Matthew 2:11: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Abundant living is a promise of Jesus. He comes to give us life and life more abundantly. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus brings abundance. In that abundance is our capacity to respond in giving to Him. He is never embarrassed in receiving. He is a receiver of gifts as well as a giver of abundance. Abundance is the capacity to give.
A few weeks ago I came into my office and found a new Canon laser printer, scanner, and copier. With the ramp up in books and publications and lessons that we are doing it was a God-send. My ten year old laser was shot. The small card simply said, “Merry Christmas.” Immediately, my mouth drooped. Since we were in a bid process with a Canon dealer along with two others, my first thought was that it was from the dealer. It would have to go back. No gifts are ever received from bid agents.
Checking my voice messages, I found one from a friend of PrayerMetro. It was from him. As I turned over the card on which he had written Merry Christmas, I realized it was his business card. All I had to do was turn over the card to have saved myself from those few moments of disappointment. Why is it so hard for us to believe and receive? Some inner force wants to rob us of gifts and joys. Our sour side wants to reject gifts and believe to the bad. Don’t let him. Turn over the card and read the side that identifies the giver, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The heavenly Father is the giver of all good gifts.
ACT! Give to Jesus. You may not have gold or frankincense, but you have something. It may be finances for the kingdom. It may be an ability that will bless the kingdom. Give out of your abundance.
PRAY! Father of Giving, You have enabled me with more than I need. Jesus told me that when I give to the least, I have given to him. Show me where to give of myself of Your abundance.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Joy Initiator
Matthew 2:9: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.10: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Exceeding great joy is a powerful expression. Meeting Jesus is indeed lifechanging to the point of exceeding great joy. Connecting with Jesus means all the hopes of your life being activated. Connecting with Jesus means all the dreams of a life being put into motion. When He comes on the scene. He is a bright light shining on the greatest dreams you have.
ACT! Take a dream out of the shadows. Let His light shine on it, and bring it back to light and life.
PRAY! Father of Gifts, Father of Love, Father of the Light-Giver, cause the exceeding great joy of meeting Jesus to birth in me. Light up my dreams with the star of Bethlehem.
Exceeding great joy is a powerful expression. Meeting Jesus is indeed lifechanging to the point of exceeding great joy. Connecting with Jesus means all the hopes of your life being activated. Connecting with Jesus means all the dreams of a life being put into motion. When He comes on the scene. He is a bright light shining on the greatest dreams you have.
ACT! Take a dream out of the shadows. Let His light shine on it, and bring it back to light and life.
PRAY! Father of Gifts, Father of Love, Father of the Light-Giver, cause the exceeding great joy of meeting Jesus to birth in me. Light up my dreams with the star of Bethlehem.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Simple Governor
Matthew 2:6: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Life deals us situations that need governance beyond our human capabilities. While they may be simple situations, they nonetheless need a Governor, who can rule and reign over them. Tough stuff gets out of control and needs to be brought back. Thoughts, emotions, actions, mindsets, addictions can get out of hand in us. Jesus is a Governor, who can help us get rule over them.
ACT! Think of a tough situation that needs governing in your life. How did it get there? Can it be that someone who can rule over it can solve it? Let Him start on it.
PRAY! Holy Father, You know the areas of life that are out of control for me. You provided Jesus to be a Governor. He came from a simple place to apply simple principles in my life. I give You my out of control life in need of a Governor. Embrace me in Your peace and solution.
Life deals us situations that need governance beyond our human capabilities. While they may be simple situations, they nonetheless need a Governor, who can rule and reign over them. Tough stuff gets out of control and needs to be brought back. Thoughts, emotions, actions, mindsets, addictions can get out of hand in us. Jesus is a Governor, who can help us get rule over them.
ACT! Think of a tough situation that needs governing in your life. How did it get there? Can it be that someone who can rule over it can solve it? Let Him start on it.
PRAY! Holy Father, You know the areas of life that are out of control for me. You provided Jesus to be a Governor. He came from a simple place to apply simple principles in my life. I give You my out of control life in need of a Governor. Embrace me in Your peace and solution.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Worshipped
Matthew 2: 1: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When we meet Jesus, we are moved to worship Him. He is so good. His presence challenges the good that is in our heart to be spoken out to Him. His appearance in our life eliminates confusion and allows light to come forth. While our lives had been on hold, waiting for purpose, He now gives purpose and expression to our dreams of good in this land of the living. Worship comes naturally when you meet Jesus in the course of life. You just can't help yourself.
ACT! Take a few moments to think of what great happening is in your life right now because of Jesus. Think of how wonderful it feels just to know He is there.
PRAY! Merciful Father, I worship You. You are eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in one, You come and set up residence in my life. You have met me in my need and brought life and comfort. I am awed. I am thankful. I worship You above all. There is no one on earth or in heaven with whom I would rather spend my hours than with You.
