Talks with God in My Kitchen

Dear God,

This morning, I want to express my appreciation and thanks to You, in prayer and songs of joyful praise.  Psalm 18: 46 “The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock!  Let the God of my salvation be exalted.”  I praise You that I have been the recipient of many years of tender care and attentiveness.  Words cannot properly express the deep spiritual and emotional strengthening, that has come from my times, of communing interactively in my journal/email prayers.  Psalm 89:1 “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.” These verses express in a limited way, the loving blessings that I have received down through the years from Your righteous right hand.

I am sure that like a couple who have known each other for many years, the established relationship between God, My Saviour and me, woman of God, will grow even sweeter during the remainder of my life.  Psalm 89:14, 15 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face, blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!  They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.”

Because I still do and say stupid things, until now I had not appreciated the wisdom I have learnt from just reading Your Holy word and in Your strength living out what I have been taught and ‘taken on board’. Job 12: 12, 13 “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.  With him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.”  Just because I am older and have learnt a few things does not mean that I can go the Christian life alone.  In fact I believe, with more knowledge and awareness, come a greater sense of my need of You and delight in coming to You with my prayers of request and praise.  Psalm 71:5 “For You are my hope, O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth.”

Like a Middle Eastern shepherd with his sheep, God You have been caring for me all the while, and as the true Shepherd, none of Your flock is ever abandoned.  I am so glad, for I more than ever need Your knowledge, guidance and care.  Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Amen

Dear God,

Thank You My God, for this day, for I have achieved another milestone along the span of my life.  I appreciate, that You the Mighty God of the universe, has chosen us from the beginning and does not wipe off anyone from His love and care, whether young or old; capable, brilliant or becoming incapable and forgetful or many other imperfections.  Isaiah 46: 4”Even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I will carry you!  I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

I had not properly comprehended that the beginning of my loving You, and progressing on to desiring to follow You all my life; was started by You, for we are special enough in Your eyes, to be invited to accept Your love, and form an interactive relationship.  John 15:16”You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, that your fruit should remain, and whatever you ask the Father in My name He many give you.”  Every day I have different Bible texts and statements that I find helpful and enlightening, which I like to walk through, so I can bear fruit and be given riches from my Fathers store.

I also I have limited wisdom, and from scripture I read much everyday wisdom and encouragement.  Proverbs 3: 7, 8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength, to your bones.” Proverbs 16: 31 “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.”

I have experienced Your restoration of needed strength, as I have journeyed through life.  These are precious memories.  Isaiah 58: 11“the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Psalm 48: 14 “For that is what God is like.  He us our God forever and ever and he will guide us until we die.”  As I stop to reflect, it is evident that we do not progress on to our death, alone, for You will guide us all along, and stay our emotions because we trust in You.  

I praise and uplift Your Mighty name, for You are all I need.

Amen

Dear God,

I am reminded this morning that I do not have to continue to be sad, because yet again I have spoken quickly and a little harshly to family members.  I speed to You, in repentance, and confession, believing I am forgiven.  I by determination alone cannot prevent this happening again, when tired and pressured.  My recourse is only ever, to daily and throughout the day, invite You Jesus afresh into my heart.

It is also wise I have found, to take precautionary measures in looking after this body I have been given, and when possible, prevent over tiredness and pressure.  I truly do want to live in a way that lifts up Jesus and glorifies You, Father God.  1 Corinthians 10: 31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Please hear my prayer, and be my strength and guiding force, so that Your desire for me, can be actuated as I live each day. I more realise, it is by accepting the invitation  of Jesus, and abiding in Him, as a branch to a vine, that I have the continuous spiritual, life giving ‘sap’ flowing through me.

Sometimes it easy to begin to doubt that I really do have the Holy Spirit fully dwelling in me, because my behaviour is often not full of love or the fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”.   But then I read in many places of scripture, this the reality for the sinner, living the Christian life, and we must never give place to the suggestions of Satan and with despair, give up,  God has provided a way out, Jesus will lift us up.  God reminds me just how He views an erring, but repentant sinner, who looks to Jesus upon the cross, dying for every sin.  John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Thank You for bringing this promise before me again today, as I am reminded how precious we are in Your sight.

Never are we rejected when we come to You hoping and desiring to be saved.  Even now Jesus is raised, and through His spilt blood, intercedes on my behalf.  1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

I am so glad, that I am loved absolutely, forgiven and blessed by Your presence.

Amen

v

Dear God,

How precious is Your Holy Word to me each day, as I read and think about what You have prepared for me today.  Your words can be likened to so many different things, for You have provided for our instruction and answered our needs in Your Word.   They are like a banqueting table prepared for regular partaking of, as spiritual nourishment.   Psalm 119: 105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 

Jesus our Saviour and example spent much time in prayer and absorbing all the words of Scripture, and gives us an example of the importance of these Holy words, as He withstood Satan in a life and death battle in the wilderness.  It truly was a life and death battle for us, for if when weakened by a 40 day fast, Satan had caused Him to sin, then Satan would have claimed this world, and we would not have been saved from sinning and eternal death.  Remind me often that it was by appropriating the words of Scripture, that Jesus overcame Satan, in severe temptation and trial; and so it can be for us.

We must not give Satan an entry by answering or following any of his suggestions; remembering, Jesus did not give Satan any authority.  Matthew 4: 3,  Satan tried to insert doubt in Jesus that He was the Son of God, as well as causing Him to presume to work a miracle to satisfy Satan’s charge, Jesus replied, Verse 4:  “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Satan in Verse 6, “….If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.’’ Then by misusing words of scripture, his temptation intensified. The answer of Jesus established Who He was, Verse 7 “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.’”  This was a quote from the words of God, delivered by Moses, after some wrong actions of the children of Israel.

Satan now appealed to the human desire to acquire possessions and prestige, if Jesus would bow down and worship him.  Jesus again relied on scripture for His decision and answer, Verse 10 “Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Please as I read implant in me Your Holy Word and a deep love for You, so by Your Spirit I can be snatched form temptation.

Amen

 

Dear God,

I praise You for being absolutely Holy, loving and merciful.  Thanks for Your forgiveness and the promised rest and peace that comes through Jesus, as I give Him my burden/s.  Having invited Jesus to take my heart, mind and will I am so glad I can lay my burdens down, believing that as His child, I am kept close in His care; by my own permission.

My Saviour I can almost hear You say, believe all my words, dear child and with them can only come the belief and trust for every occasion.  How beautiful are the ways and words of God on high!  John 1: 12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

I am reading a new set of promises, about the sure result, of humbly preparing my heart and praying for more of an infilling of the Holy Spirit in my life, with the result of increasing my spiritual growth, leading to a changed character and the delight being Your servant by helping and blessing others.  To grow more like Jesus in my heart and life, is my strong desire and active prayer and seeking.  I was encouraged in my reading of scripture, that all Your words have inherent in them Your full authority and will always be ‘cashed’ when presented, Isaiah 55: 11.  In every case these riches will gradually grow the continual seeker, into a living, growing child of God; full of His riches.  1 Peter 1: 3, 4 “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 

God I have the assurance of the scriptures, when asking according to Your word and will, that You will always answer my needful request, 1 John 1: 15 “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked Him.”

I exalt You my God,

Amen                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Dear God,

I am so grateful, that You have made provision for our every emotional shock and dilemma.  To begin with I feel flattened by the adverse news, but then You come near, whisper in my ear and remind me of Your promises, and how You have answered my needs and carried me before.  I am remembering a text which I now am claiming with belief.  Philippians 4: 13” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When walking the roads of Israel, Jesus often taught, preparing a people for the kingdom of heaven, as well healing many; though of course numbers never directly heard or felt His healing touch.  Word of mouth spread rapidly, thousands were acquainted with His good news of salvation.  Some believed from afar.  We have this same privilege, though He is not here for us to see or hear, we can believe His Word of good news, realize it to ourselves, through the living power of the Holy Spirit.

We need so much help to live with a continuing vibrant faith that withstands the onslaughts.  I am reassured, that Jesus invites anyone to ask, with the promise we will find what we need. Matthew 7:7, 8 “Ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks find, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” 

I can only believe that Jesus is listening, and will answer any spiritual call, for He says so, as well as pointing out, if our child asked for something they needed, we would not deny them; and we are perverse, sinful beings.  Matthew 7: 11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

At this time I ask for an infilling of the good things, You have in store for me.  I thank You for acknowledging and answering my prayer.  Please this night shadow me with Your wings, and mark my place, especially.

Amen

 

2019, November – The ‘winds and rains’ of adversity test my foundation in God

Dear God,

This morning to begin with, I have been mentally challenged for no very good reason, and have sought you especially in the expectation of Your intervention and blessing, and as usual Your rescue, love and mercy has lifted me back close to You.  I give You my true praise and exaltation, and for the first time this morning, I really notice the beautiful day in climate and soft, peaceful ambience, that I have to enjoy as Your gift; all day, if I so choose.   Psalm 13: 5, 6 “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

We teach our children about this parable in Matthew 7: 25-27 and they love to sing the little song “The rains came down and the floods came up……..”, but the lesson is there for me again today.  Please my Father, teach me from the Holy Bible, so that I will be so founded upon Your word, that to go to it, think it and live it, is as natural as breathing.  Then for me I will truly live and believe in absolute confidence; “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, now things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8: 38, 39.

Jesus did not teach His parables and sayings to entertain the multitude of eager listeners, but that they may receive these words of life into their minds and incorporate them in a life saved from sin, for the kingdom of heaven.  He wants for me to also allow His lessons to become an important part of a strong foundation of belief in Him; that He recognises and is part of.  Matthew 7: 26, 27 “but everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.”  For the house or person; pretentions do not avail, when like a building the tests come upon us: and ‘great was’ the ‘fall’.

