Psalm 27: 4
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His Temple.
As God's children we will spend eternity in His House, that we term Heaven. This Psalm is requesting to spend this Earthly life in His House, His Temple. How do we do that?
One way is to recognize that my own body that I live in is also inhabited by God's Spirit of Life. He came into my dead human spirit and made it alive when I knew that Jesus took my place in death to pay for my sins, and His Blood splattered on the sides of His Cross washed me white as snow. Now He has made me fit to be where He lives on this Earth in the Person of His Holy Spirit.
Second Corinthians says that, you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them (6:16). So you and I are God's Temple.
So to, dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, is to acknowledge Christ is in me, and invite Him to accompany me wherever I go, realizing that He hears all my words and knows my every thought.
When I keep myself aware of His presence with me, then I am encouraged to do things His way, instead of my way. To pause and think, even in the heat of a passionate exchange: Jesus, what would You have me say?
This is not easy. It takes discipline and patience, which I historically have been short on. But God is still working on me, as well as in me, and I am painstakingly slowly learning. So I hope He is also working through me to help you also to live your life closer to our Father, Who loves us more than we can imagine.
O my Father, I know that You are God! There is no other like You! You made all things, so every other god who has ever been worshiped is merely a creation from Your hand!
You are the only God Who has total control of all things, because You made them all for Your pleasure. And You are working out Your plans, the great Plan of the Ages, through the lives of Your chosen ones, as well as every other one You have made.
You used Pharaoh to demonstrate Your power among the Egyptians, and You used Moses to lead Your people back to their Land.
Now You are preparing the Nations of the World to receive their sovereign King!
O my Father, continue to work in me and on me and through me, as all the little things become the big things of history, and fulfill Your purposes.
Therefore, You will receive all the honor and glory forever! And I will gaze upon Your beauty forever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, January 7, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Plans And Steps
Proverbs 16: 1, 9
To Man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
John 13: 38
Then Jesus answered, Will you really lay down your life for me? ...
Peter was very sure of his loyalty to Jesus; he had planned his way. But Jesus knew that he would deny Him three times that very night.
Only when Jesus reinstated Peter's love for Him after His Resurrection (John 21:15-19), and Peter received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, then Peter's sermon, vs. 14-36), was he able to follow through on the plans he had made that earlier night.
When he failed so miserably after all his grandiose words, Peter was ready to just give up and go back to his previous profession he had before Jesus called him to be His disciple. Jesus was gone, so he might as well go back to the old status quo: I go a-fishing (see John 21:2-3).
But the Lord Jesus knew His plans for Peter. Jesus reinstated him to encourage him to wait for the Spirit. And we know the rest of that story.
I know that I have made many plans that went astray, because I made them in my own strength and understanding. But I give all my plans into His hand, and search His Word for His righteous principles of how to interact with the World we have built on the Earth He designed for us, and I have seen a glimpse of the Plan He made for me.
As I follow in His footsteps, may my one thread of His great Tapestry of Time shine golden or silvery or irridescent against the black velvet of the growing evil that surrounds us more and more.
O my Father, please help me to plan my words and my steps, teach me not to rely on my own flesh; teach me to lean only on You and to rely on You to give me Your words and direct my feet into Your footsteps.
Keep me from the pride of thinking, "I got this!" when I know only Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your character, and Your actions and words--only--are appropriate.
Grant me Your strength to trust You enough to let You work in and on and through me.
And You will receive all the credit, Lord; all the glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving, for it is You Who has done it all. You conceived the idea, designed all the parts, and made it all fit together to work for our benefit.
So all that is belongs to You, to do with as You will.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
To Man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
John 13: 38
Then Jesus answered, Will you really lay down your life for me? ...
Peter was very sure of his loyalty to Jesus; he had planned his way. But Jesus knew that he would deny Him three times that very night.
Only when Jesus reinstated Peter's love for Him after His Resurrection (John 21:15-19), and Peter received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, then Peter's sermon, vs. 14-36), was he able to follow through on the plans he had made that earlier night.
When he failed so miserably after all his grandiose words, Peter was ready to just give up and go back to his previous profession he had before Jesus called him to be His disciple. Jesus was gone, so he might as well go back to the old status quo: I go a-fishing (see John 21:2-3).
