PRAYER

PRAYER

An Excerpt from Jesus Lives

By Sarah Young

Marvel at the wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe any time. Please don’t take this awesome prayer-privilege for granted! Don’t let foolish arrogance step in either, making you act as if you’re doing Me a favor by spending time with Me.

The best antidote to such foolishness is recognizing it and repenting of it. Then remember who I Am: King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in dazzlingly unapproachable Light. My eyes are like blazing fire. My voice is like the sound of rushing waters. My face is like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Yet I am also your Shepherd, tenderly leading you step by step through your life. I want you to realize how     precious you are to Me—how much I delight in you. I long for you to reciprocate by delighting in Me.

I listen to your heart as well as to your words. When you approach My throne of grace joyfully, anticipating the wondrous pleasure of communing with Me, both you and I are blessed!

1 Timothy 6:15-16

Revelation 1:14-16

Psalm 37:4

Hebrews 4:16

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

By Jack Zavada

Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, as it is sometimes called. This event commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

The Bible tells us people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. Their shout "Hosanna" meant "save now."

In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus (Revelation 7:9).

Today, many Christian churches distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday. The people remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to his second coming.

Scripture Reading for Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: Philippians 2:6-11

Monday: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-4

Holy Wednesday: Matthew 26:14-16

Maundy Thursday: John 13:12-16

Good Friday: Isaiah 53:1-5

Holy Saturday: Romans 6:3-11

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9

Billy Graham's Prayer at 95 yrs old

Billy Graham's Prayer at 95 yrs old

From a man the media has never been able to throw dirt on.....amazing! He has certainly hit the "world" on the head!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. 

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. 

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. 

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. 

We have killed our unborn and called it choice. 

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. 

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. 

We have abused power and called it politics. 

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. 

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. 

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. 

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts  today; cleanse us from sin and set us free. Amen!'
 

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we once again can be called 'One nation under God!'

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION (part four)

BE AWARE, UNDERSTAND, TAKE ACTION (part four)

By Dwight Cunkle



Review, Reflect, Renew and go further on with Jesus...

In his book, Examen Prayer  Timothy Gallagher instructs us to pause and prepare heart and mind for prayer by asking God the grace to become aware of his love for us and His presence in and around us. Begin with awareness then move to thanksgiving, and we will receive wisdom and revelation from his word how to pray and how to act.

David said, “Enter God’s presence with thanksgiving-(Psalms 95 and 100). Jesus showed us how to begin prayer, “Our Father-hallowed be your name.” Paul wrote, “Let requests be made with thanksgiving,” and,  “In everything give thanks.” How important is thanks? Gallagher writes :
“... ingratitude is one of the things most worthy of detestation before our Creator and Lord, and before all creatures capable of his divine and everlasting glory, out of all the evils and sins which can be imagined. For it is a failure to recognize the good things, the graces, and the gifts received. As such, it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all evils and sins (see Romans 1). On the contrary, recognition and gratitude for the good things and gifts received is greatly loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth.”

1. After becoming aware God looks on me with love, and
2. After giving thanks for his graces my life and world, 
3. Then I am ready to discern good and evil spirits
4. Resisting and rejecting the bad, but aided by the good 5. Move toward God in faith, hope and love. I will be able to set aside the trap of negative self-talk, self-centered introspection, and all the “bait of Satan” to trap me in offence or fear. When I am at rest and united in God’s love, 6. I am ready to hear (really “to sense the effect of” rather than just “get a word”) what God is saying in his word, in listening prayer, and through spiritual direction,
7. And to make good decisions in a pure heart of wisdom and love.

WHAT YOU AREN'T SAYING IS LOUDER THAN WHAT YOU ARE

WHAT YOU AREN'T SAYING IS LOUDER THAN WHAT YOU ARE 

by Dwight Cunkle

 

 

This week I substitute taught second grade at Kaiser. Several times I spoke with anger and treated a few students with disrespect when they misbehaved. I need more practice in thinking and loving a child who needs boundaries. It is wrong to look down on someone who lacks training and who needs father’s love. Christ humbled himself and shared our weakness to help us.

TRUE OR FALSE - Others are more important than me?

__What you’re not saying is louder than what you say.

__Non-verbal gives more than verbal communication:

(Body Language about 57%, Tone of Voice about 36%, Actual words 7%)

__When angry covert messages nearly always are more dominant than what is being said overtly. In other words, if I say something positive to you but use a condescending tone or roll my eyes, etc… you will receive a negative message.

(Keep reading to see how to relate to others without condescension and judgment. This key will help us put on Christ’s mind of love—being concerned about the interests of others above our own. Philippians 2 So if any encouragement, comfort from love, unity in the Spirit, affection, sympathy, 2 complete my joy...,  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Answers to the above:

#1 is the more true the more emotion is present

#2 the figures are actually an urban myth although the idea sometimes applies.

#3 is TRUE.  

