Forgiveness

Songs: A Heart That Forgives, Kevin LeVar (http://www.onlinefellowship.org/2010/02/16/kevin-levar-a-heart-that-forgives-official-video-and-lyrics/)
Lead me to the Cross, Hillsong United (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-vX_6y89Ks&feature=related)

Scriptures:
Genesis 37:18-24, 28; 50:15-20 (New Century Version, www.biblegateway.com)
Joseph Sold into Slavery
18 Joseph's brothers saw him coming from far away. Before he reached them, they made a plan to kill him.19 They said to each other, "Here comes that dreamer.20 Let's kill him and throw his body into one of the wells. We can tell our father that a wild animal killed him. Then we will see what will become of his dreams."
21 But Reuben heard their plan and saved Joseph, saying, "Let's not kill him.22 Don't spill any blood. Throw him into this well here in the desert, but don't hurt him!" Reuben planned to save Joseph later and send him back to his father.23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his robe with long sleeves24 and threw him into the well. It was empty, and there was no water in it…
28 So when the Midianite traders came by, the brothers took Joseph out of the well and sold him to the Ishmaelites for eight ounces of silver. And the Ishmaelites took him to Egypt…

The Brothers Fear Joseph
15 After Jacob died, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph is still angry with us? We did many wrong things to him. What if he plans to pay us back?"16 So they sent a message to Joseph that said, "Your father gave this command before he died.17 He said to us, 'You have done wrong and have sinned and done evil to Joseph. Tell Joseph to forgive you, his brothers.' So now, Joseph, we beg you to forgive our wrong. We are the servants of the God of your father." When Joseph received the message, he cried.
18 And his brothers went to him and bowed low before him and said, "We are your slaves."
19 Then Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Can I do what only God can do?20 You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.

Proverbs 20:22 (New Century Version, www.biblegateway.com)
22 Don't say, "I'll pay you back for the wrong you did." Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right.

Hebrews 10:23-31 (New Living Translation, http://www.crosswalk.com/)
23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God's judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to his people. 30 For we know the one who said, "I will take vengeance. I will repay those who deserve it." He also said, "The Lord will judge his own people." 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


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I was reading in Max Lucado’s book, Cast of Characters, the chapter about Joseph. Some of the things said about anger, revenge, and forgiveness are:

“…there is power in revenge. Intoxicating power. Haven’t we tasted it? Haven’t we been tempted to get even?”

“Judgment is God’s job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can’t do it. Revenge is irreverent.”

“Forgiveness comes easier with a wide-angle lens. Joseph uses one to get the whole picture. He refuses to focus on the betrayal of his brothers without also seeing the loyalty of his God.”

“To forgive someone is to admit our limitations. We’ve been given only one piece of life’s jigsaw puzzle. Only God has the cover of the box.”

“To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and He will do what is right.”

A short time prior to that, I heard (for the first time, I think) a song, about having “a heart that forgives.” Hmmm – to have a heart (attitude) like Christ’s…

Philippians 2:1-11 (New Living Translation, www.biblegateway.com)
Have the Attitude of Christ
1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,[a] he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b]; he took the humble position of a slave[c] and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Footnotes:
a. Philippians 2:6 Or Being in the form of God.
b. Philippians 2:7 Greek he emptied himself.
c. Philippians 2:7 Or the form of a slave.
d. Philippians 2:7 Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.


Romans 5:6-8 (New Century Version, www.biblegateway.com)
6 When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die.8 But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still
sinners.

Ephesians 4:17-32 (New Living Translation, http://www.crosswalk.com/)
17 With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do,
for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their closed minds are full of darkness;
they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and
hardened their hearts against him. 19 They don't care anymore about right and
wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are
filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.

20 But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, 22 throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness -- righteous, holy, and true.

25 So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we belong to each other. 26 And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.

28 If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

So as I think about worship with the upcoming praise and worship events, I find myself once again in Romans 12:1, outlining my “spiritual worship” – my worship “in spirit” (John 4:23) from God’s Truth:

Romans 12 (Amplified Bible, www.biblegateway.com)
1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
3For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
4For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,
5So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].
6Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;
7[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;
8He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
9[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.
10Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.
11Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
12Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
13Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief].
16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.(A)
17Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.(B)
18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.(C)
20But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.(D)
21Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.

Cross references:
A. Romans 12:16 : Prov 3:7
B. Romans 12:17 : Prov 20:22
C. Romans 12:19 : Deut 32:35
D. Romans 12:20 : Prov 25:21,22

Hmmm... overcome evil with good...

... and my journey with Him continues ...

