Tag: Living from our Living Hope

A Final Personification of Wisdom… Rethinking the Proverbs 31 Standard

When one faithfully looks to God’s word to find guidance about how to know who your soulmate will be for the rest of your life, who will be the best wife and mother and true and faithful, faith-filled and genuine servant of God they can be, we simply cannot escape the words of Proverbs 31. Who wouldn’t want to be married to as talented, productive, strong, caring, and fearless as this woman?

But as normal human beings, many of us are more likely to cringe when this seemingly perfect woman is set before us as the example. Who can find her, indeed! Not everyone has good business sense or opportunities. Many do not have the gifts and creativity to provide for the home, make the clothes for the family and household. I don’t know if I’ve met anyone who is both a morning person and a night person like this woman. I know my wife is the closest for me.

But who is it who is even closer to us than even our own God-gifted soul mates?

Proverbs 31:10-31The Message

Hymn to a Good Wife

10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
    and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
    and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
    all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
    and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
    and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
    for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
    diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
    reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
    when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
    and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
    and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
    her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
    but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised
    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
    Adorn her life with praises!

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Lady Wisdom is compared to the virtuous woman in this closing poem of the book of Proverbs: the very personification of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of all that we all should be in Him.

The book of Proverbs closes with an acrostic poem which commends the virtues of a certain (literally) “strong woman” (Proverbs 31:10).

If we have been reading through the book up to this point, we will find that we have met her already. This woman of worth, whose “price is above rubies” – is Lady Wisdom itself (cf. Proverbs 3:13-15).

We find Lady Wisdom is like Jesus. Wisdom, like Savior Jesus, is to be sought after; to be most highly valued and desired and treasured: to be found. Wisdom, like Jesus, is to be trusted; and will do us good (Proverbs 31:10-12).

This efficient homemaker and provider for her household (Proverbs 31:13-15) is one and the same as the Wisdom who furnishes a table before us and calls us to ‘Come and eat’ (Proverbs 9:1-6). In fact – viewed in this light – we can see in her the LORD our shepherd, who prepares a table before us (Psalm 23:5).

We can hear Jesus’ summoning, who cries ‘Come unto me’ to the broken in spirit, the weary soul and heavy laden (Matthew 11:28-30; cf. Isaiah 55:1-3).

This lady’s perfect industriousness stands as an upstanding, beyond reproach, ever living example to all of us, both women and men (Proverbs 31:16-19).

Yet behind the imagery we see that the LORD God is the landowner, and that we are His vineyard (cf. Matthew 21:33).

We also perceive that Jesus is the true vine (John 15:1).

The Lord strengthens His arm for our salvation (cf. Proverbs 31:17).

Wisdom stretches out her caring and compassionate and merciful and forgiving hand unto the poor, as should we when we are called, and able (Proverbs 31:20).

In like manner, the needy find their solace in Jesus: He is the LORD our provider (cf. Proverbs 31:21).

There is great honor in being attached to Wisdom (Proverbs 31:23).

We are not the least bit foolish to follow Christ. When we walk with Him, talk with Him we’ll be prayerfully respected, even by those who don’t agree with us.

We read of this woman’s coverings (Proverbs 31:22), and merchandise (Proverbs 31:24): but her greatest adornment is her strength and honor (Proverbs 31:25).

We, like her, will have assurances as to the future when we are ‘clothed’ with Christ.

We have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27); we must put on Christ (Romans 13:14).

In the poem, this woman opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks truest kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

In this, as in so much else that we can discover, she is the very personification of Wisdom (cf. Proverbs 4:5-6).

If the law was our tutor, pointing us to Christ (Galatians 3:24); then Wisdom serves us in the same way: steering us away from worldly folly, and pointing us towards Jesus who is the Word of God, the ultimate manifestation of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Just as Lady Wisdom looks to the way of her household (Proverbs 31:27), so the LORD also is industrious (John 5:17).

