I Want to Be a Child

I love it when there's a scripture I've read or heard hundreds of times, but all the sudden in one reading it says something new to me. Today is was Matthew 10:15-16

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

When the world becomes too stressful, or actually, I've stressed myself out depending on the world for fulfillment rather than God, I would love to have Jesus take me in His glorious, protective, strong arms, bless me and lay His hands on me. Just the thought of it sends a wave of peace through me.

Like a child, I keep making the same mistakes. I keep wanting life to be all about me and filling my wants. Like a child, I keep coming to God with my eyes cast to the ground because I screwed up again. And as the Loving Father, God brushes the dirt of my skinned knees, wipes away my tears, admonishes me for my foolishness. The difference is that He doesn't send me away on my own; He always walks beside me.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. ... For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:2 & 11

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, ...

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.

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.

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

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.

Encouragement to Get Through the Depression

As I struggle with my own personal problems that drag me into depression, I turn to the Bible and other Christian writing for the words that remind me to have faith in God.

For those of you going through struggles and finding yourself crying through the scary world, here are some verses in which I find reassurance:

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10

"He sends from heavens & saves me..." Psalm 57:3

"in God I trust: I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Psalm 56:11

"... Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens & earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

"I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:1-2

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." John 15:7

"Yet this I call to mind and therefor I have hope. Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:21-22.

"You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:2-3

"God has come to help his people." Luke 7:16

I hope one of these verses helps you. I hope even more that one of these verses encourages you to open a Bible and find more verses of encouragement. They are in there. Just ask the Lord to show them to you.

May God bless everyone who is depressed this holiday season.

If you need to find a verse to help you, please contact me. My goal is to share scripture.