Thursday, December 31, 2015

#4 The Objects of Prevailing Prayer




Wesley L. Duewel: "Prevailing prayer can be intensely personal. You have every right to prevail for your personal desires and needs.

Undoubtedly God plans that most of your prevailing be on behalf of others and for the extension of His kingdom. Yet He expects and welcomes your praying for personal and family needs and situations related to you personally. Scripture is very clear on this point.

Blind Bartimaeus prevailed in prayer for the restoration of his eyesight (Mark 10:46-52). The woman embarrassed and plagued by twelve years of hemorrhaging prevailed for her healing (Luke 8:43). 

The Greek woman from Syrian Phoenicia prevailed, and Jesus cast out the demon from her daughter (Mark 7:26). 

Jacob prevailed with God for the protection of his family (Gen. 32:9-13, 22-30).

More commonly, you prevail in prayer on behalf of others. Abraham prevailed for Lot (Gen. 18:22-33). Moses prevailed for Israel's victory over Amalek (Exod. 17:8-15).

Elijah prevailed when he asked for fire to fall from heaven 
so that Israel would be saved from backsliding (1 Kings 18). 
Isaiah and Hezekiah prevailed for Israel's deliverance from Sennacherib (2 Chron. 32:20). Epaphras prevailed for the church at Colosse (Col. 4:12-13).

We must prevail in prayer for situations where God's will is being thwarted and where Satan is delaying and blocking Christ's cause. We must prevail for lives so ensnared and blinded by sin that they are unable or unwilling to pray for themselves.

We must prevail for revival in the church, for spiritual and numerical growth of the church, and for the worldwide advance of the gospel.

There is physical, financial, and spiritual needs that call for prevailing prayer. Homes are being torn apart by Satan, lives are being destroyed, and churches need God's special answers.

We must prevail for ministries of the church and Christian organizations. We must prevail for moral and spiritual needs of our nation.

The scope of prevailing prayer is as broad as Christ's church and as extensive as God's world. There is nothing within God's will that is outside the purview of prevailing prayer.

Prevailing prayer is intercession intensified—intercession until the answer is received."
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana

(Google image and my emphasis added)


#4 The Objects of Prevailing Prayer
by Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 14-15) Zondervan



Today’s Bible verse: Gal. 4:4, 5 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, v5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Today’s quote: Bill Crowder - "Long before Christ's birth, it had been determined that He would come to rescue us from our fallenness—which means that we can never fully appreciate the manger unless we see it in the shadow of the cross. Christmas is completely about Christ's love, seen most clearly in His sacrifice for us."


The essential fact of Christianity is that 
God  thought all humanity worth the 
sacrifice of His Son."
William Barclay
ODB 12/26/15


Dave Brannon - "The next time you see snow—in life or in photos—thank God for the forgiveness and the freedom from sin's penalties that this beautiful, natural gift pictures for all who have put their trust in our savior." (Ps. 51:7 "...whiter than snow...).

    Father, "Thank You for forgiving us and for turning our filthiness into the beauty of forgiveness. Help us to display the beauty of our forgiveness to all we encounter.

When Christ forgives us, our hearts are as clean as new-fallen snow."  ODB 12/27/15


Jan. 2nd- Saturday’s post:  What are Godly Decisions? Jean Oathout

3rd- Sunday evening's post:  I Am Resolved
James F. Cagle

5th- Tuesday's post:  #5 The Time Span in Prevailing Prayer     Wesley L. Duewel

7th- Thursday's post:  #6  The Levels of Prevailing Prayer     Wesley L. Duewel

Some thoughts today: Worship is all encompassing. Singing is an expression of worship, but not worshipping by itself.

~ God was generous in giving His Only Son for us to be able to have a way back to Him. His desire is for us to be generous too, in everything we do, which does include our giving. When we love something, we give to it.

~  As God's interested in us, He delights in our worship, and takes pleasure in whatever causes it to take place in our hearts. There are blessings for seekers of His grace, protection and enablement. What do you look to when stressed?


A popular post:  What Hardships do You Need to Go Through? [The Apostle] "Paul is like the 'Eveready Bunny.'He just keeps going and going and going. 

One day Paul is stoned and left for dead in Lystra, and the next day he leaves with Barnabas for the neighboring city of Derbe to preach some more. Am I the only one, or do you find that amazing as well?.." 

The Pocket Devotions of the Pocket Testament League www.ptl.org posted 6/15/12


'Tis the season...


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

#3 The Importance of Prevailing Prayer



Wesley L. Duewel: "The Role of Prevailing Prayer - God intends your praying to secure divine answers. Prayer is not just God's diversion to keep from being lonely. He delights in your fellowship.

