I'm reading in Psalms today, and boy oh boy, I just love the Psalms! Don't you?
Psalm 27:1 ~ The Lord is my light and my slavation; Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom sall I dread?
There's some power right there - amen?!
I love that I can read these words written by David (Of course inspired by the Lord as all of the Bible is God breathed.) thousands of years ago and it resonates with me even though I myself am not being hunted down by the king who is at times posessed by an evil spirit that is placed on him by God. Even though I do not have a situation that mirrors this in any way, so much of what David expresses could be an original prayer coming from my own lips.
Verses 7 & 8 fit so perfectly as I ask the Lord to give me wisdom and discernment in an area of my life where I need help and need to wait on His timing and leading.
Verse 11 is something we could each claim every day!
Verse 14 I claim as I pray for a difficult situation that someone I love is going through.
What a beautiful example of how to pray! Think of what David is experiencing at the time of this Psalm (see above). It's a wonderful reminder that when we go to the Lord we need to offer a 3 dimensional prayer; as opposed to a one dimensional - 'gimme gimme'. Offering words of Devotion and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. Declaring our short-comings and sin. Denoting our needs and the desires of our heart.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Prayeritude Adjustment
Our vacation was over. I was back home safe and sound but it wasn’t until sometime during my first full day back that I realized my prayer faux pa. The trip back from our beautiful and peaceful sunny holiday included a particularly terrifying flight from Texas complete with over-head compartments popping open and carryon luggage flying about the cabin. Let me just say now that I am not a good flyer even in the best of circumstances, which these I must say, were not!
I recall holding (please read – clutching on for dear life) my husband’s hand while I prayed quietly as tears steamed unchecked down my ghost white cheeks. I begged God to get us through this electrical storm and back on safe ground. I do believe there may have even been some promises made, which to be honest I don’t recall. Does God hold us to promises we make when in hysterics when we don’t recall them two minutes after the mayhem stops? Hmm… I need to learn from Saul's mistakes (1 Sam. 14, Saul makes a couple of foolish oaths). Well any way, the plane did eventually land and I swear if there weren’t so many witnesses I would have gotten down on my knees, dug through the snow and kissed the cold wet ground. Praise God, the flight was over and we were safe.
And there it is… Praise God. But you know what, I didn’t. We got off of the plane and collected our bags. We were picked up at the gate and recounted our horrifying ordeal to the driver the whole way home. Then we crashed, the good ‘crashed’ as in deep sleep. I began the next morning by unpacking and going through the ever sad process of getting back to the normal day to day which is so anticlimactic after any vacation. Then out of nowhere, it hit me. I begged for God’s help in the air. He freely gave it and not only brought us through it, but was there clutching on to my other hand through the one hour nightmare in the sky. But.. I hadn’t thanked Him. How selfish. How neglectful. I know it was a desperate situation, but even still. I behaved like a spoiled child (picture a little girl holding a big colorful swirly lollipop with a big bandage over her knee having a tantrum), “God give me, help me, do what I want!!!” without so much as a ‘thank you’.
Another time, more recently, my situation was such that I needed to trust God to provide and see me through some serious situations. God, every loving, ever faithful, allowed me to feel His presence. I knew He would provide. I knew He heard my prayers. But while folding some towels one Thursday afternoon, I thought about what I was asking of God and the manner in which I was looking for it to be answered.
We are told that Jesus can do things ‘exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’. Yet in the prayers I was praying, I again was acting like a child. ‘God, I’d like this.’ Then when I didn’t get the answer when I wanted it, I continued to pray, “God, I’d like this but I’ll settle for that.” After more time, “I’ll take whatever God if you wouldn’t mind helping us please.” At the time of the towel folding, I’d have to say my prayer took on this kind of attitude, “God could you please provide in a way that wont totally stink?” Seriously? Seriously? Is that how you approach the Great I AM – the God who is so able to provide, ‘exceedingly abundantly’??
It was clearly time for a serious Prayeritude Adjustment.
Prayeritude: is the manner, disposition, feeling, or position with regard to prayer
Jer. 29: 11-13 ~ For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for a hope and a future and not for calamity. You will pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. God wants what is best for me. My prayers never fall on deaf ears. He wants me to be in fellowship with Him.
