Tag: Rev. Dr. Ken Crawford

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3

In a world that falls for facades and seems to give more credit for intentions than actions, don’t you find it refreshing that Paul expects that faith, hope, and love will naturally produce certain actions.

Mighty God of deliverance, I want to honor you with a life of observable faith, hope, and love. Please revive and refresh me with your Holy Spirit so that my life will be full of the actions that your grace and character inspire. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  – Psalm 107:31

I’m not sure I can fully comprehend “unfailing love.” To always do the loving thing, whether it’s discipline or reward, fun or pain, I’m not sure I can fully understand it. But I can tell you this: I am eternally grateful for it! It’s not hard to give thanks for a God like ours!

Thank you Almighty God for revealing yourself as Abba Father! Thank you for loving me so much that you give me what I need, not what I want or deserve! Thank you for the very many kindnesses and loving deeds you have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

How important is grace? Paul said that God’s grace and telling others about that grace were more important than his own life! In fact, sharing God’s grace with others no matter the cost was Paul’s life!

Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen.

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. – Isaiah 25:1

How did you start your day? Have you taken time to thank God for His faithfullness to provide all of our needs? While there are many things for which we can praise God, one of the most significant is his faithfulness to do what he has planned and promised. While many of us are big dreamers and schemers, only God can accomplish the marvelous plans that he alone can make and His plans are big!

Amazing and awesome God, thank you for planning a world so full of variety and beauty. Thank you for your amazing and wonderful works. Thank you for having a plan of salvation for us even before the creation of the world. Please help me be more diligent and disciplined in the plans I make to honor you and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name I praise you. Amen.

“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we—in a less final, less heroic way — be willing to give of ourselves…

I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don’t know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.”

– Ronald Reagan
Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.
– Isaiah 42:3-4

The forces of evil seem to be pummeling us but God will not falter! In a world where justice so seldom prevails, God is our only real assurance that justice will ultimately triumph. Our troubles now will end and those whose hope is in the Lord will prevail.  In fact, the hope for all lands and all peoples is for Jesus to return and bring with him God’s truth and justice. The Prince of Peace is coming to right all wrongs and to rule over the earth with perfect balance with the complete absence of conflict. We welcome His coming!

Righteous and merciful Father, I am sick of the corruption in our world and the injustice done to good, but powerless, people. Please send Jesus back soon and bring with him the righteous and just rule of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.  – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

What can you do to help the spread of the Gospel and help increase the number of those who are saved each day? Well, there are many things: put in a good word for Jesus, share your faith with a friend, go on a mission trip, send financial support to a missionary, and many others. But one of the most important things you can do is to pray! Pray for missionaries and preachers and those who minister and share the Word of God and the grace of Jesus through the Internet, radio, television, and print. Pray for the message to spread rapidly and pray for it to grow in power and influence.

Loving Shepherd, I know you agonize over those who are lost. I pray that you will empower missionaries worldwide to speak the truth of the Gospel with boldness. I pray that you touch the hearts of those who hear so they will experience your salvation. Use me in whatever way you choose to be a part of the spreading of your salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

[The apostles to the church in Jerusalem concerning ministering to the widows:] “And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.”
–  Acts 6:3 NLT

Almost every religion defines spirituality a little bit differently. However, a follower of Christ defines authentic spirituality based upon people having the Holy Spirit living within them. A true servant leader among Jesus’ followers is a person who is well respected and who is full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. These are the characteristics that qualify a person to have the responsibility of being a servant leader. Being respected and having wisdom are vital to serve and lead well in almost any area of life. However, to serve and lead well in the kingdom of God, these qualities must be informed and empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Lord God and Father, I pray for those who are servant leaders for your people. Please be with us, your children, as we seek to recognize servant leaders in whom you are at work. Help us to see their wisdom and to follow them with respect. Father, please help us see those whom your Spirit is influencing, maturing, and leading. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. –  2 Thessalonians 3:1

What can you do to help the spread of the Gospel and help increase the number of those who are saved each day? Well, there are many things: put in a good word for Jesus, share your faith with a friend, go on a mission trip, send financial support to a missionary, and many others. But one of the most important things you can do is to pray! Pray for missionaries and preachers and those who minister and share the Word of God and the grace of Jesus through the Internet, radio, television, and print. Pray for the message to spread rapidly and pray for it to grow in power and influence.

Loving Shepherd, I know you agonize over those who are lost. I pray that you will empower missionaries worldwide to speak the truth of the Gospel with boldness. I pray that you touch the hearts of those who hear so they will experience your salvation. Use me in whatever way you choose to be a part of the spreading of your salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

[Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:] “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
– Acts 2:17 NIV

So much handwringing goes on to determine when the “last days” will occur. However, the prophecy of Joel 2 begins to be fulfilled in Acts 2. Therefore, the events happening then are the beginning of the “last days”! Since the coming of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have been in the last days. Jesus’ coming again is assured. He stands at the edge of history. Since Jesus’ incarnation, we have stood at the “culmination of the ages” (Hebrews 9:26) waiting for God’s final victory when he sends Jesus to return for us (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). And the key to these last days? The Holy Spirit — God’s presence within us, God’s presence for us, and God’s assurance to us that we are part of his great victory (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit comes to all who belong to Jesus. No wonder old and young, men and women, have words from God to share and dreams from heaven to inspire!

Almighty God, thank you for the coming of your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Thank you for sending your Spirit to me when I came to Christ. Thank you for your abiding presence within me and your assurance for me through your indwelling Spirit. I await, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the great victory that I know is coming in Christ. Thank you for this assured hope! In Jesus’ name, I praise you! Amen.