and your providence. Make your glory known through them and show the world your power and love. Work in the soul of the doctor and bring him to know you; take out his heart of stone and put in a heart of flesh.

And I ask your care and guidance of all the home school families in California. May your people rise up against the injustice of the court; work through the legislature--your servants chosen to protect people and establish justice--to correct the abuses of the court. May this occasion be used to show the nation the great things that can happen when parents invest in their children's educations; may the nation hear and see all the great things going on in home schools across the land. May the notion that bureaucratic schools are better than families be finally and conclusively put to the shame it deserves. May you be glorified.

And Father, I pray your wisdom will guide Jennifer and me in our lives.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

What do I pray about?

2008-02-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

What do I pray about? Through one of my wife's blogs (yes, she has two: 1 and 2), I found a website that creates a "word cloud" based on the most popular words in a blog. So, here's what I pray about:

Ro 12:1-2

2008-02-22T05:24:00.002-05:00

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed a to this age, but be transformed b by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

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Father, you are a great and wise God. Your wisdom is beyond measure and beyond human comprehension. Your word says that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask you because you give generously (James 1:5). Well, all humans lack wisdom in comparison to you, so I ask that you help me, through your Spirit, to know you and your good, pleasing and perfect will. Help me, in connection with the entire body of Christ, become a living sacrifice to you. May your church unite together as one body, one bride, to bring you glory. May we all together offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you. May we be holy, in the world, yet set apart from the world. May we live our lives as aliens on this earth knowing that our true citizenship is in heaven (1 Peter 2:11). May we live our lives as ambassadors for Christ and your glory (2 Cor 5:20).

I ask all these things according to your will and in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rom 11:33-36

2008-02-20T05:08:00.005-05:00

Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments
and untraceable His ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Or who has ever first given to Him,
and has to be repaid?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

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Father, your wisdom and knowledge are truly great, beyond anything any human can begin to comprehend. Your ways are not our ways and your thoughts are not our thoughts. May we, your people, conform our minds to yours through the power of your Spirit.

No man has ever met any need of yours because you are the all-powerful and all-sufficient God, the creator of every person and the one who meets our needs. You give us life; you give us food to eat and the talents with which we work; you give us salvation from our own sins. And you do things from your own grace and mercy. We owe everything to you.

May we bless your name and praise you forever.

Father, I come to you this morning to praise you and to ask you to work in the world according to your wisdom and love.

I pray that you would heal Madison from her ear infection. Show her your grace and care.

I pray that you would continue to look after Allen. I thank you that his knee is healing better than doctors originally feared. Help him recover and return to full strength.

I pray that you would continue to bless and care for the West family. Even as they have left the hospital, finally after all these months, they still need your care and watchful eye. Help Ella grow to live a happy, healthy life for your glory.

I pray that you would be with those families that have recently lost family members. Comfort Kim, whose brother died of Leukemia. Comfort Debbie, whose sister died; and be with that community. Comfort David, who lost a brother to cancer.

Father, I also ask that you meet the unspoken needs of your people. Show you power, mercy, grace and love to Marsha. Answer her prayers.

I pray that you would show yourself to Ms Wisher as she struggles with the news of her disease. If she is one of your children, help her know that you will never leave her nor forsake her, and that you have overcome the world. If she is not one of your children, I pray that you would call her to be part of your family.

I pray that you would reach out to Steve's father; take out his heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh; bring him to know you. Help our church reach out to him and show him your light.

Thank you God for the wonderful weather you have blessed us with recently. I pray that we would continue to receive rain to help us recover from our drought. And I pray for other areas suffering from drought. You are the Lord of all things, including the weather. And all things come from you.

I come to you this morning because I know that you are able to meet the needs of your people and you desire to meet our needs. Having sent your Son to serve as a propitiation for our sins, there is now no good thing you would withhold from us.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Php 1:8-11

2008-02-06T07:13:00.000-05:00

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:8-11, ESV)

Father, I pray for your church around the world. May the love of your people continue growing and thriving by your Spirit. May it surpass anything the world knows so that it is clear to everyone you have made this happen. May your people act with such love that those who would defame your people would be ashamed because of their obvious light. May your people act with such love that a dying world would see the possibility of life in you.

Father, give your people the wisdom to know your will and the ability to discern what is good and perfect. In America, we are working our way through the electoral process. Give your church in America the wisdom and discernment to know and follow the path of righteousness, and may they lead others toward you. And throughout the world, may your church become guides of love, mercy and wisdom to their communities.

Bless your church with the spiritual strength to remain pure through the trials of life. Keep your people from falling into temptation. Cultivate your church so that it bears spiritual fruit and brings you glory and praise for all time.

Amen.

Why be normal? 1 Sam 8

2008-02-05T04:54:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday, I taught a study on 1 Sam 8, where the Hebrew people demand Samuel appoint a king to lead them, "just as all the other nations have." The people who were called to be holy (separate) just wanted to be part of the crowd. And despite God's warning that a king would be oppressive, they wanted to be like everyone else.

Also this past weekend, my school students participated in the regional science fair. That concluded months of work and gave me a slight break in my stress levels (whether it was eustress or distress I am not yet sure). But, I can now start planning for the next year's fair.

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Father, Lord of all creation, I come to you in humble praise of your great power and amazing love. May your kingdom extend throughout the world; may people everyone come to know you and see your glory. May I glorify you today and every day.

Father, I thank you for your wise guidance that you offer your people. Despite all the times we reject you, you still love us and lead us. Your patience and love is truly great. But there are times when you let us have our ways and suffer the consequences. When the Hebrew people rejected you as their king and demanded a human ruler, you warned them. But, they rejected you just as they always had. You gave them a king and they felt the heavy hand of government.

Still, you promised to never leave nor forsake your elect, and you did not leave them or forsake them. You continued unfolding your redemptive plan through history, and you are still saving people from themselves today. I pray that today many more people will come to know you as their father and their king.

I pray that you would work through those missionaries, such as Ionel and M, Rick and Kelly, and so many others throughout the world. And I pray your people everywhere would do whatever it is they do today for your glory and act like lights to the world. May I be a witness for you today to those around me.

And Father, as we in America continue to move through our electoral process, I pray that your will be done. Today is our Super Tuesday, but it is also politics as usual. May your people be able to rise above political rhetoric and become salt in the world. May we bring you glory and praise through our actions. May we show the world that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. May we be active in the political process as citizens, but may we remember that no government can solve the eternal problems of man; only you have the salvation of our souls. May we not place our trust in human government, but may we trust in your eternal, unthwartable plan. May we act according to your will and bring you honor.

Whoever wins this election, I can trust you are in control. You establish kings and you dethrone kings (Dan 2:21). I pray that you would guide and protect our next president and our nation. Bless us and lead us as a people.

Father, I thank you for all your blessings that you shower upon us each day. Our sinful works entitle us to nothing but your wrath, so every good thing we receive is purely by your grace. And you give us so many good things. May we always be thankful for your graciousness.

I pray that you would be with Leslie as she takes her college exams. Give her wisdom and help her bring you honor and praise.

And I pray for the West family. I can only imagine their trials that continue with Ella's health. Give the Wests wisdom and courage and faith as they work with the medical professionals to care for their daughter. I pray that you would help Ella heal and go on to live a healthy life dedicated to you.

Bless Allen Weese as he recovers from his injury in boot camp. Bless Jacob Smith in his recovery from a broken foot. Bless Debra as she recovers from her ankle surgery. Bless Steve's family.

