“I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Isaiah 48

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." v17

Lord, You are Truth, and You are wisdom - through You all things are known.  Without You I would not have any direction nor would I have received the blessings I have received.

My Prayer: Lord, Your Truth is the only source of wisdom and knowledge I hope seek.  Yet from time to time, I consult my own reasoning or other sources and this is sinful.  I know You love me anyway but please forgive me for looking elsewhere.  Help me focus solely on You and on Your guiding hand and light.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.



"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Isaiah 44

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,

your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me,

for I have redeemed you.” v22

As Christmas Day nears, I think of gifts and family- what is typically the focus.  Yet as I continue to reflect and read this passage, the gift of course is God himself - Jesus Christ.  This gift is permanent and is amazing.  As the scripture says, God redeems.  And He is the only one who can do so...and there is so much more.  

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (John 3:36).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...what an amazing gift You are.  That You gave Your life so I can have life (abundantly and eternally) is really the most amazing part.  I am weak - I know You love me anyway but please forgive me for my weakness and lack of strength and boldness.  Please help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me focus on You - the greatest gift of all.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Isaiah 43

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? v18-19

As I have read here, God is always doing something...and He is always doing something specifically for me.  He is alive and active as I have posted here:

Faith is in Him and faith is that what He has in store for us is great - regardless of what the circumstances are (1 Thes 5:18)

My Prayer: Lord, You have always done great things - and great things specifically for me.  And You continue to do so.  I am not worthy of such blessings.  I fail to lead in my house as You command me.  I know You love me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Encourage me, give me strength, work through me Lord Jesus.

I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 42

I will keep you and will make you

to be a covenant for the people

and a light for the Gentiles,

to open eyes that are blind,

to free captives from prison

and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. v6-7

I exist to glorify God and one of the ways I can glorify is to seek and save the lost - in this passage the Gentiles. 

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

I am challenged to do my part to seek and save the lost.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I was once lost but now am found as the hymn says.  You are so gracious, gentle and full of kindness and compassion.  I am not worthy of the love You have for me yet You love me anyway and You take my hand.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my sloth....my lack of activity in many areas including my role as spiritual head of the household and also as one who is called to help you seek and save the lost.  Give me courage and boldness.  Give me energy.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires and so that I can do Your handiwork and serve Your purpose.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. v13

God is of course so much more but here He is as our heavenly father - loving us and protecting us from all harm.  There is so much harm as well - we should not underestimate this role in our life.

¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

My Prayer: Lord, You are my heavenly father and You are the only one who can protect me from the forces of evil - from Satan and his minions.  I am surrounded by evil and wickedness and I see You so that Your desires are my desires.  I am far from perfect and I fall often - thank You that You love me and pick me up anyway but please forgive me for my neglect - I DO need You.  Purify my heart and my life and make me Yours - fully.



The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.

Indeed, there is only one thing in this world where we can be sure - that our God will always be.  And everything about Him will always be.

Unlike others and things in this world that change constantly...you can always count on and trust in Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord, You are perfect, pure, holy, all knowing and all powerful...and so much more!  You are also always available and You never change.  That is why our trust should be in You alone.  I badly need You because of my sloth.  I thank You for your patience and grace for me - I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my sloth and my lust.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me be more like You.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you, therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 30

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him! v18

Amazing that despite how we disappoint God, how He still longs to forgive us and to show us grace and compassion.  As it is said earlier in this chapter:

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength,
    but you would have none of it. v15

Even though we would have "none of it" God is still available and waiting for us to repent and will take us back anytime - no shame!  Thus the story of the Prodigal Son.

My Prayer: Lord, You are so awesome!  How amazing that you are so full of grace, patient, compassion, etc.  You are the vine that will never stop producing (over) abundance of fruit!  I need You badly Lord because of my sin.  I am lazy.  Thank You for Your patience and love for me despite what I have done and continue to do.  Please forgive me for laziness.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Transform both my heart and my life.

