My Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Matthew 6:9-13 - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

You have shown us how we should pray. You have shown us how to worship You with our words and actions. You have said we should ask for Your guidance because You have given each of us a purpose in life. We must realize the provision You give; You give not as the world gives. You have admonished us to forgive others, just like You have forgiven us. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. We can realize the great protection we have when You are the center of our lives. We acknowledge You as the Most High God.

I praise You Lord for who You are. You are high and lifted up as You are seated on Your throne in the heavenlies. You are the Name above all names, You reign eternal. You are all that I need because You are my provider. I thank You for Your wisdom which is much greater than any man's. You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. Only You are worthy. Thank You for this day. Thank You for the freedom I hold on to in You, the freedom that cannot be taken away by the world. Thank You that whatever life holds for me You will be by my side as my guide and comfort.

This world today strives to push You aside. I know better...that You will return some day to rule and reign. All will see who You truly are in that day. All knees will bow and tongues finally confess Your Lordship, Your awesomeness. I long for that day. 

Thank You for sending Your son Jesus to become the propitiation for our sins. He is the daily Bread. He is the One who speaks wisdom into my life and to those when they are ready to receive. Thank You for bringing that day to me. Thank You that day by day Your Word opens my mind to greater truths and discernment of those things in this world that are false. 

Keep me from turning away and prevent me from doing what my flesh wants to do. Thank You for being the Way, the Truth and the Life for me. Thank You this is what You desire for all mankind, no matter what race, religion or denomination. Let others know You this way. Thank You for seeking me, a lost sheep. Thank You for forgiving me of the wrongs I committed so long ago. Thank You for forgiving as I ask for it each day. Thank You for Your neverending love and forgiveness. How difficult it is to understand such a great love...that no man can hold a candle to.

Thank You for being my Light today. Keep me out of the hands of my enemy. Keep me on the narrow path that leads only to what You desire this day. Strengthen me against my enemy with Your words, Your wisdom. Give me the words I need for each situation today.

Your kingdom reigns. No matter what we see in this world, my hope is secure because of You. Your power is greater than any other on earth or in the heavens. Your glory will shine and light this world in days to come. Come quickly Lord

So be it!

Matthew 6:13 - Amen.

Only One Race

Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬  - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

‭‭

There is only one race...the human race. This is a bit off my normal blog. I was listening to a very old sermon, probably recorded in the 50’s. But the message was ever as relevant today as then. The message doesn’t change, though the messenger might! The preacher was A.Z. Tozer. I was riveted as I took notes. So this is his paraphrased sermon with my added comments, in italics where I remembered! 

This is also a sober reminder to myself!

There coexists only two kingdoms: the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God. They touch at least, living side by side. We are born into the kingdom of man. This is the rebellious, fallen kingdom, exiled from God. By nature we are a fallen race. For the most part this human race disagrees on many things. There is division among races and division politically, division on ways of life...”local” things. But we do agree on one thing. The basic principle of human self-sufficiency...instinctive wisdom of the race. 

However, God talks about the folly of the human race. We don’t know our spiritual home nor the hand that feeds us and are not sufficient unto ourselves. The human race believes in moral judgment with a mistake being made here and there. We “basically” know what is right and allow for a few flaws but we are basically good! We do have institutions and people who do good things for others. But there still is a basic evil of the human race. 

We can be distressed over the world conditions. Don’t we realize that this is proof of the depravity of the human race? The human race is nothing unless God is involved in lives. Until then goodness is man-centered. Man’s kingdom is filled with organized evil from satan. It is implemented by science, history and personal success...all of the flesh for the desires of the flesh. All part of the human race. 

Then there’s the Kingdom of God! It’s a totally different Kingdom. This is made up of people who have been re-created, born again into His Kingdom. Persons who have given their lives to Christ. Persons who have no confidence in man’s successes and goodness because man can so easily fail without God. 

I added these:

Without Christ I can do no good thing.

God is my strength and my shield, my help in times of weakness. 

Only God knows just what we really need. Only He knows what is truly the best for us. The world has nothing to offer compared to what He has for those who seek Him. 

These two kingdoms will touch, maybe even seep into one another. Sadly, there will always be a little world that spills into the church because man does that. And there are churches totally given over to man’s kingdom because they don’t really know God; their belief is that man can do good apart from God. Motivational speakers and businessmen are brought in to bring success or tell people the best life is now, here on earth, be the best you can be...without the help of God. 

