ThePrayingPastor

theprayingpastor — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:25:34 +0000

Thanksgiving..where did it go???

theprayingpastor — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:23:47 +0000

I wonder if there should be a book that goes something like: The World According to Charlie Brown? I think I would have enjoyed having a cup of coffee with Charles Schultz. Sally mentions, “What do I have to be thankful for?” I wonder how many times we feel this way just due to our discontentment, or even focus on the wrong things.

This past week I was reminded about the gift of life as one of my high school buddies lost his younger brother of 36 to a motorcycle accident. To visit with my friend was good, but bitter sweet as we gathered in the small visitation room thought to be shared only for those who had lived a long and hardy life. Andy, my friend’s brother, will never experience this.

While I am thankful for my wonderful mother who has been joined by Andy in eternity, I’m more and more thankful for God’s gracious plan and the promise of salvation. I would love to have a new truck, or new who knows what, but today I wish I could have Andy’s day back so I would never have to visit the funeral home two days before Thanksgiving.

God has been so good to us, and one day we will know it to be true. Everyone will know it. I look forward to that day.

May God bless you richly as you seek to focus on Him this Holiday Season. Enjoy your family and friends, and thank the Lord eternity is closer than it appears.

Your friend,

Daniel

When God says No

theprayingpastor — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:12:17 +0000

Today, I received a text from one of our church members regarding a young lady (23 years old I believe) who lost the battle to cancer. As a Christian, I too struggle with the unfairness of death, and wonder why God allows young people to die when they do. But I can’t see all that God sees, nor do I see from an eternal perspective.

Psalms 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints,” ESV. I know when mom died I wondered why God took her when He did. All I know is that she is with Jesus dancing, singing, and awaiting the rest of the family’s arrival.

I asked the church specifically to pray that God would touch this young lady for healing. In essence, God didn’t say No, He simply decided how He would heal her. I am so thankful that God always knows best, and I’m also thankful that our Heavenly Father is also with us to guide, help, and strengthen us in the here and now.

I pray the young lady’s husband will be fine, and I know as He trusts in the Lord He will be fine.

Join me in praying for this young dad, and all too young widow.

Thank you for praying with me.

theprayingpastor

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theprayingpastor — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:08:27 +0000

Fret Not over Thyself

theprayingpastor — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:07:05 +0000

Oswald Chambers has always been one of my most favorite authors. In all actuality, I’ve only read his Utmost For His Highest daily devotional. God has used this man’s words in my life probably more than any other. I say that because I began using this devotional when I was a teenager, and now, a few years later to say the least, I’m still gleaning from Mr. Chamber’s walk with God.

June 21st Oswald basically says:” Launch out in reckless belief that the Redemption is complete, and then bother no more about yourself, but begin to do as Jesus Christ said – pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints, pray for all men. Pray on the realization that you are only perfect in Christ Jesus, not on this plea – ‘O Lord, I have done my best, please hear me.’” You can check it out yourself at: http://www.myutmost.org/06/0621.html

I don’t know about you, but I find that I do tend to fret over questions which are good, right, and wholesome (or so I think). Questions like: “Is this God’s Will?” “Am I making the right decision?” “Is this where God is leading?” Sometimes it can be a bit overdone, and trusting that the Holy Spirit is guiding can be brought into great question.

Isn’t that silly! If we are being led by the Lord are confident in His voice, His guidance, and our walk; then there should be no worry. (Preaching to myself).

I was taught to ask a few questions many years ago which included: “Is this sinful?” “Have I prayed about this, and has God shown me enough to believe He is in this?” If so, then no more worry, fret, or doubt. Go for it, and trust that He will work out all the details.

Philippians 4:7-8 speak directly to this completely. Reading God’s Word is a breeze, believing and applying now that’s the tricky part.

Keep praying, believing, and applying.

Pastor Daniel

Go to the Land I will Show You

theprayingpastor — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:45:40 +0000

It’s hard to imagine what the conversation must have looked sounded like between Sarai and Abram as God had directed Abram to take his family and leave. “Go where?,” she might have asked. “What about my family, and how do you plan to support us?” God did not give Abram all the information Abram might have wanted but just enough to know what to do next.

