Friday, August 29, 2008

Attempt Great things for God; Expect Great things from God

It's no secret that I love to study the works and life stories of great men of faith throughout history. As I was reading Spurgeon's Morning Devotional for Aug 29 I came across a mention of a 'Dr William Carey'.

As I was not familiar with 'Dr Carey' I did an Internet search for him and discovered that he is regarded as the the father of the modern missionary effort. Here is a link to a synopsis of his life. It's a quick and interesting read. I am greatly inspired by the life story of this man. Clearly, he had a heart and a passion to do the Lord's work.

The title of my article this morning is a phrase he is famous for.

Attempt Great Things for God -Expect Great things from God...!

Wow... I love that. And you know what? I want to attempt great things for God. I feel a prompting that I've not been doing enough for the Lord.

In my estimation, I've been living an ordinary, mediocre, watered down christian life, hardly impacting anyone or anything around me. I take in good information all the time but I really do little more than report my findings in this blog forum.

Attempt and Expect are two very profound little words. What does attempting great things for God look like...?

I don't know.

But do know that I've got to get past the contemplative stage and get to the action plan.

Attempt means to 'physically do something'. I'm doing nothing except writing, and I know without a doubt that God expects more of me than that. But the fact that I haven't even attempted anything is not my main problem. The second half of Dr Carey's quote is where my problem lies:

EXPECT great things from God.

This is a faith issue.

The bible tells us we can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us...

ALL THINGS means pretty much ANY ATTEMPT...!

I have this feeling that I am not doing enough for the Kingdom of God. I feel that I am not even scratching the surface of what God would like for me to be doing.

Hmmm... I've got a lot of soul-searching to do....

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord for the prompting I am receiving. I am grateful that I can't sleep tonight. I love it when You awaken me in the middle of the night with a burden to pray for.

Lord in these early morning hours I just acknowledge that You are the Lord and Savior of my life. You are my King. All my allegiance is to You.

Father God I am searching for direction with what You'd have me do with my life, with my time. Help me to 'attempt great things for You'. And I'm not hung up on the 'great' part, I just want to be in the game. I'm on the sidelines right now and have been pretty much all my Christian life.

I'm also struggling with 'Expecting' great things from You. I know that's absurd to doubt You. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just know that I need help. I need you, Jesus.

Lord I just pray this morning that You would help me get my head on straight. Oh Lord that is my prayer. Lift me up from this mediocre, luke warm, below average mode of operation I currently call 'living out my faith'.

I love You Lord. And I am so grateful for the many, many blessings You have given me. I am not worthy of anything good in this world. But Your grace and mercy abound...!

Praise You Lord. Praise you Jesus...! And I pray these things in Your sweet, precious name, Amen.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Oswald Chambers on Prayer

I have read Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for HIS Highest for over ten years. Today's installment has aways been one of my favorites. It discusses what prayer is and why we need prayer.

Basically Chambers says that when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior then he comes to dwell within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Chambers describes prayer as nourishment for the Holy Spirit within us. We can choose to either starve the spirit or nourish it.

A couple of key points from today's study include:

1. Many people look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves. The biblical idea of prayer is that we get to know God Himself.

2. As long as a person is self-sufficient, then they tend to not ask anything of God.

3. Prayer changes a person's disposition towards things.

As I stated previously, I have studied Chamber's devotional for a little over ten years. I actually have two well-worn paperback copies. The past few years however I have taken to doing most of my studying online. This past year especially, I have been focusing more on Spurgeon's devotions, but I've just recently begun tuning back in to Chambers as well. -I'm so glad I did.

I love to read what others say and think about prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much my precious Lord for another day. Thank You for the quiet time I am experiencing right this moment. Father God I so appreciate the works of great Christians who have come before me. Thank You for Oswald Chamber's words of Wisdom this morning.

Thank You for prayer.

Lord it is my prayer today to lift up my precious bride who is teaching home schoolers this morning. I also lift up my sweet little boy Elijah who is starting his first day of school. And of course I lift up Connor who has probably the most difficult challenge of all: going to public school. I pray that the way he conducts himself today will be a bright light in a a sea of darkness. And I pray that for myself. as well.

Father, Enable me to take the gospel of truth to those that would hear it. Help me to be the Godly witness to those whom You have called me to share my faith.

Father God I am definitely not self-sufficient. I am relying on You for everything. I love You Lord. I rest in You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen,

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Cross Ministry




A Christian Home School Mom emailed me about this great location just outside of Amarillo, Texas. It is the sight of the second largest cross in the entire Western Hemisphere...! This cross stands nineteen stories tall.


