Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

Put On the New Self?

Put On the New Self?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know it is important to put on the new self. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Christians who accept Jesus at a very young age are fortunate. Some grow up following Jesus and never fall away. For others there is a distinction between the way a person acts before accepting Christ and how they act after their conversion. In some cases the change can be dramatic.

Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:20-24 (ESV) writes about life before and after accepting Christ.

“But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Don’t belabor the past. Concentrate on renewal, putting on the new self, and becoming more Christ-like. Your story can draw others to God, so share about how developing a personal relationship with Christ has transformed your life.

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Wisdom Prayer

Do You Hear God’s Call?

Do You Hear God’s Call?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are called by God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I occasionally listen to The Christy Wright Show podcasts. She is affiliated with Dave Ramsey, a radio personality known for his book, The Total Money Makeover.

Christy was recently sharing ideas about the two types of calling: She said there are those who are called to work in a particular profession. Then there are those who are called by God to live through a particular season of life. Although both can be God’s call, the latter can take on great significance for believers.

Apostle Paul writing in Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) says,
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

These verses provide guidance for walking through work and also the various seasons of life. To be humble, gentle, patient, loving, and having a spirit of unity in the bond of peace can immediately change one’s perspective. Instead of living a life of drudgery at work or just getting by during a difficult season of life, God can walk along side of you on your journey.

Take on the attributes listed in Ephesians 4, so you can best be used by God.

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Wisdom Prayer

Who Gets the Glory?

Who Gets the Glory?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those willing to say, “To God be the glory.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

I was teaching English in South Korea the summer of 2012.

My adult students had been studying about missions and practicing their English pronunciation. After a month of intensive study, it was graduation day.

The keynote speaker was dynamic, and it was the first time I heard Ephesians 3:20-21:

The English Standard Version says,
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

This verse was a wonderful reminder of the power at work within us. Even if life is hard, I urge you to look around for the abundance of blessings in your life and in the lives of others.

Give God the glory for all he has done and will continue to do.

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Wisdom Prayer

Reach Out to Strangers?

Reach Out to Strangers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know they are members of the household of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When was the last time you saw a movie or television show about the Old West?

A common plot is when a stranger comes to town, and the town’s people are suspicious. Some locals question the new person’s character while others express misgivings about accepting the new arrival.

Some parts of the country remain like the Old West. Many people are leery about associating with strangers.

Ever felt like a stranger? Fear not. The words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) are comforting for believers:

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

I know a man who coordinates a food giveaway program. Unlike the suspicious townspeople, he embraces strangers and is open to helping anyone. Through his words and actions he introduces unbelievers to the love of his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers: Remember you are part of the household of God. Reach out to strangers.

Share about Jesus.

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Wisdom Prayer

Eternal Life?

Eternal Life?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know God gave us eternal life in his Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Some of the ways other religions describe what happens upon death include “to be reincarnated” or “to reach nirvana.” But for believers and followers of Jesus, there is a different testimony.

It appears in 1 John 5:11 (ESV):
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

Eternal life is God’s gift for believers, and it is not the same as that offered by Eastern religions.

False gods are not Christ’s equal.

Remember what was said in John 14:6 (ESV):
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Think of it – Eternal Life!

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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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