I Timothy 2:1-2 (Monday - Thursday)

I Timothy 2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

MONDAY-Our Pastor preached on "Victorious Prayer" this past Sunday night. He mentioned from Acts 12:1-11, that our prayers should be prayers of: freedom, faithfulness, fervency, fellowship, faith, focus, and force. God has entrusted us and taught us how to pray (Matthew 6:5-15). We should pray for everyone. Those we know and those whoa re strangers. If we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, we should pray for them like we pray for our own family or congregation.

TUESDAY-from my NIV study Bible "Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, He has chosen to let us help Him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding, but it is a reality. Paul urges us to pray for each other and for our leaders in government. Our earnest prayers will have powerful results (James 5:16). "

WEDNESDAY- "Paul's command to pray for kings was remarkable considering that Nero, a notoriously cruel ruler, was emperor at this time (AD 54-68). When Paul wrote this letter, persecution was a growing threat to believers."

THURSDAY-It is a goal of mine to raise children who are peaceful, but know when to be loud and have fun. And, I want to be a part of a godly family. A family focused on Him. If we follow this command to pray, this will help us live godly lives. When things are going good in our lives, it is difficult to remember to pray, especially for other people. We are focused on ourselves and the way things are going in our lives. May our focus be on others and the lost world around us, so that they might see Jesus shine through us.

"...to the lost and battered lives adrift on stormy seas;
to the angry and confused, crying to be free,
from the chains of bondage that trap the soul in sin,
let the light of Jesus shine from deep within..."
-from the anthem "Shine Through Me" by David Whipple, Jr.

Weekend Edition

FRI: The KBC Discipleship Blog has entries about visitor's first few minutes on church property and what we can do as members to make them feel welcome
http://28nineteen.com/

SAT: Keith Getty video "Speak O, Lord"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ckhjcIOfV88

SUN: Mother's Day Tribute
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rsnjnA-JSgk&feature=related

Give thanks for your mother this weekend. "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." from Isaiah 66:13

Jesus and John Wayne

The Gaither Vocal Band's latest CD has a song entitled "Somewhere Between Jesus and John Wayne". This is a creative way to look at our ups and downs of walking the Christian road and our struggles with sin. While 'google-ing" for the lyrics to post on my site, I ran across this interpretation of the song, lyrics included...see what you think.

http://moreandmorechristianstuff.blogspot.com/#7623215106133898293

Old Friends

When the Cathedral Quartet stopped due to the passing of Glenn Payne, Bill Gaither put together a quartet and called them "Old Friends". The tenor and bass sing of the Cathedrals along with Wes Pritchard and Jake Hess. Quite a difference in age and personality, but it seems that the group molded together well because they had the same mind-set and had God-given talents. The "Old Friends" produced one of the more popular songs of that year while singing together: "Glory to God in the Highest."

God has given us many types of friends in our lives:
Old Friends
New Friends
Life-Long Friends

Worst Friends

Short-Term Friends
So-Called Friends
Best Friends
Childhood Friends
Faithful Friends
and many more...

In the ministry, we encounter many different types of friends. Sometimes, our relationship ends abruptly due to a call to another church. I miss those friends who I served with at each call, and I am thankful for the friends I currently serve with. God has blessed me with friends...old and new.

The Bible (especially the New Testament) has many writing of the greeting "dear friends...". How long has it been since you last wrote or called a "dear" friend? Too long? Give them a call or write them today.

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend." -- Albert Camus

"Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them..." --Michael W. Smith

Brother Against Brother

Many times in our every-day experiences, we encounter conflict. The Bible says that Christians will be persecuted. The road we have been given is not the easiest worldly road to walk. What makes is worse for us is when our own brother, friend, or co-worker does us harm or wrong.

When you put trust in leadership, you are buying into the system and saying I will give if you will give. We will both give of ourselves for the better of the company. When one of the parties fails to give, the other feels short-changed.

The Bible gives clear instructions on what to do in these times of conflict.

Matthew 18:15-19
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Jesus is with you always. He promises to be with you in any situation that two or three are gathered together in His name. Whatever you do, wherever you go...do it in His name and for His glory.

Weekend Edition (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) I Timothy I:18

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,

FRIDAY: http://www.stilltruth.com/2006/1_timothy_1_18_20_fight_good_fight

SATURDAY: http://kevinpierpont.com/fight-the-good-fight-1-timothy-118-20/

SUNDAY: http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/5401.htm