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It's Just Not Fair By Wanda Fielder
Recently while in prayer I was pouring my heart out to God about a disappointing situation that had grieved our hearts. An individual who was faithfully serving God was being treated so badly, and they surely did not deserve this. I then proceeded to tell the Lord that these circumstances were just not fair. Almost immediately the Lord spoke to me with a gentle reprimand saying, "Do you think that it was fair when I had to suffer the shame, the pain, the agony and the abuse before my death on the cross?" Remorse flooded over me, and I quickly replied with, "No, Lord, that certainly wasn't fair, but you still went through with it."
Often the circumstances that are carelessly thrown into our pathway fill us with hurt and disappointment. When we have prayed countless times for their reversal or removal, and we see no change of the situation, we become disillusioned and perhaps a little weakened in our faith. Satan loves to get us in this frame of mind as he delights at our torment. He laughs at our toils, mocks our calamities, but trembles when we pray. This is when we need the Word of God to once again build our faith and renew our spirit.
Prayer is never a waste of time; something good is always accomplished when we give our time to the Lord in prayer. Even when the events of our life seem bleak with despair, our prayers avail much. Those prayers collect in heaven and are stored for when they are needed most. Just as money is deposited in the bank, we are depositing those prayers in heaven for future use. These deposits are stored treasures as referred to in Matthew 6:20, "But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
Although life often is not fair, our God is just. He may not be sending those difficult circumstances to us, but He does have our life in His control. We are under His protection, and He has the final say. In Romans 8:28 we are reminded that it is "according to His purpose." God knows what is best, and His purpose must be accomplished, not ours. Keep in remembrance the old saying, if He brings you to it, He will bring you through it!
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Focused Prayer: Healthy Attitudes
Week 1 - Virtuous Living
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Help me trust in Your guidance and loving hand.
- Let our love be without dissimilation.
- Allow our tongue to speak only goodness.
- Teach us to show mercy.
- Teach me how to honor those to whom honor is due.
- Teach us to bless those who curse us.
Week 2 - Seeking Godliness
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Teach me to set myself apart in Your service.
- Teach me to turn a deaf ear to gossip.
- Let Your truth be strong in my life.
- Keep us faithful in word and deed.
- Lead us down the path of holiness.
- Let us pray and not be negligent in well doing.
Week 3 - Temperance
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Teach us to use our finances wisely.
- Produce within us a cheerful heart of giving.
- When You speak, let us listen and give abundantly.
- Sacrificially we give of our time, energy, and finances.
- When trials come, we will not complain Lord.
- All things work together for Your good in our lives.
- We will rejoice when others are blessed.
Week 4 - Showing Kindness
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- We will be kind to one another.
- Quickly we will forgive others.
- Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
- Teach us not to have animosity toward one another.
- Give us a caring and compassionate heart.
- Help us to support leadership with our prayers and service.
- Remove any manipulative spirit found within us.
-Brenda Hudson, Riverside Apostolic Church (Used by permission)
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The Difference
Author Unknown
I got up early one morning And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish That I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbled around me And heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty, But the day toiled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said, "You didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning, And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish That I had to take time to pray.
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Binding, Loosing and Weapons of Warfare
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Bind |
Loose |
Weapon Of Warfare |
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abandonment |
adoption |
Ephesians 1:5 |
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backsliding |
restoration |
James 5:19-20 |
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carelessness |
alertness |
Mark 13:35-37 |
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damnation |
redemption |
Psalm 89:26 |
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earthly pleasures |
heavenly treasures |
Colossians 3:1-2 |
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faith without action |
genuine faith |
Matthew 5:24-34 |
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gluttony |
hunger for God |
John 6:27 |
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half-heartedness |
perseverance |
Luke 18:1-5 |
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idle hands |
hands of praise |
James 4:8 |
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jealousy |
brotherly love |
Genesis 37:8 |
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lack of caring |
personal involvement |
Matthew 25:31-41 |
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malice |
genuine affection |
Romans 12:10 |
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negative self talk |
self acceptance |
Proverbs 18:21 |
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obliviousness |
awareness |
John 8:47 |
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paganism |
Christianity |
Is. 5:20; Matt. 5:16 |
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rebellion |
obedience |
Matt. 16:25 |
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satanic literature |
Biblical truth |
Job 19:23 |
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temporal peace |
Peace of Christ |
Colossians 3:15 |
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unawareness |
sensitivity |
Proverbs 4:20-22 |
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vain imaginations |
reneded minds |
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 |
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walking in the flesh |
walking in the Spirit |
Galatians 5:26-27 |
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worldly pleasures |
spiritual opportunity |
1 Timothy 6:10 |
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-Brenda Hudson, Riverside Apostolic Church
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Creative Prayer Idea
Every few months have a "Prayer Ride". Have a group of ladies drive to the various schools and have prayer in the school parking lot.
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From the Mail Box
I WANT TO thank you for the recent DOZ Newsletter. The "Praying for Prodigals - Strategies for Prayer" is a remarkable article. I am praying every church can get this article to mothers of prodigals and also to mothers whose children's lives are being influenced by evil people.
I made copies of the whole article so that I can share this with my friends here in South Africa. It was well written and if adhered to, it will work. Thank you so much. I really appreciate this newsletter. -Donna Flowers, Missionary to South Africa.
THANK YOU FOR the DOZ Newsletter, it is encouraging to know that there are prayer warriors going into battle for our children. When the enemy attacks our children, he attacks the parents as well but we are a mighty army through God. -Tricia Vindiola, Arizona
THANKS SO MUCH for adding me to the DOZ newsletter. what a awesome newsletter and the testimony was awesome as well. -Liz Vaughn, Texas
THANKS FOR THE great newsletter. I like having the power points for focused prayer! -Donna Hogue, California
DOZ IS A CONSTANT source of tremendous material that I am reusing in our church. Keep it coming. -Bonnie Peacock, Texas
I WOULD APPRECIATE being added to the mailing list of the DOZ newsletter. I am always looking for fresh ideas for my meetings as I am in the 10th year of leading DOZ meetings at Cornerstone Tabernacle. -Betty Parkey, Missouri
I SO MUCH enjoyed the July newsletter. I copied it for our ladies and handed them out at our July meeting. The testmonies are so great! God will save our children if we continue to pray and seek God. -Jean Roush, Westside UPC, Tullahoma, TN
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Send Praise Reports and ideas for DOZ prayer meetings to DOZUPC@aol.com
Sincerely,
Debbie Akers, UPCI DOZ Coordinator and Editor |
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