Proverbs 15: 1, 18
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.
God never honors a lost temper. We are responsible to take control of our own emotions and passions, and not let our flesh take us away.
It's not easy to control a hot temper. Italians, Irish, Latinos, and many other ethnicities blame their tempers on their genes, to excuse their own failure to keep a reign on their tempers.
No matter where your grandparents or great grandparents came from, we each must pay attention to our own "buttons" to not react when they're pushed, but to slow down and consider how our response will be taken by the hearers. And to cool down our own heat rising.
This takes time to break a bad habit and replace it with a good habit. And it doesn't follow a straight line, either. But every time we mess up, we can pick ourselves back up and start again fresh.
God wants us to use His power, in His Holy Spirit, to change our thinking processes concerning any bad habit we have; to rely on His strength to break the chains of bad habits and walk more circumspectly to avoid the triggers that trip us up.
We are to face our enemy when he attacks, but we are to run from temptation.
We can stand our ground in Christ against Satan, but we can't win if we try to fight temptation, we must run from it. So we need also to discern between the two.
I know that I need to watch my words. I am still learning to apply what I know: to slow down and pause before I react, to consider how my response will affect the hearer before I answer. And I try to remember to pray in the midst of the foray, asking for God's wisdom. That's the only way I can achieve victory over my past failings, to stop repeating them.
O my Father, You know how weak we all are, in trying to learn and follow Your ways. They are not our ways that we naturally follow, so we need to understand how different Your ways are from ours. And even when we know, we don't always do it. We seem to not respond when we see the light until we also feel the heat.
It seems that we don't want to change until changing seems less painful than staying the same. We're stubborn that way. So sometimes You give us "tough love" to make the staying the same so painful we will be willing to change.
Then we will slow down, quiet our tone of voice, and consider our answer before speaking. Then, instead of stirring up strife we can promote peaceful relations with one another. We can soothe down our anger to be able to appreciate one another's beautiful differences.
Father, You love a variety, and You have made us in many colors, many personalities, many talents and abilities. I think You did us this way so that everything would get done.
Some of us are concerned for our environment, and others are more passionate for people. And even then, some are concerned for people's temporal needs, and others think more of their eternal destinies.
So we're all different, and we each have our purpose in the World, to make it a better place for others and those who will come after us. And to prepare for the coming of Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, our King.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Unfathomable Are His Ways
Romans 11: 33, 36
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Our Lord God is El Shaddai, God Almighty. His wisdom and His knowledge have made this whole Universe and everything in it, including our own solar system, and our Earth.
And His wisdom and knowledge sustains His Creation, and guides His judgments according to His ways.
And God's wisdom and knowledge in guiding His judgments according to His ways will bring all things, all people, all Worlds, all Planets and Stars, all governments, all individual lives, to His determined goals--to the final culmination of all things; and God will receive all the glory, all the honor, in the beauty of His holiness, for all that has been accomplished, according to His Plan of the Ages, fulfilling all His Purposes for all Creation!
O my Father, You are truely the good, intelligent Agent Who thought up, designed, planned out, made and kept everything that exists. You alone are God, we are not.
Everything else that has ever been given any credit or glory is an idol. Only You, my Lord, deserves all the credit, all the honor, and all the glory for designing and planning out and carrying out Your Plan for it all, without a hitch.
Father, Your wisdom and Your knowledge are so far beyond any of our human wisdom and knowledge, every person falls extremely short of Your perfection; even the most highly intelligent genius cannot touch Your wisdom and knowledge.
And Your judgments cannot be second-guessed. Only You have all the knowledge necessary to see the whole picture, and no one else does or can.
So You, our Lord God Almighty, will enjoy all the honor and all the glory forever throughout all eternity for the things You have done. And You will bestow upon Your family, those who have been born spiritually to You, all Your riches in glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Our Lord God is El Shaddai, God Almighty. His wisdom and His knowledge have made this whole Universe and everything in it, including our own solar system, and our Earth.
And His wisdom and knowledge sustains His Creation, and guides His judgments according to His ways.
And God's wisdom and knowledge in guiding His judgments according to His ways will bring all things, all people, all Worlds, all Planets and Stars, all governments, all individual lives, to His determined goals--to the final culmination of all things; and God will receive all the glory, all the honor, in the beauty of His holiness, for all that has been accomplished, according to His Plan of the Ages, fulfilling all His Purposes for all Creation!
O my Father, You are truely the good, intelligent Agent Who thought up, designed, planned out, made and kept everything that exists. You alone are God, we are not.
Everything else that has ever been given any credit or glory is an idol. Only You, my Lord, deserves all the credit, all the honor, and all the glory for designing and planning out and carrying out Your Plan for it all, without a hitch.
Father, Your wisdom and Your knowledge are so far beyond any of our human wisdom and knowledge, every person falls extremely short of Your perfection; even the most highly intelligent genius cannot touch Your wisdom and knowledge.
And Your judgments cannot be second-guessed. Only You have all the knowledge necessary to see the whole picture, and no one else does or can.
So You, our Lord God Almighty, will enjoy all the honor and all the glory forever throughout all eternity for the things You have done. And You will bestow upon Your family, those who have been born spiritually to You, all Your riches in glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 28, 2018
How To Respond To Attacks
II Timothy 2: 24-26
And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the Truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
There are so many in this World today who are being held captive by the devil to do his will, especially in the realm of politics and political manuverings.
And even in our own families.
May God grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the Truth, and they can come to their senses and escape from that snare of the devil.
And may the Lord's bondservants not react to the attacks, but respond in kindness, teaching the right way to respond. And may they be patient under the fire, gently correcting those who are in opposition.
This is not easy. Only in the power and patience of our Lord can we patiently endure the attacks and respond with kindness. We cannot do it in our flesh.
O my Father, thank You that You are God and we are not! We are weak; You know we are only flesh. Please strengthen Your bondservants when they are attacked and falsely accused and slandered, whether by political opponents or by family members, or by anyone else on that continuum.
Teach Your bondservants how to be Christ to their accusers, and may Your kindness lead their accusers to repentance, to break out of the shackles of the enemy who has them captive and wants to destroy them.
Father, destroy the animosity with Your Love, granting them friendship with one another in place of the hatred and enmity. Only You can do that, Father. Only You are God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the Truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
There are so many in this World today who are being held captive by the devil to do his will, especially in the realm of politics and political manuverings.
And even in our own families.
May God grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the Truth, and they can come to their senses and escape from that snare of the devil.
And may the Lord's bondservants not react to the attacks, but respond in kindness, teaching the right way to respond. And may they be patient under the fire, gently correcting those who are in opposition.
This is not easy. Only in the power and patience of our Lord can we patiently endure the attacks and respond with kindness. We cannot do it in our flesh.
O my Father, thank You that You are God and we are not! We are weak; You know we are only flesh. Please strengthen Your bondservants when they are attacked and falsely accused and slandered, whether by political opponents or by family members, or by anyone else on that continuum.
Teach Your bondservants how to be Christ to their accusers, and may Your kindness lead their accusers to repentance, to break out of the shackles of the enemy who has them captive and wants to destroy them.
Father, destroy the animosity with Your Love, granting them friendship with one another in place of the hatred and enmity. Only You can do that, Father. Only You are God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 27, 2018
The Tongue Of The Wise
Proverbs 12: 18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Words are so powerful! God's Words spoke the Universe into being. And our words can build up or tear down ourselves and others.
What we tell ourselves is the most important conversation we will have each day. Am I telling myself God's view of me, or the world's ideas? Am I living my life as God's dear child, or have I left myself vulnerable to the enemy's lies?
My words to others will reflect my acceptance or rejection of myself, and I know that my words in the past have been spoken rashly, resulting in harsh pronouncements, pushing away those I want to draw close.
