Tag: prayer

“In the Morning when I rise, In the morning, Lord, YOU hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5

Psalm 5 New King James Version

A Prayer for Guidance

To the Chief Musician. With [a]flutes. A Psalm of David.

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my [b]meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil [c]dwell with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward [d]Your holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

9 For there is no [e]faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.
10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,
For they have rebelled against You.

11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You [f]defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

At one place in his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis suggests that each morning starts the same way for everyone. When we wake up, rise up, all the thoughts about what we hope to accomplish that day flood our mind. Lewis writes that our plans for the day resemble wild animals that rush toward us.

I don’t know, nor can I speak, if this describes how a day typically begins for you. But Lewis goes on to describe something that everyone should experience each morning. He encourages us to pay attention to another reality: the deeper, more intimate life we have in our Savior Jesus Christ. Instead of all our fretting over the concerns of the new day, we should allow God’s peace to flow into us.

That sounds like a wonderful description of morning prayer.

It’s what David, in Psalm 5 describes as being a two-way conversation between us and God our Father. We wake up, We rise up, We speak up, and we listen up.

We pray it up, and we wait. We act, and we receive. We begin our day with God.

We are informed by God Morning prayers sets the tone for the day that follows.

If the morning begins with worry first, that will only increase as the day moves along. But if we start out by “Good Morning God!” enjoying time with God and receiving strength from God, we will more likely remain in his peace as the day continues. God teaches there’s no better way to begin the day than with prayer.

“God, as I pass through my day …” Transformative Things That Will Enhance Your Prayer Life Today

Psalm 34:17-19 New King James Version

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as [a]have a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

As I opened my morning devotional first thing this morning, the Scripture for the day is from Psalm 34 of which I have pulled out the verses that spoke to me.

It wasn’t long before I was reminded of the many issues before me, struggling with responses to the chaos in the world with grace-filled thoughts, prayers.

I felt the Lord whispering unto me that I should be deepening my prayer life.

I was surprised since I thought I had a consistent prayer time every morning before I sit down, gather my thoughts, engage the Lord, and write my blog.

What could the Lord possibly mean by this?

Soon, God started revealing exactly how my prayer life was going to be enlarged and enhanced, which would hopefully, prayerfully, also fill me with more grace and appropriate responses to situations. Let me share with you ways the Lord led me to try enhancing my prayer life that will perhaps resonate with you also.

Actively Anticipate and Expect that the Lord will be Moving in Your Prayer Life.

Philippians 1:3-7 New King James Version

Thankfulness and Prayer

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Sometimes, we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by everything happening in our personal lives and in the world.

Things that might cause anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, maybe even hopelessness in our soul.

It’s easy to forget that those are the very times we need to take everything to the Lord in prayer.

I mean everything!

I’ll readily confess that’s not always my normal response, but it should be. So many occurrences in our daily lives are actually calls from the Lord to pray about them instead of trying to figure out how to fix them ourselves. God is trying to move us all to a deeper dependence on him in all circumstances.

I’m not saying the Lord purposely puts situations in your path to pray over, but sometimes we stumble over them instead of lifting them up to God for answers.

We’ve all been around prayer warriors who break out into prayer continuously and spontaneously. Petitioning and praising. I have friends like that and when I’m around them, as a consequence, I soon realize just how little I actually pray.

Many of us relegate our prayers to morning devotionals and before meals, but then we might set God aside for the day while we busily deal with life instead of anticipating opportunities to call on God like the Scriptures remind us to do. 

Romans 12:3-8 New King James Version

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering;  he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Do Not be Afraid and Follow Through When Prayer Assignments Are Discerned and are then Revealed

James 5:13-18 New King James Version

Meeting Specific Needs

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 [a]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

A prayer assignment occurs every time we sense someone, something, or even an issue which is in need of prayer. It could be illness, job loss, death, problem children, finances, work decisions even world events…really the list is endless.

Our tendency is to express an appropriate measure of concern or condolences and say, “I’ll pray for you,” whether it’s in person, by phone or on social media.

But could it be that our assignment is to pray in the moment?!

Ask the person if you could pray for them right at the time. If it’s on social media, text, or email, write out a short prayer response. When you hear bad news on the media, drop to your knees and pray, especially when you want to throw something or yell at the monitor screen. Take it to God in prayer instead.

Seek His Kingdom First, A true Watchman for God, Be on the Alert Look for the Opportunities to Pray More.

2 Samuel 18:24-27 New American Standard Bible 1995

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running by himself. 25 The watchman called and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer.  26 Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man running by himself.” And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” 27 The watchman said, “I [a]think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “This is a good man and comes with good news.”

It’s wonderful to stop, watch and pray for those revealed prayer opportunities, but our prayer life will become even more vibrant when we also consciously and consistently seek out opportunities to observe and declare when to pray. With the chaos, upheaval in our world today, it is not hard to find occasions to pray.

With practice and diligence, we can all become beacons of hope, courage, love, compassion and grace when we extend to others and to ourselves the gift of offering prayers to our Lord and Savior. How that blesses him, others, and us.

Ask yourself How much larger, More beautiful, could God’s Kingdom become?

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 16 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Lord the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.

A [a]Mikhtam of David.

16 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have no good besides You.”
3 As for the [d]saints who are in the earth,
[e]They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The [f]sorrows of those who have [g]bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my [h]mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to [i]Sheol;
Nor will You [j]allow Your [k]Holy One to [l]undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

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Parents, Do Tell Your Children, Teach Your Children Some Powerful Prayers About Lady Wisdom. Proverbs 22:1-6

Proverbs 22:1-6 New American Standard Bible 1995

On Life and Conduct

22 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor [a]have a common bond,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the [b]naïve go on, and are punished for it.
4 The reward of humility and the [c]fear of the Lord
Are riches, honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards himself will be far from them.
6 Train up a child [d]in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Parents, Tell Your Children, Teach Your Children

Proverbs 22:1-6 The Message

The Cure Comes Through Discipline

22 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich;
    a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—
    God made them both!

3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
    a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God
    is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick;
    if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it.

6 Point your kids in the right direction—
    when they’re old they won’t be lost.

Well, Memorial Day weekend is here and summer is right around the corner.

Soon children will be out of school – some will be graduating high school, and some will be graduating from college and still others will be getting ready for the next grade level and some will just be getting old enough for kindergarten.

Summer time and summer vacations, now parents will too often face a moral dilemma in the lines at the admission gates of theme parks and sporting events.

If a child is in a more expensive age bracket but looks young enough to pass for a cheaper rate, the parents are probably tempted just a wee bit to lie about the child’s age, tell the child to be quiet, thinking it might be better to save money.

22 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich;
    a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—
    God made them both!

Character, Character, Character!

Integrity, Integrity, Integrity!

Honesty, Honesty, Honesty!

Fairness, Fairness, Fairness!

Because if we let one “wee little innocent” sin in the door, others follow.

A parent’s lie at the admission gate amounts to stealing from the company.

It suggests to a child who is watching that it’s no big deal to lie to Mom or Dad or to steal from them or others.

And if a lying, stealing parent tries to use discipline on a lying, stealing child, that only drives a wedge between the generations.

“Do as I say, not as I do” does not meet God’s standard for raising children being; “6 Train up a child [d]in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” “6Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.”

Children’s lives, regardless of how old they are can mirror their parents’ lives in frightfully convicting ways—or, conversely, truly wonderfully affirming ways.

Forgiveness from God is the only way forward.

Parents prove each day that they are sinners, and their admitting this to their children clears the air and points them to Jesus. It’s never too late to apologize.

What a fine Christian Parent witness it is when parents, regardless of their age, readily admit even their need for God`s grace! The way to God is the way to go.

Regardless of their Age, Please Teach Your Children a just Few Powerful Prayers to Fill Them with Wisdom.

