Humility in the Morning

Lord, please clothe me in humility. Give me the strength to put aside my pride and act with humility toward others. I want to help others so I may spread Your love not glorify myself.

Help me to identify and avoid the devices and distractions the devil puts in front of me. He places snares around me and in my sinful nature, I keep falling into them. I need your grace to overcome the obstacles and walk in Your light. It is only through my faith in You that I can resist him. I pray for my brothers and sisters that they too may avoid the evil that surrounds them.

I keep faith that it is through my suffering that You will strengthen, restore, confirm and establish me. I ask for the grace to joyfully accept my suffering as I know that it is only through the testing of my faith that I become steadfast in my faith.

Thank you for all the blessings You have bestowed on me. Each blessing teaches me of your love. No matter how much I sin, You are there to love me; constantly forgiving me, more than any human could ever forgive. Your glory is awesome!

I pray through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, My Rock and My Redeemer. Amen.

In words inspired by Him, 1 Peter 5:5-11:

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the might hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experience by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers , when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.

Morning Prayer to Get in Tune

Dear Lord,

Let me be your witness for others today. Through my words and actions, may they see You.

Let your Holy Spirit descend on me so my ears will be open and I will hear your voice and see the path You set before me. May the words of my lips and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you.

I depend on Your strength to be patient, productive and a good example for others today.

Thank you for your blessings which are more than I can count. I cherish them all.

Through Christ our Lord, I offer my prayer. Amen.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 40:6
But ears opened to obedience you gave me.

Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, ...

Living in Psalm 23

It was just a few days ago
I was settled in the shade of a tree planted and nutured with my husband's hands,
Absorbing the sounds and perfume of the oasis You and he created together.
The retreat with its small, rolling green pasture begs me to relax in it.
I felt Your love eminating from the leaves, petal, creatures and cool dirt.
I laid my soul down and absorbed the calm.

Yesterday you answered a prayer in the unexpected way that is exclusively Yours.
I rejoiced, I praised, I was awestruck by Your brilliance.
You reminded me how Your Will will be done on Your timetable, not mine.
I felt Your strength and love stronger than ever.

Today the shadows of doubt and fear rise to meet me as I descend into a valley.
The realities of this world with its temptations and my sins surround me.
I feel the weight of fear and doubt pulling me farther into the bleak trench.
My mind entices me to forget your great deeds of yesterday.
Emotions taunt me for trusting someone who would allow me to fall down.

And then the Spiritual, Holy voice whispers,
"Read Psalm 23 and feel my rod and staff beside you as I take your right hand in mine.
I will lead you through this valley.
Follow my voice through the darkness.
Feel my light on your face as you turn toward the Son.
It may not be tomorrow, but I promise you,
some day soon I will bring you back to the welcoming pasture that your husband and I lovingly created.
And you can lie down and rest."

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in 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 darkest valley,
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.

Who's Controlling This Life?

Part of survival on this earth is knowing who you can trust because trusting someone gives them control over a part of your life. Being an indpendent person, I don't want anyone else having control of my life.

Then, on Air 1, a scripture moment laid a truth on me that has caused a revolution in my thought process. The only thing we really have control over is our hearts (meaning soul or thoughts).

Let that idea sink in for a moment. You don't control your money; this last year has brought this home. You don't control your family (although we try!). Our bodies can fall apart in a moment. Some one's loss of control of their car can change our lives in an instant. We control NONE of it. It's just an illusion we create to give ourselves security.

But we control our thoughts and believes. I told God I was afraid to hand over my life to Him. I told Him I couldn't trust Him because of the disease that caused my mom extreme pain on a daily basis. It's too scary.

Trusting Him seems to be giving up control. But if I don't have control anyway, why does it bother me? Wow! That's an "A-Ha" moment. It's not about me giving up anything. It's about me accepting the truth.

Anyway, lately He has been showing me amazing outcomes beyond what I could imagine. He's helping me evolve through scripture, daily prayer, Bible study, etc.

If you get nothing else out of my ramblings, may His words bring you closer to Him:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul.

Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good spirit lead me on level ground.

