IT CAN BE HUMBLING

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/23/19

Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

We’ve all come in contact with the person that “KNOWS IT ALL!” You can’t share any news with them; THEY ALREADY KNOW! You can’t instruct them regarding anything; THEY ALREADY KNOW! You cannot even help them find further revelation in the Word of God because, THEY ALREADY KNOW ALL TRUTH! The best thing to do when you encounter Mr./Mrs. Know-it-all is to step back and let them fail…you can watch if it isn’t too painful, but they WILL eventually fail.

Now we have all been there at one time or another; our pride overrode our humility and good sense. Usually we just don’t want to look stupid in front of someone; you don’t want to be laughed at; maybe Mr./Mrs. Know-it-all is watching.

Humbling yourself and admitting you “just don’t know,” is difficult because, IT PUTS THE OTHER PERSON IN THE SEAT OF POWER AND EXPOSES A DEFICIENCY IN YOU!

Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

How many times have we come before God with a haughty and prideful spirit? In prayer, we declare our DESIRES, and then proceed to give God the INSTRUCTIONS, so He can get it right. OR...perhaps instead of a “heart of repentance” we approach the throne boasting of our righteousness and exploits, then wonder why we never hear God’s Voice.

God doesn’t need instruction and all our righteousness are merely “filthy rags” when we present them in the light of His Holiness. God is omnipotent, nothing about Him changes if we refuse to “put Him in the seat of power” in our lives…

BUT...

EVERYTHING in our life will change when we approach Him with a humble spirit, placing Him in the “Seat of Power,” in our heart.

Psalms 149:4 says “With Pleasure,” God will give you instruction, guidance and blessing. And if that isn’t enough, He will “Beautify you with Salvation.” All that in exchange for a little humility!

TRY IT TODAY….

Humble yourself as you enter into His Presence; acknowledge His “Right to His Throne;” don’t be afraid to be vulnerable; HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL YOUR DEFICIENCIES. Let Him love on you a little and you will be amazed at the DAY OF BLESSING you will experience.

James 4:10 Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.

THE LITTLE ONES

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/21/19

Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

“WE’RE HAVING A BABY!  I’M GOING TO BE A MOM!”  Remember the first time you said those words?  The wonder; the joy; the anticipation; the fear; the planning…all of those thoughts suddenly running through your head.  Will I buy frills and pink and dolls or blue and trucks and baseball bats?  Will I be a good Mom?  Will I know what to do at 3 in the morning?  THE NAME….what name will we choose; I have to google lists and meanings; he/she has to have the perfect name.

THE THOUGHT THAT DIDN’T RUN THROUGH MY HEAD…. “I wonder where there is an abortion clinic. That night of fun sure put a halt to my plans. OR This is certainly inconvenient and will ruin my career.”

I can’t wrap my mind around the mindset and I weep when I read that an actress, unapologetically and boldly states, “I have no regrets for having 2 abortions; I would not have my career.”   So, I killed my babies because they would have interfered with my life and my plans.

Innocent Babies, future leaders, doctors, lawyers, scientists, inventors, presidents, preachers, missionaries, moms and dads, all created in the Image of God, slaughtered on the Altar of Selfishness; the Altar of Convenience.

When Israel allowed their children to be sacrificed to Moloch, God did not turn a blind eye.  America, God is not turning a blind eye to your finance of the sacrifice of children on the Altars of Self-Indulgence and Convenience. 

THERE WILL BE A RECKONING.

LIVE PEACEABLY

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/20/2019

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

“As Christians, we should live in relationships with people in such a manner that even when we leave a room people will miss us. And when we are gone and our funeral is held, someone will cry...someone will deeply miss us.” (Balcony People, Joyce Landorf Heatherley)

A quote from my favorite book, “Balcony People,” reminded me of Romans 12:18 and then I had to take a time of introspection.  What am I doing to insure that I obey Romans 12 and will anyone besides Steve actually miss me when I’m gone?

OKAY…

I really am one of those weird people that thinks about her funeral.  Not in a morbid way but in a “practical” manner.  What will I wear?  Should I have really fabulous shoes and make sure my feet stick out?  Will my hair look good?  Will they put on too much makeup?  How much will all this cost; the Accountant in me kicks in and I determine that the cost far exceeds the satisfaction gained from a funeral, so…I have decided to forget it all, be cremated and have a memorial service of family and friends telling their favorite stories about me to each other; a minister reading my favorite Bible verses, a couple of Praise and Worship songs and a prayer…then dump the ashes because it is too weird to keep them on a mantle or in a closet or on a shelf in the garage.

BUT FOR NOW…

I want to live in such a manner that someone will actually COME to my Memorial Service or at least remember that I lived and maybe even miss me.

HOW CAN I ACCOMPLISH SUCH A MOMENTOUS TASK….

Start with Romans 12:18, live peaceably with all men (and women).  You may say, “read the first line of the verse, Paul is giving me a way out.  He said, “If it is possible,” and I am surrounded by folks that just don’t make it possible.”  Well, I have to, kind of, agree with you.  Some people make it practically an impossibility.  They don’t want peace and will do everything they can think of to insure that your peace is disturbed.

