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
Pray it Again- Saturday Review
It’s Saturday and time to go back and review our prayer points from this week. We should go through each one, praying once again for our sons and daughters. Friends, we’re doing a mighty work!! Don’t lose heart!! God is faithful to hear each one of our prayers. Believe. Trust. Wait in eager expectation! Begin the day again with focused prayer to the Savior.
Today, let’s pray for our sons’ and daughters’ personal Bible study time. Pray that the Holy Spirit stirs in their hearts and works in them to give them a hunger and thirst for God’s Word. Pray that their wisdom and discretion are sharpened so that they operate in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and that they can identify and reject ungodly teaching. Pray that they are alert and sober-minded, spiritually, so they are not caught off guard or deceived by the enemy and his operatives.
Pray that our sons and daughters would call on Jesus to sustain them through whatever He calls them to and trust that He will do it, and believe that they will be presented blameless before Him.
Pray that our sons and daughters add to their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love so they will be effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus. Pray 2 Peter 1:5-8 out loud, putting in your son or daughter’s name and claiming these promises on their behalf. “For this very reason, [name] make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if [name] possesses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep {name] from being ineffective and unproductive in their knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Pray that our sons and daughters begin making an honest, committed effort to pursue the heart of Jesus. Let’s pray for fruit that shows us they are a believer who is growing in their walk with the Lord. Pray that they would not stumble. Pray that they would be counted as one worthy of escaping all that is coming on this earth and would stand before Jesus redeemed as one of His own.
Pray for a hedge of protection around our sons and daughters and for visible spiritual growth in their lives:
Pray that they are wise and discerning.
Pray that they do not compromise.
Pray that they stand firm, confident and unwavering in their faith in Jesus, having confidence in the Truth.
Pray that they have courage to share the gospel and are strong and unwavering,
now allowing the uncertainties of this world and the lies of the Enemy to affect them.
Pray without ceasing.
Just Pray
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”
Oh how we want our sons and daughters to be strong and courageous- to be willing to stand for their faith in the face of opposition. Friends, the opposition is growing. The backlash against believers is strengthening. Are we ready? Better yet, are our sons and daughters prepared for what they might face?
We fiercely protected them as they were growing up, we must do the same as they spiritually grow, never waning in our commitment to cover them in prayer. Let’s pray a hedge of protection around them today.
Pray that they are wise and discerning.
Pray that they do not compromise.
Pray that they stand firm, confident and unwavering in their faith in Jesus, having confidence in the Truth.
Pray that they have courage to share the gospel and are strong and unwavering, not allowing the uncertainties of this world and the lies of the Enemy to affect them.
”Father, this world mocks You and anything connected to You. Help us as believers to stand firm. Help us to be in the Word, daily- not just reading, but studying and memorizing. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. I pray that it would be a priority in our lives. Lord, I pray for (name) today, that they would have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Help them to WANT to spend time studying Scripture. Open their eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word. I pray that You would help them grow in Godly wisdom and discernment so they would be protected from the deception that is so present and ever-increasing. Strengthen their resolve so they do not compromise their convictions and they will not sacrifice their faith on the altar of popularity or success. I pray that (name) would value their relationship with Jesus more than anything- give them an eternal perspective that outweighs anything that might tempt or lure them in this life. Give them courage to share the message of salvation with others, let Your light shine through them. May others see the joy, peace and be drawn to the cross through their testimony. Protect (name). Surround them with your power and protection so they can stand firm. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
When ‘Knowing’ isn’t Enough
2 Peter 1:9-11 “But whoever does not have them [the qualities in vs. 5-8] is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
So, what if our son or daughter is indifferent to their need for spiritual growth? Does it matter? If they’re saved, that’s the most important thing, right? Well, friends, that may be our way of assuaging our own concerns and worries about where they really stand with the Lord. Yes, it’s vitally important that our loved ones have a personal relationship with Jesus, but it’s more than that. If they DO have a relationship with the Lord, they need to pursue growth, deepen their understanding and grow in their knowledge of Him and His word.
Think about someone you love dearly. You don’t just count ‘knowing’ that person as good enough for a relationship. No, you want to spend time with them, know them more, learn their deepest thoughts and dreams. You enjoy spending time with them and you find that you miss them when they’re not near. Friends, that’s a relationship with Jesus! We should be falling in love with Him more and more each day.
