Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Simple But Powerful Prayer

Psalms 90:13-17 (NLT) 90:13 O LORD, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. 15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. 17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!

As I was reading this prayer this morning – I was struck by the directness and simplicity of it. It is a powerful prayer of faith for greater blessings ahead. Here are the basic components:
1) Come quickly
2) Take pity on us
3) Fill us every morning with your unfailing love
4) Let your gladness be greater then our misery
5) Replace the evil years with good
6) Let us see your glory – again
7) Let our children see your glory also
8) Make God’s approval be upon us
9) May our efforts be very successful

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Walk Of Faith

Psalms 27:13-14 (NLT) 27:13 Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Living in the realm of faith is an interesting journey that even David struggled with. In one Psalm he is dealing with his woes in life and the next he is reminding himself that God in control and will accomplish everything He said He would. The difficulty lies in the fact that we don’t see the answers in our timetable. God’s timetable is always better and its always at the right time. In the meantime – David encourages himself and us to be brave and to be courageous and to wait patiently for the Lord. If it we’re easy it wouldn’t be called faith. It is hard. It does take work but its results are worth it.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Do "overs"

Numbers 1:54 (NLT) So the Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Numbers 2:34 (NLT) So the people of Israel did everything as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.

No greater thing can be said of any of us then this – we just did what God asked us to do. Obedience is that which makes God’s heart very glad and it’s what opens up the gate to receiving the blessings of the Lord. We all struggle with this at times and we end up in difficult places. I know this because I speak from experience. I’ve walked with the Lord for a lot of years. For the most part – I think I have been obedient. But there are times when heart did rebel and I did do some things that I’m not proud of. I like the fact that God allows “do-overs.” His grace and mercy is extended to you and me to start afresh and to try again. When I get to the end of my life – I want it to be said, “He followed Jesus with his whole heart.” It is then that I know that my life will have counted for something and that I was a success here on earth.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The "If" Factor

Leviticus 26:3-12 (NLT) 26:3 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit. 5 Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. 6 “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land. 7 In fact, you will chase down your enemies and slaughter them with your swords. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword. 9 “I will look favorably upon you, making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you. 10 You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to clear out the old grain to make room for the new harvest! 11 I will live among you, and I will not despise you. 12 I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.

Most people like these verses because they come with promises like victory, surplus, prosperity, etc. These are all wonderful things that God wants to bring our way. His only requirement is found in v.3 with the word “if.” “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands.” This little word hinges what can be and what won’t be. It is the means to access the blessings of God in our lives. “If” we do the things that God requires - we will be blessed and “if” we don’t we will receive curses instead. I definitely want to be part of the “if” factor of doing what God wants me to do. It is then, and only then that I will receive the blessings of the Lord.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Where God Dwells

Psalms 26:8 (NLT) I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glorious presence dwells.

I was born on a Saturday and was brought to church one week later. My parents taught me at a young age to respect and love God’s house and His presence. Even when I’m traveling – I try and attend a worship service somewhere. I have brought my children up the same way. I love God’s sanctuary and His presence. I love being with Him and being with His children. It’s not tiring to me. In fact – I am energized. I look forward to it attending with expectancy in my heart. Sometimes, I will slip out of my office and just go into the sanctuary and just “sit.” I don’t say anything but I just listen. Most of my big decisions in life have come while alone with God’s presence in the sanctuary. I know God dwells in my heart but I think it is very special that there are places built for God’s presence to dwell.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Who Is God?

