Prayer Focus - Needs
Day 6
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
One dream that you need to surrender to God
One challenge that you need to face and deal with
One health issue that you need to deal with
One sin you need to overcome
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 98
"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." ( vs. 1 - 3 )
We are told again to sing a new song! We are told to be different; to start over. Why is this so important to God? This first verse holds the key. God has done marvelous things; He has brought salvation and not just salvation for the Jewish nation, but for the whole world. The whole Bible is an amazing story written over a long period of time by various authors that tells the story of a loving God seeking to restore a lost relationship with His creation. God has always been after us to give us the chance to start over; to sing a new song. He had so many dreams and desires for a people that would love Him and He has patiently been pursuing the human race and each one of us ever since the fall. He is not satisfied with anyone being lost. He includes story after story of how He feels about each and every person that turns back to Him. He rejoices over the returned souls. What an amazing thought that I am that loved. In another part of the Scriptures it states that even if our mothers and fathers could forget us, God would not be able to. We are etched in His heart and soul. We are His. This is why we are to rejoice. This is why we are to sing a new song; because God has made it possible.
Another wonderful thought I have about this verse is that it shows the universality of a faith in God. It is not limited to one country or group of people. It is for everyone. Sometimes I think that those of us in America, think that Christianity has to look like American Christianity to be real, but this is so far from the truth. The Scriptures do not tell us what our dress should look like or what our songs should be or how each step of our worship service should go. It speaks to the heart. It speaks of loving God and loving others. If I am in another country, true Christianity will look like the people in that country with all their rich heritage loving God and others with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. What is important is our hearts. So if I worship outside in a field or I worship in a grand cathedral, it is all the same. I am worshipping God. I hope that we can open up our eyes to the love of God for all people and all nations. God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. We should too.
Key verses:
I Timothy 2: 1 - 4
"I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.'"
Luke 15:6 - 7
"Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Isaiah 49:14 - 16
"But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.'
'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.'"
Acts 17: 26 - 27
"From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, thought He is not far from each one of us.
Galatians 3: 26 - 29
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You have done amazing miracles. You have worked salvation for the whole world. You have pursued us relentlessly. We have never been loved as we are with You. You love in a perfect manner and all that You bring into our lives is what we need to grow and change. Help us to love as You love. Help us to sing this new song and not be bound up with our traditions. We can truly change the world if we love. We thank You for giving us this task.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What marvelous things have I seen God do in my life? Am I grateful on a regular basis for these things? Why or why not? How can I increase my appreciation for what has God has done for me?
2. Have I experienced a fresh start with God? What was this experience like and when did it take place? What did I leave behind?
3. How do I feel about people that do not share my faith? Am I concerned about them being found by God? Why do I feel this way? Am I helping others to find God? Why or why not? What can I do to be more involved with helping others?
4. How do I feel about people that are different from me? How do I feel about people that worship differently from me? Am I prejudice in any way? How is this unlike God? What can I do to change?
5. Am I holding onto any religious traditions? Do I think people have to worship exactly as I do to be right with God? Why or why not? What can I do to reach out to others that differ from me religiously and show them the love of God?
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Daily Devotional - 10/7/15
Prayer Focus - Needs
Day 5
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
One dream that you need to surrender to God
One challenge that you need to face and deal with
One health issue that you need to deal with
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 97
"All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols ...
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name." ( vs. 7a, 10 - 12 )
We have a tendency to rely on things other than God. This can be equated to worshipping them. I know in my life I am tempted to think money will take care of my troubles. I sometimes think that if I had enough money, then my life would be better. I would not have to work and drive so much. I would have more time with my children and could be a better mother. Many thoughts run through my head, especially when I have to pay bills. Another thing that I often look to for comfort is relationships. I think that if my relationships were closer, I would be happier. If my husband and I were better friends then that would fix all my issues. Or maybe if my children were more obedient, everything would be solved. There are many others too, such as success, and self-development. Career has taken up a lot of my time and focus before too. When I look to all of these things to comfort or take care of me, I am in effect making them gods. I am looking to them to provide what only God can provide. In the end, they can do nothing, and I am sad and disillusioned again. They cannot save, and even rich people are miserable at times. We just need to look at the lives of the rich and famous to see that they are not satisfied. I end up, as this scripture says, put to shame.
It doesn't have to be this way though. I can make God my God and worship Him only. I can do this by memorizing the promises in His word that He will take care of me and by putting His words into practice day in and day out. I need to hate evil. It is okay to hate sometimes, if it is for the right things. I can not tolerate evil. I can not defend evil. I must hate it, for then I will be regarded as faithful, and God will protect me. Light and joy will be shed on me and I will receive the promises that God has woven into His word for those that walk in His ways. I need to hate evil, not because I am better than anyone else, but because I love God. And just because I hate evil, it does not mean I hate people. It is possible to hate sin and love the sinner; possible, not easy. Too many people fail at this and so we have a bad reputation for hating others when we stand up for what is right. Let us live correctly and have lives full of love and joy so that everyone will be drawn to God, and then as they learn that God loves them and as they learn to love God, the sinfulness will drop off like so many grave clothes. God can do this. Let us focus on love!
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are the only true God. Help us to let go of all of the false gods that clamor for our attention. They will only bring us to shame while You will bring us life and life to the fullest. You are so good to us and we rejoice in Your blessings. Help us to hate evil. Help us to hate sin and love sinners. Help us to become what You want us to become, and help us rejoice in You always.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What things become my gods? What do I turn to for happiness and fulfillment other than God? Why? How does this affect me?
2. How do I see these things leading to shame in my life? How can I change my priorities and put God in the place He deserves to be?
3. Do I hate evil? Do I ever defend evil? Are there certain things I know the Scriptures say is sin that I accept or that I think are okay? Why?
4. How do I feel about hating what God hates? Why do I think God hates these things and calls certain things evil? How do these things affect us?
5. Do I think God will guard and protect me if I am faithful to Him and His commands? Why or why not? When have I seen God guard and protect me? How did that feel? Do I feel like I am in the light and do I have joy or do I feel that I am in darkness and do I have more sadness than joy? Can I relate this in anyway to my faithfulness? Why or why not?
Day 5
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
One dream that you need to surrender to God
One challenge that you need to face and deal with
One health issue that you need to deal with
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 97
"All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols ...
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name." ( vs. 7a, 10 - 12 )
We have a tendency to rely on things other than God. This can be equated to worshipping them. I know in my life I am tempted to think money will take care of my troubles. I sometimes think that if I had enough money, then my life would be better. I would not have to work and drive so much. I would have more time with my children and could be a better mother. Many thoughts run through my head, especially when I have to pay bills. Another thing that I often look to for comfort is relationships. I think that if my relationships were closer, I would be happier. If my husband and I were better friends then that would fix all my issues. Or maybe if my children were more obedient, everything would be solved. There are many others too, such as success, and self-development. Career has taken up a lot of my time and focus before too. When I look to all of these things to comfort or take care of me, I am in effect making them gods. I am looking to them to provide what only God can provide. In the end, they can do nothing, and I am sad and disillusioned again. They cannot save, and even rich people are miserable at times. We just need to look at the lives of the rich and famous to see that they are not satisfied. I end up, as this scripture says, put to shame.
It doesn't have to be this way though. I can make God my God and worship Him only. I can do this by memorizing the promises in His word that He will take care of me and by putting His words into practice day in and day out. I need to hate evil. It is okay to hate sometimes, if it is for the right things. I can not tolerate evil. I can not defend evil. I must hate it, for then I will be regarded as faithful, and God will protect me. Light and joy will be shed on me and I will receive the promises that God has woven into His word for those that walk in His ways. I need to hate evil, not because I am better than anyone else, but because I love God. And just because I hate evil, it does not mean I hate people. It is possible to hate sin and love the sinner; possible, not easy. Too many people fail at this and so we have a bad reputation for hating others when we stand up for what is right. Let us live correctly and have lives full of love and joy so that everyone will be drawn to God, and then as they learn that God loves them and as they learn to love God, the sinfulness will drop off like so many grave clothes. God can do this. Let us focus on love!
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are the only true God. Help us to let go of all of the false gods that clamor for our attention. They will only bring us to shame while You will bring us life and life to the fullest. You are so good to us and we rejoice in Your blessings. Help us to hate evil. Help us to hate sin and love sinners. Help us to become what You want us to become, and help us rejoice in You always.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What things become my gods? What do I turn to for happiness and fulfillment other than God? Why? How does this affect me?
2. How do I see these things leading to shame in my life? How can I change my priorities and put God in the place He deserves to be?
3. Do I hate evil? Do I ever defend evil? Are there certain things I know the Scriptures say is sin that I accept or that I think are okay? Why?
4. How do I feel about hating what God hates? Why do I think God hates these things and calls certain things evil? How do these things affect us?
5. Do I think God will guard and protect me if I am faithful to Him and His commands? Why or why not? When have I seen God guard and protect me? How did that feel? Do I feel like I am in the light and do I have joy or do I feel that I am in darkness and do I have more sadness than joy? Can I relate this in anyway to my faithfulness? Why or why not?
Monday, October 5, 2015
Daily Devotional - 10/5/15
Prayer Focus - Needs
Day 3
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
One dream that you need to surrender to God
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 95
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did." ( vs. 6 - 9 )
We are the flock under God's care. Sheep need a shepherd. They are not the smartest animals in the world and they need to be led and cared for in an intensive manner if they are going to live and thrive. Although it is not that flattering to be compared to sheep, it is fitting. We do need a lot of help. We do easily go astray and get lost. It is good to know that we have a good shepherd that we can follow. He cares for us in so many ways. I love to read the 23 psalm which most people know and which once again refers to God as our shepherd. It is as follows:
I love the beautiful portrayal of God's care for us expressed here. I love the idea that I do not have to be in want and that as I go through my life here, I do not have to fear evil; not because it does not exist, but because God is with me.
I do have a responsibility in this scenario, however. I have to listen to God's voice. If I am a sheep and my shepherd is calling me, I need to go to my shepherd. I need to let him take care of me. If I continue to run away, I will only get myself into further trouble. If I am sick and need medication, I will only become more sick. I must heed to my master's voice. So I need to see that God is my shepherd, and then I need to follow and obey. I can't harden my heart. I must soften it. I need to remember all that God has already done for me and trust that if anyone can help me, then it will be Him. I must stop testing God and asking that He prove something to me. God does not have to prove anything to me. He already has. I just need to accept what I am and where I am and be a sheep basking in the love of a good shepherd.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are the Good Shepherd. You know how to take care of us. Help us to run to You, not away from You. Help us to do as You say and reap the benefits. Help us to remember how far You have brought us so far. You will not leave us wandering in the desert. You will bring us to a good land if we follow. Help us to follow, now and always.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I worshipping God on a regular basis? Do I feel He deserves my worship? Do I know how to worship? How can I learn to do this or to do this better?
2. What do I know about sheep? What can I learn about sheep? How am I like a sheep? How is God like a shepherd? What can I learn about God's nature by looking at this comparison?
3. Do I listen to God's voice or do I ignore it? Do I think the Bible or Scriptures are God's actual word, as though He were right here speaking to me? Why or why not? If I did see the Scriptures in this manner, how might that affect my reaction? How can I learn to listen to God's voice better?
