Praying Over Your Loved Ones for Salvation

Are you praying for someone’s salvation?

If you nodded, I have an encouraging story for you.

Wow! and Praise Jesus! resounded in my soul. And I rejoiced. I cried happy tears over a long-awaited answer to a prayer I prayed over 5,000 times.

You see, when my twin sister and I were little, our father disappeared from our life. My mom and stepfather took us to church, but we didn’t understand much about God or prayer. 

Along about fourth grade, my dad reappeared and wanted to be a part of my life again. I’ll never forget what he told me at nine-years-old, “People think there’s a God, but there’s not.” 

Not understanding it at the time, I knew later my dad was an atheist. This confused my young heart, wondering, Is God real and does He love me? 

Yet, I was in church and Sunday school each week hearing about the God of the Bible and about Jesus.

Do you have family and friends who need Jesus? Jesus loves us so much, He died for us. Christ died for you and me, our loved ones and the world.

My Salvation Story

Want to Admire Your Spouse? 6 Practical Ways

Do you admire your spouse?

Because it’s easy in our present day culture to applaud and think highly of others. 

Perhaps our admiration commends what someone has accomplished. Or we like what a person stands for such as courage, integrity, character and faith. Maybe we look up to people in the spotlight, online or offline.

But when was the last time you told a friend how you admire your spouse and why? Better yet, when was the last time you expressed your admiration directly to your spouse?

Admittedly, I fall short in this area with my husband. And it’s sad. I want to change that. 

While to admire isn’t included in conventional marriage vows, I believe there’s a place for it in our marriages. 

So let’s unpack 6 practical ways to A-D-M-I-R-E our spouse.

A – Abandon self-admiration in your marriage: Admire Your Spouse

Nothing puts a damper on admiration for your spouse quite like thinking too highly of yourself in the marriage. Thoughts may try to invade your mind of how much more you contribute to the marriage, care for the kids, make money or conquer most marital areas better. 

Christ is our example of not thinking too highly of ourselves when He humbled himself on the cross. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

Ask the Lord to help you view your spouse with eyes of humility and how you can build them up in your marriage. A spouse who’s admired will joyfully rise to the occasion.

D – Decide to focus on the praise-worthy attributes

10 Powerful Rewards for Following Jesus

Following Jesus has great reward.

Sure, we also know there are costs.

Such as the call to deny our desires and pick up our cross.

Family and friends may disown us.

Or, we can suffer persecution and ridicule.

Still, let’s not forget the powerful rewards. And one greatest reward of all. I list ten rewards here and save the best for last.

(1.)  Reward of Eternal and Abundant Life: Following Jesus

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

(2.)  Reward of Righteousness

“If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29)

We follow Jesus in a foreign culture of unrighteousness. And those who refuse to follow Him have destruction as their end. 

Because “enemies of the cross” make their belly a god and glory in shame. Since their minds are set on earthly things. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (See Philippians 3:18-20)

Do we desire to follow Christ and His righteousness, Sunday through Saturday, 24/7?

True disciples not only want to follow Jesus, but also follow through by seeking to stay on the path of righteousness.

(3.)  Reward of a Good Shepherd: Following Jesus

6 Prayers to Unleash God’s Supernatural Power

Would we pray more if we knew they were prayers to unleash God’s power in our lives, our family, and in the world?

Because we need reminding how God’s supernatural ability far outweighs human efforts. 

And we only tap into His ability through prayer. 

Still further, the world needs prayer.

Prayers for political and racial unrest, repentance, and to draw our hearts back to God as a people.

Finally, we need prayers for unbelievers to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

So we pray these 6 prayers to unleash God’s ability:

P – Praise a living and powerful God.

Heavenly Father, I praise You. You alone are God and worthy of all glory. Splendor and majesty surround Your throne. I magnify Your holy and matchless name. I worship Your beauty. There is no god like my God. 

All of creation declares praise to the Almighty God of heaven and earth! Holy is Your name!

R – Repent of sin in actions, words, and thoughts: Prayers to Unleash.

6 Things That Must Flee in Jesus’ Name

We claim victory over our battles and overcome our strongholds in Jesus’ Name.

Sometimes things and people take flight and flee from us. Maybe, this fleeing causes us pain.

Yet, often fleeing becomes a good thing for our overall wellness.

Like those things that cause harm to our spiritual well-being. And they must flee in Jesus’ Name.

(1.)  Satan, our enemy, flees in Jesus’ Name.

In James 4, the Bible cautions us against worldliness that makes us God’s enemy. Rather, in humility we are to:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  James 4:7-8 (ESV)

When we stay near to God, the enemy has no choice but to hightail it out of our life.

But until we submit our entire being to God, we can’t resist the devil—not in our own strength.

So when we submit to God and draw near to Him, we send Satan running!

(2.)  Spiritual forces of darkness.

The spirit world is a very real thing, both the spirits of light and darkness.

“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.” Acts 16:16-18 (ESV)

Jesus, “canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:14 (ESV)

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38 (ESV)

Spiritual forces of darkness must flee when the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

 (3.)  Spiritual death flees in Jesus’ Name.

How We Find a Living Hope in an Empty Tomb

At some point in life, everyone searches for hope. And while the world offers many forms, they fizzle and fade away. So what if there’s a living hope available to anyone willing to find it?

But where does this hope come from and how do we access it? 

God made plans to bring a living hope to a hopeless people.

Hope’s birth took place in a lowly stable. Hope grew and carried out the heavenly Father’s will. 

Hope has a name. It’s Jesus.

Jesus left the splendor and spiritual riches of heaven to come and save us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)

Living Hope for a Hopeless People

Jesus came to die for me and for you—for our salvation and the salvation of all willing to embrace this living hope found in the sacrificial blood of Jesus. 

