Search Results for: praying for others

Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children

                            greatest gift

What is the greatest gift you can give your children?

And, whatever you do, don’t ask “them” that question.   🙂

You might end up with answers like:

A pony

The latest toy or game

Giving away their brother or sister 

Chuckles aside, the greatest gift you can give them is to love them enough to tell them about Jesus.

Nurturing Your Children’s Faith

When I was growing up, I was taught to worship God.

But, it seemed at that time that He was too busy with bigger issues like war and famine to care about little old me. 

There was no emphasis on Jesus, and God’s plan for our salvation through His Son.

Boy, was that wrong! I am so grateful to have found my way to Christ as an adult.

The way this world is going, if you don’t teach your children about Jesus, the world will teach them to become atheists.

Imagine if we started raising generations of children who stood uncompromisingly on the Word of God, knew how to defend the Christian faith, could answer the skeptical questions of this age, and had a fervor to share the gospel from the authority of God’s Word with whomever they met! This could change the world. – Ken Ham, Answers in Genesis.1

Exactly!

As a parent, you were given a precious gift from God.

The greatest gift that you can give your “gift from God” is to teach them why He sent us His Son, Jesus.

Psalm 127 reaffirms this parental blessing:

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Psalm 127:3, (NASB).2

Your children need your direction in this dark world.

They will also need your fervent prayers.

greatest gift you can give your children

The world has changed, and your kids will face many challenges.

Teaching them to pray will be so worth it.

Can you imagine the sweet words you could hear in Heaven from your loved ones:  “Thank you, Mom (and/or Dad) for praying for me all those years.”

In her poem, “Raising Children For The Lord” M.S. Lowndes shares the beauty and awesome responsibility of the gift of parenting.

With her permission, I am happy to share it here.

Raising Children For The Lord

It’s such an awesome privilege
And a big responsibility,
God has given to us as parents
This wonderful opportunity
To raise our precious children
And instil into their lives
The wonder and amazement
Of the love of Jesus Christ

So they will learn to trust in Him
And worship and to pray,
To love others with the love of God
And to honour and obey
As parents, we’ve been entrusted
To raise them in God’s love
To be there to encourage them
When they feel like giving up

And to be there just to listen
When life deals some painful blows
And comfort them when they feel afraid
And when tears begin to flow
To share with them those joyful times,
The precious moments in their lives
When doors begin to open up
And opportunities arise

Through everything they face in life,
Let’s be there cheering them on,
For we only have one chance at this,
For childhood soon is gone
So let’s rely on Father God
To raise them to become
Men or Women who trust in Him
And in His precious Son.

© By M.S.Lowndes

# # #

1 Ken Ham quotation, courtesy of christianquotes.info

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

3 Poetry courtesy of M.S. Lowndes. “Raising Children For The Lord.” [online post]. From Heavensinspirations.com, ©M.S. Lowndes, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, n.d. Web. Accessed September 8, 2022. https://www.heavensinspirations.com/raising-children.html

Share

Reaching The Don’ts

Reaching the Don’ts – There’s Still Time

Recently, I heard a celebrity announce that she is an atheist.

I cringed as I heard her speaking words of discouragement to anyone who would listen, especially her younger generation of fans.

Sadly, she’s not alone.

The number of dropouts from the faith are on the rise and their sphere of influence is growing.

This isn’t just a “celebrity” thing.

The dark side of social media

The results of a Barna study, published in an article by the Family Research Council, states in part that  “43 percent of Millennials are considered “Don’ts” in Barna’s research, meaning they don’t believe or know if God exists.” – (Carman/Closson, 2021, para. 8).

Friends, that is terrible news.

It also points to the dire need to reach these people.

God providentially knows who His people are, but since we are not God, for us that means the harvest is still ripe.

The Holy Spirit is here to guide us – so keep praying and looking for those opportunities for reaching the “Don’ts”.

But even though our culture does not want the Bible, God, or the church, it is important for followers of Jesus to remain faithful. As fewer people share our theological and worldview commitments, Christians will need courage that was not required of recent generations of believers. – Barna Group Research Study.1

Courage For Reaching the Don’ts

As the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians in pleas for unity in the advancement of the Gospel . . .

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58, (NASB).2

Others may think of us as working in vain for a lost cause, but we are working for the Lord and that’s what matters.

Lord, help us to see the “Don’ts” through Your eyes.

We ask for more opportunities to reach these lost people

so we can share the Good News in a world caught up in darkness.reaching the don'ts

# # #

1 Quotation courtesy of Barna Group Research Study. Carman, Molly, and Closson, David. “New Barna Research Reveals Extent of America’s Loss of Faith” June 22, 2021. para 10. Web. Accessed September 8, 2021.  Retrieved from https://www.frc.org/blog/2021/06/new-barna-research-reveals-extent-americas-loss-faith

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Share

Get Back To Church

You Are Invited To Get Back To Church!

Get back to church

What time is it?

It’s time to get back to church!

Don’t let the temptations of convenience and live streaming keep you from going back to church and worshipping with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

It’s so important.

In other words, if your church is open, you’re not homebound or ill, or have another valid reason for staying at home, God desires us to be back in church.

This isn’t a legalistic “you can only worship in church” kind of thing.

We all know it isn’t about the “where.”

In fact, you can pray anywhere, in a field of wildflowers if you want, and God will hear you.

But, God wants us to be together.

If you’re healthy and can get to the grocery store or to a kid’s soccer game for instance, you can get back to church.

In the book of Hebrews, it speaks of a time of great discouragement among God’s people. (Much like today.) 

Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25, (MEV).1

Why is Going to Church So Important?

With good intent, let me reiterate that this post is directed to those who are perfectly healthy, but have gotten into a habit of staying home.

Going back to church as healthy people means we desire to obey God, to hear His Word, to receive the blessing of being together, show love to each other in person, and encourage one another.

It means we look forward to receiving the Lord’s Supper and praying together as a church body to our Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.

Separation is a Device of the Evil One

Wise words from Charles Spurgeon here . . .

Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly intercourse than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation. – Charles Spurgeon, pastor and author.2

With a biblical perspective, observe what is happening around us.

Did you know that, in some states, there are still some churches on lockdown? Those worshipers aren’t being allowed to go to church even if they wanted to.

That is persecution, folks. I’m talking about the politicians who don’t consider churches “essential.”

But hey, those liquor stores better be open. 

Thank the Lord that we are finally seeing some progress against this injustice. I applaud any church that takes a stand to open its doors.

Easy Doesn’t Mean Better

For countless years, we in America have had the blessing of being able to go to church in person.

Unfortunately, new technology has made it way too easy to do “pajama-church,” even with most churches open.

easy doesn't mean better

Isn’t technology great?

Watch the service in your pajamas!

Now you can check “church” off your to-do list.

“At least it’s something.”

Yes, at least it’s something.

Mind you, that person could actually physically go, but the lure of staying in the comfort of one’s home is too great. Besides, the teenagers will want to sleep in.

Since when do parents let the kids decide? Be a parent.

How many of us have been in that situation where the alarm clock rings early on a Sunday morning, you’re dog tired and you just don’t feel like going?

When I get that temptation myself (it happens) – I try to remind myself of Jesus on the cross, picture the innocent Lamb of God dying a torturous death for our sins. The actual torture that He endured we can’t even imagine, only a glimpse from the horrific details we read about.

salvation through Jesus Christ

Tortured, forced to walk with a heavy cross, nailed and stabbed in His side. 

I think about this and then I get myself out of bed, go, serve, and praise God at church with my fellow believers.

I urge you to find a theologically correct, Bible-based church, attend the services, and please take your kids.

If you and your church don’t teach them about salvation through Jesus Christ, the secular, entertainment and public academia world will eat them alive with evil influences.

We’re seeing the results of that every day in the headlines.

# # # 

1 Scripture quotation is from the Modern English Version (MEV), The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.

2Charles Spurgeon quotation, influential Christian pastor and author, courtesy of AZquotes.com.

Share

Who Else Works Overtime?

Who Else Works Overtime Besides You?

Who else works overtime besides you?

Here’s to all of you who have to work overtime – my hat’s off to you.  🙂

Give yourself a pat on the back for taking on those extra hours when duty calls.

I’m not just talking about hospital workers.

You know who else works long hours to help to make this country great?

Men and women serving in the military

Police officers

Secretaries

Biblical pastors writing their sermons

Delivery drivers

And many other occupations that don’t get the media accolades.

We’ve probably all worked overtime at some point in our lives.

I remember working overtime often over the years, even overnight as a reporter camped outside a breaking crime scene.

It’s just what you do to get the job done, and to do it well.

While we’re on the subject, guess who else works overtime, but not for the good like all of those dedicated workers mentioned above?

Evil Doesn’t Sleep

Spiritual Enemy No. 1, Satan, also works overtime.

The Enemy of our souls spends hour after hour, every single day, looking for ways to trip you up, make you doubt your faith, and throw every conceivable distraction at you so you don’t have time for God.

Fact: The Enemy hates every single one of us.

Satan is geared to the destruction of God’s people, primarily. Obviously he wants to damn the whole human race, but his particular preoccupation is with those who belong to God, i.e., Adam and Eve and Job and Peter and Paul and others. His hope is that if he can’t destroy their faith, he can destroy their integrity before God by a long list of indictments. – John MacArthur, pastor and bible teacher from Grace To You.1

And so he acts the same with us.

