Category: How To Pray For Others

God Does Not Deserve “Mickey Mouse” Prayers – Part 1

On By tgifmastermindsIn Godly Living and Maturing, How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For New Beginnings1 Comment
IS THIS YOU? Always saying things that do not deserve to be answered!

Do you need to work on your communications with God?

When you enter into your ‘Throne Room’ or ‘Prayer Closet’, do you barge in like gang busters and begin addressing the Almighty God without even acknowledging Him with an honorable-descriptive title as to Who He is and how He alone reigns over all the universe? Do you stay in a prostrated position long enough for our Savior to even answer you? Are you coming to Him with doubt, in frustration, little respect, or with an insincere attitude and no confession of your recent transgressions? But most of all…do you ever pray for a broader audience other than your own family and loved ones?

STOP! DON’T ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS…WHY?

Mainly because it is none of my business. I am just trying to get your attention and to inform you that God does have a reputation that there are times when He does not desire to listen to nor answer the prayers of His children, namely you and me. So, if anyone is guilty of breaking faith with Jesus Christ, especially within an atmosphere of new or weak believers, then expect to be judged by the workings of the Holy Spirit. And His workings just could be total silence!

There are two recorded biblical examples when God said “STOP! Do Not Pray because I Am not listening.”…

Hopefully, you are familiar with the list of “Biblical Heroes who walked by faith and not by sight” mentioned in Hebrews 11:1-16. Moses’ name is not among them…yet he was used mightily by God to lead the sons and daughters of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and though the wilderness. Moses’ indiscretion is example number one. However, when Moses prayed to God to relent and allow him to cross over the River Jordan and enter into the Promise Land, God’s response to Moses was; “Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter” (Deut. 3:25-27). God explained to Moses that he had broken faith with God in the wilderness because he had not treated God as holy and had been disobedient as a leader in the midst of the children of Israel, when Moses struck the rock to obtain water instead of approaching ‘The Rock‘ and treating it as God had commanded. Obviously, no amount of prayers would change God’s mind and He told Moses to stop praying about it.

The second example is found in Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14 and 14:11. God informed Jeremiah who was a Priest and a Prophet at least three times to stop lifting up prayers of intercession for His wayward children of Israel. God’s chosen people had repeatedly disobeyed Him and His commands. God declared to Jeremiah, “I do not hear you”.

Needless to say, God does not deserve nor does he desire to listen to ‘Mickey Mouse’ prayers! Those hollow words that do not edify our Lord and Savior…

Below is a list of world headline events that deserve our sincere intercessory prayers. Look the list over. Come to an agreement that God is aware of all the disasters, namely: campus shootings, wars and rumors of wars, government leader misdeeds domestic and foreign, environmental disasters worldwide that are occurring throughout the world. And of course, it is God’s design that the universe should be a safe place of refuge. Yet the Holy Spirit is whispering into my heart that God also wants us to be alert watchmen and watchful women who know how to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and cities and nations every where. There is no need for us to be afraid for God is our refuge.

Mickey Mouse Prayers will not get you to the next level in God…so pray earnestly and sincerely.

Suggested list of current events in today’s news to pray for:

  • OhioTrain Derailment in East Palestine
  • China says U.S. balloons have flown over their continent before, too
  • Russia and Ukraine have been at war for over one year with no end in sight
  • Michigan State University’s mass shooting…3 students needlessly killed and several wounded
  • A Black Hawk airliner jet crashed in Alabama, killing everyone on board
  • The 2019 Covid-19 Virus is still causing havoc around the world
  • The whole world is going to Hell in a hand basket

Scripture Lesson: “God is our refuse and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up, and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!

There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God–the sacred home of the God above all gods, God himself is living in that City; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. The nations rant and rave in anger–but when God speaks the erth melts in submission and kingdoms totted into ruin.” Psalms 46:1-6

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God’s Desire Is For Us To Know Him Intimately…So What’s In A Name?

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Understanding, Uncategorized7 Comments
“Please hold my hand, Lord. For I am a sinner, saved by Your grace! I yield!“

Webster defines “conversation” as having an oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. So, what does it mean to know God intimately? Well, for me, I have come to realize that my conversations with God are very personal and private. Our relationship is one that allows us to laugh together, cry together, come to a mutual understanding especially after I have thought about the situation carefully and/or studied it prayerfully. The Holy Spirit has also made known to me my epitaph inscription; “In all thy getting, get an understanding”. (Proverbs 4:7b KJV)

Now I have a question for you…

Which would you rather have been given; a name at birth that distinguished you from other people, or a name at birth that referenced your inner most being?  I realize that’s a tough question because as we grow, our character changes.

