The Battle of the Mind
Philippians 3:18-21 “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Here’s a startling statement: either we live for Christ, or we are His enemy.
What does it mean to be an enemy of the cross? That word, enemy, in the original Greek means hateful, hostile, at enmity with God (1). Often we think of hate as the act of rebellion and venomous speech, resisting and fighting against something with every ounce of physical and emotional strength. But hate can be a passive hostility, a rebellious spirit or a hard attitude against something or someone. Hate is a mindset. It won’t dissolve without a change. Unless the mind is convinced, the heart won’t follow.
And here’s the thing. The battle is all in the mind. Satan is the great deceiver. He will convince us, beyond a doubt, that his lie is the truth. He will deceive us into thinking that the darkness is where we will thrive. He will convince us to drink his poison to satisfy our thirst only to laugh and watch us choke on his evil. He will invade our minds and thoughts to keep us from submitting to God and will, rather, convince us that we can and should be our own god. Psalm 10:4 “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
We need to fight this battle right where it’s happening. We need to ask the Lord to intercede in the minds of our sons and daughters and redeem them from the grip of the Enemy. We need to pray scripture to fight Satan. When Jesus was tempted, he answered Satan with scripture, He fought the battle of the mind with the very words of God. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Today, let's take time to pray scripture over the minds and hearts of our sons and daughters. God is able to intervene and turn enemies of the cross into faithful followers who love Him with their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Pray without ceasing!
1. G2190 - echthros - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2190/kjv/tr/0-1/
Praying for Change
James 4:7-10
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
What is it that we want most for our sons and daughters who are wandering...or straight up running away from the Lord? We want change. Honest, about-face, change of heart, mind and loyalty. But let’s dig in deeper. “Change” is a nebulous word. Let’s get specific.
What is at the root of their wandering or living as a prodigal? Often it’s rebellion, pride and selfishness. Our human nature rebels against God’s authority. We want to make our own rules and follow our own path. We refuse to see how God’s boundaries are really the lines within which we will thrive and flourish. The fertile soil, the protected land, the best irrigation and nourishment all lie within the boundaries God set for us. He’s marked off the very best ‘land’ for us to enjoy. Yet, we look longingly over the fence at what appears to be greener pastures. And we insist on pressing against the fence until it gives way. We want what we want….and we tell God “You’re not the boss of me!”. Oh, but He is.
We run, we laugh and mock, we revel in our ‘freedom’ only to find that we are lost, hunted by the Enemy and losing our ability to meet our own needs. It is dark, empty and the smell of death surrounds us. We reap the consequences of our ‘knowing better’ only to realize that we don’t. But sometimes, sometimes we are so prideful we refuse, even then, to admit our fault. We would rather sit in our own stench than submit to God.
But the remedy is simple and the change it brings is dramatic. All we need to do is submit to God. Submit and we will have the strength to resist the devil -he will flee! Submit and God will draw near to us. Submit and He will make us clean. Oh that our sons and daughters would see the benefits of following the Lord. But if they’re outside of God’s boundaries, they’re likely blinded to what is good and right because the Enemy has them in a stranglehold and bound in darkness.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are confronted with the awfulness of their sin and that they are grieved by it. Pray that their hearts are broken over their pride, selfishness and rebellion. Pray that they see their path only leads to death and they are terrified by it. Pray that they truly mourn their slow death of sin. Because scripture says, blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted Matthew 5:4.
Jesus brings life. Jesus brings change!! Oh that our sons and daughters would embrace that change by submitting to God and letting all that He holds for them become their inheritance. Pray that they know life and freedom in Christ. Pray for the change that will turn their eternity into one of hope, joy, light and life.
Pray without ceasing!!
Don’t forget to join us tonight for our final Bible Study connected to the Without Ceasing devotional book!! We’ll be digging deeper into Scripture and talking about how to pray for a prodigal child.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J83ssz_JqEQ
Just go to the link and join us at 8pm EST. Can’t join us then? No worries, the video will stay on youtube and you can watch it later…and share with a friend!
Sorrow over Sin
2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
This week we’re focusing on prayer for the wanderer and our scripture is aligned with the live teaching that will play tomorrow night (October 19) at 8pm. There are SO many things we can and should pray for our sons and daughters. Today, we’ll pray for sorrow over sin.