God has guided my family to leave our current ministry and follow Him to pastor a church in the Greater Austin area. I do know where I am going, unlike Abram, but I don’t know all that God will do. Scary and exciting, and yet, this is clearly from the Lord. When He gives clear directions we are to follow Him period. He won’t always spell out the steps before we take them, He simply guides us to take them one at a time.

I have greatly enjoyed serving in my community, and I look forward to the new friendships God will give us in our near future.

I have enjoyed the friends God has given me.

May we courageously follow the Lord.

theprayingpastor

The Hardest Part is Over

theprayingpastor — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:07:18 +0000

This has become my favorite cartoon film. I remember as a kid thinking up new ways to do things and inventions I would like to create. No, I never did invent anything, but I still think that solar-powered flashlight would have been a huge hit (smile).

The hardest part for us is the Cross, and that of course is over. But you know, I’ve discovered just when we don’t think we can make it one more day, the day still comes and we seem to make it just fine. While in prison (as he was often for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ) Paul asked the Lord to remove a thorn. He asked three times. Do you remember God’s answer? “My grace is sufficient for you for my power if made perfect in weakness,” II Corinthians 12:9. While we don’t know what the “thorn” was as it could have been as simple as a thorn; God allowed it to remain so that His power could have been seen in Paul’s weakness. Yuck! Yep, I said it. God uses our weaknesses to reveal His strength. No one really likes that, at least I don’t. That is not until God’s strength is revealed.

I can’t say the hardest part of your life is over, maybe it’s just beginning. But I do know God will see you through it, and the easiest way to endure is to tell Him about it. Even David struggled with life and all the pain involved (see Psalm 22). David finished well with a life that trusted God; and God would endure David’s Kingdom with a Spiritual Inheritance entrusted through Christ. What a victory!

So, yes, the hardest part is over. Jesus endured the worst for us that we might know Him, The Father, and The Spirit. I am so glad He did.

Praying for you,

Pastor Daniel, the praying pastor.

Seeking the Lord..Richard Owen Roberts says it best.

theprayingpastor — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:28:05 +0000

I’ve had the wonderful fortune of meeting Richard, and his booming voice penetrates to the heart and soul of the listener. I would encourage you to google him or see what’s posted on You tube.

May we Seek the Lord.

Pastor Daniel

What Christmas is all about Charlie Brown and the rest of the watching World.

theprayingpastor — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:07:32 +0000

God’s Names

theprayingpastor — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 19:35:20 +0000

I’ve been reading a book by Lester Sumrall The Names of God which I have been using as a research tool to teach/preach on the Names of God. Over my lifetime, I have been fortunate to experience some of His names in a personal way such as Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord is Healer), or Jehovah-Shamah (The Lord is There), and Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Provides).

God reveals Himself to us out of His love and mercy for His creation, and His names reflect His character as well as His roles in our lives. He chooses to reveal Himself out of His desire for us to know Him, and know of His love for us enabling us to love Him back. I will never forget a time while I was in Seminary in which God miraculously provided for my family with an unexpected God promotion. The circumstances are too long to share, but God moved when both of my automobiles needed replacing quickly. God provided in a timing and circumstance that I knew He did it, and I knew Him as my provider.

How has God done something that only He could do in your life to reveal Himself to you. His names reveal His character and person, and in doing so, we experience God in a more personal way learning that He is truly God, real, and personal. He’s not some being that is looking at us from some lofty place for His entertainment or to remove some boredom; He is actively involved in our lives as Yhwh (I AM); the God of the past, present, and future that is, has always been and always will be.

As you go through whatever circumstances, and God moves pay very close attention to what He is revealing about Himself. Listen as well to what others may be telling you that God is teaching them as they watch your life and listen to God themselves. I promise He is revealing something. The best part is no matter what name or role He is doing in your life, He is always revealing the same thing: More of Himself.

I believe that is the ultimate prayer to pray for others: That they would see what God is revealing about Himself; and that they would respond favorably to His voice. Think about it, that covers almost everything: salvation, conviction of sin, God’s glory, you name it.

Praying for God’s best to be seen in your life.

The praying pastor