Psalm 42:8
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
It is said that barring a physical impediment, everyone can sing. According to this theory, no one has a “bad voice.” This is learned behavior since our childhood when we were criticized for our singing in one way or another. We began to believe the false evaluation and lost our song.
If this is a description of you, then take encouragement from God who will listen to you late into the night. Your song is the sweetest sound he hears on any given day.
Sing to the Lord today.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
listen and pray
Psalm 39:12
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Many of us have a hearing problem. Hearing aids won’t help. It’s not about the acoustics. It’s about the attention. Spend time listening and you will hear cries for help from others. Then you can focus your prayers for them more specifically.
Yet, even if you are a deep listener, there will be people only God can hear when they cry out. That is as it should be. He is the Great Shepherd.
Spend time listening to those closest to you this day.
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Many of us have a hearing problem. Hearing aids won’t help. It’s not about the acoustics. It’s about the attention. Spend time listening and you will hear cries for help from others. Then you can focus your prayers for them more specifically.
Yet, even if you are a deep listener, there will be people only God can hear when they cry out. That is as it should be. He is the Great Shepherd.
Spend time listening to those closest to you this day.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
for others
Psalm 32:6
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
We get into trouble in our lives because we are trouble, more than anything else. Those who need to pray the most don’t. Those who don’t need to pray the most actually do. Everyone needs to pray. As you are moving forward, living a godly life, those who are ungodly need your prayers more than ever. It changes them and it continues to transform you.
Pray specifically for someone you know who gossips frequently and pray God would forgive him/her and build up his/her trust in him.
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
We get into trouble in our lives because we are trouble, more than anything else. Those who need to pray the most don’t. Those who don’t need to pray the most actually do. Everyone needs to pray. As you are moving forward, living a godly life, those who are ungodly need your prayers more than ever. It changes them and it continues to transform you.
Pray specifically for someone you know who gossips frequently and pray God would forgive him/her and build up his/her trust in him.
Monday, February 05, 2007
expect God
Psalm 17:1
1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
for it comes from honest lips.
“God I am doing best I can.”
Why always look for reasons God ought not listen to us? When we walk in the ways of Jesus, making progress on keeping our minds focused on him, then we can expect to be more connected to God. Where in the Bible does it say opposite? It doesn’t.
Trust that God wants to talk with you today.
1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
for it comes from honest lips.
“God I am doing best I can.”
Why always look for reasons God ought not listen to us? When we walk in the ways of Jesus, making progress on keeping our minds focused on him, then we can expect to be more connected to God. Where in the Bible does it say opposite? It doesn’t.
Trust that God wants to talk with you today.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
new podcasts
Friday, February 02, 2007
nowhere else
Psalm 32:6
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
There is a lot of confession going on in Psalm 32. Clearing out whatever could block a clear channel to God’s grace is essential in effective prayer. Here’s a thought. Those who realize the power of God available and humbly seek it will receive it.
Not the empty phrases of self-righteousness, but heart-felt trust. Not the neglect of those who don’t take God seriously, but the constant connection of those who know they have nowhere else to go. They know it because there is nowhere else.
Place a strong emphasis on confession in your prayer today.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
There is a lot of confession going on in Psalm 32. Clearing out whatever could block a clear channel to God’s grace is essential in effective prayer. Here’s a thought. Those who realize the power of God available and humbly seek it will receive it.
Not the empty phrases of self-righteousness, but heart-felt trust. Not the neglect of those who don’t take God seriously, but the constant connection of those who know they have nowhere else to go. They know it because there is nowhere else.
Place a strong emphasis on confession in your prayer today.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
coming clean
Psalm 17:1
1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
When we pray, God already knows the sincerity of what we are saying. The creator of all that exists has his own built in lie detector. We can’t manipulate and use spin with the Almighty.
It is interesting how much we try to cloud our own thinking in order to do something we know might be wrong. Then our conscience goes into overdrive and we keep pushing, attempting to keep it subdued. It is like putting on a tight pair of jeans after you have eaten a bit too much from Thanksgiving through New Years. It is uncomfortable to say the least.
Why not just be honest with ourselves? And with God. There is nothing we can do but come clean with him. Open up and just tell the truth.
With God we are in a permanent AA meeting.
