Aug 28 â Sept 3
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Aug 28 – Sept 3 MONDAY We are spending the month of September concentrating on prayer while immersing in time with Jesus. We start with the local church, which for many of you is Hope; two thoughts as you move into this week focused on the ministry of your church: Hebrews 13:18 says “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.” 2 Thess. 3:1-5 says “pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” The desire is that we at the local level of disciple-making are making decisions in ways that honor God and enable His message to spread rapidly; pray for nothing less than this. We step into this week celebrating You Father; who makes us one family under You in the church; we celebrate You, Jesus, who gave Your life for Your bride, the church; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who calls us together as church; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. PRAYER: Lord, as we seek to further develop our discipleshiporiented ministry at Hope, enable us by Your Holy Spirit to manage well the differences of opinion and preference within the people who currently make up your local church. Build an over-riding, Spirit-driven attitude that produces a strong unity among us, validating the belief and truth that everyone is a valued part of Hope’s team – Your team!
TUESDAY One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles. Luke 6:12-13 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide Your team of leaders at Hope particularly through these days of decision that impact the future years of ministry with our church. Bless those leading Small Groups, Worship, Preschool, and Discipleship learning classes; bless the parents leading children, disciple-ers leading disciple-ees – and of course bless those leading our Board of Governance and Discipleship Ministry Team. Keep our ears and hearts attuned to Your Spirit’s leading, and keep our spirits in a mode of humble following, prayerful support, and mutual encouragement of each other. In Jesus’ name; Amen.
WEDNESDAY Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~Jesus, Mark 11:24 PRAYER: Father God, as partnership within the community progresses, bless our relationships with the Blanchard Park YMCA, with LiveUCF, with Arbor Ridge Elementary and Middle School, with Cornerstone Pregnancy’s ThriVe center, and with the fellow churches meeting on our premises: Esperanza Viva and Jesus to the World. May You be central to all that we do. Bless me personally to realize that You desire to see me partner with others in helping Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as You desire it in heaven. Amen.
THURSDAY One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 CHURCH PRAYER: Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in our Small Groups and Micro-groups. May everyone find safe and fruitful groups to participate in as learners and leaders. Bless the time spent in Your Word, in fellowship with in each other, in prayer, and in service to church and community; and foster an attitude of reaching out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You.
FRIDAY After he had dismissed them, Jesus went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 PERSONAL PRAYER (this is paraphrased from yesterday’s Church Prayer): Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in my Small Group and Microgroups. May it be safe and fruitful for me and all others who gather with me. Bless me as a learner and a leader – I want to be Your disciple both following and leading. Bless my time spent in your Word, in prayer, my fellowship time with others, and my service in the church and community; foster in me an attitude of love that reaches out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, Amen.
SATURDAY Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:16
CHURCH PRAYER: As our church strives to fulfill our vision of making disciples who make disciples, continue to transform us in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through us. PERSONAL PRAYER: As I strive to make disciples who make disciples, continue to transform me in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through me.
