Thursday, January 30, 2014

#58 Undue Humility

C. Peter Wagner continues to share with us from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Humility is the opposite of arrogance, but there is some danger that undue humility can get in the way of receiving intercession.

I have had some problems with this myself.

The thinking goes like this:

   I am no better than anyone else in the Body of Christ. We are all sinners saved by grace. God loves all of His children equally. He does not love me more than the others. 

   Why, then, should I expect to receive this powerful intercession when many of my church members do not have the same privilege? Instead of building a special team of prayer partners for myself, might it not be better just to encourage all church members to pray for each other?

This is not biblical humility, because it fails to recognize that pastors and other leaders are, because of their office, not equal to every other member of the Body of Christ.

I explained this matter in great detail in chapter 3,  #32  Pastors Need Intercession (my post), so there is no need to repeat it here. Pastors need intercessory prayer more than any other member of the congregation, and God's plan is to provide it for them.

The part I struggled with was a subsequent question: Why should I ask someone to give me 1 hour a day in prayer, when I give them back maybe 10 seconds a day? It doesn't seem fair.

I am now comfortable with the fact that this is also God's design.

My intercessors pray for me much more that I pray for them, and they expect nothing different.

God does things through me and my spiritual gifts that He is not doing through my intercessors. And He does things through them that He does not do through me.

In conclusion, I feel that a full appreciation of the operation of the Body of Christ is a vital key to ridding ourselves of the obstacles that are in the way of receiving personal intercession.

Intercessors may often not be very visible, but they are like the glands in our body that, 24 hours a day, secrete the hormones we need for life, health and energy.

Once we understand this, ignorance, rugged individualism, fear, spiritual arrogance and undue humility will maintain no further foothold in our beings.

We will be open to the full ministry of the Holy Spirit and His gifts through the Body of Christ to be all God wants us to be."

Today’s post
 -#58  Undue Humility, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 115-116)

Let’s pray:

   Father, it seems time for us to examine ourselves, to see if we are guilty of undue humility.

   Am I able to accept other's spiritual opinion of me, as a minister, or leader in my church?

   Do I see my own need of being prayed for?

   Am I ready to admit my guilt of pretense, or am I just hoping no one knows my real feelings and shortcomings?

   Forgive me for my inability 'til now, to ask for prayer support in what You've asked me to accomplish. It is plain that I do need Your help if I'm to become efficient in my mission in life.

   I humbly ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Today’s prayer for pastors: Time with God. “Lord, let nothing hinder my pastor’s time with you. Protect my pastor from the distractions of busyness, unnecessary demands, fatigue, over commitment, compromise, and doubt. Bless____________with rich study time, and give him/her opportunities, desire, and places to seek You in prayer, both alone and with others. Act 6:2-4; Matt. 26:41; 2 Tim. 2:15; Mk. 1:35; Acts 1:14  Terry Teykl

Today’s Bible verse: Ecc. 7:8 "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

Today’s quote: www.americangreetings.com 
(From a card that was given to me).

"God gives us breath that we may sing.
God gives us all the earth that we may plant faithful gardens.
God gives us the promise of His second coming that we may dance even in the rain." 

Some thoughts today: God wants us to receive His blessings! We're to covet them, and rejoice with others when they receive them. There is a bonding that takes place when we do.

- When our desire is to bless others, it pleases God, as the Father desires godly outlets for His blessings. Poverty is found where desire has no outlet in God.

- When we see and acknowledge our own need to improve, God is delighted to enable us to learn of His ways, so we can become more like Christ, (Who is the image of the Father).

2/1- Saturday’s post:  A Husband Needs a Wife  Elaine W. Miller

2nd- Sunday's post:  I Feel Your Pain  Mary Southerland

    Sunday evening's post:  Why I am a Christian  Jean Oathout

Tuesday's post:  #59  Three Types of Personal Intercessors  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:   THE LEGEND OF THE CIRCLE MAKER  Mark 
Batterson - "But there was one  man, an eccentric sage who lived outside the walls of Jerusalem, who dared to pray anyway. His name was Honi. And even if the people could no longer hear God, he believed that God could still hear them."

Are we ready to seek the Lord?
Are we humble enough to
admit our need?


http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

#57 How Moody Learned the Lesson

C. Peter Wagner shares with us from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Through intercessors, Dwight L. Moody narrowly avoided the trap of spiritual arrogance and blossomed into the influential giant of the faith as we now know him.