(Psalm 143: 8-10)

Prayer Request

A friend just told me about a friend of hers who needs our prayers. Her name is Lesa and she has both parents in the hospital (one is not expected to live more than a couple of days), a sick husband and a child that has a condition which is going to need major surgery.

This is just too much for someone to handle without the Lord by her side. I don't know if she's close to God, but I know God is close to her right now. I pray that she feels His strength and grace.

The Path I Didn't Even Know Existed

3 months ago when my church first announced the Bible study on Psalms, I was excited because I thought I was going to learn facts about the Psalms. I was looking forward to a history lesson and background information that would help me better understand them.

But God had another plan for me. The course wasn't about facts and history, but the emotions and poetry. Each week we examined psalms from a different perspective and each week I couldn't figure out how there could be another week like this. What else could be gleaned from such an approach?

At the end of the 10 weeks, several of us agreed that this course did not go the way we thought or originally wanted it to. However, it took us to a place of such higher understanding and closeness to God. It was absolutely amazing as only He can do it!

The Psalms are the heart of the Old Testament. While Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, etc., give us the framework of the Israelites, the Psalms expose to us the emotions behind all of it. In this book is the agony of feeling defeated, the frustration of feeling forgotten, the joy of God's miracles and praise of the Almighty when all else fails.

Need a prayer? Leaf through the pages of Psalms. You'll find your emotions so beautifully written out by someone else. You begin to realize God knows what you're feeling, He understands your hurt and frustration. And He'll bring you back to where you feel like praising Him. Read, meditate, pray and enjoy!

My Psalm of Lament

I'm currently attending a bible study about the Book of Psalms. The assignment this week is reading some of the psalms of lament and praying them for ourselves.

I wrote this psalm based on Psalms 44, 74 & 79. Keep in mind that I modeled it purposely with the Old Testament spin of asking "Why" instead of "What?" (When Jesus came, he changed our relationship with God to more of a Father/child which means we ask "What;" as in "What am I supposed to be learning?" ) I thought about changing my psalm, but I think the whys are more relatable because that's what I ask when I'm truly lamenting. And this just proves that when I'm feeling overwhelmed and desperate, I'm seperated from God. When I start asking "Why" it really is time to pray; to get back under God's shield.

God, you have performed great miracles for the Israelites and in my lifetime I have felt Your hand pull me through many moments. It is only through You that I succeed.

But now you have brought hardship into my life that overwhelms and scares me. You've humbled me by making me realize my weaknesses and my ineptitude. I know my heart turned away and my feet slipped. I gave up on Your love and thought I could survive without You. Now I've learned how much I need You.

Why do you reject me, O God? Please remember me and do not reject me forever. Do not forget my misery. Rise up and help me. Redeem me with Your unfailing love.

My situation tempts me and I try to resist, but I sometimes slip. I struggle with my inabilities and my lack of faith. How long will you allow me to be tempted and stressed by this? You've given me miraculous signs in the past and I wait for them now.

Why do you hold back your right hand? Take if from the folds of your garment and help me. You, God, bring salvation upon the earth. You created the earth; you established the sun and the moon. You alone have the power to save me.

Please don't allow me to be without your grace; I will praise your name and give glory to You.

How long, O Lord, will you be angry with me? How long will you discipline me? When will I learn your lesson and be done with this stress? Why should I have to cry, "Where is my God?"

Help me, O God my Savior, for the glory of your name. Deliver me and atone for my sins for your name's sake. Save me from my situation and I will praise you forever. I will share Your saving grace to my children and their children and to all who read my words.

Music Pick of the Week, Month, Probably Year

I've been listening to Third Day's new CD "Revelation." It is so awesome. I can't tell you how much the words touch my soul. This is worship rock at it's best! And it rocks!

I highly recommend the CD. It'll enhance your spiritual experience. (And they're not paying me for this!)

Master or Father

I had a huge "A-Ha" moment this week during my Psalms bible study. It happened while comparing some of the "Kingdom" psalms to the use of "kingdom" by Jesus in the book of Matthew.

In the Psalms, God is King and we are His servants. We and everything else on Earth praise Him as He sits on His throne. He deserves our worship as He has performed awesome miracles for us.

In Matthew, the Kingdom is in Heaven where God is our Father. In this relationship, we are His children, not servants.

