"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth. the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1: 13 - 14
Do you remember when you first believed the good news of the work of Christ? Excitement and joy filled our hearts as our spirits were awakened to a new life. This event is a miracle that only be accomplished by God's power and Christ's work. Though this event and the subsequent communion with God through the Holy Spirit makes us feel incredibly special, it is not for us alone. We no longer work for our own agenda but we are co-workers with God to help others believe. It is by receiving truth that dispels lies that God can awaken someones mind and begin to affect their heart. This is the miracle.
We have been focusing on sharing the good news of Christ this month; planting seeds that will bear fruit to the harvest. This week let's focus on the seeds and harvest in our own lives. Let's take a few moments today to thank God for the work of his salvation in our own lives.
Father, thank you for the miracle of salvation in my life. Thank you for continuing to meet me and grow me up in that blessed salvation.
Blessings.
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
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?
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?
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Gospel of Christ
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes....for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. Romans 1: 16 - 17
The gospel of Christ, translated the good news of Christ, is the power of God to save individuals who will respond in faith. Many seeds are scattered which direct seekers to self-help, meditational thoughts from Buddha and direction from icons of the culture declaring you must ONLY believe and good things will happen. However, scripture very clearly says it is the gospel of Christ that God uses to save. Clearly, if we can scatter seeds directly related to the good news of the work of Christ, then it becomes possible for those seeds to grow into faith, trust, and hope.
Let's pray for the individuals we know who desperately need Christ to have open hearts and minds toward Him.
Father, we ask that you soften hearts toward Christ and reveal the lies being believed that offer only momentary relief.
Think about how you first believed in Christ. What seed from that experience can you offer to someone else?
Blessings
The gospel of Christ, translated the good news of Christ, is the power of God to save individuals who will respond in faith. Many seeds are scattered which direct seekers to self-help, meditational thoughts from Buddha and direction from icons of the culture declaring you must ONLY believe and good things will happen. However, scripture very clearly says it is the gospel of Christ that God uses to save. Clearly, if we can scatter seeds directly related to the good news of the work of Christ, then it becomes possible for those seeds to grow into faith, trust, and hope.
Let's pray for the individuals we know who desperately need Christ to have open hearts and minds toward Him.
Father, we ask that you soften hearts toward Christ and reveal the lies being believed that offer only momentary relief.
Think about how you first believed in Christ. What seed from that experience can you offer to someone else?
Blessings
Friday, October 7, 2011
Lambs In The Midst Of Wolves
Concern over someones spiritual well-being is not always appreciated. Bigger than the resistance of some people to spiritual truth is the resistance of the evil one to the on-going work of God. When Jesus was praying for his disciples prior to his death, he acknowledged the on-going spiritual battle they would face as they sowed spiritual seed and worked along with Him in the harvest souls. This battle guarantees disciples will be hated so Jesus also asked the Father to protect them.
Today as we sow seeds in the lives of others, we can be encouraged that Jesus prayed for our protection and salvation. He asked the Father to protect us and to bring us into glory with Him. "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given Me, be with Me where I am, so they may see My glory which You have given Me before the foundation of the world."
It encourages me to know that Jesus prayed for all believers from all historical ages; knowing the battles and needs we face even today. Jesus prayed for our spiritual needs that will protect and keep us to the end of our lives when we face the Father. Who will we pray and work for today?
Blessings
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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 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.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Jesus Felt Compassion
This month we are focusing on sowing spiritual seeds and the following harvest. Sowing spiritual seeds can take place in many forms and since this blog focuses on prayer, of course, we consider prayer one of the most loving gifts we have to offer someone. Prayer enters the spiritual realm and allows us to battle with God for that person.
God is able to take the spiritual seeds scattered by his people and water them with the Holy Spirit to bring someone to the place of wanting life in Him. We really don't know how this happens, it is one of the mysteries of God. We do know He gives everyone the opportunity to choose to know him; the offer is for all.
