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“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret fault. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:12-14).
What will it take to be “acceptable in his sight”? Programs are important, but more important is the time that I spend in God’s presence.
Has the Lord ever woke you up in the night? It’s the quietest time of the day. Nothing demands anything from you, and the time holds still, while you listen to God, as he ministers to you on a personal basis.
Recently, the Lord woke me up. I looked at the clock and couldn’t believe that it was only 2:30 a.m.. As I looked up into the dark, I began to pray. For once, it seemed that I could talk to God and I didn’t have to fight my way to the throne, because I was immediately in His presence. Usually, I have to work so hard to get into prayer because of so many distractions, but it was different at that hour on that particular night. The Lord prepares us a place of refuge and after a daily battle with the world, it’s refreshing to find time with God. Time with God is vital to our victory because the world drains our energy. I found out some things about myself:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).
If you have ever had to ask someone for directions, you know how confusing it can be. “Oh, you go about four houses down, then, see the tractor in the field that is for sale. After you pass that for sale sign, you will see a curve in the road, but don’t follow the curve, go straight on down until you see the white two story house with the front yard that is fenced in. You may see horses out in the field, beside it, but don’t turn until you go past two more houses, then, turn left at the fork in the road. If you don’t make that turn you will end up at a dead end, and all you can do is turn back and start over.”
And so you try to follow the directions, but so many extraneous details try to clutter your thinking. And so, it is with life.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
When the Lord is directing our steps he delivers a clear and concise plan for us to follow. The problem is that we don’t always take the Lord at his word, and we think we know a much better way. Our path is wide and clear, not filled with any disappointments, or instructions to commit our lives to him. Sure we can go our own way and maybe even arrive at our destination, unscathed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have followed the Lord’s explicit directions.
Perhaps you were so intent on taking the easy way, that you didn’t even get the opportunity to talk to that person the Lord purposely put in your path to witness to. You could have made a difference; (I know it sounds so cliche; we hear it all the time, until we don’t really listen anymore.)
To build a relationship with Jesus Christ, we may need to take a different route than what we are comfortable with, but it is necessary to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives: to be obedient.
This walk that I have with the Lord was never intended to be a popularity contest, and I’ve found that more people try to find the loopholes to living just as close to the world as they can and still be saved. It’s as if the world is still pulling them away from their full commitment in Christ.
It isn’t pleasant to straddle the fence. Either you are all out of this lifestyle, or you’re all in to being committed to God. In Revelation 3:16, the Lord responds to the church’s lukewarmness:
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
That’s strong words, but I don’t even want to imagine what that would be like, to be completely rejected by the Lord.
It’s the same Lord who robed himself in flesh in the body of Jesus Christ, to endure rejection, and unimaginable pain and suffering on the cross, only to have to bear all of our sins in his flesh, even though he knew no sin.
But that was over 2000 years ago, you might be thinking. Times have changed, and people have changed. Then, I would ask you to consider this, has God changed?
In Hebrews 13:8, it says, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Unfortunately people try to find the loopholes. Why should I take the bible literally? What I am asking myself, is why would I reject eternal life for a few worldly pleasures that could be taken from me in an instant? We are not guaranteed our next breath, let alone, plentiful time to live in sin, and then get it right when we are ready.
I will not bow down to what this world has to offer; my soul is precious to Jesus Christ, and nothing can compare to being able to trust in God. So, let the world continue to be pulled in all directions as they struggle to make up their minds whether to live holy and receive God’s promise, or live for him half-committed: I choose to live for the Lord, and do his will for my life. There’s too much to lose, so why would I risk it?
This joy that I have the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
As we were looking through some old pictures, today, I was reminded of our early church: it has been an amazing journey. People may come and go from your life, but those who have endured have left a legacy for the next generation. I can never forget how hesitant I felt, before walking back into a Pentecostal church after being away for decades.
Would these people receive me? or even more importantly, would the Lord forgive me? Thankfully, there was no cause for worry, because while all I had left to offer was a wounded spirit, the Lord lifted me up, and restored my joy. I was determined to move forward, and never look back. The sorrow of sin condemns us for eternity, but Jesus Christ saves us from that death sentence.
On the day that I returned to him, it was with a determined heart. My desire was to live for the Lord, but I had prayed that I didn’t have to do it alone, so after a while, my husband joined me in this journey. God’s salvation is for whosoever will.
It’s the first Sunday of a new year, and it’s customary to make resolutions. Instead of making resolutions, I will just say I will do my best to honor Christ this year more than ever, in every area of my life.
I pray, Lord, that you will allow me to be used by you as a vessel of honor in this writing ministry. Help me to be sensitive to your directions on the best way to approach subjects, and write only what I can support with adequate prayer. If I go off topic, or allow self to dictate what will be shared, remind me to submit to your will, and not my own. I surrender my abilities to be used by you in any way that you see fit.
Lord, help me to be thankful for the experiences, both good and not so good, that have allowed me to grow. I believe that 2016 will be a good year to make fresh commitments, and renew our vision for the future. A good day to begin this, is today.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
It’s time to forget about those things that we failed to accomplish in this past year, and resolve to keep working to complete unfinished tasks in the new year. We can look back at 2015 and feel defeated because we didn’t see fruit from our labors, or we can look at 2015 as the year that the Lord encouraged us to prepare the soil, and water the fields. That tells me to get ready, because 2016 is our year to see the harvest of souls. While we often felt that our labor was in vain, it is good to know that God did not forsake us; he has taken great care to prepare us to receive the blessing that we will not be able to contain. Let’s make 2016 a year of prayer, for we all need to draw closer to the Lord, to be able to stand.
