Being pinned to the wall

Being pinned to the wall

I Sam. 18:10-12

The next day an evil spirit [permitted] from God came mightily upon Saul,

and he prophesied in the midst of the house, [beside himself in an agitated state of anger  -  he made prayers and supplications; calling down harm on those around him]

while David played the harp with his hand, as at other times; [a humble, kind, and honest person who just wanted to be of service to his King]

and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. [the emblem of majestic authority and power]

And Saul cast the javelin, [using the greatest pressure of intimidation he had]

for he thought, I WILL PIN DAVID TO THE WALL. [trying to kill him and his influence among the people]

And David evaded him twice. [the divine intervention of God towards him]

And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David, and was departed from Saul.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we are encouraged by Your Word to know that You love us and are aware of us in time of need as much as You did David – and when we feel we’re BEING PINNED AGAISNT THE WALL, we can be assured that Your divine intervention will be there before it can harm us. We’ll also take the warning to not go the way of Saul who, acting out in rage, was left destitute of courage and greatness of mind, of wisdom and discretion, and became mean and miserable, and exposed himself to the disrespect of those around him. Thank You for Your Word that keeps us in check. You are faithful!

Because of the THEREFORE

Because of the THEREFORE

Is. 50:7

FOR THE LORD GOD HELPS AND SUPPORTS ME; [amid all the expressions of contempt and disparagement]

THEREFORE [BECAUSE THE LORD GOD HELPS AND SUPPORTS ME]

HAVE I NOT BEEN ASHAMED OR CONFOUNDED. [though shamefully used; feel no shame of my life or work as it is pleasing before God]

THEREFORE [BECAUSE I AM NOT ASHAMED OR CONFUSED]

HAVE I SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT, [a strong resolution against all opposition; firm and undisturbed; constant and unmoved by the words and blows of others; not to be moved by anything they can say or do]

and I KNOW I SHALL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME. [Because of the THEREFORE –->  FOR THE LORD GOD HELPS AND SUPPORTS ME and I AM NOT ASHAMED OR CONFUSED!]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, who dares to be an enemy to those to who You are a Friend? .  .  .   Or who will challenge those whose advocate is You?  .  .   When we’re standing before You with clean hands and a pure heart, all that matters is that You are our help and support - THEREFORE in You will I securely put my trust.

Do as I say . . . not as I do

Do as I say  .  .  .   not as I do

Matt. 23:3

So observe and practice all they tell you; [hear what is said, pay attention and take notice of it, and act according to what is read because it is from the Law God gave to Moses]

but do not do what they do, [don’t follow their example if they’re living doesn’t match up to what they preach]

FOR THEY PREACH, [talk and give pious advice to look good in front of others]

BUT DO NOT PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH. [they talk of good works, but do none; they bid others do them, but do not practice them themselves; they very strictly and severely put them on others, but are very careless themselves to observe them]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, to be blunt – this is the definition of a hypocrite. And, boy, do we hate those kind of people who have the pious attitude of DO AS I SAY  .  .   NOT AS I DO.   While it’s so easy to see and judge this in others ----  we will first turn to our own lives and ask You to take a hard look at us and let us see where we fall short of knowing the right way, but fail to do as we should. May we be able to see and accept what You show us and have the power to make the changes needed.

From the inside out

From the inside out

Jer. 13:23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? [can’t change or alter what’s natural FROM THE INSIDE OUT – attempting to do what’s humanly impossible]

Then also can you do good who are accustomed and taught to do evil. [not denying mans freedom to choose to do what is good; but neither is it humanly possible to change the nature of sin that man was born with FROM THE INSIDE OUT]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we may be able to make choices to change our lives at some degree to do good, but we, within the limits of human ability and knowledge,  cannot change our hearts FROM THE INSIDE OUT. We thank You for Your powerful and effective work of saving grace to us - for it was nothing short of miraculous that put us into a state and capacity of not only DOING right - but BEING right  .  .   FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

Licking dust in the wilderness

Licking dust in the wilderness

Ps.72:9

THOSE WHO DWELL IN THE WILDERNESS [are spiritually desolate, alone and without hope]

shall bow before Him [powerless; in profound submission; will fall on their face on the ground]

and His enemies shall LICK THE DUST. [place their mouths on the ground and kiss it in honor and subjection]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we are so glad for the day that we saw ourselves LIVING IN THE WILDERNESS OF SIN - so broken and humbled, finding ourselves in such a hopeless condition – and realized we needed help  .  .  .  As we bowed in submission before You, You picked us up from the ground, knocked the dust off of us and made us Your Child – no more LICKING THE DUST IN THE WILDERNESS.

A drop from a bucket

A drop from a bucket

Is. 40:15

Behold, [observe and recognize]

[In comparison to God] the nations [the powers of all inhabitants of the earth combined together]

are like A DROP FROM A BUCKET [the drop that falls from the bucket in drawing water is extremely small having no power compared with the waters of the ocean - it is as nothing]

and are counted as small dust on the scales; [a tiny, fine particle of powder has no effect in making the most accurate scale unbalanced]

behold, [observe and recognize]

He takes up the isles like a very little thing. [even so, it’s a very small thing for God to move the mountains - "isles" are mountains upheaved from the bed of the sea by volcanic activity]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, what strikes us as ‘great’ is nothing in comparison to You! Since there’s nothing or no one that can resist You – all is just A DROP IN THE BUCKET to You - You can accomplish Your purposes and nothing or no one can refuse to accept the completing of Your plans. Surely .  .  surely  .   .   we know that You can accomplish all things without our aid. Let us stand still and see Your glory at work!

The Voice

The Voice

Is. 30:20-21

And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity [you go through hardships]

and the water of affliction, [you go through long, weary days of suffering]

yet your Teacher [the Holy Spirit] will not hide Himself any more, [you won’t be left without spiritual guidance or direction]

but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher. [see the unseen]

And your ears will hear A WORD BEHIND YOU, [hear THE VOICE of the Teacher in your conscience]

saying, THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT, [THE VOICE always speaks clearly and without hesitation – yet, speaks softly, so you must listen for His Voice so as not to miss it]

when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left. [when you are in danger of wandering from the direct and straight path – listen for THE VOICE]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, it takes courage to wait in silence, trusting that You won’t remain silent.  It takes courage to bypass all the words of well meaning friends.  It takes courage not to be pulled by those who are insisting on an immediate decision or action. It takes courage to wait on, trust in, and rely on You to direct us in difficult decisions.  As we still ourselves before You in waiting, help us to block out all intruding thoughts and opinions. We pray that You will not be silent and will to speak to us and give us direction in each decision we’re needing to make.  We desire to hear THE VOICE say: THIS IS THE WAY; WALK YE IN IT!

Fabulous lifestyle

Fabulous lifestyle

Ps. 32:8

I, the Lord, will INSTRUCT you [your Personal Life Coach]

and TEACH you in the way you should go; [your Personal Tutor]

I will COUNSEL you [your Personal, Private Counseling Sessions]

with MY EYE UPON YOU. [your Personal Security Guard]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, have we really realized how privileged we are that You have provided us such a FABULOUS LIFESTYLE as Your children? Thank You for opening the windows of heavens provisions for us. May we not take for granted our privileges.

Quit horsing around

Quit horsing around

Ps. 32:9

BE NOT LIKE THE HORSE [by nature - wild, ungoverned, unwilling to be caught and made obedient]

OR THE MULE, [distinguished for its stubbornness]

WHICH LACK UNDERSTANDING, [cannot be controlled by reason and conscience]

which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, [to restrain or control them by power and fear]

or else they will not come with you. [unless forced or constrained to obey]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, You are cautioning us to QUIT HORSING AROUND by being thoughtless, stupid, and unteachable, or even worse, at times, stubborn, pigheaded and headstrong - when You are only trying to lead and direct us in a better way than what we want or see for ourselves. We don’t want to miss out on what, where and how You are trying to lead us. Lead on .  .  .  . we will follow!

Doing the same thing . . Getting the same results

Doing the same thing .  .  .  .
     Getting the same results

Mk. 10:46b-47

Bartimaeus, A BLIND BEGGAR, a son of Timaeus, was SITTING BY THE ROADSIDE BEGGING. [all in the town knew him well for day after day, he was at his regular place, doing his regular thing – getting enough to just get by daily]

And when he heard [didn’t see who was coming - he was blind! He heard them coming]

that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, [the One who did miracles was close enough he could hear his breathing, his footsteps, his voice - near enough to know he could ask for help and be heard]

he began to cry out and shout, [deciding he didn't want to stay where he was – DOING THE SAME THING .  .  . GETTING THE SAME RESULTS - yelled from the top of his lungs]

saying, Jesus, Son of David, [a profession of belief from the heart by addressing Him publicly by the Messianic title]

have pity and mercy on me now! [knowing he had no power to change on his own; cried for mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and restoration to wholeness of life]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we have the same opportunity for change as Bartimaeus – either staying where we are for the rest of our life, complaining about what difficulties ‘life has dealt us’ and continuing to get just enough to get by (literally and/or spiritually) .  .  doing the same thing – getting the same results .  .   or realizing, that even when we can’t see You working in our lives, we know for sure that You are ever close to us because we hear Your voice and feel You near – and, by this, we know that You hear our persistent cries for mercy and restoration to wholeness of life as we desperately seek to move forward for You!

Stinkin’ thinkin’

Stinkin’ thinkin’

Matt. 20: 20-22a

Then the mother of Zebedee's children came up to Him with her sons, James and John,

and kneeling, they worshiped Him and asked a favor of Him. [threw themselves at His feet in a show of submissiveness and humility in order to ask a request]

And He asked her, What do you desire? [He heard them out - though knowing the pride of their minds and their physical, worldly, and ambitious notions; and them not seeing the eternal vision]

She answered Him, Give orders that these two sons of mine MAY SIT, ONE AT YOUR RIGHT HAND [signifying a great mark of honor and affection]

and ONE AT YOUR LEFT HAND in Your kingdom. [signifying power and authority; highest posts of honor, trust and profit]

But Jesus replied, YOU DO NOT REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE ASKING. [You don’t understand the nature of your request, or what would be involved in it - supposing that it would only bring honor and happiness if the request was granted, while it would actually require much suffering and trial]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, contrary to what we’re seeing today, being a Christian or in Christian ministry is not about gaining position or status, but it is about laboring most diligently, suffering most patiently, seeking to do good to others, and promoting the salvation of souls - this most resembles Christ and will be what will be honored by Him in eternity. Before we fall on our face with prayers of STINKIN’ THINKIN’, asking incorrectly or inappropriately, may we, too, learn what our priorities really should be!

While we wait . . . .

While we wait  .  .  .  .

Lk. 18:8b

HOWEVER, [even though we know of all the instances of God’s long suffering, faithfulness, love and justice]

WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES, [to judge the world and avenge His people]

WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH? [those who are not discouraged or have lost confidence in His love while waiting for Him]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, the danger we face today is not that You will be unfaithful ----- BUT that WHILE WE WAIT for You, we will become discouraged; will not persevere in prayer; will not continue to have confidence in You; and will - under heavy trials - sink into despondency, grow weary and give up. Give us renewed courage in our waiting and strengthen our faith to be able to look not on what we see, but on the unseen where we are assured You are working!

Does your rooster keep crowing?

Does your rooster keep crowing?

