Prayer Focus - Needs
Day 2
Pray for:
One thing that you need to be grateful for but find it difficult to be
One person that you need to apologize to, resolve a conflict with, or forgive
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 94
"Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? Does He who disciplines the nations not punish? Does He who teaches man lack knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from Your law; You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul." ( vs. 9 -19 )
God knows. God knows everything. He knows every thought that comes into our mind. He is completely beyond our comprehension. We are finite and our thinking is finite. God is infinite. We are stuck to time and space. We can only be in one place at a time, and we can only know what is in our minds and hearts; sometimes not even that. So how is it that we think somehow that we are smarter than God or that we have something figured out that He hasn't yet? God knows us. God is not surprised by anything.
To me, this makes it all the more amazing that God pays attention to us at all. God knows everything about each and every one of us. He knows who will listen to Him and who will not. He knows all of the things we do in secret and all of the sinful leanings of our heart. And yet, He still cares. He still died. He still forgives. He invests His time to train us up; to discipline us. And He has a plan and a dream for us to make a difference in the world. He wants to see change. He desires change in each of our hearts and He is calling us. He asks, "Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand? Who will make a difference? Who will love as I have loved?" It is an overwhelming task but we have been called. If we look at the task, we will slip as the psalmist states. But God will help us. God will support us in the task if we go and try. God will calm the anxiety that comes and God will bring us joy as we obey. We just need to start and go and try.
Here are some of my favorite quotes on these thoughts:
"The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step"
Chinese Proverb
"If the Lord calls you, He will equip you for the task He wants you to fulfill."
Warren Wierbe
"Have thy tools ready. God will find the work."
Charles Kingsley
"You will invest your life in something or you will throw it away on nothing."
Haddin Rosisson
"Employ whatever God has entrusted you with in doing good, all possible good, in every kind and degree."
John Wesley
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you're doing the impossible."
St. Francis of Assissi
"Discipline yourself so no one else has to."
John Wooden
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are not deaf or blind or dumb. You know exactly what is going on here. You know exactly what is going on in my heart. You know and still care. That is amazing to me. I am so grateful that You have called me and given me a part in Your amazing work. Help me to rise to the occasion. Help me to live a life worthy and to cling to You because You will make it all work out.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. How do I feel about the difference between God and me? Do I ever find myself thinking that I know better than God? How might my actions show this even if I don't think this outright? What can I change to have a better view of God and myself?
2. Do I allow God to discipline me? Do I listen to His word and to the people God has put in my life? Do I take advice? Why or why not? Am I teachable? Am I learning or have I become set in my ways? What can I do to become a lifelong learner?
3. Am I taking a stand for God? Do I stand up for God's word? If I am standing up for God and His ways, am I doing so in a loving and respectful way or do I just let people "have it"? What can I do to be more effective in the way I talk to people about God and His ways?
4. Do I feel that God can use me? Am I allowing myself to be a part of God's plan to change and transform the world? Why or why not? Do I want to do this? Do I see the importance of it? What can I do to change and allow myself to answer God's call.
5. Do I feel anxious or hopeless? Am I turning to God for help or am I trying to do everything on my own power? How can I allow God to support and console me? What role do my friends and fellow believers have in helping me? Do I allow others into my life so that they can be there for me? Why or why not? What should I change so that I can strengthened and receive joy?
Showing posts with label confrontation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label confrontation. Show all posts
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Daily Devotional - 9/5/10 (10/5/09)
Prayer Focus - Leaders (any type - World, State, Local, Church, Business, Work)
Day 5
Pray for:
One leader who inspires you
One leader who you know is struggling with something
One leader from another country
One local leader
One political leader
Pray about:
Their physical needs
Their mental needs
Their emotional needs
Their spiritual needs
Dear Lord - Help me to hear You and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 35
"Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me...Say to my soul, I am your salvation." (vs. 1 & 3b)
Sometimes someone we love can act like an enemy in our lives. It may be a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling, or a co-worker. It can be anyone close to us really. This is a painful situation when it arises, but God knows what we are going through and why. Although it is difficult, we need to view the relationship from a distance and see that this is really a spiritual battle between good and evil. In many ways, it is not really about us, especially if we have done nothing to provoke the antagonism. We always need to search our hearts and make sure there is nothing we can change, but in the end we need to realize "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12)." Since the battle is a spiritual one, we need to pray for God to contend with them and fight against the sinfulness in their lives. It is not up to us to fight them personally.
