Romans 12:10-13
Bella is our pit bull greyhound mix female member of the family. When the garage door opens, she goes right to the hall door that leads to the garage, sets herself in her stance of expectancy and waits. If it takes too long for my husband to get in the house, the whining begins...whimpering, begging with great fervency, passion, and persistence. She prefers my husband over me any day of the week! He walks her, runs her, wrestles with her, feeds her, and I tell her to sit. He brings out the best in her, and takes her to run wild in the fields so that the greyhound in her can soar. I tell her to sit. She is fervent in her spirit, Richard walks in the room or the backyard and she becomes a wild child. She rejoices with howls of praise as her master approaches.
It is funny, but when I read the passage in Romans, I thought of Bella. Paul is calling us to devotion to one another, putting one another ahead of ourself, be diligent, don't lag behind, be fervent spritually and rejoice! I have never seen such sweet, unbridled, passionate devotion as I have seen in our silly dog...and yet, is she silly or a true example of unbridled love! Put that in a human with the Spirit of God inside and we too should become our very best, and soar when our Master enters the room!
Father God,
Fill my spirit with your passion, create a fervency within me to seek you at all times. O God, how I desire to be unleashed, released, and empowered in your presence, to be all that you have created me to be. I don't want to lag behind, but stay right with you, in step with you, wherever you lead. You are my delight, you are my love, and I anticipate the moments when I sense you enter the room!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Always, Without Ceasing
1Thessalonians 5:19
Rejoice always...
Pray without ceasing...
In everything give thanks...
For this is GOD's WILL in Christ Jesus.
We are always asking, praying, searching...what is God's will for my life. We focus on the actions, the direction, the performance of our life... God's will is clear. In this passage it is three steps.
1. Rejoice all the time, when it is good, when it is bad, when it is ugly...Rejoice! Not for the pain, but that you are a child of the King. Rejoice for the fact that you are cleansed forgiven and set free. Rejoice that you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Rejoice that God has a perfect plan for your life. Rejoice that if we come to God and call out to Him, he will show us great and mighty things. Rejoice not about your circumstances, but about your position!!!!! That is something to shout about!
2. Pray, and don't stop. Pray when you are in the shower, at a stop light, getting ready to make a phone call. It is mindful connection throughout the day with the Lord that is with you constantly. Heart connect, mind connect, soul connect throughout your day...Jesus is within a breath's distance...don't take His presence for granted...acknowledge and benefit from the fellowship...it is SWEET!
3. In everything give thanks... In the midst of the mundane, find something to be thankful for. In the midst of peril, strife, stress, or hardship...thank God in the midst, thank Him for who He is, that He has you, that He won't leave you, that His answer is on the way, and that He see's you...but thank Him in the moment. Thank Him in the midst of joy, sweetness, peace, and contentment. Don't leave Him out of the moments your heart needs to be polite...in James it tells us that EVERY good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
EVERY good thing...thank Him IN the midst of whatever you are in. For He is the greatest gift we have and He is with us always.
This is the mysterious "God's Will"... rejoice, pray, thanks...what would our days be like if we truly lived according to His will!
Rejoice always...
Pray without ceasing...
In everything give thanks...
For this is GOD's WILL in Christ Jesus.
We are always asking, praying, searching...what is God's will for my life. We focus on the actions, the direction, the performance of our life... God's will is clear. In this passage it is three steps.
1. Rejoice all the time, when it is good, when it is bad, when it is ugly...Rejoice! Not for the pain, but that you are a child of the King. Rejoice for the fact that you are cleansed forgiven and set free. Rejoice that you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Rejoice that God has a perfect plan for your life. Rejoice that if we come to God and call out to Him, he will show us great and mighty things. Rejoice not about your circumstances, but about your position!!!!! That is something to shout about!
2. Pray, and don't stop. Pray when you are in the shower, at a stop light, getting ready to make a phone call. It is mindful connection throughout the day with the Lord that is with you constantly. Heart connect, mind connect, soul connect throughout your day...Jesus is within a breath's distance...don't take His presence for granted...acknowledge and benefit from the fellowship...it is SWEET!
3. In everything give thanks... In the midst of the mundane, find something to be thankful for. In the midst of peril, strife, stress, or hardship...thank God in the midst, thank Him for who He is, that He has you, that He won't leave you, that His answer is on the way, and that He see's you...but thank Him in the moment. Thank Him in the midst of joy, sweetness, peace, and contentment. Don't leave Him out of the moments your heart needs to be polite...in James it tells us that EVERY good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
EVERY good thing...thank Him IN the midst of whatever you are in. For He is the greatest gift we have and He is with us always.
This is the mysterious "God's Will"... rejoice, pray, thanks...what would our days be like if we truly lived according to His will!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Love, Love, Love
Philippians 1:9-11
Paul prays a prayer that the Philippian church would grow in love...that their love would abound more and more. The word "abound" in the Greek means to "super-abound"! It is excess, overflowing, more to spare; it has the idea that the abounding would encourage more abounding. It is a well that continues flowing and encourages more springs to flow.
Our love walk is an interesting journey. We often compare our reaction to others and thereby our perspective of a love that superabounds can literally be minimized by realitivity. But to Christ love isn't realitive...He modeled it, breathed it, taught it, and died to prove it!
Paul continues in this passage by saying, "so" after the love stuff... so what? "So that you may approve what is excellent". I will confess, I tend to see the things that need fixing. The mistakes, the less than stuff. I can be extremely hard on myself and others because of the focus on always improving. This verse is mind boggling to me... If I truly love, with love that is superabounding, love that overflows, love that stirs others to overflow... I will be able to see, identify, acknowledge and celebrate that which is good!
Paul then continues to say that approving what is excellent will keep us in a walk that is pure, sincere, and blameless...to His glory!
I love this prayer process that Paul takes us through...we often are praying about our sin and our walk that fails. Paul starts with praying for love, which then gives eyes to see the excellent, which is the impetus to walk a sincere, pure walk with the Lord! Wow! Pray this for yourself each day this week and see if your perspective, your heart, and your temptation isn't completely affected by the Power of God's love.
Paul prays a prayer that the Philippian church would grow in love...that their love would abound more and more. The word "abound" in the Greek means to "super-abound"! It is excess, overflowing, more to spare; it has the idea that the abounding would encourage more abounding. It is a well that continues flowing and encourages more springs to flow.
Our love walk is an interesting journey. We often compare our reaction to others and thereby our perspective of a love that superabounds can literally be minimized by realitivity. But to Christ love isn't realitive...He modeled it, breathed it, taught it, and died to prove it!
Paul continues in this passage by saying, "so" after the love stuff... so what? "So that you may approve what is excellent". I will confess, I tend to see the things that need fixing. The mistakes, the less than stuff. I can be extremely hard on myself and others because of the focus on always improving. This verse is mind boggling to me... If I truly love, with love that is superabounding, love that overflows, love that stirs others to overflow... I will be able to see, identify, acknowledge and celebrate that which is good!
