As we obediently move into this season of prayer and miracles, the voice of the Lord opens my mornings. For several years, I wrote on prayer on a weekly basis and published across the world by email and later blog. One of those series is 52 lessons on praying for other believers based on Ephesians. Those who attend these sessions will receive a prayer journal to focus your prayers. They will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. When we find time to focus on each other and truely and transparently love one another with all of our blips and glitches and problems and pains, we will find extreme revival through personal redemption.

Here is a beginning lesson written first in 2006 updated to get you moving forward in prayer.

Through the Eyes of My Heart

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Genesis 18:19 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.” That is my prayer. I want what Abraham had. Every day for a week, I have prayed it all day long. In the night, I wake praying that prayer. There is something about it that will not leave me alone. Why won't it go away?

Along with it, I now pray, "Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me." Yes, He has prepared the package and the place and the people. Yet, He must bring me to that place on my journey of faith. Through my mistakes and successes, He must mold me to the person ready to receive and bring me to that moment.

My heart turns toward my physical and spiritual and relational children. All are important. As a Dad, the children of my wife, Dian, and I are precious. They count a lot in my thinking and praying. As a minister of some 37 years now in the same metro and beyond, spiritual children who have looked to me for guidance and leadership are priceless. As a businessman and manager and community participant, those that have looked to me for direction are powerfully on my mind. As a personal mentor of men, those that have looked to me are present in my thoughts. In all of these ways people have been impacted and had direction pushed into their lives through example.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Abraham was a commander of lives. Command pushes. Command influences. Command is generally not gentle. In Genesis 18:19, God tells us that Abraham received so that he could ‘command’ into the lives of his children and his grandchildren and his community. He was to command righteousness and justice. He was to command the way of the Lord. God gave to Abraham what He had spoken of him because He could trust him to live the message into the lives of others. Abraham was a generational influencer. God gave him much because of that.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Abraham was a harvester of lives. What he commanded into others brought back to him the promised blessing. Through Isaac and his sons, Jacob and Esau, nations were born. Through Ishmael and his sons came nations. Entire people groups were birthed out of Abrahams fathering. He was known among the peoples of the area and respected and followed as an example. Not many dared mess with Abraham.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Boy, I sure don’t measure up to Abraham. On the other hand, I need to. Every father does. Every businessperson does. Every pastor does. Every community leader does. We need to measure up. Our stature needs to go up not down. The world is a downward measuring stick. Someone like Abraham is an upward measuring stick. We need to measure up. lives should flow over into others that they would change. Our lives should change our world not just bounce off.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Abraham was a flawed and failed human like the rest of us. He needed redemption. So do I. When God found him and redeemed him to the task of Canaan, Abraham had been under the leadership of his father. They had not journeyed forth into the promise but sat on the outside edge. Abraham took up the challenge after his father died, but he made some career ending mistakes. He traded his wife off to another man. He added another woman into his home to attempt to deliver God's promise with his own power. Yet, God redeemed Abraham and delivered the promise at 100 years old. Can I be patient to be redeemed from my mistakes?

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.””

Daily thankfulness for all God has done impresses on me. There is a reason for His bringing to me what He has promised of me. There need to be bridges into the lives of others over which the blessing is carried in the ways of God, righteousness, and justice. Those bridges are built on trust and honesty and walking in the ways of the God of righteousness and justice. I am thankful and I am sober.

Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

The prayer is dangerous. You are accountable to do something with what He brings. This journey is not just about hoarding. It surely is not about living with the world’s definition of humility. Humility is power and presence under control and right realization that God is in control not us. Great humility is only displayed when we have great resource.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me, O Lord, to what you have spoken of me.”

Prayer is meant to change us. This one will change you from the inside out. Are you prepared to handle God delivering everything He has spoken of you in His word? Get prepared. Focus on being prepared. Quit pretending in faith and make living God’s way in righteousness and justice a priority. Make sure your life is adequate and your bridges are in place. Then pray that prayer in faith believing. Your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, congregants, and others are depending on you doing just that. Your Father is depending on you doing just that. He is ready. There is much for which to be thankful. There is much more He would like to perform even as He has spoken of you.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.

