If you need prayer, we would like to pray with you.

“They all met together continually for prayer.” Mark uses the same Greek word here translated “continually” to describe a boat floating in the water, waiting on Jesus. The Master, speaking on the beach of Galilee, told the disciples to have a boat ready and waiting (Mark 3:9). The boat was “continually” in the presence of Christ. So are the Upper Room disciples. One day passes. Then two. Then a week. For all they know a hundred more will come and go. But they aren’t leaving. They persist in the presence of Christ.

The followers were willing to do one thing: wait in the right place for power.

We’re so reluctant to do what they did. Who has time to wait? We groan at such a thought. But waiting doesn’t mean inactivity—rather inHIMactivity. Waiting means watching for him. If you are waiting on a bus, you are watching for the bus. If you are waiting on God, you are watching for God, searching for God, hoping in God. Great promises come to those who do. “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).

To those who still struggle, God says, “Wait on me.” And wait in the right place. Jesus doesn’t tell us to stay in Jerusalem, but he does tell us to stay honest, stay faithful, stay true.

Desire power for your life?

It will come as you pray. For ten days the disciples prayed. Ten days of prayer plus a few minutes of preaching led to three thousand saved souls. Perhaps we invert the numbers. We’re prone to pray for a few minutes and preach for ten days. Not the apostles. Like the boat waiting for Christ, they lingered in his presence. They never left the place of prayer.

Question: Do you pray only for the “big things”? Do you think God cares about the “small things” too?

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:18-20)

Much of the world celebrated and now Easter is past. This week it’s back to the routine. Does Easter make a difference in your life this week? Does the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead impact your ordinary day? Do you believe it can? Do you really?

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is one Paul prayed for the Ephesians. They must have had some of the same problems we do in putting their everyday faith into action. Paul prayed a prayer that we can echo today as our own.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:18-20)

Do you believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you today? Do you really?

Ask the Lord today to open the eyes of your heart. Ask Him to help you know and understand the hope He has available to you. Begin to believe that His incomparably great power is for your life today.
Easter has come and gone for another year. Yet the significance of it and the power in it is for today for those who believe.

Whatever threatens to bog down your heart this week can be taken to God. Ask Him, with renewed faith, to open the eyes of your heart so that you can know and experience His power in a new and real way. His Holy Spirit can bring wisdom, help, insight, understanding, discernment and even new ideas in areas we are stuck in.

The key is to hand these requests over to God with expectation, believing His resurrection power is available to you. May the eyes of your heart be opened today!

Father God,
I so often live my life without even expecting Your resurrection power to impact my ordinary day. Forgive me for allowing my faith to grow weary and my expectation of You to dim. Today I ask that You would open my eyes to know Your power and to see it at work in my life. Where I have created problems by my own hand, in ___________ or in relationships or finances, I ask You to forgive me and to give me creative thoughts and divine understanding to know what to do next. May my ears and eyes be open to You today. Increase my faith… fill me with Your Holy Spirit… and come with renewed power into my life. I thank you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Question: Where do you need renewed faith?

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

Humility isn’t always giving up and backing down. Humility involves using power and position to serve others. Look at what Jesus says:

1) There is solidarity of purpose in the life of Jesus.  He never backed down from his original calling. He stayed the course and completed the task in spite of being despised and rejected by men. Rock solid!

2) He used his power and position to die a death on the cross, doing what no one else could do while making the greatest sacrifice possible. Complete authority!

3) He confronted demons with extreme power and banished them with a word. Humility utilizes power for the good of others. Compassion in power!

So, when Ephesians 4:2 urges you to be humble, don’t think “cower and crawl into the corner.” Instead, seek to serve others with the gifts you have been given. You’re a man. You’re a leader. In your leading, serve others.

Humility seen the right way is common sense. Competence extrapolation says, “I’m good at one thing which means I know everything about everything.” Humility says, “I’m really good at this but I don’t know much about this other thing so I’m going to let someone else lead me, and teach me.”

You can’t bring humility into your life without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life. True humility is a byproduct of God living in your heart. Acknowledge His presence and ask Him to move mightily in you today.

God, thank You for promising that if I love and obey You, You will come and make Your home in me. I am amazed that You do this. Holy Spirit, help me move from a selfish and proud mindset to a selfless one. Help me use my power and position to lead others in righteousness by serving them. Make me a spokesperson and a laborer for the Kingdom. Give me simple and creative ideas of how to do this, in Jesus’ powerful name I pray, Amen.

Question: Where and how can you give up your power and position or use it to serve others?

 Well, we know that the word of God is very important, but like seed without water it lies dormant until we add the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why sometimes God’s written word can seem dull and makes no sense to us. To be able to properly read and understand the word we need to realize that it is a spiritual language, and can only be understood by the Spirit. It is the Spirit who teaches us and causes the word to come to life for us, as we surrender and invite him to fill and control us (1 John 2:27).

