British nature enthusiast Bear Grylls, who starred in both TV series Man vs. Wild and Born Survivor, believed in God as a child. It was at age 16, though, when Grylls lost his godfather that he climbed up in a tree and gave his heart to the Lord. Now he knows his faith is the key to his daily survival.

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 8:35

“I really, desperately have learned in my life that I need my faith, and I’m just not strong enough on my own. I try to start every day by kneeling down and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, I ain’t got it all right, and I’m nervous about today. I will give it my all, but will you help me?’” said Grylls.

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – True Source →

Ants are tiny but interesting beings. They are found almost everywhere on Earth. They work together in colonies to accomplish more and are one of the strongest creatures in relation to their size. Don’t let their wee stature fool you. These miniature insects work hard.

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

Proverbs 6:6

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Wee Examples →

What has God put on your heart for this New Year? Consider that five basic responsibilities of a Christian are to seek God, to pray, to serve, to give, and to be thankful.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:27

Seek God: “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek’” (Psalm 27:8). Intercede: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (I Timothy 2:1). Serve: “Through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Give: “Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). Be thankful: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Little Things →

What have you “inherited” from 2015? Maybe it was your greatest year ever. Perhaps it was a nightmare you’d rather never repeat. Either way, now is a good time to reflect upon your experiences – good and bad – so that you can learn from them. Notes author John Maxwell: “Experience is not the best teacher. Evaluated experience is the best teacher. Reflective thinking is needed to turn experience into insight. We draw lessons from the past only when we study it.”

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 3:35

In this presidential election year, you will hear endless discussion of the various candidates’ experience. Why? Because Americans want a Chief Executive who has a record of success – someone who has been an effective leader regardless of the circumstances.

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.R.- Experience Count →

Men feverishly rushed to California in the l840s looking for gold and silver. They sacrificed their lives to search for the precious metals. Miners discovered copper in the mountains of Arizona, and today companies run 24-7 to bring it out of the ground.

Seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures.

Proverbs 2:4

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team;  J.K. – Spirit-filled Consequences →

A well-known speaker uses the analogy of the jackhammer and hummingbird to describe two different approaches to life. For some, their purpose is always clear and their passion is to just drill a little deeper into that calling, similar to a worker with a jackhammer, rat-a-tat-tat. For others, it’s more like a hummingbird going from one flower to another, delighting in the novel and undiscovered.

And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.

Ezekiel 37:14

Whatever your perspective, to live with sustained passion requires an indispensable ingredient as Ezekiel, the biblical prophet, experienced. He had a vision – old dead bones scattered across the desert landscape. God told him the bones would live again. Then a mighty wind, the symbolic picture of the Spirit of God, moved through them and they got up and lived!

As the clock for 2015 winds down, how are you doing with “living your passion?” The question itself elicits groans from those struggling with burnout and disillusionment. If this is you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. If it’s not you, it is someone you know. Today, pray God will once again move, across America and through your life, with his revitalizing breath. His Spirit will bring passion and productivity to both.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 71:17-23

Caleb Kaltenbach was two when his parents divorced and entered the homosexual lifestyle. As a result, Caleb wanted nothing to do with Christianity or God. In high school, a friend invited him to a Bible study and he accepted with ulterior motives. “I thought I would pretend to be a Christian, learn about Christianity and dismantle their arguments,” said Caleb.

Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age.

Galatians 1:4

Caleb went to the Bible study. He was confused and embarrassed when they asked him to read a verse from First Corinthians and instead he read from First Chronicles. But something amazing happened when Caleb began to read the Bible for himself. He fell in love with God! Later he met a Christian friend at a restaurant and during their conversation became a follower of Jesus. After attending a Christian college and seminary, Caleb now pastors a church – and both of his parents have given their lives to the Lord!

As you prepare for the New Year, remember to praise God for your salvation. Read His Word more and pursue opportunities to tell others about how you have been rescued by Jesus Christ. Pray that many people will come to know Him across America!

Recommended Reading: Romans 4:13-25

Celebrate!