Paul then continues to say that approving what is excellent will keep us in a walk that is pure, sincere, and blameless...to His glory!
I love this prayer process that Paul takes us through...we often are praying about our sin and our walk that fails. Paul starts with praying for love, which then gives eyes to see the excellent, which is the impetus to walk a sincere, pure walk with the Lord! Wow! Pray this for yourself each day this week and see if your perspective, your heart, and your temptation isn't completely affected by the Power of God's love.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Sniff or a Snack?
Eph. 1:18-21
Power unleashed results in something being impacted. Power can be used to destroy or to break through and set free. Rarely are we ever face to face with true power.
Our church was blessed to have an animal trainer bring a lion for a special event we were hosting of Narnia. Of course the Lion would be presented at the time of Aslan's appearance.
I was privileged enough to get to be behind the scenes when they allowed the lion to stretch and get out of his cage. I was soooo excited! We were to stand back, be quiet and still. They would let this mature male, several hundred pound lion out of the cage, and there would be a wire tied to cans that would make a perimeter to keep the lion inside a certain area. I was in! I just wanted to be out there, face to face with this lion...how cool.
As I was standing there, and the lion was loose...he paused, he looked straight at me and stared for several minutes (probably just a second!). Of course, the reality hit...there is a wire standing between me and this lion. A lion who likes meat, which I could amply supply! :)
I was face to face with power...power that I couldn't control, that I couldn't manage, or stop, or out weigh, or out do... I was at the mercy of this powerful beast to stay restrained.
God's power is expressed in our passage today, it is power that was released in the face of Satan as he attempted to control the uncontrollable, stop the unstoppable, manage the unmanageable, and defeat the undefeated! This power is available to those who believe in Jesus Christ!
Powerful Almighty God,
How mighty are you, unstoppable...how privileged I am to have the result of your power at work through Christ to free me and to redeem my life from the pit. How amazing it is to have your power alive in me through the presence of the Holy Spirit! Lord, be at work in me...may I expect more, believe more, trust more, and not allow the enemy to lie to me that he could have any power to defeat those that are in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen! And Amen!
Power unleashed results in something being impacted. Power can be used to destroy or to break through and set free. Rarely are we ever face to face with true power.
Our church was blessed to have an animal trainer bring a lion for a special event we were hosting of Narnia. Of course the Lion would be presented at the time of Aslan's appearance.
I was privileged enough to get to be behind the scenes when they allowed the lion to stretch and get out of his cage. I was soooo excited! We were to stand back, be quiet and still. They would let this mature male, several hundred pound lion out of the cage, and there would be a wire tied to cans that would make a perimeter to keep the lion inside a certain area. I was in! I just wanted to be out there, face to face with this lion...how cool.
As I was standing there, and the lion was loose...he paused, he looked straight at me and stared for several minutes (probably just a second!). Of course, the reality hit...there is a wire standing between me and this lion. A lion who likes meat, which I could amply supply! :)
I was face to face with power...power that I couldn't control, that I couldn't manage, or stop, or out weigh, or out do... I was at the mercy of this powerful beast to stay restrained.
God's power is expressed in our passage today, it is power that was released in the face of Satan as he attempted to control the uncontrollable, stop the unstoppable, manage the unmanageable, and defeat the undefeated! This power is available to those who believe in Jesus Christ!
Powerful Almighty God,
How mighty are you, unstoppable...how privileged I am to have the result of your power at work through Christ to free me and to redeem my life from the pit. How amazing it is to have your power alive in me through the presence of the Holy Spirit! Lord, be at work in me...may I expect more, believe more, trust more, and not allow the enemy to lie to me that he could have any power to defeat those that are in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen! And Amen!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Pray for those you don't want to pray for...
Luke 6:26-36
There are people I love doing things for, you know, the people that are such a blessing in your life you can't wait to give back. There are people that I love to pray for, you know, the one's that pray for you and are there when you need them, the one's that deserve God's touch and blessing.
Why does Jesus always have to mess up my system! In Luke 6, Jesus wants me and yes, you, to pray for people we don't want to pray for! You know, the people that mistreat you, say unkind things about you, harm you, hit you, take things from you, and the list goes on. What is He thinking?
Try it sometime and you will know exactly what Jesus is thinking... If I try to pray for someone I am angry at or hurt by or at odds with, I choke on the words! They don't come so easily. Since the prayer is affected it is a quick clue that my heart is infected and I have some spiritual surgery to do. I have learned to truly love and embrace this principle of Jesus', as it brings true freedom to the heart. When we can, in sincerity, pray for someone that is an "enemy", it reveals a heart that has mercy, trusts in God, forgives, and a heart that is more like Jesus. After all, He isn't asking us to do something He didn't already model. On the cross, as He was being cursed, assailed, spit upon, and dying... He prayed for those that you and I wouldn't want to pray for... "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!"... He prayed for me and you.
Dear Jesus,
I praise you that your love overcame my position as your enemy and you have brought me into a relationship with you like none other. Thank you that you call me friend. Lord, your heart is so merciful and loving, thank you that you call me to practice love and mercy in the secret place of my prayer closet. Thank you, Lord, that as I learn to truly pray with sincere grace and love, when I am in the world it will more readily flow from me. I so want to love like you love.
Reveal who I need to pray for , who I need to forgive, and who I don't really want to pray for; then Lord, please give me your heart for them.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
There are people I love doing things for, you know, the people that are such a blessing in your life you can't wait to give back. There are people that I love to pray for, you know, the one's that pray for you and are there when you need them, the one's that deserve God's touch and blessing.
Why does Jesus always have to mess up my system! In Luke 6, Jesus wants me and yes, you, to pray for people we don't want to pray for! You know, the people that mistreat you, say unkind things about you, harm you, hit you, take things from you, and the list goes on. What is He thinking?
Try it sometime and you will know exactly what Jesus is thinking... If I try to pray for someone I am angry at or hurt by or at odds with, I choke on the words! They don't come so easily. Since the prayer is affected it is a quick clue that my heart is infected and I have some spiritual surgery to do. I have learned to truly love and embrace this principle of Jesus', as it brings true freedom to the heart. When we can, in sincerity, pray for someone that is an "enemy", it reveals a heart that has mercy, trusts in God, forgives, and a heart that is more like Jesus. After all, He isn't asking us to do something He didn't already model. On the cross, as He was being cursed, assailed, spit upon, and dying... He prayed for those that you and I wouldn't want to pray for... "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!"... He prayed for me and you.
Dear Jesus,
I praise you that your love overcame my position as your enemy and you have brought me into a relationship with you like none other. Thank you that you call me friend. Lord, your heart is so merciful and loving, thank you that you call me to practice love and mercy in the secret place of my prayer closet. Thank you, Lord, that as I learn to truly pray with sincere grace and love, when I am in the world it will more readily flow from me. I so want to love like you love.
Reveal who I need to pray for , who I need to forgive, and who I don't really want to pray for; then Lord, please give me your heart for them.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Burden of Prayer
Mark 14:32-42
In this passage we gain much of Christ's heart, and we learn much about prayer. Jesus needed people with Him, to join and stand with Him in intercession as He prayed.
They fell asleep...
I love that Jesus wanted his closest friends praying with him in his moment of greatest trial and pain. I love that Jesus had prayer partners! My prayer partners are like lifevests in the storm! I send out the S.O.S. and the next thing you know I am buoyed by God's grace for the moment.
And if I am brutally honest, I have to tell you I love that the Disciples fell asleep! A little grace for those times I flippantly promise someone I will pray, or the times I need to stand in the gap for something God has laid on my heart and I just give it lip service. But as much as this passage eases my conscience, it makes me sad! Seriously, if Jesus asked me to be His prayer partner I surely wouldn't fall asleep! :)
But hasn't he? Are we the one's standing in the gap until he returns? Aren't we the ones that He died to open the throne of grace to so that we could come boldly and ask anything in His name in our time of need? If we aren't His prayer partners for the world, then who is? If I am asleep, who is awake?
Jesus also states that His soul is deeply grieved to the point of death! Now I am often accused of the dramatic, but I know what it feels like to be so heavily burdened in spirit and soul that you think you will die if there isn't some relief. Jesus used prayer to release the pressure, to give Him breath, to give Him strength to carry on, courage to press through, and the assurance of God's will and plan....and prayer led Him to obedience.
Do I allow prayer to take me through the process of unburdening a drowning heart or do I turn to something or someone else for relief? Do I allow prayer to be the release, the breath, the strength, the courage, and the assurance of God's will that I seek? And once I am clear, do I allow prayer to bring me to obdedience, to death to self, to less of me and more of Him?
Lord,
I am so excited to gain this perspective that I am your prayer partner. Lord, I don't want to be asleep on my watch, to be apathetic to the needs of this world, to be unresponsive to the burden of your heart. Grant me the desire, the passion to pray uncessingly for a world that you are so burdened for, and may I stand in the gap one prayer at a time to share in your pain. Give me your heart, O God, for the lost and the hurting. Teach me to pray as you do, Jesus, and how to allow prayer to lead me from burden and dying inside, to clarity of God's will and obedience.
I love you Lord.
Amen.
In this passage we gain much of Christ's heart, and we learn much about prayer. Jesus needed people with Him, to join and stand with Him in intercession as He prayed.
They fell asleep...
I love that Jesus wanted his closest friends praying with him in his moment of greatest trial and pain. I love that Jesus had prayer partners! My prayer partners are like lifevests in the storm! I send out the S.O.S. and the next thing you know I am buoyed by God's grace for the moment.
And if I am brutally honest, I have to tell you I love that the Disciples fell asleep! A little grace for those times I flippantly promise someone I will pray, or the times I need to stand in the gap for something God has laid on my heart and I just give it lip service. But as much as this passage eases my conscience, it makes me sad! Seriously, if Jesus asked me to be His prayer partner I surely wouldn't fall asleep! :)
But hasn't he? Are we the one's standing in the gap until he returns? Aren't we the ones that He died to open the throne of grace to so that we could come boldly and ask anything in His name in our time of need? If we aren't His prayer partners for the world, then who is? If I am asleep, who is awake?
Jesus also states that His soul is deeply grieved to the point of death! Now I am often accused of the dramatic, but I know what it feels like to be so heavily burdened in spirit and soul that you think you will die if there isn't some relief. Jesus used prayer to release the pressure, to give Him breath, to give Him strength to carry on, courage to press through, and the assurance of God's will and plan....and prayer led Him to obedience.
Do I allow prayer to take me through the process of unburdening a drowning heart or do I turn to something or someone else for relief? Do I allow prayer to be the release, the breath, the strength, the courage, and the assurance of God's will that I seek? And once I am clear, do I allow prayer to bring me to obdedience, to death to self, to less of me and more of Him?
Lord,
I am so excited to gain this perspective that I am your prayer partner. Lord, I don't want to be asleep on my watch, to be apathetic to the needs of this world, to be unresponsive to the burden of your heart. Grant me the desire, the passion to pray uncessingly for a world that you are so burdened for, and may I stand in the gap one prayer at a time to share in your pain. Give me your heart, O God, for the lost and the hurting. Teach me to pray as you do, Jesus, and how to allow prayer to lead me from burden and dying inside, to clarity of God's will and obedience.
I love you Lord.
Amen.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Speak to the Mountain
Mark 1122-26
There is so much of the Bible we choose to take literal, and then there are verses like this...do we dare take it literal?
Step One: Have Faith in God... it doesn't just mean believe there is a God... have faith in Him...in who He says He is, in what He says He'll do.
Step Two: Speak to the mountain and tell it to be cast into the sea. Don't do it with doubt in your heart, but believe and what you ask will be done. Is it Mt. Whitney? Or other mountains in life...sickness, broken marriage, job loss... what is your mountain. Have you just decided to tell it to move, be cast aside, get out of the way, it isn't going to stop you...why? Because you have faith in God...He will see to completion all He has begun in you...He will bring all things together for good to those that love Him...He has given us all His riches in glory, if the flowers of the field are clothed why should I worry about tomorrow... All of a sudden the mountain isn't a mountain in the face of God!
Step Three: No doubt in your heart. Do you believe God or not?
Step Four: Whatever you ask in prayer, believe and you will receive them. But.... These are the red letters, people...Jesus said it, not me! But what am I to pray for, and am I believing in the prayer or God, who will answer according to His will and purpose? I say...ask, be bold, and ask again. If you aren't getting anything back from God, ask Him how you should pray and keep at the dialogue until you get an answer one way or another. God isn't deaf, he hears us!
Step Five: AND... Yes, Jesus said "AND"... when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them. I wonder if that is why we aren't getting answers? Just sayin'!
There is so much of the Bible we choose to take literal, and then there are verses like this...do we dare take it literal?
Step One: Have Faith in God... it doesn't just mean believe there is a God... have faith in Him...in who He says He is, in what He says He'll do.
Step Two: Speak to the mountain and tell it to be cast into the sea. Don't do it with doubt in your heart, but believe and what you ask will be done. Is it Mt. Whitney? Or other mountains in life...sickness, broken marriage, job loss... what is your mountain. Have you just decided to tell it to move, be cast aside, get out of the way, it isn't going to stop you...why? Because you have faith in God...He will see to completion all He has begun in you...He will bring all things together for good to those that love Him...He has given us all His riches in glory, if the flowers of the field are clothed why should I worry about tomorrow... All of a sudden the mountain isn't a mountain in the face of God!
Step Three: No doubt in your heart. Do you believe God or not?
Step Four: Whatever you ask in prayer, believe and you will receive them. But.... These are the red letters, people...Jesus said it, not me! But what am I to pray for, and am I believing in the prayer or God, who will answer according to His will and purpose? I say...ask, be bold, and ask again. If you aren't getting anything back from God, ask Him how you should pray and keep at the dialogue until you get an answer one way or another. God isn't deaf, he hears us!
