Author: Apostle Carl Chewning
Jesus Calling
WATCH YOUR WORDS DILIGENTLY
Words have such great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image. You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak. I have trained you to pray—“Help me, Holy Spirit”—before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you. If they are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.
PROVERBS 12:18; JAMES 1:19; EPHESIANS 4:29
Justice With Kindness
“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
~ Zechariah 7:9-10 [NLT]
The image of justice and kindness is such a powerful one! So often our world either leans towards one of these ideas at the expense of the other. People will push loudly for justice but fail to show compassion through their words and actions. Hence many heated online exchanges that turn ugly because our passion for truth and rightness begins to outweigh our willingness to show kindness. On the other hand we can prize kindness as our salvation against any culpability in our role perpetuating injustice in our society. We see ourselves as “kind to all” or a “good person” so we fail to recognize our passive participation in the brokenness of our world. God calls us to strive to marry these two ideas together! Show kindness and compassion for all while pursuing justice- this is God’s way.
Evening Prayer
CHOOSING A NATION’S LEADERS
Exodus 18:19-22; Psalm 33:12
In Jesus’ Name, I Pray God’s Will for You
I pray that you will bless your nation by selecting capable and trustworthy leaders who fear God; those who hate dishonest gain. May you teach the people God’s decrees and laws by being an example to them in the way you live. May you represent God properly. I pray that godly leaders may arise in your nation, for “blessed is the nation whose god is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” May you never cease praying for your leaders. I pray that you will be used by God for the advancement of His kingdom in your nation.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Jesus is Alive
They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive!
~ Luke 24:23 [NLT]
Jesus is alive! We no longer have to live in fear of death because God came down and proved that death was not the end of the story for our lives. God’s power goes beyond the grave and offers us an eternal hope. Are you living like He is alive? Like His power is real? Pray and ask Jesus to breath resurrection life into your heart and the hearts of those who don’t know him yet around you.
Daily Treasure
Believer Forewarned of Sorrow
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
~ John 16:33
The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown.
No traveller e’er reached that bless’d abode,
Who found not thorns and briars in his road.
Evening Prayer
AWED BY HIS WAYS
Psalm 92:4-5; Isaiah 55:8
In Jesus’ Name, I Pray God’s Will for You
I pray that you will understand that God’s thoughts and ways are not like yours. May the Lord open your eyes to the incredible work He is doing around you, that you may be awed by His wonderful deeds. May you sing for joy at the works of His hands. May you be amazed at His profound thoughts. I pray that His marvelous ways will bring you to a humble recognition of the magnitude of His greatness, leading you to trust in His ways completely.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Bring Heaven Down
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
~ Matthew 6:10 [NLT]
Unsure how to pray? Jesus gives us a model of how to get started. He instructs us to pray that we may see God’s Kingdom come and become our reality here on earth. How about beginning your prayers by asking God to bring Heaven down!
Nations Praise You
May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
~ Psalm 67:2-3 [NLT]
It’s so beautiful to know the God we serve is not meant for just one nation, one race, or one language. He is a God who saves everyone. Picture it: different skin-toned hands lifted in praise to God, words spoken in different languages, people from different countries all praising the same God. It’s a glorious sight. To see God’s message of forgiveness reaching far and wide around the world brings honor to those who work to see it spread. May the nations praise you, O God!
