Prayer of Prosperity and Protection

Prayer of Prosperity and Protection

Genesis 24: ⁵⁹ So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. ⁶⁰ And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:

 

“Our sister, may you become
The mother of thousands of ten thousands;
And may your descendants possess
The gates of those who hate them.”

 

⁶¹ Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

 

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Nervous and saddened to see Rebekah leave, Laban and his mother wished her farewell. Her departure plans came up quickly and they had no time to prepare. They offered up a prayer of prosperity and protection.

 

My Observations:

• Laban and his mother placed Rebekah in GOD’s hands by saying a prayer over her.
• Laban and his mother agreed with Abraham’s prophecy and prayed that she fulfills it.
• Laban and his mother may have followed GOD all their lives, so they gave Rebekah their best, namely prayer.

 

Speaking prosperity and protection over someone is not a bad thing, but the enemy tries to mix in greed and lust for power into it, confusing followers of CHRIST. Laban and his mother simply agreed with the prophecy of Abraham as told by GOD. Rebekah would become the mother of many nations, just like Sarah.

 

I believe it was JESUS who told Abraham this prophecy and in it, HE promised blessings. But Laban and his mother knew the enemy would attack. They prayed for protection against those who hate people who follow CHRIST, not in a political way, but in a relationship way.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this prayer?
• Has GOD promised you something that has not come to fruition yet?
• Instead of giving up, will you look at the situation differently, renewing your trust that GOD keeps HIS promises?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with the plan you have for him or her. Plans to “prosper” and not to harm. Plans to give a “Hope” and a “future.” Pleas protect this reader from themselves and those who a purposefully trying to cause harm. amen

Untainted Relationship

 Untainted Relationship

Genesis 21: ³² Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.  ³³ Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. ³⁴ And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

 

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Growing up in the land of the Chaldeans, Abraham learned the ways of a group that was on the move. He learned how to protect sheep and cattle from wild animals and thieves. But this was his father’s choice of residence. GOD told Abraham to move to a place where HE would show him. Abraham obeyed without question.

 

He ended up in a land that had a famine. He went to Egypt to avoid the famine. There he was given Hagar who later birthed him a son at the request of his wife Sarah. Abraham saw Sodom and Gomorrah get destroyed. He moved to Gerar where he settled amongst a group of people known for taking what they wanted, when they wanted.

 

My Observations:

• No place that Abraham moved was ideal, yet GOD was with him.
• Abraham lived around people who would lie and steal, yet Abraham’s relationship with GOD remained the same.
• Abraham settled down in a place that did not follow GOD, but he did.

 

Having a relationship with GOD was not dependent on the people around Abraham. He seemed untainted by their actions and followed GOD anyway. Most people would probably fold and follow the surrounding culture. By following GOD, the leaders came to him asking to be protected from GOD’s wrath.

 

They had seen what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah and knew Abraham was special. They would not change their ways, nor would Abraham change his. He would follow GOD until he died.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention the “land of the Philistines” to Moses so many times?
• Have you ever been in a place where you were the only follower of GOD?
• Can you follow GOD without letting your surroundings cause you to fear, falter or fall?

Trying to Pay for Wrong

Trying to Pay for Wrong

Genesis 20: ¹⁴ Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him. ¹⁵ And Abimelech said, “See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” ¹⁶ Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked.

 

¹⁷ So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; ¹⁸ for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

 

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Havilah was a place that had gold and precious or rare stones on it. Adam and Eve could visit this place to see something different, but they may have thought nothing more than “wow, this is beautiful.” But when Satan caused them to fall, humans were taken out of the Garden of Eden. When the flood happened, the Garden was washed away. But precious stones remained and were scattered all over the earth.

 

People may have searched for these unique stones and metals because of their rarity. Abimelech had silver, a slightly more common metal, and he offered it to Abraham as a way of trade. He knew he had done something wrong, so he gave animals, people and silver.

 

My Observations:

• Silver was mentioned for the second time here, where the first mention was with Abraham.
• Currency seemed to have gotten started and trading people, animals and precious stones had become the norm.
• Abimelech thought he could pay for his wrong through his vast supply of people, animals, land, and precious stones.

 

Sarah remained untouched, but may have been in captivity for over a year. Living in the king’s house, she may have been treated well, but was not with Abraham. During that time, no woman in Gerar could have a child because of Sarah. GOD made all the women barren.  Abraham may have regularly tried to convince Abimelech to let Sarah go, but he may have refused.

