Insight and Encouragement

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

THE POWEROF PRAYER

Today we are going to look at a very powerful concept of prayer. Let me give you the background behind this verse in Genesis 17, God made a promise that Abram and told him that he was going to be the father of many nations, the sign would be circumcision and his name was changed to Abraham. Next in Chapter 18-19, God visited Abraham by the great trees of Mamre, told him that him and Sarah would have a boy next year. Sarah laughed then lied when confronted. Abraham was told of the impending doom of Sodom and Gomorrah where he pleaded for their souls. Sodom and Gomorrah could not be saved but Lot was rescued but later committed incest with his daughters and set up future confrontation for Israel. Next, Abraham and Sarah move down to Gerar or Philistia where he deceived Abimelech by saying that Sarah was his sister and she was taken into his household. Now get this Sarah is 90 years old when this happens. She was an outstanding beauty. God warns Abimelech in a dream about the situation and he gives Sarah back and gives a king’s ransom to get Abraham to avoid God’s judgment. Then they move back to Hebron where Sarah becomes pregnant and they bear Isaac when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. What an Amazing story and background.

Romans 4:17

New International Version

17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

1. Today we are going to learn about the power of prayer. Abraham was a great example for us to learn from. First, he stood on God’s promises. There are more than 10000 promises in the Bible. Each one is back up by God’s word. Psalm 132:8 states this. 1 Cor 1:20 says the promises of God are yes and amen. So when you pray you can believe and trust God’s promises. Often I will quote the promise to God in my prayer time.

a. Abraham also believed. The definition of belief is, “accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.” Hebre 11:1, that faith is substance of things hope for and the evidence of things not seen. It goes further in Heb 11:6, that you believe that God exists and is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. That is what Abraham did.

b. He believed that God could bring life to that which is dead. In this case himself and Sarah. Remember God told Abraham it was going to happen. Sarah laughed and you would too. Abraham believed enough to actually try again for another baby. He may have said to Sarah. “what have we got to lose. “ What Abraham did was believe and called into being things that were not. He released the divine resources of heaven.

c. I love Phil 4:19 where Paul says that God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory. What does all mean, “All.” Your physical such as food, shelter, clothing and transportation. You spiritual, mental, emotional, financial and family.

2. Now this week I heard a powerful teaching about the two track system of prayer from Charles Stanley. He said that you cannot receive God’s promises without also obeying the principles of God. One side of the track is promise the others die is prayer. God will not give you his promises if you violate His principles. God is a God of balance. Today so many people have demoted God to a sugar daddy or bubble gum machine. They have no concept of the love of God. They believe that love means you can do anything you want and there are no consequences and preachers who teach this are liars and false teachers. There are six things t will share with you that will stop the promises of God in their tracks.

a. Ps 66:18, says if I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me. The principle is regarding iniquity. Iniquity means habitual unconfessed sin. You ignore, justify, excuse, blame it on others. The Lord will not hear your prayers.

b. Mark 11:26, tells us that if we cannot forgive others, the Lord will not forgive us and will not hear our prayers. This often stops the promises of God.

c. In 1 Pet 3:7, it states that if we mistreat our spouse our prayers will be hindered and not answered.

d. James 4:2, says that we have not because we are asking or selfish reason or wrong motives and God is too good to allow this to happen.

e. Not abiding in Christ. John 15:7, Jesus said, “If we abide in Him and us in Him we can ask what we will and it will be given unto us.

f. Unbelief. Simple if you do not believe you will not receive. Abraham believe God and it was credited him as righteousness.

