Who is Jesus to Our Sons and Daughters?

Any parent who loves Jesus has a strong desire to see their sons and daughters do the same and follow after Him faithfully.  We want to know that they don’t just have a head knowledge of Christ, but they’re pursuing a living, growing relationship with Him, one in which they talk to Him, listen to Him, read His Word, and desire to do His will.

But really, have we stopped to ask who Jesus is to them?  Is He someone they know about or someone they know personally?  Is He a figure in history or is He a prominent figure in their personal life?  Are they compelled to follow, or do they sit idly by?  Is their heart burdened to obey or are they pursuing other things?

We can’t require their allegiance to the Lord, especially if they are adults, we cannot manage their faith for them.  They have to make that choice and commitment.  They must choose to follow and walk in obedience.  It’s between Him and them.

So today, and every day, we pray.  We pray a lot.

The following are scriptures and prayer points to pray over our sons and daughters daily.  Though the posts on this blog may change, the need for and importance of prayer on these points does not. 

Pray fervently, regularly, and with hope.  God isn’t done working!

Pray that they recognize the Truth and follow Jesus.

1 John 2:4 “If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

Pray that they would value their relationship with Jesus more than anything and choose Him above anything else.

Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Pray that they would grow and mature in Christ.

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.”

Pray for their spiritual protection.

Psalm 91 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
  nor the arrow that flies by day, 

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Pray that their life, lived in obedience to Christ, would be an ever-speaking testimony of the gospel of salvation and the hope, joy, and peace of life in Christ

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this 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.”

Do they know Christ? 

Our prayer should be that they would truly and authentically know Him and follow after Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Do you know Christ?  Do you have more than just a knowledge ‘of’ Him?  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  Or are you longing for peace, joy, and hope that all seem elusive?  If this is your heart’s desire, you simply need to admit you’re a sinner and agree that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way to receive forgiveness and eternal life.  He is the One Savior who can redeem - there is nothing too damaging, too dirty, or too deep that He cannot forgive.

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (unrighteousness).”    

“Lord, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.”

“If you confess with your mouth and Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”   Romans 10:9-10

“Jesus, I believe You died on the cross for me.  I believe You were buried and rose again to conquer death and all the power of darkness.  Please forgive me for my sins.  I surrender my heart and life to You.  Be my Lord and Savior and help me to live for You, in Jesus’ name, Amen”

Satan’s big lie is that we can be ‘good enough’ and by convincing us of that, we lay Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross aside.  We overlook His resurrection and that He conquered death …and we put ourselves in the place of God….the very lie that led Adam and Eve to eat the fruit in the garden, “You will be like God” Genesis 3:5

We have no ability to save ourselves.  But Satan wants nothing more than for us to believe that we do…because if we believe that,  then we are eternally condemned.  

But Jesus!! 

He died for our sins so we wouldn’t be condemned.  He rose from the dead to conquer death and sin and hold authority over every power, dominion, principality and authority.  He rules!   He reigns!  And we can be covered by his sacrifice and be their heirs to His eternal kingdom.  Why wouldn’t you want that?!

I’m praying for each of you who read this.  Jesus loves you dearly.  He died for you.  Will accept His gift of salvation; will you choose to surrender to His Lordship and live for Him?

If you made a decision for Christ today, I would love to hear it!!  

Pray without ceasing!

God’s Powerful Anointing

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5b

(life-giving strength, proactive prevention, setting apart)

Did you know that Shepherds anointed their sheep? No, it’s not to set them apart for roles of importance or noble purposes, though human anointing historically served that purpose. The anointing of the sheep is an effort to protect them from insects that would harm them, from sharing disease-causing parasites and from infection caused by parasites (1,2).

The flies that swarm around the flocks pester the sheep and cause them distress. But the flies are not as harmless as one might think. They will lay their eggs in the noses of the sheep. The larvae burrow deeply into the flesh causing pain, infection and, sometimes, blindness. The Shepherd rubs oil all over the sheep's head to keep them from falling victim to those pests they cannot see nor protect themselves against (1,2). Consider how our Shepherd protects us from those tiny, invisible threats that we can’t see, but might render us weakened or blinded to Truth.

Then, the Shepherd also uses the oil to prevent the spread of parasites. You see, as the sheep mingle with one another, they live closely together in the flock, they bump into one another and ‘rub shoulders’. Sometimes the parasites on one sheep will quickly spread to the entire flock, infecting them all. The oil not only prevents the spread, but it accelerates the healing (2). Jesus in His wisdom, anoints us to protect us from false teaching and wrong influences that might spread through His flock. If we’re all anointed, we’re less likely to pick up foreign pests that could derail our faith and we’re more likely to heal quickly when we encounter insult and injury or endure trials and tribulations. His oil of healing is sufficient to heal our wounds.

Finally, the Shepherd rubs the oil on the horns of the sheep to protect them from one another. Sheep are known to butt heads…and aren’t people known for that too? The oil makes the horns slip more easily, preventing serious injury (1,2). Oh how we want to avoid hurting others as we sometimes disagree over how we should live in harmony, how we should do ministry, how we should follow Christ. As sheep, we don’t understand the dangers that wait for us, nor those we might cause to others, but our Good Shepherd does, and He diligently covers us with His protection and His anointing.

You see, as the Shepherd anoints each sheep, He can note any wounds because He’s focusing on each sheep, individually. The anointing isn’t a group event. It’s one by one, as each sheep needs. He carefully checks us over, ensuring that any wound is cleaned and any infection is treated. He removes any ‘invaders’ that might cause sickness or blindness. Our Good Shepherd anoints us each to care for us as individuals. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Ps. 100:3).

The New Testament uses the picture of anointing as God’s call on the believer’s life. We are chosen and set apart; we are children of the King. We are healed. We are cleansed. We are sanctified.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

God’s anointing accomplishes so many things… and it fills our cup, it brings spiritual satisfaction and a completeness because we are His own. His anointing on us sets us apart for eternity and ensures that the enemy knows we belong to Jesus. The infectious assault of the enemy can’t destroy us. The oil of healing from our Good Shepherd ensures we are protected and preserved.

Let’s pray that our sons and daughters understand how and why God has chosen them and they grasp the depth of that anointing and experience the overflowing blessings of being God’s chosen child. Let’s pray Scripture over them once more.

“Loving Father, it amazes me to think that You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in Your sight (Ephesians 1:4) . We are chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12). Today, help (name) to not only recognize this, but to understand it and be changed by it. I pray that (name)’s life would overflow with all of the blessings that come with being Your child, Your beloved, Your chosen one. I pray that (name) would personally experience Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.””

“Give (name) the confidence of 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Help them believe that Your blessings are abundant and to see those blessings filling and surrounding them today.”

“I pray Philippians 1:9-11 over (name) today, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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.””

“And give (name discernment to understand that Your blessings are not only physical in this world, but they are spiritual and eternal. In this world we will have trouble, that is certain, but You’ve promised us that there is so much more- help (name) not to lose heart. Give them confidence in their anointing and a steady faith that follows after You, no matter the circumstance. I pray that they would live out 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.””

“Lord, let your Word work powerfully in (name) to accomplish Your anointing on their life today, in Jesus’ name, and for His glory, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. Ellis, N. (2022, September 11). Why Do Shepherds Put Oil On Sheep? Farm & Animals. https://farmandanimals.com/why-do-shepherds-put-oil-on.../

2. (n.d.). Why Do Shepherds Put Oil On Sheep? Animalovin. https://www.animalovin.com/why-do-shepherds-put-oil-on.../

Dark Valleys, Divine Protection

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,” Psalm 23:4a  

(location, progression)

Dark valleys.  We don’t like them; we wouldn’t choose them, yet, most of us have encountered them at some point in our life.  The King James version calls it “the valley of the shadow of death”.  It could be the physical death of one we love or maybe it’s the death of a dream, a passion, a project or career, it may even refer to dying to ourselves so we can live for Christ.  The valley of the shadow of death means there is a deep loss that is present and abiding.

But look at the wording in Psalm 23:4…the valley of the shadow of death.  We only see shadows when there is light present.  The fact that there is a shadow in the valley tells us there is Light in the valley with us.  The Light of God shows us that death is just a shadow- it is powerless to harm us eternally.  Jesus conquered the power of sin and death.  “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18.   There is nothing Satan can do to separate us from the love of God and from His protection.  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

So, although death is inevitable for everyone, it’s not our final destination as believers and we need to cling to that truth.  Death, for the believer, is a doorway to the eternal life that God intends us to live with Him in perfect shalom relationship.  

Yet, the valley is there and it’s likely we’ll walk through it, perhaps many times while on this earth.  But take note of that other phrase, “even though I walk through”.  Did you see it?  We’re not staying.  We’re walking through.  The darkest valley isn’t where we settle.  It’s not where God intends for us to stay.  We don’t put down roots there.  We travel through with our Shepherd by our side.  It’s a temporary location for us, but not where He intends us to dwell.

Oh how we need to be reminded of this!  How our sons and daughters need this encouragement to help them to trust and obey, to follow without faltering, especially through the dark valleys.   Jesus endured death so we wouldn’t have to-  He conquered death so we could live a victorious life!  He walks through the dark valley with us so that we will be reminded that His presence is our light and our assurance.  Psalm 56:13 “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”  

“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.” Psalm 49:15

Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters have perspective and assurance when they encounter dark valleys. 

“Jesus, You are the light of the world.  What a comfort and assurance that is in this dark world.  It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the evil that surrounds us and feel as if we’re going to be overcome by it.  But  You told us that,  “whoever follows You will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  I pray that (name) would cling to that Truth.  Help (name) to love light more than darkness and to follow after You with all of their heart, mind, and strength.  Keep them walking faithfully alongside You in the right paths You choose- even if they lead into dark valleys.  Lord, I know You walk with them, remind them of that.  Let (name) see visible affirmations of Your Presence today and assure them that wherever You lead them, You will be Present beside them, walking with them through the hardest of times and places.  Remind them, too, that the darkness is not where they live.  The dark valley isn’t their home.  You will lead us out of the valley, You will reach down and rescue us from the deep waters (Ps. 18:16).  Lord Jesus, I pray that whatever (name)’s location is, physically or spiritually, that You would give them the strength to move forward, not turning back or to the side and sustain them to endure whatever You lead them to, assuring them that  You will, indeed, lead them through it.  “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps 27:1  I pray Your mighty protection over (name), in Jesus’ name, amen.”

”I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4b 

(companion, confidence, protection, support)

I will fear NO evil.  None.  Not even just a little bit, not some, but NO EVIL.  How can we be confident of that?  How can we encourage our sons and daughters when we’re surrounded by evil in this world?  We see it everywhere and it can be overwhelming.

The first thing to remember is that second part of the verse, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me”.  God is ever-present and all powerful.  He will never leave us or forsake us - those are the very words He used to encourage Moses and Joshua.  “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)  Our God is faithful.  It is in his nature and character to be so.  

Remember, God has not given  us a spirit of fear ...so if we are struggling with fear, where is that coming from?  Ah, there it is!  The enemy!  Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

As God shepherds us, He is strong to lead, protect, and save.  He’s not just a general who sits in the war room- watching from afar while we fight the battle.  He’s not just the captain on the battlefield, seeing only the fight in front of him.  And He’s not simply the ‘special forces’ sent in to complete an extraction when things are dire.  He is everything we need at all times surrounding us completely and holding us up through it all.  He holds fast the spiritual boundaries that keep us safe.  He is the strong arm that pulls us out of deep waters and dangerous pits, the sword and shield that hold off the enemy who would try to drag us away.  “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

We have unrivaled protection and support from our loving  God.  We will fear no evil!  Let’s pray that our sons and daughters do not live in fear, but would have confidence that God is with them always, watching, caring, protecting and saving.

Let’s pray scripture over our sons and daughters today:

“The LORD is (name)’s light and their salvation— whom shall they fear? The LORD is the stronghold of (name)’s  life— of whom shall they be afraid?  When the wicked advance against them to devour them, it is their enemies and foes who will stumble and fall.  Though an army besiege (name), (name)’s heart will not fear; though war break out against (name), even then they will be confident.”  Psalm 27:1-3

Abba, Father, Almighty Lord, I pray Your word over (name).

(Name) “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” Psalm 37:1-2 

Lord, give (name) strong spiritual confidence in Your protection and watchful care.

“The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.” Proverbs 10:29

Keep (name) walking and living blamelessly.  Guide them on right paths for Your name’s sake.  Keep them faithful to You and protect them from fear and from the enemy.

“Therefore, (name) put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:13

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen (name) and protect (name) from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3 

I pray that (name) would “Fear no evil- sin and death are conquered”  Revelation 1:8

Give name strength to stand against the evil one and to live in victory through Jesus, in His name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing, friends. 

How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?

“How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9 

Remember when our kids would build a fort out of pillows and cushions?  They would surround themselves with them to protect themselves from any ‘enemy’ whether it be a sibling or pet who was the perceived ‘intruder’.  It was creative and fun.  But there is a great spiritual significance to that fort building.

Psalm 119:9 says “How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living (or keeping) according to Your word.”

The word “pure” is the Hebrew word “zaka” which means translucent or morally innocent (1).  Oh how we pray that for our sons and daughters!  But in this world, corruption is easily attained, even if it’s not pursued.  So how can they guard against it?  And how can we pray?

We pray that they are living according to God's word.  That word “living” is the word “samar” in Hebrew.  Samar means to hedge about as with thorns, the guard, attend to, be circumspect and keep watch. 

In Medieval times, the castle was always built with a keep- that portion of the castle that was the strongest and safest place.  It was a fortified town and a place of refuge.   Psalm 61:3 says, “For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

Our sons and daughters will only keep their way pure, not just by going about their day with God in mind, but by surrounding themselves with His word, being circumspect- looking all around them and guarding against attack by the enemy.

Just knowing God’s word isn’t enough.  Being familiar with it won’t provide the protection and defense we need.  No, we need to surround ourselves so that we do not fall into sin.

Today, let’s pray that they revert back to their childhood days of building a wall of protection against the enemy, not with cushions and pillows, but with the mighty Word of God. 

“Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”  Ps 119:165

“Heavenly Father, You are the Mighty Protector and the Great Defender.  I pray that You would surround (name) today with a hedge of spiritual protection against the Enemy.  Lord, let (name) be ever-mindful of You and Your Word.  May it not just be something that is ‘familiar’ to them, but let Your word be light and life to them.  May they look to You for their guidance and protection.  May their first thought in the morning be You and their last in the evening as well.  Lord, help (name) to keep their way pure- not hiding sin but translucent, allowing Your light to shine through them.  Help them to be morally pure, not following after deception or evil but wholeheartedly following after You.  Be their Keeper, Lord and may their life be full of peace because they love You completely.  “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25, KJV)

Pray without ceasing, friends.

1.  H2135 - zāḵâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2135/niv/wlc/0-1//

2.  H8104 - šāmar - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8104/niv/wlc/0-1/

The Trouble with Darkness

Recently there was a blackout in the middle of the night.  It was planned and we were all warned it was going to take place, but we didn’t prepare for it.  

I awoke about 1:30 am and everything was black. It wasn’t just dark; it was pitch black. It took me a moment to realize what was going on.  My eyes were wide open, but I was not seeing anything.  It didn’t matter how much I blinked, the dark was impenetrable.  