James 1:5-8 The Message

5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

Wisdom can be defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Some forms of wisdom come naturally as our kids grow up and experience more of life. Other forms can be taught. My prayer is for my children to be open to wisdom, recognize it for what it is, and learn to love living it out.

The book of Proverbs is full of simple, profound wisdom for living. In fact, I’ve read and prayed through the Proverbs many times, for many different reasons.

I’ve used it to pray for my marriage.

I’ve used it to pray for friends and family, and as I read it each time, I almost always found myself pausing to pray specific verses for my children. The older I get and the older they get, the more convinced I am wisdom and understanding, and knowledge are some of the most treasured, valuable gifts I can give them.

In my present state of age and God’s grace I have found that there are basically only two types of people—the foolish and the wise.

The foolish man says in his heart, “there is no God,” (Psalm 14:1, 53:1) and does as exactly as he pleases all his days. The wise man so fears the Lord, and follows Him (Proverbs 1:7), keeps his character, integrity and honor front and at center.

Choose which do you want your child to be—foolish or wise?

The older they get, the more I desire for my children to have wisdom, and the Proverbs are where I turn most often.

They serve as a guide, helping us know how to make decisions, which paths to take, and how to understand the life God has called us to live as believers.

Doesn’t that sound exactly like what you want God to accomplish in your child’s heart? But, just how do we ensure that our children will choose God’s wisdom?

I invite you to start the process with prayer.

Prayer is one of the most important parts of Christian parenting today.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most overlooked and underutilized and under developed, under taught, under emphasized lessons parents teach the children.

God has assured us that when we need wisdom, He’ll give it (James 1:5).

I suggest praying God’s Word for your children (and yourself).

Reason being it’s, “living and active…able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12), and because despite all circumstances, it will do exactly what God purposes for it to do in the heart of your child (Isaiah 55:8-11).

Prayer is a partnership between you, your child and the God Who loves your child more than you do. He will use your prayers in the life of your child, and in your own heart to give you His place of comfort and direction in times of need.

With that in mind, here are three scriptures to pray for your child to have wisdom:

1. A Prayer for Our Children to Walk in Awe of the Lord

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man…The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” – Proverbs 1:1-4 & 7

A Prayer for Our Children to Walk in Awe of the Lord

Father, help my child to learn Your wisdom and discipline, and make them open to patience, self control, understanding insight. May they have deep reverential fear of You, Lord, so they can receive wisdom, truly begin to have knowledge.

2. A Prayer for Our Children to Listen to the Lord

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:1-6

A Prayer for Our Children to Listen to the Lord

Father, help my child accept your words and commit your commands to heart. Help them to keep their mouth shut, listen closely to wisdom and direct their heart to understanding. May they seek Your wisdom like it’s a precious jewel.

3. A Prayer for Our Children to Trust God

“Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:3-8

A Prayer for Our Children to Trust God

Father, make my child, children, loyal and faithful, finding favor and highest regard with God and others. Help them to implicitly trust in You with all their heart and not lean on his own understanding. May they acknowledge You in all his ways, may they then be healed And as he do, God makes their paths straight.

Learning to Pray for Our Children

If your child needs God’s wisdom (and who doesn’t?), begin praying right away.

Look to God’s Word to show you what to pray, and bring your petitions to the Lord on their behalf night and day.

You might not always know what to do, but you can always know what to pray.

If you need help learning to pray God’s Word, download a free copy of the how-to guide, How to Pray God’s Word for Your Children. 

And don’t forget to pray for yourself.

Ask God to give you compassion for what your children are going through, for strength to follow Him faithfully in your own life, for wisdom for the next step.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 119:1-16 The Message

119 1-8 You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
    I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
    don’t ever walk off and leave me.

* * *

9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
    By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
    don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
    so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
    train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
    all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
    than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
    I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
    I won’t forget a word of it.

* * *

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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A Contemporary Response to Hannah and for Those Mothers who Identify: “God Sees You, God Will Touch You!” 1 Samuel 1:19-23

1 Samuel 1:19-23 New American Standard Bible 1995

Samuel Is Born to Hannah

19 Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah [a]had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 It came about [b]in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best [c]to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

A Message to Hannah … I See You This Mother’s Day!

In the days of Elkanah, Peninnah, and Hannah, polygamy was acceptable.

Also in those days a woman’s worth was measured mainly by how many sons she had.

As the years crawled by and Hannah remained infertile, her sorrow grew.

But her pain made fertile soil for spiritual growth.

She prayed fervently.

Many people find that their deepest trials draw them closer to God.

Hannah learned that God is the one to whom all people and all things belong.

One day Hannah was praying so intensely that when a man of God, Eli, saw her, he thought she was drunk.

He ordered her to get rid of her wine.

But she had not been drinking.

She said to him, “I was pouring out my soul to the Lord… I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Then Eli encouraged her and said, “Go in peace.”

“In the course of time” little Samuel was born to Hannah and Elkanah.

Because Samuel was a gift of God, Hannah dedicated him to the service of the Lord.

He became one of the most faithful leaders of God’s people.

Infertility still cuts deep into the lives of many couples.

This story does not promise that all infertile couples will have children.

It does reassure us that those who stay close to the heart of God in the their pain and pray for the face of God will see God work things out for his good purpose.

God’s 2024 Message To Our Hannah Moms: “Surely, As I saw Hannah, I See You This Mother’s Day too!”

1 Samuel 1:19-23 Complete Jewish Bible

19 They got up early in the morning and worshipped before Adonai, then returned and came to their house in Ramah.

Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and Adonai remembered her. 20 She conceived; and in due time she gave birth to a son, whom she named Sh’mu’el, “because I asked Adonai for him.”

21 The husband, Elkanah, went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to Adonai and fulfill his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, explaining to her husband, “Not till the child has been weaned. Then I will bring him, so that he can appear before Adonai and live there forever.” 23 Her husband Elkanah answered her, “Do what seems good to you; stay here until you have weaned him. Only may Adonai bring about what he said.” So the woman stayed behind and nursed the child, until she weaned him.

Mother’s Day is today, and in the name of our Savior, I want to say “I see you, and more importantly, God sees you. He honors the important work you are doing.”

I see you, Momma-To-Be…

As you are waiting, expecting, and anticipating this whole new world to come. 

May the joy of the Lord be your strength. May you know that God is with you and God will touch you as you help to usher miraculous new life into this world. Your strength is impressive and miraculous. Your ability to co-create with God is beyond stunning.

I see you, Expectant Momma…

Who feels unsure, unwell, unready, scared of how to bring life into the world.

Would our strong God equip you with all you need to mother his Creation. Would God’s supernatural provision be for you a significant part of your story. Would you know that every child is made in the image of God. He will guide you on this journey and help you even in the moments that feel so heavy you surely think you may break.

I see you, Birth Momma…

As you wonder, miss, pray, and grieve this Mother’s Day. 

God sees your heart. God upholds, strengthens, your heart. He is there to care for all your children, even as they are growing up with another mother that also loves them. Giving the gift of life is an amazing gift. Your willingness to love a child by carrying, nurturing them in your body and giving birth is so noble. Your motherhood matters.

I see you, Grieving-Yet-Hopeful Mother…

Wishing, watching, waiting, worshiping, pondering, praying, persevering for the day, that by God’s grace, you get to join the ranks of Mothers that came before you. 

God knows the deepest desires of your heart and is close to you as you walk through those disappointments, medical appointments, loss, and waiting.

May God give you strength and purpose as you walk this tough road. May God remind you that you are so valuable just as you are. No matter what the future holds for you and your family you are strong, beautiful, and God loves you.

I see you, Mom-Who-Has-Lost…

Miscarriage… the loss of a child before their time… stillborn, seeing a child slip away to tumultuous waves, storms or lifestyle choices… other losses that burden your soul. 

The God of all comfort is with you always. God is there to hold your hand, God is there to uphold. May God whisper his sustaining love into your ears, may you know you are never alone even when life feels heavier than your soul can bear.

I see you, Foster Mother…

As you stand in the gap for children and families who are in need of support. 

As God heard, remembered Hannah, captured all of her tears in a bottle, God sees your love, your prayers, and your sacrifice. He knows you are so attached and loves your willingness to pour out your life for the sake of the least of these around you. May He give you the strength and wisdom you need to walk this stretching road.

I see you, Single, Separated, Divorced Momma…

As you try to meet so many needs all on your own. 

May God bring a supportive community around you that steps in to offer you all their prayers, friendship and material support you need on your mothering journey. Would you’ll know that you are doing good and meaningful work. You are strong, beautiful, capable, and by all your prayers, may God give you wisdom for each and every day.

I see you, Empty-Nesting-Momma…

As you do the work of letting go of the little birds you sacrificed everything for, poured every resource of your life into, with hopes they would one day soar. 

May you one day delight in seeing how your sacrificial investment into your children is now producing beautiful fruit in their lives. In due time and in the seasons to come, Would you know too that there is true purpose and truest joy to be found in this new season. That evolving, changing, letting go, gives way to God’s guidance to new life.

I see you, New-Oh-So-Tired-Momma…

As you wonder how much more you can give before you actually give out. 

May God bring you His supernatural rest this Mother’s Day. Remember, this too shall pass. Allow, permit yourself, the grace to find rest, without carrying that sneaky Mom guilt. Mom, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Breaks are required to do this job well.

I see you, Adoptive Mom…

As you went through the long and expensive process of adoption, as you love so fiercely, as you look upon a child you did not give birth, and wonder if your love is going to be enough, if you are going to be strong enough, courageous enough and bold enough, able enough, to raising them, doing this adoption thing well. 

Would God give you the knowledge and wisdom you need to navigate the triad of your adoptee, their first family, and your home. Would you have peace to know that even when your love isn’t enough, God is! He is the healer of our wounds and the keeper of our children. He promises them a hope and a future. God’s got you!

I see you, Kinship Care Momma…

As you love and care for children you never expected to care for as your own.

Your courage and willingness to step up for the children in your family or community is miraculously beautiful. May God be with you in this utmost challenging, sacrificial role. Would God, through His presence. strengthen you when the work feels heavy.

I see you, Stepmom…

As you work to create a home that blends different stories into one unit. 

In His time, Would God make something beautiful in your home. May he do abundantly more than you could ask or ever imagine, on your family’s behalf.

To all the mothers out there; no matter your story, loss, place on this journey, if you feel like you are rocking it at this job or if you feel like you are failing or are a failure … The eternally beautiful truth is God sees you upholds and loves you!

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9-10The Message

9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

The work of motherhood is good work.

Don’t give up.

The reward is one that is counted in sweet tender embraces, in milestones met, through forgiveness, grace, lessons learned, and memories made.

Motherhood is a lifetime of prayers, sacrifice, service, unconditional love, apologies, growth, tears, laughter, joy, worship of God and so much more.

Please remember this Mother’s Day, that Isaiah 40:11 says,

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

Isaiah 40:11 Amplified Bible

11 
He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.

The God who comforts and guides is faithful to lead you on this wild journey.

Momma, always Celebrate God as God always Celebrates You!

Everyone else, always Celebrate Momma as God always Celebrates Her!

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

Let us Pray,

“Dear Lord, on this day dedicated to celebrating and honoring You, honoring and celebrating mothers, we thank You for the blessings of motherhood. We are grateful for our mothers’ love, strength, and guidance in the shaping our lives. Guide them and Bless them all with joy, peace, and love on this special day and always. Amen.”

Psalm 139:13-18 Complete Jewish Bible

13 For you fashioned my inmost being,
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I thank you because I am awesomely made,
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from you
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes could see me as an embryo,
but in your book all my days were already written;
my days had been shaped
before any of them existed.
17 God, how I prize your thoughts!
How many of them there are!
18 If I count them, there are more than grains of sand;
if I finish the count, I am still with you.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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The peace of God, which transcends all understanding; Finding that place of real Tranquility in God’s Presence. Philippians 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4-7 The Message

4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Our culture surrounds us with things that subtract from our ability to find peace and tranquility.

Let’s be honest—we live in an instant generation—we literally despise waiting for anything. Tranquility is not instantaneous and neither is it always welcome.

We would not be able to handle dial-up Internet.

Today, if it doesn’t load in less than two seconds, then something is wrong.  

Earbuds, iPads, social media, sports, shopping and work.

All of these contribute to our busyness.

They are not bad in and of themselves, but they detract us from our tranquility.  

Tranquility is an inner sense of calm that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

This is from God and, I believe, that it’s mostly found through relational, intimate prayer. 

Finding tranquility in moments of still prayer is not easy to do in our instant culture, so here are a few tips.

Slow down

In John Ortberg’s book, Soul Keeping, he suggests that the challenges of the world test the depths and elasticity of the soul.

Like a computer’s operating system, our soul integrates everything—the will, body, emotions and seeks harmony.

When we overload the system, it is bound to crash. 

We need to slow down.

We’re so busy doing life, that we forget about life.

In our packed schedules, we have one gear—fast.

Slowing down allows us to carve out intentional time to get alone with the Creator.

We can’t find tranquility in crammed calendars.

A friend of mine made an acrostic for the word, busy—“bent under Satan’s yoke.”

I like that.

I learned that slowing down for intentional times of prayer, increased my peace and ability to wait on God.

As it’s been said, we were created for camel time, for horse and buggy time.

Right up until 1900, mankind rode upon horseback or walked.

This allowed times for processing and time for prayer.

We had intentional alone time with God.

Nowadays, we shut our car doors, turn on the XM satellite, and away we go.

What is the concept of tranquility?

The noun tranquility means “a state of peace and quiet,” like the tranquility you feel in the woods, at the shore of a quiet lake or inside a beautiful cathedral.

Tranquility can also describe a person’s disposition …

What does tranquility in my heart mean?

I suggest it means a peaceful, calm state, without noise, violence, worry, etc.: living in peace and tranquility.

What is the spiritual meaning of tranquility?

It is a state of mind that transcends external circumstances, enabling we as individuals to experience serenity, harmony, and a deep sense of contentment.

Why is tranquility important?

Tranquility has also been suggested to improve mental health and reduce psychological distress by reducing stress and anxiety, allowing one to have more control over their thoughts, helping one to sleep better and to take more time to carefully consider, derive new solutions, to manage difficult situations.

What is the difference between peace and tranquility?

Peace is a broader concept that encompasses societal and global harmony, while tranquility primarily relates to an individual’s inner state of calmness and serenity.

Peace can involve resolving conflicts, while tranquility focuses on achieving a peaceful and tranquil state of mind.

Lets take it a step or two further …

What does the Bible say about tranquility?

10 
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah. Psalm 46:10-11

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; [a]believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:25-27

What is the meaning of divine tranquility?

Divine Tranquility is a graceful tribute designed to convey solace, compassion, and unwavering support during times of loss.

All this GOD depth of meaning to be found in that single word – TRANQUILITY!

Having read these meanings, have you the reader begun to feel any Tranquility?

Finding Tranquility in God’s Presence

Philippians 4:4-7 Amplified Bible

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

n a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, the peace of God offers us solace and tranquility.

It is a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

To experience the peace of God, we surrender our anxieties and worries to him in prayer.

We present our requests with thanksgiving, knowing God cares deeply for us.

In God’s presence we find comfort, assurance, and a quiet confidence that he is in control.

The peace of God is not dependent on our circumstances but on our trust in him.

It is a supernatural peace that defies logic and goes echelons beyond our human understanding.

