Monday, August 31, 2009

Boasting In Jesus

Jer 9:23-24
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.


Earlier in the chapter, God speaks of the wickedness of man's tongue, and the deceitful heart that they conjure up. But God is letting His people know that it is the grace of God that are good.

The things of our mouths should be boasting and glorifying to the Lord. In all things, we should praise and worship Jesus Christ, for He is good.

Father God, I thank you for your kindness and goodness and Your grace. I hope not to boast in myself, but to glorify you through my words of praise. I want to honor You in my life. I pray that You may always be lifted High in my conversations, and in my actions. I want to glorify you in Your Mighty name.
Amen.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Putting My Faith In The Wisdom Of The Great God

Jer 8:9-11
9 The wise will be put to shame;
they will be dismayed and trapped.
Since they have rejected the word of the LORD,
what kind of wisdom do they have?

10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men
and their fields to new owners.
From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.

11 They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
"Peace, peace," they say,
when there is no peace.


What kind of wisdom does the wisest man have compared to the wisdom found by the Lord God Almighty? It is difficult to fathom the greatness that God is. He created the heavens and the earth, the people living and the dead, the plants and the animals, all alike. What kind of wisdom does man have against that?

This passage reminds me of God's wisdom. There are many times that we challenge God's wisdom, or we are doubtful of what His plans are for us. This word encourages me to strengthen my faith in Him.

Father God, I pray for more faith. I know that Your wisdom is like none ever. You are so great. Help me to put my faith in You as I continue to live a life that is according to Your will. I want to be in Your will. I want to walk in Your will. Holy Spirit help me. I pray this in a humble heart, that I may glorify You.
Amen.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Generation Not Abandoned

Jer 7:27-29
27 "When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. 28 Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. 29 Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath.


Here, God warns the people of what will happen if they continue to disobey from God and not listen to Him.

I can't imagine how it would be if God abandons His people, a whole generation. I need to pray against a whole people losing sight of God, but instead to grow closer and seek Him.

Father God, my prayer is a prayer of intercession on behalf of my generation, a whole people, that want to know You more. I pray that we may not be a generation that will not answer You, but one that will desire to seek You, and find You, and obey You in all that we do. I pray against the enemy's influence, that as a generation, we may come to know You as Lord and Savior, redeemer, and friend. I thank You for all that you have done and are going to do. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Finding Rest With My Soul

Jer 6:16-17
16 This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But you said, 'We will not listen.'


The book of Jeremiah, and a lot of the books of the Bible, are words from the Lord to cry out to His people to change their wicked ways. God has put many signs to have us turn from our sins, but many times we do not.

Although I may listen to the Lord most of the time, there are times when I go back to my own human nature. I may hear the Lord, but I may not walk in it. I must resist the sin in my life and go where the good way is, and in His promise, we will find rest for our souls.

Father God, I thank you for your words, that it may direct me. I pray for the life of not only my own self, but the lives of others around me, that they may also find the good way, so that we may all find res, which is in You. I pray for strength to follow You no matter what. Only through Your Holy Spirit may I be given the strength to live a holy and righteous life. I pray for this, Lord. Let me be more like You. I glorify you in Jesus name.
Amen.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Freed Through Christ Jesus

Jer 5:18-19
18 "Yet even in those days," declares the LORD, "I will not destroy you completely. 19 And when the people ask, 'Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?' you will tell them, 'As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.'


God passes judgement on the people for turning away from Him. He allows another nation to take over the people, and He allows them to serve others as foreigners in their own land.

God did not intend to have us to be slaves and foreigners in our own place, but to live fruitful and prosperous lives, lives that are entitled to joy around us. Instead, due to our sinful nature, we were bonded by sin, but freed by Christ.

Father God, I thank you for your Son, Christ Jesus, who broke our bonds of sin, and released us to have a life that is not constrained by sin. I pray that this chain of sin never constrain, but always be lifted up through Christ Jesus. I thank you for this passage to remind me that I may live a joyful life through Christ.
Amen.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Breaking From Evil Ties

Jer 4:3-4
3 This is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem:
"Break up your unplowed ground
and do not sow among thorns.

4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD,
circumcise your hearts,
you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire
because of the evil you have done—
burn with no one to quench it.


The Lord is speaking to us about our actions and our relationships. He is displeased with the ungodly relationships and actions that we have and that we have committed. He says to break from them, circumcise ourselves from such evils, and to return to Him.

God wants us to be pure and live a righteous life. We stain ourselves through ungodly ties. He wants us to break from these and to cut away anything that is not good.

Father God, I pray for Your heart. Lord, I ask for your Holy Spirit to help me do what You ask of me. I know that You are the Lord my God who redeemed me. I thank you so much for all that you did for me. I want to live according to You, breaking away evil ties. Lord, forgive me for my sins. I thank you. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

God, Like A Father, Loves Us So Much

Jer 3:19
19 "I myself said,
" 'How gladly would I treat you like sons
and give you a desirable land,
the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.'
I thought you would call me 'Father'
and not turn away from following me.


The Lord depicts the imagery of a father and son. Here, a father treats his son with so much love, and gives him everything, yet the son does not follow the father. It is the same with men, how we do not follow our Heavenly Father. How we have turned from Him.

God is so good. He wants to love us, and give us everything, yet we choose to turn from Him. The passage reminds me of how good God is. We are His inheritance through Christ.

