Episodes
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
Beginnings of Prayer -- Part 3: Prayer is Not About Us, It Is About Others
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
Sunday Jan 30, 2022
Beginnings of Prayer -- Part 3: Prayer is Not About Us, It Is About Others
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Prayer is: 1) spending time with God – acknowledging God’s presence in all our lives’ activities; and 2) conversation with God – listening to and talking with God. Prayer reflects on our relationship with God. Why don’t we pray. The Apostle James, in James 4:2-3, provides a perspective regarding Prayer Life: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
In praying, we should know the difference between prayers of "petition" (praying for one's own needs) and prayers of "intercession" (praying for the needs of others). God wants prayers of "petition" from us -- all our needs and concerns should be brought to Him in prayer because He loves and cares for us. However, God want us to, also, focus on others and their needs (intercession) -- physical and spiritual. "Intercessory" prayer is fundamental to deepening our prayer life. "Intercessory Prayer" is one of the most important, if not THE MOST important, ministries of the Church. Living our own abundant life is first about our focus on others before we focus on ourselves. Pray specific prayers, in the Holy Spirit and in Scripture, for others -- be persistent.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:29; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:24; 1 Samuel 12:23. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.).
A WORDFROM THE LORD WEBSITE LINK: www.awordfromthelord.org
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Do You Struggle with Your “Prayer Life”? Find a Quiet Place for Your Personal Relationship with God and Pray to the Universe’s Creator”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Sunday Jan 23, 2022
Beginnings in Prayer -- Part 2: Faith, a Gift of the Spirit, Is a Key Element in Our Relationship with God Through Prayer
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Part I -- INTRODUCTION: We are told in the New testament that there is a Spiritual Gift of faith that God imparts, but most of us don't use our Spiritual Gift of faith. Faith is like a muscle; if we don't use it, like a muscle, faith atrophies. You cannot live on yesterday's faith -- you must use your faith, or you will become weak in your faith!
Part II -- PRAYER - 2: Prayer is: 1) spending time with God – acknowledging God’s presence in all our lives’ activities; and 2) conversation with God – listening to and talking with God. Prayer reflects on our relationship with God. Why don’t we pray. The Apostle James, in James 4:2-3, provides a perspective regarding Prayer Life: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
We are trying to encounter God as He wants us to through prayer. Prayer is an incredible Spiritual Gift that the Lord has given us; a gift so that we might know Him and to accomplish His purpose for us. When discussing prayer, the attribute of prayer, that is often left out, is faith. As Jesus tells us about the importance of faith in Matthew 15:25-28: “But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.”. It does not take much faith to have great faith. The writer Hebrews, in Hebrews 11:1-3, defines faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.".
In order to create and sustain our prayer life, we must: 1) have faith and believe that God exists; 2) believe that God will honor your seeking Him – start by praying as you are; and 3) exercise your faith – stretch your prayers for God.
If you have a prayer life, how do you approach your prayer life? Do you enter your God relationship through prayer with a faith expectation and confident that God hears you and will respond? Just remember that Jesus taught us that it does not take much faith to have "great faith". Faith is what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Prayer exercise for this week: 1) pick some issue for which you need direction; 2) ask god, by faith, to give you an answer; and 3) all week long, come to God asking for an answer until you get an answer. Faith is the power behind your prayers.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 8:10; Matthew 15:25-28; Matthew 8:26; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 17:20-21; Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 11:6. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.).
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “The Old Testament Law of “an eye for an eye” Was Reversed by Jesus in His “Great Commandment” in which Jesus Followers Are “to Love””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
A WORDFROM THE LORD WEBSITE LINK: www.awordfromthelord.org
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Beginnings in Prayer – Part 1: How is Your Prayer Life; Is Anything in Your Life More Important than Prayer?
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Part I: Be ready for the Lord and pay attention to and for His second coming. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We, as believers, should be aware of God’s signs as they arise.
Part II: Prayer is: 1) spending time with God – acknowledging God’s presence in all our live’s activities; and 2) conversation with God – listening to and talking with God. Prayer reflects on our relationship with God. Why don’t we pray. The Apostle James, in James 4:2-3, provides a perspective regarding Prayer Life: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Relationships, especially your personal relationship with God, are two-way -- listening and speaking. Sometimes, in our prayers, it is more important to listen for and to God than to speak and ask. Spending time with God, in sweet fellowship and in conversation, happens when we make prayer an important priority in a life filled with faith, repentance, and trust. God wants us to “pray without ceasing” and as a part of all our life activities.
If prayer is so essential to a Christian way of life, why is our Prayer Life so insufficient? We don’t have a sufficient Prayer Life because: 1) we don’t know that prayer is important -- ignorance; 2) we don’t know how to pray -- knowledge; 3) we are too busy to pray -- priority; 4) we don’t really believe prayer will help or prayer will be effective -- faith; 5) we don’t want to face the sin in our lives – repentance; 6) we may be afraid to pray – trust; and 7) our past history with prayer – experience,.
To recharge our Prayer Life this week, perform this exercise: for five minutes each day, pray about a – 1) situation, 2) circumstance, and a 3) person or relationship.
Imagine what our lives and the lives of our community and country would be like if we were a people of prayer with a sufficient Prayer Life!
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 1 John 2:1-6; James 4:2-3; Matthew 7:7-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.).
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers Should Fear, Respect, and Praise God’s Power, Sovereignty, and Holiness; but in Life’s Trials They Should “fear not for I {Jesus} am with you always””: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
A WORDFROM THE LORD WEBSITE LINK: www.awordfromthelord.org
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
What Is God’s Will for Me in This New Year?
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
Sunday Jan 09, 2022
What Is God’s Will for Me in This New Year?
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
In 2019, have you accomplished God’s will for your life? The will of God to us humans is both “active” and “passive” at the same time. God’s will to us is “passive” because God is going to accomplish His will on earth – God’s Sovereignty is universal. However, God’s will to us can be very “active”. We can know God’s will for us, but knowing His will requires our willingness and participation. The will of God is a choice for us. In John 7:17, the Apostille John quotes Jesus regarding God’s will: “If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.". Therefore, we can choose whether we will do God’s will. Too many of us make and execute our own plans from our own will and then we ask God to bless our actions.
What is God’s will for your life in 2020? God has several things that “He wills” for our lives, but we must cooperate: 1) to have a growing personal relationship with Him; 2) to be a disciple of Jesus the Christ; 3) to be an ambassador and vessel of God’s love; 4) to have minds that are constantly renewed so that we are transformed – we renew our minds by the Word of God, “we are what we think”; 5) not to be controlled by anything other than the Spirit of God; and 6) to become Sanctified – becoming God-centered in our lives.
Why “specific things in our lives” constitute God’s will for us? To answer this question regarding the specifics of God’s will in our lives, we: 1) should ask if we even should know the answer to this question regarding our knowing the specifics of God’s will in our lives – based on Romans 13, the answer is “yes”, we should ask; 2) can discern God’s will for us through praying, meditating, and fasting on the Word of God; 3) seek and obtain the Lord’s will as He speaks His will to us through our dreams, visions, and words of knowledge and wisdom; 4) can discern His will as God speaks His will to us by putting “desires” in our hearts; and 5) can know His will for us as God makes His will known to us by our personal reflections.
Questions we should ask and reflect upon in discerning God’s will for our lives include: 1) What have been my prevailing feelings in the past and what are these feelings now -- have my feelings been mostly of sadness or of joy? 2) What have been the blessings of God in my life – can I express praise and appreciation for these blessings? 3) Have things happened for which I need to accept responsibility and why did they happen? 4) Is there a possibility that I am living in denial of certain realities? 5) Is there ill will or resentments that remain unaddressed or unforgiven? 6) In the company of others, am I a pleasant person? 7) What is God trying to say into my life today? 8) What can I do or say in my life that will make others feel more loved and appreciated? 9) Am I mindful of the socially awkward, poor, and suffering – how do I respond to current events through a Biblical world view? 10) How am I spending my time and money – do I see them as God’s time and money that has been loaned to me? 11) How is my prayer life? 12) Am I growing and maturing as a follower of Jesus? and 13) Am I prepared to meet Jesus face-to-face today?
In the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 143:10: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”.
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. 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).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 7:21; Matthew 6:7-15; John 7:17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Matthew 28:19; John 13:31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Matthew 2:13-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7-8; Psalms 37:4; Psalms 139:23-24; Psalms 143:10-11.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “At Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Vail” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
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Sunday Jan 02, 2022
Sunday Jan 02, 2022
Christmas: In a World Full of Uncertainties, Leading to Fear, the Light Has Come Into the World
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Whether looking at last year or this year, recent news often leaves us overwhelmed and fearful; but anxieties fade away when we consider that Jesus, the Creator of the Universe and the Light, came into the world. We celebrate Christmas, in the midst of our lives’ tumult, because we have found Jesus to be the Lord of the universe and the Lord of our lives. The Apostle John tells us, in John 1:1-5, about Jesus coming to earth as both a man and as God, the Creator of the Universe: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.". As John says, there has been “darkness” in the world attempting to overcome the light of His Gospel; but “the darkness has not overcome it”. On this Christmas day, we celebrate the “light” first coming into our world; and, on the last day of Advent, we anticipate and wait for Jesus’ return. We know that He has given us eternal life– that’s why we really celebrate Christmas!
In Luke 2:6-12, the Apostle Luke describes the events of the first Christmas: “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’”.
Like Simeon said, in Luke 2:30-31, this Christmas: “. . . my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,". The baby Jesus, born on Christmas about two thousand years ago, was no ordinary baby. This baby was “the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”; this baby “was life, and the life was the light of men”. Our “salvation”, that Simeon saw in the baby Jesus, was paid for on the cross by Jesus; and our Salvation was delivered to us through Jesus Resurrection. This baby Jesus was no ordinary baby that was born on Christmas!
We celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas because He was the Incarnate God-Man, in whom God humbled Himself to be born as a human baby, to be our “Salvation”, as His very name expresses – Jesus: “Yahweh is Salvation” (Matthew 1:21).
This baby Jesus, born on Christmas, has given us the opportunity for the forgiveness of our sins and for eternal life; and He is still with us in a personal relationship if we will only confess our sins to Him and have our faith in Him as the Son of God and the Creator and Savior of the Universe.
The real meaning of Christmas was summarized by the Apostle John in John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.".
This baby Jesus was no ordinary baby that was born on Christmas! Merry Christmas!!
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Luke 2:1-52; Micah 5:1-6; John 10:30-39; Matthew 1:21.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “When Jesus Asked You: “Whom do you say that I am?”, Did You Answer Jesus: “You are my God and the Lord of my Life!”?”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB