Acts 20
Here Paul is moving about on his journeys from place to place and he is led by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, despite warnings also from the Spirit that " [he] only know[s] that in every city the Holy Spirit warns [him] that prison and hardships are facing [him]."
Paul's next statement below strikes me as being deeply challenging:
24 However, I consider my
life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete
the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good
news of God’s grace.
I know that scriptures are clear through many verses that we are to "die to self" or "shed old skin", etc. Yet most of us will rarely if ever be in a position to be physically harmed or in threat of death for any stand we take for God. Nonetheless, Paul makes a valid statement that should challenge us all: "are we as followers of Christ willing to completely give up our existing way of life" to follow God...in other words, are there any aspects of our life that we would NOT be willing to give up to follow God? I need to ponder this question some more but I do hope that I can say yes to God if He asked me to give something up for His glory.
My Prayer: Lord, Your ways, will and plans are great and perfect as I have seen the results of Your hands - blessings that stretch across the universe that are of course too numerous to list or even capture in a human mind. How awesome are You! In contrast Lord, I AM a mess with SO many imperfections here that a list could fill the rest of this page. Yet You LOVE ME and DIED for me! How awesome is that!! Forgive me for my anger daily that continues to ruin lives. Help me Lord with my anger and purify me of this sin. Help me draw nearer to You so that I can be more like You.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Do not conform to the pattern of this world
Acts 19
As I continue to follow Paul in his journeys I am beginning to understand more deeply God's direction for us on earth. Here in Acts Paul and the other believers are clearly living in a way that is not "in or of this world". In fact, Jesus threatens many who cling to earthly matters as a God.
In Romans 12:2, Paul makes this point clear:
My Prayer: Lord, Your love, grace, ways, and will are not only great but as Paul says, perfect. I am not perfect - far from it - I desperately need You in my life to transform my heart, my mind, and my life. Forgive me for my flaws and imperfection and thank you for your grace as I don't deserve it. Thank you for Your Word - Truth. I have been blessed by Your Word in ways that are too many to mention. Help me seek you with all of heart.
As I continue to follow Paul in his journeys I am beginning to understand more deeply God's direction for us on earth. Here in Acts Paul and the other believers are clearly living in a way that is not "in or of this world". In fact, Jesus threatens many who cling to earthly matters as a God.
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25
He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and
said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this
business. 26 And you see
and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers
of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of
Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27
There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but
also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited;
and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of
Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
In Romans 12:2, Paul makes this point clear:
2 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.
My Prayer: Lord, Your love, grace, ways, and will are not only great but as Paul says, perfect. I am not perfect - far from it - I desperately need You in my life to transform my heart, my mind, and my life. Forgive me for my flaws and imperfection and thank you for your grace as I don't deserve it. Thank you for Your Word - Truth. I have been blessed by Your Word in ways that are too many to mention. Help me seek you with all of heart.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sin Has Consequences...All for God's Glory
Acts 19
While sin is forgiven through Jesus' death on the cross, this does not mean that sin has consequences.
While it may be true that no matter what sin we commit, God will forgive us, it does NOT mean that sin does not have consequences. So we should live in fear of God proactively and follow God - hence the reaction followed in Ephesus:
You can say in one sense that the Jews in verse 13 paid a physical price for their sin via a beating. Another consequence is that "the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. "
Another key point is that God used all of this for His Glory.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your will and Your ways are great. You are able to use everything about us - good and bad - for glory. I am amazed at how you can use broken human beings for Your glory - truly awesome. I know I am broken and I know I have anger issues - please forgive me for my anger and I pray that you will purify me of this anger. Help me stay close to You and rely on You.
While sin is forgiven through Jesus' death on the cross, this does not mean that sin has consequences.
13 Some Jews who went
around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord
Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name
of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered
them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house
naked and bleeding.
While it may be true that no matter what sin we commit, God will forgive us, it does NOT mean that sin does not have consequences. So we should live in fear of God proactively and follow God - hence the reaction followed in Ephesus:
17 When this became known
to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with
fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and
burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the
total came to fifty thousand drachmas.20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
You can say in one sense that the Jews in verse 13 paid a physical price for their sin via a beating. Another consequence is that "the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. "
Another key point is that God used all of this for His Glory.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your will and Your ways are great. You are able to use everything about us - good and bad - for glory. I am amazed at how you can use broken human beings for Your glory - truly awesome. I know I am broken and I know I have anger issues - please forgive me for my anger and I pray that you will purify me of this anger. Help me stay close to You and rely on You.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
More Evidence That We Are To Walk With Each Other
Acts 18
For me the most striking verses in this chapter have to do with with what Paul, Aquilla, and Priscilla (and others) were doing to strengthen existing believers:
I know that we are to walk together as Christian brothers and sisters. And I know that we are to encourage, build up, and strengthen each other. And these verses serve to reinforce this for me as I understand how this became foundational for the early church.
My Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me with great brothers and sisters that have that have significantly grown my faith and for this and I so thankful! You are an awesome God and Your ways are great - oh how Your divine appointments are miracles in my eyes. Help me stay as pure as possible. Help me stay close to You. Help me serve and love You. Help me trust you Lord. Help me follow You.
For me the most striking verses in this chapter have to do with with what Paul, Aquilla, and Priscilla (and others) were doing to strengthen existing believers:
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and
traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and
Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
...
24 Meanwhile a Jew
named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned
man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila
heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way
of God more adequately.
27
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters
encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he
arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
I know that we are to walk together as Christian brothers and sisters. And I know that we are to encourage, build up, and strengthen each other. And these verses serve to reinforce this for me as I understand how this became foundational for the early church.
My Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me with great brothers and sisters that have that have significantly grown my faith and for this and I so thankful! You are an awesome God and Your ways are great - oh how Your divine appointments are miracles in my eyes. Help me stay as pure as possible. Help me stay close to You. Help me serve and love You. Help me trust you Lord. Help me follow You.
Monday, October 24, 2011
...though he is not far from any one of us.
Acts 17
It's hard for many people to truly comprehend that Jesus is a personal God that if You truly seek Him with all of your heart you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Of course, the primary means for seeking Him is the bible - the word of God. Speaking for myself, I can truly say that at the very least I have found glimpses of Him and that I truly desire to seek MORE of Him.
For Paul in this chapter of Acts (in Athens), he can certainly speak with confidence that:
I can certainly agree and I DO see God as someone close and accessible.
My Prayer: Lord, You are a God that has done SO MUCH, for all of the universe is from Your hands. Yet at the same time You have don SO MUCH for me and continue to do so. I DO seek You and I DO desire you. I DO thank you for your provision and hand in my life and the resulting blessings. Forgive me for being distracted from You through a focus on earthly matters and distractions. Help me focus on You and Your will.
It's hard for many people to truly comprehend that Jesus is a personal God that if You truly seek Him with all of your heart you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Of course, the primary means for seeking Him is the bible - the word of God. Speaking for myself, I can truly say that at the very least I have found glimpses of Him and that I truly desire to seek MORE of Him.
For Paul in this chapter of Acts (in Athens), he can certainly speak with confidence that:
4 “The God who made the
world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not
live in temples built by human hands. 25
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather,
he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the
whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the
boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
I can certainly agree and I DO see God as someone close and accessible.
My Prayer: Lord, You are a God that has done SO MUCH, for all of the universe is from Your hands. Yet at the same time You have don SO MUCH for me and continue to do so. I DO seek You and I DO desire you. I DO thank you for your provision and hand in my life and the resulting blessings. Forgive me for being distracted from You through a focus on earthly matters and distractions. Help me focus on You and Your will.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
God's Plan Is Not Known, But It Is Great and There is No Way to Stop His Plan
Acts 16
Through BSF study and the discussion we have had on the topic, I have come to appreciate the role of divine appointments. Here in Acts 16, we see a woman named Lydia with whom Paul and his followers meet and she is baptized and she becomes a believer. Then Lydia invites Paul and his companions to her house and Paul heals a woman by freeing demons from her. He and Silas are immediately arrested, beaten and thrown in jail.
They then prayed and sang hymns to God and God creates and earthquake that creates fear in the jailers and officers and Paul and Silas are released. Of course the jailer and his entire household come to the Lord and then proceed to Lydia's house.
There is no stopping God's great and glorious plan - God's plan here of course is to spread the news of Jesus and to grow his kingdom of believers. All we can do, as Paul and Silas did, is pray to God for wisdom to act and make wise choices to follow and submit to Him. We must also ask how our current circumstances are to be used by God because He creates and uses all of these circumstances (good and bad) for His glory.
My Prayer: Lord, Your Plan Is Great and Your Will Is Perfect. Thank you for how you have provided me with a job. Give me wisdom about the actions to take to follow your will about where you want my job to be. Help me understand both the power and the wisdom of my circumstances in terms of how you want me to take my next step. Help me endure hardship and persevere either in my job search or in my current job if that is your will and help me make decisions that are wise and to act boldly on these decisions.