“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

Isaiah 29

“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught." v13

 Am I this way with the Lord.   In many ways I must assess myself as saying yes....sadly enough.  The Lord God says that the most important command is to love the Lord Your God with all of Your heart, mind and soul.

³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

 

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.^{] 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

Another way of asking this question - am I everything that Jesus wants me to be.  

When I look closely, using books like this which I have read, I say not....Jesus please help me be like You in every way you desire for me.

My Prayer: Lord, You are perfect - nothing needs to be added or taken away from You.  Yet I am not, and I need Your help.  I need You in my life.  I know You love me and I thank You that You do, but please forgive me that I am not all that ask of me.  Please help me continue to push forward with growth in Christ.

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

Isaiah 28

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,

whose plan is wonderful,

whose wisdom is magnificent. v29

There is a right way and there is a wrong way and God is our guide - He is Truth.  We must seek Him for Truth, and then we must follow and obey Him.  For without Him we are lost and eternally damned.

My Prayer: Lord, You are wonderful and magnificent, and Your word and wisdom are magnificent.  Without You and Your word I would be lost forever.  It is amazing that You love me and want to be in relationship with me even though I sin and I am broken.  Yet with You I am complete and have a purpose.  I thank You for Your love and for the relationship I have with You as my Lord and Savior.  I seek Your forgiveness because without it I am a slave to sin.  Free me Lord and transform my heart and life.  Redeem me and use me for your delight and glory.

[B]ut whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Isaiah 26

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,
    we wait for you;
your name and renown
    are the desire of our hearts.

My soul yearns for you in the night;
    in the morning my spirit longs for you. v8-9

 Also: 

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the living water and the food we seek.  We need not go anywhere else because You are the source and provider of all things.   You bless all those who follow You.  Yet I fall down...often.  I thank You that You love me anyway, but please forgive me in my laziness and disobedience.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

Isaiah 25

Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago.

A few weeks ago, our worship pastor sermoned on the importance of worship.  Take away is that we are made for worship, in everything we do.  This past week, the sermon emphasized that our worship and thanks should be for Him not for what He has done for us.

I of course agree that God has done wonderful things and He is above all - He IS worthy of our praise not just in song but in everything we do.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the only true God - perfect, blameless, holy, almighty, all knowing and all loving.  Amazing.  I need You in my heart and life not just for what You do in wiping my sin away but also for who You are - Truth.  Your word is truth and without Your word I would be nowhere - lost in broken world of sin, deceit, and eternal damnation.  I am full of harmful thoughts and talk about others - Lord, I know you love me anyway so thank You.  Yet I seek Your forgiveness and I seek Your help to purify and refine me so that Your desires are my desires.  Transform my heart and life and make me Yours in all ways.

See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it;

Isaiah 24

See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth
    and devastate it;
he will ruin its face
    and scatter its inhabitants—
² it will be the same
    for priest as for people,
    for the master as for his servant,
    for the mistress as for her servant,
    for seller as for buyer,
    for borrower as for lender,
    for debtor as for creditor.
³ The earth will be completely laid waste
    and totally plundered.
The Lord has spoken this word. v1-3

It is not something we as Christians talk much about but we must as we must live as if we don't know when our time on earth is up and we will be called to account for our life.

As I have posted here, we must live with the end in mind.

My Prayer: Lord, You are so full of grace, kindness, patience, compassion, and so much more.  You ARE all of this.  I SO desire to be this as well yet I stumble and sin - too often.  I am not Jesus to others as You desire.  I know You love me and You are patient with me but please forgive me.  Help me so that my desires are Your desires.  Transform both my heart and my life. 

This is what the Lord says to me: “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place[.]

Isaiah 18

This is what the Lord says to me:
    “I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, v4

The Lord is almighty yet He allows us to make sinful choices - we are not to choose sin but we do and He allows it.  If we are to love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul as it says in Matthew 22:37-40.  We cannot love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul if He forcefully stops us from sinning - our desires must be His desires - freely!

My Prayer: Lord, You are pure and holy and perfect.  I DO desire to be like You.  I know I was made in Your image yet I stain this image with my sin.  I am SO thankful that You wash all this away.  Please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Help me be more like You - transform my heart, my mind and soul to be more like You.

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16

In love a throne will be established;

in faithfulness a man will sit on it—

one from the house of David—

one who in judging seeks justice

and speeds the cause of righteousness. v5

Isaiah prophecizes about Jesus, that Jesus' day will come and His reign will rest on a mandate of love, that we are to love Him and to love others. 

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:34-40

The verses also indicate that Jesus is all about justice and righteousness - which is defined here as acting in accord with the law.  If we love Him, and He IS love and He is IN us, then love, righteousness and justice should flow from Him to the world.

My Prayer: Lord, You are holy, pure, perfect, and so much more.  I cannot compare to You, nor can anyone or anything compare to You.  As the song says, "nothing compares to you".  This is certainly true for myself - I am not even close to who You are and I am not obedient as I fail to love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.  Thank You for the many blessings and that You love me but please forgive me Lord Jesus!  Refine me, purify me, take me and make me Yours Jesus.  Help me so that love, righteousness, and justice flow from me to the world.

For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Isaiah 14

For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
    His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? v27

The Lord Is in control.  Yet that does not mean that I am to sit still.  As I have read in Hebrews 6:1 and posted on it here, we are to grow in our faith.  Similarly, we are to live by faith AND through action, as I have read and posted here.

I cannot simply sit idle and trust that because the Lord is in control that He will make me get up and do things.  WRONG.  I am to be bold and act on my faith as I feel directed by Him (and through the Bible, prayer, others, etc.).

My Prayer: Lord, You are active, and You continue to do amazing things in my life and in the world that I can see.  I am not deserving of the rich blessings You provide.  I am lazy and I don't act out my faith as You demand from me.  Thank You that You love me anyway, but please forgive me for my inaction and laziness!  Please help me get off my duff and act out my faith.  Help me be bold!  Help me be Your hands and feet - I deeply desire to by Your instrument for Your plans. 

The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.

Isaiah 14 

The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
    once again he will choose Israel
    and will settle them in their own land. v1

Although sin is everywhere, the Lord has compassion....although my BSF leader has indicated that God sets a limit on wickedness so I pray that I never ever come close to that limit!

My Prayer: Lord, You are so full of compassion as You love and bless me despite what I have done!  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my disdainful thoughts - particularly after the election.  Help me stay pure Jesus.  Help me desire what You desire.

Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.

Isaiah 9 

Surely wickedness burns like a fire;
    it consumes briers and thorns,
it sets the forest thickets ablaze,
    so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. v18

This is a reminder that sin is everywhere....and it spreads easily.

This morning, I recall different ways we can avoid sin:

Being separate from sin
Repentance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ
The Word of God in Your heart will protect you

My Prayer: Lord, You are Holy and sinless.  I am not....I continue to speak and think badly of people.  I know You love me anyway, so thank You Lord Jesus for Your unconditional love.  Please forgive me and help me avoid sin.  Help protect me and help purify and refine me.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. v6

The greatest gift of all...the greatest blessing of all time...is Jesus Christ.  Isaiah tells of the coming of Christ which is great news indeed.

I don't have to live a life enslaved to sin.  I can come to Christ who will bear and forgive my sin so that I can have a new life...a new life in Him.  What an amazing gift.

My Prayer: Lord, the gift of Your son is a gift like no other.  It is the only gift we could ever want or need.  Yet I continue to find images of God elsewhere or I worry too much...or I exasperate my children.  I know You love me Lord Jesus, and I do thank You for this love, but I seek Your forgiveness.  I also seek the transformation that only You can provide.  I seek to have Your truth and Your Spirit dwell throughout my body and in my daily life.  Guide me.

The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.

Isaiah 8

The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
    he is the one you are to fear,    he is the one you are to dread. v13

And of course there is Matthew 22:37-39:

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

I should not have desires outside of what God desires for me.  Yet I continue to fall down.

This dilemma is also expressed by Paul

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  

Romans 7:21-25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the standard - as You are perfect, pure, and Holy.  I am not.  I know that You love me anyway but Lord Jesus please forgive me for the corruption of my heart and for my unholy acts.  Help me so that I am not a slave to sin.  Purify me, refine me, transform both my heart and my life.  Take me Jesus I desire to be Yours and Yours alone.  I don't want any desires beyond what You desire for me.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. v14

As Jerusalem is threatened by invaders, the Lord tells Isaiah:

⁷ Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“‘It will not take place,
    it will not happen,⁸ for the head of Aram is Damascus,
    and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
    Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
⁹ The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
    and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.
If you do not stand firm in your faith,    you will not stand at all.’” (v7-9)

Two key takeaways this morning, particularly after the election:
(1) The Lord is in control of all things at all times (v7)
(2) Our faith in Him is the most important (v9), Mark 12:28-30

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:28-30

My Prayer: Lord, You alone reign over everything at all times forever and forever.  You know why things happen and why and when things will happen.  You allow things to happen and You also prevent things from happening.  It is You alone in whom I must have faith.  Yet I have faith too much in people and government and this is not right - it is sinful.  I know You love me anyway, but please forgive me that I am not standing firm in my faith.  Purify me, refine me.  Help me be more like You Jesus Christ and help me act like Jesus Christ.  Take me and make me Yours.

With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.

Isaiah 6

With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” v7

God has always been one of forgiveness and grace.  As I have read here in Chronicles, we are often deserving of harsh punishment but God forgives and is full of grace.

It is also written in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Grace is ALL that is needed....on grace alone we have power previously unavailable to us.

The dictionary defines grace as: "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification".

This is really all that is needed....why would we need more than this? 


My Prayer: Your grace Lord Jesus IS sufficient....it IS all that I need.  Your grace has carried through light and darkness.  You have been there and will be there always.  Yet I don't often trust in this grace and as well I sin in other ways, liking speaking badly of others, particularly of leaders in the political realm and at work.  This is wrong and sinful.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these sins.  Refine me, purify me and help me trust in You alone and Your grace.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Isaiah 5

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
    and clever in their own sight. v21

Many a times have I heard God speak a message warning of arrogance and pride.  For example, I have recently read these words in Proverbs.

In Isaiah 5, "woe" has severe consequences:

for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
    and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people;
    his hand is raised and he strikes them down.
The mountains shake,
    and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. v24-25

My Prayer: Lord, it is only You who are wise - it is through You that all wisdom exists.  I have none except through You.  Yet I continue to believe and have faith in my self and my own wisdom.  Deeply sinful!!  I know You love me anyway, but please forgive me Lord Jesus...rid of this pride and arrogance.  Help me draw close to You.  Fill my heart with Your words and Your wisdom.  Help me act out my faith and be Jesus to others.  I seek to please and honor You Lord Jesus.

The Lord takes his place in court;he rises to judge the people.

Isaiah 3

The Lord takes his place in court;
    he rises to judge the people. v13

This morning I reflect on how I have neglected the Lord, and turned my back on Him.  I have not reached to the Lord in study, prayer, reflection in over a week.  I have worried about work and school and other matters.  I have also judged others and said awful things about them.

This morning I am reminded that Lord is judge and that I deserve punishment for my sin.

 I am reminded as well that if I am punished it will be for my own good and for God's glory:

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24

My Prayer: Lord,  You are perfect, pure, and holy.  Everything You have done and will do is with both a pure motive and with a perfect outcome.  I have seen the precision of Your design and the beauty of Your outcomes in my own life, in the lives of others, and in creation - in nature.  Amazing.  Yet, in contrast, I have impure motives AND I have imperfect outcomes with all of the sin in my life.  I know that You love me anyway, so I am deeply grateful for that, but I ask that You forgive me.  Help me deepen my faith and love of You.  Give me strength to be bold and to carry out Your plan for me.

