Praise HIM...!

I am in awe of my Creator this morning. I hardly slept a wink last night because of what the Lord is doing in my life right now. I have the greatest hunger and thirst to know the Lord more than I ever have in my entire life. I am becoming more and more aware of God's call to me every day.

All I want to do is honor Him with every fiber of my being.

I know that right now I am called to be in prayer: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh Praise You my King...! You have opened my eyes, Lord. Father God I stand up for America this morning. I will not let her fall. Lord I pray for Holy Spirit intervention in the upcoming presidential election. I pray for Christians everywhere to awaken and make their voices heard.

Father God, I am here at this unique time in history not by accident, but by Your Grand Design. You have a special purpose for each and everyone of Your Children. Help me to stand strong for You in these troubled times.

Help me to be the family and community Leader You have called me to be. Help me to be an influence in my workplace and every sphere of influence I have. Help me to be an encouragement to my dear sweet wife. And Oh Lord allow me to be a blessing to my children that they may grow strong in You because they can see the precious relationship that I have with You...

Father God, I do love Thee. You are the world to me. I am ready to give up everything for You. Bless me to accomplish much today, Lord. It's all for Your Glory, my Savior.

I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer for this Week..

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord every week seems to be a 'big' week. I'm always busy, busy, busy... I'm more busy than I believe You would have me be. I'm definitely more busy on things that don't make one bit of difference to Your Kingdom than You would have me be...

Lord I awakened this morning with a greater desire than ever to serve You and do Your will. Father God I want to effect change in this world for Your Kingdom sake. Help me to be the witness You have called me to be, my King. I want to honor You with my every breath, every heart beat.

Father God we live in dark times, but oh I sense that darker times are coming. I pray a hedge of protection around my family and friends in these days to come. Help us to stand tall and strong. Help us to stand for Righteousness. Help us to shine for YOU.

Father God I lift up the voters in South Dakota that measure 11 to outlaw abortion will pass and that a revival will sweep across this land. Father God I pray that Christians all over our country will be Holy Spirit led to vote their conscience in the upcoming presidential election.

Lord I pray for protection of our countries borders and for homeland security. Keep America safe from those who would do us harm. I lift up America to You, my King.

Lord I pray for spiritual discernment for my wife, family, and I throughout these tumultuous times.

I love You Jesus. And I pray these things in Your precious holy name, Amen.

Pray For South Dakota Voters

I just read an article on One News Now that the state of South Dakota is voting to make abortion illegal in their state. See http://voteyesforlife.com/index.html for more details.

When 'measure 11' passes in South Dakota on November 4, it will pave the way for similar legislation in every state in the country...!

Friends, please add this issue to your prayer list...!

Prayer for Today...

Today Monica is going to a Women's Retreat from Church. I pray for a great blessing for her and all the attendees this weekend. I also pray a great blessing on Elijah as he comes to work with me today for the first time....!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for a beautiful day to start our weekend with. Father God lift up my sweet wife as she takes some time this weekend to draw closer to You. Bless Monica and her friends to have a safe journey to Houston. I pray it is a time of great fellowship for she and her friends and that You are revealed to them in a powerful way.

I pray for a peaceful time for Elijah, Connor and I while Monica is away. Lord it is on my heart this morning to lift Connor up to You in a special way today. I pray an extra blessing over him for a good day at school and a pleasant weekend at home.

I love you Lord. You are my King and my Savior. Through You all things are possible. I rest secure knowing that my prayers will be heard an answered. In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen.

A Steady Diet of Fruit... Galatians 5:22-23

I'm on a fruit diet.... Fruit of the spirit, that is....!

The Fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 are as follows: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control... There's even a Fruit of Spirit song to help us remember this verse...

Patience, especially with family members and co workers comes hard for me. And self control, especially where eating is concerned is difficult for me as well.