God wants us to see our sin for what it is… rebellion and disobedience against Him and His will for our lives. It’s a selfishness that puts our fleshly desires above those spiritual boundaries and expectations that God put in place. When we see our sin for what it is, we see that it breaks the heart of God. If we truly love God, we’ll be broken over our selfish rebellion and we’ll desire to be back into right fellowship with Him. Worldly sorrow only leads to death. It doesn’t bring that heart change that leads us from darkness into light and brings salvation. Worldly sorrow is drenched in darkness and has no power to transform us.
Pray that, if our sons and daughters are not walking with the Lord, the eyes of their heart would be opened to see how grievous their choices are and how much their sin and rebellion distances them from God. Pray that Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation. Pray that they truly mourn and lament their sin.
Pray without ceasing.
Sunday Worship: A Hymn of Praise
We Praise Thee, Lord, with Earliest Morning Ray
Author: Johann Franck
Translator: Catherine Winkworth
Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
We praise Thee, Lord, with earliest morning ray;
We praise Thee with the glowing light of day:
All things that live and move, by sea and land,
Forever ready at Thy service stand.
The nations all are singing night and day,
Glory to Thee, the mighty God, for aye!
By Thee, through Thee, in Thee all beings are!
The listening earth repeats the song afar.
Thy name is great, Thy kingdom in us dwell;
Thy will constrain, and feed and guide us well:
Guard us, redeem us in the evil hour;
For Thine the glory, Lord, and Thine the power!
(lyrics are public domain)
Saturday Review
It’s good to review, isn’t it? It reminds us to go back and focus, once again, on the important things we’ve learned and remind ourselves to remain faithful and continue trusting the Lord.
Today, let’s review our prayer points from the week and pray, once again, for our sons and daughters spiritual health and growth. Pray about their boundaries. Boundaries are important; they can be life-saving. God is calling us to respect them and choose to value and abide by them, for our good and for His glory.
Pray:
That our sons and daughters seek God with all their heart and make a commitment to know and live His word so that they can be protected and be productive in their spiritual walk.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Pray that our sons and daughters choose the way of the cross and depend on the Lord for their direction and guidance
Pray that our sons and daughters put boundaries in place to guard their hearts and minds in Jesus.
Pray that they set their thoughts and affections on things above so that Jesus has priority and their spiritual growth reflects His presence in their lives.
Pray that they would have integrity to respect the boundaries God put in place.
Pray they would flee the evil desires that they encounter and, instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace
Pray that they would be intentional to surround themselves with friends and mentors who are believers and who would ‘sharpen’ them as iron sharpens iron.
Pray that they would run this spiritual race with eyes wide open, avoiding those who would cut in on them and potentially pull them away from the Lord
Pray for the battle of the mind, that our sons and daughters would take EVERY thought captive and bring it into obedience to the Lord.
Pray that they would understand their value and purpose and would guard it well, abiding by firm boundaries of the mind, allowing the Lord to be the Master of their thoughts and the One on whom they meditate.
Pray that the Enemy would be powerless to affect them and that their thoughts would be centered on all that is just, good and lovely according to the Lord.
There is so much to pray for, friends, but don’t lose heart; God is working!!
Pray without ceasing.
Boundaries of the Thoughts & Mind
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
The battlefield of the mind is a dangerous place. There we struggle with thoughts and desires. We ponder sin...or make a firm determination to avoid it. We wrestle with doubt, anger, dark thoughts and depression. We relive memories that often contain vivid reminders of our faults and failures. The mind is certainly a battleground where the Enemy can disable and defeat us.
So what can we do? First, we need to demolish those arguments that fight against what we know is true according to God’s word. We DEMOLISH them. We don’t just set them aside or push them down, we need to destroy them. Then, we have to take every thought captive. If it’s not pleasing to the Lord or edifying to our hearts and minds, it’s gotta go. What are we meditating on? Do we want to feast on the fresh, spiritual food of scripture, or do we find delight in chewing on years-old, spoiled ‘leftovers’ from our faults and failures?
