Category: Prayer Circle

What is God’s gift of wisdom?  What makes a person wise? Is it incredible knowledge or enormous heart? True wisdom is knowing how to apply God’s Word to our lives. God’s gift of wisdom leads each of us to discern His will. God’s wisdom is revealed through Holy Scripture.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding (Psalm 111:10a)

… you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

Wisdom is God’s generous gift to us. Through wisdom we are taught how to live our lives in accordance with God’s will. (more…)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Tonight’s the night you’re supposed to go out with friends. It’s only once a week, but sometimes you wonder if, now that you’re married, you should give it up. Maybe you really want to go, but you feel guilty because you think you should want to spend every minute of every day with your new spouse. Perhaps you’re afraid that your friends aren’t “good for you” anymore.  As you consider the situation, be honest with yourself about your feelings and your reasons. God has given you friends to fill needs that your spouse cannot.

Spending time with friends away from your spouse is important, and even healthy, as long as such relationships are supportive of your marriage. Be honest with your spouse, too. Talking about what you do with your friends will help lessen any jealousy your partner may feel about the time you spend apart. Assure your spouse that your marriage is your priority and that your friends are just that – friends. (more…)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” John 15:16a

Life is filled with choices – what car to drive, what clothes to buy, which TV channels to watch, which foods to eat. Sometimes the choices bring satisfaction, and sometimes they bring great disappointment.

In and of ourselves, there is one choice we cannot make. We cannot choose God. Instead, Jesus assures us, I chose you… It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to hear God’s call.  And what is our response? We know how to handle life’s other choices: we drive the car, we wear the clothes, we laugh and learn from TV, we get nourishment from foods.

Our response to God’s choice is to follow His direction, … go and bear fruit …  The fruit may be as simple as smiling at the harried supermarket clerk or helping the toddler get his shoes on the right feet. It may be as difficult as “parenting” an aged parent or working in a special church or community ministry. These are fruits that will last because they are responses to God’s gifts to us.

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One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.   Luke 6:12

No matter how much you love each other and enjoy being together, there are times when you want (and need) to be apart. That doesn’t only mean apart, but alone. “Alone time” gives you time to consider relationships, to pray, to consider what you value most in life. It helps you get “centered.”

For Christians, being “centered” revolves around repentance and forgiveness, understanding that Christ is our very life. Having a period of rest and solitude, in turn, will enrich time spent with your spouse. Encouraging each other to spend time alone is a gift as genuine as any you might give.

Allow these special alone moments for God, through His Word, to renew, refresh, and rejuvenate each of you. (more…)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

When Americans are asked to state the freedoms allowed through their government, they may think of the freedoms of speech and religion guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. As Christians we know that real freedom comes with a price – the price paid in full for each one of us through the cross of Jesus Christ. Our Christian freedom from sin, guilt and the Law’s accusation could not be paid for by our actions, but were fully and completely paid for by Christ’s death and resurrection.

Our freedom as Christians does not give us license to live without regard to others.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

True Christian freedom responds to God’s love by reaching out in love and service to others. (more…)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

With the shot clock ticking down, player #9 heaved the ball to #35, who swished it into the basket for a 3-pointer. Hours of practice had built the trust that each man would be in position for the play.  Do God’s children “practice” trusting in Him? King Solomon gives the directive, Trust in the LORD …(Proverbs 3:5a). Not in a teammate, a spouse, a friend, an employer — but in the Lord. How much trust? A little bit? Enough to get me through the mess? No, trust … with all your heart. All!   But what else? Surely there’s something I can do. Yes, get the facts, make evaluations; assess the situation, all the while asking for God’s guidance. Trust His promise, “… I know the plans I have for you … plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). What more could we ask than to be blessed with a hope and a future from the One Who loves us best? (more…)

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… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31b

Do you remember receiving your first paycheck? Maybe it was received for lawn mowing, snow shoveling, or babysitting. That money was so special some have framed the first dollar ever made! It is exciting to be chosen for a new job. From flipping burgers to fixing computers, from grocery bagger to store owner, from mail clerk to director of marketing, each job is special.

For some, a first job continues until retirement. Others change jobs and careers in their search for fulfilling work. Some use their skills in a high-rise office and some in the family home. God has given us the talents that we use in our work. Each person’s skill set may be different, but the Creator of our gifts wants us to do it all for the glory of God … (1 Corinthians 10:31b).

When we give our best at our job, we are honoring the Lord of our salvation and life, and can give witness to our Savior Jesus Christ who gave His all for us on the cross of Calvary. No matter the nature of our job, we can perform it for His glory and with the strength He provides. (more…)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to keep, and a time to cast away.  Ecclesiastes 3:1,6b

Into everyone’s life comes the day when the realization hits that “stuff ” has to go! It can be the attic, garage, kitchen, desk, wardrobe, or whatever else it is that has an overabundance of accumulation. The big decisions now are, “What shall I keep?” and “What shall I cast away?”  Our lives are somewhat the same with accumulated discouragements, resentments, regrets, or angers, all of which lead to spiritual sickness. This is the day to start casting them out of our lives for good. Our faithful Father is waiting to help us do just that because He knows we are helpless to do it on our own.

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… (Ephesians 3:20-21a NIV).

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