Today, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ the Savior. Others join in with Santa Claus and materialism as the emphasis. Most celebrants take a day off, exchange gifts, and feast with family. However, Christians celebrate so much more than Jesus’ birthday. After all, Jesus didn’t stay as a baby in the manger.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5:18

As a boy, Jesus grew in favor with God and man. In His early thirties He began His ministry. He taught people about the Father. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He suffered and died to pay the debt of everyone’s sin, and rose from the dead. Before He ascended to Heaven He made a promise and a command. He promised to return (Matthew 24:30) and He commissioned the eleven to make new disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

Celebrate out loud today and every day. Thank Him for all the good things He has given you. Let people know the reason for the hope that is in you. Pray for unbelievers in your life to become Christ’s disciples and that the gospel will be preached and received in this nation and the entire world. Merry Christmas!

Recommended Reading: Acts 1:6-11

America’s religious climate has changed in recent years. Turn on any news program and another report is being aired about someone being offended over a Christian praying in public. With all the controversy, some Christians may decide it’s not worth it to come under attack. But J. Sidlow Baxter said, “Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.”

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

I Timothy 2:1

Knowing this, Christians should continue to pray – and today’s verse reinforces this directive. Matthew Henry’s commentary says of this verse, “The design of the Christian religion is to promote prayer; and the disciples of Christ must be praying people.”

Even though it may not be popular with society, spend some time here on Christmas Eve…and every day…praying for others. In fact, pray for everyone – especially those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. Intercede for the nation’s rulers and its citizens to once again embrace Christianity and prayer. Nothing could be more honoring to the true spirit of this season.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 4:1-6

Thirty-eight years ago a 14-year-old girl chose to keep her child even though the pregnancy was the result of a gang rape. The birth was difficult, leaving this young, courageous woman in a hospital for days, many miles away from her mother. Four days after the child was born, Jim and Carol adopted the baby girl and named her Janie. She grew up to become a fabulous woman and a wonderful wife and mother of three boys, one of whom Janie and her husband adopted. Janie praises God for her life and for that remarkable 14-year-old girl.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

Revelation 1:5

Over two thousand years ago, a young, courageous woman name Mary obeyed God despite challenging circumstances and gave birth to the Savior of the world. As a result, Jesus Christ came to Earth to save you from your sin and its consequences.

Amid all the festivities as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, remember to thank your Heavenly Father for His magnificent gift of salvation. Pray also that your friends, neighbors and leaders in your community and in America will discover the wonder of a relationship with Him.

Recommended Reading: Luke 1:39-56

If you’re searching for coincidence, lady luck, or twists of fate, you can buy a lottery ticket for two dollars. Tomorrow, you are almost guaranteed to be two dollars poorer. If you should beat the ridiculous odds and win, you’ve probably just purchased a lifetime of anguish. If you doubt this, just investigate the lives of the “winners” within a few short years down the road from the jackpot.

Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

But those who invest in serving God find the odds of success increase considerably. In fact, they are 100 percent! There simply are no “coincidences” in His perfect plans. Throughout history, God has placed people in just the right place at just the right time. Consider the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) or the Woman at the Well (John 4) In today’s scripture, a series of incredible “coincidences” lands Esther in the right place at the right time to save the entire Jewish race.

As you pray for America today, ask God to lead you to some lost, lonely people who find it hard to believe that God could love them – especially at Christmas time. You are here “for such a time as this.”

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 46:8-13

It was the day after Christmas in West Virginia. Temperatures were below freezing with snow on the ground. A puppy with only one eye and not yet weaned from her mother was dumped on the side of a country road. When a passing driver noticed this tiny form wriggling around in the snow, he stopped and scooped the puppy up into his hand. The warmth of the car and the kindness of her rescuer was certainly a gift from God for this little dog.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

Colossians 1:13

Soon a lady named Stacey saw the puppy on a pet adoption website. She and her husband travelled 18 hours to meet and adopt the dog – and they welcomed the one-eyed wonder into their home. She has brightened their lives ever since!

God reached out and came in person in order to scoop you up and rescue you from your sin. As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, remember today…and every day… to thank Him for the priceless gift of salvation. Pray that all of America’s leaders will embrace a relationship with Jesus this Christmas season.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 1:3-8