The Perfect Prayer Partner
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Posted:Oct 2, 2017 5:38 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 18290 Views
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Read: Romans 8.31–34
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 14–16; Ephesians 5:1–16
[Jesus] is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8.34
Few sounds are as beautiful as hearing someone who loves you praying for you. When you hear a friend pray for you with compassion and God-given insight, it’s a little like heaven touching earth.
How good it is to know that because of God’s kindness to us our prayers can also touch heaven. Sometimes when we pray we may struggle with words and feelings of inadequacy, but Jesus taught His followers that we “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18.1). God’s Word shows us that one of the reasons we can do this is that Jesus Himself “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”
(Rom. 8.34).
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for interceding for me with love. Help me to love and serve You with my prayers today.
We never pray alone, because Jesus is praying for us. He hears us as we pray, and speaks to the Father on our behalf. We don’t have to worry about the eloquence of our words, because no one understands us like Jesus. He helps us in every way, presenting our needs before God. He also knows when the answers we ask for would not be good for us, handling every request or concern with perfect wisdom and love.
Jesus is the perfect prayer partner—the friend who intercedes for us with immeasurable kindness. His prayers for us are beautiful beyond words, and should encourage us to always pray with thankfulness.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for interceding for me with love. Help me to love and serve You with my prayers today.
There’s no greater privilege than praying with Jesus
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FRESH FAITH
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Posted:Sep 29, 2017 5:39 am
Last Updated:Oct 2, 2017 5:38 am 18320 Views
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Read: John 20:24–29
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 7–8; Ephesians 2
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
When our was struggling with heroin addiction, if you had told me God would one day use our experience to encourage other families who face these kinds of battles, I would have had trouble believing it. God has a way of bringing good out of difficult circumstances that isn’t always easy to see when you are going through them.
The apostle Thomas also didn’t expect God to bring good out of the greatest challenge of his faith—Jesus’s crucifixion. Thomas wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus came to them after the resurrection, and in his deep grief he insisted, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were . . . I will not believe” (John 20:25). But later, when Jesus appeared to all the disciples together, out of the dust of Thomas’s doubts God’s Spirit would inspire a striking statement of faith. When Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28, he was grasping the truth that Jesus was actually God in the flesh, standing right in front of him. It was a bold confession of faith that would encourage and inspire believers in every century that followed.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Our God is able to inspire fresh faith in our hearts, even in moments when we least expect it. We can always look forward to His faithfulness. Nothing is too hard for Him!
Thank You, Lord, that Your love is stronger than our greatest difficulties—even our worst doubts or fears!
God can change our doubts into bold statements of faith.
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THE DAY I COULDN´T PRAY
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Posted:Sep 28, 2017 1:13 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 18504 Views
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Read: Romans 8.22–26
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 5–6; Ephesians 1
The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8.26
In November 2015, I learned I needed open-heart surgery. Surprised and a little shaken, I was naturally drawn to think about the possibility of death. Were there relationships I needed to mend? Were there financial matters I needed to attend to for my family? Was there work that could be done ahead of time? And what about work that couldn’t wait; who should I hand that off to? It was a time to both act and pray.
Except I couldn’t do either.
God never leaves the voices of His unheard.
My body was so weary and my mind so fatigued that even the simplest of tasks seemed beyond my strength. Perhaps most surprising, when I tried to pray, my thoughts would drift to the discomfort, or the shallow breathing caused by the damaged heart made me fall asleep. It was frustrating. I couldn’t work and I couldn’t even ask God to let me live so I could spend more time with my family!
The inability to pray troubled me most. But as with all other human needs, the Creator knew this was happening to me. I would eventually recall He made two preparations for such occurrences: the prayer of the Spirit for us when we can’t pray (Rom. 8.26), and the prayer of others on our behalf (James 5:16; Gal. 6:2).
What a comfort it was to know that the Holy Spirit was even then raising my concerns before the Father. What a gift also to hear from friends and family as they prayed for me. Then came another surprise: As my friends and family asked me what to pray for, it became clear that my answers to them were also being heard by God as prayers. What a gift it is in a time of uncertainty to be reminded God hears our heart even when we think we can’t call out to Him.
God never leaves the voices of His unheard
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CLOTHES FOR THE CLIMATE
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Posted:Sep 27, 2017 5:05 am
Last Updated:Sep 28, 2017 1:13 am 18432 Views
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Read: Colossians 3.8–17
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 3–4; Galatians 6
Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14
While removing the price tag from an item of winter clothing I had purchased, I smiled at these words on the back: “WARNING: This innovative product will make you want to go outdoors and stay there.” When properly clothed for the climate, a person can survive and even thrive in harsh and changing weather conditions.
