Praying God's Desires

Colossians 1:9-12

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

New King James Version (NKJV)https://www.biblegateway.com

   As Christians, we all long to make necessary changes in our life so we'll become more like Jesus. And we're also concerned about the spiritual growth of fellow believers - especially our loved ones. But trasformation doesn't come about by trying harder or putting Bible verses on sticky notes in hopes that family members will read them and shape up. The most powerful resource we have is prayer, and Paul has given us a pattern that is Christ-centered and specific.

   Too often, believers pray without giving much thought to what God wants to do in a person's life. Instead, we focus on our own ideas regarding what He should do. How much more effective our prayers would be if we prayed according to God's will by using His Word as our source for requests.

   The prayer from Colossians 1 focuses on the heavenly Father's desires for His children. When we go before the Lord and substitute our own name or the name of a friend or family member for "you" in versus 9 and 10, we are praying His specific will for that person. The Lord delights in responding to requests that someone be filled with knowledge of His will and walk in a manner pleasing to Him.

   However, we must be careful not to think of this prayer as a magic charm. It doesn't work that way. These godly qualities take time to develop in a life. And if we are praying these things for ourselves, we must avail ourselves of the means God has provided for our sanctification or transformation - namely, His Word. If we want to know and understand God's will, we should ask Him and search the Bible.

Stanley, Charles F. "Praying God's Desires." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. InTouch.org: Atlanta. April 2019, page 9

What Takes Place After Salvation

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

New International Version (NIV) www.biblegateway.com/

To truly grasp what Jesus did for us on the cross - and to be able to share the gospel effectively - it's essential to have an accurate understanding of the terms we use to describe salvation.

   SAVED (Ephesians 2:8). This is synonym for rescued. Mankind needs rescuing because without Jesus, we are all destined for divine wrath, hell, and eternal separation from God.

  REDEEMED (Ephesians 1:7) Redemption implies a transaction. Our salvation was purchased through the shedding of Jesus Christ's blood.

   JUSTIFIED (Romans 5:1). When someone trusts in Christ, God pardons that person and removes his or her guilt. A saved individual is in right standing with the Lord. 

   RECONCILED (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Salvation results in a relationship with God. We were once separated from Him, but now we are His sons and daughters, and He calls us His friends (John 15:15).

   Using words like redemption, justification, and reconciliation might not be effective when presenting the gospel to someone unfamiliar with the language often used in church. However, it's important for us to understand what the Bible teaches about salvation, and these terms give us a framework for explaining the good news to others.

   We must recognize that we are not saved by our personal works or performance. Salvation is ours by God's grace - His unmerited, undeserved, loving favor toward us - and at the cost of Jesus' own blood. Let us not take for granted how God has rescued us: by sending His Son to die in our place.

Stanley, Charles F. "What Takes Place After Salvation." In Touch: Daily Reading for Devoted Living. February 2019. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 35.

The Protection of Meditation

PSALM 119:9-16

How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

12 

Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

13 

With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

14 

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 

I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

16 

I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

NKJV www.biblegateway.com

If there were a seminar on overcoming sin, many Christians would sign up, hoping to discover the secret to victory over their temptations. But the answer isn't elusive; it's right under our nose. All we need to do is open our Bible. Every answer the psalmist gives to his initial question of how to keep our ways pure involves Scripture.

   LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD  (Psalm 119:9-10). This means we must spend time reading and meditating on Scripture in order to know what it says and means. But that alone isn't enough to guard us from sin; we must obey it.

   TREASURE GOD'S WORD IN YOUR HEART (v. 11). Since temptation usually comes unexpectedly, we must be prepared for it even when we can't grab a Bible. That's why having Scripture stored in our mind and heart is so important.

   REJOICE IN GOD'S WORD (v. 14). There is great joy and peace that comes with knowing Scripture. In fact, it should be worth more to us than all the wealth and possessions this world offers.

   MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD (v. 15). We must take time to attune our heart and mind to the Lord, ponder His words, and receive the Spirit's help translating His instructions for our particular situation. This isn't a rushed process; it's a slow yielding of ourselves to the truths we read as we discover how to apply them. And consistency may require a deliberate commitment.

   When we faithfully practice biblical meditation, we will discover that the Holy Spirit has been busy transforming our thoughts, emotions, and actions so we'll be more pleasing to God and less attracted to sinful pleasures. That is good news!

Stanley, Charles F. "The Protection of Meditation," In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living, February 2019, Atlanta: In Touch Ministries Inc. page 13.

My prayer for myself is that I will have the strength to put into practice what I have just read!!!

"The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know"

 The Joshua CODE: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know by O. S. Hawkins is written on the premises of Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night . . ." This is a book for memory and meditation. Please, use this book as a guide to hide God's word in your heart!!!

www.oshawkins.com

My first exposure to Dr. Hawkins was viewing him on the Huckabee TV show on TBN during December 2018. I liked his enthusiasm for wanting to assist people to know, understand and meditate on God's word, the Holy Bible. Then he hooked me in by adding, "All royalties from this book are donated to Mission:Dignity, which helps retiree missionaries, ministers, workers, and their spouses." With many books sitting on my shelf begging to be read, another book was NOT in my plans. But, it was in His plans. Always wanting to support missionaries, I came home with three books for my bookshelf. Well, I started reading VIP:Very Influential Person and am still reading. I am using the other two books as morning and evening devotionals. None of the three are gathering dust on the book shelf.

The following is a quote on John 3:16 from chapter 2, page 23, unknown, yet wise old sage:

For God . . . the greatest Lover

so loved . . . the greatest degree

the world . . .the greatest company

that He gave . . .the greatest act

His only begotten Son . . . the greatest gift

that whoever . . .the greatest opportunity

believes . . . the greatest simplicity

in Him . . . the greatest attraction

should not perish . . . the greatest promise

but . . . the greatest difference

have . . . the greatest certainty

everlasting life . . . the greatest possession

Each chapter is very short, but powerful. Go slow! Take time to read, study and meditate!!!

Our Heavenly Father

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" Matthew 6:9-13 NIV, www.biblegateway.com

When Christ taught His disciples to pray, He told them to call God "Our Father" when communicating with Him. Jesus often addressed God as "My Father," but now they, too, shared in that privileged family relationship. All of us who've been born again are part of the household of God and have this same right.

   Consider some of the ways our heavenly Father cares for His children. He...

LOVES. God's love is unconditional, since it's based on His nature rather than our performance (1 John 4:16).

LISTENS. When we pray, He gives us His full attention (Psalm 55:16-17).

PROVIDES. The Father assumes responsibility for meeting all our needs (Phillipians 4:19).

GUIDES. He is the one who directs our path when we trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

PROTECTS. The Lord shields us spiritually, emotionally, and physically, sifting every experience through His sovereign fingers (Psalm 121).

STAYS. He's not an absentee parent, since He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

DISCIPLINES. The Lord disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:5-11).

   Though experiences with our earthly dads may have distorted our perspective of the heavenly Father, we can learn to see HIm as He truly is. By viewing Him through the truth of Scripture instead of our preconceptions, we will see evidence of His loving care and discover a security we've never known before.

Stanley, Dr. Charles F. "Our Heavenly Father." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living. Atlanta: InTouch.org. November 2018. page 27.

"The Assassins" by Oliver North review

The Assassins, a novel, by Oliver North and Joe Musser begins on 14 October 2007 at the Royal Saudi Air Force Early Warning Center, King Khalid Air Base, Saudi Arabia. "When the tiny blip first appeared on his radar screen...He stared at the radar image for several seconds before acting on what he saw. Instead of flying straight toward..." pages 1 and 3. After 524 pages of nonstop-intrigue, the authors conclude with, "Tentative and fledgling efforts toward peace and democracy took root in Iran just as they had in Iraq ̶ which grew stronger day by day...."

The President is speaking on 3 November 2007 just after much devastation here in America. "I just read the FBI assessment that the New York, Chicago, and Atlanta attacks were all 'home grown' suicide bombers. If they're right, at least two of these kids were born here in America, grew up among us, and still came to hate us enough to kill themselves trying to kill other Americans....we've got to find some way to stop these radical.. from spewing this hatred. Encouraging young people to build bombs, put them in backpacks, and blow themselves up...." As I read this novel, it is time for me to think, what can I do to stop this hatred we are constantly hearing about? A friend of mine reminded me that if I am not a part of the solution, I am a part of the problem. This novel was written in 2005 as the third in a series of four. Even as a novel, it was written to encourage me to think! To pray! Ask God how I can be a part of today's solution.

Spoiler, one of my favorite people died. But, you will want to read the rest of the story to find our who, when and where.The authors take the reader from the Middle East to South America to Cuba to the United States and back to the Middle East. All around the world people want the same thing, peace!

After this final battle, The President speaks on 11 November 2007 from the Rose Garden. "So, the irony today is that it's Veterans' Day once again. And more than ever, as Americans we've been made aware of the significance of those who have sacrificed for us. Today's generation of men and women in the military are still fighting the ongoing battle against tyranny so that the bells of freedom can ring loud and clear not just across this wonderful land but all over the world... I want to conclude my remarks today with this reminder: we need to always remember this day of sacrifice and courage. Please bow your head and think for a moment of these brave men and women who serve without protest and who go quietly but steadfastly about their sworn duty to uphold and defend the Constitution of these United States of America...." page 515.

"The Jericho Sanction" by Oliver North review

The Jericho Sanction by Oliver North and Joe Musser, second in the Peter Newman novel series, provides the reader with nonstop excitement. After three years, Rachel and Peter Newman alias John and Sarah Clancy have their identity exposed. How and by whom? Read the rest of the story.

Rachel and her friend, Dyan are kidnapped. By whom and which lady was the target? Again, read the rest of the novel. As the saying goes, "No man is an island." This novel involves many connections including family, work, friends, neighbors and associates.

It is refreshing to enjoy a novel of intrigue without the profane language. Also, as the reader, I have a new understanding and respect for our military and their leaders.

A quote repeated from page 538, read many times throughout the novel:

                "...I'll look forward to seeing you again soon. You guys will be in my prayers."

                "As you and yours shall be in mine," replied the old man.

Exciting, entertaining, uplifting!!!