Friday, December 14, 2012

Fwd: A Christmas Prayer

When we don't know what to do, we can pray.


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Begin forwarded message:

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: December 14, 2012, 5:49:54 PM EST
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: A Christmas Prayer
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

A Christmas Prayer
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

A Christmas Prayer

from Max Lucado
-
 

Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord.  These children, Lord.  Innocence violated.  Raw evil demonstrated. 

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas.  But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty.  Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children


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UpWords · 12175 Network · San Antonio, TX 78249

Monday, November 19, 2012

Fwd: UpWords · 11/19/2012

Staying connected to the Father.

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Begin forwarded message:

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: November 19, 2012, 6:59:26 AM EST
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: UpWords · 11/19/2012
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

UpWords · 11/19/2012
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

Stay Close to the Vine
-

Nov 18, 2012 10:01 pm
 Today's MP3

God says to you and me, "You can be fruitful, but I'm going to have to clip some diseased leaves."   Arrogance.  Vain ambitions. Bad relationships.  Dangerous opportunities.  Revenge.  Does God take this process lightly?  I don't think so.  John 15:2 says, "He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit."

So what are we to do?  We branches on the vine– what is our response?  An answer commonly given at this point is the imperative, "Bear fruit!"  But is that the right response?  If a branch is fruitless does it help if the gardener demands fruit?  Please note, the branch cannot make fruit.

Jesus says, "remain in me. . ."   Remain in my love. . .  If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce fruit.  Our task?  It's clear.  Stay close to the vine.  Jesus said, "apart from Me, you can do nothing." John 15:5

From A Gentle Thunder

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Fwd: UpWords · 11/07/2012

Keeping the election in proper perspective...

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: November 7, 2012, 7:09:44 AM EST
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: UpWords · 11/07/2012
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

UpWords · 11/07/2012
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

The Power of Election Prayer
-

Nov 06, 2012 12:01 pm
 

Let others lose sleep over the election.  Let others grow bitter from party or petty rivalries.  Let others cast their hope with the people of the elephant or the donkey.  Not followers of Jesus.  We place our trust in the work of God.

How many kings has he seen come and go?  How many nations has he seen stand and fall?  He is above them all.  And he oversees them all.  So, while others get anxious, we don't. Here is what we do:  we pray.

"First of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  (1 Tim.2:1-4 NIV).

It is time to take this job seriously.  Over the next hours and days ahead, turn your heart toward heaven and ask God to:

  • Unite our country
  • Strengthen us
  • Appoint and anoint our next president

God's promise is clear:

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV).

Only God can unite the nations. On this election day, let's ask him to do just that with ours.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

         Unite us

                 Strengthen us

                         Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

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His Grace
-

Nov 06, 2012 10:01 pm
 Today's MP3

I had planned to nap during my trip.  But the fellow next to me had other ideas!  Knowing I couldn't sleep, I opened my Bible.

"What ya' studying there, buddy?"  I told him, but he never heard.

"The church is lost," he declared.  "Hellbound and heartsick."   "Christians are asleep.  They don't pray. They don't  love. They don't care."  With that he began listing all the woes and weaknesses of the church.

I shouldn't have let it bug me, but it did.  God's faithfulness has never depended on the faithfulness of his children.  He is faithful even when we are not.  When we lack courage, he doesn't.

I'll probably never see that proclaimer of pessimism again, but if you do, will you give him a message for me?  God's blessings are dispensed according to the riches of his grace, not according to the depth of our faith.

That's what makes God…God!   And that is what makes the church strong.

From A Gentle Thunder

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Fwd: UpWords · 11/06/2012

Wonderful and uplifting words from Max Lucado. Enjoy!

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Begin forwarded message:

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: November 6, 2012, 7:05:30 AM EST
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: UpWords · 11/06/2012
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

UpWords · 11/06/2012
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

We Like Sheep
-

Nov 05, 2012 10:01 pm
 Today's MP3

Sheep aren't smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They have no sense of direction. They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water.

So do we! We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour.

Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, "We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way."  We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. And Jesus is that Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep. The Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd!  The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep!

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15"

From A Gentle Thunder

It's Election Day!  Let's keep the habit of praying everyday for our great country!

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Humility

1 Peter 5:6 NIV

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/1Pet5.6.NIV



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Tweet from Rick Warren (@RickWarren)

Rick Warren (@RickWarren)
"A condescending attitude leads to downfall and ruin, but humility precedes honor." Prov.18:12

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Friday, November 2, 2012

Fwd: UpWords · 11/02/2012



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Begin forwarded message:

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: November 2, 2012, 7:08:02 AM EDT
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: UpWords · 11/02/2012
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

UpWords · 11/02/2012
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

The Holy Spirit
-

Nov 01, 2012 10:01 pm
 Today's MP3

If I were to ask you to describe your heavenly Father, you'd give me a response.  If I were to ask you to tell me what Jesus did for you, you'd likely give a cogent answer.  But if I were to ask about the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. . .?  Eyes would duck.  Throats would be cleared.

John 14:17 says, "The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him.  But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you."

What does the Spirit do? Scripture says He comforts the saved.  He convicts the lost.  He conveys the truth.  Have you ever been convicted? Ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Understood a new truth?  Then you've been touched by the Holy Spirit.

What do you know?  He's been working in your life already.

From A Gentle Thunder

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

What do we pray for?

LeadLikeJesus (@LeadLikeJesus)
The nature & objects of our prayers will determine whether we are ego-driven or are glorifying God. #LeadLikeJesus

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Fwd: UpWords · 10/26/2012

What a great reminder of God's unconditional love for us.

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Begin forwarded message:

From: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>
Date: October 26, 2012, 7:06:37 AM EDT
To: <frwaggoner@hotmail.com>
Subject: UpWords · 10/26/2012
Reply-To: MaxLucado.com <email@maxlucado.com>

UpWords · 10/26/2012
MaxLucado.com Weekday Email

Our Feet in His Hands
-

Oct 25, 2012 10:01 pm
 Today's MP3

"Jesus poured water into a bowl and began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel wrapped around Him." (John 13:5)

We say, "No!  Don't wash their feet, Jesus.  Tell them to wash Yours!"  Do we object because we don't want to see God washing feet?  Or do we object because we don't want to do the same?

Logic says, "Put up your fists."  Jesus says, "Fill up the basin."
Logic says, "She doesn't deserve it." Jesus says, "You're right, but you don't, either."

I don't understand how God can be so kind to us, but he is.  He kneels before us, takes our dirty feet in his hands, and washes them.  Not from our dirt, but from our sins.  And the cleansing isn't just a gesture; it's a necessity.  We cannot cleanse our own filth.  We cannot remove our own sin.  Our feet must be in His hands.

Would you let him wash your feet today?

From A Gentle Thunder

Please continue to pray for the USA!  40 Days of Prayer

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