Unlike the Native American societies, at birth, infants receive names that are descriptive that can be changed as they go through life, according to what their experiences and accomplishments are.  The vast nomenclatures for God are like that…or should I say ought to be like that as you grow more intimately in Him.

Your Christian walk and desires should be one of learning how to become more mature in grace and obedience because of a Wondrous working God.  Your prayer life could be strengthened every time you called on Him if you substituted the word “God” for one of His names (below) from Scripture that addressed your need.  Why?  Because we know with assurance, God has already shown himself worthy of that title. (Below are four examples of titles.)

“God of Heaven” “Prince of Peace” “Deliverer ” “Righteous One” ”
When prayingPray for waring nations,Pray for Kings,Praying for
for weatherPeople, Governments, andPresidents, AllJustice, Sinners,
(nature) conditions.Societies, etc.Leaders, Parents, andAll Knowledge, and
Care Givers.Jesus’ position as
the Son of God.
The Names above are to be used in prayer in place of God in order to take the focus off of yourself!

Now, perhaps you can answer my question…

Because most of us at birth were given names that merely distinguished us from other people, we are not recognized by any attainable goals or notable accomplishments. On the other hand, every time we call on the Name of the Lord in prayer by one of His descriptive Names in Scripture that actually addresses our needs, we can shout hallelujah because we know He is able, ready and willing to respond.

My prayer for you…

Dear Jehovah Jireh, my Provider and Maker of Heaven and Earth, we want to thank You very much for making us joyful and happy. We want to make our thoughts obedient to You, and in all things we sincerely ask that You help us to focus on all things that are beautiful and good and right so that our conversations and interactions with You will reflect Your peace and understanding. We ask these blessings in your Son’s Name, Jesus the Christ. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “Brothers (and Sisters), stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 NIV)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Speaks To Job Through James (Part Two)

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Life Changes5 Comments
File:Book of Job Chapter 2-4 (Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media).jpg
Job refuses to concede to his contemporaries that he has forsaken God. Job concedes only to wait until his change comes from God.

TO ALL VISITORS TO THIS BLOG POST, PLEASE SCROLL BACKWARDS TO PART ONE OF “GOD SPEAKS TO JOB THROUGH JAMES” FOR AN INTRODUCTION TO PART TWO.

As promised, herein is Part Two of last week’s blog with the same title. I indicated in Part One that I had written this dialogue between myself and the Holy Spirit some years ago. And that so many revelations were flooding my heart that I had to implore my Lord to slow down and allow me to get a pad and pencil to write them down. Well, once again, in retelling this conversation to my readers, I feel the same excitement and power of the Holy Ghost. It is my prayer that as you read this inspiring message given to me from On High, you will experience the same revelations, too.

So, here goes…and I invite you to share your thoughts by contributing a comment and forwarding it to me.

“God Speaks To Job Through James“

MY BRETHERN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRAILS.                  James 1:2

          Job, I know you are not feeling well, but, do you recall when Eliphaz said,
           ...'Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise
          the chastening of the Almighty'.                                                                                          Job 5:17

KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE.                               James 1:3

          Well, Eliphaz said that after your calamity came upon you, you declared 
          that you wished you were dead, for you said, 'There the wicked ceased
          from troubling, and there the weary are at rest.'                                                                   Job 3:17

BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE IT'S PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND
COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING.                                                                                                   James 1:4

          But from the very beginning, Job, you kept declaring how righteous you were
          and that there was no advantage to be gained if you were cleansed from
          your sin.                                                                                                                                              Job 35:3

          I was right there when you said, 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.  Even so,
          I will defend my own ways before him.'                                                                                     Job 13:15 

IF ANY OF YOU LACKS WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, WHO GIVES TO ALL 
LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM.                                James 1:5

          Honestly, Job, you should not have added that last part about maintaining
          your own ways, for you have spoken without knowledge and your words were
          without wisdom.                                                                                                                              Job 34:35

BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, WITH NO DOUBTING, FOR HE WHO DOUBTS IS LIKE
A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND.                                                    James 1:6

          Our true friend Elihu suggested the manner in which you should have
          prayed, remember...For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne chastening;
          I will offend no more; teach me what I do not see;'                                                      Job 35:31, 32a

