On the Go - July 1, 2008

The power to abstain may be the weakest natural desire.

Live it
A chicken and pig wanted to provide breakfast for their master, so each considered the contribution they would make. The chicken said, "I know, I'll provide the eggs and you can bring the bacon." The pig replied, "Wait a minute!" Your offering requires conviction, but mine total sacrifice!" Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve, one of the earliest people on earth. He came to make an offering to God and brought vegetables while his younger brother, Abel brought fat portions from some of his slain flock. Scripture says God was pleased with Abel's offering but displeased with Cain's. The difference in the two can be likened to the chicken and pig example. Cain's offering was expendable and replaceable, but Abel's required the shedding of blood. Cain didn't understand the difference and many of us don't either. We refuse to give God our best and therefore should consider the warning God gave Cain. Sin is crouching at our door like a hungry tiger, ready to jump in the moment we fail to master our natural desire.

Pray it
There's no way I can do what is expected of me today without Your help, Lord. It's only by Your strength that I am able to choose godliness over natural desire and do what is right. I lift up my eyes and look to the hills where my help comes from. It comes from You and no one else, O Lord.

Resources
A person on the sideline of spiritual warfare won't pray and is of no consequence to Satan.. (2000)
Waiting on God is not stagnancy, but looking at God's word, applying it and watching what happens. (2001)
Proactive discipleship has been all but dismissed by pastors and teachers of our day. (2002)
Success or failure is determined in the race, not at the finish line. (2003)
what one generation tolerates, the next will wholly embrace. (2004)
Not all religious actions will result in blessing. (2005)
How can you see what God is doing with your eyes closed? (2006)
Devotional (2007)
Revising history is easy when you're trying to convince lazy people. (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Bless my spouse today with your richest blessing in Christ Jesus.

My children.
Protect my kids today, but do what's necessary to train them to make decisions based on your Word.

Their school.
Give our kids a heart for God that is unapologetic.

Their teachers.
Bless godly teachers richly as they serve you and not man.

My children's friends.
Protect my kids from the bad influence of other kids.

My friends.
Help me be a true and loyal friend today.

My work.
Bless my family and other families through my business.

My city.
Teach our leaders the "right" way to act.

Governmental leaders.
Slow the growth of evil in government and strengthen your people.

My country.
God bless our country if she blesses and honors your Name.

My President.
Give him a tender heart of compassion for those he serves.

My church.
Make our church a place where Jesus is praise, worship is predominant and open to your leading.

My pastor.
Bless those who shepherd rightly; keep the "rancher" mentality away from your flock.

My church leadership.
Magnify the work of our church workers to reach your objective.

Sister churches.
Make all our sister churches as one body doing one work.

Persecuted churches.
Make a way to escape for our brothers in persecution, if you can be glorified that way.

Missionaries.
Provide richly their emotional, spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

The sick..
Heal those suffering with illness in your time and in your way.

The lost.
Win them through the witness of your children.

Those in despair.
Show those in despair the peace of trusting in Your Name.

Those in the hospital.
Protect them from neglect and/or abuse.

Those grieving.
Draw the fatherless to a reliance on you - our heavenly Father.

Widows.
Help us care for those widows who feel alone.

Orphans.
Help your people care for those orphans who feel alone.

Myself.
Use me to do your work and receive my gratitude- a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that praise your Name.

Prayertower Devotionals are the original creation of James R. Green: Just Thinkin'... (2000-2003), Read the Bible Thru in 365 Days (2004), Pray Thru the Word in 365 Days (2005).and One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).
Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.