Key verses:
"And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6
"For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:22
The more and more that I read God's Word, write it on my heart and put it into practice, the more I see how flawless and pure it is. I have tested it over and over through my life as a believer. It has brought hope and healing. It makes me wise and shows me the way of righteousness. It is my delight and my spiritual food. When I speak it, it goes out in power and accomplishes everything God purposes it to do. I am a container and messenger, a priestess of the Most High God. I cannot help but speak of Him and His Word because of all He and the Word has done in my life.
Last week when I got my hair cut, I was sharing about what God has been doing in my life, how I have put God's Word into practice and the amazing results that have taken place in my life and in the lives of those around me. I would occasionally glance around as I was talking and noticed that I had an audience. Others were listening as I was speaking to my hairdresser. God's Word was drawing them in. I don't know what it has done in their lives but it did what God wanted it to do. What a joy it is to see His Word and Spirit at work. What a joy that He allows us to be part of that work! In Acts, Peter and John could not help but share with anyone and everyone who would listen God's Word and what Jesus had done! I can do no less!
So, what are you doing with God's Word today? Where is He calling you to speak it and to whom? Are you ready to be a participant in His work? Are you ready to experience the adventure? Hang on! It's an awesome ride!
Father God, How I praise You and thank You for this glorious morning as I walked and praised You! Your Word came to me and encouraged me to press on though my muscles were telling me a different story. How I praise You and thank You for Your Word that is flawless and shines through the darkness. It is like the sun. Wherever I went, it was there with me. Your Word goes with me wherever I go, whether to a hair salon in Paso Robles or in Africa! I find such joy in sharing it and You with others.
In a world where what is vile is honored among men (Psalm 12:8), Your Word is timeless and flawless. It cuts to the heart of those who have ears to hear it. I love seeing lives transformed where Your Spirit and Word are at work!
I pray for those today that have wandered or become sidetracked. Draw them back to You and help them to put first things first. Clear the obstacles that are keeping them from spending time in Your Word and in Your presence. Thank You for the times that I have wandered and You have drawn me back. O how I praise You! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Where are You God?
Key verse: "And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Exodus 17:7
Many times, especially as baby Christians, we become cranky and doubt God is with us because we are not getting anything from Him. We want what we want and we want it NOW. We throw fits, mope and cry and say, "God must not love me!" or "Is He even real or there at all?" or as adolescent Christians we might say, "If You really loved me, You'd give me this!"
Just like the Israelites, our spiritual maturity is tested when we are in the desert. As I began the discipline of daily reading the Bible, there were periods of dryness where it seemed God wasn't speaking to me or answering me as quickly as I would like Him to. I could not "feel" His presence nor was I getting anything from Him. (or so I thought). But He was developing maturity and discipline in my life. Would I only seek Him and spend time with Him because of what He gave me?
Imagine a child only wanting to spend time with its father as long as the father had something for the child? How would that make the father feel? And if the father decided to delay or not give the child what he/she wanted, the child became angry, sulked and withheld affection from the father. That is a spoiled, ungrateful and immature child. What's worse, if the father allowed that kind of continued behavior, he would have a spoiled, ungrateful adult child.
So where are you today? Are you grateful for the things God has done for you and given you? He loves to give His children gifts but is that the only reason you come to Him? And if He isn't giving You what You want right NOW, are you withholding the affection He so rightly deserves?
Father God,
You are not only the Lord Who Provides, but the Lord My Banner. From You I receive everything I need like the manna the children of Israel received in the desert. You are the One who conquers our enemy and has won the battle over death through Your Son Jesus.
So many times in my early walk with You I only sought Your hand instead of Your face. You gave me so many wonderful gifts when I was first born. And You continue to give me wonderful gifts. But Your desire is that I would seek the Gift-Giver more than the gifts. There have been lessons in my life, some very difficult, that You have used to develop self-discipline, patience, mercy, grace and humility. My faith has grown strong regardless of how I feel at any given moment.