God sent Jesus from the throne room of heaven to take our place. Beaten, bruised, and pierced with nails, His blood spilled on a cross. And He bestowed forgiveness on us to cover our sins.

Jesus saves us from condemnation, wrath, ourselves, other gods, and eternal death. But salvation also brings new and abundant life with Jesus as the Savior of our souls and way of life.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’” John 11:25 (ESV)

We each must acknowledge the sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Christ to receive eternal life.

Application: Insert your name in John 3:16 (read it out loud).

For God so loved ____________, that He gave his only Son, that if I believe in him, I will not perish but have eternal life.

How Does a Mountain Move? By Yvette Walker

My lovely friend and Jesus girl, Yvette, shares with us in this post. She has a new devotional out, Whispering in His Ear: A Month of Conversations with God, that I’m reading and love. So I asked her to share one of my favorite entries with this community. Let’s find out, how does a mountain move?

By Yvette Walker

HIS TIMING, NOT OURS

How does a mountain move?

Scripture: Exodus 23:28-30

ESV: I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.

Hello God. You move mountains, though I don’t always see it.

Little by little. That’s the answer to the titular question, and it’s also what God did on behalf of the Israelites on their way to possessing the promised land. He championed their victory and drove out their enemies. Little by little. But at the time, it seemed like God’s actions weren’t fast enough or mighty enough to those desert wanderers. They lamented their condition and asked “why?” When they lacked faith, God changed the timeline. When they gained faith and prayed, He rewarded them by being their champion.

And when I see problems in my life or in my family, I question, “why?” But do I raise my arms in prayer and submission? I must remember that, so God will be my champion.

Why God always Keeps His Word

God always keeps His Word. Always.

This is not the case with people.

Whether or not we are known as someone who keeps our word defines our character and showcases our integrity or its lack.

Birthed in a flesh suit, we often fail to follow through. Or we bail.

And people break promises to us—even repeat offenders.

While humans struggle in this department, not the Lord.

God keeps His word and never contradicts His character. Never.

We gain valuable insight about God’s word-keeping ability in Numbers 22-24.

God Always Keeps Promises

A little of the storyline. Balaam and Balak serve as the key players (names not found in today’s books of baby names). Balaam, a diviner of oracles, spoke God’s words to others. Balak, the son of Moab’s king, who also reigned as king, sent for Balaam’s “services” with an intriguing offer.

Because here’s the situation. On the way to Canaan, the Israelites camped in the land of Moab. Troubled that the Israelites outnumbered his people, and how God helped them defeat other nations, the king devised a plan.

Balak offered Balaam a nice reward if he spoke a curse over the children of Israel. “…for I know that he whom you bless is blessed and he whom you curse is cursed.” Numbers 22:6b (ESV)

But Balak soon realized a sobering truth. Balaam responded, “…I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” Numbers 22:8b (ESV) 

You see, it was never about Balaam keeping his word, but about keeping God’s words. Though Balaam adheres to God’s instructions to bless and not curse, he later instigated a scheme that caused the Israelites to bring a curse on themselves.*

Still, Balak persisted and requested three times for Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Instead, Balaam blessed the people. “Must I not take care to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?” Numbers 23:12 (ESV)

God Always Keeps His Word

So Balak asked what the Lord had spoken which brings us to this verse.

“God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

Living God’s Word as it Lives in Me

Perhaps you’ve heard that the Bible is alive, the living Word of God. But how do we go about living God’s Word?

And how does the Bible show through in our lives?

Living Scripture in our daily lives equates to a life of no compromise.

Because our goals, desires, values, morals, and decisions are affected by Scripture.

Also, our relationships, lifestyle, worldview, heart, mind, and so on, stay bent toward scriptural truths. 

Let’s look at several ways we L-I-V-E the Bible.

L-Lighting Our Path With Scripture: Living God’s Word

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Verse 130 continues, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” 

Even though we may not carry lamps to see where we’re going, we’re all familiar with needing light to find our way in the darkness. Whether it’s a candle, flashlight, or nightlight, they dispel enough of the dark to keep us from tripping.

Likewise, lighting our path with the Word keeps us from spiritually tripping. Through understanding, it drives away the darkness of the evil one, deception, and false beliefs. 

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). 

When we follow the light of the world, Jesus, the path leads to the light of life—living the Word.

20 Encouraging Entries From My Journal

Journaling has always been a powerful practice for me. These encouraging entries speak life to my heart as I reflect on my thoughts.

And I journal how God speaks to me in prayer, worship or His Word.

Depending on the current season of life, it’s often therapy for my soul.

So I’m letting you look into my personal journal for 20 thoughts I hope encourage you.

Some thoughts the Lord reminded me that He gave me in the past, but are helpful in the present.

While others are new inspiration from the Lord.

Entries are heartfelt, authtentic, and vulnerable.

Encouraging Entries: Wholeness And The Cross 

(1.) When life’s disappointments attempt to become my unwelcome friend, I remember Jesus calls me friend. Because He’s my best friend (John 15:5).

(2.) If people add injury to my pain, they are broken people in need of wholeness from Christ. Broke people break people. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

(3.) I must cling to the only sure hope in the darkness. Jesus. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 (ESV)

(4.) Lord, place the cross and the blood of Jesus between me and the enemy, and between me and difficult people and circumstances. There’s nothing Your redemptive blood doesn’t cover. And there’s nothing it can’t redeem. 

Promises and Power of Prayer

(5.) I’m so thankful for the power of prayer: that mountains still move, seas still part, mana still rains from heaven, and because God can raise the dead, ashes turn to beauty again.