And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:19-20
The national news have been heavy with the scandal surrounding New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer. While in watching the details unfold I have indeed thought much about his wife and children; however, my mind keeps focusing on the people responsible for "breaking the case." Numerous bank employees, IRS agents, and federal prosecutors worked tirelessly amidst corruption, lies, and depravity. By their diligence, light shone into darkness and the darkness was exposed.
"There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths.
The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he is like a thief.
The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me'; And he disguises his face.
In the dark they break into houses Which they marked for themselves in the daytime; They do not know the light.
For the morning is the same to them as the shadow of death; If someone recognizes them, They are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
Job 24:13-17
INTERCESSIONS:
- that Christians will live in purity, opposing and exposing darkness in our nation (And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:11)
- that Christians will remember the mercy God has shown them and show the same to those stumbling in darkness, including the people involved in the Spitzer scandal (For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Eph 5:8)
- that unbelievers will turn from darkness to the Light of the world, Jesus Christ (...to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' Acts 26:18)
- that current and future leaders of America will exercise authority with justice and humility in complete submission to God (The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds... 2 Sam 23:3-4a)
Praise God!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Prayer for Week 11 (beginning 3.10.08)
In the book of Jonah, we read about God's mercy on the wicked city of Ninevah:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; (Jonah 4:11)
Many of the commentaries I read noted the phrase "persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand" as being a Hebrew way of describing children and that God's pity on Ninevah was in part due to these little ones who were unable to make moral judgments. This made me think of the children of America. The way that little boys talk...the way that little girls dress. Or worse, the way that little boys are allowed to talk and little girls are encouraged to dress. The music, the movies, and the magazines all marketed to youth but that rob them of innocence and purity. The most vulnerable of our society...so affected and influenced by the sins of our nation.
This week let us lift the children of America in prayer to the God who loves them dearly.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that children would not imitate sinful parents (But I said to their children in the wilderness, "Do not walk in the statutes of of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols." Ezek 20:18)
- that fathers will be strong spiritual leaders for their families but do so with the gentleness of Christ (And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Eph 6:4)
- that children would hear the gospel of Christ and open their hearts to Him as their Savior and Lord (Gather the people together, men and women and little ones...that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law...and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God... Deut 31:12-13)
- that God will give the children of our nation wisdom and understanding to glorify Him (Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148:12-13)
"The gourd which Jonah had pity on perished in a night; it withered, and there was an end of it. But the precious souls in Nineveh that God had pity on are not so short-lived; they are immortal, and therefore to be carefully and tenderly considered." - A. R. FAUSSET
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; (Jonah 4:11)
Many of the commentaries I read noted the phrase "persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand" as being a Hebrew way of describing children and that God's pity on Ninevah was in part due to these little ones who were unable to make moral judgments. This made me think of the children of America. The way that little boys talk...the way that little girls dress. Or worse, the way that little boys are allowed to talk and little girls are encouraged to dress. The music, the movies, and the magazines all marketed to youth but that rob them of innocence and purity. The most vulnerable of our society...so affected and influenced by the sins of our nation.
This week let us lift the children of America in prayer to the God who loves them dearly.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that children would not imitate sinful parents (But I said to their children in the wilderness, "Do not walk in the statutes of of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols." Ezek 20:18)
- that fathers will be strong spiritual leaders for their families but do so with the gentleness of Christ (And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Eph 6:4)
- that children would hear the gospel of Christ and open their hearts to Him as their Savior and Lord (Gather the people together, men and women and little ones...that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law...and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God... Deut 31:12-13)
- that God will give the children of our nation wisdom and understanding to glorify Him (Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148:12-13)
"The gourd which Jonah had pity on perished in a night; it withered, and there was an end of it. But the precious souls in Nineveh that God had pity on are not so short-lived; they are immortal, and therefore to be carefully and tenderly considered." - A. R. FAUSSET
Monday, March 3, 2008
Prayer for Week 10 (beginning 3.3.08)
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
- Jude 25
This week let us remember that
God is by nature a saving God - He desires to save the lost, including the drug dealer down the street, the mother who abuses her child, and the greedy businessman who takes advantage of the poor.
He works in perfect wisdom, and His salvation of sinners brings glory to His Name as His mighty power is displayed through the lives He changes.
He reigns. Even in the midst of wickedness and darkness that is sometimes incomprehensible, our Lord reigns.
