Dan 3:17-18  If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery burning furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."  

When the three Hebrew young men refused to bow down before the false god, the King threatened them with a fiery death in the furnace.  Their answer was that God COULD deliver them, but if He didn't that's ok also.  Their integrity of devotion to God did not depend on whether He answered their prayers.  They determined to worship God and no other regardless of whether it brought benefits.  God Himself must mean more to us, than what He can do for us. Fellowship with God is the highest calling, of prayer - 'that I may know Him.'  Happily, when they were thrown into the furnace, their bonds were loosed and they were not burned, (not even the smell of smoke on them), because Jesus was in the fire with them.  Pure worship ensures Jesus is with us in our worst moments.  Refuse to bow down to any other.  Make Him Lord & He will be Emmanuel - 'God with us!'

Merry Christmas - See you in church! 

Matt 6:6  But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place;

Jesus took it for granted you & I pray, and that we pray daily.  This is not about praying while we're doing other things, gardening, cooking, cleaning, walking, driving, etc.  This is doing one thing - prayer.  We are to go into a room & shut the door!  This gives us undistracted time with God.  We can say things to God that we wouldn't if other were listening.  We become focused on the Father & can hear and see what He is saying to us.  A far greater closeness & intimacy is discovered in the 'secret' place.  'Shut the door' on the devil, your past sins, your mistakes and move on from this world into God's world of grace, acceptance and mercy.  Make time & have a place to be alone with God every day!

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Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night.  A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

Paul had twice attempted to go to another part of Asia but God had not permitted him.  And now he saw a man in Macedonia calling for help.  There are reasons some things don't work! As people with the answer, we need to 'Come over,' from where we are to where other people are who are searching for answers.  The best way into anyone's life is by HELPING them, not trying to convert them, change them, argue with them, but to help them.  Paul's vision was a person, not a program, a building, an event.  He SAW people.  That was his vision.  He saw ONE man, not a vast crowd.  He was changing the world one life at a time.  We must see people, individuals, and cross over from where we are to where they are, to help them.

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Phil 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

'To cap it all off' -  'To complete your life' - control your mind - Make your mind think on the right stuff.  What we replay & repeat in our mind is our 'meditation.' If you think of what's wrong with your life, you'll get discouraged.  If you think about how people have wounded you or offended you, you'll get angry, bitter and malicious.  If you think about immoral things you'll be tempted to do the wrong.  BUT YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS!  Point your mind and thoughts to the good things in your life.  Smile at the people you think of.  Forgive them, bless them, love them!

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Proverbs 4:23   'Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.'

This means 'to guard.'  Our heart is under attack.  Wrong desires, sour attitudes, resentment, unforgiveness, distrusting cynicism, fear, envy, all come from the heart.  If our heart goes bad our whole life will follow.  The heart is the seat of love, trust and desire.  As we focus on the right things, our heart will be 'right.'  God commands us to 'love one another.'  Love is something we can choose to do, as with trust and desire.  'Keeping' our heart is a matter of choice & spending time in God's presence in prayer so we are empowered with His Spirit to do His commands.  Our whole life springs from our attitude therefore we need to do whatever it takes to not give our heart to the wrong attitudes, desires or even the wrong people.  On the cross Jesus forgave those who put him there.  No revenge, complaining or hatred.  Even under the most difficult circumstances we can choose to own a great heart.

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Jude 24  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless.  Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Just preceding this verse Jude says, 'keep yourselves in the love of God.'  As we remain in Christ, we remain in the place where we are KEPT from stumbling. Even though you may find yourself in a dangerous place, God will keep you from falling.  Every believer is tempted, but it won't become a stumble when you keep yourself in Him through prayer. (Pray, that you don't enter into temptation.)  Christ has made us without blame & unreproachable before God.  The joy of His presence exceeds all other happiness.  A clear conscience, peaceful mind and calm heart allow us joy that is worth any price at all & exceeds anything else we can obtain in this world!

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2 Chron 7:14  if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This little word, is the biggest in the Bible. 'IF' we respond to God, call on Him, then 'He will' bring answers.  It's astonishing that 'God's people,' need to be prodded to restore communications with their God & to turn from wicked ways.  Prayer is not simply about asking God to do things for us.  It's about 'seeking Him, His face' and finding Him. God himself is more important than what He can do for us.  Seek His face first, rather than His hand.  When prayer increases, pride decreases.  When we are prayer-less, our hearts harden in independence from God.  We soften in His Presence.  The power to 'turn' from wrong is found in prayer that connects with the Lord.  He empowers us with an internal change of nature, desires and appetite to change in our ways.  God will hear & heal, not only our personal lives, but our entire nations!!!

Astonishing Promise!

Let's Pray.

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Phil 4:6,7   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 

let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This is impossible without prayer.  The antidote to anxiety is not medication, but prayer.  Prayer takes time!  It's not just 'saying a prayer.'  Spend time in God's presence.  Spend time with God and the anxieties will lift!  When you give thanks while you're praying, you are casting a positive view over your past, present and future.  Thank God for answering your prayers, even before He has.  That's what faith is.  The great peace of God protects your emotions & mind.  The devil cannot counterfeit peace, because he has none.  The devil authors confusion, God authors peace.  When the peace of God overwhelms our anxieties, it's hard to understand how we can be so 'chilled' when our circumstances are in turmoil, but that's what the Prince of Peace, Jesus is for us.  ''Beyond understanding!'

See you in church!