Pay close attention to honesty in your prayer life.
1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
When we pray, God already knows the sincerity of what we are saying. The creator of all that exists has his own built in lie detector. We can’t manipulate and use spin with the Almighty.
It is interesting how much we try to cloud our own thinking in order to do something we know might be wrong. Then our conscience goes into overdrive and we keep pushing, attempting to keep it subdued. It is like putting on a tight pair of jeans after you have eaten a bit too much from Thanksgiving through New Years. It is uncomfortable to say the least.
Why not just be honest with ourselves? And with God. There is nothing we can do but come clean with him. Open up and just tell the truth.
With God we are in a permanent AA meeting.
Pay close attention to honesty in your prayer life.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
praying for others
Job 42:10
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
There are no guarantees in prayer. There are times we don’t know what to say. There are times we say the wrong thing. There are times when we ask selfishly.
Job is about as challenged with hardship, physical, spiritual, and emotional pain as anyone could possibly be, and we see him praying to God. For his friends.
When prayer becomes a ministry of love for the sake of others, who knows how God is going to respond? To pray for others we are at least on the right track. Look at what happens to Job in the end. Maybe we do have an idea of how God will respond.
How does it feel to know someone is praying for you?
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
There are no guarantees in prayer. There are times we don’t know what to say. There are times we say the wrong thing. There are times when we ask selfishly.
Job is about as challenged with hardship, physical, spiritual, and emotional pain as anyone could possibly be, and we see him praying to God. For his friends.
When prayer becomes a ministry of love for the sake of others, who knows how God is going to respond? To pray for others we are at least on the right track. Look at what happens to Job in the end. Maybe we do have an idea of how God will respond.
How does it feel to know someone is praying for you?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
quite a job
Nehemiah 11:17
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer;
How would you like the job of thanksgiving and prayer? I can’t tell from these verses if this is a job that stays in the family for these guys. They are Levites from Jerusalem and so chances are this is a family affair. The Levites were the tribe of Israel assigned to work in the Temple and assist the priests. For this particular group of men, work meant getting up in the morning and saying, “Thank you God…” A life of thanks and praise? Sounds like a plan.
Are we passing down our faith to our children? Will they lead in thanksgiving and prayer? These are not unimportant questions. Passing down our faith to our children continues the work God is doing in transforming the world. The world may not realize this or appreciate this, but we are not doing it to get the approval of others. We are approved before we begin by God.
Choose a child to prayer for daily this week.
Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer;
How would you like the job of thanksgiving and prayer? I can’t tell from these verses if this is a job that stays in the family for these guys. They are Levites from Jerusalem and so chances are this is a family affair. The Levites were the tribe of Israel assigned to work in the Temple and assist the priests. For this particular group of men, work meant getting up in the morning and saying, “Thank you God…” A life of thanks and praise? Sounds like a plan.
Are we passing down our faith to our children? Will they lead in thanksgiving and prayer? These are not unimportant questions. Passing down our faith to our children continues the work God is doing in transforming the world. The world may not realize this or appreciate this, but we are not doing it to get the approval of others. We are approved before we begin by God.
Choose a child to prayer for daily this week.
Monday, January 29, 2007
pray is better than whistling
Nehemiah 4:9
9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
There is a saying, “Work as if it totally depends on you, and pray as if it totally depends on God.” Here we see an adaptation of this.
I think of all the conferences attended, all the in-house training, all the efforts that we make to improve our "job performance," and the key to it all is surrounding us all the time. Inviting Jesus into the workplace and working with him as a silent partner is a wise decision.
The reality is everything depends on God and he can’t work if there is nothing to work through. So, get busy and pray.
What are you working on that you are praying on?
9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
There is a saying, “Work as if it totally depends on you, and pray as if it totally depends on God.” Here we see an adaptation of this.
I think of all the conferences attended, all the in-house training, all the efforts that we make to improve our "job performance," and the key to it all is surrounding us all the time. Inviting Jesus into the workplace and working with him as a silent partner is a wise decision.
The reality is everything depends on God and he can’t work if there is nothing to work through. So, get busy and pray.
What are you working on that you are praying on?
Friday, January 26, 2007
ask
Nehemiah 2:4
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied…
Asking God to take part in our conversations is a novel idea. For example, imagine praying before you speak to a co-worker.
