Wednesday, February 20, 2013

My Devotional Thoughts - Lent 2013 - Day 8


For today, the My Utmost for His Highest (www.utmost.org) devotional spoke first to me:

When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do, it is unacceptable and God’s blessing is never on it. God will take the initiative against this kind of daydreaming by prodding us to action. His instructions to us will be along the lines of this: “Don’t sit or stand there, just go!”

Then, there was the Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org) devotional, about getting off track and having to be “rerouted” through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, today I find myself faced with the negative consequences of my own procrastination.  Thinking on the words of Proverbs 3:5-7:

Proverbs 3:5-7

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.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

 
No doubt being wise in my own eyes and not asking the LORD beforehand, but thinking instead that I already knew how things were going to work may cost me running around like the proverbial “chicken with its head cut off” today.  But the God Calling devotional (www.twolisteners.org) reminds me to ask, so that hopefully I will have learned the lesson, and will at least ask and obey the LORD’s leading in my running!

Psalm 32:8-11


8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalm 37:23-24


23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 119:132-133


132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Hebrews 4:14-16


14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4:6-7


6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:14-15


14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 
Hearing Meredith Andrews again, “Not for a Moment (After All)” …

Dear LORD, thank You for Your faithfulness to Your WORD, and Your promise never to leave nor forsake me.  I am so grateful for Your great mercy that endures forever, and for the assurance of and confidence in  Your grace to help in time of need.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me to daily crucify my flesh, specifically my pride which causes my procrastination, and which has me thinking I know best about what to do and how to do  such that I don't obey or even think to ask Your way.  Please draw me so close that I hear You - really hear You - with a heart always ready to instantly, joyously obey.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 49:13


13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

 

… and my journey with Him continues …

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