Thank You for being patient with me. Thank You for giving me just the right amount of discipline to turn me back to You. Thank You for not allowing me to become a spoiled adult. Thank You for humbling me and reminding me, like Joshua, that apart from You I can do nothing.
I pray for those today that may be frustrated or discouraged or even angry with You. Let them see that You are working everything out for their good. You are more concerned with their character than with their comfort. Develop us into spiritual oaks, whose roots go down deep, so that when times of dryness or famine or disaster or trial come, we will not fall or fall away. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Many times, especially as baby Christians, we become cranky and doubt God is with us because we are not getting anything from Him. We want what we want and we want it NOW. We throw fits, mope and cry and say, "God must not love me!" or "Is He even real or there at all?" or as adolescent Christians we might say, "If You really loved me, You'd give me this!"
Just like the Israelites, our spiritual maturity is tested when we are in the desert. As I began the discipline of daily reading the Bible, there were periods of dryness where it seemed God wasn't speaking to me or answering me as quickly as I would like Him to. I could not "feel" His presence nor was I getting anything from Him. (or so I thought). But He was developing maturity and discipline in my life. Would I only seek Him and spend time with Him because of what He gave me?
Imagine a child only wanting to spend time with its father as long as the father had something for the child? How would that make the father feel? And if the father decided to delay or not give the child what he/she wanted, the child became angry, sulked and withheld affection from the father. That is a spoiled, ungrateful and immature child. What's worse, if the father allowed that kind of continued behavior, he would have a spoiled, ungrateful adult child.
So where are you today? Are you grateful for the things God has done for you and given you? He loves to give His children gifts but is that the only reason you come to Him? And if He isn't giving You what You want right NOW, are you withholding the affection He so rightly deserves?
Father God,
You are not only the Lord Who Provides, but the Lord My Banner. From You I receive everything I need like the manna the children of Israel received in the desert. You are the One who conquers our enemy and has won the battle over death through Your Son Jesus.
So many times in my early walk with You I only sought Your hand instead of Your face. You gave me so many wonderful gifts when I was first born. And You continue to give me wonderful gifts. But Your desire is that I would seek the Gift-Giver more than the gifts. There have been lessons in my life, some very difficult, that You have used to develop self-discipline, patience, mercy, grace and humility. My faith has grown strong regardless of how I feel at any given moment.
Thank You for being patient with me. Thank You for giving me just the right amount of discipline to turn me back to You. Thank You for not allowing me to become a spoiled adult. Thank You for humbling me and reminding me, like Joshua, that apart from You I can do nothing.
I pray for those today that may be frustrated or discouraged or even angry with You. Let them see that You are working everything out for their good. You are more concerned with their character than with their comfort. Develop us into spiritual oaks, whose roots go down deep, so that when times of dryness or famine or disaster or trial come, we will not fall or fall away. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Who Do You Go To
Where do we go to for spiritual enlightenment, or knowledge.It's unfortunate that we let the every day busyness of life get in the way of our relationship with God. I know everyone doesn't fall under this theft of Gods desire for us, but I confess that I myself am one of those unfortunate souls sometimes. I spend allot of time in my car with my job, and I found myself going to radio ministries music ministries, and I became confused, going in to many directions, in a state of confusion. And through this, God, in His perfect timing and grace once again has shown me that it is Him and Him alone that keeps me whole. He tells me that He will show me what I need to know and when I need to know it , it's his work that He is completing in me, and in His timing, in other words, He is saying I want you to desire Me, my word, my direction. So make time for Me and I will guide you. Busyness of life is not good for us,busyness in God is, its Gods desire, and pleasing to Him.
PSALM 73:24-25
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into
glory,
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.
Forgive me God, for neglecting our time together and seeking counsel elesware, because of busyness of this world,
I ask that you restore me God, make me whole, break my heart Lord, so I would
desire for your counsel, and our time together, like you desire to be with me,
PSALM 73:24-25
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into
glory,
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.
Forgive me God, for neglecting our time together and seeking counsel elesware, because of busyness of this world,
I ask that you restore me God, make me whole, break my heart Lord, so I would
desire for your counsel, and our time together, like you desire to be with me,
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