blue white and orange abstract painting

Grace Prompts Prayer

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT)

Author Susie Larson writes, “To be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, to be filled to the spilling-over brim with the all-surpassing love of Christ, is to be transformed from the inside out; it’s to dare to come boldly into God’s great presence and to ask Him for the impossible, unachievable, inconceivable, and unbelievable. Because this is what heirs do. … Prayer links us in fellowship with almighty God. His promises belong to us” (Your Powerful Prayers, p. 69). 

Bold Strength Flows From Prayer 

But you say that you don’t know how to pray. Use different patterns to prompt your prayers until you are comfortable having a heart-to-heart conversation with our loving Father. Pour out your heart to God. He’s listening. He’s waiting. Then listen to Him … wait for God … bask in His presence.

A prayer prompted by Grace.

G

racious.

Gracious Father, You gave all to give eternity.

Rejoice.

I rejoice in Your gift of salvation and peace with You.

Adore.

I adore and stand in awe of Your lovingkindness.

Cherish.

I cherish and cling to Your precepts and teachings.

Exalt.

I exalt You, for You are the Creator of all. You are holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal, loving, and much more.

Amen.

What’s your prayer?

Featured photo by Pexels.

New Beginnings in 2022

“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.” Psalm 85:10-13 (ESV)

May the steadfast love of our faithful God bless you with new beginnings.
May the righteousness of Jesus kiss you with the peace of God.
May faithfulness fill your heart and mind
as our righteous Savior smiles upon you.
May our LORD pour out His goodness upon you
and heal our land.
May the righteousness of Jesus go before you
and lead you in the way, the truth, and the life.

May the Son rise and shine upon you.
May He bring you new beginnings in 2022.

Free Devotional Available

Download a free 7-day devotional, “Pray Without Ceasing” when you join the monthly Promise Walk Newsletter.

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Gifts That Last

“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27 (ESV)

When we celebrate, we like to give gifts. Handmade gifts, gifts of special foods, expensive gifts. Some of us shop for Christmas all year. Are you buying gifts for next Christmas and enjoying deep discounts?

Continue reading Gifts That Last

Eternity Wraps the Christmas and Resurrection Stories in Love

“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43b-45, NLT)

I have seven nativities scattered around our home, not to mention our nativity Christmas tree ornaments. My Christmas newsletter’s 7-day devotion “A Savior Was Born for You,” begins with Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

I find that leading up to Christmas, I focus on the birth of Jesus, the Son, the Child, and I neglect the government on His shoulder and why the Son was given. Instead, I think of Mary’s and Joseph’s devotion to God and His plans even though they didn’t fully understand them. I think of the miracle of the virgin birth, the angels proclaiming Jesus’ birth, the shepherds watching their sheep and then adoring the Great Shepherd. I smile and remember the wise men coming from the East bringing gifts and worshiping the All-Wise King.

Beautiful stories of God’s love, His goodness, and His glory. Beautiful stories and promises made possible by the self-sacrifice that was to come.

What if we started the Christmas story by telling the Resurrection story?

Continue reading Eternity Wraps the Christmas and Resurrection Stories in Love