Jesus, I believe in and accept You and all Your sayings, anew today.

Dear God,

Proverbs 21: 23 “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”

To love God supremely and my neighbour as myself, is the way and teaching of both You, God the Father and Jesus His Son, and all Your true and faithful followers.  It can sound so easy, to refrain from judgemental and critical words, but in practice, manifesting self-interest by putting someone down, and so push self forward, comes very easily to most people.  It can happen almost spontaneously when motives are attributed; especially about small and petty things.  Jesus spoke of these sins in, Matthew 6: 1, 2”Judge not, that you be not judged. ‘For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.’”

As I read these words of Jesus in Matthew, I am made more keenly aware, that the so called Golden Rule, that Grandmothers and mothers used to uphold, actually came from scripture.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.  Now that I have grandchildren to mentor, I am glad to pass on these wise words.

Thank You that I can still be prompted by Your Spirit when I have spoken in an unloving critical way, and I need to repent and confess.  I can see that we so often ignore the wrong doing in our own thoughts and lives and subconsciously think the misdemeanour of the other is so much worse than our own.  Matthew 6: 3, 4”How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’: and look, a plank is in your own eye? 

Please wake some of us up, for many of us are judgemental, whilst still doing many wrong things ourselves. It is clear according to the words of scripture; such a way is not spreading the message and love of Jesus.  Furthermore it is so destructive and hypocritical to behave in such a way; which makes us dishonest to ourselves and God.  We need help, dear Father, to clean up our act inside and out, and to wake up.  Then it would be that You could really use us in the broad and full way You have wanted, all along.

Let me receive gladly the old and new words of Yours, for as God You never change.  Isaiah 28: 14 “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men…….”, and women of course.s

Amen

Dear God,

Thank You Jesus, for the reassurance, that we have all that the body needs when placing ourselves in Your care; for You are after all our Creator, Saviour and Redeemer.  You know that a heart full of gratitude is good for our mind, sense of well-being, as well as physical body, for with loving and placing you first in life, comes Your promised gift of rest and trust.

Matthew 6: 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”  For most of us, it is hard to actually believe that you look out for us on every level; when we place You first.  From the rest of Your Scriptures, I do not believe that we are meant to use your given body and talents just doing nothing. It is either we trust in You to guide us, or have an emphasis upon ‘we can do it all apart from You’, that is the issue.  Jesus calls attention to how You provide for birds, without them planting and gathering, yet they still use their God given bodies and talents, to go find and eat.

There are 100’s of stories, of Your provision for people in great need; even though rarely a feast, it was a life giving provision, and today many people in adversity, who simply trust in You and Your sure care, are experiencing heart-warming miracles. Please draw our minds back to You in simple belief and trust; that can rest in Your love and care.  Matthew 6: 27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”  Of course we cannot, and if we are in worry, we ask that you take this away, as it is not in our power to stop, just now.  Thank You for hearing this prayer.

I remember that Jesus reminds us it is God, Who clothes lilies and all plants with beautiful coloured blooms, and makes grass in perfect symmetry which can live a short time. Verses 30, 31 “…..will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or ‘What shall we drink? Or ‘What shall we wear?”

The secret of being changed and learning to trust, is always found in You our God and not by our own endeavour, Verse 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

O, I am so grateful for knowing You Jesus, and for Your beautiful care of me.

Amen

 

 

                                      And what we do as a result

Dear God,

I am aware that you wish us to be so filled with Your words and gifted love, that it is natural for us, to not push ourselves forward and to do our kind/charitable deeds as an outworking of our hearts and not to purposefully attract notice and commendation.  You teach us that what we give in offerings and donations, to Your church and the needy, should be kept as a secret between You and each person.  Matthew 6: 1 “……..Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  V2”………Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward,” received from achieving notoriety.   Charitable deeds are to be kept secret, as if the right hand is unaware of the actions of left hand.  V 4 “and Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”  Jesus taught on earth, that when our heart is in tune with You in humility, we will not be persuaded to make long pretentious, hypocritical public prayers, but rather spend much time in our own room in secret prayer, with You our God.  Public prayers which are needful will be short, heartfelt, relevant and unpretentious.

Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer; a beautiful example of a prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13, that covers needful requests, and lifts us up and away from ourselves.  Jesus further reminded each that if we are hardhearted and unforgiving, we close God’s answer to our self. V 15 “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will Your Father forgive your trespasses.”  This a serious statement, for we cannot enter heaven, with unconfessed sins.  Let’s search our hearts and cleanse any hard heartedness with forgiveness of any wrong doer; so that we can also be forgiven of God.

Most of us have the problem with spending much time working and building up our possessions and wealth, to the detriment of our time spent in Bible study and meaningful prayer.  Jesus spoke about choosing to build up treasure here on earth or for heaven.  I pray that I be alerted to any heaven denying preoccupations and spiritual lack, and be guided the right way. Matthew 6: 20, 21 “But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Amen