Prayer for August

Prayer Points
Aug 132010

Dear Father,

Help us to be imitators of you, because we are your children.  Let us be filled with love.  Forgive us and cleanse us of immorality, impurity and greed. Forgive us of any obscene stories, foolish conversations and coarse jokes.  Instead, I pray our mouths would be full of thankfulness to you!    Lord give us strength not to participate in these things. Help us to never love things, but increase in our love for You.  We do not excuse our sins, but we confess them so that we can be made right with you.   We were once in the darkness, but you have given us your light!!  Jesus, You are the Light of the world.  Let your light produce that which is good and right and true in our lives.   We receive your forgiveness and cleansing. Thank you so much.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Ephesians 5:1-9

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Prayer for July 25-31

Prayer Points
Jul 232010

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2: 8-10

Dear Father, We thank you for the gift of salvation.  We have done nothing to earn it.  It is not a reward for our goodness.  We confess that we have sinned and we need a Savior. Thank you for sending Jesus, the King of Kings, to die on the cross for our sins.   Thank you for saving us, for creating us to be your masterpieces.  Renew our minds and show us the good things you have planned for us to do.  Help us to do it in your strength, for your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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Holy Thursday - Maundy Thursday

Seasonal teaching
Apr 012010

In the Jewish tradition, believers were to observe Passover each year. The remembrance was used to pass down the teaching that God had saved His people from the hand of the Egyptian Pharaoh during years of intense slavery. When the rulers would not let the Hebrew slaves free, there were ten plagues that God sent on the land to change their hearts. The final straw was the tenth plague – the plague of the firstborn.  God’s instruction was that each household should put the blood of a lamb on the tops and sides of the doorframes to their homes. This blood was a sign that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes, saving their lives. Judgment of God will happen, but He made a way to be saved. (See Exodus 11 and 12 in the Old Testament.)

The same is true today. There is a phrase that is heard frequently in Christian circles – “put the blood of Jesus on the doorframes of your heart.” Have you heard of it? Have you done it? It’s the idea that the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God has given His blood (His very life) for the atonement (forgiveness) of our sins. What a great thing to celebrate! This is accomplished not by anything we could do on our own but by putting our trust and faith in the work that Jesus did on the cross!

So the people back in the day of Jesus were coming to town to celebrate the Passover feast. Once in Jerusalem, they encountered a couple days full of Jesus’ teachings plus other dramatic events that eventually led to His trial and death. But prior to the death sentence that He received, He spent some time with His friends. His disciples. Those that He had poured His life, love and ministry into over the past three years.

This is the account of Jesus celebrating His last Passover with His friends.

Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 26, verses 26-30) says, “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many of forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Other events of Jesus’ last full day on earth can also be found in Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; and John 13:1-30.

So what makes this Thursday different than others? What does Maundy mean? Are you saying “Monday Thursday?” That doesn’t make sense…..no, it refers to the new mandate Christ gave His followers: Jesus’ words after He washed His disciple’s feet. He instructed them with a new commandment – to love one another as He loved them. A great way to celebrate this day and evening in commemoration of Christ’s last night before the crucifixion is to worship with other Christians and partake in the Lord’s Supper! What a great gift that Christ left to His people!

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Prize Vessels

Devotions
Mar 292010

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power

is from God and not from us.”

2 Corinthians 4:7

Last weekend, our family traveled to the Getty Villa in Malibu, California. The Villa is a replica of a wealthy Roman home, built by oil baron J. Paul Getty to house his incredible collection of ancient artifacts.

Amid the excitement of the Olympic season, one artifact which captured my attention was the “Prize Vessel from the Athenian Games.” It was a 10 gallon decorative jar, filled with olive oil, given to the winner of a boxing match some 300 years before Christ. The winner would receive 40 of these jars, plus money and a lifetime of honor. Olive oil was no mere luxury in ancient times; it provided many of life’s basic necessities. Oil was used to provide light for lamps, fat for cooking, and lotion for the body. In modern terms, the winner was provided a lifetime’s worth of electricity, food, and beauty products! This was a treasure of highest value!