We don’t want our sons and daughters to be nearsighted or blind to what that spiritual relationship needs to be. If ‘knowing’ Jesus is all they have, they likely do not have a saving relationship with Him. James 2:17-19 says “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” Yes, even the demons believe. That should give us pause.
The bottom line here is that there must be fruit. A fruitless life is a life without Christ. Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters begin making an honest, committed effort to pursue the heart of Jesus. Let’s pray for fruit that gives evidence that they are a believer who is growing in their walk with the Lord. Pray that they would not stumble. Pray that they would be counted as one worthy to escape all that is coming on this earth and would stand before Jesus, richly welcomed, as one of His own.
Pray without ceasing.
Accurate Reflection
2 Peter 1:5-8 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“For this very reason….” What is the reason? Well, we have to look back at verses 1-4 (this is why context is important) “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” So when Peter says, for this reason, he’s speaking about God’s divine power providing all we need for a godly life, through our knowledge of God. We have to KNOW Him in order to connect to the divine power that will keep us and protect us. We have to know Him in order to know and understand those great and precious promises. And when we know Him? Well, it’s not just a casual acquaintance. It becomes a deep love, an intimate understanding, a dependence upon and longing for a deeper relationship that grows richer and more beautiful as our faith and knowledge grow. It becomes a communion with God in His divine nature. What a reason to grow!!
So, Peter tells us, for this very reason, add to our faith… the King James version says “giving all diligence” meaning, we need to interest ourselves earnestly, eagerly...we should want this more than anything else (1). Our attitude matters in these matters! God does the work, but we have to be willing, eager participants.
So, what do we add?
Goodness- aretē: moral excellence, virtue (2).
Knowledge-gnōsis: of God, His Word and the gospel, the “deeper, more perfect and enlarged knowledge” of Christ and His word; not simply ‘intelligence’ (3).
Self-control- egkrateia: the virtue of mastering desires and appetites and bringing them into submission so as not to not fall into temptation; temperance (4).
Perseverance- hypomonē: “patient, steadfast endurance; a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings” (5).
Godliness- eusebeia: “reverence, respect, piety towards God” (6)
Mutual Affection-philadelphia: “brotherly love”, love of believers toward one another as the family of God (7)
Love-agapē: “affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love” (8)
And when we add these virtues, what is the result? Peter tells us, if we possess these in increasing measure, “they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We need more than just faith, friends. Our sons and daughters don’t just need the ‘fire insurance’ of belief in Jesus Christ, they need to be ever-growing, allowing God, through their knowledge of His Word, to change them and make them more like Christ. Those character qualities above are reflective of the divine nature we participate in when we become believers. They are evidence of a changed life. They are marks of growth and the refining that purifies our faith.
“For this reason”, friends, we need to remind ourselves of what God is calling us into and why. As believers, we are a reflection of Jesus to others, so it’s vital that we grow in the character qualities that are His, so we are an accurate reflection, not a lame imitation.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters add to their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love so they will be effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus. Pray 2 Peter 1:5-8 out loud, putting in your son or daughter’s name and claiming these promises on their behalf. Pray that they will be an accurate and God-honoring reflection of Jesus to others.
Pray without ceasing.
G4710 - spoudē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4710/kjv/tr/0-1/
G703 - aretē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g703/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1108 - gnōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1108/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1466 - egkrateia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1466/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G5281 - hypomonē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5281/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G2150 - eusebeia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2150/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G5360 - philadelphia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5360/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G26 - agapē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g26/niv/mgnt/0-1/
When We “Can’t Even”
2 Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
“But, it’s too hard for me!” That’s a classic phrase that children use, especially when they do not want to do a task they are given. It may indicate they do not have the strength, or perhaps lack the skill. It may be that they just do not have the will or desire to do what was asked. But the cry “It’s too hard for me!” often brings help - the parent comes to support, assist and ‘rescue’ the struggler.
Sometimes God calls us to hard things. Here’s the thing, He WILL give us more than we can handle (whoever said He would not was not reading their BIble) He will call us to things that overwhelm us. He will let us face things that, humanly, cannot be done. Does He do that to defeat us? No!! He allows us to face these things because it reminds us that we are not our own savior. We NEED God to intervene. And it allows Him to show His mighty power, His DIVINE power!. If we could handle everything we face, would we need God? Would we call on Him in desperation? Or would we say, “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”? No, we face hard things so that our full need of and dependence upon God is evident.