LK. 22:61-62

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. [with a mingled look of affection, pity, and reproof – yet knowing that in a little while after His blood had been shed for the release of the penalty of sin - Peter would understand all things]

And Peter recalled [In a flash of lightning speed] the Lord's words, how Jesus had told him, ‘Before the COCK CROWS today, you will deny Me three times.’

And he went out and wept bitterly [painful, heartbreaking sorrow that brought sincere repentance].
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Pray the Word:

Lord, even though ROOSTERS KEPT CROWING daily after Peter’s repentance, we don’t ever hear of another time that the SOUND OF THE ROOSTERS CROW ever bothered him again - as he knew for sure that his past was all under the blood. So, when the ROOSTERS OF OUR PAST KEEP CROWING, saying,  ‘look what you’ve  done’ - ‘‘look what you’ve  done’ - ‘look what you’ve  done’   .  .  .  .  we, too, can say, ‘you’re wasting your breath, it is all under the blood’.

Unclench your fist

Unclench your fist

I Thess. 5:21

But test and prove all things until you can RECOGNIZE WHAT IS GOOD; [be aware of what increases your faith, your love, your holiness and your usefulness]

to that [what increases your faith, your love, your holiness and your usefulness]

HOLD FAST. [do not let them go - believe them, be sustained by them; zealously, resolutely and diligently practice them, in spite of all negativity or opposition]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we can be our own worst enemy by CLINCHING OUR FIST around the things in our life [past and present] that have been negative. We want to go forward – and to do this we must be able to UNCLICH OUR FIST and let go of what we insist on holding on to. LETTING GO may be one of the most important graces guiding our spiritual life. 

A hand up

A hand up

Dan. 10:10

And, behold, A HAND TOUCHED ME, [nothing was noticeable or obvious, but a hand – though it was gentle, it was strong and powerful]

which SET ME UPON MY KNESS and UPON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS.  [strength was not given at once to stand erect, but was partially raised up and enabled to move, though in a feeble and tottering manner]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, all we need is A HAND UP from You for us to be able to move from our prostrate condition and be lifted up to a new level of peacefulness. Help us to be patient as our strength and comfort is renewed in degrees, day by day, until we are fully restored – standing firmly on our feet again.

Sonic spirituality

Sonic spirituality

I Sam. 3: 1-10

The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli's direction.

This was at A TIME WHEN THE REVELATION OF GOD WAS RARELY HEARD OR SEEN.

One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested.

Then GOD CALLED OUT, "Samuel, Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "Yes? I'm here." Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did.

 GOD CALLED AGAIN, "Samuel, Samuel!"

Samuel got up and went to Eli, "I heard you call. Here I am." Again Eli said, "Son, I didn't call you. Go back to bed."

GOD CALLED AGAIN, "Samuel!"—the third time!

Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am." That's when it dawned on Eli that GOD WAS CALLING the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If THE VOICE CALLS again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed.

Then GOD CAME AND STOOD BEFORE HIM exactly as before, CALING OUT, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "SPEAK. I'm your servant, I’M READY TO LISTEN."
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Pray the Word:

Lord, our era is also a time when people are deafened to Your voice —in ear and in soul. We seldom journey into the realm of SONIC SPIRITUALITY, and so we rarely HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD. But Your sounds are still there, all around us, just waiting to be received by us, just waiting to become a source of strength and renewing energy for us. We’re created for SONIC SPIRITUALITY and Your sounds are always all around us. Our ears are a gateway to our soul, a gateway that You want to use regularly. We need to keep that gateway open and operating. Our prayer is, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is ready to listen. May it be said of us in the years ahead, "THE SOUNDS OF GOD WERE REGULARLY HEARD BY THEM.”

So sure . . . . yet

So sure   .  .   .   .  yet

Is. 53: 4
SURELY [undoubtedly and unquestionably the truth]

He has borne [took and carried away]

our griefs [physical sicknesses, weakness and disease]

and carried [lifted up and away]

our sorrows [mental pain, sorrow,  grief, sadness],

and YET we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God.

