“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34 KJV
If you’re shy, you can become anxious when you are in a crowd. If you play sports, you may be anxious about the next opponent. There are expectations to meet, the fear of doing something wrong, and people you want to impress. And life isn’t slowing down, is it? There seems to be no end of things that place you in the hands of anxiety, and the stress can be overwhelming. Anxiety is real and it demands to be your first response.
Anxiety can be so normal to you that depression begins making inquiries into your life story, with a plan to rewrite the ending. You can get caught up in a life of “possible” outcomes. The problem is that all the outcomes you think about are worst case scenarios. Why do you think this is true? If this is how you think, then it's easy to understand why you'd feel depressed.
God wants you to pay attention to what he's doing, and his reason is pretty simple. He's doing good things in the lives of people. He's done good things for you, in you, through you. Stop thinking about how bad things could be, and remember how good God has always been. Remember the specific moments when God did the incredible in your life and then the lives of people you know.
There's no good reason to be anxious, but that doesn't mean that you'll never feel anxious. This condition could be due to a chemical imbalance, and if that's the case, it needs to be addressed by your doctor. But feelings of anxiety could also be caused by a failure to pay attention to God. You can't get rid of anxiety just by wishing you weren't anxious or even telling yourself it's dumb to feel that way. You might wind up condemning yourself and, in the end, feel worse than before.
God never asked you to be anxious, but he does offer to take the burden you carry and deal with it- even when you think he can't.
Thursday Thoughts............

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” (I John 4:7 KJV)

Most people enjoy games that pass the time, encourage interaction, and crown a winner. That was definitely the case a few years ago, in a community game that ran rampant in Connecticut called kindness bingo. Cards were picked up at the local library, and a sticker could be placed on the bingo card after completing the kindness it described. It was a win for those who played because prizes were awarded. It was a win for those who received the kindness because it was unexpected and welcome. It was a win for the community because the focus on positive change became evident everywhere.God gave another reason to be motivated to do your best in whatever you do. That reason is love, which has always been God's idea. He gave it when it was not deserved, knowing the need for it would never end.Your motivation for doing good should ultimately be based on love. Your work will often be done for people you're not sure deserve a good job, or a pat on the back. Your encouragement rather than your correction, will speak volumes of your motivation. Your best efforts will show love to God and to the people He needs to reach with the gospel and your good example. He can and will use you for both.Embracing your motivation teaches you, helps others, and allows God to work in your life and the life of the one you help. Love makes that bond possible.You might think God ask you to do your best because he wants to make things hard or give you an unnecessary test, but there are benefits you don't always see that can move circumstances in a God direction.Part of your motivation in anything you do is to look out for the best interests of the one you're helping. Even if it costs you more than you expect. The cost could be money, but it could also be time, talent, kindness, or even words left unspoken.If motivation is the reason you do something, then consider the what and why behind the things you do for others, and what you do for God. Kindness should outweigh personal preference, personal agenda, or self-promotion.~Thursday Thoughts~

You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you, from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG)
David Wilkerson seemed unusual but certain. He should have been afraid, but he wasn't. He was urged to go home, but he wouldn't. He was a preacher in the late 1950s who had successfully preached to small churches before moving to the streets of New York, where his message was rejected over and over by people who threatened his life. They were making mistakes, they knew they were making mistakes, and they saw no need to change what they were doing. Yet David was on the street calling them out and giving them a new choice.
When last I posted a Thursday thought, you read that you can feel insecure around people you think of as friends. How difficult would it be to feel like you're in a situation where friends do not exist, where your life is in danger and you have no idea if things will change for the better?
More than one version of the Bible says that insecure and uncertain Christians are actually thought of by God as peculiar people. Instead of feeling insecure about being called peculiar, think of this phrase as one that says you are unique, special, and set aside to do something God wants done in society. You get to tell people of the night-and-day difference He's made in your life. You get to say, "Hey, I used to feel insecure, but that's changing." You get to share the good news that others either do not believe or feel too embarrassed to share. So embrace this call to be peculiar.
What if everyone knew that feeling insecure was no longer the go-to response in life? What kind of freedom could be found in knowing that you are accepted? What kind of peace would arrive because you are convinced that God is the One who assures your acceptance?
I can tell you that the acceptance we all crave is only a moment away if we will simply give our lives to Jesus, follow His plan of salvation and become obedient to His Word.
-Thursday Thoughts-

