"His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."(Revelation 1:16)
Dear Jesus,
As I think about being clothed in you, I am convicted by the last attribute listed in this scripture - a face brightly shining. That face is the image of hope being spread to all around you. If we are to be clothed in you, we too should be an image of hope to all around us. Do I think that all who encounter me come away hopeful? I know that is not always the case, but if I am to be clothed in you and filled by you, that is how I should transformed to be.
I pray that these children grasp that concept early in their lives so that they shine as a beacon of hope and encouragement in a dark and difficult world. May they come to be known as sons and daughters of encouragement. I pray that they become the kind of people who bring out the best in those around them so that their legacy of spiritual influence will range far and long. Give them the gift of encouragement, that special ability to choose words well - words that are spoken at just right time and in the just the right tone to give hope and encouragement to those who are struggling and questioning themselves. Help them to recognize the value of that gift and give them a desire to use it often.
Amen
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Clothed in Christ - the Double Edged Sword. Rev. 1:16
"and out of his mouth came a double-edged sword." Revelation 1:16
Dear Jesus,
You patterned for us the ready knowledge and use of scripture. Scripture itself tells us that it is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And the image in Revelation of a double edged sword coming from your mouth reflects the power of the Word when it is spoken.
I pray that as these children are clothed in you, that they too develop the ability for quick and ready use of the Word and that they fully comprehend the power that comes with that use. I pray that they use the Sword to destroy the forces of evil that they encounter as you did in Revelation 19 - forces that oppress and hold captive the innocent and defenseless and who persecute the righteous, but also that they will use the Sword as defense against those forces when they are attacked by them (Ephesians 6:17). Beyond being a weapon, I pray that they understand the Sword's use as a surgical tool, to carefully and gently convict hearts and instruct (Hebrews 4:12).
Give them a insatiatable desire for the Word and may it be their close companion thoughout their lives.
Amen
Dear Jesus,
You patterned for us the ready knowledge and use of scripture. Scripture itself tells us that it is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And the image in Revelation of a double edged sword coming from your mouth reflects the power of the Word when it is spoken.
I pray that as these children are clothed in you, that they too develop the ability for quick and ready use of the Word and that they fully comprehend the power that comes with that use. I pray that they use the Sword to destroy the forces of evil that they encounter as you did in Revelation 19 - forces that oppress and hold captive the innocent and defenseless and who persecute the righteous, but also that they will use the Sword as defense against those forces when they are attacked by them (Ephesians 6:17). Beyond being a weapon, I pray that they understand the Sword's use as a surgical tool, to carefully and gently convict hearts and instruct (Hebrews 4:12).
Give them a insatiatable desire for the Word and may it be their close companion thoughout their lives.
Amen
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Clothed in Christ - the Seven Stars. Rev 1:16
"In his right hand he held seven stars" Revelation 1:16
Dear Jesus, the Great Shepherd of your flock,
You explained to John that the seven stars in your hand were the seven angels of the seven churches. One of the fundamental truths that is evident from your revelation to John is that you love your church and that you watch over her. If we are clothed in you and have your attributes, we too must love your bride.
I pray that these children develop a deep love for your church. That they tend her and protect her and work with you as you lead her. Help them to understand how important your church is to you and how much importance you want us to place on her. Help them to control their egos so that they do not do things that cause damage to her or division within her. Help them to love the individual members of your church, your bride, your body - even the ones who are hard to love.
Give them patience with her imperfections, as they extend grace and mercy to her members. Out of her imperfections she will sometimes hurt them - just as happens in any relationship. Give the the spirit of forgiveness in those circumstances as they practice agape love. Above all, I pray that you allow your church to be more blessing than trial in their lives.
Amen
Dear Jesus, the Great Shepherd of your flock,
You explained to John that the seven stars in your hand were the seven angels of the seven churches. One of the fundamental truths that is evident from your revelation to John is that you love your church and that you watch over her. If we are clothed in you and have your attributes, we too must love your bride.
I pray that these children develop a deep love for your church. That they tend her and protect her and work with you as you lead her. Help them to understand how important your church is to you and how much importance you want us to place on her. Help them to control their egos so that they do not do things that cause damage to her or division within her. Help them to love the individual members of your church, your bride, your body - even the ones who are hard to love.
Give them patience with her imperfections, as they extend grace and mercy to her members. Out of her imperfections she will sometimes hurt them - just as happens in any relationship. Give the the spirit of forgiveness in those circumstances as they practice agape love. Above all, I pray that you allow your church to be more blessing than trial in their lives.
Amen
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Clothed in Christ - a Voice like Rushing Waters Rev 1:15
"his voice was like the sound of rushing waters" Revelation 1:15
Dear Jesus,
As we consider what it means to be clothed in you and therefore to reflect your attributes to those around us, I think on the attribute of a voice like rushing waters. Of course this image is not referring to voice volume but rather the power of your words. As you spoke, you spoke as one having authority, because you did and do. Your words not only affected the people who directly heard you speak the words, but your words also effected a course of history that has impacted the entire earth in one way or another.
I pray these children will understand the power of their words, power to encourage, exhort, heal the soul and bless, but also power to hurt and emotionally maim. I pray that they view their voice as the weapon it is - one that must be respected and cautiously used for concern that unintended harm might be caused. But I pray they also understand that their voice is precious gold - a gift they have to offer those around them in encouragement and blessing, a gift that they should endeavor to spread around.
But I also pray that they come to understand the power of their words when they speak your words and teaching. They too can speak with authority when they are speaking your teachings and by that they can defend the defenseless, comfort the sick and dying and warn of spiritual danger. May they never become arrogant about this power, but rather speak your words and teachings with humility, gentleness and grace, yet with courage.
I pray that their words, too, like yours, will have a positive impact that will spread far beyond their local area of influence.
Amen
Dear Jesus,
As we consider what it means to be clothed in you and therefore to reflect your attributes to those around us, I think on the attribute of a voice like rushing waters. Of course this image is not referring to voice volume but rather the power of your words. As you spoke, you spoke as one having authority, because you did and do. Your words not only affected the people who directly heard you speak the words, but your words also effected a course of history that has impacted the entire earth in one way or another.
I pray these children will understand the power of their words, power to encourage, exhort, heal the soul and bless, but also power to hurt and emotionally maim. I pray that they view their voice as the weapon it is - one that must be respected and cautiously used for concern that unintended harm might be caused. But I pray they also understand that their voice is precious gold - a gift they have to offer those around them in encouragement and blessing, a gift that they should endeavor to spread around.
But I also pray that they come to understand the power of their words when they speak your words and teaching. They too can speak with authority when they are speaking your teachings and by that they can defend the defenseless, comfort the sick and dying and warn of spiritual danger. May they never become arrogant about this power, but rather speak your words and teachings with humility, gentleness and grace, yet with courage.
I pray that their words, too, like yours, will have a positive impact that will spread far beyond their local area of influence.
Amen
Monday, March 12, 2012
Clothed in Christ - Feet of Glowing Bronze. Rev 1:15
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. (Revelation 1:15)
Jesus,
You patterned learning from experience - from doing the hard things, creating a strong foundation forged in the fire of life experience, solid with experience learned from making the right choices in life, hardened in the fire of the natural consequences of choosing the right path, a path that is in conflict with the path usually chosen by the world.
I pray these children choose the hard things, the path of righteousness, and make the tough choices that path requires. I pray from those decisions, they build a strong foundation of character, which is foubdational to continuing to make the right and difficult decisions. As their lives are tested in the crucible, I pray that they are refined into the purity of pure gold and strengthened as forged bronze. I pray that they do not shrink back from the test, but face their tests and trials with courage, as they are clothed in you and follow your example.
Amen
Jesus,
You patterned learning from experience - from doing the hard things, creating a strong foundation forged in the fire of life experience, solid with experience learned from making the right choices in life, hardened in the fire of the natural consequences of choosing the right path, a path that is in conflict with the path usually chosen by the world.
I pray these children choose the hard things, the path of righteousness, and make the tough choices that path requires. I pray from those decisions, they build a strong foundation of character, which is foubdational to continuing to make the right and difficult decisions. As their lives are tested in the crucible, I pray that they are refined into the purity of pure gold and strengthened as forged bronze. I pray that they do not shrink back from the test, but face their tests and trials with courage, as they are clothed in you and follow your example.
Amen
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Clothed in Christ - Eyes like Blazing Fire Rev. 1:14
"and his eyes were like blazing fire" Revelation 1:14
Jesus,
As we are clothed in you and your power indwells us, there is both power and insight that is ours through you. Eyes of fire display a power that comes from within, but is evident to those around you as a person's eyes are the first thing that is usually noticed in a person. A person's eyes also determine what is taken in by person - what is perceived by them, and fire in that regard would indicate power in perception and refinement of what is seen - power in discernment. That power comes from your Spirit who indwells us working together with knowledge of your word.
I pray that these children come to understand that being clothed in you, being a Christian is not a position of weakness, rather is a position of power - power by being indwelled by and clothed in the living God - the Creator of the universe. That they will never live in fear, but in confidence knowing that there is a power within them greater than any power in the universe. And as they pray for wisdom, you will fill them with your wisdom and discernment that is beyond what they could possess on their own. I pray that they will use the power of your presence to reach out in love and compassion to those around them. Compassion from a position of strength.
Amen
Jesus,
As we are clothed in you and your power indwells us, there is both power and insight that is ours through you. Eyes of fire display a power that comes from within, but is evident to those around you as a person's eyes are the first thing that is usually noticed in a person. A person's eyes also determine what is taken in by person - what is perceived by them, and fire in that regard would indicate power in perception and refinement of what is seen - power in discernment. That power comes from your Spirit who indwells us working together with knowledge of your word.
I pray that these children come to understand that being clothed in you, being a Christian is not a position of weakness, rather is a position of power - power by being indwelled by and clothed in the living God - the Creator of the universe. That they will never live in fear, but in confidence knowing that there is a power within them greater than any power in the universe. And as they pray for wisdom, you will fill them with your wisdom and discernment that is beyond what they could possess on their own. I pray that they will use the power of your presence to reach out in love and compassion to those around them. Compassion from a position of strength.
Amen
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Clothed in Christ - Hair white as snow Rev 1:14
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, Rev 1:14
Jesus,
As we are clothed in you, we bear your image, the image of purity and wisdom. Hair of white symbolizes purity but also the wisdom of age. I pray that as these children become clothed in you, that they will project to the world around them your image of purity, mixed with wisdom. Though pure, you none-the-less mixed with the outcasts and "sinners" so much so that you were accused of being a glutton and a drunk - but, as you said, wisdom will be proved right by her actions. You set the standard that in wisdom, purity can intermingle with those who are not pure so as to reach out to them. I pray that these children will be pure, but that in their purity they do not shy away from the misery, suffering and struggle of humanity. That they do not shy away from those who are suffering the consequences of their sin. Rather, in purity that they reach out the arms of redemption - full of wisdom, and thereby that they be a part of your reclamation of your creation.
Amen
Jesus,
As we are clothed in you, we bear your image, the image of purity and wisdom. Hair of white symbolizes purity but also the wisdom of age. I pray that as these children become clothed in you, that they will project to the world around them your image of purity, mixed with wisdom. Though pure, you none-the-less mixed with the outcasts and "sinners" so much so that you were accused of being a glutton and a drunk - but, as you said, wisdom will be proved right by her actions. You set the standard that in wisdom, purity can intermingle with those who are not pure so as to reach out to them. I pray that these children will be pure, but that in their purity they do not shy away from the misery, suffering and struggle of humanity. That they do not shy away from those who are suffering the consequences of their sin. Rather, in purity that they reach out the arms of redemption - full of wisdom, and thereby that they be a part of your reclamation of your creation.
Amen
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