This year has been challenging for many people, but our prayers have been heard; our tears are stored in vials in heaven, and the Lord is getting ready to move the mountains that have become obstacles in our path. We will not hide; we will stand in the name of Jesus Christ, and pick up our spiritual weapons and claim the victory that has already been won.
Satan would like nothing better than for us to dwell on our past mistakes, and not focus on the coming year, because he knows that even after he has attacked us in so many ways; through health, finances, heartaches, and disappointments in the past year; we will still win if we keep pressing toward the mark. We are so close to the Lord’s return, that satan will try everything in his limited powers to dissuade us from reaping the victories that are already ours.
If we could see the coming year as the Lord sees it, we wouldn’t want to stay weeping over past failures; we would be charging forward with a shout and a victory dance as we see our enemies fall under our feet.
He tells us in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” Whatsoever we ask; he will do it, and I for one, believe in that promise.
Why is that when we see turmoil around us, we are quick to judge the most terrible outcomes for our situations. Instead of allowing the Lord to work on our behalf, we immediately hold a negative view. We have everything figured out about how our situation will end. Usually, it’s not a good ending that we speak for ourselves, unfortunately, rather, one that is filled with uncertainty, defeat, or doubt.
It must hurt the Lord’s heart to see us struggle with disbelief, but it’s all too common. We are the worse case scenario children, and nothing that is positive and uplifting can change our minds if we continue to keep our safe defeated mindset that will hinder the blessing of God to be released in our lives.
Do you want peace? or, is your life more comfortable with the needed extra attention that drama brings? I can find myself falling into that trap if I forget that the enemy of my soul has already been defeated. We do fight flesh when the battle is the strongest, instead of handing over our weapons to the Lord for a while, so that we can restore our peace. The longer I live, the more I am realizing that I don’t have to be super human to allow the will of the Lord to be accomplished in my life; I must learn to trust Jesus Christ.
In him you will find peace in the midst of the storms of life. It only takes a word from him, “Peace be still,” to calm the storm, but if he chooses not to intervene in the time frame that I want him to do it, like yesterday, all is still well with my soul.
Where is your faith, today? As we are ready for Christmas, it is important to spend the time to reflect on what we have been blessed with in our lives. If the Lord never does another thing for me, I can testify that I am a child of the king who has been exceeding abundantly blessed, and I know without any hesitation that he is the greatest gift that I will ever receive, and for that, I am thankful.
Christmas can also be the most stressful time of the year, if we forget why we celebrate it. Let’s not allow this season of giving to become a burden; rather let us remember to give those things that money can’t buy: time, thankfulness, and love.
Nothing means more to me than knowing that every day I wake up and do my best to be a blessing to someone else. In our busyness, this can be challenging. You’ll often find that when you set out to do something productive, the other responsibilities that you have, creep in and steal your joy, energy and before you know it, you wonder what you were planning to do. This feeling of missing something important, can follow you throughout the year, until you dwell on it so much that you lose your focus.
I am thankful that when we do begin to get overwhelmed with the cares of this life, we can depend on Jesus Christ to intervene in our situation. If we really pray about it, we will find that leaving our circumstance in the hands of an Almighty God will help us to see results of our prayers even faster. You see, we must
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I want to trust in the Lord, because he has already walked the path we must trod, and he knows the way.
Sometimes I feel that I walk in the shadows and that isn’t a bad thing when the shadows that cover me are from the wings of the Almighty. The Bible tells us about how he is with us like a shadow. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night we need the Lord, because he is always available to us when we call on his name. Miracles occur in our midst on a daily basis and it can be contributed to the commitment and faith of people who are willing to stand in the gap and pray.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). If you are going to be living “in the secret place of the most High”; then, you will abide under his shadow. It won’t be difficult to stay under his protection, but God didn’t save us just for us to sit back and receive his blessings. Being blessed is a part of our worship, true, but this gospel wasn’t meant to end with us. We can’t change our fate: we are all appointed unto man once to die; we must do our best to reach out to those around us.
It’s a sobering thought to realize that we are surrounded by people who cry out for salvation. Who will tell them about Jesus? If we get too involved with our own agendas to listen to their cries, we’ll miss out on the greatest blessing of all: giving the truth. When we understand this concept, we shall not know fear.
The rest of Psalm 91 explains: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:2-16).
Living in the shadows has the benefit of having the Lord always available to lead you through the storm. Trust him and he will give you the desires of your heart. He is sovereign. He is the Almighty. gm
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalms 34: 1-4).
“O taste and see that the Lord is good:blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way because the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:3-9).
We serve a great big God. How often do we try to confine him into our boxes of doubt? We pray and say that we trust God with our lips; then we ponder our situation until we can’t think of any thing else but the problems that grow bigger as we feed them. The more we nurture our problems the greater they become and the more desperate we become. Sometimes it clouds our vision until we can’t see God working to bring us through to our good. “My grace is sufficient” he said and sometimes God, who is sovereign, decides to let us keep the thorn in our flesh. . He’s still God.
I will get discouraged if I don’t stay in the Word and find the strength to hold up my shield of faith. The shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness will protect me from the fiery darts that try to steal my joy, kill my dreams, and destroy my walk with God.
He promises us that if we’ll delight in him that he’ll give us the desires of our heart. If we have not fulfilled our part, why do we think that God would give us our deepest desires? It’s time to restore our commitment and to do what he commands for us to do:
Rest in the Lord. I am convinced that the Lord has my life in his hands and that every step that I take is ordained by God.
“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee” (Psalm 39:7).
When we become fearful, we can always know that God has prepared a way before us. He tells us:
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).
Our steps are ordered, so don’t you think that God is faithful to take care of us? In this link of the Lattereign, we realize just how awesome God is.
In the Time of the Lattereign 