Tag: Rev. Dr. Ken Crawford

“As for me,” God says, “this is my covenant with [the Israelites]: My Spirit that I’ve placed upon you and the words that I’ve given you to speak, they’re not going to leave your mouths nor the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your grandchildren. You will keep repeating these words and won’t ever stop.” God’s orders. 
– Isaiah 59:21 MESSAGE

The book of Isaiah furnishes so much language and imagery of the Messiah and the coming new covenant of God with his people. One of the great promises God makes through Isaiah is of the coming of the Holy Spirit so that the Spirit will never be taken away from God’s people. This promise lies behind Jesus’ promise to his followers before his death that he would not leave them as orphans, but would send the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who would be with them forever (John 14:16-18 ASV). God’s Spirit will never abandon us or leave us or forget us, but will be with us forever!

Dear God, my Abba Father, thank you for your promises and for your word that connects centuries of your promises together and makes them available for us. In all the difficult times that we face — and that I face personally — I thank you for never abandoning me or leaving me alone. Thank you for living inside me and always being near me through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
— 2 Thessalonians 1:12

I can’t think of a more lofty goal for today than that the name of Jesus be glorified in what we do and say. But then Paul takes it a step further — that we find our glory by being identified with him! As the famed old hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” says it, “my glory all the cross.”

Father of majesty and might, please help me as I strive to plan what my daily activities will be and then prioritize those activities so that my focus and passion are on bringing you glory in all that I do, think, and say. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
— Jeremiah 10:23

Are you headed in the right direction? While we may have goals and a sense of mission about our lives, our lives are not really ours to plan. Every day must be greeted as a gift from God. Every goal must ultimately be pursued to his glory. Every true sense of direction is a gift to us from our Father’s Word or his Spirit.

Wise and loving Father, lead me by your Holy Spirit. Fill me with your holy wisdom. Guide me into a more complete understanding of your will for my life. Please give me the wisdom to live each day with character and holy grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 13:52 NIV

The Holy Spirit’s presence in God’s people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today’s passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice were absent. Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God’s deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God’s reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father’s love is always present. It’s no wonder we are filled with “an inexpressible and glorious joy”! (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Father God, I look forward to seeing you face-to-face as your child and experiencing the full realization of the joy of your grace. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who brings that sense of joy into my heart even in the darkest moments of my life’s journey. In Jesus’ name, I thank you! Amen.

Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
– Hebrews 3:13

How serious are we about sin? The Bible reminds us how seriously God views it. The power of sin to entice us, entrap us, and ultimately engulf us in its power can be offset by loving Christian friends who encourage each other daily.

Father God in Heaven, I know sin’s power is deceptive. Help me see those who need my encouragement today, so that together, we can help each other escape sin’s traps. In the name of Jesus, who withstood all of Satan’s tests, I pray. Amen.

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
– Colossians 1:9

When we hear of Christians in other places, especially where circumstances and times are difficult, or they are new in the Faith, let’s intentionally and purposefully pray this prayer for them!

Loving Father please bless my brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. Strengthen those under attack and facing oppression. Mature those new to your family. Enlighten those who are facing doubt and uncertainty. Please bless your people today with peace. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.

An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.
– Proverbs 12:13

Our mouths can sure get us into trouble, can’t they! This is especially true for someone whose heart is tainted by evil. Talk reveals so much about our interior life, and an evil person has a lot to hide! But that brings us to ourselves. What does our talk reveal about us? Does it help us escape trouble or does it reveal festering evil in our souls?

Lord God, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pure and holy in your sight. Through your cleansing Spirit, purify my spirit, heart, and body so that I may serve you in honor and righteousness. Strengthen me so that whey I do open my mouth, the words that come out clearly reveal that you are in charge of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
– Psalm 28:9

While most of us are familiar with the very personal declaration about God as shepherd in the 23rd Psalm. This Psalm is a plea for God to actively shepherd all of his people today and into the far distant future. It is also a great reminder of how important it is for us to pray for God’s presence in the lives of his children wherever, and “whenever” they are!

Eternal Father, the great “I AM,” please bless me as I seek to pass on faith to my children. Bless them and their generation, and lead them in your truth so that they may pass on a vibrant and passionate faith to their children. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
–  2 Thessalonians 1:11

Paul prays for God to be active in the lives of these new Christians — to maximize the good they intend to do as well as fully bless every good deed they do out of their commitment of faith. What new Christian do you need to pray this for?

Strong and mighty Father, please bless several new Christians who are on my heart today. Help them recognize your presence in their lives. Please maximize the good in every effort they make and every intention they have to honor you and bless your people. Protect them from the evil one. In Jesus’ name I ask this blessing. Amen.

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
–  Ecclesiastes 7:12

We can try to insure our future through many things. Wisdom, however, is always a better investment than finances because it not only shelters us from our uncertain future, but Godly wisdom can also keep us out of the unnecessary consequences for dumb and ungodly behaviors. Most of all, God’s wisdom teaches us that there’s no solid future without our lives centered on God.

Lord God, I want to be wise in your ways and innocent in the ways of evil. Forgive my foolish and sometimes rebellious behaviors. Lead me with your Spirit in the ways of truth, justice, and righteousness. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.