I saw this yesterday and I must say, I was convicted. Yes, I pray for my husband but do I pray the right things? Not always. This is a great reminder to all of us married girls.
10 Ways to Pray for Your Husband
I Pray . . . for my husband's relationship with God.
I Pray . . . that God would bless my husband.
I Pray . . . for my husband to be the spiritual leader of our family.
I Pray . . . for my husband to love me deeply.
I Pray . . . for my husband to have a heart for his children.
I Pray . . . for my husband to make wise choices.
I Pray . . . for my husband's emotional, mental and physical health.
I Pray . . . for my husband to prosper at work.
I Pray . . . for my husband's power to resist sexual temptation.
I Pray . . . that I will show my husband respect, grace and kindness.
Showing posts with label Being with Him. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being with Him. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Promised Land Living
Updates: I didn't go to Unicoi yesterday. I stayed right here where it was only 29 degrees for the high and the wind chill was in the single digits. Oh, at the cold. When I called up to Unicoi yesterday morning to let them know I needed to reschedule, I asked the young lady who answered the phone how the roads where. When she answered, "I really don't know. I didn't go home last night, it was just safer for me to stay here at the Lodge," I knew I had made the right decision.
Yesterday afternoon I marched myself right into Wolf Camera and had multiple copies of our family photo made for yes, you guessed it, our Christmas cards. So, as of 10:00 this morning, I will have a zillion copies of a family picture that none of us are really crazy about but that's okay. Later in the day I went to Family Christian Store and got the cards. I walked around and around that card display until I was dizzy and finally yelled to myself "MAKE A DECISION ALREADY." Just to myself, not out loud. So, if I can continue in this semi-motivated vein, I might get a Christmas card or two out this year. That remains to be seen.
One a a more serious note . . . During my quiet time, I've been doing Priscilla Shirer's study, "One in a Million" and oh, at the good. The basic thought is that we need to be doing some Promised Land Living in Christ. Of the two million Israelites that were in oppression in Egypt for 370+ years, TWO made it to the Promised Land of Canaan. TWO. That's one in a million. For the Israelites to obtain freedom from Egyptian bondage, they had to trust in God-empowered Moses as their deliverer. Just as we have to trust in Jesus as our deliverer from our sin.
There is a difference between being free in Christ and living free in Christ. If we are believers, we have been granted freedom. God gives believers in Christ positional sanctification. This means we have a position of "set-apartness," holiness and righteousness that cannot be manipulated or altered. Nothing can be done to remove a true believer from this position. But this cannot be the end goal for someone determined to live in the freedom of Christ.
"It was for freedom that Christ sets us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
So here is the question to be answered: am I living a lifestyle of freedom? Rest assured, the Enemy want to keep us from living free. He is working against us, so we must work through a process that requires obedience and yieldedness to God . . . everyday.
Now listen closely to this: Being declared free gives us eternal freedom but walking in it gives us daily freedom. It's that daily dying to our fleshly ole selves and submitting to what God desires. I believe to some extent we are all entangled in some sort of bondage and the fact is in some areas, we may not be fully aware of it. To truly live free, we've got to search our hearts and ask God to reveal those areas where we aren't living that full and abundant life He desires for us. There is only one way to promised land living and that is obedience to the only One who can unshackle us from the curse and consequence of sin. He is our Ultimate Deliverer and . . .
He is the Prince of Peace
He is the King of Kings
He is the Lord of Lords
He is the Everlasting Father
He is the Wonderful Counselor
He is the Faithful and True
He is the Light of the World
He is the Redeemer of All Nations
He is the Rock and Salvation
He is the Ancient of Days
He is the Alpha and Omega
He is the One Who Was, Who Is and Is To Come
Amen and Amen!
Yesterday afternoon I marched myself right into Wolf Camera and had multiple copies of our family photo made for yes, you guessed it, our Christmas cards. So, as of 10:00 this morning, I will have a zillion copies of a family picture that none of us are really crazy about but that's okay. Later in the day I went to Family Christian Store and got the cards. I walked around and around that card display until I was dizzy and finally yelled to myself "MAKE A DECISION ALREADY." Just to myself, not out loud. So, if I can continue in this semi-motivated vein, I might get a Christmas card or two out this year. That remains to be seen.
