Pure Lips

For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord].  Zephaniah 3:9

My prayer for you today is that you would think before you speak.  That you would continually choose to think about what you are going to say, how it's going to come out, and how it will be taken.  That you would weigh your words and see if they are something God would approve of.  That you would consciously use your words to lift others up and not to tear them down.  That you would see that the way you react to others and to situations is a choice that you always have and make every effort to make good choices with that privilege.  That God would help you to have a clear and pure speech that would point towards Him rather than harm your witness.  I pray that God would make your lips pure and that they would be one more aspect that you could please Him with.  That you would be serve Him with every single part of yourself, including your words.  This is my prayer for you!

Prize what is excellent

So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].  Philippians 1:10 (Amplified version)

My prayer for you today is that you would live a life that prizes, above all other things, your relationship with God and things of God.  That you would know what is vital for life.  That you would approve and prize what is excellent.  That you would easily distinguish the morals that you want to build your life upon in Christ.  I pray that you would remain untainted and that your heart would be sincere.  That you would not cause others to stumble in their walks.  That you would be filled to overflowing with the fruits of right standing before God.  That your life would honor and praise God in all that you do.  This is my prayer for you.

Walk in His ways

Thus says the Lord of hosts:  If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then also you shall rule My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you access [to My presence] and places to walk among these who stand here.  Zechariah 3:7

My prayer for you today is that you would actively make the choice to walk in His ways.  That you would scour your Bible for the truths that are in every word and that you would make them active in your life.  I pray that you would know God in a two-way-street kind of relationship and spend as much time listening to Him as you do talking.  That you would build up the relationship with God the way you would with a new friend.  That you would make God your confidant and closest ally.  I pray that you would take advantage of the access He gives you to be IN His presence and to walk with Him.  That in all things, at all times, you would know all that He wants of you and walk confidently in that.  This is my prayer for you.

Be Satisfied

And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten--the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you.  And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you.  And My people shall never be put to shame.  And you shall know, understand, and realize that I am in the midst of Israel and that I the Lord am your God and there is none else.  My people shall never be put to shame.  Joel 2:25-27

Today my prayer for you is that you would be satisfied in Jesus.  That you would see Him replace and restore your life for you, in Him, and that it would be better and more satisfying than you could have dreamed of before you were hurt.  That you would know life in Him and come to Him for that restoration and rebuilding, trusting that His process of refining is in your best interest.  I pray that you will always know what it is like to have enough to eat and that you would praise the name of the Lord for dealing so graciously with you.  That you would never be put to shame, but continuously stand firm for Christ.  That you will know that you know that you know that He is in your midst and that He alone is God.  This is my prayer for you.

the Truth (and freedom!)

If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.  And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you fee.  ...So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.  John 8:31-32, 36

My prayer for you today is that you would know the true freedom that comes from knowing Jesus personally.  That you would know that He is the Truth and in Him you are free.  That you would live your life in a way that points others to Him and the freedom found in Him.  That you would hunger for time in the Word and time hearing from God.  That you would talk to your Savior with reckless abandon, holding nothing back, and allow Him into every corner and crevice in your soul.  That you would realize that everything Jesus said and did and is...that is what Truth is...He is the Truth we seek, and the Truth that truly sets us free.  I pray that you would saturate your life with Him and allow Him to do great and mighty things in and through you.  That all doubt would flee in the face of the Truth you put into your heart as you read your Bible, talk with others about what you are learning, and practice what He puts on your heart.  This is my prayer for you!

