Saturday, February 8, 2014

PIVOTAL PRAYING!

Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 32

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Today's reading says, "Look, the siege mounds!" None of these mounds remain at the walls of Jerusalem. Here is the mound built for the assault on the fortress of Masada following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Jeremiah 32:16b-17

I prayed to the Lord, saying: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You…”

 

The statement in today’s reading, “THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR YOU” (32:17B), and the question, “IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?” (32:17), should encourage us to expect God to accomplish, as Ephesians 1:11b says, “the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will!”

The fact is that Jerusalem was, at the time of Jeremiah’s writing of these words, under siege by the army of Nebuchadnezzar. This should have proved to King Zedekiah and his court that Jeremiah was a true prophet of God. Over and over again Jeremiah had foretold that this would happen. Rather than humbling themselves and repenting before God for their sins, they threw Jeremiah into jail. The countryside around Jerusalem, including Jeremiah’s hometown, Anathoth, had been conquered and plundered already. Therefore, land values would have been almost nothing. Yet in an act of faith for the future in obedience to God, Jeremiah purchased land from a relative who had lost all hope. In this way Jeremiah showed that although his prophecy of 70 years of captivity in Babylon would come to pass, God would bring His people back home where they would again occupy the land which He had given to His people. How about all of us saying out loud if possible, “THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m thinking just now of something (a private matter) that is definitely too hard for me, but I’m doing as Jeremiah said he did, “I prayed to God!” This is one of those “Pivotal Prayers,” as Dr. John Hull writes in his latest book. I ask You, Lord, to turn it around according to Your purpose. I pray these mercies in the Name of the most pivotal Person in human history, Jesus Christ (Messiah), Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just read again yesterday’s blog where my son, Ron, put the information as to how every blog reader can get John’s book on “Pivotal Praying!” Please, please don’t miss this book offer. Reading this powerful book, on the most important thing we can do, PRAY, can be the pivot on which our lives and the lives of those around us will turn around and go God’s way rather that our own way (click here to order “Pivotal Praying!”).

Our mobile home here in the senior’s park in central Florida is right next door to Southeastern University. My brothers-in-law and I often take in the university league basketball games. In basketball, a team will lose the ball if they move to soon what is called their “pivot foot.” It’s called “travelling.” In order to move from the pivot spot, the player must either pass the ball or begin dribbling (bouncing the ball). I have a picture in my mind of all of us on God’s team. Our pivot foot must not move until we decide to take action. We turn around with that foot firmly planted in one place. If that pivot foot moves before passing or dribbling the ball, the referee blows his whistle and the opposing team takes over. Prayer is like that; we stay put, that pivot foot immovable, until we decide the right way to proceed and then we make our move confident that God will, as Proverbs 3:6b says, “Direct your paths” (straight to the basket). Do this and win!!!

Yours for being as 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord!”

David

The SEU "Fire" player has the ball. His pivot foot is planted just behind him and he has obviously made a decision to begin dribbling the ball and running around the opposing player. "Fire" has now won 7 straight! Congratulations!

20 thoughts on “Saturday, February 8, 2014

  1. Thank you David for the great analogy about our pivotal foot! Lord, as nothing is too hard for you, help us to to take the right action, as we move and shift our lives. Once doing so, may we be confident You will guide our every step and action. Give us the assurance that Jeremiah had, when all around him had changed. Moreover, his clear vision for a promising future, though other powers and authorities might attempt to hinder. May we have clarity of mind, open to receive your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

    • Dear Lianne Keeping you and all those in need of prayers in the blog in prayer IN JESUS’NAME Amen Amen
      Xxx Carole

  2. Jeremiah was such a blessed and trusting man. Imagine knowing land values at the time God told him to buy, and he goes ahead and buys. Now that’s faith!
    Our heavenly Father has infinite love and forgiveness for us which is so obvious in our present time and in Jeremiah’s time.
    Thanks for the bible study today Rev. David.
    I pray for peace in this world so that souls can be still and know that He is God.

  3. As a family we are dealing with issues that are definitely too hard for us, but there is nothing too hard for God to deal with. Thank you Jesus!
    Praying for a godly day for all of us, blessings.

  4. Dear Rev David M

    As I was admiring the great faith and obedience of Jeremiah, I was reminded of another servant of the Lord, who, many years ago, with a leap of faith, bought the land for his future ministry: 100 Huntley Street. What amazing God we serve! If we could only trust Him, nothing’s impossible with Him. Let us not limit Him…

    I will make sure to order a few copies of ”Pivotal Prayers” and like you have shown us before, I’ll pray on each of the books before being directed by the Holy Spirit, on Whom I should give the book.

    Have a blessed day David M, and all my fellow bloggers!

    xxxx Carole

  5. Through several trials and illness Our God has proven to my family HE IS ABLE, and NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM!

    I will pray for you Pastor David in the private situation you have to consider that your Pivotal Prayer will be answered.

    Blessings fellow saints. Yea CANADA, my grand niece skates in the pairs team challenge this afternoon!!!

  6. Thanks for a wonderful message, David! My heart recalls happy memories of playing on the basketball team throughout high school; still friends with several teammates, to this day. Such a great sport and example you gave of the pivot and how it relates to prayer and waiting for God’s instruction before we follow through with our next step or play. We call out to You, oh great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty. For great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds! Blessings to all saints today! May we glorify God in all that we say and do!

  7. Thank you David M. for your words today. Jeremiah is such a powerfull book! How challenging! How patient God is as His Word goes forth again and again and lands on deaf ears. It makes me pray, “O God, I am listening… I want to hear exactly what you are saying so I can do what You want me to do.”

    I was encouraged by your prayer David M. “That you have a ‘private’ matter which is too hard for you (but not too hard for God)”. It was encouraging as I, to, have a private matter that is definitely too hard for me and I am on my knees beseeching God for His Wisdom and direction. But, I am reminded of Jehoshaphat in face of the enemy who seeks the face of God in prayer saying,, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you”…but the Word comes by the Spirit…’this is what the Lord say to you: do not be afraid or discouraged..for the battle is not yours, but God.” 2 Chronicles 20 – what a great chapter. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you”.

    Thank God, we can lift each other up in the Lord. Thank you again David M. for sharing your heart..it blesses and encourages us… and recognize that there are these ‘private’ heart matters that we know we can not handle ourselves and must turn to God for His intervention. Blessings to all who struggle with life’s issues, family, health or faith. “O God, answer the deepest prayers of our heart through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Samuel

  8. I enjoyed the messages from Jeremiah so much. Today I had an MRI at Hamilton General Hosp. If you’ve ever had one you will know how over-bearing that big machine is. I did not open my eyes at all through the whole thing as all the machine seems to swallow one up. It is so very close to your face. The loud pulsating and shaking (3 times) gave me time to be closed in with the Lord. It was wonderful. I felt so close and secure with Him. Ordinarily I am a bit claustrophobic but not this time. I almost want to do it again!! Tears ran down my face but I could not wipe them away as I was told DO NOT MOVE AT ALL.

    • Bless you Doreen. I have had a couple of them and just close my eyes and pray and before you know it Is over. Time alone with The Lord!!

  9. Your blogs were inspiring and an encouragment today,David and fellow bloggers. Just came home from a community Valentine party and had some good contacts. Yes Jeremiah was courageous and faithful to the Lord to the end. Blessings everyone!

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