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO ENDURES TEMPTATION; FOR WHEN HE HAS BEEN
APPROVED, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE WHICH THE LORD HAS 
PROMISED TO THIOSE WHO LOVE HIM.                                                                                      James 1:12

          Job, stop that...Do not desire the night.  For people that are in
          darkness are cut off.  Shhhh,...Lest he take you away with one blow.
          Then a Great Ransom (Jesus) cannot deliver you and you will not
          receive the crown of life.                                                                                               Job 36:20, 33:24b

SO, THEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, 
SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH;                                                                                             James 1:19

          Oh, good, Job!  You have calmed down.  You have repented to God
          by declaring...'Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer you?"  I lay my
          hand over my mouth.'                                                                                                                Job 40:4

THEREFORE, LAY ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS AND OVERFLOW OF WICKEDNESS,
AND RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE IMPLANTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE
TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.                                                                                                                   James 1:21

          Then Job answered the Lord and said:  'I know that you can do
           everything, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you.'                           Job 42:1-2

          Furthermore, I receive with all meekness the engrafted word.  For my
           own words were hollow without understanding and knowledge.

          Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too
          wonderful for me, which I did not know.'                                                                                  Job 42:3

IF ANYONE AMONG YOU THINKS HE IS RELIGIOUS, AND DOES NOT BRIDLE 
HIS TONGUE, BUT DECEIVES HIS OWN HEART, THIS ONE'S RELIGION IS USELESS.             James 1:26

          Oh, Job, how wonderful our God is!  For after you repented in dust and ashes
          and bridled your tongue and harnessed your deceitful thoughts, the Bible says,..
          And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends.  Indeed the 
          Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Amen!                                                         Job 42:10

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God’s Holy Word Has Something To Say About Colors – Part 3

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Instruction on how to disciple others, Prayers For Life ChangesLeave a comment

This blog post will conclude our time together exploring nine of the colors that dominate the creation story in the Bible.  The final three colors featured here in Part Three of “God’s Holy Word Has Something To Say About Colors” are: Purple, Green and Pink.  Needless to say, this has been one of the most fascinating adventures that the Holy Spirit has taken me on.  And for that I am truly grateful.

Illustration of different color meanings in color psychology

The Color Purple

Did you know that the KJV of the Bible refers to the color PURPLE 48 times!  Most likely what contributed to its high demand was its popularity, absorbent expense to manufacture it and exclusivity to obtain the knowledge of how to convert this color into a dye.  In ancient times, only society’s affluent, the higher echelon of the clergy, royal deity, and high government officials could afford to adorn themselves in purple attire. 

The ingredients to produce purple comes from the stinky glands of snails (scientifically known as mollusks) which emerged themselves at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.  The procedure to extract just one pound of retail dye from snails during the ancient Roman Empire days, was for sailors/fishermen to catch and extract the glands from more than four million mollusks. This procedure was because each snail gland only produced one drop of the fluid needed to make this precious dye.

I am quite sure you are all familiar with the famous bible story found in Acts 16 about a merchant seller of purple garments named Lydia.  She was a very spiritual and wealthy Philippians female entrepreneur who, as a gentile, believed in God’s morality laws. She was later converted to Christianity by the Apostle Paul. 

Purple has come to associate it self with royalty, wisdom, luxury, and to possess visionary acumen.

The Color Green

I find that GREEN is the strongest of all the colors we have been studying in this lesson.  It is also more descriptive of man’s character than the other eight colors.  Why?  Because Green denotes strength, growth, health, money, and healing…just to name a few attributes.

Listed below are scriptures that bear this out:

Psalms 1:1-2The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures:  he leads me besides the still waters.
  
Luke 23:31For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dy:
  
Ezekiel 17:24All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall.  I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.
  
Psalms
37:2		For like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

The Color Pink

PINK is a universal color that is recognized as feminine, immature, romantic, beautiful and sensitive. As to how the color Pink relates to Scripture, pink is believed to represent the compassionate love of God (for he gave his Only Begotten Son), and Jesus is also a friend to the friendless. And let us not forget the faithfulness of his Son who suffered, bled and died on the Cross for all mankind. (Words in italics are listed above in the color chart under the color Pink.)

Notice the shades of Pink in this card.

In the Holy Scriptures, the color ‘PINK’ is believed to represent the Love of God. How? Because the color Red is Jesus’ blood and White is purity. Therefore, the combination of both colors turns out to be Pink!

My prayer for you…Cover image

Dear Sweet Jesus: You are so gracious, kind and understanding. I implore You to please forgive my slothfulness in not dedicating my new found life in You to serving you more earnestly. For truly, it is with sincere thanksgiving that I praise You for allowing me to stumble upon these truths concerning how Your assignment of various colors played an intrical part in helping mankind to understand the creation story. Who would have thought that by painting my bedroom a psychedelic red for all my teenage years could have contributed to my high blood pressure problems later in life. (If only I had known You then.)

Therefore, Heavenly Father, please continue to help me change my thoughts. Make me anew, Lord. For I not only want to be born again, but I want to be a new kind of thinker, too.

Help us, Lord…HELP!! In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior I surrender all…Amen and Amen!!!

Scripture Lesson: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.“ Colossians 3:2

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God Has A Penchant For Poetry

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Spiritual Growth, Tools For Missionaries5 Comments
Open Bible with flowers on it
“To me, art begets art. Painting feeds the eye just as poetry feeds the ear, which is to say that both feed the soul.” —Susan Vreeland

Hello, my dedicated readers. For this week’s blog I thought I would present you with an original poem of mine. Actually, I have a file cabinet full of my poems which were written at various stages of my life. I am pleased to say that my Lord and Savior gifted me with talents that require me to use the mighty pen and paper, a typewriter or a computer. I commune with the Lord with all three.

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You so very, very much for the gift that You, and only by Your grace, have given me. Please Dear Jesus, help me to identify these gifts and to use them only for Your glory. Amen.

When Women Worship
By S. L. Fowler  

“W”
When Women Worship
They hold their heads up high…
They Walk in confidence…
Because their Jesus is nigh.
When Women Worship
They feel Worthy and are convinced…
That they are in the Lord’s presence…
And protected by His defense.
“O”
When Women Worship
They Open up their hearts…
They pour Out undying love…
On the least Of them and the lost
They look for Opportunities
To bless their fellowman…
To Offer encouragement…
And to instill Order wherever they can.
“M”
When Women Worship
They Manage to forgive…
They try not to Mention Malice…
They Mask their hearts from within.
They take advantage of each Moment
To Muster sacrificial love…
To shower it upon their Mentors…
In order to please the Man above.
“E”
When Women Worship
Their very presence Electrifies…
Every audience they Entertain…
Causing their Enemies to take wings and fly.
They are Especially hard on ole Slew Foot
Causing the last Enemy to flee…
For he would rather Evaporate…
Then to take a knee.
“N”
When Women Worship
They Nurture God’s flock…
They Neither loose hope Nor the sight of glory…
Why?  Because they pray a lot.
Women Neutralize opposition
By memorizing God’s Nomenclatures…
And reciting them back to the people…
While including all of his creation; mammals and human nature.

Scripture Lesson: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” 1 Corinthians 12:4,

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God Is Calling Us To Meet Our Needs Through Praying

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers For New Beginnings, Prayers For Spiritual Growth1 Comment
That’s for me to know and for you to find out!

There is a popular bank commercial that starts out with the announcer asking, ‘What’s in your pocket?’  Next, he goes into a litany of benefits as to why you should consider applying for one of his bank’s lines of credit, whether it is through a credit card, loan, or debit card to supply your needs.  All his message is after is that in the end, he is successful in shackling you to become indebted to the bank he represents.

There is another popular Announcer out there softly and tenderly hawking His products to the masses that He claims will bring you great benefits if only you will try them.  His question to the populace is, ‘What’s in your heart?’  He is suggesting that you plug into His 4 “P’s” — Presence, Power, Perception, and Purpose.  And the way to do that does not require you to apply for anything.  All you must do is to ask, seek and knock though the act of prayer.

Mother and Son praying together.

The good part about the second Announcer is that He is willing to help you accomplish your goals.  All you must do is to find a quiet, secluded place with few distractions.  And begin praying with the understanding that He already knows your heart’s needs and desires before you ask.  So simple use this acrostic while praying:  A.C.T.S.

A = Ask C = Confession T = Thanksgiving S = Supplication

A True Story…

Some years ago, I was in my kitchen preparing dinner when I heard a very troubling report on the radio. I immediately stoped cooking, turned off the stove and began to pray about the incident. All of a sudden, I heard a voice whisper: ‘Get on your knees.’ As I began to kneel down, very gently, ‘Somebody‘ pulled my legs out from under me and placed me faced down flat on the floor. The floor tile was extremely hot against my face. I begin to pray with all my heart and with all my soul.

