August | 2013 | Reflections of a New Creation

In seeking to grow in communicating with my Heavenly Father in prayer, one book I am going through with my wife is Paul Miller’s book, “A Praying Life.” While we are only a few chapters into it, the book so far has been very helpful!

In my weekly times of special reflection, I want to review some of the chapters (or sections in each chapter) I have read and write down some quotes I found helpful, including some of my own thoughts. In doing this, I pray that it would continue to help me grow a praying life, and also help you as well.

Chapter 2 is entitled “Where We Are Headed” (yes, still in chapter for a few more weeks!)

This chapter was very helpful in giving a big picture vision and direction for growing a praying life
Prayer is all about RELATIONSHIP
Prayer is about becoming aware of the STORY of God for this world and our relationship with Him
Prayer also gives birth to HOPE
“Because God is composing a story with our lives, then are lives are no longer static. We aren’t paralyzed by life; we can HOPE!”
“Because my Father controls everything, I can ASK, and He will LISTEN and ACT.”
“Since I am His child, change is possible!”
And, as we grow in hope-filled prayer, it will become INTEGRATED with ALL of life
A praying life is not a less busy life – Jesus was very busy (though never rushed)
“If we love people and have the power to help, then we are going to be busy.”
“Learning to pray doesn’t offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy HEART”

Praying for a life filled with HOPE and a much less busy HEART.

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August 28 – 2 Chronicles 26-28

Posted in Devotions on August 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge

August 28 – 2 Chronicles 26-28

Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)

Focusing on 2 Chronicles 26-28
Uzziah was a great king with a long reign
He did what was right in the sight of the Lord
He expanded the territory of Israel and God made him prosper
But, he didn’t end well
When he was strong, he grew proud to his destruction, and he was unfaithful to the Lord
Jotham, his son was also a good king, doing right in the eyes of the Lord
But, Ahaz, Jotham’s son was not
He did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord
He made idols
He turned away from the Lord and turned to foreign false gods
This led to great defeat for Judah
Yet, after him, his son Hezekiah was another good king
(The cycle of human kings reminds us of our day)
(Sometimes, we have really good rulers – which we should praise God for)
(But, we should not put our hope in them – after them, a bad ruler can come and undo all the good that was done)
(On the other hand, when we have really bad rulers, we should not lost hope and despair)

How Points to Christ

The cycle of kings, good and bad, all of them dying, with another taking their place is to give us a longing for a better Kingdom with a better King who reigns forever
That ultimate King is the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus is the perfect king, and His reign will never end
COME LORD JESUS COME!

Apply

Please pray that regardless of who is ruling in a human sense, that I would trust God and keep praying for the rulers
Please pray that God would grant the grace of good rulers
Please pray that God would lead leaders of nations to salvation and to follow Him in humility, not to lead in pride
Please pray that Jesus would come soon to consummate His forever Kingdom

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August 28 – Prayer for the World and Unreached

Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on August 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!

Unreached of the Day

Please pray for the …

Dakpa of Bhutan

Population: 5,700

Language: Brokpake

Religion: Buddhism

Evangelical: 0.02%

For more details…

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August 27 – 1 Kings 15-18

Posted in Devotions on August 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge

August 27 – 1 Kings 15-18

Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)

Focusing on 1 Kings 18
God is the only Lord over all
Elijah’s confrontation with the priests of Baal is one of my favorites in practically showing the distinction between all the idols of this world and the One True God
For the priests of Baal, they try to repetition and loud yelling to get the attention of their false god
They try ritual dancing, like limping around the altar, to get the attention of their false god
They cried even louder and even hurt themselves, cutting themselves to try to get the attention of their false god
BUT, several times the text says, “But there was NO voice, and NO ONE answered. NO ONE paid attention.” (because false gods don’t exist)
In contrast, Elijah by faith rebuilt the altar of God
Elijah prayed to the One True God
And God answered, displaying to all that He is God, the Lord, He is God

How Points to Christ

The One True God is a Triune God who sent His ultimate prophet to this world to show His uniqueness
God came to earth as a man in order to reconcile man back to God
The One True God is a personal God who hears and saves in Jesus Chirst

Apply

Please pray that my faith and joy in the One True God would increase
Many times, I see fear of man in my life, sometimes speaking of God in an apologetic, shy manner, worried that people wouldn’t accept God or like God
BUT, I should be BOASTING about the One True God
Only God can do all the things people in this world desire and more importantly NEED (salvation and a reconciled relationship with God
Please pray that I would joyfully and boldly and excitedly tell others of the glory of the One True God who is there, who has a voice, who listens, and who pays attention because of His undeserved love and mercy in Jesus Christ

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August 27 – Prayer for the World and Unreached

Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on August 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!

Unreached of the Day

Please pray for the …

Jola-Fonyi of Guinea-Bissau

Population: 500

Language: Jola-Fonyi

Religion: Islam

Evangelical: 0.00%

For more details…

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August 26 – Prayer for the World and Unreached

Posted in Evangelism, Prayer on August 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

May God increase our desire for His glory to spread to all nations and peoples – Operation World. and Joshua Project!

Unreached of the Day

Please pray for the …

Bengkulu of Indonesia

Population: 26,000

Language: Malay, Central

Religion: Islam

Evangelical: 0.00%

For more details…

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A Praying Life continued

Posted in Devotions, Gospel, Prayer on August 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

God has been working in my heart to cultivate a deeper and more intimate prayer life to know and love Him more. Please pray for me.

Chapter 2 is entitled “Where We Are Headed” (yes, still in chapter for a few more weeks!)

This chapter was very helpful in giving a big picture vision and direction for growing a praying life
Prayer is all about RELATIONSHIP
And, prayer is about becoming aware of the STORY of God for this world and our relationship with Him
“Since God is SOVEREIGN, then He is in control of ALL the details of my life.”
“Since God is LOVING, then He is going to be shaping the details of my life for my good.”
“Since God is ALL-WISE, then He’s not going to do everything I want because I don’t know what I need.”
“Since God is PATIENT, then He is going to take time to do all this. :
“When we put all these things together, God’s sovereignty, love, wisdom, and patience, we have a divine story”
“People (I) often talk about prayer as if it is disconnected from what God is doing in their lives. But we are actors in His drama, listening for our lines, quieting our hearts so we can heart the voice of the Playwright.”

Praying for a growing RELATIONSHIP with my Heavenly Father who IS sovereign, loving, all-wise, and patient! Please pray that I would remember these attributes of God in my relationship with Him.

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