On the Go - December 30, 2009

The wise men showed us how to regard Jesus with reverence and respect.

Live it
I spoke with an old friend last night whose life parallels mine in many ways. We are the same age, attended the same high school, both enjoyed leading worship music in several churches through the years. We attended the same church as teenagers, even worked together for a short while. You'd expect us to have similar desires and tendencies I suppose, but we laughed last evening as we compared ourselves to Felix and Oscar on the "Odd Couple", an vintage television program from the past. We're different in more ways than similar but we share one thing in common.

Danny and I grew up like many of you who are over fifty years of age, in a church where the worship service was far more respectful of God's holiness than today. In the old days, silence was a display of reverence for God and personal conduct in church reflective of what being in his presence should be like. It's next to impossible to find such as attitude in church today, but it's even harder to find music that satisfies everyone's taste. Danny recently stopped leading worship because of the conflict and confusion caused by trying to blend both traditional and contemporary music in worship. Most churches today have addressed this problem by separating worship services where the two are not blended and members can select a worship to suit their musical preference. Is it just me or does this solution seem to reflect how the world would solve the "problem," rather than the way God would?

Pray it
I'm not sure when worship changed to performance, but sadly for most believers that's the case in church. I'm so blessed to attend a good church that knows how to worship, but I would be untruthful to say we always face issues the way You'd like. The way we're going, I fear the next generation won't even regard what the Bible says about the subject. Teach us to worship in a way that reflects more of heaven than a Warner Brothers' production.

Resources
Need Christians - only slaves need apply. (2000)
Some strangers you will encounter today may be angels. (2001)
How can you say you read it unless you've donr so from cover to cover? (2003)
Intercessors need more prayer than anyone. (2004)
Prayertower is finished? (2005)
Devotional (2006)
Undeserved mercy is the simplest prayer, yet we have to move beyond it and begin serving. (2007)
God is everywhere, all the time. (2008)

How to Pray for...
My husband or wife.
Teach me to love my wife today the same way You love me, Jesus.

My children.
Lead my children in paths of righteousness and keep them from straying too far.

Their school.
Keep those of bad influence from teaching in our schools.

Their teachers.
Protect those whose passion is to teach what is right in Your eyes.

My children's friends.
Give my children godly friends who are committed to do what is right in Your eyes.

My friends.
Help me be a friend to the friendless and faithful to those who befriend me.

My work.
Make me a diligent worker, one who inspires my boss and leads him to trust you.

My city.
Take my city one where truth and liberty are dominant and favoritism has no place.

Governmental leaders.
Guide government leaders to do only that which Scripture teaches.

My country.
Convert our country's patriotism "fever" into a passion for holiness under Your Banner.

My President.
Give him wisdom to make the choices You want him to make.

My church.
Give my fellow church members a passion to be clean and reconciled to each other.

My pastor.
Direct him to lead resolutely, anchored on the rock of uncompromising faith.

My church leadership.
Teach the leaders in our church to serve faithfully, even when none one is looking.

Sister churches.
Bless those churches whose stand is uncorrupted by a world value system.

Persecuted churches.
Protect persecuted brothers, giving them a testimony that extends around the world.

Missionaries.
Bless them. Meet their ministerial and personal needs to overflowing.

The sick..
Sustain those on his or her sickbed.

The lost.
Direct them to someone willing and ready to present the Gospel of Jesus without compromise.

Those in despair.
Remind those in despair that it is only ignorance of God that's hopeless.

Those in the hospital.
Protect those in the hospital from infectious germs that might exasperate their condition.

Those grieving.
Give hope to those who grieve so they will know it's purpose and not be servants to it.

Widows.
Protect the widows and provide their needs. Bless those who serve them.

Orphans.
Let the orphans know of Your care. Bless those who care for them.

Myself.
Give me the confidence to speak your Word boldly today.

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.