Since I was awake, I decided to get up. I thought I could navigate the room from memory… three steps forward, watch your left foot on the foot of the bed… one more step past the dog bed and turn right, five steps and left into the bathroom, but ‘wham!’ Instead, I ended up bumping clumsily into my husband's dresser… I went a step too far and I missed the doorway.  The darkness had totally disoriented my sense of direction and shaken my confidence that I could navigate the room without any light.

Every day I walk around that same room.  The furniture has been in the same places for years.   Yet, when I couldn’t see anything, it was suddenly not as automatic.  On the way back, I measured my steps but met a wall where there wasn’t one before.  The darkness was so deep that my human eyes couldn’t discern anything. The darkness brought a kind of chaos to a room that was once well-ordered in the light. It seemed easier to just keep my eyes closed than to try to strain and see. 

Finally, I realized that rather than try and look around me (that was fruitless), I relied on what I knew and remembered.  It helped guide my steps.  I didn’t get distracted by the darkness, but rather, recalled to mind what I knew was true.

As I lay in the dark, I realized how much spiritual symbolism was in those ill-fated moments during the blackout…

1. First, we were warned it was coming, but we didn’t heed the warning.  

How many people hear the gospel, yet disregard its importance? They hear the warning about eternity without Christ, yet they don’t give it a second thought?  If we look around, we see the signs of the times, nation rising against nation, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines- it’s all there.  Jesus' return is very near. It WILL matter whether you chose to follow Him or not.

John 3:13 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

We all have friends and loved ones who know “about” Jesus, but do not walk in relationship with Him.  Do our sons and daughters have dull hearing and veiled eyes?  When we talk about the dangers of spiritual darkness, do our sons and daughters just ‘bob their heads’ (yeah, yeah, yeah… I’ve heard it all before)?  Maybe they pass off our warnings as overreactions. Perhaps they think they have time, or maybe they are indifferent to spiritual things altogether.  This darkness is powerful.  

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

We need to pray that the Light of Christ breaks through the darkness and shines a spotlight on their sin, their desperate need for a Savior and on the Truth that will give them life!  Let’s pray for deep grief over sin and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””

2. Darkness disorients us to what is right and true.  Spiritual darkness does the same.

Darkness takes what we know and distorts it.  It twists and confuses things.  It calls into question what we think we know and makes us unsure. We become a target for the Enemy.  Disoriented victims are easy to hold captive.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

Darkness also lulls us into a false belief that we can navigate this world on our own, without the light of Christ.  We clumsily bumble and stumble but pridefully think we’re doing just fine.  We’re painfully ignorant or outright stubbornly resistant to admitting our need for Him.  Darkness makes us believe a lie.

Proverbs 4:19 “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of those who don’t yet know Christ and open the eyes of those who are walking in darkness so they see their need for Jesus and long for the Shepherd to lead them.  They are living in spiritual chaos, but Christ can bring order and direction.

Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

3. Deep darkness almost forces one to keep their eyes closed- and isn’t that what the enemy wants?! 

2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Now is the time to pray scripture over our loved ones.  Verses that plead for clear spiritual vision and discernment needed for dealing with the darkness that surrounds all of us and for the protection from the Prince of Darkness that only Christ can give.

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Isaiah 42:16-17  “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.”

4. Finally, we can only battle darkness and confusion with the Truth of God’s Word. 

We must turn our eyes to the Truth of the Gospel, the infallibility of Scripture, the Sovereignty and Holiness of God.

2 Samuel 22:29 “You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.”

Psalm 143:8,10  “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Darkness is present. We can’t deny that. Satan prowls like a lion, looking for anyone to devour. But our God reigns and His Word is powerful and effective.  It has the ability to deter and defeat the enemy.  It brings life and light and penetrate the darkness .  Jesus is that Word.  Let’s pray continually for our sons and daughters, for our loved ones, for those who don’t know Christ that He would defeat the darkness and lead them to walk in the Light of Life.

Take time today and throughout the week to pray these Scriptures over your sons and daughters, over your friends and loved ones. Put their names into each one, speak them out loud, call on the name and the blood of Jesus to bind the enemy and defeat the darkness.

Jude 1:24-25  “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Like a Thief in the Night

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4  “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman and they will not escape.  But you brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”

We spend much time praying over our sons and daughters that they would have a heart for Jesus, an understanding of Scripture and would pursue holy living.  But how often do we stop and pray that they would have an eye on the future?  Sometimes it seems so far off that, although we know Jesus’ return could happen at any moment, we too easily find ourselves lulled into a mindset of ‘someday’ vs. ‘imminent’, “even today”. It should change how we live.  It should determine our focus.  It is the important thing by which we should prioritize our days, our choices, our lives. Yet, too often, it’s buried in the back of our minds as something that ‘might’ happen in our lifetime, but is probably unlikely because look how much time has gone by already? It’s been two thousand years. As days go on the imminence seems to lose its urgency, and isn’t that what Satan hopes will happen in the believer’s heart and mind?  The Lord tells us we need to be aware and watching.

Look at current events- what do you see?  Are things becoming more peaceful?  Is crime becoming less prevalent?  Are people caring for one another in ways that bring harmony and show kindness?  Oh, governments and leaders will proclaim peace and tell us alliances are certain to assure us of the same, but Scripture tells us that’s the deception of the enemy.  Satan is the Prince of the power of the air.  This is his domain.  He breeds chaos and pain.  Matthew 24:7 says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”  Watch what is happening and don’t be unaware.

Sin is rampant, this world is in deep decay and Jesus is the only remedy that will change anything.  Yet, scripture tells us at some point, He will return and catch up those who confess His name and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord.  We call it the rapture.  Some will say, “well, that word isn’t even in scripture!”.  Hmmm.  No, the English word is not in scripture.  But the Bible wasn’t written in English.  If you dig a little deeper you’ll see something very interesting in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  Those words ‘caught up’ is the word ‘harpazo’ which means “to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).” (1) It comes from the word ‘haireo’ which means “to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer, choose.” (2)

This ‘catching up’ of believers won’t come with a warning or a ‘heads up!’.  That’s already been given in Thessalonians.  We are told to live ready.  Much like a special forces military officer lives always ready to go at a moment’s notice.  Their ‘go bag’ is packed and ready so that when they get the call, they’re on their way immediately.  When we get the call from Jesus, we’ll be out- in a moment, caught up and pulled out.  It will be that quick.  It will be unexpected.  People will be caught unaware.

Matthew 24:36-44 says, ““But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Jesus is coming back.  Are we keeping watch? Do we teach and encourage our sons and daughters to be alert and aware?  We need to pray that our sons and daughters live in the light of Jesus return, always watching, always ready, because this world is not where we are meant to be.  This is not our home, so we shouldn’t get too comfortable.  Pray that our sons and daughters would have a burden to share the hope that they have in Christ with those who are spiritually dying.  Pray that they are excited to see His return because that will be the moment their faith becomes sight!  Can you imagine?  What an amazing, breath-taking moment that will be!  Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

“Heavenly Father, You assure us that Jesus will return for us.  You also remind us in Your Word that the day and the hour is unknown to all but You.  It could happen at any moment.  But I fear we lose our focus too easily and we become comfortable here.  So many years believers have been waiting, and we may wait even more.  But that waiting is Your kindness toward those who have yet to believe (2 Peter 3:9).  I pray that You would give us a fresh excitement and anticipation for Jesus’ return.  Help us always to be watching with hope, waiting while being busy for Your kingdom, eager to see Jesus but burdened for those who don’t yet know Him.  Lord, I pray for (name) today.  Don’t let them live unaware.  Remind them of the promises in Scripture that tell us this is not our home.  Stir them to action and cause them to think about what they choose to say and do- would it please Jesus if He returned to find them doing it?  Lord, affirm to us, even today, that You are working and that Jesus return is near.  Don’t let us grow dull.  Don’t allow us to become desensitized to the urgency.  Lord, we long for that moment when our faith will become sight- I pray that (name) would long for that too!  Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

Pray without ceasing.

Do you  know Jesus as your  personal Lord and Savior or are you unsure of what you believe?  Do you know where you will spend eternity or are you just hoping for the best?

If you have questions or would like to know more, please reach out!  I would be happy to share the hope you can find in Jesus and point you to what He says in Scripture that gives confidence in His plan for our lives.

1. G726 - harpazō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g726/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. G138 - haireō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g138/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Psalm 145: 17-21

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

Lord, You are righteous, yet You love us, sinners condemned by our sin.  It’s an example for us, who follow You, that we too can love others even if they don’t know You or follow You.  They are image bearers and as such, we need to love them- how will they know?  How can they see the love of God if we’re not willing to live it out in front of them?.  Help us, Lord.  Help us to love those who are ‘different’ than we, who do and say things we don’t like or approve of.  Help us to know that by loving them, we’re not condoning what they do.  By loving us, Lord, You are not condoning our sin, but You love us in spite of our sin.  Your kindness leads us to repentance.  Father, I pray that (name) would learn how to be loving to others and by loving them, show the power of God and the change it can bring in a heart and life.  

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,  to all who call on him in truth.

Father, You affirm that You  are near to all who call on You, convinced without a doubt,  that You will hear and answer. They trust and know that You are not indifferent or disconnected.  You are faithfully present and supporting us even before we ask.   I pray that (name) would believe without waffling or wavering that You are faithful and True and when (name) calls on You, You will answer and be near.  I pray that (name) would understand Your trustworthiness and see Your faithful steadfast Presence in each day and night, in each joyful moment and dark season.  Lord, You ARE near to all who call on You in truth.  Thank You.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;  he hears their cry and saves them.

Just as we heard the cries of our children an ran to help them, You hear our cries.  You save us, Lord, even when it seems like there is no way out, You make a way.  “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them.  He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” (Ps 107:6-7)  Lord, I pray that (name)’s heart desire would be refuge in the shadow of Your wings and a place in Your house that is their own, a belonging, a provision and a dwelling in Your Presence.  Lord, lead them to a city of refuge because they fear You.  Let (name) cry out to You today Lord.  Direct their eyes, their heart and their plea to Your throne room where You hear and answer abundantly.  Fulfill (name)’s desires in a way that brings glory and honor to Your name and that draws them nearer to You.  Hear their cry and save them, Abba Father.

20 The Lord watches over all who love him,  but all the wicked he will destroy.

Thank you, Lord, for Your watchful care.  As a parent, our eyes were always watching for danger and seeking to protect them.  But now that (name) is an adult, I can’t do that any more.  I have to trust…I have to trust You that You will watch over and protect (name) so much better than I ever could.  I pray that (name) would love You.  Stir  a deep desire in (name)’s heart and mind to run after You with all they have and are.  Help them to see this world is temporary and the titles and promotions, the gadgets and trappings will all rot.  But their heart…oh their heart is the most valuable thing they have and they need to ensure that it’s properly and rightfully invested.  Please, Lord, let them invest themselves in Your kingdom.  Let them surrender all they are and have to You.  Don’t let them be counted among the wicked.  Oh how we love them, but Lord, we know, unless they surrender to You and are counted as Your child, Your saint, Your beloved, unless that is their identity, they are among the wicked.  Lord, it hurts our hearts to think that.  Show us fruit, Lord!  Watch over (name) and guide their steps so they remain faithful to You.  If (name) doesn’t know You as their Lord and Savior, I pray that even today You would bring another believer into their life who would speak truth and share the life-giving hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Lord, I pray that (name) would confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9).  Lord, watch over (name) today and do a work in their life.  I believe.  I know You can and will.  Bring fruit, Lord.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Oh, how I love You Lord!  My mouth is filled with Your praise.  My heart is overwhelmed by Your goodness and I want to share that joyful praise with others.  I want to know that (name) is filled with joyful praise for You.  May it overflow and cause them to wonder and be amazed at how praising You brings contentment, fulfillment and joy.  Lord, to know that every creature will praise Your holy name is humbling.  Today give me moments to sit outside or gaze out the window at Your creation and ponder what the praise of creation for You  might look like  When the trees sway in the breeze, are they praising You?  When the birds sing, are they proclaiming Your greatness?  We can’t know, but Lord, Your Word tells us that if we don’t praise You, even the very rocks would cry out in praise of You.  (Luke 19:40).  Creation knows its Creator.  Help us to know You more and more and to live in a way that reflects that knowledge to others..  May the generations of my family praise You and carry on a commitment to follow after You for all their days, no matter what may come.  May our lives exhibit praise for Your holy name, always and through eternity.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pray without ceasing

The Decay of Sin & The Master Builder

1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Have you ever taken time to look at an abandoned house…I mean really up close?  They can look rather intriguing from a distance.  But the closer you get, the more you begin to see the decay.  Windows might be broken out, letting the weather inside.  And if the weather gets in, everything starts to decay.  What once was a beautiful home, filled with love and life, becomes a shell, rotting from the inside out.

It’s kind of like sin.  Sin takes a toll, doesn’t it?  Oh, we start out sturdy, solid and beautiful, but the effects of steady sin weathers us.  Sometimes the choices we make and the lives we choose to live wear us down over time and leave us battered and worn.  The inner beauty we once had gives way to rot and ruin.  Sin does that to us.

The window in the picture once framed a beautiful room.  It protected it from the elements, yet it also let the light in so that the room was filled with the golden rays of the sun.  And at night, in the darkness, it shone from the inside out so all could see its warmth and beauty..  But at some point, those living there left.  Then, that window broke and what was once a barrier to the elements and a protector of the beauty within no longer worked.  Now instead of a beautiful room, the glass is broken and lying on the ground, the curtains are shredded and the room inside is ruined by the elements.  The floors and walls are weathered with rain and it is no longer a place of love and shelter.  

There are so many analogies we could use.  But, suffice it to say, we’re a lot like those houses, aren’t we?  Oh, we may only leave our ‘window’ open but a crack, yet the weather of sin gets in and it slowly begins to destroy.  It might not be much at first, but after time, it’s catastrophic.  Even a small opening is enough for the Enemy to slowly creep in and begin to erode our foundation.  Sin ruins.  It ruins heavily, destructively and it’s not easily recovered from.  We might not see the effects right away- that’s another deception of the Enemy.  But the slow, steady influx of sin begins to rot our inner beauty into a dark, joyless heart that is in desperate need of God’s righteousness.  Our holiness departs.  We squelch the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and we slowly decay. 

Look at the picture again… and look through the window not at the room, but back out the other window to the sky!  You can still see the light of day- not darkness! It’s a fresh new day on the other side of that window!  You can see hope!  You see, despite the decay happening inside, each day there is a new morning that surrounds this house.

Though it would take time and would come at a cost, this window and this room could be restored.  God sees through our brokenness and provides redemption and restoration for anyone who asks!  You see, God isn’t in the business of ‘redecorating’, He fully rehabilitates and restores.  He renovates and brings us back to life.  He sees the wreck that we are right now and the beauty that we will be once we allow Him to work in us.

Do you look at your son or daughter and see how their choices have caused damage and decay with the effects of sin?  It hurts our hearts because we know what they once were and we long to see that inner beauty restored.  But right now, all we can see is how the enemy has wreaked havoc.  The disease of sin and selfishness has stripped away the beauty and left a mess. You know they ‘know’ the Truth, yet they’ve chosen to open their lives to everything else, and it shows.

Friends, be brave enough to see through the damage and believe in what God can do!  He is the Master Builder!  Just as someone who comes along and begins restorative work on that abandoned house, there is hope when God begins to work on us!  We only see the house as it is now,  but you know the Builder is at work and oh!  It will be beautiful again!!  Friends, that is how God can restore a life. Pray to that end.  Trust in His skill.  He’s the Carpenter.  He’s the Creator.  He’s the Great Physician.  He can do artful work on even the most devastated life. He is Faithful and True and what He promises, He will do. “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” Revelation 21:5

Prayer for Restoration:

“Father, I pray in Jesus’ name that You would begin a restorative work on (name) today.  Lord, bandage their spiritual wounds, clean out the damage in their life.  Evict the things that don’t belong, tear out the rot and ruin and rebuild their life to reflect Your glory.  I know (name) is made in Your image, but right now, they don’t reflect that.  Lord, do a work in them.  Renovate their heart.  Restore their mind.   Holy Spirit, I pray that You would sanctify them to obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2)  Lord, bring repentance and follow it with abundant grace and peace. May the joy of the Lord be (name)’s strength.  Help (name) to forsake all others and follow You solely, completely, wholeheartedly.  Lord, I know that You can do a work unlike anything I could ask or imagine.  I pray that You would restore (name) today.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Prayer for Protection:

Lord, I pray for (name) today.  I know they love You, Lord.  But I also know that as believers, we are all a target of the Enemy.  Lord, I ask that You would do some maintenance on (name) today.  Seal up any ‘cracks’ in their character or their life that would allow the enemy to get in and cause destruction.  I pray that they would put on the full armor of God: the helmet of salvation to protect their mind from spiritual attack; the shield of faith to deflect the fiery darts of spiritual warfare; the sword of the Spirit to defend against attack; the belt of Truth to guard against deception and lies; the breastplate of righteousness to guard their heart from deception and from temptation that would lure their love away from You; and feet shod with the gospel, so that their life, their words and their actions would be a testimony to others (Ephesians 6:10-18) .  Help them to live without compromise and to daily take stock of what they choose to watch, read, and listen to so that nothing sneaks in and begins to weaken and destroy.  Lord, I pray that you would guard them from ‘sneak attacks’ by the enemy.  Make their foundation solid and their protection sure.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

Do you have a loved one who needs prayer? Feel free to reach out! Leave a comment or send an email. There is an army of sisters in Christ who are ready and willing to pray along with you!

Pray without ceasing, friend. And believe that God can restore a life!

No One Saw What Went on Inside the Fish.

Read Jonah, Chapter 2

Jonah was thrown overboard in the midst of a raging storm at sea and the storm stopped, completely. God used the storm to get Jonah right where he wanted him. Jonah hit the water and the next thing he knew, he was swallowed whole by a giant fish, perhaps a whale.  The species doesn’t matter.  But no one expected to see Jonah alive again. 

Did the sailors see Jonah sink below the surface and disappear?  Did they see the fish swallow him?  We don’t know; Scripture doesn’t say.  What we do know is that Jonah was swallowed and God used Jonah’s ‘capture’ to do a work in his heart.  Here’s the thing, no one saw what went on inside the fish. There Jonah was, in the belly of the fish…alive, yet surely doomed...a least by human understanding.  But God saw him.  God knew exactly where he was and, he was exactly where God wanted him.

Jonah 2:1 “From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.”  Jonah prayed.  That’s the first time in the record that Jonah prayed.  He didn’t pray when the Lord told him to go to Nineveh.  He didn’t pray when he was on the ship.  He didn’t pray in the storm or when he was confronted with his culpability for the storm and the lives at risk.  No, it wasn’t until Jonah could no longer run, that he prayed. 

And here’s the thing…no one saw what went on inside the fish.  It was between God and Jonah.  Spectators were not required.  The opinions of others did not matter.  No one needed to weigh in on the process to provide guidance or approval.  Sometimes God needs to take us to a place in life where all we can do is depend on Him- there is no other way out.

Jonah knew, keenly, that he was at the mercy of his Almighty God..  His prayer is one of confession, humility and acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and might.  

• In his distress, he calls to the Lord for help, and he’s confident God hears him (v. 2)

  • Sometimes God allows our sons and daughters need to experience distress so they will call out to Him

• He acknowledges God put him in this desperate situation; He threw him into the ‘deep end’ where he was unable to help himself. (v. 3)

  • God allows desperate situations.  We don’t like to see them, but we need to trust Him.  It’s all within His power to control and resolve.  We are not the ‘lifeguard’, God is.

• Jonah knew he was in a ‘no way out’ situation- threatened by the waters, surrounded by the deep and sinking to the ‘roots of the mountains’, and totally dependent on the mercy and grace of God (v. 5-6) 

  • What will it take for our sons and daughters to recognize that without God, they are lost, doomed, sinking into the depths?  Are we willing to allow God to bring them to that place?

• Verse 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.”

  • It wasn’t until Jonah was in a no-way-out situation, his death was imminent, that he humbled himself before the Lord.  Psalm 139:16 “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before any of them came to be.”  All the days ordained… the life of our sons and daughters is well-within the hand of the Lord, even if they are not surrendered to Him.  Unless it’s the day God ordained for them to die, they will not.  He is capable of sustaining them through even the most dire situation and use that to turn their hearts..  Do we trust Him?

• Jonah repented.  He surrendered to God.  verse 9 says, “What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” And once Jonah repented, God completed the rescue, and gave Jonah  a second chance to obey. 

Jonah’s rescue was a two-stage event.  First he was swallowed by a fish, because Jonah needed to be in a no-way-out situation so God could get his attention.  He was swallowed whole- certain death, but in that certain death, Jonah found life in his Lord God.  The second stage of the rescue was when Jonah was brought back to land.  God didn’t just let him remain in the fish because God had more for Jonah to do.  

Friends, sometimes God will take our sons and daughters into desperate, life-threatening situations.  And we are afraid.  We plead and cry out for them.  We throw everything overboard in an attempt to save them.  But that storm?  It’s all in the hands of God.  He is the Lord of the land and the sea (Jonah 1:9).  He is the master of the wind and the waves, and they obey Him (Mark 4:39-41)  You see, the wind and waves obey him, but his children often do not.  We can trust Him that He controls everything our sons and daughters experience and He uses it for His purposes.   The wind and waves obeyed God and did His bidding.  The fish obeyed God and did His bidding.  We might fear the storm, we might not see what goes on in the belly of the fish, but we can trust that the storm and the rescue are all in the hands of our loving Heavenly Father.  

Today, let’s pray for our sons and daughters, that God would not necessarily calm the storm, but would use it to draw them closer to Him.  Let’s pray that God would bring them to a place where they have no other option but to cry out to and trust Him.  If God calmed the storm before Jonah was in the sea, he likely would have continued to run.  Do we want calm….or do we want authentic surrender? If Jonah hadn’t been thrown into the sea, he wouldn’t have ended up in the fish- his no-way-out place of surrender.  If we just want God to end the storm, we might forfeit the rescue and repentance that would result.  Let’s pray carefully, focused on the Master of the waves and the Maker of our sons and daughters.

“Father, you see what’s going on in (name’s) heart and life today.  You know whether they are surrendered to You or running away.  Lord, I pray that You would use circumstances and other people to point them back to Christ.  I don’t like to see the struggle, Lord, but I know you can use it.  I would jump in and save them- it hurts to see them struggle.  Yet I know You use the struggle to get their attention.  Please work in them.  I trust that You are the Lord and Master of the wind and waves…and they obey You.  I know they will not consume (name) in defiance of Your will.  I know You can provide rescue.  Help me to trust Your work.  No one saw what happened inside the fish, Lord.  And I know that I don’t need to watch the process and weigh in on what You choose to do and how it unfolds.  I just need to trust You.  Lord, I’m willing to step back and allow You to work.  I won’t cling to methods and plans of my own.  I pray for mercy and grace.  Lord, work in (name)’s heart ahd life today.  Bring them to a place of surrender.  Guide them to salvation in You and bring them to a life of obedience in Christ.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

God Uses the Storms

Today, read Jonah, chapter 1

We all know the story of Jonah.  But let’s have a quick recap, shall we?  Jonah was a prophet of God, called to take God’s message of pending judgment to a city called Nineveh.  Nineveh wasn’t just a city, the Bible calls it a ‘great city’- it had significance….and it was full of wickedness.