The Father continually watches over His people (Psalm 121:5); and the Son feeds His flock and tends the lambs with the tenderness of a good shepherd (Isaiah 40:11). The Holy Spirit preserves us in a living hope, even in adverse circumstances beyond human description and understanding (Galatians 5:5).

The person who is married to Wisdom safely trusts in her (Proverbs 31:11) and is honored to be associated with her (Proverbs 31:23).

In a similar way the people of Jesus (Hebrews 2:12-13) deem Him to be blessed and praise His holy name (cf. Proverbs 31:28).

Wisdom is the principal thing, so by all means get wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) – and wisdom will teach you that ‘there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved’ apart from the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).

There is a kind of beauty which is only skin-deep.

We find this personified in the woman whom I call Mistress Folly (Proverbs 6:25). Yet Lady Wisdom’s attraction is of a spiritual order: she fears the LORD (Proverbs 31:30).

Our ministries, our works stand as the evidence of wisdom’s virtue (Proverbs 31:31).

The works the Father was doing in the Son stood as a verification of Jesus’ words (John 14:10-11). Works are evidence of faith in the believer (James 2:18-20), who is ‘called unto good works which the Father has before determined’ (Ephesians 2:10).

Proverbs 31:20-31 Authorized (King James) Version

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The virtuous woman has more on her mind than just her family. Her ambitions, energy, and plans extend to the poor and needy that God has placed in her path. Rather than be content with having her husband, children, and home well cared for and happy, she has a conscience that drives her to take care of others who cannot provide for themselves.

Her thoughts toward the poor and needy are more than wishful thinking or kind words. Her thoughts result in diligent and personal action, which are the only thoughts that count in the sight of God and men (Proverbs 3:27-28; 20:11; James 2:15-16). She knows that true love is in-deed and truth, not merely in word and tongue (I John 3:16-18). Moved by God’s love for her, she has bowels of compassion to share her ability and substance with the needy.

The charitable giving here is not easy or passive action. “She stretcheth out her hand,” and, “She reacheth forth her hands.” These words do not convey casual donations or convenient acts of charity. A virtuous woman goes out of her way to meet the poor and needy and help them, even if it requires strenuous effort to accomplish the service. She is not merely available for charity; she volunteers and does the work without any prodding.

The virtuous woman has sympathy for the truly poor and needy (James 1:27).

She does not exchange mock charity with friends, subdivision neighbors, or peers at work. She knows that giving to the rich will bring God’s judgment (Proverbs 22:16). Neither does she care or worry about the foolish, lazy, or wasteful (Proverbs 13:23; 20:4; II Thessalonians 3:10). She, like the Good Samaritan, waits for the Lord to put an act of God in her path (Luke 10:25-37).

She knows charity begins with true needs in extended family – parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents (I Timothy 5:4,8,16). She then serves the poor and needy in her church (Acts 2:44-45; Romans 12:13), then those in other churches (Matthew 25:40; Galatians 6:10; Acts 11:27-30), and then those God puts in her path (Job 31:16-22; Luke 10:25-37). She is given to hospitality for brethren and for strangers (Romans 12:13; I Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2).

A man with a virtuous wife should allow her a budget for this good use of money, and it will later praise her and him (Proverbs 31:23,31; II King 4:8-10). It will also bring God’s blessing on the couple for their charity (Proverbs 11:24-27; 19:17; 28:27). Stingy husbands can discourage their wives and deprive the poor, and they will suffer for it now and later.

A virtuous woman is loved by all and praised by husband and children (Proverbs 31:28-31; Acts 9:36-42), and this affection and honor is a great blessing and comfort. But her greatest glory is yet to come, when the High King of heaven will take special notice of her godly charity before the universe (Isaiah 32:8; Matthew 10:40-42; 25:31-40; I Timothy 6:17-19; Hebrews 6:10).

It stands to reason, then, that she would want to be generous with what she has and to go forth, to help those who are less fortunate. I might be walking way out on a limb here, but when I see that she “opens her arms” to the poor, I believe she is gifting them with money to get their necessities. Here’s where I’m out on a limb: the next portion of the verse says she “extends her hands to the needy.” 