And in those hard things when we cry out “But, it’s too hard for me!” God is present and active. He is there to support, assist and rescue us in our struggle.. He sees our needs and He orchestrates our situation. He has given us EVERYTHING we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him and He’s welcomed us, through His promises, to participate in the divine nature. We’ve escaped the corruption of this world!! But, we have to endure, faithfully obeying and following Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
He WILL do it. HE will do it. Not us. We can’t. It’s too hard for us. But God is able to protect us, sanctify us and keep us blameless until the coming of Jesus. And one day we will see Him face to face and realize the reward of our redemption and our faithful following. Oh, friends, can we just pray right now that our sons and daughters wouldn’t ‘give up’ because it’s too hard for them, but they would call on Jesus to sustain them through whatever He calls them to and trust that He will do it, and believe that they will be presented blameless before Him?
“Oh, God our Father, You are so good to give us encouragement through Your word. Thank you for the words in 2 Peter. Your divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. That is almost more than we can comprehend. As believers in Jesus and children of God, we participate in the divine nature of God. It is humbling to realize that You welcomed us into your family and include us in Your divine nature. You moved us from the corrupt to the divine. Lord, I know we will face things that are too hard for us. Help us not to lose heart. I pray for (name) today that You would show them evidence of Your mighty power, working on their behalf even today. Don’t ever allow them to become self-dependent, but remind them always of their great need of You in their life. I pray that (name) would fully trust You and in those times and situations when it is too hard for them, they would cry out to you rather than give up, grow bitter, or fall into despair. Lord, show them how, as a believer in Jesus, they are participating in Your divine nature. They are guaranteed an escape from the corruption of this world. Lord, work visibly and mightily today in (name)’s life. Show them some affirmation today that You hear their cry, You are working to form them into the likeness of Jesus, and You are faithful to keep them until they see Jesus face to face. It’s in our Savior’s name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Watch Where You’re Going
2 Peter 3:17-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
When our children were little and getting ready to cross the street, we would often take their hand and tell them, “watch where you’re going, be careful!” Why? Because they were stepping into an area where things were coming at them from both sides. The traffic surrounding them was a danger to their safety and they had to be alert so as not to be hit, injured, or worse.
As believers, we have to be alert to those spiritually dangerous zones as well. Unbiblical teaching can come at us unexpectedly, even from sources that we may trust. And that’s often when our guard is down. Extra-biblical ideas and rules can creep in and begin to sound a lot like Scripture, yet have no basis. We begin to believe the authority of the speaker versus the authority of Scripture. Taking scripture out of context can warp the meaning and purpose of God’s words so that they become a method and means of herding believers into areas of belief and doctrine that are man-made, not God-ordained. We need to watch where we’re going and the direction of those who are teaching and leading.
Today, let’s pray for our sons’ and daughters’ personal Bible study time, that time alone with the Lord when He can teach us, convict us, encourage us and increase our wisdom and knowledge. It’s not easy...sometimes it can take years before someone really finds a way to do purposeful study of the Word and enjoy it. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit stirs in their hearts and works in them to give them a hunger and thirst for God’s Word. Pray that they find joy in their time with the Lord. Pray that their wisdom and discretion are sharpened so that they operate in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and that they can identify and reject ungodly teaching. Pray that they are alert and sober-minded, spiritually, so they are not caught off guard or deceived by the enemy and his operatives. Pray that they will watch where they’re going.
“Father, You long to have us spend time with You each day, reading Your word and communing with You in prayer. It’s so important, yet, we often sacrifice that time with you on the altar of busyness. I pray that today, (name) would be convicted in their heart to make time with You a priority. Help me to do the same. Lord, it’s so, so very important because that’s how we will grow in knowledge and gain understanding so that we can be wise and discerning. I pray that (name) would grow to love their quiet time with You. Give them a hunger and thirst for Your word. Open their eyes to see wonderful things in Your word that would propel them to want to learn more (Ps. 119:18). Help them to hide Your word in their heart so they would not sin against You (Ps. 119:11). May Your word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Ps. 119:105) so they can clearly see the path of righteousness and avoid the dangers and deceptions that might harm them or lead them in the wrong direction. Lord, I pray that they would grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and they would have vibrant joy and a strong passion to follow You without compromise. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Sunday Worship-Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon, this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my cleansing this my plea
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing can for sin atone
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
Oh, no other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Robert Lowry- 1876
Saturday Review
God calls us to be faithful in prayer. But, sometimes we grow weary because we don’t see results and we begin to lose heart. But we have to remind ourselves that even if we cannot see the impact, God IS working. Keep trusting. Keep praying! Let’s review our prayer points from this week:
Pray that our sons and daughters can distinguish the truth from a lie and that they are not lured by ‘sweet sounding’ stories that would pull them from the truth of Scripture.
