II Chronicles 7: 14-15
If My people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
O my dear Father in Heaven, please have those of Your own to humble ourselves before You, examine our own hearts, and work on that one besetting sin that is the part of our character we know is not of You. Let us pray, asking You for Your strength and power to have victory over that character defect, to let You mold us further into the very image of Your Son. Let us turn from any way in our thinking, our attitudes or our habits that draw us away from You.
And please let our new President be Your Asa to tear down all the altars to the heathen gods and bring Your righteousness back to this great Land that was founded upon Your good principles. Protect him, teach him Your ways, and let him bring us back to our inspired Constitution. May we all bring Your righteousness back from the grassroots up and from the top down, confessing our wrongs. And forgive us, Lord, in Your mercies that are new every morning, and heal this Land, to again be that City on a Hill.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Another Opportunity
James 4:7
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Just as the string holds the kite up on the wind, so our constraints in our troubles and sorrows keep us aloft and hold us up. Our winds of adversity are given to us to draw us nearer to God. So I need to change my views of the troubles and aggravations and interruptions of life, resist the Devil and my own flesh, and thank God for another opportunity to depend on Him.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Just as the string holds the kite up on the wind, so our constraints in our troubles and sorrows keep us aloft and hold us up. Our winds of adversity are given to us to draw us nearer to God. So I need to change my views of the troubles and aggravations and interruptions of life, resist the Devil and my own flesh, and thank God for another opportunity to depend on Him.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, January 2, 2017
No Drifting
Psalm 141: 3-4
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.
O my Father, I pray that as I take Your hand, You will not let go! Lead me in the path You have set before me, straight and true, not turning to the right-hand nor to the left, not pulling away in rebellion, or wandering off the path in my inattention and isolation.
Hide me in the cleft of the Rock, which is Christ, and cover me with Your hand, that others seeing me would not see my flesh or hear my words, which push them away, but that they would see only You, hear Your words of kindness and compassion, and be drawn to You.
Let this new year bring me around the corner that I cannot see from here, into the next stage of my journey in this world. Hedge me in, Father, on that Narrow Path in which You have set my feet, that wanders throughout the Earth, to the people who are in need of Your message. May Your protection be above, below, behind, before, to my left, to my right, and all around me, every moment of every day, as I seek to serve You by meeting the needs of Your least in the Kingdom as I walk these lands; until I meet my Lord, my Husband, my King, in the clouds of His coming.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.
O my Father, I pray that as I take Your hand, You will not let go! Lead me in the path You have set before me, straight and true, not turning to the right-hand nor to the left, not pulling away in rebellion, or wandering off the path in my inattention and isolation.
Hide me in the cleft of the Rock, which is Christ, and cover me with Your hand, that others seeing me would not see my flesh or hear my words, which push them away, but that they would see only You, hear Your words of kindness and compassion, and be drawn to You.
Let this new year bring me around the corner that I cannot see from here, into the next stage of my journey in this world. Hedge me in, Father, on that Narrow Path in which You have set my feet, that wanders throughout the Earth, to the people who are in need of Your message. May Your protection be above, below, behind, before, to my left, to my right, and all around me, every moment of every day, as I seek to serve You by meeting the needs of Your least in the Kingdom as I walk these lands; until I meet my Lord, my Husband, my King, in the clouds of His coming.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Happy New Year!
II Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
Personal representatives of Christ Jesus in an official capacity.
as though God were entreating through us;
Just like God is the One pleading with you.
we beg you on behalf of Christ,
We are begging you, imploring you, please, as though Christ Jesus is asking you.
be reconciled to God.
Change yourself, your attitudes, your beliefs, to agree with God's character and God's Truth. When I reconcile my checkbook to my bank statement, I don't ask the bank to change, I change my checkbook to agree with the Bank.
He made Him, Who knew no sin, to be sin
God the Father caused God the Son to actually bear our sin-nature that three hours on the Cross that the sun did not shine. Jesus was born as a human in order to be able to die our human death. He did not die for certain sins, but He carried the whole basket, and everything in it. His Blood had enough value to purchase all of Creation, which makes Him the rightful judge of us all.
on our behalf
For us, in our place, as the penitent would bring the animal to the priest, laying his hands on the head of the beast conferring his sin onto the animal, which then died in his place in sacrifice. Jesus is our Sacrifice, not just covering, but actually taking away our sins forever, for each one of us. The wages of sin is death, and He took that death for each one of us. That's how much He loves me and you.
That we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Just as Jesus became sin, not just some, but the very root and fountainhead of all our sins, small and great; so we might become, not definitely will, but might if we recognize that, as having sinned, we deserve the death we've earned, and let Jesus die in our place; then we can actually be, not just have, God's very righteousness. This is amazing to me, it boggles my mind.
And working together with Him,
Again, cooperating with God in His plans and His ways.
we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain--
God really doesn't want you to take His grace for granted.
For He says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the Day of Salvation I helped you" (Isaiah 49:8 Septuagint);
God says that He would listen to our requests and would help us at a time He will accept, and a Day that He would provide Salvation.
behold, now is the "acceptable time," behold, now is the "Day of Salvation."
"Look, right now is the right time, see, today is when you can be saved!"
Today is a new beginning, the first day of this New Year of 2017. My prayer is that we all can begin this new year with new life, God's life living inside our own bodies, His Holy Spirit making our own dead spirit alive.
Then it will really be a New Year! A fresh start, not held back by any of the things that have ever held us back before. With a new, unshakable faith, a trust that is invincible in our Lord God, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven.
Happy New Year!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
Personal representatives of Christ Jesus in an official capacity.
as though God were entreating through us;
Just like God is the One pleading with you.
we beg you on behalf of Christ,
We are begging you, imploring you, please, as though Christ Jesus is asking you.
be reconciled to God.
Change yourself, your attitudes, your beliefs, to agree with God's character and God's Truth. When I reconcile my checkbook to my bank statement, I don't ask the bank to change, I change my checkbook to agree with the Bank.
He made Him, Who knew no sin, to be sin
God the Father caused God the Son to actually bear our sin-nature that three hours on the Cross that the sun did not shine. Jesus was born as a human in order to be able to die our human death. He did not die for certain sins, but He carried the whole basket, and everything in it. His Blood had enough value to purchase all of Creation, which makes Him the rightful judge of us all.
on our behalf
For us, in our place, as the penitent would bring the animal to the priest, laying his hands on the head of the beast conferring his sin onto the animal, which then died in his place in sacrifice. Jesus is our Sacrifice, not just covering, but actually taking away our sins forever, for each one of us. The wages of sin is death, and He took that death for each one of us. That's how much He loves me and you.
That we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Just as Jesus became sin, not just some, but the very root and fountainhead of all our sins, small and great; so we might become, not definitely will, but might if we recognize that, as having sinned, we deserve the death we've earned, and let Jesus die in our place; then we can actually be, not just have, God's very righteousness. This is amazing to me, it boggles my mind.
And working together with Him,
Again, cooperating with God in His plans and His ways.
we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain--
God really doesn't want you to take His grace for granted.
For He says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the Day of Salvation I helped you" (Isaiah 49:8 Septuagint);
God says that He would listen to our requests and would help us at a time He will accept, and a Day that He would provide Salvation.
behold, now is the "acceptable time," behold, now is the "Day of Salvation."
"Look, right now is the right time, see, today is when you can be saved!"
Today is a new beginning, the first day of this New Year of 2017. My prayer is that we all can begin this new year with new life, God's life living inside our own bodies, His Holy Spirit making our own dead spirit alive.
Then it will really be a New Year! A fresh start, not held back by any of the things that have ever held us back before. With a new, unshakable faith, a trust that is invincible in our Lord God, Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven.
Happy New Year!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, December 31, 2016
New Year's Eve Thoughts
Psalm 144: 3-4
O Lord, who are we that You should notice us? Mere mortals that You should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.