When we meet Jesus, we are moved to worship Him. He is so good. His presence challenges the good that is in our heart to be spoken out to Him. His appearance in our life eliminates confusion and allows light to come forth. While our lives had been on hold, waiting for purpose, He now gives purpose and expression to our dreams of good in this land of the living. Worship comes naturally when you meet Jesus in the course of life. You just can't help yourself.
ACT! Take a few moments to think of what great happening is in your life right now because of Jesus. Think of how wonderful it feels just to know He is there.
PRAY! Merciful Father, I worship You. You are eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in one, You come and set up residence in my life. You have met me in my need and brought life and comfort. I am awed. I am thankful. I worship You above all. There is no one on earth or in heaven with whom I would rather spend my hours than with You.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Heart Thoughts
What is in the heart is in the heart.
Sometimes we think we see.
Sometimes we feel we know.
Sometimes we sense we hear.
Sometimes we know confusion.
Sometimes we understand nothing at all.
Yet, there is a voice greater than my ear.
There is a sound soothing to my soul.
Wait!
There it is.
In the silence.
In the confusion.
In the pain
In the solace
In the moment least believed
He speaks.
He is not an it.
He is personal.
He is comforting.
He is.
He is the voice that knows me better than I know myself.
He is the prompter.
He is a friend.
Close
Here
Present
Quiet
Touching
Gentle
Persistent
Challenging
Building courage
Building heart
Building enchantment
Building appointment
Building engagement
Building ease
Un-dissing me.
Sometimes we think we see.
Sometimes we feel we know.
Sometimes we sense we hear.
Sometimes we know confusion.
Sometimes we understand nothing at all.
Yet, there is a voice greater than my ear.
There is a sound soothing to my soul.
Wait!
There it is.
In the silence.
In the confusion.
In the pain
In the solace
In the moment least believed
He speaks.
He is not an it.
He is personal.
He is comforting.
He is.
He is the voice that knows me better than I know myself.
He is the prompter.
He is a friend.
Close
Here
Present
Quiet
Touching
Gentle
Persistent
Challenging
Building courage
Building heart
Building enchantment
Building appointment
Building engagement
Building ease
Un-dissing me.
God With Us
Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
For us today, what greater part of Jesus could there be? He is God with us. Later in one of his letters, Paul, tells us He is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. Then Paul tells us in Jesus we are complete. He is God. He is God with us. He is all that God is, living inside of us, who have believed and received.
ACT! Eliminate doubt. It is an incredible thought that God could be readily available and actually living inside of my circumstances. Talk yourself into believing that. Read the above verse out loud to yourself about ten times.
PRAY! Wow, Father! This is too much. When I think of the goodness and mercy that You dispense in this single sentence, I am awed. Thank You for coming to live in me. Thank You for coming to stay with me every moment of the day. Thank You for being the God that You are in my daily living.
For us today, what greater part of Jesus could there be? He is God with us. Later in one of his letters, Paul, tells us He is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. Then Paul tells us in Jesus we are complete. He is God. He is God with us. He is all that God is, living inside of us, who have believed and received.
ACT! Eliminate doubt. It is an incredible thought that God could be readily available and actually living inside of my circumstances. Talk yourself into believing that. Read the above verse out loud to yourself about ten times.
PRAY! Wow, Father! This is too much. When I think of the goodness and mercy that You dispense in this single sentence, I am awed. Thank You for coming to live in me. Thank You for coming to stay with me every moment of the day. Thank You for being the God that You are in my daily living.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Giver of Life
Matthew 1: 2: Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
Jesus comes from the line of Abraham. Abraham was a giver of life. Abraham turned faith into a lineage of ability and more life. Abraham was an investor in the future. His sights were always set forward.
Meeting Jesus means meeting the future. He is future focused. He intends to begat. He intends to birth new life, new dreams, new ways, and new opportunities for you.
ACT! Take that dream of yours. Think of who else could be involved. Give them the opportunity to be a part.
PRAY! Gracious Father of Life, Jesus challenges me to be like You. You are a Father. Abraham got his ways from You, the Father of fathers. Teach me to birth newness through others.
Jesus comes from the line of Abraham. Abraham was a giver of life. Abraham turned faith into a lineage of ability and more life. Abraham was an investor in the future. His sights were always set forward.
Meeting Jesus means meeting the future. He is future focused. He intends to begat. He intends to birth new life, new dreams, new ways, and new opportunities for you.
ACT! Take that dream of yours. Think of who else could be involved. Give them the opportunity to be a part.
PRAY! Gracious Father of Life, Jesus challenges me to be like You. You are a Father. Abraham got his ways from You, the Father of fathers. Teach me to birth newness through others.