Here is a website link for more information. I can't wait to plan a road trip for my family to see this incredible monument.

1 Tim 2:1-4

It is the desire of the heart of God that all may know Him. 1 Tim 2:1-4



We are called to pray fervently and give thanks for and on behalf of everyone. We are called to live quiet, peaceful, Godly, holy lives.



Living our lives in this way is worship...!





Dear Heavenly Father,

Dear Lord, I am truly thankful for all my blessings. I recognize that nothing I have is because of my own doing. I am just a steward of Your bountiful goodness.


Father God, it is Your desire that all men may know You. Father help me to live out my faith to those around me. Lord I pray that all would see You in me. Father God I pray for my witness. Help me to not be timid and shy away from opportunity.


Lord I pray specifically that You help me be more organized. Father God I especially need Your guidance in the area of time management. I've desperately got to complete some projects that I have been procrastinating on. These uncompleted works are robbing me of my joy and peace.

Father God, I lay these burdens down at the foot of Your cross. Take my hand, gentle savior.

Lead me along the path of righteousness. I love You Lord. I give this day to You. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Thought For Today

In Sunday School our instructor posed this question:

What if the number one thing in our life was to deliver the Lord's message...?

What would our life look like...?

Hmmm.... That question hit me right between the eyes.

Well, I try to infuse sharing my faith with my career every day. But most of the time I fall dreadfully short. And it's something that has been on my heart lately and in my prayers so, I have to take this past Sunday's message on the topic as encouragement to keep on trying.

I want every aspect of my life to be 'God Honoring'. But, most of the time I'm living my life 'in neutral'. I'm not out there robbing banks or committing murder but I'm not exactly honoring God with every aspect of my day, either.

I think the term 'lukewarm Christian' best applies to me.

I've been a Christian for a little over twenty years now and what have I done with my Christianity...? Not Enough. Oh I pray that changes today...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord the fact is that delivering Your message IS my life's priority. Help me to be bold. Help me to step out in faith. Help me to live the example You want me to live.

Father God I am entangled in so much busy-ness that it's difficult to see any difference between my life and the life of a non believer. Help me to prune. Help me to prioritize. And Lord help me to be the witness You have called me to be to my family, friends, and the community around me.

This is THE day Lord. I was made a new creature in You twenty-odd years ago. But TODAY I'm really going to start acting like a new creation...!

I love You Lord, and I thank You and praise You for all the blessings in my life. In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Acts 3: A New Insight

Yesterday at Church the Pastor performed a solo skit of the lame man who was healed by Peter and John at the Gate Beautiful in Acts 3. It was a very moving performance. And at the end of the service several people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Pastor Greg gave us a dramatized insight into the life of the lame man before and after his healing. The focus was on Love. The love of the lame man's mother, the love of John and Peter, and ultimately the love of God the Father and Jesus the Son.

It was a transforming Love that had the power to heal the lame man both inside and out.

That's what Jesus' Love does. And when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we are miraculously changed, too.

I remember that life changing event in my own life back when I was 20 years old at a little old First Baptist Church in Bay City Texas. I was healed. -Oh I wasn't lame physically, but I was definitely lame spiritually. But asking Jesus into my heart changed all that.

Unfortunately, for me life's road as a Christian has been rocky. And over the past twenty-two and a half years I really haven't made much impact on the world for Christ.

But honestly, yesterday's sermon really impacted me. I really like the perspective the Pastor showed us and I identify myself greatly with the 'lame man' much more now than I ever did.

Oh this world is so full of distractions, that is the problem. But we Believers must over come them and narrow our focus to the only thing that really matters: And that's telling others about Jesus Christ.

-And not only speaking the Truth verbally, but Living the Truth as a matter of our daily routine.

I definitely don't live the truth out -Especially around my family. - I'm acknowledging that fact and I'm most certainly giving it to God this morning.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord You are such a good, kind, and loving parent. You want only the best for Your children. I ask You this morning, Lord: Help me with my heart. Change me, Lord. I want to be transformed like the lame man at the gate beautiful. I want peace overflowing in my life, Lord. And I want to tell others about and help them find that peace.

Father God I just rest in You today. I am so weak, won't You make me strong...? Father God thank You for Pastor Greg's unusual sermon yesterday.

Thank You for my precious family. Thank you for all my tennis students. Lord, many young people are going back to school today. I lift them up, Lord. I lift up the teachers and all the support staff today too, Lord. I pray that all he Christians in school today will stand up and be a strong witness today and that lives will be forever changed through the power of Your Love.