One a a more serious note . . . During my quiet time, I've been doing Priscilla Shirer's study, "One in a Million" and oh, at the good. The basic thought is that we need to be doing some Promised Land Living in Christ. Of the two million Israelites that were in oppression in Egypt for 370+ years, TWO made it to the Promised Land of Canaan. TWO. That's one in a million. For the Israelites to obtain freedom from Egyptian bondage, they had to trust in God-empowered Moses as their deliverer. Just as we have to trust in Jesus as our deliverer from our sin.
There is a difference between being free in Christ and living free in Christ. If we are believers, we have been granted freedom. God gives believers in Christ positional sanctification. This means we have a position of "set-apartness," holiness and righteousness that cannot be manipulated or altered. Nothing can be done to remove a true believer from this position. But this cannot be the end goal for someone determined to live in the freedom of Christ.
"It was for freedom that Christ sets us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
So here is the question to be answered: am I living a lifestyle of freedom? Rest assured, the Enemy want to keep us from living free. He is working against us, so we must work through a process that requires obedience and yieldedness to God . . . everyday.
Now listen closely to this: Being declared free gives us eternal freedom but walking in it gives us daily freedom. It's that daily dying to our fleshly ole selves and submitting to what God desires. I believe to some extent we are all entangled in some sort of bondage and the fact is in some areas, we may not be fully aware of it. To truly live free, we've got to search our hearts and ask God to reveal those areas where we aren't living that full and abundant life He desires for us. There is only one way to promised land living and that is obedience to the only One who can unshackle us from the curse and consequence of sin. He is our Ultimate Deliverer and . . .
He is the Prince of Peace
He is the King of Kings
He is the Lord of Lords
He is the Everlasting Father
He is the Wonderful Counselor
He is the Faithful and True
He is the Light of the World
He is the Redeemer of All Nations
He is the Rock and Salvation
He is the Ancient of Days
He is the Alpha and Omega
He is the One Who Was, Who Is and Is To Come
Amen and Amen!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
From Generation to Generation - Part II
What about this question. “What is your dream or desire for your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?”
A life of bondage to sin? A life of mediocrity? A life of no service to others? A life without true passion for God? A life without God’s purpose at the center of their lives? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I will never, ever stop praying for just the opposite for my children. I can be the generation that changes generations to come. I can be the generation that shows what true love, passion and authenticity for Christ look like.
This is #2 of what I call God’s “Top Ten List” (The Ten Commandments): “You shall not bow down to them (idols) or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6)
Sidenote: “punishing” the children for the sin of the fathers. The KJV says “visiting” which is more reflective of the original Hebrew. The original word means “inspect, review, number . . .” God does not punish children for their parent’s sins (Ezekiel 18). However, the sins of the fathers do have an impact. We have to be very careful what kind of seeds we are sowing.
Look back at this verse. How many generations suffer from the sins of the fathers? 3rd and 4th.
How many generations benefit from one who loves God and is obedient to His commands? 1000s.
We might think God harsh because of His allowances to the third and fourth generations of those who are unfaithful but look at His blessings on future generations of the faithful. God is clearly more gracious in His blessings than in His chastisements. Do you realize that your walk with God could affect great numbers of future generations?
“The little slice of time God offers each generation is a trust. Those before us who were not faithful with their trust will be held accountable but we’re still here. We still have a chance to positively affect the generations that follow us.” (Breaking Free by Beth Moore)
We cannot be so self centered that we think we are the only generation that matters! Clearly, that is not the truth. Our culture has perfected self-centeredness. Let’s not be swept into that tidal wave. Let’s not let that vast ocean of lies consume us. So what do we do? Let’s just do our part for one generation and let Him to His for a thousand.
So please dear friends, let’s make a pact today to pray diligently for the ones God has entrusted to us. I’m not sure we can fully understand the impact we can have on the generations to come.
I’ll leave you with two questions to ponder:
1. In what ways are you allowing the next generation to see authenticity in your life?
2. Given your inner circle of influence, how can you impact them profoundly and intentionally for Christ?
This could change the lives of generations to come.
A life of bondage to sin? A life of mediocrity? A life of no service to others? A life without true passion for God? A life without God’s purpose at the center of their lives? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I will never, ever stop praying for just the opposite for my children. I can be the generation that changes generations to come. I can be the generation that shows what true love, passion and authenticity for Christ look like.
This is #2 of what I call God’s “Top Ten List” (The Ten Commandments): “You shall not bow down to them (idols) or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6)
Sidenote: “punishing” the children for the sin of the fathers. The KJV says “visiting” which is more reflective of the original Hebrew. The original word means “inspect, review, number . . .” God does not punish children for their parent’s sins (Ezekiel 18). However, the sins of the fathers do have an impact. We have to be very careful what kind of seeds we are sowing.
Look back at this verse. How many generations suffer from the sins of the fathers? 3rd and 4th.
How many generations benefit from one who loves God and is obedient to His commands? 1000s.
We might think God harsh because of His allowances to the third and fourth generations of those who are unfaithful but look at His blessings on future generations of the faithful. God is clearly more gracious in His blessings than in His chastisements. Do you realize that your walk with God could affect great numbers of future generations?
“The little slice of time God offers each generation is a trust. Those before us who were not faithful with their trust will be held accountable but we’re still here. We still have a chance to positively affect the generations that follow us.” (Breaking Free by Beth Moore)
We cannot be so self centered that we think we are the only generation that matters! Clearly, that is not the truth. Our culture has perfected self-centeredness. Let’s not be swept into that tidal wave. Let’s not let that vast ocean of lies consume us. So what do we do? Let’s just do our part for one generation and let Him to His for a thousand.
So please dear friends, let’s make a pact today to pray diligently for the ones God has entrusted to us. I’m not sure we can fully understand the impact we can have on the generations to come.
I’ll leave you with two questions to ponder:
1. In what ways are you allowing the next generation to see authenticity in your life?
2. Given your inner circle of influence, how can you impact them profoundly and intentionally for Christ?
This could change the lives of generations to come.
Monday, March 29, 2010
From Generation to Generation - Part I
Something has been on my heart of late and I just can’t seem to shake it. Listen to what Psalm 78 says:
1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-
3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their forefathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Two immensely important facts float to the surface in these eight verses:
1. Every generation has a new opportunity to exert positive influence. No matter what atrocity has taken place in your family line, God can raise up a new generation and turn the cycle in the direction of godly seed.
2. Between every unfaithful generation and faithful generation is one person determined to change. Maybe you would like to be a link that takes your family line from an unfulfilling life of religion to a passionate life of relationship with Christ. (from Breaking Free by Beth Moore)
Each generation has the power to break the family line of whatever sort of sin it has endured. Whatever that may be, we can be the generation that breaks free of that bondage. We can be the generation that teaches our children what a passionate relationship with Christ looks like. We can live daily in His power through prayer, trust and obedience to Him and His Word. We can be absolutely sure that God’s will for us is to give way to godly seed in our families.
“Among the most treasured gifts we could pass down to the next generation is authenticity. We accomplish little good when we praise the deeds of the Lord, but we live lives inconsistent with His Truth.”
Oh, how I want to be authentic. I don’t want to walk around with some sort of mask on hiding the real me and the real God. Believe me, I’ve done that before and I am done with it! Plain and simple, it’s exhausting. I so want my theology to meet head on with my reality. Every. Single. Day.
1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-
3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their forefathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Two immensely important facts float to the surface in these eight verses:
1. Every generation has a new opportunity to exert positive influence. No matter what atrocity has taken place in your family line, God can raise up a new generation and turn the cycle in the direction of godly seed.
2. Between every unfaithful generation and faithful generation is one person determined to change. Maybe you would like to be a link that takes your family line from an unfulfilling life of religion to a passionate life of relationship with Christ. (from Breaking Free by Beth Moore)
Each generation has the power to break the family line of whatever sort of sin it has endured. Whatever that may be, we can be the generation that breaks free of that bondage. We can be the generation that teaches our children what a passionate relationship with Christ looks like. We can live daily in His power through prayer, trust and obedience to Him and His Word. We can be absolutely sure that God’s will for us is to give way to godly seed in our families.
“Among the most treasured gifts we could pass down to the next generation is authenticity. We accomplish little good when we praise the deeds of the Lord, but we live lives inconsistent with His Truth.”
Oh, how I want to be authentic. I don’t want to walk around with some sort of mask on hiding the real me and the real God. Believe me, I’ve done that before and I am done with it! Plain and simple, it’s exhausting. I so want my theology to meet head on with my reality. Every. Single. Day.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Our Husbands
While catching up on some blog reading last night, I came across this most beautiful prayer for our husbands. This is a prayer of Scripture this woman is committing to praying everyday of 2010 for her husband. She is doing the same for her children with a similar prayer. I am most inspired. I just couldn't resist sharing it with you. To say I pray for my husband - yes. To say I pray a Scripture prayer like this - no. I plan to copy this into my prayer journal. I want to give credit where credit is due so please feel free to visit her website for more amazing insights.
http://www.brookemcglothlin.com/
While you are lifting up your man, I'd like to ask you to please remember the husband of one of my best buddies. He is leaving for Honduras in the very near future to serve as part of a medical team in an orphanage there. Please pray for his protection and provision.