Father, I thank you that we can know all our needs will be met according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Php 4:19) in whose name I pray. Amen.

A week's absence

2008-01-28T21:06:00.000-05:00

OK, it's been about a week since I've posted. From the beginning, I wasn't sure if this whole prayer blog was going to work out. So far, I think it has been good to type out the prayers. But, this is also time consuming. But, it also provides a nice way to look back on prayers, and even repeat prayers. In the end, I want to keep plugging along, but I am still unsure about the long-term viability of the prayer blog.

In my last post, I mentioned writing to the author of a WORLD article. Since then, I was contacted for an editor about publishing my letter. So, all my readers (that's you Jennifer) can look forward to seeing that.

Now for the prayer....

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Great and glorious God, my Father in heaven, creator of the universe, I come to you in worship because I know you are all powerful, all gracious, all loving, all merciful and all righteous. If you were not all--the great I AM--there would be futility in asking of you. I could not approach you with faith that you can answer me. If you were not all good, I could not have faith to trust your answers to be good. But, you are both all and all good.

I am a sinful person whose very nature wants to rebel against you. Yet, you, in your infinite grace and mercy, chose to save me and call me your child. You chose to adopt me as a son. And that is why I can approach the throne of grace with confidence.

I thank you for a successful beginning to my biology classes. Be with me and guide me as I continue to learn and teach. Give me wisdom and strength to lead students in understanding your created world.

I thank you for the progress made in recent weeks with the building of our new dome. Help us be wise and made good decisions; help us find the right ways to invest your money in the home we will use to serve you and your people.

Bless Kori's sister Karla who is fighting cancer. Heal her; give her strength. Help her see your love and mercy through this time. Use this occasion to draw Karla and her family closer to you. May your will be done and may your name be glorified.

Bless Latrelle's father Alec and bring him better health. Be with his family and show your loving kindness.

Bless Alan Weese as he begins his service in the Army. This is a dangerous time for all the American service-members. Give them strength and courage. Keep them safe. Help them bring security to those places where they are sent.

And Father, I pray that you give the leaders of this country greater wisdom in how they use our troops. I pray for the President as he delivers his plan for the future of our nation. I pray that you would give the people of America greater wisdom to demand a government that fights for your values of justice, peace and righteousness.

Give your church a passion and commitment to stand up and fight for justice, peace and righteousness in government. Help you church be a light to the world. Too often, your church focuses on blaming the darkness for being dark when we should be looking to ourselves and asking why our light is so dim in the darkness. Give us a fire that burns inside us and illuminates the world around us.

Father, I continue to pray for the West family. Bless Josh and Tina West and their little daughter Ella. Help Ella continue to grow and strengthen. Give her family peace and draw them to you and show yourself to them in this time. If they do not know you, I pray that you would remove their hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh. If they do know you, I pray that this challenge would be an opportunity for them to demonstrate your glory to everyone around them.
Bless Julie's brother Matt. Meet his needs in a way that makes your glory clear.

And I pray for the salvation of Steve's father Mark. Show yourself to him and replace his heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Adopt him as your child and give him a new life in Jesus.

Marriage on earth is a symbol of the church's eternal marriage to Jesus. So, bless our earthly marriages and help us lead marriages that honor their heavenly calling. Bless Ed and Tracy's marriage. Give them the grace and mercy to overcome whatever challenges threaten to tear apart what you have joined.

I thank you for the care you showed in Marsha's successful marathon. Now, she has a cold and I pray you would help her recovery.

I thank you for the blessing of Charlotte. Today, Jennifer and I watched her as she rolled over and over from her back to her stomach. I pray that you will help her continue to grow stronger; keep her healthy. Most importantly, though, I ask that you choose her as your child and when the time is right, call her to Jesus and give her a heart to respond and follow him.

And I praise you for the recent rains we have received in our area. After so many months of drought, we need the rain. Help us be thankful for your rain, and I pray you will continue to send the right amount of rain we need.

I ask you to prepare Debra for her upcoming surgery. And when the time comes, I pray you will be with the medical staff and give her a successful operation. Give her a good recovery and heal her.

I ask you to bless Lisa Hood's health. Make her strong and healthy. Bless her and show yourself to her.

I pray specifically for the members of my church. Give us a passion--a fire burning inside us--to worship you and glorify you. Give us a passion to know you better--to know you more deeply. Give us a passion for being a community of believers that encourages each other, corrects each other, and loves each other. Help us be a light in our city and our world. Give us a passion for your mission throughout the nations. I also pray for the Men's Ministry's upcoming BBQ. I pray you will bring many men to know you through this event and through the work of these men who reach out to their neighbors.

I pray for the ministry of Ionel. Help him find the financial resources he needs to continue his work in Serbia. Give your people a desire to give to your work. And I pray for the work of M and her friends in Asia. They work among the Muslim people--a challenging and often dangerous group to work among--yet they do so with grace and courage. Give them courage to continue to proclaim your good news. Continue to make paths for them to work through legal barriers and social barriers. More importantly, send your Spirit ahead of them to work through the spiritual barriers that block the hearts of so many people. Only you can change hearts, so I pray that you would do the work. As they plant and water the seed, I pray you will make it grow.

Father, you are truly great. May I come to know you better every day. Thank you for forgiving my sins and coming to me when I could not and would not come to you. I make all these requests known to you because of my faith that through Jesus you will hear and answer. Amen.

biology, justice and faith

2008-01-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

Today, I began teaching Biology. Our first unit is on evolution, and I introduced the topic by addressing my Christian students who don't even want to hear about it. I explained that in Acts 17 Paul goes to Athens as a missionary. But, before he presents his beliefs, he studies the beliefs of the Athenians. He then uses their belief in "an unknown god" to build a bridge for sharing the gospel. In the same way, Christian students can think of studying evolution as a means of understanding what others believe so they can then have reasonable discussions about what they believe.

Later in the semester, we'll be discussing genetics and heredity. In that unit, I plan to incorporate information on DNA exonerations. And I just read this evening about yet another man freed from prison. And to make the case even worse, it appears the government withheld information from the defense. They sent an innocent man to prison knowing there was a good chance they were sending an innocent man to prison.

Also today, I read a WORLD article about how President Bush openly calls for religious freedom in China, but has said nothing about religious freedom in the Muslim world. I wrote the author to point out another irritant of mine: the US government prohibits sending "bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith" to troops in Iraq. So, we're fighting a war in the name of freedom, but our government is more than content to ignore the lack of religious freedom.

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Father, I pray that your name would flood the earth, that your name would be glorified among all peoples. May your name be praised in every nation on earth as it is in heaven. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.

I pray that those groups seeking justice for the wrongly accused, groups such as Project Innocence, would be able to continue righting wrongs throughout our society. I pray that people across this nation would cry out for justice and demand our legal system be held to the strictest standards of justice and be held accountable. May your church rise up and become a catalyst for change in our nation. Yesterday, our nation marked our remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr; help us as a people do more than take a day off, but help us internalize a commitment to truth, justice and equity. May the church bring you glory by standing firm for those righteous values

And father, I pray that your church in America would turn aside from our complacency about those sins that live deep within ourselves, and I pray that we would no longer be hypocritical in our defense of righteousness. Our church today vigorously fights against gay marriage, yet marriages in our churches fall apart faster than among unbelievers. Divorce has become an acceptable sin among our own people; we forget that there is no such thing as an acceptable sin and that he who breaks one law has broken the entire law. May we always remember that the only thing separating us from eternal damnation is your pure grace through our savior Jesus Christ. May we remember it is a gift from you that has turned away your wrath and restored us into fellowship. Jesus did not come so that we could take political power but so that we could live through spiritual power. Give your church the grace to turn the world upside down for righteousness.