This week may we offer abundant praise and gratitude to God as we reflect on His mercy towards sinners, our own salvation, and His wisdom, power, and dominion.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Prayers for Week 9 (beginning 2.25.08)
This is the promise given in Romans 10:13:
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The passage goes on to say in Romans 10:14,15:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Then in Romans 10:17 we read:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- that this week God will open doors for you to share the gospel and that you will be obedient to do so (...and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15)
- that this week those who HEAR the gospel will BELIEVE & RECEIVE the gospel (But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name... John 1:12)
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
The passage goes on to say in Romans 10:14,15:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Then in Romans 10:17 we read:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Often when we think of taking the gospel to the lost, we think of doing so outside our nation's borders. We picture taking mission trips, translating the Bible into foreign languages, and planting churches in remote villages. Before I gave my life to Christ I knew of God and I knew of Jesus, but I didn't know the truth of the gospel. My guess is that many Americans are the same. So this week may our mission field be our neighborhoods, may we share God's Word in the language of love, and may God use us to plant seeds in the lives of our countrymen.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that this week the gospel of Jesus Christ will saturate our country and shine on unbelievers (specifically you may pray for Scripturally based messages in print, on radio & TV, church services, outreach ministries, etc) (whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Cor 4:4)- that this week God will open doors for you to share the gospel and that you will be obedient to do so (...and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15)
- that this week those who HEAR the gospel will BELIEVE & RECEIVE the gospel (But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name... John 1:12)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Prayer for Week 8 (beginning 2.18.08)
During election time it can be easy to be glued to the news...to coverage of the candidates, the debates, the speeches. But during this vital time for our nation Christians need not be completely focused on Clinton or McCain, Obama or Huckabee, but on God.
REMEMBER OUR GOD
- that no authority will be given to any leader except by God's will (Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. Dan 2:20-21)
- that our sovereign God is working out His perfect plan (Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10)
REMEMBER OUR RESPONSIBILITY
- that Christians are called by God to pray for ALL men (Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Tim 2:1-2)
- that Christians are called by God to be responsible citizens (Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2:13-16)
- that Christians are called by God to acknowledge His sovereignty (Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2)
INTERCESSIONS: That the current and future leaders of our nation will
- genuinely seek God (The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. Psalm 10:4)
- be guided by God's truth (If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked. Proverbs 29:12)
- walk in righteousness (Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34)
"We need to stand up for what is right and what is righteous, and God will use us as a means to achieving His purposes...the purposes God knows. And He's determined the end, but we're instruments to that end." - John MacArthur
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
REMEMBER OUR GOD
- that no authority will be given to any leader except by God's will (Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. Dan 2:20-21)
- that our sovereign God is working out His perfect plan (Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10)
REMEMBER OUR RESPONSIBILITY
- that Christians are called by God to pray for ALL men (Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Tim 2:1-2)
- that Christians are called by God to be responsible citizens (Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2:13-16)
- that Christians are called by God to acknowledge His sovereignty (Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2)
INTERCESSIONS: That the current and future leaders of our nation will
- genuinely seek God (The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. Psalm 10:4)
- be guided by God's truth (If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked. Proverbs 29:12)
- walk in righteousness (Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34)
"We need to stand up for what is right and what is righteous, and God will use us as a means to achieving His purposes...the purposes God knows. And He's determined the end, but we're instruments to that end." - John MacArthur
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Prayer for Week 7 (beginning 2.11.08)
"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing . . . it is irresistible. If even ten percent of the world's population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before a year's end?" –C.S. Lewis
In Isaiah 45:22 God says, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other!" As children of God we have the promise that His Spirit dwells in us (Cor 3:16) so, when people look at you, do they see God? Not just when you are at church...or when all is going well in your life...but at any moment of any day, do you look like God? Would an encounter with you cause an unbeliever to know more about the character of God?
God's plan for His church is shown in Ephesians 5:27: "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Unfortunately a Church "without blemish" is not what the world is currently seeing. Divorce, pornography, and addiction seem to be as prevalent among Christians as in the world...as do gossip, bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, pride, lying, and lack of self-control.
In the quote above C.S. Lewis states concerning holiness that "When one meets the real thing...it is irresistable." The "real thing" is God Himself (No One is holy like the Lord...1 Sam 2:2). And His children are to look like their Father: "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15,16
God has called us to holiness that we might glorify Him and be light to a dark world (Matt 5:14), but He knows we cannot do it on our own. He has given us His Spirit (Acts 1:8) to guide, to convict, and to teach us. If God so graciously indwells us with this Helper, our response should be one of humble surrender...that He might sanctify us unto holiness and, through our lives, lead others to "look to" Him and be saved!
INTERCESSIONS:
- that this week, by submitting to the Spirit, you would be directed in the way of godliness (I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Eze 26:27)
- that this week you would not grieve the Holy Spirit by choosing sinfulness over holiness (And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30)
- that this week you will die to self so others can see Christ in you (I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20)
- that this week the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in your life, a reflection of God's character to those who do not know Him (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22, 23)
This week may we glorify our God by being like our God: holy and without blemish. And may God use our lives in His salvation of our nation.
In Isaiah 45:22 God says, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other!" As children of God we have the promise that His Spirit dwells in us (Cor 3:16) so, when people look at you, do they see God? Not just when you are at church...or when all is going well in your life...but at any moment of any day, do you look like God? Would an encounter with you cause an unbeliever to know more about the character of God?
