Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

“But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.”

1 Samuel 13:20

We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil. Every weapon within our reach must be used. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving, all must be brought into action, and talents which have been thought too mean for service, must now be employed. Coulter, and axe, and mattock, may all be useful in slaying Philistines.  Rough tools may deal hard blows, and killing need not be elegantly done, so long as it is done effectually. Each moment of time, in season or out of season; each fragment of ability, educated or untutored; each opportunity, favorable or unfavorable, must be used, for our foes are many and our force but slender.

Most of our tools want sharpening.  We need quickness of perception, tact, energy, promptness, in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord’s work. Practical common sense is a very scarce thing among the conductors of Christian enterprises. We might learn from our enemies if we would, and so make the Philistines sharpen our weapons.

Let us note enough to sharpen our zeal during this day by the aid of the Holy Spirit. Mark the heathen devotees, what tortures they endure in the service of their idols!  Are they alone to exhibit patience and self-sacrifice? Observe the prince of darkness, how persevering in his endeavors, how unabashed in his attempts, how daring in his plans, how thoughtful in his plots, how energetic in all!

The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity. O that from Satan’s infernal industry, we may learn to go about like good Samaritans, seeking whom we may bless!

C. H. Spurgeon

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer
Psalm 67

Today’s Subject: Suffering, cheerful, or sick 

The Apostle James writes by the Holy Spirit regarding various conditions we can be in as believers.  (James 5:13-14)  “Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.  Is anyone cheerful?  Let him sing psalms.  Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord”. 

Pray that those who are suffering would themselves pray to the Lord.  Pray that their sufferings would subside or end as the Lord wills.  Pray that whatever purpose and/or message the Lord has in their suffering would be realized and their suffering would end with His will done.  Pray that those who are near to those who suffer would be kind and compassionate and long suffering with the one suffering.  Pray the Holy Spirit would be allowed to minister in lives of those who are suffering. 

Pray that those who are able to maintain their joy in the midst of our trials would be a witness of the goodness of God and an encouragement to the rest of us.  Pray for understanding and grace from those who are not currently cheerful to allow the cheerful to praise the Lord in their circumstances.  Pray the Lord would restore us all from our sorrow that we may all be cheerful and sing psalms to Him. 

Pray for the sick.  Pray for a cure. Pray for the arrest of the spread of the virus.  Pray for wisdom in interacting with one another.  Pray for the day when we can assemble together and the virus is no longer dictating our actions.  Pray for comfort and healing for the sick.  Thank the Lord for those recovering from the virus! Thank the Lord the death rate and infection rate is substantially lower than first thought.  Pray the Lord would bring all of this to an end for His will and His glory. 

“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your Way may be known on earth, Your Salvation among the nations.  Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You” Psalm 67: 1-3