...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being the author and perfecter of faith. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you regardless of my situation. Help me to remember what You did - endured the cross and despised the shame - remembering all the time the joy set before You - the job of sitting at the right hand of God. When I am facing difficulty, show me the joy that You have set before me, the promise of a life spent with You, that I may endure and persevere, all the while keeping my eyes on You. Thank You for being my example.
In Your Name,
Amen
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
40 Days of Prayer: Day 18
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... Hebrews 12:1
Dear God,
I thank You for the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. I think about the Godly men and women who have gone long before me: Abraham, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Phoebe, John, and I think about the many in my generation who I look to as examples of faith and perseverance. I thank You that You have shown me these people and that they have guided me in my life so that I might live by their example in running the race that is set before me. Lord, help me to be a great witness to those around me and to those who come after me so that they might also run their race with endurance.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear God,
I thank You for the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. I think about the Godly men and women who have gone long before me: Abraham, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Phoebe, John, and I think about the many in my generation who I look to as examples of faith and perseverance. I thank You that You have shown me these people and that they have guided me in my life so that I might live by their example in running the race that is set before me. Lord, help me to be a great witness to those around me and to those who come after me so that they might also run their race with endurance.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
40 Days of Prayer: Day 17
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24
Dear Lord,
As I go about my work, today and everyday, keep this attitude in my mind - that I should do my work for You, to please You, instead of men. Help me to be efficient and effective and focused for Your glory. Lord, I also pray that others will see my work as being for Your glory and that they will respond with praise to You. Help my motives to be clear and give me a servant leader's heart like You. Thank You for the privilege of serving You.
In Your Name,
Amen
Dear Lord,
As I go about my work, today and everyday, keep this attitude in my mind - that I should do my work for You, to please You, instead of men. Help me to be efficient and effective and focused for Your glory. Lord, I also pray that others will see my work as being for Your glory and that they will respond with praise to You. Help my motives to be clear and give me a servant leader's heart like You. Thank You for the privilege of serving You.
In Your Name,
Amen
Sunday, March 11, 2012
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge… Eph. 3:17-19
This wonderful hymn was originally written in Latin in the 15th century and then translated to English in 1854. It tells the story of Jesus’ incarnation, life on Earth, death, and resurrection.
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
It fills the heart with ecstasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!
He sent no angel to our race
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame
Himself, and to this lost world came.
For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore,
For us temptation sharp He knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought;
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not Himself, but us.
For us to wicked men betrayed,
Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death,
For us gave up His dying breath.
For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here,
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
To Him Whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through His Son,
To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
That God should take our mortal form for our sake – this writer says it fills the heart with ecstasy. It does mine – God could have chosen so many other ways to save us but He chose to become flesh – and to live here on Earth among us.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The second verse amplifies the idea of God being made man – he didn’t send an angel but wore the robe of human frame Himself.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same… Hebrews 2:14
FOR US – that’s why God did this. FOR US. He became man so that he could live on Earth and experience the same things we do – He knew temptation so that for us He could overthrow the tempter.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
FOR US. We see it again in the next verse. He prayed, taught, worked FOR US. And instead of seeking Himself, he sought us, all the way to death on a cross.
“I do not seek My glory.” John 8:50
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
FOR US He rose from death again!!
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7
FOR US He went on high to reign!!
So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:3-4
FOR US He sent His spirit here!!
"These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:25-26
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
His boundless love FOR US has won our salvation!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Glory be to God the Father, for now and all eternity!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2-4
This wonderful hymn was originally written in Latin in the 15th century and then translated to English in 1854. It tells the story of Jesus’ incarnation, life on Earth, death, and resurrection.
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
It fills the heart with ecstasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!
He sent no angel to our race
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame
Himself, and to this lost world came.
For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore,
For us temptation sharp He knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought;
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not Himself, but us.
For us to wicked men betrayed,
Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death,
For us gave up His dying breath.
For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here,
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
To Him Whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through His Son,
To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
That God should take our mortal form for our sake – this writer says it fills the heart with ecstasy. It does mine – God could have chosen so many other ways to save us but He chose to become flesh – and to live here on Earth among us.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The second verse amplifies the idea of God being made man – he didn’t send an angel but wore the robe of human frame Himself.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same… Hebrews 2:14
FOR US – that’s why God did this. FOR US. He became man so that he could live on Earth and experience the same things we do – He knew temptation so that for us He could overthrow the tempter.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
FOR US. We see it again in the next verse. He prayed, taught, worked FOR US. And instead of seeking Himself, he sought us, all the way to death on a cross.
“I do not seek My glory.” John 8:50
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
FOR US He rose from death again!!
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7
FOR US He went on high to reign!!
So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:3-4
FOR US He sent His spirit here!!
"These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:25-26
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
His boundless love FOR US has won our salvation!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Glory be to God the Father, for now and all eternity!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2-4
Saturday, March 10, 2012
40 Days of Prayer: Day 16
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. I John 1:5
Dear Lord,
You are light. Thank You for being the real light, the light that is life. Lord, we are surrounded by darkness. It is everywhere I turn. I only have to look to You and see the light. Hallelujah! Lord, may Your light shine through me. May it cut through the darkness and give hope to those who so desperately need the light. Shine, Jesus, Shine!
In Your Name,
Amen
Dear Lord,
You are light. Thank You for being the real light, the light that is life. Lord, we are surrounded by darkness. It is everywhere I turn. I only have to look to You and see the light. Hallelujah! Lord, may Your light shine through me. May it cut through the darkness and give hope to those who so desperately need the light. Shine, Jesus, Shine!
In Your Name,
Amen
Friday, March 9, 2012
40 Days of Prayer: Day 15
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5
Dear God,
These three verses are so rich! Your great mercy has caused us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE! Jesus' resurrection made a way for us to obtain an imperishable inheritance - one that is undefiled and will not fade away. Lord, thank You that You have reserved my inheritance for me in heaven. Lord, thank You that Your power is protecting me because of my faith in You. I am protected for a salvation that will be revealed in the last time. Because of Your great mercy! Thank You!
In Your Name,
Amen
Dear God,
These three verses are so rich! Your great mercy has caused us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE! Jesus' resurrection made a way for us to obtain an imperishable inheritance - one that is undefiled and will not fade away. Lord, thank You that You have reserved my inheritance for me in heaven. Lord, thank You that Your power is protecting me because of my faith in You. I am protected for a salvation that will be revealed in the last time. Because of Your great mercy! Thank You!
In Your Name,
Amen
Thursday, March 8, 2012
40 Days of Prayer: Day 14
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Heavenly Father,
I can attest to Your goodness and lovingkindness that have followed me all the days of my life thus far. You are a faithful Father, and I rest assured in Your promises. Thank You that Your goodness and lovingkindness don't end when my life ends. In fact, I know I will experience Your goodness and lovingkindess even more fully as I dwell in Your house forever. Thank You that whether I am here on earth, or with you in heaven, You are a faithful God, full of goodness and lovingkindness.
With gratitude,
Amen
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Heavenly Father,
I can attest to Your goodness and lovingkindness that have followed me all the days of my life thus far. You are a faithful Father, and I rest assured in Your promises. Thank You that Your goodness and lovingkindness don't end when my life ends. In fact, I know I will experience Your goodness and lovingkindess even more fully as I dwell in Your house forever. Thank You that whether I am here on earth, or with you in heaven, You are a faithful God, full of goodness and lovingkindness.
With gratitude,
Amen
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