My Prayer

 "Investigate my life, O God,

                

           

       Find out everything about me; 
  Cross-examine and test me,

Cecelia Lester 

        Get a clear picture of what I’m about.

   See for yourself if I have done anything wrong—

            Then guide me on the road to eternal life."      

Psalm 139:23-24 (MSG)

“Investigate my life, O God,”

           

            David, in essence, asks the Lord to put his life under a microscope.

            I recently had a circumstance enter my life that has caused me to take a look at myself. Once, I spent time putting my actions under a magnifying glass. At that time I needed to decide if my behavior allowed me to be worthy of a position in which I had found myself. Again, I find myself evaluating my motives, my physical actions, and my speech.

“find out everything about me;”

           

            The shepherd king tells God to look at every part of his life.

           

            In the previous time of introspection, I noticed everything I did and wondered how it looked to others. This time, I am concerned about how I look to God. Hence the different perspective, magnifying glass versus a microscope.

“Cross-examine and test me,”

            David allows the Lord to question him and everything about him and to judge him. He even allows the Lord to test him.

           

            Sometimes, I believe that God tests me. Other times, I conclude that the world temps me as a part of a test to see what I am made of.

“get a clear picture of what I’m about.”

            David desires God fully to see what motivates him and how he comes across. He expects God to show him the areas in which he fails to follow God’s leading.

           

            I want to have a sharp picture of who I am and what I believe. I also want those who know me to be able to know the real me, even those who might not care for me.

“See for yourself if I have done anything wrong—“

            David says these words because he wants to correct what God sees as wrong in him.

           

            I want to discipline myself in the areas that God finds amiss in my life.      

“then guide me on the road to eternal life.”

           

            David’s ultimate desire is that he spend eternity in heaven with the Lord.

           

            It is my hope, as it is with any devout Christian, to be judged worthy to enter heaven when my time here on earth is over.

Book Review: The Daniel Code, by O. S. Hawkins

ThomasNelson

                Reverend Hawkins sheds light into the first six chapters of the book of Daniel, giving new light to an old story.  In this work, he gave me new insight into the importance of passing family stories down to younger generations.

He also reignites the importance of trust when we find ourselves in tough situations. The four friends found themselves in an entirely foreign land with different religions, different customs, different literature, and different foods.

                Reverend Hawkins made the stories in the book of Daniel come alive to me. Trusting in God for all things has become easier because of how he highlights the response of Daniels three friends to Nebuchadnezzar as he tells them of their fate he thought awaited the trio.

 

                The author makes comparisons of the Babylonian indoctrination of Daniel and his three friends to the changes brought about in our American society since the early 1930’s, a sobering thought as I presently re-read this book as a part of my devotional reading.

                I recommend this book to those serious about growing in their faith.

                The Daniel Code is part of a series. Other titles are The James Code, The Jesus Code, and The Joshua Code. Reverend Hawkins donates all his royalties . . . from these books to the Mission: Dignity, a ministry dedicated to assist retired missionaries living near poverty level to live with dignity and security.”

                I received this book free from Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Inc. through its booklook review program. All they ask from me is an honest review.

Times of Refreshing Come from the Lord

heatherking.org 

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19 (NIV)

            Peter and John had healed a beggar at the entrance to the temple. The people came running toward the duo and the healed beggar.

           

            He spoke to the crowd about their part in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He reminded them that they disowned Christ before Pilate, although he had decided to let Jesus go. He then told the crowd to: “”Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

            The priests, the captain of the temple guards, and the Sadducees spoke to Peter and John. This message disturbed the officials. The two men wound up in jail.

            Isn’t Peter’s message relevant to our world today? When we as Christians realize things are out of synch, not quite as they should be, in our lives, the first thing we need to do is to search within us to discover if the issue begins with our hearts.

            The next step we have to take is to seek God’s forgiveness. This involves confessing any sin we find in our hearts. The passage tells us to repent. To repent simply means to turn away from something evil, to never do it again.

            When we go through this process, we allow God to come into our hearts and refresh us. The pray, confess, and repent process has to be a daily practice. As time grows closer to that time chosen by God for Jesus to return to earth and set up His kingdom, let us all be more open to the need for repentance and refreshing from the Holy Spirit.

God Will Refresh the Weary

January- Rest, Refresh

Winkal.com 

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the land of Judah and its towns will once again use these words ‘The lord bless you,

O righteous dwelling, O sacred mountain. ’I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Jeremiah 31:23, 25 (NIV)

            The very next verse tells us that God had visited Jeremiah as he slept. He tells us “My sleep had been pleasant to me.” Why did Jeremiah say this?

An End to the Exile,

            God tells him when, not if, He will bring the people back to Judah. God had planned on bringing His children back to the land He promised their ancestors.

            Even today, we go through hardships that seem to not have an end; however, all trials and tribulations do end. Some end as we like them, others according to God’s plan.

God’s Visions for Those Returning

            God tells Jeremiah that the people will remember to bless their homes and their land.

            In the most recent Advent-Christmas season, I heard it said that people were telling others “Merry Christmas” more than in the past. As a believer in Christ, I appreciated hearing this item of news. Some of us never stopped using the phrase as a greeting or a farewell thought.