This year has gone by like a breath taken, in and out; or a shadow passing by. This is the finale of 365 days; what have I done with them? What differences have I made in this world or another's life? Or my own life? Have I brought light where there was darkness? Have I brought life where there was deadness? Have I brought any joy where there was sadness or grief?
Or have I pushed people away from the light; from life; from joy? Have I blundered forth in the weakness of my own flesh, instead of resting in the strength and power of my Lord and His Spirit that lives inside me?
O my Father in Heaven, please forgive me and cleanse me of all the foolish and selfish choices I have made this year. Strengthen me to start this new year tomorrow fresh, with a new dependence on You, disregarding my own understanding for Your wisdom, my own comfort for Your training in righteousness, my own will for Your plans for me.
For I know that only You are righteous, only You are wise, only in You is there life. Without You there is only darkness, despair, loneliness. Show me Your ways, Your path for my feet, Your frame of mind in all the situations I find myself in. Teach me to hear Your voice in my quietness, and to follow Your ways all the days of this new year. Bless this year to draw Your own ever closer to Yourself, protect us and bring all the honor and glory to Your Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
O Lord, who are we that You should notice us? Mere mortals that You should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.
This year has gone by like a breath taken, in and out; or a shadow passing by. This is the finale of 365 days; what have I done with them? What differences have I made in this world or another's life? Or my own life? Have I brought light where there was darkness? Have I brought life where there was deadness? Have I brought any joy where there was sadness or grief?
Or have I pushed people away from the light; from life; from joy? Have I blundered forth in the weakness of my own flesh, instead of resting in the strength and power of my Lord and His Spirit that lives inside me?
O my Father in Heaven, please forgive me and cleanse me of all the foolish and selfish choices I have made this year. Strengthen me to start this new year tomorrow fresh, with a new dependence on You, disregarding my own understanding for Your wisdom, my own comfort for Your training in righteousness, my own will for Your plans for me.
For I know that only You are righteous, only You are wise, only in You is there life. Without You there is only darkness, despair, loneliness. Show me Your ways, Your path for my feet, Your frame of mind in all the situations I find myself in. Teach me to hear Your voice in my quietness, and to follow Your ways all the days of this new year. Bless this year to draw Your own ever closer to Yourself, protect us and bring all the honor and glory to Your Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, December 30, 2016
Misunderstanding God
I Kings 13:16-17
"No, I cannot," he replied. "I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place. For the Lord gave me this command."
The name of this man of God is not given. Even though he's given God's messages to proclaim, and is obedient and bold to proclaim them, he still doubted his own "sure word" from God for his own conduct when this old prophet (who also is not named) lies to him to convince him to return for a meal. He did not have a clear understanding of God's character, that He would never contradict Himself ("I am not a man, I would never change My mind," see I Samuel 15:29, Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6 and also James 1:17). He cast doubt on his own word from the Lord in deference to this other man, and ended up disobeying the clear command of God to him. You may read this whole chapter to understand the whole story.
May we remember this unnamed prophet when we are offered a different word than we have already clearly received from God, no matter who it is that gives it. We know that even Your people can be weak in Your Word, Lord, and even mistaken in their understanding of Who You are. May we never esteem another human being over our respect and obedience to God and His Word.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"No, I cannot," he replied. "I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place. For the Lord gave me this command."
The name of this man of God is not given. Even though he's given God's messages to proclaim, and is obedient and bold to proclaim them, he still doubted his own "sure word" from God for his own conduct when this old prophet (who also is not named) lies to him to convince him to return for a meal. He did not have a clear understanding of God's character, that He would never contradict Himself ("I am not a man, I would never change My mind," see I Samuel 15:29, Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6 and also James 1:17). He cast doubt on his own word from the Lord in deference to this other man, and ended up disobeying the clear command of God to him. You may read this whole chapter to understand the whole story.
