A MAN’S INTEGRITY
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON JESUS, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Hebrews 3:1

I want to first of all tell you how grateful I am that you are on this journey with me in desiring to be a FREEDOM FIGHTER. I realize everyday how important it is for us to walk in the victory that has been made possible for us through Jesus Christ. Every day I also am aware that there is one who desires to take us out. That is why it is important for us to be encouraging each other to THINK VICTORY!

Here is a powerful word on INTEGRITY. A message that we need to hear often …

“Integrity is an inner quality that affects our OUTER deeds. It brings together all that a man is, from the INSIDE out. In the compartmentalized, fragmented, and superficial culture, where men have learned to hide their feelings, carry incredible burdens, and stand alone in the face of a hostile world, integrity has taken a back seat.

In nearly every business in this land, including the institutionalized church, power is often more highly prized that integrity. On the outside we are building our walls, boundaries, and kingdoms, but on the inside we are running as fast as we can just to keep up.

Our sons, however, deserve better than to be handed a legacy of deceit, fear, compromise, and isolation. They must be taught that weakness is not failure and that even failure is a gift in the journey of life. To need relationships, to cry out for help, to weep at pain and sorrow, to share honestly with others the condition of a wounded heart is not to be any less of a man. These are the marks of a man of integrity, a man who recognizes that failure and loneliness and need and fear are the building blocks of faith.

A man of integrity is man enough to admit that he doesn’t have all the answers. A man of integrity makes a promise intending to keep his word, even if it costs him dearly. A man of integrity admits failure and asks forgiveness when even his best intentions cannot or are not fulfilled; he picks himself right up in the light of grace and forges ahead, learning from his defeats.

A man of integrity is committed to the law of loving his neighbor as himself, WHOEVER that neighbor happens to be. Most of all, a man of integrity loves Jesus Christ with passion, trusts Jesus Christ with fervor, and follows Jesus Christ with focused dedication.

Call your son to integrity. Invite him into the turbulent waters of faith as he grows up. Allow him to see you struggle with compromise and failure and arrogance and fear. Grant him permission to care for you when you are in need, without burdening him beyond what he can bear. Give him the gift of a father who is authentic, a dad more concerned with truth that personal acclaim. Pass on to your son the torch of faith in Jesus Christ, the ‘high priest whom we confess.'” (Hebrews 3:1) – Steve Lee and Chap Clark – Boys to Men

That was a powerful word for me today and I hope it will be another building block in your life and mine as we THINK VICTORY! Thanks for being my friend.

Great quote: O how near are we to each other when we are all united in God! How well do we converse when we have but a single will and a single thought in Him who is all things in us! Would you find your true friends, then? Seek them only in Him who is the single source of true and eternal friendship. Would you speak with or hear from them? Sink in silence into the bosom of Him who is the word, the life, and the soul of all those who speak and live the truth. You will find in Him not only every want supplied, but everything perfect, which you find so imperfect in the creatures in whom you confide. Francois Fenelon

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
“Summon your power, O God; show us YOUR strength.” Psalm 68:28

Did you ever find yourself so overwhelmed with life that you want to just crawl back into bed and pull up the covers? I am still trying to learn the lesson that I can’t do ANYTHING in my own strength – but with His strength – wow! This is what I read about HIS strength this morning from STREAMS IN THE DESERT (Zondervan):

“The Lord imparts to me the underlying strength of character that gives me the necessary energy and decision-making ability to live my life. He strengthens me ‘with power through his Spirit in my inner being.’ (Ephesians 3:16) And the strength He gives is continuous, for HE is a source of power I cannot exhaust.

1. “Your strength will equal your days” (Deut. 33:25) – my strength of will, affection, judgment, ideals, and achievements will last a lifetime.

2. ” The LORD is MY strength” (Exodus 15:2) to GO ON. He gives me the power to walk the long, straight, and level path, even when the monotonous way has no turns or curves offering pleasant surprises and when my spirit is depressed with the terrible drudgery.

3. “The Lord is my strength” to GO UP. He is my power to climb the straight and narrow path up the Hill of Difficulty, as Christian did in Pilgrim’s Progress, and not be afraid.

4. “The Lord is my strength” to GO DOWN. It is often once I leave the invigorating heights, where the wind and the sunlight have surrounded me, and begin to descend to the more confining, humid, and stifling heat of the valley below that my heart grows faint. In fact, I recently heard someone say, referring to his own increasing physical frailty, ‘It is coming down that tires me most!’

5. “The Lord is my strength” to SIT STILL. And what a difficult accomplishment this is! I often say to others during those times when I am compelled to be still, “If only I could do something!” I feel like the parent by his sick child but is powerless to heal. What a severe test! Yet to do NOTHING except to sit still and wait requires tremendous strength. The LORD is my strength! Our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5

So what about you, today? Whatever it is you are facing, my friend – HE IS YOUR STRENGTH – whether it is to GO ON, GO UP, GO DOWN or to SIT STILL – Be encouraged – HE IS YOUR STRENGTH. You will be like Nehemiah that can say even in the midst of the struggles of life – “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!”

Great Quote: A man broken by God, is an obedient man. Further, he is a vulnerable man, vulnerable to feeling the hurts, pains and grief’s of the people he must serve. God breaks a person, not to let goodness OUT, but to let goodness IN. Something enters him that flavors his whole being, tenderizes his heart, and makes him able to empathize with others.” – Glynn Evans

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
“And let us consider one another to provoke to love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24

I believe in the local church. God has ordained it and there is no getting around it friend – we need to be a part of a local church. One radio preacher has said that the church is dead and no longer at work there. I can’t figure out how an intelligent man can say that, but know this – no church is perfect. And if you found one, you just ruined it!

The church isn’t about a building, pews, chairs, pianos, organs or drums. It’s about people. It’s a place for people to grow in their relationship with God and each other. As members of the body of Christ we are to be a part of each other’s lives. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says that we are to “PROVOKE” each other, not in a bad way, but in a positive way.

Two words in this verse for your consideration this morning. 1) “Consider” – I learned this morning that this word means “to thoroughly think something through or to ponder something from the top all the way to the bottom. It is mulling over something over; carefully contemplating a matter; pondering and carefully looking at a particular issue; examining and fully studying a subject.

One commentator says that “this word pictures someone who is so concerned about someone else that he has taken the time to really consider that other person. He has observed that person’s ups and downs and his highs and lows. He has studied to find out what helps that person feel encouraged and what events tend to pull him down. Because he has determined to really know and understand that other person, he invests a great deal of time and concentration into studying and getting to know that other person. This kind of knowledge doesn’t come by accident, but by determined pursuit! The writer of Hebrews uses this word to convey a picture of a loving community where people are concerned about each other’s welfare. In fact, they are constantly observing and contemplating each other to know how to encourage and provoke each other to love and to good works.”

The second word is “provoke” – not in a bad way, but in a positive way for the purpose of prodding and impelling a person to do something. How do we accomplish that? One writer says “you sharpen a brother, prod him, impel him, and inspire him to keep on fighting the good fight of faith … We are to get involved in the local church, not just for our own benefit, but to be benefit to others as well. We need people who will love us, observe us, and support us when we are struggling or standing on a word from God. But at the same time, others need that assistance too … The local church should be a place of victory where faith is built up, the soul is encouraged, and wisdom and strength are imparted. It’s a community where faith lives and triumphs through a family of believers’ love and concern for each other.” -Rick Renner – Sparkling Gems from the Greek

My question to you is this … have you considered how you can make that kind of a difference in someone’s life today? Don’t get wrapped up in the culture of “it’s all about me!” Find another brother in your community of believers and do what Hebrews suggests: “And constantly be observing one another; seriously contemplating, studying, and examining each other, until you know exactly how to incite and stimulate each other to love and to good works!”

Great quote: “If only one believer with total faith rises up, the history of the world will be changed. Will YOU be that one to rise up, submitting yourself to the sovereignty and guidance of God our Father?” A. E. Mc Adam

BRINGING CORRECTION IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient. That means you must put up with those who don’t act thrilled when you sit down to correct or instruct them. You have to be patient and tolerantly bear with them and their reactions until they finally hear what you are trying to express to them.” 2 Timothy 2:24

Yesterday I shared the phrase: “Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness …” in the context that the enemy will also go after us at our greatest strength point, not just in our areas of weakness. If you missed yesterday’s Freedom Fighter, you can visit either www.keswickfreedomfighters@blogspot.com or go directly to the Freedom Fighter corner of our website: www.americaskeswick.org.

Today I have to do some that I am not very comfortable with – CONFRONTATION. One of my greatest strengths is that I am a people person! But one of my weaknesses is that when it comes to having to do the tough stuff – man, I am a chicken with a capital “C!” I know this is a part of my role, but it sure ain’t easy!

Today’s reading from SPARKLING GEMS FROM THE GREEK was a timely word from God to my heart …

“Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are trying to help someone who isn’t listening or paying attention to what you are trying to tell him? Should that happen to you in the future, don’t allow yourself to get so angry that you lose your temper and say something you will regret later!

It’s frustrating to help someone who stubbornly sits across the table, peers at you in total defiance, and reacts to your counsel as I you don’t have an idea what you are talking about. But from time to time, everyone faces situations like this. Perhaps it happens when a parent tries to speak to his rebellious child; when an employer tries to bring correction to an employee; when a pastor speaks the truth that a church member doesn’t want to hear; or when someone tries to lovingly communicate his concern to a friend who he believes is making a mistake in his life.

As you begin the process of bringing correction into a person’s life, PUT YOURSELF IN HIS SHOES. If you were the one sitting there, would it be easy or difficult for you to hear what is about to be said? Would you feel wonderful about receiving correction, or would you feel a little embarrassed?

If the person you are correcting acts closed or puts up a wall of defense first, it may be that he’s just embarrassed or reacting out of insecurity. Therefore, don’t stop the conversation unless you can see that he’s definitely just being combative and is completely closed to your input. In order to discern the true situation, you need to be patient and slow in judging his reaction to your correction.

When Paul wrote and instructed Timothy how to bring correction into someone’s life, he stressed the need to be ‘PATIENT’ when giving correction. In 2 Timothy 2:24, he wrote, ‘And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be GENTLE to all men, apt to teach, patient!’ The Greek word for “patient” is aneksiskaso. This is a compound of the words anechomai and kakos. The word anechomai means to endure patiently, to bear with, or to have a tolerant attitude toward someone or something.

When these two words are compounded as they are in this verse, it portrays an attitude that is tolerant and that bears with a bad, depraved, or an evil response. Paul was telling us that when we attempt to bring correction into a person’s life, and his response is wrong or even terrible, we are not to get all flared up about it! Getting upset won’t make the situation any better. Instead we are to grab hold of the power of God, look that person in the eyes, and bear with him until he calms down and hears what we are saying. In other words, sometimes we just have to put up with a person’s reaction, whether it is good or bad.

Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of MEEKNESS; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted!” When I am about to give correction, it has always been helpful for me to remember how difficult it might be to sit on the other side of the table and hear a superior correcting ME. So before I correct someone, I first consider how I would want to be told if I had done something wrong, just as Paul suggested … ‘considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.’

Before you charge into a room to correct someone, first take time to pray and really THINK about the best, the most PEACEFUL, and the most POSITIVE way to speak those words of correction of even words of rebuke. Do it in the right spirit, and don’t permit yourself to get upset if you see a response that isn’t exactly what you had hoped for. Just hold tight, be calm, and BEAR WITH the person you’re talking to a little while as he adjusts to the idea of being corrected. If he ultimately refuses your correction and remains defiant, you may have to take a different route. But at least in the beginning, be patient with that person if he doesn’t respond the way you hoped.

Why not ask the Holy Spirit today to help you become more temperate when people under your authority don’t respond exactly as you had wished? Be patient and believe that they will eventually come around.”

I hope that word is helpful to someone this morning. I know I needed it today for several situations that I need to deal with. I am thankful for the timing of God’s messages to my ears!

Great quote: “It is a mystery how a saint, with the precious ointment of Christ poured upon His heart, could still have such a strong scent from the world. It would seem that the sweet perfume that comes from those beds of spices – God’s promises – would spoil the Christian’s desire for hunting earthly game. The breath from Christ in them should so fill the saint’s senses that gross earthly enjoyments would no longer be pleasing to him.” — William Gurnall

ATTACKING THE CITADEL’S STRONGEST PART

One of the principles of equipping people that I that I have learned during my twenty plus years of ministry is this: our greatest strengths can be our greatest weaknesses. I have found that principle to be true and one that is helpful to people that I work with.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. Today’s reading from DAILY WITH THE KING (Moody Press) sheds light on this principle:

“It is true that Satan attacks at our weakest point. But it is even MORE true that he attacks us at our strongest point. How did he cause Peter to fall? By striking him where the disciple thought he was strong – his ability to command leadership, to do the heroic, to be a ‘star.’ ‘I will lay down my life for You’ (John 13:37). But as with Samson, his strength was his weakness, and Satan knew it. Peter not only had DEPTHS of which he was unaware, there were also HEIGHTS; and it was on the heights that Satan caught him.

Have you not felt the same thing? In the place where you felt strong and bulwarked, Satan tripped you up? Where you felt secure, he stripped you naked. I think of Job. Satan trapped him in his INTEGRITY, his strongest spiritual asset. Perhaps Job thought too highly of his integrity, perhaps it became his pride; and where pride entered, we develop a blind spot.

I think of Jesus. It was in His very SONSHIP that Satan tried to dislodge Him. ‘If [since] You are the Son of God, command that these stones …’ (Matthew 4:3) Satan knew Jesus was God’s Son; acting on that knowledge, he tried to shrewdly twist Jesus’ strongest element into something devious. He attacked the strongest part of the citadel.

I must not think of Satan as only a wily serpent who sneaks around nibbling at my exposed parts. I must see him as a frontal foe who hammers hard at my very strengths. That means I must be careful to let my strengths simply be my strengths, but never my BOASTS! I am assured that because CHRIST is in me, I can be just as frontal with Satan as he is with me: ‘Resist the devil and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7). Then my strengths can remain my strengths through the Victorious One!”

Good food for thought as we begin another week that starts with this Lord’s Day!

Great quote: God shows us His love for mankind not only when we do good, but also when we offend and displease Him. How patiently he endures our transgressions; and when He chastises, how mercifully He chastises!
Seraphim of Sarov

PUT SIN TO DEATH

It’s not a popular topic in church any more. We dance (oops!) around it — try to sugar coat it, and even try to re-package it. But the Bible is pretty clear that God’s position on sin has been consistent – He hates it! It is the reason that He sent His Son Jesus to die to take it away once and for all so that we could have a right relationship with Him.

We need to remind ourselves of its pull and tug in our lives. You’ve heard me say it before but it does bear repeating:

1. Sin will always take your further than you want to go.

2. Sin will cost you more than you are willing to pay.

3. Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay.

Chambers nails it – “At the beginning of our lives we do not bring ourselves to the point of dealing with the reality of sin. We look at life through the eyes of reason and say that if a person will control his instincts, and educate himself, he can produce a life that will slowly evolve into the life of God. But as we continue on through life, we find the presence of something which we have not yet taken into account, namely, sin – and it upsets all of our thinking and our plans.
Sin has made the foundation of our thinking unpredictable, uncontrollable, and irrational.

We have to recognize that sin is a fact of life, not just a shortcoming. Sin is blatant mutiny against God, and either sin or God must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue – if sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed. The culmination of sin was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and what was true in the history of God on earth will be also true in your history and in mine – that it, sin will kill the life of God in us.”

Get God’s perspective on the power and grip of sin. Why not read Romans 6-8 sometime this weekend. He died for it. He gives you the power to defeat it! Check it out.

Great quote: In the final analysis our greatest problem with holiness is not that our concepts of holiness are feeble, but that our hearts are rebellious. We are selfish, that’s our problem. And the fact that we often won’t admit our selfishness shows how deep the pride goes. Floyd McClung

SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON JUDGING OTHERS

“With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:2)

Earlier in the week I shared some insight on the topic of judging others from Oswald Chambers. In today’s reading from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST he shares some additional thoughts that are worth our consideration this morning:

“Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between RETALIATION and RETRIBUTION. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution – “with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the short-comings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26).

Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very same things we are guilty of ourselves?

The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is HUMILITY, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore I have no right to judge.”

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) He went on to say, in effect, “If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others”? We have judged others as sinners – if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.”

Something to think about this morning. I know that I have struggled in this area. Maybe you have too. Hope it provides some additional insight. Thanks for being on the journey with me.

Great Quote: When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God. Luis Palua

WHERE ARE MY EYES?

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

We recently spent several days at Ocean City and did the usual – B & B – beach and boardwalk. I love the shore and all that goes with it – the sound of the ocean, the smells of the boardwalk, watching the parade of people.

For years we enjoyed just sitting on the boardwalk and watching the people walk by. But the parade has changed. Maybe I am more sensitive to what I see in the parade because of the type of ministry I am in. Maybe it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that is creating in me more of a sensitivity to the parade. And maybe it is the recognition that God is watching the parade with me.

Remember when you were young and you went to the circus? Remember the parade of all the cast members? You saw the clowns, the acrobats and the other cast members. Maybe you’ve been to a Disney parade or a parade in your town. The participants spent a lot of time finding just the right costumes and it was a wholesome for the entire family.