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2

Stop trusting in mere humans,
    who have but a breath in their nostrils.
    Why hold them in esteem? v22

I cling to many earthly matters - money, things, job, people, etc.  I place too much trust in these matters.

I have Jesus Christ, my Lord:

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE holy, blameless, and pure...and SO much more.  You are the source of ALL blessings and I am a recipient of many of Your blessings.  Yet I am undeserved...I neglect You and I don't always turn to You as I should.  Please forgive me Lord Jesus and help me strengthen my faith.

When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

Isaiah 1

This morning I am warned to have a relationship with the Lord that is not empty but is instead based on fear and reverence of the Lord and faith in Him alone:

When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,
    this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
    Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
    I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
    I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands in prayer,
    I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.

Your hands are full of blood!  v12-15

Instead:

Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.
¹⁷ Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.

 
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
    you will eat the good things of the land;

 
²⁰ but if you resist and rebel,
    you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. v16-20

My Prayer: Lord, You are real and You are great.  Yet I am empty and my life is empty.  I am full of sin and laziness.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my sin and my empty life.  Help me love and follow You with all of my heart, mind, and soul.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12

For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil. v14

 We sin and we sin daily, big things and little things - and God of course knows about all of them.  We need to come to God daily for many reasons but one important one is for repentance. If we don't come to Him daily it is like saying I don't need repentance and I can hide my sin - NOT TRUE!

God knows everything - including everything about me - Psalm 139

My Prayer: Lord, You know everything about me - yet You love me anyway.  I am sinful in that every day I fail in some way to be the dad and husband you want me to be.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Please help me be the dad and husband You want me to be.

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

Ecclesiastes 7

...the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
    and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
¹⁶ Do not be overrighteous,
    neither be overwise—
    why destroy yourself?
¹⁷ Do not be overwicked,
    and do not be a fool—
    why die before your time?
¹⁸ It is good to grasp the one
    and not let go of the other.
    Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.

Those who ARE righteous CAN perish by focusing on their righteousness or by being over-righteous - it is called pride.   In James 4:

“God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.” v6

At the same time, we are ALL wicked.  We are to be righteous and to avoid sin to walk that fine line - only through Christ can we do this.

My Prayer: Lord, You are Holy, Pure, and Blameless.  I am NOT!  I think badly and talk badly of others - how sinful!  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Help me be righteous and avoid sin.  Help me recognize that there is only one truth and one way and that is You.  Help me love You with all of my heart mind and soul.

As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?

Ecclesiastes 5

As goods increase,
    so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
    except to feast their eyes on them? v11

As our church embarks on a capital campaign to build a new facility and to "seek and save the lost" of the RDU area, the subject of finances is front and center.  Today's reading is appropriate - our focus should not be on goods as pleasing to the eye.  

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer:  Lord, you have blessed and provided beyond my imagination.  I am not worthy of such blessing.  I lack trust and faith in you - this is a sin as I am to love You with all of my heart mind and soul.  I am not to have any other idols - such as money or stuff.  Thank You that You love me anyway  but please forgive me.  Help me focus on how Your blessings are to be used for Your glory and not to feed my pride, nor to be hoarded.  Instead help me be a good steward.  Help me give generously.


 

“God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked,

Ecclesiastes 3 

¹⁵ Whatever is has already been,
    and what will be has been before;
    and God will call the past to account.

¹⁶ And I saw something else under the sun:

In the place of judgment—wickedness was there,
    in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

¹⁷ I said to myself,

“God will bring into judgment

    both the righteous and the wicked,

for there will be a time for every activity,

    a time to judge every deed.” (V15-17)

I neglect this important fact about my relationship with God and my life here on earth - that even if I believe I am being righteous (need to be careful with this assessment), I must live a life on earth that has the end in mind and in the end, I will be judged - my life in its entirety.

