Tag: in Jesus’ name

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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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Wisdom Prayer

Do You Know Your Inheritance?

Do You Know Your Inheritance?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know they have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and kept in heaven for them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When the newspapers announce a famous person has died and left an enormous estate worth millions, people take notice. Who are the beneficiaries? What will the heirs do with all that money?

The news of what inheritance believers and followers of Jesus get should be on the front page! It is truly amazing and revealed in 1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV):

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Knowing the faithful will be beneficiaries and heirs, and will inherit something worth more than all the millions, rejoice and again I say rejoice!

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Wisdom Prayer

Is All Well With Your Soul?

Is All Well With Your Soul?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know all is well with their soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The famous song “It Is Well with My Soul” was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873.

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.

This song was written by a man who lost his four children when their ship sank in the Atlantic. His wife, Anne, survived. When Spafford was on his way to join his wife, he learned where the ship went down. That is when he wrote the words that Philip P. Bliss put to music in 1876.

Consider what the author of 3 John 2-4 (ESV) writes:

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

May things go well with your soul. Troubled? In need? Turn to Christ! Open God’s holy and inspired word. Seek and you shall find.

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Wisdom Prayer

Doxology!

Doxology!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who want to give you all praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Often Bibles will preview a section of scripture with the word “Doxology.” According to the New American Standard Dictionary it is “A liturgical formula of praise to God.” One of the most famous doxologies was written by Thomas Ken: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.”

Note how Jude concludes his letter in verses 24-25 (NIV):

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

We should be praising God throughout each day and forevermore. Why wait? Start praising God now!

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Wisdom Prayer

Are You Imitating Good or Evil?

Are You Imitating Good or Evil?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those believers who know that whoever does good is from God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think of some good things people can do: helping others in need; encouraging others; or coming alongside a struggling brother or sister. All these can be acts of kindness and affirmation of others.

The author of 3 John 1:11 (ESV), writing to believers, says,

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

How do your actions align with this verse? Do you have the inclination to do the work of the Lord? Do you run from doing evil.

Perhaps it is time to have a “Come to Jesus” moment. Is it time to dedicate or rededicate your life to Jesus?

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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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