Prayer Circle Friday, May 16, 2008

Our lessons for the next couple of days will be about worship.   It is a series by Rick Warren,  author of The Purpose Driven Life.

Worship That Pleases God by Rick Warren Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)   *** *** *** ***   God doesn’t want a part of your life. He asks for all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. He’s not interested in half-hearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion.   A Samaritan woman once tried to debate Jesus on the best time, place, and style for worship. Jesus replied that these external issues are irrelevant. Where you worship is not as important as why you worship and how much of yourself you offer to God when you worship.   The Bible teaches worship that pleases God has four characteristics:   God is pleased when our worship is accurate. God is pleased when our worship is authentic. God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful. God is pleased when our worship is practical.   When Jesus said, “Love God with all your strength,” he was saying that worship takes effort and energy. It’s not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will—a willing sacrifice.   When you praise God even when you don’t feel like it, when you get out of bed to worship when you’re tired, or when you help others when you’re worn out, you’re offering a sacrifice of worship to God.   And that pleases God.

That was refreshing.  Thank you for sharing.

Carrie

Here is the link for Thursdays Prayer Circle

Another lesson that isn't easy for me......and I suspect many of you dear ones also.   There are so many demands on our time as women....jobs,  family,  home.    It seems like we are being pulled in so many directions.   My favorite time to do my Bible reading is in the evening, before I go to sleep.   My problem is sitting down with that Bible early enough that I am not too tired to even hold it.   I gotta tell you,  by that time there sometimes isn't much left in my heart, soul, mind and strength to offer God.   Lucky for me that God is patient and knows that I am a work in progress.   I will do better!! 

Hi Carrie.....thank you,  it was my pleasure to share it.  

I'm pretty tired dear ones so I think I'm going to veg in front of the TV for a while.    Catch you later or in the AM.

Randy, what a brutal reminder. I can't tell you the number of times I've been tired and had the wrong attitude about going to church or a church function. That is something I need to work on.

Enjoy your veg time in front of the TV! It's nice to do!

Deb, how is your headache and tummy feeling tonight?

I'll check back in later.

Tammy

Checking in. I was supposed to meet John at his mechanic's to pick him up (east from here). Carson and Mason both had their first games 90 miles NW of here. I called them to tell them I was sorry that I couldn't be at their games, but to hit one over the fence for me. Carson started crying, he was so disappointed. I called John, he said, "Go, I'll rent a car." So Tessa and I took off and went to the games. We're both exhausted, but it was so worth it. Mason got 2 hits. Carson hit 2 doubles and a line drive to right field that was caught. I got hit by a ball in my shoulder, so I'm a bit sore. I need to get some sleep. zzzzzzzzzz. I'm still not 100%, and I suppose a night at the chilly ballpark wasn't the best idea.

Randy, this lesson was so good!

Nighty night. Deb 

Great lesson, Randy!  That's right--sometimes God gets the left-overs in our lives. That's a far cry from putting Him first.

Hi Carrie! Welcome!  Glad you dropped in!

Tammy, how's your tummy feeling?  Did the Nexium help?

I thought I was going to get back here early enough to address each of you but as you can see, I'm running late.  Had to unplug the computer for a while while a little line of thundershowers went through and then I got busy with other things.  SO... I will just throw hugs to all of you and try to do better tomorrow.

I will be praying for each of you and those people and things on your hearts.

I ask that you be in prayer for a lady I met yesterday. Her name evades me for now but God knows.  She has fibro and has a lot of pain. 

Also, please be praying for my friend, Billie.  She has MS and she fell this a.m. and bumped her head pretty hard and made her body sore.  Thanks!

Now to bed... 

God Bless! Nite Nite!

Deb, so glad you got to go! :)  Praying for your trip to see your other Gkids!  And Congratulations to your little Graduate!

Our little GD graduates Kindergarten next week and I'd really love to go but with gas being what it is and Hubby's fluid problem, we had to just tell them we couldn't. When DD told her that GDad was sick so we couldn't come, Sarah said, "Well, we'll make lots of pictures then."  LOL  She's handling it better than I am. ;)

Nite!

Hi Fay......will pray for Billie and the lady that you met.

Good night dear ones.....God bless you.

Good morning friends.  Thinking of you all and saying my prayers for your needs.  Feeling a bit better today.

Good morning dear ones!

Glad you're feeling better Connie.   Remember.....no overdoing it.  We are all watching you. 

Please keep my friend Christy in prayer.   She is going today to have a port put in for her chemo,  the chemo will start next Wednesday.

Praying for all your needs and heart's desires.

Sorry the above is so big. I got this in an e mail and thought it was so good I wanted to share it with all of you.

I have a lot of work to get done today, but the weather is icky, so it makes me lazy!

Take care.

-Mari

Checking in before we go. Please pray for a safe flight for us. I think we'll be flying home tomorrow night.

Vammie, for some reason, you are on my heart today. ((((((Vammie))))))

Love to you all! Deb 

Praying for safe travel Deb.   (((Deb)))

Mari,  I had seen that story before and forgotten about it.  Thank you for reminding me of it.   It is simple enough for even me to understand.   (((Mari)))    Why don't you come up and visit me today.....we have sunshine and blue skies.   Would love to share them with you.

Off to tend to RL,  back later.