BUT…

The Apostle Paul did not give you a WAY OUT. Read the next line…AS MUCH AS DEPENDS ON YOU! 

The situation may not be very peaceful but YOU don’t have a right to contribute to the unrest. It takes two people to argue; two people to fight; two people to engage in a conflict…If reconciliation is impossible; WALK AWAY!

REMEMBER…

You are not only representing the Love of Jesus but you are ASSEMBLING THE GUEST LIST FOR YOUR MEMORIAL SERVICE!

HAVE A PEACEFUL DAY…IT REALLY DOES DEPEND ON YOU!

EVERY DAY WITH JESUS

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/19/19

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

The dreaded Monday dawns; time to go back to work; get the kids ready for school; continue with the mundane things of life after an exciting weekend.

BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DREADED….

Actually life is anything but “Mundane.”  Every morning, you wake up with a fresh set of unknown hours full of potential, choices and situations.  You never know what surprises may be just around the corner; in the next few minutes, if you look for them.

Oh, I know you think your day is all laid out; you think you know exactly what you are going to accomplish, where you have to go, what tasks you have to complete, what you are going to have for dinner and even what time you intend to go to bed….But do you really know?

You may meet a new friend, be used by God to minister to a need, give or receive a much needed hug or smile, God may have a surprise blessing that He has reserved just for this day…are you anticipating good things now?

WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF WE NOT ONLY LET THE LORD DIRECT OUR STEPS BUT ALSO PLAN OUR DAY?

On this day; on this Monday; before the morning hours pass, stop and take a few moments to COMMIT YOUR DAY…RECOMMIT YOUR LIFE to the One who has already factored every moment of your day into His Plan for you.

Since Jesus holds our future, it only makes sense to start the day held in His strong, sure hands.

AND REMEMBER…

“Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before”…EVEN MONDAYS!

GOD IS NOT LIKE YOU

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/17/19

Psalms 50:16-21 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? 18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. 19 You give your mouth to evil and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21 THESE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE, AND I KEPT SILENT; YOU THOUGHT THAT I WAS ALTOGETHER LIKE YOU; BUT I WILL REBUKE YOU AND SET THEM IN ORDER BEFORE YOUR EYES.

I like to post encouraging thoughts because daily life in this world can be quit discouraging enough. Though this may not seem encouraging, when I read it this morning during my devotions, many things jumped out at me, especially verse 21.

We are living in a world where it is not considered “PC” to speak up when behaviors and laws are passed in direct violation of the Word of God. We are considered “haters,” judgmental, “out-of-touch,” homophobic and old fashioned.”

But before we speak too loudly, perhaps we should read Psalms 50:16-18 and examine our own heart and motives. Are we being obedient? Or are we picking the instructions that we like and casting the others aside? Have we consented with and become partakers of little “pet sins” while taking up our megaphone against those we find abhorrent? God says if we hate instruction that we do not even have the right to declare His statutes or partake in His covenant.

And what about speaking against our brothers and sisters in Christ? Sure, maybe they don’t do everything or understand everything in the pure, clear revelation that we have received but we are instructed to love and pray for them, not chew them up and regurgitate our “incredible insight” about them to everyone we meet.

Finally, verse 21 hit me between the eyes. God says, “Because I kept silent, you not only became self-righteous but thought “I was like you.” Instead of keeping our eyes on Jesus and striving to become more like Him, we have turned our eyes inward and made God into an image more like us. But God will not be conformed to your image. He calls all to repentance and says “I will set things in order before your eyes.”

As Romans 2:4 states, “It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.” I find it very encouraging to know that God loves me so much he would take the time to deal with my heart and bring me to repentance.

He is a GOOD GOD! I am so thankful that God points out our warts and blemishes through His Word and always gives us space to repent. This moment begins the rest of your life; live it in victory!

THE SITUATION HAS PASSED

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/14/2019

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

Three months ago, Steve and I decided to tweak our eating habits, get away from sugar and wheat and try the Keto Lifestyle…I love it! 

Because I am me; a firstborn with a perfection obsession, if I decide to do something, I research it, learn everything I can, both positive and negative, and enter in gung-ho because I intend to be successful.  I talked with other Keto-success people, watched videos, read studies, collected recipes, downloaded apps, planned menus and joined Keto-forums…my head is exploding with Keto-knowledge, carb counts and new words like, “ketones,” “fat-adaption” and “autophagy.” Fast forward 3 months and 30 pounds later, I declare SUCCESS!

BUT THE LIFESTYLE DOESN’T END BECAUSE YOU EXPERIENCE A VICTORY!

The Keto-forums that I am on have a variety of members; the Curious, the “I Love New Fads”, the “Nothing Else Has Worked”, the “I Have a Bad Doctor’s Report”, and the Committed.  The biggest trend I see, however, is the “Special Situation and I need to Lose” person.  The comments go like this….