4. Do I heed God's voice? Do I do what I think God is calling me to do or do I reason the feeling away? Have I hardened my heart to God's calling and voice? How? How can I change?
5. Do I ever test or try God? How do I do this? Why do I do this? Is this a trust issue? What can I do to stop testing God and to start trusting Him more?
Day 3
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
One dream that you need to surrender to God
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your voice today and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 95
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did." ( vs. 6 - 9 )
We are the flock under God's care. Sheep need a shepherd. They are not the smartest animals in the world and they need to be led and cared for in an intensive manner if they are going to live and thrive. Although it is not that flattering to be compared to sheep, it is fitting. We do need a lot of help. We do easily go astray and get lost. It is good to know that we have a good shepherd that we can follow. He cares for us in so many ways. I love to read the 23 psalm which most people know and which once again refers to God as our shepherd. It is as follows:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
I love the beautiful portrayal of God's care for us expressed here. I love the idea that I do not have to be in want and that as I go through my life here, I do not have to fear evil; not because it does not exist, but because God is with me.
I do have a responsibility in this scenario, however. I have to listen to God's voice. If I am a sheep and my shepherd is calling me, I need to go to my shepherd. I need to let him take care of me. If I continue to run away, I will only get myself into further trouble. If I am sick and need medication, I will only become more sick. I must heed to my master's voice. So I need to see that God is my shepherd, and then I need to follow and obey. I can't harden my heart. I must soften it. I need to remember all that God has already done for me and trust that if anyone can help me, then it will be Him. I must stop testing God and asking that He prove something to me. God does not have to prove anything to me. He already has. I just need to accept what I am and where I am and be a sheep basking in the love of a good shepherd.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are the Good Shepherd. You know how to take care of us. Help us to run to You, not away from You. Help us to do as You say and reap the benefits. Help us to remember how far You have brought us so far. You will not leave us wandering in the desert. You will bring us to a good land if we follow. Help us to follow, now and always.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I worshipping God on a regular basis? Do I feel He deserves my worship? Do I know how to worship? How can I learn to do this or to do this better?
2. What do I know about sheep? What can I learn about sheep? How am I like a sheep? How is God like a shepherd? What can I learn about God's nature by looking at this comparison?
3. Do I listen to God's voice or do I ignore it? Do I think the Bible or Scriptures are God's actual word, as though He were right here speaking to me? Why or why not? If I did see the Scriptures in this manner, how might that affect my reaction? How can I learn to listen to God's voice better?
4. Do I heed God's voice? Do I do what I think God is calling me to do or do I reason the feeling away? Have I hardened my heart to God's calling and voice? How? How can I change?
5. Do I ever test or try God? How do I do this? Why do I do this? Is this a trust issue? What can I do to stop testing God and to start trusting Him more?
Friday, October 2, 2015
Daily Devotional - 10/2/15
Prayer Focus - Wants
Day 7
Pray for:
One thing that you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream that you want to see happen in your life
One issue in your character that you want to see changed
One regret that you want to move past
One person that you want to get to know better
One health issue that you want to see improved in someone (can be yourself)
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 92
"It is good to praise the Lord...
For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.
But You, O Lord, are exalted forever.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is not wickedness in Him." (vs. 1a, 4 - 8, 12 - 15)
It is good to praise the Lord. I am grateful to know and understand this. Some people will never understand and this is hard for us. It is sad and oftentimes even heartbreaking, but we must remain faithful and remember that even Jesus was deserted by His closest friends in the end. They did not fully understand what He was about and what He came for. He knew that but He still did what He had to for those of us who would believe. We can not be down heartened as if it was our fault when someone we love is not following God. Everyone has free choice and some choose to sear their consciences and pursue other gods. Some deny that there is anything beyond what they can see. They live only for the here and now. But God is real, whether we choose to believe in Him or not. He will be exalted. We just need to keep holding this out.
If we choose to follow God and be righteous, we will flourish. It is an eternal principle. We may not grow rich or live free from struggles, but we will grow and still bear fruit in our old age. What a wonderful promise, that although our bodies are aging and dying, our souls and our spiritual lives become more and more beautiful if we devote ourselves to God. I want to flourish. I do not want to grow old and set in my ways. I want to be new and fresh and beautiful inside. I hope this for all of us. So let us praise the Lord, for this is good.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We praise You for this is good. You have been very good to us. Help us to always understand and seek You. Help us to know gratitude and be able to see all the works of Your hand in our life and in the lives of others. We want to grow strong and tall like the trees. We want to flourish in Your house. We want to still bear fruit in our old age. We know that we will find this only in You. We long to be close to You and be transformed.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I praise God? Why or why not? What do I have to praise God for? Can I make a list of 10, 20, or 30 plus things that God deserves praise for?
2. How do I feel when people do not understand my faith? Do I love the people anyway or do I get angry and dismissive? Do I pray for those who reject my faith?
3. Do I feel like I am growing spiritually? Why or why not? How can I go after this? What am I doing that helps? What am I doing that hinders me?
4. How long have I been following God? Do I still have the love I originally did? If it is not as strong, why do I feel like it has faded? What can I do to get back my "first love"?
5. Am I bearing fruit? What does that mean to me? What evidence is there that my faith is growing and being more productive?
Day 7
Pray for:
One thing that you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream that you want to see happen in your life
One issue in your character that you want to see changed
One regret that you want to move past
One person that you want to get to know better
One health issue that you want to see improved in someone (can be yourself)
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 92
"It is good to praise the Lord...
For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.
But You, O Lord, are exalted forever.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is not wickedness in Him." (vs. 1a, 4 - 8, 12 - 15)
It is good to praise the Lord. I am grateful to know and understand this. Some people will never understand and this is hard for us. It is sad and oftentimes even heartbreaking, but we must remain faithful and remember that even Jesus was deserted by His closest friends in the end. They did not fully understand what He was about and what He came for. He knew that but He still did what He had to for those of us who would believe. We can not be down heartened as if it was our fault when someone we love is not following God. Everyone has free choice and some choose to sear their consciences and pursue other gods. Some deny that there is anything beyond what they can see. They live only for the here and now. But God is real, whether we choose to believe in Him or not. He will be exalted. We just need to keep holding this out.
If we choose to follow God and be righteous, we will flourish. It is an eternal principle. We may not grow rich or live free from struggles, but we will grow and still bear fruit in our old age. What a wonderful promise, that although our bodies are aging and dying, our souls and our spiritual lives become more and more beautiful if we devote ourselves to God. I want to flourish. I do not want to grow old and set in my ways. I want to be new and fresh and beautiful inside. I hope this for all of us. So let us praise the Lord, for this is good.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We praise You for this is good. You have been very good to us. Help us to always understand and seek You. Help us to know gratitude and be able to see all the works of Your hand in our life and in the lives of others. We want to grow strong and tall like the trees. We want to flourish in Your house. We want to still bear fruit in our old age. We know that we will find this only in You. We long to be close to You and be transformed.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I praise God? Why or why not? What do I have to praise God for? Can I make a list of 10, 20, or 30 plus things that God deserves praise for?
2. How do I feel when people do not understand my faith? Do I love the people anyway or do I get angry and dismissive? Do I pray for those who reject my faith?
3. Do I feel like I am growing spiritually? Why or why not? How can I go after this? What am I doing that helps? What am I doing that hinders me?
4. How long have I been following God? Do I still have the love I originally did? If it is not as strong, why do I feel like it has faded? What can I do to get back my "first love"?
5. Am I bearing fruit? What does that mean to me? What evidence is there that my faith is growing and being more productive?
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/30/15
Prayer Focus - Wants
Day 5
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream you have for your life
One issue in your character that you would like to see changed
One regret that you would like to move past
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 90
"Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, 'Return to dust, O sons of men.' For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
We finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us: establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." ( vs. 1 - 6, 9b - 10, 12, 14, 17 )
We have come from God, and we will return to face Him. The unseen is unfathomable, but sometimes I can slightly catch an understanding. What if I had never been born, didn't exist at all. What if I had never had the chance to experience life here on earth or anywhere for that matter. That thought has always made me slightly nauseous because I love life. I am so grateful that I exist, even on the worst days.
Life is so strange. We are here, and then we are gone. Where do we go? What is important? So many unknowns. But we can know a few things. We are here now. There is something beyond us, and we will die someday. Seventy or eighty years if we have the strength. Isn't that the truth? Living can be hard. Living can be confusing. But we know, we can see, that there is something special in us that is keeping us alive and when someone dies, that spark that made them who they are is gone and now there is just an outer shell. They are no longer here.
So if we are here and then gone, and if God remains, what is really important? If I am going to fly away back to God, I had better be ready for that. We need to face this reality, that this time here is really just the pause before the real life begins. If what comes after earth lasts for eternity, time without end, then that is so much more important than what I have on my to do list today. I do need to number my days correctly. I can not believe that I am almost 50 now. It seems that I was just a child. Time has gone by so fast and it will never come back to me. Each moment is gone forever. What will I make of my remaining days? Realistically, my life is already half over, unless I can somehow manage to stay alive until I am 100. I must remember this and focus. I no longer have time to waste, if I ever did.
I want to be satisfied by God and God alone. I want to awake and be content with His love. I want to really live while I have the chance and no longer be afraid. Fear is so binding; so limiting. Only God can do this. It is not within me. I turn to God and pray that His favor will rest upon me. I pray that His favor will rest upon you. I want to make a difference in this world, that it mattered that I was here and that I left things better than I found them. Yes Lord, establish the work of our hands and help us to walk with You and no longer be afraid.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We are here. We know that this is not all there is. The unknown is frightening, but You say that perfect love drives out fear. Your love is perfect. Please drive out our fear. Help us to see life as You see it and to have the proper priorities. Help us to truly live. The time is short. We want to make it count.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I ever think about how short life is? Do I think about eternity? Why or why not? How can thinking about these concepts help me?
2. Do I think about what I would like to accomplish with my life? Are my goals in line with God's? How do I know?
3. Does my relationship with God motivate me? Am I in love with God? Does His love satisfy me or am I looking for something else to make me happy?
4. Am I joyful? Why or why not? How could I cultivate more joy? How could changing my priorities affect my joy level?
5. Do I feel like God's favor is on me? Why or why not? What work do I see God blessing in my life? Is it different from what I would like to see God blessing? Is what I consider my work the same as what God would consider my work? Why do I think this?
Day 5
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream you have for your life
One issue in your character that you would like to see changed
One regret that you would like to move past
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 90
"Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, 'Return to dust, O sons of men.' For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning - though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
We finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us: establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." ( vs. 1 - 6, 9b - 10, 12, 14, 17 )
We have come from God, and we will return to face Him. The unseen is unfathomable, but sometimes I can slightly catch an understanding. What if I had never been born, didn't exist at all. What if I had never had the chance to experience life here on earth or anywhere for that matter. That thought has always made me slightly nauseous because I love life. I am so grateful that I exist, even on the worst days.
Life is so strange. We are here, and then we are gone. Where do we go? What is important? So many unknowns. But we can know a few things. We are here now. There is something beyond us, and we will die someday. Seventy or eighty years if we have the strength. Isn't that the truth? Living can be hard. Living can be confusing. But we know, we can see, that there is something special in us that is keeping us alive and when someone dies, that spark that made them who they are is gone and now there is just an outer shell. They are no longer here.