**I can do nothing apart from God.**

Mankind cannot be made good on their own but only through Divine help. The Church cannot succeed without God’s intervention. Only God in us can do a good thing. 

So if we cannot do anything on our own, apart from God, we must seek Him daily, in prayer and supplication to help us make the right decisions. I know someone who (used to) ask God what she should wear every day. That might be a little overboard but we should at least seek Him about guiding our days, our thoughts, our words. We can so often fail here... So we need a Savior, One who will guide.

Examples of how to do this!!

The world says, "in everything by money"...if you have enough you’ll have what you want. Money talks and opens doors. More money, more success. If we, according to God’s Word, offer up first to the Kingdom of God, He will bless us (not necessarily with more money but spiritual blessings...what we truly need). However, money without prayer behind it, can become a curse.  Even money given to a church without prayer behind it! If a church only wants a person’s money, they do not care about God. And likewise, giving because it’s an obligation, it’s not for God. So, how about everything by prayer and supplication...

The world says "it’s about social prestige," climbing the ladder, success. It’s not what, but who you know. Winning friends and influencing people. What we need is the power of God! We shouldn’t care what the world says; it’s what God thinks of us that matters. He has the power over life and death. 

Let this sink in...Christ was born in a manger. Peter and John were fishermen and Matthew a despised tax collector. The early church rose up out of people with very little, not those in power or wealth. Paul was learned and he persecuted the early church. But he was humbled! He was brought to his knees before God. And converted! Peter was not very learned, but when God got hold of him it was the power of God in him that led 3,000 to Christ! They were a praying bunch! They sought Him. 

When we come to Christ it’s usually when we realize a need, our awfulness, our miserableness, our poor spirits. We are humbled. When all else fails, Christ is there. It is through our testimony that others see Christ. Everything by prayer ... and it doesn't need to be in a mega church; a small, modest one will do too.

With the power of God, all things can be settled...better than any man or group of men committed to doing it their way. Pray more, talk less! 

When a church begins to backslide it tends to try to educate itself through man’s ways. Get books on this, study this...as opposed to being directed into the Word of God. What does He say? 

The world says everything by compromise. Could that be like being politically correct? Trying to be in harmony? All at a level playing field? The Word doesn’t suggest any such thing. There is only one right way. As much as people will balk at this, it is the truth. There is only one way! Through the power of God because His ways are perfect, His ways just.

Compromising in the Kingdom of God has deadly consequences. Yet some churches choose to compromise by seeking what the world wants over what God wants. Letting the church get along with the world, not standing alone with God. Like the "coexist" movement, regarding religion. Not taught in the Bible. 

People have a problem with believers who won’t budge when it comes to the truth of the Bible...the world says, “Did God really say that? If He did He’s a tyrant; He’s supposed to be a loving God.” The Church is not to be used by man but by God. God does not compromise because...He IS God. He IS Creator of all things. He IS all powerful, all knowing, always present. What He commands will happen with or without man. He doesn’t need us but we certainly need Him. I'm thankful for a pastor who is diligent to seek God in all things.

But if we call ourselves to prayer and seeking (and trusting) God in all things, He will deliver. Prayer is what gives power to all the necessary things of life. We’ll find out some day whether the good that we did came to anything. That’s a scary thought. How much of my life will have been stubble which will be burned up, useless? 

This is all truth and yet it is something that needs to be brought into our minds through the Holy Spirit. We will always fail at some things. It’s this fallen human nature we have as a human race. When we fail we rise up and start over.

Must be why Tozer titled the sermon Everything in Prayer! 

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

‭‭

Empty Altars

Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God...

Are the altars empty in our churches? Have we gotten to a place of such comfort and complacency in our lives we feel we do not need to seek God for His wisdom for our needs/lives? Do we rely on the prayers of others to accomplish that? Are our altars at home just as empty?

It has been a discussion among a few that we as a church need to be asking the people in our church to freely come to the altar and seek God directly. Don't wait to be asked; go at any time. Let our pride go and know that each of us is pretty much in the same place somehow in our lives...in need of answers from the Lord. We all need to know, although it should be a given, that no one will judge (or shouldn't) because we are a needy people, as much as some don't want to think so.

We don't need to go through prayer partners to be prayed over weekly. We need to be going directly to the Lord with our petitions, supplications...and just sitting at His feet listening intently for His words for us. Oh, we can agree in prayer (where two or more are gathered in His name...) but seeking God first is always the best thing. And seek Him for "whatever" with thanksgiving...always with thanksgiving.