I like the imagery of God disciplining us as a parent directs their child. It's out of love and for their own good. God as a master punishing servants for their disobedience is much colder. If someone doesn't understand or has been introduced to God the Father as described in Matthew, they might have a harder time loving God with all their heart and soul.

God is our loving Father. He protects us, He guides us and His love is neverending. Reading the scripture, the words He inspired, brings you closer.

Finding the Right Path

Dear Lord,

Please send your Holy Spirit to help me keep my heart vigilent on you. I've learned that where my heart is, my actions will follow. Help me stop using derogatory words and put devious talk far from me. Instead, I pray that my eyes look directly forward and on you at all times. I will more carefully think about my path and pray for direction so that I will always be sure I'm following you. I wish to turn from evil. I know that in your light is where I want to be. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Based on Proverbs 4:23-27:

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devioustalk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Lost in Psalms and Music

I'm 4 weeks in to a 10-week course on Psalms and am enraptured. The Psalms are such a great place to lose yourself when totally immersed. There are so many verses to share, but so little time to get on the net. I'll share again soon!

By the way, for those who enjoy my music, I recommend www.air1.com. It's an online radio station that may also have some airwaves near you. It's an upbeat positive alternative to regular radio. I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Movin' On with the Box Closed and at His Feet

After my bout with doubt this morning, I have pulled my head out, repacked the box and handed back to God. I feel His strength and peace once again. The power of prayer! Amen!


Since I don't want this blog to ever be about money, I have started a 2nd blog about earning money so I can earn some money. I'd like to thank Trina (http://adirondack-trina.blogspot.com/) and Amanda (http://motormouthmandi.blogspot.com/) for inspiring me with their blogs. May all of us earn enough to support our families, but not so much that we forget about God and the importance of His gifts.


Please check out my other blog: http://furlough2money.blogspot.com/

Why Can't I Leave the Box Alone?

Not only did I pick up my box this morning. I hugged it close to my chest then stuck my head in it and began suffocating.

Tomorrow the CA state legislatures vote on their budget which not only cuts education drastically (if my husband gets to keep his job it'll be at a pay cut) but also raises sales tax and gas tax. A triple whammy for us. The implications for my family is financially devestating.

I'm struggling right now, trying to count my blessings to pull my head out the box. I'm reading my own prayers and some other people's blogs. I thank those of you who have such positive messages in your blogs that I can refer back to. The ups and downs of life really can be hell some times. Today is one of those days.

The song "Revelation" by Third Day says it all so precisely this morning. If you're struggling, take a moment to listen to the words.

God, I need your grace and your peace to help me get through this day and this struggle. I am so tired and need your strength and guidance. Through Jesus Christ I offer this prayer. Amen.

Stop Picking It Up!

I have some wonderful imagery based on a devotional written by James MacDonald regarding trusting God. Scripture tells us to give our problems to God and trust Him with our problems. Our mistake is that once we leave our problems at His feet, we keep picking them up again!

So I have this image of packing all of my problems which I keep praying about in a box. I place the box at God's feet during morning prayer. Then midway through the day, I pick up the box again. It's like I think it's too much for God or that I can't let Him carry it for me. I just keep insisting on carrying it myself.

Not only is carrying the box physically harming me (heart palps, stress, ulcers, etc.), but it's spiritually harming me. I'm thinking about the box more than I'm praising God. Isn't this idolatry?

I know many of you are carrying your boxes also. Let's make a pact to leave them at God's feet and stop picking them up. I think God is stronger than us and is better equipt to carry them.

Remember Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

God Holds Your Hand

(For best effects, scroll down to the Playlist box and click on the Hootie & the Blowfish song before reading this post!)

Isn't that a wonderful image to have? While I'm going through everything, God is beside me, holding my hand. I feel so comforted by that.

I've been reading through Isaiah because it's a great place to dwell when you feel the world is coming to an end (because of stress, not actual horrific disaster). After each end of the world, doom and gloom passage, Isaiah gives hope. Combining a couple great passages I've come up with the following:

Dear Lord,

You are my salvation as a I struggle to trust you completely and not be afraid. You are the source of strength that gets me through each day.

I am trying not to fear or be dismayed, because you are my God. You give me strength and will hold me up with your righteous hand.