Lord I especially lift up Connor today. Bless him Father. I pray that he continues to grow in You and that his light would shine brightly.

Father God I lift up my own tennis classes today. Many young people will be trying tennis for the first time and i just pray for a rich time of fun and enjoyment with all the glory going to You, my King.

Lord I pray for my career and work situation at Columbia Lakes. This place is most definitely a spiritual battleground. I lift up the management of the Hotel and the Country Club this morning. I pray for healing and that Your will be done. Father, I pray for my role in all this. How might I be able to witness to others in this sticky situation...? I know I am called to do something or I wouldn't be here in the first place.

I'm waiting on You Lord. I yield to You.

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

Friday, August 22, 2008

Prayer for Christina

Lord, I lift up one of my tennis students to You today. Please bless 'Chrisina H' as she spends a weekend retreat at a christian camp working on her relationship with You. Father God I am so impressed when I observe young people publicly seeking You. It gives me great joy to see You are indeed raising up a mighy generation of workers for the Harvest.

I pray that Christina will be transformed by this weekend. Father God you are a mighty God and I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessing for Today...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I have a thankful heart this morning. The sun is shining. The birds are singing and the birds are chirping. -What a glorious day...!

Father God, I pray a blessing on my day today. I pray for a productive day of touching lives and accomplishin great things in Your name, for Your glory.

Lord I just give this day to You. I'm not going at it under my own power. -I am nothing. And I can do nothing apart from You. Lift me up, hold me up, and enable me to be right in the middle of your will for my life, my King.

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

Amen.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

OK.. Didn't Have a Good Day, Certainly not a 'fruit of the spirit day'

Nope... It wasn't a good day. Sorry God. Really, I am. -As far as fruit of the spirit goes, I think my fruit trees are pretty barren right now....

Speaking of fruit of the spirit, I came across a good article on http://studylight.org/ about fruit of the spirit....

Check this link out: http://www.liveasif.org/view.cgi?type=w&list=20060912003


And that article link prompted me to conduct a search for this link of a humorous video containing the 'fruit of the spirit' song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1t8MVZRNb4


That was a little silly, I know. -However, I can't wait to teach Elijah that song...

But seriously, I need some intercessory prayer. -I'm definitely having a rough time of it right now.

I can't even hardly pray right now except to pray for forgiveness.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am so sorry. I fell short of Your Glory again. (like always) I owe you a great BIG apology and I owe my precious wife one, too. I truly love you both but it would be difficult to discern that by my words and actions tonight, wouldn't it...?

Lord help me change. Bless my dear sweet wife for giving me grace on a daily basis. I most definitely don't deserve grace from anyone. By the way, thank You Lord for YOUR GRACE, too...!

Father God, thank You also for tomorrow. It will be a new day, and a new opportunity to do better and give You Glory You so richly deserve.

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

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

A Good Day...

I awakened this morning and found myself praying for a 'good' day. But I wasn't praying for a good day for myself.

I want to give a 'good' day to my Lord and Savior as a gift. Jesus Christ died for my sins.

He died for my 'bad' days.

So today I pray for no sin in my life. I pray for no anger. I pray for no negative thoughts to weigh me down.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I'm praying for a good day today. That's what I want to give You. I want you to have my BEST. Help me to be in the moment at all times. Help me to genuinely pour myself out to those around me. When I'm empty I pray that You'll just fill me up again, Lord.

Father God I'm praying for a transformation today. Help me to love better. Help me to live a life that honors You, my King.

Oh Lord You are so worthy of this. I love You my dear sweet Father God. And I pray these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

John 13:35 -Live the Life

...By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another... John 13:35

HERE we Go. This verse jumped out at me this morning. I know I need to work on some relationships today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I just give this day to You. I am doing nothing under my own power today. I am submitting completely to You, my King.

Help me to love my neighbor with Your love, Father. Let there be no animosity or indifference in my being today. Father God I truly rest in You today.

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

Monday, August 18, 2008

Matthew 11:28

Come to Jesus if you are weary. Come to Jesus if you are heavy laden. HE will give you rest...

Jesus IS the answer. He IS the WAY.


This is one of those nights when I just can't sleep. This is a night when I just feel compelled to dive right in to THE WORD OF GOD. I don't want to stop until I have a renewed spirit...!

I am so tired and weary of my life as a lukewarm, mediocre, average christian. I have got to do things differently.

Why can't I rest in Christ, moment to moment, 24-7...?

I know the answer.

It's because I'm not fully committed to Christ. I'm not FULLY SURRENDERED.

OK, well what does 'Fully' surrendered look like...?

