150 yrs ago, a young Boston woman married a printer,
and they happily had 3 kids. But the Civil war ended their happiness as Mary’s husband was conscripted into the Northern Army and died at the battle of Antietam. Next, her 12-year-old son drowned, and then her only daughter died too. In her grief, Mary Ann Kidder turned to writing hymns of faith that helped millions of others. In total, she wrote 181 worship songs. This one is called... Did You Think to Pray? When you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ our Savior, did you ask for loving favor, As a shield today? When you met with great temptation, did you think to pray? By His dying love and merit, Did you claim the Holy Spirit As your guide and stay? When your heart was filled with anger, did you think to pray? Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another Who had crossed your way? When strong trials came upon you, did you think to pray? When your heart was filled with sorrow, did the love of Christ you borrow At the gates today?
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7. END MY DAY WITH AN ENCOURAGING TRUTH (BENEDICTION)
MT. 6:13c “For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever! Amen!” Remember: 1. God is in control 2. This is not the end of the story 3. God, and his family, win in the end. That will help you sleep better! Now, I encourage you to try this format of using the Lord’s Prayer to mark out regular, short prayer times throughout your day. Here’s the secret sauce: Get a prayer partner to pray with you during at least one of your prayer times. YOUR EXCUSE: “I don’t have time to pause and pray!” Then you’re too busy! PR.10:27 “Reverence for God adds hours to each day.” (LB) . 6. ASK GOD TO HELP ME MAKE WISE DECISIONS
(AND TO PROTECT ME FROM MAKING DUMB DECISIONS) MT. 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” I don’t know about you, but my worst temptations come in the evening through the refrigerator & the TV. Maybe computer for you) But God has given us a great promise: 1 COR.10:13screen “Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.” (NLT) If you watch stuff that’s no good for you, you might want to memorize: Ps. 101:3 “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.” (NLT) 5. ASK FOR FORGIVENESS IN THE AFTERNOON (CONFESSION)
MT. 6:12 “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” This doesn’t take long, but neither does taking out the garbage. I own up to my own wrong reaction, I admit my sins and I forgive others who’ve frustrated me. Because you certainly don’t want to be carried around any resentment the rest of the day and to take it home with you. PS. 32:5“I confessed my sins to you and didn’t try to hide them... Then you forgave me and now all my guilt is gone!” After work, you head home. Did you know that 90% of arguments happen 1 hr before dinner? Knowing that, it’s wise to ask for help! 4. LIST MY NEEDS AT LUNCH (PETITION)
You may be eating a sandwich & that can remind you of the 4th phrase MT. 6:11 “Give us today our daily bread.” Bread represents everything you need to live. Not monthly bread! So what do I do?: I ask for ANYTHING I need. JN.14:13 Jesus: “You can ask for anything in my name” “You have not because...” I ask for what other people need too. (Intercession) 1 SAM.12:23 “I’d be sinning against the Lord if I failed to pray for you.” 2 PET. 1:3 “Jesus has the power of God, by which he gives us everything we need to live, and to serve God. We have these things because we know him.” (NCV) |
What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
April 2024
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