Clarity

"My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, 

and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck." 

(Proverbs 3:21-22 NRSV)

Yesterday after the regular worship service, our pastor invited people to come forward where he prayed a blessing over each family for 2022. When he prayed over our family, one of the things he spoke was that questions would be answered with greater clarity. Like most people, our family has questions in our lives - maybe today's questions are not Major Life Decisions, but certainly are Important Decisions to Make. So, I appreciated the prayer.

I associate the word "clarity" with "clear," and the online dictionary confirmed that it's Latin root meant "clear."  However, when I looked up the definitions to "clarity," I found clarity to include

- the quality of being coherent and intelligible.
- the quality of being certain or definite.
- the quality of transparency or purity.
- the quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound.

But the last thing I noticed online was a connotation from the Middle English: "glory, divine splendor."  If something is clear - coherent, definite, transparent and pure, sharp, and easy to see and hear - it will reflect the Glory and Divine Splendor of God.

And isn't that what we want with the decisions we make?  We want to make decisions that are lined up with God's Will and plans and purposes for our lives, not only to obey and honor God, but also because then we give glory to God. 

God wants us to have wisdom and understanding - these lead to clarity.  In the Bible he says, 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5 NIV)  Our God who loves us wants us to know the things we need to know.  He wants to give us wisdom and understanding to help us with the decisions we make.  

Then he tells us to write down what he tells us, making it plain, and trusting that at the right time we will know what we need to know: 

“Write down the revelation

    and make it plain on tablets

    so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

    it speaks of the end

    and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

    it will certainly come

    and will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV)

We all have to make decisions in life.  I love that our good God wants to give us his wisdom, revelation, and clarity for our decisions.  

May each of us have God's clarity today. 

All-Wise God, 

Thank you for offering us your wisdom and understanding for all the decisions we make in this life.  Thank you for the guidance of Holy Spirit, our guide and comforter, as we make those decisions. Thank you that you know the end from the beginning and your timing is perfect.  Help us to make decisions that are coherent, intelligible, definite, transparent, pure, sharp, and that reflect your Glory in our lives. May our lives honor you and give you glory.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen. 

March 15, 2021 Prayer - For Businesses

 Jehovah Jireh,

Thank you for all you do to provide abundantly for us.  Thank you for our many gifts, talents, opportunities, and our work ethics, creativity, and health so that we can do all we do to your glory. Today we pray for struggling businesses, their owners, and their employees.  We know that it is normal for some businesses to fail, but the economic trials of the last year and the covid-induced state government shut-downs have decimated the small business community.  We pray for these business owners.  We pray they will seek you for wisdom and discernment for how to run their businesses, for we know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that righteousness guards the person of integrity.  We pray they would make good decisions for their business, their families, and for the employment of their employees.  Where there is discouragement or despair, help them to see opportunities and hope.  Where there is a lack of finances, provide abundantly. And where this business "door" is closed, open a "window" of opportunity in a new place that will be a blessing to them.  We pray in Jesus's name that you would provide them with all they need.  Amen. 

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

"Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner." (Proverbs 13:6 NIV)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise." (Psalm 111:10 NIV)

Logjam

Spiritual logjam.

Angst.

Confusion.

Am I being stubborn?

Desiring discernment.

Wanting to do the right thing.

Not in unity with others.

My spirit all balled up.

My husband and I are making a major decision about a home for our family. I am one of a team of people searching for God's choice for a new pastor for our church. Two MAJOR decisions I am a part of, both with huge implications.

I pray for wisdom. I yearn for guidance. I cry out to God - HELP ME.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation. (Luke 1 NKJV)

My soul magnifies the Lord.

My soul MAGNIFIES God.

Magnify, God.

God gets bigger.

I get smaller.

More God.

Less me.

Less me.

More God.

Fill my confusion with you.

Help me know what to do.

Protect my thoughts.

Give peace to my spirit.

My spirit rejoices in God my savior.

He HAS done great things for me.

He is mighty.

His name is holy.

His mercy is on those who fear him.

Merciful blessings.

Merciful peace.

Merciful wisdom.

Magnified God.

May your will be done and your Kingdom come.

Amen.

Wisdom & healing

There seem to be two themes in my life right now. First is that of seeking God's wisdom and guidance for decisions to be made. Second is that of needing healing. These themes manefest themselves in different ways - a friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has "weeks or months" left - wanting God's choice for the new lead pastor at our church - another friend whose husband and two children are ill right now - our family needing to make a major decision based on faith ... wisdom, healing. Healing, wisdom. God. It all ties in together.

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near....My word that goes out from my mouth...will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa. 55:6, 11 NIV)

God of Wisdom, Mercy, and Peace,
In many corners of this world people are facing decisions, health crisis, and/or death to this life. Pour out the power of your Spirit into those places. Pour out mercy, healing, and peace upon those struggling with health or end-of-life issues. Pour out wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and peace upon those seeking your way. We claim your promise that your word will not return empty but will accomplish your desires and achieve your purposes. May we seek first your Kingdom and call upon you who is always near for your honor and for the futherance of your Church's ministry here on earth. In the powerful name of Christ we pray.
Amen