The thought in some churches is not to make anyone uncomfortable. It's easier to cover up a person's need for prayer by saying something like "whatever your request is, come for prayer" instead of addressing a specific need or sin. I suppose that's okay. But there's something about coming forward on one's own, standing, kneeling or lying prone before the altar to seek God for the prayers we have.

Oh my, how God wants us to come directly to Him. How would our lives be transformed if we did that? Might we see more results or hear directly from Him regarding our situation? I understand how praying with someone is our responsibility and how sometimes it's nice to hear actual words where God can be silent. There's nothing wrong with seeking prayer from someone. And there's nothing wrong with receiving a word of knowledge from someone either. But it should not be a replacement for our Almighty God. Seeking man's intervention is not anything like having Jesus as our Mediator. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus... (1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV)

An altar is where we worship God. It is where we bring our sacrifices and offerings, lay our troubles down. We bring ourselves to Him. We sacrifice ourselves to Him. We worship Him there. It's where we come to the Lord fully trusting He hears our prayers, as He says He does. It's trusting His will will be done in our situation...whether it's how we imagined it or not...and still continuing to trust.

Have you gone to your altar today? Have you sought the Lord wherever your altar might be? Have you set up an altar? Remember, we are the Temple of God if we have received Christ. Within that temple there is an altar...it goes wherever you do. What does going to the altar, wherever you might be, do:

Philippians 4:7 - ...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Need answered prayers? Need peace? Need wisdom? Need Jesus? Go to that altar and seek Him.

Deliver Me

Psalm 6:4 - Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake! 

Back to the Psalms!

Deliver me. David's words to God for the trouble he was encountering. Save me. My bones are troubled. My soul is greatly troubled. How long?

We can all relate to David. We all have sins, to be sure. We can be greatly troubled by our own stuff of life, as well as troubled by what is happening in the world, if we care. We might cry out for deliverance from whatever it is that causes us distress. Although we have Jesus, we will not be completely without trouble. Sometimes we feel weak...and that's when our cries should be to God. How long? Our strength is in Him. He is the answer.

Prayer requests come through weekly at hour church. Sometimes for healing. Sometimes the sale of a house. Sometimes for a job and God's provision until one comes along. Any of these things can be considered an enemy of sorts. David had an undefined enemy for which he cried out, how long, O Lord? Deliver me.

David made a statement, one that I had to read over and over. Verse 5: For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? I saw it to mean that he, David, loved the Lord, worshipped Him and if death was near it would only remove the ability to do so--the ability to be thankful for all He's done. David was weary with groaning, filled with grief, desirous that his troubles would be over, that his heart would be done with the grieving so he would be able to worship with all his heart, in gladness.

I don't believe for a moment David ever stopped praising and worshiping God. In our human weakness, though, we do grow weary at times. That's when we need to just say to God, thank you--for whatever way you are building me up through this, for knowing exactly when I will see the breakthrough I'm needing. I'm trusting in You.

After weeks of news from around the world, my heart has become slightly troubled. Not to the point of total distress, but where I think, how long, O Lord? How long will this continue? When will YOU bring the end to it all? When will You return? We have to admit there is more sad, frustrating or infuriating news than good. That's what makes news, riles us and stirs us up. There is definitely a double standard, probably from either view point. Evil is becoming the new good and good is taking the back seat. Good is intolerable. Evil is tolerated. But praise God...there will be an end...a good end.

It's a sign of the times. Those days spoken of in the Bible. Evil will only get worse and good will languish. Evil will overtake...for a time...and then evil will be met with Good and will be overtaken once and for all. Funny, though, how people don't get what evil is. Our greatest enemy is satan although not many see it like that. He is permeating society in the act of tolerance of what is not good. He is commonplace and just not recognized anymore. And he's gaining ground. But praise God again! Jesus has overcome the enemy.

Aren't there days when we wonder how long it will be before we are delivered from something that troubles us? The troubles in the world, for instance. When will all this angst subside? Or closer to home...maybe it's an illness. Could be a relationship that isn't going the way you thought. Perhaps a decision that needs to be made that could cause hurt feelings. Or maybe just something you've longed for, something you've asked God about, prayed about, and all you desire is His strength in the ability to do...