 

But after a while he begged Abraham to take Sarah back. He paid, what he thought was, a heavy price for her to Abraham. A thousand pieces of silver for Sarah and only thirty was offered for JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Abimelech and Sarah?
• Have you ever done something wrong and thought you could pay GOD off by giving to a church or by sinning less?
• Have you considered that GOD owns everything you own and JESUS paid for your sins with HIS life?

Question Answered

Question Answered

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹⁶ Be joyful always, ¹⁷ pray at all times, ¹⁸ be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

 

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Walking outside to the parking lot, I noticed my window had been broken out and my cassette tapes had been stolen. Yeah I said tapes. At work, I got news that the project was not going well. I got home and all I had in the fridge was eggs. I boiled them and fell asleep. I woke up to exploded burnt eggs. “What do YOU want from me!” I angrily said to GOD.

 

• I had plenty to complain about.
• I told people about one calamity, then another would hit.
• I questioned why I was going through this by asking “What do YOU want from me?”

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy gave some advice to everyone who asked the question “What does GOD want from me?” Their simple words are not so easy to put into practice, but the perspective can change how circumstances are seen.

 

• GOD wants me to be joyful versus happy because joy cuts through pain.
• GOD wants me to pray at all times, asking HIM how HE wants to handle the bad and good situations.
• GOD wants me to be thankful in all circumstances, seeing HIM work through very difficult situations as well as peaceful ones.

 

Joy, prayer and thankfulness do not seem like powerful weapons, but they are. I mean, when I seek happiness, fulfilled desires and accolades, I run into those who seek the same and would do anything to rob others of theirs. I also rely on my own thoughts and power which makes me run out of fuel and question GOD. BUT HE has another way.

 

GOD wants my life to have light burdens, but understands there is an enemy, Satan, who will stop at nothing to keep me from praising JESUS. GOD gives me joy, prayer and thankfulness to battle worry, hatred, doubt and all ills of life. I am glad GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIS SON and wants simple things from me.

 

Challenge

• Why do the writers use “always” and “all times” and “all circumstances?”
• Have you ever felt like not praying or wanting to be angry or wanting to just be alone in your pity?
• Will you take the burden off of yourself and replace it with joy through prayer and thankfulness so GOD can unite you with the power of CHRIST JESUS today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, thank YOU for this reader. Thank YOU for keeping him or her in the palm of YOUR hands. Thank YOU for joy and for opening the door to listen. We praise YOU today. amen

Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray!

Ephesians 6: ¹⁸ Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. ¹⁹ And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. ²⁰ For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

 

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Being on my own, I chose to stop praying. “What good is saying the LORD’s prayer anyway?” I said to myself. I wanted to just have “fun.” As things got worse and worse, I revisited prayer.

 

• I only prayed when I wanted something.
• I had stopped believing in prayer, because things were not going “my” way.
• I did not feel the need for prayer when I was in the middle of doing what “I” wanted to do.

 

Paul gives everyone several reasons to pray. He ties prayer to “building up your strength” and “Standing ready” as he mentioned earlier while urging us to put on the whole armor of GOD. Do all this in prayer.

 

My Observations

• Prayer helps me communicate with GOD to place my desires before HIM.
• Prayer guides me to a better place when led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Prayer gets other people involved to ask GOD to reveal HIS mighty power.

 

Usually prayer is the last resort when it should be the first. I mean, asking GOD for permission, direction and success seems like the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I have the tendency to start doing what “I” want to do and when it is a mess, ask GOD to fix it.

 

Prayer is a time to change “my” mind versus trying to get GOD to do something HE does not want to do. HE gracefully reveals the “gospel’s secret” and enables anyone who asks to become an ambassador for HIM. HIS SPIRIT shows me that HE can never be constrained. I am thankful GOD wants to communicate with me all day every day.

 

Challenge

• What different ways to pray do you see in the writers words?
• How is the SPIRIT leading you?
• Have you validated your desires by asking GOD “Is this what YOU want me to do?”
• Will you place every situation, thing and person, including yourself, before GOD in prayer today?

True Identity

True Identity

Ephesians 3: ¹⁴ For this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 

 

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As I was walking down the hall someone shouted a negative label at me. My youthful response was to get a large friend and threaten a fight. The label was not who I was so it enraged me.

 

• I reacted to a false label.
• I wasted time and energy over something that was not true.
• I was not ready to take the high road so I stooped down to fight.

