ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY

This week we witnessed as a Nation the unfolding story in Aurora, Colorado of what has been deemed the largest massacre in American history.  The horror experienced by all in the theater is now rippling across our country.  Please hold all in prayer for healing as families and friends grieve loved ones.  Pray also for those who survived and for those who remain hospitalized with injury for strength and restoration.  Many stories are emerging of boyfriends who gave their lives covering their girlfriend’s body so that she might live. I am sure that we will hear more throughout this week of heroic deeds and about the lives of those lost and of those
injured.

What Kind of Friend Are
You?

Jesus tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  This Scripture came immediately to my mind as I heard the stories of the brave young men who did lay down their lives for others in Colorado.  Such valor is instilled in those with military training.  As stories develop we find many who stepped up to help save others had military backgrounds.  Take a moment to really think about the ultimate sacrifice these young people made.  What would you do for your friends?  Would you have the courage to risk all to save another?  Would you give your life so another might live?  What kind of friend are you?

Let us recommit to be the friend called a pearl of great value.  The people God has placed in our path are there for a reason.  Be a better friend, spouse, parent or child. You do not know when the last encounter you have with someone may be the last encounter.  Death is quite final.

Where Do You Stand With
the Lord?

From a spiritual perspective, Jesus gave His life so we could have eternal life.  He freely suffered a horrific death so we could experience everlasting life.  All we have to do is repent of our sins and accept Him as the Lord and Savior of our life.  What does that really mean?   It means it is never too late to turn to the Lord.  It is never too late say I am sorry, Lord.  It is never too late to live in His ways for His glory.  Let us each take a moment right now and commit or recommit our lives to Him.  Read this slowly and with clear intention:

                       Father I come before you with a repentant heart (it is always a heart issue) and ask Your forgiveness.   I know You sent Your Son to give His life and be resurrected from death so that I might have eternal life.  I purposethis day to step away from the things in my life that would keep me from You and to live my life  for You, Jesus.  I commit myself to You and by the power of Your Holy Spirit I purpose to live my life with You as my Lord.  Amen.

Faith in Action

In light of such a senseless act of terror we are stopped short in our everyday lives to realize not only the fragility of life on this earth but also to ensure the certainty of life once we leave this earth.  It is only through Jesus that we have that guarantee as He is the friend Who gave His life so we might live.  We never know the time we will each be called home.  I pray that this sobering event will bring us all once again to our knees in prayer for salvation for all and for this Nation ‘for such a time as this.’

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.  Let us move forward with strong and active faith.”  Now is the time.  We are the people.

‘Pray the States’

Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election.  We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union.  Please cover Texas admitted to the Union December 29, 1845 in prayer.  Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Texas and for all in our Nation.  Each state is important in forming our United States of America.  We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States.  Let us pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’
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A Prayer Request and
Personal Blessing

Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray.  Please keep our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety.  They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit.  Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.  God bless all our military personnel and their families.   May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe.

May God richly bless each of you this week.  May we pray without ceasing for all in Colorado, their families and friends.  Amen and amen!