http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/prayer/ en-us Sun, 6 Jul 2008 11:49:49 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041393/posts Visions Become Reality " The parched ground shall become a pool . . . " —Isaiah 35:7 We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.Life is not as idle ore, But iron dug from central gloom, And battered by... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041393/posts#comment Sun, 6 Jul 2008 11:49:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041028/posts Don’t Plan Without God " Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass " —Psalm 37:5 Don’t plan without God. God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we have made, when we have not taken Him into account. We get ourselves into circumstances that were not chosen by God, and suddenly we realize that we have been making our plans without Him— that we have not even considered Him to be a vital, living factor in the planning of our lives. And yet the only thing... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041028/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 11:02:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040883/posts Rembember! Robert Drobot http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040883/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jul 2008 22:56:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040872/posts Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. http://www.prayforgeorgewbush.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040872/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jul 2008 22:12:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040667/posts One of God’s Great "Don’ts" " Do not fret— it only causes harm " —Psalm 37:8 Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, "Do not fret," but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" ( Psalm 37:7  ) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to "rest in the Lord"... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040667/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:23:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040153/posts The Concentration of Personal Sin " Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips . . . " —Isaiah 6:5 When I come into the very presence of God, I do not realize that I am a sinner in an indefinite sense, but I suddenly realize and the focus of my attention is directed toward the concentration of sin in a particular area of my life. A person will easily say, "Oh yes, I know I am a sinner," but when he comes into the presence of God he cannot get away... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040153/posts#comment Thu, 3 Jul 2008 11:31:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039664/posts The Conditions of Discipleship " If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also . . . . And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me . . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" —Luke 14:26-27, 33 If the closest relationships of a disciple’s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person—... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039664/posts#comment Wed, 2 Jul 2008 11:35:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039437/posts "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst" Matthew 18:20 For some time, through FReepmail, several FReepers have provided each other with a way to share prayer requests and praises. Now that the Non-denominational category has been established, we are offering a weekly thread in which posts of your requests and praises are welcome. Anyone, regardless of denomination, is welcome to bring their concerns here. The one thing that we hope to establish here, is that at a set time on Sunday evening, 11:00 p.m. in the Eastern time zone,... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039437/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 23:18:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039303/posts I just received an email from a very dear FRiend of mine who wishes to remain anonymous informing me that her husband had a very serious stroke on Sunday morning and will likely be needing surgery to remove swelling on the brain. This woman is one of the finest FReepers I know, she is a true conservative and a staunch defender of life. She went through cancer surgery herself last year and is now facing this. She and her husband and family need all the prayers we can give them. Thank You All and God Bless Free Republic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039303/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 18:04:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039202/posts Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" Genesis 3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; Genesis 3:3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" Genesis 3:4 Then the serpent said to... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039202/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:43:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039071/posts The Inevitable Penalty " You will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny " —Matthew 5:26 There is no heaven that has a little corner of hell in it. God is determined to make you pure, holy, and right, and He will not allow you to escape from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit for even one moment. He urged you to come to judgment immediately when He convicted you, but you did not obey. Then the inevitable process began to work, bringing its inevitable penalty. Now you have been "thrown into... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039071/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:36:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038481/posts Do It Now! " Agree with your adversary quickly . . . " —Matthew 5:25 In this verse, Jesus Christ laid down a very important principle by saying, "Do what you know you must do— now. Do it quickly. If you don’t, an inevitable process will begin to work ’till you have paid the last penny’ ( Matthew 5:26  ) in pain, agony, and distress." God’s laws are unchangeable and there is no escape from them. The teachings of Jesus always penetrate right to the heart of our being.Wanting to make sure that my adversary gives me all my rights... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038481/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:33:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038405/posts Father God, we come into your presence humbled and greatful for Your grace and mercy. Father, we are so thankful that You are in control of things and not we ourselves. Lord, we come into your presence rejoicing in the victory in the court system where the courts upheld that abortion providers must tell women in writing that an abortion “will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.” Father, thank You for upholding that TRUTH be told so the lies will be exposed in the light of that TRUTH. Heavenly Father, we know that though this... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038405/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:56:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038113/posts The Strictest Discipline " If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell " —Matthew 5:30 Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off his right hand, but that "if your right hand causes you to sin" in your walk with Him, then it is better to "cut it off." There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038113/posts#comment Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:16:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037710/posts Held by the Grip of God " I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" —Philippians 3:12 Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you "turn aside to the right hand or to the left" ( Deuteronomy 5:32  ). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has "laid hold of" us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought,... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037710/posts#comment Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:49:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037500/posts Psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. http://www.prayforgeorgewbush.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037500/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:23:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037171/posts The Overshadowing of God’s Personal Deliverance " . . . I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord" —Jeremiah 1:8 God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally— ". . . your life shall be as a prize to you . . ." (Jeremiah 39:18  ). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic,... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2037171/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:32:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2036639/posts Drawing on the Grace of God— Now " We . . . plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain " —2 Corinthians 6:1 The grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today. Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed. ". . . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses"— that is where our patience is tested ( 2 Corinthians 6:4 ). Are you failing to rely on the grace of God there? Are you saying to yourself, "Oh... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2036639/posts#comment Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:33:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2036075/posts Receiving Yourself in the Fires of Sorrow " . . . what shall I say? ’Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ’Father, glorify Your name’ " —John 12:27-28 As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask that God protect me so that I may remain what He created me to be, in spite of all my fires of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself, accepting His position and realizing His purpose, in the midst of the... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2036075/posts#comment Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:44:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035969/posts "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst" Matthew 18:20 For some time, through FReepmail, several FReepers have provided each other with a way to share prayer requests and praises. Now that the Non-denominational category has been established, we are offering a weekly thread in which posts of your requests and praises are welcome. Anyone, regardless of denomination, is welcome to bring their concerns here. The one thing that we hope to establish here, is that at a set time on Sunday evening, 11:00 p.m. in the Eastern time zone, 10:00... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035969/posts#comment Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:34:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2035805/posts Leanna has been in the hospital for a week with pain and fever. So far all the blood tests have come back negative ruling out many, many possibilities. The tests that were sent to the CDC in Atlanta should have results today/tomorrow. At this point, the doctors figure she has a viral infection (NOT expected to be contagious) that may have possibly been contracted during her vacation abroad(to Italy, Greece & Turkey). The doctors think that the infection will have to work its way out over a period of time from exposure. She seemed just slightly better over the weekend.... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2035805/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:53:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035561/posts Psalms 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Psalms 27:3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident. Psalms 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035561/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:15:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035539/posts Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin " This is your hour, and the power of darkness " —Luke 22:53 Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life,... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035539/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:37:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035470/posts The governor's office said Schwarzenegger would skip a planned address to the 47th annual Capital Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday. Instead, he will appear with Republican presidential hopeful John McCain at an environmentally-themed campaign event in Santa Barbara. Organizers believe it is the first time a sitting governor has declined to address the annual gathering, although there is no official record. State Assemblyman Rick Keene has organized the breakfast for the past three years. A spokesman for the Chico Republican, Evan Oneto, said Keene was saddened when he learned the governor would be a no-show. Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said the... NBCSanDiego.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035470/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:35:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035010/posts "Acquainted With Grief" " He is . . . a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief " —Isaiah 53:3 We are not "acquainted with grief" in the same way our Lord was acquainted with it. We endure it and live through it, but we do not become intimate with it. At the beginning of our lives we do not bring ourselves to the point of dealing with the reality of sin. We look at life through the eyes of reason and say that if a person will control his instincts, and educate himself, he can produce a life... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2035010/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:32:34 GMT