Through BSF study and the discussion we have had on the topic, I have come to appreciate the role of divine appointments. Here in Acts 16, we see a woman named Lydia with whom Paul and his followers meet and she is baptized and she becomes a believer. Then Lydia invites Paul and his companions to her house and Paul heals a woman by freeing demons from her. He and Silas are immediately arrested, beaten and thrown in jail.
They then prayed and sang hymns to God and God creates and earthquake that creates fear in the jailers and officers and Paul and Silas are released. Of course the jailer and his entire household come to the Lord and then proceed to Lydia's house.
There is no stopping God's great and glorious plan - God's plan here of course is to spread the news of Jesus and to grow his kingdom of believers. All we can do, as Paul and Silas did, is pray to God for wisdom to act and make wise choices to follow and submit to Him. We must also ask how our current circumstances are to be used by God because He creates and uses all of these circumstances (good and bad) for His glory.
My Prayer: Lord, Your Plan Is Great and Your Will Is Perfect. Thank you for how you have provided me with a job. Give me wisdom about the actions to take to follow your will about where you want my job to be. Help me understand both the power and the wisdom of my circumstances in terms of how you want me to take my next step. Help me endure hardship and persevere either in my job search or in my current job if that is your will and help me make decisions that are wise and to act boldly on these decisions.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,
Acts 14
After reading 2 Corinthians about Paul's hardships and again in Acts 14 the hardships he shared with Barnabas, I believe I am beginning to see the role of hardships in our lives. I am working through a spiritual formation workbook and the key tenet of the workbook is that there are several "traditions" of our faith that form our spiritual foundation and God desires us to be balanced among them. For example, one of the traditions we should aspire to be adept at is the "holiness tradition" which of course is for us to be more pure of heart, mind, body and spirit - to be more like Christ. For me this implies a sense of hardship in that we are to deny ourselves perhaps earthly desires in a quest to build a stronger desire for heavenly desires and a desire for Him. So I see truth in Paul's statement:
My Prayer: Lord, YOU are the most holy of holy and that You could be both human and God is amazing. That You died for me personally is amazing and I am in awe of how great and gracious you are. I throw myself at Your feet as I don't feel worthy for your love but I know I have it. Forgive me for my ongoing anger at work and help me focus on you, your love for me and help me be more like you.
After reading 2 Corinthians about Paul's hardships and again in Acts 14 the hardships he shared with Barnabas, I believe I am beginning to see the role of hardships in our lives. I am working through a spiritual formation workbook and the key tenet of the workbook is that there are several "traditions" of our faith that form our spiritual foundation and God desires us to be balanced among them. For example, one of the traditions we should aspire to be adept at is the "holiness tradition" which of course is for us to be more pure of heart, mind, body and spirit - to be more like Christ. For me this implies a sense of hardship in that we are to deny ourselves perhaps earthly desires in a quest to build a stronger desire for heavenly desires and a desire for Him. So I see truth in Paul's statement:
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God..."
My Prayer: Lord, YOU are the most holy of holy and that You could be both human and God is amazing. That You died for me personally is amazing and I am in awe of how great and gracious you are. I throw myself at Your feet as I don't feel worthy for your love but I know I have it. Forgive me for my ongoing anger at work and help me focus on you, your love for me and help me be more like you.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12
As Paul boasts about his weaknesses in this chapter, I gain key insights about Christ's power which are desperately needed by me at this time. In response to Paul's desire to have God remove the thorn from his side, The Lord replies:
As I struggle with work stress, I turn to anger and anger is not desired by God so I plead with God that He forgive me for my anger. At the same time, I plead for God to take away my anger, yet perhaps he won't. Maybe I need to continue to have anger issues as my thorn in my side so that I can continue to lean on God and seek peace in His power.
My Prayer: Lord, please give me insight into your desire for my anger - is this my thorn in my side or will you remove this thorn in my side. Please either way help me with my anger issues - at least help me understand how You will use all of this for your glory.
As Paul boasts about his weaknesses in this chapter, I gain key insights about Christ's power which are desperately needed by me at this time. In response to Paul's desire to have God remove the thorn from his side, The Lord replies:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
As I struggle with work stress, I turn to anger and anger is not desired by God so I plead with God that He forgive me for my anger. At the same time, I plead for God to take away my anger, yet perhaps he won't. Maybe I need to continue to have anger issues as my thorn in my side so that I can continue to lean on God and seek peace in His power.
My Prayer: Lord, please give me insight into your desire for my anger - is this my thorn in my side or will you remove this thorn in my side. Please either way help me with my anger issues - at least help me understand how You will use all of this for your glory.
Monday, October 17, 2011
So they shook the dust off their feet...
