2 Chronicles 5:11-14 – “The priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who participated had consecrated themselves, no matter which division they represented. ¹² All the Levites who were musicians, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives, wore linen.  They played cymbals and stringed instruments as they stood east of the altar.  They were accompanied by 120 priests who blew trumpets. ¹³ The trumpeters and musicians played together, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.  Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they loudly praised the Lord, singing: “Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures!” Then a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. ¹⁴ The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I heard, “Press into the presence.” 

In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, we see that the glory cloud filled the temple!  We clamor for the glory and miss something powerful.  The glory came after the priest had ministered in the Holy Place, and all had worshipped.  Then, I believe that to help us understand something powerful, we come to 2 Chronicles 7:1.  They did not pray in the presence; they prayed out of the presence.

They entered His Presence in Worship, and then they petitioned.   If we are in His presence, we see with spiritual eyes and hear with spiritual ears.  We stop trying to twist God’s arm of reluctance and seek His purposes.

In His presence is His power.   In His presence is His provision.   In His presence is transformation.  We need to focus more on His presence than on our petitions.  Our petitions will become prayers of His promise as we learn to enter and abide in His presence.

In His presence, the robe of flesh is peeled away.  In His presence, He reveals Himself.   In His presence, there is peace.  Out of that peace comes confidence, enabling us to lay hold of His promises and receive His provisions.

Instead of praying for a move of God, we should pray for the presence of God.  Out of that place in His presence, we can pray with power and see His move!   More of You, LORD, more of You!

LORD, give us your Presence and we will fulfill your Purpose!

Matthew 20:32 – “Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was challenged deeply by the Holy Spirit.   The question Jesus asked the two blind men in Matthew 20:32 gripped my heart.   They were crying out, praying for mercy.  Jesus heard that cry but pressed them for more specificity.   Mercy is good.   Mercy is needed.   Mercy is valuable, but what is it they were asking?

He asked, “What do YOU want ME to do for YOU?”   Before we can truly answer the question, we must surrender ourselves to Him.  Before He does something for us, He works in us so He can achieve His goal of working through us.   He never desires to bless us so that we will be blessed, but to enable us to bless others.

He asked, “What is it that you want from Me?”   They said, “That our eyes be opened.”  

What about us?   What do we want (specifically) from Jesus?  Why do we want what we want?  What is the foundational motive?   What will we do with what we receive?

Go back a few chapters and consider another view of this.  Remember Peter’s question in Matthew 18:21?  How often shall or must I forgive?  Is there an extent of forgiveness?  This was focusing on wrongs or perceived wrongs done to us by another person.  It implies the same wrong repeated over and over.   Surely, there is a limit on that.  Look at the response of Jesus.  “I do not say to you, up to seven times (numeric specific), but up to seventy times seven (unlimited or infinite).”

In Matthew 18:35, we have the key that unlocks the door regarding forgiveness and the answer to the question, “What do you want from Jesus?”   Forgiveness is to be unlimited and must always be from the heart.  Heart forgiveness releases and does not use the wrong in making decisions about the offender.

That we may see!   If we see the Cross, this is possible.   If we see human frailty —knowing, we could become the offender and need mercy —this is possible.  If we see eternity and understand that what we have is insignificant compared to eternity, this is possible.

So, What Do You Want Jesus To Do For You?   What is your greatest need and desire?  Why do you want what you want?  What will you do with and because of what He does?

LORD, let my eyes be open.   Let me SEE what You see, HEAR what You hear, so I can DO what You do.  I want to decrease so You can increase in and through me.

LORD, help each of us to examine our hearts and discover what we really want and why.

Matthew 15:15-20 – “But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” ¹⁶ Jesus said, “Even after all this, are you still so foolish? ¹⁷ Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and then passes out into the sewer? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are the things that defile a person; it is not eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, a word kept echoing in my heart and head.   That word was Unfiltered.   That is amplified in Matthew 15:15-20.   This reveals a problem most tend to gloss over.

Some say, “I just tell it like it is, or I speak my mind.”   Yes, but is that the mind of Christ?  Unfiltered words are an overflow from the heart.  They reveal the true condition of the heart.  They are not to be excused.  It’s not your Irish or whatever heritage coming out; it is you!  You are responsible for your words and actions, and no one else. Just because you can, does not mean you should!

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we have the infamous prayer of Jabez.   This prayer reveals a heart fully surrendered.  A totally surrendered heart will always filter its tongue.

The prayer of Jabez reveals that before God can enlarge our borders, He must enlarge His place in our hearts.   Jabez sought a blessing so he could be a blessing.  He totally submitted to God, dedicated his life to service, and sought spiritual power and deliverance.

Life, as revealed in Jabez and Matthew 15, is not about us; it is about the kingdom!   If our hearts are filled with God, our focus is not on us but on others.   If someone is lost, we seek to see them saved.   If they are hurting, we seek to see them healed.   If they are deceived, we seek the light to shine on them.  If they have gone astray, we seek their restoration.   Unfiltered hearts blast others, but a heart that overflows with God realizes that soft answers turn away wrath.

Our words reveal our hearts.  We can try to justify unfiltered words by saying that it’s because we care, but it is usually because we want what we want.     I ask, “LORD, let the words of our mouths be words from Your heart.”

May your filter filter out the unfiltered words that harm!

Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

As I prayed, read, and pondered the Word of God today, the phrase ‘Trust‘ kept echoing in my head and heart.  There is a saying in Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse,” which reads, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley” – essentially saying that even the best plans of mice and men often go awry.

Trust is a learned quality, and all of us trust someone or something.   We trust our wealth for security.   We trust our knowledge for guidance.  We trust our strength for protection.  We trust relationships for community.

In Matthew 6, the prayer pattern Jesus teaches emphasizes trust.  In verse 6, He gave us the proper perspective.   We are to set ourselves apart privately to seek God.  We are to close out the clutter and noise of life, and once we have come to quietness, we are to pray specifically to God.  Those are simple but direct prayers.  Remember, God gave us the language we use to petition Him, so He knows!

Then, as a further emphasis on Trust, He added the directive and revelation of verses 14-15 regarding total forgiveness.   Forgiveness is all about or anchored in Trust!   If we truly trust God, forgiveness is easy, but if we distrust people, it is difficult.

Matthew 6:19-34 doubles down on the need for Trust.   How can we face an uncertain future without a solid retirement plan?  We save, invest, horde, amass, and sacrifice so we will have ease in life’s sunset years.  BUT God suggests a different approach, which is only possible with complete consuming Trust!

In Matthew 7:7-8, we find the familiar, often-quoted passage of ‘Ask, Seek, Knock.’   That, too, is rooted in Trust.   To persistently Ask, Seek, and Knock requires Trust!

Then, a clincher is revealed in verse 12.  “Therefore, in ALL things, whatever you want people to do for you, so do for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Wow!   We call it the Golden Rule, yet we miss the Trust element.   This covers everything, including our attitudes, actions, and judgments.  That requires us to Trust God with everything, in everything, all the time!

If we develop that Trust, we become those who manifest Jesus in this present world.   Matthew 10:7-8 was their commission and ours.  Only out of Trust can we believe, and only out of Trust will we go.

Trust is the most essential element today.   Do we truly Trust?  There is an easy evaluation tool to know.   Listen to our words.   Evaluate our attitudes.   Consider our actions.   Do we Trust?  The proof is in the pudding!

May your level of trust soar to the pinnacle, enabling you to live Free!