"O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:1-3 NLT
David was a man who had a successful prayer life. He recognized his weaknesses. He came to God as his source of strength. He didn't hide what he was struggling with, but gave his weaknesses to God. Then he waited. Not only did he wait, but he waited expectantly.
My problem is, I didn't always acknowledge my weaknesses. I get self sufficient. I look to sources other than God for help. When I finally do wake up and pray, I want the answer right now. I live in a fast pace world. Waiting is not part of my plan. But it is God's will. Notice how David waited for God to answer his prayers; expectantly.
David didn't pray with a wait and see attitude. He knew that he was praying to the Almighty God. He waited with hope.
Do you acknowledge your weaknesses? Do you bring them to God? Are you in the waiting period?
Trust Jesus and wait expectantly.
"Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow." Psalm 5:7-8 NLT
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Foundation of Wisdom
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life." Proverb 9:10,11 NLT
Yesterday we talked about living life to it's fullest by applying the wisdom of God to our lives. A relationship with Jesus is the source of getting true wisdom. The closer we are to Christ, the more we are able to receive the wisdom He imparts to us. He gives us wisdom through His word, the witness of His Spirit, prayer and the wise counsel of others.
But how do we start down the path of following the wisdom of God? The Bible says, that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. The term--fear of the Lord-- means to honor, respect, be in awe and reverence of God. It means to obey the Lord. Not a popular concept in our culture today. If we do not respect and honor Jesus as our Lord and Savior, how can we trust and apply His wisdom to our lives?
There are many things that cause fear. Health, job loss, housing, relationships, safety and a huge list of fear factors. Many people do not understand what it means to fear the Lord. Instead of giving honor and respect to our loving Creator, they fear the things of this fallen world.
What are you afraid of?
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life." Proverb 9:10,11 NLT
Yesterday we talked about living life to it's fullest by applying the wisdom of God to our lives. A relationship with Jesus is the source of getting true wisdom. The closer we are to Christ, the more we are able to receive the wisdom He imparts to us. He gives us wisdom through His word, the witness of His Spirit, prayer and the wise counsel of others.
But how do we start down the path of following the wisdom of God? The Bible says, that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. The term--fear of the Lord-- means to honor, respect, be in awe and reverence of God. It means to obey the Lord. Not a popular concept in our culture today. If we do not respect and honor Jesus as our Lord and Savior, how can we trust and apply His wisdom to our lives?
There are many things that cause fear. Health, job loss, housing, relationships, safety and a huge list of fear factors. Many people do not understand what it means to fear the Lord. Instead of giving honor and respect to our loving Creator, they fear the things of this fallen world.
What are you afraid of?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Start Living!
"Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
'Come in with me,' she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
'Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.'
Leave your simple ways behind,and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” Proverbs 9:1-6 NLT
Have you ever wondered why you can get stuck in a rut? You know what I mean. You keep struggling with the same old problems. There are a variety of issues that keep coming at us, and get the better of us. For example, addictions to food, drugs, sex, spending, alcohol and a variety of temptations can get the better of us. Health, finances and relational challenges can wear us down. The condition of the world we live in may keep us from living life to it's fullest.
We live in a world that offers a lot of advice. All you have to do is turn on your television, radio, computer or walk through the checkout aisle of your supermarket, and you are bombarded with advice. Some of the advice is good. Much is not. You see, the very people offering the advice, are creating the problem.
We were created by God. The Bible says that Jesus created everything. Therefore, He knows what's best for our lives. He offers us the wisdom and the power to live lives that overcome the obstacles of our fallen world. His wisdom offers us meaning, strength, and hope.
So, who's advice are you listening to?
"Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” Proverbs 9:6 NLT
she has carved its seven columns.
She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
'Come in with me,' she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
'Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.'
Leave your simple ways behind,and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” Proverbs 9:1-6 NLT
Have you ever wondered why you can get stuck in a rut? You know what I mean. You keep struggling with the same old problems. There are a variety of issues that keep coming at us, and get the better of us. For example, addictions to food, drugs, sex, spending, alcohol and a variety of temptations can get the better of us. Health, finances and relational challenges can wear us down. The condition of the world we live in may keep us from living life to it's fullest.
We live in a world that offers a lot of advice. All you have to do is turn on your television, radio, computer or walk through the checkout aisle of your supermarket, and you are bombarded with advice. Some of the advice is good. Much is not. You see, the very people offering the advice, are creating the problem.
