Month: July 2019

Dear God,

I give praise, for the way You upheld me, by placing songs of faith and praise in my mind, which filled me with joy over weariness.  I cannot keep silent, for I would that all people would know the fullness and pleasure that come from being Your child.  I also cannot keep silent about Jesus Christ the Saviour of all mankind, who came to earth, throughout the Old Testament.  John the Baptist, the earthly cousin of Jesus Christ, was schooled in the Old Testament, and knew his role was to bring people to soul searching and repentance, prior to the public ministry of Jesus Christ.  When proclaiming his message, he used a portion of Isaiah 40:3.  Matthew 3:2, 3 “Saying, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” V3 “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness; prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight’”

In Old Testament times, not that many of Your people understood the prophecy about Jesus coming to earth the first time, which was a shame, because they lost the blessing in the hope of the coming of the Messiah.

Isaiah 40:5 “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  These words have gloriously been fulfilled, when Jesus was born in the manner predicted.  Though sinless, Jesus came to John and asked for baptism.  Protesting the innocence of Jesus, John the Baptist complied, with the request of Jesus.  As He arose out of the water, John saw the spirit of God, as a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descending and alighting upon Jesus.  God’s affirmation and glory was upon Jesus visually and then by spoken word.  Matthew 3:17 “Suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

It behooves us to remember and read with understanding the prophecies about the second coming of Jesus, lest we also are taken unawares and unprepared.  I am grateful that in scripture as our God, You and Your plans are clearly given.  There is no doubt about how people can be redeemed from earth.  Beforehand the redeemed are judged according to their allegiance to You, their God.

According to past fulfilled prophecies, I have fixed my hope of an eternal heavenly home, all glorious, as given in the unfulfilled prophetic writings.

Amen

I worship and bow down, because You are the Mighty Creator of all, yet use Your vast power to reassure and strengthen Your children, when in any trepidation, as well as deliver us up in actual danger or evil.  I love the words of Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, yes, comfort my people!”  Teach me God, to think of You first when a need or perplexity arises in my mind and life.  I thank You for answering this prayer.

All plant life, birds, insects, animals and people, will eventually fade away, and all man’s personal thoughts and prestige, will go when he dies.  Isaiah 40: 8 “The grass withers, the flower fades.  But the word of our God stands forever.”  In out busy world of constant change, it is an anchoring truth for each of us that neither God, nor His words, fades away or changes, because He is God and He has always been and will always be.  Also because He is God, He gets it right the first time, and does not have to change words or quietly get rid of any.

God Eternal, Your thoughts and actions are beyond our full understanding, which is why so many people dismiss You, or just deny the existence of a living God.  Not so for the person who reads Scripture with an open mind, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict and change any thoughts of doubt and unbelief.  After some time, it is for many found, nothing on this earth can satisfy our deepest needs, or that the theory of man  stand up to minute, unbiased inquiry or provide solid answers to man’s questions, about how and why we exist, or what to pin our expectations and hope for the future.

God, when I cannot understand the meaning of Your words and how to apply them to me, so as to be fully instructed and blessed, I ask You.  James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given Him.” I take this promise literally and throughout the day, many an inquiry or question ascends to above from me.    You have taught me much out of Your Holy Word, which I appreciate.  At the same time, as my understanding increases, as does my love for my God, and desire for Your gift of the Holy Spirit within.

I delight in Your direction, and the steadiness that has been placed within, with a focus on the Bible promises in trusting love.

Amen

 

Dear God,

I praise my Eternal and Majestic God, who is full of righteousness, administered with all power, knowledge and loving justice.  However after much warning, of the Israelite’s, Your judgement actions came down upon the rebellious inhabitants of Bible times. It was a fearful time of cleansing, reducing the landscape to waste rubble and then weeds.  However I am struck by your justice and care of the innocent animals, birds, lizards, snakes and insects, within the wasteland.  Isaiah 34:16”Search from the book of the Lord, and read: not one of these shall fail; not one shall lack her mate.  My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.”    Just as God provided a home for these creatures in the wastelands,  He does not and will not, forget those of the people who have allowed Him to be their Lord and Saviour. By God they are known as His righteous people.  As many people attest, that even in the thick of war or other adversity, they knew God had not lost sight of them. We are given this assurance in Malachi 3:16 “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” 

God does not change His requests, nor excuse wrong doing, or necessarily remove us from adversity.  Throughout when honest with ourselves we remember that God requires of us an honest and obedient heart and life.  At the same time He does not withdraw impressing us with His ongoing love and care, which envelopes like a soft warming and comforting blanket, as we live on in His victory for us.

