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CHRISTIAN REFLECTION: "The true essence of faith is revealed not merely in the jubilant praises we sing during moments of triumph, but in the unwavering trust we clench in our hearts when faced with adversity. It is within the crucible of life's trials that our faith is forged, illuminating its profound strength and genuine sincerity. In those shadowy times, when hope seems distant, our steadfast belief in God becomes a beacon, showcasing the resilience of our spirit and the depth of our devotion." ~ ray mileur

Christian Reflection: True Faith

Daily R.E.A.P. Report for Mark 11:24 (ESV) Faith That Prays and ReceivesRead “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (ESV):The Gospel of Mark, likely written by John Mark (a companion of Peter), is a fast-paced account of Jesus’ life and ministry, aimed at strengthening believers—especially in a Roman context—by revealing Jesus as the powerful Son of God and humble servant. Mark 11 includes the Triumphal Entry, the cleansing of the temple, and the cursing and withering of the fig tree. The fig tree episode brackets Jesus’ teaching on faith and prayer: God desires authentic fruit, not empty religion, and His house is to be “a house of prayer for all nations.” In this setting, Jesus teaches that prayer offered with faith—and a forgiving heart (v. 25)—is powerful. This matters for daily life because God invites you to pray boldly, trust deeply, forgive freely, and expect Him to act according to His wise and loving will.2. Examine Jesus calls us to pray with confident trust in God’s character. Faith doesn’t manipulate outcomes; it rests in God’s promises, goodness, and timing. “Believe that you have received” speaks to a settled assurance that God hears and answers. In the broader witness of Scripture, this confidence aligns with God’s will and purposes (see 1 John 5:14; James 4:3). Prayer is not a vending machine; it is a relationship of trust with a generous Father who delights to give what leads to true life and fruitfulness.Connection to Jesus: Jesus modeled this kind of praying. He prayed with thanksgiving before Lazarus was raised (John 11:41–42), commanded mountains to move through divine authority, and yet surrendered perfectly to the Father’s will in Gethsemane: “Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). He is the One who makes our prayers effective—inviting us to ask in His name, consistent with His character and mission (John 14:13–14). Through His cross and resurrection, the way is opened for us to come boldly to the Father.Main Themes: - Faith in Prayer: Trusting God’s character and promises as we ask. - Alignment with God’s Will: Expectant prayer shaped by Scripture, the Spirit, and surrender. - Forgiveness: A heart free of bitterness keeps the prayer channel open (Mark 11:25).Key Word Study: - Believe (Greek: pisteuō): To entrust oneself to, to rely on, to have confidence in. Not mere mental agreement, but active trust in God’s faithfulness. - Received (Greek: lambanō; aorist “you received”): Portrays the request as granted from God’s side, inviting a posture of settled assurance as we wait for His unfolding answer.3. ApplyReflective Questions: - What specific request do I need to bring to God today with confident trust, rather than anxious striving? - Is there anyone I need to forgive so my heart is unclogged in prayer? - How can I align my request with God’s purposes as revealed in Scripture?Real-Life Application: - Pray Specifically and Thankfully: Write one clear request shaped by Scripture (e.g., wisdom, reconciliation, provision with integrity). Pray it daily, thanking God in advance for how He will answer in His way. - Release and Forgive: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal resentment. Choose to forgive by name, blessing that person in prayer. This step often unlocks fresh faith and peace. - Act in Alignment: Take one practical step that matches what you’re praying for—apply for the job with honesty, schedule the reconciliation conversation, or start the budget you’re asking God to help you steward.4. PrayFather, You are generous, wise, and near. I praise You for inviting me to a life of bold, faith-filled prayer. I confess that I often doubt, rush ahead, or pray with mixed motives. Forgive me for unbelief and unforgiveness. Today I bring You my request: [name it simply]. I believe that You hear me and are already at work. Align my desire with Your will, purify my motives, and guide my steps. Holy Spirit, empower me to forgive where needed, to act in faith, and to wait with peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.5. Closing Reflection: Picture setting a seed of prayer into rich soil—your faith. You water it with thanksgiving, pull the weeds of unforgiveness, and wait for God’s sun to draw out new life. Even before you see the sprout, the life is already at work beneath the surface.Call to Action: Today, write one specific prayer, forgive one person, and take one aligned action. Carry this promise with you: your Father delights to meet you as you ask, believe, and walk with Him. God is with you, and He is faithful.