3. We are the children of Abraham through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has secured us all the benefits and resources of heaven. I want to give your some thoughts on how in prayer to secure what Paul was talking in here in this verse and also in Phil 4:19, to call those things into being which are not.

a. Prayer is the avenue in which we create a natural reality from the supernatural. In prayer God lays something on our heart and it becomes a burden of prayer. Let me give you two examples from my life. One was actually a desire that became a reality. My 1984 Buick Limited. My current position at Am 930 the light. I love this phrase. pray on it, pray over it, pray through it. God uses the authority we have in prayer. Jesus said in Matt 18:18, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

b. In prayer we are claiming the promises of God. We have not violated the principles of prayer, we are abiding in Christ and we are walking in faith and we are speaking God’s promises to Him.

c. In prayer you are taking what God has promised and releasing it into your world by prayer. Your faith and trust in his character of truth, His unfathomable love and his immutable essence secures the benefits and resources into your world. Abraham had been told a child was coming. He believed God. He pray on it, over it and through it until it happened. We must do the same.

d. By faith you see the promise of God in the bible, you release it by faith from the supernatural realm into the physical realm because God told you it was yours. You secure it through prayer and faith.

e. I believe it is time as the people of God we call those things which are not into prayer. We have the power, authority enablement and ability in the name of Jesus Christ. We can agree with others in prayer because Jesus said where two or three gather in my name I am in the midst and where two or three agree on anything in shall be done for them. Matt 18:19

f. What is it you need today go get it today in prayer and we will agree with you. I will close with a great example was Elijah on the Mount Carmel

QUOTES FOR SEPT 1, 2026

POWER TO CHANGE

Power to Change

Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Slide One

Change means: to make different in some particular : ALTER: to make radically different : TRANSFORM

In the case of a Christian you have been transformed. Your change is from the inside out. Slide 2

Here are five reasons people don’t like to change.

1. People fear being different--especially when there's no precedent. We're creatures of habit. For the most part, we love routine and procedure.

2. People feel overwhelmed or stressed, people may resist change simply because they're tired.

3. People fear a departure from the status quo, 62% of people don’t want to change, don’t feel

they need to change or fear change.

4. People know change brings a new set of possibilities and problems. Many people prefer for

things to stay the way they are. How many have you heard the old saying if it aim broke, don’t

fix it.

5. People don’t trust the one encouraging the change. Slide 3

Here are seven reasons why embracing change can be a very good

Change helps you grow. ...

Change teaches you to be flexible. ...

Change can challenge your values and beliefs. ...

Change reveals your strengths. ...

Change makes you more compassionate. ...

Change breaks up routines. ...

Change offers opportunities. Slide 4

Here are some Biblical characters where change was for the best.

Abram left Ur to Haran than to Canaan. He later became Abraham the Father of the faithful. He was the Father of the Israelites through Isaac. Through him all nations have been blessed.

Jacob when he left and found Leah, Rachel, he had 12 boys who became the 12 tribes of Israel. Had his name change to Israel which means Prince with God.

Joseph, was a Prince of Israel, sold into slavery by his brothers, end up as a slave and then in prison for 13 years. In one day went from prisoner to Prime Minister and saved the then known world from Calamity.

Daniel was taken in captivity by the Babylonians. He became a high ranking official in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empire. Influenced a number of rulers.

Esther was taken from her home to the harem of the King, won his heart and eventually saved her people from the sinister minister Haman. `` Slide 5

Change is an opportunity to renew, retool, and re-imagine what’s possible. Change is the ultimate opportunity for transformation. It’s a chance to do a reset. It’s a chance for a fresh start. It’s a chance to let things go. It’s a chance to create a vision for the future. It’s also a chance to reinvent yourself, which many times means bringing out more of who you are. Slide 6

One man wrote: Change is good. But only if you embrace it. Change is a chance to stop doing what’s not working, start doing things that would work better, and keep doing the things that work well

Change is good. But only if you embrace it. Change is a chance to stop doing what’s not working, start doing things that would work better, and keep doing the things that work well

As a Christian we embrace change. The Bible says the mercy of God are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. Peter states in 1 Pet 3:18, that we are to growth in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

God demands and makes changes. He loves us to much to leave us as we are. God change and process us. God is always at work in us. His ultimate goal is to make us like Jesus. Our job is to work with Him and let Him change us. The agents of change are as follows, the word, prayer, circumstances, other people and life in general.

LETTERS TO DAVID

Dear David.

