True power in prayer!

I have been waking up super early the last three mornings. I wasn’t sure why till this morning when a was awakened at 1:45! I started my morning coffee and played quite a few video games then decided to hit the gym. Instead of listening to the garbage that I’ve been listening to while there, I had turned on some short sermons. These sermons we’re seriously pumping me up but not in the way you might think. About halfway through the workout I felt empowered to go home and spend time with God. I drove home and started looking up scripture after scripture on prayer and spending time with God. I know that prayer is very powerful and impacting but I didn’t realize to what extent. I always tell people that prayer is super easy and that anyone can do it. There is a prayer that we shouldn’t pray however and that is one without belief or faith in our mighty Lord and savior. Even, Jesus every chance that he had studied and prayed to his father in Heaven because he knew that trusting and having faith in God gave him his powers. Matthew 14:22- 23 immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. It is nice to pray with others and study with others but it is incredibly important to spend alone time with our Lord as Jesus did. By doing so we build our faith and hope in Him. Like myself, however, lately, I have been getting caught up in the world. Things happen in our lives and we set those things precedence over God weakening our faith. just like the video games I play in the morning for hours on end instead of spending those hours in the word. When we let the world take us over we end up being like Peter. In the next couple of verses, we will learn why. Matthew 14: 25-33 shortly before Dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ” It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ” Take courage! It is I, Don’t be afraid.” ” Lord, if it’s you”, Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ” Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ” Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ” You of little faith,” he said,” why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying,” Truly you are the son of God.” /This has increased my faith this morning! I want to get to that point in my faith where I can literally walk on water! Without the world creeping into my mind filling it with doubt. That is a trick from the devil by the way. I have met quite a few people that say that walking on water is just telling you that you can be a better person. I only believe that partially you see my God is great and powerful and if we have that full unwavering belief we can move mountains it says it in the Bible. Mark 11: 23-26 ” Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ” Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain,’ Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your father in heaven May forgive you your sins.”/ This is written in the Bible from God! There is no doubt in my mind that we can get to that point. Jesus was proof of that while he lived human on this earth. I hope that this message inspires you this morning to spend more time in study and prayer. Take one bad habit a day and replace it being with God. Ten minutes before t.v. or games, instead of reading unhealthy news. Have a great day and God bless you all!

Thank you for the plan of salvation!

www.bible.com/116/jhn.14.6.nlt

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the plan of salvation. Thank you for sending your son Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and Life. Only through Jesus do we come to you, Father. As you look all over the earth you have children that love and serve you. One of these days you will gather your flock together to be with you for eternity. For you are the Good Shepherd. I pray for your flock all over the world Lord, that they never stray away, that they will always know your voice and obey your command. I pray that you unite them by heart, soul and mind to do your will and share the gospel. Lord, lead us to the hearts that you have prepared to hear about you. Bless us Lord, with your presence and speak through us. Help us to never forget you are the Way, truth and life. Forgive us for our sins, help us to listen to your Holy Spirit within us so we won’t stumble along the way. Thank you Lord for helping me with my struggles everyday. Thank you for your strength, love and grace. I love you Father, may I do your will on earth as it is in heaven. May my Life always glorify you. I ask this in Jesus name amen.

Planting a seed.

The other day my wife had received a planters kit with some miscellaneous seeds and some wafers of soil. We hadn’t done anything with it because we were so busy. Our little daughter Lily found it and decided to crack it open and give it some water. In a couple of days, she had this amount of growth out of it. Every other day she comes in with a syringe full of water distributing it evenly between the six cups. She will run in so excitedly and say, “Mom, Dad, come look at my plants, they are growing up so fast. Our daughter is 7 years old and the nicest person that I have ever met. She definitely got her demeanor from her mother. She gives to people who are in need and cares for those who are hurting. We have raised our daughter in the church and we help the homeless. We pray every chance we get but also every morning sharing with God what we are most thankful for. This is planting a seed in our daughter that God has been growing in her and those she comes in contact with. Colossians 3:17 and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Luke 8:11 now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. So long as we are sharing and loving to others people will see this and it plans a seed in their hearts. A lot of times we don’t even know that people are watching us. That is why at all times we need to be doing what God asks of us. You never know who is watching and could impact their life with what they see. One time I was at a bank and got to talking to these two elderly women. These women were clearly in their early 80s but had a lot of pep in their step. They had walked down to the bank together and I started talking with them about their youthfulness. They told me that it was all due to God and that they had never felt younger. After a couple of minutes of talking, I asked them if I could pray with them and they said yes. After we got done praying the two ladies hugged me and I went on my way. My phone rang just as I was getting into my car it was a friend of mine. She was in the church across the street from the bank. She told me that she watched the whole interaction and it really touched her heart. What nice and positive thing can you do today to help others?

What do you need to bring to Jesus’ feet?

.

Thank you, Father, for pursuing us and asking us to give our heavy burdens to you. Why do we carry them around?

I am picturing myself with my heavy load, standing before the Master, my Lord and Savior Jesus. I give it all to you, Jesus. I’m not holding on to anything I surrender all to you every worry, concerns, and burdens that I may have. Thank you, Lord, I am your child and entirely depended on you Father. To you be the Glory, as I lean on your everlasting arm. In Jesus’ name amen.

The Bible: Divine Inspiration

“But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/2ti.3.14-17.amp

What a beautiful day

“Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Yesterday, Easter, was such a beautiful day! My family and I drive to another town to spend time with family and had an absolute blast. We were able to meet new and old family, ate prime rib and looked for Easter eggs. The best part about it though was spending that time with God. In our morning prayer we had asked Him to join us in that days events enjoying and sharing our special time together. We are so very appreciative of the sacrifice He made for us with His life and wanted Him to be the Honored guest. I know that He is with us no matter what we do in life so long as we ask Him to be I’m our hearts, but it felt necessary to ask Him to join us. Jesus was in my thoughts more than anything that day and it pleased my heart greatly. Little did I know that my life would be changed forever when I heard Jesus knocking on my heart’s door and I answered. I am a sinful being and need Him to lead and guide me in all that I say and do. When I answered that door and let Him in the flood of emotions that came over me almost brought me to the floor. If you haven’t asked God to be in your heart and want a complete transformation then please join me in prayer. Dear heavenly father I hear you knocking on my heart’s door and I answer it today. Lord I ask that you be in the forefront of my thoughts at all times. That you are the leader and comforter and everything that I do and say. Help me to be a better Christian today than I was before. Help to transform my life as you see fit as you will be done. In Jesus precious name amen.

Because Jesus lives, so can we!

“The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:5-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/mat.28.5-6.msg

This is the rest of the story;

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:24-25‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/gal.5.24-25.ncv

The promise of eternal life:

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
– 1 John 5:11

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
– John 5:24

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
– John 3:16

May you have a blessed day reflecting on the sacrifice that God gave us through his son Jesus. Without him shedding his blood we would still be deep in sin with no hope. Facing external death. Praising God everyday, we serve a living God.