“I have a Class Reunion in September and need to lose 15 pounds, how many carbs can I eat and still achieve my goal.”

“I’m getting Married next spring and don’t want to “roll” down the aisle; hoping I can lose 50 pounds.”

“Please pray for me, I’m a Senior Citizen and need to lose 10 pounds by December; is this possible?”

To these comments, everyone replies with tips and encouraging words, but Me being Me…my comments are usually, “If you will make up your mind to commit, you can.”  “If you will stop doing what got you to this point, you will.”  “If you can’t say NO, don’t bother; just buy a bigger dress.”

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF A SPECIAL EVENT, YOU WILL GO BACK TO THE OLD; EASIER; FLESH-PLEASING LIFE STYLE ONCE YOUR INCENTIVE IS OVER!

Having served God for over 50 years, I have witnessed this same thing happening spiritually over and over.  I have actually seen people enter the church, run to the altar on Sunday Night, cry and snot and repent, get up and dance their way out of church and never be seen again…THE EVENT WAS OVER!

Others have come because of a SITUATION.  Perhaps it was physical, financial, marital or one of the other thousands of situations in which we humans become entangled.  They come for awhile, they embrace the church and the church embraces them, they are excited about this new life and praising God and then SUDDENLY…one day they suddenly become too busy; become occupied with other pursuits…THE SITUATION IS OVER!

And then there are the dear ones that have “tried everything else;” the Searchers.  Perhaps you witness to them, give them a Bible Study or share a testimony.  These are things they have never heard; something NEW; something they’ve never tried and they are so excited.  UNTIL…they start living the lifestyle and find out there is SELF-DENIAL and sometimes you have to use the word, “NO.”  They count the cost and decide their bloated life of Self-Gratification and Sin is easier and more to their “liking.” Another “New Adventure” is on the horizon…THE EXCITEMENT HAS PASSED!

CHECK YOUR INCENTIVES!

If you just “do” Keto or any diet because you want to look a certain way or have an event coming up, you may lose the weight but once the event is passed you also lose your incentive. When the temptations come you are powerless to say NO.  You ask, “How much can I cheat; how many carbs/calories can I consume and still lose weight?” Then you find yourself in the same condition you were before you ever began.

If you turn to God because you have hit rock bottom, are in a bad situation, or just want to try something new, you will walk right for a period of time; until the SITUATION gets resolved or the excitement wanes.

Unless you fall in love with Jesus Christ; see your sinful state and realize you are powerless to save yourself, the incentive to serve God will pass.  You will ask, “How much sin can I engage in and still enjoy the Blessing of God?”  Then you will give in to the temptations when Satan sends them your way; BELIEVE ME, HE WILL!

When you become FULLY PERSUADED….When you are TRULY CONVERTED…When you decide to ABSOLUTELY COMMIT…no matter the situation; regardless of life’s mundane moments; on the mountain or in the valley…when LIVING FOR GOD BECOMES A LIFESTYLE…everything will change.

You will WALK differently; your VOCABULARY will change with new words of Praise; you will FEEL differently because Peace and Joy have replaced the Anxiety and Discontent; You are a NEW CREATION…

AND YOU WILL LOVE IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM!

EXCHANGING THE GLORY

PRAYER JOURNAL 8/12/2019

Jeremiah 2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit.

Once again Israel had been unfaithful and once again God was calling them back to Himself…a scenario that had been and would be repeated over and over in Israel’s History.

Israel had been set aside to be a special people, one that would show forth the Glory of God to the Heathen. A people that, through them the whole world would be blessed, but they had pursued the way of the heathen rather than the ways of God and God was grieved.

Jeremiah 2:2-3, God says I remember when you were a young nation, how you loved me; how you went after me in the wilderness. You were Holiness unto me.

So how do we get from Verse 2 to Verse 11? What a sad commentary on the state of a “holy” people. God tells them to look at the other nations around; the nations that worship gods of stone, metal and wood and He states, “They never change their gods. Their gods never speak, never give direction, never send blessing; they are not even truly gods, yet the people remain faithful to the gods of their imagination.”

“ISRAEL, YOU, however, had the True God. I sat you apart, just for Me; My Glory rested on you and you were blessed above all nations…HOW COULD YOU exchange MY GLORY for a thing imagined and made by human hands?”

Today, God views the His people; the ones set aside; called by His Name and says, “I placed my Glory in your midst from the beginning. You know what it is to experience a genuine move of My Spirit. You know the awesomeness of my Presence and the blessings that rested upon you….WHY??? HOW COULD YOU exchange MY GLORY for things imagined; created by human hands?”

“Now you pursue MY Glory through things that will not profit. My Glory will not be found in programs, symbols, sensational doctrines of men…Stop seeking manifestations and SEEK MY PRESENCE….Only then will you experience My Glory once again in your midst."

God has not withdrawn from us; He is not hidden, we have merely “Exchanged His Glory for that which does not profit.” 

AND HE IS CALLING US BACK TO HIMSELF!