Ephesians 4:29-32

These are good verses for anyone dealing with feelings of anger or for those who struggle with the use of harsh words. I've been dealing with a bit of anger lately. And there are most definitely occasions when I struggle with being positive in certain situations.

I think these verses are especially appropriate for coaches and teachers. It is vitally important for a coach or teacher to be encouraging always and never dis-couraging...! The power of the tongue is mighty indeed. It has the power to tear down and build up.

Today my prayer is for God to help me to be encouraging in every situation...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, thank You for another beautiful day. Help me to make the most of this day. Let not one moment be wasted. Father God, You know my heart. Help me to be positive and encouraging at all times. A kind word well placed could very well change a life. A careless word could scar and damage.. Help me to be edifying at all times, constantly staying aware of my witness to those around me.

Thanks for so many great opportunities to serve You and impact others. I love You and pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praise Report

The weather cleared Saturday around 11 AM. It had rained for nearly 11 hours! But God answered my prayer and we ended up completing most of the tournament. Praise God. Overall, it went well. God definitely answered my prayer on that one...!

Praise YOU, Jesus...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for delivering good weather Saturday afternoon. Weather has always been one of Your specialties! You most definitely get the glory for that. Lord I know You can do anything. I bow down before You, my King.

Father God I pray for the week ahead. Order my steps, Lord. Reveal to me my best course of action. I don't want to try and do one single thing on my own under my own power.

Lord I'm seeking You. I'm drawing close to You Lord. Cover me with a blanket of Your Grace, Lord. Lift me up. Hold me up. Lead me, Father.

Bless my family, Lord. I am so grateful and thankful for them. I love You Jesus. And I pray these things in Your sweet precious name, Amen!

Prayer for the weather...

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord I just give today to You. I'd prefer that it doesn't rain so much today, but it's in Your hands, my King. I will not stress over it but do the best I can. Your Grace is sufficient!

I lift up everyone traveling to Columbia Lakes today and ask blessings on my volunteer staff. Thank You Lord for a great opportunity to interact with a large number of people today.

I love You Lord and give this day to You for Your honor and Glory. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Our Mission Fields...

Today I awakened early to spend a little extra time with the Lord. I don't know where to begin except that to say that God is doing a tremendous work in me right now.

I am truly thirsting for HIM. I can't put down the bible. I can't get enough teaching on the radio or in church. I want to turn every conversation into one of a spiritual nature. I see God's Glory in everything.

And God is giving me many many opportunities to impact the world around me. Today I have twelve new students in one of my tennis programs. Tomorrow nearly one hundred people are traveling to my tennis club for a tournament. After it's all over will they know that they have been in the presence of a Christian...? Am I making the most of my mission field...?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for this fire for YOU that is burning inside of me, Oh Lord let me be consumed by it. Father, I want nothing more than to serve You and tell others about You and what You have done and are doing in my life.

Father God You are bringing people into my life left and right on a continual daily basis. How can they tell that I am a Christian? Can they see You in me at all...? Oh I pray that they can.

Lord I pray for my many encounters today. Help me to present a strong, compelling witness for Your Kingdom Lord. Bless my time management, Father. Help me to make the most efficient use of the time You have graciously blessed me with.

My Jesus I thank You for my precious family. I pray blessings over them this morning, Guard their health and their sleep, Lord. Father I especially lift up Connor as he goes to school this morning. Public School has got to be one of the biggest mission fields in America and a cosmic battle is being lost for the souls of America's Youth in public schools as I create this post.

Every morning I send Connor off to school but I seldom pray for his witness. Today I specifically lift him up in that regard. Lord I pray that Connor sees an opportunity to impact his generation for Christ today and that his light shines brightly.

Lord I lift up my precious wife who is such a blessing to me! And Lord I pray blessings on my precious little Elijah. Guard his tender heart Lord.

I Love You Jesus. You are my EVERYTHING...! Apart from You I know I can do NOTHING. And I wouldn't even dream of trying to accomplish something under my own power any more. You are my King. You are my power source. Praise God I'm plugged in and turned on today.

Lord I definitely feel the burden to lift up my co workers today. I pray that those who know You sense the urgency to be a witness to those who don't. I pray for those in management to make wise business decisions today, and I pray for healing between parties who are not getting along with each other. Lord I pray blessings on all the Columbia Lakes staff. I know this is my mission field, Lord.