Father, I pray for your name to spread throughout the nations. May your people carry your word and your calling to the very ends of the earth. Father, your word overcomes all obstacles. No government has every stood in your way. Your church has grown faster under China's communist rule than under America's freedom. Your word is more powerful than anything on earth. Still, I pray that religious freedom would cover the globe so that your people could worship you in peace and that your people would enjoy greater freedom to share your good news. Your will be done.

And father, I ask you to bless my students and me as we begin this semester. Give me wisdom as I teach Biology. Give my students wisdom as they study and learn. May my students and I see together your glory as we search through complexities of life. When I look at the stars or see images of deep space, I see your majesty. And when I see the complexities of DNA or the balance of life throughout the earth, I see your hand at work.

I also ask that you bless Charlotte. It is so incredible to watch her grow. It is so beautiful to see her smile. You have blessed Jennifer and me so much. Help us be graceful parents. Help us raise her in the way she should go. Help us model for her how to love you with all her heart, all her mind, all her strength and all her soul; and help us model for her how she can love her neighbor as herself. But ultimately, her soul rests in your hands. So, I ask that you would show her your glory and grace and call her to your son Jesus. May she, when the time is right, hear his voice and respond to him as a sheep to her shepherd.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

medical missions

2008-01-20T17:48:00.000-05:00

This morning I taught my Bible study on 2 Corinthians 8. In that passage, Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to follow through on their previous commitment to give to the suffering church in Jerusalem. Paul writes to them:

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.... For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:7,9 ESV)

So, giving is itself a grace; Christian giving is only righteous to God when it is done in the same fashion—through grace—that Jesus set aside the riches of heaven and became human so that we could in turn gain the riches of heaven. As I continue to reflect on this, I just read a blog post pleading for prayers for a young Indonesian boy who lacks the medical care needed to care for him.

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Father, in your infinite wisdom and grace, you have created each person and chosen the place where each should live (Acts 17:26). You have given some more than others, but each person will give account for what they have done with what you entrusted to them (Mt 25:19). Some you have given much, and some you have given little (2 Cor 8), but you have called your church to serve one another; those with plenty are to use their plenty to meet the needs of those with little, so that through our generosity, your name may be glorified (2 Cor 9). May your church in America, because we are all so wealthy, be awakened to our wealth and the responsibility we have to use your resources for your glory. May we be awakened to see the suffering all around us and may we have a heart that cares for those in need. May we not be like the priest and the Levite who passed by the injured man, but may we be like the Samaritan who took the risk and made the sacrifice.

Father, I have called on your before to send out more missionaries in the field because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. And I pray again, call out of your church more people to go into all the earth and proclaim your greatness, your glory, and your grace. And father, I pray that many of those missionaries called out of your church would be physicians of the body as well as physicians of the soul. The world needs physicians who go into the suffering world and bring physical healing, as well as spiritual healing. May your church rise up and fight against the tyranny of disease in this world.

Father, I thank you for the work of those Christians who airlifted this young boy, Rizky, to the hospital where he is now. I thank you that your people have had the chance to reach out to the family and show your mercy and love. And I pray that you will hear their cries and heal Rizky; perform a miracle that can serve as a testimony to your power and love. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We are so blessed to have a Lord who understands our frailties and sufferings. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Therefore, I am able to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that Rizky may receive mercy and find grace to help him in his time of need (Heb 4:15-16 NIV).

I ask these things of you in faith through my advocate Jesus. Amen.

2 Cor 8

2008-01-20T00:45:00.000-05:00

Father, as I study through your word and reflect more on you, I am always more and more amazed, more and more encouraged, more and more satisfied in you. You are truly great and loving.

When you brought your people out of Egypt, you met their every need. Even when they forgot you and worshiped idols, you continued to care for them. You gave them manna--just enough that they were satisfied. You provided them with their daily bread.

Father, I pray that you will provide me with my daily bread. But, you have already done so much more. I have too much food. Help me to live less for food that perishes and more for food that leads to eternal life.

Give me the grace to give myself to you first and then to others. Give me the grace to have so much faith in you that I not only have the desire to use my resources for your glory but that I also have the follow-through to complete my desire.

May I always remember the inconceivable blessing received because Jesus temporarily set aside the riches of heaven and took on the form of a simple man from a simple town. May I always remember that I am rich beyond measure, not because I have a large house, multiple cars, and a 401k, but because you made me rich through an inheritance of glory. And may I always realize that I am also rich in earthly measures, but it is more blessed to give than to receive. May I see the riches you have entrusted to me, not as a security blanket that makes me have less need of you, but as a sacred trust that makes me focus on you more.

May my giving be eager and cheerful; may my giving be pleasing to you and acceptable.

Father, I also ask that you bless my teaching of your word. Help me truthfully handle your word and help me show your glory. Send your Spirit to work through me and to work in the hearts of all the Life Group members, including myself, so that your word would take hold of our lives.

I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

He is great

2008-01-17T21:34:00.000-05:00

Father, I praise your great and glorious name. I will praise your name forever because you have called me and set me apart for your purposes. You have chosen me to be among your children, blessed by you and given a perfect inheritance. May I never forget the great and gracious gift you have given me when I was your enemy living in rebellion against you. While I rejected you, you sent your son Jesus to die for my sins, and you raised him from the dead so that I could have eternal life with you. Oh how wonderful your good news really is for all those who would love you and turn from darkness into the light.

I pray that more people would see your glory while you can still be found before they face you at the final judgement. But, how are they to hear if there are not people to take the good news to them? So, father, I pray that you would send out more missionaries into the field to gather your harvest. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; so, send out more workers into the field. And may I be a worker for you , whether where I live now or wherever you choose to send me. May I be a worker at all times in whatever place I am in at any moment. Give me a bold spirit to proclaim your glory to all those around me. Give me a spirit that testifies in my actions and my words. Let me live a life that serves as a witness for your truth and grace so that like a lamp set on a table, I could shine a light into the darkness that surrounds me.

Father, help me to make the most of every day. The days are evil and if I am not careful they slip away wasted forever. I am a steward of everything you entrust with me because you are the rightful owner of everything. Therefore, I must use everything for the maximum of your glory. Help me to use my time in ways that demonstrate you are my first commitment; let me use my time in ways that would meet with your approval; let me use my time productively and efficiently because in your economy there is no waste.

As I think of how often I waste time, I am reminded that there are so many people who have loved ones and they wish so much to have more time with those they've lost. I am not guaranteed tomorrow, so let me make the most of today.

Father, I pray that you would be with the members of my Life Group. Be with the Steve and Angela, Mike and Latrelle, Mike and Meredith, Frank and Leslie, Charlie, Rhonda, Greg and Alice, Clay and Julie, and Marsha. Bless each of them in their spiritual journeys with you. Help them come closer to you and know you better. And I ask that you work in the hearts of all those who have not shown commitment to being part of your body of believers. Work in the hearts of those who are technically members of our Life Group, even our church, but continually forsake the fellowship of believers. If they are part of your family, help them see your purpose in the church. If they do not truly know you, take their hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh so that they could turn from darkness and enter your light. And may the rest of the members of this Life Group serve as a model of the unity of believers.