I have placed the Lord always in front of me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved. Psalms 16:8
If life is a puzzle, you might wonder where you fit in. You might think your friends and everyone else fit but you. That’s where you’re wrong. Chances are pretty good that more than one of your friends feel the same way. No one wants to admit it. Few will.
Every person who’s ever lived has experienced this kind of insecurity. Everyone wants to find that one thing that can make them feel secure. This usually means trying to find security among friends. The problem is when you feel insecure, you’ll either try to prove you’re not or you’ll be open about how easy it is for you to get things wrong. Both admit insecurity. It can make you feel awkward.
Where does security come from? Today’s verse has been the answer. Security comes from God alone. He made you, loves you, and wants the best for you. He doesn’t view you as competition, but rather a much loved son or daughter. He doesn’t laugh at you when you open up about your struggles. Talk, He will listen. He knows you feel insignificant at times. There won’t be any email reminders from God that you have flaws.
When it seems like you’ll never measure up, God accepts you as you are, and then gives you everything you need to get a full on taste of security. He doesn’t ask you to see his perfection and feel bad about your imperfection. Although, you will. God wants you to see his perfection and thank Him for loving you enough to accept you, no matter what you’ve done or how often you’ve missed the mark. He wants you to acknowledge Him for having the grace and mercy to allow you to keep working on being more like him every day. He will never love our sin, but He will never stop loving us.
So what does it mean to be secure? It means to be held in place so you won’t get lost. That gives you a reason to believe that when you stick with God, being lost isn’t possible?
God doesn’t change his mind you don’t have to do anything to be accepted by God other than be willing to be accepted, and to be obedient to His word. If this is a club, than anyone can join. Anyone that wants to be obedient to their Savior and follow after the plan that He set forth in His word. That could be you. It could be all of your friends. It could be everybody that you know that shares in this insecurity we call human existence. It’s true for your family and for people you’ve never met.
Stop hiding. Stop running. Stop refusing security. It should be yours. It can be yours. Will you just follow after God?
Thursday thoughts

Galatians 4:7
“Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God, make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance”
Who are you? Do you know? Have you wondered?
You could start by saying that you’re a son, but maybe you’re a brother, sister, or a cousin as well. You may be a student, but you might be a computer geek an athlete or perhaps you sing act or play an instrument. You might be a friend, employee or volunteer. You are many things, but you started as someone God created.
He made you. Every part of you. Knowing who God says you are is an important part of knowing who you are, and what you are meant to be, and do.
God doesn’t give you a fill in the blank kind of life. Don’t ever think he says, “ ______grew up and became a _____and went to_____and did what he wanted every day of his life.”
No God is faith’s Author. He knows your story and he doesn’t leave any detail out. He knows what you’ll say. He knows what you’ll do. He knows where you are now, and he even knows where you want to go.
No matter what you want to do or even choose to do, God has a plan that includes a life story without blanks. He can fill in the spots that seem unknown to you. He doesn’t resort to guess work, and he never makes things up on a spur of the moment basis.
God can’t be taken by surprise there isn’t any part of your story that takes God by surprise. He can take your circumstances and make them good.
You need to know who you are before you know that what you believe is true. You are someone who has broken God‘s laws, and you’ve rebelled against the very life God planned for you.
I know this because the Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That’s who you are, but think about who you could be. You don’t have to keep rebelling. You could accept forgiveness and a place in God’s family. You could be obedient to God‘s word, and follow after His plan of redemption and salvation. You could start living a life that is fulfilling and full of joy. You could! You should! Will you?
Thursday Thoughts………

Hebrews 11:6
“It is impossible to please God, without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him, must believe that God exists, and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”
The news article told of a scientist, who encountered a two headed sea turtle. The story described how this unusual swimming sea turtle had been found, and the circumstances that led to the discovery. If you never encountered a two headed sea turtle, would it be easy to believe the news? What if you didn’t know the author of the story, had never been to the beach where the turtle was found, and maybe even didn’t know enough about sea turtles to come to the conclusion that they exist at all. What if you’ve never been to the ocean? You couldn’t touch it or see it for yourself, but if you read that story, you probably wouldn’t even hesitate. You would believe it. You might even share the story. You might wonder what life would be like for a two headed sea turtle. Again—belief with no hesitation.
God doesn’t pose for selfies. He doesn’t have a social media presence. He doesn’t seek out the paparazzi. He doesn’t ask for news coverage. So when people hear about him, it can be easy to believe he doesn’t exist. Yet, there are many more stories about a good God then there are about any animal with two heads.
The odd story is believed readily, while the amazing story seems unbelievable to many. The  most important  choice you will ever make won’t be whether to believe in a strange animal. You’re most important choice is to trust in the God who made a newsworthy two-headed sea turtle. He made you. He loves you. He asks you to believe that he made and loves you.
What you need to know about God has been written down, lived out and discussed by those who believe. Is that you? Is it now? If not, why?
The truth is, God exists and blessings come to those who believe this much better than average news. Seek Him! Find Him! Follow Him!
Thursday thoughts………