SUNDAY This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24
PRAYER: Lord, as we continue our journey as a church under Your guidance and grace, enable us to be and become a church that celebrates life from and in You. Help us live out the truth that This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 4-10 MONDAY Following are seven prayers from the bible that we pause to be prayerful about ourselves this week. Take a moment or two to make these prayers your own throughout the week, if not longer. Maybe even consider adding each prayer throughout the week so that by Sunday, you are calling upon God with all seven prayers. …pray that you may be active in sharing your faith… Philemon 1:6 In this prayer written to Philemon, the Apostle Paul points out that sharing our faith brings a fuller understanding of the good things we have in Christ. It is not just that others are blessed when we share Christ, we ourselves are blessed when we share Christ as well. Lord, I pray that I may be active in sharing my faith with others and grow in my understanding of You. We step into this week celebrating You, Father; whose throne we approach in confidence; we celebrate You, Jesus, who gives us confidence to approach safely in Your name; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who leads us to the Father and the Son; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY …pray that you will not fall into temptation… Luke 22:40 God teaches in the bible that there is no temptation that is not common to man, and that Jesus himself was tempted as we are, yet was without sin. This encouragement to pray about temptation was directed at Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his denials, but it is also included in the Lord’s Prayer given to us. Have you prayed it today? Lord, I pray that I will not fall into temptation…
WEDNESDAY ...pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you… Ephesians 3:16 This is part of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Ephesus. Life under God is to be lived through the strength of God – and that strength is ours, according to Paul, through God’s Spirit. Power to live in God’s strength is a gift coming through the Holy Spirit; Are you feeling weak or depleted? Pray for the Spirit’s power and strength. Lord, strengthen me (and others) out of Your glorious riches…
THURSDAY …pray that you may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Eph. 3:17-18 The love of Christ working in people changes hearts, careers, lifestyles, families, destinies, etc – but most of all – life itself is changed. In coming to know Christ and His love, we pass from death to life (John 5:24). With that, as God continues to work in our lives by His Spirit and Word, He changes our lives to better reflect His heart and attitude toward people and life. Lord, I pray that I may have power to grasp how wide & long & high & deep is the love of Christ…
FRIDAY …pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do. (From Jeremiah 42:3) This prayer was requested of the prophet Jeremiah about an uncertain future, and God honored the request with an answer. I don’t know that God desires to be in the business of sharing people’s futures like some fortune teller, but He has reminded us that while we make plans, the Lord determines our footsteps and His will prevails (Proverbs 16:9 and 19:21). So it makes sense to pray: LORD, lead us where we should go and show us what we should do.
SATURDAY …pray that you may enjoy good health…
3 John 1:2
This was John’s request for his Christian friends, and one that we would do well to copy. It is not merely physical wellness, but rather a wholeness of health that is spiritual, emotional, physical, psychological, intellectual, and even financial as well. As you pray today, dwell on each aspect of your life (and for others that you pray for, including pastor). Lord, I pray that I may enjoy good health… and I pray that [list names of others] may enjoy good health as well…
SUNDAY …pray that I may declare it (Gospel of Jesus Christ) fearlessly… Ephesians 6:20 No question that the Apostle Paul was a disciple of Jesus. This was his prayerful request, seeking total boldness despite obstacles within and outside of himself. This is also Pastor Paul’s request as he seeks to live out his life of discipleship – in all places and at all times in our community. We hope that you see yourself as a disciple of Jesus and can make it your own prayer too – you are to “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Live out your calling! Lord I pray that I may declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ fearlessly…
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 11-17 MONDAY “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities…” says God in Romans 13. This can serve as a great reminder to pray, uphold, honor and respect our government leaders as God’s established rule at this time. Let’s see how God’s Word sheds light regarding this component of living as a follower of Jesus: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted… 1 Peter 2:13 We are called to submit to authorities, not simply for our sake or for the sake of the government, but primarily for the Lord’s sake. Generally, we benefit from good government (Rom 13:4) and the government benefits from law-abiding Christians. Knowing that God has already promised to meet our needs, Christians submit to authority because God says so, direct benefits or not. Share a prayer for our current President’s leadership. Then open your week with the invocation We step into this week celebrating You, Father; who sets governments up and takes them down; we celebrate You, Jesus, whose government will have no end; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who under whose leadership we can submit to authorities in a godly fashion; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY Show proper respect to everyone…honor the king
1 Peter 2:17
We are called to respect people in authority. As you do a gutcheck here, how’s the report? People often throw respect of out the window when someone is on different sides of an issue or campaign. Don’t let your Christian values be overcome by your
political persuasion. Pray for those “on both sides of the aisle”… and for proper respect to be maintained regardless of who is “in charge”. Add prayers for the relationships between police forces and their communities also.
WEDNESDAY He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has established…
Romans 13:2
Unless an authority commands us to do things clearly in violation of God’s Word (see Acts 4:19), we are expected to obey. Failure to do so is sinful. It is not necessarily black and white though, and different disciples may see things through different filters. But every disciple should be asking oneself in such matters whether rebellion is playing a role. Keep in mind that our original natures include a rebellious streak and that we often like to justify our wrong behavior. What rules do you ignore or flaunt or bend? Repent of your sins, and pray that all Christians experience remorse over wrong attitudes and actions related toward authorities.
