Category: Daily Prayers

 

 

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

–1 Timothy 5:8

Work, making a living, and providing for one’s immediate family and extended family is commanded by God. It is out of our Love of God that sacrificial support is given. In this love God is honored and glorified. In this love not only are we blessed but others others are blessed too. 

Wisdom is needed in all giving. 

If you have a family member, extended family member, or member of your congregation who is able to work but chooses not to, it is not wise to support them in this laziness. In this case, we can offer a job or help them find a job, but not give them money.

If a family member is living outside their means and is spending money foolishly without regard for tomorrow, it is not wise to support them in this foolishness. We can counsel and give advice on how to live within means, but not give them money.

If a family member is spending money to support an addiction, it is not wise to support the addiction in any form other than rehabilitation. 

It is easy to see laziness and addiction support are foolish for a person to consider. Yet, I think too often the worldly view of “Needs” and what it deems as worthwhile cloud the judgments and spending habits of far too many people. We live in a time when “credit score” means I can borrow more money because I am a good risk for paying it back. I don’t know how all of this “credit score” stuff came about but it is driving people to spend borrowed money in ways that are we are not intended to live for. What drives this spending other than “you can borrow money” to buy something you cannot afford by saving for it? Instead of saving for it and then purchasing what we can afford, we are enticed to buy “Now” and pay back later. We have a good credit score.  You can get a credit card or multiple cards because you have a good credit score. You can buy now and pay back later, you’re a good risk.  Don’t get me wrong, there are times when something comes up that requires us to find a way to pay for a repair or medical procedure or something along those lines. However, spending because I can borrow is being driven by those who make money off of convincing you to spend now and pay back later. 

The world says this is the way to live and enjoy worldly pleasures now rather than not. Search engines and pop-up adds and the easy way to purchase on-line have made spending so easy and foolish. First, they say you need it, it is easy to get it, and just point and click your way to satisfaction and it will be delivered to your door. You did not even know you wanted it but they have convinced you of not only the need but you really need to buy it to be satisfied. You are worth it after all. 

How many people can come up with $500 to $1,000 per month for 5 years to buy a car but cannot discipline themselves to save the money first and then buy it? It looks a lot different when you pull $50,000 out of your bank account in one lump sum to buy a car than $500 to $1,000 per month.  What kind of car would you buy if you had to pay cash? How much would you truly buy if it were not for the internet enticing, convincing, and stimulating you to buy? 

What kind of example are we as “Christians” being when we, like the rest of the world, are living like this? How much help can we be to those in need when we are spending money from the future to support our whims now? How much looking will I do those in need when I strap myself to debt? How can I help family members in need when I have consumed all I make on myself? What kind of love is it that thinks of self first? What kind of love is it that limits their ability to give because of self-worthy spending? How is God honored in self-spending? How is God glorified in being indebted to others? The world sees nothing wrong with this because it is consumed with self-interest, self-worthiness, and giving no thought to honoring or glorifying God. 

There is much that could be said about self-spending, budgeting, and living within means, but let us leave it at this – God expects us to be cheerful givers, provide for our families, and be generous with what He has blessed us with.  When our blessings are being used only for self, how is God honored or glorified? Do we think that a new boat, new car, new home, new kitchen, new furniture, exciting vacation, latest fashion clothes, etc…. gets us closer to serving those in need or becoming more and more generous? 

Take a look at how your money is being spent.

The world wants you to spend and think of self.

God wants you to give and be prepared to give with a generous heart and mind. 

 

 

 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3

As of 2023, there were approximately 12,500 nuclear weapons in the world with 90 percent belonging to Russia (5,889) and the United States (5,244).¹ Those huge numbers are a holdover from the Cold War between Russia and the U.S. when the arms race was a way to intimidate each country’s main enemy. That has always been the way of the world: accumulate more and better material weapons.

The apostle Paul wrote that “we do not war according to the [ways of the world].” Paul doesn’t explain what war is. He assumes his readers know that we are in a spiritual war, and he wants them to understand the difference in the weapons we use. He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 that our primary weapon is truth—“mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” of the enemy. His words remind us of God’s message to Zerubbabel: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

If you find yourself in a spiritual battle, don’t fight like the world. Turn to God and His truth, empowered by the Spirit, to find victory (Matthew 4:1-11).___________________________________________

It is understandable to prepare for either a pending battle or one that has the potential to happen. We see it throughout history. High walls, watch towers, weapons, training, guards, advance scouts, and in more recent times; spy planes, drones, satellites, advanced listening devices, data collection and search centers. The Army, Navy, Airforce, and special forces within each of them train continually and develop weapons all with the intent of “Preparing for Battle”.  We don’t know half of what is being used or developed for future battles.  Some will say we should all live in peace and stop spending and preparing for wars. Others will say we should not only prepare but that we should use what we have to bring about peace.

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not we are in a battle – “a spiritual war” between us and the wily stealth attacks from Satan. Paul specifically tells us to gear up for this battle: Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Word of the Spirit.

Do we recognize we are in a battle? We should be able to see the wily and crafty attacks of Satan. If we do not more than likely we are just babies in our Faith and understanding and knowledge of God’s Word.