Our days are numbered - see entry here.  As well, our days are evil..

My Prayer: Lord, You are HOLY, perfect, and blameless.  I am not.  I sin...alot.  I sinned last night when I spoke of our President and insulted him - that is a sin.  I do that to others.  Thank You that You love me anyway Lord Jesus, but please forgive me.  Rid me of this sin and help me be more pure of heart, mind and soul.  Help me love You with all of my heart mind and soul.  Help me fulfill Your purpose for me here on earth.  Help me reach my mom. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] v1

God's timing is perfect.  He orchestrates all activities under the heavens, and of course this includes my life.

This morning I also found:

This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you[.] Isaiah 49:8

My Prayer: Lord, Your works and Your timing is perfect - there is no question that You are God!  Lord, I come to You because I need You.  I have sinned and continue to sin.  I speak badly of others still and this is sinful.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Rid me of this sin and purify me.  Transform my heart and help me be more like You every day.

Thank You and Praise Jesus for answered prayer that Bryan's daughter's Crohn's disease is in remission.

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Proverbs 30

5 Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

God's word is truth and there is only one truth and one authority.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE truth and I need not go anywhere else for counsel or wisdom or direction.  Yet I do go elsewhere.  Proof of that is my own sin.  I speak ill of others and I should not.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Rid me of this sin and also of all sin!  Transform my heart and my life and please make me more like You.  Please also help me reach my mom and bring her to You Lord Jesus.

Please also heal Bryan's daughter who has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 28

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them. v20

I often speak in haste and I often don't heed James' instruction:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  James 1:19-20

My Prayer: Lord, You are available to listen to me anytime and all the time.  You are patient and as well slow to anger...You are perfect.  Of course I am not.  I speak too quickly and too often I think and say things about people that are not right-sinful.  Thank You for loving me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus and please purify and refine my heart and help me be more like You.

Those who work their land will have abundant food

Proverbs 28

Those who work their land will have abundant food,

    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. v19

It is not only good for us to work it is God's plan and he purposely gives us work so that we can honor Him and fulfill our purpose for him.  This is true from the very beginning.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

In the same way, we are to work with a good attitude:

⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-9

My Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me not only with A job, but a job where I am paid well and with a job where I get to work at home and not travel alot.  What an amazing blessing.  I am not worthy of such love an blessing.  I say I don't need You and that is a sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me resist any temptation that I can do this alone - I cannot.

It is not good for the man to be alone

Genesis 3

It is not good for the man to be alone Genesis 2:18

God knows that we are in a battle with the flesh - that our desire to sin can be more powerful than our desire for Him.  For this reason, God gives us a helper - a wife.  

And He also gives us "one anothers" in our lives for us to support and encourage each other in our growth in Christ.  Our social context and our relationships are important. 

It is important to look out for Satan and to use our helpers and the "one anothers" in our lives.

Who we associate with is important, as I have read here.  In The Good and Beautiful God, we are reminded that social context is important (see page 21).

And in Acts 2:44, I am reminded once again of the importance of the "one anothers".

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God in that You have not only provided a helper in Lisa but also "one anothers" in my life.  I am not worthy of such love and blessings.  I sin - and I sin daily.  I think and speak badly of people and this is wrong.  I am am thankful that You love me anyway yet I ask that You forgive me Jesus.  Help me strengthen my faith and help me lead in my household and in my community.

Those who trust in themselves are fools

Proverbs 28

Those who trust in themselves are fools v26

When I don't go to the Lord daily...I am implying many things, including:

• I don't need the Lord
• I don't trust the Lord 

 Of course both are deeply sinful!

But I know I need the Lord...for many reasons.  He IS trustworthy because He has blessed me beyond imagination and I need to be more mindful of how He has blessed me.

I also know that taking things into my own hands, with my own plans, does not work.  There are countless examples also in the Bible where this is the case, including the story of Jacob and Esau.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a blessing and You have blessed me...in many, many ways.  I am not worthy of such blessing, particularly when I neglect You.  I don't want to disappoint You but I do....I am thankful that You love me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus for my neglect of You.  I DO desire to love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.  Please help me build my faith in You and help me draw near to You and stay near to You.