Step Five: AND... Yes, Jesus said "AND"... when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them. I wonder if that is why we aren't getting answers? Just sayin'!
Run!
Mt. 14:23
Jesus left the crowd, we see this on more than one occasion. He left the crowd, the demands, the needs, the have to's, the should's, the "but".... and walked away. Sometimes it was early morning, sometimes in the midst of a busy demanding day, sometimes it was all night because it was the only time to get away.
There was one thing about the "running away" that Jesus did...He ran to someone. His Father.
No matter the pressure, the emergencies, the expectancy of others, the internal struggle to meet the needs...he ran to the Father.
This week I ran. For awhile I have been running away from things...people...demands...etc. Zoning out on tv, video games, busyness...but running none the less. This week I decided to run to the Father. Why do we struggle so much to do something so simple, so basic, and yet so profound for our lives, and that is run to...the Father. Our Father. Our Abba, daddy. Our King and Lord and Powerful Majestic God.
The moment I got into the car to come to a place of refuge by the beach to rest and heal...I put out my hand and asked God to hold my hand, to be with me, that I desired His company. His presence immediately filled the car. I didn't have much to say...no words can express what is on my heart and mind right now, but it didn't matter...He was there.
After a few moments of drinking Him in, thanking Him for being so tender, so close, all of a sudden I had this image of a child sitting on his dad's lap wanting to drive the car. It was as though God said, let me drive. And I was "spiritually" sitting in His lap and He was driving.
No worries, my eyes were still open and hands still on the wheel! But it was tangible to me.
Jesus went away from the multitudes, to the mountain top, by himself to ...pray.
If Jesus felt the need to commune with the Father, how much more do we need to. And I don't think he went begrugingly out of obligation, I think He couldn't wait...and neither can I!
Dear Father,
How we take your presence and grace so for granted. It is such a privilege to commune with you, to hang out with you, to be near you...Lord, I so want to pray as Jesus did, would you teach me? Would you guide me to commune with you as Jesus did? I don't want to miss anything when it comes to you! I love you so...
In Jesus name,
Amen
Jesus left the crowd, we see this on more than one occasion. He left the crowd, the demands, the needs, the have to's, the should's, the "but".... and walked away. Sometimes it was early morning, sometimes in the midst of a busy demanding day, sometimes it was all night because it was the only time to get away.
There was one thing about the "running away" that Jesus did...He ran to someone. His Father.
No matter the pressure, the emergencies, the expectancy of others, the internal struggle to meet the needs...he ran to the Father.
This week I ran. For awhile I have been running away from things...people...demands...etc. Zoning out on tv, video games, busyness...but running none the less. This week I decided to run to the Father. Why do we struggle so much to do something so simple, so basic, and yet so profound for our lives, and that is run to...the Father. Our Father. Our Abba, daddy. Our King and Lord and Powerful Majestic God.
The moment I got into the car to come to a place of refuge by the beach to rest and heal...I put out my hand and asked God to hold my hand, to be with me, that I desired His company. His presence immediately filled the car. I didn't have much to say...no words can express what is on my heart and mind right now, but it didn't matter...He was there.
After a few moments of drinking Him in, thanking Him for being so tender, so close, all of a sudden I had this image of a child sitting on his dad's lap wanting to drive the car. It was as though God said, let me drive. And I was "spiritually" sitting in His lap and He was driving.
No worries, my eyes were still open and hands still on the wheel! But it was tangible to me.
Jesus went away from the multitudes, to the mountain top, by himself to ...pray.
If Jesus felt the need to commune with the Father, how much more do we need to. And I don't think he went begrugingly out of obligation, I think He couldn't wait...and neither can I!
Dear Father,
How we take your presence and grace so for granted. It is such a privilege to commune with you, to hang out with you, to be near you...Lord, I so want to pray as Jesus did, would you teach me? Would you guide me to commune with you as Jesus did? I don't want to miss anything when it comes to you! I love you so...
In Jesus name,
Amen
Monday, March 15, 2010
Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:9-14
When Jesus was asked how to pray...this was His model. When I pray the Father's prayer in private, I often use it as a launching pad...May this help you expand your prayer and understanding as we follow Jesus' example:
Our Father in heaven: You are the Father of all...I praise you that you are the Father of those that do not yet know you and you are pursuing them fervently. Thank you that you are my Father and that you have made yourself known to me...I am so grateful.
Hallowed be Your Name: Father there is no one like you. There is no name above the name of Jesus. Your name is precious, holy, and powerful. Thank you that I know you, and your name.
When Jesus was asked how to pray...this was His model. When I pray the Father's prayer in private, I often use it as a launching pad...May this help you expand your prayer and understanding as we follow Jesus' example:
Our Father in heaven: You are the Father of all...I praise you that you are the Father of those that do not yet know you and you are pursuing them fervently. Thank you that you are my Father and that you have made yourself known to me...I am so grateful.
Hallowed be Your Name: Father there is no one like you. There is no name above the name of Jesus. Your name is precious, holy, and powerful. Thank you that I know you, and your name.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done: Lord, I can't wait to see your kingdom in it's entirety...but in the meantime, I am excited that Your Kingdom purposes can be done here on earth through your people. Lord, make me Kingdom minded, and purposeful about bringing some of your holy, beautiful, powerful kingdom here on earth in each conversation, each choice, and each touch... May your will be burning in my heart that it may be my one pursuit to obey you in all things.
On this earth, as it is in heaven: Father, I thank you that Jesus came to give us a glimpse of how you, the Spirit, and Jesus operate in oneness, as you do in heaven. Thank you for showing us power, truth, compassion, knowledge, and the defeat of evil...I pray that through your people, more and more of your Kingdom will be manifested here on this earth as it is in heaven. May it begin with me.
Give us our daily bread: Lord, you are so amazing in provision. Your storehouse is never empty and some way, some how, you always show up. Thank you for the blessing of being your child, for that privilege brings your provision for all of life. Thank you that all that I need for this day to survive is on the way. And thank you that you often give so many blessings that are just extra touches of love.
Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors: Thank you for making this a daily prayer...to keep short accounts with each other. Lord there are people that have not forgiven me for things, and I ask that you will soften their heart and help me know how to reach them. Lord, soften my heart toward anyone that I have held a grudge or unforgiveness against. I praise you, Lord that you set the stage of the ultimate forgiveness, can I do any less. Thank you for forgiving my sins as I forgive those that have sinned against me. You are so merciful, grow me in mercy, Oh, Lord.
And lead us not into temptation: Lord, this is the morst revelatory verse...we so often ask you to strengthen us to face temptation, but God, I am weak. I don't stand up to temptation 100% of the time. So, Jesus, thank you for this amazing clue of how to pray for a sinless life! Ask that God not allow me to even be led into the face of temptation at all...no temptation...no sin! Lord, may this apply to my thinking, my attitudes, my actions, my words, all of me.
