In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Exodus 40

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. v36-38

We need God to provide direction for us - we need to be in prayer and in the word so God can reveal His plans for us.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

We may not know all of what lies ahead but we know that God will be with us and that He will be a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provide - for all things.  I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of Your love and care.  I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.

Exodus 17

Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. v15

In life, we don't know what lies ahead - only God knows.  There may be good times, there may be bad times - regardless of whether the times are good or bad, God is with us (Matthew 28:20).  God knows all the days of our lives (Psalm 139) and he makes a number of promises to us (and God ALWAYS keeps His promises), including that He has a good and perfect plan for our life (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28), and that He is preparing a place for us in Heaven (John 14:2).

The Lord is MY Banner - he leads me and I can trust in Him.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23

My Prayer: Lord You are a GREAT God, who is always with me, who is perfect and good and who goes before me always and has a place for me in Heaven!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Psalm 95

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. v6-7

A sweet reminder this morning of how God loves His children.  He places them under His care, and tends to us, ensuring our protection from predators and He provides for our needs.  Oh How He Loves Us. We should love and trust and Our Maker and Shepherd.  Drawing near to Him, praising Him in Worship, and living life as a daily sacrifice (Romans 12:1) are all spiritual disciplines that do this.  

Help me follow and love My Maker and Shepherd.

My Prayer: Lord, You are My Maker and My Shepherd.  You are worthy of my praise and worship.  You have never forsaken me and You always provide for me.  You come after me when I am lost.  What a great God You are!  Thank You for adopting me as Your child and for protecting and providing for me.  I am not worth such blessings.  You provide abundantly - just as You promise!  I am weak, selfish, impatient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.