Don’t just be satisfied with having “knowledge” about what the bible says, add the Holy Spirit and move from words to power.  A seed is just a seed until you add water – but once you do… life starts to burst forth, food, trees, babies! God’s word is seed (Luke 8:11). We need to take the seed of the word, plant it in our lives, and by the power of the Holy Spirit expect a crop of hope, joy, healing, saved loved ones, healed relationships, victory, and success. Don’t settle for just knowing God’s word, add the water of the Spirit, and expect to “experience” everything promised to us through it.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

“Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.” (Matthew 2:7)

Herod is no different than people today, he wanted to be in control. From Adam and Eve through to now, it has been human nature to seek some power beyond ourselves, something to explain the unexplainable. But, we also have the desire to control it, so we can be in control. That is not being the wise man (or wise woman).

These mystic magi from the East sought after Jesus not for power or gain but to honor his power. Herod, on the other hand, saw Jesus as a blockade to his own authority and reign. He had heard the prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah and took it as a threat to his power over Judea, which he wasn’t about to relinquish. He turned to selfish and evil plans which led to the genocide of innocent children.

Few go to such drastic measures today, but one truth still remains. When confronted with God’s power, they either seek it out further, like the wise men, or try to manipulate it, like Herod, or try to ignore it like the Pharisees. But, God will not be manipulated or ignored, will He? The Bible has many great stories about people who tried to do one or the other. None of the results were good. But those who seek God and follow His path find peace, protection, help in times of trouble, justice and mercy.

The wise men sought out Jesus to bring Him gifts. Little did they know this King of Kings had come to offer them the most precious gift in the world instead. In His love, God still offers us the gift of eternal life through His Son and full restoration as His children. He offers peace even in the midst of chaos, and a plan for our lives beyond what we can imagine.

Times haven’t changed much. People still don’t realize what Christ has to offer both in their lives now and in the life everlasting. They will either ignore His gift, try to use it to their own desires, or fall on their knees, offering all they have in return.  No matter what people do, they cannot squelch the light of the world form shining into the hearts of mankind. The wise, follow that star.

Questions: How will you react to the shining star? Will you let the Light guide you?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Push off on the ball of your foot as you step out.”

Last night the Pilates instructor took us down the lovely pathway winding among the trees and instructed us on how to walk properly. Conscious of our core support and the movements we chose to make was an interesting exercise as we aligned our bodies using the different cues she presented.

“Push off on the ball of your foot as you step out.”

As I consciously employed this technique I found my stride was longer and stronger. I felt the work in my legs. It was a seemingly small thing yet it made a big difference in my walk.  This morning I read this wise counsel from God’s word and it reminded me of what I had learned last night: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

Immediately I thought of last night’s walking lesson. Here was the “push off” for my walking with the Lord through my day.

Just as my strides were stronger and longer when I intentionally pushed off in the right way, so would my walk today be stronger and more productive if I pushed off with an intentional awareness of doing what I’m doing and saying what I’m saying in the right way.

Doing whatever I do today in the name of the Lord Jesus means first I am His representative to the world around me. I’m His ambassador so I speak and act in a way that represents Him well.

It also means I am aware of His dynamic power within me giving me strength to not only stand tall and face the challenges of the day but also to enjoy and flourish right where I am walking today.

This will also keep thankfulness flowing through my day. Thankfulness keeps my heart aligned with His.

Today I am equipped with the tools I need to intentionally push off my walk in the right way, both in my step and in my heart.

Father in Heaven,
Align my heart and mind with Your purposes and power today. Help my step to be sure and my stride long as I intentionally focus both physically and spiritually on pushing off in the right way. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Whatever you face in your day today, be intentional in walking strong and tall in not only your step but in your heart as well. You will be amazed and thankfulness will brighten your pathway.

Question: How do you start your day with a thankful heart?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for July 27th, AM.

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“Exceeding great and precious promises.” 2 Peter 1:4, KJV

If you would like to put into practice the preciousness of God’s promises, and enjoy them personally, meditate on them. God’s promises are like grapes in a wine-press: If you tread on them the juice will flow. Thinking over God’s holy words will often lead to their fulfillment in your own life. While you ponder them, the blessing you seek will often come to you in ways you don’t even expect. Many Christians who have thirsted for God’s promises have found the divine favor which they ensure gently comforting into their soul and causing great rejoicing in their hearts.

Besides meditating on God’s promises, seek to receive them as being the very words of God. Say to yourself, “If I were dealing with a mere human being’s promise, I would need to carefully weigh the ability and the character of the person who promised me. But with the promises of God, even though the greatness of the promise itself may stagger me, my eye must instead be fixated on the greatness of the Promiser.” That will comfort you and give you confidence in His words.

