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Blessed Future

This month of December 2025, we are memorizing 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. Paul wrote this letter to healthy disciples, who were looking forward to the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will see evidence of this theme in this prayer. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NIVBut we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our…

Holy Ambition

Dear fellow intercessors, Today we continue our study of Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14. Last time we saw Paul praying for people he had never met personally. He is determined to keep praying for them that they will grow in their knowledge of God. Now, in Colossians 1:10, he shares his precise goal for them! His purpose is for them to experience the abundant life Jesus promised to all who believe on Him in John 10:10. Colossians 1:10a NIVSo that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way Paul uses the language of…

Be Specific

Dear Friends, This month we are memorizing Paul’s prayer for the church at Colossae, which is found in Colossians 1:9-14. Paul never met these disciples, but his prayer is very specific and glorious! This is an excellent example of intercessory prayer. His prayer opens with a very dynamic spiritual request. Colossians 1:9 NIVFor this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, Immediately we discover that Paul had only “heard”…

Higher Requests

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are on an exciting journey together! We are learning to partner with God and each other. Prayer is vital to this union in Christ! Philippians 1:10-11 NIVso that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ– to the glory and praise of God. Here are the intended results: I hope today’s thoughts will transform our intercessory prayers. We need to reach for higher requests. We pray with confidence because we know God…

Know God’s Love

Dear friends, Today, we begin a look into the prayer Paul is praying for the church in Philippi. This prayer was written many years ago, but God can use it to transform our prayers for others today in 2025.  Here is the Apostle Paul’s prayer: Philippians 1:9-11 NIVAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ– to…

Pronouncing Blessings

Dear Friends, I want to explore Philippians 1:7-8 with you today.   Philippians 1:7-8 NIVIt is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  Paul expresses his deep love for Jesus and for this church. He is not ashamed or embarrassed to do so!  1.      His love for them is inclusive…

Fellow Believers

Dear Friends, This short passage in Phillipians 1 reveals the depth of Paul’s love for his fellow believers in the church. He arrived in Philippi and began to share the gospel (See Acts 16). It was not long before some believed on Jesus and received the gift of salvation. He remembers them in joyful prayers; then he gives a brief explanation of his love and joy!  Philippians 1:5 NIV“…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” This partnership began as soon as they believed the gospel. Lydia invited them into her home (See Acts 16:15)….

I Thank My God

Dear Friends, For August 2025 we are memorizing Paul’s prayer from Philippians chapter one! This prayer will be the backdrop to our sermons this month. Let’s take a look into the introduction of this letter as Paul shares his prayers for this church. Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, I am excited to read about the prayers of the Apostle Paul for this church. His example humbles…

Mighty Fortress

Dear Friends, As we conclude our look into Psalm 46, I want to quote the words of Marting Luther. This song was written from his meditation on Psalm 46. We are blessed to live under the watchful care of our God!  He is our Mighty Fortress! Be encouraged, Pastor Rick

Be Still and Know

Dear Friends, Psalm 46 concludes with a call to be still and know!  Let’s ponder these twin commands. Psalm 46:8-10 NIVCome and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” God will ultimately be exalted so that the entire universe will acknowledge His Sovereignty…

Take Confidence

Dear Friends, As we are memorizing Psalm 46, I pray we are reflecting on the God who is revealed in this song! He is the great protector of His people and His city, Jerusalem. These praises seem to fit with the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem as it is recorded in 2 Kings 18-20. In the refrain of this song, we discover two more names for God. Psalm 46:7 NIVThe LORD Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. “The LORD Almighty” is a profound name for our God. These names occur together eight times in the Psalms. Lord…