This was the benediction at the Nine Lessons and Carols service this weekend. I thought it was beautiful. A blessed Christmas to you!
Now, may the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the Magi, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas. And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you now and always. Amen.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Prayer in the Apostles' Epistles
Hebrews 13:18
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
- a request from another author to pray for our pastors and missionaries
James 5:13-18
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a] 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
- prayer is necessary in all situations, from joy to grief to sickness to forgiveness
- the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective
1 Peter 4:7
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
3 John 2
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Jude 20
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
- praying in the Holy Spirit is a vital part of our faith
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
- a request from another author to pray for our pastors and missionaries
James 5:13-18
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a] 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
- prayer is necessary in all situations, from joy to grief to sickness to forgiveness
- the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective
1 Peter 4:7
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
3 John 2
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
Jude 20
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
- praying in the Holy Spirit is a vital part of our faith
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Prayer in Paul's Letters
Haven't forgotten about these posts, I just haven't had the time to pull it all together until now.
Let me begin with noting that the instructions about prayer in 1 Corinthians are a bit strange. But all Scripture is God-breathed, so there are some useful nuggets here...I'm just not going to dig into a ton of details. You can read the commentary of your choice for that. :)
1 Corinthians 7:5
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
- this verse is given in the context of the sexual relationship in marriage
1 Corinthians 11:4-5
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife[a] who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.
1 Corinthians 11:13
13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?
- I find the many opinions on these verses . . . contradictory. I'm going to say that prayer should be done in an attitude of respect and leave it at that.
2 Corinthians 1:11
11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
- Prayer is one of the most important ways we can support the Word of the Gospel going forward around the world. Pray for the Lord's missionaries around the globe and for believers in your own neighborhood, that all the world may know the Good News of great joy, which is for all people.
2 Corinthians 13:7-9
7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
- Pray for the restoration of broken believers.
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
- a beautiful, truth-filled Scripture to pray
Ephesians 6:18-19
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
- pray at all times, stay alert, pray for pastors and missionaries
Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- another beautiful prayer of Paul's to pray over those in your sphere of influence
Philippians 1:19
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
- pray for the persecuted church
Philippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- one of the most often-quoted verses on prayer, for good reason!
Colossians 1:3
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
- thank God for the believers in your life
Colossians 1:9-14
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
- a Scripture prayer to pray over your children and other believers
1 Thessalonians 1:2
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers,
- be thankful for other Christians and be constant in your prayers
1 Thessalonians 3:10
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
- pray earnestly
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- a prayer I offer over my loved ones
2 Thessalonians 3:1
1 Finally, brothers,[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,[b] as happened among you,
- another reminder to pray for God's leaders and His church around the world
1 Timothy 2:1-2
2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
- pray for all people, including our government leaders and those of other countries
1 Timothy 2:8-9
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
- another reminder to pray in an attitude of respect; God is our friend and Father, but let us not forget that He is a holy and just God
1 Timothy 4:4-5
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
- prayer makes God's creation holy
1 Timothy 5:5
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
- this is from the instructions to the church on determining which widows need the church's support
2 Timothy 1:3
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
Philemon 4-6
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a]
- sensing a repeated theme yet?
Philemon 22
22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
- prayer leads to acting in faith
Let me begin with noting that the instructions about prayer in 1 Corinthians are a bit strange. But all Scripture is God-breathed, so there are some useful nuggets here...I'm just not going to dig into a ton of details. You can read the commentary of your choice for that. :)
1 Corinthians 7:5
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
- this verse is given in the context of the sexual relationship in marriage
1 Corinthians 11:4-5
4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife[a] who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.
1 Corinthians 11:13
13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?
- I find the many opinions on these verses . . . contradictory. I'm going to say that prayer should be done in an attitude of respect and leave it at that.
2 Corinthians 1:11
11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
- Prayer is one of the most important ways we can support the Word of the Gospel going forward around the world. Pray for the Lord's missionaries around the globe and for believers in your own neighborhood, that all the world may know the Good News of great joy, which is for all people.
2 Corinthians 13:7-9
7 But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
- Pray for the restoration of broken believers.
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
- a beautiful, truth-filled Scripture to pray
Ephesians 6:18-19
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
- pray at all times, stay alert, pray for pastors and missionaries
Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- another beautiful prayer of Paul's to pray over those in your sphere of influence
Philippians 1:19
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
- pray for the persecuted church
Philippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- one of the most often-quoted verses on prayer, for good reason!
Colossians 1:3
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
- thank God for the believers in your life
Colossians 1:9-14
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[a] to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
- a Scripture prayer to pray over your children and other believers
1 Thessalonians 1:2
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers,
- be thankful for other Christians and be constant in your prayers
1 Thessalonians 3:10
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
- pray earnestly
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- a prayer I offer over my loved ones
2 Thessalonians 3:1
1 Finally, brothers,[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,[b] as happened among you,
- another reminder to pray for God's leaders and His church around the world
1 Timothy 2:1-2
2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
- pray for all people, including our government leaders and those of other countries
1 Timothy 2:8-9
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
- another reminder to pray in an attitude of respect; God is our friend and Father, but let us not forget that He is a holy and just God
1 Timothy 4:4-5
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
- prayer makes God's creation holy
1 Timothy 5:5
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
- this is from the instructions to the church on determining which widows need the church's support
2 Timothy 1:3
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
Philemon 4-6
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a]
- sensing a repeated theme yet?
Philemon 22
22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
- prayer leads to acting in faith
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
8 Months!
All's well on the home front. We are looking forward to the holidays, working through schoolwork, and preparing for baby's arrival in a little over six weeks!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Halloween and Thanksgiving 2018
Before I get more behind on pictures: highlights from Halloween and Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Poptart's Shower
My cousin, aunts, grandmother, sis-in-law, and friend hosted a beautiful shower for our baby boy. The party had a woodland theme and the decorations were adorable and the food delicious! Poptart's nursery is stocked, from sweet baby boy clothes to diapers to blankets and books and toys. We look forward to welcoming this much-loved little baby and are thankful for our friends and family who care for us so well. This was a time to rejoice with those who rejoice!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)