Psalm 126: 4-6
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves.
We will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves.
We will come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
(Knowles Shaw, 1880)
O my Father, thank You for being so faithful to do exactly what You have said You would do. I listen to Your Word and I see what is happening in the World today and I marvel at the accuracy of what is being done is exactly what You said to expect. So I trust that You are preparing me, strengthening me and all of Your children, for the coming troubles. Like another song says, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!"
Your fields are already white to harvest, Lord: Send Your workers into Your fields. Here I am, send even me! Send me to the field You have prepared for me, and continue to ready me to go to work and toil to harvest Your crops. Send me, and all of Your workers to correctly and skilfully and compassionately harvest all Your fields, Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Monday, June 26, 2017
He Holds Us Securely
I John 5: 18
We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
O my Father, my Abba Dad, thank You so much for holding me securely, and the evil one, who is the god of this World, cannot touch me.
O Father, I pray for all those who do not know you but think that they do, that You would make Yourself known to them, to let them know how much You love them, and draw them to Yourself. I particularly pray for my family members and my friends to realize what godliness looks like and see how their lives are contrary to Your ways. You have said that You are not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance to turn away from their sinful lifestyles and turn to You for Salvation and Redemption. And I pray that You would have mercy on me and save these who I know and love. And that You would show Yourself powerful to make Your ways known among those in the World, who have been deceived by the enemy.
O Father, in every age Your people have seen the signs You have given us to look for Your coming. And I also see everything You have said would happen is taking place right now in the World and in my Nation, also. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your promises and to me. Thank You for giving us the "last chapter" to let us know how all things will transpire to bring all the credit and honor and glory to You, the only One Who deserves all praise.
Thank You, my dear Abba Dad, for teaching me how to put a guard on my tongue and my thoughts, so that I can reflect on how it will sound before I say it, and keep my mouth closed when it will not encourage the hearer or draw them to You, Lord. Continue to keep me in the moment, doing each day what is set before me to accomplish, one day at a time. And I know that all the little things of each day will build into that great thing that You have planned for me to do.
I am waiting on You, my God, to show me when You would have me turn that corner that is ahead of me, in Your time, in Your way, with no regrets or worries or looking back.
And I give You, my Lord God Almighty, all the praise, all the glory, all the credit, for it is You doing everything that is done, working everyone's doings into Your Plan of the Ages, to accomplish Your will in Your time, in Your way.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
O my Father, my Abba Dad, thank You so much for holding me securely, and the evil one, who is the god of this World, cannot touch me.
O Father, I pray for all those who do not know you but think that they do, that You would make Yourself known to them, to let them know how much You love them, and draw them to Yourself. I particularly pray for my family members and my friends to realize what godliness looks like and see how their lives are contrary to Your ways. You have said that You are not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance to turn away from their sinful lifestyles and turn to You for Salvation and Redemption. And I pray that You would have mercy on me and save these who I know and love. And that You would show Yourself powerful to make Your ways known among those in the World, who have been deceived by the enemy.
O Father, in every age Your people have seen the signs You have given us to look for Your coming. And I also see everything You have said would happen is taking place right now in the World and in my Nation, also. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your promises and to me. Thank You for giving us the "last chapter" to let us know how all things will transpire to bring all the credit and honor and glory to You, the only One Who deserves all praise.
Thank You, my dear Abba Dad, for teaching me how to put a guard on my tongue and my thoughts, so that I can reflect on how it will sound before I say it, and keep my mouth closed when it will not encourage the hearer or draw them to You, Lord. Continue to keep me in the moment, doing each day what is set before me to accomplish, one day at a time. And I know that all the little things of each day will build into that great thing that You have planned for me to do.
I am waiting on You, my God, to show me when You would have me turn that corner that is ahead of me, in Your time, in Your way, with no regrets or worries or looking back.
And I give You, my Lord God Almighty, all the praise, all the glory, all the credit, for it is You doing everything that is done, working everyone's doings into Your Plan of the Ages, to accomplish Your will in Your time, in Your way.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Real Love
I John 4: 10-11
But this is real love--not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the Sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
That God would know that we would be so rebellious and wicked, and yet create us anyway, knowing what it would cost Him--this is beyond my ken to try to fathom His goodness and greatness and almighty power to give us freedom of will, yet use every one of us as part of His grand Plan of the Ages!
O my Father, Your wisdom and skill to work everything into Your Plan perfectly and seamlessly is amazing and astounding. And I see everything in my life and in this World around me all proceeding toward that tumultuous and shocking end.
Please, I pray, Father, strengthen me, and put a strong guard on my mouth and fingers, to pause to think first of how my words may be perceived by the hearers before expressing the thought; that I may not push people away, but draw them ever nearer to You, my God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But this is real love--not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the Sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
That God would know that we would be so rebellious and wicked, and yet create us anyway, knowing what it would cost Him--this is beyond my ken to try to fathom His goodness and greatness and almighty power to give us freedom of will, yet use every one of us as part of His grand Plan of the Ages!
O my Father, Your wisdom and skill to work everything into Your Plan perfectly and seamlessly is amazing and astounding. And I see everything in my life and in this World around me all proceeding toward that tumultuous and shocking end.
Please, I pray, Father, strengthen me, and put a strong guard on my mouth and fingers, to pause to think first of how my words may be perceived by the hearers before expressing the thought; that I may not push people away, but draw them ever nearer to You, my God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Pray For Jerusalem
Psalm 122: 6-9
Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "May you have peace." For the sake of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
O my Father, Lord God Almighty, I pray for Jerusalem! Please let her not be divided and given over to her enemies! Please preserve Your people there in safety from attacks. Lord of Heaven's Armies, defend Your people, Your city, Your holy Temple, the place You have set Your Name--even though the building is gone and an idol's temple occupies that geographical spot at this time.
You have said that Your Temple is now the bodies of Your people whom You have chosen out of every Nation. Please protect Your sheep, Your children, especially those who are in countries filled with Your enemies. And strengthen Your children in America.
I pray for our leaders, our legislators and judges and all our elected and appointed officials over us that they would govern and rule according to Your righteousness, so that we can live our lives freely in godliness.
And You will receive all the glory, all the credit for Your wisdom and power to design and plan it all out and to carry our Your plan in Your way and in Your time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "May you have peace." For the sake of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
O my Father, Lord God Almighty, I pray for Jerusalem! Please let her not be divided and given over to her enemies! Please preserve Your people there in safety from attacks. Lord of Heaven's Armies, defend Your people, Your city, Your holy Temple, the place You have set Your Name--even though the building is gone and an idol's temple occupies that geographical spot at this time.
You have said that Your Temple is now the bodies of Your people whom You have chosen out of every Nation. Please protect Your sheep, Your children, especially those who are in countries filled with Your enemies. And strengthen Your children in America.
I pray for our leaders, our legislators and judges and all our elected and appointed officials over us that they would govern and rule according to Your righteousness, so that we can live our lives freely in godliness.
And You will receive all the glory, all the credit for Your wisdom and power to design and plan it all out and to carry our Your plan in Your way and in Your time.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 23, 2017
Living In Him
I John 2: 5-6
But those who obey God's Word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Proverbs 28: 26
Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
O my dear Father, You are such a good Abba Dad to me! You deal with me so gently and patiently, even as I tend to come on strong and barrel over others in my pride and self-promotion. Teach me Your ways, Dad, teach me to be gentle with Your gentleness, patient with Your patience, and compassionate with Your passion for others. Let me see them through Your eyes, for I am so blind still.
I am totally destitute and undeserving of any of Your mercies, my Lord. Please take my stony heart and replace it with a soft heart of flesh, malleable and molded by You to reflect Your love and graciousness. Forgive me, Lord, and cleanse me. Heal me of all my sins and their evil effects on my character, my personality and my body.
And I will give You all the credit, all the praise and honor and glory for having designed it all to work according to Your ways, and for working in me and all of us to accomplish Your great, grand Plan of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But those who obey God's Word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Proverbs 28: 26
Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
O my dear Father, You are such a good Abba Dad to me! You deal with me so gently and patiently, even as I tend to come on strong and barrel over others in my pride and self-promotion. Teach me Your ways, Dad, teach me to be gentle with Your gentleness, patient with Your patience, and compassionate with Your passion for others. Let me see them through Your eyes, for I am so blind still.
