Month: March 2018

Easter Blessings

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“The Empty Cross.” Photo taken by Elton Streyle at the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville, TX.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross and for resurrecting Him on the third day. This means that Good Friday and Easter, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, reminds us of how we can have a special identity with Him.

These two events allow me to experience Galatians 2:20 and be taken from spiritual death to life. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who gave Himself for me.”

The historical event of Easter allows me to someday spend eternity in Heaven. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

Thank you that until my final day here on earth, I can live my life being filled and controlled by your Spirit living within me. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18.

Lord, if there are any hindrances in my life to living righteously because of sin, show them to me so that I can confess, repent and be made clean.  I do not want any communication blockage between You and me. I ask that You will direct my life in such a way that Psalm 118:19 will manifest itself in and through me. “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD.”

Thank you that I can bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Influence of God’s Word in My Life

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Bible journaling by Sylvia S., photo by Ali.

 

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali, Bible Journaling: Sylvia S.

I come to You in Jesus’ Name, Heavenly Father, to thank You for the light that You give as I walk through dark areas of life. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” Psalm 119:105. “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” Psalm 19:8.

Father, empower me to comprehend the awesomeness of the fact that all Scripture is You speaking to me in written form. “All scripture is God-breathed” 2 Timothy 3:16.

Direct me to live my spiritual life in the same way as my physical life. Just as I can’t live without physical food each day, I need to have You give me a daily intake of Your Word and a time of quietness to hear from You. “Be still and know that I am your God” Psalm 46:10.

Show me how to mold my opinions and values around You and Your ways, not around the society that I live in. Thank you for putting in Your Word all the direction I need to be able to live a life of peace and joy. “Teach me your way O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11.

Father, thank you for allowing me to bring these praises and requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Unchanging Love

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Photo taken in Hawaii.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali
Loving and faithful Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ Name to thank you that every day I can rest on Your promise that You are never changing, always faithful, and loving. Despite my failures and shortcomings, Your love never wavers, falters or comes up short. Your assurance that You will never leave or forsake me brings great peace and joy in my life. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” 2 Timothy 2:13.
Lead me to comprehend and take seriously what it cost You for me to be able to have a wonderful love relationship with You. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.
Direct me not to use Your grace and mercy as a means to simply do as I wish or as an excuse to sin.  Rather, show me how to use it as a platform from which to extend Your hand to others. Teach me to trust in the same promise You gave Israel in Isaiah 43:2-3 when I go through difficult times. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Direct my experiences and actions to be an example for others to see how You demonstrate Your love and faithfulness.

I bring these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Living Under God’s Vigilance

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, I come to You in Your Son’s Name to thank you for the peace and comfort it gives me to know that You are everywhere present and that You see every situation in my life.

Even the events in my life that I do not understand are not a surprise to You. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

Direct me to be conscious at all times of the fact that I am living in Your presence. Have this give me a growing desire to live in a way that is pleasing to You.

When the challenges of life come, show me how to get my focus off my problems and back on Jesus.

I invite You to be my defender and counselor. Remind me how You do not always immediately calm the storms in life, but that You are always willing to calm me as Your child in the midst of the storm. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…“ Isaiah 43:2-3.

Thank you that I can bring these requests to You in Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.

Prayer Quotes to Think About #11

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Photo taken in Florida.

“A full measure of the Word of God and prayer each day gives a healthy and powerful life.” ~Andrew Murray

“Prayer with great power must be rooted in God’s Word.” ~Elton Streyle

A Different Way to Begin a Prayer
This is a summary of comments made by J. Gordon Henry.
We should be conscious as Christians that there is only one access to God. You cannot come into the presence of God apart from Christ Himself. John 14:6 says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except  through Me.'” (For context, read John 14:13-14, John 16:23-26).
“We customarily  attach ‘In Jesus’ Name’ at the end of our praying. I have learned that it is a blessing to come early in the Name of Jesus in praying. The Name of Jesus is the authority that opens the door into God’s presence gives us the right to be heard.”  ~J. Gordon Henry
Some different ways to start a prayer:
  • Heavenly Father, I approach You in Jesus’ Name to…
  • Father, I come to You through the name of Your Son Jesus to…..
An ending to the prayer might be:
  • Father, I thank You for the privilege to bring this prayer in Jesus’ Name
The team at Time With Our Creator encourages you to try starting your prayers in Jesus’ Name for a little while; you might be blessed by it like this couple in Elton’s church was:
“We both feel like it [praying in Jesus’ Name at the beginning of the prayer] has radically changed our prayer lives. “In Jesus’ Name” is no longer a casual ending to a prayer, but a powerful way to approach the throne, making it clear to communicate with the Father. It does not feel right to do it any other way now.” ~Brett and Lori