But one day at a time I just acknowledge how weak I am and how strong God is and I just rest in His strength.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for the sweet-tasting Fruits of the Spirit. Father God I am deficient in several of my fruits and I just humbly ask You to help me in the areas where I fall short. Help me especially with matters of my family, Lord. Help me to be more patient, more forgiving, and more loving. Oh Lord and help me to impact my workplace for You. I have been running from opportunity after opportunity. It's time I take a stand for what is true, good, and right, not run and avoid the challenge. Lord today I just ask for continued help in those areas. Enable me to be an influencer in my daily circle of encounters.

And of course Lord, let me not forget to pray for America. I awakened again with a sense of urgency for America this morning. I pray today that Christians around the country wake up and begin to take an active part in government, especially the voting process.

It's black and white for me. I have to vote for a political platform that supports an unborn baby's right to life. I have to vote for traditional family values. I pray for Christians everywhere to base their voting decision on those criteria. 'Life' and 'Family' are more important issues than anything else. Oh, there are other issues, but Life and Family are 'deal breakers' for me, Lord. And I know they are for You, too.

Father God, I love you and I offer my day up to You. Help me to be about Your business, Lord and nothing else. I stand in the Gap for America today, Lord. Father I pray that You continue to bless America. -And enable this country to continue to be a blessing to others.

I pray these things this morning in the Power of the Greatest Name ever spoken: Jesus Christ...!

Amen.

Philippians 4:8

I believe that what this world needs is a little more of Philippians 4:8


Today, with God's help I will dwell on good things. I will not allow negative thoughts to take control of my mind. I will dwell on that which is good and pure and holy. I will not allow anger to over take me. I will not give in to the snares of the evil one who seeks to discredit my witness.

Here's a a link to some great commentary about Philippians 4:8. It's a little long, but well worth the read in my opinion.


Dear Heavenly Father,

Negative thoughts are a problem for me. I have tried but have not been able to overcome this problem by myself. Lord, as with everything, I need You. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to help me to take every thought captive. By Your Grace and by Your Grace alone am I able to break down this stronghold in my life.

Lord, I know I am nothing without You. I can accomplish nothing by myself. But in You I am strong and can do anything. Father God I claim Victory today in Your Name.

Lord You are a God of Order and Peace and right now my life is disorganized and anything but peaceful. Father God right now I am consumed with non productive busy-ness. I long for peace, but it seems far, far away.

I love You Lord. And I want to honor Yo with my thought life. Help me to be in prayer more. Help me to be in Your Word more. There's no way I can be negative if I'm engaged in those activities.

Lord I know You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. -And I am to live by faith, not by sight. Jesus I lay these burdens at Your feet with confidence that You will enable me to overcome them.

You are a Mighty and Awesome God. All good things come from You, Lord. I thank You for the many blessings You have so freely given. And as always I stand in the Gap for our country. Please continue to Bless America, Lord. Withhold Your judgement for just a little while longer. Allow Your people just a bit more time to win a few more souls and change a few more lives.

I give today to You, my King. In Jesus' precious holy name I pray, Amen

Isaiah 1:9 The Remnant

Have You heard of 'the Remnant' mentioned in Isaiah 1:9...?

Isaiah is not talking about a piece of carpet in this text. The remnant refers to 'True Believers' who are standing faithfully in the gap praying and witnessing to this lost, sinful world. The prophet implies that God would have already judged the wickedness of the people if it had not been for the presence of the 'faithful small few'. -And so it is in America, today, right now.

America is on the edge today. There is virtually no difference between America today than to Soddom and Gomorah before their fall except that there must still be a very small remnant of the spirit of our founding fathers left in this country.

None of us deserve God's mercy. We all deserve God's wrath, because we are all sinners. Had it not been for God's eternal election of some to salvation in Christ for the glory of his name, we would all have perished long ago under the wrath of God (vv. 2-9). Isaiah tells us that man's sin is so great and the justice of God is so inflexible that had it not been for God's election of a remnant we would all be completely destroyed. Thank God for election! This is one of the most blessed themes of Holy Scripture. -Don Fortner, Grace Baptist Church -Danville Kentucky

The quote above came from some sermon notes I found on the Internet when I did a search for the phrase 'a very small remnant'. Those notes are very much worth a read...!

