Four Levels of Life

Today my commentary is based on an sermon transcript I read from the late Dr Adrian Rogers. Below is a quote from one of his Thanksgiving messages.

There are basically four levels of life. The first is represented by people who are constantly complaining and grumbling. They brighten up a room just by leaving it. The second includes people who just live lives of ingratitude. They don't complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That's a little better than the first level, but not much. Then, there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they're grateful. That's a better level. But let me tell you what the highest level is. It is to be grateful for all things at all times. Now folks when you get to that place, then you have learned the secret of joy.

I know many people at the first or second level Dr Rogers spoke about. I view people like that as my mission field. I think perhaps God brought this or that person into my life so that I could be a Godly influence on them.

My issue is that sometimes I find myself falling into that first or second category, too. The highest level Dr Rogers spoke about, giving thanks for everything at all times, seems next to impossible to achieve. Yet that is the life and the thought process we are called to strive for.

Dr Rogers sermon has given me lots to think about. Today I'm going to start retooling my prayer life and start thanking God more often.

Feeling Very Humbled

I'm feeling spiritually weak today. The Enemy has rendered me less than effective for the Kingdom for several days now. I need quiet time. I need prayer time. I need some time in the Word....

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, You sustain me. I draw my strength from You. Lift me up, my King. Guard me, shield me from negative thoughts. Lord, I want to serve You. I want to take care of my family. I want to lead them in loving and becoming more like You, Lord.

Help me to be the kind of example they need to grow tall and strong in the Faith. Lord Jesus I love You. And I offer this day to You. I offer my life to You, Lord.

I am truly nothing wothout You. All the things, all the money, all the relationships, they are nothing if I am not walking in the Light with You.

I'm asking You to draw me close Father. I am seeking You like I never have before. I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Thankful Friday

Today, after spending the past 3 Fridays fighting strept throat first, and then pneumonia.... I'm very thankful for my health. My voice is still scratchy but I'm feeling better every day. And I've been able to teach the past 3 days in a row...! Praise the Lord.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Adrian Rodgers. He had preached at Belview Baptist Church in Tennessee for the past 33 years and had an international ministry that has deeply touched my life. He will be greatly missed, but while I am sad at his passing I am also happy that he has gone to be with the Lord. He was 74 years old and had been battling both lung cancer and double pneumonia.

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord I am highly favored and blessed by You. Today I just sing your praises. You are an awesome God. Thank You for my health. But thank you too for my illness because it caused me to slow down a bit. Troubles draw us closer to You than triumps. I'm trying hard to remember that when I face a crises or stress that You are just forcing me to rely more on You.

Father God, Thank You so much for the life and the witness of Dr Adrian Rodgers. He has tremendously affected my walk and the walk of thousands of others with his ministry. I lift up his family today. I lift up his church that is both mourning and celebrating his passing.

Jesus, I love You. There is no one like You. Thank You my King for blessing me with such an awesome life. Loed I pray these Things in Your holy name, Amen.

TGIF - Prayer of Thanks

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thanks for today. Thanks for my health. It's getting better. Lord I just worship and praise You. I give You the Glory that You so richly deserve.

Father God I try to limit my petitioning on Fridays. So today I just lay all my requests aside and just marvel at Your power and might. I marvel at your goodness. I rest assured that You have got the whole world in Your hands.

Lord I give thanks that today is the start of a move that will give my family a much better life. Thank You for that. Thank you for providing abundantly and exceedingly over that which I need or deserve.

Jesus, I love You. And I give this day to You. I pray these words in Your precious, holy name, Amen.

Praise Report

I have a lot to Praise God about lately. Most importantly today I got a good report from my Doctor that I'm recovering nicely from strept throat and pneumonia...!

Of Course, I knew I was feeling better, but just hearing Doctor Goff confirm everything makes me feel even better. Doc still wants me to rest a lot, which is very difficult for me as most of those who know me very well know...! It's hard for me to sit still. God has blessed me with lots of energy! But I'll do my best. I'm not teaching any classes until next Monday, but the rest of the week will be packing and moving so I don't know if that's any different than being on the tennis court all day, but at least I won't be in the sun, which these antibiotics strictly forbid...!

This is my second quiet time this morning. I awakened much earlier and listened to Max Maclean's the bible on CD, then enjoyed a great sermon from Dr Stanley at 6 AM... His lesson today was about being a Godly Influence on others. It tied in nicely with Pastor Sims thoughts about prayer.

God is thoroughly in control of my life. Prayer is most definitely my steering wheel, not my spare tire...! Praise the Lord for all his Wondrous Blessings....!

Dear Lord,

I just come before You this morning humbled at what a tremendous life You have blessed me with. I just want to sing Your Praises and Tell the whole world what a difference You've made in my life. Lord, I just want my life to be a witness. I give all the credit to You, Father.

Nothing I have or have accomplished is because of me. It's all You working through me. God, You are an Awesome God....!

I love You, Lord. I give You thanks and Praise.

I lift up my family, Monica, Connor and Elijah... Thank You for their love and support. Bless them and keep them safe and healthy. Lord I lift up Pastor Danny Sims. Bless his ministry, Lord. And thank You for his shepherding of my soul and the souls of many others. Heal his knee, Lord. I pray that he is pain free today. Lord, I also lift up the prayer request for 'Amanda' from his congregation. I pray for her healing and the stress that her illness has placed on her family and friends.

Lord, my friend Glenn needs Your wisdom and direction for his life right now, as does my younger brother John as they are both dealing with re-location issues.

Father God, I pray for these now and many more throughout the day today. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen

Trying A 'New' Approach To Prayer

Today I'm going to try to be still and listen.

I was reading a Pastor's blog late last night and he's starting a commentary on 'prayer', my favorite topic. I think lately I've been doing all the talking in my prayer life. It's high time I did some listening... My new approach is: 'Shut up, and listen...!'

More on that later...

Dear Lord,

I've been way too self-absorbed lately. And as usual, You've brought me to my knees. Well, I'm slowing down now. -I have no choice...!

Father, Without even realizing it many times I am off trying to do things under my own power and it just never works. I make mistakes. I stumble. I fall. But all so I can pick myself up and try again. I'm trying again, Father.

I was reading another commentary last night that pointed out that Jesus didn't use 'perfect' individuals. None of His disciples were experts in Jewish law. It is documented in particular how flawed Peter was and He ended up being the Leader of the disciples after Jesus went back to Heaven.

Lord, I know I'm not perfect. But I am here. And I want to be used by You. I am learning little by little to be still.

Thank You Father. I love You. You have blessed me way more than I need or deserve...! I am eternally in Your debt. I am eternally in Your service.

Help me be still. Help me be quiet and listen. I need Less and I need More. Less of me and more of YOU.

Father God, I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Getting Back on Track

Here it is Tuesday. It's really the first day I've felt a little better with this strept throat in almost 10 days... I haven't had an opportunity to post in several days. It's late in the morning for me to post. I normally like to spend early morning time in prayer and study and reflection, but these aren't normal times.

My family is embarking on a new life this week. We purchased a second home in the little country club community where I work. It's 70 miles away from our first home. We are currently in the process of relocating. And I'm trying to recuperate from being sick for nearly 10 days.

Today I just want to give thanks and praise for God's blessing and pray for God to continue to restore and guard my health.


Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, just thank You again for Your Awesome blessing on my family. We are greatly looking forward to our new life and location and the opportunity to serve You in the area where I grew up as a little boy. I am grateful to be able to raise my family in the slower paced life style of a small country town.

Father, as You know I have literally worn myself out physically to get to this point. Please forgive me for not taking better care of myself. Please restore my health. Give me strength. I will walk a different walk from now on and not abuse myself physically again.

Lord, I love You. And I give this day to You, my King. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.