The End Justifies the Means

“After you have suffered a little while, The God of all grace…will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

In his words above, the apostle Peter points us to suffering as the means used by God to strengthen and establish our faith. Notice that the blessings of restoration, confirmation, and strength are received “after you have suffered a little while”.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us.” The gnarled roots and twisted branches of an oak tree tell a story about the many storms it has been through. They also indicate how deep the roots have forced their way into the ground. So the Christian is made strong and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life.

Don’t shrink from the winds of trial. Seek God in prayer, and take comfort in knowing that He is using the present means of difficulty to bring about a blessed end.


Daily Prayer Focus

Aug. 1 - Pastor’s Families
Aug. 2 - Sunday School Teachers
Aug. 3 - Foster Homes
Aug. 4 - Missions Ministry Team
Aug. 5 - Family Night Programs
Aug. 6 - New School Year
Aug. 7 - Missions to Europe
Aug. 8 - Unity in Churches


Prayer Requests

• A Sister in Christ - Lora
• Pearson Martin - Shands J'ville
• Davis Wallace
• Bill Jones

By Marian Monk

Where Do You Run?

When the difficulties and stress of life are overwhelming you, how do you cope?

Sometimes we want to pull the covers over our heads and ignore the problems. Sometimes we turn to our friends, relatives, and other counselors for advice. Sometimes we snap and snarl at the very people who are trying to help us.

Throughout the Psalms, we are given examples and encouragement to seek God’s help first, and to take comfort in his abiding presence. In Psalm 91 we read, “This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.” (Psalm 91:2, NLT)

Take some time this week to read and meditate on all of Psalm 91. Then pray and claim God’s presence as your place of refuge. There’s no better place to run.

Daily Prayer Focus

July 25 - Church Staff
July 26 - Worship Leaders
July 27 - College Students
July 28 - Education Ministry Team
July 29 - Shoebox Ministry
July 30 - Educators
July 31 - Missions to Asia
Aug 1 - Pastor's Families

Prayer Requests

• A Sister in Christ - Lora

By Marian Monk

Going Global

God is a global God. One of the most well-known Bible verses is John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” With the internet, email, cell phones and faxes, we are more readily connected to people in other countries than ever before.

As Christians, we have the privilege and opportunity to connect with God in praying for people around the world. The apostle Paul wrote, “This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours.” (Col. 1:16, NLT)

You can be part of the spread of the gospel through prayer. Get a globe or map and pray for nations by name. As you read and watch the news, pray for the events in other countries to be used by God to bring people to him. Choose one or two missionaries and request their news updates and pray specifically for them and their work in other countries.

You may never leave the soil of your native country, but you can become a world-class Christian by going global in your prayers.

Daily Prayer Focus

July 18 - Contemporary Services
July 19 - Unchurched People
July 20 - Vashti Children's Home
July 21 - Women's Christian Groups
July 22 - Summer Youth Programs
July 23 - Public Safety Officers
July 24 - African Missions
July 25 - Church Staffs

Prayer Reqests

Have a Prayer Request? Please add it as a comment to this post, and we'll add it in.

By Marian Monk

What A Difference A Prayer Makes

Does prayer have any real impact on our world? Or is it merely a private conversation with God? Philip Yancey in Our Daily Bread tells the story about a New Jersey couple who learned that a man had been released from prison and moved into their area. They were concerned, so they started praying for him. Then they felt God calling them to pay him a visit, then another. Soon their weekly visits turned into opening their home to a weekly breakfast for ex-offenders like him.

Now, 22 years later, the area’s most despised men have one place to go where they are welcomed and treated respectfully. What began as a concern turned into a ministry that put into practice the words of Jesus who said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Who has God placed on your path that you may view as undesirable, disagreeable, even dangerous? Respond to Jesus’ command to pray for them, and then don’t be surprised if he calls you to become part of the answer to that prayer.

Daily Prayer Focus

July 11 Pastors
July 12 Sunday School Teachers
July 13 Persecuted Christians
July 14 United Methodist Men
July 15 Children’s Programs
July 16 Local Government
July 17 Prison Ministry
July 18 Contemporary Service

by Marian Monk