Psalm 66:18, 19 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.  He certainly has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Blessed be the Lord of unwavering justice and mercy!

 

Dear God,

Please take this tired mind, that talks to me lack of confidence and thoughts of inability to speak for You.  God I have chosen to believe that You will impart Your wisdom and strength and all the assistance I need.  Psalm 16:1 “Preserve me, O God, for in You I have put my trust.” 

I will dwell upon Your goodness, and repeat Your promises over and over, so they speak to my soul above the words of disquiet and nervousness.  The knowledge and comfort You give me, is so very precious and I resolve to never depart from You.  Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

After my reading today in the book Isaiah, it seems like in many parts of the world, we are in the same ongoing sin and rebellion pattern toward God; resulting in much suffering and abuse, as the Israelite’s of thousands of years ago.  If we would listen to God, and turn from our wicked ways, we also would find the rest we need, on every level.  Isaiah 30: 15 “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’  But you would not.”  By in large there is a danger for Christians to also get caught up in thinking and ways that in scripture You have expressly asked us not to do.  Please keep me ever alert to the danger of following ways that are immoral, dishonest, selfish and taking advantage of others or other activities contrary to You will.

Naturally as our loving God this was never Your plan for us to become adulterous or corrupt and live emotionally empty lives, and is still not Your plan for us.  Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give a future and a hope.” 

Yesterday after frequent prayers, I am thrilled to have been kept and enabled by You to successfully deliver my recitation piece in the Praise and Worship Service.  It is emotionally satisfying to have prayers answered and be kept and blessed by You, our God.

For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8

Dear God, My praise and thanksgiving, for there is joy in the morning, as I can freely come and offer You my heart, mind and will for safe keeping and changing into Your way and being a true disciple that is able to reflect Your character, more and more.

Then in answer to my prayer, You lift me up, and come and dwell with me all the day, beginning during my study of the scriptures and prayer time.  There have been many times when I have been led by You to find scriptural passages, with just the message that I needed at that time.  In response, naturally words of praise form in my mind; usually accompanied by deep God given happiness, even though my situation may not have changed; I have.  Psalm 145:1 “I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever.”

I know I am in need of a sincerely humble and obedient heart.  Thank You for hearing my prayer for an infilling of the Holy Spirit and His fruit, Galatians 5:22,23.  I have learned in scripture and life experiences, that I cannot in my sinfulness and by my own best intentions walk in Your way of total goodness, harmlessness and purity.  All of us who have tried doing so in our own determination have found it a strain at the best of times, on to being a sorrowful failure, at the worst times.  The stress we bought on ourselves, by self-managing our spiritual life, is because we have not taken You our God at Your word.

Please dear Jesus, keep my thoughts, for ever stayed upon You and the promises of Scripture, for there can be no lie or deception from You our Holy God. It is true for me, as by experience I have found there is no need for me to battle in any area of my life, or adversity. I wonder why I so often revert to self-managing and battling in my lack of strength and insight.

When taking You at Your word, it is evident, that every provision has been made for me a mere sinful mortal, to find my Saviour and be His true, victorious Christian living joyfully, in love and hope.  It is so awesome to think that You Omnipotent God want not only to take an interest in my life, but be part of it as well.  John 14:23 “…’If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him.’”

Thank You, for the security and privilege, of walking a path toward heaven, with You our Father God, and our Saviour, Your Son.

 

Mark 11: 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” 

Dear God, this morning I arose a little down hearted, because without thinking, I have been cross and irritated, speaking defensive words that revealed my lack of patience and annoyance.