Pray that they remain true to Scripture as their guide and invest the time to learn and deepen their knowledge of God’s Word.
Pray that our sons and daughters hold fast to their faith in Jesus by guarding the truth of the gospel that’s been entrusted to their care.
Pray that they don’t listen to ‘godless chatter’- that they wouldn’t even entertain it or be curious about it.
Pray that they would pursue Godly knowledge so they can stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by false teaching.
Pray that our sons and daughters are alert and sober-minded so that they would critically analyze and evaluate what they see and hear according to Scripture.
Pray that they have deep, spiritual discretion to identify false teachers and the message they bring and that they would determine who they listen to and follow based on what the Bible says, not by what their ears hear and their hearts ‘feel’.
Pray without ceasing
Follow the Leader?
1 John 3:7-9 “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin.” That’s a true statement right there. If one is a believer, their heart has been changed, their motivations are redirected, their heart is attuned to the Savior and their desire is to do His will. So when someone ‘claims’ to be a Christ-follower, yet continues to sin, that should bring into question the authenticity of their faith. They may ‘talk the talk’, but if your spirit is unsettled by that person, that’s a good indication that all may not be as it seems.
We MUST be on our guard to avoid being led astray. Think about that statement ‘led astray’. It indicates that someone is a willing follower. They are ‘escorted’ to a place of sin, deception, danger and destruction. They’re not forced or dragged, they’re led, willingly following. Why would someone willingly follow a deceiver?! Well, because they’re not alert and watchful to the danger. They believe what they hear rather than evaluating the words and actions against Scripture. Friends, just because someone quotes scripture, does not mean they love the Lord, it only means they are able to memorize something. It doesn’t mean their heart has changed. Just because they carry a Bible does not mean they believe what it says. Far too often we look for ‘surface-y’ signs of Christianity and we jump on the bandwagon of someone’s message because they say or do something that remotely-reflects godliness. We are gullible and far-too trusting. We see it all the time - (can you say “politics”?) But even Satan quoted scripture. Think about that. Imposters are everywhere. Are we alert or are we oblivious. Look, there is no middle ground. Either you’re a believer or you’re not. The one who does what is right is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil. Period. No one who is born of God will continue to sin. Are we taking the time to truly evaluate who we trust, spiritually?
As the Day of the Lord grows nearer, the deception will grow more intense. Are we prepared? Are we alert? We cannot be complacent. We cannot be lukewarm. We need to shine the light of Jesus on everything we see, hear, and experience. We need to filter it through the lens of Scripture. Is it of the Lord or is it deception? Friends, it’s time that we step up and address the evil that’s trying to infiltrate and destroy believers. it’s not going to be a tidal wave, it’s going to be a gentle, unassuming current that begins to slowly move believers from their foundation into the stream of complacency and the river of indifference that will erode their faith.
Let’s pray that our sons and daughters critically analyze and evaluate what they see and hear according to Scripture. Pray that they would determine who they listen to and follow based on what the Bible says, not by what their ears hear and our hearts ‘feel’.
Take time to pray through these things today. Pray over your sons and daughters by name. Spend some time listening to the Lord as well. What is it that He’s calling you to pray over more faithfully?
Pray without ceasing.
Beware of Undercover Operatives
2 Peter 2:1-2 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
Undercover operatives are something we’ve all heard about. Most countries have them. Movies are made about them. Little is known of how they operate, but one thing is sure, they are unassuming and often befriend others in the process of trying to gain intelligence or spread information…or, more likely, disinformation. They infiltrate in unassuming ways and their goal is to seek intelligence or do damage without being detected, and if they are? The damage likely has already been done. Isn’t that much like what Peter describes in 2 Peter 2? These false prophets secretly introduce destructive heresies. They try to be unassuming, engaging, even genuine, but that’s all part of the deception.
