Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves

Intercessory prayer is a very important ministry that Christians can do for others. As we are reminded by Oswald Chambers in our devotion for today, we are able to pray for others through discernment. The Holy Spirit gives us an insight into another person's life and it should prompt us to pray for them. Unfortunately people like to use their discernment to criticize others instead of pray for them. "We see other people failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf." I can't think of one person who seeks out others to ridicule or criticize them so let's not do it to others. A negative, critical spirit is not a spiritual gift. Prayer goes much farther and does so much more so let us pray for each other.

Be blessed.
Pastor Mark

Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?

Walking consistently with Jesus is difficult for many people. We just don't always feel like putting forth the effort that a consistent walk with the Lord requires. But if we are going to be effective servants for Jesus and willingly show Him our love, then we need to make it a practice to walk with Him daily. To be a disciple, we need to discipline ourselves to walk with Jesus everyday. We often want to do life on our terms but we need to get out of this trap. Our wisdom is limited, God's wisdom has no limits. Our vision is short sighted, Jesus can see into the future. As Oswald Chambers reminds us in our devotion for today, "Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him." God deserves our complete devotion and faithfulness. Let us never turn back from walking with Jesus as many have done. Let us stay the course, through the good and bad times.

Be blessed.
Pastor Mark