'Fully' surrendered means:

  • Not Worrying about things -I am the chief sinner in this regard...
  • Not being so busy -I've been in bondage to 'busyness' for years...
  • Not getting so angry -I'm getting worse in this area, not better...
  • Not speaking negatively of others -Why can't I control my tongue...?
  • Actively spending more time in prayer -Duh...

Sam's Inventory: How surrendered am I...? Oh, on a good day maybe 60% surrendered. Most days probably less than half of my day is surrendered.

What's the solution to my problem...? Matthew 11:28

I've Got to REST in JESUS...

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Let's Contact the General Contractor for Planned Parenthood

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This information was passed along to me from a friend at Texasfamilies.org. We have a great opportunity to make our voice heard about the subject of abortion today.

The general contractor for the remodel of the building at 4600 Gulf Freeway, owned by Planned Parenthood of Houston & Southeast Texas, has been identified. Upon renovation this building will be the largest free-standing abortion center in the Western Hemisphere.

The general contractor is: Meyerson Buiders Inc

Main Office: Meyerson Builders, Inc.1770 St. James Place, Suite 509 Houston, Texas 77056

Contact Jerry Meyerson

Telephone: 713.355.4443 Fax: 713.961.2830

E-mail: jerry@meyersonbuilders.com
________________________________________

Central Texas Office: Meyerson Builders, Inc. P.O. Box 523 Flatonia, Texas 78941

Contact Sandy Meyerson

Telephone: 361.865.3302

In a respectful way, please call, e-mail, fax and write to both offices. Then forward to your family, friends, church and business community.

State your opposition to the remodel of the building at 4600 Gulf Freeway into a late-term abortion center where unborn children will be killed in their mother's womb through six months of pregnancy(25 weeks). State that abortion hurts women in both a physical and psychological way and destroys families.

Let Jerry Meyerson and Sandy Meyerson know that you will be passing this information on to your family, friends, church and business community.

Texas Families Against Planned Parenthood
P.O. Box 301094 Houston, TX 77230
Phone: 713-395-1330
Email: staff@houstoncoalition.com

*******************************************************
To subscribe to the Texas Families Against Planned Parenthood e-mail list, please go to http://www.texasfamilies.org/ and add your name to the statement opposing Planned Parenthood's expansion.

Houston Coalition for Life, P.O. Box 301094, Houston, TX 77230

Psalm 29:2 -Giving God the Glory...!

This morning's scripture study verse from the Spurgeon Devotional is::

Give unto the Lord the Glory due His name... (Psalm 29.2)


Spurgeon questioned: What have we that has not come from the Lord...?

The answer: Nothing.

Oh, this is why God is opposed to the proud... (James 4:6)

Pride is something that I really have to work on because there are definitely times when I think too highly of myself. I can easily spot pride in other people, but am slow to acknowledge that it is also an issue with Sam Chadwell.

I think God has been working on that problem with me for a while, now. He's been taking me down a notch or two for some time...

I can't really elaborate more on this topic right now. I'd just like to let the implications of these two scriptures sink in awhile...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I give my pride issue to You. I can think of no better words to describe my sentiment except those from Jude 1:24-25: Lord I give You all Glory, Majesty, Power, and Dominion over my life. You are the only one who can help me and save me. You are the only one who can keep me from stumbling.

Oh Father, I do hope to stand in Your presence one day blameless and full of Joy! But until then, thank You for giving me the revelation of my current condition. Thank You for this moment to recognize the error of my ways and repent. Thank You my Lord and King from whom all good things come...!

I love You Lord. And I give this day to You. Today is all about honoring You Lord and giving You the proper credit and respect You so richly deserve. I am going to honor You by loving others as You have commanded. I am going to honor You by giving my utmost for You.

Father I recognize that I am greatly blessed. I have been given so many Divine Favors that I daily take for granted while others around the world suffer persecution, cold and hunger. Clearly, You have set me apart from most of the rest of the world.

Lord I do thank and praise you. I acknowledge you as ruler of my heart and life. I will rest in You. I will walk in Your ways my King. -In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.


Friday, August 15, 2008

Genesis 24:63..Taking Time To Pray

Today's Lesson is about prayer. My inspiration for today's discussion began with the Charles Spurgeon Morning Devotional.

Genesis 24:63 records that Isaac went out to a field in the evening to pray. Spurgeon took note that Christ is 'Everywhere' and we can meet him right where we are: - in a field, in our house, or even on a crowded street. I totally agree with that. I have several special prayer places for myself including the family room and bedroom in my house, and the front seat of my car. I love the quiet moments when I am alone with my God.

