Category: Prayers

“Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with Whom you were sealed against the day of redemption.” –Ephesians 4:30 We want to love God the Holy Spirit, for we are begotten of the Spirit (Jn 3:8), are filled with the Spirit (see Acts 2:4), and follow the lead of the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Nevertheless, we can sadden or grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). This means we have been marked or branded as owned by God. The Spirit’s work in our lives should be an exterior expression of this interior...

“Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.” –Habakkuk 2:2 The Lord has a great plan for all people, and each one of us has been given a glorious part in that plan (see Heb 11:40). When we recognize our part in God’s plan, we have “the vision” (Hab 2:2). We should write down this vision as accurately as possible and discern the various circumstances of our lives accordingly. Many Christians have difficulties in getting the vision. They are ignorant of God’s Word and therefore of God’s plan and their part in that...

“You are not judging by God’s standards but by man’s.” –Matthew 16:23 Peter’s mouth spoke the words of heaven, revealed directly from the Father above (Mt 16:16-17). Shortly thereafter, Peter’s mouth spoke the words of the kingdom of darkness (Mt 16:22-23). “Blessing and curse come out of the same mouth. This ought not to be” (Jas 3:10). “Does a spring gush forth fresh water and foul from the same outlet?” (Jas 3:11) We have a civil war raging in our hearts (Jas 4:1ff), and so we are prone to shift between behavior obedient to the Lord and behavior obedient to...

“All your lovers have forgotten you.” –Jeremiah 30:14 If you’ve ever watched a lover walk out of your life, you understand grievous bruising and incurable wounds (Jer 30:12). “Your pain is without relief” (Jer 30:15). Jesus is the great Lover Who “will never forget you” (Is 49:15) and “will not leave you” (Jn 14:18). Jesus is Love incarnate (1 Jn 4:8, 16). He loves you “with age-old love” (Jer 31:3). He never rejects you (Jn 6:37). He loved you first (1 Jn 4:19). When you were at your most sinful and rebellious state of life (Jer 30:15), Jesus loved you...