Tag: wisdom

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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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Wisdom Prayer

Are You a Child of God?

Are You a Child of God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for believers who see themselves as children of God. In Jesus name, amen.

Neil Anderson’s Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ includes a list entitled “Who Am I?” When a believer realizes who he or she is in Christ, it can be life changing. John 1:12 (ESV) says,

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

First John 3:1 (ESV) includes a verse that supports this:

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Be empowered and encouraged to know that as a believer, it is not enough to survive. Thrive! Because you have been adopted, and it is time to live life knowing you are part of the family of God.

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