Father, as I prepare to start a new semester of teaching, I ask that you would bless me that I would teach well and help my students grow in their academic and social lives; bless me so that I may help them fulfill the potential you have given each of them. And help me be a witness for your truth and glory.

I pray that you would bless my church and help us fulfill your purpose in our community. And I ask you to bless the ministries of missionaries around the world. Give my church a passion for world missions, too. In Christ, there is neither Greek nor Jew, but your good news is for the entire world. Give us a passion for seeing your good news taken to the ends of the earth.

Father, you have given me kindness when I deserved damnation. You are truly a God of goodness and grace. I praise you and thank you. Let my thankfulness for you overflow into love for others. May I show my love to be genuine. Give me the strength to resist temptations that may appear; keep me from temptation.

Above all, may your name be glorified and your will be done. I ask these things in the name of my savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Praying through the Bible

2008-01-16T20:56:00.000-05:00

An honest Christian will admit that sometimes it's difficult to focus while reading the Bible. We get tired, distracted, even bored. And the same can be true of praying. Part of the reason is that we are unsure why we are reading the Bible, and we are unsure what to pray about.

As a science teacher, I teach my students to use the SQ4R method of reading textbooks. It's an effective method of reading because it causes the students to develop a purpose in reading and to actively engage the material. But, a hundred years before educational researchers developed the ideas behind SQ4R, a Christian minister gave simple advice that accomplishes the same goal.

In George Muller's autobiography, he confessed how he had struggled for years to read the Bible. But, then he discovered a way to keep focus and bring passion to his reading. As he read through the Bible, he would turn the verses in prayers. Amazingly simple. Amazingly good. By the way, I highly recommend Muller's autobiography. It's an easy book to read, but packed with wisdom and evidence of God's greatness and love.

So, here I am going to put into practice Muller's advice using 2 Cor 8:1-15, which I plan to teach this coming Sunday.

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1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: 2 during a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.

Father, I pray that regardless of my material condition, my joy from you would overflow into generosity toward your people.

3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, 4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,

May I have such passion for serving your people that I would eagerly seek opportunities to meet the needs of others. May I consider it a privilege to be used by you for your purposes. May I always see the truth that you do not need my work, but rather you let me participate with you as I learn from you.

5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will.

Father, I give myself first to you and your glory. Out of that, may I give myself to your causes around me. If I do anything that is not based on faith in you, it is sin. So, father, I pray that you would give me the faith to live every day and perform every action in faith that you reward those who seek you.

6 So we urged Titus that, just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. 7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this grace.

Father, give me more faith; fill me with faith to move mountains. Give me the words to encourage others, teach others, lead others to know you better and to see your glory. May I have the commitment to you to keep my promises and live out the faith you give me, for faith without works is dead. And father, fill me with your love that I might show it to the world. Help me translate the grace you have shown me into grace toward everyone around me.

8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.

Father, as your child, I am not bound by the law. But, you give me opportunities to demonstrate my faith and love. My actions would not be grace if they were not based on your grace. I do not act out of obedience to law, but obedience to faith and love. I do not act out of external compulsion for from your spirit compelling me form within. Father, may I have true love for you; may I first love you with all my heart, all my mind, all me strength and all my soul; and may I then love my neighbor as myself.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.

I have been so amazingly blessed. While I was a sinner, Christ died for me. He did not consider equality with you something to be grasped, but instead, took on the form of a mere, ordinary man. Although he was king, he became a servant. He became poor so that through him I could have an inheritance beyond measure--eternity with him in heaven. Help me always remember this rich blessing so that I would know my treasure is in heaven. Help me live my life as Jesus did, living for your glory by living in faith of your power and goodness.

10 Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it. 11 But now finish the task as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Thank you for being a God who asks of each individual according to what you have given that individual. May I always remember I will stand before you one day to account for my own life. May I live with the type of eagerness and action shown by the Macedonians.

13 It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality — 14 at the present time your surplus is [available] for their need, so that their abundance may also become [available] for your need, that there may be equality.
15 As it has been written:
The person who gathered much did not have too much, and the person who gathered little did not have too little.

Father, once again I see eternal truths in how you dealt with the Hebrews coming out of Egypt. You fed them and cared for them as the roamed the desert. You gave them their daily bread so that each person had just what they needed. Help me remember that I should live in faith that you will provide my daily bread, and you will provide just what I need to fulfill your purposes in my life. May I be a faithful steward of what you entrust with me so that I may be worthy of being trusted with more. Help me to use what you give me, everything, to glorify you. May I not be like the man who had so much he felt he needed nothing more than larger barns to hold his wealth. May I be more like Paul who funded so much of his own ministry so that he would not be a burden on anyone and his personal needs would never be a stumbling block for the evangelism of the world.

May I live in a way that pleases you. Amen.

Ps 119

2008-01-15T20:49:00.000-05:00

Open my eyes so that I may see
wonderful things in Your law.
(Ps 119:18, CSB)

Father, the heavens declare your glory;
I was made for your glory (Is 43:7).
I pray that through your Spirit, I would do everything for your glory (1 Cor 10:31).

When you brought your people out of Egypt , they complained against you in the desert. But, you showed yourself; your glory appeared before them in a cloud and you met their needs by giving them manna and quail. Not one of them had too little, and those who horded lost what they saved. Through their years in the wilderness, you kept your promises and created a nation out of slaves. Surely you can be trusted in everything, for you are the all-powerful creator and sustainer.

Father, I pray that you would give me a spirit that thirsts for your glory and searches for you through your word. Help me to understand your revelation and to see wonderful things in your word. Help me to see Jesus in every passage for the entire Bible proclaims redemption and deliverance through him (Jn 5:39).

Help me prepare for Sunday's Bible study by studying your word myself. Help me first to understand and apply your truths to my own life. Put your wisdom in my heart so that I would not be like the Pharisees who knew every story, but understood nothing.

Father, I pray for the members of my Life Group. Help us be a family that cares for one another, instructs one another, and keeps one another accountable in our faithfulness to your name.

I pray that you would meet my daily needs. You know what I need before I do, and you promise to work all things for my good. So, Lord, help me trust you completely. Help me see that nothing else is worthy of my total faith other than you, because only you have the complete power to do everything you promise. As Job learned, no plan of yours can be stopped.

Father, I pray that your will would be done and that I can praise your name throughout time. I thank you for your salvation through Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen.

John Piper and praying for children

2008-01-13T21:15:00.001-05:00

My wife, Jennifer, reads the Desiring God blog and forwards me the things she thinks I'll enjoy. She just sent me the most recent post about John Piper's commitment to pray for his children and grandchildren.

Each day, I pray for Charlotte, including personal prayers for her to grow up to love God and neighbor. I also pray the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, which I added to the ceramic cross I made for her this Christmas.

The LORD bless you and protect you;

the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the LORD look with favor on you and give you peace.

Psalm 32

2008-01-13T20:18:00.000-05:00

Father, I am filled with joy because you have forgiven my rebellion against you. For years, I was your enemy, fighting against your authority. Still, I too often reject you and worship false idols. But, you are faithful to forgive me, and I praise your glorious grace.

Every day, I sin against you. I miss the standard of your perfection. I fall short of your glory. Yet, you do not hold my sin against me. Through Jesus, you have covered my sin. You look at me and see his atonement for my sins, and you do not find me guilty.

I celebrate you and your amazing grace! I am happy beyond comprehension. Yet, I ask you to give me even greater joy. Help me to see even greater joy in your grace. Help me to be so filled with joy that everyone around me sees what you offer. Make me a city on a hill to be a beacon for those around me. Help me show your glory so that more people will one day live eternally in your city.

Father, I know that everything I have comes from you. I thank you for the countless blessings you give me. I thank you for every thing I have, every breath I take. May I live my life for your glory. Help me to take up my cross and follow you. Give me boldness in proclaiming your greatness. Give me strength to resist temptation. Give me the love for others that would shine through me and draw people to you.

Father, I pray for the family of Scott Harvey. This is a difficult time as they deal with his death. His death shows us once again that we are not guaranteed tomorrow on earth. Help us to understand that we must use our time wisely for our eternal investment in your glory.

I also pray again for the family of Kamie Baker. Again, the death of a young parent shows that each day is a gift. Nothing on earth matters more than our eternal relationship with you. I pray that you would be with her family, especially Cheyenne, and bring them comfort that can only come from you. I pray this loss would bring them closer to you. I also ask you to be with family of the people injured in the other car. Heal them physically and spiritually.

And I ask you to continue blessing Josh and Tina West, and their little girl Ella. Help Ella recover and give her strength to grow up healthy and strong. Be with the medical staff and give them all wisdom and compassion. Guide them as they treat Ella.

I pray that you would be with Mike and Meredith. Meet their needs each day and show them that you are faithful. Bless them as they begin to build a marriage founded on you; help them build a marriage that would serve the world as a model of Christ's relationship with his bride, the church.

Bless Rhonda and her children and they begin to prepare for Frank's return home. Be with them as they reconnect with each other and family. Keep them safe and content as they travel.

Bless Leslie and she works through her math class. Help her succeed in school and achieve her goals.

Father, be with Latrelle's father Alec. Give him your mercy and healing. Bless his family.

And father, I ask that you be with those families who lost loved ones in the accidents on I-4 this past week. Be with those who are still in the hospital or have difficult recoveries ahead of them. Help everyone come to know you more through these events. Not even a bird dies apart from your will; I know you have a purpose in everything. May your purpose be done and may your name be glorified.

Father, bless my students as they prepare to finish their semester. For many of them, these are stressful times. They work so hard and are asked to do so much. Give them peace and help them succeed. And be with me as I work to finalize the semester. And bless me as I begin teaching a new subject.

I can approach your throne with confidence because of Jesus who is my advocate. I know that whatever I ask in his name, according to your will, will be done. Amen.

Saturday evening

2008-01-12T21:28:00.000-05:00

It is now Saturday evening. As I sat here realizing this, I remembered something from the Packer lectures I am listening to concerning the Puritans. He said Puritans families would spend much of Saturday evening, often with other families, preparing themselves for church on Sunday. That preparation would include prayer, repentence and any other spiritual work that would make them eagar to go to church on Sunday and be with God. Well, I have spent much of Saturday evening preparing my Bible study lesson on Psalm 32, and truth-be-told, I need to focus a little more on preparing myself.

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This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks for

you as I remember you in my prayers. [I pray] that the God

of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give

you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of

Him. [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are

the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and

what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who

believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

(Eph 1:15-19, CSB)

Father, as I study your word, I see great things. But, I know I am just scratching the surface. Show me great and wonderful things in your word so that I may follow you and praise you more fully. Give me a thirst for your word so that I would seek out your wisdom. Show me the greatness of your word so that I may drink from its wisdom and satisfy my thirst.

At night, I look at the stars and am filled with wonder at your universe. Then, I see pictures from Hubble and Spitzer and realize what I see with my eyes barely begins to tell of your universe. In fact, what I see with my eyes almost hides the real greatness. My eyes allow me to see the beauty of the stars, but my eyes make me think these little white dots are all there is to see. But, in reality, the stars are brilliant furnaces that dwarf the Sun. Many of those stars are galaxies of billions of stars. And there are billions of galaxies too faint for my eyes to see, and yet those galaxies are billions of times brighter than anything I ever see.

In the same way, I fear that sometimes my scratching the surface of your word can lead me to think I have seen what's there. But, whenever I scratch a little deeper, I find more than what I scratched. The greatness grows the more I look. Father, help me to see more and more, to scratch deeper and deeper. Help me to see wondrous things in your word.

And Father, I pray for my church. Give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus. Open the eyes of our hearts than we may know the hope of his calling. Open our hearts to the joy of your inheritance. Open our hearts that we may know more of the immeasurable greatness of your power.

Father, I will walk in your truth; unite my heart to revere the glory of your name (Ps 86:11).

I bring to you all my concerns and desires, for you are the loving father who saved me from my sins; I know you will also give me every other good thing.

Father, I ask that you be with Marsha tomorrow. Give her strength and endurance to run the race. Let her be a witness for you. Let your praise be in her mind as she runs for the good of another.

Father, I ask that you continue to prepare Frank and Rhonda. Bless them.

Father, be with the many students who are getting ready to take their mid-term and final exams. Many students are stressed; give them strength and comfort. Be with the teachers during this stressful time as so many papers need to be graded and decisions must be made.

Father, I heard today that Cheyanne's mother died in a car accident. I cannot imagine the pain this must be for a 7th grader. I can only ask that you comfort her and let her know you love her. Give her peace that can only come from you. And somehow use this for your glory and the good of everyone touched by this death.

And father, I pray that during tomorrow's Bible study you will use me to teach your word, but that most importantly, your word will shine through anything I say. I pray that people will leave the study knowing you a little better and praising you for the forgiveness of sins. Those of us who have unconfessed sin, I pray that your hand would be heavy enough on us to bring us back to you. I pray that when we need it, you would use the bridle to pull us back. But, I also pray that we would be sheep, not mules. I pray that we would hear our shepherd's voice and come to him (Jn 10). I pray that we would follow him with complete trust and rest comfortably under his care.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,

you righteous ones;

shout for joy,

all you upright in heart.

(Ps 32:11, CSB)

I ask all these things in the name of my shepherd Jesus Christ. Amen.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

2008-01-10T21:41:00.000-05:00

"Now without faith it is impossible to please God,

for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists

and rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6, CSB)

Father, I believe in you. I believe in your word. I believe your promises; I believe you have the will and power to fulfill all you have promised and purposed for me. I believe you will never leave me nor forsake me. I believe that you have assured me of an eternal inheritance. But sometimes, father, my faith fails me.

In those times when my faith is weak, I pray that your Spirit would build faith in me. In those times when my faith is weak, I pray that you would keep me close and secure my faith. I pray that in those times, you would show your power, authority and love so greatly that my faith would be encouraged and deepened.

Let me put my every need, every desire, every moment in your care. Let me trust myself fully to you. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Ro 14:23). Let me live my life--every moment of it--in faith that you are in control. Let me trust myself to you. I confess my weak faith and praise you for your work to build faith in me. You give me the confidece to face uncertainty with joy because I know you are in control; to you, nothing is uncertain.

You welcome me when I bring my hopes and stresses to you. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Heb 4:16).

To God be the glory. Amen.

full of compassion and grace

2008-01-09T19:22:00.000-05:00

Father, Creator of heaven and earth. Your majesty surrounds and fills your creation. Your glory engulfs your creation. You created the universe and set in place the laws the govern it (Jer 33:25). The earth is yours and everything in it (Ps 24:1). May all creation sing to your praise.

But father, through our sin, we have brought a plague upon the earth. The entire creation longs to be rescued (Ro 8:22). You created the earth and said it was good. You created man as the culmination of creation, and you said creation was very good. But, we sinned and brought disaster to ourselves and all creation.

