Month: August 2019

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”  

Dear God,

Thank You for my life and for giving me enjoyment in the everyday things, as well as loving caring friends who express genuine care for me and I for them.  Even though for this little while some health issues intrude, the peace of my surroundings and Your messages of love and direction in the scriptures, keep me for the most part, above it all.  It is such a blessing to have the genuine love of the two grandchildren, in return for the little acts I can do for them.

I read in Your word, how Jesus lovingly ministered to many people and we His followers will be like Him, when He is in each heart and we listen to His promptings. Then I will also love even when it is painful and the person is unattractive and unloving to me.  Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” 

We often look to far off places and even other areas in our locality, to help those in need and forget that what we are and do at home and in our own locality is very important to God.  1 Peter 3:8,9 “All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, (sisters) be tender hearted, be courteous, not returning evil or reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 

These days I better appreciate, that You fill us with Your love and place a desire in us to want to be loved and to respond in kind, and reap your blessings.

1 Peter 3: 10 – 12 “ He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit  Let him turn from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

I am thankful even though my partner is long gone, for the wonderful enduring friends in my life who make a difference and me in theirs.  It is the commonality of loving Jesus, and praying for each other, that unites us friends of many decades. 
Amen

Dear God,

I again offer my praises to the one and only true God, Who keeps me body and soul, in the sunshine of Jesus.  Another bright sunny almost spring day dawns, warming all my senses and soon my skin.  This is how Jesus is to my inner person warming and giving rest, as His gift; for He is warmth and rest.

1 Peter 2:23 – 25, Jesus our gentle Saviour did not fight with or say anything back to His accusers as He suffered at their mouth and hands.  Nor did He stoop to threatening future judgement, “but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”   As Jesus prayed daily to His Father, for the Holy Spirit, so do I pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as I prepare my heart, having asked for forgiveness.  Then the Holy Spirit can change my mind and spirit, as needed to become more Christlike and give Your purpose to my life and future; causing me to trust fully in Your righteous judgement.  While I have learned I cannot trust myself. I know I can trust myself and future absolutely to Jesus, My Saviour.  1 Peter 2: 24 “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by those stripes you were healed.”  I am so reassured and grateful for this answer to my sin problem and that through Jesus, I can live in righteousness, healed by His persecution and unjust death, how grossly unfair; yet beautiful is that!

I will not now go around as one lost, without purpose, off on wrong paths, lost and astray, because I have Jesus as my loving Shepard, who keeps His sheep tenderly. 1 Peter 2: 25 “For you were like sheep going astray, but now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Safe in Your care, at last!

Again praises to Jesus, the love of my soul.

Amen

Proverbs 9: 10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  

Dear God,

Most Holy, all knowing God, I reverence You above all.  Apart from You I have no worthwhile knowledge that is sufficient to live profitably and wisely in a perverse, wicked and destructive world.  I attest that my own personal knowledge or any that I have found in popular teaching has not satisfied my soul or mind.

In the book Proverbs the often used word wisdom, reflects what Solomon learned by Your promise delivered, in answer to his prayerful humility when he first became king of Judea, and then later as the result of his waywardness.  He had departed from Your ways and blue print for living in obedience, which would have led to living a life of Godliness, blessed with fulfillment and peace.

The book of Proverbs tries to save others from folly and unwise thinking. The observations and wise sayings in Proverbs direct us to the true source of wisdom and understanding.  This comes from You, Jehovah, our heavenly Father.  For all things to be profitable in our lives, and to each of us, we need to have wisdom and instruction, as well as understanding with perception.  Many times our knowledge will be insufficient, making it wise and prudent to receive from another Godly, learned person, instruction on justice, judgement and equity.  Especially for the younger person, their learning will be increased by listening.  However it seems like it is the same for me, and I am at the closing years of my life.  Proverbs 1: 1-5   to nut out parables, proverbs and an enigma; is good for the frontal lobe of the brain.