Next, we must remind ourselves of what is true. We are made in the image of God. Think about that. We bear the image of the Almighty God! He created us in His likeness (Gen 1:26). So we are God’s ultimate creation! Then, He set eternity in our hearts- giving us a sense of purpose and a longing for more than what we see and experience here on earth (Ecc. 3:11). So our value is rooted in the image we bear and the purpose we hold; they are spiritual, eternal, and gospel-directed.
The Enemy hates that. He will do all he can to destroy us. He HATES image-bearers. His arguments set themselves up against everything God says is right and true! So, when our thoughts and hearts veer from our God-given value and purpose, when they argue and war against what we know is right and true, we need to stop and redirect them back to God’s truth once again. Take every thought captive!! Don’t entertain them, don’t linger with them, don’t abide with them. Too often we get ‘comfortable’ with our negative thoughts. We live with them and maybe even feel consigned to carry them- it’s our ‘lot in life’. It’s just the way it is and although we don’t like it, we are so familiar with that mindset that to try and break out means abandoning our ‘comfort zone’, despite the dark discomfort it brings. Stop!! Do not give the Enemy space in your thoughts! Hang a ‘no vacancy’ sign and fill your mind with the Truth of scripture!!
But we don’t just take those thoughts captive and then sit there. No, we bring them into obedience to Christ. We have to shift our thinking. When Christ redeemed us, He pulled us out of the swamp of our sin. We were not meant to continue living there, up to our necks in the muck and mire of our iniquities. He changed our hearts, our minds and our spiritual destination. So, when we struggle with thoughts and feelings that are negative, dark and defeating, we’re heading back to the swamp. God placed boundaries for us to protect us from that space...let’s not jump the wall and head back to our sinful, hopelessness.
So, then, what do we think on? Whatever is true- we are made in God’s image, we are His children, we are holy and dearly loved. That is truth! Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life- think on Him!! Then, whatever is noble- that’s the stuff that’s honorable and honest, not the lies from the pit, but the Truth from the Word! Whatever is pure and unpolluted is what should be at home in our hearts and minds. Leave no room for filth and lies. If it’s of ‘this world’ it’s likely tainted...so fill your minds with scripture! Then, whatever is lovely. Friends, we can spot ‘lovely’ a mile away!! Run after that- seek to fill your minds with beautiful things of the Lord. If it’s admirable, embrace it. If it’s sketchy, kick it to the curb! Whatever is praiseworthy- think on it. If it’s not praiseworthy, it’s likely an intruder...a ‘plant’ by the Enemy to derail our walk.
Let’s pray for our sons and daughters today that they will take EVERY thought captive and bring it into obedience. Pray that they would understand their value and purpose and would guard it well, abiding by firm boundaries of the mind, allowing the Lord to be the Master of their thoughts and the One on whom they meditate. Pray that the Enemy would be powerless to affect them and that their thoughts would be centered on all that is just, good and lovely according to the Lord.
Pray for boundaries and protection, today and every day.
Pray without ceasing.
Boundaries: Hold the Line
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Galatians 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”
“Flee the evil desires of youth”. It takes maturity to both identify something that is an evil desire and then to make the decision to run the other way. Boundaries are important, yes, but it’s someone’s values, standards and deep integrity that ensure boundaries are respected and maintained. Without integrity and a strong commitment to Christ, boundaries are, at best, ‘suggestions’ for living a good life, but to those who don’t follow Christ, they’re an annoyance or limitation that stands in the way of what they believe will make them happy. Our sons and daughters need to know how to identify sin and need to have the uncompromising character to stand against it and refuse to flirt with it. They need to hold the line. Following Jesus brings joy. Satisfying your own desires brings emptiness.
When we pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace and we’re surrounded by others who are doing the same, there is great encouragement and accountability. It is a ‘brotherhood’ of believers who are all pushing and pulling one another in the direction of the cross. Each one helping to carry the burden of the other, and with a like-minded goal of living for the Lord. God intended us to follow Him, but He calls us to fellowship with one another in the process, to pray together, worship together and lift one another up. When we’re doing that, we are more likely to respect the boundaries God put in place because we have the encouragement and accountability of others. Together, we help one another hold the line God put in place. When one feels weak or tired, the others are there to help, lift them up and refresh them so they can stand firm.