As we focus on the Lord and on his great mercy, care, and faithfulness to us, we find peace that transcends the chaos around us.

In every situation, let’s turn to God, seeking his peace.

May we cultivate a heart of gratitude, knowing that God is our truest source of strength and security. As we abide in him, his peace will guard our hearts and minds, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 23 Amplified Bible

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],
I shall not want.
2 
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
3 
He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.

4 
Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
5 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed and refreshed my head with [b]oil;
My cup overflows.
6 
Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Mark 10:41-45

Mark 10:41-45 New American Standard Bible 1995

41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with [a]James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [b]life a ransom for many.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

While walking with the Lord of glory on His sacrificial journey towards the Cross and the glorious Resurrection, and having been forewarned by Jesus of the future suffering and tribulation both He and all His followers were to face, we discover the disciples overly preoccupied, squabbling about who was be the most important person in Christ’s coming kingdom!

They were automatically expecting the Lord to set up His kingdom on earth at that time, and the deep bewilderment they must have felt when He announced that He was to suffer and die, only adds to the depths of this pitiful scenario.

And so, another important lesson to all of us began to be taught, that the world may seek after pride of place, power, and prestige, but in Christ’s economy: it’s all about “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

We sometimes look at the foolish actions and attitudes of the disciples and the many selfish comments they made, and, with an air of automatic superiority, we will quickly think to ourselves: “I would never say such unspiritual remarks or engage in such carnal actions and attitudes.”

But every lesson that the disciples were taught in their brief but untense three-year sojourn with the Lord, is an equally important lesson that we too must be about the daily business of learning and applying in our journey through life.

Mark 10:41-45 Amplified Bible

41 Hearing this, the [other] ten became indignant with James and John. 42  Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their powerful men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. 43 But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first and most important among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a [a] ransom for many.”

Let us take to heart the truth we’re in the world but we’re not to be of the world.

The world may relish the achievement, important positions and seek to exercise authority over others: “But it should not be this way among you, for whoever wishes to become great among you is to be servant of all.”

Leadership is not about exerting power and control but about serving others with humility and love. Jesus, our ultimate example of leadership, taught us that true greatness lies in our sacrificial servanthood and selfless influence.

In a world that often values ambition and self-promotion, leadership that is rooted in humility and compassion stands out.

A servant leader seeks the well-being and the spiritual development of the people they lead, empowering them to reach their full potential. A servant leader is available, listens, supports, and guides with empathy and grace.

True leadership is not defined by titles or positions but by the impact we have on others. Every interaction, decision, and action provides an opportunity to lead with honesty, integrity, authenticity, and a genuine concern for others.

As leaders, we are called to follow Jesus’ example.

We are called to lead with love, inspiring and empowering the people around us to grow and flourish. Our influence should reflect the character of Jesus Christ, nurturing an environment of truth, trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

May we embrace the call to leadership with humility and grace.

May we put the needs of others ahead of our own, seeking to serve rather than be served.

As we lead with His compassion and His integrity and His truth, let’s not dare hesitate to point others to the truth of our ultimate servant leader, Jesus Christ.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 143 New American Standard Bible 1995

Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance.

A Psalm of David.

143 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit [a]is overwhelmed within me;
My heart is [b]appalled within me.

5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, as a [c]parched land. [d]Selah.

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me,
Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
[e]I take refuge in You.

10 Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level [f]ground.
11 For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your lovingkindness, [g]cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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When Checking into God’s Hospital: Let us remember to say a Prayer for the Doctors and Nurses. Mark 2:14-17

Mark 2:14-17 New American Standard Bible 1995

Levi (Matthew) Called

14 As He passed by, He saw [a]Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

15 And it *[b]happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and [c]sinners [d]were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and [e] sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Jesus came to save sinners.

Yes, all of us are sinners. Unfortunately, many — even some people who consider themselves religious — try to pretend they are not sinners or defend the sins they have committed as “normal failures” or “mere mistakes.”

Jesus reminds us that he came to rescue sinners.

He came for us. He came to call us to join him in the work of rescuing sinners.

Will we respond?

How will we respond?

There’s so much I love about this passage and so much we could talk about in it.

Mark 2:16–17 Shows how the Spiritually Needy were Drawn to Jesus

But what I want to point out in particular and lead us to pray according to is the dynamic at work here as tax collectors and sinners are drawn to Jesus, these people who, especially the religious leaders, would have scoffed at.

They are scoffing at them.

Yet, they’re still drawn to Jesus, people who are in need of salvation, sinners, people who see that they are sick spiritually. They were being drawn to Jesus.

And I just think about my life, about my family.

I think about the church I’m a part of.

I am accountable to God, I want to serve God, I want to live and I want to be a part of a church where sinners feel welcome, where people who are far from God, feel loved and cared for, are drawn to, not because we are like the world.

That’s obviously not the case here.

In Jesus life, it was evident he was totally different from the world in such a way that those people were drawn to the grace and the mercy that was found in him.

Oh, I want my life to look like that.

I want my life to overflow with grace and mercy and love in such a way that people who are far from God through my life would be drawn to Jesus.

I want to be a part of a church where people who are far from God are strangely drawn to the love and the grace and the mercy they find in the body of Christ.

Mark 2:16–17 Encourages Us to care for the Spiritually Needy

So, can we just pray that for our lives, for our churches, that we are a part of?

God, we pray that you would help us to live and assemble as your people and operate as your people in the churches we’re a part of, in such a way that to use language from Mark 2 tax collectors and sinner, find a welcome place there in our lives, in our homes, and in our houses of worship as the body of Christ.

In this devotional we’re going to look at Mark 2:14-17.

In this passage we’ll see that Jesus reached out to and called very unlikely people to follow after Him as His disciples, people no one else would have chosen, people who were unlovely because of their sinfulness.

We come across unlovely people every day, rough and unkind people, people who reject the help that Jesus offers and anyone who talks negative about Him, people whose lives are fully corrupted and controlled by sin, people whom it’s difficult and undesirable to show even minimal love and minimal kindness to.

Do you know anyone like this, at your workplace, in your neighborhood, maybe in your family?

As we look at how Jesus showed love to these kinds of people we can imitate our Savior and ‘Learn to love the unlovely like Jesus did.’.

Please turn with me in your Bible to Mark 2:14-17.

May God speak powerfully to our hearts through His Word and use it to change our hearts and give us His love for unlovely people. This is God’s Word.

Levi (Matthew) Called

14 As He passed by, He saw [a]Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

15 And it *[b]happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and [c]sinners [d]were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and [e] sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This passage starts off in a normal way showing Jesus teaching a crowd of people.

He was doing what Rabbi’s and itinerant preachers did, teaching God’s Word to these needy people.

But then Jesus did something no one expected and something which people were greatly offended by.

Jesus saw Levi, also known as Matthew, collecting taxes and He called Levi to follow him. Immediately Levi got up from his tax booth and followed Jesus.

Now to us this is just another example of how radical Jesus’ call on people’s lives was.

He called them and they dropped everything and followed after Him.

But unless we understand how a Jewish person would read and understand this passage and view Levi, we will not understand the radical extent of Jesus’ love and call of Levi.

So, let’s spend a few moments looking at what tax collectors did and how their Jewish people viewed them.

The Romans had conquered Judea in 63 BC, so they had been ruling Judea for over 90 years before Jesus’ ministry.

The Romans taxed the Jewish people heavily, but to collect taxes they didn’t use Roman officials, they used Jews to collect taxes from their own people.

These tax collectors would not only collect the taxes the Romans demanded, but they would collect extra taxes and so they became very rich.

The tax collector did this job with the support of Roman soldiers so the Jews had no choice but to pay up.

So, Levi, also known as Matthew, was probably a very rich young man, at the expense of his own people.

