Ask for Wisdom
As I sat here, Father, and read through another prayer in The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, I am once again touched. I could never write so eloquently or encompass my thoughts in such a concise manner but if could have I would have. One short line of it speaks volumes.
“There is no comfort in anything apart from enjoying thee and being engaged in thy service…”
I would say, Amen.
James 1:5 (<<click here)
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God…”
I am truly dependent upon You for wisdom, Lord. You have blessed me with experience and knowledge but it is not enough to accomplish tasks at hand if I do not yield myself to You seeking Your wisdom as to how to use what You have given me. Sometimes the difficulty lies in sorting through all the ramblings of my mind, shifting through them, to glean what is the most important or most beneficial for the need of the moment.
Writing sermons is a prime example of this. I have many pieces and parts in my mind, reading Your Word gives me inspiration, combing through commentaries can give my structure but only You can give me the wisdom to bring it all together in such a way that it will speak to those who will listen. Only You can put in those little extra things, of which I may not even be aware, that will speak to specific people in my congregations.
I surely cannot do it without You. For that matter, I can’t do life without You. The quote from today’s prayer is so true!
July 27th, Wed, 6:27 am
Paradox of Life
Help me get my mind in gear, Father. It’s been running in “low” since getting out of bed. Help me to shift into thoughts of You and what You have for me this day.
James 1:1-4 (<<click here)
My lesson today, Lord, I believe is the upside-down mentality of walking with You. The book of Puritan prayers a dear friend loaned me and this passage has communicated that. A portion of the prayer reads:
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.
And then my passage for today reads,
“…when troubles…come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For…when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
The paradox of life with You, Lord, makes no sense to the world. But why follow what the world says makes sense? The world is a mess! I live in it out of necessity but I don’t have to believe how it does. It only yields grief, sorrow, discontent, hatred, strife, and death. All of it is hidden under the glitz and glamor of stuff and shallowness – no thanks!
Following You, though the world deems it odd, yields joy, deep contentment, love, fellowship, and life. Lord, help me to see as You see, to respond as You would respond. May I see life through the filters of Your love.
July 26th, Tue, 6:31 am
Catalyst for Change
Father, I am grateful for Your ever-present Spirit. Thank You for wooing me and for Your unfailing love. Regardless of the fact that I have been Your child for many years, You had much more in store for me. You knew our relationship could go much deeper. You instilled in me a burning desire to know You more and, oh, what a blessing it is! Praise Your Holy Name!!
Hebrews 13:22-25 (<<click here)
The book of Hebrews concludes with these verses and once again my study Bible* gives me food for thought. Already, Lord, You are working in my heart and mind even as we have come together this day. Hebrews under Your inspiration is a “call to Christ maturity.” And that means making You the “beginning and end of our faith.” My study Bible concludes with these words and they are oh so true,
“To grow in maturity, we must center our life on [Christ], not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior.”
Lord, You alone are my all-inclusive answer. If it is left up to me alone, I fail. I am not strong enough. I am not focused enough. Only when I center my life on You can I stand strong.
If only the world could learn this and embrace it! Lord, may I be a catalyst for change. Use me, stretch me, teach me and embolden me. I am wholly dependent upon You!
July 25th, Mon, 6:24 am
*New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible
Children of the King!
Father, I’m so glad we have the quiet of this morning together. Before the day gets rolling and many things and people and noises start overtaking me, I am Yours alone. Bless our time together.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (<<click here)
One of our many shortcomings, Lord, is not truly grasping that You, the almighty Creator of the universe, extend Your might and resources to each and every one of us. We mope around as beggar children as if we have no choice but to go it alone with empty hands and pockets.
We may live that way but reality refuses that lifestyle. Today’s passage is one of many that stands boldly before us proclaiming Your power – being raised from the dead – and how out of Your abundance You wait to equip us with all we need for doing your will.
Lord, we are not paupers; we are children of the King! We are not defenseless before the powers of this world, both seen and unseen, but we are led by a mighty Warrior whom nothing has and nothing ever will defeat. You have conquered sin and death!
May we live our lives in Your power! “All glory to You forever and ever! Amen!”
July 23rd, Sat, 5:57 am
Pray for Us
Good morning, Father! I am so glad to see You and to have You with me. No matter how much wrong there is in this crazy world, it does not deter from the fact that Your will will ultimately be done “on earth, as it is in heaven.” And even out of the worst of circumstances, You can bring joy and peace. You and You alone are worthy of my Praise!
Hebrews 13:17-19 (<<click here)
As You well know, Lord, spiritual leadership is a challenge. Proclaiming Your word and leading Your people is a heavy burden to bear. It is a very weighty responsibility. It would be so much easier if we were perfect…but we are not. Hence, the great importance of verse 18.
“Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.”
I’m sure I speak for most spiritual leaders when I say that we covet people’s prayers. We need the strength to carry through the task at hand – there’s a lot to get together every week to feed the flock. We need discernment to weed through all that comes across our path – sometimes the loudest or brightest things clamoring for our attention are the least important and it’s the quiet and thoughtful things that we need to focus on. We need love to flavor everything we see and do – sometimes mean people are really just hurting people. We need the Holy Spirit to direct us and enable us to do His will – quite often it’s not about my agenda or our agenda but it is always about His agenda. May we listen and act.
Lord Jesus, I know people pray for me. I realize that even when we don’t know what to pray that Your Holy Spirit helps us and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). May I trust You, Lord, with my all. I give You everything that I am. Amen.
July 22nd, Fri, 6:40 am