A People of Prayer- Week 3
After spending 45 minutes (which I didn’t have to spare) at TJ Maxx contemplating which new sweater might improve my mood, I released a deep sigh, ok, it was a groan, and headed for my car. Why was I feeling so aggravated? I didn’t take long to figure out. There thousands of sweaters there; so many choices, how could it be that I couldn’t find something to meet my need? The whole thing just left me feeling unsatisfied.
You see, I have to admit, I am accustomed to getting my way. Whether it’s at a department store, a restaurant, or a gas station, you name it really, my expectation, conscious or not, is that things will go my way. When they don’t, I get really frustrated. Today at TJ Maxx, I was reminded of how spoiled I can be. Would I have gotten that lesson if I did find a sweet sweater? Probably not.
Before I get any further down that road let me get to what I want to say… Like you, I am faced with a multitude of choices, day after day, moment by moment really. How would God have me choose? Does it really matter to Him if I get a new sweater or not? I kinda think it does. I kinda think He’s using these choices to expose my heart, to teach me about my motives and where they could use some work. Who do I want to please, Him or me?
The book of 1st John is near to the end of the New Testament. Not to be confused with the Gospel of John (written by the same author) 1st John is a tiny book that packs a lot of punch. It is a book filled with loving encouragement and exhortations about what is true, what God wants and how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It’s a book that helps me to get over having to “have it my way.” Reading and applying its principles provides a kind of fine-tuning if you will, it can help us to better Love God, Love People and Live God’s Message. This week’s Sermon Topic is Loving God: The Father. My hope is that these offerings will help us to let go of what we want, to make better choices and say to the Father: “Have it YOUR Way!”
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 2:28-3:3 ESV)
January 14, 2012
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. (1 John 2:28)
Dear God my Father, I love that you call me your child. There is so much that goes with that title, so many privileges but responsibilities too. Lord, I ask that your Holy Spirit will help me in the coming week to make choices that would bless and honor you. Help me to keep myself from idols that promise the world but deliver pain and emptiness. Give me your grace to say “no” to myself and “yes” to Jesus. In His Name I pray, amen.
January 15, 2012
29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
(1 John 2:29)
Dear God my Father, send your Holy Spirit to help me practice righteousness today. Where there is pain, help me to bring healing. Where there is hunger for the Truth, help me to speak for you. Where hearts are broken, let me be the company and gentle touch that may soothe the sting of loneliness. May I choose to love and serve your people and as I do, my prayer is that you would grow me in Christ-likeness. In His Name I pray, amen.
January 16, 2012
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
(1 John 3:1a)
Dear God my Father, the love you have given to me is beyond my comprehension yet you call me to love others in the way you have loved me. I know this would be impossible but for the help of your Holy Spirit. Abba, help me to know your love in my heart and help me to live in response to that love in a way that will show my love for you. Help me to love you as you love me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
January 17, 2012
The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1b)
Dear God my Father, I pray that you would use me to help others in this world to know you. I ask you to bring me to someone today and to give me whatever I need to reach them for you. Abba, this is the cry of my heart, use me to reach one more for Jesus. Reveal yourself through me in such a way that there will one less in this world who does not know you. In Your Name I pray, amen.
January 18, 2012
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2a)
Dear God my Father, I know that you use all things, both easy and difficult, to mold and shape me into the image of your dear Son Jesus. I know that I am not who I was but more than that, I am not who I will be, thanks to your mercy and love. Abba, help me to choose your way over my own today and may my obedient response produce joy which overflows. Have YOUR way in me Abba, Have YOUR way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
January 19, 2012
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2b)
Dear God my Father, how would you have me purify myself today? Show me the areas of my life that are in need of your cleansing. Abba, reveal to me where I am making choices that are not pleasing to you, my finances, my physical body, my relationships… I lay these and any others before you willingly. Give me strength to make the necessary changes, not out of duty or fear but out of trust love for you. In the Name of the One who set the example for me, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
January 20, 2012
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:16-19 ESV)
Dear God my Father, help me to come to know and to believe that you love me. Help me to abide in your love. Perfect your love in me that I might have confidence on the final day, more than that, on each day until then. May my life be lived in loving response to you. May the darkness of fear be washed away in the light of your love. Abba, thank you for loving me, for calling me to yourself and for helping me to make my choices, one by one. May each one be a blessing to you. In Jesus Name, amen.
Ahhh, Dear Friends, I’m feeling much better! Thank you for letting me serve you.
Every Blessing to you and to yours, in Him,
Pastor Karyn