Now the Jews hated the Romans who had occupied their country and oppressed them, but the Jews hated tax collectors even more.

They saw them as traitors to their own people, people who supported the hated Romans and stole from their people. 

Read through the Gospels you see tax collectors lumped in with the lowest of the low, with sinners like prostitutes and other notorious people who did not keep the Jewish Law.

No self-respecting Jew would ever be caught dead with a tax collector.

This is the environment that Jesus lived in.

Well, Jesus is teaching this big crowd walking by the sea and He looks right at Levi as he’s collecting his taxes and calls Levi to follow after him.

Everyone knew this man and everyone hated him, but in His amazing grace and love Jesus just called him to be His disciple.

People’s jaws must have hit the ground and Jesus current disciples must have been flabbergasted.

Jesus wanted this notorious sinner, this traitor to be His disciple?

This was an absolute scandal, but Jesus didn’t care what people thought.

Jesus saw past Levi’s exterior to his heart that was broken by sin and He loved Levi and called him to be His disciple.

Jesus not only called Levi to follow Him, but then He had dinner at Levi’s house.

Now no religious Jew would ever eat with tax collectors and sinners, but Jesus wasn’t concerned with what people thought.

He wanted to show love to Levi and these other sinful people.

Notice also that there were many tax collectors and sinners at Levi’s house.

Levi must have spread the word to his fellow tax collectors that Jesus had showed him love and kindness to him and called him to be His disciple.

Levi instantly became a faithful disciple of Jesus calling others to meet and talk to Him so they too could follow after Jesus.

This is the impact of God’s love on unlovely people. 

When we show rough, unkind, broken people Jesus’ love it takes root in their hearts and powerfully affects them.

Some will come to saving faith in Jesus and let other unlovely people know about Jesus so they too can experience His love and be saved. 

So, Jesus’ love for Levi had a profound impact not only on him, but gave Jesus many opportunities to eat, talk with and show radical love to others as well.

Check Your Own Pulse as you Check in to the Hospital

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 New American Standard Bible 1995

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one [a]according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ [b]according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [c]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and [d]He has [e]committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We so often as human beings we will take for granted our being able to breathe properly, having the strength to stand, walk around, or the ability to see clearly.

Yes, the Lord is our Healer, the Lord is our Great Physician and He fully does miraculous things through His touch and His words, but He also has provided people with the minds and the abilities to work alongside Him to help others.

I am a retired Registered Nurse!

My late Mother was a Registered Nurse for 42 years.

I still remember quite vividly and quite physically my experience last July 2023 when I required that urgent Triple Bypass Open Heart Surgery to save my life.

I thank God for the skills of my Surgeon and his Cardio-Thoracic surgical team.

I thank God for the skills and compassion and care of the Nursing staff and the Nursing Aides, those calm, calming demeanors and words of encouragement.

It absolutely needs to be over-emphasized that Doctors and nurses, healthcare professionals, play an oversized key role in our society and around the world.

Inside and outside of the hospitals and healthcare facilities, they help keep communities healthy and are there in some of the most difficult times in life.

Who are some specific names of medical workers who come to mind?

Take a moment and write them down or create a mental list of doctors and nurses, healthcare professionals, who serve you, your family, or your town.

This reminds us that these are real people who are making authentic sacrifices every single day to go out of their way to meet those exacting needs of others. 

Mark 2:17 tells us that the sick are the ones who need the doctor.

Ultimately we are all spiritually ill.

We all need the gospel of Jesus to set us free and to heal us from the eternal sickness that is death and punishment.

Sickness reminds us that health is a gift.

Our sin indicates that Jesus is our antidote.

Has there been a time in your life or the life of a loved one when sickness constantly ruled?

Maybe you never thought things would get better, or maybe they did not.

Perhaps you are still living in an ongoing battle with illness.

Even though our bodies can be physically worn, we are reminded by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

Our spiritual lives can become more healthy and fruitful even when our physical health is declining.

Today, I pray we will take some time to praise God for His kind gift of doctors and nurses and the vast diversity of Healthcare Professionals who care for us!

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

Exodus 15:26 New American Standard Bible 1995

26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, thank You, that You are the great healer. I am thankful I can lay my burdens at Your feet. I pray for Your healing touch in my life. You are my Jehovah-Rapha, and Your grace is sufficient. In Jesus’ name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.

Righteous Father, we thank You for being Jehovah Rapha, the Lord God who heals. Thank You for keeping our bodies healthy. Thank You for our health, for guarding our hearts, strengthening our immune systems and helping us to ward off infections and viruses. Thank you for our Heath Care professional whose God given skills and desires towards compassion and care for us We sing praises to You and Your Name.

May your favor be showered upon all of our healthcare workers, God. pray Give them favor and place a hedge of protection around their bodies to guard them from illness so that they can care for the sick. Protect their families and their homes from disease. And use them, Lord. Use them to your Glory in the healing of your Kingdom on earth.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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A Prayer to Keep a Grateful Heart; For still Finding Hope in God’s Promises. Psalm 42

Psalm 42 New American Standard Bible 1995

BOOK 2

Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

For the choir 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, O 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 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go along with the throng and [e]lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you [f]in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
[g]Hope in God, for I shall [h]again praise [i]Him
For the [j]help of His presence.
6 O my God, my soul is [k]in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the [l]peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning [m]because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you [n]in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
[o]Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The [p]help of my countenance and my God.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

In our lives we can often face times of discouragement.

Our spirits can feel heavy and our hearts burdened.

When that happens, however, we can either turn it against ourselves or we can turn it to God and lean on him, finding hope in his promises and unfailing love.

Disappointment, discouragement and its consequences can come from various sources—poor decisions, poor choices, failures all sizes, prolonged challenges.

Yet even in the midst of such trials we can choose to put our hope in God. He is our surest refuge and strength, the one who sustains us through every season.

Yesterday my devotional message was that when discouragement threatens to overwhelm us, we can decisively and will definitely find solace in God’s Word.

His mighty acts and daily provisions remind us of his faithfulness, and his promises give us hope for the future.

God is always present to help in times of trouble, and his love and grace are sufficient for us (Psalm 46:1-11; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

As we anchor (Hebrews 6:17-20) our hope in God, our perspective shifts.

17 [a]In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, [b]interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have [c]taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 [d]This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters [e]within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

As we anchor ourselves in God’s promises, we begin to see beyond our present circumstances, and we focus on the unchanging nature of our heavenly Father.

He is the source of true joy and peace, and in him we find strength to persevere.

Today, if you find yourself discouraged, turn to God in prayer.

Pour out your whole heart before him and listen for his still comforting voice.

Trust in his perfect timing and purposes, knowing that he is working all things together for your good.

Anchoring Your Soul and Keeping a Grateful Heart

Colossians 3:15-17 The Message

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Having a grateful heart seems to be rare these days and at a premium to find.

Social media is full and overflowing with discontented hearts–hearts that are angry, disappointed, hurt, grieving, and more. Still, God calls us to be thankful.

So where and how do we gain gratefulness in such an ungrateful world?

Many individuals are living with an outlook of lack, seeing all things they don’t have because it’s much easier to look at our glasses half-empty than half-full.

Seeing our lives as lacking leads us to believe if we only have more—more of the things we believe we need to be happy— our lives our attitudes would be utterly different.

But it’s not even close to being minimally true.

Matthew 6:25-34 The Message

25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Grateful hearts don’t come from comparing ourselves to those front covers on magazines or to owning things, holding positions, or having everyone love us.

In an ever-changing world, there is no guarantee of hanging onto earthly possessions, especially in the shadow of natural disasters, wars, and more. 

It’s Up to Us to Choose

Whether we believe it or not, especially as Christians, it’s up to us to choose to where or how we gain our self-esteem, we focus on what God has so graciously given us rather than what the sinful world gives and takes away on a daily basis.

