Tag: prayer

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 11, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 8

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:3-4)

What happens to our prayers when we offer them up to God? According to Revelation 8 our prayers are being stored up in heaven. Prayers are never wasted. They are preserved in glory and poured out before the throne of God. We should never underestimate the power of prayer. God hears us. When we pray in the Spirit and when we pray in faith we can expect answers. Our prayers not only effect the here and now but the book of Revelation shows us how our prayers will impact the future. Don’t become weary in giving prayers to God. Your prayers play a significant part in God’s future work. Ask yourself this question, if my prayers play such an important part in the future work of God, then how important are they to the work of God’s kingdom today?

Prayer: “Father in heaven, it is through the blood of Jesus we approach Your throne in faith, believing that You hear us when we pray, and that our prayers are never wasted, but are being stored up in glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 7, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is James chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

James could attest to the power of prayer. A nickname for James was “camel knees.” Apparently, he spent so much time on his knees that his knees became calloused. James said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteousness man availeth much.” (James 5:16b) He also said, “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2) There is prayer for every occasion. “Is any among you afflicted?” Of course we can all say “yes” we have struggles. God wants us to lay our burdens down to Him. What about joyful times? We can offer a prayer worshipful singing and praise. What about when we are sick? James said, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” (James 5:15) One example of fervent prayer is Elijah the prophet. He was a man subject to like passions as we are, yet he prayed earnestly and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. He prayed again and it did rain. Whatever you are struggling with prayer is the key. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.”

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to know the power of prayer. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 24, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Hebrews chapter 8

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The ministry of Christ since He ascended back to heaven is a ministry of intercession. Jesus represents us in heaven and now He is praying for you and me. He has provided a New Covenant for His people. We are no longer under the Old Testament Law. We are under grace. The Law was given to show us that we are guilty, and that we need Christ. God’s Holy Spirit lives in us since the day we got saved, and He teaches us God’s Word. Through Christ we have been forgiven! Who else better to represent us in heaven than Jesus? The One who loved and died for us, the One who takes away our sin and makes us holy, He is our Advocate in glory! To get to God we must go through Jesus. He hears us when we pray and helps our prayers reach the ear of the Father. Jesus is in heaven praying and His people on earth should be praying too. Jesus is known for His prayer life. Are you known for your prayer life?

Prayer: “Dear Father, we praise You for Jesus Christ the Great High Priest, we thank You for His faithful prayer ministry. Make us a praying people. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 26, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 1 Timothy chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

A preacher needs to know how to pray. Leading a congregation in prayer ministry, along with preaching and teaching God’s Word is vital to the health of a church. In his letter to Timothy, Paul invested in the prayer life of a young pastor. He taught both pastor and church to make prayer top priority. There is only one way to get to God and that is through our Mediator Jesus Christ! Paul taught Timothy to “pray for all people.” He said, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (1 Timothy 2:1 NKJV) Ask God to help people, intercede in their behalf, and give thanks to God for them. Praying for people impacts lives, and is pleasing to God. Praying for our leaders helps us to be able to live peaceful and quiet lives. It helps advance the Gospel which is what God desires. Paul said, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV) Praying for people helps advance the Gospel and results in more people loving God. Paul said, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV) Praying for people impacts the way women worship and love God as well. Paul said, “And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” (1 Timothy 1:9-10 NLT) When God’s people pray and seek God’s face, spiritual transformation takes place in people’s lives.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to set ourselves aside for God, thank You for the privilege of prayer, as Your church teach us to intercede as prayer warriors. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 24, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Thessalonians chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul was not afraid to ask churches to pray for him. His prayer requests were not selfish, but always centered on advancing the Gospel. Paul wanted to see God’s Word spread and impact people’s lives. He desired this for the Thessalonians too. He wanted to see them walking in the truth. Obedience is a mark of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that obedience is a demonstration of our love for God. The Bible also teaches that blessings follow obedience. The hymn writer penned it this way, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.” Also, Paul wanted these believers to grow in the truth. He said, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT) Paul not only wanted believers to walk in the truth, and to grow in the truth, but also he wanted them to stand in the truth. Apparently, there were believers in the church that were not being faithful. They were living idle lives, refusing to work, and were meddling in other people’s business. Paul instructed the erring believers to settle down and work to earn their own living. He instructed the faithful believers to stand in the truth by staying away from all believers living contrary to the Word of God they had been taught. Paul said, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 NKJV)

Prayer: “Dear Father, may the Word of God have full effect in our lives, and may we walk, grow, and stand in the truth. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 10, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Colossians chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

