Sincere prayer

Psa 17:1  Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

 Prayer isn’t something we do out of religious duty.  Prayer is a sincere call to the almighty God.  God is faithful to hear and answer sincere prayer.  We are in danger of our prayer becoming just a form, just a religious habit.  Let’s stay aware that we are coming into the presence of the very Ruler of the universe.  Let’s make sure our words are sincere, from our heart.  If they are, we can be certain that our God will hear.

Faithful in the light and in the dark

Psa 42:8  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

 God is faithful all the time.  His lovingkindness, His compassion, and His mercy is seen both day and night.  His song, His praise can continue with us all the day through.  Let’s lift our prayers to the God of our life.  He is faithful, He is worthy of our trust and confidence. 

Start the day right

Psa 5:3  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

 It’s a good thing to start the day looking up…looking up to where our help comes from.  It’s good to lift our eyes above the trouble, above our own insufficiency.  Begin the morning talking to God.  Lift your heart and voice to the One who is able to guide, to help and give us what we need for the day ahead.  As the Psalmist, we ought to let God know to expect to hear from us every morning.  Begin the day right…begin the day spending time with God.

For our learning

(Rom 15:4 KJV)  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 God patiently revealed Himself and His ways to us over a period of a few thousand years.  God revealed Himself in His commandments and in His interaction with people during that time.  He finally revealed Himself fully in the coming of Jesus Christ as a human.  All these things have been recorded and preserved by God for our help, strength and instruction.  It is by patient endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures that we have hope and faith.  We live in a time when we need our hope and faith encouraged.  Look to God’s Word for help and hope.  God’s Word is readily available to us, yet many neglect this vital source of help and life.  Look to God’s Word.  Let’s find the comfort, encouragement, instruction and hope that we need. 

Our strength and protection

Psa 28:6  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

 Psa 28:7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

This verse is a good picture of our relationship with God.  He is a prayer hearing and answering God.  He is our strength, our help, our protection in every situation.  We know His goodness and faithfulness by experience:  We have trusted Him and He has given us the help that we need.  As we let our minds meditate on God’s goodness and faithfulness, a great joy wells up inside us.  Our joy then burst forth in singing and praising Him.  Let your mind dwell on God’s goodness and allow your thankfulness to lead to joy and praise.  

In Jesus name

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Everything we do or say should be done in Jesus name, in His strength, and for His honor and glory.  We are also to give thanks to God.  Our whole life is bound up in Jesus.  He is our strength and help in everything.  Everything we do and say is governed by His honor and glory.   Because He is our help in everything, we give Him thanks in everything.  There is a security in trusting in Him for everything we need, and letting our heart well up in love and gratefulness for His help.  Commit yourself to His care, and let thankfulness for His goodness fill your heart. 

Thankful for our fellow believers

1Th 1:2  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1Th 1:3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

 During this Thanksgiving season, let’s not fail to thank God for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We need reminded of the faithful help and encouragement of our fellow believers, and the strength they give us in this Christian life. Let your mind be reminded of their labors of love, their patience, their faithfulness and their faith and trust in God.  Let’s make sure we make mention of them in our prayers, and remember the blessing they are to us.  Stay thankful.   

To Him

Heb_13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

We have much to be thankful for, beginning with salvation, and then all the other good gifts God bestows on us.  All these things should cause us to be thankful, but, not just a general sense of thankfulness; thankfulness to God.  It’s to Him we owe thanks. God by His love and His grace has given us these things. This should cause thankfulness, and gratitude to well up in our heart to God.  Our thanksgiving should be directed to Him.  We need to give voice to our thankfulness.  Our praise is an act of worship.  Our soul longs for the expression of our thankfulness in worship, and God enjoys true praise and worship. In this the Thanksgiving season, let’s not fail to offer an abundant sacrifice of praise to God

Praise Him

Psa 69:30  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

I hope you are still experiencing the warm glow of gratitude and thanksgiving for all of God’s goodness.  Let the praise of God well up in your heart.  Show His greatness in your thanksgiving.  As we go through the weekend, continue to cultivate your thankfulness for God’s love and care.  Let your thankfulness be known to God and to those around you.  Show the greatness of God’s love, compassion and goodness.    

Cast your burden on the Lord

(Psa 55:22 KJV)  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 There are times when we seem to be overwhelmed with needs.  There seems to be an unusual amount of trials and difficulties at this time.  There are also a number of worrisome and fearful situations.  These troubles and fears can threaten to overwhelm us and cause us to stumble.  But, we have a promise, a promise from the very Creator of the universe.  If we will bring our anxieties and problems to Him, He will sustain us.  He will hold us up, and never allow us to be caused to stumble and fall.  I know there are many things we face that are far bigger than our wisdom and power.  But, they are no match for God.  Take them to God, rely on Him, trust Him.  He will not fail.  He will not allow them to move us, to shake us or stagger us, so as to call us to fall.  Trust Him.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psa 136:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:2  O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:3  O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:4  To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:5  To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:6  To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 136:7  To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: Psa 136:8  The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: Psa 136:9  The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Our God is worthy of our most heartfelt thanks for all He is and all He has done.  He is worthy of thanks because He is good, because He is all powerful, but most of all, because of His great love and mercy.  In the busyness of today, with all the food and fellowship, take some time to thank the One from whom all good things come.   Happy Thanksgiving! 