Bring me”

Remember what God has done for you. Expect more. Remember that what He has done for you He did so that you could pass it on.

Fixing Fractured Families... thoughts

The amazing US is struggling.  Through all of the presidential debates let's talk about what is being avoided.
1. Immigration levels are at all time highs.  This is not Hispanic.  This is other cultures.  Middle East, Asian, African, and some Hispanic.
2. Cultural morass ensues.  How do you immigrate and integrate into anarchy?  There is a loss of moral center.  Our churches are failing and flailing.  Our solutions don't work.
3. Families are fractured.  41% of kids are born into unmarried situations.  40% of kids have no father in the home.   Lifelong dads.  Kids need 'em.  It takes two to tango.  It takes a good balance of father and mother.  Not to be too simplistic, but no body is born without the contribution of male and female.  It is a natural, creative design.  Humans are not asexual.  Abandonment of children by fathers is a tragedy.
4. Violence is high, especially among people in their 20s and 30s.
5. Drugs, alcohol, legal and illegal addictions are rampant.
6. Jobs will not fix this.  Political rhetoric will not fix this.  Good deals will not fix this.  Fixing fractured families will fix this.  The government does horrible in fixing fractured families. That is the job of kingdom minded people.

Think!  Study! Pray!  Act!

Friend, Be blessed. Greeting A New Year and A New Day Through the Eyes of a Father's Heart

  Through the Eyes of a Father’s Heart

“Bring to me what You have spoken of me.”

Genesis 18:19 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.”  That is my prayer.  I want what Abraham had.  Every day for a week, I have prayed it all day long.  In the night, I wake praying that prayer.  In just a few days, we launch a major initiative for Fathers and Leaders.  It will take enormous time, talent, and finances.  Anything worth doing will meet resistance on all fronts.

This New Year, as I consider next steps, my heart turns toward my physical and spiritual and relational children.  All are important.  As a Dad, the children of my wife, Dian, and I are precious.  They count a lot in my thinking and praying.  As a pastor of some 30 years in the same metro and now assisting in Mexico and across the United States, spiritual children who look to me for guidance and leadership are priceless.   As a businessman and manager and community participant, those that look to me for direction are powerfully on my mind.  As a personal mentor of men, those that look to me are present in my thoughts.   In all of these ways people have been impacted and had direction pushed into their lives through example.

“Bring to me, God, what you have spoken of me.”

Abraham was a commander of lives.  Command pushes.  Command influences.  Command is generally not gentle.  In Genesis 18:19, God tells us that Abraham received so that he could ‘command’ into the lives of his children and his grandchildren and his community.  He was to command righteousness and justice.  He was to command the way of the Lord.  God gave to Abraham what He had spoken of him because He could trust him to live the message into the lives of others.  Abraham was a generational influencer.  God gave him much because of that.

Prayer:

So, Friend, I want to pray for you today as your life commands into the lives of those around you.  What has been accumulated in your life and what is promised is meant to strengthen those around you.

 

Father, here is my friend, Friend.  Take what has been built that is good in them and bless others.  Take what has been built that is not so good and let it slide to the side.  Grace over mistakes and build upon goodness.

Father, I speak love and life over Friend. 

This is a New Day. Every day is a new day.  Your mercies are new every morning.

Let the promises of the heart find fulfillment in the days ahead. 

Cause vision to look up to a world of promise and a world of plenty.

Cause insight to see the good impact of life and yearn for more.

Stir  the heart of The Father to grow and prosper those entrusted to their care.

And may the coming days be merry and bright and full of hope and constancy of dream and vision and purposeful generational influence to good.

More thoughts on this can be found at the full blog: Through the Eyes of a Father’s Heart « The Community Transformation Initiative http://ow.ly/grN9n

 

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
www.prayermetro.net  (blog,FB,Twitter,Slideshare)
to support financially
Community Transformation c/o PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3
508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17

 

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See a Great Light! Merry Christmas, Friend.