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God

Proverbs 28

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God.v14

I have often read and reflected on how I am to fear the Lord.   We are clearly to both love and fear the Lord.  This is also clearly stated in the Ten Commandments:

And God spoke all these words:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ “You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.  Exodus 20:1-4

 It is this love and healthy fear of the Lord that draws me near to Him.

My Prayer: Lord, You are awesome!  Your love and might are incredible.  I have even seen it when I have experienced trials how You love me.  I am not worthy of such love yet You love me anyway.  I neglect You and I often don't trust You and this is deeply sinful.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me see You as trustworthy all the time.  Help me be the man You intend for me.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Proverbs 27

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
    give careful attention to your herds;

for riches do not endure forever,
    and a crown is not secure for all generations. v23-4

 This is an encouragement to me to focus on the hearts of those entrusted to me...those in my family.

Similarly, another verse in this Proverb:

As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart v19

and an entry posted a couple of years ago encourages me to actually live a life of example.

I also recall:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

My Prayer: Lord, You are trustworthy because You are 100% good - You always have my interests in mind and You will never do anything that is not just or good. I wish I was more like You...I say and think bad things about people - people I work with and people on TV, etc.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and purify and refine me.  Help me be more like You.  Help me focus on the hearts of my family and be a good shepherd of their hearts and a leader in my house/family.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Proverbs 27

Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring. v1

It is prudent to plan and God wants us to follow Him and His vision for our lives....we just should not boast about anything and focus on ourselves...all for His glory.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and I am thankful that You are able to use me for Your glory.  I am imperfect and I often pursue selfish desires more than You.  I should be loving You with all my heart soul and mind.  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and please help me come to You...daily and all the time.

Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22

Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
    apply your heart to what I teach,

for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips. v17-18

I ask daily that the Lord write a message on my heart.  Solomon's words here in Proverbs reinforce the role of memorization - because it is "pleasing [to the Lord] when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips."

My Prayer: Lord, Your Word - the Bible - is Truth, Wisdom, and Life...and so much more.  I cannot live without it.  However, I say this yet there are days when I ignore You.  How foolish and sinful!  I thank You that You love me anyway but I ask You Lord Jesus to please forgive me!  Help me come to You daily and help me grow in my faith so that I can have Your words on my heart and ready on my lips.

...man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deu 8:3

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Proverbs 21

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

First and foremost I am to seek His pleasure and delight.  I break the number one commandment, the most important one...all the time.   I need Christ desperately in my life.

My Prayer: Lord, I know You love me and once again I find that amazing....because I am broken.  Thank You that You do love me but please forgive me...please purify me, refine me and make me Your devoted servant.   Make me more like You.

 

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out and not be answered. v13

I need to be more mindful of those in need and what God wants me to do - either with my time, talents, or treasure (or all of the above).  There is also a broader message here that whoever does not help (of any type) anyone in need  will not be able to be helped by God.  

Today's message is also found in another post.

My Prayer: Lord, You are generous in so many ways and You never neglect me regardless of how I neglect You.  Thank you for this and please forgive me for my neglect of You.  Please help me be generous and please help me be more like You.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 21

The plans of the diligent lead to profit
    as surely as haste leads to poverty. v5

I have often struggled with the concept of living a life aligned with a purpose from God - implying that working towards a vision God has for me.  I am also struggling with how to do with this Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.

These words encourage me to continue this struggle because it is a worthy fight - to work towards God's vision for my life.

My Prayer: Lord, Your hand in my life is clear and I have seen the good and perfect work you have done.  I am ready and willing to be used by You.  I know I have not loved You with all of my heart mind and soul so thank You for loving me anyway but please forgive me.  Please also reveal to me glimpses of Your vision for my life and encourage me to follow You and to lead my family.