When someone we know is fallen down into a hole, or needs help climbing out of a low place, what do you do? You extend your hand for them to grab hold of and pull up — you are giving them “a hand up.” (Acts 3:1-10) I believe that may be what this Spirit-filled, God-fearing woman of Proverbs 31 is doing; she not only gifts them financially, but she helps them in sensible, practical ways.

Ways that help them stay out of that tight spot, that low place. Perhaps she is going far out of her way, teaching them a skill or giving them encouragement from her own experience. Perhaps she is giving them what they need to move forward and keep moving. Perhaps she knows of a job for them to apply for and to do. Maybe it is just the perfect example that she sets, for them to imitate.

This Spirit-filled woman is truly challenging us to be the best that we can be!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us pray,

Father, faithful One, teach me your divine wisdom. Empower me to understand wise teaching. Give insight to my simple mind. Help me to live a life that is disciplined and successful, based on the wise teachings of your word. Give me the knowledge I need to make smart decisions. I know that reverence for you is the beginning of wisdom. Help me listen when you correct me, and not neglect your instruction. I know when I take heed of wisdoms voice and to follow your wisdom, I will receive grace and honor. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

https://translate.google.com/

Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone – A Brief Reflection upon Matthew 4:4

“If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

“And men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the mystery of themselves without a second thought.”
― St. Augustine of Hippo

“The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

“Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

“The Bible was composed in such a way that as beginners mature, its meaning grows with them.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo,

Matthew 4:1-11 New American Standard Bible

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He [a]then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” (Emphasis is my own for this devotional reflection)

5 Then the devil *took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written:

‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’;

and

‘On their hands they will lift You up,
So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “[b]On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil *took Him along to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and [c]worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and [d]serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Today’s Gospel

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4

4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.” (The Message)

Have you ever read the Bible but felt overwhelmed?

Have you ever read the Bible and felt underwhelmed?

Maybe the book seems really big.

Maybe the book seems too heavy to lift off of the dusty bookshelf.

Maybe the book seems really small.

Maybe the book looks too much like your smart phone.

Perhaps you simply don’t like reading “books” but looking at smart phones.

After all those “small screen tiny letter” technological things can make Bible reading seem really hard. However, the study of the Word of God is critical.

Today’s verse from Matthew’s “Temptation Narrative” shows us that we aren’t to just eat “bread” for food and that’s all we need for growth. Instead, it tells us that we also need also need to feast on the Word of God. Feeding on God’s word might sound 21st century weird, but it’s really helpful for your spiritual growth.

The Bible helps us learn right from wrong. It helps us to make good decisions and makes us wise.

God’s word is a powerful tool in our lives. Your heart was made for God’s word.

The Word of God for the Children of God is a seed that produces growth and life in your life. So, if you have not picked up or planted any new seeds lately, find ways to make time for God’s word. It might or could be something simple like picking up or looking up a small devotional book reading every day, listening to a YouTube sermon or Podcast. Even if you just don’t like to read there are many ways to get God’s word in your heart. Simply look up into the starry night sky!

Matthew 4:4 Complete Jewish Bible

4 But he answered, “The Tanakh says,

‘Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai’”

This verse should be many Christians’ motto. 

God’s Word IS the truth and the daily bread of our life.

Because of God’s word, we are supplied and sated in our spirit; so that we have “fed” faith to stand testimony when we encounter failure and defeat, trials and refinement, just as God’s word says, “Jesus (the man, the Rabbi, teacher) said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,’ which means that, although man lives in a physical body, what gives him real life, what allows his physical body to live and breathe, is not physical food, but all the words uttered by the mouth of God are.

On the one hand, man regards these words as truth. The words give him faith, make him feel that he can depend on God, that God is truth. On the other hand, is there a practical aspect to these words?

Yes! There is! Why? Because the man, Rabbi Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights and He is still standing there, still alive. Is this a healthy illustration?

The point here is that He had not eaten anything, any food for 40 days and nights. He is still alive. This is the powerful evidence behind His phrase.

The phrase is simple, but, as far as our Rabbi Jesus is concerned, was His phrase taught to Him by someone else, or did He think of it only because of what Satan had said to Him trying to play him for a fool? Think about it. God is truth. God is life. God is the Way. Was God’s truth and God’s life and God’s Way a late Gospel add-on? Was it born of experience? No!! It is innate in God, meaning that truth and life already reside in God’s very abundance, in God’s abundant substance.

Whatever befalls Him, what He reveals is truth. This truth, this phrase—whether its content is long or short—it can let man live, give him life; it can enable man to find, within itself, truth, clarity about life’s journey, and enable him to have that well-nourished, well-sustained, faith and hope in God alone.

This is the source of God’s use of this phrase. The source is positive, so is this positive thing holy? (Yes.)” Thank God for bestowing His word to us so that we can each know God from His word and also understand the meaning of life and pursue the nourishing growth of life (Psalm 23:5-6) in God’s word every day.

“I have read in the writings of Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” ― Saint Augustine of Hippo

“The Bible was composed in such a way that as beginners mature, its meaning grows with them.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let’s Pray

“Oh, God, to know you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise you is the soul’s joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

https://translate.google.com/

Yes! There is Hope, Refreshment, Satisfaction, for our Weary Souls!

In the overwhelming, hair-raising, and the all too often depressing prophecies of God’s (weeping) Prophet Jeremiah, God repeatedly told his people he would destroy them for their obstinate and hardened hearts. Yet in the middle of these all powerful and scorching warnings, God also slips in passages that roar, that soar, that shouts out with God’s hope and grace, refreshment and satisfaction.

Can you think of anything more reassuring, more spiritually refreshing than God’s promise to “refresh the weary and (to) satisfy the faint”? For seventy years, that’s all Israel had — God’s promise. But when God’s time came, God “showed up!” made good on his word. I believe he will do the same for us all!

Jeremiah 31:25 Authorized (King James) Version

25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

Jeremiah 31:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible

25 for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.”

Jeremiah 31:25 New Living Translation

25 For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

Jeremiah 31:25 Young’s Literal Translation

25 For I have satiated the weary soul, And every grieved soul I have filled.’

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Do you feel drained or spiritually empty? You know you’re saved, but you’re “bone weary and “soul tired” and discouraged with no perceived end to that continual state of weariness. What do we do when we want to serve the Lord with all of your heart, with all of your soul and all of your mind and with all of your strength, to just energetically live for only Him, but we’re weary and feel like there’s nothing left for us to give? The Word of God for the Children of God comes into remembrance, answers our question.  In Jeremiah 31:25, God says,

I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. 

The only one who can truly satisfy our weary souls is the one who created them.

In chapter 31 of Jeremiah, Israel is promised refreshment and restoration and satisfaction. Even wandering in the wilderness, Israel experienced God’s grace. 

 “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” verse 3

With everlasting love, God draws us to Him. He can give our weary souls rest, and hope but only if we listen, come to Him. Verse 25 says I have replenished every sorrowful soul as if it is already done. All we ever need do is to accept. 

God has promised to heal our sun-parched and cracked lips, fill the cracks in our “dehydrated” hearts and lives with His goodness. Nothing can satiate us the way God’s love can. No amount of money, fame, or relationship can. Only God. 

Every hunger and longing we have that the world cannot fix, God can. 

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.  Jeremiah 31:25 ESV

Looking up key words in a passage can help bring new meaning to the verse.

Satisfy – fulfill desire, expectation, need; to put an end to

Languishing – (languish) lacking in spirit or interest; indifferent

Replenish – to make full or complete again; to supply with fresh fuel

Using these definitions, reading and re-reading, studying, praying this Word of God, we can surely see how this verse comes alive with new meaning and depth.