Isaiah 9: In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

 

During the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my family has always enjoyed watching Christmas themed movies and celebrating time with friends.  For us, an opportunity to have a world focused on giving and receiving and thanking the God of Comfort is special.  More so, the stirring story of God become man to bring us back into unity with Him and each other lifts my soul.   Whether you believe it or not, you have to admit, Friend, it is a great message of hope.

 

I am thankful for each of my friends and family. The honor to exchange prayer with you, Friend, is a blessing.

Yet, there is darkness.  The events in Connecticut are horrendous and full of grief.  So are other events throughout our world.  Every moment abuse is in motion and the hearts and minds and bodies of individuals are tormented.  The light of Christ gives us relief.  Dwelling on the pain too often darkens our souls.

 

So let me pray:

 

Father, let some light into our darkened world.

Bring relief to those families and friends whose sensibility has been assaulted.

Guide them through grief and anger and pain and connect them with the Light of Christ.

Through love of family and friend bring healing to their minds and emotions.

Erase thoughts of feelings of guilt with a redemptive embrace of Christ's love.

Erase pains of remorse and loss with a confidence in acceptance in the Family of God.

Stay beside them Father in days ahead.  Comfort them. 

 

Father, bless my friend, Friend.

In this Christmas season of Life shine joyfully over Friend.

Capture happiness deep in the soul of Friend and bring it to life.

Don't let the darkness rule.  Shine!

Give a hope and a lift in the truth that surely You love us so much that You were born one of us, lived as one of us, died as one of us, resurrected as one of us, and offer to live in us.

 

Bring Christmas alive in Friend. 

 

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
www.prayermetro.net  (blog,FB,Twitter,Slideshare)
to support financially
Community Transformation c/o PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3
508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17

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Finding Time To Get It All Done

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

 

  Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah, and other holidays crowd into the last few weeks of the year.  Though each of us celebrate in different ways and times and for different reasons, all are affected.  The rush affects the way we conduct ourselves over the phone, the internet, in person, and alone.  The excitement can be thrilling and exhausting.  If that is not enough, there is all the normal activities to which we must attend.

 

Yesterday was busy. 

 

First to Starbucks for prayer and preparation to preach at Luz Y Vida.  It is always an honor to encourage the saints.  A man came up to me and opened his heart over coffee.  Twenty years he was a minister.  Then he spent eight years living in hell as an atheist.  Now, he has been back with God for ten years, yet, never restored to his call.  Why did a stranger come to me in a coffee shop and open with such a story?  He is no longer a stranger, but a soul for whom I pray and desire deeper relationship.

 

As you travel the seasons, take time to encourage one that may not have as great a blessing as you have.

 

Then to Luz Y Vida (Light and Life) on NW Expressway.  The people are beautiful.  Friends came with us and blessed the people.  The congregation took an offering large enough to pay a chunk of expenses for the team to Mexico for Christmas.  I won't go this year, though my heart will go.  The Holy Spirit touched hearts deeply and encouraged men and women to continue in the life of Christ.

 

As you travel the seasons, take time to give out of your abundance to bless another.

 

In the evening, another 400+ legislators were added to the prayer and encouragement list. They have a tough job ahead.  We now reach 4,427 in 32 states.  That is a lot to pray over and answer requests and encourage.

 

As you travel the seasons, think of someone just a step away from you that could use a word of encouragement.

 

All of that is just a normal day.  One day can have a week of impact crunched into a few hours.  Then this weekend there were Christmas lights to hang and grandchild to play with and, and, and....  Life is good.  God is good.

 

It is Monday, and like me you are looking ahead to many activities and engagements.  The office parties are starting.  Last minute budget spending pushes business and government and education to make final decisions.  Tax preparations push.  Business is still busyness.

 

The admonition of Peter is simple.  Submit to God's requests of your life.  Let Him do the work through you.  Live the life at work, home, community, and neighborhood that has been allotted you.  Then don't worry.  Don't fret.  Let Him develop value in it.  Let Him bless it.

 

Prayer:

Father, You are here for Friend.  You walk among us and talk among us with light and life and joy and peace and patience and kindness and longsuffering.  In our rush, touch us.  In our doings, encourage us.  Cause the work of our hands to be blessed and sufficient.  Give us joy to give to others.  Let us see Your life in others and be sensitive to breathe a breath of life into pains and problems which we encounter.  Thanks for Your Son, Jesus.  The salvation and life and reason for the season. 

 

In all of this, Friend, I pray for you.  If you have a specific request, let me know.  PrayerMetro is here for you.  The Center for Father/Leader is here for you.  The home bible study on Tuesday in south OKC is here for you.  The quick bible study and prayer downtown OKC on Wednesday is here for you.  This "super quick" bible study and prayer is here for you.  Take advantage. 

 

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
www.prayermetro.net  (blog,FB,Twitter,Slideshare, website,LI)
to support financially
Community Transformation c/o PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3
508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17

 

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Our nation struggles, Friend. You can make it better.

Phil Larson has worked diligently for the past 15 years to strengthen fathers and families.  His efforts have provided hope for many households.  With your help he can accomplish much more and I look forward to seeing the results across Oklahoma, the Mid-West and the U.S." Ken R Canfield PhD, Founder, National Center for Fathering, Director, Urban Center for the Family. World Impact, Los Angeles, CA.

Your support of fathers, leaders, and pastors makes enormous difference.  Together, Friend, we can educate and encourage thousands of fathers and strengthen their families by reaching where it is hard to reach.

The moral strength of our nation has atrophied in the last five decades.  Fathers need strengthening.  The leadership mindset in business, government, congregation and community develops from fathers.  The leaders developed in a world of fatherlessness need strengthening.  From 1960 forward, we have seen a disastrous rise in fatherlessness and related social ills such as divorce, suicide, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, drug usage, and moral apathy.   Unmarried birth has skyrocketed to 40% of all births and primarily to women in their twenties and thirties. 

Fathers and Families

What love can engulf our families through the message of Godly fathering?  "I am aware that you, Phil, are a man of great persistence and determination to spread the Word of God to encourage others. ….. express my appreciation and say that I understand how important "Fathering" and good loving fathers are. My hope is that you will be successful in this effort” .an Oklahoma City dad.

Community and Congregation Leaders

What blessing can engage our congregations through powerful prayer and counsel for pastors and ministers? “You must continue to reach pastors, Phil.  You have been anointed for it.  It has meant much to me.” Pastor of a large Black Baptist congregation

Government and Legislative Leaders

What would be the impact on our nation if every legislator in our nation received hope and peace and grace as the present 3242 we reach?  “I want to take a moment to “THANK YOU” for your prayers and for every email I have received from you during this session. Sir, this is my 6th session since my initial election and, by far, this has been my most enjoyable and successful session. …I give God the ultimate credit for everything that occurs every day, but know that you deserve a tremendous amount of credit for keeping me on the right path with every expression of support and encouragement.  Thank you again and my God bless you.”

We intend to find out.

In past years, all of these areas have been a part of our efforts and energy.  Yet, there has never been enough time while working 60+ hours a week in the business community.  Now it is time to turn the tables and give the lion’s share of time to the community and flexible hours to business.  That can only happen with your help and hundreds of others like you.

Fathers and leaders count with me.

Our nation struggles with family bonding and long term fathering engagement.  The results are horrid.

Research is clear, Friend.  When the father stays actively engaged with his children, there are specific results.

1. They perform better in school.

2. They are less likely to live poor.

3. They are less likely to be engaged in criminal activity

4. They are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors such as drug use and early sexual activity.

5. They become more compassionate adults.

In Oklahoma, we started a good thrust in support of fathers in 2001 and have continued over the years.  More Father/Daughter Summits have been held here than in any other city in the nation.  Men have been trained and enabled.  Counselors and social workers and ministers have been trained in new techniques. Citywide campaigns and single congregation campaigns have educated and enabled thousands of men and women. Children have been blessed.  Community cooperation with CBMC, the Oklahoma Family Policy Council, American Fidelity, US Security, the Department of Human Services, CDC, Character First, business leaders, and hundreds of congregations of multi-cultural and multi-denominational background has benefited us all through more family stability and generational blessing.  This has extended in support of leaders in congregations and community.

Now, I have a dream.

