Prayer for the Summer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I thank You for another season to impact the lives of young people. I thank You that I am able to support my family by coaching others. Lord I want to honor You by giving 100 percent of myself to those I minister to. Nothing is about me Lord. It's all about You, Jesus...!

I pray blessings on this summer tennis season. I pray blessings on my family Lord. Father I lift up my health to You. Help me to have a good productive day today, my King.

I love You and pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Phil 4:6

Here's a comforting verse:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.

Here Paul is writing to the Phillipian church, but that command can be applied universally.We need not worry about anything. We must only trust in the Lord. We need to pray to the Lord and Thank Him at all times, too.

Anxiety, worry, stress... These things should not be in the life of a Christian. Oh those things may try to assail us, but if we stand firm in THE ONE who IS FIRM we will be OK.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord today I stand firm in You. I love You Lord. You have rescued me. Lord, Your Grace is sufficient to meet all my needs. Today I walk in the Freedom of a child of God, an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lord today I am truly anxious for nothing. Thank You Lord. Thank You my King. You are a Perfect God.

Father today I lift up my family to You. Bless my sweet wife. Bless Connor on his last day of school today. Bless my little boy Elijah and Father please bless our unborn child being knit together in Monica's womb.

Thank You for Life, Jesus. Thank You for giving Your life so that we might live. Lord I pray that I might bring glory and honor to Your name today. Help me to live a life that makes a difference. Help me to impact others in a most positive way today...!

I love You Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen!

Hurry Up and WAIT:. (on the Lord...)

I have a problem with always trying to do things under my own power. But the REAL problem is that I don't have any power on my own. Oh Yeah, my other problem is that I'm impatient.

I love Psalm 27:14. God does everything in His own perfect timing. It's our job to wait on Him.

My prayer today is that I slow down and wait on the Lord. God did not intend for the world to be moving at the pace it is. I'm definitely part of the problem. If I slow down and live life differently it might affect some lives around me for the better. Those lives in turn will affect lives around them and little by little the world will be a better place.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I pray for peace today. I pray for patience. Help me to be more kind and gentle, Lord. Father God, help me to be more like You. I will wait on You, my King. I will wait on Your perfect timing. I will not be anxious or worry about the future. Father I seek Your will. I want to serve You. I love You Lord. You have rescued me.

I lift up my family to You. I pray blessings on them. I pray blessings on my unborn baby. Lord I commend my health into Your hands. Thank You Lord. Father God I pray these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.

Who are the People in Matt 7:21-23...?

In this verse Jesus says at the judgement seat in heaven many people will say to Him: 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' Then Jesus says He will respond to them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers.'

I'm currently researching this verse. On the surface it indicates that many people will have lived deceived lives and go to judgement thinking that they are saved only to find out otherwise. Some commentaries say this verse is referring to false preachers. I agree with that assessment, but I think it has to refer to more than just false preachers. It would have to refer to all the sheep who followed the false preachers too, wouldn't it...?

Hmmm... It's a lot to think about, and pray about...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, help me to clearly understand this verse. I don't want to be deceived. I don't want anyone to be deceived. help me to know the truth. help me to know you.

I love You Lord. I put my faith and trust in You. I pray blessings on my day today. I ask for continued blessings on mine and my wife's health. I lift up my tennis students and classes to You today my King. And in Jesus' name I pray, Amen...!

Prayer for Monica

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I lift up my sweet wife to You this morning. I thank You for my precious Monica, Lord. She ministered to me greatly these past few days while I was ill.

Now she's feeling the way I felt the past few days. She hasn't slept well lately and she's getting a sore throat and generally feels run down.

I pray You Guard her health, Lord. Ease her discomfort. Grant her rest. Heal her sickness, my King. Bless her.

And Help me to help her as she helped me while I was feeling bad.

And Praise You Father that I feel almost back to normal.