Choose to think descriptively instead of judgmentally:

     When feeling angry or frustrated at someone’s actions try to refuse to place judgment on them. Try to “unpack” what is going on instead of just making evaluations of your and their worth. Comparing yourself with others just places one person above or below another.

     On the other hand, I can admit I feel (disappointed etc…) and recognize their weakness or strength (e.g. they tend to be late or not plan their time well), then make a decision to have good boundaries (e.g. not put myself in a place of dependence on their keeping to my schedule). All the while, I refrain from judging or grading the person. Then I can see them as Christ does. Perhaps I can help them in the humility and love of Jesus.    

The “Right” to a Happy New Year Comes When I Exercise the Privilege to Forgive

The “Right” to a Happy New Year Comes When I
Exercise the Privilege to Forgive

by Dwight Cunkle 

based on The Anger Trap by Carter

Forgiveness and acceptance reduce anger. Don't cling to fantasies expectations and demands about your right to be treated fairly let alone squarely. Anger is fed by your “shock reaction.” You must guard your heart against any bitter root negativity and bad expectation or they will grow with in you like a bad seed and branch out into a poisonous plant.

Instead, choose to change your responses. To avoid bitter fruit in your life you can choose the privilege of acceptance and forgiveness. They are not a duty forced on you as if you were a victim or martyr. You can choose to bring your pain and disappointment to the cross of Jesus Christ. He paid for our sins and provides healing for our wounds in his own.

Assertiveness doesn't always generate the results I desire; in fact, it can backfire. But, by bringing my conflicts to the cross I can trust the love of God to guide me in making good choices. Forgiveness and acceptance reduce anger, especially because some conflicts remain unresolved satisfactorily. My insistence on having my way, my rights, or even closure entrap me and trip me up in the foul mood of unresolved anger. On the other hand assertiveness can be walked out with love for others while we can still be firm in our choices and boundaries.

I am in control of my choices, especially how I respond when others react or ignore my desires. Bitterness is a choice but acceptance and forgiveness is a better choice. As we sow shall we reap. God's grace is given to the humble; His mercy to the merciful.

Choose forgiveness and acceptance and choose to have good boundaries at the same time. You will have much more happiness and peace.

What do you most want this New Year?

The Forerunner

The Forerunner

He will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the

disobedient, the incredulous, and unpersuadable to the knowledge and holy love of the will of God, to make ready a people for the Lord [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].

(Mal 4:5-6, Is 40:3 and Luke 1:17 AMP)

    This week read how John came preparing the way of the Lord.  Pray the fulfillment of this amazing promise above—the turning of hearts of fathers and children and unbelieving, in preparation for His second coming.  WOW!  What a prayer to pray!
    Who do you need to speak that promise over?  Does your heart need turned toward your children or toward your parents?  Are you praying for a prodigal?  Look how John
fulfilled the prophecies about him, and let your faith and hope be encouraged this week!

Who:  Elijah must come first.  Mal 4:5-6 & Lk 1:17, 76-79

About his birth:  filled with the Spirit in the womb.  Lk 1:15 & 41

What will he be like:
    - A hairy man with leather belt:  2 Kings 1:8 & Matt 3:4
   
    - Eating locusts:  Lev 11:22 & Mt 3:4

    - Where from:  the wilderness.  Is 40:3 & Lk 1:80 & 3:2

What message:  Repent for the kingdom of God is coming.
    Lk 3:7-14; 7:27

Messiah will purify with fire:  Mal 3:1-2, 4:1-2; & Lk 3:16-17

So that:  the glory of the Lord be revealed.  Is 40:5 & Jn 1:14

The end of the old and the coming of the kingdom:  “No prophet greater than John but the least in the kingdom is greater than him”  Luke 7:28

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

PAIN ALSO SERVES A PURPOSE

By Dwight Cunkle

Part ten based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

Last week we looked at “myths” that can cause unhealthy and anger-either hidden and passive or openly
aggressive.

Believing and demanding wrong ideals leads to disillusionment, vows like “I will never…” and bitter-root judgments which poison our interpretation of others.

“I need people to treat me fairly,” needs replaced with,“I can manage my anger despite others’ flaws.”
“Being forceful is a sign of strength,” can be replaced with “Gentleness and listening humbly show strength.”
“Accepting or showing weakness means defeat,” Can be replaced with, “Accepting mine and others’ weaknesses the maturity and emotional health I want.”

A key is to not build my self-esteem on what I think I deserve or what privileges to which I feel entitled. As we saw in this past election that always leads to anger and poor decisions. It is healthier to focus on my responsibilities which means I also need to face and accept pain. People who are often hurting others have probably not come to terms with their own inner agony.

Pain can have a redemptive purpose-protecting us from worse injury to ourselves and others.

The cross is the place for our pain since Jesus bore it. The cross is the place of exchange of our rights for his good.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Let pain bring you to Christ’s wounds. Come to Jesus’ side and ask healing from deep wounds. Ask grace to give and receive forgiveness.  Exchange life with Jesus.

