Sunday, February 28, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Friday, February 26, 2021
Feb 26 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 26 - Vignettes on Prayer
Joshua made a statement to Israel at the end of his life. In Josh 24:15, he stated as him and his house they will serve the Lord. Make this your declaration in the spiritual realm. Tell heaven, earth and hell this is who you are and your family. Let satan know that your family is a godly family and any attack he makes there will be consequences. Also pray the following promises over your family. Joy – “for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10. Kindness – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32. Love – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” 1 John 3:1. Great promises for today.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Feb 25 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 25 - Vignettes on Prayer
Paul wrote in 1 Cor 13:13, that three virtues remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love. Love is something you want to pray and see happen in your family. Pray for unity and healing in your family. Also pray for the following promises today. Hope – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Humility – “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4. Integrity – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9. Pray that each one of your family members receives these promises and incorporates them into their lives.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Feb 24 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 24 - Vignettes on Prayer
Prayer for our loved one brings us closer to them. When you pray for others a love for them rises up into your heart. You feel responsible for them. You are bringing them before God and asking Him to touch them in the deepest parts of their heart. Today pray the following promises for them. Grace: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14. Health: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2. Honesty: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. Such great promises and virtues to pray for any one. Claim these for them today.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Feb 23 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 23 - Vignettes on Prayer
When you are praying for your family you are standing in the gap for them. You are bringing them to the throne of grace and through you they are sanctified. Sometimes it almost feels like life and death when praying for them. In fact sometimes it is. My oldest son when he was four had a form of whooping cough which put him in an oxygen tent and the doctor has said that unless he had a miracle he would die. My wife informed me that if we did not pray it could go either way. I spent two hour in intercessory prayer claiming 1 Pet 2:24 on his behalf. I wrestle against the spirit of death for those hours. I cried out to the Lord with every fiber of my being. I was not about to let my son go to the way of death. I had never prayed so hard and fervently in my life. After that time of prayer I phone my wife who told me that in those two hours something had changed. My son began getting better and the following day he was released from the hospital. One moment on the brink of death the next moment released from its grip. This does not always happens but in that moment no one can tell me that prayer does not work. It did for me and it can for you.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Feb 22 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 22 - Vignettes on Prayer
Praying for your family is such a privilege. You are releasing God’s blessing into their lives. You are claiming their souls for the kingdom. You are fighting against all foes that would assail them. By claiming the following promises you are releasing God’s grace, mercy, favor and love on them. Nothing is higher or holier in prayer. Fruitfulness: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. Generosity: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19. Godly Relationships “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Prov. 13:20. Lord today release fruitfulness in our families the fruit that remains. Pour into them your generosity and godliness. Make all the relationship they seek be righteous and godly, in Jesus name.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Friday, February 19, 2021
Feb 19 - Vignette on Prayer
Feb 19 - Vignette on Prayer
This is the first day that we will actually pray certain blessing over our families. These are wonderful scriptures and blessing. These are things you want to see released into your family. They are God’s promises for you and them. Lord, we pray for these blessings over our children, today, and every day…
Belief, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31. Blessing, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26. Courage – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. These three blessing will bring exciting promises to your family today.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Feb 18 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 18 - Vignettes on Prayer
Today we are actually going to a prayer that is found on the Crosswalk website. These are wonderful people who work very hard to present a balance and responsible view of Christianity. I always figure why reinvent the wheel when others have done a great job. Dear God, We praise you for your love and faithfulness. We thank you for your protection and care over our families. Thank you that you give us the power to love well; the wisdom to lead and teach our children. We know you’re for us; that you fight for our families today. You are Redeemer, Restorer, and Friend, we believe you have good in store. We confess, some days, parenting is tough. Many days we can feel anxious or overwhelmed. We ask that you would make us more like you, more aware of your constant Presence in our lives. Help us to release our children to You, so that You are free to fully accomplish all that You desire, in them, through them. Please fill our families with your truth and cover us with your favor. This is a great prayer and one you can pray for your family every day.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Feb 17 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 17 - Vignettes on Prayer
This is an exciting series of Vignettes that I will be sharing. This is where we pray for our families. Acts 16:31, states that not only will we be saved but also our family and friends. If you have family and friends that do not know the Lord this is your verse. We have three examples in the New Testament of the normal. First, we have Cornelius and his household. Next, we have Lydia and her whole household and lastly the jailer and his entire household. This is the norm not the exception. So when this does not happen two possibilities are in play. First, we do not take this scripture seriously or we do not pray for our families. Unfortunately both cases are usually the problem. So today reverse this trend and take God at His word and daily pray for your family. You have God’s promise and also your part to play. I believe with all my heart that we can reverse this trend and again see the Bible normal. It is never too late when we do our part God’s promises to do His.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Feb 16 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 16 - Vignettes on Prayer
This is our last day talking about what to pray when It comes to praying for revival. I have enjoyed writing about this. Now Habakkuk writes in 3:2 of his book the following, “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” The prophet writes in wrath remember mercy. Oh my goodness do we need mercy. If God does not show mercy He will have to apologize to Sodom for what is happening today. So here is our final prayer to prayer today on this thought. “Father you have declared in your word that if I call to you that you will show me great and mighty things I do not know. I am calling on you Oh Lord. I am pleading with you to grant revival to the people of this family, church, community, province and country. We desperately need it. You have the power to grant it. I am calling on you Father. Will you be true to your word? Are you going to be faithful to your promise Father? For the sake of the word. I plead that you will grant revival to your people. Please Lord we need this today. I trust you agree with me.