Father, thank You for revealing this sin in my heart so I could confess and forsake it, and allow You to cleanse me of it. And I have been "careful to do" what You lead me to do, in considering my words before I speak them.
This process is taking me time to forsake utterly that rashness, and implementing the habit, the practice of using Your wisdom to consider how my words would affect the sensibilities of the hearers.
Please continue to lead me each day, Father, as I place my hand into Yours, and I know You will never let me go. Strengthen me to walk each step confidently and straight, not turning to the right hand or to the left, not wandering away or pulling back.
I need You, my dear Father! I am desperate for You, for Your strength and wisdom, for I have none in myself.
Let me see myself as You see me, Father; that I would also see others with Your eyes, seeing them with inestimable worth and preciousness. Then my words will encourage them to live their lives in a way that You would consider worthy to share in Your Kingdom and Glory (I Thessalonians 2:12).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Words are so powerful! God's Words spoke the Universe into being. And our words can build up or tear down ourselves and others.
What we tell ourselves is the most important conversation we will have each day. Am I telling myself God's view of me, or the world's ideas? Am I living my life as God's dear child, or have I left myself vulnerable to the enemy's lies?
My words to others will reflect my acceptance or rejection of myself, and I know that my words in the past have been spoken rashly, resulting in harsh pronouncements, pushing away those I want to draw close.
Father, thank You for revealing this sin in my heart so I could confess and forsake it, and allow You to cleanse me of it. And I have been "careful to do" what You lead me to do, in considering my words before I speak them.
This process is taking me time to forsake utterly that rashness, and implementing the habit, the practice of using Your wisdom to consider how my words would affect the sensibilities of the hearers.
Please continue to lead me each day, Father, as I place my hand into Yours, and I know You will never let me go. Strengthen me to walk each step confidently and straight, not turning to the right hand or to the left, not wandering away or pulling back.
I need You, my dear Father! I am desperate for You, for Your strength and wisdom, for I have none in myself.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
"It's All About Love"
Matthew 22: 37-40
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the Prophets are based on these two commandments."
It really is all about Love. God is Love, He loves us, He wants us to love Him back, and He wants us to love others as well as ourselves.
To love with genuine, true Love, not sentimentalism. Real Love is defined in First Corinthians chapter 13. Real Love desires the true best for the one loved, regardless of the cost to the one loving.
God gave us what was of ultimate cost to Himself--His only Son!
O my Father, teach me to love You the way You deserve to be loved. Teach me to love myself with an undefiled love based on the worth You have valued me at. Teach me to love others, seeing them with Your eyes, loving them with Your love, drawing them not to myself but to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the Prophets are based on these two commandments."
It really is all about Love. God is Love, He loves us, He wants us to love Him back, and He wants us to love others as well as ourselves.
To love with genuine, true Love, not sentimentalism. Real Love is defined in First Corinthians chapter 13. Real Love desires the true best for the one loved, regardless of the cost to the one loving.
God gave us what was of ultimate cost to Himself--His only Son!
O my Father, teach me to love You the way You deserve to be loved. Teach me to love myself with an undefiled love based on the worth You have valued me at. Teach me to love others, seeing them with Your eyes, loving them with Your love, drawing them not to myself but to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Our Lord God
... I am the Lord ...
Repeated continually in:
Leviticus 20: 7;
21: 8, 12, 15, 23;
22: 2, 3, 8, 9, 16.
O my Father, again I am impressed with the Truth that we become like that, that we worship, dwell on, think about, spend time with.
You constantly remind us that You are the God we are to worship, You are the One Who meets all our needs, You are the Lord God Who rescues us from our troubles and our enemies--not any of the gods of any of the lands we are familiar with. We are not to observe any of the ways of this World, this society, this culture in which we live.
We are to know, dwell on, study, and apply in our daily lives, moment-to-moment, only Your ways, Your laws, Your will for us; to accomplish Your purposes according to Your plans for each of us, and Your great Plan of the Ages for all of us.
What You have begun in me You will perform and perfect in That Day when Christ Jesus returns!
Continue to mold me and shape me, form in me the character of Christ my Lord; make me into the person You created me to be.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Repeated continually in:
Leviticus 20: 7;
21: 8, 12, 15, 23;
22: 2, 3, 8, 9, 16.
O my Father, again I am impressed with the Truth that we become like that, that we worship, dwell on, think about, spend time with.
You constantly remind us that You are the God we are to worship, You are the One Who meets all our needs, You are the Lord God Who rescues us from our troubles and our enemies--not any of the gods of any of the lands we are familiar with. We are not to observe any of the ways of this World, this society, this culture in which we live.
We are to know, dwell on, study, and apply in our daily lives, moment-to-moment, only Your ways, Your laws, Your will for us; to accomplish Your purposes according to Your plans for each of us, and Your great Plan of the Ages for all of us.
What You have begun in me You will perform and perfect in That Day when Christ Jesus returns!
Continue to mold me and shape me, form in me the character of Christ my Lord; make me into the person You created me to be.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, September 24, 2018
Flood Of Righteousness
Isaiah 45: 8
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the the clouds pour down righteousness; let the Earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness spring up with it. I, the Lord, have created it.
Our God is Almighty God, Creator of everything that exists.
May He cause His righteousness to pour down from Heaven, to drip from the clouds like torrential rain, and the Earth to open up to receive this bounty from above, bringing all the lost sheep into the fold and waking up His church to bear the fruit of righteousness in our Nation from the grassroots up.
O my Lord God, restore us to the righteousness which our Founders based this Nation upon. Let us remember from what heights we have fallen and retun to You, the Shepherd of our souls.
Examine our hearts, O God, and show us our sins, our secret sins we have been cherishing, to acknowledge them and forsake them; to cleanse us, clean out all those old wounds, so we can heal.
And help us live our lives in Righteousness. Teach us how to promote Righteousness in the society in which we live. Flood us in Your Righteousness, O Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the the clouds pour down righteousness; let the Earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness spring up with it. I, the Lord, have created it.
Our God is Almighty God, Creator of everything that exists.
May He cause His righteousness to pour down from Heaven, to drip from the clouds like torrential rain, and the Earth to open up to receive this bounty from above, bringing all the lost sheep into the fold and waking up His church to bear the fruit of righteousness in our Nation from the grassroots up.
O my Lord God, restore us to the righteousness which our Founders based this Nation upon. Let us remember from what heights we have fallen and retun to You, the Shepherd of our souls.
Examine our hearts, O God, and show us our sins, our secret sins we have been cherishing, to acknowledge them and forsake them; to cleanse us, clean out all those old wounds, so we can heal.
And help us live our lives in Righteousness. Teach us how to promote Righteousness in the society in which we live. Flood us in Your Righteousness, O Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 23, 2018
The Armor Of God
Ephesians 6: 13-17
Therefore, take up the full armor of God ...
We need the full suit, every part, no piece can be left out, it must be complete.
Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth,
Your loins refers to your waist-to-knees portion of your body, to protect your most private and vulnerable parts; safeguarding your chastity and purity. The first step in putting on this armor.
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
This covers your heart, to ensure that your heart is filled with right attitudes in order to protect your feelings and emotions.
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
We must prepare ourselves to run with the Gospel that brings peace.
In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
This shield will catch and put out the flames of the logical and believable lies our enemy throws at us. Believing God shows us the deception of whatever doesn't agree with His Truth.
And take the helmet of salvation,
Our brain is our base of operations of our whole body, which must be surrounded by the protection of God's deliverance from all that falls short of His perfect ways.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
This is our only offensive weapon, all the rest are defensive. Our sword is double-edged and razor-sharp, a very dangerous tool. We need to wield it very carefully, skillfully, and wisely. We need to train in it, regularly, to attain the precision of a brain-surgeon.
