Daniel's World Was Not Much Different

"Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes."  (Daniel 9:3)

"....set my face," can mean, "gave myself."  Also, "supplications," can mean to, "seek favor."  And, "sackcloth, and ashes," represent repentance; all good attitudes in prayer, our ongoing sojourn in Jesus Christ.

Now I know you will take this correctly, but the thought occurred to me this morning that prayer is "fun," even though, as a Christian leader once said, "Prayer is hard work," perhaps akin to what Daniel experienced in chapter 7, "....my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed...."  I have found, however, that if you and I look at prayer as fellowship/participation in the "Divine Directive," as in, "Thy Kingdom come...," and as enjoying the Life of "friendship" in Jesus Christ, the word "hard" may not be an overriding fact.

The Church in America and, indeed, Western Europe in these days should be praying the prayer of Daniel 9.  I did this morning, and found it as "up-to-date" as January 9, 2020.  I repeat; the Bible is full of prayers for us personally, our families, our communities, work place, church, governments.  Yes, I, "....make your requests known....," yet so many times I pray a Bible prayer and think, "I just could not have said/prayed that any better."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for giving me prayers that are Your Heart.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Great Prayer Time

"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness."  (Acts 4:31)

How about this?  "When they...prayed, the place...was shaken...?

When I read this the other day, the "prayer" came to me, "Lord Jesus, do You still do this?"  Now I'm not looking for a "sign," just a shaking which moves men and nations!

Had a good conference call prayer time a few minutes ago.  I intend to keep it to about 15 minutes for now.  I'll let you know the date and time of next week's call.  A number of people have said that daytime is not good; for others okay.  Let's pray for the "right time."

2020 is already shaping up to be "intense."  Please notice that along with "place-shaking" prayer, there was, "....they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness."  I long for this not for show or personal "gratification," but that as Servants of Jesus Christ we will fulfill The Great Command, "Go and make disciples of all the nations."  Another way of saying this is, "Disciple them to be My Servants also."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the outworking of today's text which brings, "Thy Kingdom come.  They will be done in earth as it is in Heaven."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

There Is Too Much Fear Of Terroism In The USA

"Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth."  (Colossians 3:2)

I don't think this means to wander in stratospheric thoughts, or thinking religious thoughts/cliches.  For me, it is, Don't wallow in the thinking, lifestyles, priorities of those who know not Jesus Christ.  "Set you mind on things above," ourselves, the "bigger picture."  Manage our "minds" in the context of history, the global community, the Kingdom of God/Heaven, "The Word of God."  This is all bigger than us.

In light of the girly fear gripping the nations and too many Americans, I give you once again the remedy, the cure for those who will accept it, because these are the very Words of Jesus Christ from Isaiah 8: "The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does.  He said, 'Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them.  Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life.  He is the one you should fear.  He is the one who should make you tremble.  He will keep you safe.'" !!!

S0 many times in Scripture we read, "Fear not."  Isaiah 41:10 declares, "Fear  not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  If anyone is listening to, reading and watching humanistic media, they will have nothing reinforced but fear.  Read, "The Words of God," and we will have nothing but, "Fear not, for I am with you..., unto the completion of the age."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to think, "like [You] do."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"When You Fast," Not, If You Fast

"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance...."  (Matthew 6:16a)

During the early days of the charismatic renewal we heard a lot about "the early Church," and how we should be more like that Church.  Well, one thing they did regularly was to fast twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays.  I wonder what would have happened in the "renewal" if the Church would have taken this seriously.

Jesus does say, "Do not fast."  He said, "When you fast," and, when you do, don't do it the way many religious folk do, viz., "Look at me, how spiritual I am."  He then added, "Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward."  I call you and me today to aspire to the "reward" in Jesus Christ, the "reward" which comes from a walk of obedience.  In the "physical" sense, "the Bridegroom is taken away....Then they will fast."  Of course, "Jesus Christ is in you", but we do not see Him now in His Glorious Resurrected Body; hence, "....then they will fast." 

I have decided to add Friday to my regular fast day of Wednesday in view of world events and the coming US Election.  Now what I do is if someone wants to have breakfast or lunch on one of those days, I usually accept the invitation.  I simply take one of the other days of the week to keep the two day fast schedule. 

Not everything which the Pharisees and Sadducees did was hypocritical and without the "sanction" of the Godhead, e.g., prayer, fasting, giving alms.  These spiritual graces are ours also.  Will you join me in 2020?  Maybe the Church will obtain 2020 vision.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with David, "When you said, 'Seek My Face,' my heart said to You, 'Your Face, Lord, do I seek.'"  Amen.

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I am praying about how we could fast and pray during this coming, world-changing year.  Perhaps we could have a conference-call prayer time together on each of the fast days.  "Selah."

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2