 

Paul uncovers something interesting. He says each person has a “true name” which implies the family name I have is false. HE was revealed that GOD provides purpose through a name.

 

My Observations

• My true identity will be revealed to me when I am with the FATHER.
• I will one day understand my true purpose in union with CHRIST.
• Knowing I have a true name gives me hope.

 

People want to be GOD so we label each other in ways to make others feel inferior. BUT GOD is supreme and is the only one who holds the true label of HIS creation. HE made each person carefully and with a special purpose. Unfortunately, there is an adversary who lies and confuses people to seek a worldly identity.

 

People are separated and lied to so JESUS becomes a problem rather than the only solution. Political thieves try to hijack the name of JESUS but fail miserably because GOD knows HIS true flock. I am glad GOD holds my identity and has adopted me into HIS glorious family.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer appeal to identity when entering into prayer?
• Have you ever been called a false label or possibly mislabeled yourself?
• Will you stop seeking validation from the world and know you are loved fully by GOD who holds your true purpose and identity in CHRIST who is our Savior today?

Ready to Go

Ready to Go

Acts 13: Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

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“LORD, what do YOU want me to do ?” was finally a sincere question I had asked. Up until then, I wanted raises and promotions and new cars. Within a week, the reorg was announced. Days later I was told I would be moving to another state.

• There were times when I had to get in the right mind to serve.
• There were times when I had to clear my thoughts in order to hear GOD.
• There were times when I had to be ready for anything in order to be used by GOD.

As the group gathered in Antioch were fasting and ministering to the LORD, the HOLY SPIRIT called Barnabas and Saul for a special work. The group obeyed so they fasted, prayed, laid hands on them and sent them. Fasting may have taken days but they were ready right away.

• GOD wants me to be ready to go where HE wants me to go at a moment’s notice.
• GOD wants me to know that I am sent versus complacent.
• GOD wants me to prepare for HIS journey when HE calls me to a work.

“Preparation” is the action GOD wants when HE calls. Rather than a fight for complacency, HE wants readiness to touch other lives through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. GOD is always ready to send harvesters, but knows  the laborers are few.

GOD wants me to sincerely ask “LORD, what do YOU want me to do ?” so HE can decide where and when HE wants me to go and plant HIS seeds. Other people are waiting on my gifts and talents. I am glad GOD includes me in HIS plans.

• Are you being sent?
• Does GOD want you to meet new people so you can fast and pray for them?
• Will you accept GOD’s calling and prepare for where HE is sending you to do HIS work?

Preparation

Preparation

Acts 1: ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

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Before the trip, a meeting was held. We gathered to discuss what we planned to do on the trip, what we were going to see and what to do if someone went missing or got hurt. During this meeting, exciting things and concerns were discussed. I left feeling prepared.

• On many occasions, I have met with people to prepare.
• On many occasions, I have gathered to hear concerns of others.
• On many occasions, I have tried to address those concerns with the information I knew.

The disciples, many woman and JESUS family gathered in the upper room after JESUS ascended into a cloud. I could only imagine the conversation of amazement and probably a little fear. I mean JESUS, who did amazing things was alive! But now HE was gone. What to do now?

• GOD wants me to prepare for my day by speaking to HIM.
• GOD wants me to gather together with others to hear their excitement and concerns.
• GOD wants me to speak with HIM constantly, because HE is always there.

Two or more hearts who believe in GOD’s power can do amazing things. Their belief touches GOD so much, HE opens their eyes to what HE has already done. HE provides assurance that HE cares by placing the right people around me when I need them. Prayer prepares me.

• How do you start your day?
• Do you speak to GOD, asking HIM to guide you every day?
• Will you gather with others to hear and express excitement about GOD and concerns about their lives and yours?

Service Clarity

Luke 2: ³⁶ Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

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“Would you serve on this committee?” someone asked. “Yes, of course” was my answer. “Would you serve as a lead” “Yes, of course” I said. “Would you run a special project, help with the books, lead another group and teach?” “Um… yes?” I said.

• There were times when I got burned out because I could not say not to the church leaders.
• There were times when I got burned out because I thought I “had” to serve.
• There were times when I felt I must be closer to the LORD because I was working so hard.

Anna was a prophetess who was dedicated to the LORD. She served the LORD in a way that was different from most thinking. She fasted, prayed and told people about JESUS becoming a human to redeem the world. Her service was easily done.

• GOD wants me to serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to fast, pray and tell people about HIM.
• GOD wants me to not burn out rather serve HIM with my current gifts, talents and financial situation.

“MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light stands out to me, yet many people in the church are worn out because the leaders are hard task masters. GOD never said “Work your fingers to the bone” nor did HE say “Try harder.” GOD says “I made you just as you are and I AM pleased with you, just speak of MY SON, fast and pray.” My service is simplified this day.

• Are you worried that you are not pleasing GOD?
• Do you think you are not doing enough because someone judged you into guilt?
• Can you stop trying to please GOD so hard as the task masters dictate and just be who HE made you to be?

Not Alone

Mark 9: ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

²⁸ And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”

²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

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Nighttime seemed darker as we rounded approached the campsite. When I got out of the van, I immediately stepped in some mud. I avoided mud at all costs up to that point. By the next day everything I owned had mud on it. The final straw was one of my lenses popping out in the mud. I used some less muddy water to clean it.

• When times are tough I try to “clean” myself up.
• When I go through trials I try to sin less so maybe the trial can go away faster.
• When there are difficulties ahead of me I try to act better so maybe if I were being punished, then I can show I got the lesson.

Amazingly JESUS drives out an unclean spirit and makes an effort to teach the disciples how they can do the same. My focus is on the boy. From childhood he was attacked relentlessly. He did not ask to be attacked by demonic forces and could not speak or hear any words of comfort. He was helpless.

• JESUS sees my situation and knows what I am going through.
• The HOLY SPIRIT knows I cannot speak on my behalf so HE cries out for me.
• The FATHER forgives my circumstance because of JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Trying to pretend I am clean is like taking more mud to form a pretend bar of soap to wash my body and declaring myself clean. In other words, no matter how much I try to follow the “rules” it won’t make me any cleaner or holier. I am helpless, like the boy.

BUT GOD does not leave me helpless. HE raises me out of the mud and cleans me up with everlasting water. HE restores my soul when the well of my heart is empty. Even when I cannot utter a word, the HOLY SPIRIT is there providing strength like none other. Yes JESUS loves me.

• Are you in a difficult circumstance?
• Do you feel exhausted because you thing the power has to come from you?
• Can you understand that GOD loves you enormously and knows your needs and wants you to let go so HE can clean you from the inside?

Death or Life

Isaiah 38: ⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. ⁶ And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

⁷ “‘This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: ⁸ I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.

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“What would you do if you only had two weeks to live?” were the words of the speaker at a conference I attended. Would you have “that” argument? Would you work as hard as you are working? Would you worry about what you are worrying about? All of these poignant questions got to me.

• Sometimes I get caught up in the speed of life.
• Sometimes I think I will live on this earth forever.
• Sometimes I think I have plenty of time so I can do “it” later.

After that conference I had to ponder, am I living my life with purpose? I mean work certainly got the bulk of my time. Was I providing poison or fruit to people? Hezekiah was going to die, BUT GOD told him he had fifteen more years to live. What would I do in this situation?

• GOD wants me to live an abundant life.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIM as much as I can during the time I am living.
• GOD wants me to speak of life not death.

Why waste time speaking about negative things? There is only so much time in a given day and I have a choice. I can speak of death or I can speak of life. Death could equal bragging about money and clothes that rot, rust or moths eat. Life equals speaking about how GOD chose me in the middle of my sins, died because of my sins and has forgiven me of all my sins.

I can speak about “that” person in a poisonous way or I can pray they receive life and that GOD forgives me for thinking they need prayer.

• What would you do if you only had two weeks to live?
• Would you have “that” argument?
• Would your words be poison or fruit?
• Why not change your life and live as if you only had two weeks to live?
• Can you speak more about GOD and less about your problems?

Sacrifice is Cool

Psalm 141: ¹ I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;
    hear me when I call to you.
² May my prayer be set before you like incense;
    may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

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GOD cannot wait to bless me on a daily basis. When I go to sleep, HE puts a watch over me and the HOLY SPIRIT speaks on my behalf explaining why I need forgiveness, mercy and love.  When I wake up, HE provides a new day with new adventures. The problem is, I sometimes look at situations and get busy fixing stuff that seems broken. I get distracted and make not time for GOD.

• Sometimes I am too busy to pray.
• Sometimes I am too distracted to sing praise.
• Sometimes I am too enthralled in my circumstance that I leave GOD out of the picture.

While GOD is busy protecting me, caring for me and loving me, I am busy running away from HIM seeking my path. I tell GOD to bow down to me by running in my own direction and demanding that HE fix the broken situation the way “I” want HIM to. BUT GOD is gracious.

