We serve a great God and Creator who is worthy of all our praise and worship. Originally planted by Myrtle Grove Baptist Church in 1987, this October 2014, Perdido Bay Baptist Church will rededicate our individual lives, our unity as an organized body of believers and our church property to the Glory of God and the extension of Jesus Christ’s Kingdom! We have started 52 Days of Prayer in preparation for our Rededication this October.
Full 52 Days – Printable Version (PDF)
Day 52
Think about your commitment to read God’s Word. Pray that God will enable you to live obediently to His Word. This may require repentance for not reading His word or for not obeying what you know you should do.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:103
“It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ “ – Jesus Matthew 4:4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. – Jesus Matthew 24:35
Reading God’s word is foundational in the life and spiritual health of a disciple of Christ. From the few verses above we can see that the Word is our main resource, our guide, our sustenance, and its essence is Jesus Christ. Out of all we have in this world, it is the only thing that will last into eternity with our souls.
If you have yet to do so, make a commitment to be in God’s Word every day. It is a treasure, and it is a habit you will not regret. There are many “reading plans” to help you get started. If you need help, come and see me. It would be a pleasure to help you get started.
Many of you are in the Word daily, and I am thankful. Let us always remember that it does not begin to honor, worship, or glorify God until we apply His word’s to our life. (James 1:22) Regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey, God’s Word continuously transforms our lives into the image of Jesus Christ as we read and apply the Word to our everyday lives. As we live in covenant together, lets make it a habit to often ask on another, “Where are you reading today?”
Day 51
Think about the people in your life. Family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, good/ bad, etc. Pray that God will help you love them all in the same way He loves them.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
“may the Lord cause * you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people…” 1 Thessalonians 3:12
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another.” 1 Peter 4:8
Tell somebody close to you that you love them today.
Call somebody you have not spoken to in a while and tell them that you love them today.
Think about someone who may need to hear that they are loved. Go tell, call, or text them that you love them.
Think about someone you don’t like. Imagine how God must love them. Pray that God will help you love them even through all the difficulties which separate you.
PBBC family, I love you!
Day 50
Think about God and how He loves you. Tell Him in a prayer how much you love Him.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
…God is Love. 1 John 4:8
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. Mark 12:30
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26
“I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3
We are so blessed that we have a great and mighty God and Creator that loves us beyond our comprehension. Do you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
If so, tell Him.
If not, confess it, and ask Him to help you. He loves you regardless.
Day 49
Praise God as He is the source and sustainer of all life!
Perfecting praise and worship of God requires knowledge of God as Creator, Sustainer, and Source of life. God’s first revelation in the Bible begins with the account of creation in Genesis. Genesis 1 provides a divinely inspired account of creation.
Genesis 1:1 reveals God as Creator.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:2-19 reveals God as Sustainer.
2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light “; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below * the expanse from the waters which were above * the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters below * the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear “; and it was so. 10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day. 14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth “; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
Genesis 1:20-31 reveals God as the Source of life.
20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind “; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food “; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
In Genesis 1, God reveals what must be known about God to perfect praise and worship of Him as Creator, Sustainer, and Source of life. Praise Elohim, God Creator, the source and sustainer of your life today!
Day 48
Praise God that His promises are trustworthy and true!
The Bible contains many promises of God. One resource I read said there are over 3,000 promises found in between the opening pages of Genesis and the closing chapters of Revelations.
The topic of God’s promises is endless, and the theology behind them is not within the scope of this prayer reminder. But today, focus on praising the God who is the author and fulfillment of wonderful promises!
Jesus Christ is God’s greatest promise. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are evidence of a God who keeps His promises. We serve a God who loves us and is trustworthy, immutable, and faithful. Psalms 33:4 says, “For the word of the LORD is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness.”
I encourage you to dig into God’s Word today, and thank Him for the promises of eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son. Thank God for the promise of the Holy Spirit who dwells within all true believers.
Find your favorite promise in Scripture, and thank Him for His greatness!
Day 47
Pray for someone you know does not know Jesus as their Savior.
For help and guidance click on the resource below:
Prayer Points for Laboring in the Harvest and Touching the Lost
This publication looks at Scriptural guidelines in praying for someone who is sharing the gospel and for someone receiving the gospel. Using the acrostic R.I.G.H.T. H.E.A.R.T one can pray for the lost according to scripture.
Now pray. Someone’s eternity may be counting on you.
Day 46
Pray that God would help us be obedient to His Holy Spirit.
Obedience is the ultimate form of worship. When we obey the Holy Spirit, our full submission reveals our love and commitment to our God and Creator. Consider the following Scriptures:
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
In 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”
Obedience is how we show our love.
In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
It is important to point out that obedience must be sincere, Being obedient to God isn’t love or true worship unless it comes from the heart rather than a dutiful list of obligations.
Obedience is often difficult for the disciple of Christ; especially in our culture. First, many Christ followers are not in the Word regularly. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Most often the Holy Spirit speaks to our heart when we are reading AND meditating on the truth of Scripture.
Next, we live in a fast paced culture. Living at this pace often keeps disciples of Christ from praying and finding times of silence and solitude. It is important to talk to God through prayer. It doesn’t have to be in any certain position or place, even though this is often helpful to some. There are no restrictions on prayer except that it be sincere and from the heart. Prayer is just a conversation with God. In this conversation we thank Him, share our concerns with Him, ask for help, guidance, and wisdom for ourselves and others. When you pray, talk about everything like you would your dearest and closest friend. But just like we would with that friend, we must take some time to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying. You will know it as a “still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12 KJV)
Finally, since obedience is the ultimate form of worship to our Lord and God, the enemy is going to do all he can to come against you to keep you from obeying and ultimately worshipping God. Being obedient to God and the actions that follow are often different from the norm in our culture. Therefore the enemy will bring fear, distraction, and any other tactic in your life to keep you from being obedient to what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do.
Obedience can include anything. It could be something as simple as making a phone call, lifting up a prayer on someone’s behalf, or sending a card. It can be a change in your life to align your way of living or thinking with God’s Word. It could be something as major as leaving a career for life in ministry, and anything in between.
Friend, I encourage you to be in the Word, spend time in prayer and meditation. Meditation is simply listening, praying, and thinking about the Word to understand it and apply it to your life. The Holy Spirit loves to speak in these times.
I’m praying for you today. Please pray for me. Pray that God would help us be obedient to His Holy Spirit. I am also praying that we will grow more and more to be able to recognize His voice.
Day 45
Pray that God would let the fire of the Holy Spirit fall in our lives.
In Hebrews 12:29 we see God as “a consuming fire.”
In Exodus 3:2 as a burning bush.
In Exodus 13:21 a pillar of fire.
In Judges 13:20 we see fire shoot into heaven and in 1 Kings 18:38 fire come from Heaven.
In the Old Testament we see the fire on the altar for the burnt offering which in Leviticus 9:24 came from the Lord. In Leviticus 6:13 the priest are told to never let the fire be extinguished.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called upon to offer our bodies as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), engulfed by the divine gift: the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Spirit.
At the very beginning of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is associated with fire. John the Baptist predicts that Jesus will be the One to “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).
When the Holy Spirit began His ministry of indwelling the early church, He chose to appear as “tongues of fire” resting on each of the believers. (Acts 2:3-4).
Fire is a wonderful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is like a fire as He brings:
- God’s presence,
- God’s passion, and
- God’s purity.
The Holy Spirit is the presence of God as He indwells the heart of the believer (Romans 8:9). In the Old Testament, God showed His presence to the Israelites by overspreading the tabernacle with fire (Numbers 9:14-15). This fiery presence provided light and guidance (Numbers 9:17-23). In the New Testament, God guides and comforts His children with the Holy Spirit dwelling in our bodies—the “tabernacle” and the “temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 5:1; 6:16).
The Holy Spirit creates the passion of God in our hearts. After the two traveling disciples talk with the resurrected Jesus, they describe their hearts as “burning within us” (Luke 24:32). After the apostles receive the Spirit at Pentecost, they have a passion that lasts a lifetime and impels them to speak the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).
The Holy Spirit produces the purity of God in our lives. God’s purpose is to purify us (Titus 2:14), and the Spirit is the agent of our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). As the silversmith uses fire to purge the dross from the precious metal, so God uses the Spirit to remove our sin from us (Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3). His fire cleanses and refines.
The Old Testament alter has been replaced in the new covenant by our heart.
The Old Testament fire has been replaced in the new covenant by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Pray that God would let the fire of the Holy Spirit ignite a passion in our hearts for God and His Word like we have never seen in our generation!
Day 44
Pray that God would help us be dependent upon Him completely.
Meditate on this verse today as you pray.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Jesus said, “… for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Our relationship with God is that of children to a parent, subjects to a King, sheep to a shepherd, created to the Creator. We are dependent on him for life, for breath, for sustenance, for help in trouble, for love, for forgiveness, for mercy.
We may like to think of ourselves as independent and self-sufficient. But we are not. We need God.
It is vital that we acknowledge our need for him because it is the beginning place of our relationship with Him.
Pray that God would help us be dependent upon Him completely.
Day 43
Pray that God would revive our confidence in faith and relationship with Him.
Read Numbers 13 & 14.
It is the historical account of when God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He had brought them to a point of entering the Promised Land. This promise had been made to Abraham centuries before and now God was about to fulfill it.
However, twelve men were sent into the land to spy and bring back a report. Ten brought back the report that this was an impossible task, while only two, Joshua and Caleb, spoke up in favor of faithfully following God.
They believed God’s promise! God had already miraculously freed them from Egypt. They had already experienced the Passover. God had already split the Red Sea. They ate manna from the ground daily. They had drunk water from a rock. Joshua and Caleb had confidence in their God.
To make a long story short, everybody responded emotionally to the point where they wanted to kill Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. (14:10) They wanted a new leader that would take them back to Egypt and the slavery they used to live under.
Are you a Caleb & Joshua or like the Israelites?
Is it easy to forget what God has done for you? Is it easy to forget the promises made in the Scriptures. Does life get difficult and it is easier “to lean on your own understanding?”
Life gets tough. If you are seeking God, the enemy comes at you powerfully. It is easy to let our faith and confidence in God to become weak. We know one thing in our heart, but we see with our eyes and know from our experiences.
However, we serve a great God who wants us to have confidence in Him, faith in Him, and a relationship with Him.
When faith is tested, you will want to hold on to the familiar.
When faith is tested, you will want to quit.
When faith is tested, you may even want to “stone” those around you who are encouraging you to be faithful and trust in God.
We cant afford to miss the opportunities like the Israelites did.
The end of the Biblical history is that God punished the people. They would stay in the wilderness until every one of them died. Only Joshua and Caleb would see the Promise Land.
Like the Israelites, we have a daily choice to make:
Will we allow the challenges of the day remove our focus from faith in God, or will we have faith that God is filling us with His strength daily to accomplish the challenges in our path.
Hebrews10:35-36 says “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
Pray that God would revive our confidence in faith and relationship with Him.
God has a plan and purpose for your life! God has a purpose for our church. It will be hard! Jesus told us it would be difficult. Should living a life of entering and leading others to an eternal “Promise Land” be any other way?
Day 42
Pray for guidance and direction in taking the Gospel to the people God puts in your path.
What does sharing the Gospel look like? Its been said a picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s a few thousand…
I am not ashamed of the Gospel… Romans 1:16
Day 41
Pray that God would fill us with His holiness, purity, and righteousness.
It is God’s will that we be holy:
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
It is God’s will the we be pure:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “ –Jesus Matthew 5:8
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Psalms 119:9
It is God’s will that we be righteous:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Corinthians 5:21
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16
- I am thankful for God’s call that made us Holy.
- I am thankful for God’s Word that keeps our way pure.
- I am thankful for God’s Son, Jesus, whose death cleanses us and provides us righteousness.
Why is this valuable? See from the verses above.
- so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
- for they shall see God.
- effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Day 40
Pray for one more spiritual awakening in our country.
…OK…
I have already written this post, and I erased it because it sounded like a rant rather than a prayer reminder. So, I will keep it simple.
Churches are spreading in China.
Churches are being planted in Quebec.
Lives are being changed in Ghana.
I can go on and on.
There are some similarities with all these experiences I have witnessed or learned.
- Prayer is foundational in all they do.
- They are following Jesus’s method of investing in others lives.
- Like Jesus they are organic (real life) and relational.
- Like Jesus they take the time to invest in others.
- They are not chasing the American Dream.
In America, “church” must fit into the prescribed forms. This is true both individually and corporately. Look around; It ain’t working. We cannot continue to pursue “church as we know it” and expect a different result. If we truly want to see a spiritual awakening in our country, it may happen when:
- Prayer is foundational in all we do.
- We are following Jesus’s method of investing in others lives.
- Like Jesus, we are organic (real life) with our faith and relational.
