A new nature

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 (NLT)

The start of a new year is always busy with resolutions, changed habits, and goals for the months to come. So it's a fitting time to consider our spiritual lives as well. If you know Jesus as your Savior, does your life reflect it? Paul tells the Colossian church in chapter 3 to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. He says it doesn't matter if we are Jew or Gentile, all that matters is Christ. Today, set a specific goal for 2012 to know your Creator through prayer and Bible study and to become more like him.


Dear God, please be on our hearts, minds, and lips each day. Help us to show others that Jesus Christ is all that matters. Thank you for your love and goodness toward us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do you set spiritual resolutions each year? More often? Share them with us!

The wise men bring gifts

When [the wise men] saw the star, the were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

The wise men realized the miracle they witnessed as they found the child Jesus. They didn't expect God to find them or to shower them with gifts. Instead, they brought gifts to him. Perhaps the most important was their worship. As we approach the start of another year, consider the gift you can offer God. Time together in prayer and in the Bible become gifts to you both!


Dear God, as the days pass and the time comes closer for Jesus to return, help us draw near to you. Teach us to pray and to hear your voice. Thank you for your love and the abundant blessing of a Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Leave a comment and let us pray for you!

Not everyone rejoiced at Jesus' birth

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." Matthew 2:13

Three amazing things happen in this verse. First, an angel speaks to Joseph in a dream. It's not recorded in this verse, but the Bible tells us that Joseph obeyed that warning (also an amazing thing!). Second, the angel promises to revisit Joseph and direct him further. Third, someone wants to kill the Messiah. The threats on Jesus' life began the minute he was born, but it wasn't time yet. God's plan would not be thwarted. He is sovereign and kind, and He wants to fulfill a plan in your life.

Dear God, please help us recognize your direction and your plan for our individual lives. May we never try to kill the Savior in our hearts or try to silence your plan for the world. Thank you for your kindness. Help us walk close to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Who can you commit to praying for, that their heart would be softened and their eyes opened to the truth?

The shepherds respond to Jesus' birth

[The shepherds] hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child...The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Luke 2:16, 17, 20

The New Living Translation of the Bible uses the word 'terrified' to describe the shepherds initial response to the angel who told them about Jesus' birth. In the end, though, they hurried to meet the newborn Savior. After meeting Him, they couldn't keep the Good News to themselves. Not only did they tell everyone, they praised God. It is not our first reaction to Jesus that defines our lives. It is what we do with the Good News that determines our eternity.

Dear Jesus, thank you again for coming to a fallen world and living as a man so we could live in paradise with You forever. Define our lives. May we be full of praise as those shepherds were and glorify God for all the world to see. In Your name, Amen.


What was your first reaction to Jesus? Has it changed?

Anna praises God

"[Anna] never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God." Luke 2:37, 38

The Bible tells us Anna was a widow and a prophet who lived to the age of eighty-four. She enjoyed a close relationship with God because of her time in fasting and prayer. As an older woman, Anna met the child Jesus. Her immediate reaction was praise! Then, "She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). May we react with such enthusiasm and immediate need to share the miracle of Jesus with others.

Dear God, help us speak boldly to the ones who need rescue. Give us the words to share Jesus. May we also enjoy a close relationship with you through prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Who do you know that needs rescue today? What words is God giving you to share Jesus with them?

Jumping for joy

"When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy." Luke 1:44

Even before he was born, John (Jesus' cousin and later known as John the Baptist) jumped for joy to be near Jesus. For the rest of his life, John would proclaim the Good News about a Savior, born of a virgin, come to "take away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). No matter what the situation looked like, no matter who he spoke to, no matter what the consequences, John spoke boldly for the Messiah and jumped for joy to be near Him.

Dear God, thank you again for sending your Son to be our Savior. Thank you for bringing us to realize our need. Jesus, thank you for being born. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Do you jump for joy to be near Jesus? How would you react if you could physically see and touch Him?

Elizabeth's response to Mary's news

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed." Luke 1:42

Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, the one who would become "the prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1:76). The Bible tells us that in her old age, Elizabeth conceived the son she had long desired. In faith, she believed her child would be born with great purpose on his life. Even more important, she believed Mary carried the Messiah all Israel had long desired. With all the possible reactions Elizabeth might have shown, she chose faith. May our faith be strengthened as we celebrate the birth of the Messiah!

Dear God, thank you for sending our Rescue. Please help us be like Elizabeth and show glad faith to others who need to experience it. May they be blessed through our belief in the Messiah. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How is your faith in Jesus today?