True Strength

For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.  As for God, His way is perfect!  The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.  For who is God except the Lord?  Or who is the Rock save our God.  The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect?  He makes my feet like hinds' feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.  He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great.  You have given plenty of room for my steps under me, that my feet would not slip.  ...For you have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me and caused to bow down those who rose up against me.  Psalm 18:29-36, 39

Today my prayer for you (and me!) is that God would strengthen you in all you do and be your Right Guard.  That no matter how hard the situation feels or how much it threatens your sense of security (praying this for me too!) that you would keep trusting and keeping knowing without a doubt that this is not a wasted experience...that He has a plan for this and will use it to help you and others down the road.  I pray that You would know, in your life, that He is God and that He is moving and living in you.  That you would know, even in the stuff you don't understand or see the purpose in, that His way is perfect and His word is living and active.  That you would know that your God, and mine, is tried, tested and true.  Everything that He has ever said WILL come true...all His promises are there for you and me to count on and hold onto.  I pray that you would make Him your Shield and take refuge in Him and fully trust Him.  That you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He makes you stand firm and make progress in times of testing and trouble.  That He is what allows you to defeat and move past the things that satan throws in your path.  That you would know the strength He provides for you and walk confidently in that strength.  This is my prayer for you (and me!).

His sheep

For thus says the Lord God:  Behold, I Myself, will search for My sheep and will seek them out.  As a shepherd seeks out his sheep in the day that he is among his flock that are scattered, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will rescue them out of all places where they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness.  And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them to their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the water-courses, and in all the inhabited places of the country.  I will feed them with good pasture, ...I will feed My sheep and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord God.  I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong [who have become hardhearted and perverse]; I will feed them with judgement and punishment.  Ezekiel 34:11-14a, 15-16

Today my prayer for you is that you would hear the Shepherd's voice.  That you would know His presence in your life and that when you have wandered off the path that you would listen for His voice and walk back in that direction.  That you wouldn't give up when things are hard and everything seems stacked against you or beyond your control.  That you would allow Him to provide you good pasture and rest.  That you would come to Him for healing and bandaging from all your wounds, allowing Him to heal you from the inside out.  I pray that you will never let life knock you out, but that you would instead embrace the gifts that each day brings and the growth that each challenge brings.  Don't run away from life.  View it as a gift and a treasure and see what you can learn from it and share with others.  I pray that you wouldn't be eaten alive by bitterness or the "need" to get even but that you, instead, would give all of that to God who tells us that vengeance, judgement and punishment is His.  Run to Him.  Allow Him to gather you in His arms and give you strength to face all that He asks of you.  This is my prayer for you.

A Tree firmly planted

 
[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green.  It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Today my prayer for you is that you would put your roots down deep in God.  That you would know what you believe and why you believe it.  That you would talk to God daily and spend time letting Him talk to you.  That you would dig deep into the Scriptures and that God would bring it to life for you.  That you would confidently put your hope in God and watch Him show you what He is doing all around you.  I pray that you will trust Him, believe Him, and firmly rely on Him as He shows you that He is enough!  That you would live a life that yields fruit that others can see and that you would have plenty of opportunity to share God with others.  This is my prayer for you.

Precious to Him

 

Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.  Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, Give up! and to the south, Keep not back.  Bring My sons and My daughters from the ends of the earth--Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made.  

Isaiah 43:4-7

My prayer for you today is that you would have the guts to talk to the very God who created you, and that you would ask Him to speak to your heart and into your life.  That you would take the time to be still and prepare yourself to actually hear from Him.  That you will know how very precious you are to Him.  That you would know how very much He loves you.  That you would know that He is with you and you have no reason to fear.  That you would know He is in control and causes events to happen or not happen depending on His plan for you.  That He will never allow a single event in your life to be wasted, but that He instead can use each and every one...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  That you would feel His call on your life and know that He made you for His glory.  That you would remain useable by God no matter how hard life feels at any given instant.  That you would live out the life that He formed you and spoke you into existence for.  I pray, very enthusiastically, that you would hear God speak to your soul and that you would carry His words around, treasured always in your heart and mind.  This is my prayer for you!

His Plans

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.  Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.  Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Okay, you should feel mighty special now.  I just shared my life verse with you.  God gave me this verse in '97 or '98 and has kept reminding me of it often...every time I doubt.  The fun thing is, after He gave me this verse as my life verse, I began to hear it be talked about and preached on.  Sometimes I think we forget what it says and forget to claim this promise as our own because of how often it seems to be used now.  But it truly has been one I have clung to for the last 14 years.