I have confessed my sins, and know You hear my words, because Jesus promised to do so.  Why then this feeling of continuing guilt?  I have found it to be most often the devil messing with my thoughts.  If so please I ask in the name of Jesus, rebuke him.  If this is not so, please reveal to me, any trespass, wrong attitudes or faith issue, so that I can repent, and be forgiven for my wrong.  Firstly I suspect I still carry a bit of a grudge, revealed in that at first I was somewhat hard hearted about my words; thinking “I do not need to think “I have sinned because I was just reacting to being unjustly accused and not being given a chance to continue with my answer”.  Then suddenly my voice was raised in irritation and accusation.  Later by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it came to me, that by His strength, I do not need to react in irritation and give myself an issue.  I could have refrained from words, and left the ‘issue with the impatient ‘high-handed one; who is not an ogre, and would have settled.  Mark 11: 25, 26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespass. V26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespass.”

Jesus, please forgive me, and fill me with the Holy Spirit, so like You when on earth, I can refrain from anger and argument.  Now I am uplifted by Your free forgiveness and know as far as You are concerned it is finished, and any lingering sense of guilt does not come from You but from the evil one, who loves to accuse me and to say to You, that I am not deserving of being forgiven.  No I am not, but joy of joys, in Your sight I am worthy of dying for, and being forgiven.

Jesus in the end, it is wonderful to walk obediently with You in all things!

Micah 7:19”He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

For us, You are the very same Eternal God, Verse 6 “Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, Who keeps truth forever.”  This morning I echo the sentiments of recognition of God with praise.  Not only for my life and the care that comes, because I am always ‘in Your sights’.  I deeply appreciate Your sweet presence in my heart, and Your mighty power guiding me and holding my mind, in reassurance and steadiness.  I breathe my prayer for assistance or blessing, in many circumstances and situations, and in an instant, You answer in different but distinct ways. My words cannot fully express to an unbelieving or non-praying person, the experiences with God, of one who believes and has an interactive relationship with Him.  In one way it is being kept by You love, having soul food, from the simplest food through to the rarest delicacy. We all are invited in Psalm 34: 8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 

For me also I see Your awesome power manifested in compassion for everyone, whether they believe and love You or not.  Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.”

I have found, that there is none like You. Now in my old age, I receive Your love and blessings in my life, in all ways needful, in sickness and improving health, in my property, garden, family and friends, as well as in my mind and spirit.  In my early life as a young abandoned mother of a 4 month old baby- You kept my mind and emotions, as well as sent love, food and clothing in the persons of friends, neighbours and church members.  From this loving care, I took courage to go on with determination and hope, with the resolve to treasure my God, and each friend I was blessed to know especially.

Deuteronomy 10:18 “He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.”  Now after a period of time out from active community involvement, I discern Your promptings to again be more involved in the love and help of the poor and do not forget strangers, for they are also in Your care  and we  human agents are used to show Your love to them.

Amen

 

God, please guard me in my study of scripture, direct my mind and convict my heart.  This morning I did not seem to have a scriptural text to study and pray over, for me and others to receive a blessing from.  In answer to this prayer, You directed me to some passages I had written out and Psalm 97 in my general  Bible reading.  I thank You for this and for placing in us a willing heart of acceptance for the lessons that are therein.

In Your word, it is not a secret, that you want us to live in righteousness; not only because it pleases You, our Righteous God, but because we save ourselves a whole lot of trouble, as well as allowing You to bless us with the abounding joy, promised from right doing.  Due to the fact we are sinners, we do not always perceive what is actually tempting us, is actually by God counted as evil, or do not recognize that the thought/action is a suggestion by the evil one; which are always designed to ensnare us away from the way of God.

Psalm 97: 10 “You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints! He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”  I am so thankful dear God, for the promises and instruction that are in these words and claim them today.  Place in me a desire to love You in true obedience, and reverence the commandments and the writings of the Prophets, given at Your word.   We are told how we should live, for ourselves, and toward others,  Please today open our eyes to any wrong doing toward You our God and toward others in our relationships, business dealings and so on.