Still, you did not leave us in that trap. We must all die, but you have worked so that we will not remain cast out from you (2 Sam 14:14). You sent Jesus to die for us. You raised him from the dead and gave us a new birth. You adopted us as children and gave us an eternal inheritance. May your church rejoice and delight in the amazing grace you have shown us. May we love you fully and live with unconstrained thanks for your greatness, your grace and mercy.

And father, may we turn our thanks into action for your creation. We live in a world where millions of people die every year because they lack clean water. We live in a world where malnutrition takes the lives of millions more. And still more lives are taken by simple diseases that could be easily prevented or cured if people had access to the care they needed.

I confess the sins I and so many in your church have committed by turning a blind eye to the needs of others. Awaken us to the cause of suffering people. Give us a heart that breaks over the suffering of others. Give us a heart that rejects the gluttonous and selfish focus in and around us. Give us a passion for helping those in such desperate need. Let us not be conformed to the pattern of the world any longer, but transform our minds to know your will (Ro 12:2).

Father, I ask that you bless and magnify the ministries of Christian organizations that serve your causes in the developing world. Groups such as Samaritan's Purse, Blood:Water Mission, World Vision, Compassion International, World Hunger Fund and others work to take your love across the globe. Help these groups find ways to use their resources efficiently and effectively. And put in the hearts of your people to provide the resources these groups need to do their work. And father, send your Spirit ahead of these groups to prepare the hearts of people to see your love in action through these ministries. Bless these groups so that they can save lives, but most importantly, bless people around the world by saving their souls.

And father, here in our own neighborhoods, there is great need. In my community, there are illegal workers struggling to survive. There are lonely people looking for hope. There are hurt people trying to heal. Give your people the strength, faith and wisdom to reach out to those in need in our own neighborhoods. May we preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, open the eyes of the blind and liberty for the oppressed (Lk 4:18).

Father, let us be a light to the spiritually blind around us. I pray you would open the hearts of my parents, Nick, Mark, Rick, Caroline, Jeri, Dawn, Frank, and Stacy. Show them your grace and draw them to you. Help me and other Christians be a witness for you to those who are still outcast from you.

I lift up to you again the desires of the friends and family. Give Mike wisdom to make the right decisions. Bring Frank home safe. Give comfort and healing to Nancy, Debra, Melanie and Ella.

Give your church wisdom and spiritual understanding so that we may know your will and bear fruit. May we glorify you along with all creation.

I pray in the name of my glorious savior Jesus. Amen.

church history is my family history

2008-01-08T05:02:00.000-05:00

I was just re-reading a little bit of Mark Dever’s blog series on Where’d all these Calvinists come from? and I found #7 on his top 10 list was J.I. Packer and Knowing God. Well, having read Knowing God, I can say the book did impact the way I viewed my relationship with God, especially his description of the Christian faith’s unique view of God as “Father.” In addition, re-reading this blog is timely as I am currently listening to audio recordings of a course on History and Theology of the Puritans that Packer taught at Reformed Theological Seminary (downloaded from iTunes U). Having gone through public schools where I was taught, through The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and a slew of history courses, that Puritans were…well, Puritanical, hypocritical and a little diabolical, this course has been interesting and enlightening. And reading on this blog that Packer is in his 80s made me remember my seminary classes with Daniel Holcomb, a man who is not nearly that old, but still old enough to retire. The great thing is that these men haven’t retired. They continue to teach those who would carry on their love for historical theology.

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Oh Father, how great you are to let me, a sinner, call you Father! How great you are to forget my sins and welcome me into your kingdom and family. May I never get over the joy of knowing that you are my God and my Father. You not only rule my life, but you do so with the loving grace and guidance of a father who wants me to grow and mature. You work all things for my good.

And Father, I thank you for the blessing you have given me and so many others through the ministries of men such as Drs Packer and Holcomb. These men have truly dedicated their lives to your glory—not as monks cloistered away from the world—but as evangelists sent out into the world. These men have helped me see church history as more than names and dates, but as a history of my church family. I can trace back my biological lineage a few generations, but thanks to church historians, I can see my spiritual lineage for centuries. I am able to rejoice in my heritage because church historians keep that heritage alive and flame the fire in the hearts of others.

I pray your church will awaken to the glory of our history so that we can see how your hand—your Spirit—has been working to guide and nurture your church throughout the ages. And father, I pray that you would do great things in our church today so that future generations would be able to see how you worked in us.

Mark Dever and Col 1:9-12

2008-01-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

A while back I went to my church library and asked if they had any books on expository preaching. One of the ladies there said she thought she had one at home, and she'd bring it in. She brought me, The Deliberate Church, by Mark Dever. It wasn't at all what I was looking for, but boy was it a good read.

One of Dever's suggestions was to pray for our churches like Paul prayed for churches. The prayers of Paul for churches, recorded in his epistles, can provide a fertile foundation for our prayers for our churches. So, here goes:

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. (Col 1:9-12, CSB)

Father, no one can build a church but you. The church is your church, founded by Jesus, given to Jesus and filled with your people. I am blessed beyond measure to have the chance to join with other believers in a community--a family--where we can unite in our faith, encourage one another, strengthen one another, teach one another.
I pray that you would bless my church and churches around the world; fill us with the knowledge of your will; fill us with all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Lead us so that we would walk in a way worthy of Jesus; give us a spirit that we could please our Lord.
Bear fruit in us that we might shine the light of Jesus throughout the world. Let your churches, throughout the world, shine in the darkness like the stars shine through the universe. There is no place in the universe where the light of stars does not reach. Let the light of my church, and your churches everywhere, shine across this globe so that no place on earth would be left without a light to show the way to you.
Strengthen your church with your invincible power.
Fill your people with joy so that we might shout to you in fulfillment, rejoicing in you above all.
What a gift you have given us, adopting us as your children, giving us an inheritance that never ends.
I pray, in the name of Jesus, that you be glorified through the praise and fruit of your church, and that your will be done.
Amen.

a prayer for a church

2008-01-06T20:29:00.000-05:00

The Redeeming the Time blog has posted a prayer made for their church and I found it an interesting read. The prayer rejoices over the church's 35-year history. So much had happened in just a few decades.

I am a member of a church that recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Maybe I should take some time to learn more about my church's history, reflect on God's work through that time, and praise God that I am now able to enjoy the fruits of so many saints. Perhaps one day, a hundred years from now, future members will look back at these days, at my time, and see God's hand was at work in us. If only God should so use us and bless us.

from Psalm 145 and a newspaper

2008-01-06T11:21:00.001-05:00

It's Sunday morning and I am back from teaching a Bible study on Psalm 145. And I just read a Baptist Press article on the spiritual changes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

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I celebrate your name God; you are my king.
Let me celebrate your glory always, forever.
You are great and mighty, loving and majestic, just and righteous.
You have been praised through the generations,
up to me,
let me continue your praises and pass them on to the future.
I want to praise you and make your glorious wonders known.
I want to share with joy the amazing nature of your works.
Let all your people praise you; let all the earth sing with joy for you.

Your greatness is beyond measure, more than any human mind can understand.
Let us place our trust in you because you are greater than any power.
I see so much I don't understand in the world;
in those cases, I must place my trust in your understanding,
in your greatness and goodness, in your unstoppable plan.

