Gigi & Pop

Intentional Praying...

2011-05-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

“pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3
Praying and reading God’s Word go hand in hand. You can’t really have one without the other. It’s like a two-passenger bicycle, which is much harder to stay the course when there is only one person peddling. To be persistent in our prayer life and to improve it, we can pray Scripture back to God. Praying God’s Word builds our faith. It brings God’s power into our praying. Praying God’s promises predicts the answers. You know when you pray God’s Word, you’re praying His will. It’s a cure for our self-centered “me...me...me...list.” Instead, it places the focus on God instead of us.

PARAPHRASE PRAYING:
Paraphrase Praying means read God’s Word and pray it in your own words.
“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (NIV)

For example, we could pray the above Scripture, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, in this way:
Father, we pray that you would use World Radio to spread the Gospel of Christ quickly,and that Your Word be honored and obeyed. May your name be held up high for You are holy. You are the one and only true and living God. Thank you for delivering the World Radio speakers from perverse and evil men for not all have faith in You. You prepare a table for the World Radio speakers before their enemies. You protect them as they hide in the shelter of Your wings. You, oh God, are faithful and You strengthen the speakers of World Radio. May the Gospel be heard in every nation upon the earth, for all Nations belong to You. It is through Christ, by His sacrifice, power, and authority we pray. Amen.

PURPOSEFUL PRAYING
To pray with purpose is to pray God’s will through His Word.

Prayer and evangelism are linked together! Jesus was filled with compassion for people when He saw that they were harassed and helpless and at that time Jesus told his disciples:
“The harvest is truly plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

It is God’s will that all men be saved. With famine, disease, wars, natural disasters, and chaos stalking the earth, the world is in desperate need. However, the world's greatest need is spiritual. The world needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ from his Word. The power is in the Gospel. (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians15:1-4; Romans 6)

When God answers our “Paraphrase Praying” and “Purposeful Praying” it will spread the Gospel more rapidly around the globe.

Here are a few prayer points to encourage your times of prayer:
• Ask God how you might be used to go into the entire world.
• Pray that the thousands of issues of World Radio News that go out every other month will spark an interest in missions around the globe.
• Pray that each speaker for World Radio will be dedicated to preaching God’s truth with grace and love.
• Prayerfully consider the possibility of supporting World Radio on a monthly basis.
• Please pray for an abundant financial outpouring to enable World Radio to establish radio programs in more nations and languages of the world.
• Pray for World Radio/WFR Relief Staff:
o Ben Adkins, Director of World Radio/WFR Relief
o Randy Kirby, Elder, White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ
o Mike Kellett, Minister/Elder, White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ
o Alan Robertson, Minister/Elder, White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ
o William (Bill) H. Smith Jr., Elder, White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ
o Dianna Teel, World Radio Speaker Relations
o Carolyn Jo Gower, World Radio Donor Relations
o Lisa Robertson, WFR Global Executive Assistant
o Pray for World Radio Speakers:
* If you would like a listing of the speakers please contact
• Carolyn Jo Gower. Email: jgower@wfr.org
• WORLD RADIO/WFR RELIEF, an outreach of the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ
o 3201 N 7th St, West Monroe, La. 71291
o Ph: 318 396 6000 Ext: 250
o www.wfrchurch.org
o www.wfr.org

PEACE FOLLOWS TRUTH...

2010-05-16T08:25:00.000-05:00

Peace follows truth..."The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace..." (Romans 8:6)

2010-05-06T18:49:00.003-05:00

PRAYER...whether National Day or EVERY DAY...
No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on earth is more powerful or effective than the power of prayer. - Linn Carlson, DaySpring writer...
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NRSV

Don't Worry...

2010-05-05T07:58:00.002-05:00

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7

My Mother's God Answers Prayers

2010-03-09T11:03:00.007-06:00

Must share this story with you, I just hung up the phone after having an interesting conversation with a dear friend! She mentioned that at 9 years of age she heard her mother pray, "Oh, Lord, please take me home" and it scared her to death! Her mom did not know that the 9 year old heard the prayer. Of course that is not the only prayer she had heard her mother pray. But she knew that when her mother prayed she got answers so even as a 9 year old she was not surprised when her mother died within two weeks after that prayer. Her mom got to make her transfer to heaven!
The 9-year-old daughter turned out to be a Christian that depends TOTALLY on God because of this Mother's prayer life and then death. What example are we setting for our children? Do you pray out loud with your children? Will they one day say "My Mother's God Answers Prayers." ? "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Rom. 12:12

What is a Hedge of Thorn Prayer????

2010-03-09T07:04:00.004-06:00

Some people have asked me what do you mean by "Hedge of Thorns Prayer?"; what is that? To answer these questions we go to the book of Job. Job was a righteous man and very blessed. In Job1:9 we read about Satan's conversation with God about Job:

9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

From this passage we see that God agreed to take the hedge of protection down so that Satan could test Job. God knew that Job would pass the test. The thing to remember is that Job had no idea of what was going on in the coversation between God and Satan yet we have the benefit of knowing about why Job suffered so much. After a study of Job it is good to pray for that protection about us or our family. When it comes to marriage problems here is a prayer that can be used...of course each person prays it a little different this is just a guideline to get you started. God bless you as you build your marriage stronger to stand against the influence of Satan in our world today. Some Marriages need repair while others need prevention care in order to avoid problems. You take the below prayer and adapt it to your personal marriage needs.

Hedge of Thorns Prayer for Marriage Repair:
Heavenly Father, I ask you, LORD, to rebuke and bind Satan in the name and through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 9)

I ask you to build a “hedge of thorns” around my husband / wife, so that anyone with wrong influence will lose interest in him / her and leave. (Hosea 2:5-7) (Job 1-3)

I base this prayer on the command of Your Word which states, “Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together”. (Matthew 19:6)

Father God, Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. ( I John 5:15) (John 14:13-14) Amen

· Above prayer is based on the following scriptures:Read Job, the first few chapters where we are told that God had a hedge around Job; how Satan approached God about this. When God took the hedge down Satan could attack. It is important to pray the Hedge of Thorns Prayer around your marriage and your husband or wife.

(1) Job 1 - 3
(2) Mark 3:27; Jude 9
(3) John 14:13-14
(4) Hosea 2:5-7
(5) I John 5:14
(6) Matthew 19:6
(7) I John 5:15

Prayer Focus for 2010

2009-11-30T10:18:00.001-06:00

Just a reminder: focused prayers for 3 weeks-started yesterday, November 29, 2009 – December 19th, 2009: Be inspired by Daniel 9-10 as Daniel prayed for three weeks making his request to God. Pray...as we reflect on 2009 and move toward God's will to be done in 2010. Pray for the grace and peace of God (Revelation 1.4).

DESERT DWELLING????

2009-10-05T11:24:00.002-05:00

God Leads Us into the Desert
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil" (Matt 4:1).
There is a common teaching going around today that says if you do all the right things in your Christian life, you will be blessed and never experience problems in your life. This teaching is heresy. The Bible says that we will encounter many problems during this lifetime. Just read Peter's epistle.
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Why would God lead His Son into the desert to be tempted? Why would God lead you and me into the desert?
The desert is a place to learn something about ourselves. It is the place where we determine if we will truly live by every Word of God, not by bread alone. When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded to every temptation by citing what the Word of God said about that temptation.
This is also the way you and I must respond to the temptations that are brought our way. We must have the Word of God written into our hearts in order to know how to respond to given situations. The Bible says, "the truth shall make you free." It is knowing and doing the will of God that allows us to live free from the temptation of evil.
The desert is often the place of silence. However, it is also a place where the devil will speak loudest because you are in a place of weakness and the comforts of your normal life are not to be found. It is a place where God is often silent but can also be a place where God speaks loudest. The word desert comes from the Hebrew word "dahbaar" which means "to speak."
If God has placed you in the desert, meditate on the Word of God so that you will withstand the temptation that comes in the desert place.
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-03-2009 Prime Time With God [cgimail@churchgrowth.org] website: www.churchgrowth.org

FOLLOW?

2009-04-18T10:29:00.006-05:00

These days everywhere I turn I see "Follow" such as on Twitter, Facebook and many other hi-tech ways of staying in touch with several people all at once. I think it is a wonderful invention for our times.
Even, today when I got on my Facebook I noticed "Follow" ...meaning to sign up to follow a particular item. It made me think…who are we following? Our ultimate call is to look into the Scriptures where we can “follow” Christ Jesus every step, action and his every move. Now that would be a great addition to facebook.
Christ is the one that is our true friend…not just a person we’ve signed up with on facebook that may or may not really know us. He wants US to take the time to really know Him. Are you willing to sign up to “follow” Christ?
April 18, 2009....By Jo Gower

Jesus said "Beware...don't look down on children..."