My friend, it is God Almighty who has made these promises. God, who cannot lie, who speaks His promises to you: That “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) His Word is as true as His own existence. God is unchangeable and He has not changed anything which has come out of His mouth, and never called back one single word. He lacks no power, for this is the God that made the heavens and the earth. And He can never lack wisdom, because He in his infinite understanding He knows when it is best to give and when better to take away.

Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God true, unchangeable, powerful, and so incomparably wise, I will and must believe His promises. If we meditate on His promises, and consider the Promiser, we will experience their sweetness and fulfillment.

Question: Which of God’s promises will you take hold of today and claim for yourself, believing it in wholeheartedly?

“… Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” John 9:1-38

Have you ever considered the sheer power in your simple testimony?

John’s gospel tells a wonderful story of a blind man whom Jesus healed. If the story ended with the man opening his eyes and praising God, it would certainly be powerful. However, John carries the account a bit further; as a result, we witness the events that happened next.

The Jewish authorities did not know what to make of this miraculous healing. They had all the facts before them -a man they knew was born blind, the crowd that overheard his interaction with Jesus, the proof of identity provided by his parents- and yet they refused to believe what was clear to so many. Essentially, they challenged the man’s testimony.

In this way, the religious authorities voiced their disbelief: “We know that this man [Jesus] is a sinner” (John 9:24). The assumption is that He could therefore perform no miracle.

The response was brilliant in its simplicity: “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).

No matter what else was said, the man knew the Pharisees could not refute the basic fact that he had been healed. The Bible shows the authorities lost their tempers because they could not argue their way around that fact.

People simply cannot argue against the truth of your experience with Jesus. Rejoice that the Lord has given you such a powerful weapon in the midst of so great a spiritual battlefield.

“Telling It Like It Is” by Dr. Charles Stanley appeared in In Touchmagazine, March 2004. Copyright ? IN TOUCH MINISTRIES. P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357. All rights reserved.? www.intouch.org. Used with permission.

Question: Can you tell someone your testimony of how you came to faith succinctly and powerfully?

What does worship mean to you? Here is an online Bible study to guide you.

The second aspect of Paul’s definition of who we are in Christ is: we are the ones who worship by the Spirit of God.  To worship means to show reverence, honor and intense love, as well as to perform acts of service, toward an object or being.  Although others may worship celebrities, sports heroes or less tangible idols like money, success or power, as believers we worship the living God.

Not only is who we worship critical, but also how we worship. We worship by the Spirit of God.  Therefore our worship flows not from our humanity, but from God who dwells within us.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “[A] time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, 24, NIV).

No longer are we trapped in the mold of the Old Testament days where the High Priest approached God on our behalf with the blood of animals. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, His Spirit lives within us, allowing us to enter into the very presence of God.  Our acts of worship are not external rituals that draw attention to us, but rather they are acts of surrender and service with our whole heart, body, mind and spirit, made possibly through the Holy Spirit.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).

Thank you, Holy God, for making a way for me to worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Questions: What does worshipping in spirit and in truth look like in your life? How have you been challenged to make sure your worship is not merely an external ritual?

Almighty God has given us the privilege of helping our loved ones by our prayers.

For a purpose known by God alone, through a spiritual process beyond our understanding, God has ordained that our prayers have power to assist those in trouble.

It is a mystery that we do not understand, yet through the Bible, the very words of God, we know it to be true.

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20, NIV).

In these words Paul has penned, there is direction for our prayers for our friends.

Deliverance:
Our earnest and most fervent prayers should be for their deliverance. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them these words, “Deliver us from evil.” We pray that God would deliver our loved ones who suffer from cancer or other illnesses if that is His will. But also we pray He would deliver them from pain, deliver them from fear, and most of all that He would deliver them from the power of the evil one who wishes to conquer them by this trouble.

In no way be ashamed:
Some we know are facing death. Though the hope of heaven is real for every believer, still they walk a difficult road where there is no one to explain how to do it.  The process is as mysterious as it is painful. We can pray that they will in no way be ashamed. Regardless of what a day brings, we can call on our Heavenly Father to show them how to think and speak and act with the grace they desire to show.

Sufficient courage:
None of us knows how we will respond in a terrifying and excruciating experience. Will we remain faithful to God? Will we trust in His goodness regardless of circumstance? Will anger or fear or guilt overwhelm us?  We must diligently pray that our friends will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in their lives.

God, we pray for our loved ones who are suffering. Deliver them.  Let them in no way be ashamed.  Give them sufficient courage to walk the path You have put before them. Amen.

Questions: How have you been helped by someone else’s prayers? How can you be more diligent in praying for those who are suffering?