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Manna for the Moment Romans 12:13

8/3/2015

Romans 12:13

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Another way to interact with a verse to turn it into a prayer is to ask questions that lead into the verse and that come out of the verse. “Questions leading in” help you to understand what the verse means or what the author was trying to communicate. “Questions leading out” are directed at the application or obedience to the verse. So let me give you a series of questions that I see in this verse.

Questions leading in

1.   Was Paul talking about all the saints or is this a verse to support pastor and teacher?

2.   What kind of needs was Paul talking about? Was it financial or material needs that he had in mind?

3.   Was this contributing part of regular giving in the church or just helping someone when they have a need?

4.   Does showing hospitality mean that he was expecting saints to invite people into their homes?

5.   Probably not a lot of restaurants…so regular gathering of meals together?

Questions leading out

1.      When or where in my life am I contributing to the needs of other? Is there giving that I do on a regular basis?

2.      Have I heard God tell me to give to the need of another person and disobeyed or downplayed the thought as not from you, God?

3.      Have I thanked everyone who has been there to help me in my time of need?

4.      How often do I show hospitality by inviting people into our home

5.      Is there someone in my life that I “don’t” want to come into my home?

6.      Can I become a more hospitable person?

These type of questions can lead into a very interactive conversation with God in prayer. As you ask God these questions give Him time to answer. Understand that the enemy will want to accuse and dismiss your desire to follow God completely. Trust that your heavenly Father will lead you and not condemn you

Father, I love you. As I read this verse I think of Jesus stateme3nt that if you have two coats be willing to share. God I am reminded that you own all that I have and you want me to be a steward of your possessions. Thank you Father, that when we give, we get to be like you. You are a giver. John 3:16 For God so loved that he gave.. I am filled with anticipation that you are going to give me opportunities to be a giver. I love you Father, In Jesus Name Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:12 "Let it BE"

7/31/2015

Romans 12:12

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

When turning a verse into a prayer, you may want to think about opportunities in your life in which the verse would apply. Notice the verb tens and the commands. Be joyful, be patient, and be faithful. The expression signifies a “state of being” in a particular frame of mind or attitude.

Theses attitudes should be a regular framework of your life. It would be similar to putting on a uniform that others see and recognizes your vocation immediately. So also, being patient is a normal part of your life, not something that happens every now and then.

Having hope already brings joy with it. What areas of your life do you see as dead ends, prayers that are unanswered, long time expectation that remain unmet, stuck in the same job, or perhaps struggling with the same sin? Take it to God and receive hope which does not disappoint.

Patient in affliction. We will have to wait to get to heaven to find out why we had to endure our struggles and trials. In the mean time, we have to manage them now. Patience comes from doing what is right regardless of your feelings, saying what is right regardless of the appearance, and thinking beyond the experience toward the promises of God. Its not easy, but it is building up your inner man

Faithful in prayer. Means that your remember to pray first, and that you remember to pray continually. It is not the length of prayer. It’s that prayer should engage you! We are not trying to sound proper. But prayer should flow forth out of our anxiousness, our thankfulness, our frustrations, our disappointments, our desire for good for others, and our brokenness over our children or spouse. Prayer holds our Christian faith intact.

Father, I love you. I love what Peter said and it is still true today, “Where else could we goi, you alone have the words of life.” Your words speak to our heart with gentleness, directness and power. Today, Father would you reveal those areas where I need hope. Would you show me that I am following your path for my life as best as I can see it. If there needs to be correction, please make it.

Father, I don’t want to pray for more patience. But I do know that I am less patient at times with those closest to me. Forgive me. Teach me not to have pride that I am enduring better than others. You Jesus are than standard of right living.

Father, forgive me when I try to manage life first and then pray. Help me to take every opportunities that needs a decision to you in prayer. Knowing that there is a way that seems right to me, but that may not be your direction.

Thank you for providing for our backpack ministry through so many others who are helping. In Jesus name, Amen

Manna for the Moment What is the boldest prayer John 17:28

7/29/2015

What is the boldest prayer in the Bible? What is the boldest prayer that you have ever prayed? I truly believe that prayer is the greatest spiritual weapon that remains untapped in our lives. Even the disciples recognized that Jesus would go to a lonely place and returned with renewed energy. They asked him to teach them how to pray. Others recognized his authority in his teaching and in his commands that were prayers for miracles and healings.

To me probably the boldest prayer was prayed from Jesus in John 17. Even the heading calls this the “High Priestly Prayer”. It is worth reading and mediating on the whole chapter. Later I may pray through the John 17 prayer, verse by verse. But today, lets summarize and look at John 17:28

26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Jesus talked about Glory, keeping the disciples, prayer for unity, prayer for protection and hope while they remain in this world. He even prayed for us who believe their message. So why is this a bold prayer. Jesus was about to be removed from the earth. He physically would not be able to see the answer to this prayer while he was alive on the earth. He also would not be able to help “make it happen” He was fully trusting his Father to bring about the results.

He prayed that ALL believers would live in unity. This unity would be a “witness” to the truth that Jesus is who he says that he is…a savior to the world. How would this unity happen. We strive for unity and fall short why? Because we think Unity starts with same beliefs. When we don’t believe the same…we part ways because we think our particular doctrine, theology, practice is “closer” to what God wants for us. But Jesus revealed that Unity is necessary, but the currency is not same beliefs, but LOVE. The same love that the Father expressed toward the Son and the same love that Jesus has for us, should be expressed toward each other.

It is an incredibly simple formula. Be changed by love from God in that while we were yet sinners, enemies, haters of God and his ways, broken through our unworthy actions, God chose to see us as valuable, someone one worthy of dying for. When you experience that kind of unconditional love…it changes you.

Now that love is available to be expressed through you to the lost world and especially to the other members of the body of Christ. Let it be said and true of us that we loved just like Jesus and the Father.

A Jimbob and Wally Story - the Zaccheus Story

7/25/2015

Jimbob and Wally re-enact the Zaccheus story. Jimbob experiences some of the feelings that Zaccheus may have expereinced. Jesus can find you even when you think you are lost or hidden from others.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:11 Be boiling Hot for God

7/24/2015

Romans 12:11

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,g]" >[g] serve the Lord. NIV

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically NLT

When turning a verse into a prayer we look for commands, promises, admonitions, examples, warnings, and many other things like attributes both good or bad. Todays verse is a strong admonition in our pursuit after God.

Paul first addresses the use of our time. There was absolutely no comprehension for Paul of a Sunday Christian. Paul encourages to make use of our time…all the time. What would the members of your congregation look like, if they were just striving to live out the first apart of this verse.

The root word for fervent carries the idea of hot or boiling. When something is boiling, others notice. Paul is saying be “on fire in your spiritual life”. Do this is such a way that others are making comments about the expression of your commitment.

Finally, Paul uses a term for a familiar imagery of the day. The word for serve is the root for slave. Paul is saying that our relationship of our commitment is as a slave to his master. We are here to serve the one who saved our lives. Not out of compulsion, but in love and thankfulness.

Father, I love you. But even those words can seem hollow if my life is not burning for you with the intensity that even I know that it should be. Teach me today where I may be slow, slothful or lacking in my zeal for you.

Father, I can not create a fire in me by my own efforts. But I do know that as I get close to your…you heat me up. Like Moses who would glow after being in your presence, I also want to glow. In the New Testament Father you say that your glory dwells within. Help me take all the time that I can to make sure that your baptism of fire is burning through my life.

Father, you do not desire part time servants. Rather we are always available to you and to your desires. Forgive me when I think that I have my own agenda and live in such a way as trying to fit your agenda into mine.

Father, I know that it is necessary to ask you to make these things true in my life, In Jesus Name Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:10 Be Devoted in love to the Brethren

7/23/2015

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Most do not have the time nor the desire to study a verse at a deeper level. Yet there are some phrases that are worth a little effort of study. I like to use a website called Bible Hub. It has lots of commentaries and goes to the greek and Hebrew lexicons. Too deep already.

I mention this today, because I was bothered by the phrase brotherly love. Now I have a brother…and we were not always loving. So what does the phrase mean. One commentator said that a better rendering of the verse would be

In respect to the brethren, be devoted to each other in love.

Lets Pray

Father, this is the day that you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. You are the Creator of all things. And you called all things that you made good. They received an A+. Thank you for wisdom and diversity in all that you made.

So it is also with the members of the body of Christ. Every person is unique and valuable. Therefor they deserve the highest respect and honor. It would be as if we are hosting royalty in our midst. To be devoted to the “brethren” means that we are commited to their well being at the highest level. We should be concerned about their needs, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Father forgive me, for my actions or my thoughts that would look like I am not responsible for the members of Christ. That some how they should serve me. Instead, Father teach me today what it truly means to be devoted “all the time” to my borthers and sisters in Christ

Manna for the Moment - Romans 12:9 Abhor What is Evil

7/21/2015

Romans 12:9

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ESV

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. NLT

There are times when you read a scripture that you almost instantly feel conviction. How do you know what is conviction and feelings of condemnation. Conviction typically deals with a specific point in time and action. For instance, yesterday at lunch I was unkind in my dialogue with my spouse. So I would need to ask God to forgive me and my spouse to forgive me.

Condemnation is a general accusation that just reminds you of your faults and failures. In the same scenario, condemnation could have these thoughts: “I am a terrible husband, I am never kind to my wife, I’ll never be good enough.” Condemnation has partial truths that the enemy uses to cause us to be intimidated in our living for Jesus. The truth is that apart from Jesus, we do choose wrong, but In Christ, we are a new person and we know have the mind of Christ.

