Something Different for May - Day 3

God’s Anger at Sin - Romans 1:18-21 NLT

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.

Prayer for Day 3

Lord, 

         From the first moment of creation Your invisible qualities—Your eternal power and divine being—have been clearly seen. Still, some of us have refused to see You. We’ve let our thinking become futile, and our foolish hearts be darkened. Forgive us, Jesus. Amen.

Romans - Day 2

For the month of May, I am sharing a 31-day prayer challenge from crosswalk.com.

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Day 2

From Romans 1:8-17

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Prayer for Day 2

Jesus, 

         Faith in You is being reported all over the world, and I get to be part of that! Right now, in this prayer, I want to remember those who serve You in my community, nation, and world. Lord, please make us strong today. Help us to encourage and build each other up. Don’t let us be ashamed of Your gospel - the power of God for salvation! We live by faith in You. Amen.

Something Different for May - Day 1

For the month of May, I will be sharing a 31-day prayer challenge from crosswalk.com.
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Day 1 - Romans 1:1-7 NLT

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life, he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

Prayer for Day 1

Jesus,
          I’m Your servant, set apart for Your gospel. In humanity, You’re descended from King David; through Your Spirit of holiness You’re the Son of God! You proved this powerfully when You rose from the dead, giving grace to all who belong to You. May Your grace and peace flow through me today. 
Amen!

Living Proof +

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NLT

You’ve heard it since you became a Christian. Fact of the matter is, you probably heard it before you became a Christian, right?  What, you ask? Well of course, that God has a plan for your life. 

I know I am not the only one who ever asked God what He was thinking when I didn't have any idea about what was going on in my life at a particular moment. I know I am not the only one who ever asked to be let in on the Master Plan, because I was not "getting it." I know I am not the only one who asked for a clue – just one clue – to reveal His Plan for my life.

Here’s the clue:

John 1:1-3 NLT, In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

Combine this with our text for today and a light glimmers. …they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him [Christ] lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Who is Christ? He is the Word… It is IN His Word that we find hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is His Word that is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. The Light by which we can see to follow His Plan!

And if we have doubt or have a hard time seeing or hearing Him, He has other ways of getting through to us. Paul had his experience on the road to Damascus. Do you remember that story? Sometimes, He uses a donkey to talk to a prophet. Remember Balaam? Sometimes, He uses a complete stranger to remind you of the Plan He has for you. Ask my daughter about the shop owner in Kimmswick, Missouri, who spoke to her about her life, in a store we had not planned to go in.

There IS a plan. God has one for you. It has much to do with faith. He is the Author of it, and He is the Finisher of it. And how do we obtain the faith of which He is the Author and the Finisher? God has given everyone a measure of faith. I've also learned that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. How do I know that? It’s in the Bible – the Living Word of God (Romans 12 and Romans 10). 

I’m gathering clues so I can understand God’s mysterious plan.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for a Plan that works. Thank You for a Plan that is fail-proof and written in Blood. Help us to follow the clues You’ve very carefully placed before us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

How to Conquer Evil *

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21 NLT

It can be hard to find someone with a good work ethic - especially in this day and age - but we ought to be able to find our first one when we look in the mirror in the morning... and I don't mean the person behind you. I mean YOU. We are to give our best to those God has given us, just as Christ gave His best for us. How are we to do that? Romans 12 - the chapter - has the answers. Read on...

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

   “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You, Father, for giving us gifts that we can utilize to strengthen others. Help us to use them mightily for You.  May we always look to You and Your Son to be the Author and Finisher of our faith for direction in conquering evil. Give us wisdom, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Good vs. Evil +

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.

Romans 12:9 The Message

In all of life, we pit good against bad in one form or another. Good versus evil. Good guys - bad guys. We may root for an underdog, but if we do, it's because underneath, he's really the good guy! We never want the bad guy to win.

I can't seem to get away from Chapter 12 in the book of Romans. But then...it's all about being the good guy in life. Read on from our text:

Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.

Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Romans 12:10-21 The Message.

Prayer:

Father,

          We wanna be the good guys! We want to win, too! Keep our hearts and minds close to You, so that we can win in You! Cause us to overcome evil by Your Goodness alive in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen