In every thing thanks for this is the will of God.
Riverdale 2021
The grateful soul comes before the throne of God in thanksgiving. There is no sense of envy, no stench of pride. Humility weakens the knees so they can bend. Joy loosens the tongue so it can sing praise. While selfish desires, the wanton mind, the lustful spirit all speed along their course to the line’s end, the prayerful heart makes a narrow path and throws wide the door for the will of God.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 1Thessalonians 5:18
They Live – counting each blessing allows us to name them. Giving every blessing a label gives it life. It becomes tangible evide6nce of His mercy, grace, and love towards us.
Destroyers of Discouragement – naming each blessing drives any discouragement, dark thoughts, self-pity, depression, or sorrow away. Every blessing is a symbol of hope in this dark and evil world.
Unforgettable – every blessing is a gift or favor from God. We come to realize and acknowledge His faithfulness. We are not forsaken or forgotten.
Blessings Galore – naming one blessing multiplies into many. We think of one then another comes to mind, and soon we see that God is most generous with His love towards us.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits. Psalm 68:19
When there is nothing to say, keep quiet and listen
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When there is nothing to say, keep quiet and listen. The ability to listen to another person helps to build trust and establish rapport. People like to be heard, to know someone is listening, someone is interested, and ultimately, someone cares. Taking the time to listen before speaking takes patience and discipline.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. – Proverbs 19:20
Let everyone be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. – James 1:19
Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. – Proverbs 21:23
For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:2
There is no escaping the bitterness that follows any act of betrayal.
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It is hard to forgive when the feeling of betrayal is buried deep within the heart.
There is no escaping the bitterness that follows any act of betrayal.
It empties the heart of comfort and light while stealing the soul of any love and joy. Dark seeds take root and bloom; then quickly multiply as anger, hate, and revenge. Soon, they spread far and fester like a disease without a cure.
7 Simple Steps to Help When Forgiving Others:
Don’t give in. “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing but, the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Look to the Lord for strength. “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence comes my strength, my strength comes from the Lord.” Psalm 121: 1 and 2
Look to the Lord for help. “God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Do not take matters into your own hands. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it
is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19 and “Devise not evil against your neighbor.” Proverbs 3:29
Ask the Lord for guidance. “In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:6
Leave all the pain and anger at the throne of grace. If you forgive others our heavenly Father will also forgive us and His peace that surpasses all understanding will garrison our hearts and minds. Matthew 6:14 and 15, Mark 11:25.
Sometimes it is easier said than it is to do. We need to take one day at a time. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” Matthew 6:34.
our faith is wrung tight and stretched in all directions until it is so thin, we worry about its efficacy.
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Anxiety creates stress which can be destructive to the body. High blood pressure, weakened immune system, mental health concerns as well as heart problems can develop. The prayer warrior is subjected to the emotional and physical shifts of anxiety. In fact, like any follower of Jesus Christ living in this present evil world, we face one challenge after another, while trying to be obedient to God. We are tested every day. Our faith is wrung tight and stretched in all directions until it is so thin, we worry about its efficacy. But if we keep our eyes on the Lord and lean not onto our understanding, then we will come out on the other side of the trials, situations, or doubts, as fine, pure gold.
Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8
Work for him by spreading the good news of salvation.
Prayer Warrior and the End of Days
Being good and fair to others is a virtue that is dying a slow death. Soon we will be living in a world where instant gratification becomes the prize to success. There will be only one winner and everyone else, losers. A world where there are no half measures, only all or nothing, and love will be a passing emotion if used correctly may result in selfish benefits.
These are the end of days.
Times are coming when there will be wars and rumors of wars. When brother shall rise against brother, families will be torn apart, there will be constant chaos in the streets, and life as we know it will cease to be. Rejoice. Now is not that time. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are still here on this earth, and the Son of Man has not yet returned. We are to work while it is still day because the night comes when no one can work. Work for Him by spreading the Good News of Salvation.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10
also take time to remember the warrior wo talked to the Lord on your behalf.
Prayer Warrior Gratitude
Gratitude is a delicate state of mind. “A quality of being thankful, ready to show appreciation and to return kindness.” A need for prayer is requested. Words to the Lord ascend in compassion and love. An answer is given and received time passes, and the waiting continues. Where is the attitude of gratitude? Where are the words of kindness? Where is the giving of thanks? Always give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. But also take time to remember the warrior who talked to the Lord on your behalf. Let us weep, sit, commiserate, and rejoice together, lest we forget to be grateful to those who pray for our needs.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God save this stranger. Luke 17: 17 and 18
Once the Lord lays something on the heart, conviction mounts, the Holy Spirit impresses on the warrior to follow through in prayer.
The Prayer Warrior Requests
What should the warrior pray for when there are no prayer requests? Should the warrior wait for the phone to ring, for a knock at the door, or divine intervention? How does the warrior know when there is a need? The Bible says, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. He knows the needs of all His children and all the creatures of this earth. The Lord is in control of the world economy and the state of every country. He allows leaders to gain power while at the same time topples mighty regimes with a single wave of his hand. God never sleeps, never checks out, and is always present in sickness, and health. The God we serve is all-knowing, all-seeing, all present, full of compassion, mercy, and love. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities, making it easy for the warrior to ask the Lord for a prayer assignment. Then, whatever the lot doled out, the warrior must accept it in faith and understanding. Once the Lord lays something on the heart, conviction mounts, then the Holy Spirit impresses on the warrior to follow through in prayer.
With every single prayer uttered, the warrior is recharged, revived and ready for battle again
Prayer Warrior in Need of Prayer
The mission of a prayer warrior is to pray for others. They fight for others by going before the problem and bringing it up to the Lord with all boldness. It is their calling; to be selfless, thinking about others, making the sacrifice to serve others when they too may be in need.
In the book of Ephesians chapter 6, we must put on the full armor of God so we can withstand the fiery darts of the devil. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The strength of the warrior lies with the Lord. As the warrior prays and becomes dependent on God, power from God sustains the warrior in the evil day.
As a doctor needing a doctor when he or she is ill, it is not unusual for the warrior to falter in battle and suffer the scars of many wounds. Tragedy, sickness, loss of employment, insurmountable stress, the occasional unbelief, and doubt may fell the warrior from time to time. It is not unusual as warriors are human and are also subject to all the machinations of life. Therefore, they are in great need of support.
Unfortunately, much like the poor man who saved the city cited in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verse 15, and was forgotten, so too we forget the warrior in our devotions. With every single prayer uttered, the warrior is recharged, revived, refreshed, and ready for battle once again.
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