In the end of all his vocal commiserations, David remembers God hears and receives his prayers. We cannot stop praying--it's part of our worship. Ask for retribution--in a godly way. Lord, let the enemy be ashamed and troubled (v10). In other words, bring an end to this situation, Lord. Let right prevail and wrong fail. If our personal trouble is our enemy, it's brought on by him who only wants to see us languish and weaken. When we are troubled we can experience disillusionment. However, we are strengthened in our weakness if we hold on to Jesus Christ. Banish the thought, remember His promises and know a end will be near. 

He does hear us as we cry out to Him. We feel weak and yet His Word tells us we are strong in Him. Contradicts? I don't think so. It could be we just are impatient. We aren't waiting on His time. We aren't trusting in Him. For me I cry out for a voice. I have such a desire for my written words to be spoken. I'm a quiet person of sorts and maybe this is my voice, although I know God equips us for whatever He desires we do. Maybe I'm missing opportunities. There are times when my tongue feels like it is stuck to the roof of my mouth. Forgive me, Lord, if I am missing something! Shall I be content with mini-opportunities? Will those mini-moments add up someday? Through it all, though, I will worship You.

We might all have those how long moments. In the grand scheme, I wonder when will the world's eyes be opened to God? When will they listen and actually hear? When will what should be right become right again? When will the Lord return to end all this...so that our enemies would be ashamed and greatly troubled? Remember, the enemy can also be those who do not believe, who do not hear.

Unbelievers are all over the world. They are next door, at work, in our own homes, even in our church. When they refuse to see the power of God at work, when they scoff at the great words He has given us. When they don't believe a relationship with Him is necessary in this life. When they believe all they have is what they can see, touch and smell today. One day those things will be gone and they might be among those ashamed and troubled for not believing what God has shown us. This world is a vast wilderness of unbelievers.

There are some who see what's happening, who try to be the voice, like John the Baptist, the one crying out in that wilderness. Those wanting others to realize what God is trying to show us. Some hear, some do not. Some will be ashamed and troubled one day. Deliver me. Let my voice be heard, Lord. Open my lips to speak. I know the consequences...lost relationships and scoffers. But I also know what the truth is. I stand behind Your Word, O God. Lord, how long?

Psalm 6:8-9 - ...the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication...

Sacrifice, Prayer, Super Bowl, Donald Driver and Aaron Rodgers

Exodus 29:30-31, 42-45 -  "Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight....This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you...and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar...I will dwell among [my children] and will be their God."

So here we have a commandment from God. As I was reading Exodus this morning I came to the chapters regarding the consecration of Aaron and his sons prior to becoming priests in the tabernacle. They weren't just appointed, they were anointed. Everything was laid out before them by God, in an orderly fashion, precisely as He would have it, from the cleansing rituals to the clothing that was made with certain linens, fibers and colors, to the exact instructions of which animals and how to sacrifice. 

Everything was purified...everything. And a lot of sacrificing occurred. As I read I contemplated passing over all this. I'd read it before, I'd studied it, how much more could I get out of it? I got to thinking, if God put all this work into cleansing and anointing these priests of His physical tabernacle back then, how would that apply to us? In the back of my mind I had the words "clean hands and pure heart." This is what God was doing to Aaron and his sons. I asked that I be shown something new as I allowed my eyes to read about each part of each sacrifice. And wouldn't you know, I did! I saw a correlation between the lamb sacrifice and our command to pray.

He wanted two lambs; one to be offered in the morning and one in the evening. The lamb was an article of sacrifice and pointed to Jesus, our sacrificial Lamb. But somehow I saw this as like the two times a day we should be coming to Him in prayer...in the morning when we arise and at night when we retire. Of course we are to be in communication with Him all throughout the day.

Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Jesus sacrificed Himself for us (Hebrews 9:12) so that we regain access to God, the Father (Hebrews 10:19). The High Priest back then was the only one allowed to meet with God in the Holy of Holies. That's why all the cleansing and anointing...clean hands, pure heart. At the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separated the High Priest from the people was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38)...top to bottom indicating that God did the tearing. When we receive Christ, we are allowed direct access through prayer. Amazing, isn't it? There was a time when Israel heard the voice of God and were scared (Exodus 20:19). They asked that He speak only through Moses....now we can hear Him ourselves, in our spirits. Oh, how He has this all figured out!

