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Now displaying: January, 2019
Jan 29, 2019

Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. 

Hebrews 13:20-21

 

1. HE IS THE GOD OF PEACE.
Now may the God of peace… Hebrews 13:20

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” 

John 14:27

 

GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU A SUPERNATURAL PEACE THAT CAN WITHSTAND TIME, TRAGEDY, & ADVERSITY.

 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

 

2. HE IS THE GOD OF RESURRECTION.

….who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus… Hebrews 13:20

 

For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 

1 Corinthians 15:13-14

 

…The scripture cannot be broken. 

John 10:35 KJV

 

“We’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Matthew 20:18-19

 

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself; Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”  

Luke 24:25-27; 31-32

 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 

Romans 8:11

 

3. HE IS THE GOD THAT IS OUR SHEPHERD.
the great Shepherd of the sheep… Hebrews 13:20

 

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd.

 John 10:10-11

 

Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Psalms 100:3

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one. 

John 10:27-30

 

4. HE IS THE GOD OF COVENANTS.

…and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood. Hebrews 13:20

 

He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. 

Psalms 105:8

 

So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. 

Romans 8:38 TPT

 

5. HE IS THE GOD THAT EQUIPS.
may he equip you with all you need for doing his will... 

Hebrews 13:21

 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, 

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Ephesians 3:10

 

WE LET THE LIES OF OUR INSECURITIES CANCEL OUT OUR POTENTIAL.

 

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

Romans 12:6

 

6. HE IS THE GOD THAT SANCTIFIES.
May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. 

Hebrews 13:21

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  

Galatians 5:22-23;25

 

All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. 

Hebrews 13:22

Jan 21, 2019

Lives That are Not Built on the Prayerful Direction of God Struggle.

 

We might check the worship box at church and somehow think we’re good for the week.  And all the while, with souls distant and cold, we sing words, we listen to music, then we go home.

Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise.  We may not feel like it.  We’re struggling.  We're weary.  Or maybe, we feel like He let us down. We think God seems distant, like he's far away, or doesn't really care about what's troubling us. Painful life blows and losses might have recently sent us spiraling.

 

People That Thrive Have a Proper Perspective on God.

 

Here’s what can make a lasting difference.  When we make that decision to fix our eyes on Him, and daily give Him praise, no matter what's staring us straight in the face, we suddenly realize that God has already begun to release the grip those struggles can have over us. 

 

8 Things the Power of Praise Can Do: 

 

  1. Praise Gets Our Focus Off Ourselves and Back on God.  

 

In our often “selfie” focused world, we need this constant reminder - life is not all about us.  We may know that in our heads, but yet our hearts think differently so often. We're prone to selfishness, He desires our eyes be set firmly on Him, because that's where our true hope is found.  He is worthy of our praise, no matter what we face from day to day.

 

When we praise we understand that:

 

We Own Our Perspective and Let God Own Our Circumstances.

 

Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! 

Psalms 150:2 NLT

 

Then I won’t be able to hold it in—everyone will hear my joyous praises all day long! Your righteousness will be the theme of my glory-song of praise! 

Psalms 35:28 TPT

 

 

 

2.  Praise Brings Us to a Place of Humility.  

 

C.S. Lewis said: 

 

True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. -C.s. Lewis

 

We remember our dependency on God, as we acknowledge our need for Him.  As we praise Him as Creator and King of this world, we admit and recognize that we’re not in control, but He is. He is above all.

 

James 4:10 says 

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  James 4:10

 

3.  Praise Makes the Enemy Flee.  

 

Praise pushes back the darkness that surrounds, and blocks the attacks and lies over us.  Evil will not stick around if we are praising our God, who will fight our battles for us. 

 

In 2 Chronicles 20, we find the account of one of many mighty miracles performed by God for His people. It’s an exciting story that holds a wonderful lesson for us.  

During the reign of King Jehoshaphat, word came that the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites had declared war against Judah. The messenger brought the daunting news that the enemy was marching out with a vast army, ready to attack. Though the king was terrified, knowing his tiny army didn’t stand a chance against such a monumental force, his humble response is what ultimately secured the victory. Rather than allying himself with other surrounding nations, counting on them for help, Jehoshaphat bowed low before the Lord and pleaded with Him for guidance and rescue. He also ordered all the people of Judah to fast and seek the Lord. 

 

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 2 Chronicles 20:20-23

 

When we acknowledge who it is that fights for us, it will both terrify the enemy, and strengthen our resolve.

 

Only by Your power can we push back our enemies; only in Your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the One who gives us victory over our enemies; You disgrace those who hate us. Oh God, we give glory to You all day long and constantly praise Your Name. Psalms 44:5-7

 

4.  Praise Leaves No Room for Complaining and Negativity.  

 

Sometimes even within our prayers, we can tend to complain about our problems.  God knows our hearts.  And He cares about all that concerns us.  But through praise, we’re focused on Him, no longer allowing too much attention to be centered around the struggles.  We’re reminded of what He has already done in our lives.  We’re reminded that He knows what concerns us, and is capable of taking care of all that burdens us and all that stretches us, all that grows us. 

Henry Kissinger said “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”

 

 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. Psalms 103:2-4 NLT

 

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. Hebrews 13:15

 

5.  Praise Makes Room for God’s Blessings Over Our Lives.  

 

He will not hold back His goodness, praise opens the gateway of blessing as we come into the Presence of our King.

 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!  Psalms 100:4

 

I see praise as planting seed in preparation for the harvest. 

