A Word Of Encouragement

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I have watched how our economy has affected so many lives. It is heartbreaking to see so many needs and so few resources. If anything, I think that for a lot of people the current economic breakdown has been a blessing because it has allowed people to trust in God more. It has allowed people to see first hand how God takes care of His children. Sure, I might not have some of the "new" things or the latest toy but I have seen with my eyes that God takes care of His kids. You are His child today. Don't think He has forgotten. He WILL take care of everything - just trust Him today."

For Those Struggling Today

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV) Life, at times, can be overwhelming - especially when you feel as if you've tried and exhausted all your resources and energies. Asa the king of Israel felt the same way. Opposing armies kept oppressing the little country of Israel over and over again. In the midst of that oppression a prophet shows up and basically says, "Stay the course, remain faithful and you will overcome your enemies." That is exactly what Asa did. The Bible says he took courage and did what God told him to do. If you're exhausted and overwhelmed today - Don't give up - stay the course - remain faithful and God will see you through to the victory ahead. Guaranteed!

A Word To Father's

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21 NIV) Fathers Day is this weekend so I thought I would give a word of encouragement to the father's today. Sometime ago, I met with a father and son that were at odds with each other. The son did not choose to go the way of his father and the father in turn rejected his son. It is now two years later and they still haven't spoke to one another. How sad. As a father it is only our place to guide our children on the path but it is their decision which path they will choose - right or wrong. As a father - we will always have the responsibility to pray for our children every day. We are influencers but ultimately they are in the hands of God. We must, if possible keep that bridge of communication open and must not embitter them along the way. We must not be provkers of wrath but stimulants of love. Even if our children go astray we must be the father who is standing on the porch, watching, waiting for the prodigal to come home. We must do our part and then let God do His part. Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.""

A Matter Of Great Importance

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV) Devote defined: "to set apart or concentrate to, to give attention to. I think the word "devote" would not be one of the words that would describe most of our prayer lives. We would probably use phrases like sporatic, half-hearted, after-thought, boring, and uninteresting. When Colossians says that we need to "devote" ourselves to prayer it takes on a whole new meaning. We are to be "focused" in our prayer. It is to be a "priority" in our lives. It is to be a time of "intimacy" and "importance" and not an after-thought. I would like to challenge each and every one of you to re-think your prayer life and the time and energy that you give to it. I would pray that prayer would once again be a primary thing in your daily life and that Christ would become an intimate part of your daily experience. Set aside some time that is quiet and get back into the groove today and allow God to open up His heart to you in new and refreshing ways. He has something to say to you - are you listening today?"

A Shepherds Prayer For New Life Chapel

"Father, I pray great grace over the family of NLC today. I pray that you would cover each of them with your protection and peace. May every person they come in contact feel and sense that God is at work in them and through them. I pray also for those struggling today with issues that are weighing them down. I pray that you will lead them through and give them the answers they need. I pray that any burdens they have will be turned into pools of joy. I also lift up those who are struggling with financial issues and ask that you would be Jehovah Jireh (The God Who Provides) to them. I pray for miracles to happen today for those who are in need of a miracle. I pray for those who are having health needs and pray that you would be Jehovah Raphe (The Lord Who Heals). I ask that you would break all our hearts with that which breaks yours and that sin will be far from our lives today. Help us to reach out to those who have been dealt with unjustice. Help us to remember that we we're once like them and if it wasn't for the grace of God - we would still be in their shoes. I pray that we would all have a thankful heart today and that we would give thanks in all things. I pray your blessings on your people today. I ask this in Jesus' Strong Name. Amen!"

Where Is Your Blessing?

Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a small jar of olive oil." (2 Kings 4:2 NIV) I think a lot of Christians are looking for their blessing in all the wrong places. They think, "If I only could have this house or that job," or "If I could have a big bank account," or "if I could move to such and such city," etc. Sometimes we are looking everywhere for the blessings but have neglected to look in one important place - our own house, our own lives. What has God already blessed you with? What has He already given you that you've neglected to give thanks for. We often over look the small blessings that have already been given to us and t's these blessings that sometimes become the catylyst for greater blessings down the road. So, instead of always looking elsewhere for some outside blessing coming your way - why not look at what God has already blessed you with and give thanks daily for the blessings you already have been given. Watch how God will turn those small blessings into pools of joy today!"

Your Victory Is Around The Corner

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16, 17 NIV) I have applied this verse to my life more than a few times over my years. Life, at times, can seem overwhelming and the circumstances can see undaunting. When looking forward to our situations we often see only a lot of heartache and a lot of drama. We only see how big our problems are. In this passage, the servant of the man of God could only see that the army of men surrounding them and his life was filled with fear. Elisha knew something this servant didn't know - the army that was seen was no match for the army that was not seen. God's army was bigger and more in number then the army surrounding them. My question to you today is "What do you see today?" Do you only see the problems and the difficulties or do you see how big your God is and what is about to do for you. Look up today and see that your victory is right around the corner and that "greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world." "