The Power of THE ONE is Moving!

In October of 2011, I was invited to lead prayer at a gathering for church leaders in Europe. What a humbling, yet holy experience for me. Leaders were there from many countries from both Europe, Asia, and beyond. While in one of the worship services a leader from India gave this testimony about the move of God in his homeland:

The power of THE ONE is moving HIS CHURCH with might.

At the gathering I also made a new friend who has become very dear. His name is Pastor Ajay and he too is from India. We share e-mails often and pray for one another. This is the pray I prayed for him last night. Receive it as encouragement because i also pray it over the readers of my blog:

Brother Ajay, you are being prayed for tonight. Yes, I am praying now Psalm 91:9-11 over you and your beloved ones and your local church family, too: (9) You, O Lord, are my refuge! You have made the Most High your home. (10) No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house. (11) He will put His angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.
-- Psalm 91:9-11 (GWT)

In the power of THE ONE on the move, I pray. Amen.
Grateful

A Rich Man And Lazarus

Have you considered the New Testament story that Jesus told about A Rich Man and Lazarus lately?

Here it is. I'd love to receive your comments after reading it afresh and anew:

(19) “There was a rich man who wore expensive clothes. Every day was like a party to him. (20) There was also a beggar named Lazarus who was regularly brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. (21) Lazarus would have eaten any scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Lazarus was covered with sores, and dogs would lick them. (22) “One day the beggar died, and the angels carried him to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) He went to hell, where he was constantly tortured. As he looked up, in the distance he saw Abraham and Lazarus. (24) He yelled, ‘Father Abraham! Have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool off my tongue. I am suffering in this fire.’ (25) “Abraham replied, ‘Remember, my child, that you had a life filled with good times, while Lazarus’ life was filled with misery. Now he has peace here, while you suffer. (26)Besides, a wide area separates us. People couldn’t cross it in either direction even if they wanted to.’ (27) “The rich man responded, ‘Then I ask you, Father, to send Lazarus back to my father’s home. (28) I have five brothers. He can warn them so that they won’t end up in this place of torture.’ (29) “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. Your brothers should listen to them!’ (30) “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! If someone comes back to them from the dead, they will turn to God and change the way they think and act.’ (31) “Abraham answered him, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone comes back to life.’ ”
-- Luke 16:19-31 (God's Word Translation)

Sobering Story,
Grateful

Be Faithful to Pray for One Another

A special friend e-mailed me a copy of a prayer he was asking of God on my behalf. I am humbled to know that those who follow my blog are also faithful to pray for me. Here's the prayer:

Father God this morning I ask for protection for Pastor Kerry. Thank You that no weapons formed against Pastor Kerry will prosper. As he dwells in the shadow of the Most High, deliver him from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases. Set Your angels around Pastor Kerry, and let no power of the enemy harm him. Turn aside rumors, gossip, criticism, abuse, and ungratefulness. May inordinate expectations, stress, and fatigue be cast into the sea, and may every need and vision of his be fulfilled. Amen. (Read also Psalm 91.)

Thanks "K" for the prayer. Someone is praying for "me". Humbled.

Click: Someone Is Praying For You - Sam Ocampo, piano

Let's All be Faithful to Pray for One Another as the Lord Reminds Us.

Click - Pastor Nizar Touma- The Global Day of Prayer - Nazareth

God, I Need You!
Grateful

Angels Among Us

For me, Christmas Eve is a lot about remembering the angels as they made their Glorious Good News announcement during the night that preceded the birthday of the Christ Child:

(8) That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. (9) Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, (10) but the angel reassured them. "Don’t be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! (11) The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! (12) And this is how you will recognize Him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" (13) Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: (14) "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." (15) When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (16) They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the Baby, lying in the manger.
-- Luke 2 :8-16 (NLT)

For me, Christmas Eve is also a lot about recognizing, even realizing that there are surely still angels among us these days:

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
-- Hebrews 13:2 (NLT)

The vocal group known as Alabama recorded a song a number of years ago that has been playing through my thoughts this week. The song is titled Angels Among Us.

Here's the link if you'd like to take a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey0HrEvh44c

Dearest Lord Jesus, it's Christmas Eve once again!
Open the eyes of our hearts and give us ears wide open!
Help us to see Your glory and to hear the angels still announcing:
"Good News of Great Joy!" And make us Your witnesses! Amen!

Grateful (to be surrounded by the sound of angels' wings!)

Seven Near & Dear Words To Me

The words of the last verse of the Christmas Carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" have been nearest to my heart this Advent Season:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

These seven words have been especially near and dear to me:
Cast out our sin, and enter in...

Sarah McLachlan singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPMDD8fGeA

1 John 3:8-10 (NLT):
(8) But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil.
(9) Those who have been born into God’s family do not sin, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they have been born of God.
(10) So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil. Anyone who does not obey God’s commands and does not love other Christians does not belong to God.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD! THE LORD HAS COME TO CAST OUT SIN!
Grateful