How can we live honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all of our thoughts, words, and actions if we do not know the temptations we give into all the time, thinking that we are just passively living for Jesus?  Far too often our lives are lukewarm, weak, and willingly void of God’s Word and things of God. There is no discernment, or understanding of what is pure, right, and holy. Little commitment to studying God’s Word will not develop our training for the spiritual battle that encompasses us. How will we know truth, and righteousness, or hear the Holy Spirit speak into our lives, or how will our faith grow without continual desire to know and understand more and more from God’s Word about things of God?

Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit upon all who believe and that the Holy Spirit would and does lead us in all truth and righteousness. How many people neglect God’s Word and deafen their ears to the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit’s leading? Just because we are complacent and neglectful and blind and deaf does not mean there is not a spiritual battle going on for our hearts, minds, and souls. If we are not aware of temptations and attacks I would think our commitment to honor and glorify Jesus Christ is weak at best and non-existent at worst. Satan does not even need to tempt us or attack us – we are babies tossed around by what this world deems right. We are weak and unable to discern right from wrong or know what is godly living.

On this side of eternity, there will be no peace, and yet we can have peace in knowing our savior is in control, watches over us, and will have victory over all that is unholy. There will be Spiritual wars, worldly wars, hate, divisions, greed, pride, boastfulness, etc…… until the return of Jesus Christ. We do well to be continually in a state of readiness for what ever spiritual battle comes.

 

 

 

 

By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.

–Colossians 1:16

Someone has said about Jesus, “He is the Star of astronomy; the Rock of geology; the Lion and Lamb of zoology; the Harmonizer of all discords and the healer of all diseases. Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on. Herod could not kill Him; Satan could not seduce Him; death could not destroy Him; the grave could not hold Him.”

What a magnificent description of the Lord Jesus Christ! Yet it pales in comparison to Paul’s description of Jesus in Colossians 1. The first fourteen verses of his letter are introductory. Paul expressed his excitement for what was happening in the Colossian church. Then he prayed for the Colossians what you and I ought to be praying for the people we care about: that they would know God’s will, obey God’s commands, and experience God’s power. Now, in verse 15, we come to the very heart of this letter.

Remember, the Colossian Christians were being tempted to embrace other doctrines and belief systems. They weren’t trying to discard Christianity but to add to Christianity. They were being told, “Jesus Christ is important, but you also need something else. You need Jesus Christ plus this philosophy or that experience.” Even today, people try to add to what Jesus did for us. They say in order to be saved, you need Jesus Christ plus good works, or Jesus Christ plus baptism, or Jesus Christ plus some other philosophy.

The apostle Paul said no. Jesus Christ is sufficient. He has sufficiently saved you, sufficiently secured you, and sufficiently empowered you to live a victorious life. You need nothing and no one other than Jesus Christ.

But how do you know that Jesus is sufficient for your salvation? How do you know that Jesus is sufficient to carry you through whatever trial you’re experiencing right now? Paul answered those questions by demonstrating that Jesus Christ is central in three important realms of this universe: He is central in creation, He is central in the church, and He is central in salvation. When you understand the centrality of Jesus in the universe, you’ll understand why He is sufficient for all your needs.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18    For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.
1 Corinthians 15:49, NIV

The Bible isn’t shy about telling us about our resurrection bodies. Job said, “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). Philippians 3:21 says Christ “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.” John wrote, “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). Revelation 21:4 says, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.”

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in the twinkling of an eye…. The dead will be raised incorruptible” (verses 51-52).

Yes, we endure pain and suffering here on earth, but because of the resurrection we’ll soon have glorified bodies, free of illness. What a glorious hope and wonderful anticipation! Shift your focus today toward what’s ahead!

There is a resurrection after death. Let this never be forgotten. The life that we live here in the flesh is not all.

 

 

James’ bluntness in calling believers “sinners and double-minded” might have shocked his original readers. Today, many professing Christians would certainly be offended by this, yet how true the Word of God is. The fact that he called them double-minded revealed the division of their affections. In their attempt to love God and the world, they had drifted away from Him.

In your life, as well as mine, we must be ever vigilant to guard against double-mindedness. In 2 Kings 17:33, we read a stinging criticism of God’s people, “They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.” You cannot worship God plus something or someone else. He will not allow it.

An altar is a place to meet and worship the one true God—to worship at any other is a second altar, where a double-minded person is found. Believer, our God is jealous (Exodus 20:5). He will not share His affections with anyone who worships at an altar other than His. Those who profess Christ for appearance’s sake but have not served Him with a pure, unadulterated heart will be surprised at the end of all things.

The double-minded believer can never be close to God, but James’ call to “draw near” assures us that God welcomes all who earnestly return to their first love. What or who holds the highest place of your devotion? Now is the time to make sure that your life and words agree with one another.

Today, may you and I be known as single-minded lovers of God and devoted followers of Christ.

 

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:16-19

The author of an old book about prayer, The Kneeling Christian, said, “It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life—all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God—depend upon the practice of secret prayer.” When we think God doesn’t hear our prayers, it’s not because He’s far away. He is nearer than we can imagine. Perhaps He knows our request isn’t really for our good. Or maybe the timing isn’t right. Sometimes we must “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Perhaps a sinful habit is hindering our prayers.

Remember—God is always very near and working on our behalf. When we see immediate answers to our prayers, we should rejoice. When He doesn’t answer immediately, we should trust. The time we spend in prayer is precious because we are entering into and recognizing the presence of a God for whom nothing is impossible. Give Him time to work!