pray for the waiter

Do you prayer for your waiter?

I guess the first question to answer before that is: Do you pray when out to eat. Well, you should.

And then before you do, tell your waiter or waitress that you are a Christian and will be praying for your meal.

Then, I dare you to go a step further and ask him or her if there is something you could specifically pray about for them.

I have had some amazing conversations and heart wrenching prayer requests as well as moved individuals as they stand before the table with tears in eyes sharing their stories.

What a way to…

be.the.church

I wish I could say I do this every time I am out and regardless with whom I am dining with, but sadly that’s not the case. Trying to make it happen more often then not. I hope you will too.

You should also tip well! Please look back at this post and see why and what all it entails: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/01/23/tip-well/

And if you missed the post last week – check it out, another way to pray and be an example: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/11/28/its-all-about-the-bird/

This time of year may be just the opportunity to touch a waiter’s or waitress’s heart. You may find yourself out with friends whom have yet to choose Christ as Saviour. Them not only seeing you pray over the meal, but taking a step further to include them or the wait staff may just be the link to their coming to a saving knowledge of Christ or a seed planted or watered.

You have nothing to loose.

The unsaved around you have all to gain.

Take the opportunity to pray for the waiter and then please share what fruit you bear.

And remember, when you pray you will…

“Bear one another’s burdens…” Galatians 6.2

International Day of Prayer

“Join Christians around the world [today] for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church — a global prayer meeting for our Christian brothers and sisters who boldly witness for Christ at any cost.”*

Every first Sunday in November is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It is said that today in history is the worse time yet for Christians as it is the most persecuted religious group in the world.

I personally know missionaries in dangerous spots in the world. I, too, recently on a mission was in an unstable nation. Tides can change quickly with corruption at the core and missionary can turn martyr in a heartbeat.

Today, lift up those you know and those you don’t that are risking their lives for the sake of Christ. Pray God intervenes and saves His remnant everywhere in the world where there is a witness for Him.

Today your task to…

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is to commit to pray then pray some more. It is not the European church it American church or persecuted church – it is one church, one body if believers, with one mission to know Jesus and to make His kingdom known. Pray for the church – as we are the church and are called to…

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“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…” 1 Timothy 2.1

*from the Voice of Martyrs website https://www.persecution.com/idop/?_source_code=WEBI19J2

Go to the site and watch the shirt film on North Korea. May we pray for those behind the country’s borders to find Jesus and be spared persecution.

stay on the straight and narrow path

Life can take us on many twists and turns.

How can we stay on the straight and narrow path?

Stay in The Word

Stay in community with other believers as iron does sharpen iron (Proverbs 27.17)

Watch and pray so you are not lead into temptation (Matthew 26.41)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Be counted in the few as you stay on the straight and narrow path.

May others see your efforts and join in community to…

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Here’s some quotes about staying on the straight and narrow path. Be inspired as you strive to apply each one.

If you have never invited Christ into your life, why not do that right now.

It is as simple as the mention of His name.

Of course, you must have faith to believe He came to earth, died for your sins, was buried and raised on the third day.

Jesus now sits at the right hand of God our Father waiting to forgive and have you enter into the family.

Pray this prayer to acknowledge your sin and desire to repent:

“Lord Jesus, please forgive me of my sin. I know I am a sinner in need of Your grace. Thank You for coming to die for me. I put my faith in You. Help me to stay on the straight and narrow path set before me. Amen”

If you sincerely prayed this prayer, well done and welcome to the family of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe you prayed this for the first time or maybe as a recommitment, know all Heaven smiles down on you today. Please let us know if you prayed this for the first time or how we can pray for you. Again, welcome to the family.

trust God

It doesn’t matter if you have failed; start failing forward and don’t give up.

It doesn’t matter how many no’s you have received, keep pushing forward till you get that yes.

Do you have a dream? Keep moving towards it!

Do you want to see change in the world? Then be that change!

Do you feel you are unheard? Perhaps, your time just hasn’t come yet!

Keep moving forward and know every prayer is heard. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, but often wait.

Wait at the Master’s feet.

Wait to hear the plan He has just for you.

Then, move forward and keep going no matter what!

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Trust God with the now, but more importantly with your future.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:10-11 MSG

stay in it to win it*

What do you need to do to keep transforming to be more like Christ?

Read and study scriptures.