Friends, false prophets are all over today. But are we even aware? They look like believers, they sound like believers (at first) but soon, if you listen carefully enough, you will begin to detect things that are ‘off’, teachings that don’t quite line up with scripture, doctrine that is skewed, theology that is blasphemous. But here’s the thing, they are so skilled at what they do. They lure so many who are not alert to the dangers and who defend them because they’re ‘so nice’, ‘so genuine’, ‘so profound’. These deceivers are educated people who know Scripture, but misuse it. They omit some things and add others so their message sounds vaguely different, but close enough to deceive the unaware. They are skilled speakers who charm their listeners and often have them beguiled before they ever realize they’re in trouble. Their aim is not to bring glory to God, but to themselves. Look, scripture tells us that if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived (Matt. 24:24). That’s not possible, but that is how deceptive and skilled these false prophets are and will be.
Peter tells us that many will follow these profane teachers. Look around. We see it today. How alert are we? Do we really look into Scripture to see if what we are being taught is correct, or do we blindly trust? Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit in our hearts who will give us that uneasy discomfort when we listen to someone who is not aligned with God’s word or do we downplay His stirrings? Do we follow the ‘popular’ preacher because he’s the new ‘big thing’ or do we have caution to really learn whether his message is his own, or God’s?
There are undercover operatives among us….and they don’t work for our Savior. Their goal is to deceive and pull people away from the Lord, draw seekers to the darkness and destroy those oblivious to the danger and deception. We need to pray that our sons and daughters are alert and sober-minded. Pray that they have deep, spiritual discretion to identify false teachers and the message they bring.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that You would put a hedge of protection around (name) today. Guard their ears from false teachers. Guard their heart from deception. Keep their eyes on the truth of Scripture and give them wisdom and discretion to compare all they see and hear with the truth in your Word. Let them be a Berean, one of those who Paul commended for checking scripture to see if his message aligned (Acts 17). Lord, it seems Your day is coming quickly. May we all be found faithful, not being led astray by pretty messages and exciting leaders, but holding fast to the Word of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Stand Guard
1 Timothy 6:20-21 “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”
Read those words again. It sounds like a dramatic scene in the climax of an action movie, doesn’t it? The hero hands the treasure to his young protégé and gives him the final instructions before the enemy breaches the gate and surrounds them. “Guard what has been entrusted to your care.” You can almost feel the energy and danger, can’t you?
The Apostle Paul knew what was coming. Timothy had a daunting task ahead of him- to continue to lead and teach the church in Ephesus while combatting the dangerous teaching that was gaining popularity. Paul knew that deception was brewing and would at first creep in….but then would boldly begin to make it’s way into the church and make itself at home there… unless the believers were wary and on guard.
Paul warned of the opposing ideas of what is falsely called “knowledge”- those things that set themselves up against the truth of Scripture. The things that sound good, feel comfortable and don’t conflict with societal culture. This '“knowledge” lures us to call what is wrong, right, and to blur the lines of what scripture identifies as sin and accept it as ‘personal choice’. What typically follows is a watering down of Scripture and a tolerance of things that should be rejected. When we don’t hold to Scripture alone, we open the door for the Enemy to corrupt our thinking. We become soft on sin and we allow and practice what God says we should not. We compromise, become lukewarm and essentially walk away from the standard set by God.
Paul wanted Timothy to understand that he should guard his faith with his very life, cling to Jesus, because He is life, and hold fast to scripture, the Words of Life. Centuries later, the Reformers held tightly to this same message when they stood for the gospel. The “5 Solas” were 5 unshakable, uncompromising truths that these believers embraced to mark their faith: Scripture alone, through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.
Let’s pray that our sons and daughters hold fast to their faith in Jesus by guarding the truth of the gospel that’s been entrusted to their care. Pray that they don’t listen to ‘godless chatter’- that they wouldn’t even entertain it or be curious about it. Then, pray that they would pursue Godly knowledge so they can stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by false teaching.
Pray without ceasing.
Don’t Believe the Lies
2 Timothy 4:4 “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Truth-telling is a lost art. Just tune into any reality tv show and so much of the drama is based upon who can deceive others with the greatest skill and win the prize. Marketing is dependent on creating a ‘truth’ that sells an image or appeals to the ego. Far too often, we need to do so much ‘due diligence’ in order to protect ourselves from being deceived, swindled, or played the fool.
Conspiracy theories are running rampant these days as well. It seems you can find an alternative to just about any belief. And far too many people are willing to believe things that are far-fetched. Despite having far too little proof, the stories are intriguing, so people buy into the story. Why is it that the lies are often easier to believe than the truth? That’s the work of the Enemy, friends. He is the master deceiver. He delights in the fact that people are more willing to put their faith in unsubstantiated theories rather than the truth of Scripture that has been prophesied about and proven true over and over again.
What drives people to fall prey to the lies? Stubbornness and pride are two reasons, “You can’t tell me what to believe!” But really, scripture tells us that this will happen. “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” Their eyes are blinded to the truth. They have more faith in unproven conspiracies than they do the Almighty God.
As our world spins ever-closer to the end of days, the lies will continue to spin with it. Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” We need to pray that our sons and daughters can readily distinguish the truth from a lie. We must pray that they are not lured by ‘sweet sounding’ stories that would pull them from the truth of Scripture, but instead would remain true to Scripture as their guide and would invest the time to learn and deepen their knowledge of God’s Word.
“Lord, I pray that the Word of God will remain preeminent in (name)’s life. Let them look to you always and only for guidance, truth and wisdom. Keep their feet from straying off of your path of righteousness and keep their eyes locked onto Your face, Lord. Don’t let them be intrigued and enticed by the theories. Don’t let them question the truth of Your Word. Let them always be faithful to You in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Sunday Worship
Autumn is a beautiful season. The colors explode and everything seems to glow with a golden glory that only our Creator could design. His artistry is on full display. What a great time to ponder His goodness, His power, and His love displayed to us in such vibrant, colorful ways! Why not take some time to sit outside or take a walk in nature and listen to this hymn. Worship Him in spirit and in truth.
For the Beauty of the Earth
Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1864)
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light,
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For yourself, best gift divine,
to the world so freely given,
agent of God's grand design:
peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
Saturday Review
There are so many benefits when we stop, take a look back, check our learning and our growth. It gives us an opportunity to pause and see what God is doing. It’s good to review, isn’t it? Today, let’s review our prayer points from the week and pray through them one more time.
Pray that our sons and daughters stand firm to the end. Their faithfulness and perseverance is crucial to their walk with the Lord.
Pray for our sons and daughters to be immune to ‘golden calf syndrome’. Pray that they will not get distracted by the ‘good things’, valuing them and loving them more than they love God. Pray that they would always keep their eyes on the Lord and wouldn’t look away. Pray that they would fan the flame of their first love and worship Him only. Pray that they will take a stand even when others are celebrating the idols.
Pray for protection- that they would not be lured and fall into bondage to the Enemy.
Pray that our sons and daughters don’t forfeit the love of God for earthly things. There is no comparison.
Pray today for any family members who don’t know the Lord. Ask God to soften hearts and bring a willingness to repent and follow Christ. Pray for eyes that clearly see God’s salvation and desire it more than anything this world could offer.
Pray without ceasing
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.
Investments and Returns
Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.”
Jonah knew what he was talking about. He knew that the lure of other things is strong, so much so that they can eclipse the gospel message in the eyes of one who is charmed by those lesser gods. Mark 10:17-25 is just such an example:
Mark 10:17-25 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
This young man wanted to follow Jesus...just not more than he wanted to hold onto his worldly possessions. He’d worked hard to earn them. They meant a lot to him. They were hard to release. Didn’t Jesus see their value? This young man couldn’t see the full wonder, beauty and redemptive power of Jesus because he was charmed by his possessions and success. He couldn’t see how releasing his hold on those ‘things’ would give him riches and blessings so much greater than he had ever known. No, he could only see all that he’d worked for, all that was precious to him, was exactly what Jesus was calling him to release. He wanted to be able to follow Jesus and ‘earn’ Heaven while still giving his heart to all that charmed him in this life. Had he truly understood the exchange Jesus was offering, he would have understood it to be the best investment he would ever make.
And what was Jesus' response? Mark says “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus knew the dilemma this young man was wrestling with. He knew what He offered would bring joy, contentment, fulfillment and eternal security. Yet, the young man couldn’t see it. Jonah was right, “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” This young man forfeited God’s love for things that wouldn’t last, things couldn’t give him a relationship and things that offered no salvation at all.
Oh, how our hearts want our sons and daughters to make the better choice!! We must pray that they don’t forfeit the love of God for earthly things. There is no comparison.
“Heavenly Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, You bless us beyond our comprehension and You promise us an eternal inheritance in Your vast Kingdom as Your beloved child. Oh how we long to sit beside You and hear Your voice. Your Presence is precious to us and Your comfort and love is abundant and glorious. Lord, I pray that (name) would understand how wide, how long, how high and how deep Your love is. And Lord, let them know this love that surpasses knowledge—that (name) may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Father, draw them so they are charmed by You and not this world. Don’t let them forfeit their relationship with You for things that will not satisfy. Let the tarnish of this world’s glitter be evident. Don’t let them turn away from Your love but remain true, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Be Careful
Deuteronomy 11:16 “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.”
James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
God knows our weaknesses. He knows how we’re wired. He gives us the admonition to “Be careful” because He knows we’re easily drawn to those things we shouldn’t be. He also knows the capability of our Enemy and that he will do anything to pull us away from Jesus. It’s imperative that we are mindful of what we choose to allow our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our hearts to love.
The word scripture uses to tell us to “Be careful” is the Greek word, “samar”, which means to “keep watch or to guard, to hedge about (as with thorns), be circumspect, take heed (to self), look narrowly, preserve, be a watchman.” (1)
The dangers we face are all around us (be circumspect). We need protection on every side (hedge about as with thorns). We need to pay attention so that we’re not caught by surprise (take heed) and we must be aware of our own weaknesses (to self). We need to home in on those threats, dangers, and things that are suspect so that we can preserve our testimony and ensure we walk faithfully and avoid sin. We must be watchmen, daily, moment by moment, never letting our guard down, because when we do, that’s when the Enemy attacks.
But why is it so crucial? Because James says “each one is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” That being ‘dragged away’ isn’t a violent act where we fight tooth and nail to resist. No, it’s a lure that draws us unexpectedly, quietly, and we come of our own accord. Our guard is down, our pride is full, and we think we’re immune to the danger. THAT is why we need to be on guard, hedged about, circumspect, self-aware and watchful.
Friends, look around. This world is dark. Satan is active. He wants nothing more than to poach God’s sheep. Let’s encircle our sons and daughters with powerful prayer today to protect them from being lured and falling into bondage to the Enemy.
“Father, I pray that You would intervene in (name)’s life today. Stop their ears to the whisper of the Enemy. Blind their eyes to his lures. Keep their feet from treading where they ought not and protect their hands from reaching into the fire of temptation. I pray that You would surround (name) with a hedge of protection- spiritual thorns that will keep the Enemy from getting close. Help (name) to be self-aware, understanding their weaknesses and being intentional to avoid those things that would tempt them to stray. I pray that You would put other watchmen in their lives who would pray for them, encourage them and hold them accountable . Preserve their faith and protect their testimony. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H8104 - šāmar - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8104/esv/wlc/0-1/
Golden Calf Syndrome
Exodus 32:8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’
Psalm 106:20 They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass.
When we look at the Israelites, we likely wonder to ourselves, “How on earth could they have turned from God to chase after idols?” “For goodness sake, He traveled with them as a cloud of protection during the day and a pillar of fire at night?! Didn’t they see Him part the Sea?” Yet, they did turn away, and fast. While Moses was on Mt Sinai meeting with God and getting the tablets with the 10 commandments, the Israelites got restless and decided to take matters into their own hands. Despite the fact that they had experienced the very glory of God...they exchanged their loyalty to Him for the image of a calf they made themselves. To add to the offense, the gold was likely from the jewelry that the Egyptians lavished on them as they fled from Pharaoh- a promise from God that He would ensure they were well-supplied when they departed. They used His blessings to curse Him.
The Israelites took their eyes off of God and allowed other things to grab their attention. They fell into idol worship and deceived themselves into believing it would bring blessing, satisfaction and fulfillment. And they encouraged one another in the wrong direction, men, women and children. And no one had the integrity to take a stand for the Lord.
~Pause~
Now, remember trying to correct our kids when they were little? Maybe we took their little face in our hands to hold their attention, yet their eyes darted to the very things we were trying to pull them from. We could hold their head, but we couldn’t control their eyes. The lure of those things was strong.
~Back to the Israelites~
We look at their act of disobedience and think we would never be so ignorant as to bow to a golden calf. Why would someone make something themselves and then worship it?. Oh, friends, our golden calf may not be made out of jewelry, but it may bear a brand, a hood ornament, a name or an account number- all things that we worked for and ‘made’. The golden calves of the 21st century are just as enticing and just as dangerous. The Enemy lures us, teases us with ‘good things’ and we begin a short sprint that turns into a marathon of pursuing things rather than Jesus. And those surrounding us will likely cheer us on to the pursuit of emptiness, because they, too, are deceived. Our eyes become so distracted by what’s around us that we lose sight of the Savior. The lure of this world is strong.