Upon researching today's scripture verse I came across a comment made by Matthew Henry regarding Genesis 24:63:

He went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary place, for meditation and prayer; those divine exercises by which we converse with God and our own hearts. Holy souls love retirement; it will do us good to be often alone, if rightly employed; and we are never less alone than when alone.

'We are never less alone than when alone..' -I think that's just beautiful. what a sweet moment in time when it's just God and I together, hanging out.

Being alone with God is an awesome experience but there's also something very special and inspiring to go outside and praise God among the trees, grass, and along with every living thing that God has made...

John Wesley had this to say regarding Genesis 24:63:

'...He went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary field, for mediation and prayer. Our walks in the field are then truly pleasant, when in them we apply ourselves to meditation and prayer we there have a free and open prospect of the heavens above us, and the earth around us, and the hosts and riches of both, by the view of which we should he led to the contemplation of the Maker and Owner of all...'

I really identify with the way Wesley described: the hosts and riches of both the heavens and the earth around us leading to the contemplation of our maker....

In fact, I moved my family to West Columbia in the fall of 2005 because I wanted them to grow up in a country, rural area like I did. -I love walking alone in the morning or evening when I get a chance. The sounds of the morning insects and animals is sometimes deafening. I always consider that these created things are all giving glory to God in their own way. -I love to contemplate scripture and pray in that kind of venue, and you can't really find the beauty of nature like that in a built up, metropolitan area.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Some New Habits...

Yesterday I tried something different and I'm going to try it again today. I'm setting the alarm on my phone to go off every hour on the hour. The alarm is a reminder to pray. I'm trying to create an environment where I will begin to 'pray without ceasing'... I want to keep my day in tune with HIM. I want to make sure that I never get too wrapped up in a moment and stray from the ONE who deserves my complete devotion. So every hour on the hour through out my waking day I go through a 'quick checklist' that currently includes:

  • Praise and Worship to the Creator of all Things...
  • Thankfulness for my wife and family and my many other blessings...
  • Intercession for current special interests which I might even write on the palm of my hand as a reminder of...
  • Petition for personal and global needs

This new system worked pretty good for me yesterday. I'm trying it again today. And I'm going to add a scripture memory verse to my routine as well. Today's scripture memory verse will be from Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotional: Psalm 92:4..... -YOU Lord have made me glad through Thy work, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands...

I hope to keep a sense of joy in my core being all day. Right now I have to remind myself constantly that I am saved and I should be living in Victory. In that way my cup of living water will overflow into the lives of others around me. THAT is what God desires of His children...!

You know, 'praying without ceasing' is a whole other level of consciousness...!

Oh I fully expect the enemy to challenge my new routine and throw every kind of distraction my way. I am ready. I am clothed in the full armor of God today, ready for battle...!

Today I will especially lift up my precious wife who will be teaching art classes to home schoolers.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord You are most wonderful and holy. You are the Creator of all Good things. You are my Savior and Redeemer. You are my Comfort. You are my Rock. I rest in You, my King.

Father God I truly give this day to You, in Your honor, for Your glory. Help me to firmly establish my new hourly routine of remembrance to worship and communion with You. Lord I do pray that it raises me to a whole new level of consciousness. How can it not...? How can I not be forever changed if I stand in Your holy presence and connect with You on a more frequent basis....?

Oh God I pray that there never be a 'disconnect' from You...!

Lord I lift up my precious family to You. I pray special blessings upon Monica as she officially begins her new teaching career today. Lift her up, Lord. I pray You enable her to speak and teach the truth boldly and that her words greatly impact the young lives of those children in her classes today.

Father God I just dedicate my whole day to You. Please protect me from the enemy's distractions and fiery darts today. Lead me not into temptation, Lord. Bless me, Father. And especially bless my speech as I communicate to my own group of young people today as well.

Help me to be bold and courageous for You Lord. Let me not be ashamed of the Gospel of Truth...

I love You Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' precious, holy name, AMEN.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Today's Forcast: Cloudy

This morning I read Hebrews Chapters 11 and 12.

I love how chapter 11 explains what faith is and then goes on to list the roll call of 'faith heroes' recorded throughout biblical time. Then chapter 12 starts off by labeling these Heroes 'a great cloud of witnesses'.

You know, God knows and sees everything we do and think. But there is also a 'great cloud of witnesses' up there keeping an eye on us, too. These witnesses are those who have 'been there and done that...'

We can learn so much by examining the lives of the faithful who have gone before us. Did any of them have doubt at times in their lives...? -Sure. -Absolutely.

But the bible records how they all finished the race strong.

And so must I.

