Positive Prayer Requests

POSITIVE PRAYER REQUESTS

Philippians 1:9-11:  “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

 

            Everyone knows annoying people who irritate us.  How we deal with offensive people speaks volumes about our spiritual growth in Christ.

            What is your opinion of results in the recent presidential election in the USA?  Apostle Paul teaches truth, even providing why in 1 Timothy 2:2: “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, or intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

            Even small kids know how parents feel about the new president-elect. 

            Whether you’re pleased or unhappy—the opening Scripture offers peace by praying positive prayer requests.  Praying for annoying people definitely does not come naturally for those who’re upset.

            When people are disappointed over life issues, prayer ought to be the first thing we do seeking help.  Believers-in-Christ can affect change.  We can change the world one person at a time, and prayer is the quickest way to affect change.   For sure, positive prayer will change others…and you, too!

            When we follow the opening Scripture’s play-book, that person will (A) grow in love.  But not just surface, “I love you” kind of love.  This love grows profoundly in knowledge and deep insight.  (B) That person will also become wise and make smart choices for what is the best way to act. 

            (C) One of the best improvements in people is to live with integrity [in-TEG-ri-tee].  “Pure and blameless” showcases honesty and truth.  Uh-oh, we’ll be praying for that person to become like Jesus!  

            (D) “Filled with the fruit of righteousness…to the glory and praise of God” defines Jesus’ walk on Earth. 

            Wouldn’t you like to squelch your sinful nature and grow more Christ-like?  Praying these four simple things for others will also change you.  Galatians 5:22-23 promises: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”           

Take Home Nugget

            But, before you think this is easy, Jesus also commands in Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”  

Holy Father, Teach me to prayer positive requests for others that brings Your will from heaven down to Earth.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Adapted from “Positive Prayer Makes Strong Relationships” by Rick Warren.  November 19, 2016.  www.christianity.com

J.D. Griffith

 

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Shine On

 SHINE ON

Genesis 15:5:  “He [God] took him [Abraham] outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can cunt them.’  Then He said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’”

 

            How do you react when someone promises you something that seems wildly unlikely to happen?   

            The reason Abraham is listed in Hebrews 11 is because he believed God.  Abraham didn’t pooh-pooh God during the opening Scripture; he just figured that the Almighty knew something to make it true.

            Hebrews 11:11 shows why Abraham’s faith was so admired: “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he [Abraham] considered Him [God] faithful as one who had made the promise.”

            Just like sports have a “Hall of Fame” where great players are admired forever, Hebrews’ chapter eleven is the Bible’s Hall of Faith.  Check out the lesson linked below to see other greats cherished in the Bible’s Hall.

            In today’s distrust, to believe a promise simply because we think that person is faithful is pretty weak.  Now you understand why Abraham is preserved in the Hall.  

            Using stars as His example, do you think that God meant only the number of Abraham’s offspring?  That’s surely what Abraham thought.  But there is another similarity besides the number of stars in His example.  God intended for Abraham’s offspring to possess star quality. 

            We see stars as tiny specks in the night sky.  But really, every star is like our sun.  Every speck in the vast sky is actually a brilliant orbit of light.  If we could expand the image, we’d be blinded by stars’ brilliance! 

            As Senior Patriarch of our Christian faith, Abraham lays claim to being the father of all Christians, who number in the billions!  Granted, Believers usually don’t see ourselves as stars.  Often, we feel rather insignificant.  But truthfully, Believers-in-Christ are magnificent and brilliant in the heavens.  We just appear insignificant on Earth. 

Take Home Nugget

            When we see others—especially children—remember that we are all like stars.  Let us reframe people from how they appear on Earth to the infinite potential each one has.  Each one may neither accomplish much nor reach a standard of greatness…but who are we to judge?

            “Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.” Titus 2:10, The Message.

            Not only are we made in God’s image—but through faith in Jesus—we are superstars in God’s eyes! 

Holy Father, teach me to see others as You created them, and never judge them according to my standards.  May I view not only others—but myself that way, too.  Praying this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Adapted from “Shine Like the Stars” by Rabbi Eckstein.  November 10, 2016.  www.holylandmoments.com

J.D. Griffith

 

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Others First

 OTHERS FIRST

Genesis 18:1-2:  “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.  Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.  When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.”

 

            Ten year old Shakira woke up with ANOTHER sore throat.  She swallowed hard to see if it would disappear.  “Hi Mom,” she croaked weakly. “Did you sleep here all night?”

