Dec 11 You are the One I can turn to

Father, so many times You sent messages to the people and leaders of Israel to return to You, and they did not.  You sent death in famine, drought, blight, locusts, plagues, and military defeats as a way to get their attention. 

When challenges and difficulties come to me, remind me to come to You.

You are the One who can help and heal me. 

You are the One who can show me wisdom and how to cope with whatever You allow into my life. 

Lord, when it is so easy to fret and worry, and grumble and complain to friends, and look to the world for answers, remind me that the source of all I need is You!

Calm my heart when I am anxious.  Shut my mouth when I whine. 

Turn me around when I go toward the world’s solutions. 

Let me pour out my heart to You and seek wisdom in Your Word. 

I will not just talk during prayer, but will listen, so I can hear what You have to say to me. 

I will open my eyes and ears to discern when You are showing and teaching me; and where You are leading me. 

I will let go of my own way and humble myself to obey You.

For it is “You who forms the mountains, who creates the wind ,  and who reveals Your thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—    the Lord God Almighty is Your Name.”

You are mine, and I belong to You.   You redeem me with Your love, renew me with Your presence, restore me with Your touch. Amen

Amos 4:6-13

Oct 15 Call us back to You

Father, even now, You give Words to Jeremiah for the people’s salvation.  Your mercy is so great that even after all they have done, You will spare them, if only they will turn back to You.

This is Your heart.  That Your people will do the right thing.  That they will love You, and return to You.  That they will turn away from the things that are bringing them harm and death, and turn to You to receive life!

They had Your Word.  It had been found in the Temple when Josiah, King of Judah had the Temple repaired.  It caused a major revival in the young King, and in the people too, for a time.

But Josiah’s son, who came next, was not a godly king.  And the pull of idolatry was strong.  Your Word was not readily available to the people, so they relied on the leaders and priests to lead them.

Unfortunately, the priests had been doing their own thing for so long, most were not familiar with or devoted to Your Word.

Father, I have loved ones who are also pretty much doing their own thing.  Yet You are calling them back to You with that same heart, wanting them to come to You and receive life.

My world is full of all kinds of idolatry, and the pull is strong.  Father, send someone into their lives who they will listen to.  Help them let go of the things that are causing them harm and leading them to death.

And let my faith be as strong as Jeremiah’s.  Even in the face of threatened death, He stood strong in knowing You were there.  You had told him: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  And “Do not be terrified…they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

Father, those words are for me too.  And just as You knew Jeremiah, even before he was born, You also know me.  Just as You rescued him, You have rescued me.

You are the Lord of peace.  Father, I so need Your peace.  From my own doubts in understanding Your direction for my life, to relationships that are not all they could be, to the direction my country and the world seem to be heading.

Please “give me peace at all times and in every way.”   I cling to You.  And look to You.  Only Your peace satisfies.  Amen

Jeremiah 1:5,17,19; 26:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Dec 11 You are the One

Father, so many times You sent messages to the people and leaders of Israel to return to You, and they did not. You sent death in famine, drought, blight, locusts, plagues, and military defeats as a way to get their attention.

When challenges and difficulties come to me, remind me to come to You.

You are the One who can help and heal me. 

You are the One who can show me wisdom and how to cope with whatever You allow into my life.

Lord, when it is so easy to fret and worry, and grumble and complain to friends, and look to the world for answers, remind me that the source of all I need is You!

Calm my heart when I am anxious.  Shut my mouth when I whine.

Turn me around when I go toward the world’s solutions.

Let me pour out my heart to You and seek wisdom in Your Word.

I will not just talk during prayer, but will listen, so I can hear what You have to say to me.

I will open my eyes and ears to discern when You are showing and teaching me; and where You are leading me.

I will let go of my own way and humble myself to obey You.

For it is “You who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals Your thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is Your Name.”

You are mine, and I belong to You. You redeem me with Your love, renew me with Your presence, restore me with Your touch. Amen

Amos 4:6-13

Oct 15 Call us back to You

Father, even now, You give Words to Jeremiah for the people’s salvation.  Your mercy is so great that even after all they have done, You will spare them, if only they will turn back to You.

This is Your heart.  That Your people will do the right thing.  That they will love You, and return to You.  That they will turn away from the things that are bringing them harm and death, and turn to You to receive life!

They had Your Word.  It had been found in the Temple when Josiah, King of Judah had the Temple repaired.  It caused a major revival in the young King, and in the people too, for a time.

But Josiah’s son, who came next, was not a godly king.  And the pull of idolatry was strong.  Your Word was not readily available to the people, so they relied on the leaders and priests to lead them.