The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. As followers of Jesus, our all-weather spiritual wardrobe has been prescribed by the Lord in His Word, the Bible. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. . . . Forgive as the Lord forgave you”
(Col. 3:12–13 .
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13
These garments that God provides—such as kindness, humility, and gentleness—allow us to meet hostility and criticism with patience, forgiveness, and love. They give us staying power in the storms of life.
When we face adverse conditions at home, school, or work, the “clothing” God tells us to wear protects us and enables us to make a positive difference. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (v. 14).
Dressing according to God’s guidelines doesn’t change the weather—it equips the wearer.
Heavenly Father, help me to put on Your garment of love so that I am prepared for whatever life brings me today.
Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life
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FROM EMPTY TO FULL
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Posted:Sep 26, 2017 2:50 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 18159 Views
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Read: 2 Kings 4:1–7
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 1–2; Galatians 5
When all the jars were full . . . the oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:6
A popular ’s book tells the story of a poor, country boy who took off his cap to honor the king. An identical hat appeared instantly in its place on his head, inciting the king’s anger for what appeared to be disrespect. Bartholomew removed hat after hat while being escorted to the palace for punishment. Each time, a new one appeared in its place. The hats grew increasingly fancy, bearing precious jewels and feather plumes. The 500th hat was the envy of King Derwin, who pardoned Bartholomew and purchased the hat for 500 pieces of gold. At last, Bartholomew’s head was bare; he walked home with freedom and money to support his family.
A widow came to Elisha in financial distress, fearing her would be sold into slavery to pay her debts (2 Kings 4). She had no assets other than a jar of oil. God multiplied that oil to fill enough borrowed jars to settle the debts plus care for their daily needs (v. 7).
Thank You, Lord, for paying my debt through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
God provided financially for the widow in much the same way He provides salvation for me. I am bankrupted by sin, but Jesus paid my debt—and offers me eternal life as well! Without Jesus, we are each like the poor, country boy with no means to pay our King for our offenses against Him. God miraculously supplies the extravagant ransom for us, and ensures that those who trust in Him will have life abundant forever.
Thank You, Lord, for paying my debt through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I had nothing; You paid it all for me.
Jesus’s sacrifice pays for our spiritual debt.
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APART,BUT NOT ABANDONED
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Posted:Sep 25, 2017 5:28 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 18066 Views
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Read: Acts 20:17–20, 35–38
Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 6–8; Galatians 4
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up
. Acts 20:32
I had a lump in my throat as I said good-bye to my niece on the eve of her move to Massachusetts to attend graduate school at Boston University. Though she had been away four years as an undergraduate, she hadn’t left our state. A two and a one-half-hour drive easily reunited us. Now she would be more than 800 miles away. No longer would we meet regularly to talk. I had to trust that God would take care of her.
Paul likely felt the same way as he said good-bye to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Having established the church and taught them for three years, Paul concluded these elders to be as close as family to him. Now that Paul was headed to Jerusalem, he would not see them again.
Lord, help us to trust that Your watchful care extends over all.
But Paul had parting advice for the Ephesians. Though they would no longer have Paul as their teacher, the Ephesians did not have to feel abandoned. God would continue to train them through “the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32) to lead the church. Unlike Paul, God would always be with them.
Whether it’s we launch from the nest or other family and friends who move away—saying good-bye can be very difficult. They move beyond our influence and into their new lives. When we let go of their hands, we can trust that God has them in His. He can continue to shape their lives and meet their real needs—more than we ever could.
Lord, help us to trust that Your watchful care extends over those we hold dear who are far away from us.
Though we’re far away from those we love, they are never far from God.
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SWEET AND SOUR
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Posted:Sep 22, 2017 5:21 am
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2017 5:23 am 18119 Views
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Read: Job 2:1–10
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 10–12; Galatians 1
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? Job 2:10
When our first bit into a lemon wedge, he wrinkled his nose, stuck out his tongue, and squeezed his eyes shut. “Sow-wah,” he said (sour).
I chuckled as I reached for the piece of fruit, intending to toss it into the trash.
The Lord uses trials to teach us how to trust Him
“No!” Xavier scampered across the kitchen to get away from me. “Moe-wah!” (more). His lips puckered with every juice-squirting bite. I winced when he finally handed me the rind and walked away.
My taste buds accurately reflect my partiality to the sweet moments in life. My preference for avoiding all things bitter reminds me of Job’s wife, who seems to have shared my aversion to the sourness of suffering.
Job surely didn’t delight in hardship or trouble, yet he honored God through heart-wrenching circumstances (Job 1:1–22). When painful sores afflicted Job’s body, he endured the agony (2.7–8 His wife told him to give up on God (v. 9), but Job responded by trusting the Lord through suffering and afflictions (v. 10).
It’s natural to prefer avoiding the bitter bites in life. We can even be tempted to lash out at God when we’re hurting. But the Lord uses trials, teaching us how to trust Him, depend on Him, and surrender to Him as He enables us to persevere through difficult times. And like Job, we don’t have to enjoy suffering to learn to savor the unexpected sweetness of sour moments—the divine strengthening of our faith.
Thank You for assuring us that suffering is never wasted when we place our confidence in who You are, what You’ve done, and what You’re capable of doing.
God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.
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THE DAILY PRAYER
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Posted:Sep 21, 2017 5:52 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 17972 Views
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Read: Ephesians 6:18–19
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 7–9; 2 Corinthians 13
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Ephesians 6:18
Singer/songwriter Robert Hamlet wrote “Lady Who Prays for Me” as a tribute to his mother who made a point of praying for her boys each morning before they went to the bus stop. After a young mom heard Hamlet sing his song, she committed to praying with her own little boy. The result was heartwarming! Just before her went out the door, his mother prayed for him. Five minutes later he returned—bringing from the bus stop with him! His mom was taken aback and asked what was going on. The boy responded, “Their moms didn’t pray with them.”
In the book of Ephesians, Paul urges us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers” (6:18. Demonstrating our daily dependence on God is essential in a family since many first learn to trust God as they observe genuine faith in the people closest to them (2 Tim. 1:5). There is no better way to teach the utmost importance of prayer than by praying for and with our . It is one of the ways they begin to sense a compelling need to reach out personally to God in faith.
Daily prayers lessen daily worries.
When we “start off” by modeling a “sincere faith” in God (Prov. 22:6;
2 Tim. 1:5), we give them a special gift, an assurance that God is an ever-present part of our lives—continually loving, guiding, and protecting us.
Help me to depend more fully on You in every moment of the day and to rest in the assurance that You are always with me.
Daily prayers lessen daily worries.
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LET´S FINISH THE RACE
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Posted:Sep 20, 2017 3:17 am
Last Updated:Sep 21, 2017 5:52 am 18106 Views
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Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 4–6; 2 Corinthians 12
Two are better than one . . . . If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, two athletes in the 5,000-meter race caught the world’s attention. About 3,200 meters into the race, New Zealander Nikki Hamblin and American Abbey D’Agostino collided and fell. Abbey was quickly up on her feet, but stopped to help Nikki. Moments after the two athletes had started running again, Abbey began faltering, her right leg injured as a result of the fall. It was now Nikki’s turn to stop and encourage her fellow athlete to finish the race. When Abbey eventually stumbled across the finish line, Nikki was waiting to embrace her. What a beautiful picture of mutual encouragement!
It reminds me of a passage in the Bible: “Two are better than one . . . . If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Eccl. 4:9–10). As runners in a spiritual race, we need one another—perhaps even more so, for we are not racing in competition with each other but as members of the same team. There’ll be moments where we falter and need someone to pick us up; at other times, someone may need our encouragement through our prayers or presence.
The spiritual race is not to be run alone.
The spiritual race is not to be run alone. Is God leading you to be a Nikki or Abbey in someone’s life? Respond to His prompting today, and let’s finish the race!
Dear Lord, thank You for the encouragement of fellow believers to help me on my journey. Help me to look for ways to encourage others.
We need each other to get where God wants us to go.
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THE BEST PORTION OF ALL
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Posted:Sep 19, 2017 4:35 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2024 3:44 pm 18515 Views
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Read: Psalm 73:21–28
Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 1–3; 2 Corinthians 11:16–33
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.
Philippians 4:12
“His piece is bigger than mine!”
When I was a boy my brothers and I would sometimes bicker about the size of the piece of homemade pie mom served us. One day Dad observed our antics with a lifted eyebrow, and smiled at Mom as he lifted his plate: “Please just give me a piece as big as your heart.” My brothers and I watched in stunned silence as Mom laughed and offered him the largest portion of all.
When we are His, He is ours, forever.
If we focus on others’ possessions, jealousy too often results. Yet God’s Word lifts our eyes to something of far greater worth than earthly possessions. The psalmist writes, “You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart” (Ps. 119:57–58. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the writer conveyed the truth that nothing matters more than closeness to God.
What better portion could we have than our loving and limitless Creator? Nothing on earth can compare with Him, and nothing can take Him away from us. Human longing is an expansive void; one may have “everything” in the world and still be miserable. But when God is our source of happiness, we are truly content. There’s a space within us only God can fill. He alone can give us the peace that matches our hearts.
Loving Lord, thank You that nothing and no one can meet my every need like You can.
When we are His, He is ours, forever.
You have made us for yourself, Lord. Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in You.
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