THURSDAY …be obedient [to the rulers and authorities]…
Titus 3:1b
While this relates directly to our government authorities, scriptures also clarify that obedience is expected of authorities beyond a president or governor. Would your friends and coworkers characterize you as obedient? Would those who have held positions of authority in your life characterize you as obedient? Is there something you could improve on at this point of your life? Pray for greater obedience to the Lord’s authorities in your life.
FRIDAY Remind the people… to be ready to do whatever is good… Titus 3:1c While not in the “obedience” realm, civil service and participation fall into this category. How many of us have sought to avoid serving Jury duty rather than embrace it? How many have considered actually serving in the government so often ridiculed? How many of us don’t bother voting? There are many opportunities to do good… Lord, help me be ready to be respectable and do good as a citizen of my country.
SATURDAY He (the government) is God’s servant to do you good… Romans 13:4 Whether we see a particular establishment of governance as beneficial or not, the intent of government in general is to do us good. Pray that the government of the United States (and other countries as well) actually lives up to its God-ordained purpose of existence – to be a blessing to people here and across the world.
SUNDAY This is why you pay taxes
Romans 13:6
So, in case you were wondering – this is why we as Christians pay taxes: To support a government that has been established by God. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (Matt 22:21). While the government may lay claim to part of what we have, God lays claim to all that we are and have. “We are not our own”, God says in 1 Cor. 6:20 – we are His, bought at a price – the life of Jesus Christ Himself. Who do you think you have been shorting more, God or the government?
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 18-24 MONDAY This week’s IMMersion material focuses solely on thankful hearts… and its not even the week of Thanksgiving! God encourages us – before we present our requests to Him – to approach with thanksgiving. So let’s have a “thanksgiving day” parade. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD
Ezra 3:11
What song of thanksgiving would you choose to sing in praise to the Lord? Who would you yearn to hear sing it for the Lord? Thank God for the writer of those song lyrics, the creator of the song’s tune, and the person you would love to have sing it to God in praise… and for God’s sake, sing it! We step into this week thankful for You, Father; who loved us first; we are thankful for You, Jesus, for giving Your life in our stead on the cross; and we are thankful for You, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes to true life in Jesus Christ our Lord; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3
Those are stirring, heartening, and encouraging words to hear from someone. Thankful memories; are they more a reflection on the person(s) being remembered or the one doing the remembering? With exception of God, for whom are you most thankful? Does your attitude of thanksgiving match up with your memory of people…
WEDNESDAY your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor. 9:11
This brings up an interesting thought: Who is thanking God for you – particularly for your generosity? While we aren’t taught to give in order to receive from others, it is good to know that people are thankful to God for blessing received through others. Lord, like a conduit for blessings, let us funnel Your love with generosity.
THURSDAY Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21 Thank you, Lord God, for Your love that has sustained me through the years, including yesterday. Thank You for Your love that blesses and fills this day, and for each tomorrow that I experience before coming home to You; I know that You leave no day untouched by Your eternal love.
FRIDAY Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 4:4
OK, so here we go: Thank you Lord for… mosquitoes and cockroaches, leeks and lizards, onions and okra, I-4 traffic… (wait, you didn’t create that, we did!). Actually Paul was upset that people were creating all kinds of unnecessary rules about following God, even calling the good things of God untouchable. Let God set the standards. Ask God to help you to see this world from His view, and to receive His world with thanksgiving.
SATURDAY Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 The fact that Paul tells us not to be anxious belies the reality that we often are anxious. The question is what to do about it. Do not be anxious about any one thing – he shares – but keep it within the perspective of everything else going on. See the anxietyproducing issue in relation to the big picture and then, with prayer, petition, and thanks for your overall circumstance – share your request with God about your issue.
