Saturday, January 31, 2009
Foundational Truth
God set forth [Jesus] to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God passed over the the sins that had been committed previously to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. ~Rom 3: 25-26
He is gracious to him and says, "Deliver him from the Pit; I have found a ransom." ~Job 33:24
If you do not drive out the inhabitabts of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides and they will trouble you in the land in which you live. ~Num 33:55
So then brothers, we are under obligation not to the flesh to live accordig to the flesh -- for if you live according to the flesh you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ~Rom 8:12-13
Holy God, THANK YOU that Jesus is our ransom. Lord, we tahnk you and we worship you -- Lord, we thank you for your sacrifice, for teh great treasure you have given us, the ransom you paid for us. Lord, you trulyare an awesome God!
Father, I want to live according to the Spirit -- I want to drive out the things of the flesh that were in me before your spirit came -- Lord, I don't want the old ways to be a prick in my eye or a thorn in my side! Lord God, I seek your work in me. Father, please flush out the old ways and help me put them to death. Pride, especially, Lord! Self-dependence, especially, Lord! I seek your ways. I want to clothe myself with the armour of light. Thank you Lord.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
No shame.
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. ~Rom 3:22
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, "Abba Father." ~ Gal 4:6
For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. ~Ps 21:7
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who WAS and IS and IS TO COME. Holy God, God of all creation, I come humbly before you, I honour you, I worship you, I glorify your NAME. Glorious Lord, Father, Holy God, you are the MOST HIGH. Father, I want to lift up the prayer ministry today, Lord. Father, I pray against any sense of shame that would block people from coming forward for prayer. I pray against a feeling that they are unworthy to come into your presence. Lord, I pray that you would make real to them that spirit of sonship that you have given us, Lord. That they would know that you have accepted them as sons. That they can come to you and cry "Abba Father." I pray that they would put their trust in you. That they would put their faith in you. That they would know that YOU are there for ALL who believe. Not just for some, but for ALL. There is no place for shame, you want to cleanse them of that shame, Lord. Heal them, forgive them, adopt them as sons. Thank you Lord for the work you are doing in their hearts even now. Thank you, Jesus!
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, "Abba Father." ~ Gal 4:6
For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. ~Ps 21:7
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who WAS and IS and IS TO COME. Holy God, God of all creation, I come humbly before you, I honour you, I worship you, I glorify your NAME. Glorious Lord, Father, Holy God, you are the MOST HIGH. Father, I want to lift up the prayer ministry today, Lord. Father, I pray against any sense of shame that would block people from coming forward for prayer. I pray against a feeling that they are unworthy to come into your presence. Lord, I pray that you would make real to them that spirit of sonship that you have given us, Lord. That they would know that you have accepted them as sons. That they can come to you and cry "Abba Father." I pray that they would put their trust in you. That they would put their faith in you. That they would know that YOU are there for ALL who believe. Not just for some, but for ALL. There is no place for shame, you want to cleanse them of that shame, Lord. Heal them, forgive them, adopt them as sons. Thank you Lord for the work you are doing in their hearts even now. Thank you, Jesus!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit ... I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing ... My Father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. ~ John 15:2, 5, 8
But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. ~2 Pt 3:13-14
Father, I thank you that you love as as a father does -- you seek our good, you seek to grow us and mature us. Lord, I pray that you would prune me. I want to bear good fruit and keep bearing good fruit -- I want to abide in you and have you abide in me. Lord, please come and examine my life and bring your discipline and correction. I want to grow and mature in my faith, in the fruit I produce. Lord, I do look to the new heaven and the new earth and I pray I would be diligent to be found in peace, spotless and blameless, before you. Lord, I know I can't achieve righteousness without your saving grace and power, so Lord, come and cleanse me, like the refiner's fire. Thank you, Lord!
But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. ~2 Pt 3:13-14
Father, I thank you that you love as as a father does -- you seek our good, you seek to grow us and mature us. Lord, I pray that you would prune me. I want to bear good fruit and keep bearing good fruit -- I want to abide in you and have you abide in me. Lord, please come and examine my life and bring your discipline and correction. I want to grow and mature in my faith, in the fruit I produce. Lord, I do look to the new heaven and the new earth and I pray I would be diligent to be found in peace, spotless and blameless, before you. Lord, I know I can't achieve righteousness without your saving grace and power, so Lord, come and cleanse me, like the refiner's fire. Thank you, Lord!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The night is far spent
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence in your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. ~Ps 15: 1-2
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light. ~ Rom 13:12
He ... brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. ~ Ps 40:1-2
Lord, I want to lift up our civic leaders at all levels of government -- Arlington County board members, the Virginia state legislature, and the federal government. Lord, I pray for wisdom for them as they make difficult budget decisions. I pray you would guide their thoughts and actions, that they would always remember the poor, that they would be eager to remember the poor. Father I pray they would do what is right and speak truth from sincere hearts, that they would be blameless before you. I pray especially for my president -- Lord, I pray you would speak your wisdom into his heart, that you would establish his steps.