Honestly, I don't feel like a remnant. I feel like one of the wicked ones who should be judged with fire. But Pastor Don reminds us that no one deserves God's mercy. Only through God's eternal election of salvation are we saved. And I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Don's sentiment: 'Thank God for election...!'

Friends, I awakened today again with the burden to pray for America. I awakened with the hope that God would add to that very small remnant which stands in the gap between America and judgement. Our country's election is only days away now. I pray that Christians awake everywhere and get out and vote on Nov 2 for the life of the unborn child. I pray that they vote for the protection of traditional values like marriage between one man and woman. I pray that they vote for the continued protection and allegiance with Israel.

I pray that my son and stepson can grow up in the America that I grew up in. That's why Monica and I moved out to small country town near where I spent my growing up years. But the world is already much different than it was when I was growing up.

So what can I do...?

I can Pray about it...! And I can be an activist for change and revision. I WILL NOT go down without a fight...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, thank You for the sermon Pastor Don Fortner preached back in 1989. Thank You that his message was preserved and available for me to access today, nearly twenty years later. And Thank You for that very small remnant that is alive and well here in America and around the world. Lord THANK YOU most of all for eternal election of salvation.

You are not willing that a single one of Your precious elect would perish. Father God I pray for Your continued grace and mercy on myself, my family, my country and the world. Help me to impact those within my sphere of influence for the Kingdom.

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

Praying For America

Friends, America is dying. And I believe we have little time left as a country as we know it. My family and I are committed to interceding in prayer for America every day for the rest of our lives. Won't You join us...?

The bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

There are a lot of 'BIG IF's' in that verse.

We must do these things:

• Be Humble
• Pray in earnest
• Seek God
• Repent from sin

We are by heritage 'God's People'. Our fore-fathers founded this country on biblical principles and ideals. I have definitely fallen asleep (along with millions of other American Christians) and allowed the enemy to creep in and build a strongholds against the very foundational principles this country was founded upon. I am some of those people who need to wake up and turn from their wicked ways spoken of in 2 Chronicles.

Thank You Lord that I am awake now while there is still time to effect change to save our way of life. Lord I stand in the gap for America this morning.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, America has slipped far from the ideals of it's founding fathers. I thank You for burdening me with the desire to stand up for America and defend her with prayer. Father God on behalf of America, I'm sorry. I ask You to please spare our nation for a little longer in order to correct some of the great wrongs and injustice's we've committed as a country. Father I pray for this upcoming election, the most important election of my life.

I pray for Holy Spirit prompting on the hearts of all Christians to get out and vote for the candidate and the platform that is pro-Life, pro-Family, and pro Israel. Father God, there is only one candidate whose platform lines up that way so there really is only one choice for true Christians to make.

And Lord I lift up myself as well this morning. I need change in my life just like America, does too. I am not humble, Lord. I definitely do not pray enough or seek You enough. And have I truly repented from sin...? If that means to not sin any more, then I still have some work to do in that area as well.

But Lord I do desperately want change. I know that change starts from within, so I offer myself, my life to You as a sacrifice, Lord. Father, for the sake of my wife and family, everything I hold dear, I lay it all down for You. You said You will not hear the prayers of Your people until certain criteria are met. Help me meet that criteria, my King.

I love You, Lord. And I love America. This is my country. This is my home. I'm on my knees for America, Lord. Father I pray that You will still bless America for a little while longer.

I give today to You Lord. All that I am and will be I offer to You. My life is not my own. It is Yours, Jesus. And I pray these things in Your precious holy name, AMEN.

What an Artist...!

When I first saw this sunset photo all I could say was....WOW...! Another fine example of our creator painting a spectacular sunset. I'm not certain the exact origin of this photo. But who could do something like this except God. ...?

Here lately I see so many things as 'Divine' that I have previously taken for granted all my life.

Oh the wonder and majesty of nature...! How can any intelligent person deny the existence of a Supreme Creator...? Even the Rocks cry out: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

Oh but the enemy is clever and very deceptive. And as much as I seem to be aware of the 'Divine', I also am much more acutely aware of the work of 'the enemy' all around me as well.

This is especially evident in the television media. Take for example last night's presidential debate. I didn't see all of it but I did watch the last few minutes and also took in some of the post debate commentary and interviews. Please see my reaction to the NBC Ann Curry post debate segment.

OK, well... In Dr Stanley's Devotional this morning he spoke about the Holy Spirit helping us to identify wrong attitudes and to replace them with Godly ones.

When I see wrong attitudes and wrongful acts committed by others I have to be very careful about my reaction. I have to remember that I am not perfect now, now ever have been and since I have been forgiven by the Lord for my many transgressions I need to forgive others, as well.

A Brand New Day...

I love checking out the weather photos on the accuweather.com website. This is a photo of a sunrise in Key Largo, Florida posted by Thad Bowling. When I see a photo like this I am reminded what an exquisite artist our Lord and Savior is... I wonder if back at the beginning of time when the Lord created light if the sunrises and sunsets were much more spectacular...?

I try to take moments out of my day every day and enjoy the sunrise and sunset for indeed they are great gifts from God...! They are unique, no two are ever the same...!

Praise You Lord for a new day...!

My Birthday...

Today is my Birthday. I'm 43. I'm very grateful for my life. God has been abundantly faithful to meet my needs and has blessed me far greater than I'll ever deserve.

Thank You, God.

Conversation With God

Today my conversation with God involves intercession for many others.

First of all I'd like to lift up my sweet wife who was very sick over the weekend. Lord I pray for Monica to feel better today and to not over do things but continue to rest and recuperate.

Next I want to lift up my students in my tennis classes today. Monday is my most busy teaching day. It will be a busy day of lessons starting in just a few hours and spanning the entire day until 8 PM this evening. Help me to make it a fun day for everyone, Lord. Help me to impact these young people and their parents in a positive way that will change their lives forever. Help me to present a message that points to You. I want more than anything to honor You with my time today, Lord Jesus.

Lord I thank You for two good messages from Cere and Greg yesterday. Cere challenged us to take note of how much we're 'changed' since our salvation experience. For me that's a sobering thought because I can see many years after my conversion experience where I did not grow or change at all. In fact, I actually backslid a bit... Lord I am so sorry for that.

Father God I can see some positive changes now and I just pray for continued change in my life. Work out the iniquity, Lord. Father I pray for a bumper crop of spiritual fruit this year...!

Keep giving me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. I love You Lord and pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

My Utmost

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord today I give You my BEST effort. I will teach tennis today like it's the last lesson I'll ever give. I plan to really be in the moment with every encounter.

Father God I thank You for my many opportunities to witness for You. Help me to make the most of them.

Lord Jesus I lift up my family to You this morning. My wife is very tired from a hard day yesterday, Elijah is recovering from being very sick, and Connor always needs lifting up since he goes to public school every day. I especially lift Connor up up that he takes a stand for You today, Lord.

Lord lastly I pray for blessings on myself. Hep me to realize my 'faith - potential'. Help me to be strong in You and honor You in my words, thoughts and actions.

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

Questions and Answers

I awakened this morning with these questions on my mind...


Number one: How will I glorify God today...?


Here are some other questions that have been floating around in my mind lately...

How will I exalt His Glorious Name...? How can I walk in Victory and impact those around me for Christ...? Who am I supposed to impact...? Has God been speaking to me about a particular person or group of people...?

OK... Let's try to answer some of those questions...


Q 1: How will I glorify God today...?

Answer: I will Glorify God by Blogging about HIM.. I will Spend time in His Word. I will Pray. I will engage those around me in meaningful conversations. I will be a good and faithful steward of my time, talent, and other resources.

Q 2: How will I exalt His Glorious Name...?

Answer: I will do my best to Incorporate God into every conversation. I will exalt HIM by deflecting any praise for me towards HIM.

Q3: How can I walk in Victory and impact those around me for Christ?

