One Bible commentary states that “many hidden beauties burst into view upon the pages of the Bible, when faith’s open eye looks through it on the face of Jesus.” Today’s verse talks of the love and faithfulness of God who supplied the person who paid the price for your sin…that man, Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) That is exactly what Christ did. Sin is forgiven. The wise man, as a result, will fear the Lord, having great awe and reverence for the One who provided the way for salvation.

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for…by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

Proverbs 16:6

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.K.- Guarding Character →

Jamie-Lynne Knighten stood in the checkout line with a $200 grocery bill, a crying baby and a declined credit card. That’s when 28-year-old Matthew Jackson stepped up and asked if he could cover the cost. Knighten agreed when Jackson said he wanted nothing in return. He simply asked her to do the same for someone else. A week later, Knighten called Jackson’s boss to tell of his kindness. The manager began to cry. Less than 24 hours after Jackson paid Knighten’s grocery bill, he was killed in a car accident.

Blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Proverbs 14:21

Knighten quickly created a Facebook page called, “Matthew’s Legacy.” Soon there were people all over the world responding who agreed to share a random act of kindness. In fact, when Jackson’s sister and brother-in-law were driving to the memorial service, they stopped with their four children for a meal. When they finished eating, a stranger had already paid their bill!

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team;  H.L.M. – Random Acts →

This year, what if you put the same amount of energy into the fitness of your tongue as you might into the fitness of your body? According to the Bible, your words will reflect the health of your soul like your waistline reflects the health of your heart. The book of Matthew states that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks; the good person out of his good treasure and the evil person out of his evil treasure.

Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; – Verbal Fitness →

Hopefully, no one hates you this much. In the fourteenth century in England, theologian John Wycliffe believed God was calling him to translate the Holy Bible from Latin into English. Until then, parishioners went to church where the Scriptures were interpreted for them by priests. What Wycliffe proposed to do was illegal…and not well received. Wycliffe somehow avoided being burned at the stake – the typical fate of instigators in that age – and died a natural death. But 41 years later, authorities decided a normal burial was too good for Wycliffe. They had his bones dug up, burned, and scattered in a river. The plan was for his name and his work to be forever wiped from history.

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:7

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Eternal Remembrance →

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 →