Father God I give this day to You, for Your Glory. And I pray these things in the power of the name of the ONE who SAVES, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Joshua 1:7-9

Dr Stanley's devotional this morning was about meditating on scripture. He says it should be an essential part of every believer's daily routine. Joshua 1:7-9 sums that thought up perfectly.

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9

This passage is the Lord speaking to Joshua. God tells us to meditate on the law day and night. He says if we stay in the Word we will have success. I especially like the last part of the passage: 'Do not tremble or be dismayed'. We are not to be frightened or stressed. HE is with us always...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh Lord this morning I claim Your promise to be with us always. As I took my public stand of faith in this blog forum yesterday it seems that the enemy has doubled, even tripled his efforts to discourage me. But Lord I stand strong and courageous in You. And as the scripture instructs, I will not tremble or be dismayed...!

You are an Awesome God and I love You my King!

Lord you know all the obstacles I will face today. Father God help me to meet adversity with a smile on my face and give me a sense of Peace that I can do all things through You and than I am always More than a conqueror in You.

Father I am so thankful for all the many blessings You give me daily. Thank You especially for my precious family. I lift them up to You, Lord.

Jesus I give this day to You. I will honor You my King and Your words WILL be on my heart all day Long. Praise You Lord! Blessed be Your name. And I pray these things in Your holy Name, Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Today Things are Different... I am More than a Conquerer!

I believe stress and 'busy-ness' are some of the 'things' Paul mentions in chapter 8 of his letter to the Roman church. Well today I'm breaking free of those bondages. I'm not allowing 'busy-ness' and stress to overtake me any longer. Jesus conquered those things for me.

'...In all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us...' Romans 8:37

Actually it was today's Spurgeon Devotional this morning that set my mind on this path of thinking. Spurgeon's devotional reminded me about the day when I first accepted Christ into my heart as Lord and Savior that it was all work of the Holy Spirit. Faith in the Lord and what HE did for me on Calvary was the key to unlocking the 'New Man' in Sam Chadwell over 20 years ago. Well, it is still about the work of the Holy Spirit today.

My problem all along has been trying to operate under my own power. I knew that intellectually, but today I see and really understand it much more clearly, now. Now whenever I sense stress or busy-ness crouching at my door I'm claiming the promise of Romans 8:37...!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank you for Conquering all the 'things' of this world. Thank you for loving me so much that You died for my sins. You paid my debt. I am free because of what you did and I will no longer be burdened and bound by 'busy-ness'. Oh Lord what an incredible love You demonstrated long ago and continue to demonstrate today.

Lord today I walk as a ' NEW MAN' once again. Praise You Jesus for allowing me this revelation. Thank You for illuminating this perspective to me.

Father God now help me to live differently. I pray that my light shines brighter than ever in You today. I pray for my witness. I pray for the opportunity to fulfill Your calling me to influence everyone withing my sphere of influence today.

I love You Lord. I Praise you, Father! And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Strength of The Holy Spirit...

The Apostle Paul Prayed for the Spiritual Strength of the Ephesian Church.

'...Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God....'

Ephesians 3-13

The apostle Paul frequently wrote about the need to rely upon Jesus Christ’s strength. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12:9, he also passed on to his readers a promise the Lord had given him. It says “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness”.

My wife gently reminded me last night that I am still operating under my own power and not giving the Holy Spirit a chance to work miracles in my life. I was offended at first, but after thinking and praying about it nearly all night and this morning I know in my heart that she is correct.

Agggh... It seems that I have to keep giving the same struggles to the Lord day after day. And day after day I continue to make the same mistakes.

I know one thing for sure: The problem lies within me, NOT GOD!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh Lord, if there ever was a day for Your Power to be made perfect in weakness, it's today. I feel so weak today, Lord. And I am going to surrender this struggle to You. Just grant me Your grace, Father. I don't want my life to look like the life of Sam Chadwell any more. It's a life of busy ness. It's a meaningless, ineffective, and wasted life if I'm not operating under the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that my life would look more like Your life, Lord. Father I pray for peace within my soul. I pray to know the breadth, width, length, and height of Your love, my King.

Lord, my changed life will transform those around me, I know it will. But I can't change by myself. The spirit is certainly willing, but the flesh is truly weak. I need Your Grace and Mercy.

Father God, I pray to see things from Your perspective. Where I was once moved to anger and harsh words let me sow peace and healing words. Lord help me to move away from this quagmire of senseless, needless, busy-ness that continually shortens my time spent in effective Kingdom work.

