Month: September 2016

 

Mark 11: 22, 24 “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’  ‘Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’”

Dear God,

I give thanks for this new day, and for my life, renewing strength and protection from real hurt in my garden accident yesterday.

As I have read the words of Jesus, I repent of my wrong doing, and am happy in the knowledge that I have been cleansed of all my sins, and feel joy that the Holy Spirit will as promised lead me in all aspects of living my life as a child of God.

Recently as I had the children over the weekend and I give thanks that my strength was equal for the task; even if I did need to repent of the fact that my patience and unconditional loving words were not always equal to the demands and actions, of a 5, 6 and 7 year old.  I am so grateful, that You remind me as soon as I stray from Your way, and bring me back to Jesus and His patience that is available to be in me.

Please Holy Spirit fill these little lives with Your Spirit also, and overcome the ungodly influences that they are subjected to on many occasions.   They have hearts that love you, so please grow this love and knowledge. And profit my example and teaching as I interact with them also.

I know you love me and hear my words, and so I come in need, and because you have encouraged all to do so, Hebrews 4: 16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

I have been led to a realization, that I am sinful to my core, and often unconsciously filled with self-satisfaction with an attitude that I am not that bad really.  Yet I still find mercy, as I am gently bought to yourself and gradually taught to trustingly give you more of myself and put away smugness and self-satisfaction.  Please continue to work within me, and lead me to heaven and eternal joy.

Amen

 

Mark 12: 10, 11 “…..’The stone which the builders rejected has become the Lord’s cornerstone, this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’?”

Dear God,

I feel your presence with me, and I am most grateful.  To be loved and cared for by You, The Almighty God of Heaven, is in human terms, beyond my ability to fully comprehend, but I know it is true, because You make yourself known in a way that only your child understands, and rejoices in.  Your presence in the universe is unbelievably strong, for you have created all things, and your strength is equal to all things.  Yet you never force yourself upon us, and the connection I have with you, can only be broken, on my side by carelessness and unbelief.  Truly I praise your name, that our connection is never broken on your side.

Therefore You are always my Rock that will never change structure, characteristic or move; able to support the weight of all creation, if it was necessary.

Paul rejoiced, that Jesus Christ, had personally revealed Himself to him.  Throughout Paul’s ministry, he was blessed and supported by messages from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Paul made Jesus Christ central in his entire ministry, and after his dramatic conversion never doubted his connection with His Saviour, even though others did.  How painful this must have been for Paul.  In wisdom from the Holy Spirit, he just directed them to examine their hearts, as to whether they themselves were of the faith.

For me today, I plan in my need, to look to You, Jesus, 2 Corinthians 13: 14 “For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.  For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God towards you.”

I sincerely thank You, Jesus for my salvation, made possible, by Your love and grace.

Amen

Mark 9: 35 “………”If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Dear God,

Another beautiful day, commenced in Your presence; this is the most precious time of the day to me. But then  it is also a precious experience that You come through the day with me when I ask You to do so, and hear and answer my prayer of all types, and fill me with Your Spirit, so that I am in fact able to commune with You, at all times.

So often as humans living in this present world, we want to be first, above all else, and I see these tendencies emerging in the children I often have in my house, and I know I have manifested such behaviours at times during my life.  Please humble our hearts, and give us a desire to help others, with a genuine love for them, that comes from You.

Today I have read Proverbs 31 regarding, don’t waste time or life force on self-indulgences or addictive substances, but instead be someone who; V8, 9 “Open Your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.  Open Your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”   Please dear God, fill my mind with gratitude for Your blessings, instead of thoughts  just on me or maybe my perceived need for food indulgences or whatever to pick me up.  Please remind me also, to more often share with the poor and needy of all types, and in the ways You present before me.

Proverbs 31: 10 – 31 extols, the virtuous woman, “for her worth is above rubies.”  In the remaining verses is given the example, not only of a virtuous woman, but a very industrious woman, who would need much help to accomplish all that is described.  But the point is more about what a godly, wise, industrious woman can accomplish, which causes all the family to respond, V28 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”  With the extra reward, V31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” the place where the male elders sat and discussed things, and made transactions.

