Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people. When people come to my home, they should see more than just the symbols of the world’s values.  They should sense Your peace. 

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people. When people come to my home, they should see more than just the symbols of the world’s values.  They should sense Your peace. 

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people.

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

June 23 Strengthen me

“Lord, I call to You; come quickly to me.  Hear my voice when I call to You.”

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” 

My mouth so often gets me into trouble.  I speak before I think.  Sometimes I hurt the ones I love.  Sometimes my mouth leads me into gossip, or even lies to make myself look better in the eyes of others.  Sometimes I reveal too much to people who don’t understand or appreciate it, like casting “pearls before swine.”

Instead, I would prefer to use my words to bless, encourage, teach, and show I care.  Help me measure out my words like precious commodities.  Teach me to take time to think before I rush into spilling out whatever is on my mind.

Especially when I am upset, Lord, it’s hard keep my mouth shut, instead of sharing my pain, frustration, or anger.  Remind me I can come to You with anything and everything.   You are the One who can offer healing, encouragement, and restoration better than anyone else.

“Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.  Keep me from the snares they have laid before me, from the traps set by evildoers.  Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.” 

Father, if something is luring me away from You, remove the worm and reveal the hook so I will not be caught and reeled in like a fish caught on a line.  If there are hidden nets or snares, show me the truth behind the lies and deceit that would coax me into the trap.

I know there are times when the evil one is out to derail me.  But there are also times when my own flesh and the world’s desires tempt me into things I should not be involved with.  Father, keep me from those things too.

I have heard that voice in my head tempting me, trying to justify behavior I know is wrong. Don’t let me even toy with the thought of wanting that, or thinking I deserve something, or that I can get away with having it.

Strengthen me with Your power: in my thoughts, my words and my actions.  In You, I take refuge.  You are my Sovereign Lord, and my eyes are fixed on You!  Amen

Psalm 141:1-10