Peace on Earth

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2: 14

 

 

 

At  a family Christmas celebration, my oldest granddaughter, Joy-Joy, read Luke 2: 1-20. It's the story of angels appearing and declaring to shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see the child.

 

Christmas is about God coming to us as a baby, born of a virgin, and dwelling among us.  Jesus (meaning "Savior") came to save people from their sins. Living a sinless life,  Jesus died on a cross,  was resurrected from the grave, and ascended to heaven. He promises to come again.

 

Isaiah prophesied about this child, Jesus the Christ:

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful  Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9: 6

 

 

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ is Peace. Having been justified through faith in Him, we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you;  my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14: 27).

 

In this world, we long for "Peace on Earth." Do you need peace? Promised peace is found in  Jesus Christ.  

 

Glory to God in the highest!

 

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only son, Jesus, to this world to save us from our sins and reconcile us to you. May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts at Christmas time and in the coming year. We give you glory! In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace...amen. 

 

 

 



Election Day

"Your kingdom come.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

 Matt. 6: 10

 

Today, Americans vote in the presidential election. I'm grateful for all the prayer movements that have taken place leading up to this critical day. Thank you all for praying for the United States. Pray with us for God's will to be done in this election. Click here to view the video.

 



An Attitude of Gratitude

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
 you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His love endures forever."

Psalm 118: 28-29

 

 

 

What were your first thoughts this morning? What were your first spoken words? Did you wake up with an attitude of gratitude?

 

Recently, the Holy Spirit convicted me of the sins of complaining and ingratitude. According to 1 Thess. 5: 18, it is God's will that I give him thanks in all circumstances. The Bible also says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. " Phil. 4: 6.

 

Dr. Robert Emmons is an expert in the psychology of gratitude. He has spent years studyng the effects gratitude has on a person, and has also authored several books. Having a grateful attitude is linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life, and kinder behavior toward others.*

 

I encourage you to keep a "Gratitude Journal" for the next 21 days. Let's give thanks every day for the specific blessings of EACH DAY!

 

These tips help as I count and record my blessings:

1. List 3-5 things for which you're thankful every day. Try not to repeat.
2. Be brief. Write one sentence or one word.
3. Be specific. Record exactly why you are grateful.
4. Turn negatives into positives. 1 Thess. 5:18 exhorts us to be thankful in all circumstances.
5. Be intentional. Look for things for which to be thankful. Phil. 4: 8 says, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things."
6. Spend time in praise and thanksgiving. Don't just make a list. Be obedient to the Lord, and give Him thanks!

Our God is good! His love never fails! Let's develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks to the One who is worthy!

 

*Source: "A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day" John Tierney (Nov. 11, 2011)

 

 

 



Choose Life!

"This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3

 

 

 

 

Our "Praying Grandmothers" group participated with our home church and Houston Coalition for Life during the "40 Days for Life" prayer campaign on Oct. 29, 2012.

 

The blue bus is a mobile crisis pregnancy center. It parks on the street near the largest Planned Parenthood facility in the United States. It costs $250 daily to operate this mobile CPC. Please pray that God will provide the resources for this valuable ministry, and that our Lord, who gives life, will raise up individuals all across the globe who will stand in the gap for the unborn.



Exalt Jesus

"Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil. 2: 9 - 11 (NIV).

 

 



Because Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to his Father to death on a cross, God the Father exalted him.

 

During "40 Days of Prayer" leading to America's presidential election, Anne Graham Lotz leads prayer for Jesus Christ to be exalted as Lord. Click here to view the video.

Praying for the Nations

 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I (Jesus) commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 19-20 (NAS)

 

 

 

As thousands participate in "40 Days of Prayer" for America, Henry Blackaby reminds us that the LORD has a heart for the nations. Please join him as he leads in prayer for revival throughout the nations, and praise the LORD because He hears our prayers!

 

 

Click here to view the video.

 

 

Blessings,

 

Lori

Our Mission

 

"Let everyone call urgently (cry mightily) on God..."

Jonah 3:8 (NIV)

 

 

God gave Jonah a mission: "Go to Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:2). After Jonah ran away from the LORD, God dealt with his disobedience. Distressed, Jonah cried out the the LORD, and repented. The LORD delivered him from the belly of the fish.

 

Again, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. Jonah obeyed, proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast and put on sackcloth (Jonah 3: 4-5). The king issued a proclamation to fast, turn from evil, and urgently call on God (Jonah 3: 6-9). God saw what they did and had compassion. The LORD spared them from destruction (Jonah 3: 10).

 

Like Nineveh, our nation has sinned against the LORD. Pray that we, as a nation, will humble ourselves, turn from our wickedness, and call urgently on the LORD. Our God is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity (Jonah 4:2).

 

As Praying Grandmothers, our mission is to pray for our grandchildren and the world they live in. And their world, looks much like Nineveh. We have two opportunities before us:

 

• "If My People 2012" - Commit to pray for America for 40 days leading up to our national election. Sign up at www.ifmypeople2012.org You will receive emails with each day's prayer topic.
• "40 Days for Life" - Christians meet to peacefully stand and pray in front of local abortion clinics. Pray for God's grace and mercy, rather than protest.

Thank you for your praying hearts!