Video Bible Lesson - A Prayer of Encouragement for Your Work By Theresa Ceniccola

A Prayer of Encouragement for Your Work
By Theresa Ceniccola

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

1/20/2020

01/20/2020

A Prayer of Encouragement for Your Work
By Theresa Ceniccola

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17).
What do you pray for? I pray for my family, my marriage, my health… for friends and total strangers who are going through a difficult experience… for abandoned children and prisoners of war. Those are probably some of the same things you pray for. But I also talk to God about my business. I ask for divine direction and wise counsel.
If God has blessed you with a business or ministry, you should remember to pray for it as well. May this prayer help you remember to keep the faith in the work environment.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the blessing of my business or ministry. I am grateful that you planted a seed in my heart and gave me the resources and opportunity to use my gifts to serve others.
Lord please show me what you want me to do next with the gift of my work. Teach me to make wise decisions and keep my eyes focused on the path you set before me. Help me avoid temptations and distractions that lead me astray.
Lord, please help me to be a better steward of the many blessings you have bestowed on me. Teach me to be financially responsible and generous with my time, talent and treasure.
Lord, give me the courage and faith to follow your call – even when it means taking risks. Protect me from the doubts and fears that prevent me from fulfilling your purpose for me. Help me to trust in you and feel your never-ending love and presence.
Lord, when I’m filled with doubt about my abilities or qualifications, please cover me with your peace and fill me with confidence. Help me to remember that I am serving you through my work and that you will equip me to fulfill your call.
Lord, please fill me with faith and resolve to keep moving forward when I feel like giving up. Remind me of your will for me and give me the patience and endurance to stay the course, despite the many obstacles I face.
Lord, this business or ministry is a wonderful learning experience for me. Please teach me everything I need to know in order to succeed in your plans. Give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding, so that I may please you and glorify you through my work.
Amen

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Our Convictions Our Defense

Our Convictions Our Defense

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 14:20-23

A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his beliefs are true. Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve.

Contrast this wishy-washy approach with the mindset of the great men and women of Scripture. Despite many years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles. As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure Israel’s survival (Gen. 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Dan. 1:20). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God (3:29).

As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions can withstand the changing winds of opinion and the persuasive arguments of opponents. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid conflict.

Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live by godly conviction. The Bible has much to say about the most important aspects of your life. See if God’s principles and promises hold true. Through prayer and study, allow Him to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions.

God of Everything

God of Everything
ANITHA ABRAHAM

“ … Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” 1 Kings 20:28 (ESV)

Years ago, I was preparing for a meeting at work. This meeting was different from the ones I had attended in the past when I could just grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable in my seat. 

This time, I was leading it.

As a new supervisor, I was especially nervous. Unfortunately, I wasn’t announcing any big raises or longer breaks at this particular meeting. Instead, there were some specific policy changes that needed to be addressed with my team.

I remember praying and asking God to guide me as I formulated a plan. I asked Him to give me the words to say. I also interceded for my team that God would prepare their hearts to receive the changes.

The morning came, and so did the butterflies in my stomach. I whispered another prayer as I walked into the room. With my notes in my shaking hands and a voice to match, I started the meeting. Eventually, the nerves subsided, and the conversation flowed. Thankfully, when it was all said and done, it went better than I could have ever expected.

Later, I told someone how well the meeting turned out. When I mentioned I had prayed for it, this person replied, “I don’t think God really cares about this kind of stuff. He’s got bigger stuff to deal with.”

I just smiled, but my heart knew differently.

In 1 Kings 20, an opposing army was getting ready to fight Israel. Their strategy was simple … “And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, ‘Their gods are gods of the hills, and so they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they’” (1 Kings 20:23, ESV).

The Syrians had put God in a box and were convinced He would be around for the battles on the hills, but not on the plains.

They were wrong.

“And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Because the Syrians have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,’ therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord”’” (1 Kings 20:28).

Throughout Scripture, we see God was wherever His people needed Him to be.

• When Adam and Eve were hiding in the garden, feeling the shame of their sin, God came to walk with them.
• 
  
• It may have started with just Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, but before long, there was someone else there who appeared to be the “son of the gods” according to the pagan king (Daniel 3:25, ESV).
• • The woman at the well was trying to avoid the stares of the community but encountered the Savior instead.
  • And that hasn’t changed.
  “Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too! If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting! Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me, for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.” Psalm 139:7-11 (TPT) 
  No battle is too big. Diagnosis. Marital struggles. Infertility. Prodigal child. Job loss.
  No battle is too small. Allergies. Disagreements. Babies who won’t sleep through the night. Work meetings.
  He is a God of the hills, the plains and everything in between.
  Dear Lord, thank You for the reassurance that everything that happens to me matters to You. You are a good Father who loves me beyond what I can even comprehend. Help me to always come to You with faith, knowing that nothing is too small or too big for You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
  TRUTH FOR TODAY:
  Psalm 73:23, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” (NIV)
  Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (ESV)

I'm Happy for You... (Not) ^

I'm Happy for You... (Not)
by Kelly Givens

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 

“Just installed our kitchen countertops! They’re GORGEOUS.”

I rolled my eyes as I glanced at the pictures someone - no older than me - had just posted online. Picture after picture of their sparkly new kitchen, inside their custom built (custom built, I tell you!) house. I looked up from screen and into my own tiny apartment kitchen with its plain, generic countertops. Nothing custom-built in my place. I tried not to think about it, but it was too late - jealousy had flooded my heart. It’s scary how natural it flowed in. All I wanted in that moment was to be OUT of my apartment and into some glamorous space of my own. Can you relate?

I love it when the Bible is black and white. There’s no confusion surrounding Romans 12:15 - we’re called to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Pretty simple... except when it isn’t. I bet most of us wouldn’t have to think too hard to remember a time we failed pretty miserably at rejoicing over someone’s joy, or weeping as another wept. Why do we have this challenge?

When we fail to rejoice with those who rejoice, there could be several reasons why, but here are some I thought of off the top of my head: insecurity, jealousy or envy, discontent, bitterness.

What about when we fail to weep with those who weep? Here are some reasons (excuses, really) that come to mind: lacking compassion, both generally in life or toward a certain individual; perhaps not taking the time to listen or really put yourself in the person’s position; too busy to notice the suffering of others, distancing yourself emotionally from pain.

I’ve thought of some scenarios that may indicate we’re failing at Romans 12:15:

• Instead of rejoicing at someone’s news, we immediately begin to compare how our circumstances measure up.
• We’re quick to say “Oh yes, that happened to me once, too” instead of silently listening and acknowledging the hurt of others.
• We try to come to the rescue in every situation, rather than acknowledging that some suffering isn’t solvable or explainable (think Job and his friends).
• We brush off the pain of others because we think they are “taking things too hard.”
• We’re quick to say, “Well at least you’ve never experienced this" (insert whatever horrible thing we’ve experienced).
• We think they cheated their way to the blessings, just got lucky or don’t deserve the good thing they received (their parents are totally paying for that custom-built house!).

So what’s at the root of all of this? What’s the “sin beneath the sin,” so to speak?

I think central to our failure to rejoice and weep with others is a preoccupation with self. We can’t step outside of ourselves long enough to truly step into both the blessings and sufferings of those around us. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve tried to make a habit of acknowledging the joys and sufferings of others without immediately inserting myself into the situation. This isn’t a natural inclination for me. Satan is the master of deception and loves to make us fall for one of the oldest tricks in the book: that everything is about us.

Ultimately, the key to mastering Romans 12:15 isn’t just thinking about ourselves less. We’ve got to think about God more. People are most successful at eliminating bad behaviors or habits from their lives when they replace them with a good habit or behavior. So, I not only have to stop focusing on myself, but I have to replace all that time I spend thinking of myself with thinking of God. This is life transforming; this is the key to killing pride - not simply humbling yourself, but exalting God - who is the only thing worthy of our exaltation.

When I’m thinking about God, and not about myself, he reminds me of some powerful truths:

I’ve come from dust and I’ll return to dust.  Genesis 3:19 reminds me that no matter how much I get ahead in life, eventually I’m going to die. And nothing on this earth is worth coveting when I acknowledge that I can’t take it with me.

I am beautifully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139 reminds me that God made me perfectly, intentionally, knowingly- so I need to stop comparing the body I have to others. He made me just right.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 reminds me that envy is a crippling sin; I could literally waste my life away being envious of others. Contentment, on the other hand, brings life.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 reminds me that our part of our calling as Christians is to care for those burdened and help carry the burdens of others. I don’t get to “pass” on this part of my faith if it doesn’t come naturally to me or if I feel inconvenienced or uncomfortable by it. I don’t get to ignore the sufferings of others; I’m called to step into it.

After meditating on God’s promises and blessings, I am able to recall all the wonderful things about our apartment (hello, cheap rent!) and the many, many ways God has blessed and provided for me. Proverbs 30:8 says, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” As Christians, contentment in our own circumstances is the surest way to reflect the all satisfying power of Christ to those who may need to be reminded of where their joys and sufferings begin and end.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you struggle to rejoice with those rejoicing or weep with those weeping? Check yourself - what’s stopping you? Pray that God would help uncover the “sin beneath the sin” - the ways you’re focusing on yourself instead of focusing on Him.

5 Things You Should Know about God's Attributes !

5 Things You Should Know about God's Attributes
 by Mark Jones

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” –James 1:17

1. God is simple.

What that means is this: God is free from all composition; He is not the sum of his parts. There is not one thing and another in God. Rather, whatever is in God, God is. He is absolute, which means that there are no distinctions within his being.

