Talks with God in My Kitchen

 

Job 9: 4 “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.  Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?”

Dear God,

As so often is the case, I draw comfort from the knowledge that You are wise in all things; as well having the ability to do all things.  I then am humbled by the knowledge that despite this, you love and care for me, who is just a recurring sinner.   I also acknowledge that the smallest plant, flower or insect, has been fashioned by You and subsequently cared for as tenderly, as the most majestic part of the universe.

It is only the outworking of Satan’s sin on this earth that causes harm and continues to endanger Your creative works and makes death inevitable for all living things.  Thank You for the words of Your Prophets, who write encouragingly, that the earth will be made new, and all death will eternally be destroyed.  1 Corinthians 15: 26 “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

You knew Job very well, and he was certainly well acquainted with You.  Even during the most severe affliction, he continued to believe and acknowledge You with insight that could have only come from having an intimate walk with You.

In Job 8, Bildad the Shuhite one of Job’s not-comforters states that Job must have been very wicked considering that so many bad things were happening to him.  Despite Jobs protests that he was not wicked, all of the ‘not-comforters’ continued in there assertions, and built their case, from the belief, if we love You and do good works, then nothing bad will happen to such a person.  They kept saying that if he would come back to You, and be blameless, that he would not be cast away, and instead be laughing.  They had no idea, that You had allowed Job to be tested by Satan.

Job continued to protest his innocence and complained about his hard lot.  But in his many words, came gems of faithful witness about You, his God.  Such as ‘God is wise’, ‘look at His creation and power’, and that he himself could never contend with God, or come up with a correct answer, because You are All-knowing and powerful.  He observes that we could never stop You from doing anything, no matter how righteous we might be.  He says often that he did not like his present life or being tested by You as though he was unrighteous.  All the while He sees You as Almighty God to be worshiped, as the One who does powerful works.  Job did not see You as the way to material possessions, in the present or for later prosperity.

Lord there is so much for me, when I read Job, and certainly I can see why You said to Satan, that Job was true and upright, and thus counter his argument that it is impossible to please You or come up to Your standard.

I give You thanks that there are better days coming, than what the devil puts us through.   You will not leave us alone when we trust and seek You in prayer; even though humanly we can feel abandoned.  Job certainly did!  In the end, Job was victorious, and blessed by You abundantly; when the torment was all over.

I am so glad, that You do the same for us.

Amen

Acts 7: 60 “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’  And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Dear God,

Thank You for every blessing and for the most precious gift, Jesus Christ, who came to this world, and lived a sinless live, filled with the Spirit.  As Scripture has recorded, He was put to death and arose again.  He has paid the sin price for all of us.  This is a gift which cannot be priced, and it is undeserved.  When my (our) hope is pinned upon Jesus, we are blessed now and in expectation.  I can say these words, but without Your Spirit giving me full understanding and acceptance, they may not achieve Your full intention in my mind and life.  I pray for the Holy Spirit to make up for the lack in understanding of what is offered, as well as in my belief and acceptance of Scripture.

Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34, talks of how the Israelites broke the covenant that had made with them.  But because of mercy from You, God, they were not abandoned, V33 “………I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

It really shows how much they/we are prized, and how important it is to follow You, and we will taught what we should do.  We receive graciousness, V34 “……… I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.”

I have continued to read about Stephen in Act 7, who was full of Your Spirit in the temple, and recounted their history as Israelites, including how they ill-treated the past prophets, who under inspiration, foretold the coming of the Messiah.  After the Messiah came and mingled with the Israelite people, He was not recognised by most or treated well, either.  Toward Stephen they reacted as they had toward Jesus our Saviour; their promised One.  Stephen at the end of his discourse was given a vision from You and saw into heaven, with You and Jesus at Your right hand, pictured.  Even when facing his violent death, Stephen did not falter in his love and faithfulness, and instead prayed his famous prayer, asking that their sin toward him be not charged to them.

Such faith is a gift from heaven, and is available, from Your Spirit when we ask and believe. It was faith bestowed through the Holy Spirit upon Jesus, and then Stephen, that enabled both of them to endure inhuman treatment and violence until their life was taken by fiends clothed in human flesh; imbued with the spirit of Satan.

There are still inhumane and violent actions upon this earth, toward those of different faiths.  Fill me with Your love toward them and all people; and keep our thoughts focused upon Jesus on His crude cross.  I thank You for the example of the many people who have gone before us doing so, even when it cost them their lives.

Amen

Job 1: 20 – 22 “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.  And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;  blessed be the name of the Lord.’  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Dear God,

Praise Your glorious name, for it is a joy to live in the light of Your love.

As I read Job, I understand that when I die, I will know nothing until I am raised and Jesus will be the first glorious face I see.  Life upon this sin wracked territory of Satan, is not always easy, and nasty bad things happen to people who love You; as was the case for Job.

It can be a surprise, and hard to take in, that because we love You the All Powerful One, does not necessarily shield us from bad events.  I have found, as did Job, that the joy of loving and serving You, never departs in the ‘bad times’; even though naturally we do not enjoy the experience. Though many times I have forgotten my past experiences of Your support and have been overwhelmed in self-pity in my ‘bad times.  When I have remembered and sought You in a specific prayer of trust in in the situation, I have been comforted by Your love and concern, and the knowing that Your presence was nearby.

Your reply when confronted by Satan and his accusations, V8 “…..Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil.”

As I read Your word, I can see that Satan has always maintained that Your requirements are unjust and too difficult to abide by.  On this occasion he said that Job only lived a righteous life, because You gave him many children, luxury, wealth and prestige, and that You had placed a hedge about him, and if these were stopped and he was left with nothing, Job would curse His God.

As an example and because You knew the heart of Job, You allowed Satan to harass Job, and so in quick succession Job lost all of his many possessions.  Still as predicted, Job continued to love You and did not curse You.  The life long way of loving and obeying You, did not go from Job in adversity; though he complained bitterly.

Also by prayerful trust in Jesus I can rejoice in every circumstances knowing that this life and all goods are only transitory, for as Job said, death takes them all, (Job 3: 13 – 19).

Thank You my life and the pleasant place in which I live, and for family and friends, and the ability given by You to be thankful to my Mighty Creator and Keeper of all, in the good and bad times.

Amen

 

Colossians 1: 13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

Dear God,

Praise Your name for the promise of eternal life for all who accept You and do as asked of You.  To assist us to do as asked, You teach us the ways of obedience and fill us with the Holy Spirit, who gives the gifts of discernment, wisdom, love, strength and power to walk Your way.  Most righteous God keep us ever mindful that You have warned us that we are in the land of Satan, who has an agenda to give us misery and bring us down.  All as if it came from You!

Paul always upheld the believers he knew, and his words reveal that he was able to stay on Your pathway even though to do so was not easy and often led to ridicule and persecution.  He encouraged all believers to follow his way and so reap the Your promise of hope and the adverse times with rejoicing.   He also wrote that results and any rewards as a Christian do not come without commitment on our part.  Also that as believers in You, we should uphold, help and pray for others in the fellowship of faith of God.  Paul and his associates gave all of us an example of nurturing and upholding others by giving thanks for the Colossians believers, as well as consistently praying for their spiritual victory.

Today I pray their prayer (Colossians 1: 9 – 14) for me and all my family and church members; that we all may be filled with the knowledge of Your will, in ‘all wisdom and spiritual understanding’.  I pray also that my daily walk will be worthy to You and fruitful in ‘every good work and increasing in every good work.’  Strengthened by Your glorious power and might, so I (they) will have ‘all patience and long suffering with joy’, and in every circumstance giving thanks to our heavenly Father, who allows us to become ‘partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light’.

It is so wonderful, that we have been delivered from the power of Satan, who would have us eternally destroyed.  V13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”  It is Christ who has redeemed us through His blood.

Today, I choose You Jesus, as my Lord and Saviour and pray this for my family, friends and many other people, which include all who read these lines.

Amen

Acts 5: 29 ”But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Dear God,

Thank You for the rising glow heralding the sun and another new day; for me to recommit myself to You and be delighted in Your love and wisdom, which over the years has gradually drawn me closer to You.

Though Jesus was not now with them, the apostles had not stopped telling others about Him, and what they knew of Him when on earth, and what it meant in the lives of each individual on earth, now that He had risen from the grave and returned to His Father in heaven.  Acts 5: 31 “Him God exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”  The disciples of Jesus knew about the things of which they spoke, intimately, and that their lives had been impacted in a life changing way.  V32”And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Today I have again asked, believing that I will be filled by Your Holy Spirit, so that I can walk as Your child in love and truth.

Proverbs 4: 18 “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines brighter unto perfect day.”

As I reflect upon Proverbs 4: 18 “I wonder at the word ‘just’ in this context, please give me a fuller understanding of this text.  Just and good go together.

When invited, Jesus dwells in our heart through the Holy Spirit, bringing our prayers into a language, we are told is heavenly language, for receiving by God.  For even when I believe I am truly seeking You, my attitudes and thoughts are framed by inherent sinfulness, impeding my resolve to be good as You assess goodness.  From my understanding of scripture, if I was to fully reflect Jesus every day, my actions toward others would not be based upon my own selfish desires.

Romans 3: 23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  It is by Your grace, I can be justified, or as has been said, made, just-as-if-I-had never sinned.  Romans 3: 24 “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is Christ Jesus.” Now, I can be called ‘just’ as I walk on the pathway of Jesus, which is bright with His light and glory.  As each day passes thus committed to Jesus, His light shines within me and will grow brighter every day, as I reflect His Light with less of my input shading His brightness.

I am so glad that I can ask to You to fill me with light each day, for myself and for others to see.  I also ask, that through You, I will shade the light less and less.

Amen

Acts 5: 11 “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

Dear God,

I thank You for this fresh new day, a day of promise, as I prepare for the next few days.

I am finding the stories in Acts food for reflection, relative to my own spiritual experience.  The different examples of how the Holy Spirit worked in the early Acts church are arresting, because of the great power that caused the early church to grow and expand in a way not seen before.  Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would be a special part of His church after He went back to heaven; I believe as we have come down more than 2000 years nearer to Jesus coming back He will manifest His power through people who set aside their self-focus, and build an active faith in You.  Put numbers of such people together and I cannot imagine what You could achieve through such a group. This type of movement is predicted by You in the end times; ushering in the time of the end, as are false revivals, which are not based on much prayer, soul searching and study of Your scriptures.

Come amongst us soon Holy Spirit in Your mighty power and usher down Jesus our Triumphant King.

A heart that is untrue to You cannot be hidden under the light of the Holy Spirit.  The Acts 5 characters, Ananias and Sapphira found this when they promised all the proceeds of their sale, but had kept some back a portion for themselves, when the sale had netted more than they expected.  You had not asked for any of their proceeds, but because they had publicly promised the amount, and then to make themselves look good, stated they were giving the full amount from their sale, when they were not; as an example to the early church members, You did not let their deceit and lack of truthfulness go without immediate judgement.

Reveal to me (us) if and when I have practiced this principle of promising such and such, but actually secretly keeping some back for me.  I think this could be applied to not just money, but promises I (we) make of giving time to You, but robbing You of some of our promised time or service.  I desire to serve You with a true and undivided heart, remembering, that my money, time etc. is mine as Your provision, until I make a promise or pledge to You of a certain amount, and then it becomes Yours totally.

The apostles were full of faith and worked selflessly to reveal Jesus, in the power of the Spirit.  They had become mighty instruments for teaching and healing; always giving You glory, as they presented word pictures of the crucified, resurrected Saviour of the world.  They were not deterred by their external circumstances!  Neither had they been left without input and protection by You.  Some were imprisoned and set free by an angel.  In obedience to the words of that angel, they went back and taught in the same temple from which they had been arrested.

I am conscious of what could happen in some places and situations, when we also go and present word pictures of the crucified, resurrected Saviour to the world.  You have promised Your power and mighty works to every person, and promised that we have no need to fear because You are always near to those who pray sincerely.

I love You Lord and only in Your wisdom can I present a crucified, resurrected Saviour!  Thank You for hearing these prayers.

Amen

 

Acts 4: 29 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.”

Dear God,

Again I am compelled to say, that You are greatly to be praised.  I ask again, that You fill my mind and mouth with words and songs of praise all through the day.  You have heard my needful prayer of yesterday, and delivered me from all I feared.  I am sorry that I allowed my lack of faith to come to the fore, which allowed anxiety to come over me.

In contrast to me the disciples Peter ad John had been imprisoned for their faith and promotion of Jesus Christ as Saviour of the entire world.  When commanded to stop doing the works of Christ, they had spoken up boldly in front of their accusers and afterwards could not keep from telling others about the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Their prayer and determination that they be used for Jesus continued, Acts 4: 30 “By stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

When I think of these disciples who started out with Jesus as fishermen, lacking in faith and belief, who then progressed in a real turn around ministry full of sure faith filled belief and boldness after the resurrection of Jesus.  This gives me hope, because I know You do not have favourites and I all can be blessed with increasing faith and effectiveness, through Jesus.  I pray that my faith will continue to increase and become the propelling force in my life.

I again give praises and thanks, because Your love is everlasting, toward this feeble servant.  I am reminded of several thoughts that have come to me, when I have been reading your word and praying.  I take courage from remembering them again, ‘don’t fear man, and fear the judgement’ ’and ‘worry changes nothing, but prayer does.’

Amen

Acts 4: 10 “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.”

Dear God,

I praise Your name for another new day and for my life and ability to read Your word, meditate, worship, reverence and adore You.  How could I not?  You are God of the entire Universe, as well as Creator of universe and everything in it.  Because You are God, You are all powerful, all seeing, all knowing, ever present =Omnipotent; Omniscient and Omnipresent.

Alert us to the futility in the way we treat You and behave as if our knowledge and abilities are of our own building, and can somehow hold their own against Yours.  We are learning much about the minute details relevant to all living and inanimate matter in the universe;  but in the end most do not deny that there is a ‘something’ out there that is stronger than we, that gives evidence of knowing infinitely more than any human on earth can.  In my mind apart from You, I do not know anyone who can be in or know what is occurring in all places at the one time or 100% of the time accurately predicts the future!  Personally I have no problem accepting You as Almighty God, Creator of all!