Bless me also God, as I go about my humble tasks today.  It is my desire that, in your strength and wisdom, I will make a difference in these young lives that have been entrusted into my care for a small period of time.

Amen

 

Proverbs 29: 25 “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Dear God,

The times I have truly trusted in You, I have been kept safe whilst I have been travelling the roads, even in my inadequacy.  I know in my mind, that I can safely leave all in Your hands, even when at times it is evident by my practice, that  I have not rested in Your care, even though in my mind I know all dilemma and concern will be answered there.  Today I claim Your promises, and even though I have a child in my care that is not well today, I trust You to keep him safe and bring him back to full health.

In my usual life and in my spiritual life, I often feel accord with the words of Proverbs 30: 2, 3 “Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man.  I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One.”  Not because I have not increased knowledge over the years, or come closer to You, as we have communicated; but because comparatively, You are Almighty God, of infinite power and wisdom, and in my human capacities I cannot fully know and understand You.  Especially in the light of my belief, that all was and is created by You and kept by Your power and abilities, throughout every moment of the eons of time.  So to me and Bible writers, the question remains is, who on this earth can know all Your wisdom, even though we know some?  And for me and Bible writers, is answered by the statement, that as people of Your creation we can never catch up to any degree, to the Infinite God.

I am stirred to the depths of my being, by what You have revealed of Yourself through Your Holy Word, and to know You thus, is our security, Proverbs 30: 5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

This morning I praise Your name, with a heart full of gratitude, for Your love and all You do and are doing for me personally and in the world generally.

Amen

Genesis 2: 7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Dear God,

The giver of life to all, I greet You with awe and reverence this morning, for I am the work of Your power and creativity.  From the biblical account of creation, it seems that everything was beautiful and perfect as You bought all into being.  From the beginning the Garden of Eden, was for Adam “to tend and keep it’ (Genesis 2: 15).  It is sad that Your first created people failed their test of trust and belief in You as their Creator and God.  And chose to believe the lies of Satan, and so took the forbidden fruit; by their act of disobedience to Your instructions, they placed Satan above You their God.  Satan, the angel of rebellion, who was cast out of heaven, was by the act of Adam and Eve’s disobedience able to bring his curse of death to earth so we are from then on were all chained to sin, which was and is always the purpose of Satan as well as cause as many people as possible, to live contrary to the way the followers of God are meant to do.

Though Adam and Eve had been thoroughly briefed on where they should go and of the very few requirements in Eden, and what would happen if they disobeyed God, their Creator, I wonder if they had really thought it through.  Their seemingly small transgression, changed forever the way life on earth, and allowed Satan to claim them as giving him their allegiance, making them now his subjects.  And so I (we) are faced with life decisions every day that put God or Satan in control of our life, or that part of it anyway.  Choices such as, will I follow God and believe and proceed in His  strength and live His way, or will I in my own strength try to do what I think is right, and fail all the time in my endeavour, because I have not fully comprehended the consequences of being born into sin, or realized the sin within me that gets me into trouble and does not allow me by my own power and resources to do what is right, though I may think when compared to many others that I am a pretty good person.

It has taken me a while to realize, that my idea of righteousness, can only be a tainted view because it is seen through the ‘eyes’ of a sinful person!

Praise the wonderful name of Jesus, for by His sacrifice for my sins; I can be counted as righteous, because it is His righteousness that covers my unrighteousness.  Thankfully I can call on the Holy Spirit to fill me and He can be my power and wisdom to change my wrong thoughts, for right ones, so that I more often say and do right things that are pleasing to God.

I and many others then have the very real hope of one day of getting off this sinful earth and out of the reach of Satan and his evil angel team.

Amen

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold,”

Dear God,

Thank You for Your love and especially for the special blessings I have received at the recent meetings I have attended.  It is a privilege that I don’t think I fully understand, to have been created by Almighty God.   Then to be precious in Your sight: so much so that we have been bought at the price of the blood of Jesus.

This seems to be an oft repeated theme in my prayers but I have noticed in scripture that many of the writers were also uplifted and wrote often about the Your overarching love and the sacrificial offering of the Son of God, that was to be, and then had occurred.  How can it not be so, when all heaven was interested in or given for our salvation from sin and death.

You reveal much of yourself to me, when I come in true humility and reverence.  Proverbs 22; 4 “By humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life.”  Please hear my prayer so that I can more often humbly and honestly serve You as someone who is covered by the righteousness of Jesus, for I know such an experience is above earthly riches, for me and anyone that I can bring the blessing of Your love and hope.  V2 “The rich and the poor have this in common; the lord is the maker of them all.”

It is good that in our study times, there has been an emphasis on reaching out to those in need and that our sacrificial offerings are to go to help the poor, the persecuted and other areas of human need.  From our place of comfort (for even a pensioner) it is time to remember in all ways we can, the many people are impacted by war, torture, persecution, along with abject poverty and for many the depressive refugee camp experience.

In Your love and the impression of The Holy Spirit, direct and change as needed my attitudes toward other in need and sacrificial giving.

Amen

 

A new day by Your providence, dear God and i look forward to Your blessings again.

2 Corinthians 9: 6 “But this I say; He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

Again this morning I am aware of the bountiful creative life that is all around me, including in my garden and home orchard; which provide much of my needs.

Holy Spirit, I pray again that I will be filled with love, and gratitude and a desire to help others willingly.  2 Corinthians 9; 7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”  Many of us have sufficient possessions and provision for our needs whilst receiving much of your grace, and so we are provided extra for sharing, V 8 “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.”   We are also reminded that when the farmer sows little grain, his harvest is poor, and the reverse is true and when the growing conditions are favourable.  And so by inference it is the same with sowing good deeds and acts of grace, love and kindness.

Jesus is the giver of gifts that count as well as being the Gift.  I am so happy that righteousness and my fruits of ‘the Spirit’ are gifts from my increasing relationship with Jesus.  V15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Amen

Mark 4: 24 “Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear.  With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.’”

Dear God,

The day is bright and clean, as the sun is just up, and moisture glistens on the trees; and birds squawk in their need for food, after the fast of the night.  I have prayed that my heart will be cleansed from sin, and know from scripture that my prayer has been heard; after my sin influenced inept words have been shaped it into the pure language of heaven by the Holy Spirit.  It is such a comfort to know, dear Jesus, my Saviour loves me absolutely and always wants the very best for me in all things.

Sadly because I was born in sin, no matter how devout I am in earthly religious practice, sin continues to pervade my thoughts and being.  But it is so good to know that all power to overcome sin, is available from heaven and because it surely can never come from within me.  More and more I am learning, that unknown to my conscious thought, I can still cherish thoughts and attitudes, that are not absolutely selfless and pure, as they one day will be, when everything is made new, at the second coming of Jesus, and on with Him into heaven.  You know that for some years I have longed for heaven and there be pure and sinless.  Please come soon dear Lord Jesus, for those preparing and waiting children of Yours.

My body is like a temple for You to live in.  Not in my strength and intention can I keep my body in the type of shape, that befits the King of heaven, but I can be in shape, by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, which is salvation news.  In His strength and power I will prepare, and it is my intention not to cherish sin or willingly practice anything that harms my body.  I know that this intention is possible to achieve, because I know that in the past the Holy Spirit, has been the power and strength that prepared many saintly people for the indwelling of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, (2 Corinthians 6: 16 – 18.  With Paul, the author of Corinthians, I with joy accept Your promises God, 2 Corinthians 7: 1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”  It is a wonderful truth that we can do as Paul counsels.

In Mark 4, Jesus gave a number of parables about the promise of heaven for individuals and for telling others about the good news of the story of Jesus, which is that all salvation is found in Him.

I have the promise, when I accept Jesus or hear what Jesus says and with joy tell others, He will increase my knowledge, and blessings.  Mark 4: 25 “For whoever has, to him will be given……”

I give praise for the joy and security of mind that knowing You brings to me and to all others who also know You as their best friend.

Amen

2 Corinthians 6: 2 “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’   Behold, now is the accepted time; because now is the day of salvation.”