Jesus used the Word in response to the Tempter, and the Tempter also quoted Scripture. So we need the Holy Spirit's direction to out-wit our enemy as Jesus did.
O my Father, I pray for Your armor to gird me today, each day: the belt of Truth, breastplate of righteousness, boots of the Gospel, Your shield of faith and sword of the Spirit--the Word of God.
This armor is very strong and impenetrable, yet light of weight and resilient of movement; it fits me perfectly and comfortably, as it was custom-made by You for me.
Teach me Your ways, lead and guide me today into Your steps. Show me where You would have me go and what You would have me do concerning every circumstance and situation I will face each day.
I am yours, my Lord; mold me and shape me according to Your Plan to fulfill Your Purposes. And You will receive all the credit, all the glory forever; because You alone designed it all, planned how it would all work out, and are completing and finishing all Your pleasure in us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Therefore, take up the full armor of God ...
We need the full suit, every part, no piece can be left out, it must be complete.
Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth,
Your loins refers to your waist-to-knees portion of your body, to protect your most private and vulnerable parts; safeguarding your chastity and purity. The first step in putting on this armor.
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
This covers your heart, to ensure that your heart is filled with right attitudes in order to protect your feelings and emotions.
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
We must prepare ourselves to run with the Gospel that brings peace.
In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
This shield will catch and put out the flames of the logical and believable lies our enemy throws at us. Believing God shows us the deception of whatever doesn't agree with His Truth.
And take the helmet of salvation,
Our brain is our base of operations of our whole body, which must be surrounded by the protection of God's deliverance from all that falls short of His perfect ways.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
This is our only offensive weapon, all the rest are defensive. Our sword is double-edged and razor-sharp, a very dangerous tool. We need to wield it very carefully, skillfully, and wisely. We need to train in it, regularly, to attain the precision of a brain-surgeon.
Jesus used the Word in response to the Tempter, and the Tempter also quoted Scripture. So we need the Holy Spirit's direction to out-wit our enemy as Jesus did.
O my Father, I pray for Your armor to gird me today, each day: the belt of Truth, breastplate of righteousness, boots of the Gospel, Your shield of faith and sword of the Spirit--the Word of God.
This armor is very strong and impenetrable, yet light of weight and resilient of movement; it fits me perfectly and comfortably, as it was custom-made by You for me.
Teach me Your ways, lead and guide me today into Your steps. Show me where You would have me go and what You would have me do concerning every circumstance and situation I will face each day.
I am yours, my Lord; mold me and shape me according to Your Plan to fulfill Your Purposes. And You will receive all the credit, all the glory forever; because You alone designed it all, planned how it would all work out, and are completing and finishing all Your pleasure in us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 22, 2018
How Big Is God's Love?
Ephesians 3: 16-21
That He would grant you,
as a grace gift.
according to the riches of His glory,
Not stingy, but very generously.
to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Like a super-power, but inside us, to do powerful things in our minds and hearts.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
We believe Him, we put our faith in believing what He said, just as He said it, that He would never leave us or forsake us (John 14:18).
and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Like a well-established tree planted in the ground that has a strong root system anchoring it; our love is that stabilizing force.
may be able to comprehend
To understand with our minds, to wrap our heads around it.
with all the saints
Everyone who has been saved by God, every member of His church.
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
The boundaries and shape.
to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
To know what is beyond our ability to know! That's how big His Love is!
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
God is Love; for us to be filled up with God, with Love.
Now to Him Who is able to do
God is capable of and strong enough and willing to do whatever He decides to do.
far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
Way beyond what we ask, or even what we're able to imagine.
according to the power that works within us,
God's own power, in His Holy Spirit that lives right inside our spirits, deep inside each of us, working in us, on us, and through us.
to Him be the glory
He deserves all the credit, all the fame, all the popularity.
in the church
Among all the members of His body, each one of us, giving Him the credit.
and in Christ Jesus
He is the One Who is our Sacrifice, Who took our death upon Himself, His Blood washing us from every stain of sin--He gets the credit.
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
As long as Mankind keeps producing more people, and on into Eternity itself.
O my Father, strengthen me, along with all Your saints, to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of what You are doing in this World, according to Your Plan, to fulfill Your Purpose, for Your pleasure!
That we might know what surpasses knowledge: the Love of Christ! Thank You, and I praise You for doing for me, in me, on me, and through me exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I would ever ask, or even be able to think of; so that You will receive all the credit, all the glory, throughout all Time and Eternity!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
That He would grant you,
as a grace gift.
according to the riches of His glory,
Not stingy, but very generously.
to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Like a super-power, but inside us, to do powerful things in our minds and hearts.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
We believe Him, we put our faith in believing what He said, just as He said it, that He would never leave us or forsake us (John 14:18).
and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Like a well-established tree planted in the ground that has a strong root system anchoring it; our love is that stabilizing force.
may be able to comprehend
To understand with our minds, to wrap our heads around it.
with all the saints
Everyone who has been saved by God, every member of His church.
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
The boundaries and shape.
to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
To know what is beyond our ability to know! That's how big His Love is!
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
God is Love; for us to be filled up with God, with Love.
Now to Him Who is able to do
God is capable of and strong enough and willing to do whatever He decides to do.
far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
Way beyond what we ask, or even what we're able to imagine.
according to the power that works within us,
God's own power, in His Holy Spirit that lives right inside our spirits, deep inside each of us, working in us, on us, and through us.
to Him be the glory
He deserves all the credit, all the fame, all the popularity.
in the church
Among all the members of His body, each one of us, giving Him the credit.
and in Christ Jesus
He is the One Who is our Sacrifice, Who took our death upon Himself, His Blood washing us from every stain of sin--He gets the credit.
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
As long as Mankind keeps producing more people, and on into Eternity itself.
O my Father, strengthen me, along with all Your saints, to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of what You are doing in this World, according to Your Plan, to fulfill Your Purpose, for Your pleasure!
That we might know what surpasses knowledge: the Love of Christ! Thank You, and I praise You for doing for me, in me, on me, and through me exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I would ever ask, or even be able to think of; so that You will receive all the credit, all the glory, throughout all Time and Eternity!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 21, 2018
Intoxicating Violence
Proverbs 4: 14-19
Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
For they eat the bread if wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Violence is intoxicating. I learned this when I researched the genocide that was perpetrated against the two tribes in Rwanda before I went there with a missionary group. The young men who were doing the killing were acting like they were drunk on the violence, and only later, long after the acts, did they realize the destruction their violence wrought.
I think that virtual violence is also addictive. Violent video games have entrapped so many of our young people.
O my Father, I pray for those who have been enslaved by the draw of these virtual games, that You would call them out of the darkness of their addiction into the glorious light of Your Love.
Just like I was addicted to the evil of my weakness when You found me, and showed me that Jesus took my place in death and gave me Your Life. That's when I realized that You loved me that much, and it broke my heart. That's when You released me from those chains and set me free.
Please, Father, find my loved one and show him Your Love, as You did for me. Lift him out of the morass of twisted thinking that has kept him captive for so long. Draw him to Yourself, Father, so his life will bring You glory, instead of ending in disgrace.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
For they eat the bread if wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Violence is intoxicating. I learned this when I researched the genocide that was perpetrated against the two tribes in Rwanda before I went there with a missionary group. The young men who were doing the killing were acting like they were drunk on the violence, and only later, long after the acts, did they realize the destruction their violence wrought.
I think that virtual violence is also addictive. Violent video games have entrapped so many of our young people.
O my Father, I pray for those who have been enslaved by the draw of these virtual games, that You would call them out of the darkness of their addiction into the glorious light of Your Love.