My problem is that I keep operating under my own power. Why am I such a stubborn man...? God has given me so many examples to follow.

You know, since I've been married to Monica I've observed her grow into a woman of strong faith. I've observed her prayer life grow and grow. I thank and praise God daily for my wife's encouraging presence in my life...!

Not only can I look at the lives of the great cloud of witnesses for an example I can also look at the life of my precious bride for a constant every day reminder. Oh I am blessed, indeed!

Today's Forecast is cloudy...! Praise God...!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Trusting God...

This morning's Oswald Chambers devotional was about trusting God...

Today's scripture verse is Matthew 8:26. Our God can do anything. And He desires good things for His people. Sadly, too many times my faith is like that of the apostles in the boat when the storm came up. My prayer today is for a firm unwavering faith and trust in God for all Good Things.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord hold me up, lift me up. Help my faith, Lord. This morning I am weak. But I know that You are strong and You love me and will guide my path and protect my family and I.

Father God, this morning I am just resting in You. Oh how I love You my King. I just give this day to You My Savior.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Prayer for Today...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I pray for myself today. Help me to grow into the man of faith You called me to be. Help me to be more like You. Help me to be kind, gentle, and most of all patient. Lord help me to manage the resources You have blessed me with a little better.

Father God help me to manage my time better. Time is one of the most valuable resources.

Lord Jesus help me to impact some one's life today in a positive way and make a difference in this world.

I love You Lord. And I am so sorry for being such a big sinner. I want to have nothing to do with things that grieve Your heart.

Thank You for all the blessings that I do not deserve in the least.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Dizzy from being Busy...

The title of my blog today is an interesting phrase isn't it...?

But I do think it accurately describes me. Oh there is a war being waged for how I spend my time right now.

'Dizzy from being Busy' is a phase I heard on a video my wife posted on her blog last night.

Being a living sacrifice is praise, worhip and devotion. Thanks Monica for Your daily witness...!

Love, Sam

Friday, August 08, 2008

More than a Blog...?

I have to do something. How can I just sit idle and allow the souls of the lost perish right before my very eyes...?

I have an opportunity with every encounter to tell people around me about Jesus, but do I...?

No.

Isn't the greatest news in the world that Jesus Christ Loves us and that he died for our sins on a cross two thousand years ago so that we would have an opportunity to escape the Judgement Wrath of God and the fires of condemnation if we believe in HIM...?

Yes.

Well, why then am I not telling the whole world about it..? I suppose that I am witnessing in this blog venue. But blogging about it is about the least I can do.

Hasn't my life been changed irrevocably by the love and mercy and grace of God...?

Absolutely.

Well then why don't I fashion a testimony about how God changed my life and is continuing to change my life...? And, why don't I use my story to persuade and encourage others to come to Christ...?

If they already know Him perhaps my testimony can encourage them to walk closer with HIM.

I have to do something. I don't want to get to my own judgement and hear God say, 'Thanks for the blog, but is that the BEST you could do...?'

I want to give God more than a Blog.

And I have to get started 'cleaning up my act' today...! It's high time my life CLEARLY reflected that I am a child of God...

There's no time like the present to fully surrender to Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I awakened this morning with a strong conviction to take my witness to a different level. This is something that has been building in me for a long time. Father God I want to live my life totally, recklessly abandoned to You. Help me to be Bold in the proclamation of my Faith.

You can do this. You have done it innumerable times in the bible through ordinary men. Why not use me, Lord...?

Today is a good day to start. Lord I just pray a blessing over my day. Bless all of my encounters today. There are no 'chance' encounters, Lord. Every person I meet today is an opportunity to let my light shine for You.

Father God, Thank You so much for my sweet family. Thank You for a praying wife. Thank You for Connor. Thank You for Elijah. Lord I want to show my gratitude by living totally for You from this moment on.

Lord the Evil one will seek to tempt me and distract me more than ever now. He wants to destroy my testimony. Deliver me from Evil and Temptation, Father.

You have transformed me, my King. Oh what a wondrous day this is. I am filled to overflowing with Your abundant Joy, my Lord....! I want to shout Your Name to the whole world...!

Father God I love You. You have truly rescued me. Thank You my Lord and Precious Savior. Oh there is none like You...!

And I pray these things in Your sweet holy name, JESUS CHRIST,

Amen.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Paul Harvey's Prayer

A Christian friend forwarded an email to me containing this prayer from well known radio personality Paul Harvey...

