Tag: heart

Categories
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!

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Serve the Lord with All Your Heart!

Serve the Lord with All Your Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who do not turn aside from following the Lord, and serve the Lord with all their heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

At the conclusion of Samuel’s so-called Farewell Address, the people plead with Samuel to pray for them.

His words of wisdom in Samuel 12:19-25 (ESV) offer important guidance and a warning.

“And all the people said to Samuel, ‘Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’ And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

The people of Israel knew they had done wrong, yet Samuel tells them to “Do not be afraid.” Even with all of the sin, the Lord was not willing to forsake his people.

Are you a situation where you feel you are beyond forgiveness?

Ask the Lord to forgive. If there was hope for the people of Israel, there is hope for the sinner through faith in Christ.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

The Lord Turns a King’s Heart!

The Lord Turns a King’s Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the Lord turns a king’s heart wherever he will.

World leaders are powerful people. They have advisors, security details, supporters, and detractors.

Some think they are in control. But this is not the case.

Proverbs 21:1 (ESV) tells us who is in charge.

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.”

Some people act like kings in the workplace and at home.

Stop thinking political leaders have destiny in their hands.

Rather, acknowledge God!

He is the true power behind the throne. Behind your throne, too.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Acquire and Seek Knowledge!

Acquire and Seek Knowledge!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those with an intelligent heart who acquire knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There are some people who think only of logic, and focus on so-called head knowledge. Then, there are others who consider situations move from their heart. Which are you?

Do you tend to jump to conclusions, or do you listen to all sides before making a decision?

Proverbs 18:15 (ESV) is about an intelligent heart and the ear of the wise.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

In both cases, the aim is the acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge, not as the world gives, but as God gives.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

The Lord Establishes Our Steps!

The Lord Establishes Our Steps!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Perhaps you have a seen a child demanding to have their own way, and throwing a tantrum when they don’t get their way. Some adults are no different. When things don’t turn out the way they want, a man or woman can reacts with an angry outburst.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) is about a man’s plans and how the Lord is involved in their future.

“The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Don’t take steps expecting to always get your way. Avoid the tantrums and outbursts. Rather read Proverb 16:9, and accept that you can have the plans, but the Lord is in control of how things unfold.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Inspect Thoughts?

Inspect Thoughts?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask you to search them, and know their hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are you willing to bear your soul to the Lord? Will you tell him how you really feel?

Psalm 139:17-24 (ESV) gives a glimpse into one who hates those who stand in opposition to God. Then the psalmist invites God to inspect his thoughts and his ways.

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Is it time to ask God to search you and know your heart? Inviting his kind of scrutiny can result in either openness before God or a fear of being discovered. Which is it for you? Are you willing to open yourself to a complete and thorough examination?

Tell me what you think in the comments below.