Prayer for Today

Moving towards lightLenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

 

March 4, 2015

Father, I am three months into the New Year and the things I promised I would make a priority, coupled with my desire to look more like Jesus, are beginning to feel like a job more than a blessing. I struggle with choices. I beat myself up when I make a mistake. Sometimes I feel like the changes I am trying to make are making things worse instead of better.

The guilt I feel when I miss the mark and shame for falling short are beginning to take their toll on me mentally and emotionally. I’m starting to listen to those voices in the back of my mind telling me the changes I want to make aren’t worth it.

Help me to remember that You don’t condemn me. In fact, because of what Jesus has done, I am set free from condemnation. You didn’t create me to be a robot; mechanical, living without feelings or emotions and perfect in all I do. No, You created me to be who I am, made perfect through my relationship with Your perfect son, Jesus Christ.

Father help me not to be so hard on myself. Help me to appreciate the journey You have for me. Help me to rely on the finished work of Jesus as my perfection. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Scripture references:

II Samuel 22:31 – 33

Romans 8:1 – 2

Colossians 1:28

Hebrews 10:1 – 10

 

© copy written material

Prayer for Today

learning to walk

Lenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

February 27, 2015

Thank You Lord for giving me a heart to renew my mind in Your word. I will submit myself to You as I make a break from my old life. This is what the Lenten season is all about; breaking out of the old to become newer in Christ and allowing You to propel me forward in the sanctification process.

Father I know that as I press to be more like Jesus I’m going to be like a child who’s learning to walk. I’m going stand, titter and fall. I’m going to falter, fail and come up short of what I had hoped to accomplish, but that’s okay! This too is a part of the sanctification process. Thank you for Your forgiveness! So, here I go, out to conquer my old self one baby step at a time! In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

John 17:17, 19                    I Thessalonians 5:23

Romans 12:2                     I Peter 1:1 – 2

James 4:7 – 10                   I John 1:7 – 10

 

© copy written material

 

 

Spiritual Night Travel

Pillar of fire“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21

Has God ever required you to travel at spiritual night? Moving forward without the full plan to use as your guide or compass? He has required me to travel by spiritual night on more than a few occasions and I can tell you the journey took some time to get used to.

I am a planner. I believe in guidelines, timelines, procedures and schedules. The first time God required me to travel in spiritual night I was rebellious. I didn’t know where He was trying to take me or for what reason. I didn’t have a plan or know the purpose of the journey so I set down and wouldn’t move. I told God, “I’ll do what you tell me to do when you tell me what the end result is going to be and give me a plan!”

God began closing doors and locking windows in my life. And if that weren’t enough, He started turning up the heat making it impossible for me to stay where I was, so I took the only way of escape He left me.

Then I realized the way He had left me was dark because I hadn’t been that way before, I didn’t have a plan nor any experience to cling to during this time. I didn’t know how to travel this path but it was the only path God had left me. Everything else was cut off.

I cried out to God but there was only silence. I prayed but there was no answer. I resolved to go back to the way I had come but I couldn’t because all roads leading back had been blocked. The only way I could go was forward, but how?

Even in our darkest times, during our spiritual night travels, God provides a pillar of fire to lead us. It may be on your coffee table or your night stand. You may have left it in your car from the last time you went to your house of worship, but it is your pillar of fire by night. It is the word of God!

In Exodus 13:21 the pillar of fire guided the people through the wilderness and assured them of God’s presence. That’s what God’s word does for us! Are you in a wilderness experience in your life right now? If so, here’s some light for you to walk in:

You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm – Ephesians 1:3

You are chosen by the Father – Ephesians 1:4

You are God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10

You are victorious – I John 5:4

You are an overcomer – Revelation 12:11

You are healed – I Peter 2:24

You are more than a conqueror – Romans 8:37

God has given you the ability to produce wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18

God hears you when you call – Isaiah 65:24

 

We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light. Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world.” George D. Elderkin

Prayer for Today

Just because your pastLenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

February 26, 2015

Father, over the course of my life I have allowed some of my dreams, gifts, talents and abilities to die on my spiritual vine. Today and going forward, I am calling life into the dry bones of my spiritual life.

I allowed circumstances and situations to move me from Your plan for me because I couldn’t see how it was going to work. I didn’t have the money or things weren’t going my way. NO MORE!

I will no longer allow my current situation to dictate my future.  By faith I will allow Your plans, purpose and my future hope in Christ Jesus to dictate my life. I know I serve a God who is willing, able and will do the impossible to resurrect the dry bone in my life.

I am ready to pursue everything that You have for me Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Scripture References:

Ezekiel 37:1 – 14              Romans 11:29 – 32

Psalm 85:10 – 11             Romans 13:14

Proverb 3:5 – 6                Hebrews 11:1 – 2

Romans 1:17                      I Peter 4:10

 

Prayer for Today

Not staying where you are  Lenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

February 25, 2015

Lord free me for joyful obedience. Not just today but every day of my life. I’m tired of walking down one wrong path after another. I’m sick of allowing my emotions to guide me in ways that You did not design for me.

I’m asking you to free me from guilt, shame, pride, low esteem and procrastination. Do not allow doubt, fear or uncertainty to stop me from moving forward in You and for You. Help me release my past failures and my shortcomings and embrace Your call on my life.

Father, nothing that has happened to me is more important than what You’re calling me to be and accomplish for the kingdom of God. I know it is by faith that I will please you and it is by faith that you will bless me as I work to renew my mind. Releasing the old and embracing Your word as my compass and my guide.

Do not forsake me Lord! I am working to change and I am Your handiwork in the process of being more like Your son. Let Your word work in me and change me from the inside out. In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

Deuteronomy 28:2        John 16:13 – 15

Psalm 25:8 – 9                  John 17:17

Proverbs 20:24                Romans 7:21 – 25

Ecclesiastes 3:11              Romans 8:1 – 2

Isaiah 58:9 – 11

 

© Copy written material

 

Prayer for Today

           The sacrifice of the savior Lenten season challenge: Read the scriptures that are referenced at the bottom of each prayer every day during this Lenten season!

February 23, 2015

Father God, during Lenten season I am always concerned about what I’m going to give up so I can show You how sorry I am for the sins I’ve committed since the last Lenten season. I use this one thing as the scape goat for all my shortcomings and sins.

I use this season as a time for complaining about what I’m not doing or can’t do. I use this season as a time to compare my sacrifice to someone else’s. Never have I used this season to compare my sacrifice to the price You paid for my salvation by sacrificing Your son. Forgive me for trivializing what You’ve done for me.

Father during this Lenten season let me incorporate more of Your son’s character. Let me love more like Jesus. Let me forgive more like Jesus. Let me show compassion and grace to others like Jesus shows to me. Let me think of others more than myself, like Jesus did when He died on the cross for my sins. During this Lenten season, help I be more like Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture References:

 

Numbers 7:16                   Mark 11:25

I Samuel 15:22                  John 3:16 – 18

Psalm 51:17                        Acts 11:23

Zechariah 12:10              Ephesians 5:2

Matthew 9:36                  Colossians 3:13

Matthew 18:21 – 22      James 5:11

John 15:12

 

 

© Copy Written Material

 

Living Above Mediocrity,

Anita Wamble

E-spirational – Divine Inspirations

Sharing God’s Word: Motivating God’s People

Prayer for Today

February 19, 2015

Good morning Father God! Thank You for this day and the many blessings You have determined to bestow upon me today.

Please help me to have the right perspective on things. Life is short but eternity is forever. I want to work on and walk in the things that are going to follow me into eternity. I don’t want the work I do here on earth to have no heavenly gain.

Father I want to start each day with my priorities in place and a tentative plan for where I will invest my time and energy. I want my life’s focus to be about what matters to You.

Lord don’t let me be complacent or use denial and lies as excuses for not doing what You’ve purposed for me. Please clearly give me your priorities for this season of my life. Guide and direct my steps so that I may fulfill Your plan and purpose for my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture references:

Proverbs 14:8

Proverbs 23:23

John 16:13

I Corinthians 9:24

 

© Copy written materialPrayer

Oh, What A Friend – Part II

From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14

In our earthly friendships there is a level of equality between friends. Not so in our friendship with God. It is through my relationship with Jesus that we have friendship with God but God is not our equal even through he’s our friend. Here’s why we not equal to God:

1. His standards are always right.

2. His word is always true.

3. His promises are always kept.

4. God has never, and won’t ever, make a mistake.

5. Gods’ will has and will always prevail.

6. Gods’ way has been and will always be perfect.

7. Gods’ decisions are based on the whole picture and not limited to a specific amount of knowledge.

No one is God except God. No matter how much we pray, how many times a week we fast or how much we give to the poor, we are not God. We are sinners, saved by Gods’ grace. We are given new mercies every day by the unmerited favor of God through Christ.