- Like Jesus, we take the time to invest in others.
- We are not chasing the American Dream.
Father in Heaven,
Help us unlearn the things that have made our churches ineffective and fruitless. Break the shackles that bind us and sterilize us in our spiritual journeys. Wake us up! Revive us! Mobilize your church to be what you created it to be! Teach us the simple truths of being your disciples. May we see that we are in a battle and You have the victory. May we take your Word seriously and apply it to our lives.
If for no other reason, may it be for Your Name’s sake. The Church is associated with Your Great Name, and we in America have hurt your reputation. I repent.
I pray you will bind the spiritual forces of darkness that have blinded and paralyzed your church, and I pray you will loosen the power of your Holy Spirit, the power of unity, the power of love, and power of the Gospel in the individual lives of your church!
Please open our hearts, minds, and spirits to a renewal in your Spirit and to your ways.
In Jesus Name,
Amen!
Day 39
Pray that God would bring unity like Jesus prayed in John 17 in our church.
Read it slow; phrase by phrase; and meditate upon what He prays.
Jesus prayed:
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
What is the result of true oneness and unity among believers?
“…so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
Wow.
If I was the enemy, I would try to create strife, discord, and infighting in every congregation.
Church, have you put your armor on today?
Day 38
Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring revival in our lives and congregation.
“Revival” has different meanings to many of us. To some it is a three day event scheduled by the church where special speakers, or evangelists, are brought in to preach the special “revival” services. To others it may mean the movement of the Holy Spirit through a large number of people where they are “on fire for the Lord!”
There is some truth to the above definitions; however, both miss the concept and experience greatly. Several years ago, I was given Roy Hession’s book called “Calvary Road.” Below is an excerpt from his book which changed my perspective on revival:
We want to be very simple in this matter of Revival. Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts. Jesus is always victorious. In heaven they are praising Him all the time for His victory. Whatever may be our experience of failure and barren-ness, He is never defeated. His power is boundless. And we, on our part, have only to get into a right relationship with Him, and we shall see His power being demonstrated in our hearts and lives and service, and victorious life will fill us and overflow through us to others. And that is Revival in its essence.
You see, the only life that pleases God and that can be victorious is His life – never our life, no matter how hard we try. But in as much as our self-centred life is the exact opposite of His, we can never be filled with His life unless we are prepared for God to bring our life constantly to death. And in that we must co-operate by our moral choice.
“He must increase, but I must decrease” John 3:30
Wow! What truth! Revival can’t be planned, but we can pray for it.
Pray today that the Holy Spirit would bring revival in our lives and congregation. Remember what you just read. This prayer may bring…. beautiful…..brokenness.
P.S. “The Calvary Road” is now offered free. I highly recommend every Christian to read this very short book. Click HERE to read it online.
Day 37
Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and congregation.
We have discussed several times over the last few weeks the importance of being submissive and obedient to God’s will. Any true, eternal fruitfulness that may result from our efforts will only come through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit fulfills many roles in our lives. Essentially, His purpose is centered on continuing the work that was begun by God the Father and Jesus Christ. This work is eternal and much of it is impossible outside of the Holy Spirit. The following scriptures are a few that tell us more about the Holy Spirit:
- John 14:15-27
- John 16:5-15
- Romans 8:1-17
- Galatians 5:16-26
There are so many passages in scripture that attest to the Spirit’s power. We are filled with the Spirit at salvation, but we need to continually seek His guidance, help, and direction. Further, while the Holy Spirit can do the impossible, He expects us to be reading the Word, praying, and sharing the Gospel. Further, He will never lead us to do something which contradicts scripture.
We can plan, develop goals and strategies, but our efforts will only get us so far. We need the Holy Spirit in our personal lives. We need the Holy Spirit in our church.
Join me in praying for revival through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our congregation.
Day 36
Pray to receive a clear understanding of the Holy Spirit & His power.
The Holy Spirit is the part of the triune God that dwells inside of us after we receive salvation, or come to believe in our hearts and confess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
The following are a few verses about the Holy Spirit:
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;” –Romans 8:26
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”— John 14:26
“do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
There is so much to learn about the Holy Spirit. We are blessed people who have been called out of this world into eternal salvation. As disciples of Christ, the foundation of our understanding about the Holy Spirit should include that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, helps us, prays for us, and teaches us.
Pray today to thank God for His Holy Spirit and to receive a clear understanding of the Holy Spirit & His power.
Day 35
Pray for the courage to share the Gospel whenever you are prompted.
Sharing the Gospel is hard for many people. This fact really doesn’t make sense because the Gospel is the greatest news we could ever share. Its the story of being created perfectly in God’s image and then being separated from life with God for death with sin. When our “good enough” failed to overcome our sin, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. He lived an innocent life, died for the sins of mankind, was resurrected, and ascended into Heaven with a promise to return. He is the sacrifice to all who will receive Him and submit their lives to Him.
There will be a day of Judgement, and only those who have truly received Jesus Christ will have eternal life with God. Sadly, all others will be eternally separated from God in a place Jesus called Hell.
Jesus is the Good News! Jesus is the Gospel! God loves us so much, and He desires that all people would be restored through the work of His Son upon the cross. God’s plan for people to know about the Gospel is for his disciples, aka Christians, through the power of the Holy Spirit to TELL other people.
The purpose of this post is not to admonish, but it is written with empathy. I have experienced this difficulty myself.
What is it that stands in your way of sharing the Gospel?
Is it that you really don’t know how?
Are you afraid you’re going to mess it up?
Are you afraid of rejection?
Are you concerned with offending others?
We can go on and on with the questions of “why.”
Think for a moment……………………..
What stands in the way when it comes to sharing the Gospel?
Here are somethings to encourage you:
- Jesus said He will build His church.
- Only God can draw people to Himself.
- The Holy Spirit is the one who dwells and works in us.
- You have only been asked to submit to His Lordship and obey His commands.
Yes, you will mess up. Yes, people will reject you. Yes, you will offend others. But, if you are sharing the Gospel prayerfully and obediently, God’s power will work through your weaknesses in a way that will lead to others experiencing the Love of God through Jesus Christ.
Now, pray for the courage to press through your concerns, inadequacies, and/or fears to share the Gospel truth of your Lord and Savior!
I’m praying for you today. Please pray for me and for one another to be found faithful with the Gospel too.
Day 34
Pray that God would teach us to be His disciples.
