All posts by Stephen Schwambach

Monday, August 24, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo in deepest gratitude:

“Some of the Kohathite clans were given as their territory towns from the tribe of Ephraim.”
(1 Chronicles 6:66)

Of course, the Kohathites were one of the four main divisions among the Levites, Jesus.

They took care of the vessels and objects within Your sanctuary.

As with the other Levites, although You gave them cities within the other tribes of Israel

You didn’t give the Kohathites land of their own.

You were their inheritance –

as You are mine!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 15:17; Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 18:23-26; Joshua 13:33; Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 5:5

Sunday, August 23, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with renewed resolve:

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me…”
(Colossians 1:25)

You’ve also given me a commission, Jesus!

I’m supposed to share Your good news
with those who don’t yet know You.

I like what everybody thinks St. Francis of Assisi had to say about that:

Preach the gospel at all times.
If necessary, use words.

Of course, Francis didn’t say that – but still, it reminds me:

My words have power
only if backed up by my life.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 41:34; Numbers 27:19; Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 3:28; Deuteronomy 31:14; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 26:16-18

Sunday, August 23, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with renewed resolve:

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me…”
(Colossians 1:25)

You’ve also given me a commission, Jesus!

I’m supposed to share Your good news
with those who don’t yet know You.

I like what everybody thinks St. Francis of Assisi had to say about that:

Preach the gospel at all times.
If necessary, use words.

Of course, Francis didn’t say that – but still, it reminds me:

My words have power
only if backed up by my life.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 41:34; Numbers 27:19; Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 3:28; Deuteronomy 31:14; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 26:16-18

Saturday, August 22, 2020

 

Hold nothing back, as you pray this Lazaroo:

“The word of the LORD is with him.”
(2 Kings 3:12)

May that be said of me, Jesus!

Not simply because I have a Bible on my coffee table
or beside my bed.

Not merely because I have a Bible app on my phone.
Not just because I can quote a few verses of Scripture.

But because I’m living out Your Word!
Because everything I say is in keeping with Your Word!

Rise up within me
to make it so.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 119:11; Psalms 119:16; Psalms 119:42; Psalms 119:74; Psalms 119:101; Psalms 119:105; Acts 4:29

Friday, August 21, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo in humble adulation:

“…make my joy complete…”
(Philippians 2:1)

Paul was telling the people in the church at Philippi what else he wanted them to do, Jesus.

They had already pleased him in a few things
but the transformation into Your likeness still wasn’t done.

Can I ever identify!

I’m making progress in a few areas.
When I look a little more like You, I’m thrilled!

So is everybody around me. 😉

Please help me go all the way!

…to make Your joy complete.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 1:26; Genesis 5:1; Psalms 17:15; Ezekiel 1:28; Philippians 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3) 1 John 3:2

Thursday, August 20, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo in thoughtful recognition:

“Go back to your field…You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign Lord before my father David and shared all my father’s hardships.”
(1 Kings 2:26)

I love Solomon’s decision, Jesus!

For attempting to overthrow King Solomon
Abiathar deserved to die.

But Solomon spared his life
out of respect for his past service to his father

It’s not about this moment alone, is it, Father?

Help me remember!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 17:14; Numbers 15:39; Deuteronomy 4:10; Joshua 1:13; Mark 8:18; Luke 17:32; John 16:4

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with explosive feeling:

“…remember that at that time you were…without hope and without God in the world.”
(Ephesians 2:12)

It’s vital to remember that, Jesus!

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my problems
that I’m tempted to envy the lifestyles of unbelievers.

That’s when I most need to recall what it was like when I was in the same boat they’re in.

It was downright ugly!

I never want to return to the empty, hopeless existence

that is life without You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 7:6; Job 8:13; Isaiah 33:14; Isaiah 57:10; Romans 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:7

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

 

Plead for understanding, as you pray this Lazaroo:

“How could I look your brother Joab in the face?”
(2 Samuel 2:22)

Abner had every reason to believe that even if it was self-defense

to kill Joab’s little brother would sign his own death warrant, Jesus!

But he was trying to reason with a kid who didn’t care.

All Asahel wanted to do was kill the great Abner.

What should I do when I’m caught between two really bad choices?

O Holy Spirit!

Please open my eyes!
Show me!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 43:22; 2 Samuel 18:29; 1 Kings 18:12; Isaiah 29:12; Matthew 20:22; Matthew 21:27; Luke 12:12; John 14:26

Monday, August 17, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with locked-in faith:

“…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
(Galatians 2:15)

What wonderful news for everyone in the world who believes, Jesus!

and absolutely essential for me.

I’ve sinned too many times.

Accidentally? Without a doubt.
Times beyond counting.

But those aren’t the sins that haunt me nearly so much

as the ones I’ve committed
knowing full well they were wrong.

I’m so, SO very sorry!

Without Your grace
I’m undone.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 6:9; Isaiah 55:7; John 1:16-17; Acts 15:10-11; Acts 20:24; Romans 9:16; James 2:13

Sunday, August 16, 2020

 

Pray this Lazaroo with burning emotion:

“…whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself.”
(1 Samuel 2:12-14)

What a detestable abuse of power, Jesus!

You judged and punished Samuel’s sons

and you will surely judge and punish those
who abuse their power today!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning (812) 473-7729…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 55:10; Isaiah 56:11; Jeremiah 23:1-2; Acts 26:10; Romans 13:2; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:2