My Devotional Thoughts - Lent 2013 - 2

Awoke this morning thinking of the song “Only Jesus” (Matt Redman).

Wasn’t sure which devotional to write about.  First saw Guideposts devotional from 1 John 4 – used some of those verses to encourage last week, and was looking at it last night in preparation for class today.  But then I got to My Utmost for His Highest:

Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops —Matthew 10:27

The devotional said, in part, “When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else once you are back in the light.”

I thought a lot about what it could mean for the LORD to tell me something “in the dark” – everything from going through difficult circumstances, to being in the darkness of sin.  When my mind focused on being in sin as being “in the dark”, I thought of Psalm 51:7-13 (KJV), especially verse 13 …

.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

“Then” in verse 13– after restoration –one will be able to share with and teach others, such that others may be converted.  I also thought of Jesus’ words to Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-32 (Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament):

³¹ Simon, Simon! Pay attention! Satan has demanded permission to have all of you for himself, to sift you like wheat, ³² but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned, strengthen your brothers.”

This says to me that when I mess up (and that is when, not if), there is an opportunity of returning, and then an opportunity to help someone else once I have done so. (But even as I write this, I am grateful to realize that the LORD, in His grace, still speaks to us “in the dark” and allows us to hear Him.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!)

So, I thought on that devotional during the day – but only thought on it.  Then, tonight, I thought (that was the problem – I thought!) to do something to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the LORD.  However, I had not yet written my blog entry.  BIG MISTAKE.  It was as if someone told you what they wanted you to do special for them, but then (on Valentine’s Day, of all days!) you did something else that would make you feel good, that you would enjoy, saying it was for them (for the both of you) instead of or without first doing for them what they had asked.  (I have had situations similar when I was the one for whom “something else” was done, and remember how hurtful it was, and how there was loss of fellowship – at least on my end – because of it.)

LORD, please forgive me for my disobedience, my selfishness, my unfaithfulness, my lack of love and respect for You, my pride and arrogance - shown when I did not do what I had purposed just yesterday to do (during this Lenten season) before going on my own (without even asking You!) to do something else that I would enjoy with You, supposedly for You.  Thank You for Your light, for shining in my darkness, showing me that it was not for You as much as for Me.  Please forgive me, LORD as I confess my sin.  Thank you for Your steadfast love, and tender mercies.  Thank You for giving me a chance to repent.  Thank You for another chance.  Thank You for Your conviction, for Your correction, for Your faithfulness to forgive, cleanse and restore.  Please help me, dear LORD, to remember this lesson and to always put You, Your Word, Your desires, Your purposes first in all I do.

… and my journey with Him continues …

My Devotional Thoughts - Lent 2013 - 1

Ok, I’m going to try with the help of my Lord to do something else – at least for a season.  The plan, I think, is to blog something from my devotional time.  Just one thing.  At least during this Lenten season.

So for today, just want to say first of all that the timing of doing this  - this morning - was not my idea, not in my plans.  I had other things I thought I was going to be doing.  I was going to read my devotional material while doing the other things.  Not so, it seems. 

OK. … here goes …

Reading the Daily Guideposts devotional for today, something the author (Julia Attaway) said stood out to me:

“…I thought of all the things that needed to go up in flames to reach repentance: pride, the desire for control, yearning for the admiration of the world, self-indulgence, selfishness … the list went on and on.”

Deuteronomy 4:24 (KJV)

For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Daniel 9:3 (KJV)

 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

I’m reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Just finished the chapter on being lukewarm.  Ouch…

Revelation 3:14-22  (KJV)

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;

¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

¹⁷ Because 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:

¹⁸ I 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.

¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

²¹ To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

²² He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

I’m also in a Bible Study, and last week’s lesson was on humility.  So I’ve already been thinking of some of these things.

Galatians 4:18-20 (KJV)

¹⁸ But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

²⁰ I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

Matthew 11:29 (KJV)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Romans 8:29 (KJV)

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Thank You, LORD, for Your plans and purposes, to give You glory, that transform me for the better.

… and my journey with Him continues …

Everything

Recently finished reading the book - “Everything: What you give and what you gain to become like Jesus” by Mary DeMuth. Went to an intercessory prayer meeting the other day, and there was teaching from a book where the title of the chapter being discussed contained the word “everything”…hmmm. While driving today, heard Revelation Song (as sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean), and the phrase “You are my everything, and I will adore You” just jumped out at me. Hmmm.  Everything.

Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional, entitled “A Song to Remember” by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, asked readers to “Consider what God might want you to remember about Him today.” So, my first thought was that God may want me to remember (and contemplate) His “everything-ness” – how everything was made by and for Him (Colossians 1:15-20 – this was part of last week’s sermon at church) …

But now - as i write this -  I’m remembering that earlier today a question arose in my mind where the answer would be framed as, “Jesus came to … what?” At the intercessory prayer meeting mentioned above, it was mentioned that Jesus came “to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). I remember reading the other week that Jesus came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Then some of all of the other reasons for which Jesus came began coming to mind:

