Tag Archives: prayer

“Principles of Effective Praying” (Matthew 6:6-8 sermon)

Posted on 2017/08/07 by Shawn Thomas

The great British preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote: “Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when, upon his knees, he comes face to face with God.” (SOTM, p. 45) … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Bill Elliff, Catholicism, commitment, conversation with god, discipleship, George Muller, God vending machine, Hail Mary prayer, Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, hypocrisy, Jesus, Kathmandu, Lord's Prayer, Mark 1:35, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, MasterLife, Matthew 6:6-8, meaningless repetition, mechanical repetition, model prayer, Our Father prayer, prayer, prayer wheel, praying, principles of prayer, priority, relationship, relationship with God, repetitious prayer, rote prayer, rut in prayer, salvation, Susanna Wesley, Temple, The 18 Benedictions, tip of the iceberg, vain repetition | 2 Comments

Pour Out Your Heart To Him!

Posted on 2017/08/07 by Shawn Thomas

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. SELAH.” (Psalm 62:8 NASB) Psalm 62 opens with a contrast between the wickedness and deceitfulness of men, and the faithful … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged God, heart, Hebrews 4:16, pour out your heart, prayer, Psalm 62:8, relationship | Leave a comment

“Don’t Be A Hypocrite!” (Matthew 6:1+ sermon)

Posted on 2017/07/31 by Shawn Thomas

“Beware!” If you are out driving, and you come across a sign in the road that says “Beware!”, you are going to pay attention, and proceed very carefully, aren’t you? And you should. You know there is something dangerous ahead, … Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew sermons, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged actor, alms, applause of heaven, church, Facebook, fasting, giving, heart, humility, hypocrisy, hypocrite, hypocrites, Jesus, John 11 Jesus prayer, let your light shine, Luke 20:20, Matthew 23, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:1-18, model prayer, motivation, NBA home court, Pharisees, poor in spirit, praise, prayer, pride, private prayer, public ministry, pure in heart, recognition, righteousness, scribes, singing, tip of the iceberg, worship | Leave a comment

Praying “In Jesus’ Name”

Posted on 2017/07/25 by Shawn Thomas

These two verses in John 14 are VERY strong in their teaching that what a follower of Jesus asks “in His name”, He will give: — :13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do …” — :14 … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged God's will, Jesus' name, John 14:13-14, kingdom, model prayer, prayer, praying in Jesus' name | 2 Comments

Distractions From Devotions

Posted on 2017/07/21 by Shawn Thomas

Our church, Pleasant Ridge Baptist in Morganton, North Carolina, is sending three adult members out to different mission fields this weekend: one to Wales, one to Haiti, and one to Romania. I sent them this quote from China Inland Mission … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Ministry, Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized | Tagged Bible study, daily mission, devotions, home mission, Hudson Taylor, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, John 15:5, missionary work, missions, prayer, quiet time, service | Leave a comment

Prophecy From The Lips Of A Murderer?

Posted on 2017/06/27 by Shawn Thomas

“Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation.” (John 11:51) This scripture give us yet another example of how God can … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged authority, I Timothy 2, John 11:51, prayer, Romans 13, submission | Leave a comment

“Your Spiritual Fitbit” — The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12 sermon)

Posted on 2017/06/26 by Shawn Thomas

Well, our family is officially a part of the “Fitbit” craze. Many of you know what I am talking about. Cheryl got me this Fitbit watch for Christmas, and it keeps track of how many steps you take every day … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Alvin Reid, BBC movie, Beatitudes, character, character of Christ, discipleship, evaluation, Fitbit, goal, hunger for righteousness, I Corinthians 5:2, I John 3:2, Matthew 5:3-12, meekness, merciful, mercy, mourning, peacemaker, persecuted, persecution, poverty in spirit, prayer, Psalm 37, Psalm 37:11, Psalm 63, pure in heart, Romans 8:29, scripture memory, Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out, sin | 2 Comments

The Dual Purpose of Public Prayer

Posted on 2017/06/22 by Shawn Thomas

“I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” (John 11:42) There are some people who refuse to pray in public, because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged Jesus, John 11:42, Matthew 6:5, prayer, public prayer | Leave a comment

The Model Prayer & Praying For Your Child’s Future Spouse

Posted on 2017/06/20 by Shawn Thomas

“Pray then in this way …” (Matthew 6:9) Our son Paul wrote a sweet post on Facebook for Fathers Day, quoting an outline of a prayer I used (and still use) to pray for his future spouse, based on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged family, intercession, Lord's Prayer, marriage, Matthew 6:9-13, model prayer, prayer, prayer requests, praying for your child | 4 Comments

“The King & The Disciples” (Matthew 5:1-2 sermon)

Posted on 2017/06/19 by Shawn Thomas

I have never in my lifetime seen the kind of vindictiveness expressed towards a president as we have seen evidenced towards President Trump: the hatred, lack of submission, people saying “He’s not my President”, etc. I was not a big … Continue reading →

Posted in Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged 30 minute church service, Beatitudes, Bible, Bible Reading, Bible study, Chuck Quarles, Cliff Jenkins, commitment, consumer church, consumer mentality, convenience, crowds, daily bread, daily walk, Deuteronomy 8:3, devotional time, disciples, discipleship, entertainment, family, follow Me, following Jesus, God's will, God's word as food, Golden Calf, honey, Isaiah 53:6, Jesus, king, King Saul, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 5:1-2, meat, milk, ministry, mission partnership, missions, Moses, Mount of the Beatitudes, Mt. Sinai, Pandering, persecution, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh mission churches, popularity, prayer, priorities, Psalm 119:103, quiet time, salvation, scripture, SEBTS, Sermon on the Mount, service, solid food, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, success, truth, walk with God | Leave a comment