Jesus knew the worth of a parable, and taught many important lessons by a parable.  He based comments from Psalm 78:2, in Matthew 13:35 “That it might be fulfilled by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’”  

Dear God, Thank You that I can be taught from the experiences of Solomon, about Your true wisdom and the efficacy for living life skillfully in this rather hostile world.  Please also increase my learning of all things needful for my life.

I love You, and desire to walk in reverence and love for Your words and ways.

 

Dear God,

You truly are my strength and stay.  Please grow me in Your love, so that I more often look away from my own enjoyable projects and activities at home, and focus on my activities for You and others.  Once again I dedicate my talks to You on my blog, to be tutored and led in a way that will touch others.  I now realize this is Your blessing to me first, and then others, and the time it takes is my sacrifice to You.

Matthew 5, today I have read parts of this wonderful chapter, which outlines how we can and should imitate the love of Jesus toward others in every interaction.  Matthew 5: 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you.”  To do good for another in the face of personal injustice or attack, is truly the gospel and way of Jesus, because He lives in our heart, and we allow His ways to be expressed.  It is easy to love those who love us.  There is however a challenge to love someone who treats us unfairly, deceitfully or works to do us harm.  Again Jesus offers His strength for us to be able to love others and turn the other cheek.  Matthew 5: 48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”  Jesus does not ask anything unless we are given the enabling, over time, as we keep clinging on to His words.

Ephesians 5: 1, 2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”  Walk in love as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling aroma.  I am so glad our life given to Jesus in obedient sacrificial love, and the giving of our time and resources, is as a sweet smelling aroma to You, our God.

I ask You Jesus to continue to change my heart and take away the urge to do and do so many things away from You.  Please be my strength and desire to do all that is Your will for me.

I pray your richest blessings for all who read this prayer.

 

Dear God,

Again upon Your day of worship, I have known Your presence, in Your Holy Word and when worshipping You.  I also praise You for being longsuffering and gracious, through the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I accept the Scriptures as true and have found I cannot necessarily trust the teaching and research of man, his wisdom or just choose what I will believe despite God’s Holy Word.  For me it has been no burden to believe Your Holy Word in its entirety.  In Genesis 1: 1-3 we are told that God created the heavens and the earth. To begin with all was indistinct and in darkness.  “The Holy Spirit was hovering over the face of the waters.”  “Then God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.”

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, had oft been in communication with Jesus and referred to Him in relation to creation; as the Word.   John 1:1- 3 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

God never leaves anything in darkness and neither did He leave the world in literal darkness.  Genesis 1: 4 “And God saw the light that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”  It is God who takes away our darkness of mental perception and spirit.  2 Corinthians 4:6 “For  it is the 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.”  I find it is a total enhancement of mental clarity to come out of literal and spiritual darkness into the light of Jesus, much like entering sunny days after the prolonged darker days of winter, especially those of the short winter days in some areas.

We cannot rightly hope and anticipate the joy of living in the future within the city of God, but even our inadequate feelings and knowledge, makes the city of God, worth thinking about.  Revelation 22: 5 “There will be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.  And they shall reign forever and ever.”

Jesus You fills me with light, joy and certainty for the future.

Amen

Jeremiah 31:30 “Everyone shall die for his own iniquity….”

Dear God,

No matter the day or whatever is happening, or how I feel about it, You my God, are in it and love me still.  You ask that I stop each day and take stock of myself as to how I/we are travelling together and how You are lovingly drawing me to Yourself.  Galatians 6:4 “Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Verse 5 “For each shall bear His own load.”  We cannot blame other people for how we are viewed by God, for we all “reap what we sow” Galatians 6:7.  On the other hand, God is individually drawing us in loving kindness and mercy.  Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord has appeared of old to me saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with and everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’” 

None of us need think, that salvation and eternity in heaven is lost to me, or that I just can’t change or see my way to turn back to God or I have gone too far in doing wrong things against God.  God has many different statements or ways of reaching us in our dark place. Jeremiah 31:22, 25 “How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter?…  Verse 25 “For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.”  This is not a statement of maybe, but more, ‘what are you waiting for, come back to Me, and I WILL replenish and fill your soul with good things’.