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

If You'd like to visit Paul Harvey's website go here:

http://www.paulharvey.com/index.aspx

Thursday Thanks... Romans 8:28

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I do thank You for all the adversity I'm facing right now. I am overwhelmed with deadlines and more responsibility than I can handle and I realize Lord that my only hope is in YOU. Lord I trust You to get me through.

I have to rely on the promise of
Romens 8:28. Lord I trust that all will work for Good because I do Love You, my King. And I AM called to Your purpose.

Father God I pray that You order my steps this morning. Help me get everything on my plate accomplished. And Lord let every accomplishment be to Your Glory and Honor.


I know that anything and everything is possible with You, my King. Oh Lord I love You. And I fall upon Your mercy and grace this morning.

Lord Jesus I lift up my sweet wife to You this morning, also. She's going through the same sort of 'busy-ness' that I am. I cover her in prayer this morning and pray blessings over her schedule as well. I thank You so much for Monica. Through eveything we face she always gives me strength and encouragement because of her faith. Lord I am so grateful for my precious bride. Thank You for her presence in my life.

Oh Most Holy Father, I give this day to You, my King. I am not discouraged in the face of adversity. I just give it all to You Lord and trust You to make sense of it all. Guide me Lord. Lead me Good Shepherd. I rest in You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

You will know them by their fruits...

I awakened this morning with these things on my mind... Don't be so angry. Don't judge others so harshly. God will treat me the way I've treated others. I really need to be more gracious. I need to be slow to speak in anger.

Scriptures that immediately came to mind were Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 7:12, and Matthew 7:16

You will know them by their fruits...

I'm worried about my fruit tree. This has been a 'bad crop year'...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I feel like You have been speaking directly to me this morning. Basically, You're reminding me to follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as I would have them do unto me...

- Oh Father God I hear You...! I want to obey You. Help me, Father. I want to live my life differently. I can start right here with this prayer.

Lord, help me to be gracious and thoughtful like You. Help me to love others with Your Love. Take all pride away from me, Lord. Draw me close. Hold me close to You. Oh Transform me, my King.

Father God I trust You. I Believe in You. I love You, Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Thanking God Bad Weather Missed Us

This morning I'm very thankful that all the bad weather missed us. We spent much of the day yesterday preparing for a hurricane, but it was minimal in strength and made landfall farther up the coast. We had braced ourselves for lots worse.

Thank You Lord for sparing us with the weather. Now I have time this morning to get caught up on some things I have been behind on... Wow... You really do work all things for good...!

I love You Lord and I give this day to You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

Monday, August 04, 2008

The Inward-Kingdom

The Thoughts of John Wesley: My Thoughts for Today!

The inward kingdom of heaven, which is set up in the heart of all that repent and believe the gospel, is no other than “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Every babe in Christ knows we are made partakers of these, the very hour that we believe in Jesus. But these are only the first-fruits of his Spirit; the harvest is not yet. Although these blessings are inconceivably great, yet we trust to see greater than these. We trust to love the Lord our God, not only as we do now, with a weak though sincere affection, but “with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength.” We look for power to “rejoice evermore, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks;” knowing, “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.” -John Wesley

-exerpt taken from his sermon on the Devices of Satan


Coach Sam's Personal Notes:

I need to work on my 'inward Kingdom'...

Sunday, August 03, 2008

John Wesley on Prayer


Out of what I can only describe as a 'Holy Spirit prompting' I did an Internet search for John Wesley yesterday because there was a quote by him on the Christian resource website studylight.org. To my delight, I found a staggering wealth of information on numerous websites regarding this great Christian who lived in the 1700's and founded the Methodist Denomination.

Wesley was a man of deep conviction and love for God. He felt he was living during a time of intense corruption in world full of sin. He took a bold stand for Christ in an evangelical effort to rescue the souls of the lost around him. Oh how tame his world looks to me as compared to the era that You and I currently live in. Indeed, what would Wesley think about today's society? Well, his words from the 1700's are just as relevant today as they were two hundred years ago. Perhaps they are even more relevant today. I will be spending a good deal of time in the near future studying the works of John Wesley and will no doubt have more commentary and thoughts regarding my findings.

Here is a link to many great sermons by John Wesley. I could probably spend a year or more just studying the sermons on that resource link alone and that's not even a complete listing of all of Wesley's works...!

Here is what The founder of the Methodist Denomination had to say about prayer.

Wow...! This great man of God from the 1700's lived a life totally abandoned to our Heavenly Father...! What an inspiration...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I need Your Grace to subsist like my body needs air to survive. I need it all the time. I mean, how long can I go without air...? -Not very long. Father God help me to stay connected to you all the time through prayer. Help me to 'pray without ceasing...'.