The fellowship of believers is important and boundaries in friendships and relationships ensure that we’re ‘sharpening’ one another. A knife is best sharpened by another metal… It doesn't work to sharpen it against wood or cloth. And no matter how much time you spend trying, it just won’t work. This is why God calls us to interact, befriend and fellowship with other believers, without that, we become dull. Our friends and closest companions should be ones who sharpen us, challenge us and keep us accountable to follow Jesus.
Our sons and daughters need friends and mentors who are committed to the Word of God and to an uncompromising life that follows after Him. When we have friends like that, they also protect us. It’s true, there is strength in numbers! Godly friends can help keep the Enemy from cutting in and derailing our walk with the Lord. Encouragement, prayer, caution, accountability- they are all marks of a good and Godly friendship and can help us identify and hold to the truth of the Gospel, without wavering.
God has so many protections in place for us, we need to be mindful and be willing to accept those boundaries as the ‘guardrails’ for our path, ensuring that we’ll arrive in His presence safe and well, having run the race Jesus set out for us.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters:
Hold fast to integrity to respect and abide by the boundaries God put in place.
Run from temptation
Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace
Surround themselves with friends and mentors who believe the same
Find friends who sharpen them
Be wary of those people who would potentially pull them away from the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
Boundaries of the Mind
Colossians 3:1-3 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Ah, remember the days of getting the kids cleaned up to go out somewhere? We would get everyone changed, washed up and ready to go when we’d suddenly realize someone went back outside to play...in the dirt. Why?! Well, although WE wanted to go out for dinner, it’s likely their heart was not in it. They had values that drew them back to getting dirty again. It’s much like our spiritual lives, isn’t it?
When we make the decision to follow Christ, we make a shift in our affections, our values and our pursuits. We leave those things that stained our hearts and minds and we begin pursuing God and His heart. It’s no longer about ‘us’ but about Him. We forfeit ‘self’ because the pursuit of what pleased us before Christ no longer captivates us...in fact, we likely find it empty.
But the draw, the temptation to go back to the old life is always there. We are sinful, fallen people and as much as we love the Lord, the fleshly part within us battles for our affections and will always try and lead us into temptation and back into sin. Romans 7 states it well:
Romans 7:15, 18-25 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
And where does the struggle take place? Satan is subtle and cunning. He attacks the heart and mind and they become the battlefield of spiritual warfare. Because of that, we especially need to set boundaries that protect and guard us in those areas. We need to seek Christ and His glory through our thoughts, words and actions.
Colossians 1:1-3 provide great directives and boundaries for our lives. Because we’ve been raised with Christ, we need to set our hearts on things above. That’s an intentional action on our part to love the Lord and choose to pursue what honors Him. Everything around us will battle for our affections- we must choose and pursue Christ.
We also need to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. We’ve been changed!! Why would we go back and wallow in the things that soiled our hearts and minds? And it’s not a ‘one and done’ effort. It requires daily attention, commitment and intention. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) Let’s embrace that daily renewal, let’s put boundaries in place and commit to follow Jesus well.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters put healthy boundaries in place to guard their hearts and minds in Jesus. Let’s pray that they set their thoughts and affections on things above so that Jesus has priority in their lives and their spiritual growth reflects His presence and preeminence in their lives.
Pray without ceasing
Bible Study-Tonight!
Join us at 8pm tonight for an in-depth study on praying boundaries for our sons and daughters!! Grab a cup of tea and settle in for some great teaching and conversation!
The link opens at 8pm, but if you can’t make it, just check in later- the video will remain on youtube and can be watched anytime!
Praying For Boundaries Without Ceasing - YouTube
Is your adult child struggling with healthy physical, spiritual and mental boundaries? Do you feel equipped to pray bold prayers and ask the Lord to help them draw lines for their lives and be drawn back to God? Let's learn practical ways to pray that our children define their boundaries
Good Directions
Psalm 119:32 “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Psalm 119:32 shows us the freedom that comes with following Christ “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” There is great encouragement in knowing where you need to go and Who is providing the directions. You can move ahead without fear or uncertainty, or, if there is uncertainty, you know He will provide direction at the right time, you just need to wait and trust. You can be confident that you’re on the right road. But the key is, being aware of those commands and following God’s directions. You have to be attentive to God’s word.
