For All Time

Scripture
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 
14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever.  My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.

Observation
Jerusalem and the temple of God.  I've been to Israel and walked on the Temple Mount, but the Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 6:19, that my body is the temple of God's Holy Spirit.  When I read these verses, 'if my people who are called by my name, (the name of Jesus - that's me, I'm called by His name, I'm a Christian), will humble themselves (which means to me to fast, to deny myself), and pray and seek my face (something I am trying to do every day) and turn from their wicked ways, then God will hear our prayers, forgive our sin, and heal our land.
Now the Lord's eyes are open and His ears are attentive to my prayers, for where His temple is (which is me) He is listening and His eyes are open all the time because I am His chosen and consecrated house where His name is.  His eyes and heart will be with me for all time!


Application
So I will humble myself and pray and seek the Lord and turn from any evil, wicked, or vile thing that separates me from God; and ask forgiveness and intercede on behalf of our land.  God hears and sees and His heart is with me for all time . . . because I belong to Him.  I've been bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.


Prayer
Father, You have chosen and consecrated me.  You have made me holy by the blood of Your Son.  Help me keep this temple according to Your word and purpose for honor.  Keep me focused upon You; do not let me turn to the right or to the left.  
Thank You for Your reassurance that You will never leave me nor forsake me; that Your eyes and heart are with me for all time.  I am not alone.
In Jesus Name,
A-men.

Becoming Real

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her children.  Having a fond affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

Observation
Gently imparting truth into the lives of others . . . Relationship is key to having a place of trust in others lives; to pour your own life and the gospel into theirs.  Proving takes time too - so there is a commitment involved as well as a nurturing relationship with those we serve.  A fond affection like a mama to her young is something God will give us as we align our heart with His heart.

Application

I'm not always gentle - but God is working gentleness in me.  Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and only God can make it happen in me.  Developing a loving, caring relationship with those we influence and mentor means not being distant, aloof, or patronizing, or condescending.  It's not just passing on the 'good news' of Jesus Christ but rather, giving and sharing my life to those God has placed in my care.  That's what God wants me to do; pour myself into the lives of those I serve and love; like a 'mama tenderly caring for her own children'. 

Prayer
Father God, oh how I come up short on all counts!  I need You Lord, I need Your Holy Spirit to help me love like You love.  Teach me Your ways, show me Your heart O God, and let there come a gentleness and love that flows from me to the lost, the brokenhearted, the wounded, and the shattered souls You have allowed me to serve - those who desperately need Your touch!  Let me reach even just one!  

Sometimes Lord, I feel like the old skin horse in the story of the Velveteen Rabbit when he said, "those with sharp edges, or those who break easily won't become real".  I want to become REAL Lord and not get sharp or edgy or grumpy doing Your work.  Make me BECOME a vessel fit for Your use with all the sharp edges rubbed out. Let Your love have it's perfect work.
In Jesus Name,  A-men.

I Cry Out

Scripture

Psalm 55:16-17 & v.22

16-17As for me, I shall call upon God and the Lord will save me.  Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice.  22Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Observation 
I can call out to God anytime, morning, noon, and night, and He will hear me.  I can cry, complain, murmur, be loud, be quiet and still, sigh deeply, or whatever way I come to Him, He hears me.  I'm to give my burden to the Lord and He will sustain me - He will maintain, nourish, provide food, bear, hold up, protect, support, and defend me.  He won't allow His children to be shaken or moved.  I can trust in Him no matter what's happening in my life.

Application
As for me . . . I will come to the Lord and lay my burdens down and cast all my cares on Him for I know He cares for me and will sustain me.  I need not be concerned about how I lay my burdens down.  I  can come 'just as I am' and vent it all to Him, and He hears me.  He hears my voice, my heart, my innermost being.  And He still cares for me and loves me.  I will trust Him and not be shaken!

Prayer
Father, I thank You because You hear me when I call to You.  Whether it's a formulated prayer of thanks and praise, or a sob in the night, or even just a deep sigh or scream of anguish; You hear me and You sustain me.  You get me through the hard times.  You have saved me and rescued me! You are my God and Strength!  My heart is steadfast O God, My heart is steadfast!  I will sing praises to You! 
In Jesus Name, 
A-men. 

Obey God

Scripture
1 Samuel 24:4-6
The men said, "This is the day the Lord spoke of when He said to you, 'I will give you the enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish."  
Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
Afterward, David was conscience stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.  He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord.'


Observation
The men who were hanging with David, following him; encouraged him to take advantage of the situation in finding Saul asleep in the cave.  Saul -  his enemy, the one who was trying to kill him!  His men said 'the Lord said He will give you your enemy to deal with as you wish!'  This is your chance David, TODAY is the day!'
So David crept up to Saul with knife in hand, but instead of killing Saul, David cut a corner of his robe.  
But afterward, David felt awful - conscience stricken.  Convicted by the Spirit of God that this was not right for him to do.  He said to his men, 'The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master!  He is the anointed of the Lord as my King!  Saul had been chosen by God and to do this was wrong.