Let’s pray

Father, thank you that you are Holy. You always were and you will always be Holy. There is none like you for us even to compare your purity. And yet, you choose to love us and you desire for us to spend time with you.

Father, you know all things, you know when I love others genuinely and when I am just faking it. Reveal tome when I am prideful about my sacrifice in loving others.

Father, you tell us to hate, abhor what is evil. I know that I am too complacent about things that you consider disgusting. The platitude about hating the sin but loving the sinner sounds good…but how does that work? You were a friend fo sinners so I know that it is possible for you to help us to love rightly. Help us to hate all evil, and not just those things that we think are the most disgusting. Stealing and gossiping are just as unholy as murder and adultery, all give the enemy a foothold in our society. God forgive us.

Paul gives the balance in this verse when he encourages us to hold to that which is good. Your patterns and principles for godly and pure living are the standard that we exalt. There is a better path.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:8 Gifts and Hearttitudes

7/20/2015

Romans 12:8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. New Living Translation.

Very often, God uses his word to deal with heart attitudes. In the story about the good Samaritan, Jesus was responding to a statement by a man who “was trying to justify himself”, so he asked “who is my neighbor”? Attitudes show what and where our heart has been meditating. It may reveal itself in our words or our body language. But it will come out into the light eventually.

In todays verse, Paul is admonishing those with gifts to exercise them with the right heart attitude. Let’s pray

Father, You alone are worthy of glory and honor. Only you can be full of love that is unconditional and justice that without partiality. Because of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial payment for our sins.

Father, will you help those who are encouragers to not become discouraged. Let their encouragement be genuine and from the heart. Let those who give have great wisdom in their giving. Keep them from becoming jaded by those who use them and seem to be ungrateful.

Father help leaders administrate with grace and discernment, in freedom and not legalism, without coercion, guilt or manipulation. Help them to equip and empower and not to abuse the authority given to them.

Thank you Father for the merciful. There are so many hurting people, thanks for those who show true compassion that brings forth healing.

Thank you Father for the many expressions of gifts in represented in your body of believers. Help us to be healthy and productive. In Jesus name, Amen

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:7 Avoid "Meisms" Pray for Others

7/19/2015

Rom 12:7

7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

Sometimes when we approach a verse, we get the “meisms”. This is when we try to think how does this verse affect me. Or we say how can it help me. Or we may say how, “I don’t think this verse applies to my life”. As you can see – “meism” limits our prayers when we look at what God is trying to teach us about prayer. Now if the verse deals with repentance…then it is absolutely right to start with the big Me.

So it may be helpful to use the verse as an aid for intercession. In other words, can you pray for other people to be encouraged, strengthened, and upheld in prayer.

In reflecting on this one verse…who do you know who is a server, or teacher? Who has been a faithful servant in your church…many times unnoticed? Who are the teachers who have made a major impact on your spiritual walk?

Let’s pray

Father, thank you for teaching us about serving. You said that if you are our master and you serve us, how much more should we serve one another. Father, I country is far too consumed with making sure that our rights and desires are served first, forgive us.

Father, I pray for the many women in our churches who serve on the hospitality committees. They make sure that every function at church runs smoothly. It takes a lot of servers in the church to make things happen and I ask that you encourage them to keep going. Let them feel the satisfaction of approval that comes from you.

Father, I thank you for teachers in my life. I thank you for Rev. David Fannin and the quality of bible studies that he gave as a youth. I thank you for Pastor Peter Lord for his example and for teaching about using good illustration. Thank you for books by Andrew Murray and Derek Prince whose words spoke to my heart and shared principles that have guided my life.

Thank you Father that you showed us what a true server looks like and teaching with wisdom and authority. In Jesus Name Amen.

Manna for the Moment Romans 12:6 Let us use our gifts

7/18/2015

Romans 12: 6

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

Father, God, we will not be silent. We will not be quiet anymore. God , we have been intimidated far too long because of the fear of man. We have been afraid to express our gifts for fear of failing or many we are afraid of being too extreme and then being alone.

But Paul exhorts us to use our gifts. He says that we express these fights in proportion to our faith. Then God, PLEAE grow our faith. Help us to be bold and strong and confident to follow your open doors in our lives.

Help us to pray bold prayers for the sick and hurting. Help us to share the good news to our friends and family that are lost and needy of a life giving relationship with Jesus. People are blind of the desperate need for Jesus. Help us to overcome when we are offended and then quit. Help us to keep doing what you have called us to do. Help us to not judge others who are working for your kingdom differently than us, rather help us to bless them.

Father, it is time for the Body of Christ, for those in our churches who call themselves Christians to be the full expression of Jesus here on earth. May all that the acts of kindness and blessing that Jesus performed be evident in us. Let us show great compassion as we seek out the lost for you to save them. Pour forth the beating of your heart into ours so that we may walk in perfect rhythm with your Holy Spirit. Help us to pray for your Kingdom to come and for your will to be done. In Jesus Name Amen.