He always draws nearer when you pray. Also, prevailing prayer is one of the most important ministries in God's kingdom plans.

Prevailing prayer is not simply a spiritual exercise to help you grow in grace. Certainly nothing is more beneficial to growth in grace than growth in the life of prayer.

The more you prevail, the more you will learn the secrets of God's grace and powers of His kingdom. The more you intercede, the more intimate will be your walk with Christ and the stronger you will become by the Spirit's power.

Prevailing prayer is God's ordained means for extending His kingdom, for defeating Satan and his empire of darkness and evil, and for fulfilling God's eternal plan and bringing into effect His good will on earth.

It is God's means of covering the earth with His blessings. Prevailing prayer is God's priority strategy for our age and dispensation.

The history of the church can never by fully written until Christ in eternity reveals the mighty hidden prayer involvement of all His praying people. What a joy that revelation will bring to Christ's prayer partners!

God the Son is seated at the right hand of the Father on His eternal throne and is today sovereignly ruling and extending his kingdom.

Christ does not live primarily to judge, demonstrate divine power, speak sovereign fiats, or issue authoritative decrees. His special divine vocation and strategic role is to intercede (Heb. 7:25).

The Holy Spirit is so integral to the divine plan for this age that He ceaselessly joins the Son in His holy intercession. He also is responsible for involving you and enabling you to be a partner in God's strategy of intercession.

He longs for you to rise above your weakness and become mighty in God for prayer. He is so concerned that you become effective as the intercessory partner of Christ that He intercedes for you with divine groanings too deep for human words. (Rom. 8:26).

You do not hear Him, but He is ceaselessly groaning for you and with you.

Prevailing prayer is the most divine ministry you will ever have. Nothing is more Christlike or involves more cooperation with Christ.

No form of Christian service is both so universally open to all and so high in Christ's priority for all Christians as prevailing prayer.

It is Christ's desire, Christ's call, and Christ's command. Lord, teach us to prevail!"


#3 The Importance of Prevailing Prayer
by Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 13-14) Zondervan


(Google image and my emphasis added)

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana


Today’s Bible verse: Is. 25:9 "And it shall be said in that day, 'Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.' " KJV

Today’s quote: Keila Ochoa - "A baby needs constant care. Babies cry, eat, sleep, and depend on their caregivers. They cannot make decisions. in Mary's day, infant mortality was high, and mothers often died in childbirth.

Why did God choose such a fragile way to send His son to earth? Because Jesus had to be like us in order to save us. God's greatest gift came in the fragile body of a baby, but God took the risk because He loves us. Let us be thankful today for such a gift!"

"Dear Lord, the Strong and Mighty One, I thank You for becoming small and fragile on that day long ago. It amazes me that You did that for me and the rest of Your world."
ODB 12/25/15

Some thoughts today: The love you have is an example of God's love. Gal. 2:20 speaks of Christ living in us. Work needs to be done in us now. Christ has done the "work" for our salvation.

~ Every moral law of God is rooted in His nature. They are rules to guide us in our living. God's spotlight is on the depth of our hearts. There's no hope apart from Christ.

~ I'm a Christian because of my sin and His redemptive provision on the cross.

31st- Thursday’s post:  #4  The Objects of Prevailing Prayer     Wesley L. Duewel
Jan/2- Saturday's post:  What are Godly Decisions?
Jean Oathout
3rd- Sunday evening's post:  Forgiveness Does Not Come to Those     Lee Forbes
5th- Tuesday's post:  #5  The Time Span in Prevailing Prayer     Lee Forbes


A popular post:  A Very Real War 
Dutch Sheets shares with us, “Although some issues concerning spiritual warfare are open for debate—others are a certainty:

We are in a very real war
(see 2 Cor. 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:18)


Curling up with
best friend...


Sunday, December 27, 2015

Enjoying God




Kathryne Leach: "Eat your breakfast, Kathryne."

"I heard those words constantly growing up. I'm not a breakfast eater to this day. Never have been. As a kid, I'd fake mom out by leaving a bowl and spoon in the kitchen sink with cereal and milk residue to avoid getting yelled at.

As an adult, I force myself to ingest a small amount of nutritional fuel along with my morning coffee. Yes, I'm a coffee lover … addicted and passionate about it. Coffee alone, however, doesn’t provide the nutrition I need to energize my day.

But what about spiritual breakfast? As a Christian, do you ever struggle with reading your Bible in the morning? I know I do. 


We know all the reasons we are supposed to read our Bible: to strengthen ourselves spiritually, encourage ourselves, grow our faith, increase our knowledge of God, increase our wisdom, and gain guidance.

