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Monday 6-4-01
RIGHTLY WORSHIPING GOD
"You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God . . ." - Exodus 20:5
A. W. Tozer says, "Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God." Knowing God is essential to our worship of God. When we entertain thoughts of God that are not consistent with His nature, then we are guilty of worshipping an idol, a God we have created in our own image. God wants our worship, but He also wants us to worship Him in truth. If we are to become true worshippers of the living God we must commit ourselves to the study of His holy and inerrant word and to prayer.
For further study: Exodus 20: 1-6, Isaiah 55:9
Tuesday 6-5-01
A PEOPLE MADE FOR WORSHIP
"Israel is my firstborn son . . .let my son go, so he may worship me." - Exodus 4:23
The very reason God delivered the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt was so they could worship Him. God created His people for worship. Not as mindless autonamatons, but as people who choose to love Him and devote themselves to Him. God wants our worship, but He wants it given freely. Many of God's people are still in bondage today, much like the Israelites were in the days of Egypt. And just like the days of old, God continues to set people free today from their personal Egypts, for the same reason, so they may worship Him.
For further study: Isaiah 61:1
Wednesday 6-6-01
WORSHIP GOD ALONE
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. - Luke 2:11
God makes it clear in Exodus 20:3 that He will not tolerate His people bowing down before any other God. One sure sign of a cult is a group who does not worship Jesus Christ or acknowledge Him as God. The Bible teaches that Jesus is God incarnate, so He is to be worshiped, as well as His heavenly Father.
For further study: Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 1:17-18
Thursday 6-7-01
THE WORSHIP CONNECTION
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. - Psalm 84:2
Because of Christ, we no longer offer animal sacrifices to appease God's judicial wrath. In fact, it is through Jesus that we are able to enter into the Most Holy Place to worship God. It is in the shadow of God's holiness that we see the reflection of our own sinfulness. That is "the worship connection." As we worship God in His presence, our unworthiness is brought into sharper focus. In that state of humility, we are brought to repentance and there we are compelled to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the one true God. True worship, in Spirit and in truth, transforms us. If you are feeling stagnant in your walk with Christ, consider the amount of time you spend in worship. Make a decision today to be a worshipper of the living God.
For further study: Isaiah 6:1-8
Friday 6-8-01
WORSHIP AND MISSIONS
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . ." - Matthew 28:19
What compelled Jesus' disciples to go to all nations to teach them about their Master and Teacher? The worship connection really brings us full circle. John Piper suggests that as we grow in our love and intimacy with God, our desire to see others love and worship God grows as well. It is this love and desire that drives God's people to the ends of the earth, as well as to the ends of their neighborhoods, to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ.
For further study: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Matthew 28:18-20
Monday 6-11-01
AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." - John 6:63
Many times we will find ourselves at a loss for words when we pray. Perhaps it is because we are in great despair and can't find words to express the condition of our hearts. Perhaps we are in the spiritual desert and our throat and tongue are parched. Perhaps we are just numb from the trials and tribulations of life. The words of scripture breathe truth and life back into our souls. When you are at a loss for words to pray, turn to the inerrant word of God and make one of the many prayers of the Bible your prayer.
For further study: Ephesians 6:17-18
Tuesday 6-12-01
THE POSTURE OF PRAYER
He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them,
knelt down and prayed . . .Luke 22:41
Do you every find yourself struggling to stay focused during your prayer time. This can be a great discouragement. In the Bible, when people prayed, they would stand and look heavenward or kneel down. Either way, they positioned themselves to be fully engaged in the dialogue of prayer with their heavenly Father. If you find yourself having trouble staying focused during prayer time, consider whether your posture in prayer is conducive to your engaging fully with your heavenly Father.
For further study: 1 Kings 8:22
Wednesday 6-13-01
A PLACE OF PRAYER
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. - Mark 1:35
Jesus seemed to enjoy getting away from it all so that He could spend time with His heavenly Father. Jesus sought out solitude when He prayed. We are all different, but the important thing is that we all have a place where we can comfortably pray to God in whatever manner we enjoy. If we pray silently, we need a place where we can quiet our minds without distractions. If we pray aloud, we need a place where we can feel free to speak out to God whatever is on our hearts (without disturbing others). One thing for sure, individual prayer is one of the most private acts we engage in and so we should have a place that facilitates and encourages the flow of prayer from our hearts to the throne of God. Consider today what special place you have where you can comfortably pray to your heavenly Father.