Today my prayer for you is that you would be okay with leaving the planning in God's hands.  That you would keep walking the one step that He is showing you for today and leave your hopes and dreams in His hands and ask Him to help you to want His hopes and dreams for you more than your own.  That you would know without a doubt that what He wants for you is for peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.  I pray that you call on Him, pray to Him, and seek Him...knowing that He hears you, has the answers, and will be found by you.  I pray that He is a vital necessity in your life and that you crave time with Him as much as He craves time with you.  That you will search and follow Him with all your heart and allow Him to grant you the desires of your heart.  That you would fear nothing and follow Him fully into the unknown.  That you would remember that He never asks you to do anything that He doesn't equip you to do.  This is my prayer for you.

God's Whisper

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  I Kings 19:11-12

My prayer for you today is that you would be still and know that He is God.  That you would quiet your soul every day to hear Him speak in quiet whispers.  That when you hear the whispers, that you would say "Yes, God!" and follow Him in all that He asks of you, knowing full well that He has equipped you to do anything He asks of you.  That you will not doubt but clearly know what He says to you.  That you will be moldable, useable, stretchable.  That He could use you and your life to cause a huge ripple effect for His kingdom and works.  That you will act, within your character, in the ways that He shows He wants of you.  That You will become more and more like Him every day.  I pray that He will use your life in great and mighty ways and that all who come in contact with you will have their lives touched for eternity and never be the same again.  That you will be a person who says yes to God and follows through, sharing with others all that He is doing in your life.  This is my prayer for you.

Fear Not

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.  Isaiah 41:10

My prayer for you today is that you would not let anything come between you and God.  That you would know that nothing can separate you from the love of God.  That you would fear nothing, knowing full well that God can turn even the most frightening-while-in-it moments into good...He can make beauty out of ashes.  That you would know that He holds the world in His hands and knows exactly what you are going through this very second...job worries, stalkers, health scares, shortness of life, children worries, the unknown...He knows it all and He knows how it makes your breath shorter.  I pray that you would take it all to Him and lay it down at the foot of the cross, turning over everything that makes you stressed and worried, knowing full well that He has a plan for all of it.  That you would rest in Him and let Him carry your burden for you.  That you would be strengthened through the times that are tough as He helps you through each one.  That you would be held up in His victorious hands.  This is my prayer for you.

Blessings

And I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing, and I will cause the showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing [of good insured by God's favor].  Ezekiel 34:26

Today my prayer for you is that you will be showered with blessings.  That you will go out of your way to bless the lives of all those around you and that you will in return be heaped with blessings yourself.  I know that God has great plans for your life and that He is using you to enrich and bless the lives of your friends, family, and co-workers.  I pray that He will continue to do so and that He will overflow your cup so that all those around you can see His hand at work in and through you.  That you will never doubt for a second that He is providing abundantly more than you could have ever thought possible...guiding and directing your life for your good.  Pouring blessing upon blessing upon your life.  This is my prayer for you!

Favor and Delight

By this I know that You favor and delight in me, because my enemy does not triumph over me.  And as for me, You have upheld me in my integrity and set me in Your presence forever.  Psalm 41:11-12

I must have needed this verse, myself, today because my Bible opened up to it both times I opened it today.  That is not something that happens often to me.  Although in my old college days, I did get to experience a few times of the open-right-to-where-you-need-it thing.  God is good, and He always gives me the verses I need when I need them most...but I had forgotten the feeling of open and find.  Anyways...

My prayer for you today is that you would realize to the innermost being that God's favors you  and delights in YOU.  This is not always easy to truly remember so I pray that He will send you reminders often of how very much He loves you and how very much He delights in spending time with you.  That you would be driven to His arms and that you would feel hungry to spend time in His word, talking to Him, and listening to Him speak to your heart.  That you would grow in Him and realize the changes He is making in you.  That everywhere your eyes land, you would know that He has taken great time to make the scenery pleasant for you to look upon.  That He loves you so much that He orchestrates events and happenings to remind you of His great love and delight in you.  That you would remember that no one can do a thing to you that He hasn't allowed and that you would look to Him for what He wants you to learn through your struggles.  That you would be someone that others know walks for and with the Lord.  This is my prayer for you and me!