2009-03-08T06:54:00.010-05:00

I noticed in this reading Jesus said
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father"
Ohhhh...so we better take care and teach ALL the little Children. Even more than that maybe we have a lot to "learn" from children.
Here is the Scripture to read:

Matthew 18
The Greatest in the Kingdom

1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[i] is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.[j]

10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.[k]

Prime Time With God by Os Hillman - www.churchgrowth.org

2009-02-09T04:26:00.002-06:00

Today's Prayer

God, as I reflect on Proverbs 23:12, "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge," I'm trying to examine myself in light of that Scripture. Do I respond to you and your Word with my heart...or do I do what I do for you out of a sense of duty or obligation? I'm sorry for the times I have done good things only because someone needed to do it. I pray that I will always have the right attitude and the right motives. I pray that whatever service I give to you from this day forward will be out of love and as a result of my relationship with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Knowing and Doing God's Will
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
01-11-2009

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6).
George Mueller was a pastor in England during the nineteenth century who knew what it meant to live a life that was focused on knowing and doing the will of God. God led him in a walk of faith that has become an incredible testimony to all who hear his story.
Whenever he lacked for something, he prayed for the resources. During his ministry in Bristol, England, George built four orphan houses that cared for 2,000 children at the time. When he died at the age of 93, over 10,000 children had been provided for through his orphanages, and he had distributed over eight million dollars that had been given to him in answer to prayer.
How did he know and do the will of God?
"I never remember a period that I ever sincerely and patiently sought to know the will of God by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, through the instrumentality of the Word of God, but I have been always directed rightly." Here is how George summed up the way he entered into a "heart" relationship with God and learned to discern God's voice:
1) "I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.
2) Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3) I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined.
4) Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5) I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
Thus, (1) through prayer to God, (2) the study of the Word, and (3) reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly."*
Consider these five steps when discerning God's voice in your life.

http://realheroes.net/reformers/George_Mueller.html

*Henry Blackaby, Claude King, Experiencing God, Lifeway Press, Nashville, TN, p. 33,34
Share Prime Time With A Friend

2009-02-02T09:19:00.002-06:00

When You Speak, God Hears

Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don’t even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did.
He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family. Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus.
John writes: “So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick’” (John 11:3, emphasis mine).
Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded.
In the economy of heaven, the prayers of saints are a valued commodity. John the apostle would agree. He wrote the story of Lazarus and was careful to show the sequence: The healing began when the request was made.
The phrase the friend of Lazarus used is worth noting. When he told Jesus of the illness, he said, “The one you love is sick.” The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the one who hears the prayer.
We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. “The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed.” The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven so he won’t miss a word. The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man’s words. This anonymous courier was heard by God.
John’s message is critical. You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens.
Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. “The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God” (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.
One call and heaven’s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God’s power in heaven.
You are the someone of God’s kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don’t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!
When you speak, Jesus hears.
And when Jesus hears, the world is changed.
All because someone prayed.

by Max Lucado
From
For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado

Our Grandson...

2009-01-14T07:02:00.005-06:00

Wow, if we could all look at life like that!

Why Pray Now? or Where is God?

2009-01-08T09:05:00.002-06:00

Where is God?

It is important to recognize that God dwells in a different realm. He occupies another dimension. “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8–9).
Make special note of the word like. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are they even like ours. We aren’t even in the same neighborhood. We’re thinking, Preserve the body; he’s thinking, Save the soul. We dream of a pay raise. He dreams of raising the dead. We avoid pain and seek peace. God uses pain to bring peace. “I’m going to live before I die,” we resolve. “Die so you can live,” he instructs. We love what rusts. He loves what endures. We rejoice at our successes. He rejoices at our confessions.
Our thoughts are not like God’s thoughts. Our ways are not like his ways. He has a different agenda. He dwells in a different dimension. He lives on another plane.
What controls you doesn’t control him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not; he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it.
How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth! “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (see Matt. 19:26). Our questions betray our lack of understanding:
How can God be everywhere at one time? (Who says God is bound by a body?)
How can God hear all the prayers that come to him? (Perhaps his ears are different from yours.)
How can God be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? (Could it be that heaven has a different set of physics than earth?)
How vital that we pray, armed with the knowledge that God is in heaven. Pray with any lesser conviction, and our prayers are timid, shallow, and hollow. Look up and see what God has done, and watch how your prayers are energized.
This knowledge gives us confidence as we face the uncertain future. We know that he is in control of the universe, and so we can rest secure. But important also is the knowledge that this God in heaven has chosen to bend near toward earth to see our sorrow and hear our prayers. He is not so far above us that he is not touched by our tears.
Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives. So we entrust him with our future. We entrust him with our very lives.

by Max Lucado
From
For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado
UpWords ® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

LAWS of the Lighthouse
• Love God more than you fear hell.
• Once a week, let a child take you on a
walk.
• Make major decisions in a cemetery.
• When no one is watching, live as if
someone is.
• Succeed at home ﬁrst.
• Don’t spend tomorrow’s money today.
• Pray twice as much as you fret.
• Listen twice as much as you speak.
• Only harbor a grudge when God does.
• Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
• Treat people like angels; you will meet
some and help make some.
• ‘Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity
than on the side of scrutiny.
• God has forgiven you; you’d be wise to
do the same.
• When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust
his heart.
• Toot your own horn and the notes will be
ﬂat.
• Don’t feel guilty for God’s goodness.
• The book of life is lived in chapters, so
know your page number.
• Never let the important be the victim of
the trivial.
• Live your liturgy.
To sum it all up:
Approach life like a
voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain.
Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.
From
In the Eye
of the Storm
Copyright 1991 Max Lucado

I believe in Santa Claus!

2008-12-23T14:26:00.003-06:00

Christmas with Grandma
And always remember, if you quit believing in Santa Clause, you get underwear for Christmas!!
I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS {author unknown but I like this, Jo}

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way, my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted .... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it! That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down."Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,
HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...
And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

Praying for Children of All Ages

2008-12-17T10:47:00.014-06:00

This photo is of Pop and Gigi with our children at the hosptial when our grandson was born! We pray not only for our children and grandchildren but other children as well! The other photo is of Gigi and granddaughter!

An easy way to pray for children of all ages is to pray for them from head to toe. It includes using the Bible to ask God's blessing on various aspects of their lives. Thinking, “Head to Toe” is an easy way to remember to pray at anytime of the day or night and in any circumstances because we will have stored up in our hearts passages of the Bible as we pray the scripture that pertain to “Head to Toe Praying”. The scriptures that we’ll use to pray work for all children, no matter how old they are or what they're going through.

We can begin by putting the verse on several index cards and posting them around the house and in the car. The 3”X 5” is easy to carry in your purse or in the shirt pocket for the men. When we pray the scripture daily will have us knowing the verse by heart in a matter of days. Now, you can see the scripture below, just fill in the blanks with the child's name and we're off and praying!

Mind:
Proverbs 9:9-10
"Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Prayer:
Father, please make ______ wise. Make ______ heart open to instruction that he/she might gain more wisdom. Teach him what it means to fear the Lord, for that is the beginning of wisdom. Grant him knowledge of the Holy One.

Eyes:
Proverbs 3:7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."
Prayer:
God, please guard ______ from being wise in his own eyes. May he fear you and find wisdom, strength, and understanding in you alone, not in his own capabilities. May he understand your holiness and resist evil.

Ears:
Proverbs 2:2 "…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding."
Prayer:
Father, please make _______'s ears attentive to wisdom. Deafen his ears to the call of sin; teach him to recognize your will and follow Your Word. Incline his heart to understanding.

Mouth:
Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Prayer:
I pray that ______ would speak only wholesome words beneficial to others. May his speech be appropriate and respectful. May it encourage those who are disheartened and bring faith to those who have none.

Tongue:
Proverbs 10:19-20 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
Prayer:
I ask that _______ will learn wisdom and as a result, be able to hold his tongue. Keep him from wicked words. May he use his tongue to encourage others and teach them about You Holy God. Make his tongue like choice silver.

Neck:
Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Prayer:
I pray that love and faithfulness will not leave _____. May he bind them around his neck and write them on the tablet of his heart. Open his eyes to others' needs, making him quick to extend kindness. Bless him with favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.

Heart:
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Prayer:
I pray that ______ will watch over his heart with all diligence. Keep him heart pure. Keep him from being embittered by trials. May his heart be steadfastly set on loving you more than anything or anyone else.

Hands:
Psalm 24:3-5 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior."
Prayer: I pray that ______ would have clean hands and a pure heart. May he love you with all his heart, turning away from all that is false. Keep his speech and motives pure. Thank you for promising a blessing and being faithful to fulfill it.

Knees:
Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Prayer:
I pray that _______ will worship and bow down before you. May he love and fear you, honoring you as the King of his life. May he acknowledge you as his Maker and recognize that your love will never fail.

Feet:
Psalm 119:35 "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Prayer:
Father, please help _______ walk in your path. Cause him to delight in your commandments and follow you all his days.

10 Questions About the Church of Christ by Keith Roberts

2008-12-13T07:25:00.005-06:00

"Top Ten Questions About the Church of Christ"
(For more about Keith Roberts go to: http://www.calhounchurch.org/ten.html)

#10 – “Where Did The Church of Christ Come From

The Church of Christ in America appeared during the Second Great Awakening, a sweeping religious revival centered at Cane Ridge, Kentucky in 1801. A Presbyterian clergyman, Barton W. Stone, had organized these revival meetings in response to the spiritual deadness of early frontier America. Nearly twenty thousand people gathered in the Kentucky woods where a massive revival burned for several days.

This kicked-off the Second Great Awakening in America, which produced huge growth in Baptist and Methodist churches and also gave birth to the Cumberland Presbyterians, the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and the Church of Christ.

As revival swept across America, clergymen like Barton Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell (Presbyterians), James O. Kelly (Methodist) and John Raccoon Smith (Baptist), among others, began to search for a new model for the church in America, a model that later got titled “The Restoration Movement.”

This movement featured (1) de-emphasizing denominational differences and being “Christians only,” (2) going back to the Bible rather than church creeds to establish policy for worship and Christian living, and (3) attempting to restore the spirit and simple practices of Christianity depicted in the New Testament. Most modern Churches of Christ still believe in these ideals and attempt to live up to this high calling.

# 9 - “Why Don’t You Use Music In Your Worship Services?”

We do use music, but we don’t use musical instruments to accompany our singing. While many of our friends in other churches (even some Churches of Christ) use instruments, we don’t because we believe it’s closer to the New Testament ideal.

According to Dr. F.W Mattox, a scholar of early church history, musical instruments weren’t used until the Fifth Century, and organ music in church didn’t appear until the Eighth Century. Even today the majority of Christian groups worldwide still sing without instruments, or acappella (literally meaning of the chapel or in the way of the church.)

Note these interesting quotes by famous church leaders of the past:

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), the well-known Baptist preacher who never allowed instruments in his worship service said, "Sing to me. This is the sweetest music… We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it."

John Calvin wrote:
"Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, lighting up of lamps and restoration of other shadows of the Law... Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise, but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." (Commentary, Psa. 33).

Adam Clark (noted Methodist commentator) said:

"I am an old man, and a minister; and I here declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music. And I here register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity."
"The late venerable and eminent divine, the Rev. John W. Wesley, who was a lover of music and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists, said in his terse and powerful manner, 'I have no abjection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.' I say the same, though I think the expense of purchase had better be spared.'"
(Clarke's Commentary, Vol. IV, page 686).

So it seems logical, considering our goal of restoring a New Testament type worship, that acappella singing would fit that model. Besides, the only musical instrument God ever created is the human voice; man created all the rest. The purest form of musical worship on earth is found in human voices.

# 8- “Aren’t You The Ones Who Don’t Believe In The Old Testament?”

No, we definitely believe that God inspired every word of the Old Testament. Even the New Testament says, “For everything written in the past was written to teach us...” (Romans 15:4). Without the Old Testament revelation, we couldn’t understand the New Testament.

But the Old Testament isn’t our covenant with God. As Christians, we’re under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13). That’s why Christians don’t offer animal sacrifices in worship, stone adulterers to death, abstain from pork, or keep other regulations demanded by the old covenant.

# 7- “How Does A Person Join The Church of Christ?”

By simply becoming a Christian. Just as in the New Testament, we have no special rules for joining our fellowship and no votes are taken to screen potential members. When one is born again, Christ adds him or her to the universal, worldwide church (Acts 2:47), and then that believer joins a local group of disciples to continue his or her growth and service to Jesus (Acts 10:26).

#6- “Why Do Some People Call You ‘Campbellites’?”

Because of Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell (father & son), two Presbyterian clergymen who became leaders in the Restoration Movement that sprang up after the Cane Ridge revival.

They believed that Christianity had become too institutionalized, divided, formalized, and denominational. They left their denomination, intending to bypass all sects and go back to the simple New Testament forms of worship and church life.

Since the Campbells were two of the main leaders of this movement, which birthed the Churches of Christ, some people have called us “Campbellites.” However, Churches of Christ insist on wearing only the name of Christ and not the partisan names of human beings.

#5- “What Denomination Are You?”

A denomination usually has a national organization, a headquarters here on earth, a hierarchy of clergy, a handbook or creedal statement of belief (in addition to the Bible), and a bureaucratic structure to make policy for the local churches to follow.

Churches of Christ have attempted to minimize these denominational trappings. We prefer to operate as local self-governing congregations answerable mainly to God. While we cooperate with each other, and often with other Christian groups, we desire to be what one of us summed up in his statement: “We’re Christians only, but not the only Christians.”

#4– “Why Do You Emphasize Baptism?”

Because the Bible does; the New Testament mentions baptism 51 times. Every conversion to Christ recorded in the book of Acts ended in a water baptism. And every New Testament writer considered baptism an essential part of a believer’s response to Jesus.

The Apostle Paul wrote that water baptism is a faith-inspired re-enactment of the gospel. It’s a symbolic death, reflected by burial in water (instead of dirt) and a symbolic resurrection acted out by rising from the water (I Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 6:1-7).

Christ considered it so important that not only was he baptized but he included this teaching in his marching orders as he sent his apostles out to make more disciples (Mark 16:15-16).

#3- “Why Do You Take The Bible So Literally?”

In any communication, some statements are to be taken literally and some aren’t. A stop sign on the street corner sends a literal message: “STOP.” But when a car at that stop sign has “Mustang” written on it, we know that’s a symbolic statement - the car isn’t literally a horse.

In our approach to Biblical interpretation, we try to separate the literal and symbolic by using a few common sense rules: What did the Biblical statement mean to those who originally heard it? What was the context? What does it mean for us today? What was the writer’s intent, to be symbolic or literal?

The life-or-death statements in the Bible such as, “if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins” (John 8:24), we take at face value and teach them accordingly.

#2- “Why Do You Have Communion Every Sunday?”

Because of the nature of the Communion. Jesus said that each time we celebrate this feast, he eats it with us! (Mark 14:25.) Each time we have Communion, we participate symbolically in the blood and body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16). We also show our unity as a body, remember his sacrifice, and depict his death and resurrection (1 Cor. 11:17-34).

The Communion service is one of the most important reasons we meet on Sunday. Paul and his companions thought it so important that they waited seven days in one town so they could assemble with the church and celebrate the Communion meal (Acts 20:6-7).

#1- “Don’t You Believe You’re The Only Ones Going To Heaven?”

Most religious groups have a few misguided people who think they’re the only ones going to heaven. Churches of Christ are no different.

But churches can’t save anyone; the church is an assembly of the already saved. So what does save us and get us to heaven?

Jesus does. It’s God’s action through Christ that saves us, not membership in a church. And the only way to know Jesus is through his gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) – believing that he is God’s Son (literally God in flesh,) that he died and rose again on our behalf to erase our sins, and that he is Lord. Once you accept that message from the heart, place your faith in Jesus to save you from hell and put you in heaven, repent of your sins, and are baptized, you move into the Christian life - the life of the saved (Acts 2:22-41.)

So the only ones who are going to heaven are those who’ve been reborn spiritually. As Jesus put it, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3.)

Skye our new puppy

2008-11-21T19:16:00.003-06:00

We are excited about our new little puppy, Skye! She is a doll.

Change

2008-09-08T06:32:00.009-05:00

The only thing that remains consistent in life is "change".
Well, Hugh and I, have recently made a change in Ministry. A couple of things that have not changed is the fact that I still work at World Radio as the Assistant to the Directors and we still live in the same place. But what has changed is Hugh is now the Minister at Wards Chapel Church of Christ and he is no longer with the prayer ministry at the Calhoun Church of Christ.

Hugh and I just want to serve in the local church. Hugh is enjoying preaching the Gospel and looks forward to bringing folks in the community to Christ. We have begun to visit the members at Wards Chapel in their homes and look forward to getting to know each family.

This Wednesday {September 10, 2008) Hugh will be teaching from the book of Ephesians so he encouraged us all to read it before we come to class Wednesday night. Sunday morning Bible class time, Scotty White is teaching 12 steps to Spiritual Victory and doing a great job. Then Hugh preaches Sunday morning and night.

Come visit us, we'd love to see you there. As I prepared for my day, one of the scriptures I read was Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." May we bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ today!
Have a blessed day!
Jo

Choosing Early???

2008-09-01T20:58:00.005-05:00

Seeing the Unseen…choose early…

You’ve probably heard of that book “Seeing the Unseen” by Joe Beam. His story is a great story of “second” chance with family and God. Another great faith story is of Joe Almanza, how he came to Christ when he was in prison. Others that are more widely known are Beth Moore, Joyce Myers, and James Robison. I could name story after story how God has brought many out of the pit they were in, to the grace of God and a changed life.

I’m very thankful for all these wonderful stories of the power of God to rescue from horrible circumstances at a time when a person had no hope. Their life changed and now they are making a difference in the lives of many.

Therefore, I do not want to take away from any of these encouraging people. However, what about these other great stories of deliverance? They often have been dedicated to Christ (not sinless of course) all of their lives. They usually have learned early how to do life; how to choose wisely and never give up their Christian faith.

We all know people like that and they have made an impact on us. My sweet mom and dad were two people I looked up to; they stayed faithful to God and each other throughout their lives. I’m not saying they were perfect but I am saying that they chose to raise my brother and I for the Lord over worldly things. They told me one time, “Well, we didn’t do too well at teaching you at home but we knew that we could always go with you to Bible Class and Church anytime the door was open.” What they didn’t realize is that they were teaching us at home; their love for the Lord, and each other was evident. They set our feet on the path of loving God first, over school, friends, everything. We had family come visit us at times and when it was time to go to church we all got up and went. It was no decision to make – we were there! Our company went with us.

My sister-in-law is another person that I admire; as a young person she made up her mind to follow Christ. She truly has lived it out in her life. I’ve known her since 1971 when she married my brother. She was looking for a Christian man because she was following the Lord not the world. Her life has been a witness to so many. Over the years, she continued steadfast in the Lord, honoring her marriage vows; raised two wonderful children and to this day continues to serve the Church. Through the years she was always there when my Mother and Dad needed her; when her husband and children needed her. Even today, she is influencing her grandchildren for the Lord.

However, you don’t see these stories told very often so I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about these Christians that have impacted my life. Thank you all! May the Lord continue to be first in our lives!

