Daily Devotional - 2/19/11 (10/19/09)

Prayer Focus - Friends



Day 5


Pray for:
One friend that you feel close to
One friend that has become distant and you would like to be closer to
One friend from long ago
One new friend
One friend that has hurt you


Pray about:
Their physical needs
Their mental needs
Their emotional needs
Their spiritual needs


Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear and grant me the strength to obey.




Psalms 49



"Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me - those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him - the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough - that he should live on forever and not see decay.

For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.

But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to himself.

Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed- and men praise you when you prosper - he will join the generations of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.

A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish." ( vs 1-3, 5-20)



I have struggled for six months to find something to add as commentary for this Psalm, yet nothing comes.  I believe it really says it all. 

We will all die, and someday, we will face God whether we believe in Him or not.  I truly believe this and so what happens here is only important on the spiritual realm.  Where are we at really with God?  In this new year, let us renew our vows and commitments and if this is new or foreign to us, let us seek it out.

We truly are mists, here today and gone tomorrow.  Let's make it count.



Prayer for the Day




Dear Lord,



We praise You for creating us.  Life is so beautiful, despite its ups and downs.  We know and believe that You exist and that You reward those who earnestly seek You.  We want to seek You.  We want to recommit to serve You and we want to be pleasing to You in all we say and do.  You are truly all that matters.  Turn our eyes away from the worthless things of this world and all that glitters and charms us.  Grant us an undivided heart that we might serve You wholeheartedly.  We know that You are able.



In Jesus' Name,
Amen




QFT



1. Am I afraid of anything that is going on in the world today? How can I turn it over to God and trust in Him to take care of it?

2. What is my attitude towards money? Is it trying to take first place in my life? How can I have a correct attitude about wealth?

3. Do I get overawed by the wealthy and the "successful" in the world's eyes? Who are my heroes and what does that say about myself?

4. What is my life focus? What am I striving for, and what am I putting my energy into on a daily basis? Is it moving people towards Christ?

5.  Where am I with God really?  Have I lost my first love?  Am I wholehearted in my devotion?  Am I focused on the spiritual?