• GOD wants me to slow down on a daily basis and recognize HIS greatness.
• GOD wants me to take a step back from my circumstance for a minute and just be with HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face and to be excited by who HE is and what HE has done.

My prayer time should not always be “complaint time” or “give me time.” I should sacrifice my needy worries for a moment of praise. HE cares about my needs and knows them well. HE wants me to ask for help and depend on HIM. HE also wants me to praise HIM for taking care of the situation even before I ask HIM. GOD enjoys prayers and keeps every one of them in a nice bowl.

Each of my prayers go up to GOD like sweet smelling incense. HE loves when I make time for HIM as HE does for me.

• Are you too busy for GOD?
• Does hearing about GOD on a daily basis turn you off?
• Will you cling to HIS greatness and ask HIM to provide your needs today?
• Will you also praise HIM for HIS greatness in your life? 

Amazingly Chosen

Psalm 65: ¹ Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
² You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
³ When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

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“That’s funny, all the other windows look wet but my driver’s window looks dry” I thought to myself. Then I wondered if I left the window down. To my dismay my car had been broken into. The initial shock caused me to question. “Why did this happen to me?” “Was it the sin I blatantly committed last night at or after the club?”

• Sometimes I think life is a balance of being sinful and being good.
• Sometimes I think I can get my way by being good.
• Sometimes I think I am being punished for being sinful.

Quite honestly it does seem like more goes wrong when I blatantly sin than when I try not to. This perspective is very dangerous because it breeds controlling GOD to the point where I can commit sin when I want to then be good for a while to balance the sin. GOD is not a thermostat, nor is HE the justice scales.

• GOD saved me in the “middle” of my sins which took tremendous grace on HIS part.
• GOD saw that I would not choose HIM so HE chose me and I had nothing to do with that choice.
• GOD blessed me with HIS decision to forgive me and it is now my choice to accept HIS direction.

Being supreme means GOD’s decisions are final and cannot be questioned or challenged. HE can take me low or lift me up. HE can choose some to live and some to die. HE answers my prayer with careful planning so I should never be upset with the answer because HE has a wonderful plan for me. Praise awaits YOU, my GOD, in Zion for HE answers my prayers with supreme authority!

• Are you trying to steer GOD?
• Do you think you are getting away with sin or do you think you can balance your sin with good?
• Can you accept the fact that GOD ha already provided you with an enormous amount of grace?
• Will you release control of your life and let GOD guide your path?

Bargaining With GOD

Job 30: ²⁴ “Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man
    when he cries for help in his distress.
²⁵ Have I not wept for those in trouble?
    Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

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Clutching my chest I wailed in agony. I lived alone and no one could drive me to see the doctor. I had to get there myself. I thought I was having a heart attack. “I will never do that again” whatever “that” sin was at the time. The pain persisted. “I’ll go to church and I’ll be good.” The pain persisted.

I went into the doctor’s office and found I had a bruised sternum that resulted from some new exercise I was doing. “Man! I shouldn’t have made that promise.”

• When I bargain with GOD I have no intent of keeping my side of the promise.
• When I bargain with GOD it’s usually because I am not focused on HIM in the first place.
• When I bargain with GOD I am not accepting HIS supremacy.

When things go wrong in my life I ask GOD, “Haven’t I been good, what about those bad people, haven’t I served?” Meanwhile I look at GOD like HE is the problem. BUT GOD looks at the situation different.

• GOD wants me to understand that I have consequences for my actions even though I am forgiven for sin.
• GOD wants me to realize HIS way is the only way and I should not have a problem with HIS way.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to show me HIS path rather than bargaining my way down my path.

If I have been “good” then GOD will know. HE gives me rewards stored up in heaven that cannot be touched by the evil one. HE guides my path through calamities and raises me up at the right time. HE is my rock and my salvation.

• Are you bargaining with GOD?
• Do you think you are being punished?
• Can you look at GOD as your guide and LORD of your life?
• Will you accept where HE has you and ask for guidance down HIS path?

Grant Me an Ear

Nehemian 1: ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

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You should go see the President of the company one person suggested. My problem was I didn’t understand why or how I was going to do that. I was new in my post and trying to make my way through the fog. I timidly walked over to the administrative assistant and asked for time on the calendar. To my surprise I got an appointment.

Nervous and almost shaking, I sat outside the office of the President trying to think of what I was going to say. I honestly didn’t believe the President would want to see me.

• Power has a strange way of blinding me of my ability.
• Power has a strange way of deafening me to the truth.
• Power has a strange way of dumbing my thoughts into thinking one person is “better” than the next.

GOD is “no respect of persons” meaning HE can leverage what humans would consider the lowest person to do great things. My confidence was shaken when I placed senior management on a pedestal. It’s not that I shouldn’t respect their accomplishments or their office. The problem was I put them over GOD by placing my trust in them.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than worrying about humans.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM rather than thinking humans can raise souls out of debauchery.
• GOD wants me to serve HIM with acknowledgement of sin, prayer and praise.

There is no other human who can save me outside of JESUS. Yes, I need humans to survive, but my trust has to be in GOD. Those who seek power will only find it in GOD. HE repays.

• Are you trying to gain power?
• Do you feel like you would be better off if you aligned yourself with the “correct” side?
• Can you stop focusing on the power of humans and focus on GOD’s great might and authority?

Am I Mourning Over the Right Things?

Ezra 10: ⁶ Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

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Pouting over my defeat, I sat at my desk moping. I was asked to be the head of one company’s multi-million dollar technology group and when asked “could you let 30% of your workforce go?” my answer was “no.” I wrestled with that. Was I being a wimp?

• The world calls what I stand up for “crazy.”
• The world says what I follow is absolutely “nuts.”
• The world declares what I believe is “insane.”

“You should have had the courage to go for the money” is what I would hear other people say as they spoke of their acts of “being tough” in this setting. I mourned for a while but looking back I pray for those who fell prey to the economics of politics rather standing firm in the pasture of prayer.

• GOD wants me to mourn over the direction the world is heading, not just the country.
• GOD wants me to mourn over where my neighborhood is heading, not just my city.
• GOD wants me to mourn over the state of my block, not just my part of town.

Get out and do something about it is what I hear. I have to mourn over my sins and the world around me. With absolutely no power to remove win, I need to mourn and point to the being who can do something about it, namely JESUS.

Only GOD can sustain me so mourning over the loss of my wallet, car or job should be minimized. I am not belittling the situation; BUT GOD has a way of saying, focus on ME, have compassion on those around you and you will be blessed. Stop caring about politics and start caring about people.

• What are you mourning over?
• What worries you?
• Can you open your eyes to your neighbors and mourn over them until you see them understand who CHRIST is?
• Will you add compassion for the people around you so they can come to know the living GOD?

Can I Hear God?

2 Chronicles 33: ¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

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“Why did I just lie?” was the final straw. At this point I was lying for no reason at all. There was nothing to gain so in all respects I was lying to myself. It wasn’t the lie that brought me around, but the question. Where did that question come from?

• There are times when I hear GOD and I choose to ignore HIM.
• There are moments when GOD is telling me to do something and I sit back and close my ears.
• There are periods where I am throwing a tantrum and I refuse to do what GOD is saying.

GOD speaks to me each and every day.  HE placed HIS laws in my heart as HE did every human HE made. HE says “Forgive that person” or “Don’t do that this time” or “Be Strong, do not be discouraged” to me and in my own bumbling way I ignore what HE says.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word so HE can speak to me.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so HE will make me fruitful.

GOD speaks to me through HIS creation when I can see growth, sun and rain. It’s up to me to appreciate it.  GOD speaks to me through people in calm and trying situations. It’s up to me to praise HIM about it. GOD speaks to me through HIS Bible. It’s up to me to absorb what HE is saying. GOD speaks to me through the HOLY SPIRIT who brings me comfort. It’s up to me to receive peace.

GOD speaks to me daily. HE wants me to speak back to HIM.

• Are you confused or fearful?
• Have you ever asked “How can I hear GOD?”
• Can you stop and look around and see what GOD is saying to you right now?
• Will you let GOD permeate your heart?

A Prayer for Everyone

2 Chronicles 30: ¹⁸ Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone ¹⁹ who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” ²⁰ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

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May GOD bless you today!

A Prayer for the Powerless

2 Chronicles 14: ¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

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Surrounded on all sides again, GOD’s people felt scared, worried and full of fear. There seemed to be no way out. BUT GOD fought the battle again.

HE wants full reliance on HIM. Mere mortals will not prevail against GOD’s wonderful plan for me.

A prayer for today

1 Kings 8: ⁵⁶ “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. ⁵⁷ May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 

⁵⁸ May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 

⁵⁹ And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, ⁶⁰ so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. 

⁶¹ And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”