Godly Wisdom

      Looking ahead to the new year, one of the best things we can do is to ask for Godly wisdom. God works from the inside out. Everything is a matter of the heart to Him. Godly wisdom will shut our mouths when we want to shout. Godly wisdom will bring patience over speeding ahead. Godly wisdom will take us to His Word and away from the world. Godly wisdom will shine light in the darkest recesses of our heart.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

     Ask for Godly wisdom and His attributes will begin to show through in your life.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Lord,

We ask for Your wisdom throughout this next year. You promise to give to us generously. Teach us to wait for Your ways, instead of rushing ahead into the things of this world that are not from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen
Happy New Year!  Back on the 3rd of the new year.

Along Unfamiliar Paths

     Transforming change is right around the next corner, or the next, or the next.  God takes us one step at a time into a bright and hope-filled future. Stay patient. Move slowly. Listen to His voice. When you can’t see ahead, trust God. He moves in ways we don’t always understand. He takes us up steep slopes and over rocky paths in order for us to find the right path.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do. I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

     Take God at His wonderful word. He will make those rough places smooth. The path may seem unfamiliar and appear a bit scary, but God will never leave us or forsake us and the darkness will become light because of Him.

Lord,

Keep us patient for Your way to be made clear. You hold us in Your hand and You guide us along paths unfamiliar to us. Keep us steadfast on the solid ground of our faith as we move into a future known only by You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Letting Go/Straining Forward

     As we count down to the end of 2016 and look forward to a brand-new yea, do you long to let go of something or someone? Is there something from your past you need to forgive either in yourself or in someone else? Is there an unhealthy relationship you need to break off? How about letting it all go and promising yourself to begin to trust God more and allow Him to set you on a path of peace and joy?

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13

     Pray to let go of all that is past and harmful. As you let go, God will never let go of you.

I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:29

Father,

We pray to let go of past hurts, of present harm and move with purpose into a future filled with hope. You are the author and finisher of our faith. Give us a brand-new start.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Quiet and Wonder

     Do you need to stop and take a deep breath? The holiday season finding you exhausted? The lines can be long, the gift-giving expensive, the preparations for guests time-consuming. The humble beginnings of Jesus cast a shocking comparison to the Christmas around us today.

     The hustle and bustle surrounding us stand in direct contrast to the quiet night of Jesus’ birth. The star shone over the fields. The shepherds stood in awe. The wise men bowed in worship, Joseph and Mary sat surrounded by animals and their sweet child, the Messiah, wondered at all that had been prophesied by God.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.

     Take a breath. Read the Christmas story one more time. You will find it in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2. Enjoy the hustle and bustle, but stop with your family and friends and acknowledge the true meaning of the season. The birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us quiet ourselves and bow in worship to the Lord.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Dear Lord,

Remind us of the magnitude of Your birth, the moment when the Creator came to earth. We ask for Your blessing over our homes and families as we gather together. Remind us to bow down and worship the Lord, our Maker.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Merry Christmas!!!  The blog will return on Tuesday, December 27^th.

My Friend Phyllis

     One of my very best friends is 85 years old. I am 61. I hope you have older friends and younger friends. Both can be inspiring. Phyllis and I, and another good friend, have prayed together weekly for almost fifteen years. Along with prayer, we have done a variety of Bible studies together. She has taught us much. On Saturday, Phyllis suffered an aortic dissection and endured almost six hours of surgery. The recovery will be slow and will progress over a long period of time.

     So much can change in a split second. Have you experienced the same in your life or in the life of someone you love? When something so sudden affects our lives so dramatically it causes us to stop in the midst of life and ask those deep questions. The life and death questions we often want to avoid.

     Phyllis has never shied away from those questions. And she has a firm and honest answer. “Jesus  is my Savior and He loves me. I know I am going to heaven and I don’t worry about those things.” She has a true peace and a true joy that are contagious. She has taught us well, about love, about the power of prayer, about filling other lives with joy, about pausing to appreciate all we have  and about compassionate care. All of us who love her are blessed.

     Many friends and family members are praying for her. We hope to share the earth with her for a long time to come. But when the day arrives for her to meet Jesus, we will have peace. Just as she did, with the joy and hope of heaven.

 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you? I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

Father,

Thank You for Phyllis and all of Your followers who continue to show us the way to peace and joy and hope. Keep Phyllis wrapped safely in Your arms, both now and forevermore.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Worship

     Jesus changes everything. I heard a pastor recently talk about the fact that everyone worships something. As our idols become more important than our Savior, we become like the idol we worship. As we deepen our relationship with Christ, as we study His Word, as we pray intimately in our relationship with Him, as we ask Him to guide our lives, our image beomces more and more, Christ-like. Miraculously, the Holy Spirit within us guides our attitudes, our motives, along with the things we choose to do.

     What is keeping you from placing Jesus first? Too busy? The pleasures of making yourself happy? The pursuit of a career? Sports? Alcohol? The list is endless. Think about what you think about over the next few days. Jesus always makes life more purposeful, more abundant, more peace-filled, more loving.

And we all, with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Jesus,

We invite Your Holy Spirit into our lives, to teach and guide and to keep transforming us more and more into Your likeness. It seems impossible to fathom, but the miraculous love You have shared with us can transform our lives.

Amen

The Lord

     This week we touched on Jesus, the humble baby, the human boy, our heavenly servant. Jesus gave up His status for us. He had the riches of heaven. He created all things and He came to die in our place.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8

     Our humble servant, the One who made Himself nothing for us, who forgave us, and died for us is right back where He belongs. He resides over heaven and earth. He will return as King and as Lord. He is coming soon. Prepare the way for the King! Joy to the world!

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the gift You gave us. Nothing can compare. We pray everyone in our lives will receive the free gift of eternal life, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Come Lord, Jesus.

Amen