Just like I was addicted to the evil of my weakness when You found me, and showed me that Jesus took my place in death and gave me Your Life. That's when I realized that You loved me that much, and it broke my heart. That's when You released me from those chains and set me free.
Please, Father, find my loved one and show him Your Love, as You did for me. Lift him out of the morass of twisted thinking that has kept him captive for so long. Draw him to Yourself, Father, so his life will bring You glory, instead of ending in disgrace.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 20, 2018
God Keeps His Promises
Isaiah 61: 1-9
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord ...
Jesus read these verses from the scroll of Isaiah that was handed to him in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He grew up.
He stopped at the first part of verse 2 without completing it, because only this much was being fulfilled by Him at that time.
The rest of the passage reads:
... And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
But you will be called the priests of the Lord; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of Nations, and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.
For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; and I will faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Then their offspring will be known among the Nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.
So Jesus fulfilled the "favorable year of the Lord" in His bringing good news to the afflicted, binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners.
But He stopped in the middle of the verse.
He will fulfill the rest of the passage when He returns again to this Earth.
When He calls out (Raptures) His church and the Wedding Feast of the Lord takes place (Revelation 19:7-9), then He bursts through the clouds on His white horse with all Heaven's hosts with Him, and He wages the Battle of Armageddon (verses 11-19).
This is when Jesus will set up His rule over the World as King. And the rest of these verses will be fulfilled. His people Israel will be given all the benefits of His rule, and each tribe will be given a double portion of land from the original apportionment. The ancient ruined cities will be rebuilt and restored, and they will live as His specially chosen ones, serving Him, while people of the other Nations will do all the menial work of shepherding and farming.
And their children and grandchildren will be recognized by the rest of the World as the specially blessed of the Lord.
This Thousand Years will be Earth's Golden Age, when King Jesus will be reigning and His wife, the church, are in our Resurrected Bodies, like Jesus' Resurrected Body, and we will rule with Him on His throne. We will perform as His governmental workers enforcing His rule all over the World.
And all His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) will be fulfilled.
All loose ends will be tied up and all affairs will be put in order during this time, to be ready for the Grand Finale at the end of that Millennium (Revelation 20:7-9), when the Earth will explode and the Universe will implode (see Rev. 20:11 and II Peter 3:10), and all the knowledge of this existence will be obsolete (I Corinthians 13:8-10 tells us that "knowledge will be done away") when God's perfect Creation, the New Heaven and New Earth will come to be.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord ...
Jesus read these verses from the scroll of Isaiah that was handed to him in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He grew up.
He stopped at the first part of verse 2 without completing it, because only this much was being fulfilled by Him at that time.
The rest of the passage reads:
... And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
But you will be called the priests of the Lord; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of Nations, and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.
For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; and I will faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Then their offspring will be known among the Nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.
So Jesus fulfilled the "favorable year of the Lord" in His bringing good news to the afflicted, binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners.
But He stopped in the middle of the verse.
He will fulfill the rest of the passage when He returns again to this Earth.
When He calls out (Raptures) His church and the Wedding Feast of the Lord takes place (Revelation 19:7-9), then He bursts through the clouds on His white horse with all Heaven's hosts with Him, and He wages the Battle of Armageddon (verses 11-19).
This is when Jesus will set up His rule over the World as King. And the rest of these verses will be fulfilled. His people Israel will be given all the benefits of His rule, and each tribe will be given a double portion of land from the original apportionment. The ancient ruined cities will be rebuilt and restored, and they will live as His specially chosen ones, serving Him, while people of the other Nations will do all the menial work of shepherding and farming.
And their children and grandchildren will be recognized by the rest of the World as the specially blessed of the Lord.
This Thousand Years will be Earth's Golden Age, when King Jesus will be reigning and His wife, the church, are in our Resurrected Bodies, like Jesus' Resurrected Body, and we will rule with Him on His throne. We will perform as His governmental workers enforcing His rule all over the World.
And all His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) will be fulfilled.
All loose ends will be tied up and all affairs will be put in order during this time, to be ready for the Grand Finale at the end of that Millennium (Revelation 20:7-9), when the Earth will explode and the Universe will implode (see Rev. 20:11 and II Peter 3:10), and all the knowledge of this existence will be obsolete (I Corinthians 13:8-10 tells us that "knowledge will be done away") when God's perfect Creation, the New Heaven and New Earth will come to be.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
To Live Securely
Proverbs 1: 33
But he who listens to me [Wisdom] shall live securely, and be at ease from the dread of evil.
Wisdom is what we all need in order to take what knowledge we have and use it to the best effect. To know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.
But true wisdom is based on our knowledge of God. Who He is, what He does and how wonderful He is.
O Father, I pray that You would open our ears to Your instruction. That You would open our hearts to Your love. Open our will to obey Your commandments.
Your words are choice food and thirst quenching drink for our famished souls.
You, Lord God, are our Source and Sustainer, our Life and Health, our Goal and our Prize. Keep our focus only and always on You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But he who listens to me [Wisdom] shall live securely, and be at ease from the dread of evil.
Wisdom is what we all need in order to take what knowledge we have and use it to the best effect. To know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.
But true wisdom is based on our knowledge of God. Who He is, what He does and how wonderful He is.
O Father, I pray that You would open our ears to Your instruction. That You would open our hearts to Your love. Open our will to obey Your commandments.
Your words are choice food and thirst quenching drink for our famished souls.
You, Lord God, are our Source and Sustainer, our Life and Health, our Goal and our Prize. Keep our focus only and always on You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
God's Only-Ness
Judges 17: 6 (also 21:25)
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
This verse is repeated, so it appears twice in this book. It is the theme of the book.
God was to be the King over His chosen people Israel, but they just wouldn't stay true to Him. This book illustrates for us how we will go around the cycle of: being blessed of God; then taking Him for granted; then thinking we did it all ourselves; then being drawn to other gods, worldly ideas; then being conquered by the surrounding Nations (or our own addictions); then turning back to God, crying out for help; then God raises up a military leader to win back their freedom (or means to overcome our addictions) and we worship God again; then be blessed by Him again; and the cycle goes on.
We are so weak, and we justify to our own minds all our choices and decisions, no matter how poor or foolish or evil they be.
The people seem to have lost their sense of God's holiness, His only-ness. This chapter tells us about how Micah and his mother dedicated some silver coins to God, then proceeded to make idols out of it, as though God could be represented by a statue, or even that all the pagan dieties were versions of God. Not realizing that all the images that are honored and prayed to are backed by demons (KJV "devils," I Corinthians 10:19-20).
God designated the Levites to be scattered throughout all of Israel to teach the people God's Laws, His rules and regulations for living; but even they fell down in their duties. Micah hired a Levite to be his own personal priest, and he thought that God would be pleased with him (verse 13).
O my Father, You are holy! You are totally Other from all that You have created, everything that exists. You are Light, You are Love, You cannot be pictured by anything You have made.
You have showed us that we cannot justify ourselves, we must depend on You, only You, my Father. Only You are God. Only You deserve to be worshipped and prayed to. When we pray to any image or any other created thing, we are ascribing to them Your attributes, asking them to do what only You can do.
O Father, I pray for all those today who are bowing down to statues, lighting candles to them, or asking them for favors. Open their eyes, Father, to see that You only are God, and You love them more than they can imagine. Let them see how holy and good You are, draw them to Yourself with Your kindness, and receive all the credit, all the glory for what You are doing in the World to continue to carry out Your great Plan of the Ages.
O Father, be our King. Reign over us all. Teach us Your ways, that we may follow them and reap the benefits, Your blessings, now in this World and in the World to come in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
This verse is repeated, so it appears twice in this book. It is the theme of the book.
