To What Have I Died?

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
Rom. 7:4

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:2, 5, 8

oh, the good book of Romans. again i'm reminded how complex this book can be, and yet, how simple it's truth can be discerned. all this talk about the law... learning about what reigns in my body and what shouldn't. i realize that we don't speak much about a specific law very often, but these Romans had to know the law well, in order to discern what Paul was speaking to them about.

ok, so i died to the law so that i could belong to Christ in order to bear fruit to God. but what does it mean that i died to the law? what part of me died, because somedays, those parts feel mighty alive? where in my life am i feeling God 'prune' me? what parts of the law am i still upholding, but should be 'put to death'? what fruit have i been bearing lately? do others know that i am a disciple because of my actions? what does 'fruit' look like? ...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. has my Father's glory increased lately due to my 'fruit'? does increasing my Father's glory honestly matter to me?

my Jesus,
i know that i've died to the law thru Your blood, and i'm clean, and i belong to You. i know all these things are true. but i want to open myself up to You. if there is any place within me where the law still residse, please prune it away. i desire to bear fruit for You. let me be discerning to know when to move. may You create opportunities for all the fruit within me to be evident to those around. let me know when to do good to others, to speak the Truth in love, to humble myself enough to do those deeds which others care not to do. give me a servant's heart; replace arrogance with compassion. Holy Spirit, what in me needs to die? please reveal this to me - i want to be a true disciple. refine me - melt me- mold me - burn out the impurities within that i may be made holy for Your glory. as the hymn goes:
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

In Jesus's Holy and Precious Name ~ Amen
*Leslie *Hamilton *Linda

Seeking Discernment

"Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
1 kings 3:7-10

webster defines discernment as the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. also discernment is a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. seems like a similar definintion of faith: now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (hebrews 11:1).

in any case, i've been reading the Word about discernment. the book of proverbs has many insights into how a discerning person reacts to varying situations. and the story listed above about david is a prime example of someone who possesses discernment. david could've asked for anything, but he chose to ask God for a discerning heart to guide him. that's amazing to me. so now i'm on a quest to seek discernment - to find ways to increase in discernment - to cry out to God for this grace to be bestowed upon me.

my Jesus,
as i read about david and how he chose to requests a discerning heart, i'm convince that discernment is something to be sought after. so i come before You and ask for a discerning heart. let this be for Your glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.
*Sarah *Lydia *Denise

Wisdom in 'Zip Your Lip'

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isa. 53:7

on my drive home from work today i was thinking about the fool who comes across as wise if he holds his tongue. and then i was thinking of times when i've held my tongue... and times when i should've held my tongue. funny how our minds remember the bad times, and forget the good ones. i could list several times when i should've zipped my lips, and only a few when i remained quiet. there are certainly times to keep silent, to not put up a defensive argument. (too often i fail at this.) and there are times to open our traps and let the words of Christ speak.

there's a verse in 1 peter, 4.11 i think. [If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.] and sometimes the words of God slice to the heart. even Jesus and his parables brought division. but then there are times when his words fall like a gentle rain, healing our deepest pain and hatred. there is a grace that runs deep in Christ, even when he chooses to remain silent. perhaps i could learn a lesson in discernment about shutting up.

hey Jesus
loving a person ain't not small thing... and you constantly flood my life with Your love. thanks for speaking the truth to my heart. may You teach me discernment, to know when to speak and when to remain silent. it had to be so difficult to go before the judge and not defend Your noble cause. but now, i want to say thanks, for going down that path, so i may enjoy Your presence and know You in a personal way. You've graced me in a deep way. You've given me wisdom to seek You and trust that will help me to know You. Thanks for giving to me. You are the bread of my life.
in Your holy Name, Jesus ~ Amen
*Kim *Courtney *Tricia

Expecting Much

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Prov. 6.34

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5.3

i have to give props to denise for the title. she uses this phrase periodically, and it's catchy! and i sense this is what God is laying on my heart for this new year. 'Expecting Much'. there's just a ring to it.

i was reading the Word this morning, and came across this verse in proverbs. can't you sense the wonder in the air - about being active in listening for the voice of God, and watching every day at the doors of heaven, and waiting eagerly at His door. it just sends a shiver over my body - seeking God is exciting... or at least i think i should be.

it's interesting this is what was laid on my heart first thing this morning. and this is why it is interesting: because 2 fellow employees have been laid off today. the entire office staff is tense; so tense you can feel it in the air. and yet i am pressed to expect much. it is quite a mix of thoughts/emotions. tho i've mentioned to shottie about my lack of job security.. it just doesn't seem right that others were let go and i remain. but i am grateful, and continue to seek His face about a career.

Dearest Lord Jesus,
it is a stir of emotion here today. let Your consistancy effect me. let this belief which You've given me strengthen my heart, since it trembles like a leaf. as Rich sings, 'hold my Jesus...' truly You are doing a new thing and a good thing. Your light radiates even in the midst of financial crisis/lack of security/unbelief. 'Yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 chron. 29:11. thanks for allowing my strength to come for You - to source of living water.
tho i don't even know how to pray for my co-workers who have been told the news of being laid off, i trust that You know my heart. i want for them the best in life... and You know what's best. where there is insecurity, be secure. where there is anger, be peace. where there is questioning, be their answer. where there is brokenness, be the healer. may You be evident in this trial.
in Christ's Name ~ Amen
*Terry *Kim *Glenn *Ron

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Jer. 31:33-34

i wait with eager anticipation for the day when all will know Jesus. won't that be a wonderful day? this is mostly how i'm feeling right now... 'God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.' - Psalm 63:1 so this time when every one will know Jesus is sounding pretty amazing! a great way to begin a new year - longing after Jesus.

tho all may not know Jesus, i trust this new covenant began when He was born on earth. i trust that He has put His law in my mind and on my heart. by having His word in my heart - thru memorization, reading His Word, and the Holy Spirit, i know it - and I'm learning to know Him more. that is my heart's desire, as it has been fore years.

i've been trying to formulate a new year's resolution, but i'm struggling with it. as super wa mentioned this morning, 'i haven't had enough quietness to think of a resolution'. so this week, i'm spending moments in calm quietness - meditation and reflection. for sure i want to get back into the 'habit' of going to the gym and healthier eating. (i have a wedding in may to attend - always a bridesmaid, never a bride.)

How awesome it is, Father, to begin anew. Your gentle embrace draws me in like the warming of the seasons. my heart is awake and alert - longing for more of You. 'expecting much' seems to be my phrase for the upcoming year. where are you going to conquer battles which satan has held for so long? where are you going to blow me away with miracles? what wisdom are you going to bestow upon me this year? what new births are your going to create? who is going to accept You as their Lord this year? what ways are You going to challenge me to be more bold for You? who are You going to call to abide in Heaven this year? where will my heart be broke? where will You lead me to trust You? --oh so many questions... truly i am looking forward to seeing You move and knowing You more deeply thru the upcoming 12 months. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 Chron. 29:11. Amen.

*Derrick *Kimberly *Denise

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Obedient Satisfaction

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Hosea 12:6

oh the great commands of Hosea: 'Sow', 'Reap', 'Break Up', 'Seek', 'Return', 'Maintain', and 'Wait'. all these commands demand some action, even waiting. i remember going thru a phase in my spiritual journey when i thot the Bible was a list of exhausting duties. do this, do that. but as i mature (a bit), i'm learning that obeying the commands is so much better than disobeying. there are blessings ('the blessing! - from christmas vacation!) which give joy. so in doing what is expected, a feeling of fulfillment satisfies my soul. this is a profound understanding for me. more often than not, i lack the feeling of my soul being satisfied. (aka - contentment) even if i weary myself in doing what is expected, my exhaustion is surrounded by a shower of righteousness. 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' - John Piper.

Christ,
as the season of Your birth is upon me, i can sense a renewed passion to seek You. thanks for calling me to seek You, to place within me a desire to seek the real You. i give You praise and ascribe honor to Your name for the righteousness You shower upon me. how good it is to be in Your light. obedience brings about a righteous lifestyle... and only by Your grace am i made holy. Come, Holy Spirit, and sanctify this child. i want to know You more.
in Christ' Name ~ Amen.
*Gail *Susan *Devin

I Beg of You

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
Dan 9:18-19

have you ever found yourself saying to someone, "i beg of you, please..."? when i was reading thru this passage in Daniel, my mind thot of that line. this is the extreme urgency with which daniel is crying out to God. i've prayed that way before, but it's been awhile since i was that adamant about something. (that's a confession.)

my friend Shottie has a great post about some issues. i want to encourage any reader to do what you can about the issues in the world. focus on something and move. pray for specifics for that issue. research the topic and find out as much as you can about it. get connected. plug in. do something.

Here's a brief list of international organization.

Make Poverty History

Unicef

International Justice Mission

Salvation Army on Sexual Trafficking

Compassion International

World Vision

YWAM Thailand

just to name a few off the top of my head. i love in the verse written above - 'We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.' not on our accord, but because of who God is. that is why we are motivated to act on behalf of others.
O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! Amen!

what are you doing about it?