Dear God,

I am happy to be Your child, and today in the strength of the Spirit, I again give You my heart.  For this is “the day of salvation.”  It is my purpose, that You will steer my course and be my strength and wisdom as I go upon my way with You in the life I live.  Proverbs 16: 1 “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”  I do not always know when my ways are not as they should be, but I rely on the knowledge, that as I follow You, my motives are known to You, V2 “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.”  Thankfully, I will always be brought to a point of awareness and change, V3 “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

I know I can always rely on Your Promises, and there is no doubt that my thoughts will be established in You, if they are food for my brain.  It is good that if I do wrong, a way has been provided for atonement and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, V6 “In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by fear (respecting) of the Lord, one departs from evil.”  “Now I may plan my way, but it is You Lord who directs my steps.” (V9)

Take away any tendency for me to dwell on obtaining wealth or merchandise, for I have been blessed with a good place to live, which is sufficient for my needs; in these my retirement years.  I have given You my life these many years, as I have read and meditated upon Your Word, learning to love and worship You, and then in turn I have been given insights and a sense of belonging to You.  I can truly say, V16 “How much better to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”  As well as that You, my heavenly Father, has delivered upon the promises, and indeed cherished me as Your daughter, 2 Corinthians 6:18 “’I will be a Father to You, and You shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”

Amen

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be Sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Dear God,

I am grateful for my life and the new life I can have in Jesus, when I put away my sinful thoughts and practices, in the strength of the Holy Spirit.  I am also grateful, that we have not been left ignorant about the plan of salvation, through Jesus Your Son.

At first our parents bring us knowledge of You and then as we grow in age and understanding we have the opportunity to believe and accept for ourselves, as Jesus did at 12 years of age.  It was so good that I was raised by God fearing parents who taught me. My mother who took the time to read to us from Your word and other Christian and good literature, while My father would read a passage from the Bible after the evening meal, no matter who sat at our table, much to my unrest at times, as I imagined what our maybe non-Christian guest must be thinking.   But now in my mature years I am glad for their commitment, and for the knowledge and example we gained.  Proverbs 15: 5 “A fool despises his father’s instruction.  But he who receives correction is prudent.”

It was good to grow up in the loving honest home in which it was my privilege.  I appreciate the work and sacrifices of both my parents, much of which was so they could provide for our needs and send us away from our farm for a better education for the future, with Christian values.  Proverbs 16: 8 “Better is a little with the fear of Lord, than ‘great treasure with trouble’.”  As a child and in adulthood, I have at times been rebellious, arrogant and therefore I am so glad that You as my God, have patiently taught me and bought me back over some experiences to show me my wrong ways and in bought me to humility and then in repentance and confession, my lessons have mostly been learned, and Your strength always given.  Proverbs 15: 33 “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom and before honour is humility.”  It is because of You, that I can be changed into a new creation.  2 Corinthians 5: 17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”

Hallelujah, my hope is in You, my Savour!

Amen

 

2 Corinthians 4: 6 “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Dear God,

I love and praise You again on this new day.  At the beginning of this earth, You commanded light to upon the earth.  Today, as back then we all can have light shine into the heart, when we love and accept You, due to You loving us first, and giving us the ability to love You.  Through Your gift of light we have knowledge of God, as seen in the face of You, Jesus, our Saviour.  None of this comes intrinsically within any mere human person, no matter how eminent, learned or revered we might be.  Paul and his associates found this for themselves and so can I, Corinthians 4: 7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

I cherish the ‘light’ You give dear Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, who alone can fill these human containers made from clay.  With gratitude I acknowledge Your mission on earth was fulfilled, making You our Saviour, as well as being love, light, leader and example, and yet many know and knew You not, then and now. Then and in these days, some chose not to accept Your merciful works and words and as a result, stayed in spiritual darkness.

Never do I want to be in that condition, please fill me with ‘light’, which can be received by a believing heart.  Also strengthen me to be Your ‘light’ to all I meet, especially to those who are still in the spiritual darkness of unbelief.  When appropriate give me the desire and ability to tell others about You, the One who came to earth and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 61, which You were given to read in the temple on the Sabbath day.  Quoted in Luke 4: 18, 19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

How can I keep from saying and singing Your praises?  It truly is a wonder that my mouth is so often silent in praises to and about my Saviour!

Dear God, forgive my lack of gratitude and such expressions, and instead give me a more ready and frequent grateful heart, that cannot keep silent in gratitude and praise.

Amen