Trust in the Lord with all thine heart

Bible Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:5-6  (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Prayer Request

Today's Prayer Requests

Luvada Fredman | Please also pray for me

Andy Garland | Andy Garland

Vera Bankston-Jones | FATHER GOD, thank you for your grace and the love you bestow upon me!....... Selah

fred | greetings in the name of our true living God,special prayer about my family health, some chronic disease have stolen happiness on my elder son who is 9 years. also where i work, am the owner of a foundational/elementary school which in which am undergoing financial constrains especially in getting my staff paid of this end month salary, this has been as a result of inflation at this electioneering period where the cost of living is affecting our community and the school expenses doubling up as a result of fluctuating prices. i am challenged but am sure myself i can not succeed not until our lord is ushered inn to guide me on my difficulties. finally pray for our country kenya for a peaceful credible election in . thanks to you all our prayer partners and may God bless you abundantly sincerely fred

Stephanie w | Praying for my health n strength in the Lord that he continue to live within me n let me be able to continue to work his labor n I'm asking for financial favor so I can live comfortable during my life span in Jesus name amen

Blude Israel |  I want God to Give me more grace,circular job,am 31 years of who need financial assistance to start business and do other things in life as the work of God is concern I want God to intervention in my issue.

Iranian Christian on hunger strike

 Iranian Christian prisoner Ebrahim Firouzi

The Iranian Christian prisoner Ebrahim Firouzi (pictured) has gone on hunger strike to protest against long prison sentences given to Christians in Iran.In recent weeks 11 Christians, including 2 church pastors, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms of 10 years or more, ostensibly on charges of (or related to) acting against national security.

In response to this injustice the 30-year-old Christian convert and prisoner Ebrahim Firouzi has announced a 10-day hunger strike to protest against the mistreatment of new Christian believers and converts by the judicial authorities in Iran.Prior to commencing the hunger strike Ebrahim issued the following statement:


“Following the mistreatment of new Christian believers and converts by the judicial authorities, refusing Christian prisoners access to Christian literature, and issuing unjust and hefty verdicts and sentences against new Christian believers and converts to the point that in the recent months tens of Christians have been sentenced to long years of imprisonment, I hereby announce going on hunger strike, commencing on 17th July 2017, for a period of 10 days, in support of the rights of fellow Christians.

“I have announced my concerns about these limitations on Christians to the judiciary of Tehran in a letter dated 16th July 2017: the regime of Iran does not determine or confirm the Christian faith of people and this matter is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Church.”
Ebrahim Firouzi was arrested in Tehran on 21st August 2013.

He was due for release in January 2015 after serving a 10-month prison sentence for propaganda against the regime, insulting Islamic sacraments and acting against national security, but the Iranian authorities brought additional charges against him of “acting against national security, gathering, and collusion” and sentenced him to an additional 5 years’ imprisonment. Ebrahim is serving his sentence in Rajaei Shahr Prison in Karaj.



List of Christians given prison sentences in Iran since 20th June 2017:

Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz (10 years)
Amin Afshar Naderi (15 years)
Hadi Asgari (10 years)
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani (10 years)
Mohammad Reza Omidi (10 years)
Mohammad Ali Mosayebzadeh (10 years)
Zaman Fadaie (10 years)
Naser Navard Goltapeh (10 years)
Bahram Nasibov (10 years)
Yusif Farhadov (10 years)
Eldar Gurbanov (10 years)





Cred: Christian News

Praying for the Prodigals

Spiritual Warfare Strategy to Pray for Prodigals

To summarize the strategy of spiritual warfare on behalf of the dropout believer:

1. Note or observe the behavior or works (fruit) of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21) in the dropout believer.

2. Pray for discernment by the Holy Spirit to reveal the strongholds.

3. Bind the strongman (Matt 18:18).

4. Loose the power of the Holy Spirit.


Some comments on this strategy:

1. The works (fruit) of the flesh are the obvious, visible patterns in one's life-the anger, the resentment, the substance abuse and so on. They are the visible manifestations or "servants" of the spiritual strongholds that rule one's life.

2. Only God knows the heart of a man. We may see a pattern of anger in a person, and God reveals that it is due to the stronghold of pride. We may observe a pattern of anger in another person, and God shows a completely different stronghold-perhaps the spirit of antichrist (unbelief). It is important to recognize that only God can reveal the spiritual source of the problem.

3. Jesus' declaration of our authority to tread on serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19) and bind and render inoperative demon spirits must become a reality to us. We do have authority over all the power of the enemy. We exercise this authority in prayer.