For further study: Luke 6:12-13
Thursday 6-14-01
GIVING THANKS IN PRAYER
Give thanks in all circumstances - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The key to having a thankful heart is to give thanks in all circumstances. "How," you might ask, "am I to give thanks when life seems to be crumbling all around me?" How you give thanks is by fixing your eyes on the One whom you are to give thanks to. Paul could give thanks in perseverance and trials because He understood the sovereignty of God. He could give thanks in every situation because He did not depend on His circumstances to make Him happy. He depended on His Lord and was ever thankful for the relationship He had with Jesus. He also knew that in God's economy, hardship and trials were not wasted. He knew that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Begin today, when you are in the midst of trials, giving thanks to God for who He is.
For further study: James 1:2-4
Friday 6-15-01
THE BURDEN OF PRAYER
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
- Colossians 1:9
Do you want to really pray and worship God in your private devotional time? Do you want to get beyond the superficial, to go beyond the veil? If so, then you must devote yourself to the "business" of prayer and worship. Make yourself available to the Lord; tell Him it is your desire to go beyond the veil where few ever go - not because they are not able, but because they are not available. Make yourself available to the Lord and then see for yourself the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
For further study: Hebrews 10:19-20
Monday 6-18-01
LIVING IN HIS PRESENCE
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
Brother Lawrence wrote a book called, "The Practice of the Presence of God." Learning to live in the presence of God is largely contingent upon the discipline of praying without ceasing. The person who prays without ceasing is constantly aware of the goodness of God surrounding them and is forever offering up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to their Holy Father. Even in times of trials, the one who chooses to live in God's presence remembers the promises of God and continually casts them upward into the heart of the Almighty. Praying without ceasing is a discipline, not a burden; a comfort, not a trial; and a joy, not a hardship. Begin today, practicing living in the presence of God.
For further study: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, Romans 1:9-10
Tuesday 6-19-01
WAITING PATIENTLY IN PRAYER
I waited patiently for the Lord: He turned to me and heard my cry.
- Psalm 40:1
Do you really believe in the promises of God? Have you been burdened by a need in yours or someone else's life? The Lord teaches us patience and dependence on Him through prayer. The important thing is not to lose the burden that keeps us on our knees at the throne of God. That is where He wants us, sitting at His feet, continually laying our burdens down at the foot of His throne.
For further study: Luke 11:5-12, Luke 18:1-8
Wednesday 6-20-01
THE GIFT OF REPENTANCE
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. - Isaiah 30:15
In reviewing my journal entries from some time ago, I noticed that I had prayed for God to change my husband's attitude on a particular matter. God showed me that the problem I had with my husband was really the sin of self-righteousness in me. It is so easy to spot sin in other people's lives, yet we are much slower recognizing it in our own lives. One big clue that we are struggling with the sin of self-righteousness is when we continually struggle with other people's shortcomings, when thoughts of their indiscretions or idiosyncrasies loom large in our minds. This, brothers and sisters, is a call to prayer. First, it is a call to turn your eyes toward the Lord and confess your attitude towards that person. Secondly, as Oswald Chambers suggests, remind yourself, if they are a believer, they are perfect in Christ. Then cry out to the Lord for love, humility and the eyes of Christ.
For For further study: Matthew 7:3-4
Thursday 6-21-01
THE WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS OF PRAYER
"I in them and you in me . . ." - John 17:23
One Friday afternoon I knelt down in prayer beside my bed. I was feeling guilty. It was the last night of a week-long ladies event at my church. As one of the prayer support people, I felt that I had not been faithful in prayer for the event. I made my confession to God, "Lord, I have not been faithful in prayer for this event." His immediate response to me was "But you have been faithful to me." I immediately understood. Prayer can become a work of the flesh, just like any other service. It is not an event or even prayer that we are to be faithful in, it is in our relationship with our Father. As we are faithful to God, continually seeking His will, His blessing and His relationship, He shares His heart with us. He makes His desires our desires. Then we experience oneness with Him. With that He is well pleased.