Jonah knew all about Nineveh and he was less than interested in going there to share God’s warning and in how they should repent.  In Jonah’s eyes, they deserved what was coming.

So Jonah ran.  He ran in the opposite direction, away from Nineveh and away from God.

Let’s stop here.  Do you have a son or daughter who is running from God?  He sees and He knows!  Don’t despair.  God is working…

Now, back to Jonah…God let him run.  He let Jonah board a ship headed for Tarsus.  And Jonah wasn’t shy about sharing why he was headed to Tarsus.  He told the sailors he was running from God.  (1:10).  But the sailors didn’t know or fear the Almighty God.  There were many gods among them and it was more of a “Hey, whatever works for you, man” sort of thing. So running from God wasn't a cause for concern…until the storm.

God brought a storm that was wild and fierce.  It challenged these seasoned sailors and after doing all they could on their own to save the ship, they began asking who was responsible for making all this trouble.  Clearly, they sensed a spiritual aspect to this storm.  

And Jonah?  He was indifferent…asleep in the bottom of the ship- so disconnected that the captain had to wake him from a deep sleep.  You see, in his running from God, he’d stopped listening to the Lord and he became insensitive and indifferent to God’s working.  (Sometimes, when we run from God, we reach a place where we no longer hear His voice, but God is still working).

Jonah owned up to his part in the storm.  When he confessed that he worshiped the God of Heaven, who made the sea and the land, the sailors were struck with fear.  Now, here is where the account grows even more interesting… Jonah’s solution to save the ship and the men on it was to have them throw him overboard.  We don’t know what his thoughts were- had he had a change of heart?  Did he know God would save him?  Was he simply owning his defiance and accepting his ‘fate’?  The sailors didn’t want to do it…they continued trying everything else, but finally agreed that in order to have any chance at survival, they must do what Jonah said.  

They threw him overboard.  And they pleaded with God to not hold them accountable for Jonah’s life.  They pleaded to God.  Did you catch that?  God used this storm to bring these sailors to a realization that there is One True God.  They prayed, offered sacrifices to Him. They feared the Lord and made vows to Him.  (1:15-16)  Sometimes the storm isn’t just about us. Sometimes, God uses the storms to impact those around us and He uses our storms to bring others to Him.   

And Jonah?  Well, God provided a fish to swallow him.  And here’s the thing…no one saw what went on inside the fish.  No one.  Yet, God was working.  Remember that.

Friends, is your son or daughter in the midst of a storm?  Step back and look at the big picture.  Maybe God will use that storm to speak into their life…or maybe He’ll use it to speak into someone else’s life.  That storm might not only be for your son or daughter.  Does it seem like they’re indifferent to God?  Keep praying.  God is still working. Does it seem like the consequences of their choices have swallowed them whole- all is lost, there is no hope?  God is STILL working- remember, no one saw what went on inside the fish.  But God did.  And he put Jonah there for a reason.  And He’s allowed your son or daughter to be where they are for a reason.  He’s not done working.  Trust Him.  Continue to pray.  Ask God to calm the storm and reassure your faith.  The next part of the story is coming… and God uses it for good!

“Father, You are the Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Lord of the sea and the land.  I trust You.  Lord, sometimes all I can see is the storm.  I worry for (name) and long for them to surrender to You.  I know You are working, yet, I don’t see it.  Give me spiritual eyes to recognize that even in the storm, You’re working and You don’t stop.  I pray that (name) would grow sensitive to Your voice.  Make their heart tender toward You.  Burden them with their sin, their defiance, their indifference and draw them to surrender.  I pray, Lord, that you would use this storm to shake them from their complacency to stand before You and acknowledge You are Lord of all.  Father, put (name) wherever they need to be in order to hear Your voice.  And help me to trust You that even when I can’t see what’s going on ‘inside the fish’ that You are there and You’re moving, changing hearts and drawing those who have run away, back to You.  Lord, I pray that You would draw (name) back to you today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

O Come, O Come, Immanuel

O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

who ordered all things mightily;

to us the path of knowledge show

and teach us in its ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

 O come, O come, great Lord of might,

who to your tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times did give the law

in cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,

unto your own and rescue them!

From depths of hell your people save,

and give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Key of David, come

and open wide our heavenly home.

Make safe for us the heavenward road

and bar the way to death's abode. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

 O come, O Bright and Morning Star,

and bring us comfort from afar!

Dispel the shadows of the night

and turn our darkness into light.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O King of nations, bind

in one the hearts of all mankind.

Bid all our sad divisions cease

and be yourself our King of Peace. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

Translator- J.M. Neale (1851)

Pray It Again

It’s always good to pray. It’s beneficial to bring things to the Lord again and again. He never tires of hearing us call on His name and talk with Him in prayerful fellowship. He knows what weighs on our hearts, but He wants to hear us share it with Him, trusting in His provision, intervention and Sovereign authority. Let’s pray through these prayer points one more time:

• Pray that our sons and daughters see God’s work all around them today.  Let’s pray they can and will testify to others about the Presence and Power of their Mighty God.

• Pray that our sons and daughters would have perspective and peace despite the uncertainty of world leaders and fragility of peace..  Rather than being alarmed at what they see happening in the world, pray that they have confidence in our Mighty God and look forward to the day when He will reign forever, unchallenged on David’s throne.  Pray that they long for God’s justice and righteousness over the temporary solutions offered by human leaders.

• Pray that sons and daughters would realize that God requires their full attention and allegiance.  Pray that they would look up, not around.  Pray that they would not be distracted by all the ‘glitter’ of the season but would be committed to the Reason, Jesus.

• Pray that our sons and daughters know, without a doubt, that their Mighty Warrior is rejoicing over them with singing, protecting and caring for them.  Pray they have hope because of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection.  Pray for those who have faced loss this year, that they would find hope and comfort in Jesus.

  Pray that our sons and daughters would know, without a doubt, that their worth, purpose and meaning are found in Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior, and their relationship with Him..  Let’s pray they are not ‘performance driven’ but soul-stirred by the Holy Spirit to run after God with all they have and all they are.

Pray without ceasing.

Yet He Saved Us

Psalm 106:8 “Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.”

Look around.  Our world is coming apart at the seams, isn’t it?   People are gasping for life and grasping for anything to catch them from falling further into despair.  Anger is strong and is expressed freely and often against others. So many people are struggling with a lack of purpose and meaning.  They chase after things to fill the emptiness and yet they look around and exclaim, “there has to be more than this!”  Sin is a destroyer.  It decays us from our outward self with sickness and age all the way down to our innermost soul, trapped in darkness desperately searching for life and light.

When man sinned in the garden, God could have wiped it all away and started fresh.  But He didn’t.  No, He loved us too much for that. We were His image-bearers, the ones who walked with Him in the garden in the cool of the day, with whom He enjoyed sweet fellowship. So, instead of starting over, He made a way for His image-bearers to be redeemed and restored to fellowship with Him. And that way? Oh, it wasn’t the grand production you might imagine, no, it involved God stepping out of eternity and into time as a baby, the Christ-child, born to die for our sins.

Our purpose in life is bigger than our own agenda or accomplishments.  It goes beyond ‘living our best life now’ and discovering ‘who we are meant to be’.  God’s eternal plan was set in place long before the world was even created and each of us has a role, custom-written for us by the Father.  Psalm 139:16 says “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  

He saved us not because of anything we have done or could do, but for His glory and might alone!  We, on our own, are so unworthy. 2 Timothy 1:9 says “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”  Oh dear ones, do we realize how precious we are to our Father?  

Parents, have we instilled enough Biblical, Godly wisdom and knowledge into our sons and daughters that they truly understand this?  -That their worth is in God alone to bring Him glory?  Or, have we pressured them on the performance level, reinforcing an undercurrent of ‘I love you more if…’

• You please me as a parent and do what I expect

• You perform on the scoreboard

• Your GPA is strong

• Your career is successful

• You have a family-husband, wife, grandkids… that I am proud of…

Oh, that may seem harsh, but friends, far too often young people strive to gain the approval of us, their parents, because we’ve created a narrative that tells them that is where their worth is found… or we withhold encouragement and love if they have not done these, and thereby reinforce those messages again. In our warped, human frailty, we struggle to make ourselves worthy and we fall into the trap of thinking we actually can.

Friends, if God loved us that way, we’d all be goners.  There is NOTHING we can do that would make us acceptable to God or make us fit to gain His approval.  And that, friends, is why Jesus came.  He provided a way of salvation for us when there was no way.  And why?  “Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.”

Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters would know, without a doubt, that their worth, purpose and meaning are found in Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior, and their relationship with Him.  Let’s pray they are not ‘performance driven’ but soul-stirred by the Holy Spirit to run after God with all they have and all they are.  Let’s pray they are sold-out for Jesus…and let’s encourage them in that!!  

Christmas Season Challenge: Whenever you see a manger scene, pray that others who see it would have their eyes opened to the gift of Jesus- the eternal stepping into the temporal to save our weary souls.  Pray for salvation for all who need the Lord.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Pray without ceasing.

Mighty God

“The Mighty One, God, the Lord,

    speaks and summons the earth

    from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty,

    God shines forth.” Psalm 50:1-2

“Mighty God”, it’s one of the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9. But what characterizes our God as a “mighty God”?  Just look in scripture and you’ll see vivid descriptions and powerful accounts. Psalm 50 gives us just one example.  “He speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.”  No other God has the power to do that, to ‘summon the earth”.  If that doesn’t ‘wow’ us, Psalm 147:15-18 says “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.  He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.  He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?  He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”  All creation bows to His authority.  He is the Mighty God.  

He is a God of miracles both in creation and in the heart and mind of mankind.  He parted the Red Sea; He brought water from a rock in the desert.  He made the sun stand still and He made a donkey talk. He healed the blind and cured the leper.  He can transform the sinner into a saint, the lost into the found and the indifferent into the passionate.  He is our Mighty God!  Isn’t that amazing and encouraging?

We could all probably write a list of the incredible things we’ve seen God do in our own lives and those that we’ve witnessed in the lives of others.  Oh how we want our sons and daughters to be able to testify to the work of God in their lives, don’t we? The book of John uses the word ‘testify’ more than 10 times in regard to Jesus: His deity as the Son of God, the truth and power of His message and the authenticity of His resurrection. John had a passion to spread the truth of the gospel and to help others see, through his testimony, that Jesus was truly the Son of God, come to save the world from their sins.  Let’s be intentional to testify to others about our Mighty God so they might know the truth!

Today, let’s pray that as the sun rises, that we’re reminded of the strength, sovereignty and might of our God.  Then, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are reminded as well and that they really see and recognize God’s work all around them today.  Let’s pray they can and will testify to others about the Presence and Power of their Mighty God. 

Then, let’s begin to make a list- a written testimony of God’s work in our lives and on our behalf- a testament to our Mighty God. As parents, we not only want to pray and encourage our sons and daughters, but we want to leave a legacy of faith that can testify long after we’re gone. Why not begin today to record your testimony today?

Christmas Season Challenge- We are 12 days away from Christmas.  Choose 12 people and pray for them today that they would be blessed this Christmas season and would recognize those blessings are straight from the Lord, our Mighty God.  Jot down the names of those  you’re praying for and, if you witness a blessing on them, record it!  

Pray without ceasing.

24/7 Counselor

Psalm 16:7 “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

Have you ever gone to bed with a dilemma or problem that needed solving, only to wake in the morning with a solution to what you were pondering the night before?  Maybe you woke up with a song in your heart or a verse on your tongue that fills you with hope and you wonder how it got there.  Our brains are quite fascinating, so much so that we spend a lifetime trying to figure them out!  God designed them to do wonderful things that even science and doctors can’t fully explain.  When you weave in the beauty and mystery of the Holy Spirit working in us, it’s amazing!

While we sleep our conscious self is, well, unconscious, but our brain and body are still very much at work.  We can still hear things and our brains work to give meaning and make sense of it.  And, oh how we dream!!  Those thoughts and memories stored in our brains turn into stories and dramas and we wake up only to realize that while we slept and rested, we were actually quite busy.  So, if that’s the case, how much more our spiritual awareness continues to be active and alive.  When Psalm 16:7 tells us the Lord counsels us- even at night!  It’s true!  

Here is the wonderful thing about sleep.  Not only does it restore and refresh our physical selves, but it works in our brains to cement the learning that took place during the day.  “Your brain is making a map of the information,” — “making new connections and breaking other ones.” (1)  Sleep enables our brains to lock in the information we learn and makes meaningful connections so we can recall and use that information in new and meaningful ways.  Without sleep, our learning suffers and our memory falters.  

Just as a scary movie stays with us long after we fall asleep and can cause bad dreams, God’s word in our hearts and minds, it is the ‘material’ He uses to encourage, chastise, and instruct us.  Even at night, our heart can instruct us, as long as the ‘textbook’ is God-approved. So, what are we putting into our hearts and minds during the day that can then be confirmed and used by the Lord at night while we sleep?  Friends, this is why it’s so important that we spend time in the Word. We want our minds to be consumed with what is true, honest, just, pure and lovely (Phil 4:8) so that when we sleep, our minds and hearts are moved and reinforced by the truth of God.  If we are going to be receptive to God’s counsel, we need to know His word.  If we want to say, like David in Psalm 16 “I praise the Lord who counsels me” we have to be a willing participant.  

• Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  

• Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

• Psalm 119:55 “In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.”

• Psalm 119:105 “ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  

Let’s turn the ‘night light’ on, let’s allow the Lord to move and work in our hearts and minds, even while we sleep.  Our Wonderful Counselor is working 24/7 to speak truth into our lives.  Can we do our part to ensure the knowledge we consume is worthy of His name?

Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are drenching themselves in the truth of God’s word, day and night.  Let’s pray that there is much in their hearts and minds that God can use to counsel and instruct them.

Christmas Season Prayer Challenge: When you see a sign that says ‘open 24 hours’ pray for the people who walk into that business. Pray that they would come to know the Wonderful Counselor who is always ready to move and work, redeem and restore.

Pray without ceasing.

1. NBCUniversal News Group. (2017, October 23). What happens in Your body and brain while you sleep. NBCNews.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-happens-your-body-brain-while-you-sleep-ncna805276.

The Light: Darkness Has Not Overcome It

John 1:4-5 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Darkness has no power over light.  Think about that.  If both are present, the light always wins.  If the light recedes and disappears, the darkness will dominate.  But as soon as the light arrives, the darkness is powerless.  It cannot overcome the light.  Light casts no shadow. Think about that.

When Jesus was born, the presence of God was manifest in the darkness of this sin-filled Earth.  His light was evident and began to transform the lives of those around Him.  Once they were impacted by His light, His life, His Presence, they were never the same. Though darkness was present, it could not overcome the Presence and light of Jesus. Though Satan tried, he could not defeat Jesus. The light was, and is, more powerful than the darkness.

