Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
This time of year in the United States is set apart as a day of remembrance for our pilgrim forefathers preserving, through the grace of God.
Without His provision and protection they would have died. His mercy abounded greatly in giving them hope in a rough and harsh world.
We all face trials and tribulations, some which may make us despair of life or the ability to rise and see another day.
He is able to see us through, His hand is not slack, His grace always abundant. May we continually seek Him in prayer, seeking His supply, always thankful.
http://bible.com/1/luk.24.32.kjv And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Pondering upon their burning hearts, questioning if my heart does the same when I partake of reading the Word.
Do I ask Him to open my understanding?
Desire to be filled afresh?
Oh that my heart would burn passionately for Him and His Word. Oh, Father stir up Thy gift within me. Create a passionate longing and desire for Thee.
Community with me and open my understanding of You and Your Word.
http://bible.com/1/luk.15.32.kjv It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
This is representative of every one whom God has chosen...do we remember the 'feeling' of being welcomed into God's family?
This also reverberates in physical families. Many have lost sons (and daughters), those who've gone astray, rebelled against parents (first against God). It'd hard to hear, or experience, the loss of a family member.
One always hopes, counting God as generous, thinking as long as the person is still alive, there is a chance God will bring them to repentence.
The father had delight in seeing his 'born again' son, the son demonstrated repentence in humbling himself to go home as a servant.
Willing to be not just subjugated as a son, but a lowly servant. No shoes, no coat, no ring (mark). Actually saying the words out loud which he'd internally grasped.
Have you a prodigal for whom you're praying? Does it seem hopeless? Do you waiver in your hope? 'God, it's been xx days, weeks, months, years. Will they ever return?'
Or if they return will they truly be repentent? Are they boomerang people? Those who hit bottom, bounce up for a bit, grab a hand and then go back to their selfish life styles?
Depleting their support network of enablers as they spiral down to a final crash landing?
Only God knows whose been chosen and redeemed. I'm not saying no help for those who return...NOT AT ALL.
Helping a prodigal (or anyone for that matter) is based upon prayer, counsel, and His wisdom in setting appropriate and healthy boundaries.
Anyone whose truly repentent will desire to work within the parameters, want to 'prove' your trust and help, demonstrating a true conversion of spirit, soul and body.
May the Lord guide us as we pray for the lost, helping as He guides and provides.
http://bible.com/1/luk.12.3.kjv Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Nothing hidden...what do I have in life which I 'think' no one else knows? Or secrets?
When we stand before Christ and our lives are reviewed, what will be seen/revealed?
Will we cry at all the wasted time and opportunities? Be ashamed how we didn't stand boldly for our Lord and faith?
Cringe at how similar to the world we resembled? Thinking we were bright shining lights, when in reality we were just 'muffled' lamps along the shore of life?
I want to be a lighthouse. Not for the kudos of people, not to stand before Christ and be prideful. I want the passion, urgency, fervent REPENT to lost and dying souls.
God help me to be a better steward of your time and resources and to give you glory and all that I say do and think.
http://bible.com/1/luk.10.2.kjv Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
When I was first saved I was passionate about telling people about Jesus. I remember someone telling me that as I went along my walk I would not be as vehement. Sadly, they were right.
When my children were little, we used to pass out cards with scripture verses or leave them in places for people to find.
I want that same passion, that same fervency. The sense of urgency which accompanied my conversion.
At this juncture of my walk I don't feel like I'm a worthy laborer. How about you?
Watchful. ....how much am I? You?
http://bible.com/1/mrk.13.34-37.kjv For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Are we carried about with the daily cares, concerns, cravings?
How seriously do we take this admonition?
How oft are we ensnared by the things of this world? Lord, help us to be good stewards not caught up in our fleshly desires, desiring and seeking you with all of our spirit soul and body.
http://bible.com/1/mrk.3.33-35.kjv And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
How oft do we become ensnared by physical blood connections versus spiritual blood, which is the true bond of family.
Just as other aspects of physical were/are a portrayal of spiritual events/realities so too is the blood bond.
So who do you love more? Your physical or spiritual family?
Great blessings if they happen to be both!
Chapter 27
http://bible.com/1/mat.27.51.kjv And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
In chapter 28 it is commonly reported about the guards being paid off to lie about the disciples stealing Jesus body while they slept...I wonder how or if any historical data exists about the veil ripping?
This wasn't some worn, aged thin material. Thus was thick, heavy, long material which hid the mercy seat.
Curious if anyone knows or has studied if the Jews allowed this information to be included anywhere. If the veil ripping is known in their history (whether it's common knowledge or just data recorded) excellent stepping stone for witnessing.
http://bible.com/1/mat.21.41.kjv They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Chilling thought as I read through this passage...just as the Jews didn't recognize the son of God, nor reverence Him, how do we with our traditions give lip service and/or appearance of 'worshiping' but in truth are nothing more than dead works?
How much of our daily actions, thoughts and words are considered to be fruitful in His view?
