Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

A Royal Priesthood!

A Royal Priesthood!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know they are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It is hard to believe how highly God regards those who believe and follow Jesus. Not everyone believes or follows, but those who do have a special relationship. This relationship goes both ways. We have a very high standard to live up to as it is described in 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV):

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

We should be acting as a chosen race – and more! Realize the concluding verse of this section of Scripture deals with mercy. Asking God to have mercy on us is great. But this verse tells us: “You have received mercy.” Taken together, these two verses are good news indeed. Praise God!

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Wisdom Prayer

Can You Earn Favor from God?

Can You Earn Favor from God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who realize they are saved through faith and not as a result of good works. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many religions require their adherents to complete tasks in order to earn their way into heaven. Martin Luther had a religious epiphany. It changed his perspective from a works-oriented theology to one focused on grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) is clear about how people are saved, and it has nothing to do with doing good works to earn God’s favor:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:10 continues:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Grateful for salvation, believers are motivated to work for God. Do not try to earn God’s favor by working hard. Work as unto the Lord, so he gets the glory.

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Wisdom Prayer

Saved by Grace!

Saved by Grace!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who were dead in their trespasses and sins, but God being rich in mercy showed the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward them in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ephesians 2:2-7 details the depravity of man, and then describes what happens to those who believe. Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) describes sinful man.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Ephesians 2:4-7 addresses how knowing Christ and receiving God’s grace changes everything.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

What a difference there is in a person’s life before knowing Christ compared to after knowing Christ! Are you a believer? If not, take action to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

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Wisdom Prayer

Happy New Year! Are You Sealed with the Promise?

Happy New Year! Are You Sealed with the Promise?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who heard the word of truth, believed in Jesus, and were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think how amazing the senses are. Take a moment. Stop and reflect upon your sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight. Think about the first time you heard about Jesus. How many of your senses were involved?

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) describes what happens when believers heard the Good News.

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Have you believed in Jesus? If you have not, consider accepting Jesus as your personal savior now. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart. If you do, you can start the New Year born again.

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, first came upon believers on the day of Pentecost. As the scripture says, the Holy Spirit guarantees believer’s inheritance. As believers,, yours is guaranteed. Rejoice!

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Wisdom Prayer

The Riches of His Grace!

The Riches of His Grace!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are redeemed, forgiven, and recognize the riches of God’s grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Christ died on the cross, we were set free. We have been redeemed from having to repay our own sin debt. All of our sins are forgiven.

Ephesians 1:7-9 (ESV) adds God’s grace to the equation:

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.”

According to the ESV note: “The mystery of God’s will, now revealed in Christ is to ‘unite all things in him.’” God’s grace has been lavished upon us. Praise him!

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Wisdom Prayer

Holy and Blameless!

Holy and Blameless!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know Jesus Christ chose them before the foundation of the world, and that believers should be holy and blameless before You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Writing to the members of the church, Apostle Paul, early in his letter to the Ephesians, included a blessing. He writes in Ephesians 1:3-5 (ESV):

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

Imagine what it is like for an orphan to know they are being adopted. Having a forever family is soon to become a reality. Scripture is clear that believers are adopted into God’s kingdom.

This carries blessings, yet one’s life journey should be holy and blameless. When sin enters in, confess and repent. Turn away from sin and toward God.

Need to make a change? Immediately, take the necessary steps!

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