It's like dieting; you know you should eat healthy. You know what to do but don't really want to. Here's what worked for me. I forced myself to eat healthy foods at first. 

After a while, I begin to sincerely enjoy the taste. Once the enjoyment factor kicked in, it was easy sailing. I begin craving healthier foods.

Reading the Bible has followed the same pattern in my life. I started reading because I was told it was good for me. 

Before long the spiritual food tasted so good I returned to the feasting table to dine with God readily—even eagerly.

If we view it less as lifeless drudgery and seek after the ultimate Writer Himself, the Bible will come alive. John 6 teaches the Spirit gives life while the flesh profits nothing.

When I began viewing my daily Bible time as personal time with God, it changed. It became less about the book and all about the Person. 

Enjoying the Word of God is related to enjoying the God of His Word. Re-frame how you view your devotional time and eat your spiritual breakfast."

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. . . If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.? John 6:48-51 NKJV

(Photo courtesy of morguefile and cbcs.)

(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)

Enjoying God
Nov 27, 2015 | Kathryne Leach

Kathryne Leach is a graduate of Webster and Madonna Universities, earning Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. She is married, a very young grandmother, and shares her desk with two curious kittens. 

Kathryne retired from a thirty-year career in criminal justice to write. Her inspirational devotions can be found at www.healingwritingroom.com.

(Photo courtesy of morguefile and cbcs.)

(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)


    
     Father, I see that it is to my best interest to seek to know You better through daily prayer and Bible reading.
    
As I'd like to grow in my faith and knowledge of You, please enable me to become faithful in this endeavor. 
    Speak to me through the verses I read, as I'm hungry for more enlightenment from them.
    When I'm hesitant to take the time to spend with You and Your Word, draw me by Your Holy Spirit to sit down and open the Bible, and wait on You to make Yourself known to me each day.
    I ask this in the Name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible verses: 1 Tim. 3:16 KJV "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world received up into glory."


Ps. 47:6 KJV "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises."

Today’s quote: Bill Crowder - "The Mystery of Christmas is how God could become man while remaining fully God. It defies human explanation, but in the perfect wisdom of God, it was the plan of the ages. "What child is this?" He is Jesus Christ—God revealed in the flesh."

God made His home with us so that
we might make our home with Him.
ODB  12/2015

Some thoughts today: You already have what you need the most: God's love. (see Ps. 23)

Be bold, and share the gospel, 'though it may not be popular. Or do you put on a "costume" to win the favor of those you're with?

~ Preach to yourself the gospel of Jesus, not the wisdom of the world.


29th- Tuesday’s post: #3 The Importance of Prevailing Prayer    Wesley L. Duewel
31st- Thursday's post#4 The Objects of Prevailing Prayer     Wesley L. Duewel
Jan.2nd- Saturday's post: What Are Godly Decisions?                 Jean Oathout
3rd- Sunday evening's post: Forgiveness Does Not Come to Those  Lee Forbes




A popular post:   Trusting God with Your Future Mary Southerland
tells us, “In an effort to escape the brutal summer heat of South Florida, our family headed to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina..."


We've not seen this yet
this year, but it's coming...

The report is that 8-10" of 
snow is due this Tuesday or
Wednesday in our area.


Saturday, December 26, 2015

The Key to Joy



Bonnie Champagne: You may ask, "WHAT IS THE KEY TO JOY. REAL GENUINE JOY?' 

In my opinion this "JOY" only became 
apparent in my life once I'd repented 
of my sins, was born again and began 
to understand who I was in CHRIST 
JESUS. 

It was not an overnight experience but one that became more apparent as I grew in grace and studied the word of God.

Before we are born again we think we have joy. That joy is nothing to compare with the Joy the Lord gives us.

Even the joy we experience on our best days as an unsaved person, cannot compare to the joy we experience once our lives are hid in Christ.

W
hen the Spirit of the Living God comes to live in us, He brings the fruits of the Spirit in with Him. One of those fruits is Joy!

The Joy of the Lord is not something that comes and goes. It stays with us at all times as we learn to walk in light of His Word and make His Word our firm foundation. 

We come to realize that no matter what transpires in our lives, our heavenly Father must be in charge. Circumstances are always subject to change as we surrender all to God. The more intimate we become with Him, the more we are able to surrender and trust in Him.

Therefore, we must not live our lives focusing on the circumstances which are only temporary.

The LORD is so merciful and kind. Loving and faithful. There really is none like JESUS the CHRIST. Savior of the world. Redeemer of all mankind. He alone knows every detail about our lives and we must trust Him to lead us, comfort us and guide daily.