Giving of ourselves in prayer is to be a continual offering all our life. The animal sacrifices and physical tabernacle are no longer necessary. If we are in Christ, we are the tabernacle and we are the priests, holy before the Lord, able to gain access to our own spiritual Holy of Holies... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Peter 2:5). It is only through Jesus Christ. Our time of prayer is like a sacrifice of praise.  As Hebrews 13:15 tells us: ...let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Thankfully, it doesn't stop there. When we enter into this time with Him, make known to Him our praise, confessions and petitions, He will meet with us. He will speak to us, if we are able to quiet ourselves and let Him speak to our spirits. But it doesn't end there. He will dwell among His children and be our God, each day in all circumstances. 

I don't know that we can grasp exactly what this means to Him, our spending time with Him in prayer. It's why we are here on earth. It's not about us, it's about Him. If He has created us are we only to do just as we want or are we to give thanks to Him for what He has done and will do for us? Has He lifted us out of troubling situations? Has He saved us from the hand of our enemy? Has He done this so He could call us His child? 

I was reading an article about Donald Driver, leading receiver for the Green Bay Packers. You know they are playing an important game this weekend, right?! This is an important game for him (as well as Aaron Rodgers...and the whole Pack!). Driver was not always a good guy. Hard times were part of his youth. He has, however, overcome a young life of homelessness, selling drugs and other bad choices. When he met his soon to be wife, she made the comment, "God is testing you. If you want to be with me, you have to stop."

Stop he did. I also read that his son prays every night. There is one prayer he has prayed for some time. "Every night," his mom Betina said, "in this very sincere little voice, he'll say, 'Lord, I hope that you can help my Daddy get to the Super Bowl. I want to see his dream come true.'" For whatever reason yesterday when I read that, it stuck out. The prayers and faith of a child. Go figure I would have this on my heart while reading about ancient sacrifices and purification of the first priests of all time!

Now I'm not saying we pray morning, noon and night about things we want in our lives...or about the Packers winning the Super Bowl. It will be what it will be. I believe the Donald Driver story is a good, inspirational one that shows how one person, through his eventual faith in God, overcame obstacles. Someone had to have been praying for him; now he can do the same. He now is considered a good role model for his children, his son in particular, and other young boys.

If we seek God early in the morning and again in the evening, imagine the outcome. Imagine Him speaking to us and dwelling among us because we have offered up a sacrifice just for Him. How much more will He do when we have done this? How much more will He want to do for us?   

As with Donald Driver, it's all about what's past. It's about the mistakes we've made, whether we think they are big or not. It's letting go of the past and securing a better future in Christ. Only through the power of God can we achieve our dreams and goals, because He sets them before us. It's not about winning the Super Bowl so much as it's giving God the glory for how we have come from there to here in our lives. I believe God is giving both he and Rodgers (maybe others...one can hope) a chance to glorify Him. Winning would be the icing on the proverbial cake.

As an aside...in digging into Driver and Rodgers and their faith, I came across a blog post on Rodgers' faith and his connection with the chaplains for the Packers. When I researched these men I knew they were the real thing...it's all about giving God the glory... And the most important thing we can do to glorify Him is first, be in communion with Him, spend time in prayer and listening to Him. We become rooted and grounded.

We should be grateful each morning and evening for what He has done for us, given us and has in store for us. We are His tabernacle here on earth if we have received Christ. We do not need to be in a house made by man's hands and we do not need to speak to God through anyone. He has thankfully removed that veil in our lives once we receive Him.  Entering into His presence is our own sacrifice to Him. I hear the Lord speaking right now! It's like communion..."do this in remembrance of Me." Spending time in prayer is our spiritual communion with the Almighty God who wants to spend time with us and wants to know that we consider Him special for all He has done for us, and yet special isn't the right word. It's more than that. 

Psalm 141:2 - Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 

My Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13 - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Heavenly Father,

You have shown us how we should pray. You have shown us how to worship You with our words and actions. You have said we should ask for Your guidance because You have given each of us a purpose in life. We must realize the provision You give; You give not as the world gives. You have admonished us to forgive others, just like You have forgiven us. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. We can realize the great protection we have when You are the center of our lives. We acknowledge You as the Most High God.

I praise You Lord for who You are. You are high and lifted up as You are seated on Your throne in the heavenlies. You are the Name above all names, You reign eternal. You are all that I need because You are my provider. I thank You for Your wisdom which is much greater than any man's. You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. Only You are worthy. Thank You for this day. Thank You for the freedom I hold on to. Thank You that whatever life holds for me You will be by my side as my guide and comfort.

This world today strives to push You aside. I know better...that You will return some day to rule and reign. All will see who You truly are in that day. All knees will bow and tongues finally confess Your Lordship, Your awesomeness. I long for that day. You will return and all things will change...the change so many people don't realize they need. That will truly be heaven on earth.