Psalms 24:1-10 (NLT) 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. 3 Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude 7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. 9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. Interlude

I read and reread this passage over and over today – trying to absorb every word and thought. It is intense, majestic and personal. It describes the might and power and holiness of God. It shows Him as the ultimate warrior and king. It unveils a God who wants to share His presence with each and every one of us. As I was reading this I was imagining myself standing in a traditional church building with beautiful stained glass windows along it walls with the words “Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle” and “Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies – he is the King Of glory.” These words should also be written with indelible ink on the walls of each of our hearts. Everyday should be a remembrance to who we belong to and who is in charge of our lives.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your gift of grace in my life and your mercies that are new every morning. I pray for your strength today and for your help. Thank you also for your blessings that are rich and powerful. Thank you for your sustaining power through every situation. Help me to keep my eyes on you today – in spite of what I see or feel. Thank you for the element of faith that your are bringing back to my heart and life – that expectancy of something great that is being birthed – even when I don’t comprehend. I pray over my children – especially for Gary and Michelle today. Help them to find and discover your perfect will for their lives. I pray for my friends Al and Connie. Give them inner strength and grace to go through the valley that they are going through. Help them to find strength in each other’s love and from the God they love. I pray anointing over the services tomorrow. I pray that I would be able to speak forth the “burden of the Lord and that you blessings would pour on us and through us. I ask this in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Word To Pastors

Acts 20:28 (NLT) “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.

This is a simple statement of instruction to all who pastor 1) Guard Yourselves. It is too easy to let your guard down. We must be strong spiritually, mentally and physically. All three of these area work in conjunction with one another. 2) Guard God’s people. Be a good shepherd to them and protect them. There are many things that come against them. Pray for them. Love them. Go out of your way for them. Let them know they are loved. 3) Feed God’s flock. It means you’re going to have to study and prepare. It means that you will need to stay fresh before the Lord. Continue in prayer. Read and digest the word. Bring it to the people. 4) Shepherd God’s flock. They are very important to God. He loved them so much that He even sent His Song to die for them – to shed His blood. They are now His church and I have been given the privilege to be appointed by God as an elder, teacher, leader, etc. In doing these things – we will bless the heart of God and His hand of blessing will rest upon us.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Our Midnight Hour

Acts 16:25 (NASB) But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Paul and Silas we’re in prison for doing what God had led them to do. Instead of complaining about their circumstances they began to praise God in their midnight hour. They knew that God was leading them into this trial and that He would lead them out. Difficulties abound in people’s lives like never before. The economy is on a downward spiral. Situations are tense around the world. Families are in disarray. The list could go on and on. Everyone’s midnight hour is different but has the same effect – it brings strain on us. Like Paul and Silas, we can’t choose our life or the circumstances that come our way but we can choose how we respond to what is thrown our way by giving praise to God Almighty. It is only then that we can find the true freedom that we we’re meant to be. God has proven this principle over and over in my life and I know that He can prove it to you also.

Monday, February 8, 2010

A Successful Failure

Acts 15:36-40 (NLT) 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

John Mark was the central figure of a heated argument between Paul and Barnabas. John Mark had quit on Paul during his first missionary journey and Paul didn’t want to take him on the second causing Paul and Barnabas to split up. Thankfully – this isn’t the end of the story. John Mark changed. He came under the tutelage of Peter (who called him his son in the faith). He grew up. He matured and God used him mightily. Later…He even was allowed to write the Book Of Mark – telling about the life of Jesus. Paul reminded the Colossians to “welcome” Mark into their midst. We often define ourselves by certain moments or failures in our lives. We think that we can’t go on. This story reminds me that problems do come and failures do exist. But God is able to turn it around for good and we can grow out of our problems. Everyone changed in this story… John Mark, Paul, Barnabas and I hope we will too. God can turn around your failures and your fault.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

When Darkness Comes

Psalms 16:7-11 (NLT) 16:7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

If you’ve ever experience “darkness” in your life – you will relate to these verses. David experienced the darkness as he was often maligned, chased, harassed and misunderstood. Through it all – he had a confidence in the unshakable presence of God. He knew that although he didn’t see the answer that God was with him. He knew that the Lord was going to take him through – all the way through. He saw what was on the other side of the dark valley and long tunnel – the joy of the presence of God. May I encourage you today that you can rest in God – knowing that He doing battle on your behalf. It’s not over. The enemy has not won. Like David, we will say, “I will bless the Lord who guides me… I know the Lord is always with me.”