Father God, I pray for a desire to follow You. I ask that You may guide me and deliver me from the enemy. I thank you so much for your love for me. I know that I have been delivered through Christ, for Your blood has saved me. I thank you Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Sin Should Be Of Great Concern

Jer 2:11-12
11 Has a nation ever changed its gods?
(Yet they are not gods at all.)
But my people have exchanged their Glory
for worthless idols.

12 Be appalled at this, O heavens,
and shudder with great horror,"
declares the LORD.


The Lord shows us how critical and serious the nation of Israel has turned from Him. He tells us to realize how bad things are, and to reflect of the issue, if it is of concerning matter.

Sin should be a big concern with my life, yet in many situations, whether it be in today's society or culture, certain behavior and sin are diluted down, having less concern on the matter. The Lord said to be "appalled" and concern about the sins that we bare. We need to realize the severity of our mistakes, so that we may turn to the One who can redeem us from our death.

Father God, I pray for a concerning heart, that I may know Your deeds, and know Your will, that I may seek You and have that desire to turn from wicked ways. I thank you Lord for the Holy Spirit to come and to direct my path. I give you all the glory. Protect me I pray, for any physical injuries, from temptation, from the enemy. I pray this in Jesus mighty name.
Amen.

Monday, August 10, 2009

God Is With Me

Jer 1:18-19
18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.


Imagine a time where you feel helpless, like you can't do it, that there are so much things that are against you. That was the situation that Jeremiah was feeling, that he needed God to help him through this challenge.

There are many times that I feel the way that Jeremiah felt. Even in times like this, I feel that I need God more than ever. I'm glad that he will help me overcome. I feel like I am in such a tough time, I need to remember that God is with me.

Father God, I thank you for your word. I pray for your Holy Spirit to come and to lead me towards your plans for me. I ask that you strengthen my direction. I thank you. I pray that I may need you to help me. Jesus, I'm so glad that you are my God. I thank you that you will not let me go through tough times alone, but that You will help me through this. I thank you and pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Holy Spirit Help Me Guard Against Sin

2 Peter 3:17-18
17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.


Peter encourages the church to continue the good race, to keep seeking God, and to continue to grow in Him, not letting sin get in our way.

I understand what Peter is talking about. I know that the Holy Spirit is continually guiding me and encouraging me to fight the good fight. I need to be on my guard that the enemy will not destroy.

Father God, I thank you for your guidance. I pray for your wisdom to continue to allow me to walk in Your way. I pray for repentance, that You may forgive me of my sin, that it may be washed away by the blood of Christ Jesus. I thank you so much for Your salvation. I pray for strength to continue on. Help me through this. I thank you and give you all the glory.
Amen.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Lot Lived In An Sinful Surrounding, Yet Overcame With God

2 Peter 2:6-9
6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment


God knows how to encourage and lift up His righteous people out of temptation. He will never leave them nor forsake them, but will allow them to overcome. Lot was one of those people that God was with. Even living in a filthy and sinful place, we was able to be holy and live righteously for God.

It is such a testament to know that Lot was able to do what he did. He overcame the sin of that place he was in, and to keep to living a righteous life for Christ. I, too, must continue to live righteously for my God, even when there are so many temptations and the media and culture is so evil. Lot was an example that God may give to us.

Father God, I pray for your words that it speak life into me. I thank you for your servant Lot, that he was able to overcome. I pray that You be with me so that I may also overcome, that I may life a righteous life that You have called for me. I pray for Your strength, and I thank you so much. I give you all the glory in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Being Reminded Of Growing In Christ

2 Peter 1:12-13
12So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body


Peter to speaking to the church. He is always reminding them, guiding them, keeping them on the right path.

Although I may feel at times that I am a "seasoned" Christian, I know that I must continue to be led by the Spirit and by my spiritual mentors to continue in the path that the Lord has placed for me.

Father God, I thank you for your fresh word in my life. I thank you that I may know you daily, that I may seek in every moment, and to life my life for You. I pray that I may always continue to come back to my love for you. I thank you for all this. Humble my heart to keep striving to grow in our relationship. I thank you so much. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Leading Through Example

1 Peter 5:2-3
2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.


Peter is speaking to the elders of the church, to those who are the leaders, and those who are leading the people closer to Christ. He goes to say that Christ wants us to serve, in the way that He has called, not in the way that we want.

Sometimes, I want to serve God in a certain way. This way might be to lead others and disciple others. But, this passage is allowing God to speak to me. He is letting me know, that in a time like this situation that He has put me in, that I am to not lead others by having people under me, but to be an example and lead through my life.

Father, Lord of my life, the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the Loving one, I thank you for this passage, I thank you for Your words that direct me. I pray for your Holy Spirit to continue to guide me in my life. Teach me your ways. Allow me to follow Your path. Allow me to lead others through being an example. I pray that I may do this in excellence. I pray that it may give you glory in Jesus name.
Amen.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Loving Others Instead Of Thinking Of Self

1 Peter 4:8-10
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.


When I pray over this passage, God is speaking about greediness and selfishness and to throw that away and to love others and to give to others, and to serve others, and not to be selfish.

I need to do all these that God has given, to love others in a way that thinks selfishly for myself.

Father God, I pray that your words in this passage speak to my spirit to love others in a way that I am not selfish in my thinking. I pray in the spirit that you may take over in this area that I may be able to give of myself to others, and to give to You in a way that glorifies Your name. I want to serve, and though it comes easy at times, I pray that I may be in line with Your will. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.