For I will put an end to the weary soul and to every indifferent lacking soul I will supply fresh fuel.

The Septuagint, ancient Greek translation, reads thirsty and hungry rather than weary and sorrowful. 

The LORD is our refresher! 

Master Rabbi Jesus echoes this in his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3-6.

Are we poor in spirit? Are we indeed mourning? Are we hungry and thirsty for righteousness? If so, we can go to the ever-flowing river of Life in the LORD. We can drink deeply of His Word and Spirit. We can be refreshed, and our energy renewed to do what calling He places into our hearts. What a joy. What a God!

Reflect

God will supply with fresh fuel – a fresh word – when we are weary and worn down.  He will fill us! He will satisfy us completely, so we will lack for nothing.

Relate

Spending time with His Word is the way God will speak and fulfill a dry and worn-out spirit. We must discipline ourselves, make spending time with His word our highest priority. Continually dwelling in His Word and presence will help us prevent our souls being depleted and working inside our own strength.

WOW! So incredibly powerful!

AWESOME! So incredibly inspiring!

FINALLY! So hopeful, so hope-filled, so absolutely refreshing and satisfying!

In the name of God, The Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us refresh our souls through prayer,

Great Shepherd, I am bone tired and soul weary. Please refresh my Spirit and my body. Please help me find satisfaction in the abundance you have already so graciously shared with me. To you belongs all glory, honor, strength and power. I joyously submit my whole and entire self in faith, in hope, waiting for the rest and satisfaction you have promised. In Jesus’ name I pray. Alleluia! Amen.

https://translate.google.com/

Open Hearts! Open Souls! Open Lives! Open Hands! Open Hope! Open Faith! Open Doors! Living into God’s Time!

At the beginning of the year, I sensed the Lord’s urging for me to grow in the area of prayer. To set aside focused time to pray expectantly. Since this time, I have been praying with and for those who dare to show, share the same passion for growing and maturing into the image of God by praying. We pray for each other, twice a week first thing in the morning for people we both know, and we do not know, for (un)believers around the world as well as many other things. 

One of the beautiful things that has come from our time together is that our prayer has morphed into a time of being directed by the Lord rather than us bringing a grocery list of items to petition Him with. In other words, we have definitely gotten very bold and have grown in our ability to pray as He directs.

We gather together with our Pastor. We hear, and we listen as we read Scripture text together. I deeply believe that the things we have learned and experienced together can clearly be gleaned from this short simple verse in Colossians, “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving” (Colossians. 4:2 AMPLIFIED). 

Colossians 4:2-4 Amplified Bible

2 Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Throughout the length and breadth of our Christian life, we are entreated to continue steadfastly in prayer, to pray continuously, to present our needs before our heavenly Provider, to lift up others to the eternal throne of grace, and to bend our ear to His gentle promptings.

This is entreaty proposed by the Apostle Paul to the followers of Colossae whom he has never met, as a duty and responsibility, and yet it is the greatest privilege given to the believer – to come, gather before the throne of grace with petitions, prayers, and pleas for our fellowman and for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain between man and God had been torn, and we are called upon to enter the holy place. We are to bring, in our hands, our hearts, our hopes, the needs of others, together with our grateful thanks, and to offer them in humble reverence before the feet of our Father in heaven.

The Apostle Paul was a man who devoted himself to pray for the saints and to continue steadfastly in prayer. In this verse, he calls the believers in Colossae to continuously, continually discipline, devote themselves into becoming prayer warriors, “devote yourselves to prayer…” he writes, “keeping alert in prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Open hearts! Open Souls! Open God’s doors!

Discipline! Devotion to prayer meant to continue steadfastly in prayer by their coming to the throne of grace for mercy to find help in times of need. We are to persevere in prayer… to commit to pray and not to give up, especially when the answer seems a long time in coming. We are to persist in prayer, even when we are faced with mounting difficulties and discouragements, we are to pray daily – to pray without ceasing, to take up our cross daily and to saturate it in prayer. 

Prayer is to become as regular as our breathing, but too often prayer is the first Christian ‘duty’ to be dropped when life starts to close-in on us, or time seems to be at a premium. Often, an irregular prayer life is the first slippery step on the downward path to complacency, carnality, and an ineffective Christian witness.

Our discipline and devotion to Prayer is our means to maintain an unbroken and continual fellowship with our heavenly Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit and unless we develop persistence in prayer and devote ourselves to praying, we are in serious danger of becoming lazy, disinterested, compromised in our faith.

Personal discipline and devotion to prayer is to ensure that every piece of our spiritual armor has been prayerfully strapped on. In Ephesians, Paul calls us to, “Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and stay alert in prayer, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18-19)

Prayer is not sitting for a few minutes with hands folded, and eyes shut tight.

Prayer is the tool we have been given to prepare us for the work God has called us to do and to ensure that we are well-prepared when faced with a crisis.

Prayer is not meant to be saved solely for a rainy or snowy day or only used in case of an emergency. Prayer is our connection; it is our lifeline to the Lord, we should continually discipline ourselves, develop an attitude of ceaseless prayer. 

Continuous, ceaseless, prayer is not being engaged in a prayer closet 24/7 but is developing an addiction of prayer. It is our initiating a mindset of prayer… of keeping the lines of communication to the heavenly throne-room open and clean, as we walk in spirit and truth and abide in Christ, moment by moment.

During Christ’s ordeal in Gethsemane, a number of the disciples fell asleep when their prayer support would have been so welcome, and they had to be admonished to, “watch and pray – that ye enter not into temptation.” We live in fallen bodies with an inherent sin nature and hindering the prayer-life of the saints is a top priority for the enemy of our soul. “Keep alert in prayer,” we are all charged, “Watch and pray, with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Luke 22:39-46)

Throughout this epistle, we are challenged to pray, “with thanksgiving”.

Paul opened his letter to the Colossians by telling them, “I give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,” and later he gave thanks to the Father for their great salvation and inheritance of the saints in the light. In chapter 2 we read the saints were, “firmly rooted and being built up in Him and established in your faith – just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving.”

In chapter 3 Paul exhorts the Colossians, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him,” and here in chapter 4 we are instructed to, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

Prayer is warmed by worship, petitions are perfected by praise, promises are claimed through a grateful heart, and intercessions are offered in the solemn acknowledgement that we have an everlasting audience with the King of kings and Lord of lords. Prayer should not be the “hit and miss” quick afterthought of a busy believer, but a deeply humbled attitude that permeates one’s whole life.

Prayer should be the in-breathing of our Lord into the inner core of our being and prayer should be the out-breathing of our utter devotion to our Saviour and Lord. Let us try to discipline ourselves to remember that when the prayers of the saints are offered up to the Lord in steadfast faith, combined with grateful thanks and a trusting heart, we have the authority of heaven behind all that we carry into/unto the throne of grace – through His nail-pierced hands and feet.

Be Disciplined and Be Devoted to Prayer

Prayer is a skill; it takes time and discipline and practice to develop. To grow one must practice, which means growth comes from praying regularly. Paul said, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians. 5:17). Pray without ceasing, pray perseveringly. James said, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). So, the first key is placing importance on praying. If it is not something you envision as important, you will never be devoted to it. 

Prayer carries with it a great promise from God—an answer, when the prayer is offered in faith according to God’s will. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). This is incentive to pray; learn what God’s will is and pray in faith. When you do you will see results, He will answer your prayers.

Be Watchful! Be Alert and Intent in Prayer

I steadfastly believe God wants all of His Children to pray, because in it is the ability for Him to move and act in and throughout our 21st century world. He has given authority on earth to believers (Matthew. 18:18; Luke 10:17-19) which carries with it a great responsibility. Prayer is truly one of our greatest weapons (Ephesians. 6:18-19) in other words, a prayerless Church is a weak Church. 

Here’s a few thoughts from great men of faith…

“Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God” E.M Bounds; The Necessity of Prayer.

“God does nothing but in answer to prayer” John Wesley.

“The prayer closet is the arena that produces the overcomer” Paul E. Billheimer; Destined for the Throne.

Pauls instructions are that we are to be watchful, alert and intent in prayer. It is not a last resort, it is our first line of defense.

Be Thankful in Prayer

If devotion and intention get us to the true place where we are praying than gratitude and thankfulness is the key that unlocks the power of prayer. Why?

Because praise elevates you into a different realm of praying. Praise turns the focus off you and onto God; the result is faith and remember the prayer of faith is powerful (James 5:16b); the prayer of faith is answered (I John 5:14-15) and the prayer of faith moves mountains (Mark 11:23-24).

“Praise is the detergent that purifies faith and purges doubt from the heart. The secret of answered prayer is faith without doubt (Mark 11:23). And the secret of faith without doubt is praise—triumphant praise, continuous praise, praise that is a way of life” Paul E. Billheimer; Destined for the Throne.

Let’s Open our Hearts! Let’s Open up our Souls! Come, Let’s Have a Heart-to-Heart Conversation with our Jesus … Let us Open up a brand-new Door!

In the name of God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us pray,

Heavenly Father, I deeply bless You for Your grace and mercy to us. Thank You Jesus that I have the right to lay at Your feet my own needs and those of others. Increase my understanding of the great privilege of prayer which has now been granted to me and all Your children, and I pray that I increasingly devote my life to You in prayer, praise, and grateful thanks. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.

https://translate.google.com/

When Living Hope is all that Remains for us to Live our Lives by. Psalm 42:2

Psalm 42:1-4 New American Standard Bible

BOOK 2

Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

For the music director. A [a]Maskil of the sons of Korah.

42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So my soul [c]pants for You, God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and [d]appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 I remember these things and pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God,
With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Moses had to quickly flee into the desert after being discovered to have killed an Egyptian. He had not nearly enough time to outfit and provision himself for the long journey to wherever it was going to take him. Moses was a strong man, and a strong leader, he was truly well versed in surviving desert environments when he has had that large number of others serving his needs and also providing for each and every last one of them before he needed to ask or command for them.

Now, it was all going to be different now that he was discovered to have killed the Egyptian. He needed to leave and leave quickly or risk his own arrest and his humiliation, and the humiliation of the very throne of Egypt and then his death. No time to plan for provisions – for water and for food and for transportation by some means other than great chariots pulled by all the very mightiest of horses. He would be on his own now. He would be traversing the vast wilderness, desert upon his own two feet. Not one could help him, else they’d risk their own lives.

On your own. Thrust by circumstances both seen and unforeseen, in unfamiliar territory. Not knowing where to turn or when to turn for help. Enveloped deep within a situation for which there seems to be no visible nor evident solutions. We walk alongside Moses in such times as this held captive by our thoughts and our actions we cannot take back or move forward from. Homelessness, poverty, a total lack of resources and lack of even basic day to day provision to survive.

We have our own inner resources – our wits, our life skills which our parents had given us as we grew up. We learned about surviving life as life was thrust at us at a pace, we allowed ourselves to believe was wholeheartedly manageable. I have been there and done that more times than I can count, and I believe myself to be a strong person as I am sure each of those who read these few words also believe themselves to be a strong person capable of surviving whatever comes.

That is … until when the irresistible force of our pride and vanity runs headlong into that immovable brick wall, we are unceremoniously stopped in our tracks. There are no more survival skills for us to fall back on – that well has dried up. We are in that penultimate place where we literally have nowhere else to turn. No direction of the compass can we travel where there is any resemblance of that which we can call a living hope for a living and prosperous hope for our future. There is not one single hair follicle from our head that is left unpulled. No food, water is apparent to us as we navigate this most unwanted barrenness.

