Soon after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the early church leaders found themselves under vicious attack. They were threatened, beaten, and put to death. Here is how they responded in prayer:
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your Word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30
This is an amazing response. It shows that they were determined that the gospel should continue to move forward. They were sold out to Jesus and knew that fear wasn’t really an option – obedience was the only choice. There are some good points in this prayer that I would like to have you pray over the pastors and leaders of this church:
Pray that we will have great boldness in declaring the Word of the Lord in our teaching, counsel, and leadership.
Pray that as we minister and pray for individuals healing power will be manifest and we will see and experience the fullness of New Testament life.
Pray that miraculous signs and wonders will be done in Jesus’ name, to confirm His Word and impact our world with the living reality of Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
I want us to be a center of New Testament life. Let’s pray that God releases it and that what we teach and declare will be manifest in all of us. Let’s pray that wherever we go, the world will never be the same because where we are the kingdom of God is for Christ dwells in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Joshua 1:6-9
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:6-9
Joshua was facing the greatest challenge of his life; bring the children of Israel into the promised land and give them their inheritance. But God is good to give him this word of strength and guidance for his life. He is to follow God, obey what He says, and meditate on the Word and in return God promises to prosper him and give him success. These words are true for us today. Though following Jesus (obeying Him and living out His heart of love and service) can be quite a challenge, we need to be strong and courageous as we set out to accomplish what Jesus calls us to do.
There are so many voices around us that tell us who we are and what we need. So we need to adopt a bit of a warfare mentality as we determine to be strong and courageous to follow God’s principles and not the world’s. We need to set out each day (maybe even moment by moment) to focus on what God says and meditating on His Word will help. God is so faithful to us to provide. Only He is the answer and anchoring our lives in Him will bring us peace. Obedience to Him will bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
God also says to us that we should not be dismayed. In other words, don’t be intimidated or overwhelmed. Don’t be afraid. Near the heart of God there is a place of quiet rest. As we meditate on His Word and His promises to us, we find our anchor. So let’s move ahead, anchored in Him, trusting His promises and walking in His strength and courage. Only in Him do we have hope, a future, and wonderful purpose as we walk out the abundant life God has promised us.
Joshua was facing the greatest challenge of his life; bring the children of Israel into the promised land and give them their inheritance. But God is good to give him this word of strength and guidance for his life. He is to follow God, obey what He says, and meditate on the Word and in return God promises to prosper him and give him success. These words are true for us today. Though following Jesus (obeying Him and living out His heart of love and service) can be quite a challenge, we need to be strong and courageous as we set out to accomplish what Jesus calls us to do.
There are so many voices around us that tell us who we are and what we need. So we need to adopt a bit of a warfare mentality as we determine to be strong and courageous to follow God’s principles and not the world’s. We need to set out each day (maybe even moment by moment) to focus on what God says and meditating on His Word will help. God is so faithful to us to provide. Only He is the answer and anchoring our lives in Him will bring us peace. Obedience to Him will bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
God also says to us that we should not be dismayed. In other words, don’t be intimidated or overwhelmed. Don’t be afraid. Near the heart of God there is a place of quiet rest. As we meditate on His Word and His promises to us, we find our anchor. So let’s move ahead, anchored in Him, trusting His promises and walking in His strength and courage. Only in Him do we have hope, a future, and wonderful purpose as we walk out the abundant life God has promised us.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Luke 11:28
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice. Luke 11:28
Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people who have received Jesus as Savior and who love Him. But there is more to life with Jesus than accepting Him as Savior, there is an abundant life that we can enter into as those who join in His inheritance. The joy of the Lord that guards our hearts places our souls and minds in a place of peace and rest because we’re assured of his promises. We know that we aren’t perfect, but we grow in grace.
I remember when I first started participating in sports. I had to practice the skills that eventually made me a better player. This is true of our walk with Jesus. When we begin to practice walking out what we read in His Word, we find ourselves improving in our understanding, in relationship with Him, in trusting Him and in faith. As we read through the Word this year, let’s practice what we’re reading. When you find a defining action, a new heart attitude, or feel the breath of the Spirit that refreshes us, let’s spend the time to practice it. Let’s practice worshipping, praying for and with others, and setting our minds and hearts on the Lord. Let’s pay attention while we see what a wonderful and fulfilling life we can embrace as we walk out our faith in practical, Biblical patterns empowered by the Holy Spirit, and motivated by His love.
Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people who have received Jesus as Savior and who love Him. But there is more to life with Jesus than accepting Him as Savior, there is an abundant life that we can enter into as those who join in His inheritance. The joy of the Lord that guards our hearts places our souls and minds in a place of peace and rest because we’re assured of his promises. We know that we aren’t perfect, but we grow in grace.
I remember when I first started participating in sports. I had to practice the skills that eventually made me a better player. This is true of our walk with Jesus. When we begin to practice walking out what we read in His Word, we find ourselves improving in our understanding, in relationship with Him, in trusting Him and in faith. As we read through the Word this year, let’s practice what we’re reading. When you find a defining action, a new heart attitude, or feel the breath of the Spirit that refreshes us, let’s spend the time to practice it. Let’s practice worshipping, praying for and with others, and setting our minds and hearts on the Lord. Let’s pay attention while we see what a wonderful and fulfilling life we can embrace as we walk out our faith in practical, Biblical patterns empowered by the Holy Spirit, and motivated by His love.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Joel 2:25
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts. Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced like this.” Joel 2:25
We’ve all lost things that are valuable to us. But God loves restoring! He restored a widow’s sons in 2 Kings. In Genesis He restored Israel’s territory and He restored it again in 1946. Worship was restored in the temple in 2 Chron. Job’s losses are restored to him in Job 42:10. Jesus restores health all the time in the New Testament and God restores relationship in Hebrews 13:19. God is in the restoring mood. He never changes! Whether it is lost life, blessing, hope, health, land, or inheritance God restores. God wants us to live in abundant life. We can trust Him, we can trust His Word, and we can trust His heart to restore. Times of loss are difficult and painful. But we only need to believe His Word and restoration will overtake us. Let’s follow our Savior, walk in the light of He Word and enjoy the power of His presence.
Let me say it to you again: Right now is and will always be a season of restoration. Praise His great and holy name!
We’ve all lost things that are valuable to us. But God loves restoring! He restored a widow’s sons in 2 Kings. In Genesis He restored Israel’s territory and He restored it again in 1946. Worship was restored in the temple in 2 Chron. Job’s losses are restored to him in Job 42:10. Jesus restores health all the time in the New Testament and God restores relationship in Hebrews 13:19. God is in the restoring mood. He never changes! Whether it is lost life, blessing, hope, health, land, or inheritance God restores. God wants us to live in abundant life. We can trust Him, we can trust His Word, and we can trust His heart to restore. Times of loss are difficult and painful. But we only need to believe His Word and restoration will overtake us. Let’s follow our Savior, walk in the light of He Word and enjoy the power of His presence.
Let me say it to you again: Right now is and will always be a season of restoration. Praise His great and holy name!
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