"Lord, create in my husband a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. Help him to abide in You and You in him. Turn his heart toward his children and the hearts of his children to him. Thank you for Him Lord. For allowing me to rest in Your provision of him as my husband. May he desire to be like You; merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. As he believes in You, may he be established. Continue to empower him to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with his God. I give thanks for him lord, and pray that You would give him a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, that he may always know what is the hope to which he has been called, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward your believers. Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow You. May Christ dwell richly in his heart through faith. May he, being rooted and grounded in love, have strength with all the saints to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May Your grace be sufficient for him and Your power made perfect in his weakness. May he walk not in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but rather delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Answer him when he calls, O God, be gracious and hear his prayers. Let him take refuge in You and give thanks to You with his whole heart. May he recount all of Your wonderful deeds, be glad and exult in You...sing praise to Your Name. May he fear You Lord, and thus find wisdom. Let him walk in the way of insight. May he love the Lord his God with all of his heart and all his soul and all his might. May You bless him and keep him and make Your face shine upon him, and be gracious to him, O Lord my God."
(Scripture references: Psalm 51:10, John 15:4, Malachi 4:5-6, Psalm 86:15, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 1:17-19, Luke 9:23, Ephesians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 7:1, Psalm 9:1-2, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Numbers 6:24)
http://www.brookemcglothlin.com/
While you are lifting up your man, I'd like to ask you to please remember the husband of one of my best buddies. He is leaving for Honduras in the very near future to serve as part of a medical team in an orphanage there. Please pray for his protection and provision.
"Lord, create in my husband a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. Help him to abide in You and You in him. Turn his heart toward his children and the hearts of his children to him. Thank you for Him Lord. For allowing me to rest in Your provision of him as my husband. May he desire to be like You; merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. As he believes in You, may he be established. Continue to empower him to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with his God. I give thanks for him lord, and pray that You would give him a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, that he may always know what is the hope to which he has been called, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward your believers. Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow You. May Christ dwell richly in his heart through faith. May he, being rooted and grounded in love, have strength with all the saints to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May Your grace be sufficient for him and Your power made perfect in his weakness. May he walk not in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but rather delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Answer him when he calls, O God, be gracious and hear his prayers. Let him take refuge in You and give thanks to You with his whole heart. May he recount all of Your wonderful deeds, be glad and exult in You...sing praise to Your Name. May he fear You Lord, and thus find wisdom. Let him walk in the way of insight. May he love the Lord his God with all of his heart and all his soul and all his might. May You bless him and keep him and make Your face shine upon him, and be gracious to him, O Lord my God."
(Scripture references: Psalm 51:10, John 15:4, Malachi 4:5-6, Psalm 86:15, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 1:17-19, Luke 9:23, Ephesians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 7:1, Psalm 9:1-2, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Numbers 6:24)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Going Deeper
Our pastor can do some fine preaching let me tell you. He is in the book of Galatians, chapter 1. The subject: going deep. The desperate need for the church of Jesus Christ today: for each of us to go deeper with God. So how do we do that? By spending periods of time in solitude, quietness and obscurity with our Savior. Have you done that lately? Have you just gone away with God? no distractions, no phones, email, or tv, - just gone to a quiet place to be with Him. If not, I challenge you to plan it today. Be intentional about it because if you’re not, it won’t happen. Put it on your calendar just like you would any other appointment or meeting you might have. Carve out some time with Him! He will honor it!
Next Saturday I am going to do exactly this. I will be headed up to a quiet place – cows, chickens, and the occasional rooster will be my only distraction – to spend time with God. Just me and Him. I can hardly wait! I know He has something for me. Take a look at your calendar and schedule a meeting with Him today!
Next Saturday I am going to do exactly this. I will be headed up to a quiet place – cows, chickens, and the occasional rooster will be my only distraction – to spend time with God. Just me and Him. I can hardly wait! I know He has something for me. Take a look at your calendar and schedule a meeting with Him today!
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