Jesus prayed for others. In John 17:9 we read, “I[Jesus] pray for them. I am not praying for the world,        but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours.”This underscores the need for intercessory prayer.

Jesus prayed with others. Luke 9:28 reads, “[Jesus] took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” Jesus prayed alone, but He also knew the value of praying with others.

Jesus prayed alone. Luke 5:16 reads, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” As much as Jesus understood the value of praying with and for others, He also understood the need to pray alone. It’s important for us to “be still” before God, but the only way to do this, especially in our hectic culture, is to do so alone with God.

Jesus could pray as a sprinter or a marathon runner. The Lord’s Prayer is short enough to be easily memorized and serve as an example of a sprint rather than a marathon prayer. But Jesus also knew how to dedicate long periods of time to prayer. As we read in Luke 6:12, Jesus “spent the night praying to God.” We, too, need to be able to offer short prayers, as well dedicate long periods of our lives to prayer.

Jesus prayed regularly. Luke 5:16: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” The word “often” is not hidden, but makes it obvious that Jesus prayed regularly. Throughout the Gospels whenever we read of Jesus and prayer, it comes up regularly and naturally. It was simply a part of His worldview, integrated into every aspect of Christ’s life. Can we say the same about prayer in our life?

The prayers of Jesus were heartfelt. Jesus did not pray in a cold, distant manner, but in heartfelt supplication, demonstrating empathy and a genuine love for God.

Jesus prayed based on His knowledge of God and His truths. The prayers of Jesus were based on God’s revealed truths and, as such, were in line with a solid biblical worldview. Proper prayer requires us to have a truthful understanding of God and what He has revealed to us through His Word.

Jesus taught persistence in prayer. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). The parable Jesus shared is not meant to depict a pestering disciple who finally bugs God enough that He chooses to respond, but about persistence in prayer and waiting on God and His timing.

Jesus knew that not all his prayers would be answered as expected. This is a difficult prayer lesson to learn, but the fact of the matter is that not all our prayers are answered in ways we expect. Even Jesus knew this hard lesson as he cried out to God the Father from Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-44). Three times Jesus prayed for God to allow an easier path, but Jesus knew, “Yet not as I will, but as You will” (26:39).    (ROBERT VERLARDE)

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”  (Proverbs 29:25)
Fear of people can hamper everything we try to do.
But the fear of God – respect, reverence and trust – is liberating in every way!
So instead of fearing people, trust God, who can turn the harm intended by people, into good for us, who trust God!

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good….”  (Genesis 50: 20)
As one of my sons often says -‘It’s all good, Mum!”
The experiences in Joseph’s life taught him that God brings good from evil for those who trust Him.
So do we trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of bad situations?
We can trust Him because, as Joseph learned, God can overrule people’s evil intentions to bring about His intended results.

“And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you…”  (Jeremiah 1: 8 )
Another translation says: “Don’t be afraid of man’s faces….”
God promised to be with Jeremiah and He has promised to be with us, too.
He takes care of us but He does not keep trouble from coming our way.
God does not insulate us from various troubles.
God does not keep us from encountering life’s storms, but He will see us through the storms every time.
In fact, did you know & remember that God walks through these storms with us and rescues us?
Often we struggle with new challenges because we lack self-confidence, feel we have inadequate ability, training or experience.
But God has promised to be with us always.
We should not allow feelings of inadequacy to stop us from obeying God.
He is ALWAYS with us.
When God gives us a job, He will provide all we need to do it.

Do not fear!
Getting the message yet?
Why waste energy on things that may never come to pass?
Our God is good, great and always faithful so do not fear!

In this verse, the book of Proverbs points out that corporate righteousness will exalt a nation, while corporate sin will bring reproach to a nation. Everything good that we have been blessed with in our societies around the world, comes directly or indirectly, from God’s grace and the Bible’s influence. One of the things that I am sure that grieves the heart of God, is the fact that instead of people being grateful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon mankind, many blame Him and His followers for the problems in the world. They do not understand that sin has created the problems.

When the Bible’s influence is strong in a society, it will affect all aspects of that culture in a positive way. The opposite is also true — when a society turns its back on God, it will begin to reflect evil in its cultural choices. We see this today as we watch our young and old people embrace things that are totally unbiblical. How we dress, what we eat, what music we listen to, and what we choose for entertainment, are all reflections of how strongly or weakly we embrace the Word of God.  Rebellious, anti-Christ music has become firmly established in our society today in spite of the dangerous influence it has had on our people. This music has encouraged lust, sex, suicide, rebellion against authority, etc. Even physically, it has damaged the hearing of a whole generation of people who listen to loud music and live bands constantly.  There are those who are deaf or going deaf from this exposure.

We must all return to righteousness so that our nation will be exalted, as the alternative will be our downfall.  Sin will always bring reproach to us individually, as well as corporately in our nations.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this nation.  May I be one who is a righteous influence to those around me, thus affecting this society for good.  Forgive us for the sins in our nation.  Lord, bring revival to our land and turn sinners to the gospel so that they might be saved. Lord, deliver our children from the Satanic influences in today’s society. Protect them from the evil one. Show them the way of the Lord.  Help me to be a good example to young people and influence them to follow You.  Forgive us of our national sins of lust, materialism, pride, witchcraft, murder and sexual sins. Deliver us from evil.  I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen (BETTY MILLER)

When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.” – David Augsburger,  STICKING MY NECK OUT

When I read this quote, to be honest, I didn’t know who this man was. Afterwards I thought, “I would have loved to have been able to meet him and see what kind of man could inspire others to lay down their lives for the cause of Christ.”  I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but reflect on my own life and wonder if what I’m doing inspires people to follow, disciple and ultimately surrender everything for Jesus Christ. Is what I’m doing today making a difference for the moment or for eternity?

James Calvert said, “We died before we came here.” How this follows the Scripture, “For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, it’s not I who live but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20). We are no longer our own. We’ve been bought by a very high price.

Where are we leading people today? Are we inspiring them to go to the ends of the earth for Christ? Are we advancing the Kingdom of God by bringing attention and opportunity to reach those who have never heard the Gospel? These are questions that matter in the Kingdom and therefore should matter to us.

Take a moment to ask God how you can impact today and tomorrow…for eternity.                                                                                    (MELISSA KING)

Most Middle Eastern cultures during the first century had the practice of a groom paying a Bride Price. The specific term Paul used in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “bought with a price” was part of a larger Jewish expression. As soon as the Bride Price was paid, the redeemed and now waiting bride was referred to as, “One Who is Bought With a Price.” This was the term that was used to designate a betrothed woman, prior to her wedding. It was applied to a waiting bride whose future husband had paid the Bride Price in full. The One Who Was Bought With a Price knew that her future wedding was assured.

From the time the actual Bride Price was paid in full, the young lady would be treated quite differently by the people in her community. She was no longer considered to be single or available. She was now recognized as a married woman and she was specifically called by the name of her betrothed husband. She would interact primarily with married women or others who had been Bought With a Price. Her days were spent in active preparation for the coming wedding.

In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul was telling us that we are no longer the same people we were before we entered into a Marriage Covenant with Jesus and He paid the Bride Price for us. From the time we are born again, we are not our own. Our lives should be different from those who HAVE NOT been bought with a price. The places we go, the people we associate with and the things we do should be different. We are not to forget our old friends, but those Who Have Been Bought With a Price should spend most of their free time with other Christians. (Heb 10:25). Jesus has paid the Bride Price for us and He expects us to bring Him honor.

The One Who is Bought With a Price would often take out the marriage contract and review the terms of her union with her beloved. In the same manner, I often read the New Testament and consider the terms of my union with Jesus. The entire Bible is my marriage contract. It clearly explains my duties and responsibilities, along with the Lord’s toward me. The Bible contains all instruction for how I am supposed to lead my life until the coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Rev 19:9) It also reveals His personality, His likes, His dislikes, etc. and in reading it, I come to know Him better. It reveals details about our relationship and our eternal future together. The Bible was given to those Who are Bought With a Price as a love letter. Its words were penned by the One we love.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for ever seeing your Word as a book of rules. Jesus, I ask you to reveal your honest desires toward me, every time I open my Bible. May I come to know you as you want to be known. May I see myself through your loving eyes, as you see me. Please help me to use my body and my life to bring you glory. May I never forget that my life is not my own, because I am One Who is Bought With a Price.

(SOURCE UNKNOWN)