How's That Working For You?

2008-08-22T18:48:00.015-05:00

Disappointment in Life:

When I think of the apostle Paul…I see a strong, determined leader for Christ! So what is going on with this plea from him…to Timothy? Did he face “people problems?”, disappointment in his friends and fellow Christians? When I read this passage I see some of all of that…

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas...because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica... At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me... Do your best to get here before winter (4:9-11,14,16,21).

Problems molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known. But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this tough soldier.

Can’t we sense Paul's hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy:

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas...because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica" (2 Tim 4:9-10).

Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends?

Paul in his letters, usually seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective.

That's why he could write:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity. Beware of placing too much expectation on others.

Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments...we are all a work in progress. One of my favortie quotes is "Be kinder than necessary, everyone is fighting their own kind of battle".

Jo’s comments and Excerpts from:
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2,
by Os Hillman

2008-08-15T10:23:00.005-05:00

YOU could be “asking” or “answering”
By Carolyn “Jo” Gower

Jesus told his disciples the good news and the bad news; best of all was the answer. The good news is that the harvest is plentiful and ready. The bad news is that the workers are few! Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38 (NIV)

When we look around us, we see that the harvest is truly plentiful, and the workers are few! However, we also see the good news. You may be the person praying for the lost or praying for more workers, or the worker in need of prayer; in many ways God is using you to bring others to Christ. Praying that God will open a door in our community so that Christ will be proclaimed is one way, just as we read about in God's word - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ...Colossians 4:3. Don't give up...keep on praying!

A Great Vacation In Little Rock AR!

2008-08-11T22:49:00.015-05:00

Hugh and I feel blessed to have two sons; they are grown, married and have children of their own. Last week was such a joy! We went to Little Rock on Paul's birthday...took him a cake and enjoyed wishing him a happy day.

Paul & Schell had asked us to come for a few days to take care of Noah, our grandson, while they made a trip to Boston to celebrate Paul's birthday with friends. It was a great blessing for us and as any grandmother would say...he is the best grandson in the world! We had such fun taking care of him. At this time Noah is 3 months old and he is so good.

Pop, Noah and I had great conversations together, exercised together. We had time to go outside to see the flowers and birds; stroll in the neighborhood and read books together; sing songs together too! Needless to say we were excited! It was a great week.

At the risk of sounding "religious" I must add that it was a week of praying, answered prayers and blessings from above. Our Lord Jesus was so good to us; he posted angels at every corner of Noah's home. We were well protected and so were Paul and Schell. Their trip to Boston and back was safe. Bad weather was to come in that would interfere with their arrival on Sunday but the Lord answered that prayer with a postive answer too...the weather held off that would have stopped their flying out of Chicago on to Little Rock. Hugh and I offered many thanksgiving prayers for all the good time we had and the protection that God gave all of us.

When you look into the eyes of a little one it can renew your own outlook on life that there is hope, love, joy and peace. It can stop the negative and bring out the positive of life! At least with Noah he showed Pop and I a new world...a renewed perspective of innocense and a inquisitive mind to look at things as though they were brand new!

We were not only blessed but we also learned some important lessons from Noah! For one we learned you can be happy even when you don't always get your way. Also, it doesn't really matter what you look like but it is more important what you are on the inside. If we adults could ever learn to love the way Noah loved us, he did not care what we looked like or what clothes we wore. He wasn't concerned if we were in the right country club or even the right church. He just loved us right where we are! Wow, if we as Christians could love people that way...this would display the true love of Christ.

It is hard to comprehed how Christ could humble himself and come down here as a baby...totally dependent on his earthly mom and dad to give him what he needed to grow up.

When I looked at Noah and realized what trust he had in Pop and I to supply his needs while Mom and Dad were gone for a couple of days it reminded me that I am to trust God just like Noah trusts us. Completely relaxed trust; he didn't worry about anything...he was sure that we would give him everything he needed. Jesus has told us that we are not to worry about anything but trust in Him.

Life has a way of either teaching us or reminding us of the Love of God. We can learn it the easy way or the hard way. I'm thankful that Noah has taught us that it is much easier when we trust rather than worry. Thanks my dear grandson for these lessons! Pop and Gigi love you Noah!!!

4:30 AM Today

2008-07-16T06:47:00.002-05:00

This morning I awoke hearing my Granddaughter say "Gigi"...problem is she is back home today. Don't know why I heard her, unless I'm just having withdrawals from her...missing her precious presence in our home.

Anyway, I prayed...Lord are you waking me up to pray for Madelyn? Was I just dreaming? What is the deal? I got up went to the living room, pulled out my book titled "Prayers that Prevail for your Children", turned to the prayer called "Angelic Protection" {Hebrews 1:14} and prayed for Madelyn this prayer (part of that prayer along with some of my own thoughts):

" Holy Father, may the Angel of the LORD encamp around Madelyn right now and deliver her as she honors You with reverent fear, awe and respect.

Thank you for sending your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can be saved and protected as we live here awaiting His return to take us to heaven.

Thank you for giving Him power that is far greater than angelic power and a name that is more excellent than the name of angels.

Even so, I thank you, that You have made the angels to be ministering spirits who worship and obey Christ Jesus commands to serve and protect Your people that are heirs of salvation.

Thank you Lord for sending your Angels to protect Madelyn this morning." by the resurrection power of Jesus, AMEN

This morning was peaceful, quiet and close to the Lord Jesus. He is all in all, as the old song states - He is my everything! What a wonderful peace Christ gives us no matter what circumstance we are in today! Thank You Jesus!
Till later,
Jo

Praying for the Lost

2008-07-14T19:52:00.002-05:00

With famine, disease, wars, natural disasters, and chaos stalking the earth, the world is in desperate need! However, the world's greatest need is spiritual. The world needs to hear the Gospel because the power is in the Gospel of Christ. (I Cor. 15:1-ff). The point is that the solution to the world's need is in the prayers and outreach to the lost by Christians. The Lord has promised that if we ask, seek, and knock he will send the answer.

Here are a few prayer starters for your encouragement:

1. Pray a prayer of Thanksgiving…
a. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18).

b. "… my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

2. Praise God for…
a. His faithfulness—“…his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalms 91:4b)

b. His mercy--"Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds" (Psalm 36:5).

c. His excellence--"Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict" (Job 37:23). (Also see Psalm 36:7)

d. His love—“Praise the LORD, all you nations, extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. (Psalm 117)

e. His longsuffering--"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

f. His name--"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9).

3. Pray for workers:
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2). Pray for unity among brethren in order to when others to Christ. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1).

4. Pray for God to lead us to people to share the gospel; for people to come to us in search of the Lord Jesus.

a. “Call unto Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know”. (Jeremiah 33:3)

5. Pray for people to have open hearts for the Gospel.

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you…” (1Thessalonians 1:2-ff)

Pray for Children

2008-07-07T05:56:00.012-05:00

FEET of Children…

July 3 – 6, 2008, Paul, Schell and Noah came to West Monroe for a few days. They stayed with us; it was so great to have them back home.

While they were here, I was holding Noah, and I looked down at his precious little feet (he is about 2 months old) and I prayed “Lord, please guide these feet – where Noah should go and what he should do for You oh LORD GOD of heaven and earth.

Then, I said “Schell, please take a picture of Noah’s precious little feet…isn’t that adorable?" So she did. Today, as I’m praying for my children and grandchildren, I began to think about the “feet” spoken about in the Bible; how do I pray for Hugh and I; for my children and grandchildren in regards to their feet? Sounds silly huh? But think about it for a moment…

“Feet” is mentioned in the Bible 262 times. Some of those times refer to the 'measurement' but often it is speaking of human feet. Many references are to “washing feet” but I began to read about how God took care of His people’s feet and discovered that when God’s people were wandering in the desert for 40 years not only did their sandals not wear out but their feet did not even swell. God took complete care of them…every detail. While we're here on earth...it is our "wandering in the wilderness" but we have nothing to fear because of the great God we serve...

{4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Deuteronomy 8:4 (NIV)}

PRAYER:Today, July 7, 2008, I pray Holy God…
You LORD are worthy to be praised, You alone are worthy! Thank YOU that You created little Noah (2 months old) and (6 year old) Madelyn and brought them to earth to be raised by Paul and Schell (Noah); Luke and Melissa (Madelyn). Thank you that you’ve allowed Hugh and I to be their Grandparents, please give us wisdom as we love them day to day.

Please give their parents Paul & Schell and Luke & Melissa a special measure of wisdom as they raise their children. Lord God I pray you’d protect all of them from the evil one; thank you that you surround each one of them with your protection and angels that are assigned to each of them. I pray that all Hugh and I tried to do to raise Paul and Luke for you would forever be in their hearts…that YOU LORD GOD would ever draw them to you so that they will lead their families close to You. I pray that one day we’ll all be in heaven together.

As I thank you Holy Father for their precious feet…My prayer is that you will guide those feet. May they never follow after evil but always after YOU LORD GOD, to Your glory and honor. You tell us in your word….
33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 2 Samuel 22:33-35 (NIV)

So I claim that promise in Your Word for Noah and Madelyn; their parents and grandparents! Thank You LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for all that You do for each of us. In Christ Holy Name I Pray AMEN

We wait in great expectation as the one and only true and living God answers our prayers for our children, grandchildren and all the children on earth. So that when this life is over our children and grandchildren will be able to say that Pop and GG’s feet followed God closely…like what we read in Job 23:10-12 (NIV)…
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Till next time, {GG} Carolyn 'Jo' Gower

HEDGE OF THORNS PRAYER (marriage repair)

2008-06-29T13:42:00.019-05:00

By Hugh and Carolyn ‘Jo’ Gower

Some time ago, Hugh and I had a small Bible Study Group on Monday night’s meeting in our home. We met to pray and have a Bible Study with the intent of inviting neighbors and friends to the small group.

