Category: Wisdom Prayer

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Wisdom Prayer

Merry Christmas: Don’t Forget The Shepherds!

Merry Christmas: Don’t Forget The Shepherds!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who delight when they see the birth of Christ from the perspective of the shepherds. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The main character of any nativity scene is Jesus. Jesus was born, but the routine of those watching sheep by night was about to be changed.

There are shepherds in Christmas plays, nativity sets often include a shepherd, and outside Christmas nativity scenes can have a shepherd or two.

Luke 2:8-20 describes the part shepherds play as holy events unfold when Jesus was born.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

In this section of Scripture we see shepherds go from being out in the field to glorifying and praising God.

Ponder the change these shepherds experienced and try to visualize you in their place.

Next time you see a shepherd, glorify and praise God like those shepherds at the time of Christ’s birth.

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Wisdom Prayer

Support Missionaries!

Support Missionaries!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who serve as senders and support missionaries. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One church denomination relies on an annual offering to support their missionaries. Other churches make different arrangements. However funds are raised for these part-time and full-time workers, the funds and the people play an important part in spreading the Gospel.

Third John 7-8 (ESV) confirms the appropriateness of providing financial support.

“For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Ever been offered an opportunity to support a missionary? If so, come alongside them with prayer and financial support. If not, seek out an individual or organization and donate. Check faith-based organization’s credibility to see if they belong to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

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Wisdom Prayer

Christ Is The Cornerstone!

Christ Is The Cornerstone!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know Christ is the cornerstone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In architecture, the cornerstone of a building is significant. All of the other stones that will make up the building are aligned to it. Placing a cornerstone often takes on a ceremonial meaning and is accompanied by some fanfare.

First Peter 2:4-6 (ESV) is not written about the cornerstone of a building. It is written about Christ.

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Christ is the cornerstone! Believers are living stones. With Christ as the cornerstone, all things are possible.

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Wisdom Prayer

Love Casts Out Fear!

Love Casts Out Fear!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know that perfect love casts out fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Fear can cause many reactions. Some freeze. Others become excited. Then there are those who react violently. Fear should not be trivialized.

Scripture acknowledges that love and fear exist. Yet, what Scripture says about the combination of fear and love gives a different perspective. The author of 1 John 4:17-18 (NIV) says,

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

The next time fear strikes – stop. Realize how powerful God is. He is in control. Counter fear with love!

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Wisdom Prayer

Greater Is He Who Is In You!

Greater Is He Who Is In You!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Believers know there are forces that oppose Christ. Scripture includes a discussion of the antichrist, but the spirit of the antichrist is no match when compared with the Spirit of God.

When the author of the book of 1 John uses the term “little children,” he is addressing believers. First John 4:2-4 (ESV) tells us,

“By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

These verses distinguish between those who confess Christ and those who stand in opposition.

Believers: I tell you to have confidence because you know who is greater.

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Wisdom Prayer

Test the Spirits?

Test the Spirits?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom as believers test the spirits. In Jesus’ name, amen.

At the time of the early church, the truth of the Gospel taught by the apostles competed with false teachers spewing false doctrines. Because of these heresies, some of the faithful were pulled away. Fortunately, the epistles countered many of these attacks.

1 John 4:1 (ESV) provides a warning:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

Pray to discern the truth. In matters of faith, don’t let a preacher’s or teacher’s personality and charisma become blinding.

Bank tellers are taught to detect counterfeits by handling real currency.

Know the real truth. Know your Bible!

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