Month: August 2016

1 Corinthians 13: 13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Dear God,

Thank You that I am not abandoned as I deserve and instead You lovingly and patiently walk with me, and continue to teach me and nurture me, so that I can be a more true reflection of You.  O, how sorry I am that I am not always filled with your love, to put into action toward all I know and meet.  You have told us to keep coming back in repentance.  So that my ugliness can be covered by the Righteousness of Jesus, I come again to Jesus my Saviour.  Not only to be covered by His righteousness, but also to be filled by the Holy Spirit, Who always leads me to my Saviour.  ! Corinthians 13, has been food for my mind and soul this morning, as again I am reminded, that no matter how good my outward attributes and action may appear, unless I have Your love in my heart actuating all I do, any other actions count for nothing, for they are not motivated by Your love, and cannot distribute Your love to others.  The love that You fill me with will cause me to be patient and kind.  Your love within me, cannot focus on myself or be prideful; nor envious or rude to others, or cause me to seek my own advantage over others; nor to think evil of another or be provoked to or keep a record of wrongs.  When there is obvious iniquity, love does not then rejoice, but instead love is manifested by bearing, believing all things with hope enduring.  Such love will not fail, but endure until Jesus comes.  At this time all prophecy and speaking in different languages will stop and our present knowledge will be inadequate.  Jesus then will give His own complete knowledge and all will be seen perfectly by those who are redeemed by Jesus.

Now, today as I accept You again as my Saviour, with the desire to live for You and sing Your praises; I meditate upon 1 Corinthians 13: 13 and more fully appreciate that there are three important things in life: faith in God, hope for the future and Christ-like love.

By Your indwelling and strength, dear Jesus, I will more often reveal Your love to others, not forgetting to ask for Your gift of faith and hope.

Amen

 

Psalm 139¨7 “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  V23 , 24 “ Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Dear God,

How delightful it is to be communing with You at the beginning of the day, when light is ascending, heralding the new day.  The birds add to the rejoicing; as Your creation greet Your provision.  For me all these things confirm that You know and control all creation.  Psalm 139 follows the theme that You are in all places; as well as know all about each of us.  Thank you for catching my mind and directing it to Yourself.  And now I am full of my thanks as I acknowledge Who You are, and give my praises anew.

As I had hoped and asked, You have searched me, and know from what place in my experiences, my thoughts are born.  The wonderful thing is that I have in Your word, the promise that now I will be given assistance to right my wrong thoughts and attitudes.  Better than myself, it is my God, who knows my quirks and individual mannerisms, and when they may or do cause problems to myself or others.   I am so grateful that it is You that alerts me to this, and gives me the ability to change, because Your love for me is absolute.  V4 “For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”  It is wonderful and comforting to know, that with Your love and knowledge of me as I am, comes protection and assistance, V5 “You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”  For we finite, sinful beings, when fully contemplated, V6 “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”

As Your child, I rejoice that You, Your Spirit and presence are in every place in the heavens, sea and earth.  You have become my greatest delight and the Rock that never vanishes or changes.   When and if my heart is not right with You at the time, and I  try to run from Your will, I would find as Jonah found in his disobedience, (having ended up in a fish’s belly) that You were even there, V 7 “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  V 9, 10 “If I take the wings in the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me.”

When again I have given You my heart and purposes, it is my delight to know, not only are You in all places; You are Light, and there is no darkness where You are.  You knew about me, before I was in my mother’s womb and V13 “formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”  Praises to You, for I am ever in Your thoughts, the number of which is beyond number, (V17.18).

Amen

 

 

Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”

Dear God,

You are Almighty God, and did make all things – each one of us, down to smallest atom and everything in between.  Yet You love and care for us so much that You come and bless every meeting held in Your name, even when only two are present.  Please strengthen me and reveal to me when I should attend any of these small meetings.  At this this period in my life, when I know I have been doing too much and placing my body under stress, as well as not caring for my own property adequately; I need to know Your will, about what I should attend and do in Your name, along with what I should leave for others to do, now that I am older.  Please give me Your wisdom and discernment when it comes to giving respite time caring for children, in the care of a family member. I am coming to the conclusion that they are my main mission field at this time, even though I am attracted to other activities.  My natural inclination tends toward being able to tame my own yard and house.  I really need Your wisdom and guidance, as I am aware that You have gifted me in other areas on which I love to spend more time. Thank You for hearing my prayers and giving me discernment and the strength to walk in Your way, no matter my personal desire.

