The title above is a question posted on my Facebook page every day at 3 pm, and the comments are growing and the private messages are interesting. There have been requests from family, friends, acquaintances and even friends of friends I do not know. Each request is important because someone needs prayer in their life.
Many times, people complicate religion and its actions, when many times they are very simple. The question, “How can we pray for you today?” is a simple question, but it can bring powerful results.
I started asking the question because there is a need for more prayer in our world. While Paul tells us to make our supplications and requests known to God (Philippians 4.6), we can also petition him on behalf of others:
Prayers for those who persecute and mistreat us (Matthew 5.44; Luke 6.28; Acts 7.60)
Prayer for the sick (James 5.16)
Prayer for other Christians (Ephesians 1.15-21; Hebrews 13.18-19)
Prayer for governmental leaders (1 Timothy 2.1-2
As God’s lights in the world, our lives should be filled with prayer (1 Thessalonians 5.17; Ephesians 6.18; Luke 18.1). Prayer is our communication with the Creator to share our joys, praises for Him, our woes and our burdens as well as requests for others.
I challenge you to ask others how you can pray for them. It might be a Facebook post, a text message or a face-to-face question, but ask them who you can pray for them. Who knows, it might lead to many powerful opportunities.
Maybe you can ask the question on Facebook, Twitter and other social media as well.
Have you always wanted to study the Bible, but did not know exactly where to begin?
The outlines below are simple outlines to being your personal study. You will notice the outlines are not complete. Use them as a guide to help you study.
Preachers, feel free to use these as a help to kick start our sermon on Sunday.
Outline #1 – Attitude Determines Altitude
Why is Attitude Important?
Attitudes are always forming
Attitudes are formed when we are young
Attitude problems are the result of heart problems
What must My Attitude be?
Not as the rich young ruler.
The Attitude of Christ
We need an attitude of “Yes! We can!”
How is your attitude?
Is it Christ-like?
Since attitude problems are heart problems, where is your heart?
Have you learned to be content?
Outline #2 – Do Not Mumble or Grumble
The Dangerous Attitude of Complaining
How can we be blameless and shining as lights in the world, if we complain?
Complainers bring others down.
The Dangerous Attitude of Disputing
Some people try to dispute, stir up anger and arguments
“All that is needed to make a mountain out of a molehill is a little dirt.”
Our Attitudes and Words
Words affect people?
Replace complaining and disputing with good things (i.e. – thankfulness, faith, kindness, etc)
What will your words do today
Outline #3 – Taking it all in and letting none of it out
The Most Followed command?
Matthew 8:4 – “See that you tell no one…”
Why did Jesus say that phrase?
Do many people follow it today?
Why do many follow those words today?
Fear
Specifically, fear of rejection
Some are afraid they will be wrong
What is the solution?
We need to get off our “buts.” (ex. – I really know I should but…)
Isaiah 6:8 – “Here am I, send me”
Outline #4 – Simply Trusting God
Simply trusting God means you are like Joseph
Remember Joseph’s words to his brothers? (Genesis 45:5)
Joseph kept confidence by relying on God’s providence
Simply trusting in God means you are like Daniel
Daniel was a man of principles
He refused the kings food.
He refused not to pray.
God admires principles. (Psalm 15:1-5)
Outline #5 – Christian Repentance
Why would a Christian need to repent?
Sin
Isaiah 1:18
Christians can stray away
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:13; 18-23)
What is your reaction to sin?
Do you deny it?
Do you try to cover it up?
Do you justify it?
Do you take responsibility?
You must live a life of action
“Faith without works is dead.”
You are salt and light
Christian’s Change
They change as they grow
Psalm 51
Outline #6 – “Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:34)
The situation: the disciples were not able to cast out a spirit of a boy, so the Father appealed to Jesus.
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
Note the verse is not a contradiction.
It may be better rendered, “Lord, I believe. Help my unfaithfulness.”
Do you believe but lack faith?
Are you in need of an increase of faith?
The father had belief, but he needed more faith.
How can you increase your faith?
Romans 10:17
Start now. (Matthew 4:18-20)
Attend uplifting events. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Find contentment and joy in God. (Philippians 4)
When in doubt, pray. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Remember to use these outlines are a guide for further study.
Check back next Wednesday for a few more outlines.
Several years ago I heard Jim Rohn talk about journaling and at first, I ignored it. The more and more I listened to Jim Rohn and other personal development speakers, the greater understanding I gained. I always pictured journaling as keeping a diary and I was not one to keep a diary.
Instead, journaling is a record of your thoughts, ideas, quotes, memories and anything else you want to write or fill in those blank pages. Since beginning my process of journaling, I have found myself depending on my journal at various times. My journal has been a safeguard for me to reflect on the ideas and brainstorming sessions.
I have used my journal as a mind dump for good times and bad times. It is good for me to reflect on those times and see who I can learn from them. It is an experience I appreciate.
