1. Simple suggestion, that we pray at the same time each day for our country and world. Say, at 9:00 AM local time, wherever we live. I urge two prayers. "Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy." "Your will be done, Lord." That's it. Let's ask God shown in Christ
2. ...into our world and nation. Our prayer doesn't have to be more than those two petitions. Let's not ask God to bend to our wills, but for us to bend to His will.
3. ...Paul says in Romans 8:26 that "...[the Holy] Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." What a promise!
1. The Bible teaches that we are justified, counted guiltless of both of our inborn sin and the sins we commit because of that inborn condition, by God's charity (His grace) through our faith in Jesus Christ alone.
2. So what do our good works--things like active love of God and active love of neighbor--have to do with our justification?
Nothing and everything.
3. They have nothing to do with our justification because, first of all, no good work we might do can warrant God's "not guilty" verdict over our sinful lives. Even the good we do in this life will be tinged by sinful self-interest.
1. #Prayer update on Brian, 36yo whose parents, sibs, and family are members of @LivingWaterLC. Brian has #COVID19. He's had some rough days. Still in critical condition, on a vent, and sedated, he began inexplicably vomiting. Thinking it might be the issue, the med...
2. ...team took him off his feeding tube for a time. He's back on the tube now.
His parents were able to see him today for the second time since his hospitalization began three weeks ago. He's in a regular ICU and is able to receive one visitor at a time. When...
3. ...told by the nurse that his mom had walked into the room, Brian briefly opened his eyes.
The infection in his right eye is improving.
There is a large sore on his face that will have to be addressed surgically later.
A more literal rendering of the risen Jesus' words to Thomas is: "Do not be unbelieving, but believing." (John 20:27) Faith, says the Bible, is a gift, not something we can decide to have. But it won't come or grow if we refuse to stand under, listen to the witness about Jesus.
I'm a former atheist who, for a decade, refused to listen to or believe in the witness for Jesus, as God the Son, Who died and rose for us. Then, in the fellowship of an amazing congregation, I started to listen: to the down-to-earth Christians who loved and were...
...grateful to Jesus for God's charitable love, His grace; to the Word of Scripture and the Word shared in sermons and gatherings. As I began to stand under this witness, I began to understand. More than that, God gave me faith...
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (The Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 2:1-2)
Today, I'm praying as I have every day of his term that, as he completes a term as president, God will give @realDonaldTrump wisdom and the faith and courage to act on that wisdom and faith.
Today, I pray that God will give @JoeBiden, the president-elect as he prepares to become president, wisdom, and faith and the courage to act on that wisdom and faith.