Praying God's HeartCall: We ask for forgiveness

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions." -Mark 11:25, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God calls us to see His forgivness, to seek His forgiveness, and to live His forgiveness. When we learn more about who God is, forgiveness makes more sense. God is not only holy and just, but also slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 103:8). This is great news, because this is where we can catch a glimpse of how we are forgiven and of who He is. God forgives us of sins we confess with a believing heart (see Mark 11:22-23). He lives this example of forgiveness.

 Also, He calls us to ask for forgiveness ourselves. 1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (NASB). This reconciliation between God and people comes about because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who came to die for us while we were still lost in sin. As we turn to Him for help, seeking Him for freedom from sin and asking for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive. This faithfulness puts me in awe when I think of some things I have done, but nevertheless, He can forgive us no matter what.

 So, His call is for us to turn to Him for forgivness and as our Guide. God not only teaches us, but also He can transform us more and more every day to be a people with more forgiving hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). We can forgive others by His strength and because we have witnessed the same sort of forgivness He shows us (1 John 4:19).

Lord, thank you for Christ's sacrifice and example. Help us see your forgiving nature. Please forgive me of my sins against you and against others. Help us to forgive like you forgive. Amen.

 The devotion above is based off the verses used for study in HeartCall: A Call to Prayer (Jaye Martin, 1999), in the section "Praying God's HeartCall."
"Forgiven" painting by Colleen Shay, from fineartamerica.com

Prayer: A devoted + thankful heart

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

-Colossians 4:2, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

What do you think of when you hear someone is devoted to something?  I think of an ongoing passion, like the persistence of a trail runner as they run across easy and challenging trails.  

How can we be devoted to prayer?  In Colossians 4:2, I see how we can have a dedication to talking with God and thanking Him throughout the day.  As we pray with devotion, our focus is drawn to depend more and more on Him.

How are you thankful today?  I have been thinking how I am thankful for God’s patience with me and His love for the world.  He had the creativity to make the world, plus the love to send His Son, Jesus, to sacrifice for the people He created.  Even though we are not perfect, this Creator and Lord still loves us and wants to save us and to be our guide.  I am thankful that God wants a relationship with us and that He’s able to renew our hearts and minds.

Will you pray with me?  Lord, please help us devote ourselves to prayer with thankful hearts.  Please help us remember your love that doesn’t end.  Thank you for the incomparable power you have to transform us and the world.   

The above study is based on HeartCall: A Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from the San Francisco Chronicle, taken by Penni Gladstone (http://www.sfgate.com).

CALL on the LORD for JM Leaders

 2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is His name, 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’  (Jeremiah 33:2-3, NASB).

My apologies for the lack of communication lately. I am still alive! God is still at work and very soon, our team at JM Leaders will be meeting and getting down to serious business as we kick-off our new ministry! We promise to keep you informed and we certainly want your input! As we embark, our first task is to CALL on God! We have been doing that but together we will bow before the Father and formally call on the LORD of all, who made the earth, to answer us and to tell us mighty things that we know not of! Please be in prayer for us!

Our mission is to equip believers to share Christ and lead others

through resources, trainings, and networking parnerships.

Jaye Martin & Leaders Inc. is the legal corporate name. JM Leaders is the DBA (doing business as) name. There will be four facets of ministry:

The overall umbrella organization is JM Leaders. JM Leaders networks with churches and Christian entities to provide strategic leadership, speakers, trade books and resources.

The other three brands are HeartCall, Gifted2go, and eco market. HeartCall trains believers in sharing Christ, Gifted2go equips leaders to mobilize laity, and the eco market provides additional support to churches through marketplace studies.

We invite you to CALL on the LORD in our behalf. Our desire is to serve him wholeheartedly and to train leaders to reach their worlds for Christ. We'd love to have your prayers so feel free to post them here or on Facebook, or to email them to us at help@jmleaders.com.

Thanks for your prayers and we will keep you posted!

Jaye