When we don’t know the directions or Who to ask, it gets difficult. Asking directions can be a humbling experience, right? Not only are you admitting you’re lost, but you’re surrendering yourself to the mercy and kindness of others to point you in the right direction. And who knows if they even know… and maybe they’re embarrassed or stressed and they don’t want to look like they don’t know...so they tell you ‘something’ but perhaps it’s not even correct. No wonder few people are eager to admit their need for directions.
At some point, the GPS was invented. People jumped at the chance to buy one and forever (hopefully) banish the humbling process of asking for directions altogether. This way they could look like they knew what they were doing...as long as the GPS was working...and as long as it could connect to the satellite. But, if you traveled to another country, that same GPS wouldn’t work well, if at all. It didn’t have the software needed for that country and if you asked for directions, there was likely a language barrier as well.
Direction can be difficult, but God provides us with a perfect GPS for life through His word. When we become Christ-followers, we need to depend on Him for clear direction, because this is, indeed, a foreign land. We are aliens and strangers here. And we must exhibit great caution, because few speak our ‘language’ of the cross. If we depend on guidance from others who are not Christ-followers we can end up confused, on the wrong road, or worse, following a map to nowhere. But here’s the thing, God is always correct. He’s always ‘switched on’, He doesn’t need an update or a software fix. He’s not dependent on a satellite and He is fluent in every language.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Can we pray today that our sons and daughters choose the way of the cross and depend on the Lord for their direction and guidance? They can’t afford not to.
“Lord, I pray that (name) would reach out to you, even this morning, asking You to guide and direct their day. I pray that they would be humble to recognize they don’t know everything and wise enough to reach out to You. Keep them from following others who don’t acknowledge You as Lord and Savior. Protect their path and guide their steps. Encourage them to continually look to You and trust You, even when the way seems dark and unclear. You are always trustworthy and always in control. Help them to lean in and let You lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Boundaries
Psalm 119:9-11
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Boundaries are vital for life. They ensure that we remain safe, they also keep us on the course that God has set for us (Hebrews 12:1) God doesn’t ask us to ‘find our own way’, no, He has a course set out for us and we are called as believers to follow in obedience. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would see the importance and value of God’s boundaries and would respect and abide by them.
Too often we balk against boundaries. Rather than seeing them as the frontiers of where we can reach and how far we can grow, we see them as restrictive and, sometimes, a punishment. Instead of ‘look at where you can go!” we see “look at where you can’t go, that’s off limits”. We push back against boundaries, seeing them as an infringement of our independence, but oblivious to the dangers of the influences and experience beyond them. And the result of that point of view is dissatisfaction, selfish pouting or anger and, ultimately, it can lead to disobedience and falling into sin….and potentially away from the faith.
We need to trust that our Shepherd means us good and not harm. So we should trust His boundaries as a blessing that ensures our thriving. He makes us lie down in green pastures (Psalm 23:2). He gives us rest and nourishment that is safe and healthy. He leads us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3). Again, ensuring that the boundary of the path we are walking is good and leads to eternal life. Boundaries keep us from sin. Sin leads to death.
How can our sons and daughters keep their way pure? By living according to God’s Word. His word is the guidebook for life and the map for our path. It shows direction and gives warning. It reveals the heart of our Father who desires good for us. Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters seek God with all their heart and make a commitment to know and live His word so that they can be protected and be productive in their spiritual walk. Boundaries are God’s way of ensuring His children are walking with Him. Isn’t that what we desire for them?
“Father, You are a good God. You love us so well and part of You loving care is that You created boundaries for us to ensure we can thrive in the best ways. I pray that You would help (name) to recognize that Your boundaries are good and a blessing, not a punishment. Open their eyes to see the dangers of straying outside the bounds of Your will and Your path. Let them know the fruitful life that comes from obeying Your word. I pray that (name) would begin to memorize scripture so they can live according to Your word and so that You can bring those words to mind to help them avoid sin and temptation. Lord, Your word is living and active and I pray it would be so in (name)’s heart and mind. Please let (name) seek You with all their heart today. Stir in them a love for You and a thirst for Your word. Ensure they walk within the boundaries You set so they live a life that reflects Jesus to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Rock of Ages
Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Augustus Montague Toplady
Today, spend some quiet moments meditating on the redemption provided to us through Jesus sacrifice on the cross. We are brought near by the blood of Christ- amen!
