Thursday... What we ask for can be unnecessary.

Sometimes what we ask for in our prayers is unnecessary. Look at how David starts his prayer in Psalm 141:1 (MSG), "God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears - it's my voice you're hearing!"

Now from God's point of view that is unnecessary because He is always close. If we have a personal relationship with Him He is even in our heart. His Spirit is in us and He knows our voice. It just is that we need that reinforcement, that confidence. We need to reinforce the fact that He is close and He does know our voice. And He does.

Now there is an unless in there, unless we are not close to Him. There are so many things in us that can get in the way of God. Yes He may be close but we are not looking for Him, we are not close to Him. Later David says in verse 8, "But God, dear Lord, I only have eyes for you. Since I've run for dear life to you, take good care of me." And that is what He wants to do for us but for it to happen that is what we must want too. It's all in the relationship.

Earlier in verses 3-4 (NLT), David says, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong." Verse 5 goes on, "Let the godly strike me! It will be kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it." And that is why it is so important to be close to those who love you and love God. God wants to use them to keep us on track. Again it is the relationship.

And back to verses 8-10 in the NLT, "I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord. You are my refuge; don't let them kill me. Keep me from the traps they have set for me, from the snares of those who do wrong. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, but let me escape."

And that is what He wants to do for us. It's all in the relationship. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

Comments

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is!

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo

Tuesday... Let's be smart.

Tuesday... Let's be smart. Proverbs 12:16a (CEV) says, "Losing your temper is foolish." It really is. And it is so hard to take it back. That is not smart. There are always consequence when we lose our temper and they are usually not good. Think of the last time you lost your temper at home, at your kids, at your spouse, at your pets. at your life, at where you live, at where you work. There are always repercussions and they are not good. The New Living Translation says, "A fool is quick-tempered." The Message says, "Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly." The Amplified Bible says, "The [arrogant] fool's anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense]." It just is not a good thing. is it? But then the rest of this verse, this proverb (CEV) says, "ignoring an insult is smart." It really is. I have striven in dealing with people to give them a benefit of doubt. They didn't mean that, they

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word.

Friday... But, can be such a beautiful word. It really can be life changing. Look at what Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians. In 2:1-3 (NLT) he says, "Once you were dead because of your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else." There it is, there it is. That is the way we are living or have lived. Dead is a definite word of finality. At least the devil thought so and maybe you do too. And then verses 4-5 starts by saying, "But", that beautiful life changing word of opportunity even though we are dead. Yes, we are subject to God's anger, "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even t

Todays Beginning

Search This Blog