What is our treasure of highest value? Consider carefully: there are many “good” things associated with the Christian life, but what is the “best” thing? Reflect on this probing question from John Piper:

“The critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?” (God is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself).

Christ is our treasure of highest value! How is it that we often forget the “Christ” in being Christian? Throughout Scripture, olive oil represents God’s abiding presence. He is more than adequate for all of our needs! We are therefore the jars of clay which house the oil of His Presence – the Spirit of our Savior, Jesus.

Jesus is our prize; we are the prize vessels. May we be captivated anew by His wonderful presence, personality, and life-giving peace.

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What Kind of Vessel Are You?

Devotions
Mar 012010

Submitted By Laura Miller, Japan

A few years ago my husband was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan.   This third world country, located north of Afghanistan, is unlike the western world.  My husband was allowed to take his family to this remote part of the world and within 30 hours of our arrival, I experienced a suicide bombing.  The two years spent in this country were at times dangerous and uncertain, however, I felt safe and comfortable most of the time.  I have fond memories of my years spent in this predominantly Muslim country.

One of my favorite places to visit was Tizzy Kavka.  Americans called it the ‘junk’ bazaar….because it literally had a lot of junk.  This place was extremely filthy and foul smelling; causing me to hold my breath and then gasp for air as I meandered through the crowded lanes filled with a mixture of unusual aromas of food cooking, cigarette smoke, incense, and body odor.   People had blankets on the ground or tables displaying their possessions in hope of a sale.  I enjoyed this place because I find people interesting.  But I also enjoyed searching for treasures to purchase.  It is true that one man’s junk can be another man’s treasure.  I found some awesome vessels that I could see beyond the defects and dirt and saw the beauty and potential use for each one I chose and bought.

I purchased different kinds of vessels.  Some of them made of clay, copper, metal and glass with different shapes and sizes.  Many of the vessels I chose were defective in some way; chipped, scratched, cracked, old or dirty and no longer wanted by the owner.  I took them home, cleaned them up and each serves a purpose as a decorative item and some I use every day, such as a teapot.

These vessels represent to me lives and hearts.  Sometimes we see ourselves and the world and Satan makes us feel like junk; old, defective, useless, not the right size, of no value and purpose.   Sin and the trials of life can break us down, crack us, and make us feel dirty, undesired, maybe even frightened in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

Praise God He sent His son to purchase and redeem us with His precious blood and death on the cross.  He searches and chooses each one of us living in this dirty, foul world and gives us the gift of faith.  He saves us, washes away our sins, and begins sanctifying us-the process of purifying, refining, and transforming us into the image of Christ.  He makes each one of us valuable (we aren’t junk) and gives each of us a purpose.

Just as I saw the beauty, value, and found the vessels as treasures with a purpose, that is how God sees us.  We are loved, valued, beautiful, and He wants us to become a vessel He can use to bring Him glory.

2 Tim 2:21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves.

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Ask the Lord of the Harvest

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Feb 242010

It’s nearly March and soon PWOC chapters all over the world will be announcing their executive slates for leadership.   It’s an exciting and pivotal time in the ministry year and we have a role in it.  Jesus, the most amazing leader that ever walked the face of the earth, asked His Father to send out workers.   What a lesson for us to follow in over the next several weeks.

Matthew 9:35-39 reads, “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. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 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.”

Let’s be found faithful and continue to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers in PWOC for this upcoming ministry season.   And not only that, let’s ask ourselves, “are we the worker sent out into the harvest field?”  What are you harvesting today?   Let’s step out in obedience and faithfully pray that women listen to His voice and answer His call to serve for the harvest is plentiful.

Blessings,
Christine Young
Europe Regional President

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THE ANSWER!