Contend for the Faith
Jude 1:3 “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”
Contend for the faith. What does that statement bring to mind? Fighting? Arguing? A conflict that gets heated? Dictionary.com (1) says that the word ‘contend’ means to struggle in opposition or to assert and maintain earnestly. However you look at it, if we are called to contend for the faith, it means we will face opposition and challenges that will try and persuade us otherwise. (Remember, the word ‘faith’ means persuaded). Jude is telling us to contend for the faith because he knows, he KNOWS, that there is an ongoing spiritual battle between believers and the powers of darkness that is going to continue to get worse. Let’s not kid ourselves, friends, our greatest enemies are unseen. Our faith is always being attacked...and even when we don’t sense it, the battle is likely raging around us. Our sons and daughters MUST be ready to contend for the faith, because if it’s not already here, oppression and persecution are coming.. If we identify with Christ, we will partake of His suffering. 1 Peter 2:20 “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
So many believers around the world know very personally what this means. They suffer persecution and loss, they are beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed and mistreated for the name of Christ. Yet they stand. Why? Because the name of Jesus means more to them than life itself. They are not so comfortable here that they hesitate to give up what they have for what Jesus promises them in glory. They have extraordinary courage in Christ. Are we ready? Could we withstand the pressure?
How much does Jesus mean to us? Enough to say we’re willing to give up everything for His name?
Contend for the faith. Today, and every day, we need to pray that our sons’ and daughters’ spiritual strength and faithfulness is strong and unwavering. Pray that when they are confronted with pressure, or worse, with persecution, that they rise up and contend for the faith, confident that He who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6) Today is a day to be honest with ourselves… the last days are near, we can’t deny it. The powers of darkness are becoming more visible and more active. Believers are getting powerfully distracted by things that do not matter, arguments that only serve to divide and selfish demands that dishonor the gospel. We need to pray that we all contend for the faith with a passion and commitment that will carry us through until we stand before the Lord. Let us stand, unwaveringly.
Pray without ceasing.
Dictionary.com. Contend definition & meaning. Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/contend.
Imitators
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Our children played all sorts of games and make-believe when they were little. Pretending was something that stretched their imagination and could keep them busy for hours. As they grew and began to notice the world around them, sometimes they would imitate what they saw, whether good or bad. They didn’t have knowledge and discretion, nor did they have context for some of the things they would imitate. Their imitation was a form of learning about the world around them and pretending they were someone or something else.
Fast-forward to the teenage years and imitation began to be founded on the response they would get from others. They might choose to imitate someone who was popular or ‘pretty’ so they, too, could receive approval. Or perhaps they were sullen or defiant and the ones they chose to imitate gave that same reflection of rebellion and anger. Whatever the imitation, it was almost always for approval from others and for effect. They chose to follow someone who had the image they craved and the life they desired. But their imitation was creating an image that wasn’t genuine or authentic to our sons and daughters. It was an effort to be someone or something else because, in their eyes, that was better.
Now that our sons and daughters are grown, authenticity is a valued character quality. This world doesn’t like ‘posers’- those who claim to be something that they’re not. As believers, we don’t just wear the label ‘Christian’ it is who we are, how we think, what we value and it’s the foundation of our world-view. We are called to be imitators of God so that everything we say and do reflects His presence in our lives. It’s not a ‘trying to be someone else’ it’s striving to be what God calls us to be. It’s an effort to be more like Jesus. He is the example we are to follow and when we seek to be more like Him, our whole self is steadily transformed into who He desires us to be. It’s a stripping away of the ‘fake’ and the old self so that our new, transformed heart and mind can be visible to those around us. It’s a transformation into authenticity not a shadowing into an image of something else. (and we know what God says about images…. they are idols, false gods that steal our attention, joy and the glory that is meant for God alone.)
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are imitators of God. Pray that they are not distracted or lured by popular culture. Pray that they don’t seek the approval and affirmation of the world. That’s a total deception of Satan and will lead to destruction, depression and devastation. It’s only when we choose to imitate God that we flourish. Pray for strong flourishing in our sons and daughters today!!