Know God

Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him].  His going forth is prepared and certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.  Hosea 6:3


I am curious (well, that is normal, I know)...how well do I actually KNOW God.  I mean, I have been reading the Bible and learning about Him for as long as I can remember.  But how well does any of that sink down deep so that I know that I know that I know that what I am reading is true and real and alive?  


My prayer for you today is that everything that you read about God sinks down deep into your soul so that you truly know His great love for you and plans for you.  That you would live a life showing others the God who lives inside you...the One and Only True God who acts on behalf of His children...the Only God who can do a thing for those who follow Him.  I pray that you would appreciate God...that you would give heed to what He says...that you would cherish Him and your relationship with Him more than life itself.  That you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God cares for you and lives through you and is right there with you at all times.  That nothing would cast doubts on your belief or rain on your parade of living the life that God has for you.  I pray that you would KNOW God.  This is my prayer for you.

Clothe yourself...

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tender-hearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].  Be gentle and forebearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].  And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].  Colossians 3:12-13

Today my prayer for you is that you would live your life knowing full well that God has chosen you...in the bold strength and power that comes with that knowledge, representing God in all you do and pointing others to Him.  That you would be holy and well-loved by God and all those you come in contact with.  That you would be tender-hearted to others and quick to extend mercy just as God greatly shows mercy to you.  That you would be patient, tireless and long-suffering with the power to endure anything and everything that comes your way, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.  Never giving up no matter how long the journey is or how many detours pop up along the way.  That you would be gentle in your dealings with others.  And that you would quickly forgive the things people do or say against you.  I pray that you put on love and enfold yourself with the bond of harmony!  This is my prayer for you!

Sowng and Reaping

[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.  Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other thins, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].  As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!  And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your  [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].  Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.  2 Cor. 9:5-11

This is in honor of my earthly dad.  A guy who went out of his way, despite the fact he had 6 kids and worked for less than what most of us would consider a good income now days, to give back to God at any and all times.  One of his favorite sayings, that I quote him most often of, was "You can't out give God but you sure can have fun trying!"  This one's for you, Dad.  Thanks for teaching me the important things in life!  The things that matter for eternity!  (along with just about everything else I know!)

My prayer for you today is that you would be a great sower!  That you would go out of your way, with a cheerful heart, to hold loosely to all God has given you and to be quick to give it back in and every way He would ask (or suggest) of you.  That you would live in the knowledge that He truly has your back, has you covered, and will never leave you with less then you need.  That you would sow blessings upon those around you and that He in return would bless your socks off!  That you would know God's grace and abundance in your life and that it would encourage you all the more to keep on giving!  That you will be enriched in all things and in every way so that you can continue to be generous.  And that your generosity would bring praise and thanksgiving to God!  This is my prayer for you.

Mercy

 

Be merciful and gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all the day.  Make me, Your servant, to rejoice, O Lord, for to You do I lift myself up.  For you, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.   Psalm 86:3-5

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness and truth.  Psalm 86:15

Today my prayer for you is that you would know the mercy of God.  That it would be so overwhelming to you that you would share it with all those around you even if they have wronged you.  That you would see others through God's eyes of mercy.  That you would be beyond grateful for the grace that He bestows upon you.  That in all that you do and see and say, His grace and mercy and loving-kindness for you would be obvious to all around you.  That you would live in confidence because of His great love and compassion for you.  This is my prayer for you!

Hope

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation:  It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.  The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word].  It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.  It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke [of divine disciplinary dealings] in his youth.  Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keep silent [in hope], because [God] has laid [the yoke] upon him [for his benefit].  Lamentations 3:21-28

My prayer this afternoon is that we will not lose sight of the hope that is found in God alone.  No matter what.  Even if everything you thought you knew turns out to not be true.  Even if everything turns upside down.  Even if a tornado rips through 1/3 of the town you live in.  No matter what can happen here on earth, I pray that you turn your face heavenward and live in His hope.  Never giving up.  Never allowing yourself to crawl in a hole and cease to exist.  Always moving forward...towards whatever it is that God provides you, each second you most need it, to hope in.  Continue to allow His hope to sink in to the deepest most hurting spots and to turn in to healing and hoping in Him.  This is my prayer for you and for me.