This morning I honour and give worship, as I say and sing praises to You, for You are pure and good.  You are the one true God, and Your love and mercies are everlasting.  Psalm 135: 6, 7 “Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.  He causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightening for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”  Your power and might transcend anything needed for the undertaking; and when You say You will do something, it is done.

I build my faith in You, on a solid foundation, for You not only want to care for all of us and answer our prayers for help and direction, You can and do answer our prayers.

V 13 “Your name, O lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations.”  You have said in Your word, that we are all accountable for our actions, including how we reflect Your character, love and knowledge to others so they also can come to know You with an open mind.  V14 “For the Lord will judge His people, and He will have compassion on His servants.”

Amen

Psalm 130: 5, 6 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning – yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Dear God,

Thank You for this new day, and for this special time when ‘my soul waits for You, and my hope is in and found in Your word.  When I humbly give You my whole heart and attention, there is much blessing on offer.   I find that without fail that You come close and reveal Yourself to me as I read, pray, meditate and give praise.  I have found I cannot be truly happy, without these precious and anchoring times with you, my God, hope and stay.

In Paul’s writings (1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 4) we are reminded of the Israelites, a people who God bought out of Egyptian oppression and the ungodly environment.   This was only possible by the protection of a cloud, which meant they were figuratively baptized or set apart by God.  Protected in the cloud from the pursuing Egyptian army, they were able to walk past the God parted waters, for all of them ate and drank the same spiritual food and drink – Jesus Christ, the “the Rock that followed them”.

Despite these and subsequent manifestations of Your great love and power, the Israelite people in their wilderness wanderings on their way to the Promised Land, were unmoved and rebellious to the point that because of their choices, they died without hope in the wilderness, due to Your judgement upon them.

For me (we) who live generations after these events, it is of benefit to ponder these people, their self-focused attitudes and learn the lessons there are for us.  Destruction for us also comes by lusting after evil things or by being taken up in the worship of anything other than Almighty God.  Evil and idolatry seem so much easier to take up our time and interest these days, as we are exposed them by all media outlets, advertising and internet coverage.  In the affluent nations, many can also be separated from You by the increase in wealth and possessions or the compelling urge for many to keep on increasing them.   Sexual immorality was a trap for the Israelite people as it very much is for us in the Spiritual Israel of this present generation. As is the lesser recognized trap of grumbling and complaining against You, like the Israelite people in the wilderness, in spite of Gods blessings which did/do rain down daily.

Lord please remind us as Your people, that these sins are still hated by You!  1 Corinthians 10: 12, 13 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you except such 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 a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

I am so grateful that even when I have allowed myself to be caught up with other things that weaken my everyday commitment to seeking You with my whole heart, You do not give up on me, and never reject me when I come near and give You all my concerns, troubles and plans, in the early morning and all through the day.  Then I find again, that it is a beautiful experience to be Yours and to worship You in all aspects and situations.  Then my heart rejoices in fulfilment of the day, along with anticipation for the new start tomorrow,  and encounter with my Lord.

Amen

 

Psalm 121: 1, 2 “I will lift my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Dear God,

I give thanks for Your continuing love and care and I am so glad You never go to ‘sleep on the job’, so to speak.  Psalm 121: 3 “He who will not allow Your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.”  I pray that You will keep me from evil, and I know as each day I place my life and plans in the keeping of my Creator, You hear my petitions and preserve my soul, so that I will not go down into perdition, and instead I have the hope that I will rise one day to be with You forever; after Jesus comes again for His own.

Praise Your holy name and all Your doings; V8 “The Lord shall preserve you’re going out and your coming in from this time forth, forth and even forevermore.”

For we who have chosen You and to be Your child, it is a delight to go to meet with others who also love, uphold and worship You, Psalm 122: 1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”  As Your loving children we are aware that You look down from heaven, and know our doings and needs, Psalm 124: 8 “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  As I read that statement, I am glad that I am in the care of the Almighty God, who knew me before I was formed in the womb, and now knows me, better than I know myself; for You are all knowledge, power, wisdom and strength, and even more importantly, all love; with the ability to be every place at the same time.

As I contemplate the little I know about You, I believe I am in the care of the only force that can deliver what is claimed in scripture, and cares enough to do so, for You have proved this to me time and time again.  Just as Satan has proved, he does not care about me as a person, but instead as a conquest, to take me down with him into eternal extinction, after putting me through as much ‘hell on earth’ he can on the way.

