Tag Archives: prayer

at Jesus' feet

I, the Lord, The First and Last, Have Spoken!

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Isaiah 41 scripture image.

    • What is going on in these verses?
      • Isaiah predicts imminent judgment—but eventual restoration—for the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
      • God will be involved in helping His people when the Babylonian captivity is over. He will remind them that He, the Lord, is the First and the Last. The same truths, in the New Testament, are attributed to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour God. God greatly inspires Israel, His servant. He reminds His people that He has taken them from the ends of the earth, that they are chosen, that they need not fear, and that He is with them to strengthen them, help them, and uphold them. He will hold their right hand against their idolatrous enemies.
      • The extent of these verses is to silence the fears and encourage the faith of the servants of God in their adversities. That is a word of caution, counsel, and comfort, which is so often repeated, Don’t be afraid, fear not. That God will strengthen their hands, that is, will help them: “I will hold your right hand, go hand in hand with you”: He will take us by the hand as our guide, to lead us in our way, will help us up when we are fallen or prevent our falls; when we are weak He will hold us up-wavering, He will fix us-trembling, He will encourage us.
      • He will silence their fears: Saying to you, Fear not. He has said it again and again in His word and has there provided sovereign corrections against fear: but He will go farther; He will by His Spirit say it to their hearts, and make them hear it, and so will help them.
      • Note, God does great things for His people, that He may be taken notice of.
    • What is God’s word saying?
      • For one, I don’t need to be afraid. Second, don’t have idols. Third, trust Him.
      • He is faithful and true to those of us who have Him as our one and only God. He encourages me; and you too, when you have only Him as your God. He reminds me over and over, that I don’t need to fear. Fear is a liar anyway. Lies are from the devil.
      • Finally, I will have faith in God to meet my needs and take care of me and be my guide.
        • When I’m fallen; He will pick me up or prevent my falls.
        • When I’m weak; He will hold me up and be my strength.
        • When I’m wavering (infirm); He will fix (restore) me.
        • When I’m trembling (unsteady); He will encourage (give hope to) me.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for Your sovereignty. Thank You for encouraging me. Thank You for reminding me over and over again that I do not need to fear. I pray that the readers will gain wisdom from You and Your word, as have I. I pray that we’ll do away with the idols and only seek You as our one true God. You are the first and last. The Alpha and Omega. I lift up those in need God. I pray their needs are met. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Pleasing Our God and Savior

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1 Timothy 2 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • Paul wrote to instruct Timothy concerning the care of the church at Ephesus.
    • This is a formal instructive letter that deals mostly with the nature of pastoral conduct.
      • Nothing is more important than to use prayer, this means of grace that gives us access to God. Christians should pray especially for all of those in authority.
      • In urging Timothy to pray, Paul reminded him that God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’. Christ ‘gave himself a ransom for all’ and this involves not only preaching but, praying, which should be done peacefully and faithfully everywhere. The message to preach and to support in prayer is of ‘one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus’.
      • Timothy must’ve taken care that this was done.
    • There must be prayers for ourselves for one; it’s implied. We must also pray for all men, for the world of mankind in general, and for particular people who need or desire our prayers.
    • Our duty as Christians is summed up in two words: godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These two must go together; we’re not truly honest if we’re not godly and don’t render to God His due, and we’re not truly godly if we’re not honest.
    • Prayer consists of various parts, of supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings; because we must pray for the blessings we want, as well as be thankful for blessings already received; and we’re to take to task judgments which our own sins or the sins of others deserved; which means we’re to stop sinning and correct the wickedness of sin.
    • That which is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior we should do, and should be abounding in.
    • One reason why all men are to be prayed for is because there is one God and that God bears a goodwill to all mankind. There is one God and one only, there is no other, there can be no other because there can only be one immortally infinite. There is one Mediator, Jesus, and that Mediator gave Himself a ransom for all.

The design of the Christian religion is to promote prayer; and the disciples of Christ must be praying people. Pray always with all prayer, Ephesians. 6:18.
-Matthew Henry

  • What is God’s word saying?
    • I may not be a preacher or minister to a church body, but I am a women’s ministry leader. I need to be in prayer always.
    • I need to work diligently at not sinning; because I have a Savior who has wiped away sin. I must accept any judgment against my sin.
    • I need to lift up the leaders and pray for them.
    • I praise GOD for sending Jesus, the Messiah, to be my once and for all Savior. He is my Redeemer. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.
    • There’s no special specific cookie cutter prayer… I simply need to include:
      1. praise and worship; devotion
      2. requests
      3. thanksgivings
      4. always end prayer: In Jesus’ name, amen (or some variation of it.)

Prayer: Dear ABBA YAH, I praise and worship You. I ask and lift up my leaders and others who need it. You know them intimately in detail. I do not. I thank  You for placing me in this position and that You use me for Your grand purpose and plan. Thank You for meeting my needs and others. You are awesome and amazing, YAH. I lift up the readers that they will learn from this blog and seek You and be open to You in their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Two Women Journey Together

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  • What is going on in these verses?
    • This book describes the heart-wrenching story of a suffering woman. Naomi (נָעֳמִ֜י, LXX Νωεμίν, meaning my pleasantness or the like), like Job, was a follower of God who endured a bombardment of crises (death of her husband and sons and famine) that left her looking at God from rock bottom. God answered Naomi’s despair through Ruth; Naomi’s foreign-born daughter-in-law displayed God’s sacrificial love that goes far beyond the limits of ordinary human love. Ruth, a Moabite woman, proves to be a model of faithfulness in Israel during the period of the judges. Ruth reminds us that even during the darkest circumstances when doubts about God overwhelm us, God’s love for us is definite.
    • There was a shortage of food in Moab. Naomi heard that food was available in Judah, her homeland. She decided to return. She told her daughters-in-law that they don’t need to go with her. Orpah kissed her goodbye, but Ruth decided to stay loyally with her and to remain with her, even though it means that the chance of remarriage is possibly very little. Upon Naomi’s return, the people of Bethlehem were so dismayed at her wearied and worn-out appearance that they hardly recognized her.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • This teaches me about sacrificial love and loyalty in terms of human relationships, as well as being faithful in dark hard times. Also, God’s love for us is definite.
    • These things are tough to exhibit in today’s day and age with what’s going on in the world. However, as God’s word teaches, anything is possible with God.
    • This story is a parallel, for me, to God’s relationship with us.
    • I need to trust God and sacrifice all the stuff around me and be loyal and faithful to Him and love only Him.
    • I need to be an example of Ruth. In that, also be the example of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for giving us Jesus as our Savior and being the ultimate love sacrifice. I pray that I can be the example of Ruth as I am the example of Jesus. I’m comforted by the certainty of Your love. Show me and use me, I’m all Yours, Yahweh. I lift up the readers here to this same fact. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Trust, Do Good, Delight, & Commit To The Lord

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Psalm 37 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • The Psalms give personal feelings a voice; they are poetry made into songs, not doctrinal writings. The psalmists often were interested in how something felt more than what it meant. Think of the psalms as diary entries; they describe the psalmist’s most intimate interactions with God. The various psalms help us see that God reacts to us in our emotional highs and lows.
    • David was troubled by what seemed to be the success of the wicked. He shared his knowledge to others that God had shown him. God told him not to worry because that ‘only caused harm’. Instead, David must trust in the Lord, to dwell and feed on Him, to delight himself in God, to commit his way to God, to rest in and wait for Him, and to give up the anger and rage. These responses allow a man of God to stand, regardless of the outward situation or inner stress.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • I must trust in the Lord, dwell and feed on Him and His word, delight myself in God, commit my way to God, rest in and wait for God, and give up any anger and rage I feel. These responses will allow me,  a woman of God, to stand, no matter the life situation or inner stress I have.
    • Who’s with me? Comment your response.
    • Do you need prayer? Use the contact form below and send me your prayer request.

Prayer: Dear Father God, help me to trust in You, fully. Show me, as You did with David, so that I may share what I learn with others. I know You don’t do that so much now… But, make Your word stand out to me in a way to be a lesson so others can gain wisdom from You. I pray for those who are under inner and outer stress, who anger and rage about life. Show us that You have it all under control and that You. We have no need to worry. I thank You, God, in Jesus’ name, amen.

No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Stand image

No Weapon Turned Against You Will Succeed

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Isaiah 54 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • The prophet Isaiah knew people who lived double lives—his fellow Israelites—and he shared God’s hatred for their deceitful compromise. Isaiah challenged them to shape up and love God with all their hearts and minds.
    • Isaiah wants his readers to see their hypocrisy and change their ways.
    • In our experience, the mountains and hills seem permanent and unchanging, but the commitment of God to His people will remain when they are gone.
    • Matthew Henry states this:
      Very precious promises are here made to the church in her low condition, that God would not only continue his love to his people under their troubles as before but that he would restore them to their former prosperity, no, that he would raise them to greater prosperity than any they had yet enjoyed. Here we have the humiliation and exaltation of the church; for, if we suffer with him, we shall reign with him.
    • First, God won’t own them  (evildoers), won’t give them either commission or countenance; they gather together, hand joins in hand, but it is not by me (God). God gave them no such order  And so, secondly, their attempt will end in their own ruin.
    • The truth is they have no power but what is given them from above, and he that gave them their power can limit and restrain them.
    • God will protect them from their adversaries both in camps and courts.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • Wow! There’s a lot going on in this scripture. I’m comforted and reassured that God will protect me from evildoers. If I have any hypocrisy, I pray that I repent and turn away and change my ways. So far, so good, though. How about you, reader?
    • I’m also reassured that God’s commitment to me will never go away.
    • I am so thankful for God’s promises to me and His children. I’m indebted and grateful that God provided a savior to redeem me back to Him.

Prayer: Praise You, Father God. Thank You for Your promises, Your grace and mercy, and Your gift of salvation. I pray that lost souls will seek You and know that they also will inherit these things too. I lift up all the ill (physically, mentally, and spiritually), as well as, all the lost souls ruling on the earth who have us in such a turmoil as we scramble to do what we need to do, for You, God. I pray that we, Your children, will be helpers to the widows and orphans who truly need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Holiness of His Great Name

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Ezekiel 36 scripture image

  • What is going on in these verses?
    • Ezekiel wrote this book to the Israelites living in exile. They needed to know that the God of Israel was God even in pagan Babylon. Ezekiel warned the people that their idolatry would be judged. Later, after Jerusalem’s destruction, he wrote to encourage them that God would bring them back to Judah and Jerusalem and restore the temple.
    • God’s holy name is His great name, the Great “I AM”. His holiness is His greatness; so He believed it Himself. Nor does anything make a man truly great but being truly good, and receiving of God’s holiness. God will magnify His name as a holy name, for He will make it holy. When God performs that which He has sworn by His holiness, then he makes His name holy. The effect of this will be very happy. When God proves His own holy name, and His saints praise it, then He is made holy in them, and this contributes to the knowledge of Him being fruitful and spreading it.
    • It is also used as a symbol for the gift of God’s Spirit, in the anointing of kings and priests and in the prophetic call. This rich symbolism connects to baptism in the New Testament.
    • Instead of a heart of stone, unable to respond to God with love and obedience, God will provide a new heart and a new spirit. Note that these come as the result of divine initiation and not human accomplishment.
    • The new spirit would be the Spirit of God transforming those to who He dwells and enables them to obey the law of God.
    • Note, the promise of God’s grace to enable us for our duty should engage and accelerate our constant care and strive to do our duty. God’s promises must drive us to His commands as our rule, and then his commands must send us back to his promises for strength because without his grace we can do nothing.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • Basically, trust God. He knows what He is doing. Obey Him and be blessed. He has already proven His holiness.
    • As I always like to say, “Just Do It!”

Prayer: Thank You, ABBA YAH, for the gift of salvation and Your holy name. You are holy. Praise You. I lift up the ill, spiritually, mentally, and physically. I trust You to meet their needs according to Your will. I lift up this whole world. Your divine plan will be done with or without us. You don’t need any input or effort from us. I pray that we will trust and obey You, GOD! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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HIS Power Is Displayed In The Whirlwind Of The Storm

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Nahum 1 scripture image

  • What is happening in these verses?
    • The theme of Nahum is that he predicts the Lord’s judgment on Nineveh for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry, and wickedness. Nineveh knows not God!
    • God is jealous, vengeful, furious, and wrathful toward His enemies. He is a God of inflexible justice, a jealous God. Although He is ‘slow to anger and great in power’. He will punish the wicked. Just like nature can’t resist His power, man can’t resist His judgment. Deliverance will come to His trusting people, to whom He is a fortress, the darkness of death and destruction will be poured out on His enemies. As Assyria faces judgment, God is working out His redemptive purpose for Judah. Peace will come to His people. In safety from invasion, they will perform their vows and keep God’s appointed feasts.
    • God shows His power through His justice and mercy.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • I better make darn sure my vertical alignment is aligned. With an inflexible justice being served up by God, He does not tolerate wickedness. I’m assured by God’s gift of salvation through His son, Jesus. I’m promised eternity in Heaven for believing on the name of Jesus through faith in Him being my savior.
    • I need to be diligent in sharing the Good News of the Gospel to lost souls, planting those seeds. God will harvest the seeds when the time is right. There’s nothing I, nor anyone, can do to stop God’s power. I need to be an example of Christ in this wicked sinful world. We see all these atrocities going on in the world. Showing love even to my enemies. God will prevail.

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for everything. I pray that we’re ready. Use me for Your good and purpose. I pray for all Your children to be ready. I praise You, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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But You Didn’t Listen To Me

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Judges scripture image

  • What do you see going on in the verses?
    • This scripture involves a conversation between Israel, God, and Gideon. The Israelites were in dire straights and called out to God to help them. God sent Gideon to help them. Gideon wanted proof that it was the LORD. So, he asked the  LORD to stay until he returned from battle. The Lord said, “I will stay here until you return.”
    • The Israelites were rebellious and didn’t listen to God and His instruction. They were paying the price with their consequences. Sound familiar? The whole world is in dire straights right now. No need for details. It’s all over the Internet and on the news outlets. Some skew the info to suit them. “Fake News” is a big thing nowadays. Despite all that, there are problems in the world right now.
    • When will people listen to God and obey Him? It’s just like the old testament all over again. However, nowadays it’s the prophecy being fulfilled. God is in control, just like back then. He will send Jesus this time instead of a human.
  • What is God’s word saying?
    • I better pay attention and listen to obey HIM. I better be ready to share the Gospel at a moment’s notice. I don’t need to go at it using my own steam.  All I need to do is be still and the Holy Spirit will speak. God is always with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. It’s that simple. Just Do It! [Yes, I did! It will always be that.]