All the temple services pointed to the coming of Jesus and His sacrificial death, these activities and sacrifices were no longer needed after the death of Jesus, and they had been fulfilled in Him.  Now we have a new Covenant with God, through Jesus.  Jeremiah 31:33, 34, as in Hebrews 10:16, 17 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’”

Let us praise His name, every day, at every opportunity, by the wondrous love of Jesus; my sins are remembered no more!

Amen

Psalm 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Dear God,

The rain is falling heavily and all is gloomy outside, but inside my house, it is lit up with light and warmth from the crackling fire.  Both situations are needful and appreciated.  It is needful to have rain and the gloom is part of that, but I thankfully do not live in constant dark or gloom; or unprotected from rain.

I am sorry that so many people have no shelter or protection from the harshness of the elements and some uncaring people.  God please keep prompting me as well as direct me, about whom I need to continue to care for, and/or send my donations – there are so many people in poverty and privation.  God You have said in scripture we are accountable, if we ignore those in need.  It seems all is relative, for many I count as being deprived and in poverty in my estimation, are happy in their spirit and grateful for the little things.  This does not mean I think we should not help them as is wise and good for them now and in the long term.  How often these people without many goods, when they learn to love You are lit up with the joy of knowing You, and that their lack or situation is not then considered highly, supplanted by the joy of knowing their God and telling others, of Your glorious light and warmth; within. They have joined a community of likeminded people and circumstances improve.  There is a real lesson for the more fortunate, in caring, sharing and contentment.

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 you a future and a hope.”  This is Gods reality for us in whatever hard place, such as physical, privation, sickness; own oppression of spirit/by others.  Let us not hang back, for the knowledge and then acceptance of You as our Saviour, allows You to freely give Your promised aid; a future and hope, with peace: even if nothing around us is desirable. Jeremiah 29:12 “Then You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to You.”

When my heart is divided and I am not sincerely seeking God, and I am being two faced clinging to my wrong doing, God says He cannot dwell with someone who serves another master.  Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all you heart.”

Today I sincerely seek You God, with my whole heart.  Thanks for listening, and giving Your answer prompting me to pray for others.

 

And observe all the words of His law. (Deut.28:58)

Dear God,

After the bright sunshine of 2 days, the rain came overnight telling us spring is not come, after all.  We know it is coming, by the warmer days, here and there and the buds are coming on rose bushes and fruit trees.  I give thanks for Your mighty work upon all creation and the knowledge that spring will certainly follow its promise.  Therefore I praise You God of the heavens, and earth and all that is above, upon earth and beneath.

I meditate upon a portion of a song of Moses, given to the assembled Israelite’s.  Deuteronomy 32:2 “Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass.  This portion is a lovely word picture of early spring, gone are the thunderous rains of winter: and so Moses in gentleness speaks to the people.

The great men and prophets of God, also obtained spiritual lessons from nature, combined with communing with You there.  I am ever grateful to live amongst the trees and bird songs.  You come especially close in the setting of mighty trees, down to the minute flowers atop perky little grasses.  Deuteronomy 32:3 “For I proclaim the name of the Lord.  Ascribe greatness to our God.”  Please God, out of our business, draw us back to Your created rock crested grandeur, and into tiny green retreats, for there we will find love for You, the God of all seasons and reasons, with the desire to worship You in humility. With my whole heart I say with Moses in Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”

God indeed created us in love, to love, and then sadly mankind listened to the lies of the Lucifer the fallen angel, now known as the devil, the father of lies, and after Adam and Eve, we have joined the devil as fallen into sin, human beings.  Often our wrong actions require just judgement in truth from our wise all-knowing God.  Job 34: 11 “For He repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way.”

