Telling it like it is

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: I Kings 17, 18; Psalms 68, 69

I Kings 17:22-24 (NIV)
22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive.” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

Proverbs 16:13 (The Message)
Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.

Psalm 68:19-20 (NIV)
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Good morning!

Have you ever seen the face of someone just seconds after they gave their heart to the Lord? Talk about a holy moment! When a person realizes that Jesus is the only way to everlasting life and they choose to place their complete trust in His mercy and grace, it is as if they have literally risen up from the dead. When Elijah prayed over the widow’s son, God heard his cries for help, and restored the young boy’s life. He lives! He was once dead, and now he is alive again! Elijah returned the boy into the arms of his loving mother. With spirit eyes, she recognized that Elijah was truly a man after God’s own heart, and she spoke words of truth to him, as she cradled her precious son in her arms once again.

Every morning when you enter into prayer over the life of a not-yet believer, God hears your cries for help and He sends in the Calvary - literally! Jesus Christ shows up in the most unusual places and at the strangest times, and yet, His appearing and timing are always perfect. We release our prayers of intercession before the throne of God, covered by the righteousness of Christ. The Father hears our pleas for help and sees the longing of our heart’s song. How we want to extend the message of salvation to the ones who do not yet know Him. How can we reach them? Dear Father, show me what to say – please give me your words – help me to love your children the way you do. Oh Lord, we know our words will fail us and sometimes, our sorry behavior will turn others away. Forgive us when we fail, but please do not let this person die in their sin because we did not make the effort to share the love of Jesus with them. We know in our hearts that when your Son shows up, everything changes. He has changed my heart forever! Now, it is my humble prayer to tell the nations about the Lord. Death can forever be wiped away today in your everlasting arms. If you send me, I will go. I will speak your Word to them. I will extend a loving hand, and an open and caring heart. I will pray for them without ceasing, trusting in your perfect way. I will not give up. I will not be silenced. More than anything else, I want to offer the grace and mercy that you have given me to your children around the world today.

A humble prayer prayed in faith works each and every time. I am living proof that prayer works. Someone prayed for me a long time ago and that prayer has set my heart on fire for Jesus. When you offer your prayer in faith today, remember Elijah and the prayer he offered for the son who was once dead, and is now alive! Have you ever seen the face of someone who has crossed over from death into new life? It is an amazing thing. May the Lord give you the grace and desire to tell it like it is today, as you seek to spread the Gospel message in your community. Who do you know who does not yet know the Lord?

It all begins with a prayer prayed in faith.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage and determination to tell it like it is. People recognize the truth when they hear it, and they will respect you for sharing your faith with them. Pray for the Calvary to come! He will be there, giving you whatever you need to extend new and everlasting life to the precious ones who are dying today.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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