Category: Prayer Circle

… be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart …  Ephesians 5:18b-19

Scripture shows us a favorite form of praise is music. Psalms were sung in acknowledgment and thankfulness for God’s unending love.

As King David readied the materials and workmen needed for Solomon to build the Temple, he also organized musicians who would exalt God with lyres, harps, and cymbals. Almost 300 skilled singers were assembled. Now that is a church choir!

The Word of Christ dwells in us with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. In worship we may gain spiritual strength by singing familiar hymns or popular contemporary Christian songs. Martin Luther truly understood the power of praise when he wrote, “The devil does not stay where music is.”

Not every hymn or praise song may be your style of music. Whether traditional hymns on a pipe organ or contemporary songs played by guitars and drums, God accepts all praise that declares His majesty, unconditional love, and salvation through Christ. And to that, we can all respond … “Amen and Amen.” (more…)

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” Isaiah 46:4a

The cake was smothered in candles to accurately commemorate Grandma’s milestone birthday. When the family gathered to sing, the youngest grandchild stared at the glowing cake and announced, “Wow! Grandma’s birthday is getting dangerous!” As the number of candles increases for each of us, it can be surprising. We question, “Who is that old person looking at me in the mirror?”

We see the proof of passing time in photo albums and clothing sizes; yet our minds want to argue the facts. The loving Father of all ages reassures us, Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you (Isaiah 46:4a NIV). Aging can bring concerns about good health and financial security. That is when we remember we have a merciful Redeemer who controls all of our days. God has promised to sustain us at all times and to carry us through all circumstances. He wants us to entrust our life to Him. We can live each day in joyful service and confident hope. (more…)

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15

Let’s face it. When you’re done with a run you’re not only sweaty, but you also stink. The deodorant you put on three miles ago can only do so much to cover the full body odor that emanates from every pore.

You know what else stinks? Sin. And it also emanates from every pore of your body. Deodorant can’t cover it up, and it remains even after a shower. So how do you become the pleasing aroma Paul wrote about in Second Corinthians? Through the sweet smell of the Gospel. Only the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection can cover the decaying smell of sin.

So be cleansed by the Gospel, and let it seep into every pore of your soul. And to your neighbors and friends you will be the aroma of Christ. (more…)

“… for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning …” Isaiah 46: 9b-10a

She wasn’t warned the book’s plot was so intense! It was 1 a.m., and the uncertainty of the outcome was more than she could handle. She flipped to the last few pages to read the ending. Relieved, she could now fall asleep. Some might regard her action as unthinkable! Others consider it the only sane solution.

In many of life’s decisive moments, we want to know the end in advance. Is it the right time to apply for the promotion? Or buy a house? Which daycare is the best one? It would be so much easier if God would tell us the outcome before we make the decision. We don’t want a sign. We want a billboard! How differently would we live if we truly trusted that our gracious God knows the end from the beginning? He does! God promises, I declare “… the end from the beginning …” (Isaiah 46:10b).

God always keeps His word. We need only pray for His guidance, make the best decision we can, and surrender the outcome to Him. The blessed ending is assured. (more…)

… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints … Ephesians 6:18

Running can be frustrating. Results of your hard work may not be seen right away. You may feel you have hit a plateau and you have gone as far and as fast as you’re going to get. But like most things in life, running takes perseverance. Do not give up. Be persistent. You can meet your goals!

God calls His people to persevere through prayer. Jesus taught a parable about a persistent widow who found herself at the feet of an immoral judge. After repeatedly begging the judge for justice, he finally granted it to her. To what did he attribute his change of heart? Her perseverance (Luke 18:1-8).

In this world of sin, constantly seeking God’s will without immediately seeing results can be frustrating. Do not give up! God hears the prayers of His faithful and rewards their perseverance.

Dear God, sometimes the injustice and immorality of the world is just plain frustrating. Thank You for continuing to listen to the cries of Your people and granting both justice and hope to the world.

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The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.  Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

Life is woven together with good days and troublesome days. The good times are easy to navigate, but it is during the tough times that our faith is put to the test. Troubles will come our way, but what is important is how we handle them and where we put our hope and trust.

We do have choices. We can hit the panic button or lose sleep from worrying. Or we can turn to our trusted Friend, God our heavenly Father, Who is always ready to listen to those who seek Him. In Him is our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23 NIV).

I sought the LORD and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4 NIV).

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Who will receive eternal life? Jesus says:

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned … (John 5:24a).

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).

Jesus came to earth to bring life and salvation to all people. Salvation is God’s free gift to all who believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. No believer will be turned away.

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). (more…)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.  Proverbs 27:1

Today is ours, a gift from God. Whether the sun is shining brightly or heavy rains are pounding against the windows, God wants us to have this day. Whether we are happy or sad, healthy or disabled, God made each of us part of His plan for today.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

So why do we spend so much time thinking about tomorrow? The Psalmist instructs us to rejoice in this day — the day that is here and now. Boasting about tomorrow won’t get it done today! All too soon it will be tomorrow, and we may have passed up an opportunity that should have been taken today. With the power of God’s Holy Spirit behind us, let’s get busy and do what must be done today! Today is mine, God, a gift from You. How do You want me to use it? (more…)

Who has given me the gift of life?  Living organisms on earth are amazing. From tiny gnat to huge blue whale, from smallest wildflower to giant sequoia, we can see the hand of the Creator. And among all these is God’s most wondrous creation: us! God created us to love and serve Him. He loved us even before we were born.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:13-14).

Not only did God create us, but He gave us the beauty of the earth and relationships with others. He gave us everything we need to live our daily lives. And yet, all too often we are worried about future events or past experiences. But God tells us not to worry about our daily lives.

“So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33). (more…)

… be filled with the Spirit. … always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18b, 20

A certain church member was very critical of his pastor. The pastor had never been able to do much of anything to please that cantankerous parishioner. But the pastor took the high road, never repaying hurt for hurt. He tried, and tried hard, to find good things to say.

One day he said with a wry smile, “You know, Joe has the cleanest car in town.” Instead of concentrating on his parishioner’s criticisms, he found one small thing to commend. “… be filled with the Spirit …,” says St. Paul. Spirit-filled people have no room left over for grumpiness, faultfinding, negativity, or thanklessness. Instead, they have an “attitude of gratitude” to God that spills over into relationships with others. And when bad attitudes invade, as they will because of Satan, the Spirit is there to strengthen God’s people once more.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

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