PHall | 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 […]
Category: Exodus |
Comments Off on Exodus 4:27-12:21 – Praying through the Bible #26 – A Prayer of a Transforming Servant
Tags: Perryisms, Prayer
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Exodus |
Comments Off on Exodus 4:10; 6:12,30 – Praying through the Bible #25 – A Prayer of Excuses
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Exodus |
Comments Off on Exodus 3-4 – Praying through the Bible #23 – A Prayer of the Unqualified
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Exodus |
Comments Off on Exodus 1-2 – Praying through the Bible #22 – A Prayer of Groaning
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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. […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 49 – Praying through the Bible #21 – A Prayer of Last Words
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 37-50 – Praying through the Bible #20 – A Prayer Evident Life
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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, […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 32-33 – Praying through the Bible #18 – A Prayer of Prepared Dependence
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 29-30 – Praying through the Bible #17 – A Prayer of “Lovelessness”
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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 […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 4:1-15 – Praying through the Bible #2 – A Prayer of a Failure
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible
PHall | 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. […]
Category: Genesis |
Comments Off on Genesis 28:10-22 – Praying through the Bible #16 – A Prayer of Hostage Taking
Tags: Prayer, Praying through the Bible