The Voice of Fear

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

Let's look again at the people in our Christmas story. Zechariah and Mary and Joseph - and later the Magi -  each received messages from Gabriel, some in visions and some in dreams.  And then there was the ragtag group of livestock caretakers who suddenly found themselves thrust into a new chapter of God’s cosmic story. Each human had to decide whether to doubt or believe the message.  Each human faced challenging circumstances and had to choose whether to despair or whether to hope in God. And each a decision of whether to stand in fear or faith.  

The Bible tells us that, “[T]here were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Where does that terror - that fear -  come from?  Where does any fear come from? Unless it is a healthy fear of our holy God, I believe that every other spirit of fear comes from the enemy of our souls.

Our world has lived through two years of fear-inducing circumstances.  Disease, economic struggles, rising crime, elections, division and strife, loss and grief - all these can easily pull us into fear.  “What if I get sick?  What if I lose my job?  What if, what if, what if?”  But God’s word is very clear.  2 Timothy 1:7 says that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

 

You’ve probably heard that verse before - but hear the first part again - GOD has not given us a spirit of fear.  God is not the fear-giver.  God gives us his power in the Holy Spirit.  God gives us love.  God gives us a sound mind. God says, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Any “news” that induces fear is not of God. 

  

The things of our faithful God are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness - things that encourage us to become more holy like Jesus. When we listen to and focus on the voices of this world - the voices that tell us gloom and doom, despair and hopelessness - we are not hearing the voice of God.  God’s voice - God’s presence - God’s Spirit - always gives us hope.  When we listen to the voices of the world in news, media, social media, and other people we can lose our ability to hear God’s voice.  Ultimately, one of our main choices in life is whether we listen to the voice of the Lord or the voice of fear.  

 

Do we make decisions from a place of fear or from a place of faith in God’s love and protection and provisions?  Do we listen to the voices of the world and their ensuing chaos, or do we listen to the strong and mighty voice of our conquering King?  

 

When we ask Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truths and righteousness, he will lead us into God’s love, God’s peace and God’s joy - no matter what the world is telling us and no matter our circumstances.  

 

Today I will choose to tune out the voices of fear in my world and tune into the voice of my faithful God. Will you join me?

"At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past." 

(Galatians 5:1 TPT)

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. 

He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, 

and he will tell you what is yet to come." (John 16:13 NIV)

Buckle on Hope

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

(John 1:1-5 NIV)

In the beginning of 2022 is The Word - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - the Living Expression of God's heart.  Through Him all things were made, including time, space, our world, each of us, and the plans He has for our future - a future with hope and abundance of life.  The Word is already in the next year - he goes before us and meets us there.  

Some people make New Year's Resolutions, but others ask God for a "Word" of the year.  Around Christmas 2019 I asked God for a word for my life for 2020 and received a very unexpected one - "Buckle."  What did "buckle" mean??  The only in the Bible is when we are told to buckle the Belt of Truth around our waists. (Ephesians 6:14)  

But, looking back over the last two years, "buckle" might have been the best word.  It's like God was telling me, "Buckle up because the world is about to change."  Sometimes we buckle up to prepare for a bumpy or dangerous ride.  I believe God was telling me to trust his buckle - his safety harness - for my life and provision in this time. 

I do not yet have "A Word" for 2022.  I have several that I have considered but they all seem to come out of my mind, not out of the Holy Spirit's leading for my life.  So, I will wait and listen.  Perhaps "buckle" is still in place because the bumpy and dangerous times aren't over yet. But God's seatbelt is still in place - and I am safe and secure because my faithful Heavenly Father holds me in the palms of his hands. 

What is your Word for 2022?

Almighty and Most High God,

Thank you for sheltering us and providing hope for us.  Thank you that when we abide in you, no terror, arrow, plague or pestilence can overtake us.  Thank you for. your promise that when we call on you you will answer, be present to us, deliver us, and give us long life and salvation. Thank you for the ways in which you've provided your children with a "buckle" in the past two years.  Thank you for your provision and strength in times of great trial.  Help us to trust you and your ways no matter what our circumstances.  Help us to trust you to provide all the things your children need, including hope for our future.  When we struggle to see your hope, remind us that your Light shines trough the darkness for all humanity and no darkness can overcome it.  At the beginning of 2022, reveal to each of us the unique word you have for us and help us to trust you in this new year.  In Jesus's name we pray, Amen. 

"In the beginning the Living Expression was already there. 

And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God.

They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning.

And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things,

for nothing has existence apart from him!

A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity.

And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—

Light that darkness could not overcome!"

(John 1:1-5 TPT)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, 

but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

(Psalm 91 NIV)

Eyes Up! Perceive the new!

 

“Forget the former things;

    do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

    and streams in the wasteland." - God 

(Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)

Wearily our world approaches the turning over of the year.  

After the battering years of 2020 and 2021, it's pretty normal to wonder, "What next?!" and approach 2022 with a feeling of trepidation.

Why would God tell us to "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past?" Probably because in times of strife and trouble it's pretty easy to get stuck in the struggles of our circumstances.   

We can find ourselves stuck in our anxiety, worries, fears, and so much more.  The circumstances - and the feelings - are real.  But God doesn't want us to dwell on them - to be stuck in them - because he wants to show us what he is doing.  He wants our "Eyes Up!" 

When God says he's doing a "new thing," we may not be able to see it yet.  But we have to trust in the character of our faithful, loving, omnipotent and omniscient God who will never leave us, forsake us, or lie to us.  If he says he's doing a "new thing," he is. 

If he says he's making a way in the wilderness of our lives - the chaos, struggles, strife, and general craziness that have been so prevalent in these past two years - then he is.  

If he says he's bringing streams of Living Water - rivers in the desert - places of refreshment to dry parts of lives - then he is.  

Yes, we have to have faith  - confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see YET.  But our faithful God IS bringing a way in the wilderness for the dry and weary places in our lives to be refreshed and restored in his presence. 

Don't see it yet in your own life?  Maybe that's why the prophet Isaiah asked his listeners:  "Do you not perceive it?" 

To "perceive" is to become aware or conscious of something, to come to realize or understand, to interpret or look on (someone or something) in a particular way.

Even if your life circumstances, your finances, your health, your feelings, your relationships - what seems like your entire life - seems to be in a state of chaos, is it possible to perceive God is working?  

Yes.  

It is possible to become conscious of ways in which God is moving.  It is possible to realize and understand small, everyday miracles are a gift.  It is possible to look at our world and our circumstances through a different lens - through a heart that says, "I don't see the New Thing yet, but I will have faith and trust God for it.  I will have my eyes up so I can see the ways in which God is giving us hope in the midst of despair, belief in a sea of doubt, and faith in the midst of fear. 

I will raise my eyes up to the "mountain" of God's protection, provision, healing, grace, and love. When my eyes are up and my focus is on God, then I can perceive what God wants me to know.  And then I can see the streams of hope in the desert of despair.

Today, I will keep my eyes up!

Faithful God,

Thank you for the gifts of your goodness, your presence, and your grace in our lives.  Thank you for your protection and provision for us, especially in these last two years.  As our calendar turns over another year, help us to release the struggles, strife, worries, and fears of our past and to move forward in hope.  Help us to perceive the new things you are doing in our lives and our world.  Cause us to keep the eyes of our hearts focused on you and you alone.   Help us to have faith and confidence in what you are doing, even if we don't see it yet. Protect us from despair, doubt, and fear, and fill us with hope, belief, and faith.  We pray in Jesus's name, Amen!

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

(Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

1

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

2 

My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 

indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 

the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;

8 

the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

(Psalm 121 NIV)

Day 20 - Intense Treatment - Working through our past and unlocking doors to our future

Alluring God,

Thank you for calling us to a place of rest when we are in Christ.  Thank you that while we have to "work out" our salvation, we don't have to "work for" our salvation, because the grace of Christ has already provided for that.  Thank you that your Word is alive, active, sharper than a two-sided sword, and penetrating to a person's inmost being.  Thank you that your Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, leaving us to not judge others but trust in you for judgement.  Thank you that because Jesus is our great high priest, we can hold firmly to the faith we profess and approach your throne of grace with confidence.  

