Promise for Today - A Renewed Call

 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

Romans 5:3-4 The Living Bible

There is a renewed call to prayer from the Holy Spirit. Do you feel it, too? Ringing over and over in my heart is the Scripture passage from Mark 12:30-31 NLT, "And you must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, and ALL your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” The written emphasis is mine, but the emphatic inflection is God's. ALL my heart, ALL my soul, ALL my mind, and ALL my strength. I had to be honest with myself and ask, When was the last time I did anything with ALL that I am or ALL that I have... ?

So often, we fill up every waking moment with I have to do this or I have to do that and this must be done or that must be, and Suzie has to be at practice and Johnny has to, too, and we'll grab something at the drive-thru because we don't have time to cook and sit at the table...  And at night, when we fall into bed exhausted, we're too tired to pray, let alone worship, and we don't have all of anything left... Bob Sorge states, "This present world system is strategically designed to squeeze out your time and energy for the secret place." The secret place is our time with the Lord. It's where our strength is renewed. MAKE the time. Make it a priority once again.

So with renewed vigor, by the grace of God, I am getting back into shape spiritually - eagerly anticipating the next part of God's plan. Not just for me, but for ALL of us. Revelation 22:17 NKJV, "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." In my corner of the world, I see and hear people responding to the Spirit say, "Come!" and I pray it is the same for you.

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for all the times we've given You less than all. Therefore, since we are receiving Your Kingdom that cannot be shaken, grant us Your grace, by which we can serve You acceptably with reverence and Godly fear. For You, O Lord, are a consuming fire! Thank You for trials and tribulations that teach us patience and develop our character. Teach us how to give You Your heart's desire. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Guest Author - Renew Our Faith

 

Hope Anew

Psalm 78:1-7 NLT A psalm of Asaph.

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past - stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. 

He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them - even the children not yet born - and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.  

Prayer:

Father,

           We ask Your Holy Spirit to bring all things to our remembrance as You promised. We do not want to forget any of Your goodness and mercy and kindnesses toward us. Let us never take for granted the cost of our salvation and provision. Give us the words to speak to those who walk with us and who follow after us so that they will receive Your instructions and obey and set their hope anew on You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Redeemed

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV

I read something recently that caused me to seriously contemplate who I would have been and what I might have accomplished had I not rebelled against God. It brought me to another level of understanding God's grace. It's so humbling to confess to God that I recognize and acknowledge that I have not lived His perfect plan for my life and all because of my own rebellion and bad choices. And in that moment of confession, it was absolutely overwhelming to realize how in spite of that, He has redeemed my life and all because of His perfect love.

It is not to be taken lightly. Scripture tells us, You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 1st Peter 1:18-19 The Amplified Bible. I repeat, It is not to be taken lightly.

Christ's sacrifice - His life for ours - redeemed us from sin. He did it once and for all. Hebrews 9:12 tells us, Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Eternally redeemed.

We, on the other hand, need to take up our cross DAILY (Luke 9:23), renewing our hearts and minds, choosing to put to death in us the sins of the flesh. Taking full advantage of God's mercies that are new every morning. Renew. Repeat. Until He comes again.

Prayer:

Father,
We've got a song the angels cannot sing - we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Great is Your faithfulness to us! Create in us a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen