Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

Building with Care?

Building with Care?

Dear Lord, I pray for those who, like Apostle Paul, build on the foundation of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Some believers regularly share the Gospel. Others come alongside new believers and disciple them. Know anyone doing these things?

Apostle Paul considered himself like a skilled master builder when he laid what he called the foundation.

He writes in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV): “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Take care how you speak into others’ lives. Be bold. Share. Establish foundations. Build with care on others’ foundations in Christ.

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Wisdom Prayer

Claiming To Be wise?

Claiming To Be wise?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who choose to rely on God’s wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Obtaining wisdom without God has become an end in and of itself.

Secular books, courses, and retreats all claim to teach the way to do it.

Do not be deceived by false teachers who rely on worldly wisdom!

In 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (NLT), Paul denies the worldly wisdom when he says, “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit.It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

Walk in Spiritual wisdom and discernment. Beware of false teachers. Stop relying on the world’s wisdom.

Let me know what you think below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Relying on Your Ability?

Relying on Your Ability?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who rely too much on themselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Apostle Paul was well educated. Even so, he refused to rely solely on his own ability when he shared the truth of the Gospel. Nor did he want to rely on the wisdom of the world. Rather, when he was sharing about God’s truth, it was all Jesus.

He declares in 1 Corinthians 2:2 (ESV): “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Some cultures emphasize self-reliance. And that can sometimes be a good thing. But it may be time to stop relying on ourselves and worldly wisdom when it comes to sharing Jesus. Do like Paul the next time an opportunity arises to discuss eternal matters: focus on Jesus and him crucified.

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Wisdom Prayer

Who Do You Obey?

Who Do You Obey?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who want to obey God rather than men. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do you obey authority figures, family members, or others in your life? Is God on the list?

Peter and the apostles were arrested and put in prison. We pick up the story in Acts 5:19-21 (ESV): “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.”

When the authorities went to the prison to get them, they were gone. When discovered in the temple, the apostles were brought before the high priest and the council and questioned. Verses 28-29 record what was said: “‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”

Would you be so bold as to proclaim the same? If so, say it out loud.

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Wisdom Prayer

Selecting Church Leaders?

Selecting Church Leaders?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those involved in choosing church leaders. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The early church was about to replace Judas, the traitor. The choice was between two men. Both had been with Jesus. Both were known to the disciples. Acts 1:23-26 (ESV) records:

“And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

God knows each of us.

He has plans for us.

Opportunity could arise at any time. Be ready when you are called to lead.

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Wisdom Prayer

Facing Difficult Circumstances?

Facing Difficult Circumstances?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who want to do all things through Christ’s strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where do we get strength?

The Apostle Paul would say that God provides strength. When he writes in Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT), we get a glimpse of his story: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

Yet, in verse 13, he gives credit to God. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Assess every situation. Is it awful, or is it full of opportunity? Is it somewhere in between?

Trust Christ to give you the strength necessary to get through whatever it is. Don’t give up!

Tell me what you think below.