Praying for lost loved ones

http://bible.us/Eph1.15.NIV For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Father, please open the eyes of our heart lord, that we would live you and desire to serve you more.   Jesus, thank you for changing my life with Miranda and Deven. Lord, I have done so many wrong things, even after I learned about you.  Jesus, please forgive my sin.  Lord give me your power and strength to live life in the way you would choose for me to live.  Change lives through me.  Draw others to you.  Lord Jesus, I desire to serve you.  Please use my life to reconcile people to you.  I lift up Miranda and Deven and Zach.  I pray that you go before Ian's funeral today Lord, and draw many of the young adults to you.   

Pray for our leaders....for a revival

I am praying for a revival...in my heart....my home...my church...my workplace...my city..?my state...my country.  Lord may you use me to influence those around me.  Show me how to love my husband. 

IMPROVING THE PREACHER

The Scottish pastor John Carmichael, serving his first church, was young and very frightened. He felt he was doing badly and that his people were looking at him with pity and contempt. One day, to his terror, the stern elders of the flock filed into his vestry. "Next Sabbath," they told him, "before you begin to speak, we ask you to say to yourself, 'They're all loving me.' And it's true; we will all be loving you very much." That meeting changed the young preacher's life, and he became recognized as one of the finest preachers Scotland ever produced.

Paul understood the pressures of the pastorate. He also understood that people could be a tremendous blessing to young Timothy as he tried to lead the church at Ephesus. Therefore, Paul told Timothy to admonish the people first of all to pray for their leaders. Praying people produce good pastors.

This advice is still good. And it goes for all men in positions of leadership. Before we criticize them, judge their actions, or disagree with their decisions, we are first to pray for them, intercede on their behalf, and thank God for them. We must always temper our complaints with prayers. May we pledge today to pray, as God's Word demands, for all those in authority.

http://bible.us/1Tim2.1.NIV 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

So much good stuff

http://bible.us/John14.23.NIV Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

How to Experience His Presence in Your Everyday Life

Life is busy and filled with distractions. It's so easy to get caught up in our cares, errands and worries that we lose sight of what matters most.

There's an interesting little story at the end of Luke chapter two about when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem for Passover when He was twelve years old. After the festival was over, they left to go home, supposing He was with them.

I wonder how many times we suppose God's with us when we've wandered off to do our own thing?

Now here's the interesting part. Mary and Joseph had traveled a day's journey before they realized Jesus wasn't with them and then it took three days to find Him. Three days! The message here is that it's easier to lose that special presence of God than it is to get it back once we've lost it.

We need to be careful to remain in the presence of God. When we do, we make God feel at home in our hearts.

This simply starts with being obedient to His Word. A commitment to turn from behavior that offends God is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. It shows you care about what He thinks.

That means you choose to be generous toward others, you learn to forgive, let go of your offenses and live in peace. When we choose to be intentional with our words, giving thanks to God and lifting up others, we'll feel connected to God all throughout the day.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for making Your home in my heart. I need Your presence today, Lord. Help me to honor You with my thoughts and my words and to be a blessing to those around me.  Joyce Meyer

Teach me to love like you do

http://bible.us/1Tim1.5.NIV 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Being a light

http://bible.us/Matt4.16.NIV the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

Lord Jesus, shine through me.  Show me how to be a great light to those around me, that I would point them to you.  I know you love everyone equally, but lord, please show Miranda, Deven, Sarah and Alex how to love you. 

Prophecy

God is still in the business of speaking to people, to get what He wants accomplished.  In1989, the business meeting at vfa, someone spoke about building a 3000 seat sanctuary.  Had they not built the current sanctuary, many of us at visalia first would not attend now.  

God also spoke to me about starting a charter, but gently nudging my heart, and then confirming it with ----the church, the loss of my job..... Thank you Jesus for loving me.  I know this isn't about me, but I am excited about what You are going to do at vlcs.

http://bible.us/r/v.1E.5t Today I am reading day 76 of Active Word Daily Devotional:

Confirmed Confidence

Sometime around 550 B.C., Daniel received perhaps the most important prophecy ever given to man. It's recorded for us in Daniel Chapter nine, and its details include God's prophetic timeline for Israel and the precise timing of the Messiah's arrival. It also gives great insight into the coming of the anti-Christ in the last days.

Amidst all this, there's also an important prophecy that points to the cross. As the ministry of the Messiah (or Christ) is being described, Daniel was told that He "shall be cut off, but not for Himself." The expression for "cut off" in Daniel's day was a clear reference to execution. The fact that this wouldn't happen for Himself but for the sake of others makes it a clear reference to the crucifixion, which would occur over 500 years later.

Here's the point behind this history lesson; the cross fulfilled the prophetic word. Prophecy is one of the most important components of the Bible, because it proves God's inspiration and influence beyond any doubt. No human could ever predict the proclamations found in biblical prophecy...only God could. And each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself.

The cross falls into this category because it was on the cross that Messiah was "cut off" for the sake of others, fulfilling the prophetic word God gave to Daniel. Consequently, when we consider the cross, we can be all the more confirmed in our confidence that the Bible is God's Word.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts...(2 Peter 1:19 NKJV)

Each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself.

Think about it...

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this,

what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today?

http://bible.us/1John2.2.NIV He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

One For All

If there's one aspect of the cross that can't be stressed enough, it's this: Jesus did not die for a select group of people. His sacrifice on the cross was (and still is) "for the whole world."

This is an important point for us to hold onto, because there are two unhealthy extremes that our hearts can fall prey to when it comes to our own relationship with the cross. We can slip to the side of thinking, "The cross is great, but it really isn't for me." And we can also slip to the side of "The cross is great, and it's ONLY for me."

Both of these views are unbiblical. Jesus died for everyone. There never has been and there never will be a person on this planet that isn't included in the invitation to receive all that the cross stands for and represents. There isn't any room for "poor me" nor is there any room for "only me." If we ever isolate ourselves from the cross and think ourselves beyond its reach, or take an elitist approach that anyone else is beyond its reach, then we're not seeing the cross of the Bible.

There's equal opportunity for everyone at the foot of the cross. If someone is a sinner (and that covers everyone) then Jesus specifically died for him or her:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners... (1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV)

Lord, help us to not only know but to practically apply this truth. Help us to receive the cross for ourselves and extend it to all You place in our path.

Jesus died for everyone. There never has been and there never will be a person on this planet that isn't included in the invitation to receive all that the cross stands for and represents.

Think about it...

What does this passage reveal to me about God?
god is by far, kinder,wiser and more generous than I can ever imagine being.

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
My first thought as I read this was Helen.  Jesus dies on the cross for Helen and Alexandra.  I don't want to the issue one that is personal. 

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
Love like Jesus did, but also have rules and follow them.
What is my prayer for today?

Lord, give me wisdom and insight as we plan policy that will affect how we deal with children.