God was to be the King over His chosen people Israel, but they just wouldn't stay true to Him. This book illustrates for us how we will go around the cycle of: being blessed of God; then taking Him for granted; then thinking we did it all ourselves; then being drawn to other gods, worldly ideas; then being conquered by the surrounding Nations (or our own addictions); then turning back to God, crying out for help; then God raises up a military leader to win back their freedom (or means to overcome our addictions) and we worship God again; then be blessed by Him again; and the cycle goes on.
We are so weak, and we justify to our own minds all our choices and decisions, no matter how poor or foolish or evil they be.
The people seem to have lost their sense of God's holiness, His only-ness. This chapter tells us about how Micah and his mother dedicated some silver coins to God, then proceeded to make idols out of it, as though God could be represented by a statue, or even that all the pagan dieties were versions of God. Not realizing that all the images that are honored and prayed to are backed by demons (KJV "devils," I Corinthians 10:19-20).
God designated the Levites to be scattered throughout all of Israel to teach the people God's Laws, His rules and regulations for living; but even they fell down in their duties. Micah hired a Levite to be his own personal priest, and he thought that God would be pleased with him (verse 13).
O my Father, You are holy! You are totally Other from all that You have created, everything that exists. You are Light, You are Love, You cannot be pictured by anything You have made.
You have showed us that we cannot justify ourselves, we must depend on You, only You, my Father. Only You are God. Only You deserve to be worshipped and prayed to. When we pray to any image or any other created thing, we are ascribing to them Your attributes, asking them to do what only You can do.
O Father, I pray for all those today who are bowing down to statues, lighting candles to them, or asking them for favors. Open their eyes, Father, to see that You only are God, and You love them more than they can imagine. Let them see how holy and good You are, draw them to Yourself with Your kindness, and receive all the credit, all the glory for what You are doing in the World to continue to carry out Your great Plan of the Ages.
O Father, be our King. Reign over us all. Teach us Your ways, that we may follow them and reap the benefits, Your blessings, now in this World and in the World to come in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, September 17, 2018
Promise Left Unfulfilled
Judges 15: 20
So [Samson] judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.
I look at Samson's life and I see so such promise there that was left unfulfilled! Samson was highly gifted by God to do great exploits, but he never did seek God in his life to follow His ways, so he did not lead the Israelites in victory, overthrowing their enemy, thus gaining peace.
At the end if his twenty years Israel was still under the domination of the Philistines. Samson disregarded God's Laws (14:8-9, taking honey from a lion's carcass when the Law stipulated not to eat anything from an animal that was already dead), and he gave in to his own carnal desires; he only ever considered himself, not his Nation or God's plan to free Israel from the Philistine domination.
His lack of moral strength limited his vision to small, temporary, selfish ends, when he could have lifted up his eyes to see how his leadership could have inspired all Israel to follow him in total victory for the whole Nation!
What a difference moral integrity makes! Even with extremely great giftings and abilities, success is elusive and unattainable without the moral strength to rely on God.
O my Father, please strengthen me to use the gifts You have graciously given me to lift up Your Name and further Your Kingdom in this World, rather than benefit only me and mine. I know that You will always provide everything I need from day to day, and You are trustworthy to rely on when I don't see the way.
Enlarge my boundaries, Father, my vision of what can be accomplished. Help me to see beyond my own tiny world into the Grand Vision You have for the people of this Earth. Lead me, guide me, teach me Your ways to walk in Your paths hand-in-hand with You. Then, as I rely on You, You will work through me to accomplish Your works, which are far beyond my own.
And I will give You, my Father, all the credit, all the glory for the wonderful things You are accomplishing among us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So [Samson] judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.
I look at Samson's life and I see so such promise there that was left unfulfilled! Samson was highly gifted by God to do great exploits, but he never did seek God in his life to follow His ways, so he did not lead the Israelites in victory, overthrowing their enemy, thus gaining peace.
At the end if his twenty years Israel was still under the domination of the Philistines. Samson disregarded God's Laws (14:8-9, taking honey from a lion's carcass when the Law stipulated not to eat anything from an animal that was already dead), and he gave in to his own carnal desires; he only ever considered himself, not his Nation or God's plan to free Israel from the Philistine domination.
His lack of moral strength limited his vision to small, temporary, selfish ends, when he could have lifted up his eyes to see how his leadership could have inspired all Israel to follow him in total victory for the whole Nation!
What a difference moral integrity makes! Even with extremely great giftings and abilities, success is elusive and unattainable without the moral strength to rely on God.
O my Father, please strengthen me to use the gifts You have graciously given me to lift up Your Name and further Your Kingdom in this World, rather than benefit only me and mine. I know that You will always provide everything I need from day to day, and You are trustworthy to rely on when I don't see the way.
Enlarge my boundaries, Father, my vision of what can be accomplished. Help me to see beyond my own tiny world into the Grand Vision You have for the people of this Earth. Lead me, guide me, teach me Your ways to walk in Your paths hand-in-hand with You. Then, as I rely on You, You will work through me to accomplish Your works, which are far beyond my own.
And I will give You, my Father, all the credit, all the glory for the wonderful things You are accomplishing among us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Compassion Or Calamity?
Proverbs 28: 13-14
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
How blessed is the man who fears [God] always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
It's so easy to make excuses for my faults. But that would be hardening my heart to God's cleansing.
O my Father, please help me to continually regard Your Lordship over me from hardening my heart to refuse to hear Your still, small voice behind me, saying, "this is the way, walk here."
Examine my heart, Father, and show me that sin that I have been excusing, that I am concealing from myself--reveal it that I may confess and forsake it, and live my life according to Your righteousness; that Your glory would shine out from this clay pot to the praise of Your glory.
May Your "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6). fill me and shine forth from this " earthen vessel, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from [myself]" (II Corinthians 4:7); let it be read and seen of all that it is of You, Father, and not from me!
Keep me out of Your way, Father, in my relationships with my adult children and with others.
Here I am--send me--use me!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
How blessed is the man who fears [God] always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
It's so easy to make excuses for my faults. But that would be hardening my heart to God's cleansing.
O my Father, please help me to continually regard Your Lordship over me from hardening my heart to refuse to hear Your still, small voice behind me, saying, "this is the way, walk here."
Examine my heart, Father, and show me that sin that I have been excusing, that I am concealing from myself--reveal it that I may confess and forsake it, and live my life according to Your righteousness; that Your glory would shine out from this clay pot to the praise of Your glory.
May Your "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6). fill me and shine forth from this " earthen vessel, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from [myself]" (II Corinthians 4:7); let it be read and seen of all that it is of You, Father, and not from me!
Keep me out of Your way, Father, in my relationships with my adult children and with others.
Here I am--send me--use me!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 15, 2018
We Smell Of What We Eat
II Corinthians 2: 14-16
...God... manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of [Christ] in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
God has placed in us His children His fragrance of the knowledge of Christ!
Just as people of one culture will eat a lot of garlic, they will exude the aroma of garlic noticeable to those of another culture, because we tend to smell of what we eat.
So we, God's children, who eat and drink the body and blood of Christ by consuming His Word, that spiritual food that gives true life; we will also exude from our bodies, our lives, that sweet fragrance of life--sweet to those who are being saved, but more like a stench of death as perceived by those who are perishing.
O Father, who is adequate for these things? Am I still so dim of sight and dull of hearing? Dare I trust what I think I know? I must lean on You, Father; I must keep on delving into Your Word, devouring it, and depend only on You to lead me in the right path.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
...God... manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of [Christ] in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
God has placed in us His children His fragrance of the knowledge of Christ!
Just as people of one culture will eat a lot of garlic, they will exude the aroma of garlic noticeable to those of another culture, because we tend to smell of what we eat.
