Sermon Tone Analysis

2020 Month of Prayer

Day 1

Is 40:31

Waiting on/Hoping in the Lord has a promise!

The promise is that as you wait on/hope in the Lord you will gain new strength.

In verse 26 it speaks of the God who upholds the stars.

It is this very same God who supports you through the things that come as you wait on Him.

He knows the strength you need today and He will meet you where you are.

Regardless of who you are, if you are going to move with God through this earth, it will cost you something.

But God will furnish you strength whatever your condition.

Wait on Him today!

Hope in Him today!

He will not disappoint!

Day 2

Day 2 . . . 3 Things! 1) When you pray . . .

pray in private not as a spectacle in public.

Unless it is in intercession with others it is to be done in the private inner room between you and God. 2) When you pray as a son/daughter you can call Him Father because you have come into new relationship with Him through Jesus.

3) When you pray in private there is once again a reward.

God wants to be in relationship with you and He wants to hear those things that are in your heart spoken from your mouth.

Day 3

As you read the first day out of about waiting on/hoping in the Lord, we are reminded that it means time with the Lord . . .

i.e. “evening, morning, and at noon”.

Here the psalmist is saying that in his time of talking with God He cried out in complaint and spoke enthusiastically with his emotions about things in his heart . . .

and He (the Lord) heard his voice!

God wants to hear what is on your heart, and believe me, He is a big God and He can handle it!

Remember, He knows what is in your heart before you even speak it . . .

but He wants to hear you verbalize it in your relationship with Him.

He cares and cherishes the time you give to Him.

Day 4

In the context of this we find that 120 people waited for 10 days until God poured out His Holy Spirit on the waiting people.

We see that time spent waiting on God is not wasted time but time well spent.

It may or may not be that you experience the same thing that these waiting people did; but when there is something that you are waiting on or hoping in, this time given to Him seeking His face and will is not wasted but invested!

Make an investment of time today and see what God pours out into and on to you.

He is truly faithful!

Day 5

With the knowledge of this truth you can remain calm in times of trouble.

I think of even the recent storms that we have endured living in North Dakota.

We can stand inside of our warm homes behind the safety of the walls and the security of our doors and windows and watch the snow fall and the winds take it and throw it until it blinds even the best of us . . .

but yet sense a total peace in the midst of the storm.

That’s the way God wants you to be in the midst of the storms of this world.

He wants you to be still and know that He is God and in control . . .

even when it seems like everything is out of control!

Be Still!

Know that He is God! Be at Peace!

Day 6

JESUS!

The Son of God.

Equal to God Himself!

As you approach praying to Jesus and in Jesus’ name . . .

approach in humility with gratitude recognizing the person of Jesus.

Recognizing and understanding His attitude and obedience displayed for all to see.

As you empty yourself before Him realize that He will exalt and honor you because of your humility and your servants heart.

His will may not always be easy but it is always right and timely even when it isn’t understood at the time.

Day 7

Discipline is never easy . . .

but it is necessary!

Being the parent of six children I fully understand that there are times when we need to bring correction to educate our children.

Here in Hebrews we find the thought of chastening and education once again.

As you approach the Lord in prayer and you commit to live a life of following Him, there will be times when He needs to bring discipline.

After all, when God speaks of discipline and rebuke, it is sons (and daughters) that He is addressing.

Let us not forget that it is because of that love that He has for us that He brings this.

Day 8

Being a Christian takes a great deal of dedication and commitment . . . it is not an easy load at any point!

Making a decision to follow Christ means that we are going to deny ourselves.

Our flesh desires certain things because it is flesh . . .

born in sin no matter how innocent we look as babies.

So, making that decision to follow Christ, to deny ourselves, we take up our crosses daily and we move ahead one step at a time being transformed more and more into the image of Christ!

It is not a overnight experience but one of life-long commitment.

The promise of that commitment comes in verse 24 though . . .

“whoever loses his life for My sake, he[she] is the one who will save it.”

God Bless You as you make that decision and commitment.

Day 9

One author makes this statement . . .

“There are many Christians, but few disciples.”

You see, we may say that we are Christians, but the reality of Jesus’ and the Father’s presence in our lives are conditioned on obedience.

Obedience is not, however, the condition of God’s love for mankind but the proof of their realization of His love and their love for Him.

So, our love for Him is demonstrated by our obedience to the revealed will of God . . .

His Word . . . the Bible!

As you commit to loving Him today, rely upon His strength to walk out this love by obeying what He leads you to do by His Spirit and by His Word!

When we make this commitment we will change the world . . .

for you in Him are a WORLD CHANGER!

Day 10

This is probably one of the most popular verses with most Christians besides .

It speaks very positively of not our strength but God’s!

This is so important because we cannot live the life of a Christian on our own strength . . . it will fail!

How do we gain this strength?

First of all by prayer (time in His presence), and secondly by time in His Word.

It is so important for us to remember where this strength comes from as we are able to accomplish the things that we accomplish.

Otherwise we will become puffed up (prideful) and self-righteous in our lives.

Rejoice and remember today that God strengthens you in every way as you follow Him!

Day 11

Yesterday we began speaking of God’s strength and today we continue.

Here in Isaiah we find the people of Israel exiled in Babylon and being threatened to fall to Cyrus . . .

and therefore, there was great fear felt.

These verses are God’s answer to them in this time.

We can be encouraged by this because just as in this time in Babylon, God had a purpose for His people, and until that purpose is fulfilled they cannot perish.

In this world there are many things taking place all around us . . .

and these things can and do cause great anxiousness in many people.

But, we do not have to fear and be anxious because of whom we serve.

His promise to us is that He will strengthen and help us . . .