Video Bible Lesson - A Prayer for Courage by Dr. Ray Pritchard

A Prayer for Courage
by Dr. Ray Pritchard

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

1/29/2020

01/29/2020

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.

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

Unmoveable

Unmoveable

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early (Psalms 46:5)

"Shall not be moved"--what an inspiring declaration! Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem where he foresaw that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him, he could say triumphantly, "But none of these things move me."

Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be shaken had been shaken, and he no longer counted his life, or any of life's possessions, dear to him. And we, if we will but let God have His way with us, may come to the same place, so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life, nor the great and heavy trials, can have power to move us from the peace that passeth understanding, which is declared to be the portion of those who have learned to rest only on God.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go no more out." To be as immovable as a pillar in the house of our God, is an end for which one would gladly endure all the shakings that may be necessary to bring us there!
--Hannah Whitall Smith

When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city He makes it as firm as Mount Zion, that cannot be removed. When He is in the midst of a soul, though calamities throng about it on all hands, and roar like the billows of the sea, yet there is a constant calm within, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away. What is it but want of lodging God in the soul, and that in His stead the world is in men's hearts, that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger?
--Archbishop Leighton

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." There is a quaint old Scottish version that puts iron into our blood:

Who sticketh to God in stable trust
As Zion's mount he stands full just,
Which moveth no whit, nor yet doth reel,
But standeth forever as stiff as steel!

The Message the World Needs to Hear

The Message the World Needs to Hear

Dr. Charles Stanley

Mark 16:15-20

Suppose I asked what the mission of the church is—how would you answer? Although the church accomplishes many tasks, its only message to the world is the gospel of Christ. Everything else we do is merely an extension of that primary goal. The gospel we offer the lost is superior to every worldly philosophy. Never outdated or in need of correction, it is always sufficient to meet humanity's greatest need: reconciliation with the Creator.

Although the message is always the same, methods of making it known are many—including the spoken word, music, printed material, and electronic media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God's people. It is every Christian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Some Christians think that this role is given only to pastors, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front ministry." But all of us have the responsibility to be involved in whatever way we are able and in whatever opportunity God gives us. Not everybody is called to go abroad as a missionary, but we all can give, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lord has done for us.

When you're truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of us—nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limiting factor is not the Lord's ability to use us but our availability to His call.

The Fruit of Her Hands

The Fruit of Her Hands
BETH MOORE

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.” Proverbs 31:16 (ESV)

At one point in my life, I was terrified to turn to Proverbs Chapter 31 in my Bible.

I could flip from Proverbs 30 over to Ecclesiastes 1 like the pages were glued together. I’m pretty sure in those days I couldn’t have recited a single phrase of the chapter by heart. All I knew was that, whoever that Proverbs 31 woman was, she wasn’t me.

Given my difficult background and unstable home, nothing frightened me more than the fierce, familiar yellow of a tape measure. Because I was sure I wasn’t going to measure up.

Over time, however, I came to love this passage. I no longer saw the Proverbs 31 woman as a threat. I saw her as, quite literally, a host of possibilities. She loved her home, and she also traveled. She was family-oriented and business-oriented. She could throw her head back and laugh over the future, yet she never forgot the poor. I came to like her. And to want to be like her. And to pray to be like her.

The line in the poem that became my unexpected favorite in the last two years is found in verse 16: “She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.”

Perhaps she never more beautifully reflected the image of her Creator than when she put her hands to the soil. One of the earliest facts we learn about God is that He is a Planter. A Gardener.

I’m rarely bothered by the reminder that work preceded the fall of humanity in the Garden. Work was not part of the Curse (found in Genesis 3). It was the call of God to come, take part with Him and contribute to His world. He fashioned us with a need to contribute. In fact, I believe it’s quite possible we can live with pain more easily than purposelessness. I think most of us yearn to be part of something important. Something enormous.

And we are.

We who call Jesus Lord are part of the Kingdom of God, called to contribute to the only thing that will outlast time.

But more often than not, it takes time to do what outlasts time. So slow it down a little bit. Take some time. Go deep, not just fast. He’s the Holy Spirit, not the Holy Sprint. Pay attention to the process. Fast fruit is never ripe.

We’re being infected with impatience in our culture. Before a word hits our tongue, we’ve published it on social media. Before the second song in a worship service, we’re checking our phones. We want our online orders overnighted, or at least I do. We want to be grown — without ever growing.

But that’s not God’s way.

He planted the Garden of Eden. He didn’t just landscape it, sliding potted plants off the back of a flatbed truck into pre-fertilized soil from huge plastic bags.

Yes, Proverbs 31:16 has become one of my favorites, especially on a recent project, because I’m reminded that fruit-bearing takes time.

The research, writing, rewriting and fine-tuning process feels like the tilling, planting, grafting, watering, pruning, inspecting and harvesting of a vineyard. I told myself things like, You can’t rush fine fruit. Don’t try to harvest when you ought to be pruning. Take your time. Appreciate the process. This perspective helped immensely.

