We are living in perilous times, where the very norms of our society are being ripped apart right before our eyes.  The Bible tells us to pray for our governmental leaders: (1 Tim 2:2).   A lot of the people who are pushing the immoral agenda, would not if they were in Christ.  The Bible tells us to pray for  opportunities to proclaim Christ [Col 4:2-4], for boldness [Eph 6:18-20], and to be effective in sharing our faith [Phile 1:6].

We should also pray for the church [Phil 1:9-11].  There are people within the church who are in need of healing, jobs, improvements in their marriages and family relationships.  We need to keep our children in prayer as they grow that they would be steadfast in their faith [Eph 3:16-19].   We need to pray for upcoming church projects and outreaches, and for direction [2 Th 1:11-12]  .

It seems the list of things to pray for is inexhaustible.  I don’t know if we necessarily need a reminder to pray, as much as a reminder to pray for specific items, as the list can be overwhelming.  My  family typically takes time during our even meal time prayer to pray for the weekly prayer focus family.   The Tuesday night prayer time is a reminder to me to pray for individuals in the church body.  Sunday mornings I pray for the church service and the individuals who will be there. At the beginning of Sunday church service we take time to thank God for his goodness to us, and during announcements we pray for specific needs.

It is exciting to see how God has been answering our prayers.  So how can we incorporate more prayer in our lives?  Are there times in your daily schedule that you can take an opportunity and pray about a specific subject?  Are their mechanisms in your life to serve as reminders to pray?

The Bible calls us to pray continually (1 Th 5:17 NIV).  And that can include praying as we work in a flower bed.  Amen?

While we are cleaning out our clutter, there is also clutter of a spiritual nature we should address.  The Bible says “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:31-32 NIV).  Lets face it that in our lives things happen.  Jesus himself said “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1a NKJV).  When offenses come, and we don’t address them quickly they tend to accumulate, like clutter in our lives.   And just as physical clutter can obscure the things we really need, this kind of clutter can obscure things that God wants to show us.

How do we deal with clutter?  Take care of it when it happens.  I heard a pastor once say that “Time wounds all heals.” Delaying doesn’t fix the problem, and it can create even bigger problems down the road.  But keeping things current prevents backlog from happening.  And ultimately some things we just need to forgive.  We as Christians should be the most forgiving people on the planet, because we know what it is like to be forgiven.  Amen?

Have a great Spring!

Paul

God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). So God has placed us in this time and this place for us to reach out to Him. As, God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah; You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(Jer 29:13 NIV).

Consider the significance of this. These are the times that God has placed you on I on the Earth. And this is the place He desires us to be. So, believe it or not, we couldn’t be in a better place or a better time, than Alliance Ohio, 2009.

Consider further the technology that is available to us today. The Apostle Paul was able to travel due to the roads built by the Roman Empire. He was able to preach in a common language established by Alexander the Great. Consider the many modes of communication we have available today. Not just mail, radio, television and telephone anymore, but in addition we have the internet, email, twitter, face book, etc. We now have the technology to interact with people across the globe. What an opportunity!

But with the advance in technology, the timeless message has not changed. God created everything we see good, including us (Acts 17:24), and because God created us, he has authority over us (Genesis 1:31). But in man’s desire to be like God (Gen 3:5) , man became disobedient and as a result, all of us have sinned and fall short of His requirements (Romans 3:23). Consequently, we all deserve eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). But God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). So he sent his son, Jesus, to die for our sins (1 Cor 15:3), and three days later God raised Him from the dead, proving God was satisfied with Jesus payment and assuring us Jesus was who he said he was (1 Cor 15:4). We can receive Jesus’ payment for our sins if we believe in Him and commit our lives to following Christ and surrendering to His Lordship (Romans 10:9). In doing so we will receive the Holy Spirit who transforms us from the inside out (Titus 3:5), and we will inherit eternal life (John 3:16).

This is Good News. And this message is good for both the people across the planet and those across the street. Amen?