Hope 4 My City - Manna for the Moment

Manna for the Moment I John 5:5 Overcoming the World

8/17/2015

Verses on Faith

I John 5:5

5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Praying a verse can be accomplished sometimes by looking at what the write did not say.
John did not say…who is that survives while walking through the world?
He did not say. Overcoming the world is for only the super spiritual and is not obtainable for us all
He did not say…overcoming the world is only for those who are trying hard to be a ”good” Christian or just follow the rules.
He did not say… how belief in Jesus as the Son of God will help us overcome the world.

But John has an expectation that we can overcome the world system in which we live. He ties this belief of overcoming to believing that Jesus is the Son of God. We keep belief (wrongly) in the sphere of mental facts. Do you believe that coke is made in Atlanta? Yes. Do you believe that England is in your Europe? Yes. Do you think that Jesus is the Son of God? Yes. It completes a mental check list.

But faith does not abide solely in our minds. Faith begins with the seed of a word and grows in the environment of our heart. We hear that Jesus loves us (the word), we respond to that love from our heart with joy and thankfulness.

If we really believe that Jesus is the Son of God…then everything changes in our world. There will be NO event that is not under his authority. There will be NO crisis that He is unable to unravel. HE IS GOD. Let faith begin to grow in your life.

Father, we believe help our unbelief. Teach us today, to understand what it means to grow in faith. Help us to see where we are living by our own understanding and strength of will. Help us to connect to the life giving power that is in Jesus. Thank you that you love and care for us. In Jesus name Amen.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:21 Overcome evil with Good

8/15/2015

Romans 12:21

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” NIV. I love this verse, because it embodies the core message of the gospel. We have already been overcome by evil. At least before we are saved. It is blindness to this truth that keeps people in trouble. Most would say, I mess up a little, but I am not really that bad. Jesus told the Pharisees that because they thought they were good, they remained in their blind need.

How does a Christian become over run by evil? Primarily it comes through unresolved hurt and lack of response to a perceived injustice. The first sends one down the path of bitterness and unforgiveness. The second leads to anger and rebellion. Both are destructive.

But the greatest part is that through Christ we have the ability to change the impact of evil. Choosing to do the opposite of what the world expects is awesome. The world expects us to not forgive, they expect us to get even, they expect us to respond in anger. It makes no worldly sense to forgive and release a debt. But Jesus loves it when we choose to bless instead of curse

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to thank you for the many things I learned as I prayed your word in Romans 12 verse by verse. Your word gives a deep satisfaction in my spirit man like the sensation of being full after a great meal. Except, there is an immediate desire for more.

Father, I can tell when evil is crouching at my door, I am short with my family and I become critical of others. That is not what I want…so please forgive me.

Help me to find so many ways to surprise others with kindness. Not because I think I am better and they need help. Just because it is fun to be kind. Taking a buggy in from the parking lot, Smiling at the cashier and calling them by name, sending an anonymous note to a coworker with a lunch gift card are just some ways that are fun to bless others.

Thank you Father, when others have been kind to me, both with money and prayers.

I pray all of these things in Jesus Name, Amen.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:20 How to really "get" your Enemy!

8/13/2015

Romans 12:20 On the contrary:

If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will "heap burning coals on his head.”

When turning a verse into a prayer it may be helpful to list alternatives or similarities that stay true to the meaning but find additional applications. Similar to someone trying to explain a thought and then they give an entirely different scenario, but stays true to the meaning

So you may want to provide some other if – then statements

If your enemy is out of gas, then and you would fill in the blank…by gas, give money, etc

If your enemy is tired, then

If your enemy is talking about you in an unkind way, then

If your enemy is suing you, then

If your enemy is acting proud and looking down on you, then

As you are able to picture the scenario, then trust God with the response you need to make.

By the way, heaping burning coals on the head is a mideastern cultural expression. If your fire went out at night, a neighbor would bring coals from their fire to you…carrying them on their head. It was an expression of grace of providing something a person was lacking…so giving water and food would be an act of unmerited kindness.

Lets Pray

Father, I love your creativity. I love to see how your ways are so different from our ways. When I think how you tell us to treat our enemy, there is so much freedom in following your design. You way is so simple, uncomplicated and direct.

Father, when I choose to not obey your commands, I am sad. You have the ability to let me know, when I am not loving my enemy. I can’t just say that I love my enemy, you want me to do something physical, tangible, and practical for them.

Father, thank you when I was your enemy, you expressed your love to me. Your death on the cross for me is the tangible expression of your love for me. Thank you that you don’t ask anything from us, that you haven’t already set an example that is good and righteous.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:18 Live at peace

8/10/2015

Romans 12:18 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Sometimes, just start your prayer and let the Lord unfold what you are to pray as you are praying.

Father, you are a God that desires peace for your children. You sent your son, Jesus, to remove the enmity, the gap, that existed between us. That we could have the peace of God, the peace from God and peace with God.

Father, I think that I am right way too often. Therefore I think that peace means other people agreeing with me. And when they don’t, then the divide begins. I see it as part of my roll that peace abides in my house. I know that the tone is set by my wife many times….but the responsibility read the thermostat is mine.

Father, help my children to seek peace with their friends. Help us to see that our enemy is never the other person, but it is the devil who is always at work. He alone is the one that we push back his kingdom to advance the kingdom of God. Help me to see everyone, from the same eyes in which you see them. May I turn the frustration into prayer.

May I learn to bless others instead of judging them. Lord, bring to remembrance this specific verse in my life, when I am violating its principle. Let me walk in more humility.

In Jesus name, Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:19 Leave Room for God's Wrath

8/10/2015

Romans 12:19

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”d]">[d] says the Lord.

The five grade school questions are always helpful to cover the full context and implications of a verse. You remember Who, What, When, Where, Why and How
You don’t have to make a chart. But after you are comfortable with this method, you will see most of the answers quickly. This method helps you so that you don’t miss the main point and

Who
There is the understood YOU…do not
Dear Friends – Paul is referring to his readers which would include us
The Lord God – has spoken about the situation
What
Don’t take revenge
Synonyms of revenge - payback, retaliation, retribution including emotional, verbal or physical
Leave room for God to deal with it
When
Any time someone hurts or offends you.
Give God time…as long as God wants to take
Where
There is not a specific time mentioned
Why
God alone is judge. He is fully able and capable to avenge. His justice will be equitable.
How
Paul doesn’t give a specific guideline, but there is a suggestion that helps. Don’t focus on your hurt or harm, rather focus on a loving father that watches everything that is happening to his children and addresses every need that is present. Trust that God will repay.

Let’s pray

Father, You alone are a righteous judge. I am so thankful that you have given me mercy so much more than I deserve. It is easy to expect that you would show me mercy and not so easy to extend mercy to someone who has hurt me with their words.

Father also help me not to gloat when I see someone experiencing your wrath. It reveals the hardness of my heart, when I am thinking that they are getting what they deserve. I am also amazed at the hardness of hearts when, judgement should produce a brokenness. Yet far too often we seem to stiffen our necks rather than becoming humble.

Father thank you that you watch over everything that happens in my life and the things that happen to me. It is a great comfort knowing that I have a heavenly Father who loves me. You want the best for me at all times. Thank you for the open relationship of dialogue that you have with me on a regular basis. I pray all of these things in Jesus name.

Jimbob and Wally - What's Pastor Greg Up too?

8/8/2015

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:17 Don't repay evil for evil

8/7/2015

Romans 12:17

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

One factor that helps when turning a verse into a prayer is to SLOWWWWW DOWWWN. In our fast paced life it is easy to approach the scriptures with the same speed and attitude. So we look at todays bible verse, make a mental check list in our minds. We may even see a check box.

We see the statement don’t’ repay evil…think for a second…I am not evil…check I am good on that verse and move on. But when we slow down. We give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring his search light into our lives.

So let’s think about the verse for a moment. We know it would be wrong to hit someone back just because they hit us. What about retaliating in a word fight? A spouse says something hurtful and you respond with hurtful words. Or your brother or sister knows what aggravates you, to quickly get you to respond with I”I hate You”. Or yelling at a referee at your child’s ball game, because he made in your opinion an unfair call? Is it right for you to call him names?

What about a person a work that is lying about reports or about your performance, do you respond with a cold shoulder? For those who drive, how do you respond to aggressive drivers who feel that their purpose for being on the road is of higher values than yours? And Jesus dealt with heart issues when he said that if we hate our brother we have committed murder already in our hearts.

Choosing the path of love is the right response that fulfills the next part of the verse. Others will see how you respond and know that Jesus is making a difference in who you are and how you treat other people.

Let’s Pray

Father you alone are judge! You alone know when a person would receive grace or penalties for their sin. I thank you that you have not judged me every time I do wrong. Jesus has taken the m=punishment for me. Lord help, me speak gently with my wife. I know when I am accelerating the conversation into the wrong direction. I am wrong. Please forgive me.

Father, help me to follow your voice and your ways so as not to offend others or cause them to stumble for my actions. Let me walk in the freedom that comes from truthful living. I pray all of these things in Jesus Name, AMEN.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:16 Do not be Conceited

8/6/2015

Romans 12:16

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.c]">[c] Do not be conceited.

Sometimes you may read a verse and its application is so quick, you feel like saying “ouch”! You want to deflect and start making excuses why it applies most of the time…but not in some circumstances. So we look for justification. I live in harmony with most people, just not…..that group.

Do you know how most of the “world” views Christians? They think, We can’t get along very well, we judge people quickly for their sins, and we are more like a country club of membership.

That tinge of conscious is called conviction. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us that we are not more important than another person.

Let’s pray

Father, thank you that you care about everyone in the world. You love all people, rich or poor, smart or challenged, pretty or plain, extroverted or introverted, we all have value in your eyes.

Father help me to persevere beyond those annoyances from others that I try to avoid. Father, as I grow older, I am aware of more pride in my life and it makes me sad. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from you. There is no knowledge, insight, wisdom or abilities that I can claim for myself. Yet it is easy to think that I can do things quicker or better than someone else…that is pride and I am sorry.

Father, please help your church to get it right concerning loving other people…all people. Help us overcome our fear of those that we do not know. Help us to find ways to “hang together” that we may truly fall in love with the family of God. This is you desire also.

Thanks you for your grace to continue to work in my life. I need it.

In Jesus name, Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:15 Rejoice and Mourn

8/4/2015

Romans 12:15 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

In this verse we notice repetition of words, but we also notice extreme opposite emotions. We see the similarities like hot and cold so are the emotions of joy and sorrow. The immediate application is that as a Christian we should mirror both the joy and the sorrow of our friends and relatives.

Grieving has lots of complexities of that include our own hurts. But it is important that we learn to hurt with others who are hurting. Joy on the other hand seems to be the easier emotion to match. But joy for others can reveal hidden attitudes within our own heart. Envy, greed, jealousy can cause us to be less than genuine with our expression of joy. Be careful not to judge the success of others as undeserving in some way.

So who do you know that would receive encouragement by your acknowledging their joyful achievement? What could you give them, say to them, do for them, that would show that you share in their joy?

Who do you know that has recently lost a loved one or friend? Think about remembering them on significant events like birthdays or anniversaries. Walking with them in their pain is part of healing.

Lets Pray

Father, help me to smile and laugh more often, A joyful heart is good medicine as it says in proverbs. Help me to be conscious about greeting people with a smile and a cheerful greeting that communicates that I am happy to see them. Father, I know that I smile at my new grandbaby and have so much joy when she smiles back. May I remember to look with gratitude at you, knowing that you are smiling over me.

Father, a man died today that many people were praying for a miraculous healing this side of heaven. Help this family with death of her husband, and dad. May your presence hold together those who are confused and hurting. Words are not enough, but they are necessary to communicate love to those who are hurting. Death was not part of the original plan for man to experience…it hurts deep in our spirit…But Jesus has overcome death.

Thank you for the body of Christ to share in our journey both in sorrow and joy. We pray in Jesus Name, Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:14 Bless and do not Curse...this means You

8/4/2015

Romans 12:14

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Repetition of words or phrases are an excellent source for focusing on prayer. Its like the writer is saying this is important, wait a minute don’t forget, this is also important.

In our verse today, Paul tells us a proactive response to being persecuted. We are not to just keep silent and quote “take it”. Paul says that we are to speak a blessing and not a curse. In other words, we speak blessing even when we don’t feel like it.

Paul knows that speaking a blessing not only positions our persecutor to be in a place to receive a blessing, but it also protects our heart from the effects of cursing. It stops the poison of hurt, accusations and unforgiveness from getting its barbs into our spirits. Blessing sets us on the path of freedom of conscious and peace of mind.

You can choose to bless right now. Not bless them out…but ask God to help you speak blessing over those who have hurt you. Ask God to bless your spouse, your employer, your neighbor that doesn’t like you. You may be helping them experienced God’s grace

Let’s Pray

Father, you spoke and the world came into being. You have given us the power of life and death in our tongue. Help me to choose life. Father, help me to realize the power of blessing others. May I wish them peace. May I wish safety over those who cut me off in traffic, knowing that a spouse or child may be waiting for them to come home. May I see those who ridicule me or think little of me, or who have been hurt by me, as those who need a fresh touch from God today.

Father, heal my hurts that I might be better at speaking blessing over those who persecute me. In Jesus name, Amen