Godly gratefulness is not dependent on what we own; yet, God has given us so much to be thankful for in life.

Colossians 3:15-17 New American Standard Bible 1995

15 Let the peace of Christ [a]rule in your hearts, to which [b]indeed you were called in one body; and [c]be thankful. 16 Let the word of [d]Christ richly dwell within you, [e]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [f]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [g]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Even if we have nothing to our names, we have incredibly valid reasons to thank Him daily.

Things, positions, locations, and more don’t bring authentic happiness; rather, true gratitude comes from deep within us.

Gratefulness as a Sacrifice

Sadly, life sometimes brings tragic losses of loved ones, homes, jobs, and more, but still God calls us to be thankful.

He knows our weaknesses and understands how it can be difficult for us to do so when we’re disappointed, discouraged, suffering, or grieving.

Although 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” it doesn’t mean we thank God for the sad situations, but thank Him in the midst of them.

Some believers are confused by this verse, thinking God expects us to thank Him for the sad and tragic situations and losses that bring us disappointment, discouragement, suffering, and grief.

But He’s not.

God’s given us so many spiritual blessings, which are not dependent on our circumstances, we can praise Him and give Him thanks no matter our situation.

He is compassionate, recognizes this kind of gratitude as a sweet sacrifice to Him. 

Psalm 116:17 encourages our sacrificial thankfulness. “I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord.” 

Psalm 116:12-19 New American Standard Bible 1995

12 What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits [a]toward me?
13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation
And call upon the name of the Lord.
14 I shall pay my vows to the Lord,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His godly ones.
16 O Lord, [b]surely I am Your servant,
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
You have loosed my bonds.
17 To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I shall pay my vows to the Lord,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
[c]Praise [d]the Lord!

When we do, God responds, as recorded in Psalm 50:23. “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor Me, and to the blameless I will show My salvation.”

In uncertain times, God calls us to focus on Him and His faithfulness instead of our situations, to remind ourselves of His promise to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and to trust Him to help us through everything we face in life.

O God, when disappointed and discouraged, in our failures, may we turn around to find hope, peace, strength in you. Fill our hearts with praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Works and the Word of God.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their [a]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from [b]one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the [c]other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is [d]perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be [e]blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Having Our Heavenly Father’s Ear all to Ourselves: Time alone with God in our Prayer Closets. Matthew 6:5-6

Matthew 6:5-13 New American Standard Bible 1995

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners [a]so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [b]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [c]evil. [d][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Daddy’s Ear

Jesus invites his followers into an intimate love relationship with God the Father.

The privilege of that intimacy might best be seen in how Jesus teaches us to pray.

Though God is almighty and maintains the entire universe, he also attends to the prayers of his children.

Most citizens think of their president as the most powerful person in the nation.

Most would feel fortunate to get even a few minutes of his time.

But when one of his children calls, if he is a good dad, he’ll answer and listen.

They have an ear with the president that any CEO or political leader would envy.

They are the only one’s who can call him “Daddy.”

Their agenda is not national security or some international crisis.

Their access is based on the fact that he is their loving father, who always cares for them and wants what is best for them.

With us, God wants a relationship that is infinitely more caring and loving.

He has given his heart to us.

Jesus came to be one of us and to die so that we could live forever with God.

Our Father has made himself available to us anytime, anywhere. Almighty God is our loving Father, who is never too busy to hear the prayers of his beloved children. Do you have this kind of relationship with the God of the universe?

Do we ever, even take daily advantage to “tug” on our Heavenly Father’s ear?

Our private alone time with our Heavenly Father, does it even exist in our time?

What Is a Prayer Closet?

Matthew 6:5-6 Easy-to-Read Version

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get. 6 But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

Several years ago, there was a highly acclaimed movie that came out called “War Room,” which centered on the importance of the personal prayer closet.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend renting it tonight and watching with your whole family! 

In the movie, a woman is confronted with a crisis which forces her to get truly serious about her relationship with God, and to experience the power of prayer to change things.

She takes the King James Scripture translation literally (…when thou prayest, enter into thy closet…), and empties out her bedroom closet of clothes, shoes, jewelry and other personal items, and replaces them with a chair, post-it notes with Scriptures and family photos. 

Thereafter, the movie revolves around her regular and routine visits to this prayer closet, now effectively transformed into a spiritual “war room,” where she fights with all she has against the enemy’s attack on her family.

I promise you that after you see this inspirational movie, you will consider cleaning out your closet.

But before you box up your coats and shoes, you should understand a few basic things about what a prayer closet is and what actually should happen there. 

Where We Meet with God

With all due respect to the King James translation, most modern versions don’t use “closet” anymore, but rather “room,” “private room” or “inner room.”

The Greek word is tameion, which simply means an “inner storage chamber or secret room.”

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5009/esv/mgnt/0-1

We might describe it today as a safety deposit box or vault. It describes that place where one’s most valuable possessions and treasure can be kept safe. 

So Jesus is telling us in Matthew 6:6, we all need a place where we regularly and routinely meet with our most valued treasure in this life… our heavenly Father!

He is the One whose resources never run out or run dry, the One who can solve any problem we have and deliver us from every demonic attack.

There is nothing more treasured, valuable to us than our relationship with God. 

Where We Become Vulnerable

Over time, this word translated as “closet” was used to describe a bedchamber where a husband and wife were able to be intimate.

The very act of disrobing makes a person vulnerable, exposed to their spouse.

So the idea of Matthew 6:6 also includes going to a place where we let down our guard before God, allow Him to examine our hearts, thoughts without shame.  

Psalm 139:23-24 New American Standard Bible 1995

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any [a]hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

It’s a place where we cannot hide our hurts, it is a place where we cannot lie about our failures or even try to pretend before God to have all the answers.

Where We Change Clothes 

King James’ residence in Edinburg, Scotland, is reported to have an interior room in the master bedroom.

Much like a large walk-in closet of today, it’s where the king changed his clothes.  

So to extend the illustration, our “prayer closet” of Matthew 6:6 will be a place where we experience change; it’s where we go to remove the soiled rags of this life and be clothed in His righteous image and His spiritual armor.

We exchange clothes of fear for the shield of faith, clothes of confusion for the helmet of salvation, clothes of hurt, shame for the breastplate of righteousness.

Ultimately, the private time we spend with God in our “prayer closet” will pave the way for public success. 

But Why Do We Need a “Prayer Closet”?

So by now it should be pretty clear that you don’t really need to hire an architect to redesign your bedroom closet.

The prayer closet is not as much about “place” as it is about attitude and commitment.

Your particular prayer closet could indeed be a cleaned-out closet, or a small guest room.

It could be the man cave or the she shed.

Perhaps it’s an attic or bonus room or a even a particular chair in the corner of the living room.

It can be wherever you chose to spend time with God in prayer, without the interruption of family or daily life. 

So why should we select one, dedicated spot to become our “prayer closet”?

1. Sometimes, We Just Need to Shut the Door

Matthew 6:6 Easy-to-Read Version

6 But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

The real power of the prayer closet comes from claiming a space that you can inoffensively close off the entrance of others (children, pets, phone and social media notifications), invite the Holy Spirit to create the proper atmosphere and get quiet enough to hear His still, small voice speaking wisdom and direction.

It also protects you from being hushed by the unbelieving attitudes of others, as you stand and loudly declare in faith the promises of God over your situation. In short, behind closed doors make for a more powerful and successful prayer life.

Whether we realize it or not, one of the primary ways the enemy brings destruction into our lives is through constant interruptions and distraction in our pursuit of God. Any of this sound familiar?

– I would pray… but I’m exhausted trying to make ends meet.

– I would pray… but the kids keep pestering me.

– I would pray… but I really need to study.

– I would pray… but this business meeting just came up.