God's plan for His church is shown in Ephesians 5:27: "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Unfortunately a Church "without blemish" is not what the world is currently seeing. Divorce, pornography, and addiction seem to be as prevalent among Christians as in the world...as do gossip, bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, pride, lying, and lack of self-control.
In the quote above C.S. Lewis states concerning holiness that "When one meets the real thing...it is irresistable." The "real thing" is God Himself (No One is holy like the Lord...1 Sam 2:2). And His children are to look like their Father: "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15,16
God has called us to holiness that we might glorify Him and be light to a dark world (Matt 5:14), but He knows we cannot do it on our own. He has given us His Spirit (Acts 1:8) to guide, to convict, and to teach us. If God so graciously indwells us with this Helper, our response should be one of humble surrender...that He might sanctify us unto holiness and, through our lives, lead others to "look to" Him and be saved!
INTERCESSIONS:
- that this week, by submitting to the Spirit, you would be directed in the way of godliness (I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Eze 26:27)
- that this week you would not grieve the Holy Spirit by choosing sinfulness over holiness (And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30)
- that this week you will die to self so others can see Christ in you (I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20)
- that this week the fruit of the Spirit would be evident in your life, a reflection of God's character to those who do not know Him (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22, 23)
This week may we glorify our God by being like our God: holy and without blemish. And may God use our lives in His salvation of our nation.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Prayer for Week 6 (beginning 2.4.08)
I was recently checking out some websites and found the following statements, which I left unedited:
"i hate christianity, and all the ignorant followers"
"I have a low tolerance for scripture. Zero, in fact."
"I've had enough with Christianity. I've had enough with God."
"i am so sick of religion! the chuirches make it seem like u haved to be all good and read ur bible every day and stuff!!personally i doesnt matter if u go to church!as long as u have a relationship with God u r fine!screw religion!freedom and God is so much better"
"Christian music must be stoped so our children dont have to share our tiny blue planet with a bunch of bible thumping neo-nazi quasi-hippies "praiseing his name" every 4 seconds."
"And as a consumer whore, I have to say that I haven't been given a reason to love Jesus. He's got stiff competition for my spiritual self from people like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman - at least their literature is readable. Without some winning slogans, a corporate logo and some busty bikini-clad women, Jesus isn't converting me any time soon."
My guess is that you are not surprised. And you shouldn't be. In John 15:18 Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." Take a moment to think about Jesus...His gentleness...His long suffering...His compassion...His peace...His forgiveness...His strength. Can you imagine NOT knowing Him? Not knowing those things about Him...and what they mean to your life? So many people, like the writers above, do not KNOW the One who loves them beyond measure. They do not KNOW the One they hate.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that God will show His abundant mercy to those who hate Him and persecute His children; that by His gracious salvation they will be reconciled to Him, and that their lives will glorify Him. (For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. Gal 1:13 AND But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God in me. Gal 1:23, 24)
- that the people who wrote the above statements will come to KNOW Christ as their Lord and Savior THIS WEEK (And these things [persecution] they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. John 16:3)
- that Christians will respond in love, compassion and prayer to those who hate them (But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... Matt 5:44)
BE ENCOURAGED! At church today I watched as many people made the decision to give their lives to Christ...and I was reminded that God is hearing our prayers for our nation!
"i hate christianity, and all the ignorant followers"
"I have a low tolerance for scripture. Zero, in fact."
"I've had enough with Christianity. I've had enough with God."
"i am so sick of religion! the chuirches make it seem like u haved to be all good and read ur bible every day and stuff!!personally i doesnt matter if u go to church!as long as u have a relationship with God u r fine!screw religion!freedom and God is so much better"
"Christian music must be stoped so our children dont have to share our tiny blue planet with a bunch of bible thumping neo-nazi quasi-hippies "praiseing his name" every 4 seconds."
"And as a consumer whore, I have to say that I haven't been given a reason to love Jesus. He's got stiff competition for my spiritual self from people like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman - at least their literature is readable. Without some winning slogans, a corporate logo and some busty bikini-clad women, Jesus isn't converting me any time soon."
My guess is that you are not surprised. And you shouldn't be. In John 15:18 Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." Take a moment to think about Jesus...His gentleness...His long suffering...His compassion...His peace...His forgiveness...His strength. Can you imagine NOT knowing Him? Not knowing those things about Him...and what they mean to your life? So many people, like the writers above, do not KNOW the One who loves them beyond measure. They do not KNOW the One they hate.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that God will show His abundant mercy to those who hate Him and persecute His children; that by His gracious salvation they will be reconciled to Him, and that their lives will glorify Him. (For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. Gal 1:13 AND But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God in me. Gal 1:23, 24)
- that the people who wrote the above statements will come to KNOW Christ as their Lord and Savior THIS WEEK (And these things [persecution] they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. John 16:3)
- that Christians will respond in love, compassion and prayer to those who hate them (But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... Matt 5:44)
BE ENCOURAGED! At church today I watched as many people made the decision to give their lives to Christ...and I was reminded that God is hearing our prayers for our nation!
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