God did several great things during that time…one testimony from that time is about a young man that wanted to get back with his wife. As I tell this real-life story I will not use his real name because of privacy issues. Therefore, I’ll call him “Sam”.
On Monday nights, Sam began coming, he had been through a divorce. They had two children, elementary age. Sam's wife was going to the Bars and having relationships with other men. As weeks went on in our prayer and study group Sam began to tell us that he really wanted his wife back.

Hugh explained to him the Hedge of Thorns Prayer. Hugh also asked him “Are you sure you can forgive her? Because if you can’t truly forgive her when she comes back it will not work.” Sam said yes, I forgive her and want her back.

After that, each week, Sam, Hugh and I would pray this prayer around his wife. Then Sam would pray it himself throughout the week. Week after week we’d pray…she would come by our house to drop the children off to Sam or to pick them up from Sam. She looked like a dancehall girl…and was off to the Bars or wild parties after she’d leave the children with Sam.

Several prayers came out of our times of praying the “Hedge Prayer”. We prayed that God would put a hedge about her and bring her to her senses. We prayed she’d lose a desire for the Bars and other men. And that people that were having a bad influence over her would lose a desire to be with her. We prayed that she’d have the desire for her husband and to be the wife and mother God intended her to be. Every Monday night for about a year we prayed a hedge about Sam and his family.
Then one week-end when we were out of town, Hugh was preaching somewhere, Sam called Hugh and said “We’re getting married again, will you do the ceremony?”
Since we were not in town, Sam had to get someone else to do it, but the next week-end they {children too} came to our home to eat supper. It was an awesome experience…she did not even look the same. She looked peaceful; dressed as a mom and a wife would dress. She was no longer dressed like a dancehall girl.
As we sat around the table eating together I asked her…”What happened to you? How did you come back?” She said “One night I was in a Bar; on the dance floor with some guy and boom, like a ton of bricks it hit me ‘this is not what I want’… ‘I want to be with Sam and our children! So I left and went back home to see if my ex-husband would take me back!’

God gave Sam an awesome blessing and answer to prayer! Now that you know we have seen great answers to the Hedge Prayer, here is an outline of that prayer for you to develop your own personal “Hedge Prayer”. It can be adapted to fit many circumstances. So there you go…

· Marriage Repair:

Heavenly Father, I ask you, LORD, to rebuke and bind Satan in the name and through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 9)

I ask you to build a “hedge of thorns” around my husband / wife, so that anyone with wrong influence will lose interest in him / her and leave. (Hosea 2:5-7) (Job 1-3)

I base this prayer on the command of Your Word which states, “Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together”. (Matthew 19:6)

Father God, Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. ( I John 5:15) (John 14:13-14) Amen

· Above prayer is based on the following scriptures:

Read Job, the first few chapters where we are told that God had a hedge around Job; how Satan approached God about this. When God took the hedge down Satan could attack. It is important to pray the Hedge of Thorns Prayer around your marriage and your husband or wife.

(1) Job 1 - 3
(2) Mark 3:27; Jude 9
(3) John 14:13-14
(4) Hosea 2:5-7
(5) I John 5:14
(6) Matthew 19:6
(7) I John 5:15

Head to Toe Praying...

2008-06-27T20:29:00.005-05:00

HEAD TO TOE PRAYING…
An easy way to pray for the children around you is to pray for them from head to toe. Simple to use…when you think of their “head” begin praying for their mind and so on. This works for children of all ages and no matter what their circumstance is in their life.

See the scriptures below to use in praying completely for a person...

Take one of these prayers that are made from a scripture and pray it consistently for a week or longer; you’ll know how long is best in your situation. Repeating it for a least a week will begin to store the scripture in your heart. You can even put the verse on several index cards and posting them around the house and in the car. The 3”x 5” is easy to carry in your purse or in the shirt pocket for the men.

Not only will the prayer benefit your child but you will be blessed because if you pray the verse whenever you think of your child, in a matter of days, you'll have learned the verse by heart. So you are not only praying but memorizing God's word.

Just fill in the blanks with the person's name and you're off and praying!

1. Mind: Proverbs 9:9-10 "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Prayer: Father, please make ______ wise. Make ______ heart open to instruction that he/she might gain more wisdom. Teach him/her what it means to fear the Lord, for that is the beginning of wisdom. Grant him/her knowledge of the Holy One.

2. Eyes: Proverbs 3:7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

Prayer: God, please guard ______ from being wise in his own eyes. May he fear you and find wisdom, strength, and understanding in you alone, not in his own capabilities. May he understand your holiness and resist evil.

3. Ears: Proverbs 2:2 "…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding."

Prayer: Father, please make _______'s ears attentive to wisdom. Deafen his ears to the call of sin; teach him to recognize your still, small voice. Incline his heart to understanding.

4. Mouth: Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Prayer: I pray that ______ would speak only wholesome words beneficial to others. May his speech be appropriate and respectful. May it encourage those who are disheartened and bring faith to those who have none.

5. Tongue: Proverbs 10:19-20 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."

Prayer: I ask that _______ will learn wisdom and as a result, be able to hold his tongue. Keep him from wicked words. Make his tongue like choice silver.

6. Neck: Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

Prayer: I pray that love and faithfulness will not leave _____. May he bind them around his neck and write them on the tablet of his heart. Open his eyes to others' needs, making him quick to extend kindness. Bless him with favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.

7. Heart: Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Prayer: I pray that ______ will watch over his heart with all diligence. Keep him heart pure. Keep him from being embittered by trials. May his heart be steadfastly set on loving you more than anything or anyone else.

8. Hands: Psalm 24:3-5 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior."
Prayer: I pray that ______ would have clean hands and a pure heart. May he love you with all his heart, turning away from all that is false. Keep his speech and motives pure. Thank you for promising a blessing and being faithful to fulfill it.

9. Knees: Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Prayer: I pray that _______ will worship and bow down before you. May he love and fear you, honoring you as the King of his life. May he acknowledge you as his Maker and recognize that your love will never fail.

10. Feet: Psalm 119:35 "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Prayer: Father, please help _______ walk in your path. Cause him to delight in your commandments and follow you all his days.

Daily Putting on God's Armor

2008-06-13T17:30:00.002-05:00

Through Prayer….Daily Putting on God’s Armor:

Heavenly Father, Your Warrior prepares for Battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
Lord, I give you my will; submit today to your will; I give you my body, mind and soul. Oh Lord you are in control of me today. I give up myself; my selfishness to you oh God in heaven. I pray for protection around my mind; may I take every thought captive for Christ. Christ does not give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of peace and a sound mind that I am thinking clearly about my walk with You – Oh God YOU are my shelter and provider… YOU are my friend in a dark world - --YOU shed the light of peace upon me…no matter what I go through today You and I together can face it together because you live in me. The very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me and because of that I know where my strength comes from. Thank you Jesus!
I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and Holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
Thank You, Christ Jesus for what you did for me on the cross; taking my sins; sufferings and diseases to the cross. May I be a welcoming environment for Your leading in my life today. Thank you for the victory you’ve provided over Satan.
By Faith I bind up myself in Your Truth; may my life today be motivated by truth; my heart love truth. May I be motivated by what is righteous (right) and refuse that which is evil. Thank you for the imputed righteousness of Christ. May I stand firm in the truth of your word so I will not become a victim of Satan’s lies.
By Faith I put on the shoes of peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter. Today may I be a peace maker not a trouble maker.
By Faith I take up the shield of Faith; may I trust your word today and not add any fuel to Satan’s darts. Thank you that I can go into this day without fear. Make me ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
By Faith I put on the Helmet of Salvation; may I have my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts; may I remember today that Jesus is coming again; help me to live in the future tense.
By Faith I take up the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan. Protect my mind from discouragement and despair. Fill my mind with your swords (Rhema –personal word from God through His Word and the Holy Spirit through prayer).
By Faith I have put on the armor of God today; may this be a day of victory!
In Jesus Name AMEN

God is good and he's good all the time!

2008-06-11T06:41:00.005-05:00

This morning before going to work at World Radio I wanted to let you know one more time what a great God we serve! He provides what we need when we need it! Yesterday, I left work early, around noon, to go to the church at Calhoun. My purpose was to serve and encourage Cindy and her family at Brad's Memorial service. My heart is so touched by these precious children that are left behind after Brad's death Sunday morning. One of them is in my Bible class on Sunday morning and he is so very precious! All of Cindy's children touch my heart...I prayed for Cindy and her children this morning and of course I've prayed for Mark - the brother to Brad that is recovering from multiple broken bones from the car accident.

Another family there at the Calhoun church has children about the same age as Cindy and Brad's...of course they are friends and I guess what rings true is how God has used this tragedy that was meant for evil in to something good. Of course there are many bad things that come from the loss of a dear husband, father and friend but...how God moves and works among us in difficult times gives all of us hope.