You hold my right hand and tell me not to be afraid because you are with me.

Thank you Lord for the scriptures that remind me to trust and not fear. Through the Holy Spirit I will learn to trust. Through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Prayer based on these pasages:

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afaid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 40:10 Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Isaiah 40:13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

Prayer for Our Legislators

They are surrounded by sin and deceit so they need our prayers to help them to make the right decisions. Politics is a filthy business and I'm sure good intentions can be easily lost. A more eloquent man than I prayed these words for our leaders:

Almighty God, Our Father, everything we see and everything we can't see exists because of You alone. It all comes from You, it all belongs to You, it all exists for Your glory.

....

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget You, forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes -- even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and seek the common good for all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day, all nations, all people will stand accountable before You.

...

Amen.

Please join me in praying these words for our government leaders.

By the way, this prayer is from Rick Warren's Inaugural Invocation. Very awesome!

For All of You!

I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments, feedback and awards. Your kind words keep me inspired. My goal is to spread the Lord's scripture, so please refer my site to others.

As a "Thank You" I pray Psalm 20 for all of you. Appropriately titled "Prayer for Victory over Enemies" I figure we all have enemies we're fighting, even though they may not be in human form as David's were. These days they come as anxieties, addictions, depression, job troubles, family problems, etc. This morning California's jobless rate is almost up to 10%. Lord, help us.

For all my internet friends...

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

May He send you help from the sanctuary

And support you from Zion!

May He remember all your meal offerings

And find your burnt offering acceptable!

May He grant you your heart's desire

And fulfill all your counsel!

We will sing for joy over your victory,

And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

They have bowed down and fallen,

But we have risen and stood upright.

Save, O Lord;

May the King answer us in the day we call.

Can I hear a big "Amen!"?

An analysis of this Psalm by Ray Stedman gives some definitions that makes it even more heartwarming. According to Mr. Stedman, "sanctuary" refers to the place we meet with God which would be scripture. So it is through reading scripture we receive our help from God (part of the reasoning behind this blog's creation).

In this passage, "Zion" is the symbol of the invisible kingdom of God. That kingdom is "made up of ministering angels sent forth to serve those who are to be the heirs of salvation." Mr. Stedman goes on to say "In other words, all the invisible help that God can give you in the day of trouble, in the hour of pressure, is made available by prayer." And that's the 2nd half of this blog... we receive assistance from God through prayer.

God bless all of you and have a wonderful rest of the week!

The Bad, the Ugly and the Good

I don't want this blog to become political, but right now my husband and I contemplate our future. For those of you who don't live in California and don't know what's going on with the budget, our state has none. And it hasn't for quite some time. So our governor is proposing cuts in education which directly effect my husband. As the school district he works for discusses the options facing them (pay cuts, lay-offs, increasing our medical insurance contribution) I wonder what the legislators are giving up. Our family, as well as many others, will be forced into giving up not elaborate luxuries (because we have never been able to afford those), but groceries, family outings, heating, gas, etc.

While I know this is a wonderful test of our faith, it's still frustrating. However, I recently read the Book of Job and found comfort in it. Job was a faithful servant, so much so that God "bragged" about him to Satan. Satan asked if he could test Job and God agreed. Job lost all his wealth and his children were killed in one tragic event. Then Job was stricken with boils. While he suffered to the point of praying for death, he continued to praise God as all powerful.

Job 23:13-16 "But he stands alone and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I'm terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me."

While he was miserable, his friends came and, basically, rubbed salt in his wounds. They told him how he must have been sinful in order for God to turn on him so.

"If you return to the almighty, you will be restored." (Job 22:23)

"God does not spurn the blameless man or let the sinner live on in all his power." (Job 36:5)

"The wretched, however, he saves by their wretchedness, and uses distress to open their eyes." (Job 36:15)

God hears Job's complaining and speaks to Job:

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" (Job 40:2)

Job's reply is "I am unworthy."

God questions Job on his abilities compared to God's abilities. Job replies:

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2)

God is so impressed with Job's faith that when He brings Job back to health, He doubles his previous wealth and number of children. By the way, He tells Job's "friends" that they've got it all wrong and should ask Job to pray for them.