Unfortunately, the priests had been doing their own thing for so long, most were not familiar with or devoted to Your Word.

Father, I have loved ones who are also pretty much doing their own thing.  Yet You are calling them back to You with that same heart, wanting them to come to You and receive life.

My world is full of all kinds of idolatry, and the pull is strong.  Father, send someone into their lives who they will listen to.  Help them let go of the things that are causing them harm and leading them to death.

And let my faith be as strong as Jeremiah’s.  Even in the face of threatened death, He stood strong in knowing You were there.  You had told him: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  And “Do not be terrified…they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

Father, those words are for me too.  And just as You knew Jeremiah, even before he was born, You also know me.  Just as You rescued him, You have rescued me.

You are the Lord of peace.  Father, I so need Your peace.  From my own doubts in understanding Your direction for my life, to relationships that are not all they could be, to the direction my country and the world seem to be heading.

Please “give me peace at all times and in every way.”   I cling to You.  And look to You.  Only Your peace satisfies.  Amen

Jeremiah 1:5,17,19; 26:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Oct 15 Call us back to You

Father, even now, You give Words to Jeremiah for the people’s salvation.  Your mercy is so great that even after all they have done, You will spare them, if only they will turn back to You.

This is Your heart.  That Your people will do the right thing.  That they will love You, and return to You.  That they will turn away from the things that are bringing them harm and death, and turn to You to receive life!

They had Your Word.  It had been found in the Temple when Josiah, King of Judah had the Temple repaired.  It caused a major revival in the young King, and in the people too, for a time.

But Josiah’s son, who came next, was not a godly king.  And the pull of idolatry was strong.  Your Word was not readily available to the people, so they relied on the leaders and priests to lead them.

Unfortunately, the priests had been doing their own thing for so long, most were not familiar with or devoted to Your Word.

Father, I have loved ones who are also pretty much doing their own thing.  Yet You are calling them back to You with that same heart, wanting them to come to You and receive life.

My world is full of all kinds of idolatry, and the pull is strong.  Father, send someone into their lives who they will listen to.  Help them let go of the things that are causing them harm and leading them to death.

And let my faith be as strong as Jeremiah’s.  Even in the face of threatened death, He stood strong in knowing You were there.  You had told him: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  And “Do not be terrified…they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

Father, those words are for me too.  And just as You knew Jeremiah, even before he was born, You also know me.  Just as You rescued him, You have rescued me.

You are the Lord of peace.  Father, I so need Your peace.  From my own doubts in understanding Your direction for my life, to relationships that are not all they could be, to the direction my country and the world seem to be heading.

Please “give me peace at all times and in every way.”   I cling to You.  And look to You.  Only Your peace satisfies.  Amen

Jeremiah 1:5,17,19; 26:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Oct 15 Call us back to You

Father, even now, You give Words to Jeremiah for the people’s salvation.  Your mercy is so great that even after all they have done, You will spare them, if only they will turn back to You.

This is Your heart.  That Your people will do the right thing.  That they will love You, and return to You.  That they will turn away from the things that are bringing them harm and death, and turn to You to receive life!

They had Your Word.  It had been found in the Temple when Josiah, King of Judah had the Temple repaired.  It caused a major revival in the young King, and in the people too, for a time.

But Josiah’s son, who came next, was not a godly king.  And the pull of idolatry was strong.  Your Word was not readily available to the people, so they relied on the leaders and priests to lead them.

Unfortunately, the priests had been doing their own thing for so long, most were not familiar with or devoted to Your Word.

Father, I have loved ones who are also pretty much doing their own thing.  Yet You are calling them back to You with that same heart, wanting them to come to You and receive life.

My world is full of all kinds of idolatry, and the pull is strong.  Father, send someone into their lives who they will listen to.  Help them let go of the things that are causing them harm and leading them to death.

And let my faith be as strong as Jeremiah’s.  Even in the face of threatened death, He stood strong in knowing You were there.  You had told him: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  And “Do not be terrified…they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

Father, those words are for me too.  And just as You knew Jeremiah, even before he was born, You also know me.  Just as You rescued him, You have rescued me.

You are the Lord of peace.  Father, I so need Your peace.  From my own doubts in understanding Your direction for my life, to relationships that are not all they could be, to the direction my country and the world seem to be heading.