Thank you for alluring us when we go astray.  You are the one who makes places of disappointment in our lives into places of new opportunity and hope for a new future.  So, help us to confess, receive forgiveness, and move forward from the past and its regrets and bitterness.  Help us to allow you to prune us so we are a sweet, not bitter, offering to you.   We receive mercy and find grace to assist us in our time of need.  Help us to throw off everything that hinders us - especially the sin that so easily entangles us - so that we can run with perseverance the race marked out for us as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  We know that running the race of life means you will discipline us for our good, in order that we may share in your holiness and produce a harvest of righteousness and peace.  Help us to make every effort to be at peace with everyone and allow you to do that disciplining, so that we can be holy and see God.  Do not let us fail to lay hold of the grace of God.  Do not let bitter roots of pride, animosity, rivalry, or anything else harmful to others grow up and cause trouble within and around us.  

Unlock the doors of hope in our lives.  Give us mercy as you renew your covenant with us.  May we be connected - betrothed - to you forever in righteousness, justice, love, compassion, and faithfulness as we acknowledge you as Lord.  Plant us in the land of covenant blessing you have for us.  Flow through us the new wine and oil of your Spirit as our lives come into agreement more fully with the Abundant Life you have for us.  Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, may we be thankful and so worship you acceptably with reverence and awe, for you, our God, are a consuming fire.  With the empowerment of Holy Spirit and in the fiery name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray, Amen!

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

4 

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works." 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

    do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  (Hebrews 4: NIV)

12 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  

God Disciplines His Children

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”  (Hebrews 12 NIV)

“Therefore I am now going to allure her;

    I will lead her into the wilderness

    and speak tenderly to her.

15 

There I will give her back her vineyards,

    and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.

There she will respond[b] as in the days of her youth,

    as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

16 

“In that day,” declares the Lord,

    “you will call me ‘my husband’;

    you will no longer call me ‘my master.’

17 

I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;

    no longer will their names be invoked.

18 

In that day I will make a covenant for them

    with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky

    and the creatures that move along the ground.

Bow and sword and battle

    I will abolish from the land,

    so that all may lie down in safety.

19 

I will betroth you to me forever;

    I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,

    in love and compassion.

20 

I will betroth you in faithfulness,

    and you will acknowledge the Lord.

21 

“In that day I will respond,”

    declares the Lord—

“I will respond to the skies,

    and they will respond to the earth;

22 

and the earth will respond to the grain,

    the new wine and the olive oil,

    and they will respond to Jezreel.[g]

23 

I will plant her for myself in the land;

    I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’

I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;

    and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”  (Hosea 2:14-23 NIV)

Idea from:  https://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word_pf.html?ID=25704 

Some notes from:   NIV Study Bible (c) Zondervan, 2011

February 26, 2021 Prayer - Praying for Deliverance, Healing, and Restoration for this State

God of Restoration, 

Thank you that your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies are new every morning.  You are our portion and we hope in you.  Thank you that even when our circumstances look as dark as night, you do not abandon us.  Even when the Israelites committed idolatry and great blasphemies, in your great mercies you did not forsake them.  You led them, gave your good spirit to instruct them, and gave them the physical food and water they needed.  Today we pray and intercede for the people of this state.  While we know great idolatry and blasphemy has been committed in parts of this state, we also know that you do not forsake your People here.  We pray your Good Spirit, your Living Water, your Bread of Life, and your great Hope would be poured out in this state.  She is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, but you are the God of Hope, Healing, and Restoration.  We pray you would root out and break the power of evil in this state's government, even as you protect the righteous who work in government.  Cause business owners to turn to you and cry out to you for solutions - may they see supernatural things happen in their midst! Pour out wisdom and discernment on every administrator, educator, parent, and others working with the children in this state.  By your Spirit, cause families to be drawn together to each other and to you.  Provide jobs and other resources so people can care for their families well.  May those who have been cooped up physically, emotionally, and spiritually, be released from that bondage into the freedom of abundant life in you.  Give those in law enforcement wisdom and authority over the situations they encounter. Protect and preserve people in homelessness.  Protect and deliver those in bondage to suicide or  addictions.  We pray you would break spirits of despair and fear that were dumped on this state; we bind these spirits in the name of Jesus and, instead, release spirits of Hope, Healing, Restoration, and Victory.  Holy Spirit, cause revival and reformation, renewal and refreshment to well up in each local Body of your Church so that Christians stand firm in faith, serve those around them, organize for greater fruitfulness, and show your Love and Power in all counties in this state.  We ask all of this in the strong name of Christ.  Amen!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
    his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NRSV)

"Even when they had cast an image of a calf for themselves and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud that led them in the way did not leave them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night that gave them light on the way by which they should go. You gave your good spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and gave them water for their thirst." (Nehamiah 9:18-20 NRSV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"For the power of the wicked will be broken,
    but the Lord upholds the righteous." (Psalm 37:17 NIV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 MSG)

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. " (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)

February 25, 2021 Prayer - Break unrighteousness & despair in this state

Miracle-Working God,

You are great and glorious, mighty in miracles!  You have done marvelous, incredible things for your people, and we surrender and bow before you in worship.  You are a great God whose Love we can never lose, no matter what troubles, pressures, persecutions and problems come to us.  Thank you that when your people who are called by your name humble themselves and pray, you heal our land.  While there are many unbelievers in this state, we stand in faith that we have more than enough godly intercessors to turn this state toward you.  Today, we, your people, cry out in humility for mercy, justice, hope, and healing for this state.  It is one heap of a hot mess.  The spiritual oppression that came a year ago with Covid-19 has resulted in a general spirit of despair among her people and a great deal of spiritual malfeasance in her leadership.   Today we pray you break the root of evil in every level of her governments, media, business, health services, or education that would seek power and control over the citizens.  We pray you would shine Light into places of darkness and corruption in these systems.  We forbid the spirit of lust for power and, instead, release spirits of Freedom, Truth, Justice, and Peace upon this state.   We forbid all spirits seeking to impose despair on these citizens; you will NOT have this state!  We release overwhelming power of Holy Spirit to bring an overwhelming sense of HOPE that will confuse the enemy of our souls and point people toward you.  Meet their physical, financial, and relational needs, and may your Church in this state be loving, caring, hope-filled, and bold with the Good News of the Abundant Life of Christ.  You have set us free from fear and death so we refuse the yoke of this spirit of despair on the people of this state.  We pray and declare that your HOPE, Justice, Grace, and Order will win, and godlessness and despair will lose, in the name of Jesus. AMEN!

"For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power!

We’ve never seen anything like him!
Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.
No wonder they all surrender and bow before you!
4 All the earth will bow down to worship;
all the earth will sing your glories forever!
Pause in his presence
5 Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done;
it will take your breath away!
He multiplies miracles for his people!"  (Psalm 66:3-5 TPT)

"Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love...." Romans 8:35 TPT)

"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"Break the wicked right arms, break all the evil left arms. Search and destroy every sign of crime. God’s grace and order wins; godlessness loses." (Psalm 10:15-16 MSG)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 MSG)

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. " (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)

Prosper in hope

I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life's not over; a new beginning's just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope

God has a plan; it's not to harm me
But it's to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me working all things for my good
Though trials may come we have this hope

I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

My God is for me, He's not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me great works He'll help me to complete
I have a hope I have this hope

Goodness and mercy, they're gonna follow me
And I'll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He's preparing there for me
Though trials may come I have this hope

I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

There's still hope for me today
For the God of Heaven loves me

CCLI Song No. 5087587© 2007 Doulos Publishing (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by Music Services])Tommy Walker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcjhNjO_l5o



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11 NIV)


This Sunday I received news of a friend who had lost a baby at 12 weeks gestation. Because I knew she and her husband were looking forward to this new addition to their family - she and I had talked about it just last week - I also expect she's grieving the loss of this life.

And this week our church interviews the first of our potential new senior pastors. The long process of searching, waiting, preparing, praying has come to this point. We don't know yet whether he's The One, but we are optimistic - or should I say "hopeful."

My friend's hope for this child has been swallowed up by the reality of no heartbeat. Our church's hope for a new pastor is still growing, even if a bit tired around the edges.

But, I think this verse from Jeremiah can speak to both these situations and many more. So, would you join me in praying it over these two situation (and any others you'd like to add)?


God, thank you for knowing us and loving us and caring so much about us that you have plans for our lives. Thank you that you want us to prosper and that your plans are not harmful. Thank you that your plans are for hope and for our futures. God, for my friend who is grieving the loss of this baby, I pray that you would help her to know your comfort and peace. Help her to hear that your plans for her life are for hope, for good, for prosperity, for her future. And for our church we pray the same - prosper us, show us your plans, give us your hope. We pray for clarity in wisdom and discernment as we meet with these potential new pastors. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Anticipation

Sometimes God answers "yes," sometimes "no," and sometimes "wait."

Anticipation. Waiting. Expecting. Hoping. Waiting some more.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (Eccl. 3:1 NIV)

• Prophecies hundreds of years old telling of a coming Messiah.
• A couple eagerly awaiting the results of a pregnancy test.
• A man hoping and praying his job offer will come through today.
• A child waiting in line for lunch.
• A woman watching her elderly father's life slowly wind down.
• A lonely person waiting for a friend to call.

In so many ways our lives are full of anticipation - sometimes with eagerness for wonderful things, sometimes with dread for hard things. Sometimes our anticipation is for a fairly short amount of time - seconds or minutes - but sometimes it is months, years, even decades.

All anticipation comes with waiting. All waiting comes with time. And all time is the Lord's. Patience may be a virtue, but few of us want to really have our capacity for patience strengthened through long times of anticipation and waiting. Yet, God promises strength in the midst of the waiting.

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. (Isa. 40 NIV)


God does not grow weary. Thanks be to God!

May we not become weary, either, as we wait for God. May we be watchful for what God is doing. May we be prepared as we anticipate the coming of our Lord.

42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Mt. 24 NIV)


God of Infinity,

Thank you for the gift of time - the gift of time to know you, to love you, to serve you. May our days on this earth be used in such a way we further your Kingdom and proclaim your Good News. Thank you for the challenges in our lives. Help us to turn them back to you - to trust you with them, to release and surrender them to you, to strengthen in faith as we await a resolution. Many of us are facing questions or waiting periods, not sure how to proceed in one or more areas of our lives. Help us to hear your Spirit's leading, to be courageous to go where you call, and to rejoice at your presence and path. Pour out your wisdom, discernment, and clarity in our decisions. Strengthen our faith in times of waiting. Grant us grace when we struggle with unbelief. In the strong name of Christ we pray....Amen.

A God who comes to save

When darkness falls and sorrow finds me

This joy I know comes in the morning

When all seems lost and strength is fading

This hope I've found is everlasting, everlasting

Now faith is here and strength is rising

This grace You've shown is so amazing, so amazing

Our God has come to save

He holds us in His hands

His promise will remain

His Kingdom has no end

God has come God has come*

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  (Romans 12:12 NIV)

Messiah, the God who saves, thank you for the gift of life which you pour into us.  Thank you for our blessings, both known and unknown.  Thank you for your presence and promise in the midst of darkness, trials, and lost-ness. God of hope who fills us with all joy in our believing, we pray that you will encourage us with hope today -- hope for life, for our families, friends, and neighbors, for marriages, and for those lost and far from you.  We pray you would give us patience to endure the trials we face.   May our faith in you be strengthened and our prayers be heard and answered.  In the strong name of Christ.  Amen

*"God Has Come"

CCLI Song No. 5198098

¬© 2008 Integrity's Hosanna! Music 

by Glenn Packiam