SUNDAY Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Victory and defeat are often associated with games – and great building blocks for life. In war, these ideas carry much deeper and harsher impact – both for victors and victims. Even more so, the concepts of victory and defeat carry great weight with our souls. Being victimized by our sin is a terrible, soul-destroying notion. But in Christ becoming the victim who dies for our sins, we are given victory over sin and a blessed (not cursed) relationship with God. Lord, lead me to a deep appreciation of Jesus’ victory over my sin. Amen
Aug 28 – Sept 3 MONDAY We are spending the month of September concentrating on prayer while immersing in time with Jesus. We start with the local church, which for many of you is Hope; two thoughts as you move into this week focused on the ministry of your church: Hebrews 13:18 says “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.” 2 Thess. 3:1-5 says “pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.” The desire is that we at the local level of disciple-making are making decisions in ways that honor God and enable His message to spread rapidly; pray for nothing less than this. We step into this week celebrating You Father; who makes us one family under You in the church; we celebrate You, Jesus, who gave Your life for Your bride, the church; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who calls us together as church; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. PRAYER: Lord, as we seek to further develop our discipleshiporiented ministry at Hope, enable us by Your Holy Spirit to manage well the differences of opinion and preference within the people who currently make up your local church. Build an over-riding, Spirit-driven attitude that produces a strong unity among us, validating the belief and truth that everyone is a valued part of Hope’s team – Your team!
TUESDAY One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles. Luke 6:12-13 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide Your team of leaders at Hope particularly through these days of decision that impact the future years of ministry with our church. Bless those leading Small Groups, Worship, Preschool, and Discipleship learning classes; bless the parents leading children, disciple-ers leading disciple-ees – and of course bless those leading our Board of Governance and Discipleship Ministry Team. Keep our ears and hearts attuned to Your Spirit’s leading, and keep our spirits in a mode of humble following, prayerful support, and mutual encouragement of each other. In Jesus’ name; Amen.
WEDNESDAY Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~Jesus, Mark 11:24 PRAYER: Father God, as partnership within the community progresses, bless our relationships with the Blanchard Park YMCA, with LiveUCF, with Arbor Ridge Elementary and Middle School, with Cornerstone Pregnancy’s ThriVe center, and with the fellow churches meeting on our premises: Esperanza Viva and Jesus to the World. May You be central to all that we do. Bless me personally to realize that You desire to see me partner with others in helping Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as You desire it in heaven. Amen.
THURSDAY One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 CHURCH PRAYER: Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in our Small Groups and Micro-groups. May everyone find safe and fruitful groups to participate in as learners and leaders. Bless the time spent in Your Word, in fellowship with in each other, in prayer, and in service to church and community; and foster an attitude of reaching out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You.
FRIDAY After he had dismissed them, Jesus went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 PERSONAL PRAYER (this is paraphrased from yesterday’s Church Prayer): Father God, bless the ministry and discipleship, the care and the accountability that occurs in my Small Group and Microgroups. May it be safe and fruitful for me and all others who gather with me. Bless me as a learner and a leader – I want to be Your disciple both following and leading. Bless my time spent in your Word, in prayer, my fellowship time with others, and my service in the church and community; foster in me an attitude of love that reaches out to others who could benefit from such opportunities to grow in and with You. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, Amen.
SATURDAY Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:16
CHURCH PRAYER: As our church strives to fulfill our vision of making disciples who make disciples, continue to transform us in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through us. PERSONAL PRAYER: As I strive to make disciples who make disciples, continue to transform me in the process. As You decide what is helpful, Lord, change, add, or eliminate whatever brings about Your will through me.
