Tag Archives: ephesians 4

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M.- Power of Collaboration

September 19, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Nehemiah encountered challenges in his effort to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. When he surveyed the situation and changed his plans, he recruited the help of many. It was a collaborative effort as some stood guard while others worked on the wall. Nehemiah created a plan where even the most distant team member could call for help from all others when necessary.

And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

Nehemiah 4:18

John 17:21 says, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Jesus prayed that His people would share the same unity as He and His Heavenly Father. When Christ followers are loving and serving each other, it is a powerful witness to the reality of God’s presence in their lives.

Join your heart with believers across America and help rebuild the spiritual wall of America. Pray daily for our nation’s leaders. As you do, know that God is beside each of you as you collaborate with others in this powerful act of service.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R.- Straight Talk

September 16, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The final tapes from the Nixon White House were released by the National Archives last month, and they reveal a President with a blind spot similar to the one of King Ahab, the subject of today’s scripture. The tapes include once-secret Oval Office recordings of conversations between Nixon and his aides. Time after time, Nixon surrogates are heard reassuring the President that the Watergate scandal will pass. Of course, it didn’t pass at all – Nixon was soon forced to resign.

I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left.

I Kings 22:19

King Ahab, likewise, surrounded himself with “yes” men. But there was one prophet, Micaiah, who was willing to give it to him straight…even though the truth was unpleasant. Micaiah told the king that the Lord and the “host of heaven” beside Him had forecast disaster for Ahab.

Are you willing to speak the truth in love to others? As you come beside America’s leaders today in prayer and seek ways to influence them, remember that while tact, timing and diplomacy are important qualities, the truth must never be surrendered. When you ask boldly, God will give you the wisdom and courage to say what must be said!

Joyce Meyer – The Benefits of Forgiveness

September 14, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings. —Mark 11:26

Mark 11:22–26 clearly teaches us that unforgiveness hinders our faith from working, so we can conclude in contrast that forgiveness enables our faith to work. The Father can’t forgive our sins if we don’t forgive other people (see Matt. 6:14–15).

There are still more benefits of forgiveness. For one, I’m happier and I feel better physically when I’m not filled with unforgiveness. We can be healthier when we quickly forgive. Serious diseases can develop as a result of the stress and pressure that result from bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness.

Our fellowship with God flows freely when we’re willing to forgive, but unforgiveness serves as a major block to communion with God. I also believe it is difficult to love people while harboring anger. When we have bitterness in our hearts it seeps out in all of our attitudes and relationships.

It is good to remember that even people we want to love may suffer when we hold bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness. For example, I was very angry and bitter toward my father for abusing me, and I ended up mistreating my husband who had nothing at all to do with the pain I had encountered. I felt that someone needed to repay me for the injustice in my life, but I was trying to collect from someone who could not pay and had no responsibility to do so.

God promises to pay us back for our former trouble if we turn the situation over to Him. And if we don’t, then we allow Satan to perpetuate our pain and take it from relationship to relationship. Ephesians 4:26–27 tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger or give the devil any such foothold or opportunity. Remember that the devil must have a foothold before he can get a stronghold. Do not help Satan torture you. Be quick to forgive when you are offended.

Trust in Him: There is no end to the benefits in your life if you will trust God’s Word that tells you to forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven times (Matt. 18:22).

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Not Just a Little

May 9, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The question was, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The lawyer answered correctly but the words never touched his heart. Jesus required 100 percent devotion…not just a little here and there.

You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

People today relate to God much the same way as the lawyer did. Some know facts but don’t understand the love of God. Christ died on the cross for their wrongdoings – but Jesus never affects their heart. “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” (Ephesians 4:18)

Loving the Lord involves having faith in Him and delighting in Him above all else. It joins heart emotions, will and convictions to the soul…your inner being; then wraps it all with reason (your mind) and with strength (how you use the abilities and power given to you by God). It is total devotion of your whole being to your Maker.

Beloved, in a nation whose people love themselves more than God, intercede for a change of heart. Do your part by loving your neighbor as yourself – always giving the example of your devotion to Jesus who loved you first.

Our Daily Bread — Momma’s Rules

May 3, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Ephesians 4:17-32

Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt. —Ephesians 4:22

I met a delightful woman named “Momma Charlie,” who has raised a dozen or so foster kids. These youngsters were assigned to her by the courts, and she gave them a home with stability, guidance, and love. She told me that every time a new child arrived, the first order of business was to explain “Momma’s Rules.” These included behavioral standards, plus chores that would provide much-needed help in the busy household while teaching accountability to kids with little previous training.

Some of the children may have balked at “Momma’s Rules,” thinking they were robbing them of fun or pleasure—yet nothing would be further from the truth. Those standards allowed for an orderly household where both Momma and the children could find life enjoyable and peaceful.

Similarly, some look at the standards God set forth in the Bible as obstacles that prevent us from enjoying life. However, the boundaries God places actually protect us from our worst inclinations and foster healthy responses to Him.

In Ephesians 4, for example, Paul provides some guidance for how we are to live. As we live by these and other loving instructions from God, we find protection and the opportunity for true, lasting joy. —Bill Crowder

Father, thank You for the boundaries of life that

protect us from sin and from ourselves. Give us

the wisdom and grace to respond gratefully to

Your Word in areas of danger and temptation.

God’s Word is the compass that keeps us on course.

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Wash Each Other’s Feet – Max Lucado

February 11, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Jesus said to His disciples: “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet” (John 13:14). It means to kneel as Jesus knelt, touching the grimy parts of the people we’re stuck with; washing away their unkindnesses with kindness. Or as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”

“But Max,” you’re saying, “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m not the one who cheated. I’m not the one who lied. I’m not the guilty party here.” Perhaps you aren’t. But neither was Jesus. Don’t we all think we are right? Hence we wash each other’s feet. Relationships don’t survive because the guilty are punished but because the innocent are merciful! Only one was worthy of having his feet washed. The one worthy of being served, served others.

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