 

When we praise in our prayer time we are declaring the outcome of the harvest. 

 

This is how you begin preparing for your blessing.  Whatever you are believing God for, plant seeds in the ground for the harvest you’re expecting. You must also tend to your seed by watering them. Every gardener understand that you must water your seed even when you don’t see the growth. They know if they water it consistently it will produce a harvest. 

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

 

6.  Praise Invites His Presence and Brings Us Joy.

 

God dwells close to us when we praise Him. He lives there. He looks for it. He inhabits the praises of His people.

 

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9  

 

We're strengthened by His peace and refueled by His joy.  Through a heart of praise, we realize that God doesn’t just change our situations and work through our problems, He changes our hearts. 

 

In His presence, there is fullness of joy.  Psalm 16:11

 

Our Source of Joy Should be a Mixture of Gratitude and Expectation.

 

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psalm 63:3-4

 

7. Praise Gives Us Unwavering Confidence.

 

There is oftentimes a gap between the prayers and the answers. During that gap it’s important to spend it in praise. Praise keeps your confidence that God is working on your behalf and to keep trusting and keep believing. 

 

This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer- be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 

 

So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God,[a] praising him always. Philippians 4:8 TPT

 

8.  Praise Paves the Way for the Miraculous.

 

One of the best pictures of how praise can allow God’s power to be displayed is the story of Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16. (set the story up)

 

People's lives are affected and changed.  God shakes things up through praise.  As Paul and Silas sat in prison, shackled, and chained, they kept right on praising God.  And God sent an earthquake that shook the cells and broke the chains.  The jailer and all his family came to know Christ that very night. 

 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.  Acts 16:25-26

 

 

Take Home:

 

Build a Gratitude List

 

There is something about taking the time and energy to write down all you are grateful for. Seeing it triggers something in us. 

 

Once you have your list then start your prayer time praising Him for all that you have and all that he is doing in your life. 

 

-Start Your Prayer Time with Praise.

 

 

CLOSING:

 

We have a choice every day in this life.  To live absorbed in worry and stress, on the fast track of busy, focused only on what surrounds us, tuned into the roar of the world. 

Or, we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around, our problems and mess, or the voices of others. And we can look up...to Him, the One who holds it all together, and who holds us in his hands.

God desires our whole heart.  He waits for us to return.  He longs for us to know the power of His presence over our lives.  He desires to bless us more than we could imagine. His Spirit urges us onward, calling us closer.

May He help us to look up...open our mouths...and sing.

 

Salvation Call

Jan 17, 2019

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. —Martin Luther King JR

You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me. John 17:23 TPT

The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” Romans 8:14-16 TPT

UNCOMMON PRAYERS ARE LESS ABOUT THE WORDS THAT YOU SAY, BUT THE MINDSET THAT YOU ATTACH TO YOUR PRAYERS!

 

6 Mindsets of the Lord's Prayer

 

1. Make it Personal.

Our Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms Matthew 6:9 TPT

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14

 

2. Honor the name of God.

May the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. Matthew 6:9 TPT

But you are God’s chosen treasure—priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world. 1 Peter 2:9 TPT

 

3. Seek God’s agenda.

Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven. Matthew 6:10 TPT

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Romans 12:2 TPT

We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! Ephesians 2:10 TPT

4. Ask God to be your source.

We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day. Matthew 6:11 TPT

Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. Proverbs 30:8

 

Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. John 6:35 TPT

 

5. Full circle forgiveness.

Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Matthew 6:12 TPT

“And when you pray, make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.” Matthew 6:14-15 TPT

6. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS YOUR REFUGE.

Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. Matthew 6:13 TPT

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

TAKE HOME

 

  • THERE IS POWER IN UNIFIED PRAYERS.

 

If two of you agree to ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, my heavenly Father will do it for you. For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!” Matthew 18:19-20 TPT

Jan 7, 2019

Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others. Matthew 5:13 TPT

 

WHEN WE PRAY WITH PURPOSE, IT MOVES US TO LIVE WITH PURPOSE.

“Revival is not anything mysterious. Revival comes in response to the amount of prayer we pray.” D.L. Moody

Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone Acts 2:42-43 TPT

1. THERE IS POWER INSIDE OF YOU.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, ________ Ephesians 3:30 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:30 ESV

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN US, ADMIT WE NEED HIS POWER IN OUR PRAYERS, DESIRE UNITY WITH GOD, AND SUBMIT TO HIS LEADING.

The Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. Romans 8:26-27 TPT

2. HEAVEN MOVES POWERFULLY THROUGH OUR PRAYERS.

And when the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures saw the Lamb had taken the scroll, they fell facedown at the feet of the Lamb and worshiped him. Each of them had a harp and golden bowls brimming full of sweet fragrant incense—which are the prayers of God’s holy lovers. Revelation 5:8 TPT

(The Angel) was given a great quantity of incense to offer up, consisting of the prayers of God’s holy people, upon the golden altar that is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the holy ones billowed up before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel filled the golden incense burner with coals of fire from the altar and hurled it onto the earth Revelation 8:3-5 TPT

CONTINUAL PRAYERS CAUSE A RELEASING OF THE MOVE OF GOD.

So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Matthew 6:33 TPT

Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door. Matthew 7:7-8 TPT

Tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed and received supernatural answers. James 5:16-17

TAKE HOME

  • PARTICIPATE DAILY IN 21 DAYS OF PRAYER.

 

  • FAST DURING 21 DAYS OF PRAYER.
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