Pray without ceasing.
Walking Faithfully
Psalm 119:1-3, 5 “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart- they do nothing wrong but follow His ways.”
If we are praying for faithfulness, it means we’re praying that our sons and daughters remain committed to the Word of God -not just acknowledging that Scripture is true, but embracing it as the Truth by which they live. God’s word never fails and it is appropriate for every situation. It contains wisdom, direction, caution, encouragement and the list goes on. When our sons and daughters walk according to the Law of the Lord, they are walking within the boundaries He set for them to protect them and ensure their thriving. Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.
Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Remaining faithful is more important now, than ever. We live in evil days. Things are not good...and they’re getting worse. Our sons and daughters are living in a world where man’s inhumanity to man is staggering. Satan is determined to destroy image-bearers and what could be more devastating than to have them turn on one another. The hatred, selfishness and indifference to God are all signs that we are heading toward the Day of the Lord. And on that Day, where will our sons and daughters stand? Now is the time for us to pray for their faithfulness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. We want them to be unwavering in their faith and intentional and cautious in how they choose to walk. We want them to make the choice to walk with God and commit that they won’t negotiate their stance, they won’t compromise their commitment. We want them to be persuaded that there is no other way. We need to be prayerful that our sons and daughters live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to glorify and honor God.
1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Friends, God is raising up a generation that will stand firm for Him in the turmoil that is coming. We need to pray that they commit to following the Lord and do not allow criticism, negativity to distract, discourage or derail them. We need to pray they have confidence in their calling and remain faithful to the Lord.
Let’s take some time today to pray through these scriptures for our sons and daughters. Let’s pray for them by name. And as we pray for their faithfulness, let’s commit to be faithful ourselves to hold them up and pray for their committed, effective pursuit of God.
Pray without ceasing.
Join Us at 8pm Tonight!!
Faithfulness
Tonight, at 8pm on the Facebook page “A Simple Gathering”, we’ll be studying through the aspect of faithfulness and talking about how to pray for our sons and daughters!
We’ll dig into scripture and learn about the aspects of faithfulness and talk about the challenges of being effective in prayer. Join us and be encouraged!
WE WILL BE WATCHING TOGETHER AT 8PM EST in real time! You will have the ability to interact with Brenda live--just like a FB live experience only on YOUTUBE! How cool is that?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
HERE IS THE LINK! If you are subscribed to the channel and set a reminder...it will notify you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
Hope to see you there!!
Encouraging Faithfulness
Acts 11:23 (19-24) “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
Faithfulness to the gospel demonstrates God’s presence in our lives. Notice, in Acts, the persecution of the church brought a fervent sharing of the gospel and a boldness to speak about Christ to those who desperately needed to hear the good news. The gospel of Jesus Christ is life-changing!
Antioch was a city in ancient Syria. Today, it’s now a part of south central Turkey, just east of Aleppo, Syria. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, the Presence of God was evident among the people there. He “saw what the grace of God had done”.
If we are praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters, we need to pray that God’s Presence is evident in their lives. Christianity can’t just be a label, it needs to define us and everything we say and do give evidence that we are Christ-followers. Can others see evidence of the grace of God in our lives?
Barnabas was so moved that he “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” We need to be the Barnabas to our sons and daughters, friends!! When he “encouraged’ them. Strong’s Concordance (1) defines “encourage” as :admonish, exhort, beseech, console, comfort, strengthen and teach. Friends, that’s a lot of verbs right there!! If we want to encourage faithfulness, friends, we need to give our sons and daughters more than an ‘atta boy!’.
Yes, we’re praying for their faithfulness, but let’s dig in and be intentional!! The days are becoming darker- we can’t ignore it. Will our sons and daughters cling to the faithfulness needed to preserve their faith? Will they be persuaded, beyond a doubt, that Jesus is their Lord and Savior? Oh, friends, we need to encourage their faithfulness, admonish them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10), exhort them to walk in the light of His presence (Ps. 89:15), beseech them to love the Lord their God (Mt 22:37) console them with the truth that God provides mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16), comfort them with the reminder that God is a God of comfort and compassion in our troubles, our comfort abounds in Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-5), remind them that they will be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, (Col. 1:11) and pray that the cry of their heart is Psalm 119:33, “Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end” That, friends, is praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters.