Maybe that is the reason the parade has changed so today at the shore. There seems to be less and less costumes on the participants. Ocean City has been known for many years as a “Christian” town – unlike some of the other shore locations. Families of all ages were able to enjoy the “wholesome” atmosphere. The boardwalk is still “gambling” free – none of this crazy games. But on this trip, it was obvious that the impact of culture on how men and women dress is a danger zone for most men, and if they are honest, even women.

What was difficult on this trip was the number of men and women walking the boards with very little clothing, particularly during the day. For those of us that struggle with our eyes and thought lives, it is a very dangerous place to be. The concept of bouncing your eyes is much needed – but this was ridiculous. Where do you bounce your eyes to because it was in every direction? One could easily get a migraine headache from your eyes darting to and fro trying to find a safe marker to fix your eyes upon. Basically there are two choices – look down at the ground or look up at the sky!

And maybe it is more complicated because you know that God is watching what you are looking at and so is your spouse. We went to the beach just one afternoon and it was very difficult. Three young ladies walked down in front of us clad in barely anything on and proceeded to undress right in front of Jan, Zach and me. They were bending over snapping their tops and bottoms. How easy it would be very easy to stumble with your eyes, which as King David discovered, was deadly.

Guys – the enemy is going to try every way to capture and arrest your attention. We need to guard our eyes with a vengeance. We need to be sure that we are teaching our wives and kids how to dress properly so that they are not causing others to stumble. I thought about the fact that some guy could be watching one of my girls or wife walking down the boardwalk or laying on the beach. Suppose she is wearing a revealing swimsuit. How would I feel knowing that guys are lusting after her body? Undressing her with their eyes? How does that make you feel? Most of us wouldn’t be very happy.

Some of us want to protect our kids, especially our teens from making bad choices morally. But think about the culture they live in. Less is better. More attractive, more revealing. More skin showing is better. It’s everywhere – from billboards to TV. I have noticed more and more in getting around to churches that even our Christian teens are dressing more and more provocatively. Here’s a thought that you can ponder. When Jesus talked about adultery he broadened the definition by adding the caveat that even if a man LOOKS on a woman with lustful thoughts, he has committed adultery.

Fox News did a brief commentary this week posing the question if a person dreams about having sex outside of his or her partner, can that be considered rape? Jesus knew that the EYE GATE is a powerful vehicle for the mind! A remember – He was addressing a culture where women were dressed up to the eyeball! Imagine what He would say to us if He literally, physically stepped into our culture.

Bottom line – we need to be extremely careful with our eyes. Maybe it begins with bouncing the eyes. Maybe it begins with sharing with your wife how difficult it is for you to be in a spot where there is so much skin available to the eye-gate.

Something to think about.

Great Quote: How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? Anonymous

BEWARE OF CRITICIZING OTHERS

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:11

It’s a principle that I learned a long time ago – “Whenever you point your accusatory finger at someone else, there are at least three pointing back at you!” It has proven itself true over and over again in my own life. When I judge someone else, it most always shows that I am struggling with the same issues in my own life.

Chambers devotional from June 17th hits the nail right on the head and is worth your consideration today:

“Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, “DON’T.” The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The EFFECT of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding.

It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make your harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that HIS disciples should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly be aware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.

There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Every wrong that I see in YOU, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24).

Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we see nothing about, in every person’s situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.” From MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

Ouch! But a great reminder about judging and condemning others. Think about it!

Great quote: “As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends NOW, and pray for those with whom you come in contact with NOW.”
– Oswald Chambers

SPENDING TIME WITH HIM

Jan, Zach and me have had three wonderful days at Ocean City with some very dear friends. It has been a very refreshing time and I have even finished two books!

I came across this very helpful little outline on spending time with God and thought it would be helpful to you.

HOW TO SPEND AN HOUR WITH GOD

Give five minutes to each of the following twelve activities:

1. Praise the Lord for who HE is (Hebrews 13:15)

2. Read the Word (Psalm 119:105).

3. Meditate on what you have just read (Joshua 1:8).

4. Confess your sins and shortcomings (1 John 1:9).

5. Intercede for others (1 Samuel 12:18).

6. Listen for God’s voice (Psalm 46:10).

7. Pray using the language of the Word (Psalm 22:1)

8. Petition God for your own needs (James 4:2).

9. Pray for your Pastor (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

10. Pray for your church (Ephesians 5:25).

11. Pray for your public and corporate leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-8).

12. Give thanks. (Psalm 136)

from Bible-Based Prayer Ministries – Forth Worth, Texas

When was the last time you spent some significant time alone with HIM?
Today is a good day to start.

Great quote: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and from prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray!” – Samuel Chadwick