None Like You

Songs: Nobody Greater, VaShawn Mitchell
Our God, Chris Tomlin
There is None Like You, Lenny LeBlanc
I Worship You, Almighty God, Don Moen
You Are God Alone, performed by Phillips, Craig and Dean

(All Scripture is NKJV)
Exodus 34:6-7
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 4:35
To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.


Earlier today, I heard a part of a song referencing God with words similar to “…none like You…” I started singing that phrase, and ended up singing a lot of made-up stuff, all having to do with there being none like, none greater than the God I know. I can’t even remember now how any of it went, but it amazed me in the way the words were coming out rhyming, and the words went with the tune I was singing (also made-up!) That’s how I know it was Spirit-led, because I’m not that musical…surely that was for His ears only. It is only through the grace of God that I can sing to Him a new song!
Psalm 96:1 [ A Song of Praise to God Coming in Judgment ]
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

So tonight, I smiled when I heard the part of Chris Tomlin’s song “Our God” that goes:

There’s no one like You, none like You!

Exodus 9:14
for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.
1 Samuel 2:2
“No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
2 Samuel 7:22
Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1 Chronicles 17:20
O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

Psalm 86:8
Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.

Isaiah 45:5-6
I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;

Isaiah 45:21
Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.

Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

Lord, I praise You, for truly there is none like You! Thank You, God, for such grace, for revealing this to me in a new way, even through a song You would have me sing, through songs I would hear others sing, through the truth of Your Holy Word. Thank You, O God, thank You, for every reason, for every opportunity You give me to worship You…

Jeremiah 10:6-7

Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might), Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You.

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Touch

Songs: All I Need, Brian Courtney Wilson
Something Beautiful, NEEDTOBREATHE
Love is Just a Touch Away, Freddie Jackson

It is so wonderful to feel so loved through the touch of God … and He touched us in His great mercy and compassion through Jesus:

Matthew 8:3 (NKJV)Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:15 (NKJV)So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
Matthew 9:29 (NKJV)Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”
Matthew 20:34 (NKJV)So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Mark 7:33 (NKJV)And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
Mark 10:16 (NKJV)
16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Luke 4:40 (AMP)Now at the setting of the sun [indicating the end of the Sabbath], all those who had any [who were] sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid His hands upon every one of them and cured them.
Luke 7:14 (NKJV)Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 13:13 (AMP)Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.
Luke 22:51 (NKJV)But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

And even now, sometimes I sense His touch … how precious! As I thought about His touch, I happened to see a prayer in The New International Lesson Annual (lesson 4, September 26, 2010) “from Mongolia, taken from The United Methodist Book of Worship” (emphasis mine):

O God, that we may receive Your blessing, touch our brows, touch our heads, and do not look upon us in anger. In a hard year, offer us mercy; in a year of affliction, offer us kindness; dark spirits banish from us; bright spirits bring close to us; gray spirits put away from us, good spirits draw near to us. When we are afraid, offer us courage; when we are ashamed, be our true face: be over us like a blanket, be under us like a bed of furs. Amen.

Thank You, Lord, for being such a personal God - for being of such great mercy, grace, and lovingkindness towards us, towards me…

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Separation, Not Deprivation

Scriptures:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV)

"Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.
"Beware of false prophets. They come to you disguised as sheep, but in their hearts they are vicious wolves. You will know them by what they produce.
"People don't pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they? In the same way every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit. Any tree that fails to produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into a fire. So you will know them by what they produce.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does what my Father in heaven wants. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we force out demons and do many miracles by the power and authority of your name?' Then I will tell them publicly, 'I've never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.'
"Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock.
"Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster."
When Jesus finished this speech, the crowds were amazed at his teachings. Unlike their scribes, he taught them with authority. (Matthew 7:13-29 GW)

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV)

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It was the last day of class, and it looked like everybody else was being given something for coming – something that I wasn’t given. It looked like a CD of some sort. I reasoned that because I was seated before they began to be given out, I just got missed. Class had not yet begun, so I thought to go ask about it – what it was, who it was for, etc., figuring that then I would get mine. Even as I prepared to move from my seat, I felt an uneasiness, and sensed that the Lord was saying, “No.” I countered in my mind, that “you have not because you ask not.”

So I was getting ready, again, to go ask about it when I saw part of the cover – it said “CD Bible…” At that moment, the Lord seemed to say, “You don’t need it,” reminding me that I already had the Bible on my PC in the e-sword application, and could use various internet (Biblegateway, crosswalk, blueletterbible, etc.) web sites. By now class had started, and I was really distracted by my not wanting to be left out, my wanting what everybody else had, my desire to have my presence acknowledged and affirmed by those in class through presentation of this gift. Then, I saw another part of the cover, which said “Commentary.” I was reminded of what I had heard in another class several years ago, that “the Bible is its own commentary.”

