My Prayer Today
Posted by James MacDonald on August 29, 2007 07:43 AM | Comments (15)Here's a prayer I pray in some way almost every single day. When I don't, I wish I had. Pray with me today . . .
Ephesians 5:18, Be filled with the Spirit.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. I can't fix yesterday, and tomorrow seems a long way off.
Today, Lord: Cleanse my heart from the fleshly residue of yesterday's fallen humanity.
Today, Lord: Scrub my thoughts and motives till they shine with singularity - wanting Your glory alone.
Today, Lord: Wash me and I will be whiter than snow, purposed afresh to follow Your footsteps.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. The tasks ahead are too much. If I must go alone, I cannot go at all.
Today, Lord: I'm not smart enough to know what is best, and not strong enough to choose what is righteous.
Today, Lord: My wife, my family, my friends, my church . . . I am not sufficient for these things, and I know it.
Today, Lord: Or what unfolds in the hours ahead will fade into the abyss of worthless, wasted time.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit right now. Come, make these 24 hours all You created them to be.
Now, Lord: You know how to 'give good gifts' and I am so thankful to be called Your child.
Now, Lord: By faith, I receive the Presence You've promised, and delight to know that Your Word is true.
Now, Lord: You are filling my life with peace and purpose and freeing my soul to sing.
Galatians 5:16, 22, Walk then in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of your flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.
Have a great day,
james
Comments
Posted by: sharon | August 29, 2007 06:09 PM
ok.
I will.
God has been teaching me quite abit about His Spirit and it's so cool because I am understanding it.
I just LOVE that about Him:
ask....and you shall receive
Sharon
Posted by: Rick | August 30, 2007 04:34 PM
Amen, Pastor James. I needed to read that yesterday, today and tomorrow. I listen you to your sermons everyday on my way to work. I have to be honest, your sermons snack me square on the forehead.
Thanks
Posted by: Dan | September 1, 2007 12:08 AM
Where do you find this kind of truth and honesty? I have been in the Lord, slowly growing, for almost 8 years and I do not know of anyone that speaks like James McDonald. I have half a mind to pack up the family and visit Harvest. I hunger for this kind of truth and rarely see it. How refreshing. Praise God!!
Posted by: Jan | September 1, 2007 12:27 PM
Response to Dan:
As a member of Harvest, I can tell you that the preaching we're privileged to hear each week is like no where else that I've ever been. Truth and honesty for sure! If you really could pack up your family and come, I'd strongly encourage you to do it! My husband and I only wish we had come to Harvest years ago when our kids were little--we'd give anything to have been able to raise our kids with the help of Harvest and the teaching of Pastor James. Keep listening to Walk in the Word!
Posted by: Sylvester | September 1, 2007 08:57 PM
Pastor James,
I became aware of your radio ministry several years ago when hearing one of your sermons. Because of many trials I've experienced during the past several years, it has been difficult to keep track of your ministry. Recently however, I have downloaded severals sermons, that included Purity, In it to win it and 10 things to know about Satan, which has been profitable for me as a christian. It is obvious that you have blessed with spiritual understanding of God's truths and great oratorical gifts fitting for both a Pastor and teacher. I just would like to thank you for your committment to this great work. Please comment if possible on recent statements made by past presidents Jimmy Carter and George Clinton, regarding their desire to organize a religious body that would become an alternative to many of God's truths concerning morality. A religious organization as stated by Jimmy Carter, that would emphasize poverty and love opting to de-emphasize amoral issues such as abortion and homosexuality. Jimmy Carter's comments about his intentions was made on cable network for the whole world to see and hear during a report by Christine Amanpour, for CNN entitled God's Warriors.
Posted by: Don | September 2, 2007 08:31 PM
Sylvester,
I'm not sure what James will say, but I can tell you. Anything that is built on a system of religion which is not based upon the Word of God is false.
The Word of God is based on Truth, and every other religious presuppostion is based on man. The very nature of men that are unredeemed and unconverted will ultimately place someone else or something else as God.
The displacement of God's Word is sin. This kind of thinking comes from the idea that we are just fine apart from the One and Only True God, which is found in none other than the person of Jesus Christ.