But deliver me from the evil one: Father, I thank you for the victory that is mine in Christ. I praise you that the devil is defeated. Deliver me from his lies, his deceptions, his trickery, his pull on my flesh, and his seduction. Deliver me from pride which is his foothold. Thank you, Lord, that you are my foothold and you will never let go!
For yours, O God, Is the Kingdom of all Kingdoms, the Power of all Powers, and the Glory of all Glories...and I love you so, Dad!
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Monday, March 8, 2010
First Things First
Matthew 6:33
What am I looking for? What are we seeking in this life? Are we finding it?
Have you ever noticed that what we seem to be looking for we never find...peace, contentment, purpose. Perhaps we are seeking for them in the wrong place, or seeking to solve the problems we face and then we will have what we long for. If I can just get through this, then... If I can just have this in my life then... If he or she would just ? then...
This was the first verse I ever learned to apply to my life, and through the years I must remind myself of it at times. The world pulls hard, no, really....it pulls hard! If we are not careful we begin to seek in all the wrong places over and over again.
We are called to seek one thing... His kingdom and His righteousness. Condensed this ultimately means, seek Jesus. Don't just seek...but seek first! That is the ultimate clue, seek God first.
The passage moves forward from there with "then"...if we seek God first, "then" "all these things will be added unto you".
God first...He takes care of the longings in our hearts, our deepest desires are truly met when Christ is the one we daily seek.
Sweet Jesus,
How grateful I am for your example of seeking God first. Forgive me for the times that I seek after elusive things. Thank you that you are worthy of my seeking, that you are beyond all I can imagine, you are mighty and powerful. You are kind, good, and gracious. You are love. Why would I go anywhere else? Teach me how to seek you, turn my heart toward you, and protect me from getting off track. Thank you God.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
The Word encourages us to break up fallow ground...ok, I had to look it up...what is fallow? It is ground that is uncultivated, left without seed for a season, not in use, inactive. At the beginning of the verse for today, it says to "sow with a view to righteousness", "reap in accordance with kindness", "break up fallow ground". Three steps.
When we sow seed in a garden or a field, we have a view or perspective of what we are desiring to accomplish; what we hope to reap. I won't plant flower seed if I want vegetables in the harvest. Do I even have a perspective or plan of what I am hoping to reap with the seeds I sow? Am I just living life planting whatever seed I feel like planting in the moment? What kind of chaotic garden will I end up with ? We are encouraged to plant with a view, perspective, plan, desire for a garden that will reap a harvest of righteousness...specific seed, for a specific produce.
Reap in accordance with kindness...rigteousness can easily turn into judgment, a critical spirit, a spirit of pride can take root... When our seed of righteousness begins to spring forth with an amazin harvest, we must be kind while reaping, patient with those that are still figuring out what kind of seed they desire to plant. We need to kindly bring people to our field and have them taste of the fruit of righteousness to awaken a desire in them to also plant the same field.
We cannot do any of the above without addressing the "fallow ground". It is a heart that has been left unattended. A choice piece of land that has been unseeded for a season. The Word of God is likened to seed in Jesus' parables. Do we have an un-seeded heart? Have I left my mind spiritually unattended? It is time to dig it up, turn the soil of my heart and prepare it for the Word of God to be planted there which is the beginning of righteousness...it leads us to repentance, reveals truth, shows the path to Christ.
The last part of the verse in Hosea, tells us why we are to do these things... "It is time to seek the Lord until He rains righteousness upon us." We as a church have been called to prayer...it is time to seek the Lord, to turn the fallow ground, to plant the Word, to walk in righteousness and kindness, and to cry out for God's holy rain to water our prepared hearts and minds and to bring a harvest of souls into His kingdom.
Lord God,
I confess that there are seasons that I have a fallow heart and mind. God, how I desire to have a true passion and hunger for your Word. I so desire to have your heart of holiness, I so long to truly desire righteousness in all areas of my life. I pray that you will awaken an awareness in me of the type of seed I am sowing in my life. I seek you God, I cry out to you Lord, I hunger for you, thirst for you, long for you... Rain on us as a people, O God, pour out your Spirit upon us. May your Spirit of revelation and salvation come into our land and bring forth a harvest of souls for your glory! Come Lord Jesus, Come!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Round About
Psalm 119:1,2
Driving in California can be quite the adventure, to say the least! I have been raised and lived in California my whole life. I don't need to read every traffic sign or traffic instruction because I am so familiar with the area and how we roll, that it is second nature. Now I know I shouldn't post this because the inevitable will happen, but for the sake of the application I will knowingly jinks myself...I have never gotten a traffic ticket in over 30 years of driving! There should be free insurance for something that incredible!
I follow the precepts of the land...I adhere to the laws and mandates...and I have a clean record!
My driving record is righteous!
A few years back, I met my daughter in London and we flew to Scotland where we rented a car. How hard can it be? The first exit from the airport was a "round about"... getting in the car on the wrong side should have been the clue that nothing was going to be easy from this point on!
I pull out of the airport with some confidence and all of a sudden I am going in circles...no, really! Around, and around, and around...and as I slow up to try to read the signs, there are honkers, nudgers, and almost collisions as I have absolutely no idea how to navigate a round about! (For those that are missing out, it is a circle that cars enter and exit at several different points around the circle.)
I couldn't follow the driving laws, because I didn't know them. I tried to follow them as I came upon the signs, but the moment I tried to put it into action, it past as soon as I would finally read it. As the trip went on, I began to master the dreaded "round about". I knew in my mind the accurate way to navigate and was able to use the signs as markers because the truth of the signs were already stored inside my understanding!
There are days, or seasons, when we feel like we are in a foreign land trying to navigate precarious, and sometimes dangerous situations. We are desparately looking for the signs to direct us as we are being bullied by the enemy who keeps honking at us and threatening a collision. Jesus was the ultimate navigator of spiritual round abouts! He navigated with the Word stored up in His heart. When faced with temptation, He quickly recited God's precepts, His direction, His truth.
How are you navigating the treacherous roundabouts of your life? As things are coming at you from all angles, are you well versed and know God's ways, His precepts, His mandate for life? If we are familiar with His Word, it will be like driving in territory that will come as second nature, and we will avoid spiritual collisions!
Lord,
How powerful is your Word, O Lord! Thank you for leaving something so precious, so priceless, and so intimate in our hands. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I neglect your Word. I pray that you will lead me in your Word and into all truth. I praise you that Your Word is good for reproof, correction, guidance, teaching, and so much more. I praise you that as I store your Word up in my heart, it gives me the internal knowledge of the mandates to navigate the spiritual highway of the unseen. Thank you for your instruction manual that will keep me on the path of righteousness and truth. Increase in me, O God, a hunger for your Word and a diligence to follow all that you have instructed, so that I may celebrate a "collision free" journey.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Heavenly Kareoke
Psalm 105:1-4
We have a daughter that sings like an angel...no really! I am not just a bragging mom, well I am, but she really has an amazing voice in spite of me! She has been singing since she was two. The day I noticed a two year old singing in perfect pitch was the day I knew there was something going on with our toddler besides just the terrible two's! She joined the kiddie choir at church, performed in the Christmas plays, etc. Sang at school from elementary all the way to college where she traveled the world, literally, singing. We loved hearing her sing on stage...but that meant a lot of singing behind the scenes! Not to mention the warm-ups! I always knew when she was happy because she would sing...sing while dressing, while cleaning, while running errands...happy = singing in her world.
I have to confess that we were not always the adoring fans that you would expect. Her loud projection for the stage would become deafening at times...dinner time was not acceptable as a stage...and then there were the opera years! Unfortunately we are guilty of "sushing!"
Now she lives in another state, and I hear her very rarely. Oh how I miss my singing girl around the house! We went on a family cruise last year and we all begged her to get up and sing during kareoke. She really doesn't like doing that because honestly, none of the rest of us can compete once she has taken the stage. It was my parents 50th anniversary and they soooo wanted her to sing...so she relented. Well, she was such a hit, everyone started coming to the kareoke forum each night to hear her sing. And honestly, I couldn't get enough of her...I missed it so much.
This Psalm speaks of singing to the Lord, singing praises to His name. It reminds us to remember the Lord and to respond with singing. Ok, her is the personal confession, kareoke was on my bucket list...and yes, to the dismay of my entire family, I was going to break through and sing kareoke. I will use the word "sing" very loosely in this context! Needless to say, I have been requested, no banned, from ever singing kareoke again...at least in the presence of my family!
God loves to hear us sing to Him. I saw the faces of my parents as they watched with joy and pride as Sarah blessed them with song. How must God look as He hears us reflect back to Him special memories of times we have shared with Him. Love songs to our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Songs of victory, songs of mourning, songs of celebration, songs of longing, songs that direct our heart toward Him.
We miss Sarah's music, it brings such joy to our hearts. Let us not leave God wanting and waiting for us to take center stage, at least in our minds, and perform for an audience of one.
Are You Dehydrated?
I don't know why, but I am just not a water drinker. I have to make myself drink water and lately I have been neglecting it. Little did I know that the constant spasm and kink in my neck was affected by my lack of water!
My friend gave me a gift certificate for a massage! Oh yeah! But the therapist stated that I was a "mess"! They wanted to know when my last massage was, how long were my muscles like this, and that it was going to take several treatments to even break through the hardness of my muscles. I, of course, attributed it to stress!
Then he asked me...How much water do you drink? Well, I know the correct answer, and I have to be honest...I didn't want to look ridiculous, so I lied! I know, I had to confess later...I never lie...but today, to save face I fudged and said "1 or 2" glasses of water! I couldn't openly admit that I don't drink water at all!
He continued to explain that the lack of water dehydrates the muscles and all the toxins get locked up inside until they are so hard they are no longer pliable. Yikes...I am now a convert!
I will begin my 8 glass of water a day regiment.
In Psalm 63:1-5, the psalmist cries out that he seeks for God like one seeking for water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Do I drink of God? How long has it been since I have sought Him out, earnestly? Have I become filled with the toxins of the world and my flesh and have forgotten to be pliable in His hands?
Oh Lord,
May I never tire of drinking of your presence. May my heart always desire you and drink of you eagerly, consistently, and longingly. I thank you Lord that you are my cleansing stream, my sustenance, and my satisfaction is in You. Lord, protect me from ever neglecting to come to you.
I praise you for your love and grace.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
My friend gave me a gift certificate for a massage! Oh yeah! But the therapist stated that I was a "mess"! They wanted to know when my last massage was, how long were my muscles like this, and that it was going to take several treatments to even break through the hardness of my muscles. I, of course, attributed it to stress!
Then he asked me...How much water do you drink? Well, I know the correct answer, and I have to be honest...I didn't want to look ridiculous, so I lied! I know, I had to confess later...I never lie...but today, to save face I fudged and said "1 or 2" glasses of water! I couldn't openly admit that I don't drink water at all!
He continued to explain that the lack of water dehydrates the muscles and all the toxins get locked up inside until they are so hard they are no longer pliable. Yikes...I am now a convert!
I will begin my 8 glass of water a day regiment.
In Psalm 63:1-5, the psalmist cries out that he seeks for God like one seeking for water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Do I drink of God? How long has it been since I have sought Him out, earnestly? Have I become filled with the toxins of the world and my flesh and have forgotten to be pliable in His hands?
Oh Lord,
May I never tire of drinking of your presence. May my heart always desire you and drink of you eagerly, consistently, and longingly. I thank you Lord that you are my cleansing stream, my sustenance, and my satisfaction is in You. Lord, protect me from ever neglecting to come to you.
I praise you for your love and grace.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Eat Carpet
2Chronicles 7:14
This verse is quoted often and it encourages us as a people to pray. Unfortunately prayer alone will not bring about the healing of the land that is promised in this passage. I love the progression that is expressed in this verse. "If" denotes the fact that it is possible for God's people not to do what is in this verse...we have a choice.
It goes on to speak of those that "are called by My name". Are we willing to be identified openly with Christ. Are we recognized as being one of God's children wherever we go, or only at church?
"Will humble themselves and pray" is the first response to our choice to do what God is calling us to as a people readily identified as His. We can pray...say words that sound amazing, but the heart reveals the posture in which those words are expressed. As the words come out of our mouths in prayer, are we surrendered inside, repentant, remorseful over our sin...or is there a part that is still prepared to go back and sin again? Humility in prayer is essential. Without our understanding that we must lower ourselves and stop trying to run our lives our way, there will never be true repentance. I refer to this as "eating carpet"! When I am boastful and proud, inside my heart I am standing tall on my tippy toes trying to get up in God's face and tell Him how I think things should go. When I am humble, in my heart I am surrendered, on my face in a contrite position of worship and rest at His feet...eating carpet!
Repentance is turning...walking on another path, the path of righteousness. We can't get there in rebellion or pride. That path is only open to those that are humble before their God willing to surrender all. And the promise of this verse is why we quote it so often... God will, "hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land." Oh what a promise!
Eating carpet doesn't sound appetizing, but for the soul it is a feast!
Father,
I come to you acknowledging that I am yours, called by your name, identified with Christ Jesus my Lord. I confess that I have sinned against you with pride, self reliance, and independence apart from your will and your ways. Lord, I want to turn, to walk on your path of righteousness at all times. I praise you for the righteousness that is mine in Christ, and I pray that you will direct my path that I live a life that chooses and reflects that righteousness at all times. I bow at your feet, acknowledging that you are God and I am not. I rest in your shadow, trusting in your will. Thank you for hearing my prayer, thank you for forgiving my sins, and Lord I praise you that you will heal our land. Stir us as a people, Lord, that we will respond to this verse in true humility.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
This verse is quoted often and it encourages us as a people to pray. Unfortunately prayer alone will not bring about the healing of the land that is promised in this passage. I love the progression that is expressed in this verse. "If" denotes the fact that it is possible for God's people not to do what is in this verse...we have a choice.
It goes on to speak of those that "are called by My name". Are we willing to be identified openly with Christ. Are we recognized as being one of God's children wherever we go, or only at church?
