Tag: Rev. Dr. Ken Crawford

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
– 1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV

“Sanctifying work of the Spirit” sounds so formal and religious. Some translations put, “his Spirit has made you holy,” but even that wording really doesn’t capture the essence of the meaning for me. What I believe Peter is trying to tell us is that our souls were like an old stained rag we used to clean up messes in the garage. When the Spirit comes into our lives, he takes this stained rag, and he cleans it, makes it new, and gives it incredible value. Instead of being the rag for messes in the garage, it is now a beautiful, clean, white tablecloth normally used for special occasions, but to be shared in all its glory in daily life. The Holy Spirit of God takes our broken, stained, and battered souls and makes them clean, new, and valuable — not just for us, but for God. This concept is crucial, as evidenced by it being repeated several times in the Bible (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Peter 1:2).

Make me new, Lord God. Make me new and holy and valuable to you through the work of your Holy Spirit. Forgive and cleanse me, and make my heart and my life pure so I can bring you glory and live for your honor. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.
– 1 Samuel 3:19 (NIV)

Samuel began his ministry at such a young age and was so important in bridging the generations between the period of the Judges and the period of the Kings. During that whole time, God was with him and empowered his ministry, making his words true and effective. Let’s pray that God does the same with his spokespeople today. May God use his servants effectively all their lives and not let any of their words fall to the ground.

Today, O God, I ask you to empower your faithful servants who proclaim your Word all over the world. Please bless them with a season of freedom from satanic attack. Bless them with health, vigor, and passion. Please give them a long life full of useful service empowered by your grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

I am so thankful for Paul’s confidence as he faces his death. He is all but abandoned and is worried about the future of the Church, but he knows two things: he has served the Lord faithfully and the Lord will receive him when he dies! Shouldn’t those two things be our most important goals in life? So if they are our goals, how do we live each day to fulfill them?

Faithful and loving God, you have so richly blessed me with salvation by your grace. Please strengthen me out of the riches of that grace. I am sometimes weak and falter in my faithfulness. I know your grace is lavish, but I don’t want to presume on it or abuse it. Please give me strength and courage to live faithfully and passionately for you until the day I see you face to face and share with you in your glory and victory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Holy Spirit confirms this: “This new plan I’m making with Israel isn’t going to be written on paper, isn’t going to be chiseled in stone; This time I’m writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.”
– Hebrews 10:15-16 msg

The Holy Spirit used the prophet Jeremiah to speak of a coming new covenant with his people where the Spirit of God places the will of God on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). There won’t be a need for a written law, because it will be written on their hearts. The apostle Paul connects this promise with the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus to conform them to Christ (2 Cor. 3:1-18). While we must seek God’s truth in the Scriptures, our ultimate goal is to have the Spirit write the will of God on our hearts. Let’s seek that to happen by seeking Jesus with all of our heart and inviting the Spirit to transform us us from the inside out.

Father God, I thank you for the Bible and I pledge to seek your truth in the Scriptures. At the same time, Father, I open my heart and ask that the Holy Spirit write your will on my heart. Give me discernment and wisdom so that I can understand truth, recognize deception, and resist temptation. I want to be your holy child — loving you with heart, soul, mind and strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
– Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)

The only thing we get by spending our time looking in the rear view mirror is a big disaster in our front windshield! Our best days as Christians are always ahead. Jesus has promised to return and take us home to God — what better future could there be. So let’s not get distracted with nostalgic cynicism. We can thank God for his past blessings, but let’s not waste the present with pessimism. Let’s make a commitment to redeem our time and trust that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead also holds our future in his hands.

Holy God, give me a sense of purpose in each day that you give me life and give me an optimistic outlook on the future and on my Lord who will meet me there. Please help me have a sense of genuine joy knowing that no matter where the road leads me today, I will journey with you. In Jesus’ name I thank you for being my loving God and eternal Father. Amen.

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
– 1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)

Life seems so busy, so full of distractions and “to do” lists. Let’s not let our “busyness” keep us from our Father’s “business.” Let’s find the ways God has gifted us to serve him and his people; then let’s dedicate ourselves to that with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Gracious God, you have blessed me in so many different ways. Thank you for all these touches of your grace. But Father, I need your help to more clearly see how you have gifted me to serve you and to more passionately make that service a key priority in my life each day. Thank you for always hearing my prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
– Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

Even the most pumped up and positive ones of us find ourselves broken and weary at some point in our life. It isn’t so hard to believe and follow Jesus when we are soaring on the wings of eagles or running and not getting weary in our walk with God. Often the toughest time to keep our faith vibrant is when we are trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other while not fainting. In those moments of absolute powerlessness, weakness, and brokenness the Lord is often most real, most powerful, and most present.

Thank you, God, for sustaining me and keeping my faith alive when I have been under attack from the Evil One and have grown weary with the challenges and hardships of life. Please give those I love the strength to press on even though they are weary and weak. Please be real in their lives and let them know that you are coming with grace to help and redeem as their Great Deliverer. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.

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)

As those living in the last days, each believer — young and old, male and female — must be Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered to give his or her personal testimony to the grace of God given us in Jesus Christ. As Jesus prayed for us before his death (John 17:20-23), we must be united across the gender barriers and across the age barriers and across the racial barriers if the world is to truly know that God sent his Son as Savior of the world!

God of all nations, please break down the barriers that divide us and that blunt the wonderful message of your grace. Pour out your Spirit upon us and convict us of our prejudice and selfishness, and replace it with your transcending love. Forgive us, forgive me, when my own shortsightedness and selfishness interferes with the world seeing a united Church proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.
– Judges 2:7 (NIV)

Each generation must have its own first-hand faith. Transforming faith takes more than receiving a godly heritage and stories of the past deeds of God. It requires a fresh experience of God’s mighty presence!

Holy God, help me pass down my faith in you, and my love for you, to my children and to other young believers. More than that, Father, help them experience your mighty power and great deeds personally through ministry and sacrificial service. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.

Give proper recognition to those
widows who are really in need.
1 Timothy 5:3 (NIV)

Practical loving concern for those who are powerless and forgotten is rooted in the heart of God and championed in Old Testament Law. One of the first internal problems the early church urgently and positively dealt with was prejudice and neglect of the Greek speaking widows in Jerusalem. It was important to God and to them! Paul further reminds us that we better have the same concern for widows today! Notice that James extends that same concern for both widows and orphans! (James 1:27)

Forgive me, loving Father, for I sometimes get so lost in my own opportunities and problems that I don’t look around and check on those in my church family who need my help much less those in need who are not Christians. Touch me with your Spirit so that I may better hear, see, and respond to their needs. Thank you for your concern for all people, and please use me as one of your tools of concern to bless those in need. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.