Here’s the thing, the Israelites didn’t just make an idol. No, they had quite a few heart conditions that led to their decision. They were::
Impatient- they wanted what they wanted immediately
Selfish- they expected God to fulfill their needs and wants on their terms
Rebellious- they refused to submit to the leadership God put in place for them
Ungrateful- they grumbled against God and His provision and plan
Arrogant- they put themselves above God and His will for them
The list could go on. God wanted all of them, yet they were too busy looking around and pursuing lesser gods which they mistakenly believed would fulfill them. They left their first love.
Friends, we need to seriously pray for our sons and daughters to be immune to ‘golden calf syndrome’. As the days grow darker, the allure of this world will grow stronger. We must pray that they will not get distracted by things…even good things, and put them first, valuing them and loving them more than they love God. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would always keep their eyes on the Lord and wouldn’t look away. Pray that they will fan the flame of their first love and worship Him only. Pray that they will take a stand even when others are celebrating and chasing the idols.
Pray without ceasing.
Stand Firm to the End
Stay True to the Faith
Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Have you noticed how people seem to be growing more hostile toward God, toward the Bible and toward believers? Scripture says in the last days scoffers will come, mocking God’s promises and following their own evil desires (2 Peter 3:3)
It’s crucial that we pray for our sons’ and daughters’ protection and growth, but more than that. There is so much at stake. We are stepping into the Last Days and we see Jesus’ return ever-nearer; we must pray that our children stand true and hold fast. The world isn’t just indifferent toward God, it’s hostile. If we are believers and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, guess what...they’re going to be hostile to us as well. Friends, we are not just seeing ‘glimpses’ of this, but nearly weekly reports of hostility, aggression and hatred toward God, the church and the family of believers.
Recently, a large church was torn down in Ireland. The once-vibrant church, built to hold 3500 people, is no longer needed. Eventually, it will be replaced by a smaller building that holds 350 (1)(2). The comments following the news story were very telling…
“Good, now let’s get started on the rest of them.”
”They’ll just build another one, like Ireland needs any more churches… Wish they would spend the money they use for these places on actually trying to rebuild people’s [lives] that they have destroyed.”
“The truth must win in the end, unfortunately, the church has outgrown its use. It’s purpose is done.”
“Churches that size are not necessary any more.”
“...It’s built for 3500 parishioners. No way will the church ever recover to those numbers. Religion is dying. The majority of the nation won’t [care]. Good riddance.” (3)
Friends, back up and look at the big picture. This isn’t about denominations or doctrine. This is a much bigger picture that is representative of the hardened heart of man toward God. The hostility of these people toward church is strong. Their view that worship is unnecessary is clear. The indifference to the dwindling flock is another sign that this world is doing just what God said it would. Hearts are growing cold. People are less and less inclined to even consider God or their position in relation to Him. They have no thought for eternity. They are driven by their own evil desires, lusts and passions. They mock and rail against the Lord. ...And this is the world in which our sons and daughters are living... and in which they must decide to take a stand for Christ, no matter what may come.
“Father, I pray today for (name). Lord, this world is growing more hostile and we all will be tempted to protect ourselves from the onslaught of persecution. But Lord, you call us to lose our lives for You. Whether it be comfort, employment, friends, Lord, we know that we might have to let go of some things in order to lay hold of that which you’ve called us to- eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 says v 17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Lord, help (name) to put their hope in You and You alone.
V.18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” I pray that (name)’s words and actions would represent Christ well. Let them be salt and light in a world that is dark and decaying. Give them strength and boldness to to this. Yes, it will make them stand out as a believer and may bring persecution as a result, but it is what You call us to. Help (name) to do it well and for Your glory. We know the promise is sure v.19 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Lord, I pray that (name) would choose to live for the life that is truly life. Let them live uncompromisingly for You. Give them boldness, strength and confidence that You will hold them securely. Don’t let them grow cold, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
1. News, R. T. E. (2020, February 6). Permission granted for demolition of Finglas Church. RTE.ie. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0206/1113615-finglas-church/.
2. Annunciation), (I. C. of, & Maps), (I. S. G. (2020, February 6). Demolition of iconic North Dublin Church gets final approval. DublinLive. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/demolition-church-annunciation-finglas-gets-17701410.
3. Here Today Gone Tomorrow. Facebook. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/jimm1965/posts/1672502186474306.