Tag Archives: jordan river

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Fresh Immersion

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The Jordan River stretches 70 miles between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, and it is Israel’s eastern border. Many significant events in history took place there. It was by the Jordan River that the Israelites renewed their covenant with God before entering the Promised Land. It’s also where John the Baptist called them to renew their covenant with the Lord again through baptism.

They were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew 3:6

The word “baptize” means “to dip” or “to immerse.” The Jews of John’s time used baptism to signify one’s change of heart toward God. This bold move implied that Jews did not belong to God only by virtue of their descent from Abraham, but through a transformed life.

As you spend time in prayer and reading God’s Word, ask Him to give you a fresh immersion from the Holy Spirit. Praise your Heavenly Father that He has made you a new creation through Jesus Christ – where old thing are gone, and all things are new. Intercede also for this nation’s senators and representatives to experience a flowing river of God’s love and grace in their hearts this year, and for more American Christians to take up the call to pray for their leaders.

Recommended Reading: Colossians 2:6-14

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — A Person Of Influence

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Our Daily Bread

2 Kings 5:1-15

She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” —2 Kings 5:3

If you Google “person of influence,” the search will take you to various lists of “the most influential people in the world.” These lists usually include political leaders; business entrepreneurs and athletes; along with people in science, the arts, and entertainment. You will not find the names of cooks and cleaners who work for them. Yet those in so-called lowly positions often influence the people they serve.

The story of Naaman, a high-ranking military commander, includes two kings and a prophet of God (2 Kings 5:1-15). Yet it was the servants in the background whose words led to Naaman being cured of leprosy, a career-ending, life-changing disease. A young servant girl taken captive from Israel told Naaman’s wife that a prophet in Samaria could heal him (vv.2-3). When Elisha’s instructions to bathe in the Jordan River angered Naaman, his servants urged him to follow the prophet’s orders. The result was Naaman’s restoration to health and his declaration, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (v.15).

What a beautiful picture of our role as followers of Jesus Christ! We are called to be people of influence—the Lord’s servants who point others to the One whose touch can change their lives. —David McCasland

Lord, I would like to live a life of influence like

Naaman’s servant girl—to be brave and bold

to touch the lives of others by pointing them

to You. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with Your power.

Christ sends us out to bring others in.

Bible in a year: Psalms 51-53; Romans 2

Uncategorized

Our Daily Bread — Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow

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Joshua 4:1-6,20-24

That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty. —Joshua 4:24

Recently I realized that all of the photos and mementos in my office represent the past. I considered removing them, but wondered if those reminders of people, places, and events might serve some purpose beyond nostalgia. To avoid being mired in the “yesterdays” of life, I needed to discover the value of those items for today and tomorrow.

When God’s people crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, He told their leader, Joshua, to choose 12 men, have each one take a stone from the middle of the river, and carry it to their campsite that night (Josh. 4:1-5). Joshua set up the stones as a memorial so that when future generations asked, “What do these stones mean to you?” they could tell them about God’s faithfulness in holding back the water while they crossed (vv.6-7).

As followers of Christ, it’s good for us to have tangible evidence of God’s help in the past. Those mementos remind us that His faithfulness continues today, and we can follow Him confidently into the future. Our “stones” may also help others know that God’s hand is mighty, as they encourage us to fear the Lord our God forever (v.24).

The memories of what God has done for us can become building blocks for today and tomorrow. —David McCasland

Thinking It Over

How has God shown Himself to be faithful to

you and your family? What would help you to remember?

Is there someone you can talk to about it today?

Precious memories of yesterday can strengthen our faith today and tomorrow.