But the Lord Jesus knew His plans for Peter. Jesus reinstated him to encourage him to wait for the Spirit. And we know the rest of that story.
I know that I have made many plans that went astray, because I made them in my own strength and understanding. But I give all my plans into His hand, and search His Word for His righteous principles of how to interact with the World we have built on the Earth He designed for us, and I have seen a glimpse of the Plan He made for me.
As I follow in His footsteps, may my one thread of His great Tapestry of Time shine golden or silvery or irridescent against the black velvet of the growing evil that surrounds us more and more.
O my Father, please help me to plan my words and my steps, teach me not to rely on my own flesh; teach me to lean only on You and to rely on You to give me Your words and direct my feet into Your footsteps.
Keep me from the pride of thinking, "I got this!" when I know only Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your character, and Your actions and words--only--are appropriate.
Grant me Your strength to trust You enough to let You work in and on and through me.
And You will receive all the credit, Lord; all the glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving, for it is You Who has done it all. You conceived the idea, designed all the parts, and made it all fit together to work for our benefit.
So all that is belongs to You, to do with as You will.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, January 5, 2019
A Secure Fortress, A Refuge
Proverbs 14: 26
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
This looks like a promise that a godly man's children will also be saved.
But I see some of God's men, like King David and some of the other kings in Judah, who were not consistently good fathers, and not all of their children followed in their faith.
So I see this "refuge" as a choice each child must decide to avail him/herself of. It is there, close and prepared to protect, but if the individual chooses to run from it, there is no forcing them into it.
O my Father, Abba, Daddy, I pray that the secure fortress of my late husband's awe and fear of the Lord, be a refuge for all of his children.
I praise You, You are God, the Lord God Almighty, Maker and Sustainer of everything that is. Your Word is steadfast and secure, and not one jod or tittle will fall or fail until all is fulfilled. And Your purposes for everything You made will be accomplished in Your time, according to Your Plan.
Father, please keep me out of Your way as You work in my children's lives and hearts, drawing them to Yourself.
Cover this new year with Your hand of protection and peace, a shield against the enemy and his machinations.
Father, mend the relationships that divide this family, and unite us in Your compassion and forgiveness and mercies.
Glorify Yourself in this whole family and household.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
This looks like a promise that a godly man's children will also be saved.
But I see some of God's men, like King David and some of the other kings in Judah, who were not consistently good fathers, and not all of their children followed in their faith.
So I see this "refuge" as a choice each child must decide to avail him/herself of. It is there, close and prepared to protect, but if the individual chooses to run from it, there is no forcing them into it.
O my Father, Abba, Daddy, I pray that the secure fortress of my late husband's awe and fear of the Lord, be a refuge for all of his children.
I praise You, You are God, the Lord God Almighty, Maker and Sustainer of everything that is. Your Word is steadfast and secure, and not one jod or tittle will fall or fail until all is fulfilled. And Your purposes for everything You made will be accomplished in Your time, according to Your Plan.
Father, please keep me out of Your way as You work in my children's lives and hearts, drawing them to Yourself.
Cover this new year with Your hand of protection and peace, a shield against the enemy and his machinations.
Father, mend the relationships that divide this family, and unite us in Your compassion and forgiveness and mercies.
Glorify Yourself in this whole family and household.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, January 4, 2019
A Guard On Your Heart
Proverbs 4: 23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
O my Father, it is You Who has given me life. You gave me physical life; then You gave me spiritual life, which is real Life, eternal Life.
Father, I have put a guard on my heart to not give it away to anyone who would not be Your choice for me.
The guard I put on my heart is to not let anything impure or unworthy to defile me; to filter out all that would hinder or damage, and let in all that would promote Life and health and honor.
Teach me to revere what You revere, to fill my heart with Your pure Love and understanding to discern all that is righteous from everything that is tainted in this World.
Father, fill my heart to overflow with Your Love and joy and compassion and gentleness.
And You will receive all the glory, all the credit for all You have done; and all the honor and praise for Your kindness and compassion and justice and mercy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
O my Father, it is You Who has given me life. You gave me physical life; then You gave me spiritual life, which is real Life, eternal Life.
Father, I have put a guard on my heart to not give it away to anyone who would not be Your choice for me.
