Teach Me To Pray by Andrew Murray
"After worshiping God in prayer with praise and thanksgiving, prepare yourself for intercessory prayer by waiting on God in meditative, prayerful Bible study. Read a few verses from the Bible. You will have material enough from the Word. Prayerful study of the Bible is indispensable for powerful prayer."
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Even if He Doesn't
Daniel 3:14-18
"Nebuchadnezzar said to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?' Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.'"
About 2600 years ago, three brave men made their decision to worship God. Although these three men have faith that their God is able to save them, they were resolved to worship Him even if it means death by the fiery furnace. They were not willing to give their worship to anyone else! What an incredible amount of faith!
However, these three men were not the only ones who had such resolution to worship God. Abraham resolved to worship God and was willing to sacrifice his one and only son, Issac; Moses resolved to worship God and was willing suffer with his people although he could have enjoyed the richness of the Egyptian Kingdom; David chose to worship God and placed his faith in Him when David faced Goliath despite the possibility of losing his life as a young lad. The disciples of Jesus were resolved to worship God even in the midst of persecution. The people of God worshiped Him despite the circumstances that surround them!
Often times when we read about these stories, we feel inspired to live a life to worship God. We feel the passion stirring within us to worship Him. Yet, in reality our passion just fades away too soon. What kind of experience did these people have which allowed them to live such radical lives? How did they become such persevering worshipers? Namely this: "...Though overwhelmed by many troubles, [a persevering worshiper] is overwhelmed even more by the beauty of God."-Matt Redman, The Unquenchable Worshipper
Though suffering, these people were able to worship God because they have experienced God Himself. They were able to withstand trials and suffering because they were overwhelmed even more by the beauty and worthiness of God Himself! They chose to worship God because God is worthy and bigger than all that they are facing!
In our society today, we all face a similar situation that those persevering worshipers face, namely our decision to worship God. "Situations change for better and for worse, but God's worth never changes." We must choose for ourselves whom we want to worship today! Yet, just like those who have gone before us, our worship must be fueled by the revelation of God Himself. Therefore, don't give up in seeking God in your quiet time and devotions! Be prayerful always!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -- Hebrews 12:1-2
"Nebuchadnezzar said to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?' Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.'"
About 2600 years ago, three brave men made their decision to worship God. Although these three men have faith that their God is able to save them, they were resolved to worship Him even if it means death by the fiery furnace. They were not willing to give their worship to anyone else! What an incredible amount of faith!
However, these three men were not the only ones who had such resolution to worship God. Abraham resolved to worship God and was willing to sacrifice his one and only son, Issac; Moses resolved to worship God and was willing suffer with his people although he could have enjoyed the richness of the Egyptian Kingdom; David chose to worship God and placed his faith in Him when David faced Goliath despite the possibility of losing his life as a young lad. The disciples of Jesus were resolved to worship God even in the midst of persecution. The people of God worshiped Him despite the circumstances that surround them!
Often times when we read about these stories, we feel inspired to live a life to worship God. We feel the passion stirring within us to worship Him. Yet, in reality our passion just fades away too soon. What kind of experience did these people have which allowed them to live such radical lives? How did they become such persevering worshipers? Namely this: "...Though overwhelmed by many troubles, [a persevering worshiper] is overwhelmed even more by the beauty of God."-Matt Redman, The Unquenchable Worshipper
Though suffering, these people were able to worship God because they have experienced God Himself. They were able to withstand trials and suffering because they were overwhelmed even more by the beauty and worthiness of God Himself! They chose to worship God because God is worthy and bigger than all that they are facing!
In our society today, we all face a similar situation that those persevering worshipers face, namely our decision to worship God. "Situations change for better and for worse, but God's worth never changes." We must choose for ourselves whom we want to worship today! Yet, just like those who have gone before us, our worship must be fueled by the revelation of God Himself. Therefore, don't give up in seeking God in your quiet time and devotions! Be prayerful always!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -- Hebrews 12:1-2
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Beauty in the Eyes of God
To my Christian sisters,
I was just having some thoughts on beauty today, and I think that it would be interesting to share with all of you.
Have you frequently asked yourself in front of the mirror: “Do I look beautiful today? Is my hair looking okay? Are my clothes matching?” Then, you walk out of the door, catching a lady with her hair perfectly done, dresses in designed outfit, wears high heels and looking gorgeous. And you ask yourself again: “I wish I look just like that girl.”
I don’t know much about your situation, but I have been there. Before I came to know Christ, I was always insecure about myself. I defined what beauty is about by looking at models that are 6 feet tall, extremely thin in magazines. Surprisingly, I can still be beautiful without meeting those standards. What else can I ask for since God has given me this life on earth to know my wonderful parents, and my fellow friends with my own eyes. What else can I ask for since God has given me these legs to walk to wherever he calling me for. What else can I ask for since God has given me these hands which bring happiness when I help a person.
1 Peter 3:3-4 says: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” How amazing is that what determines beauty is our personality and characteristics instead of whether we look like a model.
There are so many perspectives on beauty, but ours is shaped by God and his teachings. Therefore, we should not let the world affect how we see our beauty and how we honor God.
--Mai Dang
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Praying to Please God
"And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will."
--Hebrews 13:20
Surely this benediction , prayed for all of us, teaches us in a very practical way both how to pray and how to be prayed for.
--Hebrews 13:20
Surely this benediction , prayed for all of us, teaches us in a very practical way both how to pray and how to be prayed for.
Monday, September 26, 2011
9/26/2011
Brother Lawrence was a simple monk whose job it was to wash the dishes of the monastery. However, he figured out bring glory to God and enjoy deep fellowship with Him while doing even menial labor. Brother Lawrence once wrote, "In the way of God, thoughts count for little, love is everything. nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. We can do little things for God....It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God." I wish I had Brother Lawrence's attitude about straw-picking up!
Brother Lawrence shared his secret, writing, "How very much shorter and easier it is to do our common business purely for the love of God, to set his consecrating mark on all we lay hands to, and thereby foster the sense of His abiding presence by constant communion of our heart with His!...my only business is to live as though there were none but He and I in the world."
Brother Lawrence figured out how to practically live out a life-changing principle: There is no greater satisfaction than a life lived solely for God's glory. He understood what Paul meant when he wrote, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17) It is so freeing to know that what I do matters little compared to how I do it. I encourage you who are reading this to cultivate an attitude which resembles Christ's, who, as Paul wrote, "..humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!"(Phil 2:8). If we are able to cloak all our actions with Christ-like humility and love, Paul says that we will "shine among them like stars in the sky" (Phil 2:15). What better way to share Christ's love with the world?
Luke
Brother Lawrence shared his secret, writing, "How very much shorter and easier it is to do our common business purely for the love of God, to set his consecrating mark on all we lay hands to, and thereby foster the sense of His abiding presence by constant communion of our heart with His!...my only business is to live as though there were none but He and I in the world."
Brother Lawrence figured out how to practically live out a life-changing principle: There is no greater satisfaction than a life lived solely for God's glory. He understood what Paul meant when he wrote, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17) It is so freeing to know that what I do matters little compared to how I do it. I encourage you who are reading this to cultivate an attitude which resembles Christ's, who, as Paul wrote, "..humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!"(Phil 2:8). If we are able to cloak all our actions with Christ-like humility and love, Paul says that we will "shine among them like stars in the sky" (Phil 2:15). What better way to share Christ's love with the world?
Luke
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