So we, God's children, who eat and drink the body and blood of Christ by consuming His Word, that spiritual food that gives true life; we will also exude from our bodies, our lives, that sweet fragrance of life--sweet to those who are being saved, but more like a stench of death as perceived by those who are perishing.
O Father, who is adequate for these things? Am I still so dim of sight and dull of hearing? Dare I trust what I think I know? I must lean on You, Father; I must keep on delving into Your Word, devouring it, and depend only on You to lead me in the right path.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 14, 2018
Give Heed And Consider
Psalm 107: 43
Who is wise? Let him give heed to those things; and consider the lovingkindness of the Lord.
O my Father, You have always and ever rewarded those who seek Your face, and judged those who reject Your holiness and magnificance.
Father, I know that the end of all things may be upon us or very soon be upon us. I know that in Your faithfulness You are doing all things to bring this World into conformity for the World ruler to emerge, the Man of Sin as spoken of in II Thessalonians 2:3. So far, though, this man has not been revealed.
But the times are perilous for Your children, Father, all over the World. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your children who are being persecuted and martyred even today. I have read numerous accounts of Your being with them in meaningful ways to each of those who are being tortured.
I know that You will do the same for all Your children, and that our witness will go out over all the Earth, Your Gospel will be preached to every creature, and the end of this Age will come, just as You have said.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Who is wise? Let him give heed to those things; and consider the lovingkindness of the Lord.
O my Father, You have always and ever rewarded those who seek Your face, and judged those who reject Your holiness and magnificance.
Father, I know that the end of all things may be upon us or very soon be upon us. I know that in Your faithfulness You are doing all things to bring this World into conformity for the World ruler to emerge, the Man of Sin as spoken of in II Thessalonians 2:3. So far, though, this man has not been revealed.
But the times are perilous for Your children, Father, all over the World. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your children who are being persecuted and martyred even today. I have read numerous accounts of Your being with them in meaningful ways to each of those who are being tortured.
I know that You will do the same for all Your children, and that our witness will go out over all the Earth, Your Gospel will be preached to every creature, and the end of this Age will come, just as You have said.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Friend Of The King
Proverbs 22: 11
He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.
O my Father, You are so pure and clean and holy and righteous, I desire to be of pure heart like You, I want my every motive to be clean of any corruption; then my speech, my every word will be gracious and edifying, not selfish or defensive or self-seeking, but powerful to the building up of the hearer to draw him or her to You, my Lord.
Teach me Your ways, that my end-all and be-all will be only Your glory, that Your fragrance emanating from me will draw others to You, that all Your lost sheep will be found, and that there will be one fold and one Shepherd!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.
O my Father, You are so pure and clean and holy and righteous, I desire to be of pure heart like You, I want my every motive to be clean of any corruption; then my speech, my every word will be gracious and edifying, not selfish or defensive or self-seeking, but powerful to the building up of the hearer to draw him or her to You, my Lord.
Teach me Your ways, that my end-all and be-all will be only Your glory, that Your fragrance emanating from me will draw others to You, that all Your lost sheep will be found, and that there will be one fold and one Shepherd!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Take Diligent Heed
Joshua 23: 11
So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God.
All through Scripture, over and over and over again we are warned to pay attention, and take heed and diligent heed, and watch out how we live our lives, that we consider the ways and lifestyles of following His rules, letting nothing get in the way between us and our God. We must focus.
It's way too easy for us to slide, whenever we relax and take our gaze off of the goal. And when we slide, we're losing ground. Backsliding. Sliding backward.
Then we need to turn around (repent) and struggle up the upward slope again.
Joshua knew that the people needed strong leadership to keep them faithful to God; And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the Lord which He had done for Israel (24:31). So the account of Joshua ends with the people still faithful to the Lord.
But there was no more need for a strong military leader, and the people quickly fell away from serving the Lord. It seems that we as people are so weak that we do not teach our children and grandchildren sufficiently to convey to them the urgency of loving and serving only our Lord God--they have not experienced for themselves His greatness in deliverance and so are prone to going their own way, apart from God.
O my Father, show me how to convey to my own children and grandchildren their desperate need to take diligent heed to themselves to love You, our Lord and our God! Grant me Your strength, Your compassion toward them, and great pursuasion to impress their minds and hearts with the urgency of turning to You, loving You with their whole heart, and serving only You.
That You would draw them to Yourself with the understanding of how much You love them to send Your only Son to be their Sacrifice for sin, and pull them into Your own family, dear Father. Please shower upon them Your mercies and grace, that they will then worship You, the only One Who deserves our worship.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God.
All through Scripture, over and over and over again we are warned to pay attention, and take heed and diligent heed, and watch out how we live our lives, that we consider the ways and lifestyles of following His rules, letting nothing get in the way between us and our God. We must focus.
It's way too easy for us to slide, whenever we relax and take our gaze off of the goal. And when we slide, we're losing ground. Backsliding. Sliding backward.
Then we need to turn around (repent) and struggle up the upward slope again.
Joshua knew that the people needed strong leadership to keep them faithful to God; And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the Lord which He had done for Israel (24:31). So the account of Joshua ends with the people still faithful to the Lord.
But there was no more need for a strong military leader, and the people quickly fell away from serving the Lord. It seems that we as people are so weak that we do not teach our children and grandchildren sufficiently to convey to them the urgency of loving and serving only our Lord God--they have not experienced for themselves His greatness in deliverance and so are prone to going their own way, apart from God.
O my Father, show me how to convey to my own children and grandchildren their desperate need to take diligent heed to themselves to love You, our Lord and our God! Grant me Your strength, Your compassion toward them, and great pursuasion to impress their minds and hearts with the urgency of turning to You, loving You with their whole heart, and serving only You.
That You would draw them to Yourself with the understanding of how much You love them to send Your only Son to be their Sacrifice for sin, and pull them into Your own family, dear Father. Please shower upon them Your mercies and grace, that they will then worship You, the only One Who deserves our worship.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
In The Shadow Of The Almighty
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in Whom I trust!"
For it is He Who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night.
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand.
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My Name.
"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
"With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation."
Who is it that will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty? The one who moves into the shelter of the Most High God as his home to live there.
Our God is El Elyon, the Most High; El Shaddai, God Almighty; YHWH, the Lord God Who Hates Sin and Provides Salvation; Elohim, God the Originator, Creator of All and Sustainer of All, Over All, In and Through All.
He is everything that ever has and ever will be worshipped (even though those who hate Him ascribe His attributes to demons).
Those who have taken shelter in our Good, Good Father will have His protection, His deliverance, His peace and rest. We can safely trust our all to Him.
O my Father, I seek to dwell in the shelter and shadow of Your wings. I seek Your peace and love to vanquish all fear as I behold with my own eyes a thousand falling at my side, ten thousand at my right hand; to see with my own eyes the recompense of the wicked, knowing it will not touch me. I trust You that no evil will befall me, no plague come near my tent; and I will behold Your salvation!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in Whom I trust!"
For it is He Who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night.
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand.
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My Name.
"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
"With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation."
Who is it that will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty? The one who moves into the shelter of the Most High God as his home to live there.
Our God is El Elyon, the Most High; El Shaddai, God Almighty; YHWH, the Lord God Who Hates Sin and Provides Salvation; Elohim, God the Originator, Creator of All and Sustainer of All, Over All, In and Through All.
He is everything that ever has and ever will be worshipped (even though those who hate Him ascribe His attributes to demons).
Those who have taken shelter in our Good, Good Father will have His protection, His deliverance, His peace and rest. We can safely trust our all to Him.