The truth is, our righteousness is like filthy rags before God. The kind of righteousness that President Jimmy Carter talks about is a righteousness that is found in a heart, the bible calls, "Desperately Wicked".
I must dust off President Carter's history book. The laws of this country were founded on Deuteronomy in the Books of Moses and on the New Testament. Shall we who are to be lights on a hill, which should point the nations to the Glory of God, so quickly abandon the One who has created us? Let us do all things to the Glory of God rather then to the praises of men.
Tell me, when will the men of this age begin to stand up and seek to be aproved by God. Men who will not turn to the right or the left, but only seeking the Glory of God.
Again, Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.
Posted by: Sylvester | September 3, 2007 06:34 PM
Dan
Thank you for responding to my entry and amend to everything mentioned. When I consider the battle being played-out in the spiritual realm today, I pray to the Father for what I need to do His will also for others who are on the forefront of this battle like Pastor James. I need a moral compass (bible) to help me go in the right direction and the love of Jesus for the assurance I need to know that I will eventually get where He wants me to be (Mountain top). Thanks for your wonderful example of letting your light shine.
Posted by: Bob | September 7, 2007 03:55 PM
Dr. James,
I praise God for the work his spirit does through you. I am so thankful for your daily teachings on walk in the word. I was recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and could be telling you how difficult things have been, but because of God's grace I am better off now than I have been for many years. The Lord told me to read the gospels as well as ephesians and psalms. Then I started going to Harvest Bible Church. My life has been lifted up by the Lord. Glory be to God. Thank you.
Posted by: Jenny Williams | September 11, 2007 02:03 AM
Pastor James,
I am sitting here reading Downpour. I got it when it first came out and I decided it was time to read it again. Anyway, I began listening to Walk in the word in 2000. I love my local church but i do not think that I would have received the discipling that I have from teachers like you, Beth Moore, and Dr. David Jeremiah that I have been able to learn from. Thank you so much for your obedience to Jesus and your life commitment to seeing others know and take hold of Christ!
Posted by: Dave | September 11, 2007 08:17 AM
James,
Hello, I'm a relatively new beleiver(9 yrs.)and I thought I understood what the Bible thought about salvation. Now we have a new pastor at our church and I'm very confused. Please help me. He says that because God is sovereign and controls all that we do, we basically have no free will. Only what God has said would be our free will. In other words he says that God decides who is saved and because we are sinners the rest of us get what we deserve.He totally confused me with Scripture Help
Posted by: Myron | September 11, 2007 08:29 PM
Dave, Jesus died for everyone so that when we believe in Him and trust Him to help us, we will overcome the world. God will accept everyone who believes in His Son and trusts in His mercy. Choice and predestination seem to be the same with God (not limited by time). I think you should keep looking for a church. I also think God is leading you because you are aware enough to know when to ask for help. May God bless you and increase your confidense in Him.
Posted by: Don | September 13, 2007 05:28 PM
Dave,
In response to your question- try to find out what the difference is between Free Will and Free Moral Agency.
Some other Doctrines to find out about.
-What is the nature of sin?
-What is the nature of man? Before and after the Fall.
The best way finding this out is to ask your pastor. This is not only about this subject, but any subject. Also, ask him to show you where they are in your bible, so that you can meditate on them.
Posted by: Dave | September 14, 2007 09:01 AM
Don,
It sounds like you also beleive what our pastor teaches,is that true? I'm not to sure about this free moral agency you talk of, or where it is in the Bible, but I will look for it.
Myron, Thanks for you reply.
Lilyan, Thanks also.
Please feel free to give me any Biblical referrences to my situation. I would greatly appreciate the Discipleship.
YBIC Dave
Posted by: Shirley Miklusicak | October 25, 2007 08:26 AM
Dear Mr. McDonald,
Thank you for sharing your prayer that you posted on Aug. 29. It was inspiring and helpful. I needed to hear it and will be implementing it into my own prayer life. It was truely needed for me to hear especially now. Again thank you and may God continue to use you for His glory.
Shirley
Posted by: Kenneth Gregory | March 5, 2008 04:56 PM
Amen, amen, amen
Keep on blessing us with this beautiful reminder.
May God bless you greatly.
Kenny