We don’t often give thought to prepositions, but in John 1:4, that first word is significant.  It represents Jesus.  IN Him was life.  Strong’s defines “in” as “a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively)”(1) Jesus was the origin of and the intermediary and the instrument through which men could have life and be reconciled with God.  Isn’t that profound and beautiful?

The life that Jesus brought was the light of all mankind- the truth of God and the power to, understand it.  When someone shows understanding, we use the idiom that a lightbulb came on for them, or the lights went on.  That idiom is a way to describe that moment when someone shows a cognitive connection with the information or knowledge being shared.  Jesus was the light of all mankind, bringing the ability to understand God’s plan of salvation  to their darkened minds and spirits.  Some embraced the light while others mocked it.  Yet, it was there for everyone. Light=life, knowledge, understanding, wisdom. Darkness=death, darkened minds, foolishness.

The light of Jesus shines in the darkness and the darkness has not, and will not, overcome it.  Despite the fact that this world continues to grow darker, God’s light remains and will continue to shine.  His presence in our lives means we are representatives of His light for as long as He allows us to be here.  At some point, Jesus will call us home, whether by reaching the end of our life or by rapture, when He catches us away to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Time is short, friends.  Will we choose to live with conviction and be intentional in how we represent the Lord?  Today, let’s pray that we, our sons and daughters and our brothers and sisters in Christ choose to shine God’s light with boldness and that we take hold of every opportunity to share His light and life with others while we have the time to do so.

“Jesus, when you came as a baby, this world had no idea how Your presence would shake the darkness and transform the relationship between God and man.  You became Immanuel- God with us.  Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You chose to become one of us and so bring You light and life into this dark world.  Thank you, not only for living, but for dying on our behalf.  Your sacrifice made a way for us to be reconciled with You.  Lord, I pray that you would help us to live with conviction and clarity, so that Your light in us is visible to those around us.  Help us to live out Matthew 5:16 “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  I pray for (name) today that You would work in their heart and mind.  Lord, bring them back to the very foundation of their relationship with You.  Strip away anything that would distract them or keep them from following faithfully.  Surround them with relationships that encourage them to walk in the light of Your life and truth.  Lord, keep the darkness at bay.  In Jesus name, amen.”

Today’s Christmas Season challenge: tonight, when you pass by a home with Christmas lights shining in the darkness, pray for that family to come to know the Light of the world, Jesus.

Pray without ceasing.

1. G1722 - en - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1722/kjv/tr/0-1/

Sharing Your Treasure

I Peter 3:15  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

When our kids were little, it’s likely they had a ‘treasure’ in a box or special spot somewhere.  If it was a recent ‘discovery’ or acquisition, they probably kept it close.  They were eager to show us and would maybe let us touch it, or even hold it, but it quickly came back to them for safe keeping.  They guarded it carefully because it was precious to them. They would excitedly tell us all about it and their eyes would sparkle with excitement.  It may have inspired them to learn more about that item and to seek out knowledge, whether in books or the internet,  to find information that would help them understand it even better.

Oh, that’s what Jesus should be to us, friends- a treasure that we hold close but are excited to share with others!.  Our relationship with Him should be our most precious possession that we guard carefully but want others to enjoy, too!  Our eyes...and our lives, should sparkle with joy and light, enough that others will want to know what we have and how they can have it too!  Our love for Jesus should compel us to want to know HIm more and learn His word so we can understand Him better.

As time grows short, we must be diligent to pray that our sons and daughters know and pursue the truth of Christ.  Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters have this precious relationship and an eager desire to learn and grow in their faith.  Let’s pray they have a living hope that compels them to share Jesus with others gently and respectfully and that they are ever ready to give an answer for that hope they hold.  Pray they are salt and light.  

Pray without ceasing.

My Jesus I Love Thee-Sunday Worship

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;

for thee all the follies of sin I resign;

my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;

if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me

and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;

I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;

if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,

and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,

and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:

If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:

If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. 

William R. Featherston (1862)

public domain

What is Your Destiny?

Hosea 7:13-14  “Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.  They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds.  They slash themselves, appealing to their gods for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.”

Hosea was God’s prophet to Israel, warning them of God’s judgment because of their unfaithfulness.  God rebuked them because they strayed from His commands.  Not only did they stray, but they betrayed Him with their words and actions and then, when life was difficult and painful and they suffered the consequences of their rebellion, they cried out to anyone but God, as if false gods could save them.  

It doesn’t seem much has changed.

People today will look to anyone  and anything but God for rescue..  Hard hearts refuse to submit.  They don’t want to bend the knee to the Father, but they will sacrifice their well-being, their peace, their future, their relationships- everything is fair game when they’re in pursuit of their ‘salvation’....everything but bowing to Christ.  They pursue other teachings, practices, people, yet they will not reach out to the Father for the free gift of salvation.  Is it pride?  “I need to earn it” or is it disbelief? “It’s got to be more complicated than that” or, perhaps it  is a disdain for anything holy.  Whatever the case, it boils down to deception and rebellion.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 also warns us of the danger of deception and of hardened hearts..  “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”   They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  How heartbreaking is that?  The lifeline is there!  The Rescuer is at-the-ready, but they refuse, sealing their condemnation and cutting themselves off from an eternity of blessing and an inheritance in the Kingdom.

Friends, this deception is here, now, and more is coming.  The Enemy wants us to turn our faces away from the Lord and wallow in our misery.  He delights in hearing us cry out in desperation, wailing for relief and he’s elated if we harden our hearts and refuse His rescue.  This should drive us to our knees for our sons and daughters, especially if they do not know the Lord.

Finally, Revelation 16:8-10 paints a vivid picture of just how resolute these hardened hearts are.  “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.  The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.” - It’s a horrific picture and so heartbreaking, because all they would need to do is cry out to Jesus and be saved, yet they refuse.

As Hosea 7 says, God longs to redeem them.  2 Peter 3:9 also says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  God is holding back His hand.  He’s delaying His judgement.  He doesn’t want anyone to suffer eternal punishment, but wants all to come to repentance.  Can we pray today for those family members who don’t know the Lord?  Pray for softened hearts willing to repent and follow Christ and eyes that clearly see God’s salvation and desire it more than anything this world could offer.  There is so much at stake, friends.  Pray and pray some more.

Maybe you’re reading this and you don’t have assurance of where you will spend eternity. Do you want to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savoir? Do you want freedom from sin and a peace that passes understanding?

We are all sinners. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” There is no way we could ever make ourselves worthy of Him.

Our deserved punishment is eternal death, separated from God. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Oh, but we don’t have to be eternally condemned, because Jesus paid the price for our sin, He covered our debt when He died on the cross. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

And God says to us, that if we” confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.” Romans 10:9

The lifeline is there and along with it forgiveness of all you’ve ever done, redemption from the fate you thought you were destined to and justification in the eyes of God, because when He looks at you, He sees the blood of Jesus that’s washed you clean. You have a hope and a future. You’re a child of God!!

If you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, would you share with us? Send a message or reply to this post. We would love to pray for you as you begin your life with Jesus Christ!

Pray without ceasing.

More Than We Ask or Imagine

We pray ‘big, don’t we?  But, really, how big do we pray?  We ask for miracles...but even those miracles we imagine and hope for are constrained by a human mind that is limited by time, experience and the human condition.  But God can do more than our limited minds could ask or imagine!!  Think about that!!

What is it today that you hope and long for? What extraordinary thing do you pray for your sons and daughters? Nothing is too great for our God!

Today, let’s pray this beautiful blessing over our sons and daughters - and let’s wait with eager expectation to see God work!

Jude 1:24-25

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Pray without ceasing.