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. 

February 16, 2021 Prayer - Wisdom, Revelation, Light

God of Creativity and Consistency,

Thank you that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Thank you for your creative works in our world and our lives and for the consistency with which you approach your children.  Your heart longs for all to know your love and be saved and you love righteousness and justice. Thank you for your wisdom and understanding which cry out to your children. Wisdom is knocking at our door, revelation is standing at our gates, both beckoning us to give her entrance to shed your Light on the darkness in our lives, so we can separate your Truth from the enemy's lies. We desperately need Heaven's light of Truth to shatter the darkness and bring understanding to our minds.  We know that the fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. We know pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech you hate. Pour out your counsel and sound wisdom, your insight and your strength upon your children.  Equip and energize us for today and the days ahead.  Give us courage, knowledge, and above all wisdom so we can be about your Kingdom work in our places of influence.  Help us to love others around us and work for your righteousness and your justice.  By the power of Holy Spirit, cause us to shine your Light into this world and shatter the darkness of the evil one.  It is in the powerful name of Jesus Christ we pray:  AMEN!

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 1:8 NIV)

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." (Psalm 33:5 NIV)

"God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. " (1 Timothy 2:3-6 NIV)

 "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud." (Proverbs 8:1-3)

"To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech. 

Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power." (Proverbs 8:13-14 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

Decked out for delight

Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.

Oh God - hear my humble prayer for forgiveness from sin. Cleanse me from unrighteousness. Restore to me the joy of communion with you.

^4-6 You don't socialize with Wicked,
or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
God destroys Lie-Speaker;
Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

Protect your children from sliding into things that are disgusting to you, things that do not show your Light and Life to this world.

^7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.

Thank you for the invitation to be your child, to live the abundant life, to know your directions and protection.

^9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
Pile on the guilt, God!
Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They've had their chance.

Show us your wisdom. Speak your words through us.

^11-12 But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight. (Psalm 5 MSG)

Amen and amen!!

What if I am a fool?

Last week in a conversation on a blog about valuing human life, this comment was made about Jesus and the Golden Rule:

"Him who coined the phrase, as well as thousands of other philosophers across time, societies, continents and history…."

My understanding of Jesus is that he's not just another philosopher across time, but is the unique Son of God, fully human and fully divine, unique in human history and unique for eternity.

But this comment brought to the forefront the reality of Christian apologetics (defending the faith) in today's society. And led me to a couple of Nicole Nordeman songs. [LOVE her stuff!]

"What If?" by Nicole Nordeman

What if you're right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you're right?
What if it's true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true?

What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find?

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you're wrong?

What if all the religious stuff in the world is all bunk? What if it's just blowing in the wind? What if the faith I choose to believe in is all just a waste of time and energy? What if there is no God?

But what if there is?

On some level, I know that being a Christian takes faith to believe in the mysteries of God. It does not and will never make sense from a purely rational/thinking level. But I know that the Holy Spirit was, is, and continues to draw God's children to God through Jesus Christ. And while I pray for this blogger to come to faith, I also realize, I look foolish to believe in such things. But I do. (At least most of the time!)

"Fool for You" by Nicole Nordeman

There are times when faith and common sense do not align,
when hardcore evidence of you is hard to find,
and I am silenced in the face of argumenative debate,
it's a long hill it's a lonley climb. Maybe it's true.

CHORUS:
Cause they want proof,
They want proof of all these mysteries I claim,
Cause only fools would want to chant a dead man's name.
I would be a fool for you all because you asked me to.
A simpleton who's seeming naive,
I do believe You came and made Yourself a fool for me.

I admit that in my darkest hours I've asked what if,
What if we created some kind of man made faith like this,
Out of good intention or emotional invention,
and after life is through there will be no You.

Cause they want proof of all these miracles I claim,
Cause only fools believe that men can walk on waves.
Maybe it's true.

Unaware of popularity,
and unconcerned with dignity,
You made me free.
That's proof enough for me.

I would be a fool for You,
Only if You asked me to,
A simpleton who's only thinkingz of,
The cause of love.

I will speak Jesus name,
and if that makes me crazy,
they can call me crazed,
I'm happy to be seemingly naive,
I do believe You came and
made Yourself a fool for me.