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Feb 11 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 11 - Vignettes on Prayer
David writes so beautifully this prayer in Psalm 85:6. Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? It was David’s prayer that the people of his generation would be revival. Gypsy Smith was asked one time how to have revival. He stated that if we want revival we must draw a circle around us and don’t come out until we are revived. Revival begins in us. So here a prayer you can pray today. “Father this church bears your name. We are your representatives in this world. We have dishonored you and your name through our indifferences, unconcern and lack of holiness. How can you bear allowing us to stay as we are? Have mercy upon us oh God. Grant revival to us that we might lives worthy of your name sake. Please Lord, take away our sin and grant us your grace. This is intercession because you know that revival and judgment begin in the house of the Lord. The last thing you want to see is judgment so pray for revival for all in your world because we all need it
Monday, February 8, 2021
F eb 8 - Vignettes on Prayer
eb 8 - Vignettes on Prayer
Today we are looking at the positions or postures of prayer. First, of all no one position or posture of prayer that is better than another. Paul states in 1Timothy 2:8 KJV, I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. This means when people pray no matter where they can lift up holy hands. I often do this in my prayer time. To me the lifting of hands is a sign of surrender and respect. It is a physical form of connection with God. Paul says that when we lift up holy hands we should do so without wrath or malice. Notice He says holy hands. Our hands and life are sanctified the moment we give our lives to Christ and then by daily surrender we are in a state of progressive and daily sanctification to the Lord. Paul reveals that anger and wrath will keep us from the presence of God. We can be angry and sin not. This is accomplished as James says, by being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. Secondly, don’t let malice which is the intention to do evil. When you pray make sure these things are removed from your life. Small note the position of prayer is not as important as the attitude you show in prayer.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Friday, February 5, 2021
Feb 5 - Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 5 - Vignettes on Prayer
Paul writes in Eph 5:19, Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. We can see from this portion that prayer can take many forms. It can be part of a set liturgy or ritual, and it can be performed alone or in groups. Prayer may take the form of a hymn, formal creedal statement, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. Never limit how you pray. I myself often read formal prayers out of manuals in which I have prepared over the years. These written prayers bring clarity and format. Other times I will pray what I call unscripted prayers where I will pray what is on my heart. Music, song, hymns and spiritual songs are just another way or format to pray. Prayer is as diverse as the person who is praying. Never limit yourself to a format or very quickly prayer can became, dull boring and unfruitful. Be creative, resourceful and spontaneous when it comes to prayer. It is an exciting exercise so use it well and it will fulfill, excite and delight you.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Feb 4 – Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 4 – Vignettes on Prayer
Today we are going to introduce some concepts that many do not associate with prayer. Again using Wikipedia, is says, prayer can also have the purpose of thanksgiving or praise, and it is closely associated with forms of meditation. In the Christian world this means thinking about and bringing back to memory portions of scripture one has learned. Paul says in Rom 12:2, that we transform our minds by having them renewed. Renewal happens when we meditate on the Word of God. Bible reading is essential in quiet times or devotions. Thanksgiving and praise is also an important part of our prayer time. Paul gives us a format for meditation in God’s word. In Phil 4:8-9, he says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice .“ A great place to start in thanksgiving, praise, and meditation. Do this today.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Feb 3 – Vignettes in Prayer
Feb 3 – Vignettes in Prayer
Today we are going to begin a study on what prayer is and why it is so important. We have up to this point talked about the exercise of prayer but throughout the next little while we will look more at the mechanics of prayer. Wikipedia says, prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards God. In the case of the Christian our prayers are directed to the Father though Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. God is the author of our prayers and He will answer them when done in Jesus name. Through Jesus’ broken body, shed blood, His death, burial, and resurrection is the avenue of prayer is successful. Jesus is the avenue through whom we pray. Our part is to do what James 5:16, states, we are to be righteous and holy. Larry lea says that purity in prayer brings power. So today live a pure life and you will be effective in prayer.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Feb 2 – Vignettes on Prayer
Feb 2 – Vignettes on Prayer
Today I am looking at Gal 6:10 which says, therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. This has both a physical and spiritual application. In the practical sense we should always look for every opportunity to be a blessing to others and the beautiful thing is that God will give us plenty of opportunities. In the spiritual sense you can do this through prayer. When you pray for others it is called intercession. When you pray for others it is especially for other Christians the most powerful thing you can do for them. You are bringing them before the throne of grace. This is actually the highest and most holy calling. The reason is because this is what Jesus is doing for us right now. So today pray for others and also when the opportunity comes to touch and bless others do it. Remember your destiny and challenge today is to do the will of God and the will of God is to touch others for the glory of God. William Booth was asked one time in one word that described the ministry of the Salvation Army, he wrote, “Others.” So go and minister to others.