Devotions
Feb 152010

One beautiful Tennessee morning in fall 2001 my parents and I encountered something unusual on the highway heading toward Clarksville. Through the peripheral vision in my right eye I saw something speeding past us. It maneuvered forward, then into our lane, then back into the right lane and disappeared. This 18-wheeler with a flatbed hauling a long stainless steel cylindrical tank was on a mission.

Despite the speed at which it traveled, we couldn’t have missed the bold message written on the back and sides: JESUS IS THE ANSWER! I hollered, “Look! Look at that!” Tears filled my eyes. Stunned silence filled the car. I already knew that Jesus had all the answers, but the Father wanted me to know that Jesus was, is, and always would be THE answer . . . to everything. It was as if He was saying, “Pay attention! You’re gonna need this!” He certainly was right about that. I desperately need Him.

• John 14:6 — ‘Jesus answered,’ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• John 14:13 — And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father (emphasis added).

“Where did that thing come from and where was it going?” we mused. Was it part of some big tent revival somewhere? Or was it someone’s clever way of proclaiming the ultimate truth to U.S. drivers? No other writing or identification appeared on that semi. It sped past so quickly we couldn’t read the license plate, but I wondered if it might have read, “Angel at the Wheel.” I still imagine it racing by like it was on its way to heaven, or on a mission to get another soul saved. Whatever the case, and whoever the driver — angel or not — I’ll never forget that sight.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER! Those words were burned indelibly on my mind. Their truth holds everything together when life tosses treachery my way. To whom do you turn when storms rage around you? There’s only one answer. On that day, it was larger than life.

_____________________________________

Over the years, in addition to regular soul-cleansing journaling, Laura Firtko has written for the Azusa Pacific University campus newspaper The Clause; World Vision Public/Media Relations department; Focus on the Family Brio, Breakaway, Clubhouse, and Youthwalk magazines; and she currently writes a weekly blog column for PWOC.ORG titled Life Happens – Jesus Answers which posts on Thursdays.

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Journey of Transformation, Part 10

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Feb 112010

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Holding It Together

The kind ob/gyn managed to contact my friend and then invited me to sit down on the blue plastic chair placed against the wall behind her desk. I sat in that chair, rocking forward and back, arms wrapped around my midsection. The rocking was instinctive. I either was attempting to comfort my shattered soul; or I was subconsciously rocking the newborn I would never hold. Like Jackie Kennedy scrambling to collect a piece of John’s skull from the back of their open convertible the day he was assassinated, I was desperately grasping the womb that encased my dead baby.

I stared at the floor, expressionless; feeling battered and bruised on the inside. It was all emotion. The wailing episode had drained me. My brain became more and more disengaged as I slipped into autopilot. But this dark journey had just begun and I needed to stay present.

The doctor proceeded to call the Red Cross. It was their job to locate and notify Steve. Little did I know it would take extra effort and a lot of time for them to succeed. As the ob/gyn initiated her phone call, the male nurse who had shoved tissue into my hand earlier came to escort me to a different doctor. He led me out of the examining room to the right, down a corridor, through the halls. I was in a fog. Nothing seemed real. Everything was blurry. I put one foot in front of the other, staying directly behind him, keeping my head straight without turning to the right or the left.

As we walked down the center of the hallway, we cut a path requiring people to walk around us. Through my peripheral vision I caught glimpses of pregnant women passing me on both sides. Today that memory brings to mind God’s parting of the Red Sea. He cut a path through the water so the people could cross. In my case, I carried death down the corridor while life passed by me. It seemed cruel. If I could have mustered the strength, I might have screamed.

The date of this dreadful event was Friday, April 20, 2001. The new doctor explained that even though I hadn’t had any cramping or significant bleeding up to that point, it could happen over the weekend which would make this situation much worse. He encouraged me to schedule a D & C for later that afternoon. (Dilation and Curettage — A common procedure used to remove tissue that hasn’t been expelled on its own. It also stops bleeding and prevents infection.) Because the day was getting older and operating rooms were filling up, I had to decide quickly.

It was so abrupt. I had just arrived at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. to be examined; then one hour later learned I’d had a miscarriage; and then I was strongly encouraged to get rid of the contents of my womb. Just like that. Still, reason and wisdom took control over the grief and anger I felt brewing inside. I’ve always been practical; doing what makes the most sense. Even during the most unbearable loss of my life, I managed to pull myself out of autopilot and use my brain. Or was the Holy Spirit responsible for that? He had to be holding me together.

TO BE CONTINUED:

Women of PWOC, and other interested parties, stay connected for the rest of the story. It will continue as long as the Lord allows. If you’re a little lost, and would like to get caught up, feel free to read previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “Categories.” Until next time, may God bless you with peace and joy as you traverse your week.

_____________________________

Life Happens – Jesus Answers is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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Journey of Transformation, Part 8

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Jan 282010

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Unexpected Loss

After my first ob/gyn visit I went home still unsure what to think. The 10.5 week old fetus seemed normal but it had developed only to 9.5 weeks and the doctor’s incongruent words, tone, and body language suggested there could be a problem. With that I trusted God with the pregnancy knowing His will would be accomplished.

During the next week I continued studying my Merck Manual to read about risk factors and possible symptoms to watch for. The days progressed without incident until Friday, April 20, 2001, when as a precaution I called the doctor’s office to inquire about the light spotting I noticed.

The nurse on the other end of the line encouraged me to get checked even though the symptoms were insignificant. So I ended up at the doctor’s office at 9:30 a.m. I patiently sat in the waiting room eating an egg and a banana not expecting bad news. According to the Merck Manual my symptoms seemed harmless.

A nurse came to take my vital signs and weight. I had lost a couple pounds but certainly wasn’t trying to, especially during pregnancy. I commented on the weight loss and the nurse said many women lose weight during the first several weeks. I latched onto her reassurance like a security blanket as she led me into an examining room and asked me to change.

In short order a female ob/gyn came in to perform a sonogram. I remember lying on the table looking at the screen oblivious to the whole process. It looked different from the sonogram the week before but I still thought everything was normal. Then the ob/gyn called someone else into the room. I don’t know who this other person was. She was wearing scrubs and didn’t look like a doctor. There was no introduction and she never looked at me. She simply looked at the screen, shook her head, turned and left the room.

Perplexed, I observed all this activity without a word from anyone. Then the doctor had me look at the screen. All I could see was a white shadow. She pointed to where the heartbeat should have been and said, “There’s no heartbeat. The fetus is no longer viable.” Denial set in. How could this be? Did the equipment malfunction? How could this sonogram picture be so strikingly different from the first one? How could this fetus go from a live, active, kicking baby to a white shadowy blob in just a few days? There had been no cramping, no bleeding, no symptoms whatsoever except for minor spotting. How could this much destruction happen without any sign at all? I thought they must have made a mistake. Questions railed against the sides of my brain but I was too stunned to ask them out loud.

Shock began to set in as I laid back down on the table. Grief gradually enshrouded me with a blanket of sorrow and the atmosphere in the room grew silent and dreary. No one said anything. The male tech shoved a couple pieces of tissue in my left hand as if to declare, “I know what’s coming!” Then he and the doctor stepped out so I could get dressed.

One would think I’d just been shot in the chest or struck with a two-by-four. I was dumbfounded. But something rumbled deep in my soul that was soon to erupt.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES …

Remember, in this new day of a new month in a new year and a new decade, God is doing a new thing, and He always has the best in mind for you no matter what your circumstances might be (Isaiah 43:18-19; Romans 8:28-30). People change and things change, but Our Lord is steadfast, faithful, and unchanging. As you walk with Him this year, rely on the truth of Scripture. Rely on His consistent love and grace. Rely on His strength and stability. But most of all rely on Him.

For those of you who are new to this column, I’m in the process of sharing my personal journey of transformation that has occurred over the last decade. You can get caught up from the beginning of the journey by accessing previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “categories.”

_______________________________

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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