4. When darkness is bound and cast out in a person, it is important that the empty spiritual place it leaves is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The story of the return of more demons to torment a person who is cleansed (Matt 12:43) is a pattern we must guard against. Our part in this is to ask that the corresponding spirit of the kingdom of God be released and to declare the truth of the Word concerning the dropout believer. For example, if a stronghold of pride is bound, then we ask for a spirit of humility and submission.

Action Tip:

Continue the prayer process on behalf of the two or three people in your sphere of influence who are dropout believers whom the Lord has shown you to engage with.

Evangelism

Today's Scripture: Psalm 145

Psalm 145 (KJV)

1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Scripture Meaning

David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. (1-9) The glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him. (10-21)

Verses 1-9: Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God's wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. 

He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners.

Verses 10-21: All God's works show forth his praises. He satisfies the desire of every living thing, except the unreasonable children of men, who are satisfied with nothing. He does good to all the children of men; his own people in a special manner. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. 

And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. 

May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Scripture Application

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 145. In our text today we see theme of worshiping the Lord and then letting Him be know through the praise of the worshiper. In making application we see a pattern for evangelizing. 

Worship the Lord, then let Him be known from the praise of our lips. How about you? Do you worship the Lord? Do you share your praise with others? Let us learn from our Psalms and text today to remember that evangelism starts with a heart of praise and worship.

One step at a time with God

Bible Verse of the Day: Psalm 37:5 (KJV)

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Prayer Request

Today's Prayer Requests

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, YOUR GRACE IS ASTOUNDING AND I AM NOT WORTHY! YOU HOLD ME, SUSTAIN ME, GUIDES ME, FIGHTS BATTLES FOR ME, YET MOST OF ALL FORGIVES ME! THANK YOU LORD FOR THE LOVE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME! (a foolish fool!).......SELAH

Esther | Kindly pray for me Esther. M.O , to be delivered from bad dreams and every delaying spiritual spirit. Please pray for me , the Lord to turn all my fears and worries to testimonies and victory. I want freedom from bandage and liberty to serve God in freedom. Join me in my 3 day fast and prayer for help and deliverance from every physical and spiritual battle that are delaying God's Glory to manifest in my life. God please deliver me now , give me victory without a fight. You alone oh Lord knows my story. Change it all for the glorification of your name. Amen. Thank you all!

Daily Bible Reading Tips

FIVE QUICK TIPS FOR DAILY BIBLE READING

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

When life is filled with responsibilities, it can be stressful to keep up the daily habit of reading the Bible. This is understandable, as modern life can be complex and hectic; however, we should remember that spending time in God’s Word is essential to continuing the good work of Christ within us. Reading the Bible is necessary to align our hearts, minds, and actions with Christ.

As the Psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (119:105). Reading the Bible reveals God’s path to us.

So, are there steps can we take to establish and strengthen the daily habit of reading God’s Word?

Try these tips:

1. Start Small:

Let’s get practical. If reading the Bible is to become a daily habit, it will require a commitment of time. Avoid stress by starting small. Try introducing just 5 minutes of Bible reading each day and then, as the time commitment begins to feel more natural, gradually increase your reading time.

ADDITIONAL TIP: Fonts can have a huge impact on the quality of your reading experience. Make sure you select a Bible that’s been designed with a clear, readable typeface so your eyes will be able to focus on God’s Word with ease.

2. Reflect and Journal: 

Keep a notepad or journal handy as you read. As God speaks to you, reflect on what He’s saying and briefly write out God’s message. This will help foster personal application from your reading. As James 1:22 tell us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

ADDITIONAL TIP: There are Bibles customized with space for note taking and journaling. These editions are a convenient option to simplify your devotional time.

3. Set a Goal and Use a Reading Plan:

As you become more comfortable with a daily reading time, challenge yourself by setting goals to read through the Bible, or portions of the Bible, at a steady pace. There are multiple reading plans available to help you find your rhythm. Some plans are intensive, leading you through the entire Bible in as little as 90 days. Others allow for more meditation. For example, there are plans that will take you through the Gospels in 40 days and others that will help you read the complete New Testament in one year.

No matter what plan you select, remember that a reading plan is only a tool to help you stay on track as you spend time in the Word. Don’t let it get in the way of hearing God’s voice.

ADDITIONAL TIP: Websites like BibleGateway.com offer free reading plans to guide you. Check them out!

4. Go Deep with Study:

Understanding the context and historical setting of a passage is important as you apply the Bible to your life. Not only does the Bible speak directly to us, but it also shows us how God has spoken to His people since in ages past.

