Be in prayer for Pastor Jason today as he begins a new series called “Renew Your Belief.” For the next 10 weeks, he will be describing what we believe as a church. Starting tomorrow, there will be a devotion each day written by a leader of Living Hope on our doctrine.
Here is a picture of New Testament believers: “…they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). Devotion is a power word. Devotion involves discipline. Devotion requires drive and passion. Bottom line, these believers were committed to the Word, Community, Worship, and Prayer. Some might say they are devoted to eating all organic. Others might say they are devoted to certain t.v. shows. But, how many of us can say we are devoted to what we see in Acts 2:42?
Lord, I pray that all believers can be devoted to your Kingdom. Help us to be devoted like the believers in Acts 2:42.
Romans 15:4c – “…through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope.”
At times, that Scripture is hard to put in practice. Often, I seek my encouragement in the world. The world though, at times, is not very God honoring. As a believer, we all need to push ourselves to look for encouragement in God’s Word before others. Because scriptural encouragement is the kind of encouragement that gives us hope.
As you spend time in the Good Book today…pray that God shows you the encouragement that you need.
This report and request for prayer is from a missionary we work with in a very closed country. Due to security, all name’s and locations are removed. Please be in prayer for this family.
Dear Friends & Family,
Thank you so much for your prayers the last 2 weeks for our family. In the last 2 weeks here is what has happened…
– With the help of wonderful friends, my husband has temporarily closed our home and got himself and the kids to big city. They have been here a week now and we are SO thankful to be together again.
– I have been going weekly to the hospital for non-stress tests to monitor the baby’s heart rate, and each week she has passed the test.
– I have also been going weekly to measure the amniotic fluid level and Hope’s growth…
– We have been praying that there would be no need to induce before 37 weeks. And I am 37 weeks TOMORROW!!
– My mom is on the plane right now, flying to the big city, and we are SO thankful she is able to come and be here!
I had an appointment this morning so that my doctor could make more decisions about the baby and when she will arrive. We looked at several factors. First was the fluid levels. They have dropped just a bit from my appointment from last week… but the doctor was amazed that even with the low fluid, the baby managed to flip. She had been head down for 2 weeks, and is now breech again. Hope’s growth last week seemed to be following her curve (2 wks behind in some parts, 4 weeks behind in other parts), but that growth slowed a bit this week. Because of the baby’s position we were unable to get a good reading on the blood flow to the placenta.
Based on all those findings, the doctor feels it is best to induce. We have scheduled the induction for Sunday, August 7th. The doctor is willing to try, as she put it “a gentle turning of the baby” to see if we can get her head down, but she is not willing to try much. She feels that the baby is not strong enough to withstand much. If the baby doesn’t turn easily, then we will quickly move to a C-Section. If she does turn we can proceed with the induction.
I am not a fan of induction or the possibility of C-section and I am continually having to just give that over to the Lord, knowing that He is the one in control!
I will be 37wks 3 days when the baby is born, although her size is smaller than that. We will not know the condition of her lungs/stomach until she is born, but we are praying hard that she will be born flighting and STRONG!
Thank you all for continuing to pray, and we will update when we know more!! We continue to give our baby girl over to the Lord, knowing and trusting that He is working His will in His timing!
Praises:
– That the baby has continued growing albeit slowly!
– That she has made it in mom until 37+ weeks
– That our family is together and more help is on the way
Pray:
– That the baby will get into the right position and STAY PUT!
– That the baby’s lungs/stomach will grow strong and healthy over the next few days
– That there will be no complications after she is born and she can start growing faster than she has thus far.
– For wisdom and peace for us as we make decisions for the baby.
Please be in prayer for Family Night Worship tonight. Pray that the message and object lessons can be communicated in a Spirit-filled way that young children can understand. We are blessed as a church to have great opportunities for our families to worship together.
I don’t know if you have every used this resource, but if you like praying for the nations check out this operation world page on the web. In my prayers today, France was laid upon my heart. Watch this video and spend some time in prayer for this country that so much needs to know Jesus.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFO99Wyz62M&feature=player_embedded#at=83]
A new week in a new month, time is flying. Life has a way of getting busy. When that happens, believers have a way of forgetting the small things that matter. Prayer is a small thing but it is a great source of spiritual fuel for our lives. A day shouldn’t go by we don’t talk to our Father. Not just talk, but listen to his wisdom and direction.
We have a lot to be thankful for…take this time to talk to God about all your blessings and your needs. Spiritually refuel to be ready for the day.
On this Lords day, I pray that all his children can truly worship Him. I pray that all pastors, around the world, can deliver the message that You have laid upon their hearts. May all congregations seek to hear Your word and apply it in their lives.
1 Peter 2:11b – “abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.”
War is not a positive word. In war, there is an enemy that wants to pursue and destroy you. Believers know there is an enemy, Satan, but often forget about the present war he has on God’s children. This war can be with flesh, money, power, possessions, pride, etc.
God please protect us from Satan’s attacks. Allow us to embrace you and trust in that glorious relationship. Give us the strength to endure through all hardships, and allow us to always live for you.
2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.”
Lord, please help me to realize that my competence should be in You! Why do I forget this so often? Probably because my confidence drifts often to me and what I can do instead of what the Lord has does and is doing for and in me.
As you read this devotion, take a quiet moment and think through the week and all the things that God has done for you. Give Him thanks and pray for the ability to see who provides for you.