Author: dennisconrad

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Two-Cent Piece

The Two-Cent Piece and Psalm 91

Me? Give a Sermon?

In the summer of 2011, my wife, Diane, and I were in South Korea and all set to start teaching English and public speaking. A few days before we were scheduled to present our first lessons, there was a retreat where we met the students, fellow teachers, and a pastor who went by the English name of Barnabas. After knowing Barnabas only a short while, he asked me to speak to his church on an upcoming Sunday.

I told him I would pray about it. When I told him no, it didn’t hurt our relationship. In fact, we became friends. All that summer and throughout the next year, I thought about that invitation. I kept wondering if I had made the right decision. I had prayed about it, so I guessed it wasn’t God’s timing.

The following summer, my wife and I had an opportunity to return to South Korea. When my friend, Barnabas, asked me to speak, I said yes. That meant I was committing to lead Sunday School classes and speak to both his Cambodian and Vietnamese congregations.

For Sunday School, I prepared an interactive study on Acts 16:25-34 about Paul and Silas. These men were in prison singing praise songs near midnight when there was an earthquake.

My sermon was on Psalm 91 and about God being a refuge and fortress for believers. It was during my preparation that I first became familiar with the verse that appears in my upcoming book, The Two-Cent Piece. Psalm 91:2 (KJV) says, I will say of the Lord, “‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’”

The two church services featured Bible reading in the different languages, inspired music, my sermon, prayers, and food. I gave my sermon first through a Cambodian translator, and then through one who spoke Vietnamese.

Within a few years, Barnabas and his wife, HaSuk, visited our home. Their children, Insu and Hyun Ji, came to study at universities near where we live. We have many fond memories of meals together, college graduations, and special times with the whole family.

When Barnabas asked me to speak, God led me to Psalm 91. Years later, a verse from that sermon ended up in The Two-Cent Piece. God’s timing has been and always is perfect.

Blessings to you all! Join me daily as we pray for wisdom.

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Wisdom Prayer

Bible Giveaway?

Bible Giveaway?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who distribute Bibles. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Millions of Bibles are given away every year. Some are given to family members and friends. Others purchase Bibles with the intent of giving them away to total strangers.

As Scripture declares in Isaiah 55:11 (NLT),
“It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

The King James Version says,
“It [God’s word] shall not return unto me void.”

There are countless testimonies of people who, while reading Scripture, experienced rebirth, renewal, and revival.

And don’t forget to also tell people about Bible applications for phones. YouVersion Bible is just one example. It has a feature that will allow a person to hear Scripture being read aloud.

Take action! Pray for wisdom! Find an organization that distributes Bibles and make a contribution. Or, find reasonably priced Bibles, buy some, and then give them away. Or, share how a Bible application can make it possible to hear God’s word being read to you. God can use you to get Scripture into the hands of those who need it.

Let me know your comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Aware of the Time?

Aware of the Time?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for seekers who think they have unlimited time to make a decision. In Jesus’ name, amen.

People in different cultures view time differently. Some cultures are event-oriented. To them, it may be acceptable and even preferred to arrive late for a party because the expectation is the party will last for hours. Other cultures place a high value on starting and stopping on time. If a person fails to understand the cultural norm, it can lead to embarrassment, hurt feelings, and serious misunderstandings.

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV) says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”

What would it be like to live in a culture that locks the doors, so no one is allowed to enter late?

I know a college professor who told his students he intended to lock his doors when class started. Once this teacher informed the students of the rules, he strictly enforced his locked-door policy. Can you guess what happened? Students arrived on time. Seekers. Please arrive on time.

God can be found now by calling upon him when he is near. Don’t wait until time runs out and the doors are locked permanently.

Tell me what you think below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Welcome Strangers?

Welcome Strangers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those with opportunities to be hosts and hostesses. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scripture is clear when it says in Hebrews 13:2 (NLT), “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

Do you have an opportunity to show hospitality to a stranger?

The people of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, are well known for their hospitality. I heard that an American woman was writing her doctoral dissertation on the traditions and the ways in which the culture is so welcoming.

In contrast, my mother-in-law, Dorothy, would exhibit great stress whenever people were coming to her home. Everything needed to be perfect.

My father-in-law served in the US Marines and often invited those in the service who were far away from home over for dinner.

I met one man who had been invited to dine with the family over fifty years ago. He remembered the family’s warm welcome and the meal as if it were yesterday.

Although entertaining made Dorothy a nervous wreck, everything usually turned out well.

Take a leap of faith and entertain a stranger. He or she may be an angel.

Let me know your comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Wisdom or Wealth?

Wisdom or Wealth?

Dear Lord, I pray for people to realize that godly wisdom is more precious than rubies. In Jesus name, amen.

Don’t be tricked, and don’t settle for second best.

How does one value something as intangible as wisdom?

Compare it to the value of precious stones. For example, rubies can be measured in currency or barter value.

In Proverbs 3:13-15 (NKJV) the distinction between the two is clear when it says,

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies,

And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

The quest for godly wisdom leads to an incomparable treasure trove that includes happiness and understanding.

Scripture weighs wisdom on one side and profits of silver, fine gold, and rubies on the other. The latter are found lacking when compared to wisdom.

Wisdom wins; rubies are just rocks.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Next Steps?

Next Steps?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for people as they look to God for their next steps. In Jesus name, amen.

Cross-country trips can be fun.

They can also be nerve-racking.

Roadmaps were once a necessity. Today, with phone applications or an old-fashioned Global Positioning System (GPS), travelers just follow the route.

It is not always so easy with life.

Scripture offers an enlightening perspective in Psalm 119:105 (ESV), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

When in doubt about next steps, open your Bible.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.