Application
Being conscience stricken and convicted by the Holy Spirit are ways God speaks to us. When family and friends try to tell us to do something that is contrary to what God has put in our heart to do; don't do it!  Listen to the voice and promptings of the Holy Spirit rather than being influenced by the people that you love and you hang out with (if it's not what God has put in your heart to do.)  Don't let other voices influence or distract you from doing what God has said for you to do.  Do according to His will and purposes.  Only God can speak to each one of our hearts individually and show us the plan He has for us.


Prayer
Thank You Father God for Your Holy Spirit who speaks so gently yet so firmly in my life. Thank You for the peace that You alone can give when we respond to Your will.  You protect me and keep me from making some terrible mistakes.  Help me to listen and obey You in all things.  Give me discernment to know Your will.  In Jesus Name, A-men.


  

Help Me Lord - I Trust in You

Scripture

1 Chronicles 5:20

They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during the battle.  He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him.

Observation

The Israelites were helped by God because they had cried out to Him for help.  He answered their prayers because they trusted God.

Application

I've learned to cry out to God in times of trouble.  I know He will help me because I'm trusting in Him.  I believe and have faith in Him who is able to give help.  

Who else would I go to when I'm in the heat of a 'battle' and so very tired of fighting?  Who else could I cry out to when I'm in trouble, pain, or inner turmoil?  When all seems hopeless, and the battle looks like it is lost - do I change course because the answers I hope for aren't coming?  

Do I stop praying and hoping in God just because I didn't get my way? 

I remember when our 17 year old son, Johnny, was battling cancer and we were confined to his hospital room for over 100 days for intense chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant . . . the youth group made a poster that we hung on the wall of our room that became our 'sanctuary'. 

It read,

"Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless.  

Through God we will do valiantly, 

for it is He who will tread down our enemies!" 

(Psalm 108:12-13)  

God's word gave us hope and continues to give me hope as I walk with Him.  I cry out to God and I know He hears me - and He knows I trust Him with any answer He gives.  He always hears my cry; and answers me with peace and grace. 

Prayer

Father, I do trust You - and am learning to trust You more and more.  'Never let me be ashamed and don't let my enemies triumph over me.'  I give You all of my heart, my worship, my praise - for You O Lord are my Rock, my Strength, and my Redeemer.  Help me Lord as I trust in You no matter the outcome.  

In Jesus Name,  A-men.

Stand Firm

 Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Observation
Standing firm - means being planted, established, and immovable.  Nothing can move you.  Always - all ways, every day, give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.  100% of me is to be given - hold nothing back . . . because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  Everything we do for the work of the Lord and furtherance of His gospel and kingdom, is worthy!  The blood, sweat, and tears of your labors of love, counts for something; though we might not know it or see the results, it's not done in vain.

Application
We had a tree in our front yard many years ago that we decided to remove and plant our 'live' Christmas tree in it's place.  It was early Spring and time to do the removing and the planting.  We dug, we pulled, we chopped, and tried and tried to get that old tree to budge.  It was so firmly rooted and planted that we finally got some ropes and chains and tied them around it, hooked it to the truck, and yanked that baby out.  Finally, we got it to move!  I want my faith and walk with the Lord, to be like that tree in terms of standing firm and not budging no matter what may try to move me.   Any of us can get discouraged from pouring ourselves into the lives of people and not seeing results . . . or it may seem that we are doing what we do for the Lord, and we can't see changes or fruitfulness.  But God, says nothing we do in our labor for the Lord's work is in vain.  He will take care of what needs to happen in His time and for His glory.  So, I choose to stand firm and trust God for the rest.

Prayer
Father, thank You for Your word.  You always encourage and so gently correct me.  The only way I can really 'stand firm' is to focus my eyes heavenward to You, and know that it is all about You - not me. Cause my faith roots to grow deeper and deeper in You O Lord Jesus.  Stretch me in the things You have called me to do, and may I never lose the joy You have given me in serving and loving people. In Jesus Name, A-men.

How Did We Get Here?

Scripture
Judges 6:10
I said to you, "I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.'  But you have not listened to me."

Observation
God spoke, but the Israelites did not listen.  They did not obey.  They worshiped the gods of the land anyway.  The people did not listen to God, the LORD, the ONE  who had brought them up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  They did not listen to HIM who snatched them from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all their oppressors - who, HE drove out from before them and WHO gave them their land.  They did not listen - and there were consequences.  The Midianites so impoverished the Israelites; ruining their crops, and not sparing a living thing, that they finally cried out to the LORD for help.

Application
When God speaks - LISTEN & OBEY - it will save a lot of heartache, oppression, and attacks from the enemy who comes only to ravage the land of promise and seeks to kill, steal, and destroy; and it's because we do not listen.
But oh, what steadfast love He has for us!  He loves us even when we totally reject Him.  When we finally call out to Him for help, He's there!  He also tells us how we got into the mess we are in . . . we did not listen and obey.

Prayer
Father God, O how You love us!  Forgive me dear Lord Jesus for times You have spoken, and I did not listen.  Help tune my ears and my heart to You - I want to hear You, and obey.
In Jesus Name, A-men.