I am totally destitute and undeserving of any of Your mercies, my Lord. Please take my stony heart and replace it with a soft heart of flesh, malleable and molded by You to reflect Your love and graciousness. Forgive me, Lord, and cleanse me. Heal me of all my sins and their evil effects on my character, my personality and my body.
And I will give You all the credit, all the praise and honor and glory for having designed it all to work according to Your ways, and for working in me and all of us to accomplish Your great, grand Plan of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Time To Get Ready
II Peter 3: 9-13
The Lord really isn't being slow about His promise, as some would think. No, He's being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the Day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. ... Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the Day of God and hurrying it along. On that Day He will set the Heavens on fire. ... But we are looking forward to the New Heavens and New Earth He has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness.
God, in His great love and mercy, is giving us all plenty of time to turn from our wicked ways and seek His face. He is calling all of His Elect to himself, and strengthening His people all over the World.
He is giving me time to live my life in a holy and godly manner, to show others His goodness and provision for them. He is giving us all enough time to get our affairs in order, to mend our broken relationships, to be ready for His Glorious Appearing.
O Father, Abba, Dad, I cannot hardly imagine a whole world filled with Your righteousness! It's more wonderful and joyous than my capacity to imagine!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord really isn't being slow about His promise, as some would think. No, He's being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the Day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. ... Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the Day of God and hurrying it along. On that Day He will set the Heavens on fire. ... But we are looking forward to the New Heavens and New Earth He has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness.
God, in His great love and mercy, is giving us all plenty of time to turn from our wicked ways and seek His face. He is calling all of His Elect to himself, and strengthening His people all over the World.
He is giving me time to live my life in a holy and godly manner, to show others His goodness and provision for them. He is giving us all enough time to get our affairs in order, to mend our broken relationships, to be ready for His Glorious Appearing.
O Father, Abba, Dad, I cannot hardly imagine a whole world filled with Your righteousness! It's more wonderful and joyous than my capacity to imagine!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
To Love God's Ways
Psalm 119: 124-128
I am Your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me Your decrees. Give me, Your servant, discernment; then I will understand Your laws. Truly, I love Your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.
That is why I hate every wrong path.
It is time for You to act, O Lord; Your Law is being broken!
I can understand how this writer felt, how he was so devoted to God's ways, God's principles, as laid out and expressed by His laws and commandments. He understood that only God's ways, His Truth, works in this world and in relationships, because the Creator Who made us and the whole Universe according to His ways put order (beauty) into everything He made. And He gave us His "Manufacturer's Instructions" to teach us how to live in it together.
The clearer his understanding of how wonderful everything works so well when following the "instructions," the more upset he became at how people who reject God and His ways really mess things up for all of us, like throwing a monkey wrench into the works. Their rebellion (our rebellion!) only makes it more difficult for the rest of us.
O my Father, Lord, teach us Your ways, give us understanding and discernment to have the wisdom to sort out how we are to order our lives, that we may obey You and bring Your order, Your love, into all our relationships and doings. And You will get all the credit, all the glory, for having planned it all out that way.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I am Your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me Your decrees. Give me, Your servant, discernment; then I will understand Your laws. Truly, I love Your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.
That is why I hate every wrong path.
It is time for You to act, O Lord; Your Law is being broken!
I can understand how this writer felt, how he was so devoted to God's ways, God's principles, as laid out and expressed by His laws and commandments. He understood that only God's ways, His Truth, works in this world and in relationships, because the Creator Who made us and the whole Universe according to His ways put order (beauty) into everything He made. And He gave us His "Manufacturer's Instructions" to teach us how to live in it together.
The clearer his understanding of how wonderful everything works so well when following the "instructions," the more upset he became at how people who reject God and His ways really mess things up for all of us, like throwing a monkey wrench into the works. Their rebellion (our rebellion!) only makes it more difficult for the rest of us.
O my Father, Lord, teach us Your ways, give us understanding and discernment to have the wisdom to sort out how we are to order our lives, that we may obey You and bring Your order, Your love, into all our relationships and doings. And You will get all the credit, all the glory, for having planned it all out that way.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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