You are a good and mighty God. And I Love You. I give this day to you, Lord. And in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Prayer for Healing

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I just place my health in Your hands today. You are the Divine Healer. My Faith and Trust are in You, Jesus. I love You Lord, and pray these things in Your Precious Son's Name, Amen.

BIG Praise Report...!

It looks as though the the lovely Mrs Chadwell is expecting another baby...! WOW, isn't that incredible news...?

Elijah and Connor are going to have a little brother or sister...!

Monica gave me the news this weekend. I don't know what else to say, except: TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

We are BLESSED.

GOD IS GOOD!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I lift up and dedicate this unborn baby to You. I ask and pray blessings upon mommy and child, Lord. And Father I humbly thank You for this tremendous blessing. I pray for this family now, Lord. Help us to grow and walk closer with You each and every day . I pray that Monica and I will raise truly Godly offspring who will make a significant impact in this world around us.

Thank You Lord. You are an awesome God...!

I love You Lord and consecrate this day and every day to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer for Monica and Elijah...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for another Friday. I am so grateful for the life I have. This morning I dedicate my family to You, my King. I pray blessings over Monica, Connor and Elijah today, Please guard their health, Lord. Both Elijah and Monica have been under the weather with a fever over night. I pray for their healing.

I love You Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

More on the Holy Spirit...

I've been reading the Book of Acts lately and it's just one story after another about the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself in the lives of believers. There are endless accounts of healings, casting out evil spirits, raising the dead, and more.

Dr Stanley's morning devotional discussed the power of the Holy Spirit as well...

The strength that we need during trials is available through Jesus Christ, whose supernatural energy flows through every believer’s mind, body, and spirit. How does this happen? John 14:17 says when someone receives Jesus as Savior, His Spirit comes to live inside the new believer. As a result of this “indwelling,” the power that Christ demonstrated while on earth prevails in those who now call upon Him for aid. However, for us to access His supernatural strength, we must trust His promise to supply what we need when we need it. As long as we attempt to muddle through using our own abilities, we will prevent His Spirit from unleashing divine help.Jesus Christ’s power is unleashed in our life when we acknowledge our helplessness. The effect is immediate. As soon as we surrender to the Lord, His might is working inside us so we can endure hardship while maintaining our joy and peace. -Dr Charles
Stanley

I keep seeing it so clearly... My problem is trying to do too much under my own power. I don't always give God an opportunity to take over. Well, I suppose that the more keenly aware I am about the problem then the closer I'll be to over-coming it.

'Surrender to the Hopelessness...'

Pastor Cere was speaking of exactly that a few days ago. He reminded us that when Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a Phillipian jail that at about midnight they were singing songs of worship and praise. Cere asked us if we knew why they were doing that...? He explained it was because their situation was so hopeless that God was the only person they could turn to.

-And guess what happened...?

The Bible records that their chains just fell off them and they were free... Gives you goose bumps, doesn't it...?

Friends, I confess. I need to work on my faith. I need to work on surrendering things to God. There is absolutely no reason why the Holy Spirit can't work in our lives today like he did in Paul's time.... Except that our (my) faith is not strong enough....!

We're all watching the world get crazier and crazier by the moment. Every day across the globe situations and circumstances escalate to new heights of hopelessness. I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to rain down on my family and I.

-And You too, Dear Reader.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I keep hearing the same message over and over. I keep seeing the signs of the times all pointing to the same thing. Father I am trying to get Your Word in me like never before. I love You Lord. I surrender to You. I know you will help me sort out my over booked schedule. I know that You will provide the resources for my family to survive in these absolutely crazy times that are ahead.

Father God I give it all to You. I stand tall and strong in You. You would have me pour myself into the lives of those around me; my family, friends, my tennis students, co-workers, everyone within my sphere of influence. Lord I heed Your Call. I trust in you, Jesus.

Lord I ask special blessings on my wife today. Lift her up, Father. Bless her, my King. Help her accomplish all she sets out to do today and more. I pray that we both operate in the power of the Holy Spirit today. Father God I give today to you. And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Finding Nemo...?