And this is true of virtually any God-ordained work. It’s His way. In due season, He says you will reap if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9). So what if everybody speeds past you? Let them. If they don’t slow down, all they will have is a harvest of seeds and sprouts. No stalks.

“With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.” Whatever work you’re cultivating, that’s a vineyard you’re growing, beloved sister. God intends it to be gorgeous. Take your time, and the fruit will be sweet … and lasting.

Lord, thank You for growing me into the person You want me to be. Please let my life bear fruit, and give me patience when that process takes longer than I think! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Genesis 2:8a, “And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east.” (ESV)  

Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (ESV)

A Prayer to Break Free from the Bondage of Insecurity

A Prayer to Break Free from the Bondage of Insecurity
By Christina Patterson

"The truth will set you free." - John 8:32

She's as close as a friend, but don't be fooled because she's destructive as an enemy. She’s here to destroy your faith, confidence, and especially your relationships. She makes you doubt yourself, your dreams, and even the purpose God has placed on your life. She disguises herself as one who wants to help when really her sole purpose is to put you in bondage; controlling your every thought, word, and action.

Her name, you ask?

Insecurity.

She's the closest and most dangerous friend we've allowed into our lives and it is time to say goodbye.

"The truth will set you free." - John 8:32 ESV

Truth is the key to unlock the shackles that insecurity has placed on us; shackles that have stopped us from speaking up, walking with our heads held high, pursuing our dreams, and living with an open and trusting heart.

So today I want to provide 4 truths to remember when you're feeling insecure:

1.) God Accepts You

Where insecurity leaves us feeling rejected, we know that God has accepted us, not just as friends but even as family. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1 NIV

If God accepts us there is no need to worry about who doesn't.

2.) God Will Not Leave You or Let You Go

Where insecurity makes us want to push others away, God holds us tight within His hands. God is not going to let you slip through His fingers. Where others may walk away, God is here to stay. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:39 NLT

We are always secure in God's grasp.

3.) God is Your Defender

Where insecurity makes us defensive and combative, God defends us. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:14 NIV

We don't have to fight to prove ourselves to others when God has proven who He is in our lives. Let God fight for you.

4.) It is God Who Opens Doors For You

Where insecurity makes us fearful of missing out, God opens doors for us that no man can shut. When we realize God is in control of our every step we don't have to worry about missing out. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”  - Psalm 37:23

God’s truth is, and will always be, greater than our insecurity. What once seemed a powerful and insurmountable foe is exposed for a weak imposter in light of God's truth. May His truth constantly set you free from the bondage of insecurity as you live for Him.

Lord, help me break free from the bondage of insecurity. I confess that I’ve listened to the voice of the enemy more than I’ve listened to your truth. Lord, help me listen and know that I am loved, that I am perfectly made, that I am accepted as I am in You. Give me your Spirit to help me see when I am listening to lies instead of truth. Help me fix my eyes on you and all you are and have done for me and for this world. Thank you Lord! In your name I pray, Amen.

How to Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord

How to Cast Your Cares Upon the LordBy Courtnaye Richard

“Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22

I want God to speak to you with the verse above, and I want you to apply it to your life today. In other words, as hard as it may be or seem right now, cast your cares upon the Lord and stand your ground. Keep the faith no matter what and believe in His keeping and strengthening power.

I know when life gets heavy or negative or fearful thoughts invade your mind, it’s normal to run away with your emotions for a bit. But I beckon you, try to rise above it. Now, don’t get me wrong. If you’re dealing with something really heavy such as loss, it is completely normal to cry, grieve, curl up in a ball for a moment, because when things like that happen, God knows exactly where you are in that moment. But I also want to encourage you to rest in the comfort of others as well as in His BIG supernatural arms. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Now, since I mentioned God’s Word, let’s talk more about those loaded Scriptures relating to casting your cares upon the Lord regarding…

Fear - If you have negative or fearful thoughts weighing you down, speak these verses:

· Psalm 56:3, “But when I am afraid. I will put my trust in you.”

· Psalm 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

· Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Worry -   Here are a few great verses to remember and obey to experience peace of mind…

· Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ.”

· Matthew 6:31-33, “Don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”

Discouragement – Feeling downcast, defeated, low, sad, or discouraged, grab these nuggets…

·  Psalm 43:5, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-my Savior and my God!”

·  Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Adversity –As you’re doing what God has called you to do, expect opposition and adversity…

· Nehemiah 4:14, “…Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!”

· Proverbs 24:10, “If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.” Stay strong under pressure!

If you are in any of these places or beyond, this is how you cast your cares upon the Lord, literally. It really all boils down to trust and obeying, sis. That’s where the power, peace, and deliverance are obtained. So fight to trust Him…in spite of what you’re feeling, thinking, or encountering. Isaiah 26:4 says, “Trust in the Lord always for the Lord is the eternal Rock.” He’s pretty strong and solid! But not only that, He can be trusted. ;-)

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!