All posts by Stephen Schwambach

Sunday, February 25, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo in renewed hope:

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:18)

I’m not happy that You suffered, Jesus.

But it’s so encouraging to learn that temptation was difficult for You.

It’s incredibly hard to say, “No!” to one of Satan’s clever temptations.

But knowing that You suffered to keep from caving in to what Satan was dangling under Your nose

gives me confidence that with Your help

I can, too.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 119:67; Matthew 4:1; Matthew 26:53-54; Luke 22:64; Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 5:7-9; 1 Peter 4:1

Saturday, February 24, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo in Holy Spirit-led caution:

“…with their tongue they speak deceit.”
(Psalms 5:9)

I don’t want to believe there are people like this, Jesus.

I’d rather think they accidentally misspoke.
I prefer to believe they didn’t mean what they said.

Perhaps that’s why You mention the terrible practice of deceit

more than 100 times in Your Word.

I have to remove my rose-colored glasses, don’t I?

The evidence all around me is too great to ignore.

Open my eyes to those whose tongues speak deceit!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 3:13; Luke 21:8; Romans 7:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Titus 3:3; James 1:16

Friday, February 23, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo in humility:

“I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord…”
(Philemon 1:20)

Sometimes I have to be that direct, Jesus.

When someone is dragging their feet
slow to do what they ought to do

give me the courage to say words that will light a fire under them!

Of course, that’s not always the case.

Sometimes they’re truly following You
and I’m being impatient.

O God!

Give me the wisdom to know the difference!

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Job 6:11; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:9

Thursday, February 22, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with fiery determination:

“…why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day?”
(Job 3:16)

Good question, Jesus.

I’m no better than any of those babies who never got to see the light of day.

Perhaps countless numbers of them
would have been better people
accomplished far more than I.

But until I sacrifice to halt this holocaust of abortion

I’m inexcusably squandering Your precious gift of my life.

[To LISTEN to today’s prayer, phone 812-473-PRAY (7729) or click the PLAY button below:]

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Exodus 3:11; Ruth 2:10; 1 Samuel 18:18; 2 Samuel 7:18; 1 Chronicles 29:14; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Ephesians 3:8

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with pedal-to-the-metal commitment:

“Teach the older men to be temperate…”
(Titus 2:2)

Why did Paul list temperance first, Jesus?

What is there about being an older man
that tempts him to be intemperate?

Is it the reality of a closer finish line?

Is Satan trying to panic him into acting rashly
for fear that he may miss out on something?

But You won’t let that happen, will You?

No good thing will You withhold
from those who stay 1on1 with You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 17:8; Exodus 3:12; Joshua 1:5; Judges 6:16; 1 Kings 11:38; Psalms 84:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo with white-hot fervor:

“…Esther had kept secret her family background…”
(Esther 2:20)

She had to, Jesus.

She was a hated Jew.

There were those who would have attempted to dethrone her –

even kill her! –

if her nationality became known.

But why?
The Jews are Your chosen people!

Perhaps that’s why.

Jealousy plays a part…but there’s more.

Satan was the one behind all the hatred

as always.

He was doing his best to stop the ancestral line that led to You

and utterly failed.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Genesis 21:9; Exodus 1:22; Ezra 4:19-32; Esther 9:1; Proverbs 27:4; Matthew 1:1-17; Romans 11:25-27

Monday, February 19, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo in holy awe:

“Remember Jesus Christ…descended from David.”
(2 Timothy 2:8)

This is kind of a big deal, Jesus.

1,859 years before You were born, Your ancestor Jacob prophesied over his son Judah:

“The scepter will not depart from Judah
…until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.”

Jacob to Judah to King David

…all the way to You.

This isn’t “kind of” a big deal, is it?

It is a big deal.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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2 Samuel 7:18; 1 Chronicles 17:7-14; Matthew 1:17; Matthew 1:20; Mark 10:48; Mark 12:35; Luke 2:4

Sunday, February 18, 2018

 

Determine to set an example, as you pray this Lazaroo:

“Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him.”
(Nehemiah 3:10)

I love that Jedaiah repaired the wall opposite his house, Jesus!

So many people are interested solely in their own houses.
But You expanded his vision.

The example he set inspired Hattush to start making repairs, too.

Oh, the power of a good, strong example!

That’s how Your walls get built

so Satan’s walls can be torn down.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Psalms 142:4; John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Saturday, February 17, 2018

 

Pray this Lazaroo in mind-blown worship:

“…the man Christ Jesus…”
(1 Timothy 2:5)

You surely are, Jesus!

Fully man.

Your mother Mary was fully human

transferring her humanity to You.

If You weren’t human

You couldn’t have been tempted like I am
couldn’t have died for my sins.

Of course, God was Your Father

making You fully God –

the God-man!

which is why You said “No!” to every temptation
making You the perfect, sinless sacrifice

who rose from the dead to grant me eternal life.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

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Matthew 17:9; Matthew 28:7; Luke 16:31; John 2:22; John 20:9; John 20:28; Acts 2:24; Acts 5:30; Hebrews 4:15