The guard I put on my heart is to not let anything impure or unworthy to defile me; to filter out all that would hinder or damage, and let in all that would promote Life and health and honor.
Teach me to revere what You revere, to fill my heart with Your pure Love and understanding to discern all that is righteous from everything that is tainted in this World.
Father, fill my heart to overflow with Your Love and joy and compassion and gentleness.
And You will receive all the glory, all the credit for all You have done; and all the honor and praise for Your kindness and compassion and justice and mercy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Reconciliation
Genesis 33: 1, 4
Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men! ...
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw is arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
There was so much "bad blood" between these twin brothers. They had always fought, even in the womb before they were born! (Genesis 25:22.)
And Jacob had taken from Esau both the birthright and the blessing, that was supposed to go to the first-born, which was Esau.
When Jacob left, Esau was wanting to kill him (Genesis 27:41). We're not told anything about what's been going on in Esau's life since he took another wife, from Ishmael's family instead of a Canaanite (Genesis 28:6-9). This shows that he wanted to do right, so this may have been the start of his returning to the Lord.
Now it's 20 years later, and Jacob is very apprehensive, thinking that these 400 men are Esau's army to wipe him out (Genesis 33:1-3). Instead, he's forgiven him and welcomes him back!
This gives me hope, that while my loved ones are away from me, God may also be working in their hearts and lives, too.
O my Father, You are a Wonder! Because You were working in Esau's heart, he was able to forgive his brother, and even welcome him with open arms!
I pray for my loved ones. Please work in their hearts and minds this new year, please draw them to Yourself and show them Your ways. O Father, please work Your miracle of regeneration in each of them, and cause them to give You all the honor and glory and thanksgiving You deserve.
And, Father, if You will, please draw us all together as a family in Love and unity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men! ...
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw is arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
There was so much "bad blood" between these twin brothers. They had always fought, even in the womb before they were born! (Genesis 25:22.)
And Jacob had taken from Esau both the birthright and the blessing, that was supposed to go to the first-born, which was Esau.
When Jacob left, Esau was wanting to kill him (Genesis 27:41). We're not told anything about what's been going on in Esau's life since he took another wife, from Ishmael's family instead of a Canaanite (Genesis 28:6-9). This shows that he wanted to do right, so this may have been the start of his returning to the Lord.
Now it's 20 years later, and Jacob is very apprehensive, thinking that these 400 men are Esau's army to wipe him out (Genesis 33:1-3). Instead, he's forgiven him and welcomes him back!
This gives me hope, that while my loved ones are away from me, God may also be working in their hearts and lives, too.
O my Father, You are a Wonder! Because You were working in Esau's heart, he was able to forgive his brother, and even welcome him with open arms!
I pray for my loved ones. Please work in their hearts and minds this new year, please draw them to Yourself and show them Your ways. O Father, please work Your miracle of regeneration in each of them, and cause them to give You all the honor and glory and thanksgiving You deserve.
And, Father, if You will, please draw us all together as a family in Love and unity.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Our Attitude
Proverbs 15: 15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Here it is, our attitude determines our feelings. Our attitude comes from our thoughts and our thoughts are determined by our beliefs.
So if I believe all the lies that I am weak, incapable, or a victim of my circumstances, then my thoughts will want to blame someone for my situation, and I will feel miserable.
But in the same situation, when I remember that in my weakness God makes me strong, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me, and I am responsible for my own happiness; then I will rejoice in God's provisions and praise His Name for His goodness, and life will be a party!
It's all in the way we look at our lives. We can choose to be miserable or happy.
O my Father, let me continually choose to rejoice in You in every circumstance every day; open my eyes to see Your abundant provision for my every need, and trust You to provide when I don't actually see it yet.
Your joy is my strength, and I can face any and every situation in life knowing that You are with me, filling me with Your strength, wisdom, and understanding.
Then let others see how good You are and bring praise to Your Name throughout all eternity!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Here it is, our attitude determines our feelings. Our attitude comes from our thoughts and our thoughts are determined by our beliefs.
So if I believe all the lies that I am weak, incapable, or a victim of my circumstances, then my thoughts will want to blame someone for my situation, and I will feel miserable.