I persisted in my conversation with the Lord. “But I want one.” I knew I was whining. “I’ve been here all week. If they are giving something away for coming, shouldn’t I get one too?” We seemed to come to an agreement that if something was said at the end of class - like “We have a gift for everyone who came to class this week; did everyone get one?” – I could ask for one.

That settled, I could then concentrate on what was being said in class. Needless to say, no one mentioned anything about the CD, or a gift, or anything at the end, even though there was a general “thank you” extended to all who had attended the class. I shrugged it off with an, “oh well” and left.

Later, the Lord reminded me of His word:

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:11 KJV)

So it was all right. I might not have gotten what I wanted, but I did what I believe He wanted (in going to class, and in not asking for the CD), so it was all right. I had another lesson in obedience, and just trusted that if it was something I was supposed to have, I would have gotten it – I had not been deprived.

The Lord was not finished with this experience yet, though. Later still, He reminded me of portions of the lesson which were taught concerning separation:

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. (Isaiah 52:10-12 KJV)

Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 CEV)

It was as though nothing pertaining to that CD was to influence or have part in what God is doing in my life, like with Abraham (when he was still Abram) and the king of Sodom after Lot’s rescue:

The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and keep everything else for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I now raise my hand and solemnly swear to the LORD God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, that I won't take a thread or a sandal strap. I won't take anything that is yours so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I won't take one single thing except what my men have eaten. But let my allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share." (Genesis 14:21-24 GW)

I just feel that God is preparing us for His Presence… so if that means not having with others have, not being a part of the crowd, feeling left out or overlooked …

We don't become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don't use
tricks, and we don't distort God's word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our letter of recommendation. So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory.

It is Christ who is God's image. Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God's glory which shines from Christ's face. Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn't come from us.

In every way we're troubled, but we aren't crushed by our troubles. We're frustrated, but we don't give up. We're persecuted, but we're not abandoned. We're captured, but we're not killed. We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies. While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Jesus' sake so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our mortal nature. Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. The following is written, "I believed; therefore, I spoke." We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. He will present us to God together with you. All this is for your sake so that, as God's kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God.

That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:1-18 GW)

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Text Message / Prayer

Song: Already Here, Brian Courtney Wilson
Scriptures:
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28 KJV)

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (Psalm 139:17-18 KJV)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

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I turned on the television, and switched channels until I landed on the 700 Club. I hadn’t really begun to watch the program when I thought about sending a text message to a family member - just to say hello, let them know I appreciated them and what they do for me, and to let them know I love them.

I picked up the phone to type and send the text, when I heard one of the 700 Club hosts say, “…just stop what you’re doing, and let’s pray.” As the host began to pray about situations in people’s lives to bring them to salvation and prayer, I thought of the text I was going to send, and suddenly it hit me – this was an invitation for communication from God!

In obedience, humbled by the thought that my Lord would call me to Him in this way, I put down the phone, and prayed.

“Lord, thank You! You allowed this time, this situation so that I would have the opportunity now, at this very moment, to send you a short message in prayer, just to acknowledge you in saying hello, to let You know how much I appreciate You and all You do for me, and to let You know that I love You.”

So I took the time, just talking with Him, telling Him what was in my heart, overflowing with gratitude, reveling in His Presence …

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Untitled Cry

Song: Just Love, Brian Courtney Wilson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvq2GrJC_eM
He Saw The Best, Marvin Sapp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRjXczuP9oM
I Understand, Smokie Norful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0skD7d3usw&feature=related
Let Go, DeWayne Woods http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o4xhxIKfs&feature=related
I Trust You, James Fortune & FIYA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRwQy2eQbJM&NR=1

Lord, there is so much going on. Your Word is true, and nothing is happening that You haven’t already known about and for which You haven’t planned. O but God, there is so much pain, so much suffering, so many problems, so much violence – so much sin! Lord, You know all of this better than I. You are our only hope, Lord, our only remedy.

2 Kings 8:12"Why is my lord weeping?" asked Hazael. "Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites," he answered. "You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women."
Ezra 3:13No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.
Ezra 10:1[ The People's Confession of Sin ] While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.

Nehemiah 8:8-10 (New International Version)
8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 35:12-14 (New International Version)
12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

Psalm 126:1-6 (New International Version)
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (New International Version)
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Jeremiah 3:21A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 31:1-17 (New International Version)
1 "At that time," declares the LORD, "I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."
2 This is what the LORD says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel."
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
4 I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.
5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.' "
7 This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.
9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
10 "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'
11 For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.
13 Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD.
15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."
16 This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy.
17 So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.

Joel 2:12-18 (New International Version)
Rend Your Heart
12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.
16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?' "
The LORD's Answer
18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

Luke 6:21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Luke 23:28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.

John 16:20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Psalm 51 (New Living Translation)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. 5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. 15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

Daniel 9:4-19 (Contemporary English Version)
Daniel Prays for the People
I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the LORD my God: Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you. 5But we have sinned terribly by rebelling against you and rejecting your laws and teachings. 6We have ignored the message your servants the prophets spoke to our kings, our leaders, our ancestors, and everyone else.
7Everything you do is right, our Lord. But still we suffer public disgrace because we have been unfaithful and have sinned against you. This includes all of us, both far and near--the people of Judah, Jerusalem, and Israel, as well as those you dragged away to foreign lands, 8and even our kings, our officials, and our ancestors. 9LORD God, you are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against you 10and rejected your teachings that came to us from your servants the prophets.
11Everyone in Israel has stubbornly refused to obey your laws, and so those curses written by your servant Moses have fallen upon us. 12You warned us and our leaders that Jerusalem would suffer the worst disaster in human history, and you did exactly as you had threatened. 13We have not escaped any of the terrible curses written by Moses, and yet we have refused to beg you for mercy and to remind ourselves of how faithful you have always been. 14And when you finally punished us with this horrible disaster, that was also the right thing to do, because we deserved it so much.
15Our Lord God, with your own mighty arm you rescued us from Egypt and made yourself famous to this very day, but we have sinned terribly. 16In the past, you treated us with such kindness, that we now beg you to stop being so terribly angry with Jerusalem. After all, it is your chosen city built on your holy mountain, even though it has suffered public disgrace because of our sins and those of our ancestors.
17I am your servant, Lord God, and I beg you to answer my prayers and bring honor to yourself by having pity on your temple that lies in ruins. 18Please show mercy to your chosen city, not because we deserve it, but because of your great kindness. 19Forgive us! Hurry and do something, not only for your city and your chosen people, but to bring honor to yourself.

Revelation 5 (New International Version)
The Scroll and the Lamb
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Night Watch Meditation: Come to Jesus

Song: Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) – Chris Rice
(lyrics from http://www.anysonglyrics.com/lyrics/c/chrisrice/Untitled-Hymn-Come-To-Jesus.htm)
**************************************************
I heard this song in my head before I went to bed, as I was turning off the computer; but since I was trying to go to sleep, that’s what I did. About 2 hours later, I’m up, working on this blog entry, listening to this song on the computer, reading the lyrics, thinking of Scripture. Guess this is my time to meditate on His Word in the night watches:

1. Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

2. Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3. Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 1st verse:

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

1. Isaiah 55:1
[ Invitation to the Thirsty ] "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

2. John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

3. John 7:37
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

4. Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 2nd verse:

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

1. Isaiah 10:27
In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.

2. Matthew 11:28-30
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Song: There is a Fountain, performed by Bishop Clarence E. McClendon and the Harvest Fire Mega Mass Choir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RxKH-AJdKU)

1. Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

2. Psalm 96:1
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

3. Psalm 98:1
[ A psalm. ] Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

4. Psalm 149:1
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

5. Isaiah 42:10
[ Song of Praise to the Lord ] Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 3rd Verse:

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live

1. Isaiah 8:14
and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

2. Matthew 21:44
He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

3. Luke 20:18
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

4. Romans 9:33
As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

5. 1 Peter 2:8
and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 4th Verse:

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

1. 2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.

2. 1 Kings 8:28
Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.

3. 2 Chronicles 6:19
Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.

4. 2 Chronicles 20:9
'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

5. Psalm 6:9
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

6. Psalm 10:17
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

7. Psalm 28:6
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

8. Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

9. Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

10. Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

11. Psalm 140:6
O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.

12. Psalm 143:1
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

13. Psalm 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

14. Isaiah 30:19
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 5th Verse:

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

1. Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

2. Jeremiah 31:4
I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.

Song: Rebuild (Remix), J Moss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQdn7eDcIVI)

3. Jeremiah 31:13
Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

4. John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

5. John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

6. Acts 2:28
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

7. 1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

8. 1 John 1:4
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) 6th Verse:

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

1. John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

2. John 6:54
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

3. John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

4. John 12:25
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

5. John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

6. Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

7. Romans 5:21
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

8. Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

9. Titus 3:7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

10. 1 John 1:2
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

11. 1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Faith
When you walk to the edge of all the light you have
and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown,
you must believe that one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid for you to stand upon,
or, you will be taught how to fly

© Patrick Overton
The Leaning Tree, 1975
Rebuilding the Front Porch of America, 1997

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

1. John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

2. John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

3. John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

... and my journey with Him continues ...