O my Father, I seek to dwell in the shelter and shadow of Your wings. I seek Your peace and love to vanquish all fear as I behold with my own eyes a thousand falling at my side, ten thousand at my right hand; to see with my own eyes the recompense of the wicked, knowing it will not touch me. I trust You that no evil will befall me, no plague come near my tent; and I will behold Your salvation!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, September 10, 2018
Number Our Days
Psalm 90: 12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.
O my Father, teach me to number my days. Teach me to understand that even though You have given me excellent physical health and my days are being directed by You as I submit my hours to Your leading; that though I have already lived an abundance of years to have attained a high number, I will not live forever in this body on this Earth.
I must get and maintain all my affairs in order in the view of leaving them behind for others, as I do not know how many more days and years You have alotted me; whether several more decades or just hours.
My husband was in most excellent health and the prognosis for his life was that he had many more years, decades to live and serve You. But You took him home to Glory very suddenly and unexpectedly from our earthly standpoint.
So I do not know Your plans for me; only that I trust You to have so much better planned for me than I could be able to plan for myself.
So please grant me a heart of Your wisdom to prepare for my end, whether it come sooner or later. And let me serve You with the love of all my heart and soul and strength all the days of my life.
Let the thoughts of my mind and the attitudes of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You, my Lord God. Continue to mold me and shape me into the very image of the character of Your dear Son, my Lord Jesus, so that You may thrill my heart with Your smile.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.
O my Father, teach me to number my days. Teach me to understand that even though You have given me excellent physical health and my days are being directed by You as I submit my hours to Your leading; that though I have already lived an abundance of years to have attained a high number, I will not live forever in this body on this Earth.
I must get and maintain all my affairs in order in the view of leaving them behind for others, as I do not know how many more days and years You have alotted me; whether several more decades or just hours.
My husband was in most excellent health and the prognosis for his life was that he had many more years, decades to live and serve You. But You took him home to Glory very suddenly and unexpectedly from our earthly standpoint.
So I do not know Your plans for me; only that I trust You to have so much better planned for me than I could be able to plan for myself.
So please grant me a heart of Your wisdom to prepare for my end, whether it come sooner or later. And let me serve You with the love of all my heart and soul and strength all the days of my life.
Let the thoughts of my mind and the attitudes of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You, my Lord God. Continue to mold me and shape me into the very image of the character of Your dear Son, my Lord Jesus, so that You may thrill my heart with Your smile.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Sovereign Over Kings
Ezra Chapter 3
It is remarkable that the people who returned gathered on the first day of the seventh month and built the altar for burnt sacrifices, even before the foundation of the Temple was laid. This is the time of the last 3 Feasts: Tumpets (on the first day), then the Atonement (on the 10th), and the Booths or Tabernacles (on the 15th of the seventh month).
So they could immediately begin to offer all the burnt offerings that the Law proscribed for every day, as well as, I assume, these Feasts.
Then when the foundation was laid, there was a concert.
Chapter 4
Here comes the opposition to the Jews' building. The residents of the area (the Samaritans) wanted to help with the building of the Temple, but the leadership recognized the danger of allowing their help, as their religion wasn't pure, but a mixture with Paganism. So they incited Artaxerxes (Xerxes) to stop the work.
It was stopped for 15 years.
Chapter 5
This chapter introduces Haggai and Zechariah, God's prophets, who encouraged the people to resume building God's Temple. This prompts the local big-wigs to question them, and complain to King Darius.
Chapter 6
So Darius makes a search and finds Cyrus' decree, and he tells these big-wigs to lay off and leave them alone. And to even help them! All the costs of this building, along with the sacrifices to be done there, were to be paid by them, out of their taxes due to the Crown.
So God had the enemies to "bow down" financially to the Lord God, as ordered by King Darius, a ruler who didn't even know the Lord, but is being used by Him to further His Plan of the Ages among the Nations.
Our God is still sovereign over all the governments of this World.
So I know that I can trust Him to have us all in His hand. He is still sovereign, His Plan has never changed, and all the heads of the Nations will not be able to deter Him from His purposes for us.
He instead uses all their decisions that they "freely" make to carry us all forward in His Plan toward that final culmination when Christ returns.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
It is remarkable that the people who returned gathered on the first day of the seventh month and built the altar for burnt sacrifices, even before the foundation of the Temple was laid. This is the time of the last 3 Feasts: Tumpets (on the first day), then the Atonement (on the 10th), and the Booths or Tabernacles (on the 15th of the seventh month).
So they could immediately begin to offer all the burnt offerings that the Law proscribed for every day, as well as, I assume, these Feasts.
Then when the foundation was laid, there was a concert.
Chapter 4
Here comes the opposition to the Jews' building. The residents of the area (the Samaritans) wanted to help with the building of the Temple, but the leadership recognized the danger of allowing their help, as their religion wasn't pure, but a mixture with Paganism. So they incited Artaxerxes (Xerxes) to stop the work.
It was stopped for 15 years.
Chapter 5
This chapter introduces Haggai and Zechariah, God's prophets, who encouraged the people to resume building God's Temple. This prompts the local big-wigs to question them, and complain to King Darius.
Chapter 6
So Darius makes a search and finds Cyrus' decree, and he tells these big-wigs to lay off and leave them alone. And to even help them! All the costs of this building, along with the sacrifices to be done there, were to be paid by them, out of their taxes due to the Crown.
So God had the enemies to "bow down" financially to the Lord God, as ordered by King Darius, a ruler who didn't even know the Lord, but is being used by Him to further His Plan of the Ages among the Nations.
Our God is still sovereign over all the governments of this World.
So I know that I can trust Him to have us all in His hand. He is still sovereign, His Plan has never changed, and all the heads of the Nations will not be able to deter Him from His purposes for us.
He instead uses all their decisions that they "freely" make to carry us all forward in His Plan toward that final culmination when Christ returns.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 8, 2018
God's Program For Israel
Ezekiel 36: 21-23
God is concerned for His holy Name being profaned by Israel, so He will vindicate the holiness of My great Name ... when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
36: 24-38
Now He tells them how he will regather them from all the Nations into which they had been scattered, into their own land. Then (at some later time?) He will regenerate them, cleansing them, giving them a new heart, and His own Spirit; then they will obey Him and God will again bless them and multiply their numbers. And everyone will know that He is Lord (Boss).
Chapter 37
The "Valley of the Dry Bones;" the reuniting of the two kingdoms, northern Israel and southern Judah, under one King, David('s successor--Jesus).
God shared with Ezekiel His plan for His people Israel, all 12 Tribes, not just the two or the ten. He had this prophet write down for us to read today, what He will do with this People that He chose so long ago.
When God gets tired of His great Name being profaned because of the state of His "chosen people," He says that He will vindicate His reputation as God by bringing all of Israel from all the Nations where they have been scattered back to their own Land.
We see this today, that Hebrew people from all over the World are coming back to that tiny piece of real estate they originally had, and they are even recognized by the other Nations as Israel.
So the first part of this prophesy has been fulfilled in our day. Now we look for God to draw these Israelis to Himself for Salvation in their promised Messiah, and for this Messiah to return to this Earth to reign over them as their King.
Jesus was born of Mary, who traced her lineage back to King David through his son Nathan; and His legal father, Joseph, the husband of Mary, traced his lineage back to King David through the regal line of kings. Impressive.
Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. when all the genealogical records were burned, only God knows the identities of the members of the 12 Tribes of Israel today.
I am constantly amazed by the accuracy of God's Word when speaking of events and happenings that would not take place until hundreds of years later, down to tiniest details! God really is God, knowing all things because He is the One doing them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
God is concerned for His holy Name being profaned by Israel, so He will vindicate the holiness of My great Name ... when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
36: 24-38
Now He tells them how he will regather them from all the Nations into which they had been scattered, into their own land. Then (at some later time?) He will regenerate them, cleansing them, giving them a new heart, and His own Spirit; then they will obey Him and God will again bless them and multiply their numbers. And everyone will know that He is Lord (Boss).