Son of Kings
Matthew1:1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Meeting Jesus means meeting the final, eternal king of life.
Jesus is the son of David, the favored king of Israel. David received the promise of a kingdom without end. Jesus is the last king in the line. Jesus is the king that never loses the throne.
Meeting Jesus starts with embracing faith. Faith gives substance to life. Faith brings to reality our dreams. Jesus is the son of Abraham, the father of faith. No more important aspect could begin a journey with Him.
ACT! Get busy turning over a dream to Jesus. Take hold of the faith of Abraham and submit the request to the King of Kings.
PRAY! Holy Father, Jesus gave me the heritage of David and Abraham. Jesus gave me connection to great faith and authority. I submit my dreams to His ability to see it come to pass.
Meeting Jesus means meeting the final, eternal king of life.
Jesus is the son of David, the favored king of Israel. David received the promise of a kingdom without end. Jesus is the last king in the line. Jesus is the king that never loses the throne.
Meeting Jesus starts with embracing faith. Faith gives substance to life. Faith brings to reality our dreams. Jesus is the son of Abraham, the father of faith. No more important aspect could begin a journey with Him.
ACT! Get busy turning over a dream to Jesus. Take hold of the faith of Abraham and submit the request to the King of Kings.
PRAY! Holy Father, Jesus gave me the heritage of David and Abraham. Jesus gave me connection to great faith and authority. I submit my dreams to His ability to see it come to pass.
Family Man
Matthew 1: 16: And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.Born of men, born of a woman, and born to destiny was Jesus, the Christ.
Meeting Jesus means meeting a human full of humanity. Jesus meets us in this frail human family of Joseph and Mary. A simple husband was Joseph. This family came from a line of prostitutes, murderers, connivers, kings, and faithful men and women. They look just like our families.
Jesus is a family man. While He is the Christ, the anointed, the Messiah, He is a simple family man from a flawed, fractured, but persistent family life.
ACT! Thank God for your family line. Don't worry about the problems. Praise Him that you exist at all through that family line.
PRAY! Faithful Father, You brought me to the this time and place in life. You gave me the family line. You gave me a father and mother. I exist. No matter how flawed that line, I have destiny. There is an anointing in Jesus for me through You.
Meeting Jesus means meeting a human full of humanity. Jesus meets us in this frail human family of Joseph and Mary. A simple husband was Joseph. This family came from a line of prostitutes, murderers, connivers, kings, and faithful men and women. They look just like our families.
Jesus is a family man. While He is the Christ, the anointed, the Messiah, He is a simple family man from a flawed, fractured, but persistent family life.
ACT! Thank God for your family line. Don't worry about the problems. Praise Him that you exist at all through that family line.
PRAY! Faithful Father, You brought me to the this time and place in life. You gave me the family line. You gave me a father and mother. I exist. No matter how flawed that line, I have destiny. There is an anointing in Jesus for me through You.
Interrupter
Matthew 1: 18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus has a certain knack for interrupting the status quo. Our expectations of life can easily be shifted when He enters.
Joseph and Mary had an arrangement, an understanding, and an expectation. Their families surely were looking forward to a certain joyous celebration and joining of their lives. Then enters Jesus.
Whoops!
Where did this baby come from?
ACT! Where has being involved with Jesus challenged and changed your life? Move with the change. Let the Holy Ghost have control.
PRAY! Father, Creator, and Interrupter. You speak and all changes. You desire and my life is at your command. Spirit of Life, move me with the Father's plan. Interrupt where You will.
Jesus has a certain knack for interrupting the status quo. Our expectations of life can easily be shifted when He enters.
Joseph and Mary had an arrangement, an understanding, and an expectation. Their families surely were looking forward to a certain joyous celebration and joining of their lives. Then enters Jesus.
Whoops!
Where did this baby come from?
ACT! Where has being involved with Jesus challenged and changed your life? Move with the change. Let the Holy Ghost have control.
PRAY! Father, Creator, and Interrupter. You speak and all changes. You desire and my life is at your command. Spirit of Life, move me with the Father's plan. Interrupt where You will.
Named
Matthew 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The savior, what a name! Jesus' very name means savior. His name is His destiny. He saved and saves. He saves from sin. He saves us from our mistakes. He saves us from whatever is our situation.
Being saved from sin means being rescued. Jesus is our rescuer. He moves in and brings us to a safe place, a place of conquest over sin, and a place of victory over mistakes.
ACT! Get honest. Take your mistakes and hand them over for salvation. Let Jesus rescue you to a place of victorious living.
PRAY! Father of Forgiveness, give me victory over my sin. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
The savior, what a name! Jesus' very name means savior. His name is His destiny. He saved and saves. He saves from sin. He saves us from our mistakes. He saves us from whatever is our situation.
Being saved from sin means being rescued. Jesus is our rescuer. He moves in and brings us to a safe place, a place of conquest over sin, and a place of victory over mistakes.
ACT! Get honest. Take your mistakes and hand them over for salvation. Let Jesus rescue you to a place of victorious living.
PRAY! Father of Forgiveness, give me victory over my sin. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
In the Father's Heart
Matthew 1:19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.Joseph was both honorable and compassionate.
Who else would the Father choose for His Son's training and upbringing? What better choice than a flawed human with a heart of compassion?
Joseph, with no knowledge of the power of the situation, with no knowledge that the Son of God was involved, took the route of best treatment for Mary. He was taking measures to keep her protected in the embarrassment of the situation. He had the heart of the Father to cover and protect.
Who else would God chose but one with His own heart?
ACT! What in your life needs silent treatment? Give it to the Father. He will secret it away in forgiveness.
PRAY! Compassionate Father, release me from my past. In Jesus, I find forgiveness and covering. Thank You for being You.PrayerMetro puts out thoughts to provoke thinking not preach religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
Who else would the Father choose for His Son's training and upbringing? What better choice than a flawed human with a heart of compassion?
Joseph, with no knowledge of the power of the situation, with no knowledge that the Son of God was involved, took the route of best treatment for Mary. He was taking measures to keep her protected in the embarrassment of the situation. He had the heart of the Father to cover and protect.
Who else would God chose but one with His own heart?
ACT! What in your life needs silent treatment? Give it to the Father. He will secret it away in forgiveness.
PRAY! Compassionate Father, release me from my past. In Jesus, I find forgiveness and covering. Thank You for being You.PrayerMetro puts out thoughts to provoke thinking not preach religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
Jesus - Interventionist
Matthew 1:20: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Meeting Jesus means submitting to God's intervention. He is not concerned when you fail. He is not concerned when you make the wrong decision. It does not disturb Him. He is confident He can fix the incident and adjust you. He will intervene.
Though Joseph had a good plan for protecting Mary, God had a great plan for placing Joseph in the key position of caretaker and raiser of His son.Joseph took time to contemplate, and God intervened.
Being around Jesus is like that. God wants to help the situation turn out for good.
ACT! Let God intervene in your situation. Lay it out. Contemplate. Think about where He might step in and act.
PRAY! You, Father, are full of power. I open my situation to Your intervention. Take a step in, Father of Jesus, and make my life different.PrayerMetro puts out thoughts to provoke thinking not preach religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
Meeting Jesus means submitting to God's intervention. He is not concerned when you fail. He is not concerned when you make the wrong decision. It does not disturb Him. He is confident He can fix the incident and adjust you. He will intervene.
Though Joseph had a good plan for protecting Mary, God had a great plan for placing Joseph in the key position of caretaker and raiser of His son.Joseph took time to contemplate, and God intervened.
Being around Jesus is like that. God wants to help the situation turn out for good.
ACT! Let God intervene in your situation. Lay it out. Contemplate. Think about where He might step in and act.
PRAY! You, Father, are full of power. I open my situation to Your intervention. Take a step in, Father of Jesus, and make my life different.PrayerMetro puts out thoughts to provoke thinking not preach religion. Think. Meditate. Pause. Pray. Consider. Act.
Jesus - Fulfillment
Jesus - Fulfillment
Matthew 1:22: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Jesus is the fulfillment of promises in the Father. To Abraham, the Father had promised much blessing. To us, the Father promises all the promises of Abraham fulfilled. In Jesus is a confident, "Yes", spoken from the throne of God for each request to the promise.
Now that is incredible. Jesus is a fulfiller of promises. That is His nature and assignment in our lives.
ACT! Go ahead, make God's day. Appeal to a specific promise given that is waiting fulfillment in your life.
PRAY! Holy Father of Grace and Light, show Yourself to me today. You promise new mercies every morning. I appeal today to Your mercies of healing and strength and financial provision and protection for my household from destruction. I appeal to Your abundant mercies of deliverance from evils that have already happened.
Matthew 1:22: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Jesus is the fulfillment of promises in the Father. To Abraham, the Father had promised much blessing. To us, the Father promises all the promises of Abraham fulfilled. In Jesus is a confident, "Yes", spoken from the throne of God for each request to the promise.
Now that is incredible. Jesus is a fulfiller of promises. That is His nature and assignment in our lives.
ACT! Go ahead, make God's day. Appeal to a specific promise given that is waiting fulfillment in your life.
PRAY! Holy Father of Grace and Light, show Yourself to me today. You promise new mercies every morning. I appeal today to Your mercies of healing and strength and financial provision and protection for my household from destruction. I appeal to Your abundant mercies of deliverance from evils that have already happened.
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