Are You familiar with the movie finding Nemo...?

In that movie a little clownfish's daddy swims across half the ocean battling sharks, jellyfish, seagulls and all sorts of adversity in an effort to save his lost son.

Elijah and I have watched that movie literally dozens and dozens of times. I was thinking this morning how our heavenly father battled all sorts of adversity in order to save us...!

There is a scene early in the movie where Nemo's Daddy is arguing with him to not swim out into open water. Nemo deliberately disobeys and faces dire consequences for his misconduct.

Doesn't that happen to us in this life...? We disobey our Heavenly Father and suffer the dire consequences. Think about it, this pattern has repeated itself time and time again all throughout history. I think we're seeing disobedience on a global scale now and it's only a matter of time before a major catastrophe occurs.

If you were a character from the movie Finding Nemo what character would you be...?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for saving us. We have all been 'Nemo' at one time in our lives. -Some of us still are... Help us to be more like 'Marlin', -Nemo's Daddy. Help us to be more like You. Father God, this world we live in is a wicked place. Help us to live here but not become like our surroundings. Help us to affect change within our sphere of influence.

Lord I love You. I give this day to You. I pray blessings on my dear sweet family. I pray blessings on my tennis students. Lord lift them up I pray.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praise Report...!

Yesterday did not end up as I had expected. We went to Matagorda Beach after church but almost got stuck in the sand as we were entering the beach. Our front wheels got stuck but thankfully a few men came by and helped push us out of the sand. Monica and I fished for a few minutes while and Elijah and Connor played, but I ended up spending the next few hours helping other people who were also getting stuck at the entrance of the beach. I'm sore this morning from digging and pushing cars out...!

I was a bit concerned that we would have difficulty exiting the beach when it was our time to leave, but God was with us and I was able to drive out without too much trouble. Isn't it interesting that 4 wheel drive trucks were getting stuck, but I was able to drive out in 2 wheel drive car...?

That's the power of prayer.

THANK YOU, GOD...!

Lesson learned: Don't drive on the beach. Park and walk...!

Church yesterday morning was very spiritually moving, of course. And last night I could not sleep hardly at all because I could not put the bible down. I completed the Acts of the Apostles and have read about halfway through the book of Romans early this morning. Wow...! I've got an incredibly full day of work today, but I'm planning to take several bible study breaks through out the day because I want to feed on the word of God continually.

Our Pastor said that getting the word of God in You was so important that we should take a day off from work if we had too... I'm in complete agreement with that...!

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, thank you again for Mommies. Thank You for my precious wife and mommy of our children. Thank You for yesterday, Lord. We were blessed abundantly.

Father God I thank You for what's going on inside of me spiritually. I feel more alive than I ever have, Lord. I pray that what's going on with me will be infectious to those around me. Help me to present a clear, strong witness for the sake of Your Kingdom Lord. Help me to tell 'my story' to everyone who will hear it.

Lord I pray for Holy Spirit power to manifest itself in me. Help me to be the man you have called me to be. Help me be a better leader at home to my wife and kids, especially Connor. I know change has to begin at home, first. But Lord I am ready for change. I am ready to do Your will. I am ready to unashamedly declare Your Glory to men.

Father God I realize that in these times we now live in that I am being called on a 24/7 search and rescue mission for the souls of men, women, and children all around me.

Thank You Lord for the many opportunities before me. You are a Good and Mighty God. You are The King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I worship You, My Precious Savior!

I love You, Lord. And in the power Jesus' Holy Name I pray, Amen.!..

Prayer for Mommies Everywhere

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, today I want to thank You and praise You for creating Mommies. I was blessed to have a mommy who loved me very much and raised me up to know right from wrong. She raised me up to have respect for others. She taught me how to take care of myself. She definitely took care of me as best she could. I loved my mommy very much and miss her very much today. Thank You for the years I had with my mommy.

Father God I also want to thank You and praise you for my sweet Monica who is most definitely one of the best mommies I have ever seen. I am tremendously blessed to observe her in action every day and rest assured that she gives 100 percent of herself to her children and husband every single day. I do not know a more selfless and loving person than my precious wife and mother of Elijah and Connor.

I lift up Monica today, Lord. Bless her. And bless mommies everywhere all around the world. Mommies and daddies have the most important jobs in the world. Today we set aside as special to honor our mommies, and I for one am truly grateful for the Mommy influence in my life...!

I love You Lord. You are a Good and Awesome God. I give today to you, My King. Help us to make today special for our mommies. I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

The Acts of the Apostles...

I'm reading/studying the book of the Acts of the Apostles... Wow...! I love to read how the Holy Spirit worked through those men and women. And I wonder why we don't see 'signs and wonders' like those we read about like miraculous healings or demons cast out..?

Oh there are cases of miracle healings here and there but not on a scale that makes a great number of people notice. Think about it. Do you know anyone who obviously, without a doubt is operating under the influence of the Holy Spirit right this very moment...?

I believe our pastor at church is 'under the influence'. I've never heard a more convicting series of messages in my life as the messages he has delivered to our church family this past year.

He's been telling us that a time is coming soon when the Holy Spirit is going to pour itself out into Believers of faith and character and many will have enhanced spiritual gifts. He says our time to prepare is now. That's why I'm diving into the scriptures like a man dying of thirst in the desert dives into a pool of water. I can't get enough of the WORD...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your Holy Word. Lord I'm soaking it up like a thirsty sponge. Oh Lord I pray that You keep me hungry and thirsty for You always. I love You Lord. You have done great things in my life. You bless me continually. Help me to be obedient. Help my faith to grow. Help me to be the witness You have called me to be.

I pray my words, actions, and thoughts will always reflect favorably upon You, Lord. Father I love You and pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son...

When I was first saved I was in my early twenties. The 'love' that I knew was the love of my parents from the perspective of a son who was loved. My perspective of love changed after my son Elijah was born. Now I have the perspective of the love of a father because I am one, myself. It's impossible to imagine giving my son Elijah up to any kind of pain and suffering. And that makes the act of Our Heavenly Father God giving up Jesus all the more remarkable.

I have the knowledge that someone gave their life for me. How amazing. But what am I doing with that knowledge...? I mean really, what good is that knowledge or any knowledge if it's not utilized, put into action, or shared...?

Let's look at it this way: If I were trapped without hope and about to perish in a burning house but at the last minute I was rescued by a fireman, but that fireman ended up losing his own life in the process, how would I feel? -Very Gratefull.

What would I do...? I'd rejoice that I was given a second chance to live.

Would I ever forget that fireman? Or be embarrassed to tell the story? No Way...!

Well, that really did happen. Jesus did pull me out of a burning house. (my future.)

And I have to start living a life that is more set apart from the world and I need to start telling everyone the story about that brave fireman named Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord You have shown me so much love. And I am a changed man because of it. But Lord I know that I am not doing enough with Your love, and the knowledge of Your love. Help me to be more bold in my proclamation of my faith. Don't let me hide my light under a bushel any longer.

Father God I am so grateful for the love of my family. I am so grateful for Your love, Lord. You sent Your only son Jesus to suffer and die for me. Thank You Lord. Thank You Jesus.

My Blessed Lord and Savior, I lay all my troubles, all my cares, burdens, and all my transgressions at the foot of Your cross. Your blood covers all, Lord. Your blood cleanses and purifies. Father God I am a new creation in You.

Lord I love You. I give this day to You Lord and ask blessings upon it. And I pray these things in Jesus' name... Amen.

John 17:13:18 -Are You a Disciple...?

Before he was given up to be judged and crucified , our precious Lord and Savior prayed a prayer to God the Father. In His prayer He prayed for His disciples. Now I ask, Am I not a Disciple...?