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." (1 Cor. 1:18-19, Isa. 29:14 NIV)

Put very simply, my prayer is this:

Lord, help us have courage, wisdom, and strength to be fools for you. Amen

Fear of life or fear of the Lord?

It seems like the economic and political world is swirling faster and faster and faster into.... no one really knows where.  For many people their personal lives feel the same: employment, financial, relationship, etc. chaos.  While the reality of this present moment for our family is that we are relatively stable, the clouds of fear around us and the uncertainties outside our family lend their own type of chaos.

Last spring I saw Laura Story in concert at a local church.  One of the songs she shared, "Perfect Peace," has these lyrics:

Stay close by My side
Keep your eyes on Me
Though this life is hard
I will give you perfect peace

In this time of trial
Pain that no one sees
Trust Me when I say
That I will give you perfect peace

Burdens that you bear
Offer no relief
Let Me bear your load
'Cause I will give you perfect peace

And you'll never walk alone
And you'll never be in need
Though I may not calm the storms around you
You can hide in Me

Stay close by My side
And you'll never walk alone
Keep your eyes on Me
And you'll never be in need
Though this life is hard
Know that I will always give you perfect peace
I will give you perfect peace

She made mention of this part of a verse from the hymn "The Solid Rock" (Mote/Bradbury-Public Domain):

When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

I find myself, and perhaps you do, too, crying out to the Lord for two things right now:  1. protection from the storms of fear that are attacking us and 2. wisdom to know what is God's way of dealing with the storms and the decisions we face.

These scriptures have been helpful to me and I share them hoping they will bless you, too.

^29-31 ...the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.   The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.   (Psalm 37 NIV)

¹⁰ 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)

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, 
       but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Prov. 1:7 NIV)

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.  Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. (Proverbs 2:10-15 NIV)

[I'd better go on to another book; there's LOTS to say from Proverbs....]

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NIV)

So, my prayer for you and for me, for our church and our nation is simple:

God, protect us from fear of anything that is not of you; remind us to call on your power and the reality that you are in control. And give us abundant wisdom in our interactions with this world.  For your honor, for your glory, for the furtherance of your Kingdom through your Church.  Amen.

"Perfect Peace" by Laura Story   (c) 2007 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing)

God's courage in the midst of battles around us

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here* 

As I look around I see a lot of fighting in many and various ways -- economic, political, of course, but also the ongoing battle for families and souls.  The top two leaders of a west African nation were assassinated last week, leaving a vacuum in leadership; what fight will that lead to?  The president's "stimulus" packaged has passed and the social-engineering budget is on the table; conservatives are just beginning to get organized; what fight will that lead to?  States who have handled their finances relatively well are going to get tired of bailing out black holes like California, Michigan, Illinois, and New York; what fight will this lead to?  And, we all know of battles within marriages, within families, in schools and communities, and of course churches.  

But, no matter what, God is faithful and strong and has already won the war with darkness.

"This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." (II Chron. 20:15 NIV)

 ^10-12God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.  ^13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (Eph. 6 MSG)

God of power and might, grace and glory, strength and mercy, give us discernment to see these battles as you do - to know which to fight in your strength and which to walk away from.  Give us courage to stand up, speak, and love with conviction in the midst of the battles in our culture.  Help us not be afraid or discouraged, but ready and willing to trust you and the weapons you have given us - truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation - as we encounter challenges in this life.  And give us hearts of joy, no matter what so that we may claim, "I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; I am blessed beyond the curse, For His promise will endure [and] His joy's gonna be my strength."**  Help us be men and women full of your grace and power who do great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  (Acts 6:8)  May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen. 

*("Desert Song" By Brooke Fraser, (c) 2008 Hillsongs)

                                                      (You can watch this at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=QemZQKKJbRU )

**"Trading My Sorrows" by Darrell Evans (c) 1998 Integrity's Hosanna Music

God in the cacophony of silence

words

recession - no skubalon - gas prices lower - rain and gray days coming - budget shortfalls - one pound eight ounces - gotta wash laundry - economic stimulus - hamas launches rocket into israel again - diagnosed with cancer - can we pay these bills - in-laws coming to visit - one hundred eighty three dead in firestorm in australia - what happened to my retirement account - ninety three year old man freezes to death in home after electricity is shut off - more troops to afghanistan - woman gives birth to eight - jewelry shop owner murdered - ice breaks off trapping one hundred fishermen - what does God want me to do - forty days of love

