On the Go - December 11, 2008

Defeat may be inevitable, but our Hope is invincible.

Live it
For anyone going through a life crunching disappointment, surviving it may be the last thing on his mind. That's especially true for someone with hope in Christ. As an old pastor of mine often quotes from Helen Steiner Rice, death is to the believer, little more than a bend in the road on the way to glory. But for someone without such hope, that bend may be an undesired diversion taking them to further disappointment and hopelessness.

Today Bobby Esh's body will be buried in the ground and friends and family will gather to celebrate his life. I first met him and his sweet wife, Mary a couple of years ago when they attended a class I taught called, "The Race." I was especially impressed with the fact by remained active in church even though he carried an oxygen tank with him that sustained his life. Last night I comforted Mary with the thought that Bobby had finished his race strong, holding nothing back. With confidence in God's word, I believe Bobby has been experiencing glory from the moment he stopped breathing oxygen and started started breathing celestial air. If you don't have Bobby's hope, I sincerely hope you don't intend on dying that way.

Pray it
Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven; of touching a hand and finding it God's. Of breathing new air and finding it celestial; Of waking up in glory and finding it home.

Resources
The real reason we don't see revival in the church is because we've learned to live without it. (2000)
When in doubt, obey God's Word and leave the results to Him. (2001)
We need mountain-view eyesight when in the valley. (2003)
Revival: what most pray for but few have ever experienced. (2004)
God's grace extends to the threshold of his mercy (2005)
Devotional (2006)
Sadness is most-often the result of over-indulgence in the things of this world. (2007)
If you haven't cried, you've probably never prayed. (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Teach both of us to trust your Word without compromise.

My children.
Remind my children of Scripture as they contemplate action today.

Their school.
Teach our children character as much as knowledge.

Their teachers.
Give my children teachers with godly character.

My children's friends.
Protect my kids from taking advice from ungodly friends.

My friends.
Teach me how to be a good friend to another person today.

My work.
Give my business a firm foundation on which to grow spiritually.

My city.
Guard our leaders from making laws that lead people to sin.

Governmental leaders.
Give our city godly leaders upon who you have influence.

My country.
Refresh our memory of the spiritual foundation upon which our country was founded.

My President.
Teach him to regard life as You do.

My church.
Humble us if we've taken our eyes off you and put them on men and programs.

My pastor.
Make our pastor a man of prayer that leads a people of prayer.

My church leadership.
Restore the joy of those church leaders who are serving without passion.

Sister churches.
Use all the Spirit-filled churches in this area to make a real impact on the lost.

Persecuted churches.
Provide the needs of persecuted brothers and keep moles away from the flock.

Missionaries.
Give them creative means to teach the Gospel that inspires a thirst for the Living Water

The sick..
Comfort those suffering from illness.

The lost.
Give me boldness to speak the gospel without compromise.

Those in despair.
Heal the hurt in the heart of those who have lost a loved one.

Those in the hospital.
Use doctors and nurses today to do your work.

Those grieving.
Comfort those grieving and build in them a spirit of trust to replace the doubts.

Widows.
Give us a heart for those in need and feet to move when your Spirit moves.

Orphans.
Place orphans in the care of godly men and women who know you.

Myself.
Magnify the work of my hands to bring glory to 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)
One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).

Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.