Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Interceeding...

One of the greatest blessings we have is to be able to pray for others. I am covering my precious wife in prayer around the clock for the rest of this week as she prepares for a speaking engagement this weekend. The enemy is already hard at work to distract and discourage her.

I'm digging in and praying for my sister Becky also who has been under severe spiritual attack for as long as I can remember.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I lift up Monica right this moment and pray blessings on her day and the rest of this week as she prepares for her conference this weekend. I pray that today especially be a day of great accomplishment for Monica and that she is able to pretty much wrap up her research and coast to smooth weekend.

Father God I pray for Becky and her family. I pray for Revelation of Your will for her life, Lord. I pray for her husband John and her son Johnny who are scoffers of the Word. Father I pray You come into their lives in a powerful way. Let there be no question in their minds that You are in control of what goes on.

Lord I pray for my part in the lives of my sister and her family. What can I do to make You REAL to her husband and son...? I pray for clear direction for Becky, Lord. I lift her up to You, my Savior.

My King, I also lift up Coach Langner to You. For years he has been a stumbling block to my walk because of my anger towards him at the way he treats his students. I know it is sin to be angry like that. Lord I lift up Coach Langner to You. I pray for the right words to come to me the next time I engage him in conversation.

Lastly, I lift up Connor, my stepson to You. I pray for blessings for Him to walk closer with You, Lord. I pray for his relationship with his mother and myself. I pray for his witness to his friends and the rest of the world. Bless him to be more compassionate and sympathetic to the needs of those around him.

Father God I have many needs and prayer requests myself. You know them. Bless me too, Lord. Lift me up my King. I love you, Lord. I live For You. Help me to right the wrongs in my life. Limit the distractions my Savior. Help me to stay focused on You and impacting this world for Your Kingdom.

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

Monday, March 30, 2009

Praying for God's Blessings...

Wow... Today seems to be so busy and rushed. I have to get out the door to start my day in just a few minutes and there is so much that is un-done and needs attention.

This morning I give praise to God that I have health and I have work to attend to. Many in the world are sick and can not work, or are unemployed. I know God is taking care of me. But I also know that I am not receiving the full measure of the blessings he has in store for me. The fact that I am rushed and behind schedule is my own doing and I may face some consequences for not managing my time more responsibly.

I was reading some verses from Proverbs 3 that said Blessed is the man who finds Wisdom and Understanding. Then it goes on to say that the man who finds wisdom and discretion will lie down and not be afraid and his sleep will be sweet. (Prov 3:24). That verse really quickened my heart because my sleep has not been sweet of late.

I am laying all my cares and burdens at the foot of the cross this morning. I pray for wisdom and the blessings that accompany wisdom as I earnestly seek my Lord and Savior. I lift up my wife as well as she has a crucial week ahead of her preparing to speak at a women's conference this weekend.



Father God,

I love You, Lord. I humbly place my day and week in Your hands. Let this be the week that I get totally on track with my schedule and wrap up some projects that should have been already been completed by now.

Lord, I present my precious wife to You this morning as well. Bless her day and her week, my King. I pray for peace for her this week as she prepares a message that will touch the hearts and could possibly change the course of some one's life.

Father God, You know my heart, Lord. You know me better than I know myself. Lord I repent of all known sin in my life. I want to be right with You. I am truly sorry for all my offenses.

Thank You Lord for going to the cross and giving your life for my sins. I pray these things in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus Christ, Amen.



Sunday, March 29, 2009

Praise Report...!

Praise God...! Wow..! I still have goose bumps from Friday night's bible study. It was an amazing time of Godly men coming together to worship the Lord and lift each other up in prayer...! I could really feel the power of the Holy Spirit present. Honestly, I could not even sleep Friday night after group bible study and prayer...! I am greatly blessed to be a part of my church's men's group...!

I have more praise reports.... I hosted a junior high tournament yesterday with over one hundred juniors and it was a little cold and windy but over all it, went well...!

My life is Good...! God is Good...! Thank You, Jesus...!

Oh Lord, I lift You up High...! Praise You my King. My Lord and Savior...!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Proverbs Four: Seeking Wisdom

A recurring promise in the Book of Proverbs is that those that choose Wisdom and follow God will be blessed in numerous ways. I'm trying to dive deeper into Book Four and have noticed the tone has been one of 'Fatherly Advice'. Indeed Books one through three have addressed the reader as 'My Son'. Then in Proverbs 4:1 the translator uses the word Children, but in the original Hebrew the word used is 'ben', meaning son or grandson.