I have come to realize that the more I depend on, and trust the Lord JESUS CHRIST, I can rest in Him and live my life with the evidence of the fruits and gifts of His Holy Spirit being very apparent in my life. 

This Joy is a grace bestowed on us by GOD the FATHER, and because we have a free will, it is up to us to appropriate that joy the best way we can. 
Therefore, I choose to live above the circumstances and maintain His joy because it is so powerful. The only way we can do that is to live for Jesus Christ.

There were days long ago when I can honestly say I did not have this gift of joy. Whether I was unsaved or saved . . . but one day His JOY came and made its home in my life and to date, this joy carries me through each day.

I must keep my eyes fixed on JESUS, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Not looking to man, religion, my husband, my friends, my stuff, etc. I must focus on JESUS. Should He choose to use someone or something in my life, that is fine, but I must look to Him at all times.


JESUS IS MY MASTER. God help me to always remember Who my Savior and Lord is!


I constantly remind myself who I am in Christ Jesus. I do my best not to compare myself with others, because there is only one of me, and He made  me the way I am because He knows just what I will do to help build His Kingdom.


It is up to me to stay in that position and to do what He has called me to do. That means He is priority one, and learning to abide in Him is very important. 


In fact, it is paramount. Intimacy with God is a must for any of us who want to fulfill our destiny "in CHRIST JESUS our SAVIOR AND LORD."



JOHN 15:1-8 . . . “I am the real vine, my FATHER is the vine-dresser. HE removes any of my branches which are not bearing fruit and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit to increase its yield. Now, you have already been pruned by my words. You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in ME. 


I am the vine itself, you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from ME you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share MY life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. 

But if you live your life in ME, and MY words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you. This is how my FATHER will be glorified—in your becoming fruitful and being my disciples."

The following is the Scripture the Lord gave to me when I asked him what was it that made me so confident and content. I do realize that these words were spoken to JESUS, however, because He lives in us, it can be said of us as well."

Hebrews 1:9 "You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. That is why God, your God, anointed you, rather than your companions, with the oil of joy."



JOHN 15:1-11;  1 PETER 1:8-9; EPHESIANS 1:12-14; 4:30; PHILIPPIANS 2:3-5; PROVERBS 10:28; ROMANS 15:13. 

Written by B.K. Champagne  2015-11-25


 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” – Luke 2:10

New ReleaseElaine W. Miller "An elder once chastised me with his frown-filled face, "Why are you so happy all the time?" I guess he wasn't aware of Isaiah 35:10 (NIV): ". . . everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." 

That is my prayer for you dear ladies. Don't lose your joy. " 

 www.SplashesofSerenity.com Check out her blog for some great messages.

{Jean's note: Elaine's book, We All Married Idiots, is one of the very best buys available! Many marriages have been benefited, and many saved. Also, many folks have given their hearts and lives to Jesus through her ministry!}


    Father, open our eyes to what You have for us to participate in. Show us Your glory, so we will increase our praises, which will bring on the joy.
   I understand we're to draw joy from the wells of Salvation.

Make it a reality in each of our lives. (see Is. 12:3) I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen. 


Today’s Bible verse: Phil. 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus".

Today’s quote: Niel Vermillion - "Even having the desire to WANT to change is evidence of God's grace in your life".  


Some thoughts today: Jesus became our substitute for us . . . He took our punishment, and has made a way back to our Holy God. That wouldn't be possible without His doing it for us!

~ The Father affirmed Him already with His love when He was baptized. (see Matt. 3:15, 16) God knew what He was going to do, and had lived a sinless life up 'til then.

As a spotless lamb was required for sacrifice for sins all through biblical history, (see Ez. 46:13)) Jesus became that Lamb for us! (see 1 Peter 1:19)


27th- Sunday evening’s post:  Enjoying God
     Kathryne Leach
29th- Tuesday's post:  #3 The Importance of Prevailing Prayer     Wesley L. Duewel
31st- Thursday's post:  #4 The Objects of Prevailing Prayer          Wesley L. Duewel
Jan. 1st- Saturday's post:  What are Godly Decisions?
    Jean Oathout
  

A special link:  Listening to Really Hear

By JillSavage on Dec 07, 2015 
ThinkstockPhotos-149314722Mark says: "Listening is one of the most important intimacy-building communication gifts God has given couples.  
It’s often been said that listening is so important to God that he gave us one mouth and two ears.  He really wants us to listen to one another.
Jill says: Too often we listen to correct, to make a point, to interrupt, or to eventually talk about ourselves.  But we have to learn to listen to hear what our spouses are saying, as well as to hear what they are feeling!.." 

(The following link is to the book they recommend in this post. I sent for a copy, and am giving it as a gift for someone. Great reading, while I had it!)