Moody was already a popular preacher. Even Abraham Lincoln had made a point of visiting Moody's Sunday School in Chicago.

But something was lacking, namely a yielding to the full power of the Holy Spirit.

I am indebted to Mark Bubeck who tells the story of how it happened, in his excellent book Overcoming the Adversary.

After one of Moody's meetings two ladies approached him and said, 'Mr. Moody, we have been praying for you.' Reflecting some apparent spiritual arrogance, Moody replied rather abruptly, 'Why don't you pray for the people?'

The ladies said quietly, 'Because you need the power of the Holy Spirit.'

Somewhat taken aback, Moody could only respond, 'I need the power?' The thought was rather preposterous to a spiritual leader who had been visited by the President of the united States.

But the women had heard the Lord well. they customarily sat in the front row of his meetings, deep in prayer as he preached.

At first he was annoyed, but gradually God softened his heart and he began to encourage not only their prayers, but the formation of prayer groups to beseech God that he would be endued with power.

Then one day in New York City, Moody had such an experience of the filling with the Holy Spirit that he admitted he was never able to describe it in words.

One of his biographers says, 'God seems to have answered in a mighty way the prayers of these two women, for at this time his life changed considerably from that of a young, somewhat cocky and proud preacher, to a humble, soft and mellow-hearted preacher.'

When Moody's spiritual arrogance diminished, the power of God through faithful intercessors was released in his life and ministry."


Let’s pray:

   Father, when we think of our leaders, may we hold them up in prayer.

   I know it is for their own good, as well as ours, that they be filled with the Holy Spirit.

   May they experience what Moody experienced, so they will be humble, soft and mellow-hearted preachers, too.

   I understand that Your Holy Spirit will move on and in each of our leaders, because we pray for them. So I ask that You draw them closer to Yourself as they pray and read Your Word.

   In the Holy Name of Jesus, Your Son, I pray. Amen.


Today’s prayer for pastors: Time with God. “Lord, let nothing hinder my pastor’s time with you. Protect my pastor from the distractions of busyness, unnecessary demands, fatigue, over commitment, compromise, and doubt. Bless____________with rich study time, and give him/her opportunities, desire, and places to seek You in prayer, both alone and with others. Act 6:2-4; Matt. 26:41; 2 Tim. 2:15; Mk. 1:35; Acts 1:14  Terry Teykl

Today’s Bible verse:1 Chron. 12:18b "For thy God helpeth thee."

Today’s quotes: Our Daily Bread – “Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime.”

- John Hagee – “If you want to get over a problem, stop talking about it. Your mind affects your mouth, and your mouth affects your mind.”

Some thoughts today: You can get saved, but there'll come a time for complete surrender, in order to do all God's will for you.

- We sometimes pray without faith. Not much can be done. We need to focus on Jesus to see the direction He is moving in. That will be where our expectation is. 

- God is at work in spite of what happens. We are to minister to those who're having difficulties, and allow God to do His work in them, as He wills.


30th- Thursday’s post:  #58  Undue Humility  C. Peter Wagner

2/1 Saturday's post: A Husband Needs a Wife  Elaine W. Miller 

2nd- Sunday's post:  I Feel Your Pain  Mary Southerland
  
    Sunday evening's post:  Why I am a Christian  Jean Oathout



A popular post:  Release the Light: Prayer Note #87   Dutch 
Sheets "We are soldiers of the light. We must boldly release 
the power of the Most High into situations, allowing the victory
of Christ access.

A creative idea, don't you think?



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As long as supply lasts. It is out of print.
Price $5.98 (This is the only time I'll give
this link.)








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My book in paperback  Price $9.45





Sunday, January 26, 2014

Grace and Peace


The Apostle Peter shares with us in 2 Peter 5:1-12, 16-18:

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain (refer) unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (excellence):

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (Eph. 2:8-10; John 5:11)

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance, (self control), and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (Christian love).

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren (idle) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered (applied) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

v16-18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 

For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'.




And this voice which came from Heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."

NKJV 2 Peter 1-12, 16-18



Let’s pray:

   Father, we come to You, knowing that Your grace and peace is available to us all.

   When we read Your Word, may we see that You've provided what is needed for us to come into Your Presence at any time, and anywhere.

   Jesus has shown us the way to the Father, and we ask for Your grace and peace to be quickened in our lives, so we can be effective witnesses for Him.