Hello Friend,

The early church and the Jewish nation before them, understood that worshipping images was idolatry and that praying to dead was vanity.  When Consistiene the 1st who was an idol worshipping Pagan declared Christians were not to be persecuted any longer.  He combined Christianity with Pagan practice or polytheism.  

Before this we do not see the Christian Church using iconology in Holy ways.  After Jesus ascended, councils were held regularly wherein men would use their knowledge to interpret the Bible and to change or clarify the accepted meanings of Biblical truth and oral tradition.  These councils gave rise to fundamental theological differences between the early church and the more recently formed state - controlled hybrid religion.  

The Protestant reformation was a step by step, precept by precept rejection of Roman Dogmatism and a gradual return to Biblical doctrine.  Hus, Luther, Calvin, Wycliff, and many others found truth that had been hidden behind language unintelligible by the majority and by architecture which made dissent unthinkable.  Each found one or two pieces of truth upon which new denominations were founded, however each kept some of the other dogmatic practices born of Christian/Pagan intermarriage.  

What does mean to you and?  We all need to have our own theological reformation.  What do you believe about God?  Why do you believe it?  Have you gained your belief systems about eternity from the words of a man or from the word of God?   Have you decided for yourself what is right and wrong?  That was the original sin and I contend is the most prevalent sin today.  The arrogance to think we can understand right and wrong apart from God's will is what gave birth to sin, and it is what keeps it in our hearts.

Such matters will seem silly and even malicious by the carnal mind.  Consider the matter spiritually.  Do we have core values based upon man's wisdom and vain traditions?  Consider prayer, fasting, and faithful ingestion of the Bible before making final choices about your eternal soul.  For these three commandments, yes, the Bible commands us to pray, fast, and read the Bible daily, are the only path to awakening and strengthening your spirit.  Once your spirit can be heard over your flesh consider matters such as these.  If you accept this challenge, you will find your mind renewed, your purpose transformed, and your fate changed.

Hey Friend,

I won't use up your attention span on how I have been changed over the past 1/4 year. If I have achieved any level of credibility in your mind, please set aside the time to read the following:

I am filled with the eternal spirit of Jesus Christ who I believe was God robed in flesh. I also believe the Bible is inspired by God, who's only begotten human form ascended into heaven at the conclusion of his ministry.

I believe his spirit returned to the church 50 days after the feast also called Pesach in order for the church to continue his ministry.

His spirit, being pure, having overcome death, hell, and the grave was available to the initial church and to all that are afar off. The Holy spirit will reveal things within the Holy word to those who search them out. This is not a revelation of new truth. Instead, consider the word to contain great treasure which can only be uncovered with guidance from the original author.

Reading the word with a carnal mindset will reveal nothing beyond your current personal realities and will in fact reinforce false doctrine if you have already been deceived. The enemy has labored long to make the word inaccessible, implausible, and inapplicable.

If you believe the Bible is truth and yet have trusted someone else to pick out the important bits and spoon feed you, I challenge you to consider the word sustenance for your soul as firmly as you consider food and water critical to your body.

Reading the word with the courage to understand and obey what you find there is not common. This act or way of life is the thing you are being distracted from, being hardened against, and convinced that man's understanding is higher than the Alpha and the Omega.

My attempt to live according to this premise is the basis for the below interpretations.

"And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence." Amos 8:3

<I believe the government will remove tax exempt status from churches which espouse a single truth rather than a subjective reality.>

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride." Jer 16:9

<I believe marriage rates will continue to decline. As marriage is a type and shadow of the intended human (bride) relationship with God (bridegroom), this divine institution will become less popular as will listening to words spoken by the church inspired by God's word and his spirit.

"Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins." Isaiah 26:20-21

<I predict that physical isolation will be framed as civil responsibility. Federal laws will prop up virtual communities and will create head winds for physical communities. The bride will be tested as social clubs drop their religious facade and the church adopts public discretion.>

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it." Isaiah 25:8

< I predict that mankind will be awakened en masse as to the eternal nature of half of their duality when the end of days is at hand. >

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,..."  Hebrews 6:19

<I predict that hope, faith, and trust will steer the lifestyle of mankind in the last days. The object of that faith and how it manifests in society will be a clear indicator of the spiritual welfare of any given society.>

Sources:
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hope
https://www.gotquestions.org/one-world-government.html
https://www.blueletterbible.org/
https://biblehub.com/

The Life Application Bible KJV
The Apostolic Study Bible KJV


Nathan Cottrill

Should Christians celebrate holidays? This question seems to come up periodically and even more frequently in the last few years.

There is no biblical command that states Christians must celebrate certain holidays. Because of this, some advocate the opposite view—that Christians should refrain from the celebration of any holidays. This is particularly emphasized by the Jehovah's Witness cult, who celebrate only the death of Jesus and advocate against celebrating other days. Other traditions celebrate only what are considered "Christian" holidays, such as Christmas or Easter. Is it okay for Christians to celebrate holidays? (Acts 2)

First, it is clear the Israelites celebrated certain holy days or holidays and were commanded to do so. These included Passover, Pentecost, New Moon celebrations, and other occasions. Early Jewish Christians continued to celebrate these days and did not see such practices as a problem with their Christian faith. In fact, the church began on a Jewish holiday—the Day of Pentecost.

Second, the Bible clearly teaches freedom regarding the celebration of special days. Romans 14:5-6 says, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord." Paul later adds, "So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil" (Romans 14:16) It is clear celebrating a special day such as a birthday or national holiday is not necessarily bad, but is a matter of personal preference.

Third, Christians should also consider whether celebrating a particular holiday is consistent with Christian beliefs. For example, many Christians refrain from celebrating Halloween because of its association with evil spirits. Other Christians participate in some aspects of the cultural holiday, but exclude themselves only from aspects associated with evil. Again, the holiday itself is a matter of personal preference, but certain aspects that are clearly sinful must still be avoided.

Fourth, Christians can consider how to use holidays for God's glory. For example, more people often attend church on Mother's Day than on other Sundays. This provides a great opportunity to honor mothers, share the gospel, and offer other options to help people become more involved in the local church and Christian service. In summary, Christians are given freedom regarding whether or not to celebrate holidays. Many holidays were celebrated by people in the Bible. For Christians, holiday celebrations are optional (Romans 14) Particular sinful aspects must be avoided, while Christians can also use the positive aspects of holidays for effective outreach and service that honors God and helps the lives of people.

This is a call to all people of BUPC for some focused prayer this week over some legislation that just passed in the House and is going very soon to the Senate.

It is called The Equality Act.

It is the greatest assault on the family and religious liberties that this country has ever seen.

If this law passes, these are a few of the radical changes we all will face:

• The bill would end the federal legal recognition of the terms male and female sex – and would favor gender identity.

• The Equality Act designates schools, churches, and healthcare organi- zations as “public accommodations.” With this, schools, churches, and hospitals could be forced to accept the government’s beliefs and man- dates about sexual orientation and gender identity. It will threaten every- day speech where people can be fined or lose their jobs for using the wrong name or pronouns. To preach that marriage is between a man and
a woman is grounds for prosecution for discriminating.

  • The Equality Act will legislate that we allow men in women’s restrooms in all public places, boys in girls’ sports, boys in girls’ locker rooms, men in women’s shelters, and men in women’s prisons. Churches and schools are not exempt.

  • The Equality Act deliberately excludes any religious exemption. It combines this threat with an explicit rejection of recourse to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) when government policy and religious faith are in conflict. RFRA merely gives a religious entity its day in court; it does not guarantee the outcome.

• The law effects our schools in that it forces teachers and students to publicly pretend that a biological male is a female. Schools will be man- dated to instruct first, second, and third graders that they can choose to be a boy or a girl, or neither, or both, making biological sex (and science) a relic of the past. States that have prohibited this curriculum in the past, will not be able to “opt out” if this becomes federal law.

