Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is usually observed on November 11. The holiday was first known as “Armistice Day,” to honor veterans of World War I. But, after World War II the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans’ service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word, “Armistice,” and inserting in its place the word, “Veterans.” This is a holiday honoring all veterans that have served in our country’s armed forces to uphold peace in our land, and throughout the world.

 God’s Peace

 As servants in God’s army, we are called to be ambassadors of His peace. Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Romans 5:1 describes the peace we have in Christ:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The prayer, “Lord Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace,” is attributed to the13th-century friar, Francis of Assisi. Let us pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

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Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Luke 12:28-31

But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Heavenly Father – Strengthen me to grow in my complete trust, and faith that You are ever- present in my life, that it may not be said of me: “O you of little faith.” Let me please You in my daily walk of faith, knowing that if You have clothed the grass in the fields, that Your care for me is always there – but that I am to seek You first in all things! Let me show You my faith in my trust, and service to You, as You direct my life. Amen.

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The Desiring God ministry is having their 2009 National Conference this weekend (September 25 – 27) in Minneapolis, MN. The Desiring God National Conference is an annual gathering for worship, teaching, prayer, and fellowship, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the conference theme is unique each year, the overarching aims remain the same:

Doctrine: to see as clearly as we can the whole counsel of God, centered in the glory of Christ, revealed in the Bible.

Worship: to savor the sharp contour of God’s countenance and His accomplishment.

Mission: to spread a passion for our Lord’s supremacy in all things, for the joy of all peoples.

John Piper, host speaker, is the Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This year’s speakers, along with Dr. Piper, include the following: Julius Kim, Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in California, and Associate Pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido; Marvin Olasky, provost of The King’s College, New York City, and editor-in-chief of World magazine; Sam Storms, Senior Pastor at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and President of Enjoying God Ministries; Mark Talbot, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College where he has taught since 1992; and Doug Wilson, the pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho – he is a founding board member of Logos School, a senior fellow of theology at New St. Andrews College, and he serves as an instructor at Grayfriars Hall, a ministerial training program at Christ Church.

Visit the conference site at TheaterofGod.com to keep up with their live blog and what others are saying about the conference on Twitter.

Pray: And most importantly, pray! Pray that our Lord would incline the hearts of many, particularly the thousands that will be gathering in Minneapolis this weekend, to be drawn closer and closer to God – desiring Him most – more than anything else – and that this would be the desire of many where you live – and throughout our nation and world – to Desire God!

Let us know how God is blessing you! To share your prayers or comments, just click on the no comments / comments below.

Zimbabwe is an African nation of around eight million people. The nation has been suffering from economic and political problems for many years. World Vision says two-point-eight million people are in need of food aid just to survive.

Zimbabwe is still recovering from Africa’s worst cholera outbreak in more than a decade, which killed more than four thousand people.

Several cases of the H1NI flu virus have been reported in the country, and representatives from World Vision are expressing great concern that Zimbabwe’s health delivery system would not have the ability to address the outbreak if it were to spread out of control. The nations health system is mismanaged and underfunded.

World Vision is providing flu kits, including 500 masks to the nation, and also is drawing up a preparedness plan for the H1N1 flu virus.

World Vision has been working to get children back in school as well as continuing long term development work in the nation including work in the education and health care programs, and has also been providing clean water. Pray for these concerns for the people of Zimbabwe, and the work of ministries like World Vision.

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“One World Trade Center,” formerly known as the “Freedom Tower,” is the main building of the new World Trade Center under construction in Lower Manhattan, in New York City. The building construction began on April 27, 2006, and continues today. Three other high-rise office buildings are planned for the site, and they will surround the World Trade Center Memorial, which is also under construction. In addition, the area will be home to a museum dedicated to the history of the site, and the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. When the construction of ‘One World Trade Center’ is completed, it will be the tallest building in the United States. The official opening of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is still years away, but visitors to Ground Zero now have a “preview site” where they can share their experiences, learn about New York’s darkest day, and see how construction is progressing.