Satan also works overtime

Satan’s time is short.

Is he invincible?

No!

Jesus Will One Day Take All Of This Evil Away

Fortunately for us, there’s someone greater, omnipotent, and sovereign who works overtime.

That someone is Jesus – our Sovereign God who has already won the battle against evil.

Christians know that troubling times continue up ahead.

It’s easy to get discouraged during all of this craziness – but don’t stay in that place for long.  Keep your eyes on Jesus.

We have blessed assurance that every last repentant sinner who recognizes Jesus as Savior will be saved.

Jesus Christ, our Deliverer, works overtime praying for you and for me, and at the appointed time, He will come back for us.

# # #

1 John MacArthur quotation, courtesy of GTY.org/library/sermons-library. 20 February, 2000. para. 17. Web. Accessed 19, April, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-236/the-character-of-satan

* Charles Spurgeon, influential pastor, quotation was accessed April 14, 2021 and retrieved from https://www.thekingdomcollective.com/spurgeon/sermon/92/. n.d., Para 39. Web. Photo used under the Pixabay License – free for commercial or private use – an artistic derivative created by me of the background photo original.

 

Share

National Day of Repentance 2020

A National Day of Repentance

national day of repentance 2020

Dear fellow Christians –

You may have heard that Saturday, September 26th (just a few days away) is designated as the National Day of Repentance 2020.

There’s so much at stake here in America that I urge you to take part and pray.

America is in desperate need of prayer.

It’s impossible not to see the great divide unfolding in our country, provoked by those who want to destroy her.

Even so, I’m encouraged by the prayer and repentance events scheduled to take place all over the nation.

Why Should a Whole Nation Repent?

There’s a simple answer to that – because our nation has turned away from God.

Now is not the time to bury our heads in the sand, and pretend that wickedness isn’t happening, and even increasing on our soil.

Sexual trafficking and child exploitation

Christians cursed and mocked

A complicit news media

Churches threatened

Millions of babies brutally ripped from their mothers’ wombs

Family values made fun of as Hollywood “entertainment”

So many heartbreaking things going on.

Even though there’s always been a spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil around us, we can see it with our own eyes now like never before.

We have to face it – God allows bad things to happen, even under a good President who believes in the power of prayer.

There’s no doubt, this contentious election is bringing out the worst in people. I’ve seen it and I’m sure you’ve seen it too.

It might be difficult to understand this now, but the Bible teaches that something good will eventually come from all of this turmoil for those who love God.

Therefore, we must pray and repent as a nation.

Praying shouldn’t end on November 4th.

We’ve gone so far down a rabbit hole of wickedness, we may only be able to recover just a little of our respectability as a God-fearing nation.

But, it may be enough to spark a much-needed spiritual revival.

Throne of Judgment

God is love, but just in case you’re being told otherwise, He is also a God of Righteous Judgment.

Do we really think that our Creator God will not execute judgment on America (and the world for that matter), in His timing, for those who don’t repent and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Those who do not believe in the Son, who do not receive Him as Savior, will be judged on the day of wrath (Romans 2:5–6). – Got Questions website.

That day is coming.

Have you accepted Christ into your life?

Please don’t delay.

Are you prideful, believing in your own greatness, or do you have a repentant heart?

Simply being a “good” person may earn you friends here on earth, but it doesn’t get you into Heaven.

We truly aren’t “good”, we have all fallen short.

Salvation in Jesus Christ is the only answer.

The Bible and the National Day of Repentance 2020

You don’t need any book other than the Bible to tell you what we need to do right now – while we still can in the public square.

day of repentance

How do we pray for repentance?

It’s in the Book – the Bible, that is.

Currently, my studies have focused on the major and minor prophets.

Undoubtedly, the verses therein are focused on the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and God’s judgment. But, we need only to learn from the history of God’s people that disobedience to God, rejecting Him, and lawlessness lead to a path of destruction. I can’t tell you how many times in my readings that I have recognized America, as a whole and looking at the culture, making the same disastrous mistakes.

What’s Next On The Timeline?

Only God knows the timing of prophetic events that will happen to our great nation and globally.

As Christians, I believe we need to follow the historical call of the prophets in Scripture and pray for nationwide repentance.

In Daniel 9:15-18, the prophet pleads for God’s people at that time.

Take heart, fellow believers, our God has great compassion.

Maranatha!

15 And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have been wicked. 16 O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around us. 17 So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary. 18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.

On this National Day of Repentance 2020, it’s time to call on “the Great I Am.”

# # #

Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What is the biblical understanding of the wrath of God?” n.d., para. 3. Web. Accessed September 16, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/wrath-of-God.html 

Photo source credits:
– Group prayer photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash

– Woman praying photo by Ben White on Unsplash

– Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. 

Share
1 2 3 4 … 6