Using a study Bible and other study resources will help you learn the cultural background of familiar biblical stories. As you discover what the biblical writers were facing, a new understanding of God’s power and faithfulness will be revealed through the Scriptures. For example, Ephesians 3:20 takes on a new meaning when you realize Paul was in prison: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”

ADDITIONAL TIP: Check out ThomasNelsonBibles.com for a robust selection of study Bibles and resources.

5. Read with Your Community:

While reading the Bible is essential for personal growth, it also fosters strong community. Find a trusted friend, pastor, or small group leader to share what God is saying to you through your daily Bible reading. Go a step further and read aloud with a friend. There is power in reading God’s Word in community and in hearing the Scriptures spoken

Our Everlasting Joy

Today's Scripture: Psalm 144

Psalm 144  (KJV)

1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:

12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

Scripture Meaning

David acknowledges the great goodness of God, and prays for help. (1-8) He prays for the prosperity of his kingdom. (9-15)

Verses 1-8: When men become eminent for things as to which they have had few advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory, conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was a special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus. 

Man's days have little substance, considering how many thoughts and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body. Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthly exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile they are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance and presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking, and all other helps fail.

Verses 9-15: Fresh favours call for fresh returns of thanks; we must praise God for the mercies we hope for by his promise, as well as those we have received by his providence. To be saved from the hurtful sword, or from wasting sickness, without deliverance from the dominion of sin and the wrath to come, is but a small advantage. The public prosperity David desired for his people, is stated. It adds much to the comfort and happiness of parents in this world, to see their children likely to do well. 

To see them as plants, not as weeds, not as thorns; to see them as plants growing, not withered and blasted; to see them likely to bring forth fruit unto God in their day; to see them in their youth growing strong in the Spirit. Plenty is to be desired, that we may be thankful to God, generous to our friends, and charitable to the poor; otherwise, what profit is it to have our garners full? Also, uninterrupted peace. War brings abundance of mischiefs, whether it be to attack others or to defend ourselves. And in proportion as we do not adhere to the worship and service of God, we cease to be a happy people. The subjects of the Saviour, the Son of David, share the blessings of his authority and victories, and are happy because they have the Lord for their God. 

Scripture Application

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 144. In our text today we see theme of rejoicing while we are in the care of the Lord. The Psalmist explains that if we are in good times or bad that we can rejoice knowing we are in the hand of God. 

In making application we see that our joy is in the Lord. In a world cursed with sin we will experience changing times and many us mistake the happiness of our circumstances with the joy of the Lord that is everlasting. How about you? Do you depend on your happiness of your circumstances verses the joy of the Lord? Let us learn from our Psalm and text today to remember that our joy is from the Lord, it never leaves us, it is our strength, it is not based on our circumstances, it is based on our position with the Lord, our joy will last for eternity. 

Six Killed: Violence over Jerusalem holy site kills 6

Violence over Jerusalem holy site

Israel: Six people have ben killed in the bloodiest spate of Israeli-Palestinian violence for years, prompted by new security measures at Jerusalem's holiest site.Three Israelis were stabbed to death in a Israeli settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, hours after three Palestinians were killed in violence prompted by Israel's installation of metal detectors at entry points to the Noble Sanctuary-Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's walled Old City.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced he was freezing ties with Israel over the installation of metal detectors, dealing a blow to fledgling Trump administration efforts to try to renew long-dormant peace talks.The metal detectors are perceived by the Palestinians as an encroachment on Muslim rights and portrayed by Israel as a needed security measure following an attack that killed two Israeli policemen.A Palestinian sneaked into a home in the West Bank Israeli settlement of Halamish after nightfall on Friday and stabbed to death three Israelis.

The military said the attacker apparently jumped over the fence and infiltrated the family's home as they ate the traditional Sabbath evening meal.It said the Palestinian killed a man and two of his children, while a woman was wounded and taken to hospital.Israeli media said the assailant was in his late teens and had posted on Facebook that he was upset by the events at the Jerusalem shrine.
Earlier on Friday, thousands of Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank clashed with Israeli troops, burning tyres and throwing stones and firecrackers.

Troops fired live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas, killing three Palestinians.Israel decided to install the metal detectors at the entry to the shrine on Sunday.It includes the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, and the Dome of the Rock.It was also the site of an ancient Jewish temple, the holiest place in Judaism.Despite international pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet decided early on Friday to keep the metal detectors in place, saying they were needed to prevent arms being smuggled into the shrine.



Jerusalem's top Muslim cleric, Mohammed Hussein, said protests, including mass street prayers outside the shrine, would continue until the devices were removed.He told worshipers on Friday they should prepare for a "long test of wills" with Israel.




Credit to Reuters