3365 Days of Praise
I Am MINISTER of the GOOD NEWS
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit…”
“Oops, Debbie. I think you made a mistake in saying that all Christians are ministers,” some might comment. However, would you consider what the Bible says about believers? 1 Corinthians 12:4 and 6 state, “Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” In addition, Jesus commissioned us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” Matthew 28:19-20. One of the definitions of “minister” is “servant of the king.” Certainly, all believers fall in that category! We are servants of the KING! Who do we serve? Christ. How? By taking the good news of salvation to those who don’t know Him and then “teaching them to observe all that He commanded.” Paul understood that he was a minister. Do we?
Heavenly Father, what a precious privilege to be called to minister in Your name. Help me serve You well!
from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
LORD OF THE HARVEST
“Then He (Jesus) said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Does the word “work” scare you in relation to serving the Lord? For instance, when a pastor announces, “We need more workers for Vacation Bible School or to go on a mission trip, do you sink lower in your pew and hope your eyes don’t meet his? How much of a “worker” for the Lord of the harvest are you? Jesus wasn’t trying to get his disciples involved in ministry to do busy work. Rather, Jesus looked at the people and felt their hurts. He had compassion for them. And, He had good news. “Sins can be forgiven! God can help you overcome despair. You are not alone.” Jesus still has a message of good news and there is still a need for workers to go into God’s field. Will you be one of them?
LORD OF THE HARVEST, thank You for seeing us and feeling compassion. Thank You for sending worker to us to tell us about You. I praise You!
© Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
LIVING ONE
Someone with whom you’ve been extremely close has died. You’ve grieved. You’ve “lost” them from being with you on a daily basis. Then, you see them! But, they’re glowing! Their eyes are brilliant. It’s absolutely overwhelming and gloriously terrifying at the same time. You collapse in shock. That’s a minuscule version of what happened to John when He saw Jesus in His gloriously brilliant kingdom of heaven. Read the whole account in Revelation 1. Bottom line. Jesus had a message: “I’m not dead.”
LIVING ONE, I can’t wait to see You! What a glorious day that will be!
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
LAST ADAM
The first Adam ushered sin into the world and thus, death. Christ, referred to as the last Adam, ushered righteousness into the world, and therefore life. It’s one thing to be a living soul, which is what humans are. It’s another to have Christ’s life-giving spirit within you, which Christians have. If you’ve never received Christ’s life-giving spirit, receive Him today.
Prayer to Receive Christ: Lord God, thank You for Christ, the last Adam, who offers righteousness to me through His life-giving Spirit. I acknowledge that I’ve sinned against You and others. I know I can’t live a holy, acceptable life on my own. I turn to You and ask You to forgive me, wash away my sins, and fill me with Christ’s life-giving Spirit. Teach me to walk in Christ’s ways the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer of Praise: Lord Jesus, I praise You, the LAST ADAM, the life-gife giving spirit. What a joy to have You in my heart. You bring me all pleasure. I praise You!
Record your prayer, praise, and date in your journal, Prayers of My Heart.
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
PRESENT HELP
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
What does it mean to you that God is a present help? Does it change anything? Does it mean that you don’t worry since He’s present with you and is a help? Does it mean that you’re not fearful? It made all the difference for the one who penned these words. He continued, “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling.”(vs 2-3) How could he not fear? I like commentator Charles Ryrie’s explanation. “A refuge provides a shelter from danger. Strength gives us courage in danger. Very present help can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.’ God’s help is both present and proven, ready and reliable.” What a gift God gives us! He’s present to help us.
Lord, I rejoice! You are PRESENT to HELP me. I thank You and praise You!
*Find more encouragement HERE. Did you miss an attribute? The list is HERE. Be sure to record them in your Prayers of My Heart prayer journal so you’ll have a keepsake of all 365 at the end of 2013!