• The Equality Act will use the force of law across all 50 states to strip Christian and other religious ministries of their right to hire people of
shared faith to pursue a shared mission.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. We repent for the sins of our nation.

2. Forgive us for the appetites of perversity running rampant in our nation.

3. We ask for divine intervention for this bill to be struck down.

4. We ask that you would prick the minds and hearts of Senators that are planning to vote yes. Let them have a change of heart.

5. Jesus, allow righteousness to keep this from becoming the law.

6. We ask for your mercy Oh God to keep our religious freedoms.

7. We bind this radical agenda from hell that is trying to destroy our nation. We loose truth to see the deception behind the Act.

8. We ask for you to protect our schools, our churches, our para-ministry organizations. Protect the foundation of our nation.

9. Protect the minds and hearts of our innocent children who are made in the image of God and are perfect just as He made them.

10. We pray for divine deliverance from the confusion released from this spirit of perversion.

11. We pray for salvation and restoration for every soul that is held cap- tive by these antichrist spirits.

12. Most of all, we pray for a revival of truth and transformation to sweep over our land.  Just as Esther went into the throne room to petition the King, we thank you Oh God, that we can enter boldly before your throne to find grace in the time of need.

Thank you Jesus for hearing us!

We at BUPC stand firm in our belief that ALL people are loved by God, and in turn loved by us. However, the love of a person does not mean that we agree with nor wish to associate with an individuals sin.

Make Your Election Sure
America is a land of diversity.  It is our identity; it is our strength. 
Each voice sharpens the next until we produce great ideas, like our truly unique constitution.  Its bond and covenant rest upon the faith of a man to guide the path of a man.  Democracy rests upon Christianity, Christianity does not rest on Democracy. 
Your unique path in life has led you into this moment and if you were like hundreds of millions of other Americans, you cast a vote for the office of the President of an Earthly Nation.  The election may not be sure today or tomorrow, or next week.  You may have to wait to find out who is in authority of our United States.  The election of your eternal soul to spend eternity in Heaven with the creator requires no ruling from the Supreme Court or recount.
You can make your election sure right now.  His word is alive, his spirit is available. Your purpose driven love of God is the exponential factor in the degree to which the Holy Spirit of God can work through you to perform miracles here on earth. 
As your love and respect of God grows, as you become his, your obedience to his word and spirit, is your eternal voting stub.  Your life has cast its ballot, but unlike the army of bureaucrats which will give America its temporal answer, only one will decide the election of your soul.  It’s not complicated, he doesn’t ask for ID.  When he returns again, if your name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life, you will live eternally with God.  All of eternity is yours for the acceptance.  Not acceptance of a theological concept but acceptance of the lifestyle Jesus designed for his living body which remains on earth.
Do you seek him out each morning and let his spirit guide you?  Would you vouch for you?  Has he voted for you?  The new covenant between the creator and his children is not complicated.  It is a service agreement, not a get out of jail free card.  You have to do your part. 
In all of God’s billions of children, the diversity defies our secular grasp of the word, yet in the end he will vote for some, yet others names will be omitted.  Not because he loved them less, but because their life campaigned on platform of self-will instead of servanthood, and he will vote accordingly.
America is in the midst of change.  Our earthly leadership will always change, let his will for the change in your life specifically reveal itself though his word and sincere prayer.  Make your most important election sure.

By B.J. Reinhard

There Scripture-based prayers are designed to be prayed for any loved one (a son, daughter, grandchild, the child of a friend, or even a spouse or parent) who has strayed from God into a destructive lifestyle. For this sake of clarity, the prayers are written with a son in mind. Please adapt them to fit your situation.