Jesus had compassion and the multitudes followed him. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will provide you the privilege of offering up prayers and words of hope to someone in distress.
Father, we pray that you will help us see the one person who needs our prayers and support the most. Help us offer seeds of hope that you can use to bring this person to a place of rest in you.
Blessings
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday Prayer - My Light and My Salvation
“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life - of whom shall I be afraid.” Psalm 27:1
I have prayed this verse many times since I first memorized Psalm 27 in my bible study group a number of years ago. The Lord – MY light – yes, without him there is only darkness and fear inside of me. The Lord – MY salvation – I have chosen Jesus the author and perfector of my faith! YES, He is my hope and my life and I am especially confident of this fact when I live in these truths which dispel my fear and doubt.
Whom shall I fear when the God of the Universe and His expression of love to the world in Jesus chooses to act in kindness towards me? Human beings harbor many fears and I don’t know about you but when I dwell on my fears rather than on the proven truth in the Bible, my thoughts can easily turn my feelings to those of hopelessness. (Proven? Yes, proven!!)
The Lord is the strength of my life – when I am weak, then I am strong because HE is my strength for whatever lies ahead. God works for the good of his people even during times that are difficult to bear. I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Be strong and take heart, wait for the Lord
“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord, be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you seek His face, your face Lord will I seek.” Psalm 27:7-8
Father,
Please give hope to those of us who are struggling with fear and doubt in this earthly life. Help us to grasp your divine love and understand that your intentions toward us are for good. Father, may we earnestly seek you in prayer to express our devotion and needs offering them as a fragrant sacrifice to You. May we seek You in your Word asking for confidence in your character and for the increase of our faith unto strength.
The world offers many options for relief from our pain and fear but we have proven time and again that they provide only a momentary hush from the voices within. Father you are proven to offer a peace that quiets all voices and all lies bringing us a hope that the world cannot experience outside of you. May we seek you for a path and a peace we so desperately desire.
Father, I pray for those who either don’t know you or are afraid to seek you, that you gently draw them to yourself and show them your love and your mercy. May their hearts soften towards you so that your work may begin.
In your precious Son’s name,
Amen
I have prayed this verse many times since I first memorized Psalm 27 in my bible study group a number of years ago. The Lord – MY light – yes, without him there is only darkness and fear inside of me. The Lord – MY salvation – I have chosen Jesus the author and perfector of my faith! YES, He is my hope and my life and I am especially confident of this fact when I live in these truths which dispel my fear and doubt.
Whom shall I fear when the God of the Universe and His expression of love to the world in Jesus chooses to act in kindness towards me? Human beings harbor many fears and I don’t know about you but when I dwell on my fears rather than on the proven truth in the Bible, my thoughts can easily turn my feelings to those of hopelessness. (Proven? Yes, proven!!)
The Lord is the strength of my life – when I am weak, then I am strong because HE is my strength for whatever lies ahead. God works for the good of his people even during times that are difficult to bear. I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Be strong and take heart, wait for the Lord
“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord, be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you seek His face, your face Lord will I seek.” Psalm 27:7-8
Father,
Please give hope to those of us who are struggling with fear and doubt in this earthly life. Help us to grasp your divine love and understand that your intentions toward us are for good. Father, may we earnestly seek you in prayer to express our devotion and needs offering them as a fragrant sacrifice to You. May we seek You in your Word asking for confidence in your character and for the increase of our faith unto strength.
The world offers many options for relief from our pain and fear but we have proven time and again that they provide only a momentary hush from the voices within. Father you are proven to offer a peace that quiets all voices and all lies bringing us a hope that the world cannot experience outside of you. May we seek you for a path and a peace we so desperately desire.
Father, I pray for those who either don’t know you or are afraid to seek you, that you gently draw them to yourself and show them your love and your mercy. May their hearts soften towards you so that your work may begin.
In your precious Son’s name,
Amen
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