“God help me put this in a way that can’t possibly be read as criticism…”
“God give me words of encouragement that will stay with him for the rest of his life…”
“Lord, guide me to able to make this as clear as possible and guide her to hear exactly what I mean to say and understand as I mean it.”
What do you want God to help you with today? Ask.
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied…
Asking God to take part in our conversations is a novel idea. For example, imagine praying before you speak to a co-worker.
“God help me put this in a way that can’t possibly be read as criticism…”
“God give me words of encouragement that will stay with him for the rest of his life…”
“Lord, guide me to able to make this as clear as possible and guide her to hear exactly what I mean to say and understand as I mean it.”
What do you want God to help you with today? Ask.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
time
Nehemiah 1:4
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah was used to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He had a powerful influence over the people. As we read here, he didn’t take his time with God lightly.
On occasion there is a quantity to our spiritual focus, rather than the usual depth and quality. Just spending more time with someone can help build a relationship. It is no different with God.
How can you reserve more time with God?
4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah was used to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He had a powerful influence over the people. As we read here, he didn’t take his time with God lightly.
On occasion there is a quantity to our spiritual focus, rather than the usual depth and quality. Just spending more time with someone can help build a relationship. It is no different with God.
How can you reserve more time with God?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
prayer reality
Ezra 10:1
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him.
Sincere prayer can be moving, and not just for God. We can impact those around us through humility and honesty before the Lord. We don’t always have to have our act together to be an influence. In fact, when we think we have our act together than it is a sure indication that we don’t. Confidence goes along with realizing how unworthy we really are to actually have God care what we have to say.
You have heard of “brutal honesty,” now practice the art of sensitive honesty today.
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him.
Sincere prayer can be moving, and not just for God. We can impact those around us through humility and honesty before the Lord. We don’t always have to have our act together to be an influence. In fact, when we think we have our act together than it is a sure indication that we don’t. Confidence goes along with realizing how unworthy we really are to actually have God care what we have to say.
You have heard of “brutal honesty,” now practice the art of sensitive honesty today.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
the strength of God's forgiveness
2 Chronicles 33:13
And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request.
The story of King Manasseh is amazing. Read all of chapter 33. Manasseh was about as evil a king as could be. Witchcraft, false idols, putting a statue of himself in the Temple of Jerusalem, and even practicing human sacrifice with his own sons are all part of his legacy. About as bad a person who ever lived.
Yet, rather than destroy him, God allows his prayer of repentance to move him so much Manasseh is restored! No matter what you have done to deserve God’s wrath, never give up praying…
Do you sense God forgives all of your sins?
And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request.
The story of King Manasseh is amazing. Read all of chapter 33. Manasseh was about as evil a king as could be. Witchcraft, false idols, putting a statue of himself in the Temple of Jerusalem, and even practicing human sacrifice with his own sons are all part of his legacy. About as bad a person who ever lived.
Yet, rather than destroy him, God allows his prayer of repentance to move him so much Manasseh is restored! No matter what you have done to deserve God’s wrath, never give up praying…
Do you sense God forgives all of your sins?
Monday, January 22, 2007
forgiveness
2 Chronicles 30:18-19
For Hezekiah said, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.”
King Hezekiah knows that God works outside of protocol. Forgiveness is not just for the “right” people. In fact, it is the right people who often need forgiveness the most. They should know better.
Jesus gave his life for forgiveness of sin. We serve others as Jesus did by asking God to forgive them. Prayers for forgiveness include prayering for our enemies. For their sake, as well as our own.
When have you asked God to forgive someone else?
For Hezekiah said, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.”
King Hezekiah knows that God works outside of protocol. Forgiveness is not just for the “right” people. In fact, it is the right people who often need forgiveness the most. They should know better.
Jesus gave his life for forgiveness of sin. We serve others as Jesus did by asking God to forgive them. Prayers for forgiveness include prayering for our enemies. For their sake, as well as our own.
When have you asked God to forgive someone else?
Friday, January 19, 2007
God trusts
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
God speaks to Solomon in a dream. “Humble yourself,” “pray,” “seek” and “turn,” are all action verbs. Our words are important, and yet it takes more than words. We actually want what God wants and we are willing to follow up on this desire with our actions.