Here are some ideas about journaling you might enjoy.
Ideas on Journaling
Get a Good Journal
Do not go out and purchase a $3 journal to begin. Instead make an invest into a nice journal. Purchasing a nicer journal will conscientiously help you to being writing. While most people do not see the value of paying money for a blank book, your journal is an investment in yourself. You are more likely to write if you have an investment in yourself.
Personally, I like a leather-bound, refillable journal. However, my current refillable journal is no longer produced by the company I have used for several years. Having a refillable journal allows me to keep the leather cover that I have broken-in over the years. The soft durable leather feels good as I carry it wherever I go.
Write Now
Write as soon as you can. As soon as you get your journal, start writing. If you already have a journal, start writing. Do not delay. It may not matter what you write, but just write. Fill those pages with words expressing your current thoughts, your future thoughts of even your goals.
Spending time writing, will open your mind in ways you could not imagine. It will clear your mind of any doubts and help you make decisions because you are putting all of those jumbled thoughts on paper to see now and reflect on later.
If you are struggling to find a first entry for your journal, use the topic "Why Should I Journal?" and begin writing. Let your mind flow and the words fill the pages.
Schedule Time to Write
After you write your first entry, schedule time to write the next day. Some prefer the morning, some the evening. Whatever time you pick, stick with it. Set an alarm on your phone and be sure to take that time to write in your journal.
When you develop a scheduled time to write in your journal, you are creating a habit. This habit will be a good one to get your brain moving and your thoughts flowing.
As mentioned previously, some like to journal in the morning and they like this because it sets the flow to their day. They are able to set out their day by writing and planning before they leave their house. Others find journaling at night helps them to release stress and clear their mind.
The choice as to when to journal is up to you, but make time to journal and be consistent.
Read Your Entries
You do not have to read your entries immediately, but reading them down the road will assist you in seeing the value of journaling as well as the achievements you have made.
Reflecting back on your accomplishments, mistakes, successes, memories and writings allows you to see how you have overcome situations, found success when you did not think it was possible and how much you have grown.While you may not see the growth everyday, reading your journal entries will allow you too see how you have grown.
Once a year I will take time and read through some of the past years journals and skim through others. Reading through them allows me to see all the situations, memories, thoughts and ideas I have had and how things worked, or did not work out. This gives me confidence to move stronger into the future.
Final Thoughts
I believe everyone can benefit from writing. Each person will benefit in a different way, but for those wishing to grow, journaling definitely helps.
While I avoided the idea for years, when I finally picked it up and began journaling, I found it to be refreshing and enlightening. For me, it helps to clear my mind and relieve stress, while at the same time generate ideas and thoughts that I am able to develop later.
I wish you well in your journaling projects.
Below are some additional thoughts and a video you might want to watch to get some more ideas.
Additional Thoughts:
Add pictures to your journal - Adding picture to your journal makes the memory more impressionable but also adds some color to the pages. A good example of this is journaling on your vacation. When you write the entry about the beach, include a picture of the beach to remind you as you reflect back later. You can print off pictures taken from your phone and add them to your journal. A simple piece of tape to hold the picture on the page can help solidify the memory.
Divide your journal - For two years, I divided my journal in to three sections: Notes, Brainstorming, Goals. Dividing up my journals into sections assisted me in keeping my thoughts in order. I used a piece of white duct tape and made sections in my journal by folding a small piece around the pages and titling the section.
Where to find a Journal? If you are looking for a journal, may I suggest looking at http://www.startjournalingnow.com and see their selection of different types of journals. You can also use their search bar if you are looking for a specific type of journal.
Thoughts from Jim Rohn
Here are some thoughts I found on YouTube from Jim Rohn regarding journaling. This will give you a few ideas to start.
Many people desire to leave the world a better place for future generations but do not know where to begin. Contrary to some popular beliefs, changing the world does not begin in Washington D.C. or the state house, it begins at your house. It begins with your family and the small steps you are able to take very day.
Do you desire to change the world?
Take a look at these quick 31 Ways to Change the World. Each way is simple, yet it changes a person day and makes them smile.
Assist an elderly couple with their groceries.
Mow your neighbors grass when they are at work.
Sell what you have and give it to the poor.
Feed the homeless from your own pocket.
Change your attitude to a positive one.
Share Jesus with someone.
Give some jewelry to a teenage girl or single mother.
Send a widow some flowers.
Clean out your closet and give the clothes to a shelter.
Call your parents and tell them “Thank You.”
Buy a couple dessert at a restaurant and do not tell them.
Send flowers to your wife and daughter.
Donate your time to a school.
Donate school supplies to children in need.
Pray with your children.
Volunteer to speak at a school class about your profession.
Donate to a charity in your own community.
Anonymously give a gift to a elderly couple.
Donate your used cell phone to a battered woman’s shelter or to a soldier overseas.
