Don't Let Wi-Fi Leave Your Prayer Life Dry

I came across this artice and thought about it - So True - with all the distractions we have in this world, what good is it to gain the world but yet lose your soul. Something to think about. Peace

Vatican Aide Encourages Setting Aside Times of Silence

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- In the age of cell phones and the Internet, the Holy See’s spokesman warns that your prayer life could be in danger.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, made these remarks on the most recent episode of the weekly Vatican Television program “Octavia Dies.”

“There is an interior and spiritual dimension of life that must be guarded and nourished. If it is not, it can become barren to the point of drying up and, indeed, dying” the Jesuit priest said.

“Reflection, meditation, contemplation are as necessary as breathing. Time for silence -- external but above all internal -- are a premise and an indispensable condition for it.”

Father Lombardi offered these reflections Friday on the occasion of “Pro Orantibus” Day, a day for men and women religious who dedicate themselves to a life of contemplation and prayer.

“In the age of the cell phone and the internet it is probably more difficult than before to protect silence and to nourish the interior dimension of life,” he observed. “It is difficult but necessary.

“For believers, in this dimension prayer, dialogue with God is developed, life in the spirit, which is more important that physical life itself. Jesus told us not to fear those who can kill the body as much as the one who can destroy our soul."

“What is true for the individual person, is true for the community of the Church, true for humanity," the spokesman continued. "If for each one of us it is essential to know how to preserve dialogue with God in daily life, for the Church it is essential to have the sign and reality of life dedicated to contemplation and prayer, and for humanity it is essential to know there are beacons of light, sages and masters of the spirit.”

Without attentiveness to and cultivation of the spiritual life “you will lose your soul," added Father Lombardi. "And today this is a very grave threat, and it is the most irreparable misfortune.”

Harvest Always Comes

Today's Scripture

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Galatians 6:7, NLT).

Today's Word

Have you ever looked at a large, old tree and wondered how long it has been there? It’s amazing to think that, at one point, that gigantic tree was merely a tiny seed.In the same way, our words and actions are seeds; and we will always reap a harvest on what we sow. What are you sowing into the lives around you? What are you sowing into your future? Are you sowing encouragement, hope, blessing, love? Then that’s what you’ll reap in the future. But if you’ve been sowing criticism, judgment, and anger, you’re probably already reaping a bad harvest. It’s time to start changing your seed.Pray and ask God to help you uproot those negative seeds and begin to sow good seeds for your future. Keep the light of God’s Word shining on your seed by speaking His Word. Allow the refreshing water of His Spirit to pour over you. Keep planting those good seeds of faith because soon you’ll see growth and enjoy the harvest of blessing God promises.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I choose to guard my heart and plant good seeds for my future. Help me, by Your Spirit, to say and do things that honor You. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God's Deep Secrets

Today's Scripture

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NLT).

Today's Word

Who do you share your deepest secrets with? Most people only share their inner thoughts with those who are closest to them. People they trust. People they’ve gone through experiences with. Do you know who God share’s His secrets with? This passage goes on to say, “Who can know a man’s thoughts except his own spirit?” As believers, God’s Spirit lives inside of us, revealing to us the heart and thoughts of God Himself. God wants you to know what He thinks about you. He wants you to know about the plans He has for you. He wants to show you things you’ve never seen, heard about, or even imagined. You are His child, but you are also His friend. You are His closest companion. He wants to walk with you, talk with you, and share with you. What a wonderful, amazing thought—we can know God’s thoughts because we are one with Him. Open your heart and allow Him to share His deep secrets with you today.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I am so humbled that You call me friend. I am honored to be connected with You and invite You to share Your heart with me. I surrender all that I am to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

POST ELECTION STATEMENT

THIS WAS AN ARTICLE THAT WAS SENT TO ME AND I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY TRUE AND WORTH POSTING ON OUR BLOG --- WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE A DUTY, WHAT IS THAT YOU MAY ASK? WELL TO WIN PEOPLE TO JESUS !!! READ BELOW.

The election, at long last, is over.

As fellow believers, we offer to our new leaders the pledge of our prayers and our commitment
to be good citizens in this wonderful land that the Lord has privileged us to live in.
In this moment as I talk with you, I do not know the results of the election because this was
recorded prior to the election. I wanted to bring these comments to you without knowing who won –because our responsibilities as Christians transcend politics – and we must be who we are regardless of who wins.

The first century Christians lived in a time far different than ours. The government was a
repressive dictatorship. Life was cheap. Slavery was practiced. Infanticide was common. Romans
chapter one outlines the steep and deep degradation morally and ethically in the prevailing culture. Christians then, unlike us, did not have the right to vote. In fact, throughout the first 200 plus years of the Church, Christians were a persecuted minority.

Yet, those early Christians turned the world upside down and right side up. How did they do
it? Through the ballot box? No. Through electing leaders that were preferential to their point of
view? No. They changed the world by being what Jesus called them to be – salt and light.

I must confess that during these past long months of electioneering, I let the externals of
politics take too much of my time and interest. Perhaps you did as well. It’s easy to get so overly
absorbed in politics that we lose sight of the fact that our citizenship is really in heaven – that
governments, presidents, senators, and political leaders come and go – but the kingdom of God lasts forever.

I am not saying that we should not be involved, as citizens, in political issues; but I think it is
vital that we keep perspective. Our focus should be more on winning people to Jesus than winning elections. We need to be more concerned about the progress of the Gospel than the progress of a political party.

I want to call you to refocus on the health of the church – that the real answers to eternal
issues lie not in the government – but in a revitalized body of believers that transforms neighborhoods and communities through our witness in word and deed.

The apostles told the first century Christians five things.

1. God is the sovereign Lord over human history and government.
In Romans 13, Paul wrote: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. This admonition applies to any Christian living in any country at any time period – whether in China, Uganda, Cuba, Russia, India, Nigeria, or the United States.
But, what does it mean that the authorities that exist have been established by God? Exactly
what you think it says. God raises up nations and leaders.

The results of this election did not catch God by surprise. Although we voted, nothing happens
without God’s permissive will. He allows us to choose good or evil and, in a democracy, the
government He gives us is the one we choose. Sometimes our vote results in leaders who fail us and they become a means of God’s judgment; other times leaders follow after God’s heart and they become a means of God’s blessing.

Daniel said to the unrighteous world ruler, Nebuchadnezzar: the Most High is sovereign over
the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men
(Daniel 4:17). To the unrighteous ruler, Pilate, governor of Judea, Jesus said: You would have no
power over me if it were not given to you from above (John 19:11).

So, as we come out of this election as Christians, we must catch our breath and pause. We
must put on our Biblical glasses and see Jesus as the Lord of human history. If the early Christians could flourish under a persecuting totalitarian government, then in America we Christians have even more reason to flourish because of the democratic system that gives us the freedom of speech, assembly, and worship.

2. The second advice the apostles gave was that government is designed to restrain and
punish those who do evil. Read Romans 13:3-4 or 1 Peter 2:13-17. In fact, Paul calls human government God’s servant to do good by bringing punishment on the wrongdoer. The word he employs for servant is the same word that elsewhere is translated as deacon. Those in civil government are meant to be God’s deacons. They are to approve what is right, and disapprove what is wrong; and thereby serve the cause of justice. Of course, if they fail in their task then the society and culture that they represent crumbles. Paul’s view was that the Roman dictatorship, as bad as it was, was preferable to anarchy.

When there is no government, everyone does what is right in his or her own eyes.
If you don’t believe that, then remove government totally from your community for just seven
days – all kinds of mayhem to person and property would occur.

3. None of us necessarily like the third counsel given to early Christians – but, if you look in
Romans 13:6-7 you’ll find it: if you owe taxes, pay taxes! Need I say more? Without taxes, the
government cannot provide the duty it owes citizens to keep them safe from harm.

4. That brings us to the fourth counsel the apostles gave to Christians living under any
desirable or undesirable government – pray! Paul writes this to his younger colleague, Timothy: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone –the kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
So let’s do what Paul asks. Let’s offer to God both intercession and thanksgiving for those
elected to office. Why? Not because our candidate lost or won – but because, the Lord hears our
prayers and it’s His desire that we have the kind of governmental climate which permits us to flourish as the followers of Christ.

Look at what Paul says in the next verses from 1 Timothy 2 (verses 3 and 4): This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. In other words, a government that provides peace for Christians makes for an environment in which the church can multiply.

