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.

 

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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
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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
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A National Prayer, Friend.

Over the weekend, I decided to attend one of the thousands of outdoor gatherings for groups working on the political landscape. This one was in Kansas, some 130 miles away, but close enough to go. My interest was in the state senator and state representative and the house member and the people who attended the event. Yes, it helps me pray when I see first hand the toils of a legislator and the concerns of citizens. Visiting another state increases my perspective.

There were four conversations that play over and over in my mind. I asked the same question of each person. Some folks began with political platitudes and issues and I won't repeat those. These four gave me deep and honest answers that I believe define our national landscape.

The question? "What is impacting your life in our nation?"

One retired gentleman talked about going the the grocery store and checking out with the few items he could afford. After 44 years of working for the same company, his returns from the social security system were just not enough. The family in front of him checked out with a loaded basket. They paid with a "food stamp" card. Let's call this story injustice and indignity. The injustice and indignity of giving a life of contribution to the community and receiving a paltry return while a non-working family seems to be receiving more from his taxes than he is from his contributions. There was no complaint. Just a sadness at the state of injustice and indignity.

Another retired gentleman talked about a grocery store outing. The family at the counter pulled four successive "food stamp" cards before one worked. Hmmmm, where did they get four cards? Was the system being cheated? Did the clerk care? Did anyone care? Let's call this story, "Cheating is okay."

Another story told about a shopping expedition to Lowe's. At the counter, a driver's license was requested for some reason. The man pulled one out. Oh, that is not you. Okay, try this one. Oh, okay, we can use that one. Again, no response by the clerk to what looked to be an illegal situation carrying multiple IDs. Just check out and go forward. Let's call this story, "Stealing is okay."

Another man told of working off and on for the last five years. More off than on, he told me. He had his wife and four children with him munching hot dogs. He came for a little free food and some time away from the drudge. Sure, he told me, he worked at whatever work he could get, but had not had a real job for five years. Let's call this story, "Where is the chance to work?"

An assistant to one of the politicians told me how he was going to work on his masters in public administration. However, at his twenty-something age, he had given up on being a politician. The stress he witnessed on the man he served was horrendous. The media and others seemed to continually challenge and accuse in personal manners every time a bill was put forward or a statement made. Let's call this story, "Where is civility?"

Then a few minutes ago, I read a monologue of a bitter teacher in our school system. Seems she was confident parents, politicians, administrators, ministers, et al.. were putting undue pressures on teachers to perform miracles with undisciplined children. The stress was tiring. Let's call this story, "Where is responsibility?"

When you lay aside the "issues" and listen to the impact of our cultural landscape, a disturbing tale unfolds of a society struggling with moral and ethical belief and behavior. Qualities like thankfulness and responsibility and honesty and graciousness and just reward and self control and lawful respect seem to be hidden. They exist. Every person to whom I talked could describe what it feels like when it is going right and when it is going wrong. We know these qualities. We just forget them at appropriate moments and allow them to slide in favor of personal gain.

My Prayer?

Father, how far we have come from where we started in our nation. Painful moments seem to be the norm and not the exception. In such a blessed nation with incredible resources, we struggle with simple human qualities of thankfulness and gratitude and responsible behavior and commitment. Bring honesty to our hearts and actions. Help us to engage graciousness and right living in our daily moments. Give us leaders to demonstrate moral and ethical living. Give us wisdom to look into the mirror and adjust our own life to what we know is right and just and fair and gracious and peaceful and joyful.

Guide us, Father, into a new reality of strengthened living full of moral and ethical stability. Let each of us fully live what we know to live even in the most tempting moments. Fill us with good personal discretion in our choices.

Father, surely I admit I slip and fall and give in to selfish ambition and selfish fulfillment when I could choose to give and be grateful. Heal me, Father, and those that walk with me. Bring a giving heart of serving each other into our national consciousness. Let us lead and walk daily with service in mind. Let service to family and friend and community and business begin in each of our hearts and take priority over serving self.

 

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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Anticipate The Greatness of God, Friend.

Anticipate the Greatness of God

Psalm 103:21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure

A young man queried me, “What is my purpose?  How do I fulfill my destiny?”

Another young man quizzed me, “What is God’s will for my life”

Ephesians 1:9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

The second question comes closer to God’s desire for us, Friend.  Our lives are not about our purpose or destiny being fulfilled, but the will of God and the purpose of God being fulfilled.  Too often our concern is for our accomplishment.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure

Any Christian ministry of goodness should be the ministry of Jesus.  For each of us is given a portion to manage and express.  It is His ministry assigned to us for a season.  What a privilege to be used of God in the walking out of His plan and purpose and will.  Friend, you and I are created for His pleasure.

2 Thessalonians 1:11  Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

The last few weeks, I have visited with bishops and business leaders concerning next steps in my walk with God.  There is wisdom in the multitude of wise counsel.  God has place in my stewardship a significant blessing for our nation.  How will I administrate this blessing God intends for us?  Who will come alongside and assist?  These are questions we all ask.

Each of us has differing skills and abilities assigned of God to walk out His good pleasure.  I encourage you to connect with God in motion and attach your availability to His good pleasure and purpose.  Surely, you are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has preordained in your path.

Prayer:

Father of Light and Joy, we anticipate a display of  Your Greatness in our lives and under our care.  It is not our purpose or destiny, but Your purpose and destined will that we desire.  Bring Friend closer to You.  That is Your primary will.

Bend us.  Mold us.  Shape us.  Correct us.  Discipline our lives.  Get Friend and me prepared to be instruments of Your will and plan and purpose.  You desire only good.  You plan only blessing.

Today, Precious Father, allow us to see clearly Your hand in our lives.  Show us the impact of Your action in and through us.

And we will be filled with Your glory.  And we will be filled with Your purpose.  And Friend and I will see Jesus in our lives.

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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God says, "Yes". I hear, "No". What do I do about that?

Powerful Healing: Glad Heart | Energy For Your Life and Health http://ow.ly/dIz9K

Short version....

Psalm 16:9 My heart is glad and celebrates in great joy.  With my whole being inside and out, I am excited and alive; my tongue must shout and declare this joy.  It cannot be contained or restrained.  A great sense of peace and restfulness and security envelops my body and mind and spirit.  Phil’s version

Rested Health

Now, that is a picture of great health and well being.  That is a picture of restful trust in God and God alone.  That is a picture of one that has wrestled with God and found Him to be more interested in securing our hearts that controlling our actions.  That is a picture of one, who has encountered fierce angers and pains and problems and illness and has come through to a new realization that the presence and leading of the Father brings us to refreshing and rest.  That is a wonderful picture.

Entering In

Entering in to health many times is preceded by great struggle and pain.  Our habits become acclimated to the struggle.  Our daily routines become expectant of the pain.  A friend going through back surgery shared some of her story.  The doctors instructed her that ghost pain would continue for some time.  Though the surgery is successful and removes even some nerve endings, our minds are trained to find pain at times of day and particular motions.  The pain is not there physiologically.  Yet, the pain is there in our minds.  The conditioning of ill health forms a barrier even when we are healed to enjoying the new freedom.

Breaking Conditional Barriers

In my own experience, I find it difficult to rest after an intense time of development of a business thrust or a strained season with a client.  Though the situation is ended and the issues are resolved, my daily expectation of another problem wrestles with my restfulness.  A wise executive once commented to me, “Even when we receive a new and different and positive answer, we hear the old negative one that is so common.”  He did not say it just like that, but you get the point.

There must be a time of “glory rejoicing” to break the conditional barriers of ill health and negative situations.  Celebrate.  This unspeakable joy works internally for us to remove scar tissues and sensitive nerves of mind and will and emotion and body.  Then we can receive the new and positive situation and answer.  This transition must happen.  It is a barrier breaker.

Prayer:

Father, there is a great life available through You and Your presence and Your word. 

You are life.

You are healing.

You are “Yes” to all Your promises.

You are “Amen” to all Your commitments.

Cause rejoicing to resound in the camp of my heart.  Let me release the joy of the moment that heals and conditions me to hear, “Yes, you are healed.”

Walk with me today, Father, as You heal negative expectation built on real experience with tough living. Let joys restore a new hearing and receptivity to my full health

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.