Acts 13
For those following my posts, you may find it odd that I have jumped from Psalms to Acts. I do so because I have now started attending BSF here in Raleigh and find it a blessing for myself and a blessing for Zach with whom I go. I am encouraged that through a shared experience of the bible that Zach's interest in reading and knowing God's word has grown. We study together father and son.
BSF this year is studying Acts and this week the start of the study is from Acts 13. This chapter is of course filled with many words that speak to me but probably the words the speak to me most prominently are:
I see encouragement here - encouragement in the sense that while Saul (Paul) and Barnabas are expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, "they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium". This language struck me as odd and I found the following. While the reference I found talks about this as an act of separation from the Jews who rejected the good news, I see this as a sign of encouragement because Saul and Barnabas, despite the fact that the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia rejected the good news, Saul and Barnabas were strong enough in their faith to move on...and even more so it said the "disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit"! They moved on flourished!
The question and challenge is clear: is my faith strong enough to be challenged (not just in my faith but in all areas of life) to the point where Saul and Barnabas were challenged and can I go on and flourish as they did?
This is certainly my prayer.
My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and the good news about You - the gospel of Christ and all that it offers - is so powerful that it cannot be contained nor cannot be stopped. For You I am thankful. I am also thankful for how Your power has transformed my life in ways too many to mention. Yet at the same time, I am weak...I am weak in many areas of my walk, including prayer, evangelism and other ways. Lord, please forgive me for my weakness and imbalance in these areas. Help me submit to You to be developed in these areas and help me truly develop to be the disciple You desire me to be - despite whatever earthly discouragement I might encounter.
For those following my posts, you may find it odd that I have jumped from Psalms to Acts. I do so because I have now started attending BSF here in Raleigh and find it a blessing for myself and a blessing for Zach with whom I go. I am encouraged that through a shared experience of the bible that Zach's interest in reading and knowing God's word has grown. We study together father and son.
BSF this year is studying Acts and this week the start of the study is from Acts 13. This chapter is of course filled with many words that speak to me but probably the words the speak to me most prominently are:
So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
I see encouragement here - encouragement in the sense that while Saul (Paul) and Barnabas are expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, "they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium". This language struck me as odd and I found the following. While the reference I found talks about this as an act of separation from the Jews who rejected the good news, I see this as a sign of encouragement because Saul and Barnabas, despite the fact that the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia rejected the good news, Saul and Barnabas were strong enough in their faith to move on...and even more so it said the "disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit"! They moved on flourished!
The question and challenge is clear: is my faith strong enough to be challenged (not just in my faith but in all areas of life) to the point where Saul and Barnabas were challenged and can I go on and flourish as they did?
This is certainly my prayer.
My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and the good news about You - the gospel of Christ and all that it offers - is so powerful that it cannot be contained nor cannot be stopped. For You I am thankful. I am also thankful for how Your power has transformed my life in ways too many to mention. Yet at the same time, I am weak...I am weak in many areas of my walk, including prayer, evangelism and other ways. Lord, please forgive me for my weakness and imbalance in these areas. Help me submit to You to be developed in these areas and help me truly develop to be the disciple You desire me to be - despite whatever earthly discouragement I might encounter.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
Psalm 41
A dictionary review of "regard" indicates: "thoughtful and sympathetic regard". This causes me to expand my view of weak to include anyone worthy of sympathy. Isn't everyone worthy of sympathy?
My Prayer: Indeed as I read yesterday I continue to marvel in the wonders You have done for me Lord - how great You are! I am blessed beyond what I deserve and then some. Forgive me for the hardness of my heart towards others, in particular at work. Please help me see everyone as You do - that everyone is worthy of not only sympathy but of course love. Help me Love everyone as You intend. Please transform my heart and my life in this area.
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. (verse 1)
the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. (verse 1)
My Prayer: Indeed as I read yesterday I continue to marvel in the wonders You have done for me Lord - how great You are! I am blessed beyond what I deserve and then some. Forgive me for the hardness of my heart towards others, in particular at work. Please help me see everyone as You do - that everyone is worthy of not only sympathy but of course love. Help me Love everyone as You intend. Please transform my heart and my life in this area.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us.
Psalm 40
As David praises God here I become present to many thoughts:
(1) I have recently experienced a stressful period from which God has pulled me out
Although it is questionable whether I was patient, God DID lift me out of the slimy pit.
(2) I am clear how God blesses me and it IS too numerous to count
As David praises God here I become present to many thoughts:
(1) I have recently experienced a stressful period from which God has pulled me out
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
Although it is questionable whether I was patient, God DID lift me out of the slimy pit.