Prayer: Dear ABBA YAH, thank You for being so merciful and showing us Your grace. We surely don’t deserve it. Thank You for giving Your son, Jesus, to be our Savior, the Messiah. I pray that we reflect Him in our lives and share the gospel with the lost [planting gospel seeds]. I trust You to meet our needs and that the Holy Spirit will speak instead of us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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A Conversation With Jesus

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John 18 scripture image

How many times have you had a conversation with someone and you were confused and wondering and left asking more questions?

Thomas was having such a conversation with Jesus.

First, Thomas was confused about who Jesus said He was. Second, Thomas was confused about Jesus going away and where Jesus was going.

Jesus was trying to tell the apostles these things. It seemed as if they were being pretty dense about it. Jesus even tried to clarify it with saying again, The Father is me. I’ve been with you a long time, “you still don’t know?”

It’s like trying to explain something to someone who just doesn’t get it when it is very obvious. In some cases, it is not obvious, because the person explaining is being very cryptic in their language. Like it’s a riddle to figure out. In this case, it’s clear and when we focus on God’s word, we see one path in front of us. All we have to do is take it. We don’t need to forge a new path.

Thank You, Father God, for giving us Jesus as our Savior who is at Your side. Be a light into our feet so we can see the path You have made for us. I lift up the ill (physically, mentally, & spiritually). You know their needs and I pray that they will see it’s You who is meeting those needs. I pray that You will get the honor and glory in all things. Break and soften hard hearts so they will sell only You. In Jesus’ make, amen.

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The Good News – Paul’s Prayer – Prt 9

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Romans-1_8-11_14-17 scripture image
[NOTE: Today is Maundy Thursday. Which is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, or mandate, command, law, order to do something, commandment quotation; reflecting Jesus’ words “I give you a new commandment.”]

  • What are the details in these verses?
    • This scripture is a continuation of Paul’s letter that I wrote about in part 8 of this series.
    • The main thing in this scripture is that Paul is praying and thanking God. Paul mentions that he’s thankful that people everywhere are talking about the faith of the Roman Christians. Paul longs to visit them and feels he’s obligated to them.
    • The Gospel (The Good News) is the power of God for the salvation of all believers. Salvation removes destructive powers and negative conditions (God’s wrath; condemnation, power of sin, and grants positive blessings (righteousness, reconciliation, sanctification, justification, and glorification). Since the gospel is powerful and effective, Paul is not ashamed of it and, so, he is obligated to share it with all.
    • In the Gospel (The Good News), a righteousness from God is made known (v.17 The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself—that it begins and ends with faith. As the Scripture says, “But those who are right with God will live by faith.”) This Gospel had been promised in the Old Testament (v.2 God had already promised this Good News through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.) The Law and the Prophets testify to this righteousness from God (3:21 Now, the way to receive God’s approval has been made plain in a way other than the laws in the Scriptures. Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets tell us this.) So the righteousness studied in Romans is the same as that in the Old Testament.
      • Which means, a right relationship and the acts promoting it.
      • God’s righteousness brings salvation and blessing to those who trust in and obey Him.
      • Faithfulness promotes a good relationship, and God’s righteousness includes his faithfulness.
      • God hates sin and is morally pure. So then, those who are in a good relationship with Him should be morally pure.
      • The righteousness of God also refers to God’s character, which is mentioned in Romans Ch. 3.
  • What is God’s word saying in these verses?”
    • Well, let’s see here. The info above is pretty in-depth. I could’ve kept going on and on… However, I feel what I shared above is pretty informative about what the scripture is conveying. The major thing is that I need to be in a right relationship with God and be ready at all times to share The Good News of the Gospel with whoever God puts in my path that He moves the Holy Spirit to speak on my behalf. I need to be a good example of a faithful God-fearing Christian for those to wonder and question why they still live in wickedness and want God’s grace imparted to them as well.
    • I must say, I’m very thankful that the Holy Spirit moves in God’s children so that people everywhere talk about our faith and seek after it also. And for Christians to persevere through the persecution and continue in the faith.
    • We, as God’s children, just need to step out of the way and stop trying to control how The Good News of the Gospel is shared, etc. For those who are blocking God, I mean. Not all of God’s children are a hindrance to the Good News.

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