For further study: Luke 10:38-42
Friday 6-22-01
BEYOND THE VEIL
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. - Luke 23:45
The Old Testament teaches that once a year the high priest could go beyond the veil that separated the Holy place from the Most Holy place in the temple. It was there, in the Most Holy place, where the presence of God dwelt between the cherubim above the Ark of the Covenant. The privilege of standing in God's presence was reserved for the high priest and then only after he had cleansed himself with the blood of the sacrificial offerings. When Christ died on the cross, His blood atoned not only for the high priest, but also for all those who would believe in Him. It is through the blood of Christ that all believers may freely enter into the Most Holy place, the sanctuary of prayer and worship. Christ's blood was shed once and for all. Do not neglect the great privilege of prayer; it is one of the great spiritual blessings purchased for you by Jesus Christ.
For further study: Leviticus 16:1-4, Hebrews 9:11-14
Monday 6-25-01
PRAYING FOR OTHER BELIEVERS
We have not stopped praying for you. - Colossians 1:9
Dear brothers and sisters, there is no reason for us to have a boring prayer life. If we simply dedicated ourselves to the building up of the body of Christ through prayer, we would never be at a loss of what to pray. Devote yourself to praying for other believers as Jesus did. Jesus prayed most of all for believers to be one, just as He and the Father were one. This unity amongst believers will bring the greatest glory to God and should be central to how we pray for our local body. In addition to praying for unity, we can pray for the building blocks of the body - families. Pray specifically for marriages and families, for children, teenagers and seniors. Pray for husbands to love their wives and for wives to love their husbands. Pray for children to honor their parents and for parents to not provoke their children to anger. The family is a microcosm of the church. Spiritually healthy families make for a spiritually strong church. Pray regularly for the families in your church.
For further study: Colossians 1:3-14
Tuesday 6-26-01
PRAYING FOR CIVIL AUTHORITIES
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority . . .1 Peter 2:13
Jesus said to Pilate "You would have no authority over me if it were not given to you from above." God above is the one who ordains the rulers of the earth - whether they are just or unjust rulers - they were given their authority by God. Commit yourself to praying for the authorities over you. In America we have many - on the local level we have mayors, city managers, county commissioners, representatives, governors and senators. On the national level we have the President and Vice President, elected officials, and appointed officials such as Supreme Court judges, Attorney General and many others. Pray first and foremost that each person in authority would bow their knee to King Jesus, then pray for godly wisdom, strength, courage and integrity.
For further study: Titus 3:1-2, Job 9:24
Wednesday 6-27-01
PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH
They devoted themselves . . .to prayer. - Acts 2:42
The early church was devoted to prayer and they saw the Holy Spirit move in mighty ways. In fact everyone was filled with awe because of the many wonders and miraculous signs done by the apostles (Acts 2:43). We too must be devoted to pray for our church leaders. God has given us pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons to lead, guide, teach, serve and watch over us. Pray for intimacy in their relationships with the Lord. We need church leaders that know the Lord and who recognize His voice. We need church leaders who have yielded themselves solely to the person of the Holy Spirit. Pray also that God would keep them from temptation and deliver them from the hand of the evil one who is prowling around waiting for an opportunity to devour them. Your prayers are a necessary and important part of the work God wants to do in your local church.
For further study: Matthew 16:18
Thursday 6-28-01
PRAYING FOR GOD'S KINGDOM TO COME
"Your kingdom come, your will be done..." Matthew 6:10
The work of God is to build His kingdom. When we are called into the kingdom, we become His co-laborers. God's project is our project. Not all of God's people are evangelists, not all are teachers, but all are called to participate in building the kingdom. One of the ways God equips us to assist Him in this work is through Holy Spirit directed prayer. Pray for the salvation of your friends, neighbors, coworkers and relatives. When you are finished praying for those in need of salvation, pray for those who are sent to evangelize. Pray for the missionaries your church supports who are bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world. Pray the Holy Spirit would go before them and prepare the hearts of those who would receive the good seed of the Word of God into the fertile soil of their hearts.
For further study: Acts 1:7-8
Friday 6-29-01
PRAY FOR PERSEVERANCE IN THE FAITH
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...
Philippians 2:12
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ do not take your faith for granted. It is true that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, but it is also true that the heart is deceitful above all else. Pray fervently that the Lord would keep you abiding in Him and that your faith would be genuine. Thank Him daily, even multiple times a day, for keeping you in the faith. Dear ones, do you know how many have gone before you, strong and courageous in the Lord, only later to fall away. I don't say this to frighten you or to cause you to doubt, but simply to cause you to cling to the Good Shepherd and to His word and His promises therein.
For further study: Hebrews 10:23, 2 Peter 1:10-11
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