It is time to develop our community with targeted and morally responsible resources and support for fathers and leaders.  Right now, I am working with Carey Casey and the National Center for Fathering to bring an affiliate of the NCF to Oklahoma on a full time basis.  In January, I will meet with a brainstorm team in Kansas City at the National Center to make further plans for Oklahoma City. 

We need your input and we need your support.

Dream with me.

·         An interactive resource place for men to come and receive advice and education.  Online and onsite.

·         Continual community visibility through education in business, congregation, and governmental interaction.

·         Constant equipping of community leaders such as pastors, men's group leaders, social workers, counselors, and others to equip and empower men as effective fathers and leaders.

·         A strong and visible voice for families and fathers and two parent homes.

This dream is real.  It is in motion.  We need your support.

What dream do you have to support fathers and families? 

Talk to me now.  Don’t delay your action and your feedback.  Do something positive about the next generation.   Do something distinctive for this generation.  NOW!

phil@shepherdok.com

405-388-8037

Phil Larson 405-388-8037

www.prayermetro.net (FB, Twitter, LI, Slideshare, blog, etc... is all here)
to support financially the undergirding 501c3 since 2002 for charitable contribution is:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17

 

 

 

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Have a Great ThanksLiving, Friend. You are dear to God's heart this morning. I am thankful for you.

Leviticus 22:29 And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will.

 

Your influence on your sphere is important. Friend, if I can pray specifically in any manner, please let me know. I count it a privilege to pray for you. My prayer for you is that you are able to take from the abundance of your life and give it out to others over the next week. May your Thanksgiving be evidenced in your ThanksLiving.

 

These last two weeks have been full to overflowing. In a conversation with a new Muslim friend, a new believer, and a daughter of my heart in Starbucks, my heart was filled. As we discussed living with moral responsibility, my new friend looked at me, "You are a man of the Book, what do you think about....?" The conversation covered many items from beer to bed. As we prayed openly and out loud with the Father joining the conversation, I thought, "God, you are impacting. You are being You in the street of our city." I am proud of my daughter and her influence in the community. Some 25 others joined us online in this conversation http://ow.ly/fn3hQ.

 

I am thankful for you as one of those making a difference, Friend. I challenge you to live as one of those. You have so much for which you can be thankful and offer to others.

 

In Mexico, the family at CAREVI continues to impact Matamoros. On Saturday night a tarp/tent in an open dirt lot became a temple of praise and prayer and benevolence. Many local families received encouragement, were welcomed into a new relationship with the family of God at CAREVI and universal, and received a few groceries. Now, a team will continue to encourage and meet in Fraccionmiento Praderas colonia to help the people grow in stable family lives. I am proud of these beautiful co-laborers at CAREVI.

 

At a gathering with middle aged bible college students expanding urban based ministries, I spoke on the Four Powers a Leader and Father needs. Afterwards we visited over some of the best greens and cornbread you can imagine. These men and women in their 50's are set to make an impact. I am honored to join with these and am proud of them and their sacrificial living.

 

I am thankful for you as one of those making a difference, Friend. I challenge you to live as one of those. You have so much for which you can be thankful and offer to others.

 

Other conversations with business professionals this week centered around establishing the Heartland Center for families and fathers. There is a great need for an online and brick and mortar center for men to work through life issues and receive encouragement and education and couples to receive counsel. Are you aware from 1960 to present we have gone from 4% of our children being born with a marriage never involved to over 43%? Are you aware that has gone from being teenagers to twenty-somethings? Where has commitment gone? Where has our moral base gone? The number of children living with no father present has grown geometrically. I am proud of business professionals making a difference.

 

Answering specific prayers for legislators across our nation is a joy to my heart. Reading how individuals are encouraged and receive answers is an amazing adventure. Some 3242 are touched weekly. I am proud of legislators giving sacrificially to serve.

 

Prayer at the Jesus House for the love of God to reach many during this peak season of holidays was sweet to God's heart. I am proud of the team that serves there every day.

 

My prayer for you is that you are able to take from the abundance of your life and give it out to others over the next week. May your Thanksgiving be evidenced in your ThanksLiving. Have a great ThanksLiving.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037

www.prayermetro.net (FB,Twitter,Blog,Info,Events....)

 

to support financially:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099

 

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17

 

 

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A prayer for peace and restoration, Friend, in a time of destruction and loss.

As our nation reels from the destructive force of natural disaster, the words of Esther come to mind. "For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?" Esther 8:6

Our nation has suffered an enormous loss of property, life, and safety during this battering. How can I endure seeing the destruction that has come to friends, Friend? How can I endure the destruction of my countrymen?

Esther received a solution and a hope in her situation. She received a reversal of the situation for others and a plan to continue in blessing.

So I pray today and ask you to join with me, Friend,for:

A hope and a peace for all those affected in the aftermath of this disaster.

A strength and an endurance for all pummeled in this storm.

A restoration of property and a sense of security to all those uprooted and whose lives will never be the same.

A reestablishment of life and business and community and neighborhood as quickly as possible.

A sure faith in the future for all that this too will pass and a new day will dawn with new solutions for these communities.

Wisdom and decisiveness for leaders and rescue workers and engineers and those looking to reconstruct and replace and secure.

In Him,

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
http://prayermetro.wordpress.com

 

to support financially:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
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In May of 2011, a group of legislators challenged me to finish a book on Hezekiah.  In 30 days, the 120 page book was completed.  This is a small excerpt relative to our day.  Even this excerpt has had 50% of the text of the chapter deleted to allow for a quick read of the high points.  As we prepare for elections, it seems relevant. 

 

Hezekiah was a God-Follower – It Rerouted His Life from Bad Example

 

II Kings 18: 5: He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

 

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  St. Francis of Assisi

 

Trust In God

…...  Here is a man, who with little resource, pulled off the greatest upset against the giant of his day.  His strongest resource was trust of God. 

 

Common Creation

……Here is a man like us.  Young, ambitious, and filled with a life of bad examples, he chose to set a different path.  ……..

 

Greatness Enjoined Willingly By Others

…, he saw accomplished through leadership first in example and second in commanding action that so impressed others they left their commonness and joined him in greatness.

 

Cultural Imperatives

Our nation of the United States is under testing.  Other nations have similar challenges.  There is nothing new about the tests before us.  Trials come in waves over the centuries.  Equality is always questioned by some group and requires a constant adjustment as a nation of ever new citizens grows.  Racial barriers rise in differing manners, but they will never totally subside.  Poverty will always be with us and require constant adjustment and compassion to address.  Distribution of wealth through taxation and business legal edicts will never be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.  Governance issues of when and how much to restrict use of common resources and contain greed through legislative restraint remain.  Freedoms of speech, religion, and self-assertion need protecting. 

 

How we act today as states and nations leaves the next generation a different set of symptoms of problems than ours.  The issues are the same at the core.  Leadership cannot rest once an issue is significantly addressed.  Leadership is required for continuance of peace and community stability and economic prosperity.  Hezekiah had been left with pain and bad example.  He left a better line to follow.

 

Action:  Take time to remember a good example left you from the last generation.  Too often we focus on the bad and miss the good. There is blessing you can carry forward stronger than the last generation.

 

Prayer:  Father, pull from our heritage goodness.  Yes, You placed goodness in our heritage from which we can grow.  There is a path in our past meant to be stronger.  Help us to sort through the bad and find the good.  Help us to pass it on stronger and better.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
to support financially:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PrayerMetro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/prayermetro
Blog: http://prayermetrodevotion.blogspot.com
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The mercies of the Lord are new every morning and Friend, you should enjoy them!

When Jeremiah declared how good the mercies of God were in his life, he was in a mess.  His life was pitiful. 

Well, my life is not pitiful.  So I guess I can declare the goodness of God and not be so strained as he might have been.

Here is the shortest newsletter you might ever get.

 

The mercies of the Lord are new every morning.

1. We are working with the National Center For Fathering to expand training for men and parents in Oklahoma.. interested in helping?  Let me know.

-Next year we want citywide events in the North, East, West, and South of OKC - in English y en Espanol.

2. We are now sending scripture, encouragement, and prayer to 3242 legislators in 26 states....interested in helping?  Let me know.

- This week we prayed specifically with legislators in Alaska, Tennessee, Oklahoma and elsewhere concerning life issues.

3. Small group studies are started in OKC weekly.....interested in coming?  Let me know.

- Lives are being changed.

4. Matamoros Mission Update by @prayermetro on @slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/palarson2010/matamoros-mission-update
Here is the link to our latest update on Matamoros.  My wife, Dian, and I will travel down next week. 

We can use all the financial, prayer, and hands on support you can muster.

 

First, let me pray for you.

 

Father, let Your mercies overwhelm, Friend, today, tomorrow and all week next week.

You are full of mercy and life and love and living.

There is no God like You.

There is no love greater than Your love.

There is no joy stronger than Your joy.

Pour out with abundance love and joy over my friend, Friend.

 

Make a fast donation Click Here

 

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
to support financially:  Make a fast donation Click Here
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PrayerMetro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/prayermetro
Blog: http://prayermetrodevotion.blogspot.com
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A forecast of joy and gladness for Friend.

Psalm 90:14-15 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

It is common to check the weather forecast before going to bed. When you rise, don't you look out the door to see how it looks?  This psalmist decided to write his own forecast.

This morning I rose to pray, Friend, the first thoughts were about my situation.  How sad.  How often have I begun in prayer in my issues.  Our forecast for the day lies in the choices of the prior night and the early morning.

The psalmist in the prior text writes about his issues.  But he started by acknowledging the greatness and goodness of God.  He closes with a prayer of hope and healing.  His pains are framed in power and praise and potential.  What a great way to frame the day.  Satisfy me in the morning and the rest of the day can have joy and gladness.  Sure there are pains and problems.  The touch of the Father is bigger than all my problems and greater than all my fears and more abundant than all my losses.

The forecast for our day lies in the choices of the day. 

This psalmist and I have a similar prayer for you, Friend. 

Prayer: Father, what a sweetness You bring this morning.  We can think of a thousand blessings you have brought.  We can conjure in our minds an hundred great acts we know of Your love.  This week, I saw Your hand of physical healing touch a friend.  This week, I saw Your hand of hopeful continuance touch a friend. This week, I saw Your hand of understanding compassion touch a friend.  This week, I saw Your hand of salvation bring a new friend into the family.  This week, I saw Your lesson of friendship touch a friend a world away. 

So, Father, satisfy my friend, Friend, this morning with Your unfailing love and acceptance.

Satisfy with a glad expectation

Whatever has been a trouble,

Whatever time has been expended in pain,

Whatever loss has been experienced

Bring fresh satisfaction in larger measure

Bring joy bigger than trouble

Bring healing longer than pain

Bring fresh sources that overwhelm the loss

Let the forecast for us all be joy in the morning and gladness through the day.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
to support financially:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PrayerMetro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/prayermetro
Blog: http://prayermetrodevotion.blogspot.com
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Many places to live and minister, Friend.

John 14:1-2 Don't fret. Don't let your heart be anxious and troubled. Trust in the Lord God, the Creator. Trust in me for We are One. In my Father's house there are many places. Each of you has room to spare. There is a place for you. Were it not so, I would have told you. Yet, now I go to prepare a place for each of you. (Phil's version)

Now, Friend, there are few ways you can look at this paragraph. Of course the intent is to let us know that we should not worry about the troubles we encounter. They will be handled by the power and grace of God. Trust Him. Again, there is the intent to let us know there will never be a lack of room for us with God. He always has room for us. Yet, there is another message in here, I believe.

The concept of room or dwelling place or abode or mansion as some interpreters explain can easily be applied to our course in this life. There are many places and portions of ministry and involvement available for us right now in this life. Has not Jesus gone to the Father to make intercession continually? Has not the blood of the Christ opened a blessing for us to access Him? Has not the going of Jesus not opened a pouring of the Holy Spirit to empower us for service and dispense gifts on and through us?

Of course all of this and more is available. There are many opportunities for us to serve and be of great value in this life in the family. There is room enough for all of us to share in serving fruitfully and respectfully in Christ.

As we studied the word at Starbucks, a young gentleman shared his joy. He only recently received Christ. I don't know the whole story, but he was headed from North Carolina to Seattle and became delayed in Oklahoma City. In that delay, he met a member of our small study. In the course of a few weeks, his conversion and involvement with Christ impressed his cousin in Seattle. She wanted to know what had happened and told him she wanted whatever it was that he had. Here we were on the patio of Starbucks studying scripture with a laptop on a table as he unfolded this incredible story. Luckily, I had put the lessons out on slideshare (www.slideshare.net/palarson2010). Now he could share them directly with his cousin in Seattle. He immediately put the lessons as favorites on his phone so he could review them multiple times and share with others.  A new believer is now teaching the word to others.

There are many places of ministry in Christ for each of us. A home, a patio at Starbucks, an email, a slideshare site, facebook, a phone call, or whatever suits the need becomes a room for Jesus to occupy. A note, a lesson, a conversation, a visit, or just listening all become room enough for Jesus to move. Here, two people from North Carolina and Seattle are receiving Christ through a small group in Oklahoma. There is room enough for His miracles when we trust and obey.

Prayer: Father, I pray for room enough for Friend. Yes, Jesus is preparing places for us right now, not just in the future. There are open patios of opportunity to share the gospel when we believe there are many places not just one. When we open to see all the availability of gift and grace in time and space, we can see Jesus alive in so many new ways. Teach us, Father, the principles of the kingdom. You are full of more than enough supply of resources to see the kingdom expanded in new and beautiful ways. Help us to trust that others might live and love in Jesus as part of our wonderful and growing family.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
to support financially:  online www.prayermetro.com or mail...
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PrayerMetro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/prayermetro
Blog: http://prayermetro.wordpress.com
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A Blessing of Hope for Friend

A Blessing of Hope for Friend.

 

Friend, these last few weeks have brought much hope.

 

New International Version (©1984)
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

 

My wife works as a counselor with depressed senior adults and also works with an urban mission assisting elementary children in learning.  Of course, her conversations are in strictest confidence, but she can relay to me to depth of struggle she sees every day.  We hold each other up in prayer and she goes daily into the face of strain to bring hope and healing with the love of Christ.

 

One of my daughters works with development of the largest suicide hotline in our state.  Yes, she hears and sees much pain.  We pray and she goes daily into the face of strain to bring hope and healing with the love of Christ.

 

My other daughter and her husband are emergency foster parents.  That means my wife and I are emergency foster grandparents.  The strain of a drug impacted infant and young children forced to undergo abrupt life changes is daily faced with hope and healing with the love of Christ.

 

Each week, I work to make time to pray with business and community leaders at the Jesus House, a homeless recovery center and outreach to the working poor in our city.  We face our times together with hope and healing in the love of Christ.

 

So many I know take time to reach out and give that hope and healing of Christ on a personal and face to face basis.  It is tough to look into the eyes of strain and struggle and offer hope, but it is right and good and just.  It is good to be surrounded with givers of hope.

 

So where is the hope?  In such days of need in our communities, there is always hope and healing in Christ.  I get to see it every day as family and friends take personal time to impact someone in need.  I get to see the face of Christ shining in their faces. That is a beautiful hope.

 

Prayer:

Father, I pray for Friend this week.  Allow Friend to see the face of Christ in a friend or family member and even in the mirror as the hope of Christ is offered to such as these.  It is our privilege to offer love in tangible action and goods and in words of strong encouragement and love.  Grow in us, Father, that our nation would be exploded with action from individuals and blessed in our communities.  May we never forget that our hands and our face and our actions are a powerful source of hope and healing for many that no other source can provide.  When we are unable to go, give us strength to send hope and healing through encouraging those that can.  When we are faced with the strain and struggle ourselves, send a face of hope and healing to bless us.  Let the peace of God that passes all understanding engage us in Christ Jesus and bring grace sufficient for every situation.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037
to support financially:
PrayerMetro, Inc. 501c3 508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said (CEV) Galatians 6:6
I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. Philippians 4:17
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PrayerMetro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/prayermetro
Blog: http://prayermetrodevotion.blogspot.com
to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.