As I have been studying Proverbs the past few days I have been thinking about 'Father-Son' and 'parent-child' relationships a lot. I don't recall any 'heart to heart' talks with my dad growing up. How cool it would have been to have Solomon for a daddy. Solomon mentions that his daddy, 'David', had many talks with him....

I thank and praise God that I can tap into the Wisdom of Solomon (God's Wisdom) through reading and meditating on the bible. There really is way too much information in each Book of Proverbs to discern in one sitting. By allowing only one day to each book, I feel I'm barely able to scratch the surface of what's there. I want to keep going back and digging deeper and deeper and applying God's Word to my life...

More on Chapter Four tomorrow....

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Proverbs Three... Trust The Lord...

Today I'm on Proverbs Three. It's one of my favorites. It's chock full of good advice. The key verse for today is one I've had memorized for years: Proverbs 3:5-6...

Trust the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make straight your path...

-Solomon, Proverbs 3:5-6


Sadly, although I've known this verse for some time, I'm yet to fully apply it to my life.... Monica and I have been attending classes at Life Church in Angleton called Building Blocks of Life and several class themes have been about 'trusting God' and 'faith in God'. I thank and praise God for always showing me new things...

Oh in my life I can think of so many times when I made decisions based on 'my own understanding'. I am still very much learning to take everything to the Lord. I don't think I've ever made one good decision on my own apart from God....

Last night in class our instructor told us that God is in control no matter what we do. He'll either speak to us through Revelation, or Experience. It's much better to consult God first and hear from HIM through 'Revelation', where He reveals His will to us through prayer and His Holy Word, the bible. When He reveals Himself to us through 'experience' it's often not nearly as pretty.

God wants our attention. He wants us to put Him FIRST in our lives. If we acknowledge Him in ALL our ways we literally have NOTHING to worry about.

My life is way too busy and out of control... Am I acknowledging Him in ALL my ways...?

NO...

The Apostle Paul explained it best this way in 1 Cor 10:23... All things are lawful but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify...

To put it in tennis terms: I've got to 'shrink my court'. That's concentrating on hitting the ball into a smaller playing area allowing for a wider margin of error. Right now I'm playing too close to the lines and making errors. I'm spread too thin and that's just how the enemy would have me. I'm much less effective for the Kingdom of God that way when my attenton is divided...

My prayer today is about focusing on and honoring God in everything I do. GOD BLESS YOU...!

Coach Sam

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My Proverbs Study... Day Two... Proverbs Two

I love Proverbs Two. There are some amazing promises in that book. But they are all 'cause and effect' promises. -If you do one thing, then God does another...

Here is says that IF we diligently seek God's Wisdom, then we will have it, and more...!

My scripture memory verse is Proverbs 2:1-9 today. It's kind of a long passage but a key passage none the less...


1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and
search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. -Proverbs 2:1-9

I completely identify with those verses because I truly am searching God's words like hidden treasure. I do call out for insight and understanding...!

Lord Jesus I love You. I thank You and Praise You for Your Precious Word. Bless me Lord. Bless me to be a blessing to those around me. I pray for a good and productive day today. For Your Glory, In the power of Your Name, Jesus Christ I pray, AMEN

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Hunger and Thirst for a Saturation of the WORD in My Life

I've been praying fervently for a hunger and thirst for the Word. While I really enjoy going to church and listening to anointed speakers, I don't want to let my only information and education come from listening to what other men have to say about the bible. I want to let God's Holy Spirit speak to me personally.

The only way that's going to happen is for me to spend my own individual time in bible study. I want to be saturated in the WORD. One action I'm taking to help my saturation process is to try to memorize a key scripture from each of the book of the bible. I'm starting with Proverbs.

Today's scripture verse is easy. (And SO true...)

Proverbs 1:7.... FEAR of the Lord is the BEGINNING of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

In this verse the word 'fear' does not necessarily mean to 'be scared or frightened of...' In this context it also means to revere and respect.

I look back on my life and realize how many years I wasted as a 'fool'. I was aware that God existed, but I did not have Him at the center of my life.