Lord I pray that everything I do in my daily life is pleasing to you. I believe that when I function as You designed me, then I am praising and worshiping you. Therefore I praise You when I eat regularly and healthily, and I praise you when I get enough sleep. I praise You when I love and care for my family. I praise you when I give the best tennis lesson I can. I praise You when I am totally in the moment giving my 'best' to the occasion. Lord when I desire to please you constantly then everything I do to the best of my ability is to Your praise and glory.

Oh Lord PLEASE fill my soul with love and the desire to continually please You. Father God my heart cries out to You this morning.

I love You Lord. Help me to love all men with Your love. Help me to especially love those who who are against me or would do me wrong or offend me. Let them see the transforming power of Your Grace and love and mercy in me, Father.

Oh Lord I am so weak. I need You to hold me up and lift me up. I give You all the praise and credit and glory for anything I have accomplished or will accomplish. It's all about You, Jesus...!

Father Praise You. I am a new creation in You...! In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

The Foolish Man in Luke 12

The story of Luke 12:16-21 is the story of a man who worried about wealth and spent his time accumulating and saving his wealth so that he could retire comfortably. Then right as he was about to retire, God called him a fool and explained that all his work was going to go for nothing because he was going to die that very night. The man had spent his entire life pursuing things of earthly value. And when he died he had absolutely nothing of eternal value to show for his life. We don't have all the details but this man probably neglected his family because of work. He probably didn't have any friends because he was busy working all the time. He was definitely living a fleshly life because the main thing he was focused on was to be able to kick back, eat, drink, and be merry.

The message for us today is that when we strike off on our own and initiate actions with no thought of God, we are behaving like fools. If we want t0 live an eternal life we must keep our eyes on Jesus and live for HIM...!

Oh I've been a fool at many times in my life... (Including up to Right Now...) But I don't want to be a fool any longer. I want to be a follower of Jesus. And I want to keep equipping myself to be a rescuer of men's souls. And I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me every day. I believe that is what God has called me to do. And I believe that is what He has called all men and women of faith to do.

Heavenly Father,

Father God I don't want to be a foolish man one minute longer. Lord change me. Holy Spirit empower me. I love You Lord and only want to serve You. Father God I lift up my precious family to You this morning. Bless them Lord. Father I especially lift up Connor and my relationship with him to You. You can heal the hurt and the hard feelings, Lord. I know that my life will not move forward until this issue is resolved so I am placing all my energy and resources into my family.

I love You Lord. I really do. And I know I fall short of Your Glory just about every day because of sin in my life. But Lord I do repent. I don't want to sin. I don't want to have anger and negative thoughts and feelings in my heart. I'm truly sorry for my trespasses. Lord I throw myself on Your grace and mercy. And I pray these things in the power of Jesus' name, Amen.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Evereyone who wants to live a Godly life will be persecuted...2 Timothy 3:12

Is it just me or does it seem that it is definitely getting tougher to be a Christian in today's society...? The world is getting more wicked and evil every day. I simply can't believe how much the content of television shows has deteriorated from when I was a child. Why, we can't even watch the commercials any more, either.

I feel compelled more and more with each passing moment to take a stronger stand for Christ. I don't want Connor and Elijah living in a world like this. And I don't want to face my Lord and Savior at the end of my life and not have lived My Utmost for His Highest.

But 2 Timothy 3:12 says the way of Christ is Persecution... And, Acts 14:22 says that we must endure tribulation to enter the Kingdom of God.

I don't care about the persecution. I don't care if I'm ridiculed. I'm losing my pride. My God is a strong and mighty tower. I will rest in HIM...!

Life is Hard, But God is Good...

Hmmm... That phrase is the title and some of the Lyrics to a popular Christian song by Pam Thum that just popped into my head. The lyrics to that song are a sermon unto itself and complement today's scripture verse very nicely...

You turn the key
Then close the door behind you
Drop your bags on the floor
You reach for the light
But there's darkness deep inside
And you can't take it anymore

'Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do

Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good

You start to cry
'Cause you've been strong for so long
And that's not how you feel
You try to pray
But there's nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel

In the silence of all that you face
God will give you His mercy and grace

Jesus never said
It was an easy road to travel
He only said that you would never be alone
So when your last thread of hope
Begins to come unraveled
Don't give up, He walks beside you
On this journey home and He knows

Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good


-Pam Thum

Wow... Aren't those some powerful lyrics...? I'm going to try to find a clip of that song to post soon. What ever we face, God is there. He knows what's going on. Our life is short and we must take a stand. It will be a hard stand. But God walks beside us the entire way. Life is hard, but God is Good.