   Help us to be faithful to You, the Faithful One. We ask this in Christ's Name, Amen.

A Prayer For A Faithful Heart

    "Father, there is no limit to all that You have provided for us 
such as material blessings, physical health, the love of family
and unending promises that You have already fulfilled or that 
are yet to be fulfilled. But You have also set visible and well-
defined boundaries that are for our own good.

   Temptations to either toe the boundary line or cross over

into enemy territory will always be there, but You give us the 
power to resist and discernment to recognize the alluring deceit 
of the evil one.

   Help our eyes and hearts to remain focused on Your 

innumerable blessings and provisions as we stand against 
the god of this age who seeks to destroy us. May we not 
move the landmark of the faithful to join wit the ranks of 
the faithless. In Your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen."
prayer@bibledeck.com

Today’s quotes: Our Daily Bread - "The way to great patience is through great trials."

Marvin Williams - "When we are being tried in a crucible of distress, God desires to help us continue living by faith and trusting in His compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)

Some thoughts today: When we refuse to defend ourselves and wait on God to get involved, we allow Him to defend us!

- Sex may be the most valued act, as it has profound affect on 
society and personal, proper relationships. There are profound 
repercussions, when God's laws are violated, as there comes a generational 
curse.

- Countries collapse due to sexual promiscuity. 

28th- Tuesday’s post:  #57 How Moody Learned the Lesson  C. Peter Wagner

30th- Thursday's post:  #58  Undue Humility  C. Peter Wagner

2/1- Saturday's post:  A Husband Needs a Wife  Elaine W. Miller

2nd- Sunday's post:  I Feel Your Pain  Mary Southerland


A popular post:  Does the Holy Spirit Have You?  "It always comes down to a choice, doesn't it? Either follow our own sinful impulses or choose to yield to and follow God."

Christ is the Answer, my friend!



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God is in the Crisis



Max Lucado Do you recite your woes more naturally than you do heaven’s strength? 

No wonder life’s tough. You’re assuming God isn’t in this crisis.


Isabel spent her first three and a half years in a Nicaraguan orphanage. 

As with all orphans, her odds of adoption diminished with time. And then the door slammed on her finger! 

Why would God permit this innocent girl to feel even more pain? 

Might He be calling the attention of Ryan Schnoke sitting in the playroom nearby? He and his wife had been trying to adopt a child for months! 

Ryan walked over, picked her up, and comforted her. 

Several months later, Ryan and Christina were close to giving up, and Ryan remembered Isabel. 

Little Isabel is now growing up in a happy, healthy home.

A finger in the door? God doesn’t manufacture pain, but He certainly puts it to use!  Your crisis?  You’ll get through this!"

God is in the Crisis  by Max Lucado

From You’ll Get Through This  

Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com



(Used by permission)


MY SOVEREIGN GUIDE

I am refreshed, dear Jesus,
By the little things You do.
You speak to me in different ways
But I always know it's You.

Today I heard a serenade
When I awoke at dawn,
And I still felt Your presence
After the songbirds had gone.

You often send me rainbows
When sun reflects on glass.
In troubling times, they speak to me,
"This too, my child, shall pass."

Sometimes a word pops off the page
While I'm spending time with  You.
Your Word shines light upon my path,
Confirms what I'm to do.

You always know what's best for me;
I trust Your perfect plan.
I'm blessed that You're my Sovereign Guide,
The Awesome, Great I AM.

by Frances Gregory Pasch

Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life Through 
Devotions and Poetry by Frances Gregory Pasch 
published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. 
(Pg. 84)
  
Used by permission

Let’s pray:

   Father, we're coming to you for Your help and guidance, as we understand our need today.

   Please help us see You in our lives, and in the lives of those we know, that You are busy working things for our good.

  Forgive us for questioning You, and guide us in our ability to seek after You for all our concerns.

   Thank You for making Your will plain to us as we come to You for help. May our wills line up with Yours for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 10:10a "But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king."

Today’s quote: Mary Southerland – “My book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, is my story of desperation, brokenness and restoration. It is also the story of God’s power to help you overcome depression in your own life, and offers practical ways you can help someone you love deal with depression. Check iout.”  

Some thoughts today: Whatever you need, ask in Jesus' Name, to His glory.

- As strife is the most dangerous thing in our lives, do what you 
can to alleviate it, starting at home.

- James 14:1-3 tells us what our problem is...


