Wednesday Worship~Pray

Father, how we thank You for the blessing of coming to You in prayer, knowing that You care about everything that concerns us. Oh, how we give thanks for Your great love for us. A love that never fails and carries us through whatever this life brings our way. We love You!

Monday Meditation~Let's Pray!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Ephesians 6:18a

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16b 

*All verses listed are NIV.

I'm praying that His Word draws you into His presence and to a sweet place of prayer. It is our lifeline!

How's Your Quiet Time?

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in You.

Show me the way I should go,

For to You I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Ah, that's one of my favorite verses. One that we should surely commit to memory. And act upon.

Don't we all need to be reminded of His unfailing love every morning? And isn't putting our day in His hands...trusting Him for direction in each step we take just freeing?

Having a morning quiet time is a daily reminder to me of God's faithfulness, and how He cares about every detail of my life. It is an encouragement to me, a challenge to be more like Him, and a source of great instruction.

I'm a believer that we need a word from Him in the morning. (No, I'm not judging those of you who have your quiet time at night. God loves anytime that you choose to meet with Him!) I'm just saying that it can set the course for our day if we begin it with Him.

Even if it's quick!

I'm not talking about indepth Bible study, but a few moments (or more if you are at a place in your life where you can bask in His presence for longer periods of time.)

I'm speaking from experience in that "quick" department! During my 20+ years of teaching, with 4 daughters to get out of the house (and an amazing hubby who fixed the breakfasts and packed all the lunches), many days it was simply reading a couple of devotions and listening to Christian radio as I got dressed. And I'll confess that sometimes the devotion was read in the bathroom. Ugh. Yes, sometimes we must multitask! That's what those reading baskets are in there for!

Be creative...or not. Just do it!!! You'll be amazed at the difference it makes to hear from the One who loves you unfailingly before you begin the tasks of the day.

Here's a glimpse at my morning boost.

• I start with prayer. And this is while still in my bed. You know, while you're still loving those snuggly covers, especially on these yummy fall mornings. There's no law that says you have to be upright to pray. In fact, Scripture refers to being prostrate...flat on our faces. So, sometimes I'm face down, sometimes gazing up toward the heavens. I don't think God minds that I'm on a comfy mattress. So I do a good bit of praying before my feet hit the floor. And isn't it just so fabulous that we can continually converse with the Creator of the universe, our strength and sustainer, all throughout the day!!!
• Next (after the coffee is brewed of course), I read from three devotional books. And pretty much the same ones every year. They are my favorites and each year, as I'm at a different place in my life, God speaks through them in a new way. And it's been a whole year...with my 50 something brain, it's all new! (By the way, I do love to jot notes in them which serve as reminders to His faithfulness in past seasons.) I start with Beth Moore's Praying God's Word Day by Day. So great to learn how to pray Scripture!! Then I read Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. I personally like the journal edition for a space to write how God speaks to me. Then I wrap up with Sarah Young's Jesus Calling (which is on sale now!!) I love this devotional, and some of the Godliest women I know enjoy it too! After I read it, I head to the Scriptures listed at the bottom of the page, ones that were referenced in her writing. That becomes a springboard to reading more in His Word and hearing directly from Him! Now, let me say that I'm at a place where I have more leisure time in the morning (many days with a darling grandbaby by my side), so I read all three and Bible passages. If you aren't there, find a devotional and just pray for a word from Him. He knows your life. And wants to speak into it!!

There are many formulas out there, and many devotion books to choose from. There are lots of fabulous devotions online and as phone apps! Ladies, get your word from His Word each morning! Prove Him at His Word. You will be blessed.

Now, just a clarification. This doesn't take the place of indepth Bible study. I hope you find place in your day for that as well. Oh, how our Lord longs to bless You and teach You and grow you into the woman He created you to be!

So how about you? What's your secret to a great quiet time?

Praying sweet blessings for your day...and some delightful time in His Word!

Wednesday Worship~You Are My Hiding Place

You are my hiding place;

You will protect me from trouble

and surround me with 

songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

Praying you are resting in Him and surrounded by songs of deliverance today, 

Askers and Praisers

I sure am feeling like an asker today.

You know, constantly asking God for something.

Not for myself. In fact I'm convicted that I need to pray more for myself...to be all that God intends me to be spiritually...to grow deep in His Word...to love like He loves...to speak only as He would have me speak...to be His hands and feet.

But today I'm really talking about asking God on behalf of others...interceding for those in need of healing...comfort for the brokenhearted...for peace and wisdom in job situations...for wayward children...for those who've lost their joy...for troubled relationships...for safety and protection...for parents and babies.

And that's good. God tells us to cast our cares (and those of others) on Him. To seek. To ask.

Surely when we tell someone that we will pray, we should take that responsibility seriously. And I do.

I will continue in that intercession, but I want to be more of a praiser than just an asker. I want to be a thanker too. God is so good and gracious and loving and kind.

And He is enough.

He is the great reward.

He is the answer.

That is cause for much thanksgiving and praise. I was drawn to Psalm 100 this morning, and make that my desire today.

Shout for joy to the LORD,

all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, 

and we are His;

we are His people, 

the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the LORD is good and His love

endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through

all generations.

(NIV)

With a grateful heart, 

Wednesday Worship~There is Hope!

For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven,

with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel 

and with the trumpet call of God,

and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left

will be caught up together with them in the clouds 

to meet the Lord in the air. 

And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

 

Lord, we long for the day that we will see You face to face, for a time when pain, sadness, and sin will be no more. What a joy to know that we will spend forever singing "Holy, holy, holy" in Your presence. Thank You for the hope we have in You and Your promises. Oh, how we love You and await Your coming!

Monday Meditation~Paths

The path of the righteous is level;

O upright One, You make the way

 of the righteous smooth.

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws,

we wait for You;

Your Name and renown

are the desire of our hearts. 

Isaiah 26:7-8 (NIV)

Father, lead us in Your paths of righteousness. Help us to seek You, to find You, and to trust in You to make our way smooth. Help us to walk according to Your Word. And to wait for You. Please make Your Name and renown the desire of our hearts. We yearn for You. Fill us with Your love as we amble along our way today so that we may draw others to a closer walk with You.