(2) I am clear how God blesses me and it IS too numerous to count
Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
The question of course in my mind is to whom David is referring to when he references"us" and "the wonders you have done". Perhaps David is speaking as King of Israel and for his kingdom and for sure there was much God did for Israel.
For me, I KNOW for sure the wonders God has done for me ARE MANY and I have also witnessed the greatness and wisdom of God's perfect plan as He has used all things in my life for good.
My Prayer: Lord, Your wonders in my life are many and truly amazing - I stand in awe of You as the song goes. Yet I know I have miles to go to draw closer to You in my desire to be more like You. Forgive me Lord for my weakness and my sin and help me stay present to the many blessings You have provided in my life and how real You are in my life. Help me focus on Your love for me, for me to love You, and for me to love others, and for me to be man you intend me to be.
Monday, October 10, 2011
“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
Psalm 39
I was struck this week by an article about Steve Jobs that indicated in the final weeks prior to his death, he expressed regret that he had not spent more time with his children. Similarly, I have been thinking over the past several months, that I must be living my life with a certain amount of urgency to live the life God intends for me. And on a related note, I must with urgency be the head of my household - as a dad and a husband - that God intends for me. My family's lives are at a stake - there is literally a war for their souls and I must fight for their faith.
So today's reading in Psalm39 strikes a chord - verse 4 as David expresses:
I need to be continuously reminded of how fleeting my days are so I can live life with the end in mind, and to be the man God intends me to be.
My Prayer: Lord, you have SAVED me. Oh how awesome a God You are! My heart and life have been transformed and this is ONLY through You Lord Jesus! I am not who want you to be or who you intend me to be as I am weak - and I pray for your protection from Satan, and for strength that only You can provide. Bring me strength Lord and help me be the man you intend me to be.
I was struck this week by an article about Steve Jobs that indicated in the final weeks prior to his death, he expressed regret that he had not spent more time with his children. Similarly, I have been thinking over the past several months, that I must be living my life with a certain amount of urgency to live the life God intends for me. And on a related note, I must with urgency be the head of my household - as a dad and a husband - that God intends for me. My family's lives are at a stake - there is literally a war for their souls and I must fight for their faith.
So today's reading in Psalm39 strikes a chord - verse 4 as David expresses:
“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
I need to be continuously reminded of how fleeting my days are so I can live life with the end in mind, and to be the man God intends me to be.
My Prayer: Lord, you have SAVED me. Oh how awesome a God You are! My heart and life have been transformed and this is ONLY through You Lord Jesus! I am not who want you to be or who you intend me to be as I am weak - and I pray for your protection from Satan, and for strength that only You can provide. Bring me strength Lord and help me be the man you intend me to be.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.
Psalm 38
I often think that I don't need protection. I don't face physical harm...and I don't feel as if I have any enemies. So when I read this Psalm from David (and many others like this), I don't feel like God is talking to me and I move on. Yet today, as I begin to emerge from the shadows of a dark valley where I have been for the past several weeks, I am clear that I DO need protection.
I need protection from my own thoughts that form as a result of Satan's attacks and Satan's desire to separate me from God.
It is true from pastor Scott's sermon that true rest can only be found in Him.
I found solace in the closing verses of this Psalm:
My Prayer: Lord, I know You are everywhere all the time and present in my life anytime I seek You. What an incredible God You are that You are not only this to me but to ANYONE who seeks you! Forgive me please Lord for my neglect of You and for my sin of lust. Please please forgive me. Forgive me for my neglect of my family. Thank you for how you bless me despite my failures - for you bless me even though I don't deserve it. Please help me Lord continue to seek You out - daily. Protect me from Satan - all the time. Help me be the man You desire me to be.
I often think that I don't need protection. I don't face physical harm...and I don't feel as if I have any enemies. So when I read this Psalm from David (and many others like this), I don't feel like God is talking to me and I move on. Yet today, as I begin to emerge from the shadows of a dark valley where I have been for the past several weeks, I am clear that I DO need protection.
I need protection from my own thoughts that form as a result of Satan's attacks and Satan's desire to separate me from God.
It is true from pastor Scott's sermon that true rest can only be found in Him.
I found solace in the closing verses of this Psalm:
21 LORD, do not forsake me;
do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.
do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior.
My Prayer: Lord, I know You are everywhere all the time and present in my life anytime I seek You. What an incredible God You are that You are not only this to me but to ANYONE who seeks you! Forgive me please Lord for my neglect of You and for my sin of lust. Please please forgive me. Forgive me for my neglect of my family. Thank you for how you bless me despite my failures - for you bless me even though I don't deserve it. Please help me Lord continue to seek You out - daily. Protect me from Satan - all the time. Help me be the man You desire me to be.
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