But in the same situation, when I remember that in my weakness God makes me strong, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me, and I am responsible for my own happiness; then I will rejoice in God's provisions and praise His Name for His goodness, and life will be a party!
It's all in the way we look at our lives. We can choose to be miserable or happy.
O my Father, let me continually choose to rejoice in You in every circumstance every day; open my eyes to see Your abundant provision for my every need, and trust You to provide when I don't actually see it yet.
Your joy is my strength, and I can face any and every situation in life knowing that You are with me, filling me with Your strength, wisdom, and understanding.
Then let others see how good You are and bring praise to Your Name throughout all eternity!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
New Year's Resolution
Colossians 3: 17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Some people like to make "new year's resolutions." On this first day of 2019, let's take this verse to be our resolution. Let it guide us in all we say and do this year.
God made us to worship Him. Worship is "worth-ship," "giving worth to." What is worth your doing? What is worth your saying? If it has any value at all, then do it for God, in Jesus' Name. That is worship.
How do we do this?
When we go to church to worship, the service usually contains music. This is appropriate, because the verse just previous to this one says to;
I like to tune my radio to Christian music to play in the background whenever I'm at home or in the car. And I usually find a song playing in my mind when I wake up in the morning, probably the last song I heard the night before.
The verses before these tell us;
God's Spirit is working in each one of us to mold us and make us like Him, so we need to make the effort to cooperate with Him and let Him change us, instead of wanting the other person to change.
That's when we need to forgive anyone who has grieved us, not harboring the grievance, but letting it go. When Jesus took your death upon Himself to pay for your sinfulness, He forgave you fully, unconditionally, pure as snow. So we also ought to forgive one another. Release yourself from the bondage of holding a grudge.
And Love is the overcoat over all the other virtues we are to clothe ourselves with, that ties them all together into a perfect unit, like Jesus' life. Jesus said that, On these two commandments (loving God and loving one another) hang all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:40).
When we love God we will not give worth-ship to any other. And when we love one another, we will have compassion, we will be kind, we will humbly put them before ourselves, we will do it all gently and patiently.
And then we will be able to offer to God as our worship everything we do, everything we say, whether at church or at home, at work or at play. Everywhere you go, take your Friend with you. Then this year can be the best year ever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Some people like to make "new year's resolutions." On this first day of 2019, let's take this verse to be our resolution. Let it guide us in all we say and do this year.
God made us to worship Him. Worship is "worth-ship," "giving worth to." What is worth your doing? What is worth your saying? If it has any value at all, then do it for God, in Jesus' Name. That is worship.
How do we do this?
When we go to church to worship, the service usually contains music. This is appropriate, because the verse just previous to this one says to;
Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish each other with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (v. 16.)So we are to teach and admonish each other with music, and also sing in our hearts to God. Music is very powerful for putting the lyrics into our brains, and our enemy knows this. So we must take care with the kinds of music we listen to, because the message of the song will embed itself into our attitudes.
I like to tune my radio to Christian music to play in the background whenever I'm at home or in the car. And I usually find a song playing in my mind when I wake up in the morning, probably the last song I heard the night before.
The verses before these tell us;
As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on Love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (vs. 12-14.)This list of virtues is how God expects us to live our lives each day together. We need to be like Jesus, as He demonstrated all these virtues in His life, between His birth and death.
God's Spirit is working in each one of us to mold us and make us like Him, so we need to make the effort to cooperate with Him and let Him change us, instead of wanting the other person to change.
That's when we need to forgive anyone who has grieved us, not harboring the grievance, but letting it go. When Jesus took your death upon Himself to pay for your sinfulness, He forgave you fully, unconditionally, pure as snow. So we also ought to forgive one another. Release yourself from the bondage of holding a grudge.
And Love is the overcoat over all the other virtues we are to clothe ourselves with, that ties them all together into a perfect unit, like Jesus' life. Jesus said that, On these two commandments (loving God and loving one another) hang all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:40).
When we love God we will not give worth-ship to any other. And when we love one another, we will have compassion, we will be kind, we will humbly put them before ourselves, we will do it all gently and patiently.
And then we will be able to offer to God as our worship everything we do, everything we say, whether at church or at home, at work or at play. Everywhere you go, take your Friend with you. Then this year can be the best year ever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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