World AIDS Campaign

Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Prov. 10:12

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Prov. 17:9

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Pet. 4:8

in swahili: Zaidi ya yote, pen daneni kwa moyo wote, maana upendo hufunika dhambi nyingi sana. 1 Petro 4:8

so i bought the new sara groves cd. she's done it again. intertwined lyrics with music to make my eyes water and my heart sense the love of an amazing Father. this song, When It Was Over, gets me. not sure what it is about it, but the simplicity of the words and music enriched with forgiveness moves my heart to listen more closely to Jesus.

'How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.' (1 John 3:1) i rejoice that a love deeper than my understanding of love exists. i tend to think of love being amazing, but i add that it fails... i'm a doubter. somewhere in my past, someone who said they'd love me forever let me down. so my view on 'loving forever' is tainted. and i can't even point my finger on who this person is. guess satan stamped me with this trait from birth. but i am beginning to understand that a love deeper than anything i can perceive exists. and i'm being lavished by that love.

here's my confession, i'm so selfish that i think i am the only one who will keep my promise to love until death. again, i rejoice that a love deeper than my understanding of love exist.

somehow God put it in my heart to not hold grudges too long. i don't mean that as bragging rights, but it is true. most of the time, i forget what someone has done against me. so perhaps it's because i'm not very bright. but this 'forgetfulness' benefits me when it comes to covering over a multitude of sins with love.

i know i am the way i am today, because of the way i was raised. mostly i'm fearless - i was told that i can take on the world. i'm especially guarded - i went thru some rough childhood years of my brother being an alcoholic and drug user, and my parents giving him all their attention. i was the good kid - good at school and sports, so my parents didn't need to worry about me. my grandparents took me in and cared for me during those rough times. but thru those rough times, i never spoke of how i felt. i always hid my hurt with a smile. my friends at school had no clue as to what went on in my house, nor did my grandparents. i was the queen of hiding my feelings. i ran from the hurt and pain. and in my adult life, i still tend to lean that way.

when i was in middle school, a family took me on as their project. i don't think they intended on taking me on, but it simply happened that way. i entered their family as a babysitter and a kid from their youth group. they revealed to me that love covers over a multitude of sins. they didn't force me to talk of my family issues, but they knew about them. they loved me as i was. they invited me into their family, to share and love and trust. they taught me that to love, one needs to forgive; without forgiveness one cannot love. that was a tough lesson, because i had a great deal of hurt and pain to confess. this family, all 5 of them, taught me of Christ, humanity, and my responsibility to live what i believe. and to them i am forever grateful.

Sweet Jesus,
You've brought me out from the pit of despair. You've given me a love deeper than i can fathom. and Your grace that covers me is wider than i could ever know. i am a changed person because You first loved me. thanks for calling me to be holy, righteous, steadfast, beloved, blessed - and so many more. You've given me love to cover over all my sins - that is a multitude! and so i pray for You to use me as a vessel of this love which covers over sins. let Your forgiveness be known thru me. let me be sanctified thru You that You may be worshipped. let Your kingdom come, Father. Spirit, thanks for Your conviction which draws me to the throne of grace. You draw me close to the One whom i love. my heart rejoices that You've revealed to me this lavishing love. what made You love me when You knew what i was all about?
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

*Shottie *Derrick *Misty

Finding What Pleases God

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Col 1:9-12

And find out what pleases the Lord.
Eph. 5:10

a while ago i caught ephesians 5:10. it's just thrown in there. 'find out what pleases the Lord.' that is a loaded command. it's not going to the store and finding milk. it's not looking for the coin which was lost in the house. but that lady held a huge party over finding a 10th of her wealth. ...or maybe it is like that. honestly i'm not sure.

paul mentions that he asks God to give the colossians knowledge of God's will. surely God wants to give the colossians knowledge of His will. so in this case, paul and God have the same desires. i think that link between God's desires and what we desire needs to connect. 'pursing after that which moves the heart of God'

*bear fruit
*grow in the knowledge of God
*be strengthened with all power
seems like 3 basic rules to live by. but those all come from God. i'm not sure i've ever prayed for God to move in my life in those ways. i've prayed to know His will and to do it faithfully, but... first comes the hard work: getting on my knees and finding out who God is and why i should desires the things which please Him.

and i should be praying for others. because of those who have prayed for me, i am being filled with the knowledge of His will, being strenghtened and bearing fruit. i know the prayers of my grandma, a prayer partner i had when i was a kid, family and friends have truly been answered. this is why i am a seeker of Christ.

God,
i'm searching after what pleases You. reveal Yourself to me, because of Your mercy. You give to those who ask, so i'm asking to be filled with the knowledge of Your will thru all spiritual wisdom and understanding. i want to find out what pleases You and faithfully complete it. i know You've mentioned that You know the plans for me... but could You fill me in on those plans?

i lift up the SLR staff to You. seems like there are some obstacles popping around their plans. Father, you know the spiritual battle which rages, and You have the power to detain the enemy who wages war. protect these young people from the flaming arrows that fly by night. send Your spiritual wisdom upon these faithful servants. if they are not walking faithfully, convict them of their sin - send Your grace to draw them back. let this group be holy unto You. may You speak unto their hearts, having them listen to Your call. let their decisions be based on what would draw others nearer to You. if being in the chapel, so be it. if being outdoors, so be it. if being without music, so be it. whatever would please You most, let that be known to each of these servants. most importantly, above each of our agendas and thoughts on how we can best make You know, is Your desire. soften our hearts that we may listen to Your voice and hear what You are saying. close any plans which have arose from our desires alone. what do You want to say at SLR this year? what will it take to tear down the walls of sin and shame, and to let Your light shine to these students? how do You want to reveal Yourself to them? as Samuel had to learn to say, 'speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' let this listening Spirit rest upon all who are helping with SLR this year.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*SLR *Jenna *RJ

Listen to His Voice

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deut. 30:19-20

i got on a deuteronomy kick the last few days. been quite the interesting journey. there are some pretty graphic things in the book. (see Deut. 23:10) but then you stumble across some verses like the ones above. these three 'commands' are rocking my world...
*Love the Lord your God
*Listen to His voice
*Hold fast to Him

if all thru one day i could be reminded of these big 3... i would be changed, or more like - i'm being changed. to love God intimately... to hear God's voice... to hold God steadfastly.... incredible. this reminds me how intimate my relationship with my Dad is. he chooses to satisfy my desires with good things. (psalm 103:5) it doesn't get much more intimate than that.

so some friends and i are on this kick of memorizing a chapter of scripture. anyone wanna join? i'm attempting to memorizing psalm 103. so far i've made it to verse 6. needed to stop for a day and deeply consider how God works righteousness and justice to all the oppressed. too often i'm caught up in the moment of need and desperation, and forget to see beyond the physical. my heart goes out for some oppressed - those sold into sex slavery... and zimbabweans. not sure how zimbabweans are oppressed, but my heart goes out to them. i guess since HIV/AIDS is claiming 30% of the citizens... that seems like oppression of the spiritual natural.

there's another verse in deuteronomy which caught my attention. it's deut. 23:14 'For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.' God protects me and delivers my enemies to me. (when i think of enemies - i often think of demons.) and then my camp - my home, my heart, my thought life, my fleshly desires, anything which i hold dear - must be holy. where am i outta step with Jesus? where have i messed up? where have i disobeyed, not fought the good fight? and the reason why i am to be holy is so that God can be near. He is too holy to be near evil. that is a big thought for me. i know that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, but...

as i get older and hopefully more mature, i'm learning that obedience is more important than rules. that righteousness comes before rules. this is a tough understanding to me, cuz i'm pretty analytical, play-it-by-the-rules type of person. just as Jesus was healing on sabbath. Jesus must have thrown a huge wrench into the pharisees thinking. 'how could someone claiming to be 'God' disobey what we know is the way to righteousness?' i wonder that sometimes too.

hey Jesus,
thanks for opening my heart to know You more. thanks for allowing my questions to be answered. in james you promise to give wisdom to anyone who asks. well, i'm on my knees, humbled by Your greatness - begging for wisdom. i wanna know You and who You are. i desire to hear Your voice. i want to love You more. i want to be the one who holds fast to You. i desire those things. i want to be faithful, Jesus. thanks for hearing my pleas for help. thanks for giving me the strength to be obedient, even when it feels like everything within me is desiring to sin. Your grace is sufficient for me...keep that thought before me. Holy Spirit, i know You are in me - calling me out of darkness into Jesus's glorious light. You've rescued me from the chains of sin and death, and clothed me with righteousness, peace and love. thanks for giving of Yourself so that i can have life. You are my life. i'm only beginning to understand the depth of this statement. thanks for Your love lavished upon me.

*Sean *Stephen in Kenya *Philip @ YWAM

Meth

This is what the Lord says: 'Cries of fear are heard— terror, not peace. Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.' 'In that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.'
Jer. 30:5-9

2 meth seminars and many thots about my brother... let's just say my prayer life has reached a new level for those oppressed by drugs. it is a spiritual battle, i am convinced of this. this morning when i opened by Bible, it fell on this 30th chapter of Jeremiah. i couldn't help but see how the parallel connection between this passage and those affected by drugs.

perhaps you can hear the cries of fear and terror coming from the users, their families and friends. or how about the men with their hands on their stomachs and their deathly pale complexion? i can see it so clearly - the illness that follows using drugs and alcohol. it is awful! it is a time of trouble, but God promises that the user will be saved out of it. Jesus will break that slavery of satan, and set the captives free. no longer will these users be enslaved by the drugs. these free men will serve the Lord instead of the drugs.

Jesus is our hope. He is the One to set the captives free. He saves those who call on His Name. in the past this verse has jumped out at me - maybe because it seems so redundant. 'Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.' (Jer. 17:14) but i'm learning there is a much deeper understanding to these words. it takes Jesus to really save us... and heal us... We need Him. addicts need Him.

Jesus,
even as i learn the effects of meth and other drugs, i can't help but see that it is a spiritual battle. and tho the battle rages, the war is won. You've conquerered... tho i don't quite understand that completely. the war seems like all i see, tho i know this is only a battle. may You rise up workers who are willing to reach out with Your love to those addicted to meth and other drugs. come, Holy Spirit, in power and release these captives. let us run in grace to the throne of our Father. like a mighty wind or torrential rain - come and make Your Name known. we need You Jesus. equip us to train others to obey You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Derrick *Thomas *Kevin's friend

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27

He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30

great - by ten shekel shirt

I have always wanted to be
somebody who is great

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To love my enemies
To serve others until I
become the least

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

Greatness in this world
is different than greatness
in your eyes

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To be genuine in my love
for others and for you is
to be great

Interceding with God

Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you."
1 sam. 7:5

They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf, and the Lord answered him.
1 sam. 7:8-9

prayer... speaking with God... requesting God to do something... seeking wisdom from God... begging God to deliver us... thanking Him for answering our prayers... praising Jesus for saving us... isn't it amazing that the God of the universe desires us to speak with Him about what's on our hearts?

this passage, 1 samuel 7, speaks of samuel stepping up to the plate and crying out with God on behalf of the israelites. (did you noticed the word 'with'? how cool is that?) and i can imagine Jesus kneeling with His head to the ground, and Samuel next to Him in the same position. and all their words intertwined - where one ends the other begins. kinda how Jesus met with God on the mount of olives before He was betrayed.

hebrews 5:6 says, 'During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.' guess samuel did the same for His people. guess i should be doing the same for my people.

i know that life is lived in two realms, the physical and the spiritual. and tho i know of the spiritual, my focus tends to fall on the physical. and paul tells us that our battle isn't against humans, but against the spiritual forces manifesting themselves thru humans. (eph. 6:12) so tho it may not look like i am in a war zone, i cannot deny that i live in barracks. and with Jesus and samuel, my prayers shall be of the same urgency as they interceded with God to save their people from the enemies waging war against their souls.

denise and i were discussing some events which took place this weekend. saturday morning there was an accident involving about 50 students and leaders travelling to a christian spiritual retreat. on saturday this man gave denise's car a door ding, and acted as tho it was her fault. then on the way home from an event later saturday night, we were stuck in traffic b/c of an accident. let me re-emphasize: i cannot deny that i am involved in a war.

Jesus,
how can i be so oblivious to the war that is raging all around me? may Your grace flood over me, giving me wisdom on how to combat the forces of evil. help me to see past the physical and know who is under fire. sensitize my heart to not only see the war, but to use the weapons You've taught me to use. Your people are not defenseless, tho they too often fail to use their weapons. thank You for choosing me to be a soldier in Your army. i want to be a valiant fighter for You. let me not be ineffective.

Your protection around that bus shows of Your love. Holy Spirit, encompass each of these people affected by this accident to see that You love them and have protected them. i pray over the service tonight for the youth in our community. may You use the speaker to express the Truth You want us to hear. i pray against distraction, equipment failure, and unbelief. may lives be changed by the blood that cleanse us from sin. come, Holy Spirt, in power and might that we may see God clearly and be convicted of our sin and released from the chains of the evil one. You are God of all, and father to those who long for a dad. let us draw near to You, embracing the grace You have for us. set the captives free, Jesus, please.
in the power of Jesus' name ~ Amen
*Jack *Courtney *Melissa