Chapter 37
The "Valley of the Dry Bones;" the reuniting of the two kingdoms, northern Israel and southern Judah, under one King, David('s successor--Jesus).
God shared with Ezekiel His plan for His people Israel, all 12 Tribes, not just the two or the ten. He had this prophet write down for us to read today, what He will do with this People that He chose so long ago.
When God gets tired of His great Name being profaned because of the state of His "chosen people," He says that He will vindicate His reputation as God by bringing all of Israel from all the Nations where they have been scattered back to their own Land.
We see this today, that Hebrew people from all over the World are coming back to that tiny piece of real estate they originally had, and they are even recognized by the other Nations as Israel.
So the first part of this prophesy has been fulfilled in our day. Now we look for God to draw these Israelis to Himself for Salvation in their promised Messiah, and for this Messiah to return to this Earth to reign over them as their King.
Jesus was born of Mary, who traced her lineage back to King David through his son Nathan; and His legal father, Joseph, the husband of Mary, traced his lineage back to King David through the regal line of kings. Impressive.
Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. when all the genealogical records were burned, only God knows the identities of the members of the 12 Tribes of Israel today.
I am constantly amazed by the accuracy of God's Word when speaking of events and happenings that would not take place until hundreds of years later, down to tiniest details! God really is God, knowing all things because He is the One doing them.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 7, 2018
Do I Ponder Or Pour Out?
Proverbs 15: 28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
I can't count how many times I have let my mouth run off without thinking! If only I can learn to stop, pause to think, then reply in a more appropriate way.
O my Father, please teach me Your wisdom, that I may ponder how to answer, and not just open my mouth to pour out what will not be helpful.
Put Your guard on my mouth and my tongue, that I may pause to consider my words, my answer, before I speak it.
Grant me Your discretion in my thoughts, the ideas and concepts I share and how to present them with words that are acceptable to the hearers and encouraging to their hearts.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
I can't count how many times I have let my mouth run off without thinking! If only I can learn to stop, pause to think, then reply in a more appropriate way.
O my Father, please teach me Your wisdom, that I may ponder how to answer, and not just open my mouth to pour out what will not be helpful.
Put Your guard on my mouth and my tongue, that I may pause to consider my words, my answer, before I speak it.
Grant me Your discretion in my thoughts, the ideas and concepts I share and how to present them with words that are acceptable to the hearers and encouraging to their hearts.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Is Achan's Sin Ours?
Joshua 6: 27 - 7: 1
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan ...
We of mankind are so weak and foolish! God has showed us over and over again how weak and rebellious we are!
God has just done magnificent miracles--drying up the Jordan River while it was in the flood stage, and causing the walls of Jericho to just fall down flat! And still there has to be somebody who doesn't take God seriously!
Achan didn't think that what he did in secret would count. He didn't understand Who God is. And today there are so many who don't know God and consider wrong only when they get caught. Like Achan.
God took very drastic and decisive action then, with Achan and his household who were complicit with him, and the whole Nation feared His Name to purify their own lives; and the other Nations feared them.
O my Father, Your patience will last until all of Your sheep have been found and every creature has heard of Your Love to understand what You have accomplished on their behalf, and refused You.
I don't understand how anyone can refuse to believe the Truth that is right in front of them. How they can think You are less than You are? You are God! We are not, but we still think that we know better.
Father, Your goodness is drawing Your lost sheep into the fold, but the time is coming (and may be here) when Your wrath will be unleashed and poured out on the sons and daughters of Men who have refused to consider Who You are!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan ...
We of mankind are so weak and foolish! God has showed us over and over again how weak and rebellious we are!
God has just done magnificent miracles--drying up the Jordan River while it was in the flood stage, and causing the walls of Jericho to just fall down flat! And still there has to be somebody who doesn't take God seriously!
Achan didn't think that what he did in secret would count. He didn't understand Who God is. And today there are so many who don't know God and consider wrong only when they get caught. Like Achan.
God took very drastic and decisive action then, with Achan and his household who were complicit with him, and the whole Nation feared His Name to purify their own lives; and the other Nations feared them.
O my Father, Your patience will last until all of Your sheep have been found and every creature has heard of Your Love to understand what You have accomplished on their behalf, and refused You.
I don't understand how anyone can refuse to believe the Truth that is right in front of them. How they can think You are less than You are? You are God! We are not, but we still think that we know better.
Father, Your goodness is drawing Your lost sheep into the fold, but the time is coming (and may be here) when Your wrath will be unleashed and poured out on the sons and daughters of Men who have refused to consider Who You are!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Reaching Forward
Philippians 3: 13-14
I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote that he didn't think he'd "arrived" yet, but was still struggling to follow the road laid out before him. By not letting anything in the past deter him, he was totally focused on serving the Lord today to the best of his ability, stretching himself to strive to reach as far as he could to succeed in bringing as many souls to salvation as he possibly could.
And when he knew he was coming to the end of that road, he said to Timothy that he was, Ready to be offered [as a drink offering], the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
He didn't mean that he was perfect, but that, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. And not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8.)
Paul knew that he wasn't unique in his service rewards, but that he would receive the same "crown" as everyone else who also longed and looked for Christ's Glorious Appearing. He remained humble to the end.
I'm sure he also will receive many accolaides and rewards for his exceptional service, sufferings, persecutions, and generosity he gave to all he ministered to. And he is still ministering to us even today, through his writings.
O my Father, I thank You so much for Who You are and what You have done! Thank You for sending Your own Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, to be my Savior, my Redeemer. Thank You for saving Saul of Tarsis, changing him into Paul the Evangelist, and giving him to all of Your church, Father, from the beginning all the way down to even today, and all the rest until we are called out.
Thank You for Your great Love wherewith You have loved us, that is far beyond my comprehension. Even when we are still rebelling against You as Your enemies, You still sent Your Son to take our sins upon Himself on that Cross, paying my debt in full; now You place His righteousness to my account, balancing Your books.
I need Your strength, Father, to work out this Redemption in my life; teach me to forget what lies behind and reach forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me to stretch and reach forward; onward and upward; ever closer to You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I do not regard myself as having laid hold yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote that he didn't think he'd "arrived" yet, but was still struggling to follow the road laid out before him. By not letting anything in the past deter him, he was totally focused on serving the Lord today to the best of his ability, stretching himself to strive to reach as far as he could to succeed in bringing as many souls to salvation as he possibly could.
And when he knew he was coming to the end of that road, he said to Timothy that he was, Ready to be offered [as a drink offering], the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
He didn't mean that he was perfect, but that, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day. And not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8.)
Paul knew that he wasn't unique in his service rewards, but that he would receive the same "crown" as everyone else who also longed and looked for Christ's Glorious Appearing. He remained humble to the end.
I'm sure he also will receive many accolaides and rewards for his exceptional service, sufferings, persecutions, and generosity he gave to all he ministered to. And he is still ministering to us even today, through his writings.
O my Father, I thank You so much for Who You are and what You have done! Thank You for sending Your own Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, to be my Savior, my Redeemer. Thank You for saving Saul of Tarsis, changing him into Paul the Evangelist, and giving him to all of Your church, Father, from the beginning all the way down to even today, and all the rest until we are called out.
Thank You for Your great Love wherewith You have loved us, that is far beyond my comprehension. Even when we are still rebelling against You as Your enemies, You still sent Your Son to take our sins upon Himself on that Cross, paying my debt in full; now You place His righteousness to my account, balancing Your books.
I need Your strength, Father, to work out this Redemption in my life; teach me to forget what lies behind and reach forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me to stretch and reach forward; onward and upward; ever closer to You!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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