Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

Lying to God!

Lying to God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who strive to be honest with God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ananias and Sapphira were married, and they were intent on donating money to the Lord’s work. Yet, there was a flaw in their plan.

Luke begins the story in Acts 5:1-2 (ESV):

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Misrepresenting the amount of the funds given to the Apostles had dire consequences. Note what Acts 5:3-5 (ESV) says,

“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.’”

The husband and the wife both died for lying about the amount of the sale of their property. Ever told a lie to God? Confess! Repent! Now!

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Wisdom Prayer

By the Name of Jesus!

By the Name of Jesus!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who stand before rulers and elders. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After Peter healed a lame man in the Temple, Peter, John, and the man who was healed had a divine appointment with the rulers and elders. These were the same rulers and elders who advocated killing Jesus.

Luke writing Acts 4:8-12 (ESV) says,

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’”

Peter explained who did the healing. Instead of taking the credit himself, he acknowledged the source of the healing power was by the name of Jesus.

If you ever see a modern miracle, give Jesus the credit.

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Wisdom Prayer

A Lame Man Healed!

A Lame Man Healed!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rejoice in the story of Peter and John healing a lame man. In Jesus’ name, amen.

As Peter and John went to the temple gate called Beautiful, they had a divine appointment with a man who was lame from birth. He was asking for money. The account of this divine appointment changed one man’s life. It also had far-reaching impact.

Luke, writing in Acts 3:6-10 (ESV), explains what happened:

“But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

When a miracle of this magnitude happened, it says the people took notice. Read Peter’s speech to the assembled crowd in Acts 3:11-26.

Look for miracles in your own life. When you find them, praise God.

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Wisdom Prayer

Dreams and Visions!

Dreams and Visions!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are coming to faith through dreams and visions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After the ascension of Christ, on the day of Pentecost, a crowd of people gathered after hearing a loud noise. They heard people speaking about Christ in their own language. The story picks up when Peter starts speaking. Imagine the scene as it is described in Acts 2:14-17 (ESV):

“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel”

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
 that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.’”

Today, among unbelievers living in countries where Christianity is restricted, there are stories of people who have come to faith because they dreamed dreams and had visions of Jesus. I have heard these accounts. Praise God for people coming to faith in Christ though dreams and visions. Pray for these people.

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Wisdom Prayer

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to expect something after he ascended into heaven. When the Holy Spirit came upon praying believers, everything changed.

Luke, writing in Acts 2:1-4 (ESV), reports what happened:

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The faithful began being understood by those who spoke different languages. Some mocked what was happening by saying the faithful were drunk with new wine. But this was denied. Many believed and were added to the church. Lives were changed that day.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Whole Armor of God!

The Whole Armor of God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who put on the whole armor of God, so they may stand against the schemes of the devil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Spiritual warfare is real. Scripture says to put on the whole armor of God. What does that look like? I used to have a poster of a Roman soldier dressed in his armor and holding a shield. Each piece was labeled with a corresponding spiritual meaning.

Apostle Paul writing in Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) tells us:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

If you haven’t already, begin the discipline of praying on each part of the armor as Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6:14-18 (ESV):

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

Start each day by putting on the whole armor of God. Not just part of it. Wonder how to begin? Read the verses. Then memorize the verses. Or, make a list of the full armor. Commit it to memory. Do not go without spiritual protection.

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