That is, until we chance to look up from out of our vast misery to see that quiet scene as the Psalmist did those thousands of years ago. That tranquil scene of one lone deer prancing and walking up to that source of water we had not seen nor even considered taking notice of, but which had always been there before us. A deer, coming out of the wilderness, seemingly without a care in the world approaches the edges of a flowing stream, sets itself to the business of taking a long cool drink to slake its lingering thirst. Such a tranquil scene, courtesy of the Lord our God in that exact moment when we needed to see and learn from it.

A scene which suddenly, now totally distracts us from the worst of the worst we had assigned to our limited fields of vision. A deer quietly reaches its head down to the still and quiet waters flowing and running before it. Lo! Placed before us is a brand-new survival skill. “LOOK UP!” NOTICE ALL THE QUIET WHICH IS ALWAYS AND FOREVER THERE BEFORE US! If the one deer is drinking quietly, why aren’t we? It is not as if that deer does not have anything else to be leery of, such as predators lurking nearby, it is just that in that exact moment, it knows it needs to drink, it recognizes its thirst, it recognizes the water as its survival. It’s absolute need for survival in that moment, overwhelms all its worst fears.

Such a tranquil and inspiring and empowering scene, for me, leads me away to the few remaining quiet places which remain unidentified deep within my soul.

It places a great, and much needed pause in all my most sorrowful pleadings: “WHERE ARE YOU, GOD, WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST? LIKE RIGHT NOW!”

It encourages me to look OUTWARD and therefore, move myself FORWARD.

• It challenges us look at the real “dry places in our life” being our prayer life.

• It urges us to look up into the reality of God’s creation and to worship.

• It directly and decisively confronts the dynamic vibrance of our sin life.

• It helps us to enter the battlefields of the whims of our flesh versus God.

• It breathes a new and EVER living hope into us when we are under attack.

• It opens our eyes to the greatness of God and the power of His salvation.

• It mightily, quietly, softens the “immeasurable” blows of disappointment.

• It molds and shapes our minds into the greater SHALOM and plan of God.

The intense heart-soul – spirit yearnings of the Psalmist for the Lord and his deep pleading enquiry to know the whereabouts of his God, resounds like the repetitive tolling of a thousand, thousand blasts of the great Shofar through the intensely personal and sorrowful pleadings of Korah, in his Psalm – before he finally reached God’s victory in his heart and a deep satisfaction within his soul.

The soul which mightily thirsts for the Lord and heavily and zealously pants for the presence of its living God and keep on and on thirsting and panting for Him is the one for whom the Lord Himself will provide His deep well of satisfaction, brimming to over-abundance, overflowing with the refreshing waters of His life – living water that revives, restores revitalizes and reinvigorates the man or woman whose deepest inner being cries out; “I thirsteth!’ for more of my Jesus.

The one who asks, and indeed, mightily, thirstily, pleads for more of Jesus and keeps on asking will surely receive. The one who seeks the Savior and keeps on seeking will find Him and the one that thirsts and pants and keep on thirsting and panting for more of Jesus – will have their mightiest of thirsts quenched!!!

2 Corinthians 4 New Revised Standard Version

Treasure in Clay Jars

4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, “Let light 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.

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture— “I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. 15 Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

When our wells seem to be at their driest, in all times and in and from all places, when we are in the very smallest or the very greatest of needs of revival, may we all in humility of heart, and the thirstiest of souls and gentleness of spirit thirst and all keep on thirsting for God, for the more deeply we sense our need of our Lord, Savior Jesus, the more passionately we’ll pursue the Living Waters of life.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us now seek the quiet, tranquil places from where even the deer will pray,

Heavenly Father, I thirst! therefore I pray that You would develop within me a deeper and more personal thirst for You with each passing day, for it is only as I drink deeply of You that my soul can be satisfied – only as I am refreshed by Your Living Waters of life… may I be used as a conduit through whom Your refreshment may be poured out to other thirsty souls, in Jesus’ name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

https://translate.google.com/