May we remember this unnamed prophet when we are offered a different word than we have already clearly received from God, no matter who it is that gives it. We know that even Your people can be weak in Your Word, Lord, and even mistaken in their understanding of Who You are. May we never esteem another human being over our respect and obedience to God and His Word.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
What We Can't Do, God Does
Psalm 130: 1-4
From the depths of despair, O Lord, I cry for Your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if You kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But You offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear You.
As we examine our lives and our ways in the light of God's ways, we find that in many ways we come up short of what God wants for us, and even of what we want to be, ourselves. There is no way that we can always be and do and treat others perfectly; we will find ourselves resorting to our flesh and reacting with sarcasm or hurtful comments; or we think that no one's watching, or we excuse our behavior by blaming someone else. Or any of a great number of ways we fail to show Love to ourselves, to God and to others.
God knows this. That's why He gave us The Law, so we would know how far we fall short. Then He gave us the Perfect Sacrifice, to not only cover over, but to actually take away our sins. We are all born "by nature, vessels of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). But God has provided a "new birth" for us, in placing His Holy Spirit into our dead human spirit, making us alive spiritually. He does this when we recognize that Jesus is our Christ, Who took our death on the Cross for us. Each of us deserves death ("the wages of sin is death," Romans 6:23), and Jesus was born as a human to die our human death in our place: "God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us," (II Corinthians 5:21): "to be sin," take our sin-nature on Himself; "for us," in our place, each one of us.
If you have never admitted to God that Jesus took your place on the Cross, then ask Him to grant you the gift of faith to believe. "For we are saved by grace," God's undeserved blessings, "through faith," believing, trusting God implicitly, "which is not of yourselves," we cannot do this in our own selves, "it is the gift of God, not of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). God draws us and gives us the faith to believe His Truth; anything we do ("works") is polluted by our sin-nature, and is not acceptable to God. That's why Jesus said that "no one can come to Me except that God draws him." But God also said that, "If you seek Me, you will find Me, if you seek Me with your whole heart."
So I pray for all of you who have yet to be born into God's family, that He would draw you by giving you the desire to know His Truth, and to grant you that faith to believe. Then you will have God's power to help you do the right thing, every time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
From the depths of despair, O Lord, I cry for Your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if You kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But You offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear You.
As we examine our lives and our ways in the light of God's ways, we find that in many ways we come up short of what God wants for us, and even of what we want to be, ourselves. There is no way that we can always be and do and treat others perfectly; we will find ourselves resorting to our flesh and reacting with sarcasm or hurtful comments; or we think that no one's watching, or we excuse our behavior by blaming someone else. Or any of a great number of ways we fail to show Love to ourselves, to God and to others.
God knows this. That's why He gave us The Law, so we would know how far we fall short. Then He gave us the Perfect Sacrifice, to not only cover over, but to actually take away our sins. We are all born "by nature, vessels of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). But God has provided a "new birth" for us, in placing His Holy Spirit into our dead human spirit, making us alive spiritually. He does this when we recognize that Jesus is our Christ, Who took our death on the Cross for us. Each of us deserves death ("the wages of sin is death," Romans 6:23), and Jesus was born as a human to die our human death in our place: "God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us," (II Corinthians 5:21): "to be sin," take our sin-nature on Himself; "for us," in our place, each one of us.
If you have never admitted to God that Jesus took your place on the Cross, then ask Him to grant you the gift of faith to believe. "For we are saved by grace," God's undeserved blessings, "through faith," believing, trusting God implicitly, "which is not of yourselves," we cannot do this in our own selves, "it is the gift of God, not of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). God draws us and gives us the faith to believe His Truth; anything we do ("works") is polluted by our sin-nature, and is not acceptable to God. That's why Jesus said that "no one can come to Me except that God draws him." But God also said that, "If you seek Me, you will find Me, if you seek Me with your whole heart."
So I pray for all of you who have yet to be born into God's family, that He would draw you by giving you the desire to know His Truth, and to grant you that faith to believe. Then you will have God's power to help you do the right thing, every time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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