God Your justice to all creation cannot be disputed, and Your forgiveness is profound and absolute.  Once our prayer of sincere repentance ascends to Your ears, then Joy of Joys, our relationship with You is restored, and it is as if we had never sinned, for we again can communicate freely with You the God of Righteousness

Dear God,

You are to me most lovely, upon you I give all my praise and worship, Most Holy and Eternal God.,

You alone know the workings of my mind and all my secrets.  You mark the place of those who presume to speak for You, such as prophets or priests, reputed to be shepherds of Your believers.  You also speak save those involved and those affected, and give warning for those who do not know Your scriptures or disregard Holy writ and speak their own words.  You are not pleased with the irreverence of the many that prefer to misapply portions of scripture and speak words of peace, saying no concern, no need to reform, for there is not any judgement coming from a loving God, He would not do such a thing. 

Jeremiah 23: 17 “They continually say to those who despise Me, The Lord has said, ‘You shall have peace,’ and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘no evil shall come upon you.’”    God had for years delivered warning of impending judgement and doom, through His prophets. Then events and end of the nation came as predicted for the deliberately deaf, misguided, who put mans word above God’s word.

There was/is still a remnant of believers who were faithful to Gods words and leading.  Jeremiah 20:13 “Sing to the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  For He has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers.”  Still the king and government, priests and prophets went their own way, regardless of what God said, or the plight of the people caught up in the consequences.  God tried to save them from death or captivity, and again said through the prophet, who at risk of his own life delivered another message (a case of spear the messenger), Jeremiah 21:8 “Now you shall say this to the people ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death.’”

In many places on earth, those in authority continue to not heed the words of God, and are on the pathway to destruction, and like kings and priests of old, lead their people falsely, without due care of them or regard for the poor caught up in it all.  Jeremiah 23: 23, 24 “Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? Verse 24 “Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?  Says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.”

Please Lord, lift us above our self-satisfaction, wrong doing and wilful ignorance, unmindful of the poor; ignoring the predictions and answers to prophecy through the ages and these days.  Jesus came as predicted as a babe and is yet coming to “…..execute judgment and righteousness in the earth”…… “He will be called: ‘THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS’” Jeremiah 23:5, 6.

My God and my Saviour, I find it most profitable for my mind, soul and physical body to give my heart in worship to You.  How can I not, in response to Your never ending love and care?

I ask for Your wisdom to recognize interests and activities that may take more of my attention/love as my go to way, before or over You.  Then I am at risk having an ‘idol’, because my close interaction with You is somewhat supplanted; maybe without my knowledge of what I am missing. Depending upon our inner thoughts and attitudes, You have predicted how it will pan out for people who ignore Your warning words and continue on in trusting in mans strength and wisdom.

Jeremiah 17: 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?  Thank You my God for reminding me, I do not really know myself, as You do, for I am familiar with my own thoughts and ways, in a sinful world.  You also have said, apart from You, my life will seem as dry bush in a parched land.  Alternatively, You promise a different life and ending, for the person who lovingly follows You. Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord whose hope is the Lord.”

To me as a follower of Christ it is the day by day keeping by the Lord, and His daily blessings, plus the many small answers to prayer of all types that feed my soul, in a way that can only be explained by experience.  Therefore I/we long for every troubled unbeliever to be so blessed and anchored in the here and now, and have the same surety about all the promises of God in all situations.  God Himself gives a word picture via Jeremiah what it will be like for us, when we love and trust His every word, as for me/us.  Jeremiah 17:8 “For he shall be a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  

Note the many delightful and hope filled lessons in this text for life in the present, even though a great tree takes years to grow.  The tree needs to be in the right place, with room to put down and out its roots to access the constant nourishment and water.  As for the tree and me, when so supplied, we continue to grow through the hard times and in drought strong roots formed by God allow we like the tree to survive and bear fruit.

I choose to be like Your fruitful tree with a deep faith, formed by You.