Disciple-making is a lost art in our culture. Its because somewhere along the line in our history, disciples stopped investing their lives in others and making more disciples, who make disciples, who make more disciples. We make disciples by submitting ourselves to Christ, surrendering to His calling and gifting, and then obediently proclaiming the Gospel in the circumstances where we have been placed to serve.
Learning to be a disciple is beyond the scope of this note. Jesus poured His life into His disciples for years. A good place for us to begin is in reading the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Before we Go, we need to KNOW. Begin by praying that God would teach us to be His disciples. Next, find a brother, sister, or a group and intentionally seek what it means to be a disciple. Then hold each other accountable to being “doers of the Word.” (James 1:22)
Day 33
Pray that the power of the gospel be overwhelmingly present in our life.
Take a moment and read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 in your Bible.
Remember the day God called you to belief in Jesus Christ. Thank Him for that day. Salvation begins and ends with God, and we are blessed to have received His grace and mercy.
Think of that day again. Remember, the Good News, or Gospel, that was shared? Maybe it was at a camp, worship service, a friend, street evangelist, or maybe you where reading the Bible in desperate times. However, you heard the Gospel, you were able to hear it and respond to it. God opened your ears, eyes, and heart to the truth of the Good News of Jesus.
We heard the Word, because someone was faithful in proclaiming it in whatever form you heard it. No, it wasn’t a work of man that converted you. But it was the work of God drawing you to Himself (John 6:44) through the submission and obedience of a disciple.
If Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior then we too are His disciples. As such we are called to faithful in sharing the Good News of Jesus in whatever ways we have been uniquely gifted. Pray that God would show you how He wants you to glorify Him in spreading His Gospel. Then pray and ask God with whom He wants you to share His truth.
May all people within our reach have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the words of 2 Thessalonians 3:16-17, “may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
Day 32
Pray that Jesus would be exalted in our community today.
What is community? Decades ago it was easy to identify one’s community. It could be identified by a neighborhood, block, zip code or even closest flashing traffic light. Communities had something in common, and the commonality usually revolved around a school, church, and/or a way of life. It was common for people to know one another as they worked, played, shopped, and worshipped together.
It seems communities have changed drastically. Now its possible for someone to wake up, get in their car which is parked in the garage, and drive across many “communities” as they commute to work. Their favorite shopping place may be outside of their zip code. It is possible for someone in this day and age to live full lives with healthy relationships and never speak to or get to know their neighbors.
Further, technology has changed the way people have developed and maintained relationships. Facebook, email, Skype, Twitter, cell phones, and more have allowed people to develop nontraditional communities that stretch across the globe and are meaningful to people. Conversely, sociologists and even common sense could also list many ways that these new “communities” could be unhealthy.
Regardless, of how you define, interact, and live in your “community,” how do you exalt Jesus Christ in the community which you identify and participate?
If Jesus is a priority to you in the prayer closet, is He reflected in your interaction with your community? Have ever prayed for a neighbor in their front yard? What about email somebody a prayer that you typed as you earnestly prayed for them with tears in your eyes. Talk about a blessing to recieve! When is the last time you had a conversation about Christ online or face to face? Bible studies in someones home (maybe yours) or online, texting a brother or sister to hold them accountable for staying in the Word, a text to tell someone you just prayed for them, taking a meal to a single parent and their family………The list of possibilities are endless, but exalting Christ across the street, across town, or across the globe brings glory to God.
Regardless, of your zip code, most of you reading this are Christ Followers and members or participants of Perdido Bay Baptist Church. Some of you may be reading this from across the globe and seen this as a Facebook post. Wherever you are at today pray for our congregation and the community in which we live. Hundreds of homes are right behind us, and most do not even know we are here. Pray that God would show us how Christ can be exalted in the community in which we exist.
I encourage you today to also pray for God to show you how all the people within your reach can have an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel.
Day 31
Pray that Jesus would be exalted in our congregation today.
Yesterday we looked at exalting Jesus in our personal lives. The focus was in making a Christ a priority. It is my hope and prayer that you already implemented some of the strategies listed yesterday. If prioritizing Jesus has been a challenge, I hope you are able to begin to implement at least one of the spiritual disciplines in your life.
How do we exalt Jesus as a congregation? Jesus’s prayer in John 17:22-26 gives some insight. Read with me; “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
First, we see “that they be as one.” There is power in unity. When we come together in oneness we exalt Jesus. Through our unity, Jesus says, “the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” There is no greater way to exalt Him as a congregation. We unite in prayer, in the Word, in worship, in mission, in life, and through suffering.
A word of caution here. The power of unity is clearly more powerful then any of our comprehension. As such, we have an enemy, (Satan, the demons, and flesh and blood who serve evil) who knows this power and attacks congregations daily. As you take up your armor today, pray against dissention, strife, and division in our body. If you have a grievance, then deal with it biblically and immediately. This too will exalt Jesus.
Next, “Be with me where I am.” How can we be where Jesus is today? Again refer to our discussion from yesterday. Is He a priority in your life? Have you prayed? Have you read the Word? Do you seek Him daily in all you do? He is there for you.
Finally, Jesus prays for us to have “the love with which You loved Me may be in them.” Love is at the very core of who God is. Jesus is proof of that love. God the Father, Yahweh, is holy and righteous and cannot have any part of sin. But it is through His love that He demolishes sin through the death of the Son He loved. We exalt Jesus when we love each other
Similar to my note from yesterday, how we live our lives today as a congregation will have a big impact on all eternity; one way or the other. This impact begins in our heart as a congregation, and how we prioritize Christ in our corporate life today and every day.
As the body of Christ, we glorify Him together as we love God with all our heart, love all people as Jesus loves us, and live together according to His Word.
Day 30
Pray that Jesus would be exalted in your life today.
We are blessed beyond our comprehension as we have a God who loves and sent His Son to die for us. Jesus has been exalted beyond our understanding of time past and future, and as the Lord of lords and Kings of kings He is exalted throughout all creation today. Jesus said in Luke 19:40, that if the people became quiet in exalting Him, “the stones will cry out.”
Have you considered Jesus today?
- Is He a priority in your life?
- Is prayer a priority for you? If you haven’t prayed yet today, take a moment and acknowledge your Creator.
- Is the Word of God a priority in your life?
- Is worshipping God a priority in your life?
- Is living obediently to God’s commands a priority in your life?
- Is repentance and confession with God a priority for you?
We exalt Christ when we make Him a priority. We should make Him a priority because we are a priority to Him. May the way we exalt Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, be reflected through all we do and say, and may our exaltation further glorify His name through the whole earth!