Father, I lift up the prayer ministry at my church, Lord. Thank you for the awesome start we had last week. Thank you for those who came to pray and for those who came to be prayed for. Lord, I lift them up to you -- give them the comfort of knowing you have lifted them out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and have established their steps. Father, I pray they would know the night is far spent and that it is time to put on the armour of light. Lord, I lift up the prayer teams praying tomorrow and the people who will come for prayer tomorrow. I pray you will prepare our hearts. Bring us to a place of repentence and correction in any wrong way we have gone so that we could be blamesless before you and enter your presence on your holy hill. Lord, I pray there would never be anything in our lives that would block us from your presence, particularly when others are depending on us for prayer. Lord, I pray for the folks who are coming for prayer. Jesus, I pray they would open their hearts, impress upon them their need for you and your need for them to come to you. Lord, I pray they would know your peace that passes all understanding, that you would quiet their anxious thoughts once they have submitted their requests to you. Thank you Jesus that you are a God who heals and loves us. Thank you that you intercede for us with unutterable groanings. We praise you, Lord, now and forever
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light. ~ Rom 13:12
He ... brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. ~ Ps 40:1-2
Lord, I want to lift up our civic leaders at all levels of government -- Arlington County board members, the Virginia state legislature, and the federal government. Lord, I pray for wisdom for them as they make difficult budget decisions. I pray you would guide their thoughts and actions, that they would always remember the poor, that they would be eager to remember the poor. Father I pray they would do what is right and speak truth from sincere hearts, that they would be blameless before you. I pray especially for my president -- Lord, I pray you would speak your wisdom into his heart, that you would establish his steps.
Father, I lift up the prayer ministry at my church, Lord. Thank you for the awesome start we had last week. Thank you for those who came to pray and for those who came to be prayed for. Lord, I lift them up to you -- give them the comfort of knowing you have lifted them out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and have established their steps. Father, I pray they would know the night is far spent and that it is time to put on the armour of light. Lord, I lift up the prayer teams praying tomorrow and the people who will come for prayer tomorrow. I pray you will prepare our hearts. Bring us to a place of repentence and correction in any wrong way we have gone so that we could be blamesless before you and enter your presence on your holy hill. Lord, I pray there would never be anything in our lives that would block us from your presence, particularly when others are depending on us for prayer. Lord, I pray for the folks who are coming for prayer. Jesus, I pray they would open their hearts, impress upon them their need for you and your need for them to come to you. Lord, I pray they would know your peace that passes all understanding, that you would quiet their anxious thoughts once they have submitted their requests to you. Thank you Jesus that you are a God who heals and loves us. Thank you that you intercede for us with unutterable groanings. We praise you, Lord, now and forever
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Prayer Ministry
I will ransom them fromthe power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I willbe your plagues! Oh Grave, I will be your destruction. ~Hos 3:14
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then youwil have healing for your body and strength for your bones. ~ Prov 3:7-8
You are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people." ~ 2 Cor 6:16
Father God, I want to pray your covering and blessing of the prayer ministry launch today. Jesus, please prepare our hearts on the ministry team and prepare the hearts of those who come forward for prayer. Lord, I pray that You would convey to them Your promise that you will redeem them from death, ransom them from the power of the grave. Lord, impress upon them that You are with them, that You dwell in them and walk with them, that You are their God and they Your people. Lord, I pray that they would come with broken selves, that they would cease relying on their own wisdom and instead fear You and turn away from evil, that You might bring healing to their body and bones. Lord, bind up their wounds. Lord, thank you that You are Jehova Jirah, the God who heals!! Thank you, Lord!
