The Word for wisdom:
Proverbs 7:1-3 (MSG)
1 Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. 2 Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! 3 Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart.
The Word for inspiration:
Psalm 145:15-16 (HCSB)
15 All eyes look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Word for encouragement:
Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!
My observation:
In today's passage Luke records the first occurrence of Jesus praying. At the most important events in his life and ministry on earth Luke records Jesus turning to prayer. This tells us how much Jesus depended upon prayer. If Jesus needed to pray in his life then certainly we need to pray.
The life of Jesus gives us a wonderful role model of what obedience to God looks like. In this passage we see Jesus being baptized and praying; both are acts of obedience to his heavenly Father.
When Jesus prayed, the book says, "As He was praying, heaven opened". What an awesome sight and affirmation that must have been for Jesus. While he was praying Jesus experienced the appearance and approval of the divine Godhead. Jesus experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and the approval and favor of God the Father.
Why would you do anything in your life without prayer? Jesus didn't, and neither should we. There is nothing that you need in your life and your ministry that heaven can't supply. You hold the key to the storehouse in your hands, it is prayer.
Philippians 4:6 (MSG)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I praise you for your generosity. Father, I thank you for the open invitation to bring all of our needs and our concerns to you in prayer. Lord, may I learn to be obedient like Jesus by meeting you in prayer before I do anything and having you fill my empty cup.
My song:
Fill My Cup Lord (Click on link below to listen to this song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4l2yY2r95g
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http://www.herbcotton.org
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Current topic: A Proverb a day for wisdom, and a Psalm a day for inspiration.
Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
There is nothing too small or too big to take to the Lord in prayer. To pray is the most that you can do. Problems are God's raw material for miracles.
ReplyDeletePhilippians 4:6 (ESV)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.