Become A Prayer
Psalm 88:1 – “O Lord God who delivers me, by day I cry out, and at night I pray before you.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was drawn to several thoughts. Thoughts that are challenging and encouraging at the same time. Thoughts that are impossible and logical at the same time. Thoughts that transition from the natural to the supernatural.
In Psalm 88:1, the Psalmist reveals the need for continual, persistent prayer! That’s what Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” Become a prayer rather than just saying one.
In Psalm 90, we are introduced to the idea of making God our permanent residence. Remember the words of Jesus, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you.” Jesus made it clear that this is an attainable condition.
Psalm 91 is beyond powerful as it lays out a picture of a life lived in Covenant with God. We find words like abide, dwell, refuge, fortress, deliverance, deity, covering, courage, preservation, and protection. We see the because and then in verse 14. There is security, protection, and provision. That is our daily promise. Jesus said, “Come to Me and rest.” He said, “I will NEVER leave you as orphans.”
Psalm 94:17-19 shows us the futility of trying to live without God. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 gives the sobering reality that rejecting God guarantees deception will come. Some insist there is no hell. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 destroys that lie.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 is a sobering reminder of God’s desire and demand for us to live lives of purity. Do not become exasperated by doing what is right, especially when the crowd does wrong and calls it right. In verse 15, we have a reminder of God’s heart, which should be our heart, discipline, and disassociation with restoration in mind. Those who stray are not enemies but in need of guidance. They can be brought back if we treat them as family, disorderly but family. No army should kill its own wounded but seek to restore them.
We are challenged to make God our all-in-all in all things and at all times. Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye FIRST…” Let God be God! Then buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Have a fantastic day, but keep in the forefront of your mind that Sunday is coming soon!
Hope Flows
Psalm 68:19 – “Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, two words kept surfacing: hope and daily. That is seen in Psalm 68:19. God daily bears our burden. Are we even conscious of that reality? He works unseen, preparing a way, lifts our burdens, and provides. If we are not conscious of that reality, we will neither be thankful nor learn to trust. We keep struggling to do it, hoping to become what He says we are. In that, we fight against grace rather than resting in Him.
In Psalm 71:4-6, we discover God as our hope, confidence, and sustenance. In Psalm 71:14-15, He is revealed as the source of our hope. The commitment is to ‘Hope Continually’ with a growing intensity of praise. We choose to rejoice, not based on convenience nor as an effort to coerce God into actions, but because we love and trust Him.
Colossians 3:2 reminds us of the importance of our minds in salvation and serving God. The Psalmist revealed the danger and damage of having the wrong focus in Psalm 73. Right focus sees God as God, sees us as “in” Him, and the devil as defeated. Thus, Hope flows, but this needs to be reinforced Daily!
Colossians 3:10 – “Put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of Christ who created him (us).” Daily, our burdens are to be placed on Jesus. Daily, our Hope is renewed!
Today is a day of victory! Have a great day and keep looking up for our redemption is drawing nearer every day!
Light and Truth
Psalm 43:3 – “O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, man’s brevity on Earth and God’s Eternality filled my mind.
We often live completely carnal, virtually one-dimensional lives. God wants us to be aware of and able to tune in to the spiritual world. No, not the dark spirits, but His world. Psalm 43:3 – “O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places.” God’s Spirit is sending out light and truth to teach and guide us daily.
Psalm 46:10 instructs us to cease striving (trying to produce what is His fruit). We are to fill our minds with God, and the spirit realm opens to us, and we become conscious of God’s presence and guidance.
The favorite passage of some in forbidding all alcoholic beverages is Ephesians 5:18. That is a warning against being intoxicated with alcoholic spirits, but it is also an invitation into a realm most never enter. The focus is not primarily on alcoholic intoxication; it is spiritual intoxication or saturation.
If we are saturated with the Holy Spirit, we are in contact with the spiritual realm of heaven. We maintain that by what we focus on and vocalize. In verses 15-17, the plea is to pay attention to how we conduct ourselves and to become good stewards of time (we have none to waste).
Ephesians 4:19 reveals that the doorway to carnal impurity and perversion is callousness of spirit. In verses 22-32, we have a detailed description of the objectives the believer should pursue. One is a renewed mind! In Ephesians 5:4, it is clear that a potty mouth and Christ are not compatible. In Ephesians 4:29, the charge is to guard our words carefully, ensuring that no unwholesome words come forth. (Words reveal the condition of the heart and can grieve the Holy Spirit).