As we reflect on the tragic events of 9-11, and the new construction work that is being done to rebuild at that same location in New York City, God offers a new rebuilding to be done in each of our lives!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

May it be our prayer that God, in His infinite mercy, would make our lives a building zone of new construction, with all of the ugliness of the past wiped away; and that we would behold, “all things becoming new” – in Christ Jesus! Amen.

You are invited to join us in praising and honoring our Lord in prayer with your comments below:

…The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:37 & 38

Labor Day is a holiday observed in United States on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009). It is a holiday dedicated to the workers in America as a yearly national tribute to the contributions they have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Laboring for the Lord, as children of God, should be a life-long love and passion, rather than an obligation or duty. Jesus told His disciples that there is much work to be done and more workers needed: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”

Pray that many more laborers would feel God’s call to be sent forth into the fields of the world, serving in His harvest!

You are invited to join us in praising and honoring our Lord in prayer with your comments below:

A Christian brother sends us an e-mail requesting our prayers. He says: “The spiritual battle continues from one day through to the next. Every day, there are new reasons for us to want to hide. But, we continue to hold fast to our hope that is Christ Jesus, and wake up in the morning, and brave whatever is being hurled at us. I write to you a few hours after sunset, and during the Islamic Month of Ramadhan; that is when Muslims have celebrated ‘Iftar,’ and are able to eat and drink until sunrise or ‘sehr.’ Although for Muslims, this is a time to earn reward from Allah and erase some of their previous sins and is a time to spread their Islamic agenda around the world, and build awareness for their teachings; and create sympathy — and in some ways, a sense of respect in the world — for their adherance to their fast and their rules and regulations. Yet, it becomes a rod for the backs of minorities, such as Christians living in this part of the world — so, please be in prayer for us!

We are, as usual, in the midst of the spiritual battle that comes from the confrontation between Islam and Christianity.

 Pray that we may have strength and endurance through this difficult time. May this season of Ramadhan come to be a time of intimacy with Jesus as we learn to rely on Him and His Holy Spirit — in our decision making, and as we struggle to seek new ways to be a light for Christ in a world where our Christian identity must be hidden. Does Jesus not tell us in the Gospel that we must not hide our light under a bushel? For some of you, it may be very simple to share your faith: ‘Christians should declare their love for Christ.’ But in my world, that comes with a death sentence. Sometimes, God does not lead us to guide a new believer in this way. If a new believer is expelled from his community for his Christian faith, then there will be no Christian presence in their midst. Sometimes, the very silent witness of a new believer speaks louder, and brings many to Christ.

What a faithful God we serve!

In these very turbulent times, when we are constantly aware of being watched, and the Evil One is trying to destroy our ministry, we need your prayers that we would ever keep our focus locked on our King – Jesus, our Lord and Saviour!”

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Chapter 3:13 – 18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Heavenly Father – May we grow in your wisdom that sows peace and love within the body of believers, as well as, to those all around us in our daily paths. Help us not to be hypocrites, but faithful witnesses of Your grace and mercy. Amen.

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There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son;
Precious Lamb of God Messiah, Holy One.

Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names;
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, oh for sinners slain.

Thank you, oh my Father, for giving us your Son,
And leaving your Spirit ‘til the work on earth is done.

When I stand in Glory, I will see His face,
And there I’ll serve my King forever in that Holy Place.

Jesus Christ – Redeemer

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:7

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10 & 11

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10 – 12

Lamb of God

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:6 & 7

John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:11 & 12

The Holy Spirit

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

Glory to God

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13 & 14

In God’s Presence

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:4 – 7

You are invited to join us in praising and honoring our Lord  in prayer with your comments below:

Two hundred thirty-three years have passed since that historic         July 4, 1776, when our nation was born. There are many references to God that our founding fathers made, acknowledging our trust and dependence as a nation. In praying for our nation, reflect with us on some of the lyrics of our National Anthem, and other American patriotic songs that refer to a nation under God:

Star Spangled Banner (Fourth Stanza):

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

My Country, Tis of Thee (Fourth Stanza):

Our father’s God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

America the Beautiful (First Stanza and Chorus):

O beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

You are invited to join us in praising and honoring our Lord  in prayer with your comments below: