“Live bravely for Him who died lovingly for you.”

Whenever I delve into God’s word in the book of Acts, I always come away feeling refreshed. People repented, were baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The group of believers grew very quickly.

It is good to read in chapter 4 that “all the believers were one in heart and mind” and that “they shared everything they had …There were no needy persons among them.”

In chapter 5 it is written, “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people…Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”

The apostles were tossed in jail for preaching the good news of Jesus and when they were released they were ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus.

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42 NIV.

The early church was amazing. The apostles were commanded to go out to the ends of the earth to tell everyone about Jesus, but people came to them in large numbers. They did not get out of town until they had to leave because of persecution.

Charles Spurgeon, wrote, “Live bravely for Him who died lovingly for you.” The apostles boldness should be an inspiration to us and propel us to witness for Christ.

Thank You King Jesus!

Called to Love,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries

God's in control of everything...

Having been evacuated two different times from two different homes nearly a thousand miles apart because of two different types of natural disaster, I have experienced God working through evil to create good.

When things are going well for us it is easy to believe God is in control. When things are bad and we face living through tornadoes, forest fires, floods,hurricanes and earth quakes – that’s when we need to believe even more that He is in control.

It has been made very clear to us from way back in Isaiah’s days that God is in control of everything. No matter what button you push or which door you walk through, God is in control.

God’s holy word says, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:7(NIV).

Father God, You are matchless to anything known and hold us in your hands like a piece of clay. Mold us and shape us into being exactly what you intended us to be. We bend and shake in a storm like a tree, but continually place our hope in you as you are in control. Thank you for your love for us and thanks so much for not leaving us the way we were. In Jesus name, Amen!

Serving a Living God,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries

Daily scripture, prayer and praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-4-U-/ 364285405278?ref=ts

Jesus Heals Today http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesus-Heals-Today/18980208104853

It's not too late...

Beloved…I was thinking on the way to work that I certainly haven’t heard it all, but I have heard enough to make me sick. It is time to rise and let the kingdom of light shine in this dark world.

We have been given authority over creation and darkness. To take that authority we must know the author of the Universe. There lies the problem. A lot of people want to go to heaven but they don’t want anything to do with God.

We are a condemned race and appointed to die, but we can be forgiven. The great message of God’s word is that he does forgive. Jesus took the punishment for the things we have done.

Becoming obedient to God is a big step as you change your mind and give up practicing sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV).

"Let me say it clearly, plainly, lovingly, pleadingly. You are in danger. Without Jesus, you go to hell," Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Brothers and Sisters...It is not too late to make a decision for Christ. Help build the glorious coming kingdom of our God. Do business with the LORD today!

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2 NIV.

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker

Jesus heals today...

Beloved...

I am sure you have heard or read the story in God’s holy word about Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law…

Jesus went home with Peter one day after preaching in the synagogue. They found Peter’s mother-in-law suffering from a high fever. Jesus was asked to help her and he did. Jesus bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to wait on them.

She was HEALED! Peter’s mother-in-law was healed by our great God through Jesus. God still heals today through us as the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside of you.

God wants to use you to heal others through Jesus and to bring the knowledge of salvation to the multitudes. We have power over darkness through Jesus. We bring a piece of heaven to earth when we help heal others and bring glory to His name.

If we are indeed Christ-like, aren’t we supposed to pursue a lifestyle like Jesus. You have been given the power to rule over creation and over darkness. Expose and undo the works of Satan.

Father God – We thank you for our salvation through King Jesus and for the awesome work He did for us on the cross. May we grasp the call He has given us and invade the impossible in His name. For you God are Almighty and all things are possible through you. In the good and great name of Jesus. Amen!

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker
Christian Blogger

Look and be saved...

“Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22 (American King James).

Beloved...

It is as simple of a command that there is and it has a mighty promise from God…”Look” and “be saved”. I like this salvation plan. It is short, powerful and right out of God’s holy word.

Depending on which version you are reading from, it says simply to “turn” or “look” to Him and be saved. The invitation is open to everyone as it says, “all the ends of the earth”.

“For I am God, and there is none else” tells us that no one else can wipe your slate clean of sin. He is the Almighty. We are sinners. Clearly we deserve hell.

Simply turn to God and look to Him. There is no idol, no man or anything else that can save us. He is the only way to eternal salvation and the only way to the Father is through the Son, Jesus.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (NIV).

Look and be saved!

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4-U Ministries

Daily scripture, prayer and praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-4-U-/ 364285405278?ref=ts

Jesus Heals Today http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesus-Heals-Today/18980208104853

It is about others and you loving them...

Our God is a mighty fortress and in Him we can find exceptional security. I wish I knew forty, fifty and even sixty years ago what I know now about our God. He has scooped me up in His mighty hands. He is carrying me and is now taking huge steps forward.

I was witnessing to a group of men last week and it came to me to tell them this about my life… As soon as I realized I was to spend more time praying for others and not just pray for myself, that's when I began to change.

I had gone through 57 years of life as a poser for Christ. Like many people, I went to the Lord in prayer when I needed something, but it was always about my own self and not others. I often did not wait for an answer from God, as I felt I knew best. I was living for me and not for Him.

Being a Christian is about so much more than accepting Jesus as your LORD and Savior. It is about others and you loving them.

Father God, Thank You for revealing this to me so I can reveal it to others. In the good and great name of Jesus. Amen and Amen!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’(NIV).

Thank You King Jesus!

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4-U Ministries

Daily scripture, prayer and praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-4-U-/ 364285405278?ref=ts

Jesus Heals Today http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesus-Heals-Today/18980208104853

Take it to the Lord...

Respect for the individual in the workplace has gone with the wind. Numbers of those unemployed has risen and the poor treatment of employees is becoming common place. There is little concern for the worker as they can be quickly replaced by the millions currently without work.

Most of the bosses that cared about you and your family in past decades are dead and buried. They have been replaced with those brought up with the bottom line on the top of their heads.

Praying with oppressed workers, I have found their jobs to be their affliction. Their workload continues to increase as their benefits decrease. Insurance coverage is worse, some don’t receive raises year after year, and many are working away from their love-ones in the evenings and on week-ends.

Living in a dark world, there still is an ever-present help that has amazing strength. God’s holy word says, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph over my enemies.” Psalm 118:6-7 (NIV)

Many people have been badly beaten both mentally and physically and have been driven to make unhealthy choices in their lives. They are living from cigarette to cigarette and energy drink to energy drink. They are on happy pills, use alcohol and more.

Come to Jesus! Seriously, this is easy work for the Creator of all things. Your connection to the great power source of the Universe is through prayer. Take it to the LORD in prayer!

“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death.” Psalm 118:17-18.

Our God is so good and He so answers prayers. ”Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” Psalm 66:20 (NIV).

Father – We come to you with great thanksgiving. Your love for us endures forever. Knowing you are with us, we can stop our enemies in their tracks. In you we put our trust. You are our amazing strength. We shall not die but live and proclaim your matchless greatness throughout the lands. You are our God and we will praise you all our days. In the name of Jesus. Amen!

Serving a Living God,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4-U Ministries