Philippians 4: 11 ~ Be anxious for nothing, but everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. Ok, I am praying, but I’m still hanging on to my familiar companion, anxiety. It’s time to give it the heave-ho and remember to be thankful in all things. But how much should I pray?
1 Thes. 5:16 ~ Rejoice always (there it is again); pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks (and again), for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Ok, so keep praying, not because I don’t think God hears me the first time, or because I need to lower my expectations, but because He calls me to.
James 1:5-8 paraphrased says that if any of us lack wisdom we should ask it of God but we must come before Him with confidence, not wavering. Wavering I was – where was my confidence in Him? In He who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all I can ask or think.
Dear Lord, help me to absorb your word into my mind and heart and spirit not just for today but for all of my tomorrows. Help me to pray to you all the time with confidence, boldness and peace knowing you can and will handle all things according to your perfect will and timing because you love me and that You answer in a much better way than I could ever imagine.
What have you been praying about? Did any of these verses speak to you today? Are you in need of a prayeritude adjustment?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
His World, His Rules
Today was a beautiful, albeit especially hot late spring day. As I sat outside with my boys while they played my youngest picked up a bug (I have NO idea what kind it was... something with lots of legs) and asked about bringing it inside while he got something from his room. When I told him not in a million years no he asked why and said I wasn't being fair to the bug. After all, he insisted, it was a very nice bug. I then uttered that very familiar phrase, "My house, my rules" with a slight grin on my face hoping that would bring an end to the discussion; which thankfully, it did. He decided instead to bring his new found friend into the playhouse.
I then looked about taking in the blue of the sky, the fluttering of the leaves, the sounds of the various birds calling to one another. As I enjoyed God's creation I started taking a mental note of the various rules we have in our house. Take your shoes off as soon as you come in, if you don't eat all of your dinner you can't have desert, turn your clothes right-side-out before putting them into the laundry basket (you're welcome my future daughter-in-laws), etc... We all establish a set of rules (some homes may have more than others) in our home to make it run in a somewhat orderly and harmonious fashion as well as some to keep those we love safe.
It was about then that I was suddenly taken with the idea that God trumps our little saying. His saying could be - My world, My rules.
God did create the world, the very ground we stand on, the air we breathe and every one of us doing the standing and breathing. We may get upset at someone leaving one square of toilet paper on the role or not putting their dirty plate into the sink (anyone.. anyone...?) but how must our Heavenly Father feel when He sees us blatantly disobeying His rules? The Lord has established rules for us to keep us safe, for our own wellbeing.
My daily study has me still in 1 Samuel. In chapter 15 we find Saul disobeying the Lord. He was told to kill all of the Amalekites and all of their ox, sheep, camels and donkeys. Why would God tell Saul to do this? Because the Amelekites had repeatedly instigated war with Israel and God was now going to deal with the wicked people to rid them as if they were a cancer to Israel.
Did Saul do as God instructed? No. He kept the king (Agag) alive and took choice stock of each of the aforementioned animals. If this isn't bad enough, he then lies about what he has done to Samuel. When confronted, he tells Samuel that the people wanted to keep the stuff (however, who was in charge?). And then to make it even worse, he claims that he took the livestock in order to sacrifice it to the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:22 says (paraphrased) that God wants our obedience far more than He wants our sacrifice.
John 14:15 says, 'If you love me, keep my commandments'.
How are we doing with respecting the rules of the Maker of... everything? Are we keeping the choicest bits for ourselves instead of doing with them as the Lord commands? (time, resources, talents..) Are we hanging onto things, or even people (remember how Saul kept the king, Agag?) that He clearly tells us to have nothing to do with? Are we choosing behavior that He says is sinful thinking we can put more money in the offering plate to offset the offense? (He wants our obedience more than our sacrifices.)
Why follow His commands? Because He loves us and wants what's best for us. Because we love Him and want to be in fellowship with Him.
Because it's His world, His rules.
I then looked about taking in the blue of the sky, the fluttering of the leaves, the sounds of the various birds calling to one another. As I enjoyed God's creation I started taking a mental note of the various rules we have in our house. Take your shoes off as soon as you come in, if you don't eat all of your dinner you can't have desert, turn your clothes right-side-out before putting them into the laundry basket (you're welcome my future daughter-in-laws), etc... We all establish a set of rules (some homes may have more than others) in our home to make it run in a somewhat orderly and harmonious fashion as well as some to keep those we love safe.
It was about then that I was suddenly taken with the idea that God trumps our little saying. His saying could be - My world, My rules.
God did create the world, the very ground we stand on, the air we breathe and every one of us doing the standing and breathing. We may get upset at someone leaving one square of toilet paper on the role or not putting their dirty plate into the sink (anyone.. anyone...?) but how must our Heavenly Father feel when He sees us blatantly disobeying His rules? The Lord has established rules for us to keep us safe, for our own wellbeing.
My daily study has me still in 1 Samuel. In chapter 15 we find Saul disobeying the Lord. He was told to kill all of the Amalekites and all of their ox, sheep, camels and donkeys. Why would God tell Saul to do this? Because the Amelekites had repeatedly instigated war with Israel and God was now going to deal with the wicked people to rid them as if they were a cancer to Israel.
Did Saul do as God instructed? No. He kept the king (Agag) alive and took choice stock of each of the aforementioned animals. If this isn't bad enough, he then lies about what he has done to Samuel. When confronted, he tells Samuel that the people wanted to keep the stuff (however, who was in charge?). And then to make it even worse, he claims that he took the livestock in order to sacrifice it to the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:22 says (paraphrased) that God wants our obedience far more than He wants our sacrifice.
John 14:15 says, 'If you love me, keep my commandments'.
How are we doing with respecting the rules of the Maker of... everything? Are we keeping the choicest bits for ourselves instead of doing with them as the Lord commands? (time, resources, talents..) Are we hanging onto things, or even people (remember how Saul kept the king, Agag?) that He clearly tells us to have nothing to do with? Are we choosing behavior that He says is sinful thinking we can put more money in the offering plate to offset the offense? (He wants our obedience more than our sacrifices.)
Why follow His commands? Because He loves us and wants what's best for us. Because we love Him and want to be in fellowship with Him.
Because it's His world, His rules.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
"it" isn't It
Each time I prepare to open God's word, I first ask Him to open my heart and mind to what He has for me in the verses I'm to read that day. I then get kinda pushy and ask God to give me a personal application to the text (I do say 'please' of course).
Today I began my devotions in 1 Samuel 4 and was very quickly struck by something. Ok, not literally, my kids weren't tossing their cinnamon waffles like frisbees or anything - but God quickly brought some words to light.
The Israelites had just gotten beaten badly by the Philistines and instead of realizing that they needed to repent and live according to His ways, they instead said '...Let us bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.' (verse 3) Did you catch what they were saying with that little pronoun? "IT" will save us.
The Ark of the Covenant was to represent the presence and majesty of the Lord - but it isn't itself God. They weren't turning to God to save them from the Philistines but rather, they were turning to the ark, the object itself in a superstiscious manner.
I remember when I was a kid, the good-luck charm of the day was a rabbit’s foot key chains. The thought of this totally creeps me out now - it did a little then too. But I remember this little pretty girl in class had a kelly green one and I sooo wanted one! People would just go around rubbing the soft, unnaturally colored fur with the intention of it bringing them 'good luck'. We all might have a little giggle at this silly superstiscion from days gone by, but as Christians we need to be mindful to not let ourselves take on less obvious charms, idols, or even just other things or activities that we turn to instead of our Heavenly Father.
When we're facing the foe (whatever ‘foe’ you may be facing at the moment) to whom, or possibly - to what, are you turning to for your rescue? Are you relying on God, or are you relying on your friends, on your social status, material goods, etc.. We all need to be mindful not to turn to 'it' to save us but only to our Lord.
Thank you God for your faithfulness and for your ability to handle all of our 'foes'!!
Today I began my devotions in 1 Samuel 4 and was very quickly struck by something. Ok, not literally, my kids weren't tossing their cinnamon waffles like frisbees or anything - but God quickly brought some words to light.
The Israelites had just gotten beaten badly by the Philistines and instead of realizing that they needed to repent and live according to His ways, they instead said '...Let us bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.' (verse 3) Did you catch what they were saying with that little pronoun? "IT" will save us.
The Ark of the Covenant was to represent the presence and majesty of the Lord - but it isn't itself God. They weren't turning to God to save them from the Philistines but rather, they were turning to the ark, the object itself in a superstiscious manner.
I remember when I was a kid, the good-luck charm of the day was a rabbit’s foot key chains. The thought of this totally creeps me out now - it did a little then too. But I remember this little pretty girl in class had a kelly green one and I sooo wanted one! People would just go around rubbing the soft, unnaturally colored fur with the intention of it bringing them 'good luck'. We all might have a little giggle at this silly superstiscion from days gone by, but as Christians we need to be mindful to not let ourselves take on less obvious charms, idols, or even just other things or activities that we turn to instead of our Heavenly Father.
When we're facing the foe (whatever ‘foe’ you may be facing at the moment) to whom, or possibly - to what, are you turning to for your rescue? Are you relying on God, or are you relying on your friends, on your social status, material goods, etc.. We all need to be mindful not to turn to 'it' to save us but only to our Lord.
Thank you God for your faithfulness and for your ability to handle all of our 'foes'!!
Meeting at the Kitchen Table
I love to spread out.
First, I have mybroken down well loved Ryrie study Bible that I've had since I was first saved over 18 years ago. This poor old Bible has half of Genesis paper clipped in. We were having a Bible study one night when a bunch of pages fell to the floor and my friend exclaimed, "Your Genesis just took and Exodus" LOL!! But with all of its notes in the margins and highlighted/underlined passages, this is my 'go-to' Bible that I so cherish!
Next, my cheapo spiral bound notebook. I love stocking up on notebooks during the 'most wonderful time of the year' otherwise known as 'back to school'. (Kudos the ad executives that came up with that marketing plan for Staples years ago. Brilliant!! I still get a chuckle every August.) You can pick up notebooks for anywhere from .25 - $1. Stock up! (For the record; I love having my children home over the summer - but the commercial is just classic.)
Then I have my blue pen. Don't know why but I greatly prefer a pen with blue ink over black - and that being said, once I begin writing with one pen color, it's downright painful for me to switch to another color within a notebook. Yes I know, issues...
Then of course there is the essential cup of hot tea. Black tea (preferably English breakfast) with one sugar and milk, in case you were wondering. I must have my tea while studying. They go hand-in-hand for me. It's like peanut butter and jelly, thunder and lightning, a Christian movie and Kirk Cameron, you get my meaning.
Aside from these constants, some days a second Bible or even two may come to join us at the kitchen table. Other days the laptop is invited so I can look up commentaries or search the Hebrew and/or Greek lexicons. So although some days it's a limited guest list of supplies, and other days it's a full gathering, there is no place I love to spend my quiet time with God in His word more than at our oval kitchen table.
Do you have a special place where you meet with the Lord? If you don't have one, I'd encourage you to find one. Personally, I believe it helps to keep me faithful in my daily devotions with God. It doesn't have to be an elaborate place, just a space where you can cultivate your relationship with the Lord.
First, I have my
Next, my cheapo spiral bound notebook. I love stocking up on notebooks during the 'most wonderful time of the year' otherwise known as 'back to school'. (Kudos the ad executives that came up with that marketing plan for Staples years ago. Brilliant!! I still get a chuckle every August.) You can pick up notebooks for anywhere from .25 - $1. Stock up! (For the record; I love having my children home over the summer - but the commercial is just classic.)
Then I have my blue pen. Don't know why but I greatly prefer a pen with blue ink over black - and that being said, once I begin writing with one pen color, it's downright painful for me to switch to another color within a notebook. Yes I know, issues...
Then of course there is the essential cup of hot tea. Black tea (preferably English breakfast) with one sugar and milk, in case you were wondering. I must have my tea while studying. They go hand-in-hand for me. It's like peanut butter and jelly, thunder and lightning, a Christian movie and Kirk Cameron, you get my meaning.
Aside from these constants, some days a second Bible or even two may come to join us at the kitchen table. Other days the laptop is invited so I can look up commentaries or search the Hebrew and/or Greek lexicons. So although some days it's a limited guest list of supplies, and other days it's a full gathering, there is no place I love to spend my quiet time with God in His word more than at our oval kitchen table.
Do you have a special place where you meet with the Lord? If you don't have one, I'd encourage you to find one. Personally, I believe it helps to keep me faithful in my daily devotions with God. It doesn't have to be an elaborate place, just a space where you can cultivate your relationship with the Lord.
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