So if we are here and then gone, and if God remains, what is really important? If I am going to fly away back to God, I had better be ready for that. We need to face this reality, that this time here is really just the pause before the real life begins. If what comes after earth lasts for eternity, time without end, then that is so much more important than what I have on my to do list today. I do need to number my days correctly. I can not believe that I am almost 50 now. It seems that I was just a child. Time has gone by so fast and it will never come back to me. Each moment is gone forever. What will I make of my remaining days? Realistically, my life is already half over, unless I can somehow manage to stay alive until I am 100. I must remember this and focus. I no longer have time to waste, if I ever did.
I want to be satisfied by God and God alone. I want to awake and be content with His love. I want to really live while I have the chance and no longer be afraid. Fear is so binding; so limiting. Only God can do this. It is not within me. I turn to God and pray that His favor will rest upon me. I pray that His favor will rest upon you. I want to make a difference in this world, that it mattered that I was here and that I left things better than I found them. Yes Lord, establish the work of our hands and help us to walk with You and no longer be afraid.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We are here. We know that this is not all there is. The unknown is frightening, but You say that perfect love drives out fear. Your love is perfect. Please drive out our fear. Help us to see life as You see it and to have the proper priorities. Help us to truly live. The time is short. We want to make it count.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I ever think about how short life is? Do I think about eternity? Why or why not? How can thinking about these concepts help me?
2. Do I think about what I would like to accomplish with my life? Are my goals in line with God's? How do I know?
3. Does my relationship with God motivate me? Am I in love with God? Does His love satisfy me or am I looking for something else to make me happy?
4. Am I joyful? Why or why not? How could I cultivate more joy? How could changing my priorities affect my joy level?
5. Do I feel like God's favor is on me? Why or why not? What work do I see God blessing in my life? Is it different from what I would like to see God blessing? Is what I consider my work the same as what God would consider my work? Why do I think this?
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/29/15
Prayer Focus - Wants
Day 4
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream you have for your life
One issue in your character that you would like to see changed
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 89
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel." ( vs. 14 - 18 )
Righteousness and justice form the foundation of the throne of God. He is righteous and just. How good it is to know that there is a standard that never changes. Although we do not necessarily like everything about it, it is steadfast and I think that we long for that type of consistency. We hate it when things are not fair. It is good to know that God is fair, and that justice will win out one day. It is also good to know that God does not forget our hard work and all of the good things that we have done. ("God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10) Someday we will reap what we have sown. ("Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6: 7-9)
What is even better than God being righteous and justice, however, is that God is loving and faithful. He is so much so, that it goes before Him. These qualities trumpet His coming. When I think about the world, I still see God; even with all the evil that is here. Sometimes people will say, "How can there be a God when there is bad things happening?" I think, "If there is no God, that is all that would be happening!" God is in all the kindness and beauty that is still here on Earth. When I see a beautiful sunset, I see God. When I look at my children playing and laughing, I see God. When I receive a kindness or am able to give to someone, I feel God's presence. God is good, always good.
We will be blessed if we can believe and hold onto this; when we can acclaim God. We will receive what we have faith in. God does not change, but we can be blinded to Him. Sometimes my students do not like me. They think I am mean and hard. They have not been able to see who I really am, because they do not cooperate with the rules of the class, or they perceive my pushing them to be excellent and to achieve as meanness. No matter how kind and loving I may be, they will never see it. They are blinded by their own perceptions and rebelliousness. I have not changed. This is how it is with God. If we are rebellious and resentful about being transformed, we will see God as a harsh taskmaster. If we follow God's laws and make Him our strength, and if we are willing to be changed, God will be our most treasured glory and strength. The choice is ours.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are good. You do bless us. Help us to see You; to see the real You and for us to not be deceived by our rebelliousness. You are righteous and just. You are loving and faithful. We are grateful that You are not like us. You are so praiseworthy. Thank You for our lives and for Your promises. Help us to live up to Your desires for us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. How do I see God as righteous? Am I righteous? What does this mean to me? How can I be righteous in my day to day living?
2. Do I value justice? How do I see God as just? Am I just? What does this mean to me? How can I learn to be more just and to value justice more?
3. How do I see God as loving? What does that mean to me? Am I loving? What evidence is there to support my answer? How can I be more loving?
4. How do I see God as faithful? What does that mean to me? Am I faithful to God? Am I faithful to others? Why or why not? How can I become more faithful to God and to others?
5. How do I acclaim God? What is my view of Him? Do I have a true perspective or am I tainted by bitterness or bad experiences? How can I work through any issues I have so that I can be able to see God as He truly is? How will this change my life?
Day 4
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
One dream you have for your life
One issue in your character that you would like to see changed
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 89
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel." ( vs. 14 - 18 )
Righteousness and justice form the foundation of the throne of God. He is righteous and just. How good it is to know that there is a standard that never changes. Although we do not necessarily like everything about it, it is steadfast and I think that we long for that type of consistency. We hate it when things are not fair. It is good to know that God is fair, and that justice will win out one day. It is also good to know that God does not forget our hard work and all of the good things that we have done. ("God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10) Someday we will reap what we have sown. ("Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6: 7-9)
What is even better than God being righteous and justice, however, is that God is loving and faithful. He is so much so, that it goes before Him. These qualities trumpet His coming. When I think about the world, I still see God; even with all the evil that is here. Sometimes people will say, "How can there be a God when there is bad things happening?" I think, "If there is no God, that is all that would be happening!" God is in all the kindness and beauty that is still here on Earth. When I see a beautiful sunset, I see God. When I look at my children playing and laughing, I see God. When I receive a kindness or am able to give to someone, I feel God's presence. God is good, always good.
We will be blessed if we can believe and hold onto this; when we can acclaim God. We will receive what we have faith in. God does not change, but we can be blinded to Him. Sometimes my students do not like me. They think I am mean and hard. They have not been able to see who I really am, because they do not cooperate with the rules of the class, or they perceive my pushing them to be excellent and to achieve as meanness. No matter how kind and loving I may be, they will never see it. They are blinded by their own perceptions and rebelliousness. I have not changed. This is how it is with God. If we are rebellious and resentful about being transformed, we will see God as a harsh taskmaster. If we follow God's laws and make Him our strength, and if we are willing to be changed, God will be our most treasured glory and strength. The choice is ours.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are good. You do bless us. Help us to see You; to see the real You and for us to not be deceived by our rebelliousness. You are righteous and just. You are loving and faithful. We are grateful that You are not like us. You are so praiseworthy. Thank You for our lives and for Your promises. Help us to live up to Your desires for us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. How do I see God as righteous? Am I righteous? What does this mean to me? How can I be righteous in my day to day living?
2. Do I value justice? How do I see God as just? Am I just? What does this mean to me? How can I learn to be more just and to value justice more?
3. How do I see God as loving? What does that mean to me? Am I loving? What evidence is there to support my answer? How can I be more loving?
4. How do I see God as faithful? What does that mean to me? Am I faithful to God? Am I faithful to others? Why or why not? How can I become more faithful to God and to others?
5. How do I acclaim God? What is my view of Him? Do I have a true perspective or am I tainted by bitterness or bad experiences? How can I work through any issues I have so that I can be able to see God as He truly is? How will this change my life?
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/27/15 (1/27/10)
Prayer Focus - Wants
Day 2
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 87
"The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God. "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me - Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush - and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.'"
Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her." The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: This one was born in Zion." ( vs. 2 - 6 )
In the Old Testament, Zion referred primarily to Jerusalem but was also used to refer to the Temple, and the Jewish nation; the people of God. In the New Testament, Zion usually refers to the spiritual kingdom of God, which could also seen as the church if one does a more thorough study. In Psalm 87, we see how much God cares about His people, whether His original people or those of us that have been grafted in. God loves us. God is desirous for all of us to belong to His kingdom, Zion. He also desires for His kingdom to be glorious and He is committed to establishing and maintaining it.
Imagine, we can be a part of this. We can have our names written in the register of the people and we can have our place of birth be recorded as Zion. This is ultimately the desired end result, isn't it? To have God acknowledge us as His own on that day when we will face Him. For Him to say to everyone, "Yes, this one was born in Zion. This child is mine!". Our national heritage often inspires us. I know when I was just out of college, I contemplated becoming an Australian citizen so that I could further my water polo career there. Even though at that time, I did not think that I cared that much about being an American, when I faced with the idea of having to renounce my citizenship to the United States, I couldn't. It was then that I realized what my country did mean to me. I thought of all my memories of growing up and of all the benefits that I had received, and I realized I loved my country, even with all of its faults. How much more so should we feel about our spiritual heritage and our spiritual country.
If we have been born again, we are citizens of Zion. We have a new kingdom. It is challenging to say to ourselves, "I have been born in Zion". Do we realize what an amazing thing this is? We have a fresh start and a new allegiance. We have all the rights and privileges of citizens of the kingdom of God. But do we live accordingly? I think too often, we take for granted what we have, just as I had taken for granted what I had as an American citizen. We need to make a conscious effort to be grateful and to give back. As John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address in 1961:
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
Kennedy was calling Americans and the whole world higher. Many responded to his plea. As followers of God and citizens of His country, we should take our duty even more to heart because, besides being citizens of God's kingdom, we have also been called to become His ambassadors. We are representing Him. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:20) I have been given a job to do in my life. I need to represent God. I need to live in a way that will glorify Him. I can not just do whatever I want anymore. People are watching. People will always watch.
I remember one of the most convicting moments of my high school days. I was supposed to be a Christian. I had been telling my friends about God in my junior year of school, but then in my senior year, I started partying and put aside my faith. One night at a party, I had been drinking and was not behaving in a very Christian manner. One of my friends stopped me in my tracks when they said, "Hey, I thought you were supposed to be a Christian." I didn't know what to say at that point, because they were right. I was supposed to be something but I wasn't living like it. I realized I was as big a hypocrite as the people I was upset with in my church and in my life. I kept partying that night, but that moment in time kept echoing in my head and eventually, I did become a true Christian. But that memory was never forgotten. I can still hear my friend asking me that question, even all these years later and that is okay because it is a good question. I am supposed to be a Christian. So, what does my life say? I hope it says I am. I hope it says that this is what is most important to me. I hope now, I do have integrity.
Looking back, sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I was given a second chance. I know I didn't deserve it. But God gives us all second, and third, and fourth chances. In fact, He is calling us until the day we die. I love the part of this psalm that says, "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me - Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush - and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.'" (vs. 4) These countries were not friends of God. They were the enemies of the Jews; the ones that enslaved and persecuted them. But it appears that they are given a second chance. They too had the opportunity to become children of Zion. This speaks to me of the extreme love of God, that all of us, no matter how far we have fallen or where we have been, can start over. We can be born again and receive a new country, a new life.
What an exciting thought and what a responsibility as well! Let us rise to the occasion so we can retain our citizenship in Zion and enjoy all of its blessings.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
What a wonderful thought that we have been born in Zion. Help us to remember that we belong to such an awesome kingdom. We are a people now. We have a great heritage. Let us live so that others may see and worship You. Let us be worthy ambassadors for our spiritual homeland. Let us make You proud.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Have I been born in Zion? Is my name written in the register? How do I know? Are there any questions that I need to resolve about my conversion or any doubts in my mind? How can I clear these up so that I have full confidence in my citizenship?
