Category Archives: Prayer

Prayers for America (9/14/2017)

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The Apostle Paul was walking through the streets of Philippi, heading to a prayer meeting by the river. A young slave girl met him on the street and began stating, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

The words sound accurate, right?

And if this happened today, most believers would proclaim her to be a prophet. She would then be on TV, radio, writing books, and totally accepted by most churches.

Yet, nothing could be further from the truth because the slave girl had a spirit of divination and made her owners wealthy from her fortune-telling.

Paul was greatly annoyed by the words spoken by the slave girl. He didn’t want a lying demon proclaiming his ministry and then leading people down a wide path to Hell. He wanted the Holy Spirit to convict people of their need for a Savior, leading them to salvation.

My prayer today:

Lord, give American believers a love for the truth so that we are not deceived by Satan’s power, signs, and lying wonders. (Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Prayers for American Christians’ Eyes to be Opened (9/12/2017)

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If you disagree with President Obama, you’re branded a racist.

If you agree with President Trump, you’re branded a racist and a sexist.

If you disagree with same-sex marriage, you’re branded a homophobe.

If you disagree with global warming (now called climate change), you’re branded as a denier.

Hey, what’s with all of this labeling?

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

This is a shaming strategy of Satan to shut the mouths of Christians from speaking truth and preaching the gospel to our neighbors, friends, and other Americans. We need to understand that this type of persecution will not go away and will only intensify in the future.

It’s up to each believer to determine his or her commitment now.

My prayer today:

O Lord, help believers to prepare our minds for action and to be sober-minded, setting our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Based on 1 Peter 1:13)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for American believers’ eyes to be opened.

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Spiritual Warfare in San Francisco (Part 8)

God looked at Adam and saw that he needed a helper, a person providing him assistance and support in good times or bad. The person who God created to help Adam was like the first man, but different. She was a woman.

Adam and Eve then became God’s pattern for humans. God blessed the first couple and gave them His plan for mankind —

“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over living thing that moves on earth. See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:28-29)

God’s plan for mankind was given to a couple: a husband (male) and wife (female) team, not to two men or two women. 

Satan also knew God’s plan for mankind. The evil one understood that if man and woman followed God’s plan, mankind would continue to be blessed forever and ever by God. Satan’s desires to be like the Most High would then never happen.  So, he had to do something to further his ambitions, but what?

From experience, Satan knew he could not defeat God, but he also knew God would not put up with the sin of rebellion. His plan was simple: deceive Adam and Eve into rebelling against God.

“You will not surely die…you will be like God…” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Eve saw the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was good for fruit, it was pleasant to her eyes, and she desired it.  She took the fruit and ate it.

Adam watched Eve eat the fruit and noticed she didn’t die. He then ate the forbidden fruit, too.

Rebellion!

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2)

 

The Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – is a heterosexual book. Period.  And where homosexuality is mentioned in God’s Word, it’s referred to as being immoral and sinful. God’s revealed plans for a married couple – a man and a woman – is that they will “be fruitful and multiply…and have dominion over the whole earth.”

So, what is God’s revealed plans for same-sex couples or gays or lesbians?

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19, 21)

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

For a person to “not inherit the kingdom of God” or to be known as the “least in the kingdom of heaven” for all of Eternity is a horrendous ending for a human, especially a believer. I don’t claim to know how this will affect salvations, but what if gay believers end up in the outer reaches of heaven? So then, the little bit of light they have, may seem like darkness, causing them to end up weeping and gnashing their teeth?

Not a happy thought, right?

Sadly, the same Satan who deceived Eve and caused Adam to rebel in the Garden of Eden is the one who speaks to the minds of gays, saying, “God is a God of love and as long as you’re in love with your partner, there’s no problem. After all, didn’t He create you this way?”

And as soon as a gay sins, Satan stands before God, accusing the gay, saying, “He has broken Your word, according to Leviticus 20:13, and deserves to die.”

How long can we believers ignore how the kingdom of darkness has imprisoned gays in their sins? Some of whom are believers who have been bought with the blood of the Lamb?

What can we do?

(The above is taken from my 9-part series, “If We Just Ignore Gays, They’ll Go Away, Right?” The full series can be read here.)

(Continued in Part 9…the full series to date  can be read here.)

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If God Loves us, Why do we Still Suffer? (Part 5)

We Evangelicals major on talking about “being born again,” but do you know how many times our Lord spoke on this issue? Just one time. Period.