            “I didn’t want to leave until you woke up.  The operation was harder and took longer than the doctors predicted,” mom said.  “But everything is good, now. … Yet I fear that you still have a sore throat.”

            Shakira nodded her head, yes.  She didn’t want to talk, but her eyes teared up.

            “Nurse Hetty, will you please prescribe something for her sore throat?” Shakira’s mom inquired.

            “The usual prescription for a sore throat after removing one’s tonsils is ice cream,” was the answer.  What flavor, Shakira?”     

            “Chocolate, of course!” Shakira’s mom teased.

            Shakira feels worse than Abraham felt after his surgery.  Check out the lesson linked below to see what Abraham did the day before the opening scripture.

            Father God waited for Abraham to wake up before appearing to him the morning after his surgery, just like Shakira’s mom.   Abraham was probably delighted to find the Lord checking in on him then, just like Shakira was glad to wake up to her mom.

            Sitting at the entrance to his tent was Abraham’s typical daily routine.  But this was no ordinary day.  Abraham was recovering when God made a house call.

Take Home Nugget

            Abraham’s routine was to meet strangers he saw while sitting at the entrance to his tent.  Today, he was talking with God Almighty.  And when Abraham saw three men nearby, he abruptly left God’s presence to greet them.  We’d consider his behavior rude.  We see no evidence that Abraham pardoned himself, “Hold on, I see three men over there!”

            Abraham RAN to the men.  Their presence made up for yesterday when he missed greeting people.   Abraham understood that there is something even better than talking to God—his plan was to be like God!

            Since humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), His intent is for us to be God-like. 

            How are we to be God-like?

            Just as the Lord clothed naked Adam and Eve and visited sick Abraham, so are we to imitate God.  Believers are to consider the needs of others first. 

Father, help me to clothe the naked, visit the sick, feed the hungry, comfort the bereaved, and console those who are sad.  Help me to be God-like You! Amen.        

  

Adapted from “Being Like God” by Rabbi Eckstein.  November 15, 2016.  www.HolyLandMoments.com

J.D. Griffith

 

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Dominion Covenant

 DOMINION COVENANT

Revelation 20:1-2:  “Then I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.  He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”

 

            The previous devotion, Line Up Under God’s Rule, said the new covenant of grace that Jesus brought was a “dominion” covenant.  This may be confusing.  That devotion urged Believers-in-Christ staying in line under the Father’s rule.  HIS dominion [dom-IN-yon].  Dominion is defined as power to control with authority. 

            That opening Scripture was Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make men in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”   

            Genesis 1:26 is the Father’s dominion covenant with man to rule.  He always intended that His children, made in His likeness, would SHARE dominion with Him over Earth.  Adam and Eve began our dominion covenant badly.  They handed over their authority to Satan—when they disobeyed God’s one command (Genesis 3:11).  So, Satan set up his kingdom on Earth.  

            The Father’s plan was always to DEFEAT the kingdom of Satan.  

            Every time we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we agree for God’s kingdom to come to Earth. That’s Jesus’ gospel message.  He preached the kingdom of God in Mark 1:15. 

            We learned earlier the foundations necessary for any kingdom is a ruler, subjects (people to rule), and land.  There are four separate ways people are to accept rule.  We are to rule ourselves (self-control).  We are to obey our parents (family).  We are to line up under God’s rule (the church).  And we’re to practice being good citizens, both locally and nationally (civic duty).   

            The good news that Jesus preached is the kingdom of God because that’s when He makes everything right.  At Jesus’ second coming, He’ll set up His thousand year reign on Earth.  That’s when Satan is tossed into the Abyss [ab-ISS], a hole so deep that one cannot see the bottom.

            Jesus Christ is coming back to set up His millennial reign, God’s kingdom on Earth.  That is the final triumph of God’s glory over the devil. 

Take Home Nugget

            But for now, God’s assignment for you and me is to take hold of that authority and rule (make decisions for) a part of God’s creation.  Every person was created with that divine intent.  God uses us to parade His glory to the devil that “lesser creatures”—you and me—have more authority than him!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating and equipping me to rule alongside You! Amen.