Answer: I will walk in victory and defeat spiritual assaults by praying out loud and claiming scripture promises. I will pray very specific prayers for very specific results. I will impact those around me through intercessory prayer for them and positive, personal interaction.

Q4: Who am I supposed to impact?

Answer: I am to impact everyone within my sphere of influence.

Q5: Has God been speaking to me about a particular person or group of people...?

Answer: God wants me to improve my relationship with my stepson, Connor. God wants me to impact those in the work place.


Hmmm... I was just reading Dr Charles Stanley's morning devotional and he had this to say:

Most believers think of Christianity as something we do. We pray. We read the Bible. We go to church. We sing hymns. We give money. We do and do—and assume that’s the Christian life. It’s not. Authentic Christianity is about becoming rather than doing. The life of faith that God designed involves receiving Jesus into our hearts and allowing Him to change our habits, mindset, beliefs, interests, and concerns so we become more and more like Him. -Dr Charles Stanley

Well, according Dr Stanley, I might just be too busy focusing on 'being busy'. Maybe I should just chill out and just let God have his way with me...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for another day and another opportunity to live for You. Help me make the most of this awesome day. Lord I just surrender to You my pride and my will this morning. Nothing is about me, Lord. It's all about You Jesus. I love You for giving me life and blessing me so abundantly. I live to serve You. I live to glorify You, my King. I love You, and in Jesus' name, Amen,

Are You Grieving the Holy Spirit....?

I attended a prayer conference at Wild Peach Baptist Church last night. The Speaker was a Christian man of Indian descent: Bro Matthew Skariah, (not American Indian, but from India, the country!) He spoke very passionately about prayer.

One of his strongest points was that many people do not hear responses to prayer because of sin in their lives. Are You grieving the Holy Spirit right now and don't even know it...?

The Holy Spirit will not be mocked. God will not pour himself into a polluted vessel...!

What are we doing to ourselves when we watch television...? What about going to the movies...? When we turn on the radio or listen to music, is God being glorified...? Friends, if the activity does not magnify the Lord in some way please cut it out of Your life...!

I know I've got some pruning to do...!

More tomorrow...

God Is Looking For Some Heros...!

Here's a beautiful photo of a sunset in Pennsylvania. I found it on the Accu-weather website as I was checking the forecast for this week's tennis lesson schedule. Who can deny that God is not the author of every beautiful sunrise and sunset...? Who says that God did not create the heavens and the earth and all that dwell within...?

Well, sadly many people do not believe in a God. Or, they are indifferent to the whole concept. That's where Believers come in. If you Believe God made this sunset. If you Believe that Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind then You have got to tell the world about it.

We are living in times that require heroes and models of faith. We must rise above what is ok'd by the world. We must do what's right for others instead of looking out for ourselves. When we proclaim our faith, the world really does start watching us to see if we are 'authentic' or if we belong to that 'special' group of Christians known as hippocrites....

-We mustn't fail those who are watching us... -Especially our children...!

'...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus... '

-The Apostle Paul, Philippians 3:13-14

Paul did not let setbacks and failures deter him. He was focused one thing: Jesus. He equated his desire for God to that of an athlete trying to win a race. Have you ever stopped to think who gave you the desire to win, the desire to be the 'best', or at least the 'best you could be...?

God did...!

He made us competitive by nature. It's too bad so many people 'focus' on being the best, or number one in pursuits that have nothing to do with recognizing or giving glory to God. I never thought of it that way before, but that's what The Apostle Paul is referring to in Philippians 3:13-14.

Run the race to win...! -Do your best. Try your hardest. By the way, what race are You running, anyway...? What are you in pursuit of...?

How about pursuing God like Paul did...?

If You do that then You will really be living a meaningful life and leaving a legacy for your children and everyone else in your sphere of influence.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, You made me competitive. Probably more competitive than most everyone else I know. I've always wanted to be the best at what I did. I'm sorry I never really thought of being the best Christian I could be until now.