Yet, there are more than thirty instances in the four Gospels where Jesus cast out demons, gave power to His disciples to cast out demons, or taught about casting out demons.

Now, how is it that we Evangelicals can talk for hours about the importance of being “born again,” but yet, we draw blanks when it comes to casting out demons?

So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Paul wrote the above verse in reference to a man who had committed sexual immorality with his father’s wife. The apostle recommended that the man be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the man’s flesh. Then, the man repented and Paul recommended the man should be accepted back into the fellowship.

But the important point is this: Satan has schemes and plans to destroy the effectiveness of us believers.

Okay, who benefits the most by us believers not being able to cast out demons? The Kingdom of God? Or the kingdom of darkness?

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)

It’s obvious that if we believers do not understand how to cast out demons, the kingdom of darkness rejoices at our ignorance. Why? Because our power and authority in Jesus’ name bows impotent before the god of this world: Satan.

Oh dear! What should we do?

(The above is taken from my 9-part series, “Do We Still Cast Out Demons,” which can be seen in its entirety here.)

Christians suffer many needless defeats because we do not know how to use our authority to defeat Satan and his horde of demons. We need to remember that Jesus won the victory at the cross, but we still must enforce it.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith… (1 Peter 5:8-9)

As believers, it’s our responsibility to take authority over demons and cast them out. God will not do it for us because He has given us the tools to do it.

Mike Bickle has a great teaching on the authority of believers which can be seen as a video format or read in a PDF format here.

(Continued in Part 6…the full series to date  can be read here.

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Prayers for America (9/7/2017)

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The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted a sign from heaven concerning Jesus. Our Lord rebuked them saying, “You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times.

Why did Jesus rebuke them?

Unlike the common people, the Pharisees and Sadducees had access to the Old Testament scrolls and spent time studying the Law and the Prophets. They should have known that Jesus was the Messiah, but their traditions and fleshly thinking veiled their spiritual eyes.

Would Jesus rebuke us for our lack of interpreting the signs of the times in today’s America?

Probably.

You see, on August 21, 2017, our nation had its first total solar eclipse visible across the entire contiguous United States since 1918.

Then, on August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and became the first hurricane to make landfall in America for almost twelve years, since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Harvey is the costliest storm to ever hit Texas and the second most costly, after Katrina, in America’s history.

Now, Hurricane Irma has the potential of being the most devastating storm to ever hit America and is projected to make landfall sometime Saturday.

For thus says the LORD,
Who created the heavens,
Who is God,
Who formed the earth and made it,
Who has established it,
Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:18)

At the very least, we have to understand that we are in a new season with God because the signs of the times have drastically changed. We need to seek Him now with all of our heart to hear His words for America.

My prayer today:

Lord, open our hearts to the love of the truth and give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and Revelation 2:7)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Prayers for American Christians’ Eyes to be Opened (9/5/2017)

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“Larry…I hate fasting, but, ya’ know, I love what comes from the investment.” (Lou Engle)

Are you a candidate for greater intimacy with God through prayer and fasting? Do you have a lost one God needs to awaken? Is there a broken relationship needing reconciliation? Are you in need of a miracle, healing, deliverance or freedom from debts?

Rediscover the value of fasting to experience long-prayed-for breakthroughs and blessings in your life! Consult a doctor if you have health problems. Use wisdom if it is a water, juice, veggie, favorite food, one-, two-, three-day or extended fast. Expect some spiritual and physical resistance. Those are mild hunger pangs. You won’t die!

Get started and stay motivated by regularly reviewing these potential benefits of fasting:

1. Renews spiritual vision
2. Brings a holy brokenness
3. Purifies our heart
4. Humbles our soul
5. Releases spiritual guidance
6. Subdues our flesh
7. Heightens spiritual awareness
8. Deepens communion with God
9. Clears our minds to hear God
10. Brings supernatural refreshing
11. Adds power to prayer
12. Brings deliverance
13. Brings greater fruitfulness
14. Facilitates breakthroughs
15. Cleanses the physical body

(Excerpts from Larry Tomczak’s article, 15 Benefits of Fastingat WND.com.)

My prayer today:

Lord, open American believers’ eyes to the critical urgency for prayer AND fasting for our nation, leaders, loved ones, friends, neighbors, and others at this hour in our nation’s history.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for American believers’ eyes to be opened.

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Downsizing Without a Roadmap (Part 1)

 

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One morning in late July 2017, Carol threw her hands in the air. “What are we going to do?”

“About what?” I said.

“About paying the rent!” she proclaimed. “We don’t have enough money to pay our rent by August 5th.”

“Maybe God will send us a miracle.”

“Or maybe not. We need to give our moving out notice to Gary.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” I said. “If we don’t have a miracle by the 31st, then we’ll give our thirty days notice to Gary.”

She nodded in agreement.

 

How did we ever end up in such a tight spot?

Carol had passed her real estate exam over a year earlier, but continued working as a furniture sales person in San Marcos, California. Then, in March 2017, she felt the Lord wanted her to quit her furniture sales job and become a full time real estate agent. She eventually chose to work at Realty ONE Group Southwest in Temecula.

I worked as a cashier at Walmart Supercenter in Temecula, beginning in August 2016. I also passed my real estate exam in May 2017, but continued working at Walmart. I would have stayed there except for some answered prayers.

For three years, I prayed to see our two sons and their families. My prayers were answered when our son Mike and his wife Shannon flew us out to Pittsburgh for Ginger’s (our eighteen year old granddaughter) high school graduation party in late June 2017. Then, our son Scott and his wife Liza and our two grandchildren flew out to visit us in the first week of July 2017.

I applied for two weeks vacation from Walmart, but management only gave me one week off. So I felt I had no choice but to quit, which I did on June 30, 2017.

Maybe your thoughts are: “Hey man, you quit a good job that helped support Carol and you just to spend time with your family! What kind of stupid are you?”

He made known His ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. (Psalm 103:7)

To understand the ways of God, one has to spend time with Him. It is in His presence where we can learn about the Father’s heart and how He loves our families.

I felt both trips were answers to my prayers and that I needed to trust the Lord to provide the finances for us.

Now, in the midst of all of this, Carol was holding open houses and working real estate as hard as she could with no results.

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Prayers for America (7/21/2017)

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Jesus spoke a parable about a judge who did not fear God nor care about people. A widow repeatedly came to him, asking for help against her enemy. The judge ignored her for a while, but her persistence wore him down.

“This woman is driving me crazy. So, I’m going to see she gets justice because she is wearing me out with her constant requests,” he said.

Jesus declared that we need to learn a lesson from this unjust judge because even he rendered a just decision in the end. The Lord said:

“And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:7-8)

My prayer today:

Lord, help American believers to realize that it is impossible to please You without faith, knowing that You not only exist but that You reward those who diligently seek You. (Based on Hebrews 11:6)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Prayers for American Christians’ Eyes to be Opened (7/25/2017)

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The king of Syria was upset that his war plans were continually being preempted by Israel. “Do we have a spy in our midst?” he asked.

“The prophet Elisha hears your secrets and tells the King of Israel,” an aide replied.

The king then ordered his army to go to Elisha’s hometown of Dothan, surround it, and capture the prophet.

Elisha’s servant arose early that morning and saw the Syrian army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. He ran to Elisha. “Alas, my master, what shall we do?”

Elisha answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Then Elisha prayed and said:

“LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

My prayer today:

Lord, open American believers’ eyes so we can see that You and all of heaven’s armies are waiting to answer our prayers.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for American believers’ eyes to be opened.

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Spiritual Warfare in San Francisco (Part 7)

King Nebuchadnezzar reigned over Babylon (605 – 562 BC) and defeated all of his many enemies, including Assyria and Judah. The powerful king was a ruthless, ambitious ruler, but in 582 BC, he had a dream that frightened him.

Nebuchadnezzar called for his magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune tellers to come to his court and interpret the dream for him. They could not do it.

Then, the king called for Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar in the Babylonian language). Daniel came and interpreted the dream by saying that the king would be driven from his throne by a unique madness, live in the fields, eat grass with the animals for seven years, and remain that way until King Nebuchadnezzar understood that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He chooses. 

Daniel then said:

“Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.” (Daniel 4:27)

The prophet Daniel’s advice to the king mirrored the words of John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle when both said, “Repent, turn to God, and perform deeds in keeping with your repentance.” 

Daniel did not guarantee that King Nebuchadnezzar would be able to avoid God’s judgment by following his advice, but felt God might lessen His judgment against Nebuchadnezzar if the king repented.

Of course, we know by reading the rest of the Daniel Chapter 4 that Nebuchadnezzar turned a deaf ear to Daniel’s advice and went through a seven-year judgment, but in the end the king said:

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4:37)

I believe the city of San Francisco is now in the same position as Nebuchadnezzar when Daniel spoke his prophecy and advice to him.

(Continued in Part 8…the full series to date  can be read here.)

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