Humility
Father, please settle my heart and mind as we come to our time together this morning. Enfold me in Your arms as I climb onto Your lap. May I breathe in the aroma of Your holiness – pure and unblemished. I pray that it will burn away the dust of the world that wants to accumulate. Refine me. Purify me. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Make me wholly Yours. Amen.
James 4:6-10 (<<click here)
“…humble yourselves before God.”
Our world is not a great promoter of humility, Lord. Though if we would take the time to embrace it, a little humility would go a long way. It’s not about putting ourselves down but about putting ourselves in place. We must abdicate the throne as the supreme authority in our lives and yield to You. You are all-knowing and have the wisdom to use that knowledge. We are short sighted and on many fronts are making educated guesses at best as to what we should do or where we should go. I humble myself before You, Lord.
In doing so I realize that the devil has absolutely nothing of any value to offer. I resist you – get out of my life – you are not welcome! Lord, Jesus, I stand with You! When I come close to You, You come close to me. I cling to You, my salvation!
I wash my hands of this old world and its mirage of satisfactions. Purify my heart, Lord. Enable me to lead a pure life – cleanse me.
Lord, may I see my actions of the flesh for what they are. May I be filled with “sorrow and deep grief” over time wasted in following my own selfish desires. May fulfillment only be found in You.
I’m Yours, Lord. Amen
Sept. 22nd, Thurs, 7:10 am
Don’t Take the Bridge Out!
I’ve come into Your presence
Not knowing where to start
But I know You’re surely with me
Speaking deep within my heart.
May it be so, Father.
James 4:4-5 (<<click here)
Lord, James clearly states that if we are a “friend of the world” that it just doesn’t strain our friendship with You but it makes us an “enemy of God.” That is very strong language. It’s not just a bump in the road in our relationship, being a friend takes the bridge out!
Friends do things together, they talk, they laugh, they travel. They have like thoughts that result in like actions. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin entered the world. What, at the point of creation, was wholesome and holy became polluted and defiled. The world has become what we have made it – a place of wickedness, and pain, and hurt, and selfishness. Yet…we are drawn to it. We crawl into bed with it. We indulge in all of its perversities…we are friends.
So it makes sense that if we are “friends of the world” then we are “enemies of God.” Being friends with one makes us diametrically opposed to the other. They cannot be blended.
It’s totally ludicrous but even as Your child, the world still appeals to me. It’s a dead end (literally) but it still catches my eye. It pulls me… but because of Your Spirit, I am able to say “no.” I can turn the other way. I can refuse to accept what my would-be “friend” would offer me. Give me, this day Lord, the strength, and tenacity to cling to You – for only there am I safe and secure.
Sept 20th, Tues, 6:34 am
Pray about Praying
As I looked out this morning and saw the fog, obscuring the world around me, it makes me think, Father, as the warmth of the sun will soon disperse the fog, I would have the loving warmth of Your Son disperse the fog in my heart and mind at this early hour. May I see clearly what you have for me this day. Amen.
James 4:2-3 (<<click here)
“…you don’t have…because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong…”
Prayer. Lord, why do I struggle so with prayer? The deepening of our relationship has surely brought new depth to my prayer life but I still have a lot to learn.
I realize that prayer is a big part of how I communicate with You and how You speak with me, as well. But I read of great prayer warriors of the past who would pray for hours and then would testify to the many great things You did in their lives and in the lives of others. I have to ask, “How did they do that?”
It seems a little odd to pray about praying but I do. I want my prayer life to be effective. Regarding this passage my study Bible* says,
“James mentions the most common problems in prayer: not asking, asking for the wrong things, or asking for the wrong reasons.”
Lord, I don’t have all the answers, for sure, but I would pray, first of all, that I would remember to pray. May praise be in my heart and on my lips for the many blessings You bestow. May my prayers be pleasing to You – things that will bring myself and others closer to You and closer to fulfilling Your kingdom goals in the world around us. And then may my motives be pure… It’s hard to not selfishly pray that ones we love will not be taken from us or that they will not have to suffer, through pain and loss. Those things can draw us closer to You. Yet sometimes Your healing touch brings great glory to your name.
Grant me a discerning spirit. Give me boldness to claim Your blessing. But through it all may I be humble and grateful for all You do. Amen.
Sept 19th, Mon, 6:28 am
*Life Application Bible New Living Translation
I Can Do It Myself
I come before You this morning, Father, to hear what You have for me this day. May I listen attentively and follow Your leading. Amen.
One of the biggest struggles in following You, Lord, is getting out of the way. The “I can do it myself” mentality can so get us in trouble.
A portion of this morning’s Puritan prayer reads,
Thou hast taught me the necessity of a Mediator, a Messiah…
…and this by faith in thy beloved Son who teaches me
not to guide myself,
not to obey myself,
not to try to rule and conquer sin
but to cleave to the one who will do it all for me.
It is a fairly common occurrence at work (Kohl’s) to see a parent with a young child who insists on pushing their cart. On many occasions, the child can barely reach the handle; much less see anything that lays ahead – fixtures, displays, little old ladies, etc. The child proclaims emphatically (and quite often loudly) “I can do it myself!” But mom or dad must stay close by, must be ready to react at a moment’s notice or problems can quickly ensue.
I’m just glad that I never… who am I kidding?! It has been a fairly common occurrence, in my life, to see a parent – You – with a child – me – and I insist on (fill in the blank). I can’t see what lies ahead…but You do.
When it comes to my spiritual walk, I have had to learn my lesson. I cannot “guide” or “obey myself.” I am totally inept in my attempts “to rule and conquer sin.” My only hope of success is to “cleave to the one who will do it for me.” Only in You will I find success. You alone can bring me victory. My Lord and Savior guide me, help me to be obedient to You. Enable me to leave the ruling and conquering of sin to You. You are the Parent – I am Your child.
Sept 18th, Sun, 6:35 am
Detriments to the Kingdom
Oh my, Father, what a morning! Thank You for helping me! I had forgotten to finish up today’s blog post and You woke me a little earlier and once awake You reminded me to take care of it. I’m so glad that You are there for me!
James 4:1-3 (<<click here)
Reading Your Word, Lord, reminds me of stories from my youth. It makes me think of dwarves mining for treasures! Oh, the nuggets of truth I find; the multi-faceted gems of enlightenment!
Today’s topic is not enjoyable to acknowledge but it most assuredly needs to be addressed. I have a multitude of fond memories of growing up in the church. Even now as I write beautiful faces of wonderful people come to mind. I can recall many events and programs which impacted my life in a very positive way. But unfortunately, it was not all a bed of roses.
The longest we ever lived in one place (my father was my pastor) was three and a half years, I believe. My dad was a dedicated and loving servant of God and while we had many other servants of God with which to work in those churches, there were also many who quarreled and fought much as James refers to in my passage. They wanted what they didn’t have so there was scheming and fighting and quarreling and backbiting and jealousy and heartache. I knew things were happening but I was, for the most part, sheltered from the details. So I am grateful that I really can’t remember faces or particulars. I am blessed to serve in churches where, as a whole, I really don’t have to deal with those detriments to the Kingdom. But I also realize that the body of Christ is still replete with dissension.
Lord, today I would pray for the Church, Your body. Help us to see You… Help us to stop looking out for ourselves and to place our heart, soul, mind and strength at Your feet. Help us to crucify the “old man” the “flesh.” Because that is the issue. That is our problem… and You are the answer. Your love filling us and overflowing from us will bridge all wrongs, will heal all wounds. Your love for us and our love for You creates the aroma that will bring the world to you. Help us to give ourselves over to You. Amen!
Sept 16th, Fri, 6:45 am