What I mean by that is yesterday when we all met together to take care of Cindy and family at the memorial service you could see that God's love was evident! Many of our church family showed up to serve, we had plenty of food and everyone worked together beautifully! Everyone there considered others more important than themselves...there was unity and peace with all of us making every effort to serve Cindy, her family and friends that had come to give respect to Brad and comfort to his family that is left behind.

So out of tragedy comes the visible peace and love of God... we don't mourn as those in the world without hope, we mourn with assurance that we'll see Bradley again...he'll meet us at the gate of heaven when we all get there. Praise God for his mercy and grace! God is good and he is good all the time! Have a blessed day, love, Jo Gower

One Another...don't go it alone...

2008-06-10T06:01:00.010-05:00

Over the last few days I’ve been rudely reminded of just how quickly life can come to a halt! We lost a dear friend through a car wreck recently. He leaves behind a sweet wife with three young children. And to add to that, the very next day we got word that one of our distant relatives was killed at gunpoint through a violent crime. So two days in a row we’ve dealt with death in our local church.

How do people that do not have Christ in the center of their life live through such tragedy? Just as I was rudely reminded of the shortest of life, I was compassionately reminded that we are not alone! When we share struggles together, our common love brings some healing to our soul.

We thank the Father in heaven that he gave us “one another” through Jesus His Son. Jesus gave us a new command in John 13:34-35:
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Sometimes, we refer to that “one another” concept as our “forever family”. This is vivid in my heart and mind because I had a friend that use to say “If I don’t see you again on this side of heaven then meet me in the back right hand corner of heaven”; when he died at a young age we all cherished his words and thought yeah! Charlie…we’ll meet you there!

Our togetherness does not stop here at the local church but reaches to where you are; that could be many miles from us here in West Monroe. You have your own story of sorrow or tragedy in your life. The great thing about being in God’s forever family is that the physical miles are only that – “physical” but in our hearts there are no miles between us. Hugh and I may have been to your church to conduct a prayer seminar or prayer retreat; therefore, you and I have our “one another” relationship; we are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

We’re here to pray with you; to mourn with you in hard times and yet to rejoice with you in your happy times. You are not only an important part of the prayer ministry team, but a friend in the fellowship of Christ and we thank you! Please tell me your story! You can reach me at jogopray@gmail.com or write me at PO Box 22, Monroe, La. 71210. Our website address is below.

Thanks again, Carolyn “Jo” Gower, Prayer Coordinator

www.ourchurch.com/member/j/jogopray/

jogopray@gmail.com

http://www.calhounchurch.org/

Thoughts about Fasting...

2008-05-23T14:02:00.008-05:00

Usually the purpose of fasting that we think about is giving up food or other good things for something better----for a spiritual reason...drawing closer to God and his will for our lives.

But what about another view of fasting? Would this be possible?

What if "fasting" {dependence} on God became such a part of my life that even though I would be fulfilling my duties; walking daily through life, I would be doing it in a "detached" way? Just as Paul said in the scriptures…"Everything is lawful… but I will not be bound by anything". I Cor. 6:12

What if I could have an attitude of "attachment" to the things of God and a "detachment" to the things of the world? Could I become so attached to Jesus that all strongholds would end and I could walk in victory?

Fasting represents the attitude of detachment from the things of time and sense. Prayer represents an attitude of attachment to the things of God and the spiritual world that we can't see with our earthly eyes.

In other words if I could grow in Christ – have the "mind" of Christ and do a great job of fulfilling life's demands but in a "detached" state of mind. A mind ever focused on Christ living in me; guiding me and calming me each step of the day.

By taking every thought captive for Christ I could start trusting God to lead me through each moment of the day. Wouldn't that be the ultimate spiritual formation and growth to be like Christ?

Then I could live in such a way as to have that peace that passes all understanding! I believe it is possible.

It may be that in order to reach that height of growth I have to start with the usual designated time of "fasting & prayer". Through those baby steps, I could proceed to a more in-depth Christian walk. That in-depth walk could gain the “peace that passes all understanding” as a benefit of the normal times of "fasting and prayer".

This ultimately becomes a reality when we totally trust our Lord Jesus Christ every day…every moment.

In pursuit peace and holiness...

-- Jo GowerJoGoPray Ministries"My house shall be called a House of Prayer for All Nations." Mark 11:17; Isaiah 56:7 www.ourchurch.com/member/j/jogopray

Daily Bible Reading

2008-05-22T21:29:00.021-05:00

Hugh & Carolyn "Jo" Gower
PO Box 22
Monroe, La. 71291

www.ourchurch.com/member/j/jogopray

You can start your year of reading the Bible anytime of the year by simply choosing Day one and going from there.

Don't worry if you miss a day just take up where you left off and you will eventually read the entire Bible.

May God bless you in your search of His Word....enjoy this easy way to keep up with your daily Bible reading.

Today's Scripture Reading
Day 1 - Genesis 1-3
Day 2 - Genesis 4-6
Day 3 - Genesis 7-9
Day 4 - Genesis 10-12
Day 5 - Genesis 13-15
Day 6 - Genesis 16-18
Day 7 - Genesis 19-21
Day 8 - Genesis 22-24
Day 9 - Genesis 25-27
Day 10 - Genesis 28-30
Day 11 - Genesis 31-33
Day 12 - Genesis 34-36
Day 13 - Genesis 37-39
Day 14 - Genesis 40-42
Day 15 - Genesis 43-46
Day 16 - Genesis 47-50
Day 17 - Exodus 1-3
Day 18 - Exodus 4-6
Day 19 - Exodus 7-9
Day 20 - Exodus 10-12
Day 21 - Exodus 13-15
Day 22 - Exodus 16-18
Day 23 - Exodus 19-21
Day 24 - Exodus 22-24
Day 25 - Exodus 25-27
Day 26 - Exodus 28-30
Day 27 - Exodus 31-33
Day 28 - Exodus 34-36
Day 29 - Exodus 37-40
Day 30 - Leviticus 1-3
Day 31 - Leviticus 4-6
Day 32 - Leviticus 7-9
Day 33 - Leviticus 10-12
Day 34 - Leviticus 13-15
Day 35 - Leviticus 16-18
Day 36 - Leviticus 19-21
Day 37 - Leviticus 22-24
Day 38 - Leviticus 25-27
Day 39 - Numbers 1-3
Day 40 - Numbers 4-6
Day 41 -Numbers 7-9
Day 42 - Numbers 10-12
Day 43 - Numbers 13-15
Day 44 - Numbers 16-18
Day 45 - Numbers 19-21
Day 46 - Numbers 22-24
Day 47 - Numbers 25-27
Day 48 - Numbers 28-30
Day 49 - Numbers 31-33
Day 50 - Numbers 34-36
Day 51 - Deuteronomy 1-3
Day 52 - Deuteronomy 4-6
Day 53 - Deuteronomy 7-9
Day 54 - Deuteronomy 10-12
Day 55 - Deuteronomy 13-15
Day 56 - Deuteronomy 16-18
Day 57 - Deuteronomy 19-21
Day 58 - Deuteronomy 22-24
Day 59 - Deuteronomy 25-27
Day 60 - Deuteronomy 28-30
Day 61 - Deuteronomy 31-34
Day 62 - Joshua 1-3
Day 63 - Joshua 4-6
Day 64 - Joshua 7-9
Day 65 -Joshua 10-12
Day 66 - Joshua 13-15
Day 67 - Joshua 16-18
Day 68 - Joshua 19-21
Day 69 - Joshua 22-24
Day 70 - Judges 1-3
Day 71 - Judges 4-6
Day 72 - Judges 7-9
Day 73 - Judges 10-12
Day 74 - Judges 13-15
Day 75 - Judges 16-18
Day 76 - Judges 19-21
Day 77 - Ruth 1-4
Day 78 - 1 Samuel 1-3
Day 79 - 1 Samuel 4-6
Day 80 - 1 Samuel 7-9
Day 81 - 1 Samuel 10-12
Day 82 - 1 Samuel 13-15
Day 83 -1 Samuel 16-18
Day 84 - 1 Samuel 19-21
Day 85 - 1 Samuel 22-24
Day 86 - 1 Samuel 25-27
Day 87 - 1 Samuel 28-31
Day 88 - 2 Samuel 1-3
Day 89 - 2 Samuel 4-6
Day 90 - 2 Samuel 7-9
Day 91 - 2 Samuel 10-12
Day 92 - 2 Samuel 13-15
Day 93 - 2 Samuel 16-18
Day 94 - 2 Samuel 19-21
Day 95 - 2 Samuel 22-24
Day 96 - 1 Kings 1-3
Day 97 - 1 Kings 4-6
Day 98 - 1 Kings 7-9
Day 99 - 1 Kings 10-12
Day 100 - 1 Kings 13-15
Day 101 - 1 Kings 16-18
Day 102 - 1 Kings 19-22
Day 103 - 2 Kings 1-3
Day 104 - 2 Kings 4-6
Day 105 - 2 Kings 7-9
Day 106 - 2 Kings 10-12
Day 107 - 2 Kings 13-15
Day 108 - 2 Kings 16-18
Day 109 - 2 Kings 19-21
Day 110 - 2 Kings 22-25
Day 111 - 1 Chronicles 1-6
Day 112 - 1 Chronicles 7-9
Day 113 - 1 Chronicles 10-12
Day 114 - 1 Chronicles 13-15
Day 115 - 1 Chronicles 16-18
Day 116 - 1 Chronicles 19-21
Day 117 - 1 Chronicles 22-25
Day 118 - 1 Chronicles 26-29
Day 119 - 2 Chronicles 1-3
Day 120 - 2 Chronicles 4-6
Day 121 - 2 Chronicles 7-9
Day 122 - 2 Chronicles 10-12
Day 123 - 2 Chronicles 13-15
Day 124 - 2 Chronicles 16-18
Day 125 - 2 Chronicles 19-21
Day 126 - 2 Chronicles 22-24
Day 127 - 2 Chronicles 25-27
Day 128 - 2 Chronicles 28-30
Day 129 - 2 Chronicles 31-33
Day 130 - 2 Chronicles 34-36
Day 131 - Ezra 1-3
Day 132 - Ezra 4-6
Day 133 - Ezra 7-10
Day 134 - Nehemiah 1-3
Day 135 - Nehemiah 4-6
Day 136 - Nehemiah 7-9
Day 137 -Nehemiah 10-13
Day 138 - Esther 1-3
Day 139 - Esther 4-6
Day 140 - Esther 7-10
Day 141 - Job 1-3
Day 142 - Job 4-6
Day 143 -Job 7-9
Day 144 - Job 10-12
Day 145 - Job 13-15
Day 146 - Job 16-18
Day 147 - Job 19-21
Day 148 -Job 22-24
Day 149 - Job 25-27
Day 150 - Job 28-30
Day 151 - Job 31-33
Day 152 -Job 34-36
Day 153 - Job 37-39
Day 154 - Job 40-42
Day 155 - Psalms 1-5
Day 156 - Psalms 6-10
Day 157 - Psalms 11-15
Day 158 - Psalms 16-20
Day 159 - Psalms 21-25
Day 160 - Psalms 26-30
Day 161 - Psalms 31-35
Day 162 - Psalms 36-40
Day 163 - Psalms 41-45
Day 164 - Psalms 46-50
Day 165 - Psalms 51-55
Day 166 - Psalms 56-60
Day 167 - Psalms 61-65
Day 168 - Psalms 66-70
Day 169 - Psalms 71-75
Day 170 - Psalms 76-80
Day 171 - Psalms 81-85
Day 172 - Psalms 86-90
Day 173 - Psalms 91-95
Day 174 - Psalms 96-100
Day 175 - Psalms 101-105
Day 176 - Psalms 106-110
Day 177 - Psalms 111-115
Day 178 - Psalms 116-120
Day 179 - Psalms 121-125
Day 180 - Psalms 126-130
Day 181 - Psalms 131-135
Day 182 - Psalms 136-140
Day 183 - Psalms 141-145
Day 184 - Psalms 146-150
Day 185 - Proverbs 1-3
Day 186 - Proverbs 4-6
Day 187 - Proverbs 7-9
Day 188 - Proverbs 10-12
Day 189 - Proverbs 13-15
Day 190 - Proverbs 16-18
Day 191 - Proverbs 19-21
Day 192 - Proverbs 22-24
Day 193 - Proverbs 25-27
Day 194 - Proverbs 28-31
Day 195 - Ecclesiastes 1-3
Day 196 - Ecclesiastes 4-6
Day 197 - Ecclesiastes 7-9
Day 198 - Ecclesiastes 10-12
Day 199 - Song of Songs 1-4
Day 200 - Song of Songs 5-8
Day 201 - Isaiah 1-3
Day 202 - Isaiah 4-6
Day 203 - Isaiah 7-9
Day 204 - Isaiah 10-12
Day 205 - Isaiah 13-15
Day 206 - Isaiah 16-18
Day 207 - Isaiah 19-21
Day 208 - Isaiah 22-24
Day 209 - Isaiah 25-27
Day 210 - Isaiah 28-30
Day 211 - Isaiah 31-33
Day 212 - Isaiah 34-36
Day 213 - Isaiah 37-39
Day 214 - Isaiah 40-42
Day 215 - Isaiah 43-45
Day 216 - Isaiah 46-48
Day 217 - Isaiah 49-51
Day 218 - Isaiah 52-54
Day 219 - Isaiah 55-57
Day 220 - Isaiah 58-60
Day 221 - Isaiah 61-63
Day 222 - Isaiah 64-66
Day 223 - Jeremiah 1-3
Day 224 - Jeremiah 4-6
Day 225 - Jeremiah 7-9
Day 226 - Jeremiah 10-12
Day 227 - Jeremiah 13-15
Day 228 - Jeremiah 16-18
Day 229 - Jeremiah 19-21
Day 230 - Jeremiah 22-24
Day 231 - Jeremiah 25-27
Day 232 - Jeremiah 28-30
Day 233 - Jeremiah 31-33
Day 234 - Jeremiah 34-36
Day 235 - Jeremiah 37-39
Day 236 - Jeremiah 40-42
Day 237 - Jeremiah 43-45
Day 238 - Jeremiah 46-48
Day 239 - Jeremiah 49-52
Day 240 - Lamentations 1-3
Day 241 - Lamentations 4-5
Day 242 - Ezekiel 1-3
Day 243 - Ezekiel 4-6
Day 244 - Ezekiel 7-9
Day 245 - Ezekiel 10-12
Day 246 - Ezekiel 13-15
Day 247 - Ezekiel 16-18
Day 248 - Ezekiel 19-21
Day 249 - Ezekiel 22-24
Day 250 - Ezekiel 25-27
Day 251 - Ezekiel 28-30
Day 252 - Ezekiel 31-33
Day 253 - Ezekiel 34-36
Day 254 - Ezekiel 37-40
Day 255 - Ezekiel 41-44
Day 256 - Ezekiel 45-48
Day 257 - Daniel 1-3
Day 258 - Daniel 4-6
Day 259 - Daniel 7-9
Day 260 - Daniel 10-12
Day 261 - Hosea 1-3
Day 262 - Hosea 4-6
Day 263 - Hosea 7-10
Day 264 - Hosea 11-14
Day 265 - Joel 1-3
Day 266 - Amos 1-3
Day 267 - Amos 4-6
Day 268 - Amos 7-9
Day 269 - Obadiah
Day 270 - Jonah 1-4
Day 271 - Micah 1-3
Day 272 - Micah 4-7
Day 273 - Nahum 1-3
Day 274 - Habakkuk 1-3
Day 275 - Zephaniah 1-3
Day 276 - Haggai 1-2
Day 277 - Zechariah 1-3
Day 278 - Zechariah 4-6
Day 279 - Zechariah 7-10
Day 280 - Zechariah 11-14
Day 281 - Malachi 1-2
Day 282 - Malachi 3-4
Day 283 - Matthew 1-3
Day 284 - Matthew 4-6
Day 285 - Matthew 7-9
Day 286 - Matthew 10-12
Day 287 - Matthew 13-15
Day 288 - Matthew 16-18
Day 289 - Matthew 19-21
Day 290 - Matthew 22-24
Day 291 - Matthew 25-28
Day 292 - Mark 1-3
Day 293 - Mark 4-6
Day 294 - Mark 7-9
Day 295 - Mark 10-12
Day 296 - Mark 13-16
Day 297 - Luke 1-3
Day 298 - Luke 4-6
Day 299 - Luke 7-9
Day 300 - Luke 10-12
Day 301 - Luke 13-15
Day 302 - Luke 16-18
Day 303 - Luke 19-21
Day 304 - Luke 22-24
Day 305 - John 1-3
Day 306 - John 4-6
Day 307 - John 7-9
Day 308 - John 10-12
Day 309 - John 13-15
Day 310 - John 16-18
Day 311 - John 19-21
Day 312 - Acts 1-3
Day 313 - Acts 4-6
Day 314 - Acts 7-9
Day 315 - Acts 10-12
Day 316 - Acts 13-15
Day 317 - Acts 16-18
Day 318 - Acts 19-21
Day 319 - Acts 22-24
Day 320 - Acts 25-28
Day 321 - Romans 1-3
Day 322 - Romans 4-6
Day 323 - Romans 7-9
Day 324 - Romans 10-12
Day 325 -Romans 13-16
Day 326 - 1 Corinthians 1-3
Day 327 - 1 Corinthians 4-6
Day 328 - 1 Corinthians 7-9
Day 329 - 1 Corinthians 10-12
Day 330 - 1 Corinthians 13-16
Day 331 - 2 Corinthians 1-3
Day 332 - 2 Corinthians 4-6
Day 333 - 2 Corinthians 7-9
Day 334 - 2 Corinthians 10-13
Day 335 - Galatians 1-3
Day 336 - Galatians 4-6
Day 337 - Ephesians 1-3
Day 338 - Ephesians 4-6
Day 339 - Philippians 1-4
Day 340 - Colossians 1-4
Day 341 - 1 Thessalonians 1-5
Day 342 - 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Day 343 - 1 Timothy 1-3
Day 344 - 1 Timothy 4-6
Day 345 - 2 Timothy 1-4
Day 346 - Titus 1-3
Day 347 - Philemon
Day 348 - Hebrews 1-3
Day 349 - Hebrews 4-6
Day 350 - Hebrews 7-9
Day 351 - Hebrews 10-13
Day 352 - James 1-3
Day 353 - James 4-5
Day 354 - 1 Peter 1-5
Day 355 - 2 Peter 1-3
Day 356 - 1 John 1-3
Day 357 - 1 John 4-5
Day 358 - 2 John, 3 John, and Jude
Day 359 - Revelation 1-3
Day 360 -Revelation 4-6
Day 361 - Revelation 7-9
Day 362 - Revelation 10-12
Day 363 - Revelation 13-15
Day 364 - Revelation 16-18
Day 365 - Revelation 19-22