Before time, you planned creation; you planned to make your glory known.
You made Adam and planned to give him Eve.
And you planned to rescue them from their sin.
You have always had a chosen people.
You chose Abraham and gave him a nation.
You worked in the life of Job; you showed your power through his faith.
You chose Moses to bring your people out of Egypt.
You chose to carry them through the desert into the Promised Land.
You chose to save Daniel when he said death was little to him because he had you. And you made your greatness known to the king through your work.
You chose Jonah to carry your message to Nineveh; you were patient and loving with Jonah as he fled in the opposite direction. You were patient and loving with all the people of Nineveh; you warned them and heard their repentance.
You showed Jonah and all your people that you desire mercy more than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6)
Let your people, in view of your mercy, worship you by offering their bodies as a living sacrifice. Transform us show that we may know you (Ro 12:1).

From the beginning, from the sin of Adam, you promised salvation to your chosen people.
You gave us Immanuel.
You gave us a child who was human and God.
He lived the life we cannot live and died in our place.
But, you didn't leave him to rot in the grave.
His body did not see decay.
You raised Jesus from the grave and raised all your people with him.

You took us, a rebellious, unfaithful people, and you brought us to you.
You went out in search of your sheep.
You welcomed back those Prodigal children who flaunted their independence in ignorance.
You saved me, and I cannot help but be amazed.
You are truly more awesome, more glorious, more loving, more forgiving, more just, more righteous, more powerful, more wise than me.
I put myself in your control; I am your humble and joyful servant.
Help me to submit when my flesh wants to rebel.

May your praise be part of my life that the world would see you in me.
May I be a city on a hill, a lamp on a stand, so the world sees your glory.
Give me strength and boldness to proudly, faithfully, continually, effectively tell the world of your greatness.
Put in me a desire to share your wonders.
And send out harvesters into the field because the harvest is plentiful.

Father, I thank you for the great testimony of the missionaries in my life.
I thank you for their courage to go into dangerous locations.
Their faithfulness in following you, and your faithfulness is saving people through their work is a testimony for me to see.
I pray for M is Asia, who brings your name to the Muslim people. I pray for those who have come to know you through her ministry. Bless them and make them fruitful.
I praise you and your saints who have made the JESUS film available in 1,004 languages, truly bringing your good news to the ends of the earth. Be with those who are working to translate it into even more languages. Be with those who take the film and your good news out among the nations. Bring people from every nation to know you through this project and through the work of your church around the world.
I pray for Ionel who has faithfully served in various locations, but now lacks the funds to continue in his current ministry. I pray that you would meet his needs because there is nothing that stands in your way.
I thank you for the great testimony of George Muller who lived his life to show you can be trusted. You met his needs when he silently prayed to only you. Time after time, you met the needs of the children in his care. Time after time, you put in place answers to prayers before he even made them. You truly are a God who sees our needs even before we see our own needs.

Father, you are gracious and compassionate to your people.
May we be a blessing to you; and may we be a blessing to your world as we tell about you.
Your kingdom will last forever. Hallelujah.

You are a great help to those who suffer; you raise up those who bow down.
Father, I praise you for the work you have done in Angola, through your servant Warden Cain.
How great a testimony to your fame it is when an entire prison, the worst prison in our nation, becomes a place where you are known above all.

Truly, you set the captives free--not from the razor wires that encamp them, but from the spiritual darkness that enslaves them. Murderers and rapists turn their lives to you and become missionaries for you! Like in the life of Paul, you show that the most awful sins can be covered by the blood of Jesus. And you show that in Christ, we are all one. We were all sinners, we were all murderers in your eyes; for he who breaks one law breaks them all. You demand perfection. Nothing unclean can enter heaven and we were all unclean. Yet, while we were dead in our sins, you saved us. Through our faith in Jesus, we are saved, so that none can boast. It is you and you alone that deserves all the praise and glory and honor. You are our king and savior. You are our hope.

Father, I pray that the missionaries sent out from Angola, two by two, will change prisons around Louisiana. I pray that the truth that you change hearts, even the hearts of the most hardened criminals, would spread through the justice system. I pray that prisons around the nation would open their doors to you and your missionaries. I pray for the new seminary program in Mississippi State Penitentiary. May it bring you even more glory.

And I ask you to awaken in your people a thirst for righteousness and justice, that we would demand integrity in our justice system. I am thankful for the work of Project Innocence and so many people who have worked to right so many wrongs in our legal system. If only your people would rise up and demand accountability and truth, fairness and justice in our legal system. We are active in some political causes, but your people largely ignore injustices in our society. Forgive us this sin. Instill in us a love for the innocent--yes, we must fight for the innocent who are not yet born--but let us also fight for the innocent who languish in prison. It was a group of pastors who wrote a newspaper article condemning Martin Luther King Jr as he sat in a Birmingham Jail. Too often, your people forget the truth in your justice. Let us not ignore, anymore, the undeniable reality that countless people languish in jail for crimes they did not commit, and they have been forgotting by society. And let us not forget that while they may be countless to us, they are each known by you. Be with them and help them know that you are with those who are oppressed; bring them to rest in you and find their freedom in you regardless of the confines around them.

I also bring before you the needs of my friends who ask for the prayers of your saints.

Bless Nancy and bring her good through the medical tests she is undergoing.

Bless Jennifer and I in our building of our new home. Show us your faithfulness to meet our needs. Help us use our home for your glory, and no matter what, we first and foremost ask that your will be done.

Bless Jennifer's mother Debra, who will have surgery on her foot on the 24th. Heal her of the troubles she has had for so long. Show her that you truly are great--you can meet our needs--and that you are also compassionate.

Bless Frank and Rhonda. Bring Frank home safe. Bless their marriage as it can be difficult to spend so much time apart and then be brought back together. Let Rhonda demonstrate you through her relationship with her husband. Let her life be a testimony to you. Open Frank's eyes to you and save him. Again I pray that you would bless Frank's work in Iraq. He has spent so much of himself helping to bring safety to that nation; he has worked so hard to give the leaders of Iraq the skills they need to lead their nation in justice and safety. He wants desperately to see his work be successful. Give him success, but also help him know that it is not through his own strength, but through you that everything is accomplished (Dt 8).

Bless the Yungmann's as they make decisions that face them. Meet their needs and give them wisdom.

Bless the teachers who are working hard to prepare students. Bless them as they work toward the FCAT, but keep in their minds that teaching is not about the test, but about giving students the chance to reach their potential and fulfill the gifts and talents you have given them. May families come together with parents encouraging their children to learn and grow. May students come to school prepared and desiring to learn.

I know so many students come from broken families, families with few resources, or places with a host of other problems. But, you are above all these problems and can meet any challenge we face because you cannot be challenged by anything. Restore families, build our communities. Put it in the hearts of your people to share their resources with those who have less so that students can have the clothes they need, the food they need, the encouragement they need to grow in wisdom and stature. And may Christian teachers make an unmistakable difference in the lives of children as they model your love, grace, compassion, truth and glory to their students and colleagues. May your glory shine in the love your people show to others.

Be with Melanie White in this horrible time for her and her family. I cannot imagine the trials they face with this disease. I ask first that you would heal her. Show your glory, that you still do miracles. But, most importantly, your will be done; whatever happens, make your glory known; show yourself to be greater than any human trial, any disease. We follow your words in James 5:14 that those who are sick should ask your people to pray to you. Raise Melanie up according to your plan and wisdom.

In the same way, we pray for the family of Scott Harvey. Be with them in their time of sorrow. Comfort them. Show your compassion. And use this time to show your glory and bring your good news to any among that family who do not know you.

And be with the family of Danny Norris. They go through a very different course of suffering, but you understand their needs as well. You have a plan for their lives. Comfort them and bring them rest in you.

I pray for the salvation of Mark. Reach into his heart, take out his heart of stone, put in a heart of flesh. Write your word on his heart and save him. And I pray for the unspoken needs of Steve, as well. You know all our needs, and you work all things for our good.

You are a God who saves people. I ask you to show grace and bring salvation to my parents. Open their minds and hearts to you. Let me be a witness to them for you, but also bring other saints into their lives to share your glory. And I ask you to grant your grace and salvation to Jennifer's brother Nick. Show him you love him; show him the greatness of your goodness.

Father, I praise you for hearing my call to you. I praise you for your strength to answer prayer and your concern to give us all we need. May your name be shown great. May you be glorified. Your will be done.

And I ask all this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Is God busy?

2008-01-05T11:29:00.000-05:00

Today I listened to a sermon on prayer from John Piper. He mentioned the view some people have that "God has better things to do than listen to my prayers." He said, while this sounds like humility--the person sees themselves as unimportant--it is really arrogance. It is saying God gets busy, that he can only do so much, that he cannot hear a regular individual person's prayer and take care of the rest of the world. On the other hand, if we believe God is all powerful, then we must believe hearing our prayers and the prayers of billions of other people, and directing the affairs of governments, and deciding when a single sparrow dies, all combined together, still equal less work for God than the work required for a person to take a breath. And if God is that powerful, we should take every issue, every problem, every concern, every hope, every praise we have to him.

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Father, I thank you and praise you for being you--for being completely powerful. I praise you for being willing to take my concerns upon yourself. I thank you for being so great and so loving that you can take my problems and that you want to take my problems.

And father, I thank you for the great blessing of teachers, such as John Piper, who help me to know you better. And I thank you for the blessing of iTunes that allows me to hear teaching from all around the world. I know every good thing comes from you.

Thank you, in the name of Jesus, through whom you have given me all things. Amen.

Jan 4, 2007

2008-01-04T18:56:00.000-05:00

Father, I celebrate you; I find my joy in you.
Your name is greater than anything else. Help me to always put my trust in you.
You have made the heavens, the entire world and everything in it.
You made the earth and every living thing on the earth.
You made the water that sustains life and the sun that warms us and gives us energy.
You made the stars that shine for your glory every night.
All of creation testifies to your power and majesty.
You are the one and only God; you are the only one who deserves all the credit, all the praise, and the honor. Praise God. Hallelujah.
You chose Abram and gave him a new name.
You chose him and gave him a son.
You chose Isaac as the son of the promise.
You chose Jacob and named him Israel,
from his sons you made a great nation,
and from that nation you blessed the world,
even me.
You fulfill all your promises;
you are faithful and righteous.
Give me the faith to put all my trust in you.
You are a loving, merciful and gracious God.
You heard the cry of your people in Egypt and you saved them.
You heard the confessions of David and forgave him.
You heard the prayers of Zechariah and you fulfilled him.
I know you answer the prayers of those who love you.
You took out my heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh.
And I know you will continue the good work you started in me.
Help me to follow you, to love you, to want to see you glorified more than anything else.
Father, you forgave me of so much when you saved me, and you continue to forgive me and save me from sin. So often, I ignore your wisdom; I ignore your glory; I pretend I know better than you. But, more and more, I see your greatness and learn from your discipline and grace.
Every day I am amazed by my sinful nature--the temptations my heart looks toward, my own desires to taste forbidden fruit. Help me resist temptation. Keep me from temptation. Let me see sin as the evil it is; help me hate sin as you do.
Thank you for your grace and mercy.

Father, I pray for the needs of those around me.

Bless Leslie as she returns to school for another semester. Help her be successful in school; help her learn and grow in wisdom, and help her use her education for your glory. Help her be a witness for you at school. Help her show your greatness through her work. Help her balance her school demands with the rest of her life. Because, you give sleep to those you love (Ps 127:2).

Father, keep Frank safe in the last days before he returns home again. Bless his work in Iraq; help him be successful in training those who hope to restore order and bring safety to that nation. You are a God of order, not chaos; that nation needs your blessing. Give Rhonda continued strength as she bears so much responsibility at home and looks forward to his return. And help Rhonda be a blessing to Frank and a witness for your love. Open Frank's heart to his own need for you. Change his heart, Lord. Bring him to know you.

Father, bless Greg and Alice and their families. Be with Allen as he prepares to leave for the Army. Minister to him. And I pray for the unspoken needs of Greg and Alice. You know our needs before we do. You know everything about us. So, I pray you will bless them and minister to them; show them your greatness and your love. Grant their prayers in a way that they can't help but see your power and praise your name.

I pray for Marsha's father who fell and was injured. Give him a fast and healthy recovery. Show him your compassion. And I pray that Marsha would be able to use this time to minister to her father and demonstrate your love to her whole family. Also, I pray for a healthy and successful marathon for Marsha. Keep her strong. Keep her safe. And may she bring you glory through everything she does.

Father, I also ask that you bless our Life Group. Help us grow in our unity together. Help us be a community, a body, of believers that ministers to each other, edifies each other and instructs each other. Help each one of us--Mike and Latrelle, Charlie, Mike and Meredith, Rhonda, Greg and Alice, Clay and Julie, Robert and Sandy, Marsha, JR and Keri, Steve and Angela, Frank and Leslie, Tim and Lisa, Freddie and Kathy, and so many more--help us grow in our knowledge of you and our love for you. Bless our entire church. Bless or pastors, Rick and Darrol. Bless our great church staff that ministers for us in so many often unseen ways. Grant our leadership the wisdom to lead us toward you. Grant our congregation the wisdom to worship you in truth and love.

And father, I pray that you would bless Jennifer and I as we raise Charlotte. Help us as parents model your love. Bless out marriage because you ordained marriage as a symbol of Christ's relationship with the church. Help me love Jennifer and I love my own body; give me the wisdom to see her as a loving and wonderful gift from you.

And father grant me the wisdom to see great things in your word. Help me understand your word and teach your word. And help me live your word.

I pray that you be glorified in all things and in all things your purposes will be accomplished.

I ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Starting fresh

2008-01-03T21:12:00.000-05:00

Father, you are a great and glorious God, who created everything from the largest galaxy to the smallest parts of each atom. You are above everything and yet you care about me, a single person. You loved me before I loved you. You saved me from my own self. You have adopted me as a son and given me the chance to speak to you with confidence as my father.

I pray that I will remember the gift you have given me in the chance to speak with you. As a sinful human, my nature is to forget your blessings. You saved the Hebrew people from slavery, yet in the desert they forgot your works. But, you still led them and blessed them. In the Promised Land, you pushed out their enemies and gave them a land flowing with milk and honey, but they forgot you. Yet, you still blessed them. You chose David as a king and gave him more than he could imagine, but he forgot you. Still, you forgave him and blessed him. And Solomon did the same, but you continued. Throughout generations, we take your blessings and forget you. I have done the same countless times. But you will never leave me nor forsake me. You are faithful even when I am not.

I pray that your Spirit would continue to draw me closer to you so that I would forget you less and less until I am with you always. And I pray that this blog would be a tool to help me record and review my prayers. I pray that over time I will be able to look back and see your faithfulness in answered prayers. I pray that over time, this blog will become a tool for keeping me faithful in talking with you so that I could not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to you.

And I pray these things in the name of Jesus, because I know that if you would give your own son for me, then you will be faithful to give me everything else I need. Amen.