The 12 Days of Thanks Giving: Day 11

Pump OBP Header 12Day 11:Boldness

“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2

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Boldness  [bohld] adjective

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1. not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero.
2. not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent:
3. necessitating courage and daring; challenging: a bold adventure.
I am often confused as to why people associate Christianity with weakness and timidity. The International Society for Human Rights estimates 7,000 to 8,000 Christians are martyred each year.  It takes great boldness to swim against the tides of culture and be what God has created us to be — born again believers. Thankfully God did not save us then leave us to fend for ourselves in a world that is not our home. He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, sound mind, and love. Because of the gift of His  power, we may live with great Boldness.
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This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks  to God for His gift of boldness.

Boldness with Our Gifts: Dearest Father, we thank You for the blessing of boldness. Gifts are meant to be used; not relegated to  a shelf  to collect dust. Help us to claim Your gift  as our own, and boldly use it to make disciples, edify other believers, and bring You great glory. Give us  discernment to know when You’re calling us to boldly leap by faith and witness for the Gospel. We pray in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

Boldness with our Words: Dear Lord, thank You for entrusting us with the Gospel. Help us to faithfully fulfill this amazing privilege. We do not have to worry about what to say because You have given us the words in Your Word. We may boldly proclaim the truth, sowing seeds of salvation in every relationship, situation, and experience we encounter. Help us to boldly speak and trust You for the outcome. Thank You we don’t have to feel bold to be bold. Amen.

 

More Boldness

Worship with Abandon a blog post by Jane VanOsdol

 

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Speak Your Mind section on what God teaches you today about boldness.

Bold. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: November 15, 2014).

“1 Thessalonians 2 (New King James Version).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 22 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=111&p=0&rl=0&t=NKJV>.



The 12 Days of Thanks Giving: Day 10

Pump OBP Header 12Day 10:The Gospel

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me
to preach the gospel to the poor: He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year  of the LORD.”
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Gospel [gos-puh l] noun
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1. the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation.
2. the story of Christ’s life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew,
     Mark, Luke, and John.
3. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books.
4. something regarded as true and implicitly believed:
5. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance:
6. glad tidings, especially concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.
Many people believe the truth of the Gospel into our everyday trials and tribulations and our greatest challenges and hardships. Let the truth of the Gospel transform your life from day one until Jesus calls you home.
Give Thanks for the Gospel
 I am so thankful that the Gospel transform your daily life? Perhaps we can try one of the following suggestions this week.
  1. To offer tangible help to the brokenhearted. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus by taking a meal to a grief-stricken person, offering time to listen, sending a card, or calling.
  2. Pray for those caught in sin or addictions. While we cannot force people to give up drugs or alcohol, we can fervently pray that they will be convicted of their sin and see their need to be set free.
  3. Volunteer our time. Many churches and ministries need help with their programs. Consider serving in a food pantry, volunteering at a pro-life clinic, teaching a Sunday school class, or working at a homeless shelter.

More Gospel

 1 Thessalonians A Life of Faith, Part 3: The Gospel a Bible study by Mary Kane

Knowing Who I am in Christ an article by Joyce Meyer

 

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Speak Your Mind section on what God teaches you today about gospel.

 

gospel. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gospel (accessed: November 24, 2014).



The 12 Days of Thanks Giving: Day 8

Pump OBP Header 12Day 8:Purpose

 “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16

purpose[pur-puh s] noun

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3. determination; resoluteness.
4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.
5. practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.
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One of the Greek words for purpose is prothesis. At its root, prothesis means to set forth to be looked at, to place in public view. According to this definition, part of our purpose in Christ is to make manifest the power of God in our life. We are to shine forth how He has redeemed, restored and shaped us into the image of Christ. We place ourselves in public view when we purposefully use our gifts to speak God’s truth to the lost of the world. How are you using your gifts to show the world there is purpose to your life?

Give Thanks for Purpose

Purpose of Life: Dear Father, we give thanks for You have called us to live a life of purpose. Thank you we have a reason to get up each day and we have important work to do for Your kingdom. We also give thanks because You use all things for Your purposes … good things, bad things, hard things, painful things. You even re-purpose our failings and mistakes to work for our good and Your glory. Father, You have specifically gifted us to be fruitful and effective ministers of your Word. We are Your hands and feet. Please send us and use us according to Your purpose. We thank you for the gift of purpose.

More Purpose

One Anna, One Purpose a Bible study by Mary Kane

On Purpose a short Bible study by Mary Kane

Believer or Achiever?  an article by Joyce Meyer

 

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Speak Your Mind section on what God teaches you today about purpose.

 

Previous Links

purpose. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: November 15, 2014)
“Exodus 9 (New King James Version).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 22 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=111&p=0&rl=0&t=NKJV>.


1 Thessalonians A Life of Faith, Part 7: Approved by God

DOve JPEG 10 edt“You have been approved,” is a very exciting phrase. Hearing that phrase boosts one’s self esteem. It is wonderful to weighed  in the balance and found acceptable, trustworthy, and capable.

Throughout the course of a  life time, we have been approved for college loans, mortgages, car loans and college admissions. These approvals, however,  fall infinitely short in comparison to being  approved by God.

What has God approved us to do? According to 1 Thessalonians 2, we have been approved to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Since we have been life of faith, we have a responsibility to be ready in season and out of season to give a reason for the great hope we have. It is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted by the God of the universe with the Gospel.

We (me and YOU) have been approved by God. To do part 7 of A Life of Faith, please click on the link below.

A Life of Faith Part 7, Approved By God

 



The 12 Days of Thanks Giving: Day 7

Pump OBP Header 12 Day 7:Redemption

“He has sent redemption to His people: He has commanded His covenant forever:” Psalm 111:9

 

redemption [ri-demp-shuh n] noun

  1. an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed.
  2. deliverance; rescue.
  3. atonement for guilt.
  4. repurchase, as of something sold.
  5. recovery by payment, as of something pledged

Redemption is one of the most beautiful words in the whole of human language. The fact that One would atone for  the sin of another is inhuman … in fact, it’s divine. In Hebrew the word redemption transliterates as peduwth, which means, “a division or distinction; from the primary sense of cutting.” Cutting. The cutting of the whip in the flesh of Jesus … the cutting away of the bonds of sin from our hands and feet. The cutting away of old habits, attitudes and mindsets of the old life. The cutting away of sin and shame by the cutting of Jesus. Redemption enables us to live as God created us to be, righteous and free.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks  to God for His gift of redemption.

Redemption of Purpose: Father, Your Word says we are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Thank You that You created us on purpose, for purpose. We confess we have used our gifts and talents for our own purposes. Please redeem every sinful act. We ask You to recommission our lives  for Your purpose. Thank You for calling us to live effective, significant, purposeful lives for You.

 

Redemption of our Mind: We thank You, Father, that You have given us a sound mind.  Your word says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. May we use our mind as tools to pursue You rather than instruments of sin. Please redeem every sinful habitual thought pattern  by the truth of your Word. Thank you that You train our mind to think Your thoughts, that we might not sin against You.

 

Redemption of our Past: Dearest Father, we thank You that in Christ Jesus we have been completely redeemed. You have bought us back from the  bondage of the Enemy with the precious blood of Christ. We are now free to live as slaves of righteousness. Where we have squandered our talents and treasures on sin and pleasure, Your Word promises to restore the years “the locusts have eaten.” We give thanks that You give beauty for ashes. Every act and deed of our past has been redeemed for our good and Your glory. We truly thank you.

 More Redemption

Redeeming the Time a blog post by Jane VanOsdol

Walking with God a Bible study by Mary Kane

 

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Speak Your Mind section on what God teaches you today about redemption.

 

redemption. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: November 15, 2014).

“Psalms 111 (New King James Version).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 22 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=111&p=0&rl=0&t=NKJV>.



The 12 Days of Thanks Giving: Day 5, Restoration

Pump OBP Header 12 Day 5:Restoration

“Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope, even today I declare, that I will restore double to you.” Zechariah 9: 12

 

 

Restoration: [res-tuh–rey-shuh n] noun

  1. a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.
  2. something that is restored, as by renovating.
  3. the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment. the replacement or giving back of something lost, stolen, etc.

 

The Garden of Eden. A place of joy,  fellowship, righteousness and purity. Man gave away the blessing of Eden by believing a lie of Satan. God waits to restore His blessing to man when he believes the truth of the Gospel. The Enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. double. The Hebrew  word for restoration is shuwb, which means to return, to go back, to turn away from sin, to turn back to God. Restoration only comes through God and the power of His Word. According to the definition, our responsibility is to turn from sin, and turn to God. Speak His Word into your broken places, and let the restoration begin.

Pray For Restoration

Restoration for Relationships: Dearest Father, because of our sin, we have many broken, damaged relationships. First and foremost is our relationship with You. Thank You that by accepting Jesus’ death on the cross, our relationship with You is restored. We pray for Your healing in strained relationships with our spouses,  parents, friends, coworkers, in-laws and siblings. Your specialty, Lord, is bringing dead things to life. Please restore our relationships. We give thanks for Your goodness and healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Restoration for Hearts: Father, we give thanks that You provide restoration for broken hearts. Our hearts have been shattered because of our choices, the choices of others, sickness, death, and job loss. Your Word promises that You use ALL things for our good. Please restore our hearts to health so they will beat only for You. We thank You, Father. Amen.

Restoration for Minds: Heavenly Father, we thank You for healing of our minds. Help us to think correctly so we may act correctly. Our minds have been influenced and damaged by lies we have been exposed to by the Enemy and by our own choices. Please restore our minds so we will love You with all our hearts, souls and minds. Thank You that You have given us  sound minds. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our minds be pleasing in Your sight, oh God, our Rock and our Redeemer.

More Restoration

Prayer of Restoration a specific prayer by Mary Kane

Scriptures for a Sound Mind an article by Joyce Meyer

My Peace I Give You Part 2   a blog post by Jane Vanosdol

 

Comment

Please leave a comment below in the Speak Your Mind section on what God teaches you today about restoration.

 

restoration. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/light (accessed: November 18, 2014).

Hebrew definition taken form:

“Hebrew Lexicon :: H7725 (NKJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Sowing Circle. Web. 19 Nov, 2014. <http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7725&t=NKJV>.