It has been a while since I wrote an article on prayer because I have been renovating my condio and house. I wish to Now it is time to get back into talking about the most important ministry of all. The reason it is the most important ministry is because Jesus is doing it right now. James writes that we have not because we ask not. In James 4:2, James reminds us that the reason we do not have from God is because we do not spend time with Him. The comedy network has as it slogan, time well wasted. Prayer is time well wasted. When you come to God in prayer it is more than releasing your bucket list to God. It is a time of intimacy and love. You are spending time with the creator of the universe. You are communing with the one who can meet everyone of your needs.

I am always amazed how people refuse to pray. They have a thousand excuses of why they cannot pray. The reality is you cannot afford to not pray. Prayer is the one avenue in which you can and will receive everything you need in life. Prayer is greater than anything else because God himself is standing behind every prayer. You have not because you ask not. We need to ask and then by faith be ready to receive. God is waiting to spend time with us. He wants to minister to every need, want and desire. He has a great plan and purpose for our lives. So often we live for far below our potential is is almost sickening.

It is time we reach out in prayer. Let us today take time and commune with God. Let us make sure that everyday we set time aside to pray. It is greater than any yoga exercise, work out plan or actvity. Prayer is life itself. It is life everlasting. It is abundant life. It brings joy, peace, patience and victory. Let us pray and let us receive when we ask.

Dear David

I want to spend some time talking to you about the most powerful Old Testament people. This of course is Noah. Noah was the Great Grandson of Enoch and Methuselah. Noah lived during a time that was so sorrupt that the Lord determined to destroy the entire world. We are almost in that time ourselves. We live in a time where right has become wrong and wrong has become right. Noah was the only righteous man of that generation. The amazing thing about Noah was his ability to hear God. This was because he was a man of prayer. Prayer gives you the ability and opportunity to hear and know God.

Noah heard the word of the Lord and was obedient to that word for 100 years. I wonder how many of us hear the word of the Lord and then obey it. In Noah's case he became the laughing stock of his generation. Tha ark has often been called Noah's folly. One thing prayer does is helps us to be true to the task. When circumstances scream you are in over your head. Prayer says stay in there you are walking in God's agenda and not your own. Prayer keeps us focused and on track. Prayer keep you in the right direction and keeps you from going the wrong way.

True people of prayer hear from God and then walk in obedience to the word of the Lord they have heard. Noah would take this message to a world that did not want to hear it. The reality was that he was right and every one else was wrong and in time all lost their lives. Prayer is life and death. You fight for the lives of others and in turn can keep them from death. Today we must take prayer for what it is, life and death. You are in a war with the devil and he takes no prisoners, his agenda is rob, kill and destroy. He does not care about you. He shows no mercy, gives no reprieve and attacks all the times. He will never give up until he destroys you and everything you stand for. So today be like Noan in your generation. Stand in prayer and do everything you can to save and heal you world through prayer,

David

You know what I love about Noah and his prayer life. It was so one on one. God could tell Noah to do anything and without question he would do it. Each step of Noah's journey of life was mark by prayer and his response to God. When God told him to build a boat on dry land, he did. It took him one hundred years to do the task but in the end it was his obedience that got the job done.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness. You cannot be a preacher of righteousness without being a prayer of righteousness. Righteousness is right standing with God and man. It is the ability to hear from God and then do his right thing. You cannot even try to be righteous without God. You need to hear, know and be what God wants you to be. That only comes from spending time with Him which Noah did. Noah's testimony in his world was that he was a righteous man. Oh, how we need people like him today. Right thinking, words, attitudes, motives and action. Hear from God and then doing it. Obedience is the greatest testimony a person can have. Noah was an example of all of these.

We need more Noah's today. It is becoming like the days of Noah in Canada but this is not the end of the story. There is a Noah ready to emerge. This person will come forward when as they spend time with the Lord. John Wesley emerged when England was in its darkest hour. John Knox come forward during the dark days of Bloody Mary. William Wilberforce came when slavery was destroying the British empire. God has his person. My question is are we williong to pay the price? Noah stayed the course for 100 years. Will we stay the course for how ever long it takes? Through prayer we will.