What's this have to do with my current situation? While I can stress over it, nothing will change because of my anxiety. God has His plan and I can't change it. All I can do is pray for His guidance so that we can make the right choices to get through it to the place He wants us to be. We can choose blessings or curses. I choose His blessings.

I am also comforted that bad things don't happen to us because God thinks we deserve them. They happen because, as any good father would, He wants us to learn and grow. And I know He would never give us more than we can handle.

By faith, God, I follow.

Choose Wisely

As I continue to struggle with keeping my priorities straight and my resolutions going, I'm constantly arguing with myself -- angel on one shoulder, devil on the other! Tonight the angel wins!

Dear Lord,

Daily You set before me choices for blessing or curse and true life or slow death of my soul. Please give me the willpower, knowledge and strength to make the right choices. I want to hear and obey Your voice and hold fast to You, for I understand that it is through You I have true life.

Life without You is a struggle and impossible. So I offer my anxieties to you in prayer and with thanksgiving for all You have given to me.

Thank you for encouraging the scripture reading that has brought me into a more loving relationship with You. It is only through learning more about You, I have increased my love for You.

Through Jesus Christ I offer my prayer. Amen.


Two verses influence this prayer:

Deuteronomy 30:19-20...

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Issac, and to Jacob, to give them.


Philippians 4:6

Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Transforming for the Better

This last week has been filled with illness, kids hogging the computer and just plain exhaustion. Thank you to everyone for the positive words that give me hope and encouragement. Maybe the Lord knows what He's doing after all!

As I am making my transformation from selfish, lazy, hypocritical whiner to dedicated Christian, I appreciated a passage from Ephesians. Here's the prayer and scripture:

Dear Lord,

As I throw off my bad habits and former way of life, I pray that Your Holy Spirit assists me with the spiritual renewal of my thoughts and attitudes. I see the transformation You have started in me and I understand the pain in my life has brought me to this better place today. While my situation has not improved, I have improved. I thank You for that change and even the pain that has brought it about. I know I must display my new nature as You transform me into Your likeness. Help me be righteous, holy and true. I wish to become the person You know I can be.

Through Jesus Christ I offer this prayer. Amen.

Based on Ephesians 4:22-24...

Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness -- righteous, holy and true.

HE is So Amazing!

I hope I don't go too far overboard for some of you, but right now my heart is just screaming "Hallelujah!" to the Lord. (The whole family is sleeping, so I can't scream it out loud!)

About an hour ago I got so depressed after paying some bills. I started feeling the desperation, anxiety, fear that I know so many share with me right now. It's the gut wrenching feeling that sends shivers down your neck as you fear losing your house, dignity, etc.

Before the fear, etc., turned to heart palpitations, I thought of God. I remembered that I didn't pray or read scripture this morning. I also hadn't posted anything here, and He has put so much on my heart that I want to share. But I didn't get to any of it today or yesterday.

So I picked up my most used meditation/scripture source, Our Journey from James MacDonald's website http://www.walkintheword.com/ , and read yesterday's and today's entries. It was truly a message from God. Yesterday's message was about the infinite and awesome abilities of God.

But today's message has me shaking my head and asking myself WHY do I EVER doubt Him, because it's the same verse that since Saturday I've been thinking about posting and not because I read it in this same pamphlet earlier, but because I found it while independently browsing the Psalms on Saturday morning. Does God work in amazing ways or what?!

The verse that I found and Our Journey reiterated for me was Psalm 4 in it's entirety. It's a short one.

Notice how verse 4 mentions "vain words" and lies that people seek. When I read this I thought of the "keep up with the Joneses" mantra that is so strong these days. The advertising that makes us believe that we need the new Cadillac and I-phone in order to be happy.

Verse 7 reminds me of all the times my family and I have sat around the table playing a game or eating dinner and laughed at just crazy things no one else would find funny. Those moments are more precious than any money.

I pray that all of you who are in the same desperate place I was an hour ago find comfort and peace in this Psalm. God bless us all!

