01/02/2018
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Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord {Genesis 4:26};" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" {Revelations 22:21} of an earnest supplication meets our ear.
Instances are plentiful.
Here we find a wrestling Jacob {Genesis 32:22-32} - there a Daniel who prayed three times a day {Daniel 6:9-11}--and a David who with all his heart called upon his God {Acts 13:32}. On the mountain we see Elias {Matthew 17:3}; in the dungeon Paul and Silas {Acts 16:16-40}.
We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer?
We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it.
So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Do you want nothing? Then, I fear you do not know thy poverty. Have you no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show you your misery!
The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord. Psalm 23
Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:6-7
Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’ Matthew 6:9-13
Let your motto for this year be, "Continue in prayer."
“But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].” Luke 21:34-36
May your lives be filled with Great Joy in 2018 as you are lead by the Holy Spirit into a deeper relationship with the God of ALL creation. Let Grace abound towards ALL who accept Christ as their Lord.
I pray this year the Holy Spirit will give me the words to say to draw as many LGBTQI+ Children of God, who have been abandoned by family, friends and CHURCH, back into the Loving Arms of the ONE who created us ALL in His Image according to His likeness which is Spirit. I pray God through His Holy Spirit will give me the strength and endurance to stand up for All these lost souls and be the Good Shepherd He has called me to be. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Blessings and Peace,
Rainbow Pastor David
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