-I AM....!

So, here are the words that Jesus prayed for those who followed Him. It's comforting to know that Jesus prayed this prayer for me, and for you, too if You have been called by Him.

".... But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world...." John 17:13-18

• Jesus prayed that we would have HIS Joy.
• HE said the world would hate us.
• HE prayed for our protection from the evil one.
• HE asked God to sanctify us in the Truth -The Word of God.
• He is sending us into the world to carry out His mission.

We've got a lot of work to do. And it feels like the time is short. Very Short. What sort of impact will I have in the cosmic battle of good versus evil today...? Will my contribution to the advancement of the Kingdom of God be significant, or negligible...?

How about You? Do You consider yourself a 'disciple'...? What's your 'spiritual forcast' for today?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I'm sensing a stronger call each and every day. And I want to do Your will more than anything. I submit to You Lord. You lead and I will follow. Father God I give today to You, Lord, for Your Glory. And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

John 14:1.... Encouragement

I've just started a study of the Gospel of John. My memory verse for today is John 14:1. -Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also, in me...! -Jesus

And who is Jesus...? Here's what HE said in HIS own words: John 14-6 Wow, what great encouragement and good news to start off the week with!

If I can keep those verses in mind and perspective I should have a pretty good day. If I tell others about those verses I'll help them to have a good day, and maybe even change a life!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You Lord for another day. Father help me make a significant impact in someone's life today. Bless my time management and my communication skills today, Lord. I want to spend every moment of my day glorifying You, Lord.

I love You Lord and pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

The book of Luke has a Great Ending...!

This morning I just finished a month long study of the Gospel of Luke. Wow. Where do I start? I especially liked the ending. Jesus is resurrected on the third day and then appeared to His Disciples.

Imagine how they felt. That must have been an incredible experience to see their beloved Jesus alive after he was crucified, died, and was buried. And then they observed him taken up into heaven. What a mind blowing experience.

Luke 24:52-53 says that immediately afterward they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were in the temple continually praising and blessing God. I'm sure they did!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am very thankful for your Word. This morning's reading was simply captivating. Your disciples got to see you carried up to heaven. I can only imagine what that must have been like.

-Will I get to see You come down again...? The signs are everywhere. Our pastor is in full 'end times' battle gear and he's working around the clock to prepare us to be an integral part of the final harvest of souls. I can sense huge changes are coming.

Father God I want to be part of that harvest. Help me to win others for You. Season my words, Lord. Guide my steps and my decisions. My only desire is to be Your faithful servant. Lord Thank You for these opportunities. I'm giving You my heart and all that I possess. I lay them all down for the sake of You, my King.

Thank You for my precious wife, Lord. And I praise You for Connor and Elijah, two fine boys. Oh Lord I am greatly blessed to have such a family as this. But You didn't stop there. You have trusted and blessed me with many other blessings and I am very grateful.

My Jesus, My Savior and Redeemer, I love You. And I pray blessings in Your Sweet holy name, Amen.

Wise Words from the book of Ephesians

The book of Ephesians is really speaking to me right now. I love the opening prayer that Paul prays on behalf of the Ephesian Church. And I appreciate the instruction and encouragement on living a Godly life. Ephesians 4:1-4 is speaking loudly to me this morning.

I, Paul, implore you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience showing tolerance with one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Isn't that a beautiful verse? We must endeavor to be worthy of the call of Christ. We should be humble, gentle, and patient. -Oh if that were me... Sadly, I daily miss the mark much more than I hit it. In certain areas of my life (certain relationships), I fall dreadfully short.

Lord, I give my short comings to You. Help me to change my behavior. Oh how the flesh lusts against the spirit right now within me. Help me to conquer my flesh and live a life that is truly worthy of Your Call. Father God it is my desire to live in peace with everyone. Help me to be more humble, gentle and patient, especially with family members. Father enable Your Spirit to flow freely through me.

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