If there is one word to describe the Apostle Paul it is the word concerned. Paul was concerned for the church at Colossae. He endured intense spiritual agony in their behalf. Paul interceded for them desiring, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.” (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ESV) Paul was even concerned for people he did not know or had ever met. His love for them was not stifled because of distance either. Paul said, “For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.” (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ NLT) Being concerned for others is a spiritual quality. Spiritual concern motivates us to pray. Are you concerned for God’s people around the world and even those you have never met in distant lands? Paul’s love and concern for the Colossians was first that they would be protected from the high pressure of false teaching, and secondly that they would be firmly grounded in Christ and walk in Him. May we be motivated to pray for one another today with the same intensity and concern like Paul had when he prayed for the Colossians, or like Jesus prayed when He agonized at Gethsemane. 

Prayer: “Lord, we pray for churches & Christians here at home and in distant lands to be encouraged & knit together in love, & to know the riches of the fullness of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 12, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 10

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
God gives us mighty weapons to accomplish His work. His weapons are sufficient for victory. Believers fight a spiritual battle, and face a spiritual enemy, that requires spiritual weapons. We have been given the weapons of prayer and the Word of God. God provides His armor; the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the Gospel shoes, the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of faith. With God’s armor we can stand against the devil. We do not fight for victory, we fight from it. The victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Therefore, as God’s people we never have to be intimidated. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believes.” (Romans 1:16)
We are not a frail, weak, defenseless army. We are soldiers of the cross! Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus is building and blessing His church, and has promised us victory. God said of you that you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. That means you are super victorious! Everything the Word of God says about you is true, and everything God’s Word has promised you is yours! Amen!

Prayer: “Father, You have been so good to us. Thank You. We have victory in You. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 27

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The storms of life reveal what people are made of. Paul’s shipwreck experience showed his strong character. Paul was made of the right stuff! First, Paul sensed danger in making the journey. Sailing was dangerous during certain times of the year and Paul urged the leaders not to attempt a voyage until after winter, but to no avail. Upon sailing it wasn’t long before the ship was caught in a terrible storm. Paul sought the Lord and found courage to face the danger. The Lord stood by him and encouraged not to fear. God intervened and spared the lives of everyone on board. Paul cared for others and stood in the gap for them in prayer. In a crisis some people have an “every man for himself” mentality, but not Paul. God spared these passengers because of the intercessory prayers of the Apostle Paul. If you find yourself in a crisis today, look to God for courage and do not fear. Pray and intercede in behalf of others who may also be impacted by the storm.

Prayer: “Dear Father, give us wisdom and strength in our storms today, and a heart for others. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 12

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Intense pressure came to the early church during the height of their growth and missionary expansion. Some believers were put to death for the faith and others arrested or persecuted. It has been my observation that spiritual assaults usually come to those who are being used by God to advance the Gospel. The devil usually doesn’t bother those who are no threat to him. The early church was piercing the darkness with a powerful Gospel witness. They responded to spiritual attacks by turning to God in prayer. Acts 12:5 says, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God…” The church needed a miracle. They were in a very difficult situation. The Apostle James had been martyred and Peter had beed arrested and was awaiting the sentence of death. It is good to know that prayer knows no boundaries except that which lies outside of the will of God. Prison bars, Roman soldiers, and the king’s palace could not prevail against a praying church! No matter how difficult or dark your circumstances become, never underestimate the power of prayer. The spiritual battles of the early church were fought and won through prevailing prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” What a great promise and assurance to God’s people today. He hears us when we pray.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, may we have confidence in prayer and may we boldly come before Your throne. May we be dedicated to prayer ministry, and also may we be united in prayer with our fellow believers. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 17

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus is the great Prayer Warrior. In His High Priestly Prayer, recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed the glory down. There are some people who seem to be on a first name basis with the Father that are able to pray heaven down. They have learned from Jesus how to pray. Their walk with God is such that their heart and life is tuned to the Father, and their prayers reveal the heart of God. Prayer has more to do with our relationship with the Father than the words we choose to say to God. Jesus prayed perfect and powerful prayers that brought the glory down. The word “glory” appears eight times in Jesus prayer. The key to effective prayer is praying for that which brings God glory. God will not share His glory with any man, but when we seek to bring Him glory God will honor it. The Holy Spirit will bless us when we seek God’s glory. He will manifest the Father to us and allow us to bask in God’s glory. We should be encouraged that Jesus still knows how to pray and that He is praying for us today.

Prayer: “Father, thank You for the prayers of Jesus, may we Your children learn to pray like Him. May our lives be so tuned to the heart of God that we pray heaven down. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron