Songs of Ascents

Song of Ascents is a title given to fifteen of the Psalms, 120–134 (119–133 in the Septuagint and the Vulgate), that each starts with the ascription (Hebrew: שיר המעלות, Shir Hama'aloth‎). They are also variously called Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps or Pilgrim Songs.

Psalm 121 (King James Version)
A Song of degrees
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and
even for evermore.

The Psalms are songs of joy, songs of contrition, songs of supplication. These awesome verses can be the prayers we do not know the words to pray.

I find great comfort in the Psalms. For this reason I wish to know more about these great works.
We read the bible on a daily basis, but do we attend to everything on the page?
I never took the time to look up the meaning of the notations at the beginnings of chapters of scripture. Some of them were rather self evident notations expressing sentiments or conditions of the writer or expected audience such as: Psalm 4 (New King James Version)
To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

But “A song of Degrees”, “A song of Assents”. What do these mean?

Song of Degrees - song of steps, is a title given to each of fifteen of the psalms, numbers 120-134 inclusive. The probable origin of this name is the circumstance that these psalms came to be sung by the people on the ascents or goings up to Jerusalem to attend the three great festivals (Deut. 16:16). They were well fitted for being sung by the way from their peculiar form, and from the sentiments they express. "They are characterized by brevity, by a key-word, by epanaphora [i.e, repetition], and by their epigrammatic style...More than half of them are cheerful, and all of them hopeful." They are sometimes called "Pilgrim Songs." Four of them are claimed in their ascriptions to have been by David, and one (127) by Solomon, the rest being anonymous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_Ascents

This explanation made sense and followed biblical principles.
Deuteronomy 16:16-17 (New International Version)
16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Some other explanations were found at a Jewish site: http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/655450/jewish/What-is-a-Song-of-Ascents.htm

What is a “Song of Ascents”?
By Naftali Silberberg

Why do certain psalms begin with the words, "A song of ascents"? What sort of ascent is this referring to?
Answer:
Fifteen psalms, chapters 120-134 of the Book of Psalms, begin with the words, "A song of ascents."
Many interpretations have been given for these ambiguous words. Here are a few of them:
a) In the Holy Temple courtyard, there was an ultra wide stairway that consisted of fifteen large, semi-circular steps that "ascended" into the inner section of the courtyard. The Levites, whose job it was to accompany the Temple service with song and instrumental music, would stand on these steps and sing these fifteen psalms.
b) These psalms were sung on a high "ascendant" musical note.
c) These psalms were sung starting in a low tone of voice and steadily ascending to a higher one.
d) These psalms were sung by the Jews who ascended from Babylon to Israel in the times of Ezra the Scribe.
e) These psalms were sung by the Jews when they would "ascend" to visit the Holy Temple three times annually for the festivals.
f) These psalms praise, exult and "elevate" G d.
g) The Talmud gives an aggadaic explanation:
"When King David was digging the Shitin [a stream that ran beneath the Holy Temple, into which the wine libations were poured], the water of the depths arose and threatened to flood the world. David said, 'Is there someone who knows whether it is permitted to write [G d's] name on an earthenware shard and we will throw it into the depths and it will subside?' . . . Ahitophel responded, 'It is permitted.' [David] wrote the name on earthenware and threw it into the depths. The depths receded 16,000 cubits. When he saw that it receded greatly, he said, 'The higher the depths, the moister is the ground [which benefits agriculture].' He said the fifteen [songs of] ascents, and the depths rose 15,000 cubits."
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg,
Chabad.org editorial team

I am a very visual person and each of these explanations expand my joy in reading these great Psalms. I can stand at the base of the Holy Temple steps and hear the Levites sing these Psalms, I can envision hundreds singing as they approached The Holy Temple for worship. I can read the Psalms with new joy.

All of these explanations stir my soul and enhance my appreciation of God’s word.
My God I thank you for a growing appreciation of Your Word. I thank you for resources to help me better understand the importance of Your Word in our daily lives. I thank you for opportunities to share Your Word.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

standing in the gap

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

“Grammie, please don’t forget to pray for me because….." was the request of my granddaughter this morning.
It isn’t important what the “because” is, what is important is that she thought enough of me and my walk with God to ask me to stand in the gap on her behalf.

I am so grateful for a life that inspires my grandchildren to ask me to be in intercessory prayer for them.

Thank you, Lord for hearing my prayer.

God has always made it the responsibility of parents and grandparents to train up children in His way.

Deuteronomy 6
3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Thank you, God, for being in my life. Thank you, God, for every opportunity to praise your name. Thank you, God, for the gift of prayer and the protection and comfort of the Holy Spirit for me and those I love.I ask a special blessing for my granddaughter. Please grant her request for this day. Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer.

May God Forever Be A Blessing in Your Life!!!

Have mercy on me, O God,

Have mercy on me, O God,

James 1 (New International Version)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It can be so difficult to find your joy when you feel pressed down by the world. It is difficult to persevere when you feel that everything is being taken from you. You can become impatient with folks who seem to have everything talking to you about how you need to have faith when you feel as if you are sinking in a pit.

Then you look to God for comfort and pray seriously for the peace of the Holy Spirit. But, what happens when what you are shown by the Holy Spirit convicts instead of comforts? Can you accept that there is penitence to be done? Can you accept that there are changes you must make in your thinking and behavior before you are prepared for the blessings of God?

None of us wants to deal with “the morning after” when we must pay for the revelries of the night before. We don’t want to have a tummy ache when we have overindulged in rich foods. We don’t want to feel dragged out when we have skipped a good night’s sleep.

How then do we get angry with God and feel abandoned when we are called to pay for years of bad judgment? Can we pray for the strength to go through the process of fixing our past mistakes instead of just sliding around them? Can we pray for guidance and wisdom to correct past wrongs? Can we cry “Lord, have mercy” and be prepared to run the course as the Lord sees fit?

Psalm 51 (New International Version)
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar

.

Lord, we seek guidance as we travel this road. We do ask grace and mercy. We do pray that the load be lightened, but we accept your will.

We come as the psalmist, David, acknowledging our shortcomings and praying your great compassion.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Did you miss it?

Did you miss it?

Genesis 5 (New International Version)
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.
22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.
24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

In the midst of a lineage from Adam to Noah the bible lists 10 men. For each the first born son is named, the age of the father at the time of birth of the first son ,the fact that other children were born ,then the death of the father.

The exceptions to this format jump off the page. Did you miss it?
24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

This is not a simple change in writing style because the next in line, Methuselah , is listed with the same format as all others with the exception of Enoch.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Some notable things about Noah, he was the oldest when he had his first son and he is the only one with more than one son listed in this fifth chapter of Genesis. Could it be that we need to pay particular attention to these sons of Noah. Do they have some special importance in the history of God’s chosen people?

Again, there is a break in pattern which helps us to understand that we need to really pay attention here Did you miss it? When we read the bible, especially the Old Testament, we can easily miss important information when the information is imbedded in lists.

Did you miss it in The Book of Numbers when Moses was given instructions about the numbering of the Children of Israel or did you notice that the tribe of Levi was not to be counted, that these were to be a people set aside for special service to God? Did you miss it that the sons of Joseph were the only ones with more than one man appointed as part of the counting crew and that the children of Joseph had a double portion of responsibility and provision?

I have been sort of reading the Bible since I was a child but I am amazed that it seems a brand new book now that I am reading it with new eyes. There is so much that I did miss and I thank God for opportunities to revisit and gain a better understanding of His Word and the amazing order that’s just waiting to be discovered.

Lord, God, I thank you for Your Word. I thank you for growing understanding and joy in Your Word. I thank you for the gift and guidance of the Holy Spirit as I study Your Word. I ask your blessings on my life and work. I thank you for every opportunity to study and share Your Word.

I invite you to re-read the Word with your new eyes and enjoy the glory of discovering anything you missed.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Packed and Ready

Packed and Ready

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:36, 40 & 42)


A gentleman in his 80’s was discussing the rich life he had been privileged to enjoy. He talked of a wonderful life partner, wonderful friends, meaningful work and, most of all a wonderful relationship with Our Lord.

The most impressive thing he said was, “If my Lord calls me today, I’m packed and ready”. How awesome it has to be to be secure in your salvation, to know that you are living a life which is pleasing to Jesus, a life that is packed and ready.

1 Timothy 6 (New International Version)
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Most of us know at least one person who is “packed and ready”, a person who is so content with the life that God has given them that they are at total peace. They are able to live life fully in the present because they have absolutely no fear of the future.

As a nurse I have seen people who try to hang on to life at all costs. They have such a fear of death because they are totally unprepared for what’s next. How sad to be so unprepared for this very real stage of life.

I talked with my eight year old grandson about the fact that Grammie would not be here always. We talked about “building memories” and the fact that he would always be able to call on those memories. We talked about salvation and the joy of knowing Our Lord. We talked about the reality of “A peace beyond understanding”, the true peace of God.

It was glorious to see him so comfortable with the reality of life cycles; to view the end with the same acceptance as the beginning. It is rewarding to see him taking the time to learn about God and His expectations in our lives. It is wonderful to have these conversations be as natural as any other “on growing up" conversations we have.

He asked me to “hang around for at least another 20 years so I will be old enough to take over your blog.” Since he is already a contributor to the blog, I see him taking over and doing a lot to improve this work.

His contribution for today: “God has railroad tracks . On the tracks God can lead you to many destinations like to heaven.. Please tell everyone.”

If you have found God’s tracks to heaven you are indeed “Packed and Ready.”

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Let the Word do the work

Let the Word do the work

One word away! One word away!
The power of life and death is in what you say
Ooooh
One word away! One word away!
if you start confessing, you will start possessing
The key to your success is a word away!
(Repeat)

First you gotta
Seek the work speak the word to life
its in the book LOOK
read the verses twice
You can posses the best of the best
And yes
If you could confess, it could yours unless
you don’t believe’
but we got faith and we speak life
I wish that yall could see yall face
cause I see prosperity greatness all over you
Just speak and then God will start showin you
Your ministry is built on faith
Your calender bout to be booked for 12 months straight
See -Certain levels was unreacheable
But if you just speak it, who am I preachin to.
I’m not hear to rap I’m just teachn you
The word works but first you gotta speak it
to Your life every goal is still acheivable
So Believe it and receive it, release it right now!

One word away! One word away!
The power of life and death is in what you say
Ooooh
One word away! One word away!
if you start confessing, you will start possessing
The key to your success is a word away!

WOW!!! I heard this song for the first time this morning and was impressed with the simplicity of it’s truth. The Word of God is able to do the work. We must take time to be in the Word, to develop an understanding of The Word. To constantly ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in The Word.

What a powerful concept. The Word of God stands.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (New International Version)
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I pray joy in The Word. I pray peace and prosperity in The Word. May the Word of God be a comfort and strength in your life.

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)
More Than Conquerors
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Thank You, God.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Strength to share the Word of God

Matthew 28:16-19 (New International Version)
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Jonah 1 (New International Version)
Jonah Flees From the LORD
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

I belong to a church with a serious commitment to The Great Commission. We are very small but almost every member is actively involved in at least two mission works, most in more.

As part of my work, I am exposed to many protests against those of us who feel compelled to spread the gospel. There are web sites manned by other religious beliefs and by those whose belief is to claim no belief at all which bitterly protest the spread of the Word.

Even within the folds of Christianity there are interpretative rifts which divide us.

I battle within myself between my obligation to follow the mandates of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations” and my frustration when rebuffed and criticized for my belief.
I am very happy to stay within the comfort zone of fellowship with other believers. I love spending time with folks who already have a genuine love of God. We study together. We delight in talking about scripture, our Sunday school lessons, our morning devotions and the many little “ah hah moments” when a truth is revealed to us.

But I am mindful that I must not be like Jonah who decided that he knew who was good enough to receive God’s word. I must not run from this assignment, even in the face of adversity.

Mark 2:17 (New International Version)
17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Then, I must be willing to find ways to spread the good news. I must take responsibility for finding ways that don’t chase people away to open doors, to encourage a relationship with God.

I must always remember that someone chose to pray for me for years without passing judgment. I must pray diligently that God bless me with a word of encouragement for someone each day.

Matthew 5:14-16 (New International Version)
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I must live my life in such a way that those around me see something not of this world in me and, hopefully want to experience the joy they see in my walk with God.

Romans 1:16-17 (New International Version)
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Father, God, I thank you for work to do in the kingdom. I pray your strength everyday. I thank you for the comfort of the Holy Spirit as I try to always stay in Your will. I ask your blessings for everyone who is working in your will. I am truly not ashamed of the gospel.

Father, I speak a word of encouragement to everyone who is studying and trying to come into an understanding of your way.

Thank You, God.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

“Beyond the circle of the family, a person seeks friends who will be honest, faithful, and true. The scriptures uphold the ideal of the true friend, while admonishing people to choose their friends carefully, lest they be misled or find themselves abandoned in adversity.” http://www.unification.net/ws/theme028.htm

There is great comfort in quiet, comfortable friendships, the kind of friendships that demand nothing of each other but have a quiet assurance that each one “has the other’s back”. This is friendship worth seeking, this is friendship worth waiting for, this is friendship worth praying for.

It seems friendship is important to every religious following. We, as Christians, honor the value of friendship, companionship and support in many scriptural examples.

There are 49 verses with the word "FRIEND" in the Bible.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face,
as a man speaketh unto his friend."
~Exodus 33:11~

Abraham and Lot - Genesis 14:14-16
Ruth and Naomi - Ruth 1:16,17
Samuel and Saul - 1 Samuel 15:35; 16:1
David and Jonathan - 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20; 23:16-18; 2 Samuel 1:17-27; 9:1-13
David and Abiathar - 1 Samuel 22:23
David and Nahash - 2 Samuel 10:2
David and Hiram - 1 Kings 5:1
David and Hushai - 2 Samuel 15:32-37; 16; 17:1-22
David and Ittai - 2 Samuel 15:19-21
Joram and Ahaziah - 2 Kings 8:28,29; 9:16
Daniel and his three companions - Daniel 2:49
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, with Jesus - Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-46
The Marys, and Joseph of Arimathaea, for Jesus Matthew 27:55-61; 28:1-8; Luke 24:10; John 20:11-18
Luke and Theophilus - Acts 1:1
Paul and his nephew - Acts 23:16
Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila - Romans 16:3,4
Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus - Philippians 2:19,20,22,25
http://www.annieshomepage.com/friendshipbible.html

Other religions speak as highly of the value of friendship and the importance of choosing friends wisely.

"And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and pay the poor-due, and they obey God and His messenger. 2. Islam. Qur'an 9.71"

"……But when two people are at one in their inmost hearts,
They shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze.
And when two people understand each other in their inmost hearts,
Their words are sweet and strong, like the fragrance of orchids." 5. Confucianism. I Ching, Great Commentary 1.8.6"

"It is by dealing with a man that his virtue is to be known, and that too after a long time; not by one who gives it a passing thought or no thought at all; by a wise man, not by a fool. It is by association that a man's integrity is to be known... It is in times of trouble that his fortitude is to be known... It is by conversing with him, that a man's wisdom is to be known, and that too after a long time; not by one who gives it a passing thought or no thought at all; by a wise man, not by a fool. 12. Buddhism. Udana 65-66"

"Sit in the assembly of the honest; join with those that are good and virtuous; nay, seek out a noble enemy where enmity cannot be helped and have nothing to do with the wicked and the unrighteous. Even in bondage you should live with the virtuous, the erudite, and the truthful; but not for a kingdom should you stay with the wicked and the malicious. 18. Hinduism. Garuda Purana 112"

These are just examples.

Perhaps the easiest way to prepare one’s self for the blessing of friendship is to follow the scriptural direction in Proverbs 18:24 (King James Version)
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Father, God, I thank you for the blessing of friends and companions. I thank you that I am growing in the understanding of what it means to BE a friend as I depend more on You and Your Word to provide fulfillment in my life which frees my friends from the burdens of my needs and opens the way for real friendships.

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter:
he that has found one has found a treasure.
There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend,
and no scales can measure his excellence.
A faithful friend is an elixir of life;
and those who fear the Lord will find him.
Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright,
for as he is, so is his neighbor also. 13. Christianity. Bible, Sirach 6.7-17 Sirach, from The holy Bible, King James version (Apocrypha)

I ask the guidance and support of the Holy Spirit as I endeavor to “Be a Friend to Man”. and to follow the command of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV) Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

I thank You, God, for all you are in my life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Shortest Prayer

The Shortest Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New King James Version)
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I’m finding so many sermons of interest which were written in the 18 and even 17 hundreds. This increases my awareness of how universal and timeless the Word of God continues to be.

One of these sermons popped up this morning when I was searching for articles on the power of prayer.

C. H. Spurgeon gave a sermon on Thursday Evening, October 2nd, 1873, at The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, an Evangelical Reformed Church in central London on today’s topic….the shortest prayer in the bible
http://bible.org/seriespage/peters-shortest-prayer-no-3186

I can’t imagine anyone who could be more different from me yet we are both serving as instruments of God in placing a word about this important topic in the hands of others. How awesome that I could feel the urgency in this man when he encouraged all to make time to spend time with God in prayer.

For those who manage to feel that they don’t have time to pray, or that they don’t know what to pray, the wonderful prayer of Peter serves as a great model.

“Lord, save me.”
Matthew 14:30

About Peter’s prayer, Spurgeon wrote:

1. “It was a very brief prayer”
Just three words which conveyed all that Peter needed at that time.

2. “It was wonderfully comprehensive and adapted for use on many different occasions.”
Is there a time or situation where it is not appropriate to ask “Lord, save me”? Save me from poor decisions. Save me from the slings and arrows of the world. Lord save me.

Have; you been growing rich lately? Then, you will be tempted to become proud and worldly;
so pray, “Lord, save me from the evils that, so often go, with riches; thou art giving me this wealth, help me to be a good steward of it, and not to make, an idol of it.”
Or are you getting poor? Is your business proving a failure? Are your little savings almost gone? Well, there are perils connected with poverty;
so pray, “Lord, save me from becoming envious or discontented; let me be willing to be poor rather than do anything wrong in order to get money"

3. “It was very direct.”
There was no room for misunderstanding in this prayer. He asked for exactly what he wanted.

4. “It was a very sound-doctrine prayer.”
Peter did not presume to tell Jesus HOW to save him. He acknowledged in these simple words the fact that he could not save himself.

5. “Peter’s prayer was a very personal one"
This prayer was focused on a personal need at a specific time. This is a prayer we can say all through the day, every day. Lord, save my child. Lord, save my friend. Lord save my church. Lord, save my nation. Lord, save me.

6. "Peter’s prayer was a very urgent one”
Satan tries to convince us that “its too late” many times. He would love for us to believe that we are too far outside of God’s mercy to be heard.
We need to know, first, that God’s mercy is renewed every morning and that no one’s situation is too hard for God.
Luke 18:9-14 (New International Version)
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' (emphasis added)
14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 23:39-43 (New International Version) 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

We must never, ever, let Satan convince us that we are too lost to be found by God. How could anyone feel more lost than this man who was in the process of dying?

Jeremiah 32:27 (New International Version)
27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

7. “Peter’s prayer was an effectual one”
When our prayers are real we need not worry about God understanding our needs. We need not worry about getting the “right” words. Remember that He has promised us the help of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life.
Romans 8:26 New International Version
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Remember that He knows our needs.

Father, God, I thank you for Your Word. I thank you for encouragement every day. I thank you for a teacher who brings light to Your Word in ways that make it plain for every-day living. I thank you for the comfort of prayer. I ask your continued blessings in my life.

Ephesians 3 (English Standard Version)
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

"Lord, save me!"

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Answered Prayers

Answered Prayers

Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For the past week I’ve been hearing my younger granddaughter praising and thanking God for abundance beyond her prayers. What a wonderful feeling when you get an opportunity to witness a young person acknowledging God’s intervention in her life.

I experience joy just being in her presence with the exuberance of youth in her growing relationship with the Lord.

Matthew 18:19-20 (New International Version)
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

A marvelous outgrowth of this is that she is very excited about teaching young ones at the church about the wonders of God. I see how contagious her joy in the Lord is when I see the excitement of her young charges who think she is “the bestest teacher ever”.

I, in turn, am so happy to see the charge of The Great Commission, the center of our church, alive in my grandchild. Talk about answered prayers!!

She plans her lessons, previews videos and internet sites and has helped me to understand the wisdom of keeping my hands off unless asked for help. In this we are all growing.

She knows about God’s mercy and grace. She has learned, through the scriptures, about young people who were far from perfect but were used so wonderfully by God for His purpose (the story of Joseph is a family favorite). I believe this gives her a better chance to be forgiving of herself and others when the goal of perfection is not reached.

I am witnessing so many answered prayers and will continue to pray and thank God for the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health of my biological and church families.

A wise man, Rowland Hill, once said, "Prayer is the breath of a newborn soul, and there can be no life without it." http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/cbnteachingsheets/Answered_Prayer.aspx

Thank You, God, for all You are in my life. Thank You, God, for answered prayers. Thank You, God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, God, for the peace that comes with being a child of God.

Psalm 117 (New International Version)
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

“Children of God.”

“Children of God.”

I pray daily; “Thank You, God, for giving me the right to call myself a child of God“. I recognize that I only have the right to come to God in prayer in the first place because I am a child of God. and I say a heartfelt, “Thank You.”

If I were not a child of God I would have no right to ask for His love, to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the guidance and protection that comes with being in the Spirit. Where would I go when I need to pray for those whom I love? Where would I go?

John 1:12
I am God's child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Where would I go for comfort, guidance and love if I were not a child of God?

Romans 8 (New International Version)
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I rest in the comfort of God’s unconditional love. I find peace in knowing that He loved me before I even existed, that there is a portion of God’s love that is mine alone.

Ephesians 1:3-8 (New International Version)
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Romans 8:31-39 (New International Version)
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank you, Lord, that nothing can separate me from your love. I thank you, Lord, for your sweet peace and joy. I pray the peace that comes with the knowledge of your love for all within my circle. I pray your peace for my earthly family and for my church family .

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (New International Version)
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I pray that each of you is comfortable in the knowledge that you are truly “Children of God.”
(reference http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/verses2a.html)

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Prayers for Salvation of Our Loved Ones

Prayers for Salvation of Our Loved Ones

Listening to the prayers of our church I often hear prayers lifted for family members who have not yet accepted Our Lord. I know that I pray for the souls of my loved ones and ask the Holy Spirit to place them in the right place, at the right time, to hear the right person say the right words that will open their ears to hear.

I am encouraged by Your Word and I thank you for scriptural reminders of our need to obey the commands of the Great Commission as part of our daily lives.

John 7 (New International Version)
5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Father, God, even those who lived with you on a daily basis and saw your wondrous works had trouble accepting and acknowledging who you are. This fact gives me so much hope for those for whom we pray.

John 1 (New International Version)
The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

What confidence is shown in these words of John, a previous non-believing brother of Christ. He does not waver here in his understanding of just who Jesus is. He is the Word and the Word has been here since the beginning and John is able to declare it with a simplicity born of pure acceptance.

This awesome clarity is a gift given to those of us who believe. This clarity protects our minds from the slings and arrows of the world.

Merciful God, I thank you for your continued patience with all of us as we struggle to become all that you would have us to be. I continue to pray diligently for those I love to come into an understanding and love of Your Way with the full knowledge that the faithful prayer of a righteous woman guarded me as I floundered in the world.

I offer this prayer in encouragement for all of us who continue to pray daily for the salvation of those whom we love.

Thank You, Lord for hearing our prayers.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Prayer for Our Minister

Prayer for Our Minister

I look forward every week to hear the Word of God. I know that our pastor spends a lot of time preparing to bring us a message. I know she has to spend a lot of time in prayer to be able to deal effectively with such a mixed group of personalities, opinions, age groups and backgrounds.

This is truly a person in need of and deserving of daily prayer.

What an awesome privilege and responsibility we have to pray for the person(s) responsible for shepherding us through this life.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (New International Version)
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

We can be so critical of those in the ministry, as if we are just waiting for them to err in some way.

How much more beneficial, to the individual ministers, to the church as a whole and even to ourselves, to pray diligently for those in spiritual leadership.
I truly believe that we would have less time to criticize and find fault if we first approached God in prayer for our ministers.

Romans 15:30-32 (New International Version)
30I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
31Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
32so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (New International Version)
Final Instructions
12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

We pray daily for the growth of our church knowing that a good deal of the growth of the church depends on the leadership; therefore, we pray daily for the spiritual, emotional and physical health of our leadership, especially our pastor.

Colossians 4:3-4 (New International Version)
3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Father, God I ask that you entreat the Comforter to place a hedge of protection around the spirit, mind and body of our minister. Help her to continue in the path which you have set for her. Help her to continue to bring The Word with such clarity that it encourages and strengthens us in Your will and Your Way. Give her Your peace as she deals with the stresses of daily life.

Father, God, help those of us under her leadership to be filled with kindness and a supportive mind so that we may hold her arms up when she is weary.

I love You, Lord, and I lift this prayer in all humility.

Thank You, God, for hearing my prayer.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Exercising our gifts

3 John 1 (New International Version)
2Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well

I got hit with a pretty bad version of the flu when I got home from vacation. I acknowledge that I was careless while on vacation with meals at the beach and on the go fast food combined with sleeping on strange pillows, but, ah well.

I’m so glad to be back. I am so glad for renewed health.

I watched a TV ministry this morning that spoke of our need to love God unconditionally as we wish Him to love us. He talked about times when we treated our work for God as of it were a burden instead of a joy then fully expect God to open the windows of heaven for us.

Our God is not passive and does not expect us to be passive. This is a Christian Walk, not a slide down the hill on our bottoms.
We are obligated to work for the kingdom, utilizing whatever gift we have been given.

Sometimes the trick is finding our gift.

I truly believe that the only way to find our place in the Body is through prayer. I believe we need to trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us to that work for which we are called with the full knowledge that all have a place in the body and work to do for the kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12 (New International Version)
Spiritual Gifts

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (emphasis added)

We might ask The Holy Spirit in prayer what it is that is holding us back from the fullness of our gift. Are we trying to be like someone else? Are we dictating to God what our gift should be?

I thank you, God, for work to do in the Kingdom. I thank you, God, for fellowship of believers. I thank you, God, for Your peace.
I thank you for your word which is a source of comfort, peace and inspiration as I try to live this life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!