The message that I received from that above experience so many years ago was that if you really want to learn how to pray for certain situations, do not take God for granted. Prayer is a powerful tool to use when seeking God’s help. In prayer, you are seeking God’s four “P’s”…his presence, his power, his perception and his purpose. Allow him to orchestrate and implement your posture as he sees fit.

I have witnessed those in deep prayer to weep, dance, twirl in laughter, speak in tongues, remove their shoes, stand, tremble, kneel, sit and faint.

My unadulterated prayer for you is this…

Precious holy Spirit, you know how much we all struggle to pray. We humbly ask that you please teach us to pray earnestly according to your will and your way. And if we do not manage to get it right, please, please, pray and intercede on our behalf to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen and Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

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God Allows Everyone An Opportunity To Reconcile

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Forgiveness, Scriptures for Reconcilation7 Comments

                    

“Be ye Reconciled especially during this Christmas Season”

Let’s bow our heads in a formal word of prayer to Our Father Who is in Heaven before we start expounding on why we should all take advantage of opportunities to be reconciled to one another.

“Dear Heavenly Father, our fervent prayers today are being sent up to You, imploring You to make true reconciliation possible between all ethnic groups in the world and that this reconciliation will definitely endure so that Your everlasting peace will once again rule in the hearts of men.  Amen.

First off, let’s all admit that there have been moments in our lives where we have caused dissention, disagreement, discourse, defeat, discouragement, disbandment, and dissatisfaction, etc., etc., etc., to someone else.  But nevertheless, since those midlife encounters, we have neither looked back to examine our ‘triumphs’ nor repented if and/or when your conscious prompted you to do so.  (I’m not just preaching to the choir, I’m talking about myself, too.)

May I suggest, that during this sacred time of giving gifts known as the Christmas Season, you give Christ Jesus a gift of reconciliation (since, after all, it is HIS birthday and not ours).  We can physically type or write a letter of remorse for a wrong committed to someone that you will name in the letter.  Put down in writing the very words you want to say to that person you harmed that would be pleasing to God and that would free you from your stains of guilt.

Below are a few Bible verses expressing Self-remorse:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,…”  Acts 3:19
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14
 “..leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthews 5:24
 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?  Romans 11:15
“ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.  And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God was making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:18-21

A true story…

Many years ago, while teaching some clergy members, Sunday School teachers, and many other adults in a remote South Africa city called Kafue, outside of Lusaka, my lesson was taken from Matthews 5:24. I was speaking on reconciliation because since 1995, most South Africans (white and Black) annually celebrate December 16 as a special holiday called Day of Reconciliation or Day of The Vow which was the year Apartheid ended.

Although I was teaching the class in English, I had an African interpreter and translator. Seemingly, my teaching was upsetting an older sage/teacher in the audience. He had been accompanied to the class by a younger male relative who was frantically trying to calm him down. I finally had to stop teaching and I asked my interpreter to go over and ask the gentleman what was disturbing him. The translator reported that the gentleman was at a loss as to how to reconcile with his neighbor as to the atrocity he had committed against him, since he had ate ‘it’. Needing clarification, I went over to the young man and asked him to please get a better understanding from his grandfather. Finally, the young man reported to me and the class that his grandfather (who had tears in his eyes) had reported that he had stolen some chickens from his neighbor and had fed them to his family. Since he had now consumed all the meat, how could he right the wrong he had committed against his neighbor.

Boy, oh boy, I found myself speechless. So I sent up a quick prayer to Heaven and instantly the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Tell the ole gentleman that the Lord sees his heart and all is forgiven.” Hallelujah! The Lord paid it all! The young man repeated my blessing from on High and the whole class shouted with joy and broke out in singing!!!

To Be Reconciled With God…What a Time…What a Time!!

Scripture Lesson: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23

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God’s Goodwill Was Purchased For You

On By tgifmastermindsIn God's Heavenly Hosts, How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For Spiritual Growth4 Comments
God’s display of goodwill was the epitome of eternal life.

Did you know that December 26th, the day after Christmas, is celebrated annually by South African citizens, in a more godly show of compassion than American citizens celebrate December 25th, Christmas Day. The South Africans use the 26th as a day of recovery from over indulging in holiday festivities. This Day of Goodwill was declared a holiday in 1994 by Nelson Mandela after he was elected the President of South Africa.

I became apprised of this information one day this week as I sat at my computer and prayed to the Holy Spirit to put into my psyche the subject matter for this week’s blog. I immediately was directed to focus on the word ‘angels’. What’s that (?), my Lord. What’s angels got to do with anything, I thought. The awareness of the presence of the Lord flooded my total being. Have you not considered, my child, the vast amount of preparation the Heavenly Hosts performed to bring about the Goodwill Gift My Father gave the world which is celebrated by earthlings on December 25th? That he so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son…

My Father acted out of compassion and the Heavenly Hosts acted out of obedience and the South Africans, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit residing in Nelson Mandela, acted out of goodwill to set aside a special day to think about the needy, the lost and the forgotten. To give back to society and not just their own families and loved ones. On the Day of Goodwill, South Africans sincerely distinguish themselves by giving back to society. These peoples’ giving can be attributed to their willingness to celebrate the birth of God’s Son by forgetting about their own wants and focusing on the needs of their fellowman.

Oh, thank you Holy Spirit for once again pointing me in the right direction. As you were sharing with me, I was thinking about those Heavenly Angels and their preparatory assignment, getting the world ready for the Coming King. I immediately started dissecting the word ‘angels’ and came up with 22 words with 3 or more letters.

Slang
Sage
Seal
Snag
Sea
Sale
Sane
Slag
Sang		Gale
Glean
Gas
Gal		Leg
Lag
Lane
Lean		Age
Angel
Ale
Angle		Nag

Here is what I decided to do with this list. Since goodwill means acting out of compassion instead of selfishness, by means of meditation, I have decided to use the remaining days in December to wrap a prayer around each of the 22 words and apply a Holy Scripture as the bases of each prayer. This will keep me focused on the actual reason for the season and to be thankful and grateful for the Angels of God who remained at their posts until the Blessed Event was born.

For example, below is the scripture I have chosen to formulate my prayer for the word ‘slang’. For I will use slang if necessary to introduce someone to Christ with a limited vocabulary.

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

I invite you to join me in prayer to help you keep your heart and mind on whatsoever things are lovely concerning this Christmas season. Or you may consider other ways to participate in celebrating December 26th and dispensing goodwill towards others such as:

  • Boxing up everything you don’t need and giving it away
  • Make a sizable donation to a charity that helps the poor
  • Give away leftover food and unwanted gifts
  • Host a meal for the poor or homeless
  • Give back to society by volunteering with a local organization
  • Think about the word goodwill and how you can apply it to your life
Try it…You might like it!

Scripture Lesson: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:10)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

God’s Sovereignty Over All Things

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For New Beginnings9 Comments
I can’t take it any more!

This week I am studying the Book of Job with my 6:00 a.m. Bible Study Group.  And what an eye opener the under lying chapters have been!  If you are familiar with this Old Testament book, you know that Job was afflicted with body sores, and he lost all his wealth, family, livestock, and servants because of a Spiritual battle between God and Satan.  Even after all this devastation, his wife condemned him, too.

The reason for me to categorize this book as an eye opener is simply because as I examine my own life over these past years, I now realize that I have encountered many family members, friends, strangers, and associates that have expressed to me similar experiences that they have gone through that were like Job’s.  Of course, at the time, these people did not realize that they were paralleling a story from the Holy Bible, nor did I, at the time, connect the dots.

But two weeks ago, all of what I had been living through during those past few years when counseling others on this matter, came home to roost.  Without betraying a confidence, let me try to explain what happened.  A new friend of mine engaged me in an unsolicited conversation about my (…and I am quoting her) calm mannerism, quiet disposition, patience personified (because I love to work puzzles endlessly), always displaying an inviting smile and willingness to listen to everyone’s problems.  She went on to say that she wished that she, too, had some of those qualities.  But in continuing her assessment, she confided that she just can’t take it any more. She feels she has succumbed to life’s struggles. What is more, she has begun to take out her frustrations on others by speaking harshly to them and sometimes even hurling insults at herself and calling herself stupid and other bad names.

Oh, how her words pierced my heart, spirit, and soul.  And I wanted to take her in my arms to comfort her.  But I did not.  Instead, I gave her my undivided attention and began to speak softly to her with encouraging words.  I did not quote any scriptures or point her to our Lord because I did not…. know to whom I was dealing with.  And furthermore, we were in a public place where other people were now noticing us.  I did, however, get her to compose herself and offered up a quick prayer for reassurance.  We parted understanding that we would continue our discussion at another time.