The apostle Paul gave the counsel to pray in the face of a looming threat of persecution. He
asked the church to pray that the oppressive and persecuting hand of the government would be
stayed. And, early Christians kept praying for that even in the midst of fierce opposition and
martyrdoms.

We may be inching into a day in America when Christians no longer have the favored status
they have enjoyed. Increasingly, the secular culture seeks to marginalize followers of Jesus, hold
them up to caricature, and portray them in the most unfair manner possible. There may come a day in America when believers face outright persecution. So, we must continue to pray that the Lord will help America to preserve its freedoms; and that, resulting from our freedoms, we may continue to see Christ’s kingdom grow in America; and, that from our land will come a powerful awakening that results in world-wide revival.

5. We are to show respect for those who hold office – whether executive, judicial, or
legislative; whether national, state, or local; whether Republican, Democrat, Independent, or other parties. The New Testament explicitly tells us to do that. Hear the Apostle Paul: Give everyone what you owe him . . . if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor (Romans 13:7). Hear the Apostle Peter say the same thing: Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:17).

Obviously, in America we do not have a king. But, we have a president and we have a
governmental system that has three branches nationally – and these three branches also form state and local governments. We are to honor those who hold positions of authority.
As Christians, we must set the example for being respectful to those in office – whether
executive, judicial, or legislative.

The recent campaign at all levels and all parties was often filled with bitter rancor, distortions,
smears and lies. That must not be a part of Christian’s behavior. We must not lose our principles
when fighting for principle. As believers, we can help set a better tone for the national discussion. We can hold to our views without being unkind, without rancorous voices, without becoming filled with anger or hatred toward those with opposing views.

Our ultimate goal as Christians is not to win an election, but to win people to Jesus. We will only win those whom we clearly love, and for whom we show love.

Now that the campaigns are over, let the real campaign begin. Let’s win America for Jesus!
Let’s pray that the Lord will send to America a Great Spiritual Awakening – that from sea to shining sea, the glory of the Lord will break forth in the lives of our fellow citizens.

May God bless America as America blesses God!

10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama

1. Pray for Obama’s protection:
We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer:
It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom:
God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble:
Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him:
Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation:
Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions:
Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president:
The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church:
The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration:
The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.

And may our Lord continue to reign over our nation and our hearts ! God Bless America.

Nothing Wasted

Today's Scripture

After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted” (John 6:12).

Today's Word

The Bible tells of a time when Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand with only five loaves. That day, everyone had more than enough to eat and there were still twelve baskets full of bread. That’s because we serve a God of abundance! I love that Jesus told the disciples to collect all the leftovers “so that nothing is wasted.” With God, nothing is ever wasted. He’ll never waste an experience; He’ll never waste a hurt; He’ll never waste a dream; He’ll never waste even a single piece of bread.God is still in the miracle-working business. He is still our Creator and He is a Restorer. If you’ve felt like you’ve wasted years of your life in the wrong job, hanging around the wrong people, doing the wrong things, God will gather those years and restore them back to you. He’ll take those experiences that the enemy meant for your harm, and He’ll turn them around for your good. He’ll make you stronger, wiser, and better off than you were before. He can launch you further into your destiny than before. Be encouraged today because with God all things are possible and nothing is ever wasted!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I give You every bit of my life, my past, my present, and my future. Thank you for taking every experience in my life and turning it around for my good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Have Mercy on America

What America needs is spiritual renewal and reconciliation - first man with God and then man with man. This was said by Ronald Reagan in 1976.

http://americaschoicenow.com/

Please Note: This video is safe for all ages -- there are no graphic images. The goal here is to give American citizens a solid grasp of where Senators McCain and Obama really stand on the life issue, using their own words. Millions of young lives depend on our election-day decisions. Over 35 years of hard won pro-life battles could be reversed if voters remain uninformed - especially Christian voters who alone could reclaim the rights of the unborn on November 4th.

For all the people who voted against Obama and mainly for this very reason like myself - we as Christians did what our Lord asked us to do, we must continue to be the very voice for the Unborn, to protect and speak for them in honor of our God.

One day we will be face to face with our savior - when HE looks me in the eye, I could humbly say "Lord I spoke of your kingdom in every opportunity that was given to me" I was a voice for the unborn" and hopefully he will hug me and say "Come and rest my child you have been a faithful servant"