Each year, students gather around their school's flag pole for SYATP - the Global Day of Student Prayer. This year, SYATP is on September 25 and we want to show the power of prayer in the Nashville community.
The power of prayer is an incredible thing. At Philanthropy, we know that prayer is something important – but let us attempt to explain how much the Lord blesses us every day. About a year ago, Philanthropy started The Prayer Wall based on a story of a personal battle with cancer, and a mission set on our hearts from one of our customers. A random interaction turned into a very important day for all of us.
A clarion call has been made to gather the saints for a grassroots effort across the state of Tennessee. We will serve those in authority from the Courthouse to the White House. We will serve through intercession for and interaction with governmental leaders in order to impact our cities, our state and nation. We will not only minister to those in the high place, but also those in the forgotten place. We will discern the heartbeat of cities and communities from mayors and city and county officials to determine how we can best serve those in authority. May we rise up rather than fall back in this hour and walk through the gates of government to serve with the heart and mind of Christ.
The following article, containing dozens of spiritual quotes by our United States Presidents, is taken from Ed Moore's book, Prayer Force One: Across America. It is presented here in order to preserve the foundations of our nation's spiritual heritage. You may order Ed Moore's book by clicking on the book at the right.
Welcome to The Belonging! We are a Church that loves God and loves people. We are passionate about seeing people encounter God through worship, and experience the freedom that comes through knowing Jesus. Whoever you are, and wherever you come from, you are welcome!They Spit in the Face of God
Resurrection Sunday is drawing near, and we are hearing about Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection, but let's take a quick glimpse at some of the people that were there during the time of Christ, for I believe those people reflect many reactions we see in people in response to God today.
For example, some of them spit on His face. . .
Then did they spit in his face Matthew 26:67
These people actually spit in the very face of God. . .
There are some people in this world that hate God, and they are, in away, spitting in the face of God by their attitudes, words and actions in response to His Word, His Holy Spirit, His Son, His followers.
There are also people that love God and it is seen in their attitudes, words and actions in response to His Word, His Holy Spirit, His Son and His followers.
So, let's look at the people.
I will not be injecting any commentary, but have assigned them a title (they are non-Christians and/or Christians) and they do not necessarily define their entire existence, but maybe a moment of weakness, for example, the disciples were offended and fled, but after Christ's resurrection, they received Holy Ghost power to stand. Each one needs to be elaborated on, so please read Matthew 26-28 in its entirety to get the whole picture.
As you go through the list, think about how people show their attitudes toward God in their words and actions toward Christ and His followers, back then and in the world today.
The Schemers: they consulted how they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Matthew 26:4
The Worshippers: a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head. . .And when they saw him, they worshipped him Matthew 26:7-13, 28:17
The Betrayers: he sought opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:14-16
The Community: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the Matthew 26:26-28
The Offended:
All of ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Matthew 26:31
The Deniers: Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matthew 26:34
The Unaware: And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41
The Vigilantes: And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Matthew 26:51
The Fearful: But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Matthew 26:5
The Apprehenders: And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled Matthew 26:57
The False witnesses: council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death Matthew 26:59
The Authorities: Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. Matthew 26:65
The Haters : Then thy spit in his face Matthew 26:67
The Bullies: The buffeted him Matthew 26:67
The Violent: others smoke him with the palms of their hands Matthew 26:67
The Mockers: Prophesy unto his, thou Christ, Who is he that smoke thee? Matthew 26:67:68, Matthew 27:29
The Repenters: Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterl Matthew 26:75
The Enviers: when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered Matthew 27:17-18
The Cautious: When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matthew 27:19-20
The Loud crowds: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus...they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Matthew 27:20-23
The Hesitantly Compliant: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Matthew 27:24
The Extreme: Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Matthew 27:25
The Cross bearers: as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. Matthew 27:32
The resurrected: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27:52-53
The Made to be Believers: Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:54
The Devoted: And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him...And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.. .In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.Matthew 27:55, 61, 28:1
The Givers: When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, Matthew 27:57-59
The Fabricators: Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. ..And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day..Matthew 27:63-64, 28:12-15
The Obediant: go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done Matthew 28:7-8, 10-11
The Doubters: : but some doubted. Matthew 28:17
The Believers and Goers: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen Matthew 28:18-20