2. When we speak of his attributes, we must keep in mind that because his essence remains undivided, his goodness is his power.

Or, God’s love is his power is his eternity is his immutability is his omniscience is his goodness, and so forth. In other words, there is technically no such thing as attributes (plural) but only God’s simple, undivided essence. Why is this important? The simplicity of God helps us to understand that perfect consistency exists in God’s attributes.

3. God is infinite.

The infinity of God is sort of like a “meta-attribute,” such as simplicity, in the sense that it qualifies all the other attributes. Infinity means that there is no limit to God’s perfections. When we consider God’s attributes, we must always consider them as infinite. His infinity is a positive concept, so that we must say that his attributes are intensively and qualitatively infinite. God’s infinity is the highest sense of perfection. “Not yet finished” (or “indefinite”) is an improper way to understand infinity with regard to God. Rather, without bounds or limits or degrees, God knows infinitely and is a sphere whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere. He is as present in our midst as he is farthest from us in the universe. Yet while he is present in one place, he is never confined to any place.

4. God is eternal.

First, his eternality is unlike the eternal state experienced by humans or angels, all of whom were created in time. Time has a beginning with succession of moments, but God has no beginning, succession of moments, or ending. God’s eternality speaks of his timeless and unchangeable (yet not static) nature. As theologians of the past have argued, the statement “Time began with the creature” rings truer than “The creature began with time.”

5. God is unchangeable.

God is what he always was and will be (James 1:17). Because of his simplicity, his eternality demands his immutability. Eternity speaks about the duration of a state, whereas immutability is the state itself. Immutability in God means not only that he does not change but also that he cannot change (Ps. 102:26).

A Prayer for Courage

A Prayer for Courage
 Dr. Ray Pritchard

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” - Psalm 16:1-2

There are many days where I feel an overwhelming sense of discouragement, exhaustion, or frustration. It might be little things that bring about these feelings in me, or it might be major life events that have left me weary and hurting, but either way, I know I don’t have the strength on my own to make it through. It’s days like those where I find prayers like this comforting. When we feel those feelings creeping in, may we instead choose to kneel before our Father in heaven and ask him for the strength and courage we need to carry on. Will you join me in this prayer today?

Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don't go my way. And give me courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Getting in Shape for the New Year

Getting in Shape for the New Year
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. —1 Corinthians 9:24

Well, it’s that time of the year again for people to begin their New Year’s diets and exercise plans. If you’ve ever made a resolution to get in shape and haven’t been able to stick with it, you understand how difficult it is and just how diligent you need to be to make progress. Well, growing as a Christian is something that is a lot like working out. We are training to become more and more like Jesus. It doesn’t just happen. It takes persistence. From the earliest centuries, Christians have identified certain practices that have been helpful to the "disciple in training.” Here are some that you might want to work on as we begin a New Year:

PRAY- Try always to remember that God is not out there someplace. As a Christ-follower, we have the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. Prayer is not just talking to God but living and breathing with an awareness of His presence. For years, some Christians have formed the habit of praying, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me" throughout the day. Not difficult or complex, this prayer manages to capture the humility that is to mark Christ-followers everywhere.

FASTING– Everybody eats. Restricting foods by simply declining favorites for a time of prayer or spiritual focus is a way to physically demonstrate your humility and devotion. As an additional benefit, fasting can strengthen your "willpower muscle" – and who among us wouldn’t benefit from that? An athlete doesn't lift weights just so he can lift more weights. Those healthy muscles are ready for any situation. Turn down a doughnut today and tomorrow you might be able to resist calling the person who cut you off on the freeway an idiot.

BITE YOUR TONGUE- Yes, not calling someone a fool, jerk or idiot is a frequent theme in Scripture and early Christian writings. Both place great emphasis on controlling anger. “Sticks and stones” may not break their bones but they do affect our hearts. Sometimes it is best just to keep our mouths shut.

MIND YOUR THOUGHTS- Jesus said that to lust in the imagination is the equivalent of actually committing adultery. I find that extremely challenging! Nearly all sins begin with thinking about sin. Control the thoughts and you’ll have a better handle on your behavior. You may not be able to keep thoughts from popping into your brain but you can decline to entertain them.

When the Apostle Paul wrote that we should be “working out our salvation with fear and trembling,” he was not trying to discourage us but to motivate us. This year, as we exercise our faith and trust in Jesus our faith will grow stronger.

GOING DEEPER:

1. In the spiritual disciplines mentioned above, which area do you need to work on most? What steps will you take today to begin focusing on that area?

2. Pray, asking God to give you wisdom and persistence as you seek to stretch your ‘faith muscles.’