– I would pray… but my husband needs my attention.

– I would pray… but I have a deadline I just can’t miss.

– I would pray… but I don’t have enough time in the morning as it is.

– I would pray…but I must keep up with social media to stay relevant.

Short answer?

No, no, no… just no!

Actually, I must check in with my heavenly Father and get His power and wisdom for every task I need to accomplish in the day.

I need to confirm that He likes what I am doing, and that I get the inside scoop on what’s trending in Heaven.

I need to be filled with supernatural energy to perform with excellence in life, and to be a source of strength to my family and children. And to accomplish all of that, I must shut the door on every distraction when I go to God in prayer.

2. God Will Make Sure We Will Always Require, Need, Private Time with God.

Too often when we pray openly around other people, we become self-conscious and spend more time trying to impress them with our words, than we do truly pressing into God.

I’m reasonably sure you know exactly what I am talking about: those long and arduous prayers said in King James English… to bless the church potluck lunch!

These are the modern equivalent of the hypocrite’s prayers of Matthew 6:5.

True prayer is not a time to impress people – it’s meant to lock in and join forces with God; to wage war against an enemy which seeks our defeat and destruction -and as Jesus publicly said, it’s what we do in private that paves the way for what people will see in public.

One of my life mentors once told me,

“If you want the anointing on your life, make sure your private time in prayer exceeds your public time on the pulpit.”

I believe it’s the foundation of a Christian’s success in life, not just in ministry.

Here’s a little observation: it seems you can always tell who has a powerful prayer life, who doesn’t, simply by the fruit that is evidenced in their life! Selah.

Prayer is the spiritual discipline that is practiced in private, but the rewards are manifested in public.

It manifests in our character, our wisdom, our attitude, our blessings, our joy, our favor, our peace and our power!

Jesus said we need a “prayer closet” because that private place paves the way for our public success!

3. We Want to Know God’s Will for Our Lives

Psalm 139:23-24 New American Standard Bible 1995

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any [a]hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Clearly, our loving heavenly Father has amazing things for each of us to do and experience in this life.

And if I were to ask, I believe everyone would want to know the results of that God search, so we can make appropriate decisions to cooperate with His will.

We know intuitively and from Scripture that God’s will for us is “good and acceptable and perfect,” so we really should do all we can to discern what His will is!

John 13:34-35 New American Standard Bible 1995

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

However, between us and the manifestation of God’s good plans there is a cross that we must bear.

Matthew 16:24-27 New American Standard Bible 1995

Discipleship Is Costly

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his [a]life will lose it; but whoever loses his [b]life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then [c]repay every man according to his [d] deeds.

God’s good plans for us are often dependent on our denying ourselves and our doing things God’s way.

John 3:28-30 New American Standard Bible 1995

28 You yourselves [a]are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the [b]Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

What’s that look like for you? Is it…

– a habit you need to kick?

– an offense you need to forgive?

– a relationship you need to exit?

– a discipline you need to develop?

– an act of obedience you need to practice?

– a wound you need to allow God to heal?

What is it that is standing in the way of God’s will for your life?

And more importantly, how can you surrender your will in that area to God’s will, especially when everything in you doesn’t want to do it God’s way? 

Surrender through prayer.

Run to that prayer closet, shut the door and ask God to do heart surgery on you so that you can say, “Not my will but Yours, Lord Jesus!”

It’s in that place that you will receive the supernatural help that you need to fight that battle and every future one that you face in life.

His supernatural help comes when I enter my prayer closet and meet with the Source of my strength, and the strength of my life – God, my Father!

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 27:7-9 New American Standard Bible 1995

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!

Thank you, Lord, for loving us and hearing our prayers. You are never too busy for your children. May we be as eager to pray as you are to listen and respond. Amen.

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Why All of those Persistent Prayers: Why Do We Need Jesus Every Hour? Luke 11:1-8

Luke 11:1-8 New American Standard Bible 1995

Instruction about Prayer

11 It happened that while [a]Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘[b]Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our [c]daily bread.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 Then He said to them, “[d]Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children [e]and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his [f]persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘[b]Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our [c]daily bread.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his [f]persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Sometimes I wonder that Christians talk and write too much about prayer.

It would be better if, like the disciples, we’d watch and learn as others pray.

Today’s Bible reading shows that Jesus had no problem having his disciples watch him pray. It must have been quite profound and inspirational the way that Jesus prayed that made one disciple urge him to teach them all to pray.

It is the practice of Jewish men to open their days with the Shema prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4 and then pray the same prayer three or more times per day.

The prayer begins and concludes every single worship service in the synagogue.

It begins and concludes every individual and family prayer session in the home.

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

Is there a new teaching coming from the Master Rabbi?

Is there a radically significant change coming about their routine of Prayer?

Jesus responded by teaching them to pray what is now known as “the Lord’s Prayer.” (See also Matthew 6:9-13.)

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [a]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [b]evil. [c][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

More likely an enhancement, a deepening of the personal relationship each of them already shares. We can be assured that Jesus’ praying was not limited to the brief petitions here. Prayer is an integral part of our relationship with God. Jesus made that clear by adding the illustration of a dialogue between friends.

In light of this, we should understand that daily praying to our Heavenly Father as boldly as we would approach a friend probably surprised the disciples as well as many other followers-teach others to pray-teach others what they all know?

A friend’s boldness is based on the measure and depth of their friendship, and we can definitely trust our heavenly Father to be so much closer than a friend.

John 15:13-16 New American Standard Bible 1995

13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and  that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

So too our heavenly Father will give us what friendship we need—and often, much more that is good for us.

Mainly, though, it’s our needs that God will provide, not our wants—and we can trust that.

So too I pray we may be bold, persistent as we talk with our Father in heaven?

Why Do We Need Jesus Every Hour?

Luke 11:1-4 New American Standard Bible 1995

Instruction about Prayer

11 It happened that while [a]Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘[b]Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our [c]daily bread.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

There is nothing quite as sweet as getting a worship song stuck in your head and having the lyrics float back into your head throughout the day–often when you need them most.

To me, it feels like an affectionate touch from Jesus, a playful reminder that he is there with me and experiencing my day with me.

Like a lover pulling your face towards them so they can look into your eyes, Jesus uses so many things to bring our attention back to him.

The lyrics that have been floating around my head for the past week have been from the 1873 hymnal “I Need Thee Every Hour:” 

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

The funny thing is, I really struggle with believing that I need Jesus every hour.

My pride hates having that kind of desperation; my fear hates having to depend on someone else. But these lyrics remind us that in every instance that we need Jesus is an instance that he shows up for us.

So why do we need Jesus every hour? And why is this a beautiful thing?

1. Provision

“The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4

We depend on Jesus for everything–even our very breath!

As much as we trick ourselves into thinking we can do it all on our own, we would be nothing without the provision of Jesus.

Sure, we can handle having a full-time job, raising kids, and working out.

But can we provide ourselves with oxygen?

Can we cause food to grow by our own stubborn will?

Did we even INVENT food, or is that also something that God created to take care of us?

Our sovereign trinity provides every breath for us, every morsel of food, every drop of water, every fiber of shelter, every relationship.

The next time you’re conscious of your breathing, thank Jesus for sustaining your life with his own breath.

2. Existence

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:3-4

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3a

Everything that we see, have, experience all comes from Jesus.

He created everything in this beautiful world for our benefit.

And in him is life!

Jesus sustains our existence.

Even though it may feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders, the truth is that Jesus upholds everything and everyone by his own power.

We are utterly dependent on him–and he is so happy to be depended on.

3. Grace

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us from sin.

Even when we think we’ve had a “pretty good day” and can’t recall any overt sin that we committed, there’s a 100% chance that each and every single one of us have still “fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

We still secretly harbor jealousy or bitterness towards our coworkers, friends, or family. We still think nasty things about the guy who cut us off in traffic. We will still take the very last piece of pie, cake instead of considering our spouse.

We sin in a million, instantaneous, indiscernible ways every day.

But Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us anyways.

What a gift that we receive again and again and again.

4. Belonging

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–” John 1:12

Belonging to a family is one of the deepest, most inherent, most essential needs that we are born into this world with.

It’s how we get our identity, our sense of safety, our purpose, and our bearing in a scary, complex world. And this is something we’ll never grow out of needing.

Even if our family rejects us, we have a family because of Jesus.

Psalm 27:10 New American Standard Bible 1995

10 [a]For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

Even if we reject ourselves,

Psalm 22:6 New American Standard Bible 1995

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
A reproach of men and despised by the people.

Jesus will always still give us a place to belong! 

5. Security

“What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web.” Job 8:14

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” Isaiah 28:16

Speaking of a scary world, it is extremely disorienting when we realize that the things we typically put our trust in–our jobs, our marriage, our money, our status, etc.–are just spiderwebs. They don’t hold us up for even one second.

But Jesus is the cornerstone that can depended on.

He guides the building of the rest of our lives and makes it so we can ultimately know what we’re doing and where we’re going.

As the 1834 hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” puts it:

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

6. Unconditional Love

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

This is a good thing!

The God of love created us, God himself is love.

Love gives our existence meaning.

Without love, we are alone, purposeless, and darkened.

We especially need this unconditional love when we have messed up (which, as I’ve said, happens innumerable times a day).

Even if you’re a tough guy and think you could make it in life without love, just think about the times from your childhood that you were harmed by others’ not loving you the way you needed. We all need love, and we all need it all the time.

Thankfully, Jesus demonstrated that his love is as unconditional as it gets: dying for us while we were still his enemies.

7. Salvation

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

We don’t know when Jesus is coming back or when the day of judgment will be–Jesus himself doesn’t even know! (Matthew 24:36).

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

And I, for one, don’t wish to be relying on my own righteousness when that day does come.

We rely on Jesus’ salvation every second of every day, because we can do nothing on our own (John 15:5).

5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

It is such a beautiful thing that we have Jesus to rely on.

He gives us our breath; he sustains our very existence; he continually purifies us; he gives us a place at the table; he is our Rock; he loves us no matter what; and he cannot wait to take us home with him as his bride when that day comes. (Psalm 18)

We do need him every hour. Truly, we need him minute, every second, every millisecond, every nanosecond, for eternity!

And thankfully, Jesus himself kindly invites us to depend on him: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matthew 19:14).

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

Let us Pray,

Psalm 42 New American Standard Bible 1995

BOOK 2

Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

For the choir 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, O 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 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go along with the throng and [e]lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you [f]in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
[g]Hope in God, for I shall [h]again praise [i]Him
For the [j]help of His presence.
6 O my God, my soul is [k]in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the [l]peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning [m]because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you [n]in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
[o]Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The [p]help of my countenance and my God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Celebrate, We Certainly Will! “For He is not here; for He has indeed risen, just exactly as he said.” Matthew 28:6

Matthew 28:1-7 New American Standard Bible 1995

Jesus Is Risen!

28 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “[a]Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Happy Easter!

The morning has indeed come – exactly as it has since the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth and gave his everlasting order unto the earth.

Early on that first Easter morning, just before the sunrise, some of the same women who had stood weeping at the cross quietly made their way through the narrow streets of Jerusalem to the garden where their Jesus had been buried.

Their eyes were heavy with tears.

Their whole world had come to an abrupt halt.

Their dreams had been shattered.

The one on whom they had placed their hope was dead.

They had seen it with their own eyes.

They had witnessed his crucifixion.

The jeers of the people who had told Jesus to come off the cross and save himself were still ringing in their ears.

Jesus’ friends had not understood his cry: “It is finished!”

All they knew was that their beloved Master and Teacher was dead.

The women were going now to embalm the body of their Lord.

They wondered how they would remove the large stone at the tomb’s entrance.

But as they got ever closer to the grave, one miracle followed another.

They found the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on top of it.

Why was the stone rolled away?

As scholars have noted, it was not to let Jesus out, but to show everyone else that he was no longer inside.

He has risen!

And that makes all the difference in the world.

In a world with so many cemeteries, where death always seems to have the last word and laugh, Jesus has conquered death. Knowing that changes everything.

Celebrate, We Will!

John 3:26-30 New American Standard Bible 1995

26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves [a]are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the [b]Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.  30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

“He must increase, but I must decrease!”

As we have just walked through the Easter season, looking at Jesus and His life, I find myself so often wondering what it would have been like for me to be there watching his life happen, watching this incredible drama unfold before my eyes.

We read through the length and breadth of all of Scripture and we glimpse into the amazing things about Jesus’ life and all that happened to those around him.

I get chills when I think about watching his display of love, grace, truth sharing, his measured obedience to whatever his Heavenly Father directed him to do.

So, each Easter season, I find myself in a posture of awe and wonder.

The hope-filled joy of knowing who holds the pen to the pages of my life and who walks alongside me through all my seasons. This my friends, is good news.

If you are like me, I simply love thinking of Jesus’s whole life, not just his years of ministry.

I can hardly imagine watching Jesus take his first steps as a wobbly toddler or watching him walk up to be baptized by John the Baptist or to see him feed the 5,000, or to have the honor of hearing Him teach the Sermon on the Mount.

All of these amazing things we hear and picture but wow, to actually see them in the flesh sounds like such a gift, a gift that I’d give just about anything to see.

And while that would be an amazing gift, I am ever so reminded that we have the greatest gift of living on this side of the cross.

This side of the cross allows his Spirit to live inside you and me, this side of the cross is where death has no more sting.

The gift of living on this side of the cross is a gift that we cannot overlook.

We have the Word of God in written form that at anytime we are able to dig into it to learn more about who our Creator is, what his son’s life was really like, and exactly why we needed a Savior to take our place.

It’s sitting in that awe and wonder that I am reminded of one of my favorite verses, one that has changed my life forever: 

John 3:30. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

These are seven life-changing, powerful, needed words spoken by John the Baptist.

These seven words continue to be a reminder to me of the gift Jesus is to all of us daily.

Because of Jesus and His life we are able to live our lives in the posture of decrease so that our lives increase in Him.

How amazing is that?

Our Heavenly Father sent His perfect, sinless son Jesus to come and take on the penalty of all we would ever do just so we would have the opportunity to be made right with Him and live eternally together.

This leaves me speechless!

Jesus had to come and take on all you and I would ever do so we could be eternally right with God forever.

He had to.

What a powerful, all-consuming love story this is and it’s freely offered to you and me and, without exception, the rest of humanity – for all the ages to come.

We get the choice to accept Christ and all His life was, is, and is to come.

Because, Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection is what tethers us all to eternity.

Without one part of it, there would be no opportunity to have the gift of grace and mercy.

There is no defeated grave without the cross.

The sheer magnitude of John 3:30  carries so much importance of who Jesus is and what His life means to us.

Everything He calls us to is so that our lives would be ones that soak up all of the goodness of God and all that He has for us, this means we have to decrease.

His life calls us to not be afraid to pick up our cross and follow Him.

It calls us to love Him more than anyone or anything and walk to always hand in hand with His spirit as we point others back to Him.

This is what an increase of Christ looks like in our lives.

When we die to self to make Him known. This is what we get invited into, and this my sweet friends is something to forever celebrate and celebrate we will!

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

Let us celebrate with Prayer,

Psalm 146 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Lord an Abundant Helper.

146 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not trust in princes,
In [c]mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to [d]the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.
5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps [e]faith forever;
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.

8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous;
9 The Lord [f]protects the [g]strangers;
He [h]supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He [i]thwarts the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
[j]Praise [k]the Lord!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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