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then youwil have healing for your body and strength for your bones. ~ Prov 3:7-8
You are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people." ~ 2 Cor 6:16
Father God, I want to pray your covering and blessing of the prayer ministry launch today. Jesus, please prepare our hearts on the ministry team and prepare the hearts of those who come forward for prayer. Lord, I pray that You would convey to them Your promise that you will redeem them from death, ransom them from the power of the grave. Lord, impress upon them that You are with them, that You dwell in them and walk with them, that You are their God and they Your people. Lord, I pray that they would come with broken selves, that they would cease relying on their own wisdom and instead fear You and turn away from evil, that You might bring healing to their body and bones. Lord, bind up their wounds. Lord, thank you that You are Jehova Jirah, the God who heals!! Thank you, Lord!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. ~Prov. 3:5-6
Never let loyalty and kindness [mercy and truth] leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep in your heart. Then you will find favour with God and people and you will earn a good reputation. ~ Prov 3:3-4
May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thes 5:23
Lord God, I want to lift up the Arlington County Board to you. I saw in the paper that they are expecting a much reduced budget for this year and next but they don't want to increase the tax burden or reduce services, a virtually impossible task. Lord I pray that you would fill the board members with Your wisdom, that You would direct their paths. Lord, I pray they would seek after you as they look for a solution that enables the county to keep providing for the poor and destitute. Father, I pray that the board members would bind mercy, love, kindness, and truth around their necks and inscribe them deep in their hearts, that the decisions they make would be rooted in mercy, kindness, and love. Lord, I pray that as they make decisions about reducing services or the tax burden, that those decision would be in line with Your will, that You would preserve them blameless. Lord, I pray they would trust You, seek You, acknowledge You in all their ways, that You would direct their paths and the paths of Arlington County. Thank you Lord!
Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jersualem's gates, soI can rejoice that You have rescued me. ~ Ps 9:13-14
Father, I again want to lift up the prayer ministry that is launching tomorrow at my church. I pray that you would prepare our hearts, that we would trust in You, acknowledge You, and be directed by You. Lord, I pray for discernment and love. Lord, I pray that we would bind around our necks love, mercy, kindness, and truth. That love, mercy, kindness, and truth would be inscribed on our hearts. Lord. Lord, I pray that we would have good reputation with You and the people of our church. I pray that we would comport ourselves in such a way that others would be willing and eager to come for prayer so that You can meet them where they are. Father, I pray for those who feel that their enemies surround them, who feel like they are at the jaws of death. Jesus, I pray that you would save them, so that they could praise You publicly. Rescue them, so they can rejoice in Your goodness and grace. Lord, I do pray for the broken. Lord, I pray that you will fill them with Your love, the hope of Your calling and that you would work in them every good word and work. Thank you Lord that you call us into relationship with You. That You invite us in. Thank you Lord!
Never let loyalty and kindness [mercy and truth] leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep in your heart. Then you will find favour with God and people and you will earn a good reputation. ~ Prov 3:3-4
May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thes 5:23
Lord God, I want to lift up the Arlington County Board to you. I saw in the paper that they are expecting a much reduced budget for this year and next but they don't want to increase the tax burden or reduce services, a virtually impossible task. Lord I pray that you would fill the board members with Your wisdom, that You would direct their paths. Lord, I pray they would seek after you as they look for a solution that enables the county to keep providing for the poor and destitute. Father, I pray that the board members would bind mercy, love, kindness, and truth around their necks and inscribe them deep in their hearts, that the decisions they make would be rooted in mercy, kindness, and love. Lord, I pray that as they make decisions about reducing services or the tax burden, that those decision would be in line with Your will, that You would preserve them blameless. Lord, I pray they would trust You, seek You, acknowledge You in all their ways, that You would direct their paths and the paths of Arlington County. Thank you Lord!
Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jersualem's gates, soI can rejoice that You have rescued me. ~ Ps 9:13-14
Father, I again want to lift up the prayer ministry that is launching tomorrow at my church. I pray that you would prepare our hearts, that we would trust in You, acknowledge You, and be directed by You. Lord, I pray for discernment and love. Lord, I pray that we would bind around our necks love, mercy, kindness, and truth. That love, mercy, kindness, and truth would be inscribed on our hearts. Lord. Lord, I pray that we would have good reputation with You and the people of our church. I pray that we would comport ourselves in such a way that others would be willing and eager to come for prayer so that You can meet them where they are. Father, I pray for those who feel that their enemies surround them, who feel like they are at the jaws of death. Jesus, I pray that you would save them, so that they could praise You publicly. Rescue them, so they can rejoice in Your goodness and grace. Lord, I do pray for the broken. Lord, I pray that you will fill them with Your love, the hope of Your calling and that you would work in them every good word and work. Thank you Lord that you call us into relationship with You. That You invite us in. Thank you Lord!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Praying for our churches and church leaders
I, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. ~ Eph. 1:16-19
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~Josh. 1:9
Father, I just want to lift up this new year and the exciting things You're doing in my church. Lord, I pray for continued wisdom, discernment, and direction for the staff at our church. Father, our two pastors, our missions coordinator, our ministries coordinator, our worship and prayer coordinator, and our IT and finance coordinator. Lord, You know their hearts long after You, that they desire to see Your kingdom come. Father, I just pray Your holy covering over this new year and the direction You want our ministries to go in. Lord, I lift up the sermon series and topics -- Lord speak Your word into our pastors' hearts -- that they would have your spirit of wisdom, that they would have the revelation on Your knowledge. Father, I pray that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened, that they would know -- truly know -- the hope of your calling and know how to communicate that hope to the congregation.
Lord -- I lift up our congregation to you. So many are so young in their faith, and I pray that our church leaders would be as Paul -- patiently and thoroughly explaining the gospel message, teaching and modeling what it means to love and grow in Christ, and equipping the people to grow -- Lord, in this new year you are calling us to discipleship. To equip, to train, to draw people into a deeper, stronger, more dynamic relationship with you -- Lord, I pray for the people, that you would grant them Your spirit of wisdom, the knowledge of You, enlightened hearts, a full knowledge of the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your inheritance. Father -- do a work in the hearts of our body.
Lord, I lift up the budding prayer ministry. Father, I thank you for the work You have already done getting this started, the hearts You have already called, the commitment and the passion of the few who are already involved. Father, I pray Your protection of the prayer teams -- Lord, be our shield and buckler, preserve us from the attacks of the enemy. Lord, grant us wisdom and discernment, that we would know how to pray for those seeking your help. Father, thank you that You are our great intercessor. Holy Spirit, thank you that You intercede for us, that You bring us into all truth. Father, we desire to bring Your healing -- rather, that You would bring Your healing and use us as Your instruments. Father, grant us Your love for those we pray for, grant us Your compassion. May we be moved. Give us an unflagging spirit that we may pray without ceasing. Father, may we be vessels of Your love. Jesus, lead us.
Lord, I pray specifically for our prayer coordinator -- Lord, You know the calling You have placed on her heart. You know the direction You have for her. Lord, she has given You her paths, Father may Your Word be a light to guide her feet. Father, grant her the peace that passes all understanding, that she may confidently move forward. As you spoke to Joshua before the great battles for Israel began, speak Your word to her that she can be strong and courageous, not tremble or be dismayed, for You, the Lord God, are with her. Thank you Jesus.
Father, we glorify your name. We give you all honour, praise, and glory. Thank you Lord for teaching us to pray. For inviting us to pray. For creating us for relationship with You. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~Josh. 1:9
Father, I just want to lift up this new year and the exciting things You're doing in my church. Lord, I pray for continued wisdom, discernment, and direction for the staff at our church. Father, our two pastors, our missions coordinator, our ministries coordinator, our worship and prayer coordinator, and our IT and finance coordinator. Lord, You know their hearts long after You, that they desire to see Your kingdom come. Father, I just pray Your holy covering over this new year and the direction You want our ministries to go in. Lord, I lift up the sermon series and topics -- Lord speak Your word into our pastors' hearts -- that they would have your spirit of wisdom, that they would have the revelation on Your knowledge. Father, I pray that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened, that they would know -- truly know -- the hope of your calling and know how to communicate that hope to the congregation.
Lord -- I lift up our congregation to you. So many are so young in their faith, and I pray that our church leaders would be as Paul -- patiently and thoroughly explaining the gospel message, teaching and modeling what it means to love and grow in Christ, and equipping the people to grow -- Lord, in this new year you are calling us to discipleship. To equip, to train, to draw people into a deeper, stronger, more dynamic relationship with you -- Lord, I pray for the people, that you would grant them Your spirit of wisdom, the knowledge of You, enlightened hearts, a full knowledge of the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your inheritance. Father -- do a work in the hearts of our body.
Lord, I lift up the budding prayer ministry. Father, I thank you for the work You have already done getting this started, the hearts You have already called, the commitment and the passion of the few who are already involved. Father, I pray Your protection of the prayer teams -- Lord, be our shield and buckler, preserve us from the attacks of the enemy. Lord, grant us wisdom and discernment, that we would know how to pray for those seeking your help. Father, thank you that You are our great intercessor. Holy Spirit, thank you that You intercede for us, that You bring us into all truth. Father, we desire to bring Your healing -- rather, that You would bring Your healing and use us as Your instruments. Father, grant us Your love for those we pray for, grant us Your compassion. May we be moved. Give us an unflagging spirit that we may pray without ceasing. Father, may we be vessels of Your love. Jesus, lead us.
Lord, I pray specifically for our prayer coordinator -- Lord, You know the calling You have placed on her heart. You know the direction You have for her. Lord, she has given You her paths, Father may Your Word be a light to guide her feet. Father, grant her the peace that passes all understanding, that she may confidently move forward. As you spoke to Joshua before the great battles for Israel began, speak Your word to her that she can be strong and courageous, not tremble or be dismayed, for You, the Lord God, are with her. Thank you Jesus.
Father, we glorify your name. We give you all honour, praise, and glory. Thank you Lord for teaching us to pray. For inviting us to pray. For creating us for relationship with You. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
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