Tag: wisdom

folly

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PRAY

Dear God, help us to open our eyes to the truth of your word and see only Christ!

WRITE

READ 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

  • What does this passage tell us about the word of the cross (v.18)?
  • What does verse 21 tell us about how we know God and are saved (see also Ephesians 2:8-9)?
  • How does that present a problem to the world (v. 22)?
  • What does Paul preach (v.23).
  • And Christ is… (v.24)?

GROW

  • It is easy to think that we need to have the perfect words, or know the Bible front to back in order to share about Jesus. But here, Paul breaks it down. They are not going to be convinced by wisdom or signs – it is only about Christ and Christ crucified. He IS the power and wisdom. Pray about with whom God would like you to the share the folly of the cross.

Dear Father God, we praise your for the mighty day on Calvary when Jesus took on our sin. Where he was crucified for our sake. Where he willingly gave up is life to save the lost. That he rose again and sits with you in heaven as our advocate. Thank you that you have revealed yourself to us. That by grace we have been saved through faith. Lord, may we have hearts to see the lost. May we have eyes to see those with whom you would like us to share the story of Christ – knowing that it is he who is power and wisdom. May you open the eyes of many to the truth of Christ. In Jesus name… Amen

Photo by Alexandra Mirgheș on Unsplash

knitting

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

As we start this new year, God has put it on my heart to pray scripture in the coming days. There will be a slight change to my format, but I hope you will join me in raising our voices in prayer.

PRAY

Dear God, may we, like Paul, struggle on behalf of others. May we have a heart for those we know and those we don’t know and may we grow to know you more of you each day.

WRITE

READ Colossains 2:1-3

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.“

  • What does Paul tell us about what he has been doing, and what does that tell you about what we should be doing?
  • What does Paul want believers to “be”?
  • What does the image of hearts knit together tell you about how we are connected to our fellow believers?
  • What does he want them to reach?
  • He wants them to be fully assured of and understand God’s mystery – Christ – in whom are what?

GROW

  • Take time to pray this for the people in your church, pastors, believers across our nation and around the world.

Dear Father God, we praise you that you have given us the example of Paul. A man that was completely transformed and made new in Christ. Lord give us hearts like his. Give us hearts that desire to struggle with and for those we know and those we don’t. We pray today that our hearts may be encouraged, and that you would knit together the hearts of all believers everywhere. That we would see the image of God in each one and love the way that you have loved us. Lord help each believer grown to truly know Christ that we may have godly wisdom and knowledge so as to minister to one another and all. In Jesus Name… Amen

Photo by Imani on Unsplash

Power & Wisdom

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength..”
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

WRITE

We sometimes forget the power in the message of the Cross – in the love of God and the work of our Savior! I love this passage because it reminds us of what faith, wisdom and power mean… and why it looks different than what the world values!

  • Why do you think that the cross could be considered foolish or a stumbling block to non-believers?
  • To we who believe why is it the power of God (see also Ephesians 1:3-14)?
  • What does v.21 tell us about how we can or can not come to a saving faith (see also Ephesians 2:8-9)?
  • Paraphrase 1 Corinthians 1:23-25.
  • In our culture today much emphasis is put on human wisdom. How does this passage establish your thinking about true wisdom and power?

Love this Song – Just the name of Jesus is powerful!
Lincoln Brewster. “There is Power”

GROW

Praying that your faith would grow as you trust in the power and wisdom of Christ and His cross. May we continually rely on His power, and may we seek to know Him more each day as we pursue Him tirelessly. Praying for you!

Wise guy

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

pink rect stitch pray

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

pink rect stitch write

” Never be wise in your own sight.” 
Romans 12:16c

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage.

 ” Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”
Jeremiah 9:23-24

  • Where does wisdom come from (Proverbs 2:6)?
  • We may believe that we have such great ideas, or our knowledge surpasses others. But what is the truth about our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)?
  • According to Jeremiah 9: 23-24, in what do we boast?
  • We are to boast that we know Him. Not that we are wise, or mighty or rich… No that He is the Lord!!!!  What are the attributes of God that underlined in verse 24?
  • God is so far beyond our complete understanding, but we know our wisdom comes from Him. We know that His love is steadfast, He makes us righteous, and His justice will prevail. In a time when human wisdom is often hailed as truth, what do these verses reveal?

pink rect stitch grow

Wisdom comes from the Lord… Continue to search out His word so that His wisdom will be yours! Praying for you!

Confess and Believe

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blue rect scallop pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Romans 10:9-13

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9 ESV

blue rect scallop write

  •  What does v. 9 say about your path to salvation?
  • What does it mean to you to have your justification (God pronouncing you righteous) come through  believing with your heart – is it different from believing with your mind?
  • What must accompany the internal change of heart (v. 10b)?
  • Ask the Spirit to help you, and use this passage as a guide to write a confession of faith.
  • Then pray it out loud!

blue rect scallop grow

Pray that the Holy Spirit deepens your faith in our awesome God and His Son who came to save you!  I will be praying for you! 

Where does your help come from?

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blue pennant pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Psalm 121

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

blue pennant write

  • Read all of Psalm 121.  Take it all in! Absorb it!  Rejoice in it! Where does your help come from?

blue pennant grow

Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your heart as you trust in the Lord !  I will be praying for you! 

Hope in the Lord

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background8pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Psalm 33:20-22

“We wait in hope for the Lord;

    he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.” 
Psalm 33:20-22 NIV

background8write

  • Rewrite this passage in first person.
  • How has the Spirit moved you as you put your hope in the Lord.

background8grow

Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your heart as you trust in the Lord !  I will be praying for you! 

Trust…

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

pink oval dot pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

pink oval dot write

  • How are you to trust the Lord?
  • What are you told not to do?
  • What is the result if you Trust in the Lord?
  • What do you need to trust God for today? Give it to God and ask for His wisdom and guidance.

pink oval dot grow

Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your heart as you trust in the Lord !  I will be praying for you! 

Gains & Losses

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

pink oval dot pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Philippians 3:7-9

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ”
Philippians 3-:7-9 NIV

pink oval dot write

  • How do you look at your gains & losses. With a heavenly view or an earthy one. Comment on what your perspective is & what perspective God desires you to have.

pink oval dot grow

Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see what is true gain – the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus !  I will be praying for you! 

Working in You…

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

background5pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today.
Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV

background5write

  • He’s not finished with you yet! When you became a follower of Christ – He began His good work in you. Write about the changes that you’ve seen in your life as you seek him.
  • Can you see any parts of your life that need some shaping. Give them to God here and ask Him to guide you through the process of transformation.

background5grow

The Skit Guys

Have you seen it?

http://skitguys.com/videos/item/gods-chisel

Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the person God sees when He looks at you & then get out of the way and let Him do the work !  I will be praying for you!