[Reasoned that anyone who was so hopeless and so despised; suffering so much and for so long, must have been abandoned by God and receiving direct divine judgment for their guilt]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, if there’s anything we SURELY know to be the true, it’s that Christ took away our griefs and lifted away our sorrows  .   .   .  .  and YET, at times, when life isn’t going smoothly and is looking hopeless; we find ourselves questioning, second-guessing, or misjudging the very thing we SURLEY knew. We even start wrongly accusing and judging ourselves – reasoning that You must not be pleased with us or we missed Your guidance somewhere and You have abandoned us and have placed us in divine judgment or this wouldn’t be happening. Help us to not wrongly assess our situations and miss out on the blessing You have destined for it to be – healing spiritually, physically and mentally.

Hearing the rain

Hearing the rain

I Kgs. 18:41-45

And Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat and drink, [you go refresh yourself and wait while I keep on praying] for THERE IS A SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN. [praying with expectancy]

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. [a posture of earnest prayer]

And said to his servant, [someone close to his heart who stood by him] Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked and said, There is nothing. Elijah said, GO AGAIN ----- SEVEN TIMES.

And AT THE SEVENTH TIME the servant said, A CLOUD AS SMALL AS A MAN’S HAND is arising out of the sea. And Elijah said, [before it even started to rain] Go up, say to Ahab, Hitch your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you. [there’s going to be a down-pour]

IN A LITTLE WHILE, the heavens were black with wind-swept clouds, and THERE WAS A GREAT RAIN.

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Pray the Word:

Lord, our desire is to have the stubbornness of Elijah’s confidence in Your promises that we can HEAR THE RAIN before it comes and to have those standing with us who will KEEP ON LOOKING – until something happens! And it will! ! !

Utterly impossible

Utterly impossible

Matt. 19:24

Again I tell you,

it is easier for a CAMEL TO GO THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE [the utter impossibility of the effort to squeeze the former through the latter]
than for a rich man [one who loves his resources/possessions, puts his trust in them and excessively desires them above all else]

to go into the kingdom of heaven. [for God requires to be first in our love, trust and desires]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, over time we’ve heard that wealth and prosperity were a sign of Your blessing – and, then, on the other hand, we’ve heard the opposite portraying them as a hindrance to salvation—which they can be—but so can many other things. Because we live in a consumer-driven society and this life that requires such emphasis on money – we need to be reminded that, while money and resources are necessary and our ambitions and desires may be honorable  .   .   .  it’s UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE and useless to try through our own efforts alone to save ourselves - it is from Your mercy and grace alone.

First things . . . . first

First things . . . . first

Matt. 6:33

But SEEK [implies that something has been lost!]

FIRST OF ALL [God will not accept 2^nd place - period.]

HIS KINGDOM and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, [told what to seek . . didn’t leave it for us to fill in the blanks]

and then ALL THESE THINGS [you didn’t ask for but needed] WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU BESIDES.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we want to be able to live before You like King Solomon who prayed: “…..give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I NOW DO ACCORDING TO YOR WORD. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I GIVE YOU ALSO WHAT YOU HAVE NOT ASKED, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” [IKgs.3:9-14]

They said . . . . He said

 They said   .  .  .  .  He said

Mk. 5: 35-36

While Jesus was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s [Jairus] house, and THEY SAID , ‘YOUR DAUGHTER HAS DIED. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?’

Overhearing but ignoring what they said,

JESUS SAID to the ruler of the synagogue,

DO NOT BE AFRAID [seized with alarm and struck with fear], ONLY KEEP ON BELIEVING.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, we know better than to listen to the negativity of what ‘THEY SAY’ over the words of hope of what ‘YOU SAY’ – to prevent that distress we feel on finding that our situation, humanly speaking, looks hopeless and is breaking our heart, welling up fear and anxiety inside of us  .  .  .   You change our focus by Your encouraging, comforting and powerful  Words of hope --- DO NOT BE AFRAID, ONLY KEEP ON BELIEVING. And, by the way, we know how the story ends – though the daughter had died, Jesus said she was but asleep to Him – and He raised her up to live again! Love it!

Getting antsy

Getting antsy

Ruth 3:18

[Ruth had everything going against her.  She was a widow, she had no children to support her, she had moved to a foreign land, and she had bound herself to an older woman (her mother-in-law, Naomi) who had no income to provide for their needs.]

Then said she, [Naomi]

SIT STILL my daughter, [commanded her to do nothing now, to stay put, be patient and wait, with courage/relaxed]

UNTIL YOU LEARN HOW THE MATTER TURNS OUT; [if Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, is true to his word to marry her and provide for her]

FOR THE MAN WILL NOT REST [will do everything in his power to keep his promise and act according to his word]

UNTIL HE FINISHES THE MATTER TODAY. [brings to completion, goal is accomplished, has settled the matter]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, in those times, when we’re needing help NOW and we’ve done all we know to do according to Your Word, yet we still don’t have an answer of peace .  .  .  . we get antsy - nervous and unable to relax  .  .  .  and we get up and try to help You finish the matter that’s concerning us – usually, only made matters even worse! We believe that Christ is our ‘heavenly Boaz’ – our Redeemer, and that You are telling us to SIT STILL, in confidence and sure hope, knowing that our future is secure because of Christ’s costly redemption for us, which will not let Him rest until He finishes the matter that concerns us.

Can’t hear with your glasses off

Can’t hear with your glasses off

Heb. 1:2

IN THESE LAST DAYS [not to be followed by any other time period of divine revelation]

HE [God] HAS SPOKEN TO US [in a final and full revelation]

IN THE PERSON OF A SON, [who reveals the Father]

WHOM HE APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS, [the lawful Owner of all things and persons]

ALSO BY AND THROUGH WHOM HE CREATED THE WORLDS. [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged the universe in order, including all space and ages of time, and all material and spiritual existences]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, You have spoken to mankind many times and in many ways. You spoke to Job out of a whirlwind; to Joseph in dreams; to Moses in a burning bush; to Joshua through an angel; to Samuel as a voice in the night; to Elijah is a still, small voice; to Daniel in a vision .  .  .   But YOUR FINAL AND COMPLETE COMMUNICATION TO US IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORDS that have been miraculously preserved over the ages in our Bible – In these last days, when we need to hear from You .   .   .   .  MAY WE FIND OUR GLASSES - put them on - and take a closer look at those Words and consider them more deeply.

Will YOU sit down . . . ?

Will YOU sit down  .  .  .  ?

Heb. 10:12

But THIS MAN, [Jesus Christ, our High Priest]

AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SIN FOREVER, [dying on the cross once; not to be repeated; and will not be repeated, for it was sufficient! ! !]

SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. [absolutely satisfied with His accomplished redemption; God, the Father, is thrilled; the Holy Spirit is delighted; and all the angels in glory are overwhelmed by it]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, Lord, Lord . . . . HELP US TO SIT DOWN and consider what Christ has done for us and be absolutely satisfied with it; knowing that there’s nothing we can ‘do’ to add to it or improve upon it!  Forgive us when we feel we must contribute a little bit to the work that Christ has done by throwing in some gifts of our own - offering a little growth, some progress, a little suffering, some witnessing, and a taste of pain in ’walking by faith’. HELP US TO SIT DOWN –absolutely satisfied -  and rest in the accomplished redemption of Christ for us. It is enough!

You’ll live . . . .

You’ll live .  .  .  .

Jn. 14:19

BECAUSE I LIVE,

YOU WILL LIVE ALSO.

[Jesus went to the bottom of all that can kill us both literally and spiritually by going to the Cross.  It killed Him - but not for long.  He lived again, rising from the dead in wonderful, amazing victory . . . . so that our LIFE, both now and in eternity, is from Christ and is maintained by Him. Because it is Christ that lives in us, therefore our LIFE can never be lost; it is bound up in the bundle of LIFE with Christ, and is hid safe and secure with Him in God - out of the reach both of men and devils]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, when we are in the middle of problems, disease, tragedy, fear – we tend to ask You ‘WHY?’ -  and usually we’re actually protesting that we don’t deserve the treatment we think we are receiving. Your only answer to our question ‘WHY?’ is the death and resurrection of Jesus that bought us the guarantee that nothing or no one can take LIFE (days, years, time, energy, vitality) from us.  And, that’s our answer, too. We’re determined to hold onto Your Word, receive Christ’s body and blood, remember His death and resurrection, and hear His promise ‘YOU WILL LIVE ALSO’ – and start asking the question ‘WHAT is it Your doing in my LIFE?’ instead of ‘WHY are You doing this to my LIFE?’.

Do not LET . . . . .

Do not LET . . . . .

Jn. 14:1
DO NOT LET  [possible either to let it happen or not to let it happen]

YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED [anxious or upset, lacking inner calm]

TRUST IN GOD; [who is still in control, knows what He is doing, and will exercise infinite wisdom, infinite power, and infinite love]

TRUST ALSO IN ME. [who is the means by which all that wisdom and resource and power of God is made available]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, our hearts can often be troubled because of life’s circumstances. We thank You for this reassurance as we face the unknown .  .  .  .  . ‘DO NOT LET YOU HEART BE TROUBLED. I WILL COME AGAIN.’ Help us to live on this basis today and to know that it’s possible to choose not to have troubled hearts.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...

Jn. 21:15-17

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE others do [do you love Me affectionately, ardently, supremely, and perfectly as I love you]?

He said to Him, Yes, Lord, YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU [I like you and feel a deep, affectionate, close friendship for You].

He said to him, Feed My lambs.

Again He said to him the SECOND TIME, Simon, son of John, DO YOU LOVE ME? [do you love me affectionately, ardently, supremely, and perfectly as I love you]?

He said to Him, Yes, Lord, YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU [I like you and feel a deep, affectionate, close friendship for You].

He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

He said to him the THIRD TIME, Simon, son of John, DO YOU LOVE ME? [like Me and feel a deep, affectionate, close friendship for Me]?

PETER WAS GRIEVED that He should ask him the third time, DO YOU LOVE ME? [was saddened and hurt lest Christ saw something in his heart which he didn’t see in himself]

And he said to Him, Lord, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING; YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU [I like you and feel a deep, affectionate, close friendship for You].

Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
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Pray the Word:

Lord, teach us how to be capable to LOVE BEYOND OUR HUMAN EMOTIONS – to be able to love like Christ loves us. We stand, like Peter, uncertain, afraid, knowing how weak we are, knowing that our human love can never stand the pressure and the test. We want You to be able to say to us, as You said to Peter, ‘Feed My sheep’.

To leave or to stay . . . .

To leave or to stay . . . .

Jn. 6:68

Jesus said to the Twelve,

WILL YOU ALSO GO AWAY? [you - whom I have distinguished with innumerable marks of My affection, whom I have chosen out of the world to be My companions, to whom I have revealed the secrets of the eternal world, who have been witnesses of all My miracles and whom I intend to seat with Me on My throne in glory ----- do you desire to abandon Me?]

