The Wonder of Praying. Scripture: "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9). Every now and then, a person in the news will capture my attention. When this happens, I try to pray for them. People pay attention to celebrities; they have a lot of power to influence others -- for good or for evil. I pray that those famous people will come to know the Lord and respect His ways, so they themselves can receive God's blessing, and because of their influence, share it with others. Please the Lord I sometimes think about what it would be like to be a celebrity who influences others. The truth is, we don't need to be famous to affect others. When the Apostle Paul prayed for his friends in Colossi, he hoped that "the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Colossians 1:10). Living humble, Spirit-filled lives, we can trust God that others will notice and, we hope, follow the example God lets us provide. When you pray for your friends and family, and strive to live a godly life before them, some will accept God's salvation, but others will not. This can be frustrating, but St. Paul continued in his prayer, "that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father” (Colossians 1:11-12a). You might not see the results of your prayers, but God knows your efforts; and your influence is valuable to those around you. God has given us an amazing gift, one that cannot run out nor be "used up." We are blessed to be able to share His love and the message of His salvation. St. Paul wrote, "He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light" (Colossians 1:12b). When it comes down to it, one of the best ways to influence people is to love God, live for Him, and help lead others to His eternal life. * The Prayer, Care and Share (PCS) series is a guide to help you pray and care for others and share your faith in Jesus * (The “Take 5” Challenge continued from last week) Scripture: Col 1:9-14 We all know someone who doesn’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, or who may have even lost the faith they used to have in Him. Last week, I challenged you to choose five people in your life that you want to reach out to and share Jesus with. I called the challenge “Take 5”. If you haven’t thought about that, will you take a minute to do that now? Here are some tips for completing the “Take 5” challenge: •Set aside 5 minutes every day to pray for the people on your “Take 5” list. •Pray that God will bless them and that they will ask Jesus to be their Savior. •Scheduling 5 minutes to pray on your calendar will help you remember. My life was changed because people did not stop praying for me: While I was in the hospital, someone visited me to share about Jesus. I believe he was sent from God. I was deeply moved and asked Jesus to be my Savior. My biggest surprise was still to come: When I told my wife what had happened, she confessed that she had been praying for EIGHT years that Jesus would show Himself to me. The previous eighteen months she had been diligently praying daily! Our Lord is so good and merciful! The Apostle Paul led by example to pray for the Colossians without stopping (Col 1:9-14). He also thanked the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. You also should pray without stopping for people who need Jesus because their alternative is the dominion of darkness forever (Col 1:13). Your PRAY NOW Challenge: "Lord, show me the five precious souls that you want me to pray for on a daily basis. I pray that You will bless them and bring them into Your Kingdom. I plead that each one will cancel their reservation in hell and accept You as Savior. I pray this in Your Name Lord Jesus, Amen." Why pray for just five people? It may become overwhelming to pray diligently and intentionally for more than five. So, I suggest that you start with five and follow the Lord’s leading. If you only have 2 or 3 pray for them faithfully. Every soul is important!

WHY YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE?

WHY YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE?

To know why your life is the way it is, look around you, the places you visit, people you talk to, things you say or do, about and with people and what people says to you (seed sown into your life).

If you look carefully, you will discover where and how you have tied and hindered yourself. You can’t be speaking the wrong language (negative confession) and expect to get the right result because what you say is what you become. You can’t move with and talk to the wrong people and expect to be different – the seed you have sown, definitely you will harvest.

Joseph did not tell the butler to mention him to his (butler) friends or anyone he knows can help him but he specifically mention Pharaoh because Pharaoh is very relevant to his dream.

“But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:” (Gen 40:14)

Joseph was not interested in the butler’s friends because as good as they maybe, they are not relevant to his dream. Speak the language of your dream and that will catapult you into your future.

Your friends are supposed to be enablers of your dream and where they are not, cut-off from them; otherwise, you will live your life resolving squabbles arising from petty jalousies and myopic thinking.

To achieve your dream, there are certain things you must settle in your mind:

• I am too loaded to fail – acknowledge God in all your ways (1 John 5:3-5)

• Be diligent. It is the diligent that rules the world (Prov. 10:4; 12:24-25)

• Delight in working hard and smart (Prov. 12:14-15; Ps. 90:17; Ps. 91:1; Prov. 14:23, 18:9)

• Understand you are here to explore all opportunities to replenish the earth, to live a vision driven and not story controlled life (Gen. 1:28; Eph. 5:15-16)

• Remember, if I ask, I will receive (Matt. 7:7-9; John 15:7; John 14:13)

• Always be conscious – you are here to make a difference in the life of others and in your generation. Have transcendental values. (John 18:37)

I can not take no for an answer. Whoever tells me no, owes me an explanation that will lead to my yes. (Luke 18: 27)

• Don’t be tired or ashamed to seek knowledge from God. (Prov. 1:7; Dan. 12:4; Hosea 4:6)

• You can’t afford to be angry with people, it is too costly. (Ps. 4:4; 37:8)

• Go the extra mile; going the extra mile gives you an advantage over others (Lk. 12:42; Phil.3:12)

• Stop giving everybody your complimentary card; stop looking for fame or seeking to be known. Nothing announces your existence more than good result. People may not recognize you when you arrive a place but the result you achieve will announce you. Jesus was not recognized when he got to the wedding in Cana of Galilee, but the mother was and when there was a need and he provided solution to the need, people’s attention turned towards Him. When you have solution to the problem confronting people, they will listen to you. If you offer solutions, the world will advertise you (John 2:10). So do not worry about how you are received when you show up at some events.

• Be a dreamer, a die-hard dreamer – dreams compel you to persevere. With the persecution from his brothers, Joseph dreamt again. We live in a dreamer’s world (Gen. 37:5-9). Even if you missed it before, dream, as in Jacob’s life will redirect your life (Gen. 28:12)

Apst.Achudume