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11
How you live your life today will have a big impact on all eternity; one way or the other. This impact begins in your heart with how you prioritize Christ in your life today and every day. Together, lets keep the stones quiet!
Day 29
Pray that would reveal and breakdown any strong holds in your life.
The word strongholds is found once in the New Testament, used metaphorically by Paul in a description of the Christian’s spiritual battle: “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses [strongholds]” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, NASB). This passage reveals the following facts about our warfare:
- Our battle is not planned according to the way this world fights; earthly strategies are not our concern.
- Our weapons are not physical, for our warfare is spiritual in nature. Rather than guns and tanks, our weapons are those of the “full armor of God” and consist of “the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17).
- Our power comes from God alone.
- God’s plan is to demolish spiritual strongholds.
What are these “strongholds” or “fortifications” we face? In the very next verse, Paul interprets the metaphor: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The “arguments” are the philosophies, reasonings, and schemes of the world. The “pretensions” have to do with anything proud, man-centered, and self-confident.
Here’s the picture: the Christian, wearing his spiritual armor and bearing his spiritual weapons, sets out to “conquer” the world for Christ, but he soon finds obstacles. The enemy has erected strongly fortified garrisons to resist the Truth and thwart God’s plan of redemption. There is the fortress of human reasoning, reinforced with many subtle arguments and the pretense of logic. There is the castle of passion, with flaming battlements defended by lust, pleasure, and greed. And there is the pinnacle of pride, in which the human heart sits enthroned and revels in thoughts of its own excellence and sufficiency.
The enemy is firmly entrenched; these strongholds have been guarded for thousands of years, presenting a great wall of resistance to the Truth. None of this deters the Christian warrior, however. Using the weapons of God’s choosing, he attacks the strongholds, and by the miraculous power of Christ, the walls are breached, and the bastions of sin and error are battered down. The victorious Christian enters the ruins and leads captive, as it were, every false theory and every human philosophy that had once proudly asserted its independence from God.
If this sounds a lot like Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho, you’re right. What a great illustration of spiritual truth that story is (Joshua 6)!
Sharing the gospel is not the only time we see resistance. We can also face demonic strongholds in our own lives, in our families, and even in our churches. Anyone who has fought an addiction, struggled with pride, or had to “flee youthful lusts” knows that sin, a lack of faith, and a worldly outlook on life are indeed “strongholds.”
The Lord is building His Church, and the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). What we need are Christian soldiers, totally surrendered to the will of the Lord of Hosts, who will use the spiritual weapons He provides. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
Day 28
Pray for the protection from “wolves in sheep’s clothing” in our congregation.
This prayer request is very personal to me today. This note is just for you, and will not be shared on Facebook today.
Its speaks to my role and responsibility as your shepherd. This is a responsibility I take extremely serious. I pray regarding the threat of “wolves” in our congregation often.
Today’s note is one I write with tears because of my love for you. Its a love I can’t explain, and I know it was bestowed upon me through God’s calling to be an under-shepherd. Before I knew you, I loved you. Before I knew you, I wept for you. Before I knew you, I prayed for you. Now that I know you, I love, weep, and pray for you even more. I don’t weep because of sadness, fear, or strife, but because of how overwhelming God’s presence can be as He leads me to love and lead you. Through God’s strength and power and your prayers, I will always fight for you just as David fought for the sheep of his flock. (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
The shepherd has many responsibilities of which the one I write about today is protecting the flock. A wolf can do much damage to a flock, especially if it goes unnoticed. “Wolves,” the one’s among God’s flocks, are not always easy to spot. “Wolves in sheep’s” clothing are cunning, committed, often utra-holy, and can look like really “good” Christians. Most “wolves” look like the sheep; however, the people who usually act like “wolves” are usually just wounded lambs. Look at the photo at the right. How many wolves do you see?
I recently read an article that said, “God has made every under shepherd a watchman. There are many gates into any church. The gate of the bookstore, the gate of the music ministry, the gate of the pulpit, the gate of the bulletin board advertising upcoming so-called “Christian” events, the gate of the [men’s and ]women’s ministry, and the gate of people who come into the body but have an agenda to take people away from unity in the Faith. We need to lay our bodies down in the gate to protect the flock at the risk of our reputations, friendships, our livelihood, and perhaps even our lives.”
“Wolves” are always looking for a way to enter the fold.
Today pray for the following:
- Pray for protection of your pastor-shepherd. Just as with Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd, the enemy knows that if he can strike the under-shepherd then the sheep will scatter. (Matt 26:31, Zech. 13:7)
- Pray that your pastor-shepherd will always boldly stand for what is right no matter how hard it may be.
- Pray that your pastor-shepherd will be a good watchman and will be able to recognize “wolves” as well as wandering sheep (with the flock’s help), and bring them back to the flock. (Proverbs 27:23, Hebrews 13:17)
- Pray that the Great Shepherd will protect our flock, the church body, in both the fold and the field.
- Pray that the Great Shepherd will protect our flock from “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” (Matt 7:15)
- Pray that Great Shepherd will help us identify the “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
- Pray that Great Shepherd will cast-out, crush, or convert any “wolf in sheep’s clothing” among our church body.
Day 27
As you pray today, put on the whole armor of God.
We have read through Ephesians 6 concerning the spiritual armor for the last three days by looking at two pieces each day. However, we would not ever want to go out to battle with only wearing a part of the armor. When we pray for God’s holy armor we should pray for the whole armor.
I pray for God’s armor every day. It’s not just checking the box. It’s not just another part of the routine. It’s about seeking to serve and live according to the man, husband, father, and pastor I know God wants me to be. I know the enemy seeks a foothold and desires to distract, deceive, and destroy me and any other brothers and sisters who love God, love people, and live His word. We are in a battle.
This is my daily prayer when I put on the armor:
“Father in Heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I pray you will provide me with your holy armor. Shod my feet with the readiness of your Gospel of peace, gird my loins with your Belt of Truth, protect my heart with your Breastplate of Righteousness, and protect my mind with your Helmet of Salvation. I pray you will protect me from Satan’s flaming arrows with your Shield of Faith, and lead me and guide me with your Holy Word, the Sword of the Spirit.”
As I pray this prayer, I envision actually putting on the armor. I am not ready for the day without it.
I encourage you today to begin the daily discipline of putting on the whole armor of God during your morning prayer time.
Day 26- HALF WAY!
Pray for God’s Holy Armor: The Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit.
Today we complete the Armor of God. So far, we have prayed for the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, “Boots/ shoes” of the Gospel of Peace, and the Shield of Faith. Ephesians 6:17 completes the armor with the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.
Wise soldiers know that protecting their heads with a helmet is vital in times of battle. In the same way, as Christians we must protect our minds from doubting God, His truth, His grace, and His promises. Satan wants us to doubt God and our salvation. Further, the mind is usually the breeding ground for temptation. With the Helmet of Salvation pray that we will destroy “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we [will take] every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor.10:5)
Once we are suited in God’s armor, it is time to take up the Sword of the Spirit. Notice the sword is the only offense weapon given to the Christian. All others have been defensive. The Bible calls the Sword of the Spirit “the Word of God.” (Eph.6:17) There are times when we need to take the offensive against Satan and the world. In times of battle and temptation, pray and trust in the truth of God’s Word.
Church, too many of us are unprepared to use our Swords. Additionally, Satan knows the Word and deceptively twists it to mislead us. It is easy to be ambushed by false teaching when we are not familiar with the authentic truth of the scriptures. We must read, learn, know, and live the Word!
Read Matthew 4:1-11. In these verses we recount Jesus being tempted and deceived by the devil. Do you remember what Jesus used to defeat Satan? The Word of God. Good soldiers of Christ are proficient in wielding their swords.
Tomorrow, we put it all together!
Day 25
Pray for God’s Holy Armor: The Boots of the Gospel and the Shield of Faith.*
***I changed from the Prayer Calendar to follow the order of the armor as it is listed in Ephesians 6. The Helmet of Salvation will be tomorrow with the Sword of the Spirit.***
Today we continue with the Armor of God. Yesterday we prayed for the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness. Each are important pieces to a soldiers armor and for the Christian, represent the truth of God’s Word and the righteousness only available through the washing by the blood of Christ.
As we continue reading in Ephesians 6, we find the next two parts of our armor. The Word says to “shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace” and to take up “the Shield of Faith.”
What does it mean to “shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace?” In short it means to put on the foot protection you plan to wear into war. In my daily prayers I have developed the habit of calling them the Boots of the Gospel of Peace. However, the reality of the soldier’s footgear of which Paul described most likely were more similar to the photo on the right then an actual pair of boots. (Maybe my view is from being in the Marines).
Regardless the type of footgear, its purpose is to be ready to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. Satan wants us to think that sharing the Gospel with others is a worthless and hopeless task. Further, he wants us to feel the task of sharing the Gospel is overwhelming and the negative responses too great. But when we “shod our feet with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace” the footgear represents the motivation to proclaim the true peace that is available to everyone in God through Jesus Christ. This is Good News everyone needs to hear!
After the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, and Boots of the Gospel of Peace, we are told to add the Shield of Faith. What would we do with the shield? Scripture says with the Shield of Faith “you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
We know the “evil one” is Satan. We experience his attacks in various forms. His flaming arrows strike as insults, discouragement, temptations, and setbacks. Moreover, the attacks often seem to come through people. But the Shield of Faith protects us from the enemy’s arrows. Through faith in God, we are able to see from His perspective. Through true faith, we see beyond our circumstances and know that the ultimate victory is ours through Jesus Christ.
Notice there is no where in this passage of scripture where the armor ends the battle. No, it prepares us for the battle! Even though we pray to put on God’s armor daily, the attacks still come. But the weapons of truth, righteousness, the Gospel, and faith will prevail!
One last note. Look at the photo of the shields. One soldier with one shield is effective; however, notice the protection when many soldiers get together and use their shields as one unit. There is unimaginable power with unity in the Body of Christ. Oneness with God through Christ is unstoppable!
As I said yesterday, there is so much more to being a Christian than sitting in the pew on Sunday. Begin to put on your armor as a daily discipline, and join me in the fight!
Day 24
Pray for God’s Holy Armor: The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness.
This week we are focusing on warfare. Over the next three days we will look at each piece of God’s Holy Armor. We have a ruthless adversary. When we get serious about serving Christ in our lives, our enemy gets serious about intensifying the battle. Yes, we are in a battle, and we find our armor and weapons in Ephesians 6: 10-18. Today we are praying that God would “gird our loins with truth” and “put on our breastplate of righteousness.”
What does it mean to “gird our loins with truth?” This is referring to the belt that secured the armor and held the sword around a soldiers waist. Often the belt would include leather, metal, and other protective material to protect the area between the waist and knees.
Like a soldier puts on this vital piece of armor, Christians are to put on truth. Where do we find this truth? In God’s Word, the Holy Bible. In the midst of the battle God’s Word will always guide us and remind us of the coming victory! Our enemy, Satan, fights with lies which often are deceptive and sound like truth. Only God’s truth can defeat Satan’s lies.
What does it mean the to “put on the breastplate of righteousness?” The soldier would put on a breastplate of metal to protect his heart and other vital organs during battle.
Our enemy likes to attack the heart. In our heart we find our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and secures His approval. How do we obtain this righteousness? Only through Jesus Christ, God’s son. God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us. When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, then we receive His righteousness.
There is so much more to being a Christian than sitting in the pew on Sunday. Begin to put on your armor, and join me in the fight. Pray for and take up God’s Holy Armor; The belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. Begin to make this a daily discipline.
Day 23
Pray for the protection from false teachers and prophets who lead us down wrong paths.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15
False teachers are all around us. They are not only found behind some of America’s pulpits, but they are everywhere in our lives. False teaching is in the media (yesterdays news paper), in our communities, in our neighborhoods, in our congregations, and in our families.
The best way to protect yourself from false teaching is to first know the truth. The truth is found in scripture, and Christians should have a daily dose of pure truth, so when false information comes then it is easy to recognize. What do they say about Jesus? What do they say about the Gospel? What is their character and actions like compared to scripture?
This is truth:
- We are sinners.
- We deserve death.
- Jesus died for our sins.
- Only through belief in Jesus is there eternal life.
- Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
- We do this to glorify God and for eternal life.
Anything other than the Gospel and that which supports it is false. No health and wealth. No humanism. Its about truth. Its about love. Its about Jesus, God’s Son, dying on the cross to restore man to right relationship with Him. Its about eternal life and eternal death, heaven and hell.
Friends, don’t take my word for it. Go read it for yourself in your copy of the Holy Bible.
Day 22
Pray for the protection from evil and it influence in our homes, congregation, and community.
Just as we believe God and Jesus Christ are real, so is evil.
As Christians we are in a battle! In our churches we like to create a feel good atmosphere where all is good. As we continue to meet week to week in our false utopias, we miss the fact that we are in a battle that God has called and equipped us to fight. Our weapons are those of prayer, Gods Word, the Gospel, our faith, truth, and the righteousness and salvation that come from Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-13 says,
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore , take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Church we must recognize the battle. We must recognize the enemy (its not each other). We must step up a address it in our lives as followers of Christ. Daily, we must take up Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6).
Today, pray for the protection from evil and it influence in our homes, congregation, and community.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Day 21
Thank God for all his marvelous works and miracles.
Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. Psalms 77:13-14
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalms 86:5-11
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen Psalms 72:18-19
Meditate on all the ways, big and small, God has worked in your life today. If you cannot think of anything, here is a start:
- The day you were born.
- Forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ that is available to all people who believe.
- The hope of eternal life through Jesus.
Thank God today for all his marvelous works and miracles.
Day 20
Thank God for the Spiritual gift He has given you. Ask Him how He would have you utilize it.
The church is the “body of Christ.” We find the best descriptions of what it means to be the “body of Christ” in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Remember that when we talk about church we are talking about the people who make up the church. Also, 1 Peter 2:4-6 talks about how we are “living stones” that build a spiritual house.
What’s the point? The point is that we need each other. Every part of the body is important and needed for us to perform our daily functions. Many parts are essential for life to continue. Further, every stone, or brick, that creates a house is important. When there are not enough bricks the house is incomplete. When we begin removing bricks, the stability of the wall is compromised.
We need and value everybody part and every brick. Its the same with the church. We need and value every person. You are there for a reason. To fill a pew is not it. Yes, too many churches make it about organizational success rather than Kingdom success. Also, many body parts or stones, people, are doing their part and others. Think about the brick trying to support its part and others. Think about a body part doing its part and then trying to perform a different parts role. Its not a healthy situation.
Pray today and ask God to show you what your role is in the church for the success of His Kingdom. Thank God for the Spiritual gift He has given you. Ask Him how he would have you utilize it.
If you do not know your spiritual gift, there are ways you can begin to discover it. First, pray and ask God to begin to reveal it to you. Next, consider what you are passionate about. What gets your heart pumping about Jesus and the church. That passion is usually driven by the gift inside you. Next, you can talk to those closest to you and ask what they see in you through your normal behavior. Finally, some resources help identify your gift through a series of questions. You can access these ONLINE or PRINT it off by clicking the words as links. There are other options if you do not like these I have presented.
The important thing is for you to know your gift and begin utilizing it to glorify your Creator. You are important. You are needed. You are a part of God’s plan.
Day 19
Thank God for His coming Kingdom and the hope that comes with knowing.
The book of Acts tells about the birth of the church. It begins with Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God and it ends with Paul preaching about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus is coming again. His Kingdom, which currently reigns in our hearts, will be a reality in Heaven. This is exciting and should give us all hope.
As followers of Christ we are citizens of God’s Kingdom. As citizens we have the responsibility to tell others about the “way” to that eternal Kingdom. (Acts 1:8)
Pray for God to show you someone who needs to know about God’s love. Now go tell, text, email, snail mail, or call that person about the Good News. Have courage, the Holy Spirit will help in what to say!
Day 18
Thank God for His word and the ability to read and understand it.
We are blessed in the United States to have access to God’s word. We have so many different english versions from which to choose. We have apps for iPads, iPhones, Androids, and every other electronic devices. The internet is full of Bible websites.
We are so blessed!
We have no excuse.
Let’s have some fun. I want every body reading this post to blow-up my email (below) with a scripture or passage of verses you read today. If you follow Perdido Bay Baptist on Facebook you can leave your verses in the comment section.
I will be in 2 Samuel 10 reading about King David. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Day 17
Trying to understand the Holy Spirit can be abstract for many of us, but the reality is that if we are a true follower of Christ then He is a part of who we are.
We can know that the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine person because He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will. The Holy Spirit thinks and knows (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). He makes decisions according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be (John 14:16, 26, 15:26).*
Thank God today for the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, guides us, and teaches us.
Day 16
The idea of a great God so full of love that He created us and dwells with us even in our imperfections is wonderful and should fill us with hope and joy.
Today, take a moment to thank God for inviting us to draw near to Him and promising to draw near to us.
Some ways you can draw near to God are to:
- Talk to Him. Tell Him what your going through today. Tell Him about something for which you are thankful.
- Read from the Bible. If it has been a while, start in one of the gospels or Psalms. I’m reading in 2 Samuel, but if I was getting started, I would start in the book of Mark.
- If you have messed up lately, tell God about what you did and how you are sorry for it. Ask for forgiveness.
- Do you have a favorite song from a worship service. Think about why it is your favorite. What does it say about God? Meditate on what God means to you.
Our purpose in life is to glorify God. Tell Him you love Him, or at least thank Him for loving you.
Day 15
The concept of sacrifice, death, and blood being shed for sins is often overwhelming to think about. For people outside of faith in Jesus Christ, it is foolishness.
Because of sin, death entered the world. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament called for animals to die in the place of sinful people. The blood spilled brought “atonement” for the sinner who offered the sacrifice. This sacrifice was repeated annually; however, with Jesus He said “It is finished.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect life and died as the final sacrifice on the cross for all who believe.
In Hebrews 9 we read:
“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Thank God for the Cross of Christ and the Power of the blood which was shed for us.
Day 14
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” – Psalms 139:23
We have a God who loves us and is faithful to forgive us. Today, pray that God will examine your heart. Repent of any sin that comes to your attention.
Consider David’s prayer in Psalms 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation…”
I pray you will be overwhelmed with the joy of God’s great salvation through Jesus Christ!
Day 13
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.”
In Romans 7:18-20, the apostle Paul was quite transparent about his struggle with sin. Like Paul we battle sin every day in our desire to live a Christ-honoring life. There are some sins that seem habitual and they have the potential to hold us hostage. Experiencing similar difficulty, Paul exclaimed, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”
Have you ever felt like that? Do you ever feel trapped by the sins you commonly struggle with? It could be as something as simple as worrying to something as big as sexual sin. Regardless, sin is sin in God’s eyes.
However, be encouraged! Paul answers his question of “Who can set me free…?” in verse 25; “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Repent of the sins with which you commonly struggle. Hold nothing back! Cry out to the Lord, our God, who loves you immeasurably, and He will set you free!
Day 12
We all have our bad days, our flaws, and our sinful habits. God sees every sin we commit, even those that exist only in our own hearts and minds. Psalm 90:8 says “You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.”