Lord I sense there is no time to waste. And I am totally convicted to live a different life starting right now, right this very moment...! Oh make it so, Father!

Lord Jesus, My Savior, I place my Trust in You and the Power of the Holy Spirit. I love You Lord. I give You all the praise and honor and glory that You so richly deserve.

Father God I pray For an outpouring of Your Holy Spirit to rain down upon me. I give this day to You, Lord. I consecrate it to Your glory. And I pray these things in Your Sweet Son's Name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

This Week

Our Pastor at church really stretched and challenged us yesterday.

His challenge was for us to stop saying we were a Christian and START acting like one.

I feel convicted. And I have felt convicted for some time, too. I could be doing so much more for Kingdom work.

to be continued....

More Thanks and Praise

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for the rain this morning. Of course, I would love to teach lessons today but I can use the time to rest up and get organized in my office, too. I know You are taking care of me.

Lord I love You. I just rest in You today. I'm trying to do everything in the power of the Holy Spirit today, not Sam Chadwell's power.

I pray blessings on my family today. And Lord I just ask that You allow me to have a very productive day in the office today!

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

Thankful Heart

Lord, I have a thankful heart this morning. You have given me another day to impact the world for Your Kingdom. Father I pray for a good day. I pray that I walk in Your will, Lord. I lift up my students and their parents to You today. I pray for words of encouragement and life.

Father God I lift up my precious wife to You and I also ask blessings on Connor and Elijah today. Lord those boys are growing up in such a wicked, violent world. Help Monica and I bring them up knowing You and equipping them to be difference makers for the Kingdom of God..

Lord with Your help, by Your grace, I will bring honor and glory to Your name today. I trust in You, Lord. I rest in You. I love you my, King.

And I pray these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for another day. And it's a beautiful day, Lord. Oh how I love You, my King. I have been blessed beyond measure. I have such a wonderful wife and family. Thank You for them. I am regularly presented a great opportunity day in and day out to impact the Kingdom of God. I am very grateful for that. I really don't have a right to ask for anything. And I don't want or need anything material for myself.

I only want to grow in You, my King. And I would ask that You help me to make the most of the opportunities You place before me, Lord.

Lord I do humbly ask for healing of estranged relationships in my life. Lord as far as it has to do with me, I would like to live in peace with the rest of the world.

Father God I ask for healing for our land. I pray that scores and scores of people would draw closer to You in these perilous times. Lord help me to clearly see what my role and my families role is in the unfolding of events around us. I pray for direction, Lord. I pray that You help me to make sound decisions in the days to come.

I love You Father and I give this day to You. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Consecrating Today's Labor To the Lord.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I need You. With Your Help, By Your Grace, I will get much accomplished today. I see my self getting caught up on tasks that I am way behind schedule on, but only through Your power, Lord.

Father God, I rest completely in You today. I am totally convinced that I can do nothing outside of You. I am powerless alone. But in You I am a Mighty Warrior.

I love You, Lord. I give this day to You. All my endeavors today I do in Your name and pray that they bring glory to You.

I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.


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Preparing For the Harvest...

Today's Memory Verse: Luke 10:2... 'The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest...' -Jesus

Lord, today I do pray for the Harvest. Father I pray that You use Monica and myself as two of Your laborers. And Father who knows what great things You have in store for Connor and Elijah...? Are they called to reach their generations as well...? Surely they are. Father I pray blessings on them and lift them up to You, my King.

I give today to You, Lord. I'm starting out under the gun time wise but I know You will work it all out Lord. You always do. You are an awesome God. I love You, Lord.

And I pray all these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.

Lifting Up Cere

The Pastor at our church delivered a very good sermon this morning at first service... I have been tremendously impacted by his sobering words of wisdom. Honestly, my life is not going to be the same ever again because of what I have heard this morning. I'm lifting him up for second service that he impact many with his message. I pray that those who hear it will go out themselves and impact others within their sphere of influence and those in turn will do the same over and over...



Lord Jesus, Bless Cere's message as it goes out to 10:30 service this morning. Thank You Lord for Life Church and what it means to this community and the world around us!

Jeremiah 29:11

I've been feeling stress lately. I've been too busy, rushing here and there trying to stay on time and get as much accomplished as I can. So I've been looking to memorize scriptures that will help calm me and give me a sense of peace when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Today's scripture verse that I'm committing to memory is Jeremiah 29:11...