We were created by God. The Bible says that Jesus created everything. Therefore, He knows what's best for our lives. He offers us the wisdom and the power to live lives that overcome the obstacles of our fallen world. His wisdom offers us meaning, strength, and hope.
So, who's advice are you listening to?
"Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.” Proverbs 9:6 NLT
Friday, March 6, 2009
Delight
"The Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him,
those who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalm 147:11 NLT
How do you think God feels about you?
I used to think He was angry with me. I felt I could never please God. I felt at times that God simply tolerated me. That He only cared about me when I was a good person, and did good things.
The Bible tells us something different. The Bible says that God delights in His people. (Psalm 149:4 NLT) Think about it. God delights in us. The word delight means to have a high degree pleasure or satisfaction. That's how God feels to those that respect Him and trust in His love.
He loves us so much that He made it possible for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Anyone can come to God through Jesus!
Let your mind and your soul absorb the fact that God not only loves us, but He delights in us.
those who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalm 147:11 NLT
How do you think God feels about you?
I used to think He was angry with me. I felt I could never please God. I felt at times that God simply tolerated me. That He only cared about me when I was a good person, and did good things.
The Bible tells us something different. The Bible says that God delights in His people. (Psalm 149:4 NLT) Think about it. God delights in us. The word delight means to have a high degree pleasure or satisfaction. That's how God feels to those that respect Him and trust in His love.
He loves us so much that He made it possible for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Anyone can come to God through Jesus!
Let your mind and your soul absorb the fact that God not only loves us, but He delights in us.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sabotaged
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT
One night my family was in the middle of a battle. We were fighting each other. We were angry, offended, and in self pity. You name it, we had it. Dinner had started out well. Nice talk, good food. Then one thing lead to another and "Wham"--we were at each other's throats. It seemed no matter what we said, we would continue to hurt each other. That's when I realized we had been sabotaged.
God had been using us in a mighty way. Peggy and I were serving on a women's retreat. We had just launched a wonderful marriage enrichment ministry. Our church was growing. My writing was taking off. The kids were good. We were a target for the enemy. The problem was, we were treating each other like we were the enemy.
That night as I sat outside praying for our family, the Lord spoke to me. He reminded me through His word that we were in a battle. Our real enemy Satan, was trying to pit us against each other. Why? Because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Satan may not be able to take away our salvation, but he was trying to take us out as a family.
I so grateful that the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of our situation. I called a friend and asked him to pray for us. Then I went back into the house and we prayed together as a family. Eventually the peace of God returned to our home.
Who or what are you fighting? Why?
"Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:1-18 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT
One night my family was in the middle of a battle. We were fighting each other. We were angry, offended, and in self pity. You name it, we had it. Dinner had started out well. Nice talk, good food. Then one thing lead to another and "Wham"--we were at each other's throats. It seemed no matter what we said, we would continue to hurt each other. That's when I realized we had been sabotaged.
God had been using us in a mighty way. Peggy and I were serving on a women's retreat. We had just launched a wonderful marriage enrichment ministry. Our church was growing. My writing was taking off. The kids were good. We were a target for the enemy. The problem was, we were treating each other like we were the enemy.
That night as I sat outside praying for our family, the Lord spoke to me. He reminded me through His word that we were in a battle. Our real enemy Satan, was trying to pit us against each other. Why? Because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Satan may not be able to take away our salvation, but he was trying to take us out as a family.
I so grateful that the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of our situation. I called a friend and asked him to pray for us. Then I went back into the house and we prayed together as a family. Eventually the peace of God returned to our home.
Who or what are you fighting? Why?
"Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:1-18 NLT
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God." Samuel 30:6 NKJV
Have you ever been down in the dumps? Maybe it was a bad medical report. Or perhaps a relational situation, or finances. I remember hearing from our accountant that we owed the government a large sum of money. We didn't have the money needed. We had cashed out our retirement funds to pay our debt. The debt was gone, but the penalties and higher taxes were not. Now we were facing debt again in the form of monthly payments to the government.
Peggy and I prayed and then I went for a walk. It would have been so easy to fall into discouragement. I started praying and reminding myself of the scriptures that spoke of God's care and promises to His children. I remembered when Peter needed to pay taxes and Jesus provided the money for him in a most unusual way. I reminded myself the we are in God's hands.
The peace of God began filling me and worry washed away. I had the same feeling when Peggy was diagnosed with cancer. I began finding strength and encouragement in the Lord.
David was alone. His men had lost their families and now were ready to kill David. The Bible says that David strengthened himself in the Lord. How do you find strength in the Lord? For me it's through prayer, the Bible and worship. I remember a friend who lost a child at birth. He immediately began worshipping God. Sounds nuts. But when we move in the opposite spirit and fix our eyes on Jesus, we find strength.
This life will bring many challenges. Each challenge could be enough to take us out. It is imperative that we learn and practice finding strength and encouragement in the Lord!
So where do you find the strength to carry on? Give Jesus a try. He's strong enough for all your cares.
Have you ever been down in the dumps? Maybe it was a bad medical report. Or perhaps a relational situation, or finances. I remember hearing from our accountant that we owed the government a large sum of money. We didn't have the money needed. We had cashed out our retirement funds to pay our debt. The debt was gone, but the penalties and higher taxes were not. Now we were facing debt again in the form of monthly payments to the government.
Peggy and I prayed and then I went for a walk. It would have been so easy to fall into discouragement. I started praying and reminding myself of the scriptures that spoke of God's care and promises to His children. I remembered when Peter needed to pay taxes and Jesus provided the money for him in a most unusual way. I reminded myself the we are in God's hands.
The peace of God began filling me and worry washed away. I had the same feeling when Peggy was diagnosed with cancer. I began finding strength and encouragement in the Lord.
David was alone. His men had lost their families and now were ready to kill David. The Bible says that David strengthened himself in the Lord. How do you find strength in the Lord? For me it's through prayer, the Bible and worship. I remember a friend who lost a child at birth. He immediately began worshipping God. Sounds nuts. But when we move in the opposite spirit and fix our eyes on Jesus, we find strength.
This life will bring many challenges. Each challenge could be enough to take us out. It is imperative that we learn and practice finding strength and encouragement in the Lord!
So where do you find the strength to carry on? Give Jesus a try. He's strong enough for all your cares.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Drifting Into Weariness
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
I was driving down the highway early one morning. I was very weary. I had had a pretty full schedule and it was starting to catch up with me. I was really worn out. My assistant Debbie, called me on my cell phone. I asked her to lighten my appointments so I could catch up on some rest.
I went to my appointment that day. When it was over, I was still tired. I checked my phone and saw that I had a message. It was from Debbie. She read to me Isaiah 40:28-31. It is one of my favorite passages. I've taught, preached and used it in counseling sessions. But I had forgotten it. When Debbie started reading the passage, I felt encouraged. But when she came to the part; "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength", I felt conviction.
I was convicted that even though I write a blog called "Living Hope" I had drifted from God. I was putting my hope in my accomplishments, the accomplishments of others, and even in what God was doing. The problem was, I was not putting my hope in "Him". Therefore, I was carrying a load that was too heavy for me to bear. It was effecting me spiritually, emotionally and physically.
When Debbie read the passage to me not only did I feel convicted, but encouraged, even strengthened. I prayed--acknowledging my drift from God--received His grace and mercy and felt renewed. Jesus is awesome!
So what are you hoping in and for? Put your hope in Christ. He is our Living Hope!
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
I was driving down the highway early one morning. I was very weary. I had had a pretty full schedule and it was starting to catch up with me. I was really worn out. My assistant Debbie, called me on my cell phone. I asked her to lighten my appointments so I could catch up on some rest.
I went to my appointment that day. When it was over, I was still tired. I checked my phone and saw that I had a message. It was from Debbie. She read to me Isaiah 40:28-31. It is one of my favorite passages. I've taught, preached and used it in counseling sessions. But I had forgotten it. When Debbie started reading the passage, I felt encouraged. But when she came to the part; "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength", I felt conviction.
I was convicted that even though I write a blog called "Living Hope" I had drifted from God. I was putting my hope in my accomplishments, the accomplishments of others, and even in what God was doing. The problem was, I was not putting my hope in "Him". Therefore, I was carrying a load that was too heavy for me to bear. It was effecting me spiritually, emotionally and physically.
When Debbie read the passage to me not only did I feel convicted, but encouraged, even strengthened. I prayed--acknowledging my drift from God--received His grace and mercy and felt renewed. Jesus is awesome!
So what are you hoping in and for? Put your hope in Christ. He is our Living Hope!
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