Let’s Be Persistent in Prayer

2008-03-19T23:18:00.000-05:00

We want to obey God:

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. – 1Samuel 12:23a
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints – Ephesians 6:18
Prayer was the priority in Jesus’ life:
Over physical rest – Luke 6:12
Over social activity; Jesus goes off by himself to be with the Father – Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35-36; Luke 5:16
Over His physical appetite; withdrawing from physical food to release spiritual power – Luke 4:2; Matt. 6:18, 25, 31
Jesus did not pray because he had to but because he wanted to be:
1. Obedient to the Father – Phil. 2:8-10
2. In unity with the Father – John 17:9-ff
3. Jesus’ prayer life was a “lifestyle”; authorized to do the Fathers’ will.
a. Matt. 17:21; Luke 6:12
b. 1Thess. 5:17
c. Luke 11:1-ff
d. Luke 18:1
e. Luke 21:36
f. Luke 22:40-ff
Pray for World Radio Speakers {www.wfr.org} to be Christ-Like
Pray the Speakers will live honorably in every way…equip the radio listeners with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. – Hebrews 13:18-ff
Pray the Speakers will be in total submission to our Father in Heaven – Hebrews 12:9-14
Pray the Speakers and their families will have strong prayer lives – Acts 21:5; Acts 26:29; Rom. 8:26-ff; Eph. 6
A suggested prayer for World Radio Speakers:

O Lord God, I beseech you to give World Radio, both now and at all times, speakers and teachers after your own heart, {Psalm 119:2} those who shall bring the sheep of Christ into his fold, and feed them with saving knowledge and understanding from your Word.
Make every preacher of your Word know and always remember that he who plants is nothing, nor he who waters, but you are all in all, who alone can give the increase.
Let none of them vainly depend on their skill and ability to do any good and obtain any success by their preaching on the radio, but let them all humbly look to you for grace and help that will enable them to dispense the Word of Life. May your blessing render their preaching happily successful to the souls of those who hear them? Amen
Adapted from a prayer of August Hermann Francke (1725)

What Prayer Guide would Jesus give us today?

2008-03-19T22:41:00.001-05:00

Are you aware that the Bible mentions prayer more than 870 times – more than baptism, the Holy Spirit, heaven, worship, the church, and the Lord’s Supper? There seems to be a pattern of prayer in the Bible that should get our attention regarding our relationship with the Father. We are to communicate often with Him by reading His Word and through prayer. Prayer is not “saying prayers” but rather prayer becomes as natural as breathing as we draw closer to God. Jesus said “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32 NIV)
Therefore “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…” (Heb. 10:22a NIV)
Did you know that your Bible chronicles some 650 prayers and records answers to 450 of them? The Bible also records 10 major lessons on prayer by Jesus himself during His ministry. His disciples considered prayer training a must; as we see in this passage of scripture: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1 NIV)
Scripture doesn’t record the disciples ever asking Jesus to teach them to preach or teach them to heal or even raise the dead but they did ask Jesus to teach them to pray. So how important is it to learn how to effectively pray? It could make the difference in how many we take to heaven with us.
The following is just a suggested prayer guide from the scripture.

1. Pray for your enemies. Matthew 5:43-44 Luke 6:27-28
(Matthew 5:43-44 NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {44} But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

2. Pray in sincerity. Matthew 6:5-8
(Matthew 6:5-8 NIV) "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. {6} But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. {7} And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. {8} Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

3. The Model Prayer. Matthew 6:9-15 Luke 11:1-4
(Mat 6:9-15 NIV) ""This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, {10} your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. {11} Give us today our daily bread. {12} Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. {13} And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' {14} For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

4. Ask and it shall be given. Matthew 7:7-12 I John 5:13-15 Luke 11:5-13
(Mat 7:7-12 NIV) ""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. {8} For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. {9} "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? {10} Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? {11} If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! {12} So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
(I John 5:13-15 NIV) “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. {14}This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. {15} And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.”

5. Ask for workers Matthew 9:35-38 Luke 10:1-2
(Mat 9:35-38 NIV) "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. {36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. {37} Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. {38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."”

6. Pray as a group in unity, it can make a difference in eternity. Matthew 18:18-20
(Mat 18:18-20 NIV) ""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. {20} For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.""

7. Pray for all nations. Mark 11:15-17 Matthew 21:12-13 Luke 19:45-46
(Mark 11:15-17 NIV) "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, {16} and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. {17} "And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"" (Mark 11:17 NIV)

8. Always pray and don’t give up Luke 18:1-8
(Luke 18:1-8 NIV) "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. {2} He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. {3} And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' {4} "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, {5} yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" {6} And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. {7} And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? {8} I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?""

9. Humble yourself before the Lord. Luke 18:9-14
(Luke 18:9-14 NIV) "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: {10} "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' {13} "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.""

10. Prayer must be a way of life in order to be effective. Mark 9:28-29
(Mark 9:28-29 NIV) "After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" {29} He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.""
(John 15:7 NIV) "If you What Prayer Guide would Jesus give us today?

11. Believe, don’t doubt and forgive. Mark 11:20-25 Matthew 21:18-22
(Mark 11:20-25 NIV) "In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. {21} Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" {22} "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. {23} "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. {24} Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. {25} And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.""

12. Live a moral life and pray to the point. Mark 12:38-40 Luke 20:47
(Mark 12:38-40 NIV) "As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, {39} and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. {40} They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.""

13. Pray in Jesus name, obey His commands. John 14:13-14; v 15; 15:7; 15:16; 16:23-27
(John 14:13-15 NIV) "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. {14} You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. {15} "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 16:23-27 NIV) "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. {24} Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. {25} "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. {26} In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. {27} No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."

14. Pray to overcome temptation. Luke 22:31
(Luke 22:31-32 NIV) ""Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. {32} But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.""

15. God is seeking true worshippers. Psalm 95:6 John 4:23
(Psalm 95:6) “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
(John 4:23) “…True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The above prayer guide is just a beginning of the kind of prayer guide that Jesus might give us today. According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus exhibited fervent praying; “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears.” (Hebrews 5:7)
How is the church doing today regarding fervent prayer? How are you doing in your personal prayer life? If you need more encouragement on how to pray or why pray see this website: http://www.calhounchurch.org/ and click on The School of Prayer and/or The College of Prayer for more help on the subject of prayer.

Intentional Praying

2008-02-07T07:03:00.001-06:00

Intentional Praying
By Jo Gower, World Radio Donor Relations {www.wfr.org}

“Finally, brothers pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (NIV)

Paraphrase Praying:
Praying and reading God’s Word go hand in hand. They go together in helping us to be persistent in prayer. It gives more power to our prayers when we pray scripture back to God. In His word we find His will and when we pray His will we know he answers yes instead of no to our prayers.

Praying God’s word builds our faith; brings God’s power into our praying. Praying God’s promises predicts the answers; you know when you pray God’s word, you’re praying His will.

Praying God’s word is a cure for our self-centered “me…me…me…list” which places the focus on God instead of ourselves.

For example the above scripture, II Thessalonians 3:1-3 we could pray in this way:
Father, we pray you would use World Radio to spread the Gospel of Christ quickly and that Your Word is honored and obeyed. May your name be held up high and holy. You are the one and only true and living God. Thank you for delivering the World Radio Speakers from perverse and evil men for not all have faith in You. You prepare a table for the World Radio speakers before their enemies. You protect them as they hide in the shelter of Your wings. You, oh God are faithful and You strengthen the speakers of World Radio; may the gospel be heard in every nation upon the earth, for all Nations belong to You. It is through Christ by His sacrifice; power and authority we pray, Amen.

Purposeful Prayer:
Prayer and Evangelism are linked together!

“The harvest is truly plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

“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. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” - 1Timothy 2:2-4 (NIV)

1. Ask God how you might be used to go into all the world.

2. Pray that the thousands of World Radio News that goes out every other month will spark an interest in missions around the world.

3. Pray each Speaker for World Radio will be dedicated to preaching God’s truth with grace and love.

4. Prayerfully consider the possibility of supporting World Radio on a monthly basis.

5. Please pray for an abundant outpouring financially to enable World Radio to establish a radio program in more nations and languages of the world.

6. Pray for the World Radio staff in West Monroe Louisiana to continue to faithfully work toward the goal of Preaching the Gospel of Christ to every person in his or her own language. Pray for the staff to continue to work together as a team. Go to http://www.wfr.org/ to learn more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-30T22:41:00.001-06:00

This is after the wonderful "Thanksgiving Day" but important to me to remember. Paul and Schell & our on-the-way baby Gower were here for a few days; it was great to be with them. It is exciting to see Schell and Paul becoming parents. Oh, how I pray for all of my children everyday! They are all so precious!

Luke, Melissa and Madelyn came over that night so all of us could eat dinner together; (they were staying at Melissia's mom and dad's in town). Madelyn, our sweet grandaughter came in and was not allowed to eat because she had been sick, throwing up in the night before than came to town.

I felt so sorry for her and as soon as we could, we headed to the back room where she loves to go to play my keyboard. She is so special, we connect everytime we're together! Luke enjoyed coming back there too, looking over old memories from his childhood. Found his baseball cards and arrowheads from years gone by; said someday he wants to take them home with him when he is sure he won't lose them.