'For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord... -Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope...' (NASB)

I have been familiar with that verse for years, but never took time to memorize the address in the bible. Today it will be etched in my memory banks permanently...!

And oh what a great verse to know and a promise to claim...!

God cannot lie. God is in control. Praise be to God...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your many promises. Lord help me to be worthy to claim those promises. I want to be right in middle of Your Perfect Will for my life and the life of my family. Oh Lord I give this day to You. Today I will live for You.

Father God help me to let my light shine brightly today. Let there be no mistake whose Kingdom I am a citizen of today.

Lord You know all the 'stuff' I have going on in my life right now. I ask You for help in working it all out, my King. Please Lord free me from this burden of busy-ness so I can be more about the work You have called me to. Help my organization and time management. You are in control, but I know things will run more smoothly if I just quit trying to do things under my own power.

Lord I thank You for the many blessings in my life. Thank You for the great blessing of my sweet wife. And thank You for all the great things You are doing in her life right now. Lord I thank You for Elijah and Connor. Help me to be the best dad and step dad You have called me to be to them. I recognize that bringing them up to know You is the most important thing I can do.

Today is the day when I normally take time out to reflect on my blessings and I know I have many. You have definitely not forsaken me. Father God, You are truly an Awesome God. And I praise You, Lord.

And I pray all this things in Jesus' Name, AMEN.

2 Chronicles 7:14

'...If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land....' -GOD

Wow! That's a very powerful scripture verse...! And that's my memory verse for today.

I attended Wednesday church service last night for the first time in weeks. The Wednesday Night Group is on the last few weeks of the Truth Project. Last night's lesson was my favorite of the series. It was called the 'American Experiment' and outlines how far our country has fallen away from the original intent of it's founding fathers.

America is in great trouble. But the bible explains how we can get out of trouble. Darkness is prevailing at the moment, and that's because too many Christians are hiding their light under a basket.

We need to humble ourselves.

We need to repent.

We need to pray and seek God.

We need to turn from our wicked ways.

God is waiting to see what we're going to do.


A CALL TO ACTION:

Let's start today and really let our light shine to the world around us. We can begin with our everyday sphere of influence and go from there. We've got to start doing something different or the results are going to be disastrous.

I'm not keeping my Christianity secret. Everyone I meet is going to know exactly where I stand! I'm not going down quietly into the night...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, on behalf of America I stand in the gap this morning. I for one am very sorry for my 'wicked ways'. I vow to change, Lord. And I promise to let my light shine bright and pierce the darkness.

Father God this morning I lift up my Christian brothers and sisters all around me who like me have kept their faith secret for too long. I pray you empower them to once again let their light shine brightly. You said once that we are the light of the world. Oh Lord let that be so.

My Precious Savior, I am so grateful for Dr. Del Tackett and The Truth Project. It has once again got me fired up to change the world. I pray that fire never wanes. Bless me Father to do Your will. Bless my family, Lord. I lift up my precious wife and boys to You, my King.

Lord I lift up the Governmental leaders of this country. I lift up the body of Christ everywhere.

Father I thank You for the many opportunities you give me to impact the world around me every day. I give this day to You, Father. -It is for Your honor and glory that I press on. And I pray these things in your precious holy name, Amen.

God Showed Me Something...

I've been reading story of a pastor who was severely injured in a head on traffic collision. His recovery time lasted over a year and during that time he had many visitors who came to visit him and comfort him and wanted to minister to him. At first he refused any and all help. His rationalization was that he did not want to be a burden or put anyone out.

Another pastor friend of his, (an older and wiser man...) rebuked him for his actions. He told the injured pastor that there was a blessing in allowing others to minister to him and he was rejecting that blessing. In actuality it was a 'double blessing'. The injured pastor was missing a the blessing of being ministered to, and those who were offering help were missing the blessing of being able to administer the help. It was difficult for the injured pastor to change his way, because he was accustomed to doing the ministering, not receiving it. But with the help of the Holy Spirit he did begin to allow others to help him, and it changed his life and the lives of those around him immensely.

As I was reading that story I realized that I am a lot like that injured pastor. I often refuse help when it's offered to me. I especially refuse help from my wife, whom I perceive as overburdened herself, much of the time. I never considered that when I refuse help I'm denying a blessing both ways. What's even more interesting is that I heard a sermon on TV recently about the very same topic but it didn't effect me the way the story of the injured pastor did, although I see now that God has been trying to get this message through to me for some time.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing me something about myself that I need to change. Help me change, Lord. The last thing I want to do is withhold a blessing from anyone, especially my dear sweet wife.

Lord I need Your help in so many areas. I need help in getting into better physical condition, I need help in the area of finances and financial decisions, and I need help in the area of time management and organization, to name just a few areas I am struggling in.

Father God, I just lay these burdens down at the foot of Your cross this morning. I know You are aware of what's going on in my life and that You are in control of situations and working behind the scenes in ways I can't even imagine.

I love You, Lord. I trust and believe in You. There is purpose and reason behind everything that is happening in my life even if I can't understand it fully right now. I'm resting in You, Lord. No problem is too big for the One who created all existence.

I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer: Ask, Seek, Knock...

Periodically I like to comment on prayer, and what the bible has to say about prayer. I have been thinking about how I might find myself in a situation where I'll need to explain to a non believer about how prayer works, so I'm starting to memorize scriptures that speak about prayer. Here's today's memory verse: Matthew 7:7-11

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What man among you gives his son a stone when he asks for bread? Or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then (who is evil) know how to give good gifts to your children how much more then will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him...?

Prayer engages the Lord in the personal lives of men and women and in the affairs of government. It is the way we experience oneness with our Father and receive the essentials we need to carry out His work. Jesus promised that God would hear our prayers.

Dear Heavenly Father,

God, You are an Awesome God. Thank You Lord for listening to my cries. Thank You for prayer. Oh what a miserable world this would be if we did not have prayer. Lord You do hear, and you do answer the prayers of Your children. Praise You, Lord. Blessed be Your Name...!

I love You Lord and I give this day to You. I pray for a miracle today. I believe in miracles, Lord. And I know you are up to something BIG! Father God, help me to get caught up in my office, today. Help me to communicate quickly and effectively today, Lord. Father I ask that you would bless my marketing efforts. Lord please bless my finances and financial decisions that I need to make. Thank you Father for all the opportunity to serve You and impact the world the Kingdom of Heaven.

I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

God's Up to Something...

Wow... Pastor Cere blew us away with another awesome sermon yesterday...! I wish I could attend a church service like that every single day! Our current study at church is the Power of Readiness. Here's a link to Cere's message notes...

We really believe that this world is getting closer to end times scenarios and we need to be equipped spiritually to face the difficulties ahead of us.

The key scripture verse today is 1 John 2:15-17...

Love not this world or the things of this world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world with all it's lusts is passing away. But the one who does the will of God will live forever!

Monica and I most definitely feel a stirring of the Holy Spirit in our lives right now, as do many of our friends. These next few days, weeks, and months are going to get very interesting...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I love You. I am not in love with this world. All I want is to be in Your will. I want to draw close to You, my King. Father I give this day to You for Your Glory. I pray blessings on my wife as she takes Elijah on a day trip to Houston with friends from our local home school community. I ask blessings on Connor as he is at school today. And Lord I ask blessings on my day that I have the most productive day possible. I am desperately behind on some projects and hope to make up ground and get caught up on everything this week!

Father God, I pray that I am able to make an impact in some one's life for the Kingdom today. I pray that all the words that come from my mouth are words of life.

Lord I ask specific blessings on my finances today. We are trying to be good stewards, Lord. Help us to make the correct important financial decisions we need to make. Father God I just lay these requests at your feet.

Thank You for being a Good and Mighty God...! I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

More Praise...!

We are blessed to have more praise reports...! Monica is getting very busy with teaching art to the local home school community. She's really found her niche in art and God is blessing us greatly in that area. God is so Good. God is so faithful. God is in control.

I have to say that things are moving right along in tennis, too. I have a record number of new student inquireys lately.

The Holy Spirit is definitely alive and well and at work in our house...! We're on fire for Christ...! Today I'm starting a new scripture memorization program. I'm really going to get the WORD down deep inside me...!

Thank You Lord for these blessings...!

Lord Jesus, Thank You for blessing this family. Father God every good and perfect gift comes from you! You are an awesome God. I sing Your praises. I sing of Your faithfulness. I love you, Lord. I give this day to You, Father, for Your Glory. And I pray these things in Your Precious, Holy Name, Amen!