We definitely need to turn to God and cling to Him in these situations. We can feel like we are at the end of our rope and don't know how much more we can take. Only God can provide the comfort we truly need in this situation. He can speak to our souls when they are down and devastated and say what truly will heal and comfort them. God can make our souls know that He is our salvation. No one else is. God can and will save us when the time is right, and in the meantime, we are to remember that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us....And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:18 & 28)"
God can put a bubble around our hearts so that the attacks and anger of the person we are dealing with will just bounce right off of us and we will be able to say, "I am sorry that you feel this way. I am sorry that you are angry with me." God can help us to not retaliate. We are called to rise above as evidenced by the following scriptures.
I Peter 3: 9-17 (9, 14-15a, highlights printed below)
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing...But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.... It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
Romans 12:19-21
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Proverbs 24: 17-18
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him."
Matt 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
This seems like too much of a challenge at times, but God rescues us. Our enemies may be too strong for us emotionally. They may beat us down and oppress us. They may rob us of our joy at times, but God will rescue us in due time. God knows. God knows when we are being repaid evil for good. He knows when our souls are left forlorn by various relational conflicts. God will take care of it. Our responsibility is to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, no matter what happens (Phil 1:27a). We still need to love and pray and fast for our enemies. We need to be like God and rise above. Despite their actions, we need to be loving and full of empathy and compassion. We need to love our enemies, regardless.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Father,
You have seen our struggles. Do not be far from us, so that we can do right in the midst of our relational struggles. We will rejoice in You always. We will say to our souls, "The Lord is my salvation." We will not look for salvation from those around us because they will fail us, but You will never. Help us to be gentle as we remember that You are near. Forgive us Lord where we need to be forgiven. Strengthen us where we need to be strengthen. Vindicate us, Lord, where we need to be vindicated. We know You delight in our well being. Today we will speak of You because You are awesome, no matter what. You are in control of all that is going on in our lives and You know. Help us to keep doing right and keep rejoicing in You. You will take care of the rest.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Is there any relationship in my life right now that is difficult? Am I dealing with it in a righteous manner? What do I need to do to keep the proper perspective? Do I have any support to help me get through these difficulties?
2. How do I treat those who do not like me? Am I loving my enemies? How can I change and do better with this?
3. How can I overcome evil with good? What situations in my life might be categorized as evil? What is my attitude like towards them? What are my actions in dealing with them?
4. Is there a past relationship that I have not dealt with? How can I resolve this so that my heart is right before God?
5. How do I presently deal with conflicts with others? What can I do when I am in the midst of a conflict so that I can do what is right? How can I remember God in these situations?
Day 5
Pray for:
One leader who inspires you
One leader who you know is struggling with something
One leader from another country
One local leader
One political leader
Pray about:
Their physical needs
Their mental needs
Their emotional needs
Their spiritual needs
Dear Lord - Help me to hear You and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 35
"Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me...Say to my soul, I am your salvation." (vs. 1 & 3b)
Sometimes someone we love can act like an enemy in our lives. It may be a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling, or a co-worker. It can be anyone close to us really. This is a painful situation when it arises, but God knows what we are going through and why. Although it is difficult, we need to view the relationship from a distance and see that this is really a spiritual battle between good and evil. In many ways, it is not really about us, especially if we have done nothing to provoke the antagonism. We always need to search our hearts and make sure there is nothing we can change, but in the end we need to realize "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12)." Since the battle is a spiritual one, we need to pray for God to contend with them and fight against the sinfulness in their lives. It is not up to us to fight them personally.