Now, fast forward to the Book of Job! 

This week, as my bible study group came to Job chapters 6 and 7, I began to see my distraught friend in the life of Job.  These 2 chapters voice a bonified complaint by Job against God about life in general.  In his torment, Job is indicting God’s dealings with mankind.  Job is unaware that he was a pawn in a spiritual warfare conflict between God and Satan. So now you see why I could not engage my friend in a conversation about God’s sovereignty when she already seemed confused about why such a good God inflicts such misery on mere mortals.

Now that the Holy Spirit has heard my cries through prayers and supplications on her behalf, and has given me the examples and solutions experienced by Job’s predicament, I am better equipped to minister to her.  Please pray that the infusion and comfort of the Holy Spirit will be with me as I continue ministering to her and that she will profess her allegiance to the Holy One’ wisdom and her dependence, through faith, on the One who cares.

Dear Heavenly Father, I sincerely praise You for the weapon of the sword of the Spirit. For He points me to my Bible which I can use to resist all the attacks of the Evil One. Knowing that with your Word, it will bring about victory for all those who use it as a weapon to fight spiritual wars. Amen and Amen.

Scripture Lesson: “Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:49-50

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God Instilled Hope In A Desperate Situation

On By tgifmastermindsIn God's Heavenly Hosts, How To Pray For Others12 Comments

Image result for what was the name of the witch in the wizard of oz
The wicked witch of the West, Evillene

In the classic 1939 movie entitled, “The Wizard of Oz”, there is a famous line spoken by Evillene, the wicked witch of the West, that I am sure you have heard before. And I quote: “Don’t nobody bring me no bad news!”

Well, today, I wished I had posted that warning message on my door post because I received the most troubling news that sorely pieced my heart through and through. I received a phone call that a younger sibling of mine was diagnosed with leukemia.  I was devastated by this pronouncement and immediately sought spiritual comfort and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Instantly, I began to receive peace and reassurance that the Lord was with me.

I went into my library, sat down in front of my computer and implored the presence of the Holy Spirit to gracefully guide my thoughts and prickly fingers on the keyboard so that I could commence typing the divine messages He was forming in my mind to develop for my readers and followers of this week’s WordPress blog.

I paused just long enough to glance over at my book shelves, crammed full of Bible dictionaries, concordances, and books on how to pray for natural healing. I carefully selected a book whose subtitle was ‘effective prayers for body, soul and spirit’.

Under the section in the book on ‘leukemia’, the first suggestion was to pray for generational curses. I remembered from reading many chapters in the Old Testament that God did visit the curses of the parents (initially Adam and Eve) on their children for many generations to follow. But since I walk by faith and not by sight, the Holy Spirit guided me to the New Testament:

  • Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

So, God instilled hope in me and I received the assurance that any wrongs performed by my parents in days gone by are forgiven and I don’t have to burden my Deliverer with such a prayer over my sibling’s predicament. Why? Because he was freed from that curse as well.

Additional instructions in the healing book suggested that prayers for leukemia should also include that the seeker was to curse the root of the disease; to command any prions (distorted proteins) to dissolve and be discarded; to command that the bone marrow make the proper amount of white blood cells; and finally, to lead the patient in prayers of repentance for bitterness or unforgiveness, if necessary.

The Holy Spirit also brought to my attention the scriptures about the lady mentioned in Luke 8:40-48, who had an issue with blood. Once again, God instilled hope in my despair as I read verse 8:48.

  • Then he said to her. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” This tender term that Jesus used was meant for both me and my sibling. For I know with a certainty that as a child and adult I have witnessed my sibling’s faith in God and as a wounded war veteran, he served honorably for his country.
Crop assistant supporting smiling patient in wheelchair during rehabilitation process
A prayer warrior laying hands on the sick.

So you see, when I was in a desperate situation, God instilled hope in me and He will also do the same for you. Therefore, don’t forget my friend, when a person stands in the gap for another as an intercessor, the Holy Spirit often reminds you that perhaps you can make a different if you turn your heart to Christ Jesus and faithfully lay your all on the alter. My prayer for you is to simply ask the Savior to help you, comfort strengthen and keep you. He is willing to help you. He will carry you through. Amen and Amen!

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!