Inasmuch As You Do

“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me”

~ Matthew 25:40b

Jesus teaches His followers a very valuable lesson in these few words taken from Matthew’s Gospel. His lesson is this: The love, mercy and compassion we show to the least of those in this world who belong to Him, His brethren, is as if we are doing it unto Jesus Himself. Our Lord so identifies with us, that we when we serve one another, it is as if we are personally serving Him. Do we look at our charity, compassion and care for our fellow saints in this light? Does the knowledge that loving and serving the Body of Christ is as if we are loving and serving Him increase your motivation to labor in His kingdom? My prayer is the least of these know Christ’s love because it is seen and felt through you. Amen.

~ apl

The Surest Indicators

“The habit of private prayer, and the constant practice of heart-communion with God—are the surest indicators of the work of the Holy Spirit upon the soul.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, may I find myself in constant communion with You through bathing my life in private prayer with the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Prayer…

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”

~ Philippians 4:6

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, may my heart and mind be in constant communion and prayer with You, that I may be anxious for nothing and live in divine comfort and peace each and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

One Essential Element

“One essential element of all true prayer, is its final reference of all requests to the will of God. Yet this quality of prayer is often forgotten or overlooked in our pleading. We often pray earnestly—but it is for the doing of our own will that we ask, not for the doing of our Father’s will. Yet nothing is clearer than that no prayer is acceptable to God which, after all its intensity and importunity—is not referred to God and left to His superior wisdom.”

~ J.R. Miller

Eagerly Waiting

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

~ Philippians 3:20-21

Prayer Life Pause: Lord Jesus, prepare my heart now for that glorious day when I will see You face to face. When the countenance of Your presence lights my spirit and warms my soul and I am completely conformed to You. Amen.

Our Own Hearts

“We can preach the Gospel of Christ no further than we have experienced the power of it in our own hearts.”

~ George Whitefield

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, help me to experience the love and the power of the Gospel of Christ more and more each day, that I might live to proclaim to others all my days. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My Brethren, Rejoice!

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord”.

~ Philippians 3:1a

Prayer Life Pause: Dear Lord, may I always and at last rejoice in You. When all else may fail, when this world might seem to overwhelm, let my heart settle itself near to my Lord Jesus and rejoice in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Brink of The Pit

“The best course to prevent falling into the pit is to keep at the greatest distance; he that will be so bold as to attempt to dance upon the brink of the pit, may find by woeful experience that it is a righteous thing with God that he should fall into the pit.”

~ Thomas Brooks

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, guide me away from the edge of sin to safer and greener pastures close to you. Keep me from stumbling and falling by Thy sweet mercy and strong grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Highly Exalted

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

~ Philippians 2:9-11

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, thank You for exalting Your Beloved Son. He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. May more people come to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Heart of Humility

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

~ Philippians 2:3

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, grant me a heart of humility which will always cause me to esteem others better than myself. Help me to be like Jesus, who came not to be served, but to love and serve others. In Jesus’ name, amen.