Thank You for Pastor Cere's message pointing that out to me. Lord I do want to be the Best for You. I am focused. Honoring You is all I think about any more. I know there are a few issues in my life I need to straighten out and I humbly ask your help in those matters. I want nothing to hinder me from obtaining the prize: A closer walk with You.

Father God You are amazing...! I love You, Lord. Thank You my King for so many abundant blessings in my life. You are the author of all good things. Every good and perfect gift comes from You, Lord. Praise You, Father. I stand with arms wide and heart abandoned to You, my King, My Captain.

Today is a precious gift. I live today in your honor. All my efforts today I offer for Your Glory. I pray blessings over all my tennis classes today. Help me make a impact on the youth and adults I will be encountering throughout the day today my Lord.

I love You, Father. And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praise Report

First of all, I have to give God a great big shout of Praise for my tournament going well this weekend. There were a few 'bumps' along the way, but over all it was an excellent day.

God is Good...!

I awakened this morning early and just laid in bed praying. God spoke to me to spend more time in prayer. He wants me to spend more time in The Word. He wants me to really get involved in the lives of specific people within my sphere of influence.

God wants my life to be a living testimony of what a relationship with Him looks like.

I'm looking forward to today. I know for certain that I'll be faced with challenges. And I have a decision to make right now. Am I going to face those challenges with Holy Spirit power and grace, or am I going to look and act like the rest of the world...?

I'm choosing God. I'm choosing the Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

That's right, the Fruit of the Spirit is NOT a coconut...! (-That's an inside joke for those of you on the inside...!)

OK... My armor is on. I'm girded and ready for any spiritual battle that may potentially come my way today.

Love God. Honor God. Live God's Way. Praise the Lord, I am a Friend of God...!

No weapon formed against me will prosper...! On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand...!

Have a Blessed Day, Prayer Warriors...!

Prayer For Today's Tournament

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I cover this tournament in prayer today. I have put my utmost into this event and I just give You the credit for all the success it will enjoy. Lord my labor is in Your Honor and Glory.

Father God I thank You that I can even host a tournament in the first place. In other parts of the world there is violence, hunger, disease, and poverty but here in America we are still living a life of luxury compared to most of our neighbors. Thank You Lord for blessing America.

Lord I stand in the gap for my country today, too. Although many have turned away from You, there are many more still who call You their Lord and Savior. Lord on behalf of America I ask forgiveness. Turn the hearts of those who have strayed and are lost.

Lord, I once was lost. But Praise You now I'm found. I will not forget what it was like to walk alone, apart from You. Oh Lord I pray for healing for this land. I pray that a spirit of true repentance will descend upon this country.

My God and King I am here. I am ready to serve You. Help me to not miss any Kingdom opportunities that come my way. I pray this tournament will be a great witnessing opportunity. Father I pray for Your light to shine in me today and Your glory will be revealed.

I lift up the competitors and their parents as they travel to and from my event. I pray for good sportsmanship. I pray for safety. Lord I pray Holy Spirit Power for my communication skills today.

I love You Jesus. And in Your precious, holy name I pray, Amen...!

How to Have Victory Over Sin and These Evil Days

Proverbs 16:6 says... By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

There are many professing Christians out there with recurring sin problems. I am one of them. I am a slave to sin at times, especially anger and gluttony. Step number one to over coming sin is to recognize that you want to sin.

Jeremiah 17:9 says... The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it...? Jesus said in Matthew 17:9.... For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies.

We need to ask Jesus to search our inward parts and purge us from all evil. Even then we must remember that the flesh will always war against the spirit for control of our mind. We need Holy Spirit power to overcome the war of the flesh. You get Holy Spirit power by reading the bible, obeying it, praying, and fasting.

Well, I currently only follow one of the four suggestions. I do pray fairly regularly. But my bible reading plan is haphazard at best. And I've never really got the hang of fasting. That's something I need to do more research on....

One out of four recommended ingredients...? No wonder there is recurring sin in my life...!

Today I begin my siege on the sin and evil in my life with this confessing prayer:

Dear Lord,

Even though I feel guilty afterward, I like sin. It's in my heart. My heart is most definitely unrighteous and deceitful. Help me with Holy Spirit power to overcome my evil heart. Convict me of sin and unrighteousness. Help me to read the bible every day AND to obey it.