• … to give us life and (it) more abundantly (John 10:10)
• … to give His live a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28)
• … to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10)
• … to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17)
• … to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34-36, "to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’")
• … to give us a way to the Father / reconcile us to God (John 14:6, Romans 5:10, 18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Ephesians 2:16)
• … to show us the Father (John 14:9); to reveal Him ( Matthew 11:27, Luke 10:22)
• … to teach us, that we may learn of / from Him (Matthew 11:29)
• … to be about the Father’s business (Luke 2:49, John 5:17, 30, 36)
• … to do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:42, Mark 14:36, John 10:17-18, 37-38, John 14:31)
• … to fulfill Scripture (Luke 4:18-21, Isaiah 61:1)

• to preach the gospel to the poor;
• to heal the brokenhearted
• to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
• to set at liberty those who are oppressed / the opening of the prison to those who are bound
• to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD

• …to comfort all who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3)
• … to glorify the Father / the Father’s Name (John 7:18, 12:27-28)
• … to be evidence of the Father’s love (John 3:16, 17:23, Romans 5:6-11)
• … to send us as He was sent (John 17:18, 20:21)

Jesus came out of love and obedience to the Father (John 4:34, 14:31), in the Father’s name / authority (John 5:43), because He was sent (John 8:42) that we might have everlasting life (John 6:38-40, 17:3). 

So, as I think of all of the reasons Jesus came (not even getting into what He did in accomplishing His purposes) – the “everything” He came to do - I am, again, awestruck, and humbled, and grateful.

… and my journey with Him continues…

Love on Christmas Day

Read today's Our Daily Bread devotional, "Love Finds A Way" (http://odb.org/). Made me think of the song "Give Love on Christmas Day" that I heard yesterday on the radio. The thing is, I don't know who sang the version I heard on the radio, and looking the song up on youtube yielded versions from everyone from the Temptations, to Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, to Johnny Gill, to Ledisi, to Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and the list goes on.  Finally stopped looking at and listening to the videos after this one with singing by Yolanda Adams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssN0wZHOVY0).

 Just reminds me of the love that was given to us that we remember on Christmas:

 

Luke 2:1-20  King James Version (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

… and the greatness and the power of that love …

 

John 15:9-17 King James Version (KJV)

⁹ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

¹⁰ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

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

¹² This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

¹⁴ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

¹⁷ These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 

I am just so grateful !!!

2 Corinthians 9:15 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

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

Hmmm - Humility

Driving along in the car this morning, I was thinking how pretty everything was with the sun coming up, touching the tops of the multicolored trees.  I found myself in awe of God’s creation and humbled by His thoughts, plans, and love for me.

Later, when checking the subject for a topical prayer schedule I am following, I saw that the day's prayer focus was Humility.  Much later in the day, in checking another daily Scripture source, the verse was 1 Peter 5:6 – also about humility.

Hmmm – Humility. I thought about Moses, who was said to be meek, or humble.

Numbers 12:3 Common English Bible (CEB)

³ Now the man Moses was humble, more so than anyone on earth.

 

In thinking about Moses, remembering his being told by the Lord to take off his shoes (when encountering “an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush”), it occurred to me that perhaps this removal of his shoes was a sign of humility.  In the restoration of the son returning from “a far country” in Jesus’ parable in Luke 15, shoes were to be placed upon his feet, as a sign of elevated status.

So, I thought I'd just look up some Scripture verses about humility, lowliness, meekness:

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Micah 6:8 (KJV)

⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Matthew 11:28-30 (CEB)

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰ My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

Ephesians 4:2-3 (KJV)

² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

Colossians 3:12-13 (KJV)

¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

James 4:9-10 (KJV)

⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5:5-7 (KJV)

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

So I guess I wasn’t surprised when a situation presented itself where God’s grace covered me, deadening prideful feelings which could have seriously affected my attitude and damaged some relationships.  Thank You, God, for Your protection - by clothing me in humility!

Philippians 2:1-11 (KJV)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

… and my journey with Him continues …

Not Alone

God With Us – MercyMe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0evTbghu7Rk)

Psalm 8:3-5 (KJV)

³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

⁵ For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

 

Praying for those going through hard, challenging times, those confused or lonely, those grieving, those with no hope, no light, no joy …

…so many needs, LORD.  But I know that You are more than aware of all of these things I see and know, these things that tear at my heart, and that You care more (and differently) than I do.  Please, Lord, show yourself strong on behalf of all who are hurting in any way, drawing us all - even through difficulties - to Yourself.  Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for anything we encounter, for Your strength is made perfect in weakness.  Thank You for those You send alongside us to help in times of trouble, and most of all, for Your continued Presence with us in accordance with Your faithfulness to Your Word.

 

He is With You – Mandisa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w)

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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

Out of the Blue - (feeling) loved

Songs: Jesus, I Love You  by Norman Hutchins  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x80QzaOpoyc)
The Only One by Antonio Neal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nLh1MEF7jM)
He Loves Me by Jill Scott (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxi9OuiyjVc)

1 John 4:9-10

⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins

Just got in a while ago and sat down to the computer.  Was going to look up a song i heard on the radio (turns out to be The Only One by Antonio Neal) when "out of the blue" i felt such a surge of love, of feeling loved, of being loved.  My soul's response (before my mind even thought to respond) was "Jesus, i love You!"

So grateful for and humbled by such a love that is not dependent on anything i do or don't do, but that just IS...  Thank You, LORD!!!

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