PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Biblical truth standing on its spiritual head to get our eternal attention.

Exodus 4:27-12:21 – Praying through the Bible #26 – A Prayer of a Transforming Servant

| January 29, 2013

Not a born leader, watching Moses “grow into” a servant leader is a humbling, possibly stressful and shaming lesson. If an 80 year old man can change…. What’s the secret? Serving, believing, affiliating, interceding, and getting personally involved. As placated by grace, before his first trip, “Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders […]

Exodus 4:10; 6:12,30 – Praying through the Bible #25 – A Prayer of Excuses

| January 28, 2013

There are excuses, and there are reasons. Can a reason turn into an excuse? Can the reasonable become replaceable with faith, by Spirit given gifts? Going down to Egypt, every thought and word of Moses expresses hesitancy, inadequacy, and stubbornness (4.1-11); accompanied by grace-placated submission (Ex 4.14-17). After the mission successfully “fails” (4.21), Moses blames […]

Exodus 3-4 – Praying through the Bible #23 – A Prayer of the Unqualified

| January 25, 2013

When God calls, the Almighty doesn’t ask for resumes of our qualifications listing our skills, success rate, experience or education. God does not want our confidence in ourselves; God wants our confidence in Him. God doesn’t want our talents; God will give His gifts. God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called. It’s […]

Exodus 1-2 – Praying through the Bible #22 – A Prayer of Groaning

| January 23, 2013

God remembers those who are His even when they forget they belong to God. Four hundred years ago, a small band consisting of a large family, moves to Egypt. All is well, but is not ending well. Political winds change and the family of the favored leader suffers. God’s blessings turn into a curse. Pharaoh’s […]

Genesis 49 – Praying through the Bible #21 – A Prayer of Last Words

| January 22, 2013

Death is knocking on your door; the family is gathered around your bed. Carefully you choose your last words, to be forever etched and echoing within your loved ones’ memories. Each family member approaches, and you share with them your last will and testament consisting only of words. In Patriarchal times, these are called blessings. […]

Genesis 37-50 – Praying through the Bible #20 – A Prayer Evident Life

| January 21, 2013

No prayers of Joseph or conversational interactions between him and God are recorded in Genesis. Neither are there examples of his “calling on the name of the Lord” or altar building. Since “Praying through the Bible” emphasizes prayer and prayer-like passages, should I include him? If I did, it would not be just because Joseph […]

Genesis 32-33 – Praying through the Bible #18 – A Prayer of Prepared Dependence

| January 18, 2013

I need to be honest about two truths. First, I often feel inadequate in helping others when all I can do is pray. Then I spiritually flog myself for my unfaith. Am I more powerful than He who hears my prayers? Am I more loving and compassionate? Friends, there is nothing inadequate about prayer. Second, […]

Genesis 29-30 – Praying through the Bible #17 – A Prayer of “Lovelessness”

| January 17, 2013

Leah’s story is the story of many women. If single, accept it’s better to be alone and unmarried, than married and alone. Leah is alone but married. Happiness is easier to find by yourself than despite someone else. If single and pregnant, don’t think “doing the right thing” equals getting married. Years ago, such might […]

Genesis 4:1-15 – Praying through the Bible #2 – A Prayer of a Failure

| January 16, 2013

Cain is a failure. Examining Cain’s sins (Gn 4), we see the 1st and 2nd great commands broken (Mt 22.36-40). All of life and every life, from the very beginning to the end of life on earth, are summed up in these two great loves: Loving God by being a faith worshipper (Gn 4.3-5; Heb […]

Genesis 28:10-22 – Praying through the Bible #16 – A Prayer of Hostage Taking

| January 15, 2013

Are we holding ourselves hostage? A hostage is someone held captive only to be released if certain demands are met. Our demands are our prayers. If met and answered, then we will release ourselves to the authorities, God (Gn 28). “Jacob’s Ladder” is one of the most amazing, unique and enigmatic scenes in the Bible. […]