Please lead me along Your way today, so I can have better mental abilities to comprehend and remember all I read in Your Word, and so be fully equipped, to be faithful to You, Your teachings and have profitable interactions with others, and not in my own defective attitudes and thoughts.

Amen

Psalm 119: 81 “My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.”

Dear God,

Thank You for Your love, graciousness and enabling.  It has been good to return to the closer, more full times I usually have with You; though it is always lovely going away.  In a different place it is hard to have the focused blessed time with You in the morning, before life events take over.  Thank You for sending Your Spirit when I pray, so that I can be led down pathways of benefit to me.

Violence and brutality seem to have increased markedly over my lifetime, along with atrocities against Christians and other minority groups.  I am encouraged as I read in Your word of the ways You strengthen and enable those in need, due to their loyalty, as You have for every needy, tortured or persecuted person, in all ages; to name only a few circumstances.  Psalm 119: 89, 90 “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.”

Your commandments for living and scripture are life to my soul, and bring me to salvation.  I find that my thanks to You, generate within my mind and heart, and I am compelled to give them, by my mouth and pen.  Also as I contemplate and meditate upon Your words, they give me a sense of lightness, sweetness and security.  V103 “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

I believe Your words, and when I remember to take them with me, they direct my path in every place I go, mentally and physically.  I praise You for being my source of true light, presence and counsel that is available for the asking; to shine around me dispelling all fear and darkness.

As I look at Your world and all Your creation, I see that there can only be life in the presence of light.  V105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Bring me always to Your word, for I have found that I cannot successfully resist temptations or overcome difficulties and setbacks without much prolonged set back and pain, apart from the ‘light’ of Your word.  I am filled with gratitude, that You, my God, have provided me with Your word, along with Your Spirit to lead me to Yourself for a saving relationship, that grows in Your light; as well as developing my faith, so that Your words are the source of my joy and rejoicing whilst upon this earth.  V111 “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”

Amen

Corinthians 12: 3 “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

Dear God,

Lift me up, my Saviour, so that I will continue to give thanks and praise for Your continuing love and mercy in my life and as expressed in Your holy word.  Psalm 119: 25, 28 “My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.”  “My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.”

Thank You also for the writings of Paul that remind me, that the Holy Spirit leads me to Christ, and it is the Holy Spirit, that gives each of us different gifts, that when put together, all are essential to the functioning of the body of every church or group.  As with our own physical body, when one part of the group malfunctions, the whole body feels the lack of function.  When I am filled with love, life is pleasant and my whole body function is improved, and so for the church or group body, when each person is filled with Your love and the Holy Spirit, then the whole function of the group or congregation as a whole is improved.  Alternatively, when some people are filled with Your love and some are not, it is noticeable that these people parts are not in harmony with the whole.  1 Corinthians 12: 26 “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”

Forgive me and members of our church congregation, for any indifference toward the contributions of another individual.  But then again maybe we do not all pray individually and together for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, so we can be gifted individually and corporately by the Spirit?  Or worse yet, is it possible that we are in danger of being comfortable with how we are, and do not recognize our lack or sinfulness?  Therefore Jesus cannot cover such a one with His righteousness,preparing the way for the Holy Spirit to come; as it did for the early church of Acts.  These are serious thoughts that are raised by Paul in his writing that came out of his experience.

It is apparent that when I have the Holy Spirit directing me, I will love each church member, and acknowledge their spiritual gifts, as well as not pass judgement on anothers’ relationship with Jesus.

In Your wisdom, dear Jesus and on receipt of Your gift of the Holy Spirit, I invite You to have my heart, and allow myself to be led, as I put my will in Yours.  At Your invitation and example, I will earnestly remember to pray for myself and all fellow church congregation members that You, Jesus will live out Your purpose within each soul. As I will for many family members, friends and acquaintances.  Today, I give praise and thanks for them all!

Amen

 

Psalm 113: 3 “From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.”

Dear God,

You are indeed most worthy to be praised all the day long, for You created all things, and yet concern Yourself with we Your creation; including the unrighteous and poor of all types; even though You live on high, in glory, honour and adoring angel throngs.  Psalm 113: 5 – 7 “Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?  He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap.”  It is only while we are alive and currently receiving all Your blessings that we are able to give praise; so it behooves us not to miss out on the blessing that comes upon us physically, emotionally and spiritually by expressing appreciation and gratitude when the opportunity arises.  Psalm 115: 17 “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.”

For myself and I know for others who acknowledge and reverence You, as God, we are more likely to acknowledge and give praise, as we learn with our whole heart to trust You in all things.  For I know You are and have been my true Helper and shield between Satan and his angels and myself numerous times, and most of which I know nothing about at the time; and all of which I give You praise and thanks for.  As I look back on my life and certain situations, I can see that all things in the end did work out for my spiritual blessing.  You only want my best good (even the hard and unpleasant), because they can all lead to my eternal salvation.  Psalm 115: 18 “But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalm 118: 1 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.”  I am so thankful that Your mercy does endure forever, for I certainly need lots of it, on a regular basis!  From experience I can say with the Psalmist in V5 “I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.”  Sometimes I fear in some interactive situations with people, and I read in Your word, that such an emotion is never from You, and I can overcome when I claim Your promises, V6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, what can man do to me?  I will remember and claim the words of V7 “The Lord is for me among those who help me……” as well as V8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”  To trust, links me to You, the One of all love, mercy and wisdom, therefore when analyzed it would be futile to trust in man, for we are all created beings, fallen from purity, and any love and wisdom that we have, are all a gift from You, God.  Today I will sing, because I believe V14 “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”

As I go about my daily tasks, I appeal that You to be my strength and wisdom, so that I truly will trust You and place all my planned doing and interactions before You for their enabling, with all the detrimental outside forces for their disabling.

Amen

Psalm   112: 1 ‘Praise the Lord!  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”

Dear God,

I am grateful for this new day, and for the chance to live in it, with productivity and enjoyment.  In the light of what many around the world experience and endure, I am most blessed.  Please keep me ever mindful of my privileges and fill my heart with true gratitude, expressed in word and song.  No matter my circumstances, if I am willing the Holy Spirit can cause me to rejoice in You, as well as give reverence and obedience to Your commandments, which in turn brings your blessings; for to be righteous in You, brings blessings in its train.

This principle is illustrated in the Israelite nation, if and when they were obedient, God promised the future blessing of having many upright, good living descendants, with wealth from prosperous farms and businesses to follow them: which was realized.  We of today, though beloved by God, are not an example nation like Israel, and therefore are not necessarily promised large families and productive lands and businesses; but we are promised, God’s presence and strength amongst us, along with the infilling of the Holy Spirit, with the promise that by our invitation, He will lead us and our contacts, safely home to heaven.

I read in Your word, that as with the people of old, when we accept Jesus into our heart, that our sins will be forgiven, and that He places  His laws into our heart, so not only do we know what the laws are, but then we are able to live by them.  This occurred for those who were willing and accepted You in the Israelite nation.

Psalm 112 tells me that to be Your person, means that I will be an upright, gracious, full of compassion and righteousness.  Dealing graciously with others; guiding our affairs with discretion.  My heart will be steadfast in the Lord, with no need to fear.

I praise You, for You have blessed me.  In reverence I love You, and delight to do Your will in obedience.

Amen

Psalm 111: 10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”

Dear God,

You are most worthy to be praised.  In fact it is because of You and Your creation and ongoing works, that we have anything to give praise about.  All about You is praise worthy, and consolidates for the appreciative, that You are indeed the Great and Mighty Creator, Almighty God, with all that comes from Your hand being perfect!  Your works of creation have withstood numerous arduous studies; revealing intricate detail in structure and life, which in some instances we are only just beginning to understand, and the scientist’s, never have been able to totally replicate.  Upon earth the learned scientists have only been able to play with the basic, already existing elements, and have never been able to create elements of their original making.  You as God can and have done so, Psalm 111; 2 “The works of the Lord are great studied by all who have pleasure in them.”

You God have attributes that we on this earth do not understand, for they are so vast and all comprehensive; by experience we know You are profound.  V3 and 4 “His work is honourable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.  He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”

Thank You that You are so patient and loving with all of us on earth, even though we are often so wayward and sinful; despite these behaviours of ours, You ever desire to have a loving relationship with us and save us from sin and Satan.  V9 “He who has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.”

God today I again accept You, as well as claim Your promises, for they are my stay and consolation.  Because You know the fragility of the human resolve and ability, the Holy Spirit has been sent to assist and lead us to You; if we so will.  I agree with the Psalmist in V7 and 8, no matter what we decide to do, Your Greatness, works and precepts are just and sure.  “They stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness.”  V1 “Praise the Lord!  I will praise the Lord with my whole heart………”

Amen