Today, we are those God calls into his kingdom life. Our “land” is where God allows us influence. The more he can trust us to use his power for good, the more he gives.
How have you made yourself available lately to learn from Jesus?
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
God speaks to Solomon in a dream. “Humble yourself,” “pray,” “seek” and “turn,” are all action verbs. Our words are important, and yet it takes more than words. We actually want what God wants and we are willing to follow up on this desire with our actions.
Today, we are those God calls into his kingdom life. Our “land” is where God allows us influence. The more he can trust us to use his power for good, the more he gives.
How have you made yourself available lately to learn from Jesus?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
no waiter
2 Chronicles 6:19
Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you.
King Solomon prays for God to hear him even though he is amazed God actually wants to listen. A good dose of humility makes for the beginnings of powerful prayer. We aren’t ordering off some menu with a waiter, we are coming before the one who makes waiters, and menu items, and even what isn’t on the menu. Humility goes a long way.
Actually, a bit of humility might well enhance your dining experience, too…
“Listen” to your prayers today and check for presumption.
Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you.
King Solomon prays for God to hear him even though he is amazed God actually wants to listen. A good dose of humility makes for the beginnings of powerful prayer. We aren’t ordering off some menu with a waiter, we are coming before the one who makes waiters, and menu items, and even what isn’t on the menu. Humility goes a long way.
Actually, a bit of humility might well enhance your dining experience, too…
“Listen” to your prayers today and check for presumption.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
confess
1 Chronicles 21:17
“I pray, O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.”
David is worried that God will punish the people for what he, David, has done. Being honest before God is not easy. We can spend a lot of effort trying to fool him. Let’s think about this. The creator and sustainer of the entire universe and beyond, and the one who knows my every thought…
When we keep our sins to ourselves, we put a wall up to the power of God’s forgiveness to flow through us. This keeps us separated from God and from each other.
It’s probably a good idea to be like King David and just tell God the truth. Confession is the beginning of real freedom.
What do you need to confess to God today?
“I pray, O Lord my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people.”
David is worried that God will punish the people for what he, David, has done. Being honest before God is not easy. We can spend a lot of effort trying to fool him. Let’s think about this. The creator and sustainer of the entire universe and beyond, and the one who knows my every thought…
When we keep our sins to ourselves, we put a wall up to the power of God’s forgiveness to flow through us. This keeps us separated from God and from each other.
It’s probably a good idea to be like King David and just tell God the truth. Confession is the beginning of real freedom.
What do you need to confess to God today?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
stay
1 Chronicles 17:16
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.
King David spent a lot of time with God in prayer. He wrote most of the Psalms and so we can experience first hand his heart, as well as his eloquence.
When you sit before the Lord, you are going to stay awhile. Praying to God can be quick, and there are other times you just want to settle in. Stay with him for a bit. Like the song says, "Let the world around me fade away..."
Spend a half hour with God sometime today or tomorrow and just let him know how it’s going.
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.
King David spent a lot of time with God in prayer. He wrote most of the Psalms and so we can experience first hand his heart, as well as his eloquence.
When you sit before the Lord, you are going to stay awhile. Praying to God can be quick, and there are other times you just want to settle in. Stay with him for a bit. Like the song says, "Let the world around me fade away..."
Spend a half hour with God sometime today or tomorrow and just let him know how it’s going.
stay
1 Chronicles 17:16
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.
King David spent a lot of time with God in prayer. He wrote most of the Psalms and so we can experience first hand his heart, as well as his eloquence.
When you sit before the Lord, you are going to stay awhile. Praying to God can be quick, and there are other times you just want to settle in. Stay with him for a bit. Like the song says, "Let the world around me fade away..."
Spend a half hour with God sometime today or tomorrow and just let him know how it’s going.
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.
King David spent a lot of time with God in prayer. He wrote most of the Psalms and so we can experience first hand his heart, as well as his eloquence.
When you sit before the Lord, you are going to stay awhile. Praying to God can be quick, and there are other times you just want to settle in. Stay with him for a bit. Like the song says, "Let the world around me fade away..."
Spend a half hour with God sometime today or tomorrow and just let him know how it’s going.
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About Me
- Dana
- Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."