• 1.) Lord, protect my son. Build a hedge around him to guard him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Block his paths so that he cannot move toward activities and relationships that would harm him. 
  • Job 1:10   Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
  • Hosea 2:6-7   Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
• 2.) Deliver him from evil. Rescue him from a destructive lifestyle. Restore him to his senses, and bring him home from the land of the enemy
  • Matthew 6:13   And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • Psalm 91:14   Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
  • Luke 15:17   And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
  • Jeremiah 31:16-17   Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
• 3.) Guide my son into truth. Teach him to recognize deceptive ideas and thoughts. Make him alert to the lies of the enemy, and teach him how to resist the devil by faith
  • John 16:13   Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16   For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
  • 1 Peter 5:8-9   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
• 4.) Give my son the courage to be honest with himself and with You. Spirit of God, convict him of sin and his need for You. Don't allow my son to blame others for troubles in his life. Show him that he alone is responsible for his choices.
  • John 16:8    And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
  • Genesis 3:12-13    And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  • Ezekiel 18:20    The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
• 5.) Lord, thank You for drawing my son with love and tenderness to Yourself, even in his desert place. Show him that You are with him. You delight in him. Amid the clamor for his attention and affections, may he hear Your voice calling him and respond to Your deep, deep love.
  • Jeremiah 31:3   The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
  • Hosea 2:14    Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
  • Zephaniah 3:17    The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
• 6.) Cause my son to call out to You in his distress and confusion. Cause him to seek You with abandon. Thank You for promising to answer him.
  • Psalm 91:15    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
  • Jeremiah 29:13    And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
• 7.) Remove my son's heart of stone and replace it with a new, soft heart. Make this heart into a bed of fertile soil so that the seed of truth sown into it will grow deep roots and bring forth a rich crop of life.
  • Ezekiel 36:26-27    A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
  • Matthew 13:23    But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Colossians 2:6-7    As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
    7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
• 8.) Lord Jesus, reveal to my son that lasting refreshment and satisfaction can only be found in You. In You he will find an abundant life.
  • John 4:10, 10:10    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
  • Psalm 1:3.   And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
• 9.) Lead my son to friends who will graciously point him to You. Cause him to be attracted to those who are attracted to You. Scatter like chaff in the wind any friends who will bring him harm. Give him courage to please You, not man.
  • Proverbs 13:20   He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
  • Galatians 1:10   For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
• 10.) Produce in my son a humble spirit that is yielded to You. Teach him how to live in You, and show him that apart from You he can do nothing.
  • James 4:10    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
  • Romans 6:13   Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
  • John 15:5    I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
    
• 11.) Lord, reveal to my son how valuable and significant his life is. Give him a vision for his purpose in the world, and show him the possibilities for his future. Through You, he can do all things. 
  • Isaiah 43:7    Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
  • Jeremiah 29:11    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
  • Philippians 4:13    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
• 12.) Help my son to see that he doesn’t need to condemn himself. Show him that he can experience complete forgiveness through the work You've already finished on his behalf. Give him the grace to repent of and let go of the past.
  • John 19:30    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
  • Acts 3:19    Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
  • Isaiah 43:18-19    Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
• 13.) Thank You for offering hope and comfort to my son. Thank You for restoring the years the locusts have eaten and bestowing on my son a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the
  oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.
  • Isaiah 57:18    I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
  • Joel 2:25    And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
  • Isaiah 61:3    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
    
• 14.) Teach my son that following You is not about following rules. Show him that what You long for is a genuine relationship with him.
  • Romans 6:14    For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
  • Jeremiah 9:24    But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
  • Philippians 3:8,10   Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
• 15.) Lord, cause my son to grow up in You, maturing into an oak of righteousness for the display of Your splendor. Help him to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with You and with man.
  • Ephesians 4:15    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
  • Isaiah 61:3    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
  • Luke 2:52    And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
• 16.) Teach my son to live in freedom, animated and motivated by Your Spirit and in step with Him.
  • Galatians 5:16,25    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
• 17.) Teach my son to walk by faith. Help him to see beyond his circumstances and trust You with every part of his life.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7    For we walk by faith, not by sight.
  • Hebrews 11:1    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  • Proverbs 3:5-6    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
• 18.) Impress on my son the need to protect his mind, guarding its purity through the choices he makes about what he looks at, listens to, and thinks about.
  • Philippians 4:8    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5    Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
• 19.) Lord, in this fast-paced world of instant gratification, plant in my son the perseverance he needs to succeed. Cause him to be still and wait patiently before You. Help him to
  rest in Your power. Establish the work of his hands.
  • Psalm 37:7    Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
  • Hebrews 12:1-3     Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
  • Psalm 90:17   And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
• 20.) Turn my son’s focus away from himself and onto You. May he allow Your power to flow through him to others. Teach him to love others as himself.
  • Philippians 2:4    Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
  • Matthew 22:39    And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
• 21.) Cause my son to love You with all his heart, soul, and mind. May he live all his days in love with and rejoicing in You.
  • Matthew 22:37    Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
  • Psalm 27:4    One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
  • Philippians 4:4    Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.