Spend time in prayer.

Carve out time to worship and commune with God.

Draw close to the Lord and He will draw close to you.

Serve at a local body of believers. That is who makes up the church. We do. And we are to serve. And when we do we will all…

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Be like the early church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Acts 2.42

Be in it to win it and look forward to hearing the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25.16

So, fight the good fight and finish your race well (I Timothy 6.12, 2 Timothy 4.7) and stay in it to win it!

And do add your ideas of how we can stay in it to win it in the comments below.

*Inspired from church sermon by EP

the powder room

For for most men (and some women), it is a mystery – the powder room. What do they do in there and why do we call it such?*

Ladies go alone, with another friend, or a with a whole group. Perhaps more often than not the powder room represents a moment to collect your thoughts or to catch your breath with those who are closest to you rather than just using the bathroom or powdering the face.

We need to do this with our relationship with the Lord. Spend time powering up instead of powdering.

Just like the powder room, make an excuse for an escape and meet God in a prayer room or closet. Give your burdens to God and this will help you escape your problems, your stressors, and anxieties as you surrender them to the Lord.

“In this life, you will have trouble…” the Bible tells us in John 16.33, but we need to take heart because Christ has overcome the world. Take those troubles and give them to the Lord and you don’t even have to go to a powder room.

When you do, others will see you…

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Here’s some links to previous posts that can enrich your prayer life:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/07/08/miles-may-separate-but-prayer-unites/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/06/09/boastful-prayers-2/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/04/25/boastful-prayers/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/05/12/i-miss-my-time-with-you/

*My guess is in days gone by it would not be polite for a lady to announce she needed to use the toilet. So to powder one’s nose or excuse oneself to go to the powder room became a euphemism for eliminating bodily fluids or solids.

a stone’s throw

If you have the chance to see animals close up; do it. An amazing hawk was in the tree right in front of me just a stone’s throw away. We startled each other, but what a sight to see that wing span up so close.

I was in awe as I heard the thundering wings swoosh as it took flight landing on a pole just another stone’s throw away.

The phrase ‘a stone’s throw’ of course means what you think. Basically, a distance of how far you can throw a stone and has come to be known as any undefined short distance. Perhaps the phrase got popular from its appearance in scripture: “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed” Luke 22:41 NIV

I just love that! Don’t you?

The Lord removes Himself from the comfort of His disciples and goes a short distance away to have some private prayer time with the Father.

What a great example He left for us!

That hawk removed itself from my presence and I stood in awe of our Father’s creativity and bowed my head thanking Him for the opportunity to see such a creature up close and personal just a stone’s throw away.

Get in the habit of thanking God for what you see, who He is, and for creating the beautiful world around us.

Get in the habit of prayer.

Get in the habit of getting a stone’s throw away from others to have some up close and personal time with our Father.

It will fill you, prepare you, and help you…

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this too shall pass

Ever get in a funk and wonder when it will be over?

Think: this too shall pass!

Know someone that can’t shake the blues?

Remind them that: this too shall pass.

I have heard it said God gives the hardest battles to His strongest soldiers. Not quite sure I fully agree with that but I do know whatever you are going through it will pass.

This simple statement uttered can remind whomever is saying it that whatever you are going through an end will come to it.

In the meantime, no matter what you might be dealing with here’s some sound advice directly from the scripture: give your problems to God (“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20.4); keep your eye on the prize (“…Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV); and know this earth needs to pass away before a new heaven and earth are formed for us to dwell in for eternity (“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…”. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1‬ ‭).

Remember this also:

“…that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8.28

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40.29-31

And remember above all else:

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4.6)

And when you do, you will…

be.the.church

even in the midst of something that needs to pass.

Chin up, soldier, God has got you!

But…

don’t forget to pray and give it to Him.

When feeling the spirit of heaviness put on the garment of praise (Isaiah 61.3) and let God fight your battle.

Be confident in this, you are surrounded by His love. Tap into it knowing whatever it is you are going through; this too shall pass.

devoted, watchful, thankful *

What does it mean to be devoted, watchful, and thankful?

Let’s look at each of these words individually and enrich our lives so we can be better prayer warriors.

DEVOTED: zealous, loyal, dedicated, faithful, ardent, fervent

WATCHFUL: alert, vigilant, observant, wakeful, attentive, wide-eyed, all ears

THANKFUL: grateful, appreciative, contented, pleased, overwhelmed, relieved, indebted

Now pick one word from each definition or focus on original words and live them out especially as you pray being devoted, watchful, and thankful. Please tell us what word/s spoke to you in the comments below.

FYI: Ramadan is officially over. Were you faithfully praying for your Muslim friends, co-workers, neighbors? Don’t stop just because their holy month has ended. Keep praying till the whole world hears of Jesus. To know Jesus and to make Him know is our mission this side of heaven. Do it and you will thrive.

What will you do different today so others will see you…

be.the.church

For more insight on how to pray for Muslims or about Ramadan, check out this post:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/05/21/ramadan/

By the way, it is the 7th of the month. 7 in the Bible often represents completion. Is there something in your life needing attention to complete? Go be devoted and get ‘er done. Then, tell us about it so we can celebrate with you. That is another way to…

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*definitions from dictionary.com

رمضان

Today marks the half way point of the month of Ramadan. This is the most holy month for the Muslim. They participate in an obligatory fast from sun up to sun down, but I think it a little odd that people will get up early while it is yet dark to eat before the fast begins and go back to sleep after consuming high-protein foods and drinking lots of water. No food or drink is consumed during the day for the whole month including alcohol so eating and drinking establishments do suffer during this time especially in the Middle East. Also, smoking is not allowed or sexual relations during fast hours. The very ‘good’ Muslim is encouraged to refrain from any sinful behavior including bearing false witness and fighting except of course in the case of self defense.

I was surprised to learn that every night brings a festive atmosphere of community when everyone comes together to break fast.

The month is suppose to evoke a time of repentance asking allah for forgiveness, his blessings, and thanking him for life. It is similar to when the Christian fasts except of course the belief that Christ rose from the dead and became our link to salvation is not included in the Islamic religion.

I commend the Muslims for their dedication to setting this time aside for reflection, prayer, and coming together as a community abstaining from all bad deeds and trying to stay humble. To have a whole month dedicated to purifying the body and soul as well as increasing doing good deeds and participating in acts of charity is also commendable.

We could compare it to a Lenten fast where the timing for the Christian centers around Easter and the resurrection of Christ which is the pathway to salvation for the Christians and believed to be the only way to entry heaven.

To my Muslim friends; عيد مبارك – Eid Mubarak – Happy Holiday. My prayer is you have an encounter with The Man in white and find true peace for your soul. كل عام و أنتم بخير – kul ‘am wantum bikhair – may you be well with every passing year.

For those of you that call yourselves Christian, would you pray that Muslims all around the world would have encounters with The Man in white whether it be by visions or dreams. I have a friend who was formerly Muslim but was visited by The Man in white and now is a devout Christian.

Here’s a video that shares one man’s story of finding Jesus. I love that he challenges Muslims to ask Muhammad to reveal himself and ask Jesus to do the same then see who shows up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I2i824Vq708

The biggest difference in Christianity and Islam is for the Muslim, Jesus is just a messenger from God not the Son of God. For the rest of this holy month, please join me in praying for our Muslim neighbors until the whole world knows Jesus. Amen? Amen!

Today prayer is the answer of how to…

be.the.church

Religion tells us to do. Having a relationship with Christ shows us how to be. I believe we just need to stand on the promises of the Bible.

Friend, if you have done all you can and don’t know what else to do – just stand…

The following book is mentioned in the video and a great resource to the Muslim that is seeking God and wants to know the truth of what happened in history. It will “challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world’s greatest religions.“* Before just buying it and giving it away, know this: “Christians need to be more informed about their faith and deeply serious about it, since the average Muslim is more so than most Christians.“* Just think for a moment what this month is all about and compare that to your faith walk. In the book, “Nabeel Qureshi opens to us the beauty of a devout Muslim family, their whole lives ordered by their faith and their traditions. Their love for Allah and for one another is palpable in the pages of this book. It is a beautiful picture and one I am grateful to Nabeel for sharing.“*

I look forward to reading it. If you read it, please come back and tell us what you think.

And if you still don’t know what to think, if you don’t know what to pray, if you don’t know what to say, just say Jesus as the man in the above video did. There is power in the name of Jesus.

When we pray in Jesus name, others will come to join us and together we can…

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*Quotes are from Amazon description of the book and customer reviews