Pay attention

(Heb 2:1 KJV)  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

 It’s not enough just to hear.  We are to give the more earnest heed to what we have heard, lest they slip away from us.  What does it mean to give earnest heed, pay careful attention?  It means to really consider and make them part of our life.  If we don’t, they will slip from us; not a sudden deliberate decision, but simply slipping away, drifting, unnoticed because of the rush of life and other things.  Pay careful attention to hear and know about God and His ways.  Then, make a conscious effort to make them part of your life.

Cry out to God

(Psa 56:9 KJV)  When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

 One of Satan’s favorite strategies is to make us feel all alone.  There are many situations in life that are beyond our wisdom and our power.  There are times when we can truly be overwhelmed. But, we are not alone.  We have not been left to survive on our own wits and strength.  We have One who is for us.  In fact, as God’s child, we have the very Creator and Ruler of the Universe on our side, to protect us, guide us and help us.  When we cry unto Him, He will provide the help we need.  Don’t despair….cry out to God.  He is for us.

God is faithful

Gen 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

 I was reminded of this verse as colder weather sets in.  God is faithful.  He has set the times and the seasons for the earth, and it is by His faithfulness that they shall continue.  This same God is the One who has promised to be faithful to you and me.  The very Creator of the universe, who holds all things by His power and wisdom, has promised to take care of His children.  As fall gives way to winter, let’s be reminded of God’s faithfulness and God’s control over all things.  Trust Him.  

Salt of the earth

(Mat 5:13 KJV)  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Mat 5:14 KJV)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Mat 5:15 KJV)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

The work of God is the preserving of society.  Just as salt was used to preserve meats, so the influence of God and His people preserve society from moral ruin.  We live in a troubling time.  Many people seem so ignorant of right and wrong.  There are a lot of solutions to our societal problems being offered and pursued.  Yet there is only one solution that will work: that is the return of people to a true knowledge of God and a real understanding of right and wrong. Without God and His influence there is absolutely no good in the universe.  God is the source of all good.  It is the influence of the kingdom of God that transforms and preserves any society.  Therefore, we are to let our influence for good contribute toward preserving our society and those around us from moral ruin.  We are to let our light shine, so that ones around us may see what is right.  In a dark time, we are often tempted to withdraw, yet it is in such a time that our influence for good, our light, is most needed.  Let your light shine.

Our refuge

Psa 57:1  To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psa 57:2  I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

 This is a Psalm of David when he was pursued by Saul and in great danger and distress.  Notice his plea to God for His mercy, his plea for God to be compassionate toward him.  I want us also to notice David’s confidence in God.  God was his hope and his hiding place, his place of safety in the midst of the storm.  David was confident that God would work out the situation, as He has worked all things for him.  Sometimes life brings us to a place of danger, a storm, a calamity.  We need the same confidence that David expressed in this passage.  Cry out to our God.  Throw yourself on His compassion and mercy.  We can hide in Him, under His protective wings, until the storm passes over.  Don’t despair:  God still is working all things for our good.

The goal

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

 It is good at times to remember why we do what we do.  Paul’s stated purpose or aim of the charge or commandment in this passage was love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  In our teaching, preaching and counseling our purpose should be to produce a love that comes from a pure heart and clean conscience and a real faith in God.  This is our goal in life: that real love, a pure heart, a clean conscience and sincere faith would be developed within us.  Let’s not get caught up in the jangling and arguing about trivial things.  Let’s stay focused on producing a real Christian life of love, purity of heart, attitude and deed, and a sincere true faith in God.    

God sees

(1 Pet 3:8 KJV)  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:(1 Pet 3:9 KJV)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.(1 Pet 3:10 KJV)  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:(1 Pet 3:11 KJV)  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.(1 Pet 3:12 KJV)  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

 Notice the attitudes we are to have as Christians; live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  We are not to repay evil for evil, to trade insults …but instead we are to bless …knowing this is our calling.  Those who want to enjoy life will be careful what they say and do. Stay away from all evil, do good, seek peace, go after it.  God watches over those who do what is right and He will answer their prayers and help them;  But God is against those who do evil.  Let’s live in a way that God can freely answer our prayers and provide the help we need.

When I am afraid

Psa 56:3  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 Many things in life can cause us to fear.  Sometimes we find ourselves suddenly thrust into an emergency or other fearful situation.  Sometimes we see trouble or storms on the horizon and feel fear rising within us.  Whatever the source of fear, there is one remedy: Trust in God.  Our safety, security and help all are found in our heavenly Father.  Fear is the natural response to danger.  Calm and peace is found when we feel safe and secure.  Only as we trust God can we enjoy relief from fear and the safety and security we crave.  Make this your life practice: “At what time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.”  When fear rises, turn your trust and confidence toward God.  He is our refuge 

Give thanks to the Lord

Psa_105:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people

 Our God is worthy of praise and thanks.  God is faithful to answer when we call on His name and seek His help.  We have experienced an unusual amount of difficulties and trials recently, yet God has proven Himself to be faithful in every situation.  We are to let those around us know of God’s faithfulness and the help He gives us.  Let’s make sure we give God the thanks and praise that He is worthy of.  First, let’s make sure we express our thankfulness to God in our time of private prayer.  Let His goodness fill your heart.  Then, express your thankfulness for God’s goodness and faithfulness to your family, your friends and those around us.  Our God is faithful and good…let’s give Him the praise He deserves.