"Will humble themselves and pray" is the first response to our choice to do what God is calling us to as a people readily identified as His. We can pray...say words that sound amazing, but the heart reveals the posture in which those words are expressed. As the words come out of our mouths in prayer, are we surrendered inside, repentant, remorseful over our sin...or is there a part that is still prepared to go back and sin again? Humility in prayer is essential. Without our understanding that we must lower ourselves and stop trying to run our lives our way, there will never be true repentance. I refer to this as "eating carpet"! When I am boastful and proud, inside my heart I am standing tall on my tippy toes trying to get up in God's face and tell Him how I think things should go. When I am humble, in my heart I am surrendered, on my face in a contrite position of worship and rest at His feet...eating carpet!
Repentance is turning...walking on another path, the path of righteousness. We can't get there in rebellion or pride. That path is only open to those that are humble before their God willing to surrender all. And the promise of this verse is why we quote it so often... God will, "hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land." Oh what a promise!
Eating carpet doesn't sound appetizing, but for the soul it is a feast!
Father,
I come to you acknowledging that I am yours, called by your name, identified with Christ Jesus my Lord. I confess that I have sinned against you with pride, self reliance, and independence apart from your will and your ways. Lord, I want to turn, to walk on your path of righteousness at all times. I praise you for the righteousness that is mine in Christ, and I pray that you will direct my path that I live a life that chooses and reflects that righteousness at all times. I bow at your feet, acknowledging that you are God and I am not. I rest in your shadow, trusting in your will. Thank you for hearing my prayer, thank you for forgiving my sins, and Lord I praise you that you will heal our land. Stir us as a people, Lord, that we will respond to this verse in true humility.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Friday, March 5, 2010
Please and Thank-you
1Chronicles 16:8-11
One of the first things we teach children is to say "please"...it is natural for children to ask and even demand! Teaching to say "please" teaches them to ask nicely, with humility, and respect. Once they have that mastered, the next phrase we teach is, of course, "thank-you".
We also naturally begin our prayer experience by asking. Many times we reduce prayer to just the "asking". If we practice the "thank-you" in prayer, we will broaden our prayer experience and our intimacy with God.
The passage today emphasis the "thank-you". It encourages us to remember all that God has done...to proclaim His deeds. As we remember, we meditate on the answers to our prayers. We reflect on how we have seen God's fingerprints in our lives and how He has interacted with us on a daily basis. As we remember and we express our thanks, it isn't only polite...but 1Chronicles expresses the joy that is experienced by one who remembers, thanks, and proclaims the Lord.
As we are thankful, we experience joy. Joy that is from the depth of our being, joy that gives us hope, and renews our confidence in God. As you seek His face and say "please", don't forget the "thank-you".
Lord,
Words cannot express my gratitude for seeing your amazing hand at work all around me. I am so thankful for your touch in my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you for your faithfulness, your provision, and your added blessings...You always overwhelm me with your graciousness and favor. I love you so.
thank you Father.
Amen
One of the first things we teach children is to say "please"...it is natural for children to ask and even demand! Teaching to say "please" teaches them to ask nicely, with humility, and respect. Once they have that mastered, the next phrase we teach is, of course, "thank-you".
We also naturally begin our prayer experience by asking. Many times we reduce prayer to just the "asking". If we practice the "thank-you" in prayer, we will broaden our prayer experience and our intimacy with God.
The passage today emphasis the "thank-you". It encourages us to remember all that God has done...to proclaim His deeds. As we remember, we meditate on the answers to our prayers. We reflect on how we have seen God's fingerprints in our lives and how He has interacted with us on a daily basis. As we remember and we express our thanks, it isn't only polite...but 1Chronicles expresses the joy that is experienced by one who remembers, thanks, and proclaims the Lord.
As we are thankful, we experience joy. Joy that is from the depth of our being, joy that gives us hope, and renews our confidence in God. As you seek His face and say "please", don't forget the "thank-you".
Lord,
Words cannot express my gratitude for seeing your amazing hand at work all around me. I am so thankful for your touch in my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you for your faithfulness, your provision, and your added blessings...You always overwhelm me with your graciousness and favor. I love you so.
thank you Father.
Amen
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Conformed or Transformed
Romans 12:1,2
The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is transformation at it's best. The caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and in the process of transformation literally becomes goo! It completely breaks down and its cell structure even completely changes. In this goo are "imaginal discs" which determine the wings, the antennae, etc. They are what begins to form the new creature. Once the transformation is complete we know that the butterfly emerges, no longer a caterpillar but completely new in all ways.
I could get the bright idea to make a caterpillar into a butterfly. I could make paper wings and attach them to the caterpillar body with a rubberband. Perhaps use pipe cleaners for antennae, and little toothpicks for legs. This would be a caterpillar being conformed into looking like a butterfly, but it would not be a butterfly. It could pretend and even believe it is a butterfly, but the true transformation has not happened...it isn't a butterfly.
The passage in Romans speaks to us about true transformation of the mind. We need our mind to truly become the mind of Christ. A mind that knows the truth, believes the truth, and speaks the truth. As our minds our transformed, our actions follow and our lives reflect the Holy thoughts and attitudes that now exist. Our lives become living worship! We actually become Christ-like rather than sticking on the wings the world promises will make us fly...we now soar with Christ and His Spirit within us radiates life through us....and this is worship to God!
Lord,
May my mind be transformed by your Word of truth. Teach me your ways, Lord, that I might know your heart and not sin against you. Lead me in your ways and guide my path that I may honor you in all things. I desire that you reveal to me any ways that I am trying to conform to the world. Set me free from all wrong thinking. Give me the mind of Christ, that my thoughts and attitudes will truly reflect your glory. And Lord, may my life today be a living act of worship unto you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is transformation at it's best. The caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and in the process of transformation literally becomes goo! It completely breaks down and its cell structure even completely changes. In this goo are "imaginal discs" which determine the wings, the antennae, etc. They are what begins to form the new creature. Once the transformation is complete we know that the butterfly emerges, no longer a caterpillar but completely new in all ways.
I could get the bright idea to make a caterpillar into a butterfly. I could make paper wings and attach them to the caterpillar body with a rubberband. Perhaps use pipe cleaners for antennae, and little toothpicks for legs. This would be a caterpillar being conformed into looking like a butterfly, but it would not be a butterfly. It could pretend and even believe it is a butterfly, but the true transformation has not happened...it isn't a butterfly.
The passage in Romans speaks to us about true transformation of the mind. We need our mind to truly become the mind of Christ. A mind that knows the truth, believes the truth, and speaks the truth. As our minds our transformed, our actions follow and our lives reflect the Holy thoughts and attitudes that now exist. Our lives become living worship! We actually become Christ-like rather than sticking on the wings the world promises will make us fly...we now soar with Christ and His Spirit within us radiates life through us....and this is worship to God!
Lord,
May my mind be transformed by your Word of truth. Teach me your ways, Lord, that I might know your heart and not sin against you. Lead me in your ways and guide my path that I may honor you in all things. I desire that you reveal to me any ways that I am trying to conform to the world. Set me free from all wrong thinking. Give me the mind of Christ, that my thoughts and attitudes will truly reflect your glory. And Lord, may my life today be a living act of worship unto you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Rock of All Rocks!
Psalm 18:1-3
I was recently in Palm Springs at Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. I was hiking with a friend along a stream enjoying the beauty that surrounded us. There was a huge rock that the trail wrapped around. I could barely see the top and never found the end of it! It was beautiful with facets of texture and color. As I was craning my neck to observe it's immense strength and beauty, I turned to my friend and said, "This is the kind of Rock we are talking about when we talk about Jesus! Not one of those piddly rocks from the stream!"
It was impenetrable, immovable, beautiful, and strong. It served as a shelter, a haven, and a fortress. The rock would provide a solid foundation and a point of perspective that would transcend our earthly view. Is this not Jesus?!
In Psalm 18, it refers to God as our Rock, our Fortress, and our Refuge. May you find shelter in Him, strength in Him, and stability in Him.
Lord,
Our confident we are in your ability to stand strong when we are weak, to remain immovable when we are shaken, and to cover us when we feel exposed. You are the Rock of ages, our strong tower, our solid foundation. Thank you for your protection and covering for those who love you. Remind us, O God, to run to you for shelter and nowhere else. Lead us to you, the Rock, that is Higher than ourselves, when we struggle with this life. We so appreciate that you are our safe place.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
I was recently in Palm Springs at Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. I was hiking with a friend along a stream enjoying the beauty that surrounded us. There was a huge rock that the trail wrapped around. I could barely see the top and never found the end of it! It was beautiful with facets of texture and color. As I was craning my neck to observe it's immense strength and beauty, I turned to my friend and said, "This is the kind of Rock we are talking about when we talk about Jesus! Not one of those piddly rocks from the stream!"
It was impenetrable, immovable, beautiful, and strong. It served as a shelter, a haven, and a fortress. The rock would provide a solid foundation and a point of perspective that would transcend our earthly view. Is this not Jesus?!
In Psalm 18, it refers to God as our Rock, our Fortress, and our Refuge. May you find shelter in Him, strength in Him, and stability in Him.
Lord,
Our confident we are in your ability to stand strong when we are weak, to remain immovable when we are shaken, and to cover us when we feel exposed. You are the Rock of ages, our strong tower, our solid foundation. Thank you for your protection and covering for those who love you. Remind us, O God, to run to you for shelter and nowhere else. Lead us to you, the Rock, that is Higher than ourselves, when we struggle with this life. We so appreciate that you are our safe place.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Holy Searchlight
Psalm 139:23-24
When watching the news I am always amazed at how a helicopter searchlight can zero in on someone and illuminate the area in such a way that the darkness, the bushes, the running cannot keep them hidden. It is an above ground view. The vantage point is different than those on ground level and the spotlight permeates the darkest of nights.
God knows us intimately and has the vantage point to see things we cannot. There are times that things begin to hide in our hearts, our attitudes, and our thinking. I love this Psalm as David teaches us by example to ask God to search, to shed His holy spotlight, from His heavenly above earth perspective, into the darkened places and recesses of our minds and souls.
We can run and hide within our own reasoning. We can divert facing truth by hiding under the brush of our busy-ness, or pride...but to ask God to search our hearts is bold! It is confident boldness in His love, in His grace, and in His holiness. I so love when God's searchlight exposes the hidden things in me so they can be arrested by His majesty and brought into His arms of forgiveness.
When watching the news I am always amazed at how a helicopter searchlight can zero in on someone and illuminate the area in such a way that the darkness, the bushes, the running cannot keep them hidden. It is an above ground view. The vantage point is different than those on ground level and the spotlight permeates the darkest of nights.
God knows us intimately and has the vantage point to see things we cannot. There are times that things begin to hide in our hearts, our attitudes, and our thinking. I love this Psalm as David teaches us by example to ask God to search, to shed His holy spotlight, from His heavenly above earth perspective, into the darkened places and recesses of our minds and souls.
We can run and hide within our own reasoning. We can divert facing truth by hiding under the brush of our busy-ness, or pride...but to ask God to search our hearts is bold! It is confident boldness in His love, in His grace, and in His holiness. I so love when God's searchlight exposes the hidden things in me so they can be arrested by His majesty and brought into His arms of forgiveness.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Good Plans!
Jeremiah 29:11-13
I still remember when we would receive immunizations as a child. There was one in particular, not sure which, that would leave a really sore muscle in your arm. It would ache for days! As babies, I would take my girls for immunizations and they would run fevers, become crabby, and sleepless...not fun! From a child's perspective these were not good plans!
I wonder how often I look at what is happening in my life and question God's plans? Do I blame Him for things that are actually consequences of my own choices? Do I blame Him for things in the world that are ultimately evil? Do I praise Him when there is blessing and good in my life, or do I forget God when things are going well? Do I trust that He has a good plan for my life and will see it through to completion?
One key I have learned in prayer is to consider God's character when I am praying. God is good, so the good in my life comes from God, as reflected in James 1:17. God is pure, without darkness or evil, longsuffering, patient, kind, merciful and abounding in steadfast love. Keeping these things in mind when I pray, I can come with assuredness, boldness, and yieldedness to His will for I know it is for good, not to harm me. He is just and holy, so I know that evil will not go unnoticed by God. Do I trust in His eternal plan?
The last part of our passage today is my favorite...You will seek Me and find Me and come and pray to Me and you will find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart! To me, that is my greatest motivation to pray...I will find God! He will be revealed to me! That is something to pray about, and His best plan revealed...God in intimate prayer with Us!
I still remember when we would receive immunizations as a child. There was one in particular, not sure which, that would leave a really sore muscle in your arm. It would ache for days! As babies, I would take my girls for immunizations and they would run fevers, become crabby, and sleepless...not fun! From a child's perspective these were not good plans!
I wonder how often I look at what is happening in my life and question God's plans? Do I blame Him for things that are actually consequences of my own choices? Do I blame Him for things in the world that are ultimately evil? Do I praise Him when there is blessing and good in my life, or do I forget God when things are going well? Do I trust that He has a good plan for my life and will see it through to completion?
One key I have learned in prayer is to consider God's character when I am praying. God is good, so the good in my life comes from God, as reflected in James 1:17. God is pure, without darkness or evil, longsuffering, patient, kind, merciful and abounding in steadfast love. Keeping these things in mind when I pray, I can come with assuredness, boldness, and yieldedness to His will for I know it is for good, not to harm me. He is just and holy, so I know that evil will not go unnoticed by God. Do I trust in His eternal plan?
The last part of our passage today is my favorite...You will seek Me and find Me and come and pray to Me and you will find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart! To me, that is my greatest motivation to pray...I will find God! He will be revealed to me! That is something to pray about, and His best plan revealed...God in intimate prayer with Us!
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