God’s Promise and Provision

            God gives hope to Jeremiah and to us when he says, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Who among us has not been weary? Ask any new mother or any care-giving spouse what they might need. I believe any of them would say, Ä good night’s sleep,” or, “Some real rest.”

           

            Also, who among us has not felt weak to the point of exhaustion? I know a husband who seems to go for days at a time on minimal sleep. People recovering from surgery are given certain restrictions in order for them to regain strength.

            In this New Year, may we all learn to rely upon God more and may we feel the freedom to witness to those around us. May we feel His presence in our hearts and submit to His will for our lives.

God Holds You in His Arms

Restoring God's Truth.com

January—Rest Refresh

“The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah. 3:17 (NIV)

            This beautiful verse comes in a prophecy from God through the prophet Zephaniah. In reading the preceding chapters and the background of the time in which this passage was penned, I found some amazing information.

            King Josiah decided to purge the temple of the pagan tools of worship and get back to the worship of the One True God. Hilkiah had discovered the scrolls that told the people NOT to follow the deities of the land surrounding their land He gave them.              

            Zephaniah tells of the actions God will take to make His people come back to Him. And then, his focus changes to the city of Zion. We know it as Jerusalem, the City of David.    

             

            He tells the people of Zion (Jerusalem) that God is with them. He doesn’t say ‘maybe’, or Í think.’

            He finishes this thought with “he is mighty to save” How many times have we found ourselves in predicaments that we couldn’t get out of by ourselves and had to call on Jesus, the only one who can save us?  

            I love this next part. He will take great delight in you, sometimes, people need to know someone cares about them. Here Zephaniah tells His children of Zion that God really cares about them.

            Also, He will quiet you with his love, I have had times when I wanted to speak out and make my opinion on a subject known. But I don’t always find myself opening my mouth and speaking my mind. As I study these words, I realize I am supposed to allow God to speak, not me. If I look at this from my point of view, it is not always easy to do. Since I came to this understanding, I find I am more peaceful and happier.

              And, He will rejoice over you with singing.” God rejoicing over His people gives me peace. In past generations, mothers of young children usually sang to their babies to comfort them or to get them to relax and drift off into sleep.

            May we all find rest and refreshing in the arms of God.

           

Jesus Offers Rest

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:30-31(NIV)

            Jesus and his disciples always drew a crowd. Everyone wanted to see Jesus. In each instant, the throng could have overwhelmed most people.

            I know a lot of people who have issues being in crowds. Some people are comfortable with having large gatherings for the various holiday celebrations. Others prefer to observe those times in peace and quiet. The disciples were bombarded by such an influx of people, they could not take the time to eat, let alone rest.

            I remember when my uncle had passed away, we all gathered at my mother’s home. My uncle’s ex-wife, the mother of his children had been included in the group. As she prepared to leave, I asked her, “You’re not leaving so soon, are you?” She said something that comes to my mind often, “I want to be alone and think for a while.” We all have times where it is better for us to be alone and to rest from what life throws at us.

            Jesus invited the disciples to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” From time to time he makes the same appeal to us.

Searching for. . . Peace

January

        

   

            “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)

            Each time I hear of a bombing or a shooting, my heart becomes heavy for a short time. Those who lost their lives in the Paris attacks, the magazine and the multiple sites in 2015, those who became victims in Nice, Berlin and in Turkey at the end of 2016, those who were in that night club in Florida all come to mind. And I can’t forget the bombings of 9/11/2001 in my own nation. The metropolitan city of Indianapolis call 2016 the deadliest year in its history. The city of Chicago had 29 people shot in one night, several of whom died. 

           

            Concentrating on all these could have tended to bring me down. If I didn’t have the Lord, I would have gone into extreme sadness.

            For several years now, I have chosen one word to guide me through each year. Last year my word was humble. God humbled me through the experience of my broken ankle and the ensuing rehabilitation.

            After a lengthy search and a quantity of prayer, I have chosen my word for 2017. That one word is Peace.

            I intend to aim my search inward as I try to discover personal peace in my heart. My prayers for others will be that they find peace for themselves and for each of them to find interpersonal peace with others.

            I long for those who live in my neighborhood, with whom I transact business, and those who assist me with my health needs, to come to know Jesus Christ, to love Him and to follow Him.

            I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel. And, yet, I realize we won’t have world peace until Jesus Christ comes again. I remember a hymn I learned at church camp many years ago.

                       

                        Let There be Peace on Earth

            Let there be peace on earth,

            The peace that was meant to be.         

            With God as our Father, brothers all are we;

            Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.¹

            Dear readers. My prayer for each of you is that you find the peace of God in your hearts. And that you are able to reflect that peace of God to those around you.

           

            I will share my discoveries and my thoughts with you later in the year.

1.      Let There be Peace on Earth-- written by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. It was initially written for and sung by the International Children's Choir created by Easter Beakly and Arthur Granger of the Granger Dance Academy in Long Beach, California. The song's composers led a number of rehearsals for the children's choir from 1955 to 1957, and the song continues to be the theme for this group of children who represent a host of nations and who sang in Washington, DC near the White House in 2002.[1] Jackson, who had been suicidal after the failure of a marriage, later said that she wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." Wikipedia accessed 1/4/2017