Experience Prayer

 

 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:18-19

You made it! The final day of 2024. To God be the glory. Time to think about forgetting what lies behind and reaching for what is ahead. 

Might I suggest to start the new year off with prayer not just resolutions. I recall a church back in Belleville, Illinois back in late 80’s that had a New Years Eve watch night service where they came together for a Christian movie, praise and worship songs, a message and prayer. I think it was an Assembly of God in my neighborhood and I just walked over and attended that night. 

One of the best ways to start a new year is on your knees or on your face in prayer taking stock of things you want to let go of and seeking God’s help. A moment of true repentance perhaps. You gave not done anything so bad that God can’t forgive you. People hold grudges and call you names but not give your life totally to Him today. 

PRAYER: I think of stupid things I have said or done in the past yet you always love me. I pray for anyone who needs to refresh their walk with the Lord in 2025. Keep running towards Jesus! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Experience God’s Grace

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;2 Peter 1:2

I heard the acronym for ‘Grace’ one time as ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense’ and that puts it in a nutshell. Jesus died a cruel death on the cross for you and me to pay for sins past, present, and future. Period. 

There is no other god before our God. He came to set we unworthy people free from sin and death. You experience his grace and ultimate forgiveness even when you don’t deserve it. 

You can experience that grace by accepting him and acknowledging that He died for you. Do it today. 

PRAYER: I pray for anyone whose heart is hard and prideful who has turned away from listening to the still small voice beckoning them ‘come home’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Experience Love

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV Bible Gateway

Let love be your aim. I am not referring to sexual or romantic love also known as Eros but love in general as described in 1 Corinthians 13. 

Love is not just feelings but is action. It is in your heart. Can you honestly look at people and say “I love that person” and really mean it? God loves everyone. Love is an action more than a feeling. 

God loves you so much even if you hate Him, don’t believe in Him or disobey his commandments, He still loves you. I pray you can understand and grasp just how high, deep, and wide that love is. It is hard for a human to comprehend but try. 

PRAYER: Today and every day help me sense anew your love for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Experience Hope

 

As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.Romans 4:17 NIV Bible Gateway

Do you want hope in your life?Hope is from God and is a feeling of expectation and for a certain thing to happen. You in your heart believe it is likely to happen.

God gave us Jesus who is the Hope of the world. Hope does not disappoint. At Christmas time during advent we are praying each of the four weeks prior to the day Jesus’ birth is celebrated for one of these attributes of God and Jesus.

Today you and I wait for His second coming and we hope on that. It is prophesied and will happen we just don’t know when. Stay alert and stay hopeful.

PRAYER: My heart is fixed and set on you Lord. I will not allow negativity to diminish that hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/CVqR6kTu8lE?si=a4YPtXrPUrR3ywHc Click link for a song of Hope:

Experience Joy

Whom having not seen, ye love. In Him, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,1 Peter 1:8 KJ21 Bible Gateway

Are you experiencing Joy my friend? If not why not? Christmas advent season you reflect on love, joy, peace and hope. 

Would you like to have that joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart? You may be familiar with the children’s song lyrics that say that. Joy within your innermost soul regardless of your outside circumstances. Sounds good to me. Joy should not have to be dependent on other people or things. 

So why not try to maintain that Spirit of Joy Christ wants for us all year round? Joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. An acronym for ‘joy’ would  be ‘Jesus first, others second, yourself last’. Now go have a joyous day!

PRAYER: Thank you for another day to sing your praises and build into the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link and listen to this slightly different version of Joy to The World. https://youtu.be/rqxMvvptf9I

 

Experience Peace

 



“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Are you able to experience and enjoy peace in your life today? Christmas is behind you but don’t allow the feeling of that day to leave. Pause and breathe. Be still. 

It is nice that at one time in 365 daysthere is a day set aside that being the day the Christ child was as born that we His creation not only celebrate but have time to reflect on the year and many times spend time with family and friends. This isn’t the case for everyone. There are fractured families and only the healing love of Jesus will mend those things. 

Today try to experience peace on Earth and peace in your heart. No judging, no grudges, no fault finding, no hurt feelings but simply maintain peace. Peace is defined as tranquility. Can you experience that today? 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for calmness, tranquility, the ability to enjoy this season of celebration. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh Come All You Unfaithful

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture,the flock under his care.

Psalm 95:6-7 NIV Bible Gateway

I came across a Christmas hymn with the words slightly different  and attached it to my writing today. It makes perfect sense to me for Christmas.

You sing the carols, you feel joyful and good at least for the time being. But are you really faithful, is your heart surrendered to the creator of the universe?Is He in fact KIng of kings and Lord of all and does He hold first place in your life not just today but every day?

Today and every day let Jesus know He is Lord of your life. This is the celebration of His birth but can be the celebration of a new life in Christ for you. Surrender to Him today. Merry Christmas!

PRAYER: Father I am so grateful to be able to say you are my Lord and God and I thank you for dying for our sins. I pray for those whose hearts are hardened towards you and pray for them to get set free. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Click link and listen:https://youtu.be/IfxaRCnJxYI?si=2XX5ZAbLnakLid9x