2. Am I inspired by my spiritual heritage and belonging? Do I think about what an honor this is? How will dwelling on my citizenship in Zion help me to live better in the here and now?
3. Am I being a good ambassador for my spiritual country? What impression will others have of God and the kingdom because of me? Are there things I need to change to serve God better in my role as ambassador?
4. What blessings have I received due to my spiritual birth? What privileges do I enjoy because of this? Am I grateful or do I take advantage of my position in Christ?
5. What is my attitude about God's kingdom and the church. Am I serving my spiritual country or am I looking for what I can receive from it? What can I do to make my spiritual country, and my physical country a better place?
Day 2
Pray for:
One thing you want to understand about God
One characteristic you want to develop that will help you to be more loving towards others
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 87
"The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God. "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me - Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush - and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.'"
Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her." The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: This one was born in Zion." ( vs. 2 - 6 )
In the Old Testament, Zion referred primarily to Jerusalem but was also used to refer to the Temple, and the Jewish nation; the people of God. In the New Testament, Zion usually refers to the spiritual kingdom of God, which could also seen as the church if one does a more thorough study. In Psalm 87, we see how much God cares about His people, whether His original people or those of us that have been grafted in. God loves us. God is desirous for all of us to belong to His kingdom, Zion. He also desires for His kingdom to be glorious and He is committed to establishing and maintaining it.
Imagine, we can be a part of this. We can have our names written in the register of the people and we can have our place of birth be recorded as Zion. This is ultimately the desired end result, isn't it? To have God acknowledge us as His own on that day when we will face Him. For Him to say to everyone, "Yes, this one was born in Zion. This child is mine!". Our national heritage often inspires us. I know when I was just out of college, I contemplated becoming an Australian citizen so that I could further my water polo career there. Even though at that time, I did not think that I cared that much about being an American, when I faced with the idea of having to renounce my citizenship to the United States, I couldn't. It was then that I realized what my country did mean to me. I thought of all my memories of growing up and of all the benefits that I had received, and I realized I loved my country, even with all of its faults. How much more so should we feel about our spiritual heritage and our spiritual country.
If we have been born again, we are citizens of Zion. We have a new kingdom. It is challenging to say to ourselves, "I have been born in Zion". Do we realize what an amazing thing this is? We have a fresh start and a new allegiance. We have all the rights and privileges of citizens of the kingdom of God. But do we live accordingly? I think too often, we take for granted what we have, just as I had taken for granted what I had as an American citizen. We need to make a conscious effort to be grateful and to give back. As John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address in 1961:
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
Kennedy was calling Americans and the whole world higher. Many responded to his plea. As followers of God and citizens of His country, we should take our duty even more to heart because, besides being citizens of God's kingdom, we have also been called to become His ambassadors. We are representing Him. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:20) I have been given a job to do in my life. I need to represent God. I need to live in a way that will glorify Him. I can not just do whatever I want anymore. People are watching. People will always watch.
I remember one of the most convicting moments of my high school days. I was supposed to be a Christian. I had been telling my friends about God in my junior year of school, but then in my senior year, I started partying and put aside my faith. One night at a party, I had been drinking and was not behaving in a very Christian manner. One of my friends stopped me in my tracks when they said, "Hey, I thought you were supposed to be a Christian." I didn't know what to say at that point, because they were right. I was supposed to be something but I wasn't living like it. I realized I was as big a hypocrite as the people I was upset with in my church and in my life. I kept partying that night, but that moment in time kept echoing in my head and eventually, I did become a true Christian. But that memory was never forgotten. I can still hear my friend asking me that question, even all these years later and that is okay because it is a good question. I am supposed to be a Christian. So, what does my life say? I hope it says I am. I hope it says that this is what is most important to me. I hope now, I do have integrity.
Looking back, sometimes it is hard for me to believe that I was given a second chance. I know I didn't deserve it. But God gives us all second, and third, and fourth chances. In fact, He is calling us until the day we die. I love the part of this psalm that says, "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me - Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush - and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.'" (vs. 4) These countries were not friends of God. They were the enemies of the Jews; the ones that enslaved and persecuted them. But it appears that they are given a second chance. They too had the opportunity to become children of Zion. This speaks to me of the extreme love of God, that all of us, no matter how far we have fallen or where we have been, can start over. We can be born again and receive a new country, a new life.
What an exciting thought and what a responsibility as well! Let us rise to the occasion so we can retain our citizenship in Zion and enjoy all of its blessings.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
What a wonderful thought that we have been born in Zion. Help us to remember that we belong to such an awesome kingdom. We are a people now. We have a great heritage. Let us live so that others may see and worship You. Let us be worthy ambassadors for our spiritual homeland. Let us make You proud.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Have I been born in Zion? Is my name written in the register? How do I know? Are there any questions that I need to resolve about my conversion or any doubts in my mind? How can I clear these up so that I have full confidence in my citizenship?
2. Am I inspired by my spiritual heritage and belonging? Do I think about what an honor this is? How will dwelling on my citizenship in Zion help me to live better in the here and now?
3. Am I being a good ambassador for my spiritual country? What impression will others have of God and the kingdom because of me? Are there things I need to change to serve God better in my role as ambassador?
4. What blessings have I received due to my spiritual birth? What privileges do I enjoy because of this? Am I grateful or do I take advantage of my position in Christ?
5. What is my attitude about God's kingdom and the church. Am I serving my spiritual country or am I looking for what I can receive from it? What can I do to make my spiritual country, and my physical country a better place?
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/22/15 (1/22/10)
Prayer Focus - Personal Transformation
Day 4
Pray for:
One thing that you want to see improved in your relationship with God - (Love God)
One thing that you want to see improved in the way you relate to others - (with all your heart)
One past hurt that you want to see healed and overcome - (with all your soul)
One skill or topic you want to learn - (with all your mind)
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 82
"How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken" ( vs. 2 - 5 )
The world that we live in is very confused. We can also be very confused. We do not really understand what truly matters anymore. Sometimes we call wrong right, and right wrong. Sometimes we are defending the wrong people and things. I don't know why we do this, but I have seen this struggle in myself. Even in my teaching, sometimes I have caught myself trying to cater to the students who cause trouble in the class instead of the ones who are trying so hard to learn. I often see myself looking at people in a worldly way, thinking about who makes a lot of money or who is more popular and successful in the world. I can be fooled by glitz and glamor. I can be envious of people that have a nice car or house and a lot of money. I can want a life of leisure instead of a life of purpose. Then I become very dissatisfied with my life and all of its blessings.
I often think it would be good if we could go back to a simpler time so that we would not have so many distractions from the pursuit of values and integrity. We would have a completely different perspective, but unfortunately, we can not go back. And, I must remind myself, there have always been problems. But, I do often think about the story of Pandora's Box. Once the box was opened, there was no going back. This is similar to our world now. Everything is out of the box and evil just seems to keep expanding. But despite all of this, we are still called to a better life. We are challenged with our thinking and taught about what is truly life.
This short psalms calls us out. It asks, "How long will we keep valuing what is wrong?" It challenges us with purpose; defend, maintain, rescue, and deliver. It calls on us to change the world; to stop being blind to the truth and to start to understand. The earth is being shaken right now by ignorance and hatred. Horrible things are being done, and evil men are being regarded as good in many parts of the world, but if we look to the scriptures, we are still commanded to focus on what is good and noble, perfect and true (Philippians 4:8).
We are still called to rejoice. Consider this:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
We are still called to love. Consider this:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
We are called to make a difference by being different, and loving in a different way. We are called to look at people from God's perspective and have His priorities in dealing with them.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:16-17)
We tend to look at the outward appearance of others and judge them by our standards of what we like and dislike (I Samuel 16:7). We are doing wrong when we do this. I am definitely glad that God looks at my heart because I know I would never measure up outwardly; yet why do I forget that with others. Often the best people are so far removed from what we would have imagined or picked. We need to take care of everyone that we can because that is what God desires. He has called us to use whatever strength and resources we have to help. We are not to just look at people outwardly, we are to look at need. We are to help the weak and the poor. We are to protect others from evil. We are called and if we are called, we will be equipped.
Let us keep our priorities right and remember we are here to serve and not be served (Matt 20:28). There are so many people who need us. Let us place others above ourselves today and everyday. We can make a difference.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Help us to see people as You do. Help us to focus on the heart and not on the outward appearance. Help us to not be drawn to what society promotes as the "beautiful people". We are all precious to You and so we should all be precious to each other. Help us to not miss out on the joy of serving and help us to help those who need it. Show us the good works You have for us to do and grant us the strength to do them.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. How do I view people? Why? How do I see the poor, fatherless, oppressed, weak, and needy? Do I have any stereotypes about others? Why? How can I change this?
2. Do I defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked in any way? Why? How do I feel about doing this? How can I change?
3. How do I deal with spiritually needy people? Am I willing to sacrifice my money to help them mature spiritually or would I rather just meet their physical needs? How can I start giving more to others spiritually? Is there someone I know that I can help today?
4. Do I make time for those in need? Do I defend and protect them in any way? What can I do to change? What can I do to help the poor, weak, needy, oppressed, or fatherless? What opportunities already exist? Is there something I could help begin? Is there someone I know personally that I can help?
5. Do I believe that I can make a difference in the world? Why or why not? What can I study out in the Bible that will remind me that I can? What vision or dream can I develop about impacting the world in a great way?
Day 4
Pray for:
One thing that you want to see improved in your relationship with God - (Love God)
One thing that you want to see improved in the way you relate to others - (with all your heart)
One past hurt that you want to see healed and overcome - (with all your soul)
One skill or topic you want to learn - (with all your mind)
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to Your ever present voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 82
"How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken" ( vs. 2 - 5 )
The world that we live in is very confused. We can also be very confused. We do not really understand what truly matters anymore. Sometimes we call wrong right, and right wrong. Sometimes we are defending the wrong people and things. I don't know why we do this, but I have seen this struggle in myself. Even in my teaching, sometimes I have caught myself trying to cater to the students who cause trouble in the class instead of the ones who are trying so hard to learn. I often see myself looking at people in a worldly way, thinking about who makes a lot of money or who is more popular and successful in the world. I can be fooled by glitz and glamor. I can be envious of people that have a nice car or house and a lot of money. I can want a life of leisure instead of a life of purpose. Then I become very dissatisfied with my life and all of its blessings.
I often think it would be good if we could go back to a simpler time so that we would not have so many distractions from the pursuit of values and integrity. We would have a completely different perspective, but unfortunately, we can not go back. And, I must remind myself, there have always been problems. But, I do often think about the story of Pandora's Box. Once the box was opened, there was no going back. This is similar to our world now. Everything is out of the box and evil just seems to keep expanding. But despite all of this, we are still called to a better life. We are challenged with our thinking and taught about what is truly life.
This short psalms calls us out. It asks, "How long will we keep valuing what is wrong?" It challenges us with purpose; defend, maintain, rescue, and deliver. It calls on us to change the world; to stop being blind to the truth and to start to understand. The earth is being shaken right now by ignorance and hatred. Horrible things are being done, and evil men are being regarded as good in many parts of the world, but if we look to the scriptures, we are still commanded to focus on what is good and noble, perfect and true (Philippians 4:8).
We are still called to rejoice. Consider this:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
We are still called to love. Consider this:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
We are called to make a difference by being different, and loving in a different way. We are called to look at people from God's perspective and have His priorities in dealing with them.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:16-17)
We tend to look at the outward appearance of others and judge them by our standards of what we like and dislike (I Samuel 16:7). We are doing wrong when we do this. I am definitely glad that God looks at my heart because I know I would never measure up outwardly; yet why do I forget that with others. Often the best people are so far removed from what we would have imagined or picked. We need to take care of everyone that we can because that is what God desires. He has called us to use whatever strength and resources we have to help. We are not to just look at people outwardly, we are to look at need. We are to help the weak and the poor. We are to protect others from evil. We are called and if we are called, we will be equipped.
Let us keep our priorities right and remember we are here to serve and not be served (Matt 20:28). There are so many people who need us. Let us place others above ourselves today and everyday. We can make a difference.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Help us to see people as You do. Help us to focus on the heart and not on the outward appearance. Help us to not be drawn to what society promotes as the "beautiful people". We are all precious to You and so we should all be precious to each other. Help us to not miss out on the joy of serving and help us to help those who need it. Show us the good works You have for us to do and grant us the strength to do them.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. How do I view people? Why? How do I see the poor, fatherless, oppressed, weak, and needy? Do I have any stereotypes about others? Why? How can I change this?
2. Do I defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked in any way? Why? How do I feel about doing this? How can I change?
3. How do I deal with spiritually needy people? Am I willing to sacrifice my money to help them mature spiritually or would I rather just meet their physical needs? How can I start giving more to others spiritually? Is there someone I know that I can help today?
4. Do I make time for those in need? Do I defend and protect them in any way? What can I do to change? What can I do to help the poor, weak, needy, oppressed, or fatherless? What opportunities already exist? Is there something I could help begin? Is there someone I know personally that I can help?
5. Do I believe that I can make a difference in the world? Why or why not? What can I study out in the Bible that will remind me that I can? What vision or dream can I develop about impacting the world in a great way?
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/16/15 (11/16/09)
Prayer Focus - Needs
Day 5
Pray for:
One thing that is needed in the world
One thing that is needed in your country
One thing that is needed in your state/region
One thing that is needed in your city
One thing that is needed in your family
Focus on how the fulfilled need will help impact people's:
spiritual lives
physical lives
emotional lives
mental lives
Day 5
Pray for:
One thing that is needed in the world
One thing that is needed in your country
One thing that is needed in your state/region
One thing that is needed in your city
One thing that is needed in your family
Focus on how the fulfilled need will help impact people's:
spiritual lives
physical lives
emotional lives
mental lives
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 76
"In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion...
You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before You when You are angry?...
Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. He breaks the spirit of rulers; He is feared by the kings of the earth." (vs. 1-2, 7, 11-12)
God is known by His people! Think about who you really know and who really knows you. Isn't it our best friends and our closest family members. People we love and trust. We can have a lot of friends but most likely we have very few that have gotten that close. We do not share our hearts with our casual friends or our acquaintances. Yet, God is desiring that His people know Him intimately. He wants a very close relationship with us. He also wants to dwells with us. He wants to be with us day in and day out. He is concerned with even the minute details for our lives. The scriptures state that He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matt 10:30). How amazing is this! We can know God! He knows us and He still wants to live with us and deal with us! We know we don't deserve this, but praise God, He offers it anyway.
God is love (I John 4:8). His desire to be known by us is proof of His love. His whole being is perfect love. The problem is that we don't always understand what true love really is. We usually like to dwell on the softer aspects of love such as acceptance, trust, and kindness, but there is also the aspect of love that disciplines and the aspect of love that at times has to let go and step back from a situation. Sometimes we have to be strong if we love. If we think of our children, we may have experienced this. When we see or learn that they are doing things that will hurt them, we do not just allow them to do these things. We can't sit by idly because we don't want them to be angry with us. We can not be cowards. We have to be strong at times and set standards. We may be seen as very unloving by them, but this is surely not our hearts. Our hearts are breaking when we have to discipline them because we want a relationship so badly with them but we can not have want we want if they do not change and follow some rules. This too is love.
Our children need to fear and respect us in a healthy way so that they can learn the lessons we need to teach them and so that we can impart the wisdom we have learned through our experiences. After all, we have lived longer than them and this counts for something. I believe it must be similar to this with God. We are His children. He deserves our fear and respect. In fact, He alone is to be feared. We don't like this idea. We will fear just about anything else, but to fear God we often think is just not right. Usually, He is the last thing we fear. It is so easy for us to start fearing men because we can see them and they can speak to us and voice their displeasure with us. Circumstances and the uncertainty of life is also easy to fear because it is so present and often overwhelming. But to fear God is often laughed at or condemned. It is difficult to swim against the current and follow God because more and more this puts us at odds with our society. We struggle with living counter to our culture because we want to look cool and fit in. It is also hard for us to be disliked, talked about, or have enemies because we want so much to be accepted.
We have to come to grips with the fact that we will never be fully accepted by the world if we are truly following God. We may be liked, tolerated, and even respected at times, but we will never be "one of the gang" if we are truly standing up and living by God's standards. We should not even really want to be accepted by the world if we think about what the world stands for. (James 4:4)
We just need to focus on pleasing God. He is the one who created us and the one who will take care of us. Some day what we hold to be true will be real for everyone else as well. Our faith will be sight and even the kings of earth will one day bow before the Creator. God is the true controller of everything and He is the only one that really matters in the long run. We need to remember that and then strive to fulfill our vows to Him. This should be our focus each and every day. When we can say that it is, then we will be truly at peace no matter what comes.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We praise You for allowing us to know You. We want to know You better each and every day. Help us to not waste the time we have with You and help us to walk in Your presence today. We want to fear You. Although fear is not popular, it is what is due You as You are able to give and take away all that we have and are. We praise You for Your goodness and mercy. Without both, we would not be able to stand. None of us are worthy. Help us to fulfill our vows and live lives pleasing to You. Guard our hearts and keep us from pride and arrogance. Help us to walk humbly before You.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I know God? How would I describe my relationship with Him? Are we best friends, friends, acquaintances, or strangers? How can I deepen my relationship with Him? Am I focusing on the reality that God wants to dwell with me?
2. Do I fear God? How do I feel about that concept? Do I shy away from it? Why do I feel as I do? Why do I need to fear God? How will that improve my relationship with Him and my obedience to His word?
3. What do I fear the most? Do I ever fear man or circumstances? How does my life show this? Am I happy about how I am living? Am I standing up for what I believe in or do I feel like I am a coward?
4. What vows have I made to God? Am I fulfilling them? Why or why not? What do I need to start doing to fulfill them?
4. Do I believe that everyone will bow before God someday? What is my views of other religions? Do I see them all the same or do I see the difference in Christianity? Do I see everyone as needing a relationship with God? Why or why not?
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Daily Devotional - 9/2/15 (11/2/09)
Prayer Focus - Strangers
Day 5
Pray for:
One person you admire or look up to
One person you met/meet today
One person that is in the entertainment industry
One person in politics
One person you always see but have never spoken to
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 62
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." ( vs. 1-2 )
I am so tired tonight. Going back to work from the summer break is hard as it brings long days and short nights. Hours in the car fighting traffic and endless commitments. I can hardly think, but I keep going. What is important gets done and we keep moving on. My time with God is my only time to myself, but most importantly, it is my lifeline. If I did not have God, I would surely be lost. First of all, I would not have my family, my husband, or my beautiful children. I would not be a teacher, and probably, I would not be alive. I have found rest despite being exhausted. I have a stronghold. I have something beyond this life. I always thought that if all we had to live for was the 9 to 5 and the grow old, get a job, raise a family, then die type of life than it was all so hopeless. I am so glad that God showed me something different.
"My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty Rock, my Refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." ( vs. 7-8 )
Besides rest, my honor comes from God as well. If I had been left to myself, I wouldn't have had any honor. I was not a very nice person before I became a Christian. I used people and all I cared about was myself and my desires. I was full of anger and rage and had a seared conscience. I was so hardened by sin, that my spiritual transformation took a long time. I did not change overnight when I decided to follow God. Yes, I had grace, but the real work was just beginning. The consequences of only 17 years of godless living have now taken thirty plus years to overcome. It is hard for me to imagine, but I have been trying to do this since 1983; all of my adult life has been dedicated to becoming closer and closer to God. It has taken all that time to develop, through God, whatever honor I have now. What a thought! My integrity has come through walking through the furnaces and learning the hard way what it means to serve Him
One thing I am especially grateful for is that during all of this time, I have always had God to run to and to hide in. When the going got rough, as it often did, I poured out my heart to Him and then just slept an empty sleep, letting His spirit burn off the dross of my soul. In the morning when I would awake, I would be a little bit better; a little closer to the woman of integrity that I longed to be. The sun always seemed to shine brighter on those days and everything was a bit clearer. It was as if I could see God shining through.
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving. Surely You will reward each person according to what he has done." (vs. 11-12 )
Finally, I will remember that God is strong. That fact is a given which I need to always remember. He is not like me. He is more than capable. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God is huge and powerful. God is able! I will also remember that God is loving. He loves me. He loves You. All of what He does day to day in maintaining and running the universe is in an effort to try and bring people back to Him. That is His ultimate goal and desire. He desires that all men are saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (I Tim 2:3-4). Let us be faithful. It is worth it. I know. God will reward us if we are faithful. He will reward us for what we have done! Let us do something worthy of being rewarded today!
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We are coming to You. Our souls find rest in You alone. Thank You for providing us with the refuge that we so long for. We are lonely, weary travelers here. We are so different that sometimes it is tiresome. But You know. You are strong and You are loving. You will be here for us and provide for us. You are our fortress and refuge. We will trust in You. We will pour out our hearts to You. We will commit with our hearts and souls to serving You. We know You will reward us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I finding rest in God alone? What other things do I try to find rest in? How can I turn more to God for the rest and refreshing that I need?
2. Am I easily shaken? What does my stability say about my relationship with God? How can I become more stable?
3. Which of the names of God mentioned here do I most identify with? What does it mean to me to know that God has these qualities? How can this help me to trust in Him at all times?
4. Am I remembering that God is strong and loving? Which of these is harder for me to remember? Why?
5. Am I living as if I believed He was going to reward me according to what I have done? What would I change if I truly believed He was going to do this?
Day 5
Pray for:
One person you admire or look up to
One person you met/meet today
One person that is in the entertainment industry
One person in politics
One person you always see but have never spoken to
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 62
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." ( vs. 1-2 )
I am so tired tonight. Going back to work from the summer break is hard as it brings long days and short nights. Hours in the car fighting traffic and endless commitments. I can hardly think, but I keep going. What is important gets done and we keep moving on. My time with God is my only time to myself, but most importantly, it is my lifeline. If I did not have God, I would surely be lost. First of all, I would not have my family, my husband, or my beautiful children. I would not be a teacher, and probably, I would not be alive. I have found rest despite being exhausted. I have a stronghold. I have something beyond this life. I always thought that if all we had to live for was the 9 to 5 and the grow old, get a job, raise a family, then die type of life than it was all so hopeless. I am so glad that God showed me something different.
"My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty Rock, my Refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." ( vs. 7-8 )
Besides rest, my honor comes from God as well. If I had been left to myself, I wouldn't have had any honor. I was not a very nice person before I became a Christian. I used people and all I cared about was myself and my desires. I was full of anger and rage and had a seared conscience. I was so hardened by sin, that my spiritual transformation took a long time. I did not change overnight when I decided to follow God. Yes, I had grace, but the real work was just beginning. The consequences of only 17 years of godless living have now taken thirty plus years to overcome. It is hard for me to imagine, but I have been trying to do this since 1983; all of my adult life has been dedicated to becoming closer and closer to God. It has taken all that time to develop, through God, whatever honor I have now. What a thought! My integrity has come through walking through the furnaces and learning the hard way what it means to serve Him
One thing I am especially grateful for is that during all of this time, I have always had God to run to and to hide in. When the going got rough, as it often did, I poured out my heart to Him and then just slept an empty sleep, letting His spirit burn off the dross of my soul. In the morning when I would awake, I would be a little bit better; a little closer to the woman of integrity that I longed to be. The sun always seemed to shine brighter on those days and everything was a bit clearer. It was as if I could see God shining through.
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are loving. Surely You will reward each person according to what he has done." (vs. 11-12 )
Finally, I will remember that God is strong. That fact is a given which I need to always remember. He is not like me. He is more than capable. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God is huge and powerful. God is able! I will also remember that God is loving. He loves me. He loves You. All of what He does day to day in maintaining and running the universe is in an effort to try and bring people back to Him. That is His ultimate goal and desire. He desires that all men are saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (I Tim 2:3-4). Let us be faithful. It is worth it. I know. God will reward us if we are faithful. He will reward us for what we have done! Let us do something worthy of being rewarded today!
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We are coming to You. Our souls find rest in You alone. Thank You for providing us with the refuge that we so long for. We are lonely, weary travelers here. We are so different that sometimes it is tiresome. But You know. You are strong and You are loving. You will be here for us and provide for us. You are our fortress and refuge. We will trust in You. We will pour out our hearts to You. We will commit with our hearts and souls to serving You. We know You will reward us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I finding rest in God alone? What other things do I try to find rest in? How can I turn more to God for the rest and refreshing that I need?
2. Am I easily shaken? What does my stability say about my relationship with God? How can I become more stable?
3. Which of the names of God mentioned here do I most identify with? What does it mean to me to know that God has these qualities? How can this help me to trust in Him at all times?
4. Am I remembering that God is strong and loving? Which of these is harder for me to remember? Why?
5. Am I living as if I believed He was going to reward me according to what I have done? What would I change if I truly believed He was going to do this?
Friday, August 21, 2015
Daily Devotional for 8/21/15 (10/21/09)
Prayer Focus - Friends
Day 7
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
One friend that has always been there for you
One friend that you have lost touch with and have no idea where they are
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 51
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions." (vs. 1)
"Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge." (vs. 4)
"Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (vs. 6 - 7)
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." (vs. 10 - 12)
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (vs. 16 - 17)
In Your good pleasure make Zion prosper; Build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight You; (vs. 18 -19a)
True religion is something totally different than what most of us think. Often we think of going to church and a bunch of dos and don'ts. Definitely there are things that should and shouldn't be done but it all seems to boil down to love. What is the greatest commandment? Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:37-39). This is what Jesus said summed it all up - Love.
God is love. Do we remember this?
I think we forget. We think - God is a taskmaster. God is far away. God does not care. God is not fair. God is mean. God hates. God just wants me to obey. But is this really true? Does God want our sacrifices? Will our hard work save us? Can we ever be good enough?
The answer to all these types of questions are no. No, no, no. God is love. God wants truth. God wants integrity. God wants us to come back and say, "Thank You. Do not cast me away from You." God wants us broken and contrite. Ready to be something different. Ready to turn away from all the secrets within us. Bottom line, God wants us to be with Him and He knows what that will take.
I think when we look deep into ourselves, we know this as well. There is an aching part in us that just wants to be known, loved, and changed. I think we long for transformation. We long to be clean - to be free from what ever it is that is binding us and keeping us from life.
But even though we know this, there is a barrier to us reaching the healing we seek. I believe this barrier is sin. Sometimes we think we are so clever. We do things we know are wrong and think it will never be found out. We think no one can really see what is going on within us. Well, that is not really true is it? God sees everything. God already knows, and sooner or later everyone else usually finds out too.
When I was a child, I used to think it would be a great parenting tool to have cameras in every room so that a parent could see what was going on at all times. Now of course, that is possible now but it wasn't back in the 70's. I was grateful back then that nothing like that existed because I did a lot of things in secret that I didn't what anyone seeing. It was quite a revelation to me when I finally realized that God saw everything and that He had seen every single thing I had ever done in secret. I was quite ashamed and embarrassed.
So in order to be transformed and healed, and since all the things we have done have been seen anyway, we need to deal with them. We need to seek repentance. We have to get these secrets out into the open and get help. We need to stop doing wrong and start doing right. That is what I had to do.
I had to come to grips with the fact that God wanted me. He wants us, all of us, and He wants us to be true believers. He wants our hearts, not just our outward acquiescence. But I didn't know how to get from where I was to where I needed to be? This is where Psalm 51 is essential. It is the cry for forgiveness and restoration that we all need to cry.
When I was finally trying to get my life right with God, I had a mentor who was working with me in my life. He knew just about everything about me and he gave me a key assignment. He challenged me to memorize this Psalm and repeat it as often as I could. He felt that when I could truly pray this Psalm from my heart, then I would probably be ready to become a Christian.
I would finally be ready to become a Christian, because I would finally be ready to deal with the sin in my life. My heart would be ready to change because it would have released the things that were at that time controlling it. Sin hardens us. Sin hardens and breaks us. This world is broken. I was broken. Sin breaks our communion with God, others, and even ourselves. It cuts us off from our heart and it sears our consciences. It destroys whatever good is in us and it destroys the good in this world. We can not be close to God and be in sin as well. It is impossible.
I was so hard at this point in my life from all the sin I had indulged in that I needed a transformation. I needed a new heart, and new spirit. I needed to come to God on His terms, not mine.
I took my friend's challenge and eventually I had a breakthrough. God did have mercy on me. He did restore to me the joy of my salvation and renew a steadfast spirit within me. God was faithful and created a pure heart within me. I had not been pure in a long time but now I was and I could be completely different. Instead of being religious, I could be righteous - right with God. I could have integrity. I could have truth. I could walk without fear of what I was hiding.
God was and is faithful. Thirty some years later, I am still walking this walk and striving to keep this prayer and all of God's word in my heart so that I will not sin against Him.
I praise God that He did restore and in His timing, He did make me prosper. He has given me so much and I would never have known all the good He had in store if I had not been willing to get on my knees and pray.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Have mercy on us we pray. Forgive us our sins. Cleanse us. Only You can do this. We thank You for forgiving us. We thank You for Your mercy and grace. We thank you for even caring at all. We know that we are completely unworthy. Please grant us a willing spirit to sustain us. Grant us joy as well so that we may live and be the examples that You deserve. We know that in Your good pleasure, You can make us prosper. We look forward to that day.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What do I think God really wants from me? Why? Do I have a correct perspective of God? Why or why not? How can I get a more accurate view?
2. Do I realize how much I sin against God? Am I turning to Him for forgiveness? Do I realize that when I sin against others, I am sinning against God? Does this help me to stop sinning or could this help me? How can I remind myself of this fact?
3. Do I feel burdened by past sins? Have I been forgiven? How do I know? Do I need to discuss anything with another person to help deal with a habitual sin?
4. What does repentance mean to me? What do I do when I have done something wrong? How do I deal with it? Is this the best thing to do or could I do something differently?
5. Am I turning to God for a pure heart, a steadfast spirit, a willing spirit, and a joyful heart? Which of these is the hardest for me to maintain?
Day 7
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
One friend that has always been there for you
One friend that you have lost touch with and have no idea where they are
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 51
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions." (vs. 1)
"Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge." (vs. 4)
"Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (vs. 6 - 7)
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." (vs. 10 - 12)
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (vs. 16 - 17)
In Your good pleasure make Zion prosper; Build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight You; (vs. 18 -19a)
True religion is something totally different than what most of us think. Often we think of going to church and a bunch of dos and don'ts. Definitely there are things that should and shouldn't be done but it all seems to boil down to love. What is the greatest commandment? Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:37-39). This is what Jesus said summed it all up - Love.
God is love. Do we remember this?
I think we forget. We think - God is a taskmaster. God is far away. God does not care. God is not fair. God is mean. God hates. God just wants me to obey. But is this really true? Does God want our sacrifices? Will our hard work save us? Can we ever be good enough?
The answer to all these types of questions are no. No, no, no. God is love. God wants truth. God wants integrity. God wants us to come back and say, "Thank You. Do not cast me away from You." God wants us broken and contrite. Ready to be something different. Ready to turn away from all the secrets within us. Bottom line, God wants us to be with Him and He knows what that will take.
I think when we look deep into ourselves, we know this as well. There is an aching part in us that just wants to be known, loved, and changed. I think we long for transformation. We long to be clean - to be free from what ever it is that is binding us and keeping us from life.
But even though we know this, there is a barrier to us reaching the healing we seek. I believe this barrier is sin. Sometimes we think we are so clever. We do things we know are wrong and think it will never be found out. We think no one can really see what is going on within us. Well, that is not really true is it? God sees everything. God already knows, and sooner or later everyone else usually finds out too.
When I was a child, I used to think it would be a great parenting tool to have cameras in every room so that a parent could see what was going on at all times. Now of course, that is possible now but it wasn't back in the 70's. I was grateful back then that nothing like that existed because I did a lot of things in secret that I didn't what anyone seeing. It was quite a revelation to me when I finally realized that God saw everything and that He had seen every single thing I had ever done in secret. I was quite ashamed and embarrassed.
So in order to be transformed and healed, and since all the things we have done have been seen anyway, we need to deal with them. We need to seek repentance. We have to get these secrets out into the open and get help. We need to stop doing wrong and start doing right. That is what I had to do.
I had to come to grips with the fact that God wanted me. He wants us, all of us, and He wants us to be true believers. He wants our hearts, not just our outward acquiescence. But I didn't know how to get from where I was to where I needed to be? This is where Psalm 51 is essential. It is the cry for forgiveness and restoration that we all need to cry.
When I was finally trying to get my life right with God, I had a mentor who was working with me in my life. He knew just about everything about me and he gave me a key assignment. He challenged me to memorize this Psalm and repeat it as often as I could. He felt that when I could truly pray this Psalm from my heart, then I would probably be ready to become a Christian.
I would finally be ready to become a Christian, because I would finally be ready to deal with the sin in my life. My heart would be ready to change because it would have released the things that were at that time controlling it. Sin hardens us. Sin hardens and breaks us. This world is broken. I was broken. Sin breaks our communion with God, others, and even ourselves. It cuts us off from our heart and it sears our consciences. It destroys whatever good is in us and it destroys the good in this world. We can not be close to God and be in sin as well. It is impossible.
I was so hard at this point in my life from all the sin I had indulged in that I needed a transformation. I needed a new heart, and new spirit. I needed to come to God on His terms, not mine.
I took my friend's challenge and eventually I had a breakthrough. God did have mercy on me. He did restore to me the joy of my salvation and renew a steadfast spirit within me. God was faithful and created a pure heart within me. I had not been pure in a long time but now I was and I could be completely different. Instead of being religious, I could be righteous - right with God. I could have integrity. I could have truth. I could walk without fear of what I was hiding.
God was and is faithful. Thirty some years later, I am still walking this walk and striving to keep this prayer and all of God's word in my heart so that I will not sin against Him.
I praise God that He did restore and in His timing, He did make me prosper. He has given me so much and I would never have known all the good He had in store if I had not been willing to get on my knees and pray.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
Have mercy on us we pray. Forgive us our sins. Cleanse us. Only You can do this. We thank You for forgiving us. We thank You for Your mercy and grace. We thank you for even caring at all. We know that we are completely unworthy. Please grant us a willing spirit to sustain us. Grant us joy as well so that we may live and be the examples that You deserve. We know that in Your good pleasure, You can make us prosper. We look forward to that day.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What do I think God really wants from me? Why? Do I have a correct perspective of God? Why or why not? How can I get a more accurate view?
2. Do I realize how much I sin against God? Am I turning to Him for forgiveness? Do I realize that when I sin against others, I am sinning against God? Does this help me to stop sinning or could this help me? How can I remind myself of this fact?
3. Do I feel burdened by past sins? Have I been forgiven? How do I know? Do I need to discuss anything with another person to help deal with a habitual sin?
4. What does repentance mean to me? What do I do when I have done something wrong? How do I deal with it? Is this the best thing to do or could I do something differently?
5. Am I turning to God for a pure heart, a steadfast spirit, a willing spirit, and a joyful heart? Which of these is the hardest for me to maintain?
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?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Daily Devotional - 8/28/10 (9/28/09)
Prayer Focus - 8's
Pray for:
Eight things that you are grateful for
Eight people that are on your heart
Eight places that you care about
Eight characteristics to grow in
Eight characteristics/habits to get rid of
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your everpresent voice and grant me the strength to follow through and obey.
Psalms 28
"He will tear them down and never build them up again." (vs. 5b)
This fragment of a verse in the middle of Psalms 28 catches my attention. Who will God tear down? This sounds so ominous and final and so I think, "Will it be the murders? The violent? The criminals?" When I look back to see exactly who the psalmist is talking about, I am convicted and challenged. Let's start looking in verse three.
"Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts." (vs. 3)
Wow! He is talking about people who are holding grudges against someone or have hatred, anger, or prejudice against another. I know I have sinned against others in this way. Maybe there is someone right now I need to clear things up with. I need to always search my heart to be sure it is clear. How often have we been upset with someone and then they come up to talk to us and we act like nothing is wrong. We speak nicely to them and all the while we are angry deep down. Or perhaps we just avoid them altogether. God is expressing just how He feels about that in this verse. What we are doing when we do this is evil and is putting us in danger of being torn down.
Why would this upset God so much? After all, isn't this exactly how the world works? This is so common. We are stabbed in the back continuously. People talk nice to us and as soon as we are gone gossip about us to their friends. We expect it. Sometimes we engage in it. In the church, we are tempted to do no differently. So why would it upset God so much? The answer lies in the first part of the psalm I quoted at the beginning of the devotional.
"Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what His hands have done," (vs. 5a)
The answer goes back to Psalms 24 which reminded us that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it is His as well (Psalms 24:1). Every person belongs to God and is special to Him; whether they have a relationship with Him or not. He created them and knit them together in their mother's womb (Psalms 139:13-16). They are important to God and as such deserve good treatment, especially from me as I profess to be a Christian. This is referring to my family, to strangers, and especially to those in the church. We are to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ with special regard (Gal 6:10). But how is this possible?
"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place." (vs. 2)
Thank goodness that God hears our cries for mercy (vs. 2). By myself, I cannot stand. I need the mercy of the Lord. I need His strength to do right, especially in this area; even after all this time. Conflicts will continue to happen in my life. As long as I am alive and interacting with people, I will have to deal with my heart, hurt feelings, and conflicts. I will never out grow it. Sometimes it will be my fault, sometimes it will be the other person's fault, and sometimes it will be just a misunderstanding. Even so, I need mercy and I need to give mercy.
When I do this and clear my heart so there is nothing false in me, I will be able to rejoice. My heart will leap for joy (vs. 7). It is so good to have a clear heart and a clear conscience. We can truly thank God then. He is our strength and will save and bless us when we are obedient. He will be our Shepherd and carry us forever.
Thank You Lord, because I cannot do it alone.
"Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. Save You people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." (vs. 6-9)
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We want You to be our shepherd forever. Purify our hearts and help us to not harbor any ill will towards anyone. It is so easy to do wrong in this way. We struggle to value people as You do. It is easy to love those who love us but it is difficult to love everyone and keep our hearts pure. Grant us strength. We do not want to be torn down but rather built up. Have mercy on us we pray. We know You will do it.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What is my reaction to the seriousness of harboring ill feelings towards another person? Do I see it as as serious offense as God does?
2. Is there someone I need to speak to and work something out with? When will I do this?
3. Do I have any stereotypes or prejudices that are hindering my relationship with God and my effectiveness for Him? How can I change my attitude about these things?
4. How do I feel when I have a clear conscience? How can I strive to maintain this?
5. Am I treating everyone as a person that is special to God? Who is the most difficult for me to treat right? Why? How can I change this?
Pray for:
Eight things that you are grateful for
Eight people that are on your heart
Eight places that you care about
Eight characteristics to grow in
Eight characteristics/habits to get rid of
Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your everpresent voice and grant me the strength to follow through and obey.
Psalms 28
"He will tear them down and never build them up again." (vs. 5b)
This fragment of a verse in the middle of Psalms 28 catches my attention. Who will God tear down? This sounds so ominous and final and so I think, "Will it be the murders? The violent? The criminals?" When I look back to see exactly who the psalmist is talking about, I am convicted and challenged. Let's start looking in verse three.
"Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts." (vs. 3)
Wow! He is talking about people who are holding grudges against someone or have hatred, anger, or prejudice against another. I know I have sinned against others in this way. Maybe there is someone right now I need to clear things up with. I need to always search my heart to be sure it is clear. How often have we been upset with someone and then they come up to talk to us and we act like nothing is wrong. We speak nicely to them and all the while we are angry deep down. Or perhaps we just avoid them altogether. God is expressing just how He feels about that in this verse. What we are doing when we do this is evil and is putting us in danger of being torn down.
Why would this upset God so much? After all, isn't this exactly how the world works? This is so common. We are stabbed in the back continuously. People talk nice to us and as soon as we are gone gossip about us to their friends. We expect it. Sometimes we engage in it. In the church, we are tempted to do no differently. So why would it upset God so much? The answer lies in the first part of the psalm I quoted at the beginning of the devotional.
"Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what His hands have done," (vs. 5a)
The answer goes back to Psalms 24 which reminded us that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it is His as well (Psalms 24:1). Every person belongs to God and is special to Him; whether they have a relationship with Him or not. He created them and knit them together in their mother's womb (Psalms 139:13-16). They are important to God and as such deserve good treatment, especially from me as I profess to be a Christian. This is referring to my family, to strangers, and especially to those in the church. We are to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ with special regard (Gal 6:10). But how is this possible?
"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place." (vs. 2)
Thank goodness that God hears our cries for mercy (vs. 2). By myself, I cannot stand. I need the mercy of the Lord. I need His strength to do right, especially in this area; even after all this time. Conflicts will continue to happen in my life. As long as I am alive and interacting with people, I will have to deal with my heart, hurt feelings, and conflicts. I will never out grow it. Sometimes it will be my fault, sometimes it will be the other person's fault, and sometimes it will be just a misunderstanding. Even so, I need mercy and I need to give mercy.
When I do this and clear my heart so there is nothing false in me, I will be able to rejoice. My heart will leap for joy (vs. 7). It is so good to have a clear heart and a clear conscience. We can truly thank God then. He is our strength and will save and bless us when we are obedient. He will be our Shepherd and carry us forever.
Thank You Lord, because I cannot do it alone.
"Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. Save You people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." (vs. 6-9)
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We want You to be our shepherd forever. Purify our hearts and help us to not harbor any ill will towards anyone. It is so easy to do wrong in this way. We struggle to value people as You do. It is easy to love those who love us but it is difficult to love everyone and keep our hearts pure. Grant us strength. We do not want to be torn down but rather built up. Have mercy on us we pray. We know You will do it.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. What is my reaction to the seriousness of harboring ill feelings towards another person? Do I see it as as serious offense as God does?
2. Is there someone I need to speak to and work something out with? When will I do this?
3. Do I have any stereotypes or prejudices that are hindering my relationship with God and my effectiveness for Him? How can I change my attitude about these things?
4. How do I feel when I have a clear conscience? How can I strive to maintain this?
5. Am I treating everyone as a person that is special to God? Who is the most difficult for me to treat right? Why? How can I change this?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Daily Devotional - 8/18/10 (9/18/09)
Focus Letter - Q (I skipped this letter... Oops)
Pray for:
Five things we are grateful for that begin 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 that begins with the focus letter
Dear Lord - Please speak to my soul and help me to hear and obey. You are good, always good.
Psalms 18
"I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and am saved from my enemies." (vs. 1-3)
I love God. I am not ashamed to say that. I am amazed at how He maintains me through everything. He is truly my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. I called to the Lord and He is saving me from my enemies - my lack of money, my daughter's illness, my husband's illness, my clutter, my worrying. He is working miracles.
"The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me...In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears." (vs. 4 & 6)
Yet, I have felt just like the psalmist, "the cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me." I have been so overwhelmed, that I could not even function. All I could do was go to sleep. My foes were too strong for me! My foes are too strong for me. I cannot defeat them by myself. I have tried for many years with some of them.
In the midst of all my trouble, I finally cried out to God. Sometimes that is what it takes for us turn to Him completely. We have to be stripped of everything. I advise we do not make Him do this. It hurts. But however we get there, we need to cry out to God like a little child crying out to his or her father. And God will come in a mighty display. He does things in a big way sometimes. (see vs. 7-15) God rescues us from our powerful enemies that are confronting us and making our life miserable. The Lord grabs us and pulls us out of those bad situations and sets us in a spacious place. There is a place of rest, a time for recuperation after the struggles.
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." (vs. 16-19)
He does this because He delights in us. God enjoys and delights in me. I love that thought. I am special to God. He knows me and everything about me and He still loves me. He even likes me. He wants to be with me. He wants to know my thoughts. He is that perfect father that none of our earthly fathers could be. They tried the best they could, but God is perfect and I belong to Him.
"The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight...You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (vs. 24 & 28-29)
It is good to know that what I do in my life is not in vain. I am not in vain and my efforts are not in vain. God does not forget our hard work (Heb 6: 10). He knows everything I do and have done. He knows my heart; sometimes I don't even know that but He does. He knows our deeds, whether they are good or bad, and He rewards us accordingly. Our works do not save us but they are evidence to a faith that is deep and alive. If I truly believe in something I act on it.
And besides rewarding us, He keeps our lamps burning - He keeps us going. With God's help, we can advance against a troop. We can scale walls. We can do remarkable things with God. It is God who arms us with strength and makes our way perfect. God even stoops down to make us great. God truly cares. No one stoops down, takes all that effort, to do something that is not important to them. It is too much trouble. We are not too much trouble to God. He is willing and able. I praise Him that He is on my side.
God does turns my darkness into light. I can see where I am going because I can see God. God will never leave me or forsake me. I love God. I am not ashamed.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are so amazing. We read about Your power and Your concern for us and we are overwhelmed. Thank You for hearing us when we call. We are defeated so easily by ourselves and yet You provide us with the opportunity for victory. Help us to grab hold of it and win. We love You.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I crying out to God about my problems, my enemies? Why or why not? How is my prayer life?
2. Do I feel that God delights in me? Is there anything in my life that I believe is not delightful to God? How can I change that?
3. Am I attempting to serve God? How am I serving God? Do I need help to do these things or to start something new?
4. What are some ways that God has given me strength or trained me in the past? How is He strengthening and training me now?
5. Is my love for God evident in the way I live my life? Why or why not? Am I ashamed in anyway of God or my relationship with Him? Why or why not? What would others say about the priorities and loves of my life?
Pray for:
Five things we are grateful for that begin 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 that begins with the focus letter
Dear Lord - Please speak to my soul and help me to hear and obey. You are good, always good.
Psalms 18
"I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and am saved from my enemies." (vs. 1-3)
I love God. I am not ashamed to say that. I am amazed at how He maintains me through everything. He is truly my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. I called to the Lord and He is saving me from my enemies - my lack of money, my daughter's illness, my husband's illness, my clutter, my worrying. He is working miracles.
"The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me...In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears." (vs. 4 & 6)
Yet, I have felt just like the psalmist, "the cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me." I have been so overwhelmed, that I could not even function. All I could do was go to sleep. My foes were too strong for me! My foes are too strong for me. I cannot defeat them by myself. I have tried for many years with some of them.
In the midst of all my trouble, I finally cried out to God. Sometimes that is what it takes for us turn to Him completely. We have to be stripped of everything. I advise we do not make Him do this. It hurts. But however we get there, we need to cry out to God like a little child crying out to his or her father. And God will come in a mighty display. He does things in a big way sometimes. (see vs. 7-15) God rescues us from our powerful enemies that are confronting us and making our life miserable. The Lord grabs us and pulls us out of those bad situations and sets us in a spacious place. There is a place of rest, a time for recuperation after the struggles.
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." (vs. 16-19)
He does this because He delights in us. God enjoys and delights in me. I love that thought. I am special to God. He knows me and everything about me and He still loves me. He even likes me. He wants to be with me. He wants to know my thoughts. He is that perfect father that none of our earthly fathers could be. They tried the best they could, but God is perfect and I belong to Him.
"The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight...You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (vs. 24 & 28-29)
It is good to know that what I do in my life is not in vain. I am not in vain and my efforts are not in vain. God does not forget our hard work (Heb 6: 10). He knows everything I do and have done. He knows my heart; sometimes I don't even know that but He does. He knows our deeds, whether they are good or bad, and He rewards us accordingly. Our works do not save us but they are evidence to a faith that is deep and alive. If I truly believe in something I act on it.
And besides rewarding us, He keeps our lamps burning - He keeps us going. With God's help, we can advance against a troop. We can scale walls. We can do remarkable things with God. It is God who arms us with strength and makes our way perfect. God even stoops down to make us great. God truly cares. No one stoops down, takes all that effort, to do something that is not important to them. It is too much trouble. We are not too much trouble to God. He is willing and able. I praise Him that He is on my side.
God does turns my darkness into light. I can see where I am going because I can see God. God will never leave me or forsake me. I love God. I am not ashamed.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
You are so amazing. We read about Your power and Your concern for us and we are overwhelmed. Thank You for hearing us when we call. We are defeated so easily by ourselves and yet You provide us with the opportunity for victory. Help us to grab hold of it and win. We love You.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Am I crying out to God about my problems, my enemies? Why or why not? How is my prayer life?
2. Do I feel that God delights in me? Is there anything in my life that I believe is not delightful to God? How can I change that?
3. Am I attempting to serve God? How am I serving God? Do I need help to do these things or to start something new?
4. What are some ways that God has given me strength or trained me in the past? How is He strengthening and training me now?
5. Is my love for God evident in the way I live my life? Why or why not? Am I ashamed in anyway of God or my relationship with Him? Why or why not? What would others say about the priorities and loves of my life?
Daily Devotional - 8/17/10 (9/17/09)
Focus Letter - R
Pray for:
Five things that you are grateful 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 to grow in that begins with the focus letter
Dear Lord - Help me to hear Your voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 17
"Keep me as the apple of your eye" (vs. 8a)
I would like to be the apple of someone's eye. This is a strange saying to me but I understand it slightly when I watch my children. Sometimes when they are oblivious to me, I just like to watch them in amazement. Did they really come from me? These little human beings with separate dreams and thoughts that I cannot access. They are so special to me. They are the apple of my eye.
It is almost unbelievable to me that this type of relationship is available from God. That He would even consider holding me as the apple of His eye; that I might even be right now in that special position. It is hard to understand this when I have always struggled to feel this type of love from others. Perhaps my grandmother held me as the apple of her eye. She was very special but she is long gone now.
But love is hard for me to feel. I know God has kept me this far. I know He has answered silly little prayers for me along the way; the kind a friend would do for a friend. So sometimes I think, yes, He must think I am special. He must truly like me.
I do not know why it is so hard for some of us to feel love, but it is. I understand that completely. I know my parents loved me, but I did not really feel it. I know my husband loves me, but I do not often feel it. When we are like this, there must be some emotional damage somewhere deep down that is hindering the registration of love. I know I must dig deep to deal with whatever is holding this back.
I will never fully experience what God wants for me as long as I cannot move beyond an intellectual knowledge of His love. It is Christ's love that compels us (II Cor 5:14-15). We love because He loved us first (I John 4:19-21). God is love (I John 4:7-12). "And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Cor 13:13)". The greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is like it, love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 22:36-40). Everything depends on these two commandments. Everything depends on love. Therefore, I must understand love. I must allow myself to feel love; to love and to be loved in return. I want this but it seems outside my grasp. I have tried so long to truly feel.
"You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." (vs. 14-15)
God will still my hunger for this love and caring. God will provide for me in this way when the time is right; when I can receive it. I am loved whether I feel it or not. I will call on God for this, and He will answer me. He will listen to me and show me the wonder of His great love. This too can be changed by God. Someday I will feel that I am loved as surely as I know it.
God does watch me like I watch my little children. They do not understand the depth of my love just as I do not understand the depth of God's love. Someday they may, when they grow up. Someday, as well, I may grow up spiritually and understand the depth of God's love better.
Until then, I will be satisfied with what I do have and I will strive to grow in what I do not have. And I - in righteousness, will see God's face. I will be satisfied with seeing His likeness. I will be satisfied with Him (vs 15) and I will never give up.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We praise You for Your love for us. We long for love and look for it in all the wrong places. Yet, You are the perfect love. You hold out everything for us and hold us so dear to Your heart. It is difficult for us to understand because our own love is so limited and shallow. Thank You for caring for us and help us to love You in return.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I feel special to God? Why or why not? How can I work on understanding and feeling the depth of God's caring?
2. Is it easy or difficult for me to feel loved? What do I think has contributed to or hindered my ability to give and receive love? How can I grow in this ability?
3. On a scale of 1 -10, how would I rate myself on the first and second greatest commandments? Why? How can I improve?
4. What are my strengths and weaknesses in the area of loving God and loving others?
5. Am I being righteous so that someday I may see God's face? Is this important to me? Why or why not? What should I work on improving?
Pray for:
Five things that you are grateful 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 to grow in that begins with the focus letter
Dear Lord - Help me to hear Your voice and grant me the strength to obey.
Psalms 17
"Keep me as the apple of your eye" (vs. 8a)
I would like to be the apple of someone's eye. This is a strange saying to me but I understand it slightly when I watch my children. Sometimes when they are oblivious to me, I just like to watch them in amazement. Did they really come from me? These little human beings with separate dreams and thoughts that I cannot access. They are so special to me. They are the apple of my eye.
It is almost unbelievable to me that this type of relationship is available from God. That He would even consider holding me as the apple of His eye; that I might even be right now in that special position. It is hard to understand this when I have always struggled to feel this type of love from others. Perhaps my grandmother held me as the apple of her eye. She was very special but she is long gone now.
But love is hard for me to feel. I know God has kept me this far. I know He has answered silly little prayers for me along the way; the kind a friend would do for a friend. So sometimes I think, yes, He must think I am special. He must truly like me.
I do not know why it is so hard for some of us to feel love, but it is. I understand that completely. I know my parents loved me, but I did not really feel it. I know my husband loves me, but I do not often feel it. When we are like this, there must be some emotional damage somewhere deep down that is hindering the registration of love. I know I must dig deep to deal with whatever is holding this back.
I will never fully experience what God wants for me as long as I cannot move beyond an intellectual knowledge of His love. It is Christ's love that compels us (II Cor 5:14-15). We love because He loved us first (I John 4:19-21). God is love (I John 4:7-12). "And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Cor 13:13)". The greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is like it, love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 22:36-40). Everything depends on these two commandments. Everything depends on love. Therefore, I must understand love. I must allow myself to feel love; to love and to be loved in return. I want this but it seems outside my grasp. I have tried so long to truly feel.
"You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." (vs. 14-15)
God will still my hunger for this love and caring. God will provide for me in this way when the time is right; when I can receive it. I am loved whether I feel it or not. I will call on God for this, and He will answer me. He will listen to me and show me the wonder of His great love. This too can be changed by God. Someday I will feel that I am loved as surely as I know it.
God does watch me like I watch my little children. They do not understand the depth of my love just as I do not understand the depth of God's love. Someday they may, when they grow up. Someday, as well, I may grow up spiritually and understand the depth of God's love better.
Until then, I will be satisfied with what I do have and I will strive to grow in what I do not have. And I - in righteousness, will see God's face. I will be satisfied with seeing His likeness. I will be satisfied with Him (vs 15) and I will never give up.
Prayer for the Day
Dear Lord,
We praise You for Your love for us. We long for love and look for it in all the wrong places. Yet, You are the perfect love. You hold out everything for us and hold us so dear to Your heart. It is difficult for us to understand because our own love is so limited and shallow. Thank You for caring for us and help us to love You in return.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
QFT
1. Do I feel special to God? Why or why not? How can I work on understanding and feeling the depth of God's caring?
2. Is it easy or difficult for me to feel loved? What do I think has contributed to or hindered my ability to give and receive love? How can I grow in this ability?
3. On a scale of 1 -10, how would I rate myself on the first and second greatest commandments? Why? How can I improve?
4. What are my strengths and weaknesses in the area of loving God and loving others?
5. Am I being righteous so that someday I may see God's face? Is this important to me? Why or why not? What should I work on improving?
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