October 22

Praying in the Spirit by SGLY Ministry

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT

Ephesians 6:18 says we should:
1. “Pray in the Spirit at all times
2. and on every occasion.
3. Stay alert
4. and be persistent in your prayers
5. for all believers everywhere.”

Praying in the Spirit is a powerful asset for the Spirit knows what we need to pray for and He can express it better than we can. Therefore as we are standing firm, dressed in the Armor, wearing the Shoes of Peace and the Helmet of Salvation, holding up the Shield of Faith, wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness upheld by the Belt of Truth, we need to be praying for ourselves and all other believers everywhere. Whether we are just standing firm or using the Sword of the Spirit to fight the enemy we need to be praying. The Holy Spirit will help us to do so. He knows our weaknesses and what we need to pray. Ask Him for help. Jesus said four times in John that the Holy Spirit is our Helper, ( See: John 14:16-14:26-15:26-16:7).

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit who is my Helper. I am thankful for His guidance and help in prayer. I am thankful for His power. I want to remember to pray in the Spirit at all times, so my prayers will be according to Your will Father God. Amen.

Today: Stay Alert. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to know how to pray, then pray for yourself and all believers everywhere, on every occasion and be persistent. “Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT.

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Learning From Mistakes

As many people have learned by experience, "There is no failure except in no longer trying."

A young man had just been appointed President of the bank. He had never dreamed he would be President, much less at such a young age. So he approached the distinguished Chairman of the Board and said, "You know, I've just been appointed President. I was wondering if you could give me some advice."

The old man came back with just two words: "Right decisions!"

The young man had hoped for more than that, so he said, "That's really helpful, and I appreciate it, but can you be more specific? How do I make right decisions?"

The wise old man simply responded, "Experience!"

The young man said, "Well, that's just the point of my being here. I don't have the kind of experience I need. How do I get it?"

Came the terse reply, "Wrong decisions!"

How Does This Apply to Our Lives?

Wrong decisions, mistakes--we all make them. Do you learn from your mistakes, and then move on to new challenges? Or do you take mistakes personally, and form a negative attitude toward yourself and life?

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently." Those words are from Henry Ford, the famous automobile maker. Most people don't know it today, but Ford saw his plans collapse around him, and he went broke, five times before finally succeeding.

Are there failures in your life that bother you? Ford refused to let failures make him a failure--remember his approach. Also remember the Apostle Peter, who denied Christ three times but, through faith, was restored by Jesus and went on to serve God in many effective ways.

There is something else to remember. Don't try to carry life's burdens or face disappointments alone. Find a someone you can trust, and lean on them---even if it is just someone to whom you can talk. There is strength in numbers.

Most importantly, ask God what He wants for your life. Then obey what you learn. You see, when all is said and done, it is not your plans, but God's purpose, that is going to prevail.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Psalm 19:21

Daily Wisdom

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Make God the top priority in your life

Begin every day with God, the Father, and enter alone in secret into His Presence and worship Him in spirit and truth. Amen.

Beginning each day with God is the best way to begin the day, there isn't any better way to begin each day. Amen.

Jesus said, " I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." Amen.

Brethren, Jesus taught us to love God first, not last, when He said, " This is the first and greatest commandment." Amen.

Paul taught us, in all things let God be first and in all things He must have the preeminence. Amen.

Brethren, where does God rank in your list of priorities?

Is He at the top of the list, the middle of the list, the bottom of the list or is He not on the list at all?

Make God the top priority in your life. Amen.
Jim Welch

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John 8:31-36

So often we are oblivious to the things that hold us captive. Perhaps we even create rational explanations that pretend such things do not hold us captive but instead aid in our daily lives. Occasionally I leave the house without my phone, and very quickly I am incapable of functioning. My phone book, social lifeline, navigator, photos and all the information I could possibly want are suddenly missing, and I don't know how to function. In my everyday life, I am hesitant to say, I am probably a slave to my phone. There are countless other things that hold me captive. (You, too, are the same; but don't worry, I won't tell anyone). I am thankful for the freedom that comes in the words that my identity and worth are not tied to the things which hold me captive, but to the promise of freedom in Christ Jesus, which I crave to hear.

Lord Jesus, set me free from my own selfishness and all of those things that draw me away from you. Help me to be aware of what you are up to in the world. Amen.

Matt Dobyns

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Bible Verses

Exodus 14:14 ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.’

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2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

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Isaiah 44:24a – This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things.

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Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

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Matthew 6:14 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

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MATTHEW 7:7-8 NIV 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV).

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It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. — 1 Peter 3:17

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For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

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Prayers

May the God who made me, the God who keeps me, and the God who will be my Lord through all eternity, shine down His blessings and wisdom upon me like the sun upon a field; and may I keep Him in the forefront of my every thought and deed, throughout this day, and evermore. Amen.

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Favor

LORD, I give thanks to You for You are good! Your mercy endures forever. Who can express Your mighty acts? Who can declare all Your praise? Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Visit me with Your salvation in the name of Your Son, Jesus. I love You, my Lord, my Redeemer. Amen.

Psalm 106:1-4

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Dear Heavenly Father, let me try each day to serve You a little better, to love others a little more, and the make the world a little better because I am living now. ... At the close of each day, let me realize that where I have failed, or decided unwisely, or lost ground, even these departures were necessary for my spiritual growth. Let me accept myself as I am, as You have accepted me; let me ask Your forgiveness so that I can start anew tomorrow and do better. ... Thank You, Lord, that Your grace makes my living worthwhile, and my short-comings bearable.

In Jesus' holy name I pray.

Amen.

© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.

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Heavenly Father, help us not to be anxious about anything in life, but in everything, by prayer and with thanksgivings, let us come unto you and find the peace that passes all understanding. Help us not to be anxious or worried about what life has to offer us each day. Enable us to pray instead, to pray with thanksgiving, for we know that you hear our prayer, answer our prayers, and provide what we need for that day. Enable us to praise you and worship you in prayer no matter what we have to face today. Teach us to bring every concern before you and leave it there. Keep us from doubting and having "What If" thoughts. Fill us with your peace and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord so that we live free in him to serve you. This we ask and pray in Jesus' name, Amen!

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Love Surpasses Knowledge

Ephesians 3:20-21

Dear Father, transcendent in knowledge and wisdom,

Grant that I may know the love of Christ, a love which surpasses knowledge, that I may be filled with the fullness which is yours.

Now to you, my God, who by the power at work within your people are able to do far more abundantly than all I can ask or even imagine - to you be glory in the congregation of your holy people and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

In the name of Jesus Christ I honor you and ask these blessings from your hand. Amen.

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Lord, teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart . . . Psalm 90

Help us do today the things that matter, not to waste the time we have. Yes, the moments we have are precious, Lord, see that we count them dear. Teach us to number our days aright. Fill us this day with your kindness, that we may be glad and rejoice all the days of our life.

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“A Prayer For Encouragers”

Father, we’re reminded of the important role people like Barnabas play in our lives. They give us the benefit of the doubt; they reach out to us when others turn away from us; they see our need even when we don’t verbally express it; they steer us in the right direction when we’ve taken a wrong turn; they model for us the reflection of Christ. I thank You, Father, for Your Spirit manifested through these encouragers who physically, emotionally, and spiritually bless my life by their encouraging words and actions toward me. Prompt me often to spread the same kind of encouragement to those whom I have opportunity to bless. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul? Deuteronomy 10:12, NIV

Lord our God, our Father in heaven, be with us as we are gathered here. Through your Spirit let our hearts grow in understanding of how we can serve you rightly and live as you want us to live. Help us hold fast to all that is good. Free us more and more from everything that hinders us, from all that is evil. Show your loving-kindness to us and to our loved ones, wherever they may be. Hear every human heart that sighs to you, pleading that what is of heaven may overcome what is of earth. Amen.