The God that sees our sins in the hiding places of our lives also says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Therefore, today’s encouragement is for us to repent of any pride, unforgiveness, lying, hypocrisy, envy, gossip, fear, ingratitude, unbelief, cheating, hatefulness, or any other sin hidden in your life.
Day 11
The Old Testament is full of accounts of the unfaithfulness of God’s people. We can read about the many judgments that the people brought upon themselves because of their disregard for God.
Today the New Testament church is God’s people through faith in Jesus Christ. However, the story is much the same. Our hearts and our churches (people not buildings) are full of idolatry, materialism, and hypocrisy. We claim to be followers of Christ, yet our lifestyles and actions outside of the weekly “church event” often do not reflect Christ in any way.
Repent for any unfaithfulness you have had against God, His church, and against people in your life.
Consider the words of the prophet Joel:
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.”
(2:12-13)
Day 10
It is normal to have regrets as we all have missed opportunities in life. However, we are often given opportunities to share our faith through our testimonies and the gospel. These missed opportunities can have eternal consequences.
God calls us to obedience through His word and His Holy Spirit. When we lack the courage to make these steps of faith it also leads to missed opportunities. When we fail to be obedient, it is more then just missed opportunities, but it is also sin.
Today, repent for opportunities you have missed to serve God or to share the Gospel. Pray and ask God for another opportunity to be obedient. Ask Him to help you recognize the opportunities He puts into our lives. Also pray for courage as you step out in faith. Fear is normal as long as it doesn’t hold you back. Remember, fear is an important ingredient to courage. When we trust in the Lord, we move past the fear into obedience and eternal opportunities!
In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul advises Timothy to “… be ready in season and out of season…”. Timothy had a calling to preach God’s word and Paul was telling Him to always be ready. You also have a spiritual gift and a calling. Be ready when God presents you opportunity.
Day 9
Life can get so busy that days seem to run together. It is easy to get overwhelmed and forget to pray, forget to seek God in His word, or forget to consider God at all. This lack of concern for God is sinful and reveals our dependency on our self rather than God. We have a God that loves us and desires to be a part of our every moment.
Acknowledging God is a spiritual discipline. That means we have to make an effort to set time to pray, read the Bible, and then mediate on His word and how it applies to and through our lives. Psalms 77:11-12 says,
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Further, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always.”
Jesus also said in John 14:15-17 16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.”
Did you catch the last part of what He said? “He remains with you and will be in you.” Did you see the word at the end of the first statement? “…to be with you forever.”
That means if you are a Christian, a true follower of Christ, then He is with you and the Holy Spirit is IN you right now. Praise Him! Acknowledge Him!
Let us all repent today for the days we have forgotten to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives.
Day 8
This week begins a new direction for our prayers. Last week we praised God as our great Creator and for His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. This week is about forgiveness and repentance. Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 says:
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
If we are going to draw near to God we must be repentant of our sins no matter how big or small. But before we can be forgiven, we must forgive those who have hurt us in the past. Jesus says in Matthew 6:15:
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Today’s encouragement is to think about all the people who have hurt or offended you in your past. Pray that God will help you forgive them; then forgive them.
This is often difficult as many hurts go way back and are deep hurts that have even shaped your life. Be honest with God. Cry out to Him. Pour out your pain, frustrations, anger, and grief. Again be honest with God! He is a big God that loves you and wants to take away your burden.
Day 7
Our prayer for today is to praise God for the promise of eternal life and for the day He called you to His salvation.
I remember the day that God called me to salvation. It was in a small white block Methodist church oh Hahn Air Force Base in Germany. I got away from the Lord during my teenage years and rededicated my life to at Liberty during a Power Team event. The men shared the gospel and the Holy Spirit called me out.
However, it was in the spring 1995 that God called me to full devotion. I was a “good Christian” but was life was not fully committed. I was taking a Latin class in college and we learned the term “Carpe diem” which means “seize the day.” It seemed the whole universe was calling out my name with the challenge of seizing the day and serving God with my whole heart and whole life. My life has been committed to living for God ever since. It is overwhelming that the Creator of the Universe and all that is in it would call me out. I am so thankful.
What about you today?
- Have you fully committed your Life to God through belief in Jesus Christ His Son?
- If so, praise Him for the day He called you out of eternal death to eternal life!
- Have you gotten away, and need to rededicate your life to God?
- Is God calling you to fully commit your life to Him?
CARPE DIEM- SEIZE THE DAY!
Day 6
“The LORD’S loving-kindness indeed never cease, For His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”…
Lamentations 3:22-23
As you pray today, praise Him for His mercy and grace that He has extended to you and to all of mankind.
Day 5
In Jeremiah 31:31 and following, the Lord of Hosts tells of a coming covenant where He will put His law within us and He will write it on our heart; and He will be our God, and we shall be His people.
On the cross Jesus endured God’s judgment for our sins, and through His resurrection, Jesus initiated God’s new creation. This new covenant, through Christ, has been made available to all who believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord.
Praise Him today for His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ His Son.
Day 4
As I was walking through the house waking up the kids for school this morning something unusual caught my eye. I looked in my backyard to see two young whitetail bucks. Their antlers were still in covered in velvet. It isn’t unusual to see a deer in the backyard, but in the two decades of living here I’ve only seen a buck once.
I don’t know about you, but nature, God’s creation, resets my soul. When life gets tough and overwhelming, I find solace in the places of God’s creation. Waves, the wind blowing through trees, sunsets, cool morning breezes, birds, and young bucks in the backyard remind me of a God who loves us, pursues us, and dwells with us.
As you go through this terribly busy day, take a moment and enjoy something in God’s creation. As you do, remember to pray. As you pray, praise Him as the Great Creator, and for being a God who desires to dwell among His creation.
Days 1-3
We serve a great God and Creator who is worthy of all our praise and worship. Think about the most beautiful things in creation and thank God for them. Think about your life and how He created you in His likeness.
This week we started 52 days of Prayer in preparation for our Rededication in October.
So far this week we have prayed:
- Day 1- A desire to pray for the next 52 days and beyond. Also for an understanding of the power of prayer.
- Day 2- A heart for worship, and a heart to read and receive God’s Word. Pray for the discipline to read His word everyday.
- Day 3 Praise Him for His greatness and glory in creation. Thank Him for creating us in His image.
Its been a busy week for us, but my family and I have found time to pray these simple, yet powerful prayers together. I hope you have too.
If you have gotten off to a slow start this week it will only take a moment to catch up.