Please “give me peace at all times and in every way.”   I cling to You.  And look to You.  Only Your peace satisfies.  Amen

Jeremiah 1:5,17,19; 26:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Sept 23 Do not Fear

Father, thank You for more wonderful words of comfort and promise:

“Do not fear

for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

In the Garden of Eden You walked with and spoke with Adam.  There was a close and open relationship between the two of You.  But when Adam sinned, the next time he was in Your presence, he said “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid.”

Fear had never been a part of the relationship before.  But now that there was sin, there was fear.  I have lived all my life in a fallen world where fear has a place.

But here, You say to me “Do not fear”.  And the reason: “because I have redeemed you”.   And since Your completed work on the cross, I am in right standing with You.  I am in close relationship with You, like Adam was in the garden before sin.

And those precious words: “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” bring such intimacy and tender closeness.  You know me.  You call my name.  I am Yours.  I belong to You.

Along with that relationship comes a promise of care and protection.  What confident assurance it gives me!  What a sense of being loved and protected I have with those words!

I am assured that when I face difficult times, when I am in deep waters, when I am in danger of being swept off my feet, You are there with me.  Your presence accompanies me.  And Your promise guarantees me that the waters will not sweep over me and take me away.

Recently I have seen very dramatic pictures of the power of water: destructive, deceptively strong and damaging.  Statistics presented highlight how little moving water it actually takes to unbalance a person, a car, a house; and sweep it away.  But Your promise is sure.   The waters will not sweep over me.

Thank You for Your true promise.  Thank You for the confidence You give me in facing difficulties and hardship; that You are with me.  That I will pass through them.  That I will arrive on the other side.  With You.  Amen

Isaiah 43:1-7

Mar 27 Not by bread alone

Lord, today’s scripture passages are so rich, it is hard to chose one area of prayer focus. In these verses You are instructive, encouraging, illustrative, and give warnings. All are important. But the ones that speak to me the most, remind me of how You care for me and how I should behave in response to that care and commitment.

I am holy to You, Lord. That doesn’t mean I am perfect, but that I am set apart for You. I have value because of who I am in Your eyes; and You have a purpose for me. You did not set Your affection on me because I was the biggest, or best, for I was the least. There is nothing I could have done to make You love me. But because You love me, You promise to bring me out with a mighty hand and redeem me from the land of slavery and its power: this world and its distressing values. “The Lord my God IS God! You are the faithful God, keeping Your covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love You and keep Your commands!”

“But those who hate You, You will repay to their face by destruction.” Therefore I need to pay attention to what You say and how You direct me, so that I can live victoriously and be strong in the place You are bringing me. You always keep Your promises to me. You love and bless me.

You have provided for me in the past. Although You provided physical sustenance for me, You also taught me that there is more. I do not live on ‘bread’ alone, but my soul longs for a peace and wholeness that comes from my relationship with You and Your Word. So I will spend time reading and studying Your Word, and listening for Your voice in my life.

In times of need I am drawn to You for help, encouragement, and provision. But when enjoying that provision, I must be sure not to become proud or arrogant. I will express my thanks and gratitude in praise, in song, in telling others how You bring me through troubles and trials. It is You who make it possible for me to work and volunteer and help others. My gifts and talents come from You. And I thank You.

I will never serve another god. I see others chase after fame or money or power. They make their possessions or position their god. I will pour out myself to honor You. You have saved me! From trouble, from trauma, from myself, from circumstances I have gotten myself into, and from eternal death. You have answered my prayers, come to my rescue, given me hope, forgiven my sin. I thank You and I praise You! And I cannot wait to see what’s coming next! Amen

Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20

Dec 11 You are the One

Father, so many times You sent messages to the people and leaders of Israel to return to You, and they did not. You sent death in famine, drought, blight, locusts, plagues, and military defeats as a way to get their attention. Father, when challenges and difficulties come to me, I will come to You. You are the One who can help and heal me. You are the One who can show me wisdom and how to cope with whatever You allow into my life.

Lord, when it is so easy to fret and worry, and grumble and complain to friends, and look to the world for answers, remind me that the source of all I need is You! Calm my heart when I am anxious. Shut my mouth when I whine. Turn me around when I go toward the world’s solutions. I will pour out my heart to You. I will seek wisdom in Your Word. I will not just talk during prayer, but will listen, so I can hear what You have to say to me. I will open my eyes and ears to discern when You are showing and teaching me; and where You are leading me. I will let go of my own way and humble myself to obey You.

For it is “You who forms the mountains, who creates the wind,  and who reveals Your thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—    the Lord God Almighty is Your Name.” You are mine, and I belong to You.  You redeem me with Your love, renew me with Your presence, restore me with Your touch. Amen

Amos 4:1-13