26th- Sunday evening's post:  Grace and Peace  Apostle Peter

28th- Tuesday's post:  #57  How Moody Learned the Lesson  C. Peter Wagner

30th- Thursday’s post:  #58  Undue Humility  C. Peter Wagner

Feb. 1st- Saturday's post:  Husbands Need a Wife  Elaine W. Miller


A popular post:  The Necessities of Life  Jesus tells us to ask, then promises to give us the basics we need to survive.

Such intricate designs! The Creator
takes great effort to make such
beauty. He will take time to help you!



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Saturday, January 25, 2014

Mysterious Ways/Somebody, please help!

"Help! Please, somebody, help!"

Julia Eie shares with us, "I looked out the window at the orchard, dark and shadowy in the pale moonlight.

It was a woman's voice. Close. But where?

My son was at a friend's house. It couldn't be him watching a scary show on TV.

I lived in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, at the time, renting a garage apartment set back from our landlord's house.

The orchard and a small creek were behind us, not much else. Maybe someone fell in the water. Or was lost.

"Help! Please, somebody, help!"

There it was again! A woman, desperate and very near.

I grabbed the phone and called the police. 'I think a woman is being attacked,' I told the dispatcher. I gave my address. 'Please hurry!"

I waited. The shouts continued. I called the police again. 

'We sent an officer already,' the dispatcher said. 'He didn't find anything unusual. But I can send him back, I suppose.'

Had I imagined the voice? No. There it was again. The police should have found her by now.

I called one more time. 'Where are you?' I asked.

This time the dispatcher put me through to an officer. 

'Ma'am,' he said, cutting me off, 'we went out there. There were no screams. No sign of anything. Stop calling, or we'll file a complaint against you.'

I hung up. I knew I wasn't hearing things. I need to look myself, I thought.

I got in my car and drove to the orchard, my window rolled down. Every time I thought I was close, the shouts got further away.

I passed the orchard and drove on. A quarter mile. Half a mile. A mile.

Then I saw a faint glow ahead. I drove toward it. 


There, on a barren stretch of road, was a car, wedged into a steep ditch. Standing next to it was a teenage girl, crying.

'My boyfriend is stuck inside,' she said. 'Please, help us.'

I called the police and told them exactly where to go. Within minutes, two squad cars and an ambulance arrived.

I told you I heard someone shouting,' I said to one of the officers.

'So you're the one,' the officer said. 'Do you see where we are, lady? There's no way you could have heard her from inside your house. We're almost three miles away."

Julia Eie, of Yakima /Washington, tells us this in the GUIDEPOSTS December 2013 addition

God is amazing, isn't He?

(Used by permission)


Let’s pray:

   Father, when we hear someone's cry for help, may we be quick to go to their aid, whether across the room, or across town.

   May we become sensitive to other's needs so we can be their helper in their time of despair.

   Give us sure direction for answering their plea for help. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen


“Thank You for the privilege we have to serve You by serving others, Lord. Help us to be content to fill the place where you have put us, so that You might be glorified through us." Our Daily Bread 6/21/13

Today’s Bible verse: Eph. 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

Today’s quote: Mary Southerland - "Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable in each area where you want to improve, grow, or achieve. Choose a friend from whom you can easily take criticism – a friend who will lovingly push you a little when you aren't following through on your goals. 

When we involve others, we tend to feel a greater sense of responsibility and accountability. Run your plans and goals past other people. You don't want to do this with every goal or at every step along the way, but involving others with big and important plans is a great idea, especially if those plans impact other people."

Some thoughts today: Offer your services, but don't question why you're not used in that particular ministry. Your ability may be more useful in another one.

- God is God. We have to trust His judgment in what we get to do for Him.

- We have the responsibility for ourselves, what makes us happy. Our willingness to guard what we see, hear, and where we go, will make a large difference in our "happiness".

26th- Sunday’s post:  God is in the Crisis  Max Lucado

   Sunday evening's post:  Grace and Peace  Apostle Peter

28th- Tuesday's post:  #57  How Moody Learned the Lesson  C. Peter Wagner

30th- Thursday's post:  #58  Undue Humility  C. Peter Wagner


A popular post:  Light Overcomes Darkness  Dutch Sheets "I imagine Satan’s horror when the light of God flashed forth at the Cross, the same light that had expelled him from heaven.”




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Kindle $2.99

My book in paperback

 Wisdom for Brides (Christian Marriage, Counseling,

& Help) (Volume 1)