Faith that Prays and Receives

The Bible does not specifically mention the phrase “peacocks in the pulpits,” yet this term encapsulates my criticism of certain religious leaders and televangelists—individuals who embody arrogance, vanity, and an overwhelming sense of self-importance. These figures seem far more invested in their own fame, glory, and wealth than in the humble service of God and His faithful followers.Scriptural teachings on the pitfalls of loving money, the allure of worldly desires, and the dangers of pride offer profound insight into God's perspective on such behavior, as well as the eventual consequences that will unfold. While there is no definitive timeline regarding how long God will tolerate these peacocks, the scriptures consistently underline that reckoning will ultimately arrive.Therefore, let us join together in prayer for these misguided leaders, that they may rediscover their true purpose in serving God and His people..

How long will God tolerate "Peacocks in the Pulpit"?

I have encountered many Christians who hold the belief that because salvation is a free gift, it somehow becomes cheap—suggesting that it bears no cost to us. Nothing pains my spirit more than observing how this attitude of cheap grace is exemplified within today's church community. The lack of reverence for the profound sacrifice that underpins our salvation is disheartening, leading to a superficial understanding of faith that can dilute the transformative power of grace.Many individuals who label themselves as "Christians" may often find a sense of comfort in their worldly lifestyles, overlooking the deeper call to genuinely follow Christ. They may hold the belief that grace comes without cost, which can result in an alarming indifference to their own sins. However, this perspective on grace is not the profound gift that was won at the Cross; rather, it represents a diluted version of grace, one that they have created to suit their own desires and justifications.The concept of cheap grace in man's interpretation suggests a shallow approach to faith, where the sermon of forgiveness is delivered without the weight of genuine repentance; communion is experienced devoid of the introspection that confession demands; baptism is performed absent the commitment that true discipleship entails; and absolution is granted without the necessity of personal accountability. This leads to a lifestyle that mirrors the world around us, lacking the transformative power and depth that authentic faith should inspire.Is it any wonder that the modern Christian's life often fails to draw others to Christ when those who are lost cannot discern a meaningful distinction between the life a Christian leads and the existence of those who remain in their sins? As they navigate their daily routines, both seem to bask in the same worldly distractions, leaving little room for the transformative power of faith to shine through. Today's reflections; "Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer "Living a life of cheap grace, isn't going to get any non-believer to question their disbelief in God." ~ ray mileur &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Cost of Cheap Grace

Daily R.E.A.P. Report for Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) Answering God’s Call with a Willing HeartRead “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)Isaiah prophesied to Judah in the 8th century BC during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—a turbulent time of moral compromise, looming Assyrian threat, and spiritual drift. Chapter 6 records Isaiah’s calling “in the year that King Uzziah died” (around 740 BC). Isaiah sees the Lord exalted, hears the seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy,” and is overwhelmed by his unclean lips. God graciously purifies him with a coal from the altar—then asks for a messenger. Isaiah’s “Here I am! Send me” becomes the pivot from cleansing to calling. This matters because the God who saves also sends; He cleanses our past and commissions our future.Examine God invites cleansed people into His mission. The call follows mercy: Isaiah is forgiven before he is sent. God seeks willing hearts more than perfect résumés. Saying “Here I am” is not a boast of ability, but an offering of availability. Even when the task is hard (Isaiah’s message was often rejected), faithfulness to God’s voice bears fruit in His timing.Connection to Jesus: Jesus is the Sent One from the Father (John 20:21), and He sends us in the same spirit. John 12:41 teaches that Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory—linking this throne-room vision to Christ Himself. Jesus models perfect obedience: He hears the Father’s will and says a continual “Yes.” By His cross, He purifies us (like the burning coal) and by His Spirit He commissions us to go with His authority and compassion (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8).Main Themes: - Holiness and Mercy: God’s holy presence exposes sin, yet His mercy cleanses and restores. - Calling and Mission: God invites ordinary people to carry His message to others. - Availability over Ability: God works through a willing “Here I am” more than flawless skill.Key Word Study: - “Here I am” (Hebrew: hinneni): A response of presence and readiness—“Behold me; I am fully available.” It conveys attentive surrender, not merely location. - “Send” (Hebrew: shalach): To commission or dispatch with authority and purpose. Being “sent” means we carry God’s message, not our own, in God’s power, not our own.ApplyReflective Questions: - Where is God inviting me to say, “Here I am”—in my relationships, work, church, or neighborhood? - What fears or excuses keep me from availability, and how might God’s mercy free me to obey? - Who is one person God may be sending me to love, encourage, or share hope with this week?Real-Life Application: - Pray a Daily “Yes”: Each morning, hold out your hands and pray, “Lord, here I am—send me to the person who needs Your love today.” Watch for nudges: a name, a need, an interruption. - Identify One Assignment: Choose one concrete act—encourage a discouraged coworker, call a family member, volunteer for a simple role at church, or offer to pray with someone who’s struggling. - Carry the Message, Not the Burden: Prepare a 30-second testimony of God’s goodness and one verse of hope (e.g., Psalm 34:18). Keep it simple and Spirit-led.PrayHoly Lord, You are glorious, sovereign, and worthy of my whole life. Thank You for Your mercy that cleanses my “unclean lips” and makes me fit for Your service. I confess my reluctance, fear, and the times I’ve said “Send someone else.” By the blood of Jesus, forgive me and renew my courage. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, sharpen my ears to Your voice, and send me to the person and place You choose today. Give me words that heal, hands that serve, and a heart that obeys. Make my life a living “Here I am” to Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.Closing Reflection: Picture yourself at the temple threshold with coal-warmed lips, hearing God’s question rise like a holy echo: “Whom shall I send?” As you step forward, feel the gentle wind of the Spirit at your back. Your simple “Here I am” becomes a doorway for heaven’s love to touch the earth.Call to Action: Write “Here I am! Send me” where you’ll see it today. Within the next 24 hours, take one concrete step—send the text, set the coffee meeting, sign up to serve, or offer to pray. Remember: the God who cleanses you also goes with you.

Answering God's Call with a Willing Heart

Daily R.E.A.P. Report for Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) Speak Life: The Power of Your WordsRead “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings, primarily attributed to King Solomon, designed to train God’s people in skillful living—living with reverence for God and love for others. Chapter 18 addresses everyday realities: speech, conflict, prudence, friendship, and integrity. In the ancient world, words were not mere sounds—they were seen as agents that shaped reality. This proverb reminds us that what we say has consequences. It matters to your daily life because your words can either wound or heal, destroy or build—at home, at work, online, and in your own self-talk. God’s love and wisdom invite you to steward your speech as a gift for life.Examine This verse teaches that words carry real, consequential power. The “tongue” can plant seeds of death (gossip, lies, contempt, shame) or life (truth, encouragement, blessing, correction in love). “Those who love it” suggests people who enjoy talking will “eat its fruits”—they will experience the outcomes of their speech, whether sweet or bitter. God cares deeply about how we use our words because they reveal our hearts and affect the lives of others.Connection to Jesus: Jesus perfectly modeled life-giving speech. He spoke truth with grace, healed with words, calmed storms, called sinners to repentance, and blessed children. He warned, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), and He offered forgiveness when others used words to condemn. On the cross, His words—“Father, forgive them”—released the ultimate life-giving power. Following Jesus means using our tongues to bless, heal, and point people to Him.Main Themes: - Stewardship of Speech: Words are tools entrusted by God; use them wisely. - Life vs. Death: Every conversation tends toward building up or tearing down. - Accountability: Our words bear fruit; we will taste the results of what we say.Key Word Study: - “Power” (Hebrew: yad, literally “hand”): Suggests control, agency, or the capacity to act. Your tongue has “a hand” in outcomes—it holds influence. - “Fruits” (Hebrew: peri): The produce or outcome of a seed. Words are seeds that grow into tangible results—relationships strengthened or strained, hope nurtured or starved.ApplyReflective Questions: - Where have my words recently brought “death” (criticism, sarcasm, gossip), and where have they brought “life” (encouragement, truth, blessing)? - What is one relationship today that needs life-giving words from me? - How is my self-talk shaping my courage, faith, and obedience to God?Real-Life Application: - Practice a 24-Hour “Life-Speech” Challenge: For one day, refuse gossip, harsh sarcasm, and needless complaints. Replace each with a blessing, a thank-you, or a prayer. Keep a note in your phone to track moments you chose life. - Build a Habit of Blessing: Choose one person (spouse, child, coworker, friend) and speak a specific, true encouragement over them today. Name a strength you see and how it blesses others. - Reframe Self-Talk with Scripture: When you catch a condemning thought, replace it with God’s truth (e.g., “I feel like a failure” → “In Christ, I am chosen and equipped” – Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 4:13).PrayFather, I praise You for being the God who creates life with Your word and sustains me with Your truth. I confess that my words have not always reflected Your heart—I have complained, criticized, and spoken carelessly. Forgive me and cleanse my heart. Holy Spirit, train my tongue to speak life—truth with grace, courage with kindness, correction with love. Let my words today bless my family, colleagues, and neighbors. Help me to speak like Jesus, so that Your life flows through me and bears good fruit. In Jesus’ name, amen.Closing Reflection: Picture your words as seeds carried on the wind. Wherever they land—home, work, church, social media—they root and sprout. Plant seeds of life today: small, steady, Spirit-led sentences that grow into forests of trust, hope, and healing.Call to Action: Before noon, send one message or speak one sentence that intentionally builds someone up. Remember: with the Spirit’s help, your tongue is a tool for life. God is with you—guiding your words, shaping your heart, and multiplying the fruit. Speak life.