SHIFTING OUR PARADIGM OF ANGER

SHIFTING OUR PARADIGM OF ANGER

By Dwight Cunkle

Part nine based on The Anger Trap by Dr. Les Carter

Anger has a positive purpose when not “hijacked” by fear, pride, denial or blame-shifting. This week we look at the power of choosing to face Reality that the world often is not what we want and is always beyond our ability to control. But we can choose how we respond, beginning with letting go of our illusions and shock when life and people are hard. As we accept pain and disappointment we can respond with truth and love. When we abide in God’s love we can choose to love others while speaking the truth to them.

Eph 4:25-27 ...each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Signs of unrealistic expectations and demands of others:

I can’t believe….
Why cant you just…
I don’t understand why….

When statements like these are followed by a tendency to brood or act out in ways that are hurtful to those around us we can recognize that we have unrealistic demands on life

Two sources of anger from our past:
1. Chronic mistreatment or unresolved friction in our childhood. May influence us to look to the future with vows and illusions, “One of these days….”.
2. Some adults look back on childhood as almost perfect. Anxiety and frustration grow as they are unable to reproduce such perfection in their own home and lives.

Assertive anger uses firmness with calmness and gentleness. Facing reality and facing other people with respect means we choose to not keep score and not keep hold of an unrealistic sense of entitlement about how others and life should treat us.

Bottom line: we need to bring everything to the cross of Jesus Christ. Who is never shocked and sees the end from the beginning. His faithful love never fails.

JESUS NEEDS A FEW GOOD FOLKS TOO

JESUS NEEDS A FEW GOOD FOLKS TOO

By Richard Lineberry

Three military recruiters were speaking at a special gathering in a college campus. There were recruiters from the Army, Navy, and Marines. Each had been given ten minutes to make their pitch to hearers about how their respective branch of service would be the best for these adventurous young men and women. They had been warned to be faithful to their ten minute limit lest they cheat the others out of theirs.

Sure enough the Army and Navy guys both went over leaving only two minutes for the Marine recruiter to speak. Frustrated, he just sat there and looked at the crowd in silence for the first minute then stood up and said, “I doubt whether there are but two or three of you in this whole room who are cut out for the Marines but I want you to come talk to me after this is over.” As you might expect, when things were over the Marine recruiter was flooded with interested takers. Jesus knew that heroic commitment comes from a heroic dimension of the human heart.

Believe it or not, Jesus calls on that same deep area in us. If you make small demands of people, you get small commitments. Jesus, however, demands our all. With that challenge, church history is full of heroes of the faith, who, through God’s power, did marvelous things and changed their world.

To know that God wants my all strikes a chord in me that says, “How can I give less than everything?” That’s exactly what He gave for me with the giving of His Son.

As we enter into His presence this morning, let’s answer the call with all of our hearts. If we do, He will surprise us with great things!

Grace be to all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible. Ephesians 6:24

Identification Sunday: 

Commitment to Follow Jesus 

 

I abide in Christ as I walk with Jesus as the Son of Man (share his suffering, death and resurrection); as I worship Jesus as the Son of God (empowered in Spirit and truth); as I serve Jesus as Lord (submit to His will); and as I serve and love others as if they are Jesus in “distressing Disguise.”

Application of the above four commitments 

1. I will protect the unity of our spiritual family in love and peace

2. I will share in the responsibility of our fellowship in worship, work and hospitality

3. I will support the ministry of our body with time, talents, treasure and a servant’s heart

4. I will grow in the mission of our congregation in discipleship, in outreach and by the witness of my life, on the job or school and in service to my neighbor.    

 Last Sunday Richard's message called us to get “purple-feet.” He gave reasons why we sometimes are “under-employed” in God’s kingdom: maybe we haven’t been asked, or we haven’t asked, or we are still in training, etc… You will be able to view this and other messages on our www.covenantlifechurch.com website by clicking the “v” for vimeo at the bottom of the page.

We return to Patti Amsden’s book, The Reformers' Creed: A blueprint for reformation in the 21st century, that God’s intention is to unite heaven and a renew earth, in the heavenly pattern of His image so God and man may ultimately dwell together and the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Chapter 9 in her book reviews the ways the covenant theme was developed  through the old Testament using "representative Adams": Noah, Abraham, Moses and finally David.

The Old Covenant promises culminate in King David: the promises that Christ (Messiah) will rule over the earth from His Fathers right hand, beginning with his victorious resurrection, his glorious ascension and confirmed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all mankind. From then on the new order is conferred on us, His body, his re-presentatives.

Our training to be his bride and share his glory and rulership is prayer, worship and praise, the loving service of others, the stewardship of the environment, the influence for justice and righteousness into every institution and mountain of the culture, the ability to work and produce resources creatively and with excellence,  and the proclamation of the gospel of this new order of heaven's rule and heaven's King.

-PD

2012 God Present: pruning and producing John 15:2