SUNDAY This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24
PRAYER: Lord, as we continue our journey as a church under Your guidance and grace, enable us to be and become a church that celebrates life from and in You. Help us live out the truth that This is the day the Lord has made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 4-10 MONDAY Following are seven prayers from the bible that we pause to be prayerful about ourselves this week. Take a moment or two to make these prayers your own throughout the week, if not longer. Maybe even consider adding each prayer throughout the week so that by Sunday, you are calling upon God with all seven prayers. …pray that you may be active in sharing your faith… Philemon 1:6 In this prayer written to Philemon, the Apostle Paul points out that sharing our faith brings a fuller understanding of the good things we have in Christ. It is not just that others are blessed when we share Christ, we ourselves are blessed when we share Christ as well. Lord, I pray that I may be active in sharing my faith with others and grow in my understanding of You. We step into this week celebrating You, Father; whose throne we approach in confidence; we celebrate You, Jesus, who gives us confidence to approach safely in Your name; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who leads us to the Father and the Son; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY …pray that you will not fall into temptation… Luke 22:40 God teaches in the bible that there is no temptation that is not common to man, and that Jesus himself was tempted as we are, yet was without sin. This encouragement to pray about temptation was directed at Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his denials, but it is also included in the Lord’s Prayer given to us. Have you prayed it today? Lord, I pray that I will not fall into temptation…
WEDNESDAY ...pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you… Ephesians 3:16 This is part of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Ephesus. Life under God is to be lived through the strength of God – and that strength is ours, according to Paul, through God’s Spirit. Power to live in God’s strength is a gift coming through the Holy Spirit; Are you feeling weak or depleted? Pray for the Spirit’s power and strength. Lord, strengthen me (and others) out of Your glorious riches…
THURSDAY …pray that you may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Eph. 3:17-18 The love of Christ working in people changes hearts, careers, lifestyles, families, destinies, etc – but most of all – life itself is changed. In coming to know Christ and His love, we pass from death to life (John 5:24). With that, as God continues to work in our lives by His Spirit and Word, He changes our lives to better reflect His heart and attitude toward people and life. Lord, I pray that I may have power to grasp how wide & long & high & deep is the love of Christ…
FRIDAY …pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do. (From Jeremiah 42:3) This prayer was requested of the prophet Jeremiah about an uncertain future, and God honored the request with an answer. I don’t know that God desires to be in the business of sharing people’s futures like some fortune teller, but He has reminded us that while we make plans, the Lord determines our footsteps and His will prevails (Proverbs 16:9 and 19:21). So it makes sense to pray: LORD, lead us where we should go and show us what we should do.
SATURDAY …pray that you may enjoy good health…
3 John 1:2
This was John’s request for his Christian friends, and one that we would do well to copy. It is not merely physical wellness, but rather a wholeness of health that is spiritual, emotional, physical, psychological, intellectual, and even financial as well. As you pray today, dwell on each aspect of your life (and for others that you pray for, including pastor). Lord, I pray that I may enjoy good health… and I pray that [list names of others] may enjoy good health as well…
SUNDAY …pray that I may declare it (Gospel of Jesus Christ) fearlessly… Ephesians 6:20 No question that the Apostle Paul was a disciple of Jesus. This was his prayerful request, seeking total boldness despite obstacles within and outside of himself. This is also Pastor Paul’s request as he seeks to live out his life of discipleship – in all places and at all times in our community. We hope that you see yourself as a disciple of Jesus and can make it your own prayer too – you are to “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Live out your calling! Lord I pray that I may declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ fearlessly…
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 11-17 MONDAY “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities…” says God in Romans 13. This can serve as a great reminder to pray, uphold, honor and respect our government leaders as God’s established rule at this time. Let’s see how God’s Word sheds light regarding this component of living as a follower of Jesus: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted… 1 Peter 2:13 We are called to submit to authorities, not simply for our sake or for the sake of the government, but primarily for the Lord’s sake. Generally, we benefit from good government (Rom 13:4) and the government benefits from law-abiding Christians. Knowing that God has already promised to meet our needs, Christians submit to authority because God says so, direct benefits or not. Share a prayer for our current President’s leadership. Then open your week with the invocation We step into this week celebrating You, Father; who sets governments up and takes them down; we celebrate You, Jesus, whose government will have no end; and we celebrate You, Holy Spirit, who under whose leadership we can submit to authorities in a godly fashion; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY Show proper respect to everyone…honor the king
1 Peter 2:17
We are called to respect people in authority. As you do a gutcheck here, how’s the report? People often throw respect of out the window when someone is on different sides of an issue or campaign. Don’t let your Christian values be overcome by your
political persuasion. Pray for those “on both sides of the aisle”… and for proper respect to be maintained regardless of who is “in charge”. Add prayers for the relationships between police forces and their communities also.
WEDNESDAY He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has established…
Romans 13:2
Unless an authority commands us to do things clearly in violation of God’s Word (see Acts 4:19), we are expected to obey. Failure to do so is sinful. It is not necessarily black and white though, and different disciples may see things through different filters. But every disciple should be asking oneself in such matters whether rebellion is playing a role. Keep in mind that our original natures include a rebellious streak and that we often like to justify our wrong behavior. What rules do you ignore or flaunt or bend? Repent of your sins, and pray that all Christians experience remorse over wrong attitudes and actions related toward authorities.