Even though it can be painful to pull out of wrong doing, smart dealing, talking advantage of others, dishonesty or immorality to name a few, thank You we can rely on the promised Divine mercy and strength.  Psalm 97:11 “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”  My courage is restored in all things, for we transgressors, there is promised help to change, and forgiveness, for a truly repentant heart.  I do not have to stay feeling guilty, with a bowed down spirit.  It is really true that You our God will light the path of those who are covered by the righteousness of Jesus, and who seek to walk with their Saviour in gentleness and love toward others.  It is amazing ‘for the upright in heart’, each heart is filled gladness.  No way do we want to be again in the bondage of Satan and his way of sin, which keeps us in unhappiness, self-focus and down cast attitude.  How can I not praise You my God, for the changes in my life for me and others.

Psalm 97:12 “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His Holy name.”

‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song: He also has become my salvation’”

Dear God,

Every day we (I) sin and sin is sin, in Your eyes, even though we are often esteemed in our own estimation, for entrenched in our thinking can be that some sins are so called white and others shades of grey through to the blackest of black and that our good deeds and works are counted toward our being righteous.   In Your Holy Scriptures however, I read if I am to become like Jesus Christ my Saviour, who never has sinned. I need every sin of every kind, confessed, forgiven and covered by His robe of Righteousness, so that I am seen in the Fathers eyes as being righteous, though I am by my human bent, a sinner through and through, no matter my covering of Christ’s righteousness.  Oh, what love, mercy and condescension on the part of God, the Father, through our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ!  The depth and height of the love of Jesus is beyond full human understanding or measure.  I simply accept, that it is real and absolutely sufficient to save every person ever born on earth, and much more besides.  Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

May I never forget the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf; not only His love, but the reality of His sacrifice in me.  Romans 8:34 “Who is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”  We despite our best intentions are so far from self-generated sinlessness, that all of our thoughts, actions and even our prayers are framed within our human sin tainted way. God be praised, the sacrifice of Jesus has covered my every spiritual need in Him.  For when Jesus arose from the grave and returned to heaven; the promised Holy Spirit came in a special way to earth, to bring Jesus our Saviour and
Redeemer into each heart and life.

Jesus, I again today accept You into my life, and thereby gain spiritual strength from knowing that I will daily be bought through by You, no matter what has been or will come to pass in the future. Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Give praise to His Holy name!

 

Dear God,

I praise Your Wonderful and Holy name, for You have created all things.  They came forth perfect from Your spoken word.  Sadly on this earth alone, Your creation is all corrupted, and we have much sin, sadness, poverty, evil malicious acts upon earth.  Thank You that today I live in Your hope, because Jesus Christ Your Son, died for each person.  I am so glad because, by accepting the invitation of Jesus, salvation is freely available to everyone, including me.

Please teach me and help me to remember key and helpful scriptural texts.  I seem so dull when it comes to memorization of texts, and thereby miss out on many blessings.

When I read scripture it is made clear that the way of Christ is not to just to please myself, but to love Jesus first and then other people with the consideration I would give myself.  Romans 12: 3 “For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’” You my Saviour took on no high social status or sought to be revered as being a great man, whilst living upon this earth, but humbly loved and served all people from the poorest sinner to the most wealthy sinner.  You have asked us to follow Your example and care about and love everyone we meet. Scripture reveals that this does not only include the poor among us, but the communion of Christ, we are to sincerely love in Christ and treat all people equally.  Romans 15:7 “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”  Jesus, please open again today my heart to love others with Your love, according to the scripture promise to pour Your love into us, by the Holy Spirit, (Rom 5:5).    I ask for my mind and heart not be in any way closed to the poor and needy, but also to be given discernment about who I should help, in the multitudes of needy, that we in these modern times and methods are asked to donate unto.

Dear Jesus, I commit myself to You again today and give thanks for the joy that knowing You, brings into my life.  I have on so many occasions been lifted up from hard times by the hope that is in my heart.  Especially when frequently I have prayed through and claimed the following text.  Romans 15: 13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Amen