Our time is short, so it is critical that we make the most of every moment. If we love God, our greatest Joy flows from pleasing Him and pursuing His purposes.
God’s truth and light will guide us if we tune in. Ephesians reveals how we tune in.
Aware of God’s Watchfulness
Psalm 33:18-22 – “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He delivers those who are discouraged. 19 The godly face many dangers, but the Lord saves them from each one of them. 20 He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil people self-destruct; those who hate the godly are punished. 22 The Lord rescues his servants; all who take shelter in Him escape punishment.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was overwhelmed by a sense of urgency. In Psalm 33, we are reminded of God’s creative power by His word. We are reminded of His watchfulness, seeing Everything! Every thought, word, and deed is seen and heard.
Out of that awareness, the Psalmist in Psalm 34 gives us an action plan. In (vv 1-3), the call is for commitment. In (vv 4-6), the call is to pray. In (vv 7-10) is encouragement, and in (verse 7) we are surrounded by angelic protection. In (vv 11-14), we have guidance on how to live. In (vv 15-18), we have the provision. In (vv 19-22), we have God’s Covenant Promise.
In Psalm 37:1-2, we have the warning: Don’t worry or envy. Then, in (vv 3-9), we have a list of encouragements and promises. Trust, do good, dwell in the land, and cultivate faithfulness, delighting ourselves in God. In that condition, He gives us the desires of our hearts because our desires are the product of a relationship with Him. Self-centeredness and selfishness are crucified.
In the next verses, we are encouraged to commit our way to God and trust Him. In that state of mind and heart, God acts. Then, the next verses instruct us to rest and wait. There is no fretting (trying to figure it out or manipulate God or circumstances), just Rest and Wait. No more allowing anger (which arises from our fleshly desires). If we Rest And Wait, we Inherit the Land (Promise).
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us NOT lose heart in doing good, FOR in due time we SHALL reap if we do not grow weary.” Remember, the devil cannot win unless we quit.
We have the word and the way. We have the promise and the power. We have restored abundance. We have it, now let’s possess it and walk in it.
Not A, But My Shepherd
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He takes me to lush pastures; He leads me to refreshing water. 3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of His reputation. 4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff reassure me. 5 You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. 6 Surely Your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.
Today, we have a new opportunity to pursue God’s purposes. Hold this near your heart – You have value! You are a treasure in an earthen vessel to God!
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, the Psalms moved me. I began with Psalm 23 and saw the LORD in His true nature. In order to grasp His character, we have to study the Middle Eastern shepherd.
The overwhelming desire of God to provide is unfathomable to the minds of humans. We say it. We testify of it, but our thoughts, words, and deeds reveal our lack of reception.
In Him, there is no lack. That is not because we get everything we want, but because if He is our shepherd, we have perfect peace and trusting contentment. If we live life through the lens of the flesh, pride, greed, and ego will consume us. Our focus will be on our wants or perceived needs, not on His supply. Peace will evaporate, and we will struggle to reconcile what we know with what we have.
The school of life has rough spots. Our prayers (not founded on His purposes but are out of our desires and perceived needs) go unanswered. The answer came, but our focus on us blinded us from the better answer. The promise is that even in the deepest struggles and challenges of life, God is our shepherd. He is there, and where He is, there is peace. The table in the presence of enemies is not a heavenly reward; it is a life reward. It is empowering to overcome.
Then, Psalm 24:1 reminds us that everything, including us, our lives, and our plans, belongs to God! Psalm 27:11 is a prayer and a revelation. The Psalmist asked to be taught God’s ways and… And? To be lead in a level path.
Why a level path? Was it for ease? No! It was so that he could focus on God, on dealing with the conflict, rather than having to divide his focus to include the uneven struggles of the mountains, hills, and rocks. With a level path where there was surefootedness, he could focus on the fight, not the path.
God never fails the faithful. He answers our prayers. Remember Paul’s dilemma in 2 Corinthians 12? The messenger of Satan, the thorn in his flesh? He prayed 3 times for God to remove it. He was asking for victory over the problem. God answered his prayer, just not the way he desired or thought was needed. “My grace is sufficient, and My strength is perfected…” It is when we know that we can’t that we trust Him and learn the inexhaustibility of His provision.
Your prayers are being answered. Look at how and rejoice! You can see that reality IF He truly becomes your shepherd.
Roy's Covenant Corner 