Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

A Place of Refuge?

A Place of Refuge?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the Lord is a stronghold in times of trouble. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The word stronghold is used in scripture two ways. One use of stronghold refers to “Satan’s grip.” In contrast, one psalmist uses stronghold to mean “a place of refuge.”

Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV) used the latter meaning:

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

There are those who trust in the Lord and those who do not. There those who seek God and those who do not. God is a stronghold for those who trust and those who seek him.

Trust. Seek. Find rest in The Lord.

Tell me what you think below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Is God Mindful of Man?

Is God Mindful of Man?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask God the question, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever wonder why God is so interested in man? One psalmist asked the same question. He contrasts the creator of the universe with an individual. The author of Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV) writes,

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?”

Why is God so interested in you? Genesis 1:27 (ESV) holds part of the answer.

“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them”

It is okay to wonder why God is mindful of man. The important thing is to know that he is mindful. He created us so we can have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe, through his son, Jesus Christ.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

With My Whole Heart?

With My Whole Heart?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who give thanks to God with their whole heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Imagine if two verses could capture the description of a faithful believer’s heart. The psalmist does this in Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV) in just thirty-seven words. Written from a single person’s perspective, it is instructive for believers everywhere:

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

Don’t delay. Reread the text. Consider memorizing these two verses. As you go about recounting God’s wonderful deeds, your testimony can touch someone who does not know God.

Tell me what you think below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Flooding Your Bed with Tears?

Flooding Your Bed with Tears?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who at night flood their bed with tears. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever cry yourself to sleep?

Around the world, there are those who don’t know where their next meal is coming from; there are victims of abuse who feel alone and abandoned; and there are people caught in the middle of war. God sees each individual.

In Psalm 6:6-9 (ESV) the psalmist pours out his heart:

“I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.”

By the end, the author is no longer hopelessness. He is confident. He knows God hears and accepts his prayers.

Before drifting off to sleep tonight, please pray for those crying themselves to sleep.

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Labor Day 2021

Labor Day 2021: Ten Motivating Things

Labor Day 2021: Ten Motivating Things

What motivates you at work?

As a speech teacher, I would often begin the lesson on persuasion by writing a question on the board: “What motivates people?”

I would encourage students to start shouting out their answers: “pride,” “money,” “fear,” “recognition,” “safety,” “faith,” and so on.

Recently, I was in a writing slump. I was struggling. so I wrote a list of things that keep me motivated to do my best work:

1. My faith in Christ and the Bible;

2. Love of family and friends;

3. Service to others;

4. Discovering and learning new things;

5. Making lists and setting goals. Accomplishing the goals is even more fun;

6. Famous quotations, memes, positive posts, and uplifting stories;

7. Hearing a good sermon or attending an informative seminar or lecture;

8. Listening to my eclectic music playlist that includes Christian, country, rock, classical, and international music;

9. Imagining myself being in the mountains where I can see beautiful panoramas and smell pine trees in the forest; being near the ocean, and hearing the wave’s crash and breathe in the salty, sea air; being in the desert at sunrise and sunset with the vibrant colors, and after dark, far from the city lights, looking up at the spectacular star-filled sky in awe the Creator; and

10. Receiving positive feedback from readers.

Once out of my writing slump, I realized my list was a great source of inspiration.

I encourage you to make your own list of things that motivate you.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Wisdom Prayer

Languishing?

Languishing?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are languishing. In Jesus name, amen.

Perhaps you are a person or know people whose circumstances are desperate. They may be suffering or their health may be deteriorating. God is present in the darkest hour.

In Psalm 6:1-4 (ESV), there is a plea and the cry of one who desperately wants God’s intervention and deliverance:

“O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.”

Say a prayer for those who are desperate for God’s intervention. For those who find themselves thriving, never take for granted God’s grace and blessings. Whatever your circumstances, pray.

Tell me what you think below.