Our role model for living a life of friendship with God is Jesus. In order to have a true friendship with God, we must do what Jesus did. First, Jesus spent quality time with God (Luke 22:39 – 41). Second, Jesus counseled with God about decisions that needed to be made (Luke 6:12 – 13). Third, even though Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, he walked humbly before God. (John 5:30). The fourth thing Jesus did to strengthen his friendship with God was to think of other more than he thought of himself (John 22:42).

Jesus’ death was not about his friendship with God, it was about OUR friendship with God. Jesus knew unless he died and atoned for the sins of the world, we would never have the opportunity to reconcile with God. Jesus knew unless he died human kind would never have the opportunity to form a friendship with our Creator.

Jesus did the hard work regarding our relationship with God. He bought our salvation by his sacrifice. It is our responsibility to nurture our friendship with God and to cultivate our relations with him by following Jesus’ example of spending time with God, seeking God’s counsel before we make decisions, walking humbly before God and caring about others more than caring about ourselves.

It is a blessing to sing the old spiritual that says, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grieves to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.”

 

17441492-transparent-heart-on-orange-background-with-stars

Oh, What A Friend – Part I

From the book: It’s Still Relative (The Word of God for Today’s World)

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14

There is a song by Walter Hawkins that says, “If you ever need a friend that sticks closer than any brother I recommend Jesus, Jesus because he’s that kind of friend. He will never, never forsake you. Even though he every thing there is to know about you. I recommend Jesus, Jesus because he’s that kind of friend.”

Friends have things in common. Shared interest like shopping, cooking, sports or books. There is something that causes them to be drawn together – hence they get to know each other and begin to share. Out of that sharing a friendship emerges.

Over time a simple association turns into a friendship, which turns into a closer relationship until there forms a mutual level of knowledge about each others character traits, like and dislikes. You get to know each others concerns, strengths and weaknesses.

Jesus gave us the ability to have a friendship with God. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we can have a relationship with a Holy God. Jesus gave us righteousness so we have that trait in common with the Righteous God. Jesus gave us the mind of Christ so we can understand the secrets of God’s words and live in His truths. Jesus came to give us eternal life, so we can live with our friend, God, forever.

Jesus does not lessen God so He can be our friends. When we accept Jesus as our savior, he elevates us so we can become friends of God. Jesus gives us everything we need; holiness, righteousness, peace, love, joy, self-control, etc. so that we have the traits of God  and can take on his characteristics.

Jesus didn’t come to compromise God so that we can live anyway we want and still call ourselves Christians. Jesus did not come to lower God’s standards to the world’s standards. NO! Jesus came to elevate us to God’s will for our lives.

Are you living up to your friendship with God?

17441492-transparent-heart-on-orange-background-with-stars

Prayer for Today

January 23, 2015

Father God, today I refuse to walk in fear or doubt. I will not lean to my own understanding but I will trust in you. Father, you created me in your image and in your likeness. I am perfected in you. I am able to accomplish everything you’ve planned for me.

I have been made righteous in you. My former ways have passed away and in you I have become a new creation. You have made me an ambassador to the lost, the least and the less than; to bring them to reconciliation to you through Jesus Christ your son.

Lord, sometimes I think I’m not good enough to fulfill your plan for me, so as I embark on my tasks as your ambassador, remind me that I am a part of your royal priest hood.  A part of your holy nation and you are the only one greater than me.

Thank you God for thinking enough of me to call me your child and to make me more than a conquer through your son Jesus Christ. Help me be an obedient and mature child of the Most High God. Help me to walk out the path you’ve carved out for me. In Jesus name. Amen

Scripture references:

Proverbs 3:5 – 6

Genesis 1:26 – 27

Hebrews 10:13 – 14

II Corinthians 5:17 – 20

Ephesians 4:23 – 24

I Peter 2:9

Romans 8:37

I Peter 1:13 – 16Ambassador

 

© copy written material