Today, we need to pray through all of the aspects of encouraging faithfulness in our sons and daughters, and then let’s write a note for ourselves to remind us of the many ways we can encourage them. Faithfulness is a long, steady commitment, let’s bear with them in prayer!
Pray without ceasing.
A Call to Faithfulness
2 Timothy 1:7-9
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
This week we’re taking a deeper dive into praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters. We want to be specific and targeted as we pray.
What is faith? Faith, according to Strong’s Concordance (1), is defined as the persuasion or conviction of the truth of something. In the case of the believer, it is the conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only means of forgiveness of sin and salvation of our souls. It is the conviction that we are sinners, saved by grace, dependent on the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sin and the conquering of death through His resurrection and ascension. Faithfulness, then, is holding fast to that conviction, continuing unwaveringly in a life that reflects that conviction and a full dependence on the grace of God received through the gospel. Faithfulness is not just a ‘knowing’, but living out an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy reminds us that we, as believers, were called by God before the beginning of time. Before God created the world, before the fall of man, God knew who his children would be. He knew; and He called us into fellowship with Him.
1 Corinthians 1:9 says “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
God doesn’t call us only to watch us struggle and flounder to follow Him. He is faithful to support, protect, encourage and equip us.
Today, we want to pray that our sons and daughters understand their calling and realize it is not just a ‘label’ but that it requires action to ‘guard the good deposit’ and that they ‘keep the pattern of sound teaching’.
We must pray that they hold fast to the truth of the gospel and that they don’t just have ‘head knowledge’ but that they are intentional to live faithfully so their life reflects their calling by the Lord to a life surrendered to Him.
Pray that they rely on the Lord for strength, protection and equipping in faithfulness so they are purposeful and directed in their walk with the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
G4102 - pistis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4102/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Don’t forget to join us for an online Bible Study on Faithfulness on Tuesday, October 5 at 8pm EST. Can’t make it"? No worries, tune in to the youtube recording and watch it later! Join us on A Simple Gathering on Facebook!! Membership is free and the resources are fabulous!!
Saturday Review
Today, read through our entire Psalm from this week and pray it over your sons and daughters. Take your time. Think about the power and promises in the words. Know that God hears and will honor your prayers.
Psalm 144
Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.
Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.
From the deadly sword deliver me;
rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
Take some time to write down some answers to prayer you’ve seen the Lord provide recently! Share with a friend. Encourage others- we are the Body of Christ and together we can be a mighty force!
Praying Unhindered
Psalm 144:12-15 “Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.”
What greater joy is there than seeing our sons and daughters thrive in their walk with Christ and embrace a passion for Scripture and a desire to serve Him and impact the world for the gospel?! Psalm 144 gives a big picture view of God’s relationship with man. When man is obedient and submits to His lordship, the Psalm describes the blessings that flow out of that right relationship. One of those blessings is sons and daughters who thrive. Another blessing is provision for our needs and protection from the enemy.
Friends, as much as we pray for our sons and daughters, our own personal relationship with the Lord needs to be right. Our example and our walk impact how our children flourish. We hold a great responsibility. We cannot excuse ourselves. We must be actively pursuing Christ and ensuring our vertical relationship with Him is right.
THEN our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants and our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our thriving sons and daughters are a result of our right relationship with the Lord. (ah, some may be saying ‘but what if my son or daughter ISN’T following the Lord?!) Friends, it’s not a guarantee. We can’t push buttons and make things happen. Man’s free will gets in the way and often muddies the waters. And the timeline for each is different. But if we, as parents, are following after Christ in the right way, He honors that. If we are living in sin, He will not.
Today, let’s stop and take stock. Let’s ensure that we are right with the Lord. Let’s examine ourselves and see if there is sin that needs to be identified and then a need for repentance. Let’s humble ourselves before the Lord so He can have full sway in our hearts and minds and create a clean heart in us. Let’s lead by example so that our sons and daughters see what a right relationship with God is. And then when we pray, we pray unhindered.
Pray without ceasing.