THURSDAY …be obedient [to the rulers and authorities]…
Titus 3:1b
While this relates directly to our government authorities, scriptures also clarify that obedience is expected of authorities beyond a president or governor. Would your friends and coworkers characterize you as obedient? Would those who have held positions of authority in your life characterize you as obedient? Is there something you could improve on at this point of your life? Pray for greater obedience to the Lord’s authorities in your life.
FRIDAY Remind the people… to be ready to do whatever is good… Titus 3:1c While not in the “obedience” realm, civil service and participation fall into this category. How many of us have sought to avoid serving Jury duty rather than embrace it? How many have considered actually serving in the government so often ridiculed? How many of us don’t bother voting? There are many opportunities to do good… Lord, help me be ready to be respectable and do good as a citizen of my country.
SATURDAY He (the government) is God’s servant to do you good… Romans 13:4 Whether we see a particular establishment of governance as beneficial or not, the intent of government in general is to do us good. Pray that the government of the United States (and other countries as well) actually lives up to its God-ordained purpose of existence – to be a blessing to people here and across the world.
SUNDAY This is why you pay taxes
Romans 13:6
So, in case you were wondering – this is why we as Christians pay taxes: To support a government that has been established by God. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (Matt 22:21). While the government may lay claim to part of what we have, God lays claim to all that we are and have. “We are not our own”, God says in 1 Cor. 6:20 – we are His, bought at a price – the life of Jesus Christ Himself. Who do you think you have been shorting more, God or the government?
IMMERSION in GOD’S WORD
Sept 18-24 MONDAY This week’s IMMersion material focuses solely on thankful hearts… and its not even the week of Thanksgiving! God encourages us – before we present our requests to Him – to approach with thanksgiving. So let’s have a “thanksgiving day” parade. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD
Ezra 3:11
What song of thanksgiving would you choose to sing in praise to the Lord? Who would you yearn to hear sing it for the Lord? Thank God for the writer of those song lyrics, the creator of the song’s tune, and the person you would love to have sing it to God in praise… and for God’s sake, sing it! We step into this week thankful for You, Father; who loved us first; we are thankful for You, Jesus, for giving Your life in our stead on the cross; and we are thankful for You, Holy Spirit, for opening our eyes to true life in Jesus Christ our Lord; In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
TUESDAY I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3
Those are stirring, heartening, and encouraging words to hear from someone. Thankful memories; are they more a reflection on the person(s) being remembered or the one doing the remembering? With exception of God, for whom are you most thankful? Does your attitude of thanksgiving match up with your memory of people…
WEDNESDAY your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor. 9:11
This brings up an interesting thought: Who is thanking God for you – particularly for your generosity? While we aren’t taught to give in order to receive from others, it is good to know that people are thankful to God for blessing received through others. Lord, like a conduit for blessings, let us funnel Your love with generosity.
THURSDAY Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21 Thank you, Lord God, for Your love that has sustained me through the years, including yesterday. Thank You for Your love that blesses and fills this day, and for each tomorrow that I experience before coming home to You; I know that You leave no day untouched by Your eternal love.
FRIDAY Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 4:4
OK, so here we go: Thank you Lord for… mosquitoes and cockroaches, leeks and lizards, onions and okra, I-4 traffic… (wait, you didn’t create that, we did!). Actually Paul was upset that people were creating all kinds of unnecessary rules about following God, even calling the good things of God untouchable. Let God set the standards. Ask God to help you to see this world from His view, and to receive His world with thanksgiving.
SATURDAY Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 The fact that Paul tells us not to be anxious belies the reality that we often are anxious. The question is what to do about it. Do not be anxious about any one thing – he shares – but keep it within the perspective of everything else going on. See the anxietyproducing issue in relation to the big picture and then, with prayer, petition, and thanks for your overall circumstance – share your request with God about your issue.
SUNDAY Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Victory and defeat are often associated with games – and great building blocks for life. In war, these ideas carry much deeper and harsher impact – both for victors and victims. Even more so, the concepts of victory and defeat carry great weight with our souls. Being victimized by our sin is a terrible, soul-destroying notion. But in Christ becoming the victim who dies for our sins, we are given victory over sin and a blessed (not cursed) relationship with God. Lord, lead me to a deep appreciation of Jesus’ victory over my sin. Amen