Praise God that through various circumstances and trials in my life HE has finally gotten my FULL attention.

I do FEAR the Lord. AND, in MORE ways than one. Proverbs 1:7 is a verse that is definitely saturated into my heart.

Thank You Lord for loving me so much that You died to save my soul. Father God I love You right back. I give You full credit for everything good in my life. I am nothing without You, Lord.

Today I lift up my precious family to You. I pray blessings over my time management and our family finances. Help Monica and I to be good stewards of both. My precious Lord help me to impact those within my sphere of influence for You and Your Kingdom.

Thank You for Your Word and for illuminating Truth into my life. I want to walk in Your light now and evermore.

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

Monday, March 23, 2009

Why I do What I do...

What compels me to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to spend time with God...? What makes me awaken all through the night and pray intercessory prayers for special needs and burdens?

One Word: Love.

There are so many good scripture passages that I like, but if I had to pick one that was my all time favorite verse it would be: Matt 22:37-40

Love the Lord Your God with all Your heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is the greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. -Jesus


I fall so short of those commandments everyday. I have to apologize to God every night and every day it seems. I realize that we are all weak and fall short of God's Glory, and no one is worthy of salvation. least of all myself.

But God loved me anyway. Jesus died for me. Wow... That concept blows me away every day.

Yes I can get up at all hours of the night to pray to and spend time with the one who gave His life so that I could have life.

I love God. I want to live a life that honors Him, my family and friends, and my country.

Praise Be to God...! God is Good. God is Great... His mercy endures forever....!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

How Can God Get Glory From My Life...?

Life is short. I may have already lived half, or more than half of the time the Lord has given me. What can I do with this last bit of precious time I have been allotted that will bring Honor and Glory to God...?

I have been pondering that thought for some time. I'm observant enough to notice some very serious patterns in my life and life style that are NOT God-Honoring.

Anger is a BIG one. Procrastination is another. Avoiding Conflict.... Oh there is a huge laundry list of things I would like to change about myself.

How will people be able to see God in me...? There's one simple answer...

-Love.

Here's what the bible says about love:

"Love is patient and kind…Love does not demand its own way….Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." -1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love.... That's Jesus...!

Monday, March 16, 2009

My Prayers For The Week

I continue to lift up HPD Officer Rick Salter and his family in my prayers...!

This week I am lifting up all the participants of the tennis camp that Coach Pat and I are hosting in Angleton throughout spring break.

I am lifting up Brother Crosswhite and Wild Peach Baptist Church as they conduct a bible conference on spiritual gifts this week. My family has already been greatly blessed by this conference: PRAISE THE LORD...!

I am also praising God for a good HPTA Board of Director's meeting this past Friday.

I am praising God for the beautiful weather we are supposed to have this week...

God is Good. Blessed be the name of the Lord. HE is moving in my life in a powerful way right now....!

Friday, March 13, 2009

ASAP

I always thought 'ASAP' was an acronym for 'as soon as possible'...

My sis forwarded me an email that said it should really mean this...

Always Say A Prayer....

I like that much more than 'as soon as possible'

We should never consider ourselves too busy to pray.

In fact, the busier we are then the MORE we SHOULD pray...!

I like some things that were brought out in this past Wednesday's Building Blocks Study. One thing Stacey, our group leader brought up is that you don't find too many (or any) cases in the bible of people praying for 'things'. They prayed for each other. They prayed for healing and deliverance. They didn't pray for themselves too much. They interceded for others...

Pray for someone today. It's easy to pray for someone You love, but how about someone you don't love...? How about someone You don't even know...?

Make a list. Pray specific prayers for each item or person on Your list. Pray often.

Remember: ASAP..!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Psalm 37:4 What does 'Delighting Ourselves' Look Like...?

Last night's Building Blocks of Life study at church changed my life. The topic was 'Faith: what is it really...?'

Several scripture verses really came to me last night. It was one those 'light bulb moments' where everything became very clear..

Psalm 37:4.... Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give You the desires of Your heart...!

-Instead of God giving us what we want, that verse means that God will place the desires in our heart..! When we focus on God and live ONLY for Him, our desires ORIGINATE from Him.

Selfish, greedy desires ARE NOT of God.

