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January 4, 2009
No Article This Week
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January 11, 2009
MY PRAYER LIST
2008 is now history and 2009 is just getting started so I thought I might share with you my prayer list for 2009. The power of prayer is our most powerful weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. Perhaps from mine you will develop a list for your own private prayer time.
- Forgiveness of sins. "And forgive our sins" (Luke 11:40).
- Personal cleansing. (Create in me a clean spirit, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalms 51:10).
- Victory over temptation. "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation" (Matthew 6:41).
- Our physical needs. "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).
- Our enemies. "Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
- All men, especially rulers. "I exhort therefore, first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
- Recovery from sickness (James 5:14-15).
- Wisdom in solving problems. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).
- One another. "Pray for one another" (James 5:16).
- Our mission efforts. "Brethren, pray for us" (I Thessalonians 5:25).
- The success of God's Word and work. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of God may run and be glorified" (11 Thessalonians 3:1).
- Always my wife and children along with each of you that we might be strong, faithful, and serving Christians.
See ya Sunday,
Ralph
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January 18, 2009
THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
Over The course of the next few weeks I want use this space to delve into the great topic of love from several different angles. It is my prayer that the coming articles will encourage and challenge all of us.
The apostle Paul made clear the absolute necessity of loving God when he said, "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, Maranatha" (I Cor. 16:22). Paul makes here clear that no man who does not love will be saved.
Without love, even great things (that is, things which with love are very great) are actually worthless. Paul made clear that without love great oratorical ability, spiritual gifts which can result in great deeds, and tremendously sacrificial acts of benevolence, without love profits nothing (I Cor. 13:1-3).
- No One Can Become A Christian Without Love.
- No One Can Live a Faithful Christian Life Without Loving Both The Lord And His Own Brethren In Christ.
- No One Can Slip By On Their Own Goodness Going Through Life Without Love For Man Or God.
Let each of us remember, in these days of so much rebellion against God, not only will all murderers, liars, unbelievers, sorcerer, et al. be lost (Rev. 21:8) but also every child of God who hates his brother will share the same fate. It is the prayer of this writer that every brother will carefully weigh this truth. Nothing is important enough to warrant one's going through life with hatred for his brother in his heart. Love is necessary.
See ya Sunday,
Ralph
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January 25, 2009
No Article This Week
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