Adapted from “Kingdom of God” by Dr. Tony Evans.  November 15, 2016.  The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Line Up Under God's Rule

 LINE UP UNDER GOD’S RULE

Genesis 1:26:  “Then God said, ‘Let us make men in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”

            If you decided to change your behavior in 2017, may your New Year’s resolution change things for the better.  If the previous devotion, Our Own Love, inspired you to develop a relationship with God, believe that things will definitely get better! 

            A relationship with you is exactly what God wants.

            Seriously. 

            Jesus ushered God’s new covenant into the world at His resurrection.  Believers-in-Christ are covered under that covenant of grace, a dominion covenant.  We’re protected and provided for.  Jesus promises in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

            “All these things” include food, drink, and clothing that are provided under the grace/dominion covenant that Jesus covers over His Believers.

            Lining up under God’s rule means that we agree He knows what’s best for us.  Created creatures—humanity and the heavenly host—are inferior to the omnipotent (all-powerful) Creator.  When Satan tried to be God, he got tossed out of heaven (Revelation 12:9).  Check out the lesson linked below.

            Earth is the devil’s playground where Believers are engaged in spiritual warfare every day.  We never need to be afraid because Jesus already defeated the devil when He rose to life!  Believers win the war when we line up under God’s authority and kingdom rule. 

            We choose victory in life when we operate under God’s sovereign will instead of challenging Him.

Take Home Nugget

            Being made in God’s image equips humans with power to rule, as the opening Scripture says.  That rule is limited, though.  Jesus gave His followers authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, and to cast out evil spirits in Matthew 10:7-8, PLUS authority to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven to bind and loosen circumstances on earth in Matthew 16:19. 

            Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

            God gave people free will to see who freely comes under His sovereign rule.  Our authority to rule is limited to what Jesus commanded—just like Jesus’ authority is second to the Father’s sovereign rule. 

Holy Father, teach me to line up under Your sovereign rule in my life, in the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

Adapted from “Aligning with God’s Will” by Dr. Tony Evans.  November 19, 2016.  The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com.

J.D. Griffith

 

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Our Own Love

 

OUR OWN LOVE

Malachi 1:2-3:  “‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.

But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother’ the Lord says, ‘yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’”

 

            When: Around 430 B.C.

            Who: The Jews resettling into Judah after Babylonian exile.

            Why: The Israelites in the prophet Malachi’s time felt unworthy and unlovable.

            Jewish descendants from such a dynasty of patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are proud of their heritage.  Centuries later, even Apostle Paul bragged about being a “Hebrew of Hebrews” in Philippians 3:5.  (See lesson linked below).

            So, why were the Israelites in Malachi’s time so depressed?  Their bondage to Babylon had ended, they were resettled in Israel, and their Temple was rebuilt.  This should have been a time of joy and celebration. 

            But really, Israel was in a shambles.  Poverty was rampant.  God sent Malachi to encourage and correct His sad people.  The first thing Malachi taught was to know God’s love for them. 

            But the people couldn’t believe him.  They thought that God’s grace and mercy was only because of the worth from their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  In fact, Jewish daily prayers began, “Blessed are you God, our God, and the God of our forefathers…”   They emphasized that God is the God of their forefathers.  They forgot that God is their God, too.

            Malachi reminded them that they are God’s children.  He encouraged them to come to Him personally as their God.  He told them what God said, “Take a good look.  Then you’ll see how faithfully I love you and you’ll want even more, saying, ‘May God be even greater, beyond the borders of Israel!’” (Malachi 1:5 The Message).

            Our relationship with God must be personal.  Christians claim Jewish inheritance from our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, too.  But God’s love for our patriarchs only goes so far.  Otherwise God would have loved arrogant Esau, as well as Jacob. 

Ultimately, God’s love is based on one person and Himself. 

Take Home Nugget

            Many of us come from families where parents or grandparents were faith warriors.  And we stand on their shoulders.  But their faith is not enough.  We’re adopted into God’s family through our own faith.  Every person must discover a personal connection to God—before we can enjoy the benefits of our blessed heritage. 

            God cannot be inherited. The relationship must be cultivated by each individual.  The trials we endure develop our own faith.  Then, God’s love is for our own sake, not based on family ties.  

            Eventually, God becomes our own love.

            Maybe this is your “New Year’s” resolution?

Father, help me to embrace You as my God, my own love.  Amen. 

              

Adapted from “A Love of Our Own” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  December 2, 2016.  Holy Land Moments Daily Devotional

J.D. Griffith

 

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The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:

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