Peace

  

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.  So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].  Isaiah 26:3-4

Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing [your restoration and the power of a new life] shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Isaiah 58:8

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]  John 14:27

Today my prayer for you is that you would know GOD's peace.  Not the peace that is fleeting here on earth, that comes with a quiet morning by the ocean (haven't experienced that one...so it would be hard for me to wish it for you), but the peace that passes all understanding that only comes from God.  May you grow so close to Him, that you experience His peace even in the center of the storm.  Knowing that no matter what happens, what life throws at you, that it truly is going to be okay.  I pray peace for you...in all things...at all times...knowing fully that He has got your back.  This is my prayer for you.

Victory

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

For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.  Prov 24:6

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us;  Romans 8:37

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.  2 Corinthians 2:14

For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.  Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?  1 John 5:4-5

My prayer for you today is that you would walk confidently in the victory already provided for you through Jesus Christ.  That you would walk in a way that points to Him...walking as a conqueror and in triumph.  That you could see that even thought the things of the world are hard, a good chunk of the time, we serve the God who has already overcome the world...already given us the victory.  That you would know each struggle you face is only a temporary road-block or speed-bump that you can and will overcome, arriving safe on the other side.  That even though God may have to carry you over it, He has already given you victory through His blood and His power.  That you would remember He has put the Holy Spirit in you to help you, to intercede in prayer on your behalf, to reveal to you the way to walk.  That you would claim your victory and embrace your triumph.  This is my prayer for you.

Waiting on God

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.  Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself--it tends only to evildoing.  Psalm 37:7-8

The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season.  You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor.  Psalm 148:15-16

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!  Isaiah 30:18

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power, they shall lift up their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.  Isaiah 40:31

I am truly beginning to think that this might be one of the most valuable offerings that we can give to God.  To wait on Him.  To hand Him our hopes and dreams and let Him do what He wills with them.  To be growing closer to Him in the times of wait...to learn as much as we can while waiting.  To not dread the times that we are in a "holding pattern."

Elisabeth Elliot said so many helpful things in her book Passion and Purity.  When talking about waiting she said:  "Perhaps it was better to hope than to know.  The 'holding pattern' seems to describe a very important aspect of waiting on God." p63  And also this..."I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts.  It is easy to talk oneself into a decision that has no permanence--easier sometimes than to wait patiently."  She was talking about waiting for love...but I think that that could be said of anything that we lay before the throne of God and then wait to see what He wills for it.  

I pray for you, today, that you would take it all to God and leave it there...waiting on Him to tell you to pick it back up again or to show you a different path/method/idea He has for you.  That the "holding pattern" times wouldn't be something dreaded, but something embraced.  That you would ask of Him "What can I learn through this time?"  That you would be willing to give up everything to become the person He most wants you to be...even when He asks you to wait and doesn't reveal it to you right away.  That He would grow you and stretch you and mold you as you wait on the Lord, making you stronger, happier and more blessed then you could ever imagine.  That you would know His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless companionship!  This is my prayer for you!

Rest

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.  [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle [meek] and humble [lowly] in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29

My prayer for you today is that you would allow yourself to rest in Him.  That you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that since He cares for even the smallest sparrow or bird of the air, that He has all things covered when it comes to you and your life.  To rest in that knowledge.  To let go and let God.  Not to worry or try to do things in your own power, but to keep your eyes trained on Him and let Him take care of everything else.  To hand it ALL over to Him and to rest in Him.  This is my prayer for you!

Patience

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.  Galatians 6:9

[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.  Colossians 1:11-12

Why is it that we are afraid to pray for patience?  Growing up, the "joke" of the church was don't pray for patience, you just might get it.  No...it isn't easy to learn patience.  But what, that is worth learning, is easy?
God has three ways of answering prayer...yes, no and maybe.  And guess what?  Maybe requires waiting and is oftentimes the answer I seem to get the most often.  Does that mean I am still learning patience and this is how God is helping me learn it.  Most likely.
But notice these two verses...there is cause and effect evident here.  If I don't lose heart, if I don't grow weary and faint and keep doing that which I know is right...I will reap...in due time.  If I give up before the time is right...God's timing, not mine...I lose out.  And then, as experience has taught me, I have to relearn the lesson again...and most of the time its more uncomfortable the second or third or fourth time.  In the second verse, as I exercise endurance and patience with JOY and thankfulness, I share in His inheritance.
Our forefathers prayed for us that we might be strengthened and invigorated.  That is a pretty cool think to think about.
Life is full of times that tax us and take everything we've got and then some to make it through.  But we aren't on this journey alone.  He has a great plan for us and has already provided all we need to know to make it through.  We aren't lost...He knows exactly where we are...but we may not be ready for the next step and may need time in the "wilderness" to learn life lessons that we will need once we reach our personal Promise Land.  He never loses sight of us.  He never stops growing and shaping and molding us.  He knows exactly what He wants to accomplish in our lives and is more than capable of doing so.
My prayer for you today is that you would embrace the lessons that teach patience.  That you would look forward to the "wait" answer knowing that God is doing a big work in your life as He prepares you for the next step.  That no matter what happens, you will persevere and endure in His strength and let Him shine through your weakness.  That you would not lose heart while doing that which you know to do and waiting for the next direction.  That you wouldn't sit idle, but keep working as He opens and closes doors for you and stretches, grows and molds you.  That you would foster a spirit of thankfulness in all things, knowing full well that He has your best in mind.  This is my prayer for you!

Will of God

He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

I give you a new commandment that you should love one another.  Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.  John 13:34

Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].  John 6:29

I pray that you will seek God's face above all else.  That you will let yourself dwell on, think about, learn about, nothing more than God.  That you will not allow yourself to put anything above your pursuit of God.  That He would be your center and that you would let Him make everything in the periphery fall into place.  I pray that He would speak clearly to you and that you would know every step you should take...right when you need to take that step.  And that you would confidently walk with Him knowing that He will completely equip you to do each thing that He asks of you.  That you may know the will of God in your life!  This is my prayer for you!

Trustworthy

The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord].  Their praise of Him endures forever.  Psalm 111:10

The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly].  Proverb 1:5

My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.  Prov 2:1-5

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding, in all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.  Prov 3:5-7

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences], for the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.  Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.  Prov 3:13-15

The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools.  Prov 3:35

For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.  Prov 8:11

For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from God.  Prov 8:35

Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.  Prov 19:20

If any of you is deficient in wisdom let him ask of the living God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.  James 1:5

My prayer for you today is that God would meet you where you are and fill you to overflowing with His wisdom that you might have life in all its glorious abundance.  That you would know without a doubt that you are His chosen child and live like you know it.  That you would know what He wants of you and for you.  That the next step would be lit up for you and you would boldly take that step with Him...whatever HE wants for you, ignoring all opposition and just confidently and wisely walking with Him alone.  That God would surround you with wise counsel who could mentor you and then you in turn could mentor others.  That all that He gives you could be used for His kingdom and His plan for eternity.  That you would be a Christian after God's own heart.  This is my prayer for you.

 

written 6-3-11

Wisdom

The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord].  Their praise of Him endures forever.  Psalm 111:10

The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly].  Proverb 1:5

My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.  Prov 2:1-5

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding, in all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.  Prov 3:5-7

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences], for the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.  Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.  Prov 3:13-15

The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools.  Prov 3:35

For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.  Prov 8:11

For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from God.  Prov 8:35

Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.  Prov 19:20

If any of you is deficient in wisdom let him ask of the living God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.  James 1:5

My prayer for you today is that God would meet you where you are and fill you to overflowing with His wisdom that you might have life in all its glorious abundance.  That you would know without a doubt that you are His chosen child and live like you know it.  That you would know what He wants of you and for you.  That the next step would be lit up for you and you would boldly take that step with Him...whatever HE wants for you, ignoring all opposition and just confidently and wisely walking with Him alone.  That God would surround you with wise counsel who could mentor you and then you in turn could mentor others.  That all that He gives you could be used for His kingdom and His plan for eternity.  That you would be a Christian after God's own heart.  This is my prayer for you.

Written 6-2-11

Confidence

Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.  Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!  I will sing and make melody.  Psalm 57:7

O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!  Psalm 84:12

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.  Proverbs 29:25

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.  So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].  Isaiah 26:3-4

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.  Isaiah 30:15a

But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.  Micah 7:7

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].  Hebrews 4:16

Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.  For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away, [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.  Hebrews 10:35-36

Love the fact that His Word will never come back to Him void.  Always sharp, active, two-edged sword.  Never will it ever go out of effectiveness! 

Confidence is found in Christ alone and in Him we have FULL confidence.  He didn't make His children to be spineless people who would be walked all over.  He made us to walk in Him confidently and expectantly.

Also, note that often fearless and confident go hand in hand.  You can't be fearful and confident at the same time.  You have to believe that He will either make the way for you like He promises to...and confidently walk in that knowledge...or you don't believe that He can do a thing for you and walk in fear of what the next moment, hour, day, month or year might hold.

I pray that His confidence will overflow in you.  That you might live all the days of your life, while on earth, confidently, expectantly, and commitedly hoping in Him alone.  Knowing without a doubt that in Him you are equipped and able to do every thing He will ever ask of you.  That you will fearlessly, confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of God and allow Him to guide you every step of the way, enjoying life to the full!

Written 6-1-11

Favor of God and man

You have granted me life and favor, and Your providence has preserved my spirit.  Job 10:12

For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).  Psalm 5:12

By Your favor, O Lord, You have established me as a strong mountain  Psalm 30:7a

So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.  Proverbs 3:4

A good man obtains favor from the Lord... Proverbs 12:2

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.  Therefore I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!  2 Corinthians 12:9

He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:7

This has been one of my most frequent prayers for you.  That you would find favor with God most of all, but also that He would give you favor with your boss, your co-workers, your clients, your family and your friends.  That people would seek you out to help them with their projects and lives.  That people would be able to see what an asset and friend you are and would want you on their side.

written 5-31-11

Phillippians 3:13-14,16

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]:  forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.  Phillippians 3:13-14, 16

I guess that's why we keep going.  Not that times are easy or hard.  Not giving up despite circumstances.  To keep doing what we know we should do.  To keep moving forward.

Life is not easy...nor were we ever promised it would be easy down here.  If it were all fun and games and no challenge, we would have no reason to ask for God's help and no reason to look forward to eternity with Him in heaven.

But even in all the challenges and the daily grind, we know that God is in charge/in control.  That nothing happens that He hasn't okay-ed or allowed.  It is for our growth.  To teach us.  To make us more like Him.

"If we could summarize the primary message of the book of Job, it's this:  Life is full of problems and pain; questions are all right, and so is the occasional ranting and raving, but don't grow bitter and never throw away your faith.  All these things will work for good and God will turn it to gain as we keep our eyes locked on Him and walk by faith, not by sight."  p192 (The Promise by Robert J Morgan)

"Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel." p. 184 (The Promise by Robert J Morgan)

"Problems dislodge our core of self-sufficient pride, drive us to the Lord, teach us humility, and enable us to trust Him with our cares.  In the process we learn that it is for our benefit that we are afflicted." p165  (The Promise by Robert J Morgan)

So, we need to change perspective.  We need to become thankful for the hard times b/c it is in those times that we are most prepared to reach out to others.  We watch God and all He is doing and get excited to share all that He does.  It stretches us and makes us count on Him.  It makes us, a little more every day, into the people that He knows we can be and wants us to become.

written 5-26-11

The verses in my head today

What then shall we say to [all] this?  If God is for us, who [can be] against us?  [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen?  Will God, Who acquits us?]
Who is there to condemn [us]?  Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?
Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love?  Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation?  Or calamity and distress?  Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39

NOTHING is more powerful than the God you serve.  NOTHING can stop the love that He has for you.  NOTHING!

written 5-25-11

Encouragement

From the book  The Promise:  How God Works All Things Together for Good by Robert J. Morgan.

"Everything that happens to you is for your own good.  If the waves roll against you, it only speeds your ship toward the port.  If lightening and thunder comes, it clears the atmosphere and promotes your soul's health.  You gain by loss, you grow healthy in sickness, you live by dying, and you are made rich in losses.
Could you ask for a better promise?  It is better that all things should work for my good then all things should be as I would wish to have them.  All things might work for my pleasure and yet might all work for my ruin.  If all things do not always please me, they will always benefit me.
This is the best promise of this life."                           --Charles Haddon Spurgeon            

"But Scripture teaches that we have a God who turns our problems inside out--ALL our perils and perplexities; none is excluded for those who are God-lovers, those called according to His purpose.  He brings blessings out of burdens, and He knows ho to wrangle gladness out of sadness.  God's guarantee in Romans 8:28 can alter moods, dissipate our discouragement, lessen the pangs of our grief, and usher confidence back into our hearts."  (p. xvii)

"Romans 8:28 is all-inclusive, all-powerful, and always available.  It is as omnipotent as the God who signed and sealed it.  It's as loving as the Savior who died to unleash it.  It can do anything God can do.  It can touch any hurt and redeem any problem.  It isn't a mere platitude but a divine promise.  It isn't a goal but a guarantee.  It isn't wishful thinking but a shaft of almighty providence that lands squarely on our pathway each day and every moment.
The Lord moves heaven and earth to keep this promise.  He puts His eye to the microscope of providential oversight and scans the smallest details of our lives, working them into a tapestry of blessing, making sure that goodness and mercy follow us all our days.  He turns problems inside out, transforming bad things to blessings and converting trials into triumphs.  He alone knows how to bring Easters out of Good Fridays."  p.4

"Since God is eternal, it is eternal.  Since God is omnipresent, His promises are too.  I'm never outside their range.  Since God is all-powerful, His providence pervades every event of my life.  Since He is infinite, His promise is perpetual.  Since He is merciful, His promises embrace even my sins, and when confessed and nailed to His cross, even good can come from them.  Good lessons.  Good counsel for others.  Good thanksgiving for His cleansing power.  Good testimonies of His liberating love."  p.9

"We cannot fully understand now," he said, "but when we stand upon the heights of glory, we shall look back with joy on the things we have suffered, for we shall know then that our severest trials were part of the 'all things' which worked together for eternal good."  --Dr. John A Broadus  p15

"Yes, the Bible does use the word HOPE.  But in the Bible, hope is not synonymous with MAYBE.  Biblical hope refers to sure and certain expectations, which, because they're still in the future, create in us a sense of anticipation." p35

"At the outset of every crisis or problem, we have to choose our attitude.  Either we'll collapse in despair and say, 'All these things are against me.' Or we'll decide to view them through the prism of Romans 8:28 and say, 'All these things may appear to be against me, but according to God's Word, all these things will work themselves out for my good in God's timing and providence."  pp37-38

"God can make all, and does make all, work ultimately for our good.  This is surely a staggering statement; but it is the statement that is made by the Apostle.  It is only in the case of Christians that we can demonstrate exactly how this happens, how all things are made to work together for our good.  Trials and tribulations and failures and sin are not good in and of themselves, and it is folly to pretend that they are.  They are bad.  How then can we justify the statement that all of them 'work together for good'?  The answer is that they are so used by God, and so over-ruled by God and employed by God that they turn out for our good."  p40  Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Sometimes in the face of tragedy and disappointment, we can only hide ourselves in the promises of God until the storm passes by.  We have to reassure our heart with the facts of God when we can't calculate the sums of life.  We have to tell ourselves the truth, regardless of appearances to the contrary:  Not some things, but ALL things work together."  p54

for more on this book and trying to wrap my head around the tragedy in Joplin go here

written 5-24-11