I have noted that in the book of Acts there are accounts of the gladness in the disciples, when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Evidenced when giving their account to the religious leaders, of how a crippled man, begging at the temple, had been healed (Acts 3: 4-16).  It is exciting to contemplate, what had happened to these formally awkward disciples, once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, fearlessly testifying of their Saviour Jesus Christ, and doing His works.  Their work for the Saviour, caused many to believe, and the priests were powerless to stop the movement.

All praise to You, that many in simple communities, now have in their midst the same work and power evident.    As seen for example in parts of India and New Guinea; which reveals what happens when people set all aside and allow the Holy Spirit do Your work and others simply believe.

Though I am sometimes resistant and overly taken up with my own affairs, Your offer is that I too can be changed by the Holy Spirit and become humbly glad to be used by You.  This may by an out of the scene place, unknown by almost everyone, right through to a work that has great public exposure.

Thank You for that!  For I want only to be Your true child faithfully doing as empowered to do, with no need of notice or acclaim.  I rejoice with a whole mind, that as Almighty God it is no way‘beneath’ You, to love me and wish to commune with me and be part of my life.

Amen

Nehemiah 9: 3 “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of their God for one fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.”

Dear God,

Praise Your holy and beautiful name, we can follow the example of the Israelites and also read Your Word and by so doing we will also receive the promised blessings and peace which come from remembering Your Your great works and laws for living.  For us also profound gladness comes, leading to a desire to worship in word and song.

Nehemiah and the other people were not half hearted, for I don’t think it was easy to stand up and listen to a reading for around 4 hours and confess and worship for the same time again.  They showed true dedication and perseverance, to learn Your word and do what was right.

Please fill me and others in these times, with the same stamina, spirit and open mind to seek to understand Your law, and be led to repentance from any apostasy or half-hearted reading and applying of Your words.

The same spirit of open mindedness and desire to do all You asked was in the early Acts church built up by the apostles of Jesus.  They and the converts studied Your word and put aside wrong doing and pooled their resources; because they now had hearts of love and like mindedness.  If these activities and spirit do not exist in our church fellowship we are all the poorer for this and cannot be vibrant and growing.

Nehemiah and all the people present began by celebrating the completion of the Jerusalem wall and then they celebrated Your goodness.

Thank You for the blessings for me (others) when we also celebrate Your goodness and what has been achieved each day.  This activity is so good for us, and it takes away the focus on self and places it upon all aspects of Your character and laws for living, successfully and with joy.

I have prayed a recommitment prayer and for Your enduring strength, so that it will be sufficient for the task You have given me.  Nehemiah 8: 6 “And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.  Then all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen! While lifting up their hands.  And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Amen

 

Nehemiah 6:15, 16 “So the wall was finished……..And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.”

Dear God,

Within the sacred writings, I find instruction, information and life for my soul.  The recorded happenings of so long ago, give me spiritual food to feed on and assimilate, to be brought back to my mind as needed.  I can see that You have always given people a chance to choose to follow Your way.  People were never left to their own devices, without first being given a chance to do a U-turn and return to You and Your ways.  Therefore I have confidence that we (I) will not be abandoned by You in our present situations; especially when we endeavour to do Your bidding, or are in any situation that is in keeping with Your guidelines for living.

Nehemiah, the man I have contemplated today was obviously not perfect, as was the case for King David and all others in the Bible record: which in turn should make us feel ‘right at home.’  But Nehemiah showed that he did love, trust and obey, with a brave and true heart; which is what You want from us today.

In the account given in Chapter 4, I find Nehemiah was not deterred from working on the city wall, despite the real threats to the safety for himself and every other fellow worker.  Working effectively as the ‘foreman’ he ordered the other workers to protect themselves physically the best they could, and then by relying on faith in You to proceed on.  Nehemiah 4: 20”Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.  Our God will fight for us.”

This man of Yours, was not afraid to take the initiative against wrong doing, and rebuked the rich Jews because they had been oppressing their poorer brothers to such a degree that all their property and means had been taken.  He arranged for all to be restored, without reserve to these poorer ‘brothers’.

In Your strength he had stood for right and justice and in Your strength prevailed.  Even after four (red herring) invitations, he would not leave his work, to go answer the invitation of his enemies.  From previous experience he would not give any obstructionist, a chance to destroy or disrupt the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall, for he knew it was Your project he undertook.  Neither would this courageous and upright man, use his position to gain property or money for himself.  He was an example to the men he worked with, and all who looked on from the surrounding country side; and down through history.

As Your child, I desire to live my life for You, no less fervently or productively, than faithful and industrious Nehemiah.  With You God, as my model and source of strength I pray that I individually will be all that You know I could be with You at the lead.

Amen