Heavenly Father I am so sorry that I have continued to sin all these years. The sinning has got to stop and it has got to stop right here, right now. I claim victory over the sin in my life in the presence of many witnesses in Your Holy Name, Jesus. In the past I have insincerely prayed for this sin to cease. Please forgive me in accordance with 1 John 1:9.

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

How Do We Get Through These Evil Days...?

Friends, yesterday's post really got me thinking: The times we are living in right now really ARE 'evil' and they are getting more 'evil' by the passing day.

I'll be forty-three years old in less than two weeks and looking back over my childhood I can't believe the changes in society and the moral degradation of our country and the world. Work ethics have greatly vanished. Honesty and integrity in business is greatly diminished. The traditional family unit is under severe attack. With the advance of technology the pace of our lives has greatly sped up. -We now live in a whirlwind of 'busy-ness.'

How can we get through this...?

Spurgeon addressed this issue over one hundred years ago, when ironically enough he felt the values of his generation were greatly diminishing. In today's lesson, Spurgeon discusses Colossi ans 1:5... -The HOPE that is laid up for You in Heaven...

Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy here. It will animate our hearts to think often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there. Here we are weary and toil-worn, but yonder is the land of rest where the sweat of labour shall no more bedew the worker's brow, and fatigue shall be for ever banished. To those who are weary and spent, the word "rest" is full of heaven. We are always in the field of battle; we are so tempted within, and so molested by foes without, that we have little or no peace; but in heaven we shall enjoy the victory, when the banner shall be waved aloft in triumph, and the sword shall be sheathed, and we shall hear our Captain say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." -Charles Spurgeon

Life is going to be hard. But we have to look beyond what is happening here and now and keep our eyes fixed on heaven...! We must remain strong in the faith. We must build our houses upon solid rock, not sinking sand.

Friends, are you struggling with sin in your life....?

I came across a really good web page yesterday that addresses Victory over sin. I will be using this page as a basis for my discussion the next few days...

I want to overcome sin. I want peace in my life. I need Jesus...!

These Days Are Evil...

Is this a crazy time we're living in or what...? All we seem to hear about these days is that another bank or major corporation is failing. The daily news report is nothing but doom and gloom.

Well, I came across a nice story on studylight.org this morning. It was a story of a husband and wife witnessing to a salesman. The scripture at the end of the story especially spoke to my heart:

Be very careful then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. -Ephesians 5:15-16

Don't You agree that these days we are living in are most certainly evil...? We must take great care of our behavior and of how we are perceived by the rest of the world.

Oh this verse is a very good one for me. I feel I miss opportunities all the time. And these days are not just evil, they are vile and despicable. Time is running out. I want to be found wise and making the most of the opportunities God sets in my path.

Stumbling across stories and verses like Ephesians 5:15-16 are very timely and no accident at all. It seems God is speaking to me daily. And here's what He's been saying:

• Do not worry. Do not be anxious.
• God is in control of every situation.
• God will meet our needs if we trust in HIM.
• God is presenting us with opportunities to share our faith all the time.
• There is a sense of urgency that time short.

All I can do is try to make a difference in one life at a time here in my little sphere of influence where God has planted me.

I am very sensitive these days as to what God wants me to do with my life. I'll be 43 years old in less than two weeks and I have very little to show for my spiritual walk in this world. I believe that one day I will be standing alone before the throne of God and will have to give an account for all the time I have been given. -As it stands right now that would be an awkward moment for me...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for another day to make a difference in this world. Father I want today to be special. I don't want to just write about spirituality. I want to BE spiritual. Lord help me to act on some issues that I have only been thinking about lately. Help me to be a man of action.

How am I living right now...? Does my lifestyle reflect the fact that I am a child of God...? Help me make the necessary changes so that I can be held beyond reproach. Lord I want to honor You completely with my whole life. I want to give my utmost to You. I love You Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.