Psalm 4

(1) Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! (2) O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? (3) But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. (4) Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. (5) Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. (6) There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" (7) You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (8) In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

When in Doubt

During Greg Laurie's lecture on temptation, he listed some verses that he repeats to himself when negativity enters his mind about what he is doing. He didn't give the books or verses that he was quoting, just the words. I looked them up on http://www.biblegateway.com/ and I believe these are the verses he was referring to:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

Dealing with Temptation

Just a quick note because I want to get this info on today so you can listen while it's still free. Tomorrow it'll cost you 99 cents, which is still a great bargain.

One of my favorite pastors to listen to is Greg Laurie, http://www.harvest.org/radio/a-new-beginning-radio/broadcast-schedule.html. This morning was his last installment on temptation called "Going on a Diet Tomorrow." In today's lecture he discusses the use of scripture to avoid temptation. He used some great passages that really lifted me.

This whole series was quite interesting and I'd recommend it to everyone. After I get a moment to research the scriptures I noted, I'll post them. If you have an opportunity to listen today, use this link http://www.harvest.org/radio/ and click on "Listen Now" underneath the "A New Beginning Today" title.

Have a wonderful day!

Keeping the Resolution Going

As I start losing my resolve to continue in my New Year endeavors, I try to remember to look to the Lord for strength. And when I do, I find the means to escape the temptation.

Dear Lord,

As I make my resolutions to better myself, I look to You for the stength to keep them. I know that You will not allow any temptation to come to me that is not common to man; and that You are faithful and will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to overcome. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me to find the escape for each temptation that I know you leave for me, so that I can over come the temptation and be successful.

Through the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray to You. Amen

Based on 1 Corinthians 10:13...

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Prayers in Heavenly Handwriting

The Book of Psalms is my favorite place to turn to when I need encouragement. They were written thousands of years ago, but are still relevant today. That's one of the reasons I feel the Bible is awesome.

When I read Psalm 5 I thought of the 5 people following this blog and hoped for all those who run across it, but don't follow it. I wanted to share this with you.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Good Morning, Part II

"God Stops" is a termed coined by Beth Moore for those moments that people may call a coincidence, but others see them as God using a moment to teach or direct us.

I had a God Stop the day after I wrote my "Good Morning" post. One of my daily meditation sources reinforced the importance of spending time each morning with God. She used the following verses in her essay:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy & be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble" Psalm 90:14-15

"Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

"The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen line one being taught." Isaiah 50:4

"I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you." Psalm 88:13

And as a witness to these verses, I resolve to take time each morning, whether it be 5 minutes or 30, to spend time with God. With God's strength, I can handle anything.

God Bless us all this morning.

Good Morning!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Enjoy every new morning!

Let The Light Shine

Dear Lord,

I know that You alone are the light and in You there is no darkness. I want to walk in the light with You and leave behind the darkness, where I once walked and played without You.

I want to walk in the light as You are in the light and where I can have fellowship with others and the blood of Jesus, Your Son, cleanses us all.

I have sinned and continue to sin and confess my sins now. I know that you will be faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you bestow on me and for bringing me on this journey. Through the Holy Spirit's assistance, I wish my faith to grow stronger so I will learn to trust you completely with my life.

Prayer based on 1 John 1:5-10:

(5) This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (8) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Anxiety Attack

Several days back, when I listed some of my favorite verses that get me through my most anxious moments, I somehow forgot my absolute favorite. But, while looking for it, I found another verse that I added to my verses journal.

The one I added was:

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6

Now the long verse I calm myself down with, when I get anxious, comes from Matthew 6. I don't have it all memorized, I just recall it's meaning or find it in my journal.

(25) For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what will you drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (27) And who of you can add a single hour to his life?
...
(32) For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(34) So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Now, I understand that this does not give me free reign to sit around and play video games, instead of working, cause God will take care of it. There is that condition in the verse about "seek first His kingdom" which isn't done by being a couch potato. It's a purposeful action on my part and is why I read the Bible, read daily meditations, pray often, attend a church, etc. I'm seeking His kingdom and righteousness.

I pray that this helps someone out there who is overly anxious and desperate about the future. I know the desperation that anxiety can bring... been there, done that, still go through it occasionally. May all of us afflicted with this desperation feel the Holy Spirit guiding us to more positive actions that lead us seeking down the right path.

God Bless and Happy New Year!