Simon Peter answered, [given by God the free-will to make his choice]

LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? [all other sources were corrupt and unable to guide them rightly]

YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. [the only One with the teachings of salvation and life everlasting with the authority to make it known and the power to grant it]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we cannot deny that we, too, have been staggered by unanswered questions and pressing circumstances where our own endurance and faith has been severely tried, and we’ve just stopped short of the question, ‘Shall we follow the rest, and give it up?’.  BUT ------  as soon as we thought of going away, there came that awful question, ‘TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?'  .  .  .  .  To the lifeless formalism and wretched traditions of legalism to try again by works to make ourselves good enough for You? .  .  .  or to the useless gods of this world around us? .  .  .  or to blank unbelief?  .  .  .  You have asked the question and have given us the choice to answer it and we must say,  WE WILL FOLLOW YOU for none other has given us a Savior and the promise of  'ETERNAL LIFE'. This alone brings confidence, comfort, and joy, and bids fear and despondency to flee. It gains the only solid contentment in this world, and opens a way to the pleasure of the next.

Life can get messy

Life can get messy

Prov. 14:4

WHERE NO OXEN ARE, [literally, the farmer’s tractor. He plowed, watered his crops, harvested, and ground his flour with it ­­­­­– hence, NO oxen = NO work, NO revenue]

THE BARN IS EMPTY, [no mess of manure and urine of the animals to deal with  . . .  BUT there is also NO productivity]

BUT much increase of crops comes by the strength of the ox. [in order to gain we have to take the good with the bad at times]
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Pray the Word:

Lord, sometimes the only way to accomplish things is to BUY THAT OX [awkward and smelly, but always useful] and pay the price to let him eat, sleep, and doo-doo in the barn.  It may not be pleasant, but it is productive . . .  having to deal with the oxen [the good with the bad] creates MESSES IN OUR LIFE which can be frustrating, and we forget that they are a normal part of being productive . . . Sooo, we need patience, longsuffering, endurance, determination, a good sense of humor, tons of grace and forgiveness, ability to like the unlikable, the Holy Spirit’s guidance --- and the Agape love of Jesus to put up with the NECESSARY OXEN IN OUR LIFE.

What’s your ‘plumb line’?

What’s your ‘plumb line’?

Amos 7:7-8

Thus He showed me, and behold, the LORD STOOD UPON A WALL WITH A PLUMB LINE, with a PLUMB LINE in His hand.

[PLUMB LINE = a tool used to determine whether or not something is perfectly vertical – upright, perfectly straight. It provided a standard against which one could measure what he has built.]

And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A PLUMB LINE.

Then said the Lord, Behold, I AM SETTING A PLUMB LINE AS A STANDARD in the midst of My people Israel. [God will not condemn, without having first made clear the standard by which He judges]

I will not pass by and spare them any more [because He has clearly given the standard to measure by  – He does not overlook their wrong-doings].

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Pray the Word:

Lord, You have given us the PLUMB LINE of Your Word that provides the standard by which everything is measured - our actions, deeds, works, thoughts, intentions, etc. How upright and straight we think we are, or proclaim ourselves to be, means nothing to You . . . . . . . it’s always determined by how VERTICAL WE ARE TO YOUR WORD. We want to delight in measuring ourselves by its standard.  

What were you expecting . . .

What were you expecting .   .   . ?

Jer. 29:11

For I alone know the THOUGHTS and the EXACT PLANS that I think toward you, saith the LORD, [He hasn’t forgotten His purposes and promises concerning our welfare]

THOUGHTS and EXACT PLANS OF PEACE [mental calm], and NOT OF EVIL, [if and when misfortune happens to us, He will always cause it to work for our good (peace) – it cannot be otherwise and be consistent with His everlasting and unchangeable love to us]

to give you AN EXPECTED END. [a very desirable conclusion that we had confidently believed and waited for in expectation]

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Pray the Word:

Lord, we confidently believe You’ve laid out an EXACT PLAN for our life. And in this EXACT PLAN, You’ve marked destiny-altering moments that aren’t ordinary to come across our paths that are designed to thrust us ahead making up for seemingly lost time. WE CHOOSE TO STEP OUT TODAY IN FAITH AND EXPECTANCY SO THAT YOU CAN MOVE IN OUR LIFE. We trust You with our destiny and thank You for fulfilling the desire of our heart today.