Thank You for sending Your son Jesus to become the propitiation for our sins. He is the daily Bread. He is the One who speaks wisdom into my life and to those when they are ready to receive. Thank You for bringing that day to me. Thank You that day by day Your Word opens my mind to greater truths and discernment of those things in this world that are false. 

Keep me from turning away and prevent me from doing what my flesh wants to do. Thank You for being the Way, the Truth and the Life for me. Thank You this is what You desire for all mankind, no matter what race, religion or denomination. Let others know You this way. Thank You for seeking me, a lost sheep. Thank You for forgiving me of the wrongs I committed so long ago. Thank You that they are as far as the east is from the west and that You have forgotten them all. Thank You for forgiving as I ask for it each day. Thank You for Your never ending love and forgiveness. How difficult it is to understand such a great love...that no man can hold a candle to.

Thank You for being my Light today. Keep me out of the hands of my enemy. Keep me on the narrow path that leads only to what You desire this day. Strengthen me against my enemy with Your words, Your wisdom. Give me the words I need for each situation today.

Your kingdom reigns. No matter what we see in this world, my hope is secure because of You. Your power is greater than any other on earth or in the heavens. Your glory will shine and light this world in days to come. Come quickly Lord

So be it!

Matthew 6:13 - Amen.

Grace and Patience

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace [the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners], that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it.]

As always God gives when it is most needed. Saturday I needed a fresh filling of grace over a situation that occurred. I received the grace and the patience necessary. Grace is unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification according to Webster's Dictionary.

I had just written my blog of the day as well a response to a friend's blog, where I had "complained" about my situation. Then I took the time to pick up Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest devotions and read the devotion for June 26. It was just what I needed. I love it when God does this. Sometimes I don't always ask Him how to handle a situation. It's in my mind and often the answer appears...no doubt by God's plan. I'm not saying we shouldn't go to Him, as in this case of grace and patience. There are times when He's the only one to go to for specific situations. 

Chambers said this: "In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses" - that is where the test for patience comes." Of course, all I saw was afflictions and distresses. Not that I was in a great distress or affliction, but just at a great loss of patience! I'm so thankful for Jesus' temptations in the world. He knew every temptation known to man and, by golly, He overcame each and every one. How did He do that? He did not look at the circumstances but looked to the wisdom His Father had given Him. There is a solution to every temptation in this world, if we seek His advice. Most often the answer is just "Have patience, my child. I know you don't understand, but I do. I will handle this...in my time, in my way. Just be patient. Endure."

A pastor one time told about a day he arose feeling all out of sorts and couldn't put his finger on what it was. He was irritable, like he'd awakened on the wrong side of the bed. He thought he'd get to church and spend some time in prayer in the sanctuary. Well, that failed when someone came in with gusto, not realizing he was there, about her business. Disgruntled, he went to his office and put his head in his hands and just called out, "What is going on, Lord? Help me overcome this." He began to weep and suddenly felt a peace come over him. I don't know that he ever got an answer as to why, but he got what God had to offer, peace, which produces patience. And isn't it ironic...I went through this myself this morning. I sought God and received my own peace.

A couple days later I read this: ...when we are in the pit, the enemy will try to get us to focus on our circumstances, rather than on God’s faithfulness...So if we let the circumstances determine what we believe, we can be caught in the lies of the pit. - Pastor Robert Morris. Oh, yes! If we let our impatience overcome, we only add to our distress. That's when we need to ask for God's grace for a renewal of patience. Yes, God has the peace that passes all understanding. When we succumb to our feelings, we are opening the door to how the enemy of our soul, the devil, would have us react, and prevent us from doing God's will.

Peace comes when we give it to God and choose to be patient. Patience is enduring. The key is knowing where our peace comes from and drawing from that peace, allowing it to abide in us. But when we become overwhelmed, Chambers tells us not to wait until we are in need of patience and God's grace to overcome. He tells us: Pray now; draw on the grace of God in the moment of need. The second we are in the throes of "that moment" we should call out, seek God immediately, rather than wait till we have a the time to pray. Do it NOW. 

Jesus knows what temptations we go through. That's a good thing. We need only to draw on His peace, wisdom and sometimes just realizing we won't receive an answer and taking God for His word that He does know and He does care and He will handle it in His own time. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work..."My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2Corinthians 9:8, 2Corinthians 12:9)