Joseph's Obedience

"When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife... And Joseph named [the child] Jesus." Matthew 1:24, 25

The Bible does not talk about Joseph's prayer life, but we know he was a godly man. He followed the traditions and the law of the Lord, taking his family to Jerusalem each year for the Passover and training his sons in Scripture. He must have been unusually close to God to be chosen as the earthly father of God's only Son. We know he was obedient, regardless of the consequences. May we also be remembered for lives of service and obedience to God.

Dear God, please help us to be obedient. May we recognize your calling and strive to please you no matter the consequences. Thank you for the examples of other believers in your Word, and thank you for your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do you recognize God's calling on your life? What does it look like?

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." Luke 1:38

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, Mary's first - and immediate - reaction was obedience. She didn't waver. She didn't ask questions beyond the first, "How can this happen? I am a virgin" (Luke 1:34). She didn't doubt.

When God visits us, whether by supernatural means or through His Spirit in prayer or reading the Bible, how do we react? Suspicion? Cynicism? Intellect? Do we show a humble and willing heart? May we, like Mary, confess that we are servants of the Most High God, blessed to participate in any plan He authors.

Dear God, please help us recognize You. We pray that our hearts would willingly accept Your divine plan. May we be obedient to Your calling on our lives. We bless You and praise You for using us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Has God placed a call on your life? How have you responded?

Give thanks for deliverance

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:10-12

More miracles! God brought the Passover to atone for the sins of His people. He delivered them from a controlling and unbelieving Pharaoh. Today, we have Jesus Christ, who delivers us from sin and disbelief. Indeed, His love is faithful and endures forever!

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for delivering your people. May we share this good news with someone you love today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have you experienced the strong hand and powerful arm of God? What is your deliverance?

No other name

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

How many gods and paths to salvation can you name in our culture today? Buddha and Mohammed are the most visible, but people worship all manner of creation with the hope that it will bring them to enlightenment and salvation. Money, sex, wisdom, food, nature, and other people can become gods in our lives if we allow them. And the believers of the first century church were exposed to belief in all the gods of mythology, including Zeus, Aphrodite, Isis, and others.

Are any of these names capable of saving us?

"We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20

In an age of deceit and blatant idol worship, Peter and John knew the truth. They took every opportunity to tell about Jesus Christ and many people were saved, set free from bondage to false gods and empty hope. What a harvest they gathered from those seeds planted! We have the same opportunities to tell about everything we have seen and heard. They might be things the world overlooks or bypasses without understanding, but wisdom, faith, special knowledge, healing, and miracles are gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Dear God, please open my eyes to see and hear things of you. Give me boldness to share everything with someone who needs you. Amen.

What have you seen and heard of Jesus, and who can you plant a few seeds in today?

Seeing the one who controls the wind and the waves

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.... And [the disciples] awoke [Jesus] and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" Mark 4:37, 38-39

Storms are going to rise up in our lives. Whether we believe in Jesus as Savior or not, as humans in an imperfect world we face trials and difficult times. The key is in how we respond to the trials. Too often, we focus on the storm, as the disciples did. Huge waves roll in, threatening to topple us. Cold, wet wind bites through our clothes and skin, soaking and freezing us. Darkness falls, oppressing us and the light of hope.

This is a vital time to plant seeds of faith for those who don't know God, who don't know His faithfulness, who don't know His unchangeable love. Instead of seeing the storms that blow around us, we can choose to watch the One who controls the wind and sea.

And if we listen closely enough, we can hear His voice speaking calm to the storm and to our hearts.

Dear Jesus, please speak calm to the wind and the sea that rage in my life. Show Your power, and help me point people to You. Amen.

What storms are you facing? Can you plant a seed of faith for someone who watches as you face the wind and water and yet see only Jesus?

Four ways to sow for the harvest

In an earlier post, we said one way to reach people for spiritual harvest is to pray for them. That is the first thing and the most consistent action we should be taking to show others the way to eternal life and freedom in Jesus. But let's look at other ways. How did Jesus reach people when He walked the earth?

Talking to the Samaritan woman at the well:
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." John 4:10

Jesus knew people at the heart level. He spoke to this woman's deepest need. I believe what he says is not arrogance, but prophecy. He knew she would ask Him for the living water. Showing her sincere desire to understand, the woman questioned Jesus about the contents of the well and how He could possibly get living water for her.

The next thing Jesus does is speak in practical terms:
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again." John 4:13


We can meet people with things they understand and with facts they can relate to. We drink, we get thirsty, we drink again, and on the cycle goes. But Jesus says the person who drinks of His living water will have a "fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:14)

After revealing her life situation, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. He reveals Himself to her, saying, "I AM the Messiah!" We must not rush people into a heartfelt decision for Jesus, but we must not delay. How can we know when the time is right? We listen to them, and we listen to the Spirit reveal His perfect timing.

What was the result of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well? She didn't walk back to her people, calmly and quietly replaying her interaction with Him. She raced back to the village so fast that she left her water jug at the well. And she didn't keep her new-found knowledge to herself. She told everyone she'd come face to face with the Messiah.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!" John 4:39


Then  they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:42

The Bible tells us that Jesus is love, and as He doesn't tolerate lies we know He spoke the truth. I believe His actions are prompted and characterized by love. The people He met recognized this, and the people you meet will recognize it, too. Speak the truth in love, waiting on the word of the Lord, and pray for the people you want to see added to the Kingdom. Then watch the Spirit move.

What would you do if you met Jesus face to face? Can you be a physical representation of His love and truth to anyone in your life?

Does seeing and hearing lead to believing?

"We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

I'm sitting in a popular coffee shop, listening to the elevator music and pieces of conversation that float around me. Over the din comes a man's voice, speaking slowly, carefully forming each word.

"How are you feeling, Mom?" He's on the phone several booths away, but I hear his voice as if he sits beside me. He waits while she speaks.

"I know you're tired. Let me pray for you before we go." He has to repeat it twice, and each time he expresses patience and kindness.

And to my astonishment, he prays. Loudly. Slowly. With the entire coffee shop listening. I'm embarrassed and saddened to admit that this astonishes me. How different would our world be if we all took opportunities as this man does, as the disciples did, to pray for others? To do so without shrinking or puffing ourselves up? And in praying, to actually see and hear and have fellowship with Jesus and His followers?

For those of you that don't know Jesus, let me say this: sometimes having a personal interaction with Him looks different than we expect. It's not ethereal or mysterious. It's not soul-shaking. It doesn't alter the planets. But hopefully it alters us, and in time it should shake our souls to the point of seeking Jesus and everything He stands for.

This man's simple action of love altered my day. Changed the course of my actions. I pray you see and hear Jesus in your life through simple actions of love, that your actions and your souls are shaken by knowing Him. And I pray that, seeing and hearing, you believe and accept Him.

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." John 1:12-13

Whether or not you believe Jesus is the Savior of the world, have you had a personal experience that brought you closer to accepting Him? Please share your thoughts with us!

Witnesses to the ends of the earth

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus tells us to spread the word, to share His Good News and teach others all over the globe about Him. It's one of the best known commands in the New Testament: The Great Commission. If you've ever had the thrill of leading someone to salvation in Jesus Christ, you know it often doesn't come quickly or easily. In our sin, we resist even the security of unconditional love and acceptance. How, then, do we fulfill this desire to go and make disciples, to sow seeds that will reap a bountiful harvest?

We pray. We ask for souls, for guidance, for boldness. And we trust that the Lord gives it.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

We don't have to go to the ends of the earth to find someone who needs Jesus. Often, it's someone we know. The lonely, troubled, endangered, weak, and unprotected all need Him. But so do those who outwardly appear strong, intimidating, and in control. Who can you pray for today?

Father God, we covet souls for Your divine grace and gift of salvation. Please reach them with Your love. Open their ears and eyes to see their need. Prepare their hearts to receive Your word, and may we experience the power of Your Holy Spirit as we witness to them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Jesus Has Followers in Iraq and Afghanistan

When you said, "Seek My Face", my heart said to you, "Your Face, O Lord, I will seek."

Have you ever considered the fact that God has sent thousands of Christians into Muslim countries that are opening hostile to Christianity?  Believers in Christ are openly working in Iraq and Afghanistan through the military to influence the people and government alike with a new way of honoring God and showing passion for their faith.  Most of the time our faithful military members must rely on their life of compassion and protection rather than words to convey that we in the U.S. feel their pain and understand their entrapment.  While most of us cannot physically be in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can participate in the spiritual battle for these countries by praying for our military members and the Muslim people. 

I believe there are many in these countries who are seeking the way of love to honor God, so we can ask God to give them courage and hope as they fight under the terrible curse of twisted religious ways. God loves the people of these dark countries and He wants to free them from the destructive and cursed ways of worshiping a perverted version of Himself. 

Father,

We know you long to free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from the dark and destructive practicee of their religion.  We see the spiritual battle heating up to boiling over and know that the outcome for the common people may not be good.  Father, we ask that you protect our military members from attacks and ambushes.  Hide them in the shadow of your wings if danger approaches.  I pray that military believers are able to witness to their team members who do not know you and that many understand your calling and turn to a lasting faith in Christ.  Please allow our military to continue the task of proving the compassion the U.S. has for the people of these countries despite the horrendous crimes that have been committed by those who practice evil in the name of god.  Father, we ask in the name of Jesus, that you would not give up the spiritual battle for the people of these countries, even if it means our military has to be on foreign soil, because we know it is your will that all people can be free to choose to know you in truth. 