I read a good quote last night during our study:


FF Bosworth said: 'Christians feed their bodies three hot meals a day and their spirit one cold snack a week and they wonder why they are weak in the faith...'


We've got to spend time with God. We've got to have a relationship, we've got to fellowship with Him to HAVE and GROW in faith. -Sam Chadwell

Get the WORD in You....
Can we make more time in our day to read and study God's word...?

REPETITION: -Get the WORD in You... MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE...! We can never hide enough of the WORD in our hearts. We should ALWAYS (every day) have at least one verse that we are memorizing...

How much 'Spirit-Food' do You get each day..? Do you go whole days at a time without spending time with God...? This grieves the Holy Spirit. How many whole days do you ever normally go without eating regular food...?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Intercession

Here are some prayer needs that have been on my heart and mind lately to pray for...

  • HPD Officer Rick Salter and his family
  • My relationship with my stepson Connor
  • Former employers and employees -salvation
  • My precious sister Becky and her family
  • Todd Brewer -cancer
  • Chris from HSLDA -severe illness
  • My own health needs
  • Personal finances
  • President Obama
  • Legislators and government leaders
  • The Church in America

These are just a few of the major prayer needs and requests that are on my heart these days.

1 Thes 5:17 and Ephesians 6:18 urge us to pray without ceasing. -And not just 'hopeful' prayer, but 'expectant' prayer.

I'm just trying to be in prayer or in the Word every spare moment.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Prayers for the Week...

I have to start out the morning with a Praise Report. Although I have been very sick this week, I had a good night sleeping last night and am definitely on the mend, health-wise. Praise God...!

This morning I am praying for traveling mercy for my mother in law who is traveling home to California today. Of course, I continue to lift up Officer Rick Salter who was shot and severely injured this past weekend.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for my improved health, Lord. Father God thank You for Judy's visit and all the help she lent us these past two weeks. I have never seen two weeks fly by quicker... Lord bless her trip home and protect Monica and Elijah as they take her to the airport this morning.

Father God I also pray blessings on Officer Salter this morning. Heal him, Lord. And comfort his family in their time of need.

Oh Lord I pray these things this morning and all throughout the day. I love You Lord and in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Praise

Monica got through yesterday with flying colors... I'd like to thank everyone who prayed for her. But first and foremost, I'd like to give a GREAT BIG SHOUT OUT TO GOD...!


Thank You my Heavenly Father...! You are an Awesome and Mighty God... No problem or request is too big or small for You. Lord I love You. Although I am not worthy to receive one good thing from You, still I receive blessings from above.

Lord I am so sorry for any unfaithfulness in my life. Father I pledge my life to You. By Your Grace, with Your help, I hold my thoughts, words and actions captive for You, Lord.

I Praise You Father God in the Highest. Praise You, Lord. Worship You, Lord. Father You are so worthy of my adoration. I love You Lord.

Hallelujah...! In Jesus' Amen...!


Thursday, March 05, 2009

Intercession

This morning I stand in prayer for my sweet wife for her toughest, busy-est day of the week today.

Father God, I lift up Monica to You. Bless her. Bless her health, Lord. She is a little weak and weary this morning from another full weak of serving and taking care of the needs of her family, friends, and students. Lord she pushes herself harder than anyone I know. She gives and gives until it seems there is nothing left, and then somehow she finds another reservoir of strength and energy to give a little extra.

I love her so much and I thank and praise You my King for bringing us together as husband and wife. Lord help her today. Lift her up this morning. Grant her Divine Inspiration for her class projects today. I pray blessings on her students as well. I pray that they are especially well behaved, attentive, and cooperative.

Lord God, You are Lord of All. You reign sovereign over this situation. We cherish and honor You with our lives for Your supreme sacrifice. Thank You for Your love, kindness, and compassion.

Lord thank You for hearing my prayer this morning. I rest in You my Savior.

And in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Weak, Broken

Today I am feeling weak both physically and spiritually. I keep repeating the same crazy cycle over and over again. Sigh...

It's the perfect time to put some of Cere's Sunday morning teaching to good use.

I am asking for prayer from my Brothers and Sisters in Christ this morning.

Please lift me up in prayer that I over come some issues I have with anger so I am able to love completely with the love of Jesus Christ.

The problem lies most definitely in the fixture, (me), not the power source or transmission line...!