We definitely need to turn to God and cling to Him in these situations. We can feel like we are at the end of our rope and don't know how much more we can take. Only God can provide the comfort we truly need in this situation. He can speak to our souls when they are down and devastated and say what truly will heal and comfort them. God can make our souls know that He is our salvation. No one else is. God can and will save us when the time is right, and in the meantime, we are to remember that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us....And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:18 & 28)"
God can put a bubble around our hearts so that the attacks and anger of the person we are dealing with will just bounce right off of us and we will be able to say, "I am sorry that you feel this way. I am sorry that you are angry with me." God can help us to not retaliate. We are called to rise above as evidenced by the following scriptures.
I Peter 3: 9-17 (9, 14-15a, highlights printed below)
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing...But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.... It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
Romans 12:19-21
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Proverbs 24: 17-18
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him."
Matt 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
This seems like too much of a challenge at times, but God rescues us. Our enemies may be too strong for us emotionally. They may beat us down and oppress us. They may rob us of our joy at times, but God will rescue us in due time. God knows. God knows when we are being repaid evil for good. He knows when our souls are left forlorn by various relational conflicts. God will take care of it. Our responsibility is to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, no matter what happens (Phil 1:27a). We still need to love and pray and fast for our enemies. We need to be like God and rise above. Despite their actions, we need to be loving and full of empathy and compassion. We need to love our enemies, regardless.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Father,
You have seen our struggles. Do not be far from us, so that we can do right in the midst of our relational struggles. We will rejoice in You always. We will say to our souls, "The Lord is my salvation." We will not look for salvation from those around us because they will fail us, but You will never. Help us to be gentle as we remember that You are near. Forgive us Lord where we need to be forgiven. Strengthen us where we need to be strengthen. Vindicate us, Lord, where we need to be vindicated. We know You delight in our well being. Today we will speak of You because You are awesome, no matter what. You are in control of all that is going on in our lives and You know. Help us to keep doing right and keep rejoicing in You. You will take care of the rest.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Is there any relationship in my life right now that is difficult? Am I dealing with it in a righteous manner? What do I need to do to keep the proper perspective? Do I have any support to help me get through these difficulties?
2. How do I treat those who do not like me? Am I loving my enemies? How can I change and do better with this?
3. How can I overcome evil with good? What situations in my life might be categorized as evil? What is my attitude like towards them? What are my actions in dealing with them?
4. Is there a past relationship that I have not dealt with? How can I resolve this so that my heart is right before God?
5. How do I presently deal with conflicts with others? What can I do when I am in the midst of a conflict so that I can do what is right? How can I remember God in these situations?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Daily Devotional - 8/7/10 (9/7/09)
Focus Letter - G
Pray for:
Five things that you are thankful for beginning with the focus letter
Five people whose first or last name begins with the focus letter
A place that begins with the focus letter
A characteristic beginning with the focus letter you would like to see grow in you and your family
Dear Lord - open my ears to hear and grant me the strength to obey
Psalms 7
"O Lord my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me." (vs. 1-2)
I take refuge in God. My enemies pursue me. Often my thoughts are my enemies. My worries are my enemies relentlessly swirling in my head. I hear what I think is God's voice, yet I hesitate. I do not want to make waves. I do not want to make someone mad at me by telling them that I think something they did was not right. I am too weak to be bold and my thoughts pursue me. I need to take refuge in God, but does that mean hiding? I don't think so this time. I think it means take refuge in Him while I step out and speak.
Why is my voice hidden? Why am I afraid to speak, to have my own opinions and thoughts? I don't know, perhaps I never will. Perhaps it is just my personality but I cannot hide behind my personality. I must take refuge in God and trust that He will take care of me when I obey the commands that I find difficult. Sometimes I am afraid that I am in the wrong. I do not want to speak because I do not want to find out that I am incorrect. I want to hang on to my rightness more than my righteousness. But God knows if I am right or wrong anyway. I just need to obey and if I am right, He will protect me.
God also knows what is right and wrong and He knows when His righteousness has been violated. He searches the hearts and minds of people and He can correct them. I don't need to do His job for Him, but I do need to speak if He has put it on my heart. God judges the people, not me, but I am in charge of at least giving a warning (Ezekiel 3:16-21). If I do not give the warning, I will be held accountable for not doing it. That is frightening for a big coward like me. Also, there is the very challenging verse about being a coward. It groups cowardice in a category along with murderers (Rev 21:8). I need to step out and follow the leading of Christ.
"My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart...I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." (vs. 10 & 17)
I need to not be afraid because I am taking refuge in God and He is my shield. He will protect me from the anger of another or from disagreement. He saves the upright in heart. He will save me as long as I am righteous. Therefore, I must make sure I am righteous even when talking to someone about a disagreement or about some perceived wrong. I must be pure in heart and make sure that I have no evil intent at all, no matter what, because evil will come back to me. If I dig a pit, I will fall into it. It is that old saying, "what goes around, comes around."
And in all these struggles, I am still to rejoice in the Lord. I am to rejoice always, because God does not change. I can be gentle in conflict and confrontation because God is near. He is the one who will take care of everything. (Philippians 4:4-7) "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord" (Romans 12:17-21). Vengeance is not Lillian's. I have no right to take revenge. My role in any situation is to be gentle, and to warn, or at least to talk it out. To put it out there and let God do His work. I do not need to force anything. That would not be effective or righteous.
The Lord is near. He will take care of it in His time and in His way. Therefore, I will not be anxious. I will pray instead. I will present my requests to God, with thanksgiving that I am even alive to have problems and conflicts, and I will enjoy His peace. I will give thanks to Him because He is righteous. None of the rest of us are. We are all just travelers trying to get somewhere. Even the best of us are just fellow beggars trying to point others to the feast we have found. So I will rejoice, and I will give thanks, and I will give praise. And I, I will not be afraid anymore.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Save us form our thoughts. It is difficult to be pure in our mind and our thoughts are our enemies. We struggle so much to keep our focus on You and to be godly. We are so far from You so much of the time. We long for peace and joy but find ourselves broken. You can heal everything. You can heal our thoughts, our minds, and our souls. You know exactly what is in our hearts, what we struggle with, what holds us back from the life You have for us. Help us to truly live as You would want. Help us to be open and communicative and to speak the truth in love. Help us to throw open our hearts and minds to others so that You can work in us and others. We ask all this of You and know that You hear.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QTF
1. How are my thoughts my enemies? What thoughts do I have that are not godly? How do I deal with them? How can I do a better job at taking my thoughts captive?
2. Do I speak the truth in love? Do I speak up about things that bother me or about issues I see in the lives of those I care about or even society at large? Why or why not? What holds me back? What can I do to deal with these things that hold me back?
3. Do I make sure I am righteous when I am speaking to someone about a disagreement or problem? Do I find myself in arguments often? Why? How am I contributing to the controversy? How can I handle my conflicts better?
4. Do I realize and hold onto the idea that the Lord is near? How can this help me to deal with conflicts better? Do I find myself arguing my point or trying to win in a conflict? Do I seek vengeance? Am I bitter and unforgiving toward anyone or any situation? How can I deal with these sins?
5. Do I rejoice in the Lord even in the midst of my struggles and conflicts? Would others describe me as a happy or unhappy person? Why? What excuses do I give for myself if I am not joyful or happy consistently? Are these excuses valid? How can I change and become joyful?
Pray for:
Five things that you are thankful for beginning with the focus letter
Five people whose first or last name begins with the focus letter
A place that begins with the focus letter
A characteristic beginning with the focus letter you would like to see grow in you and your family
Dear Lord - open my ears to hear and grant me the strength to obey
Psalms 7
"O Lord my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me." (vs. 1-2)
I take refuge in God. My enemies pursue me. Often my thoughts are my enemies. My worries are my enemies relentlessly swirling in my head. I hear what I think is God's voice, yet I hesitate. I do not want to make waves. I do not want to make someone mad at me by telling them that I think something they did was not right. I am too weak to be bold and my thoughts pursue me. I need to take refuge in God, but does that mean hiding? I don't think so this time. I think it means take refuge in Him while I step out and speak.
Why is my voice hidden? Why am I afraid to speak, to have my own opinions and thoughts? I don't know, perhaps I never will. Perhaps it is just my personality but I cannot hide behind my personality. I must take refuge in God and trust that He will take care of me when I obey the commands that I find difficult. Sometimes I am afraid that I am in the wrong. I do not want to speak because I do not want to find out that I am incorrect. I want to hang on to my rightness more than my righteousness. But God knows if I am right or wrong anyway. I just need to obey and if I am right, He will protect me.
God also knows what is right and wrong and He knows when His righteousness has been violated. He searches the hearts and minds of people and He can correct them. I don't need to do His job for Him, but I do need to speak if He has put it on my heart. God judges the people, not me, but I am in charge of at least giving a warning (Ezekiel 3:16-21). If I do not give the warning, I will be held accountable for not doing it. That is frightening for a big coward like me. Also, there is the very challenging verse about being a coward. It groups cowardice in a category along with murderers (Rev 21:8). I need to step out and follow the leading of Christ.
"My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart...I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." (vs. 10 & 17)
I need to not be afraid because I am taking refuge in God and He is my shield. He will protect me from the anger of another or from disagreement. He saves the upright in heart. He will save me as long as I am righteous. Therefore, I must make sure I am righteous even when talking to someone about a disagreement or about some perceived wrong. I must be pure in heart and make sure that I have no evil intent at all, no matter what, because evil will come back to me. If I dig a pit, I will fall into it. It is that old saying, "what goes around, comes around."
And in all these struggles, I am still to rejoice in the Lord. I am to rejoice always, because God does not change. I can be gentle in conflict and confrontation because God is near. He is the one who will take care of everything. (Philippians 4:4-7) "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord" (Romans 12:17-21). Vengeance is not Lillian's. I have no right to take revenge. My role in any situation is to be gentle, and to warn, or at least to talk it out. To put it out there and let God do His work. I do not need to force anything. That would not be effective or righteous.
The Lord is near. He will take care of it in His time and in His way. Therefore, I will not be anxious. I will pray instead. I will present my requests to God, with thanksgiving that I am even alive to have problems and conflicts, and I will enjoy His peace. I will give thanks to Him because He is righteous. None of the rest of us are. We are all just travelers trying to get somewhere. Even the best of us are just fellow beggars trying to point others to the feast we have found. So I will rejoice, and I will give thanks, and I will give praise. And I, I will not be afraid anymore.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Save us form our thoughts. It is difficult to be pure in our mind and our thoughts are our enemies. We struggle so much to keep our focus on You and to be godly. We are so far from You so much of the time. We long for peace and joy but find ourselves broken. You can heal everything. You can heal our thoughts, our minds, and our souls. You know exactly what is in our hearts, what we struggle with, what holds us back from the life You have for us. Help us to truly live as You would want. Help us to be open and communicative and to speak the truth in love. Help us to throw open our hearts and minds to others so that You can work in us and others. We ask all this of You and know that You hear.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QTF
1. How are my thoughts my enemies? What thoughts do I have that are not godly? How do I deal with them? How can I do a better job at taking my thoughts captive?
2. Do I speak the truth in love? Do I speak up about things that bother me or about issues I see in the lives of those I care about or even society at large? Why or why not? What holds me back? What can I do to deal with these things that hold me back?
3. Do I make sure I am righteous when I am speaking to someone about a disagreement or problem? Do I find myself in arguments often? Why? How am I contributing to the controversy? How can I handle my conflicts better?
4. Do I realize and hold onto the idea that the Lord is near? How can this help me to deal with conflicts better? Do I find myself arguing my point or trying to win in a conflict? Do I seek vengeance? Am I bitter and unforgiving toward anyone or any situation? How can I deal with these sins?
5. Do I rejoice in the Lord even in the midst of my struggles and conflicts? Would others describe me as a happy or unhappy person? Why? What excuses do I give for myself if I am not joyful or happy consistently? Are these excuses valid? How can I change and become joyful?
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