Help us to know how to pray further for this situation and share it with each other as we support our military and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.  

In Your Sons Name.  

Blessings. 

God sings over you!

Happy Monday, pray-ers. As we kick off another work week, I'd like to remind you of one of God's sweetest promises. This comes at a dark and frightening time for much of the world with the people of Japan struggling to survive amid continuous aftershocks and tsunami threats. The instability affects the entire world economically, environmentally, and physically.

Your situation might not be as newsworthy as a tsunami or a 9.0 earthquake and it might not impact tens of thousands, but it might feel just as terrifying to you. Each life is valuable to God. Each person's trauma breaks His heart. As you read the following Scripture and the prayer that follows, take time to meditate on it. Allow His promise to soak into your heart and change your outlook.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your promises. Please save us. Show us how you delight in us and rejoice over us. We need the quiet that comes only from you. Draw us close in these unsettling days. May we return your love and faithfulness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praying for you all,
Shelley

Our Father in Heaven

"In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven..." Matthew 6:9

The beginning of the Lord's Prayer reveals several things. In these few words, we establish the focus of the prayer, who He is (and by extension who we are), and where He lives.

The Focus
The God of the universe, the God of creation, is the focus of this prayer. Righteous, holy, and true, He deserves to be the focus of all our prayers. Too often, my prayers focus on myself, my worries, my wants. Jesus instructs us to change our focus and put our eyes on Him.

The Father
Additionally, we get a chance to meditate on the nature and character of the Father God. He is timeless, unsearchable, compassionate, gracious, patient, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving, and just (Exodus 34:5-7). What a truly awesome gift that we can approach Him at all, indeed that He invites us to come to Him!

The Fruits
If He is our father, then we are His children. Ephesians 1:5 tells us that He predestined us to Him as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ to Himself. We belong to Him. He wants us to come to Him as children go to their loving parent. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9).

The Foundation
Our Father is in heaven, but He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times and in every place. Because of His triune nature, the Father God is one with the Holy Spirit and with Jesus Christ. So we pray to God the Father, knowing also that our prayer goes to Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

The power in these few words is immeasurable. As you go through this prayer, take time to consider who your prayer goes to, where He is, and how much He loves you, His child. Leave a comment with your thoughts on these first words of the Lord's Prayer and how praying it impacts your life.

Until next time,

Shelley

Put on a new man (or woman!)

"... put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24

When I was a teenager, I had a favorite pair of jeans. I'll bet you had a pair, too. You know, the ones that made you look fantastic. Worn and faded in all the right places, they made you look skinnier here, rounder there, and longer there. Every time I put them on - which was nearly every day - I felt like a new person. I stood taller. I felt stronger. Boys and beautiful cheerleaders no longer sent me cringing to the other side of the school halls. I had more confidence, but not in myself. It was the jeans.

The Spirit of God can be compared to those jeans. Stay with me while I explain.

Much like a wardrobe, you choose to put on the Spirit of God every day, in every situation. You could go into the world without Him, but why would you want to? He makes you stand taller. He gives you confidence in situations that would otherwise make you cower. He makes you strong, able to withstand anything life throws your way.

He makes you a new creation.

Becoming a new creation is not something we do easily or lightly. It's not a choice we typically rush into because it's the popular thing to do. This isn't putting on a pair of pants just because we want to impress the school ranks. This is taking the Spirit of Jesus and putting Him on over our own spirit. To be in the world with the image of Jesus shining out of us. To interact with others as Jesus might. To overcome our own evil and selfish desires and do the will of God.

No, not the popular thing to do at all, is it?

And yet when we see someone who has done this, we want the same thing. To shine with love and grace and mercy. To treat people, regardless of their station in life, with respect and honor. To bring light and life to people who struggle in the darkness. That's Jesus, and that's putting on the new man (or woman) which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Did you put on the new person God created you to be today? If not, it's not too late. Do it now. Go to your prayer journal and write your requests to God about this. Then remember to record how He answers you.

Father God, may we remember each day to put on the new person you created us to be. May we always look to You and to Jesus for wisdom and direction in this new creation. May we be a light in the darkness for the ones we love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings on you today, dear ones.
Shelley

Strength in the Lord

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

What is happening in your life today, dear reader? Is your faith being tested? I exhort you to stand fast in the faith. Be brave. Be strong. Watch for the crafty ways the evil one attacks God's people. Resist him and draw near to God.

Praying blessings on you today,
Shelley

Dearest Lord Jesus, help us. We are weak. Increase our faith as your word says you will do. Give us discernment and eyes to see the attacks of the enemy. Help us lift shields of faith to put out his fiery arrows. Thank you for your promises and your protection. Amen.