David

A moment is prayer can change everything. In that moment you invite the Lord into the situation. Paul tells us to bring everything to God in prayer. We do not have to carry one burden ourselves. I am always amazed how like too many others will worry, fuss and carry burdens and then when everything is too much then I cry out to God. The real secret of abundant living is turning everything over to God as soon as the need arises. Immediately prayer can change a situation around quickly. It can shorten a lesson or circumstance. Also if the problem persists you will receive strength and wisdom to work and walk through it.

I am sometimes so slow in reaching out to God. I suppose that there is an independent streak in all of us. That part of us that says, “Its ok God I got this. The problem is we don’t got it. The world, the flesh and devil are better at what they do then we often are. They live the spiritual realm and we do not. They attacked at our point of weakness and often we do not even know the weakness exists until it too late. That is why we are encouraged to be anxious for nothing but with prayer and supplication to make our request be known to God.

The Christian life is moment by moment, event by event. So today do not live as if you have all the time in the world and that you can handle everything. Bring everything to the Lord no matter how large or small. Ask for divine intervention and the promise is that you will receive it.

Monday, August 31, 2026

FROM PRISON TO PRIME MINISTER

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Lesson One: Joseph in that moment was also given a plan by God. God often gives divine inspiration and direction in a moment if we open to listen and heed His advice. First, Joseph says that the king should find a wise and discerning man. A man who has understanding, insight and humility. Humility because this is a task that will require to change the whole direction and emphasis of the economy and life direction of a nation. He will be a man who will have to be in charge of the whole land of Egypt. He will have to have co-operation of the government, the economy and the social structure of the land.

Next, appoint commissioners and government officials over the land and their task will to gather a fifth of the harvest during the seven years of abundance. He was doing what creation itself does. Ants, squirrels, and other creatures know there is a winter coming so they get ready for it. They should collect all the food during the good years that are coming and store it under the authority of the king. This way it has all the resources and power that comes from being an absolute ruler. The arm forces, the government is all behind it and protecting it. It should be kept In the cities for food. The king lived in the city and all the major cities had storage facilities in them and also the majority of Egypt lived near the major cities for better distribution. The food should be held in reserve for the entire country. Joseph knew because of the dreams that this would be certain. The food then could be used during the seven years of famine so the country would not be ruined. Pharaoh had been the dream because he was the one man who could do all suggested. He would need everyone involved to save the country. God gave through Joseph clear instruction how Egypt could avert disaster if they had a plan of attack. Good leadership always listens to sound advice.

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God]?”

Lesson two: Immediately the king had his officials recognized a good plan. It was sound, wise and precise. Then the king did something no one expected. In that moment he asked the question. Is there anyone like this man? One in whom is the Spirit of God. This was a divine moment. A godless, polytheistic worshipper recognizes the true God. The king has seen the old gods of Egypt fail. This man standing before Him had the Spirit of God in Him. In the ancient world there were seven signs of a man who was one in touch with the divine. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge piety, respect for the divine. Isaiah would reveal this as well in his writings. Joseph showed all this and more. What an amazing thing. I can see the shock on the faces of the magicians, wise men and the priests. What was the king saying? The old gods had failed but the one true God had come through. This man was a living ambassador of the gods. This was a revolutionary moment. A change from the old, ordinary and mundane. Maybe the king was looking to make a change. He did see that Joseph was different than any man he had ever met. When you walk with the Lord others will see it.

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Lesson Three – Pharaoh saw that both the interpretation and the plan were given by God to Joseph. He also saw that no one in the court was as wise and discerning as Joseph. Now this was a step of faith on the part of the king. He was breaking all protocol. All the up and comers were passed over. Maybe he was making a new start. We know God was behind this. A lesson we learn here is that God can show himself to even the most heathen of people. That is happening right now around the world with Moslems, Hindu’s, Sihk’s and others. It happened to Nebuchadnezzer and Cyrus. God is the mover and shaker of empires. He raises them up and pulls them down. Then Joseph is put in charge of the palace, all the people will submit to his orders and only the king will be greater and have more authority. In one moment destiny is fulfilled. Joseph goes from prison to Prime Minister. He is given all authority, power, might and dominion of the greatest empire at that time. Potiphar, his wife, the cupbearer all now are under the authority of the former slave and prisoner. When God moves you don’t even have a chance to catch up. Can you see the shock, the amazement of all the officials, priests and magicians. This unknown who just hours before was a prisoner is now in charge. God had strategically had his man in place. Joseph’s faithfulness, perseverance, obedience was now rewarded. Remember do not be weary in well doing in due season you will reap a harvest. Notice Joseph did not do one thing to get this promotion. This was God and God’s alone.

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way, Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Lesson Four: The bigger the task, the greater the responsibility. Cam Floria said, that when you find yourself waiting for the Lord it often means a great work is about to be done through you. This happened to Joseph. That is why we must trust the Lord and His timing. Be faithful in the small things and in due season and in God’s timing we will be given greater responsibility. Now Joseph’s responsibility was way over the top. Beyond what he could dream or imagine. Remember though we serve a God who does the impossible. He always has his person at the right time. Our only responsibility is be faithful where we are. Now Pharaoh did four things. He took his signet ring and put it on Joseph’s finger. Signet rings were emblazoned with a family crest and they would frequently be used to stamp, or sign a document. The metal shapes would leave a permanent mark in any soft wax or even clay and this would be placed onto a variety of legal documents. Joseph now had total power in Egypt. He had authority over all the affairs of state. He was in control. Next, the king dressed him the finest linens, he was now rich beyond his wildest dreams and put a gold chain around his neck. This was most likely the The Usekh necklace or collar it is a personal ornament, a type of broad collar or necklace, familiar to many because of its presence in images of the ancient Egyptian elite. Deities, women, and men were depicted wearing this jewellery. One example can be seen on the famous gold mask of Tutankhamun. It was a sign of great wealth. Next, we see he had him ride in a chariot as his second in command or Prime Minister and heralds ran before him make way. This was the ancient form of media or social media. The whole land was audience to what happened. He was proclaimed publicly as Prime Minister. He followed through on all he said and Joseph was put in charge of the whole land. The king saw immediately in Joseph was a man he could trust. They became best friends immediately. Do we exhibit this type of trust, transparency, accountability? Joseph did

44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,[d] to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.

Lesson Five: Pharaoh in that moment would have bestowed a special badge to Joseph and he was given as well the role of protector of Egypt. He was in charge of immigration, the diplomatic core. No one could even set foot or hand in all Egypt. Joseph next to the king was the supreme authority. What an incredible honor. The king completely trusted Joseph. He then gives Joseph a new name. Zaphenath-Paneah which means, "the man to whom mysteries are revealed or the one who reveals mysteries". Jerome in the Latin Bible says this name means Savior of the world. Joseph is a type of Christ. Just a quick note nothing ever bad is said about Joseph. He was completely blameless in the record. Only three men in the Bible have this distinction, Joseph, Daniel and Jesus. Each man changed their world for God. He is given Asenath whose name means the sun god’s special gift. She would be the mother of two tribes of Israel. She would have been a virgin, be of the highest rank in the aristocracy of Egypt. She would have been destined for the crown prince. God used this marriage to strengthen Joseph’s new position as a national leader. The city of On was also known as Heliopolis, “The City of the Sun.” It was the center of worship of the sun god, Ra, and was located 10 miles northeast of modern Cairo. The high priest in On held the title of “Greatest of Seers.” When Joseph married into this family, he joined a social class befitting a national leader. Also implied in the marriage arrangement was Pharaoh’s confidence that Joseph, too, was a “seer,” or prophet, of the highest caliber. God used this situation to accomplish His will in ways Joseph could not understand at the time. After that Joseph went throughout the land. This means he went right to work. What a promotion, Joseph in that moment became the Savior of the then known world. Today Jesus is the Savior of the world. Joseph is a type of Christ. As Joseph was used to save his world so Christ saved us. Now there is one final application. You are in charge of your world under God’s leadership. Like Joseph you have influence in your world. You represent the Lord in your world. When you speak, live like and show the Lord in your life. You change your world. You contact people in your world for Christ. Wherever you go, whatever you do, how you live influences everyone in your world. Today I am going to ask you to get rid of everything that is negative in your world and to recommit yourself to being an ambassador of Christ and real change in your world. Close with I'll Tell The World - Jaclyn Pruehs