God is not in the powerful wind

God is not in the earthquake

God is not in the fire

God is in the silence

"God of wind, earthquake, fire, and silence....help us to be still and know you are God.  Help us to exalt you among the nations and on the earth.   Teach us your ways, O Lord, and we will walk in your truth.  Give us undivided hearts that we may fear your name.  Let us be full of love and faithfulness, written on our hearts.  Help us to win favor and a good name with you, O God, and also with our fellow humans.  Help us to trust you with all our hearts.  Help us to not lean on what we understand, but acknowledge you in everything.  Make our paths straight and keep our footsteps in the paths you have for us.   Amen

 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; 
       I will be exalted among the nations, 
       I will be exalted in the earth."  (Ps. 46:10 NIV)

11 Teach me your way, O LORD, 
       and I will walk in your truth; 
       give me an undivided heart, 
       that I may fear your name.

(Psa. 86:11 NIV)

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 
       bind them around your neck, 
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
       and lean not on your own understanding;

 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, 
       and he will make your paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:3-6 NIV)

The God of glory thunders

 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; 
       worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; 
       the God of glory thunders, 
       the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the LORD is powerful; 
       the voice of the LORD is majestic.  (Psalm 29:2-4, NIV)

God, may we hear your voice and recognize it in the thunders and in the whispers.   --- AMEN

Anointed for ministry

 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, 

       because the LORD has anointed me 

       to preach good news to the poor. 

       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 

       to proclaim freedom for the captives 

       and release from darkness for the prisoners,

 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor 

       and the day of vengeance of our God, 

       to comfort all who mourn,

 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.  (Isa. 61 NIV)

Isaiah said this....Jesus claimed it...May God give you the sense of having the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord upon you...And may you know exactly what GOD is calling you to today, this week, and in this season of your life.  May you be a blessing and may you be blessed.  Amen.  

Making the most of every moment

I've been pondering my own impatience with time - when I was in the hospital with newborn twins I was impatient to get out.  When we were first home I was impatient to get done with tube feeding and move on to nursing.  Yet, if I really was able to speed things up I would miss weeks, possibly months of my children's lives.  There's a Chris Rice song that has a line I've been reminded of (wrestling with?):

"Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living"        -  "Life Means So Much" by Chris Rice

Which of course brings me to the writer of Ecclesiastes 3:

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

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...

Which brings us back to Chris Rice's thoughts:

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessing
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

So, my prayer for you (and for me) this week: 

 "Lord, teach us to count the days.  Help us to make our days count.  Lead us in better ways.  Give us wisdom to know when to scatter, when to gather, when to embrace, when to refrain, when to search, when to give up.  Give us discernment to know when to keep, when to throw away, when to tear, when to mend, when to be silent, when to speak.  Give us your heart for those around us....give us your eyes to see your Kingdom and your ministry -- and your timing.  Thank you for every day and the gifts we've been given.  Thank you for helping us make the most of each minute we've been given.  Thank you for grace.  Amen."  

Peace be with you,

JV

A first prayer for wisdom

My prayer for you this week is that you would find the wisdom you seek.  I don't know exactly what you need or how that will come for each of you, but here are some thoughts from Scripture:
 

"Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning." (Proverbs 1:7 MSG)

"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it." (James 1:8 MSG)

 

Ever feel like you've asked, but received no answer?  Here are some thoughts as to why we should continue in our quest for wisdom:

"But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action."  (James 1:25 MSG)

"So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures." (James 1:16-18 MSG)

God, this week I pray that all of us would be seeking your wisdom.  We need to hear YOU speak with regard to decisions we must make.  But, most of all, we want to know what you want for us.  Give us "fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate" (Prov. 1:6 MSG) and the spiritual eyes, ears, and heart to be able to hear your voice.  Give us courage to respond and do as you call us to do -- even if it means sitting still for a time.  Give us peace to know we are walking exactly in the footsteps you have for us. May we find delight and affirmation in your ways, may we know each gift is from you, and may we honor you with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strength.  Amen.

 

Grace and peace to you,

JV