'Tis the season...

 

Praying 4 U

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ~ Romans 12:12 (NIV).

The Christmas season is a great time of year as many are filled with the joy of giving and receiving. Hope is everywhere. Hope is in the hearts of our little ones and on the hearts of those older than us. Every age group experiences the joy in hope.

However, Not everyone is filled with joy. Christmas time is a lonely time for those who have lost a love-one in the past at this time of year.

Others think back to an unhappy childhood where happiness was not in their homes any day including Christmas. Thoughts of the year you may have lost your job and could not provide for your family come to some minds.

Some are living through suffering and pain and not expected to live to the end of this year and surely expect not to be on earth next Christmas. For every story of joy know there is a story of sadness.

My plea to you is that you will be the arms of our loving God this day and forever more to those not experiencing joy.Be on the lookout for that person or person and spread the love of Christ.

May you be joyful in hope and patient if you are going through tough times. Note that if you are going through them and that you are not going to be stuck in them, for the commander is with you and will not forsake you. You are going through. This will come to pass.
 
Be faithful in praying and do not offer up leftover prayers, but pray with power giving God our best. Praise God with the same enthusiasm that you petitioned him with. Heaven is indeed ignited by prayer that is on fire.

“LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.”  Psalm 16:5 (NIV).

 

Shalom,

 

Rick Hawbaker

Praying 4 U Ministries

Papa…We thank you for the streams of mercy and never ceasing grace that you have given to us. Thank you for reaching down from on high and coming to the rescue as we wander from your fold. We ask for forgiveness and for a greater portion of you. May we let you show yourself strong through us. In the good and great name of JESUS! Amen and Amen!

Come and you will see...

“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.”  (John 1:35-39) (NKJV)

 

 

Studying the holy word of God this past week, I came across this familiar story of John the Baptist preparing the way in the wilderness baptizing with water. He was with John and Andrew, who were followers of John the Baptist and in this story became the first disciples of JESUS.

John pointed out JESUS to them at a distance and John and Andrew took off immediately to follow JESUS. JESUS words to them “Come and you will see” have been ringing in my head since I read this earlier in the week. 

“Come and you will See” is an invitational from God and also a promise. These words are not just for the first two disciples but to all who seek freedom, including you and me. God is always ready to receive us and as we take that step out of darkness into light, the holy spirit is activated in us and reveals more of the LORD to us.

Saying “Yes” to the call of JESUS is not just at the altar, but a daily choice we make. Many have come to God and not seen as they have not allowed God to touch them and haven’t made his presence their priority.

Know that wherever you are in your journey with King JESUS he has more for you. Our gift in him is a sovereign gift and has nothing to do with man‘s achievement. It is like any gift though…It must be unwrapped.

Come and see all that God has for you and experience His gifts for it is with His gifts that we catch the breathe of God. Praying that you, too, will see that God is bigger than His book.

“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12 (NKJV).

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker,

Praying 4 U Ministries

Father God…We stand in awe of your works and adore you. You are a loving, giving God, and loving, giving Savior. May we always put You first in our hearts and be on fire for You and Your Ways. Protect us, LORD, as we shine Your light into darkness sharing Your goodness to the ends of the earth. May Your grace and peace encompass us. Much joy to the world. In Jesus name. Amen!

Questioning Salvation?

I have ran into a lot of people that consider themselves Christians that still question whether they are saved or not.

This is what I have found in God's holy word and believe to be true...

"Salvation is found in no one else," God's holy word tells us in Acts 4:12 (NIV), "for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." The name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

If you are questioning your salvation, ask yourself if you have entrusted your life to Jesus or not? We have the freedom and power to reject the God that made us. But, if you BELIEVE IN JESUS you will be saved. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES IN HIM shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)

Apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:11-13 (NIV), "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

Paul and Silas told the jailer after the earthquake in Acts 16:31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9 NIV)

It is by grace that we are saved through faith in Jesus. The laws we received in the old testament were given to us so we would see that we do need a Savior. We can't live without Jesus. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:9 NIV)

God's holy spirit is in you and when you take that step to accept Jesus as your Savior, he we take over your life and mold you to become the person God wants you to be. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and admit you are a sinner and repent of your sins. This free gift of forgiveness and eternal life is offered to everyone, but it is yours only if you make the decision to receive it.

It is the most important decision you will ever make. Turn or burn. Turn to Jesus for forgiveness and have eternal life, or go to hell and burn with those who reject him.

Our God is alive! He still hears prayers and still answers prayers!
If you have questions about salvation or if you would like us to pray for you, contact us at kingjesushealstoday@comcast.net 

Shalom,

Praying 4 U Ministries

Papa…Blessed be the Holy Name of Our King JESUS!  We Pray Today that You May Walk in the Spirit of Our Living God and Demonstrate His Love and Power, Releasing His Glory Upon the Earth. May We Catch the Breath of the Everlasting God and Share His Goodness. In the Good and Great Name of JESUS! Amen and Amen!

Papa...May we pursue your presence today and share with others the mighty things we have seen you do in our lives and in others. There is none greater than you LORD! You can make a crooked stick straight and you win with any cards dealt to you. You are amazing. May your Holy Spirit guide us as we walk among your sheep moving them toward you and your kingdom so that they too can feel the warmth we feel from you. We are warm, welcomed and loved. In Jesus name. Amen and Amen!

 

 

Praying 4 U Ministries