You Have Not

 
"You do not have, because you do not ask." James 4:2b, ESV

In my job I have authority to approve expenses for our organization. I often receive requests from employees for various items that will help them perform their job more efficiently or offer them some level of comfort while doing their job. I approve these purchases 99% of the time. I'm glad to do so. But today, after approving a purchase, it struck me that some employees seldom ask for anything. This got me to thinking about us and our prayer requests to God. How often is He willing to grant our requests if only we would ask? 

Today's prayer: "God, you are good and you give good gifts to your children. Help me to know when to ask. Amen."

Wear It OR Share It

"I was naked, and you gave me clothing." - Matthew 25:36b

I was listening to Beth Moore last night and she was talking about how she routinely purges her closet. If she hasn't worn something in a year she says out loud to herself, "Wear it or share it!" and then she donates the item to someone in need. She then went on to say that as the end of the year approaches and she discovers that some of her "treasured" items haven't been worn she will frantically try and wear them so that she can keep them. I had to laugh. We all do this. I know Beth was only talking about clothes but it got me to thinking about how we sometimes tend to bury our treasures at one time or another to keep from sharing them.

Today's prayer: "God, you have given me many treasures. You never intended me to hoard them. Help me to remember to wear them well and share them well. Amen." 

I Will TRUST, Even If

"They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." - Psalm 125:1

When circumstances don't add up and life feels too hard; when miracles seem elusive like a butterfly; I will turn my face towards Heaven and cry: "You are God and You are good!" Just stumbled across this song and it sums it up:

Even If (Kutless)

Sometimes all we have to hold on to 

Is what we know is true of who You are 

So when the heartache hits like a hurricane 

That could never change who You are 

And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come 

And life falls apart 

And dreams are still undone 

You are God You are good 

Forever faithful One 

Even if the healing 

Even if the healing doesn't come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways 

So we set our faith in who You are 

Even though You reign high above us 

You tenderly love us 

We know Your heart 

And we rest in who You are

You're still the Great and Mighty One 

We trust You always 

You're working all things for our good 

We'll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You 

As the Good and Faithful One 

You are God and we will bless You 

Even if the healing doesn't come 

Even if the healing doesn't come

True Test

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my anxious thoughts: and see if there be any hurtful way in me." - Psalm 139:23

Francis Frangipane writes: "Most are content to pray the first part "Search me, O God" but the true test of repentance is when we then pray "[and] try me." You see, David asked God not just to forgive him, but to change him -- and then to test those changes with situations that previously triggered an ungodly response. In essence, he prays, "Lord, verify that the work You've done in me is deep and unshakable, that I am free even of an anxious thought about my previous sin."

Today's prayer: "Lord, how many times have I asked You to search me, identify my heart issues, and forgive me? I want to take it one step further and ask You to verify that the work You've done is deep and unshakable. I want to be free from even an anxious thought about my previous sin."

The Whole Picture

Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture." -- Psalm 73:17

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words and I won't argue that point. But I would like to add that a picture also hides a thousand words. Take a snapshot anywhere, anytime, and there is one thing you won't capture -- what happened immediately before and what happened immediately after. There is a story behind every person you encounter. I've stared into countless eyes (and you have too). Only God sees the whole picture. Just a reminder that snapshots are deceiving and snapshot judgments are rarely accurate.

Today's prayer: "God, forgive me for all the times I've taken a mental snapshot of someone's life and thought I knew their story. You and You alone know the beginning from the end. You see the whole picture. Give me a sensitive heart to a hurting world. Amen."

Never A Whit

A poisonous pill is never a whit the less poisonous because it is gilded over with gold; nor a wolf is never a whit the less a wolf because he has put on a sheep’s skin; nor the devil is never a whit the less a devil because he appears sometimes like an angel of light. So neither is sin any whit the less filthy and abominable by its being painted over with virtue’s colors.

~ Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices

Mercy

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." -- Matthew 5:7

"And what is it to be merciful? To be merciful is to be kind in every direction: to the guilty as well as to the unfortunate; to the loathsome as well as to the winsome; to insect as well as to man. To be merciful is to be full of mercy to all that God has made."


Excerpt from:
The Kingdom: The Emerging Rule of Christ Among Men
The Original Classic by George Dana Boardman
Compiled by Bob Mumford and Jack Taylor

A Tribute To A Servant Of All

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35

This morning as we gathered at my mom's house in preparation to attend dad's funeral, I watched my daughter put pen to paper and write a tribute to her grandpa. She captured the essence of who he was in less than ten minutes -- servant of all. 

Today, she read her tribute at his funeral:
"My grandpa, Paul Bowers, was known as a handyman and it was a title he was proud of. Whether he was in his workshop, on a rooftop, or under a sink, he was fixing something. As a child I thought he could fix anything. If my toy was broken he was the first one I went to; if I had a splinter in my foot he would take me into his office, pull out all his tools and fix me up. He liked to spend his weekends at Trader's World and Big Lots. That's where this handyman collected most of his tools. As I got older I began to question my grandpa's "fixing." His Trader's World fixes were not brand name or new. Now that I am grown I realize that this was his way of loving on people. Raise your hand if Paul ever fixed something for you. Grandpa had a workshop, office, two garages, and a shed full of "fixes."  If you needed a battery, just open a drawer. If you needed a bandaid, he had four cases. If you needed a cell phone charger, he had fifteen. He never had one of anything. One may ask why one man needed so many of one thing. That's because he didn't buy them for himself. They were provisions for serving the ones he loved. They were ways to love people." 

By Beth Reddix

A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

During prayer the other day I was tugging on God's sleeve like a little child, kind of begging Him to speak. Feeling a little weary I just needed to hear His voice. All of a sudden I heard the song "A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action" and I had to laugh.

Sometimes I think God wants a little less talk from us and a lot more action. For example if we pray "God, feed the hungry" I think His response is "You feed the hungry." Stop talking about it and do it. We often pray for something that God has already given us the ability to "act" upon. So, here's to a little more silence and a lot more action.

["A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action" is the title of a song written by Keith Hinton and Jimmy Alan Stewart, and recorded by country music singer Toby Keith.]

Don't Poke God In The Eye

"Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye." -- Zechariah 2:8

This is too good not to share. Our Pastor reminded us yesterday that when we come against one of God's children or when someone comes against us, that we are actually touching the apple of God's eye -- which is the pupil. This shows how near and dear the Lord's people are to Him. And then he said, "So, don't poke God in the eye!" Thanks Pastor Shawn for that brilliant word picture.

He Will Not Delay

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. " - Psalm 121:1-2

When my foes rise against me, I will lift up my eyes. My God will not delay! Thank you God for being my refuge and strength. Your promises are true. You always come through!

Always lyrics, Kristian Stanfill
My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always

SMILE

"Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me." -- Psalm 31:16, MSG

I love this song. It reminds me of someone very special and it reminds me of GOD. He is better than the best. I'm lucky just to linger in HIS light. He warms me with His smile. He makes His face to shine upon me.

Uncle Kracker: SMILE

"You´re better then the best
I´m lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip side of my pillow that´s right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
Lets me know that it´s ok
Yeah it´s ok
And the moments when my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun
Fall outta bed
Sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you´re gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that
You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun
Fall outta bed
Sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Don´t know how I lived without you
'Cuz every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun
Fall outta bed
Sing like bird
Dizzy in my head
Spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold
Buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile
Oh, you make me smile
Oh, you make me smile"

Weeds?

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." -- Luke 12:27

The flowers of the field are beautiful to behold, but there are much less desirable plants just as beautiful. What mother hasn't had her heart melt when given a bouquet of clover or dandelions? Mere weeds to most! But my grandsons haven't yet been "taught" which flowers are most desirable by man and I love that about them! And it makes me wonder about my Heavenly Father. I think He delights in our bouquets of weeds also ... for a bouquet of weeds from a child is as grand as a bouquet of the most exotic beauties on earth.

Today's prayer: "God, today I come to you with my bouquet of weeds. I picked them just for you. I know that when you put them in your eternal vase they will shine with the perfection of Heaven. Amen." 


[This bouquet of clover was picked by my 3-year old grandson, Leland, for his mommy. Heart melting ...]

Sing!

"O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth." -- Psalm 96:1

I love to sing, but I'm not gifted in that way. So most of my singing is done in private before an Audience of One. I recently came across a teaching done by Jake Hamilton called "Revelation through Meditation" that has absolutely rocked my world and set me free in song! 

Jake encourages us to make up new songs using verses from the Bible. He says, "SING IT [scripture]. Not word for word. Make up your own song using any verse." He goes on to say, "I know what you're thinking; you're thinking, 'well, I don't sing.' Even better! You know why that's even better? Because it doesn't cost you anything to sing a song because you know you can sing. When you sing, and you don't know how to sing, it becomes a sacrifice only you can give to God. And it's not a song you sing in your heart. Stand up and begin to sing to the Lord. Sing to him a new song!"

Remember, when Jesus sent out the disciples, he didn't divide tasks by skill (all singers sing, teachers teach, etc.), he said everyone do everything!

And this is the part I absolutely love!  He says:

“If you begin this discipline of singing new songs from scripture, a year from now, you’ll have hundreds of songs that only you and God know. Have you ever heard anybody talk about a secret history with God? You’re building one. You won’t even remember the song tomorrow, but guess Who will? You’re gonna get to heaven one day, and God’s gonna say to you, ‘I loved your song about John 3:16.’ And you’re gonna say, 'how did that go again?’ And He’s gonna remember it. And you’re gonna have hundreds and thousands of little songs just like a child sings.”

Today's prayer: "God, I love how you put music in all of us, and it doesn't matter if we can harmonize or sing in tune. You love to hear your children sing! As a mother, I know I smiled every time I overhead one of my children making up songs and singing them with their whole heart. Most times they were completely unaware that I was even listening. Thank you for keeping track of all the songs in my heart. Let's sing tonight!"

Will You Let Me Drown?

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!" -- Isaiah 43:2

A true drowning victim does not wave their hands and flail about, as depicted in the movies. No, in the drowning there is silence and inactivity. As long as I'm still fighting, still waiving my hands about in praise, still shouting to my King, I'm not about to drown. He will not let me.

I woke up early this morning with this one verse from the song Something Beautiful playing in my heart:

In your ocean I'm ankle deep,
I feel the waves crashing on my feet;
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out,
I can't figure out

Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your wave washes over me,
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown?
Will you let me drown?

[Something Beautiful, verse 1, Neadtobreathe]

Today's prayer: "God, thank you that you will not let me drown."

Out Of The Box

"Drinks were served in gold cups, no two of them alike, and the king was generous with the royal wine." -- Esther 1:7

I love this verse because of the words "no two of them alike." Our God created us with individuality and acceptance, but the world would scream NO -- you must fit in our box. Well, here's to climbing out of the box and being the unique individual God created you to be.

There is a scene in the movie Martian Child in which John Cusack's publisher asks the question: "Why can't you just be what we want you to be?" For me, that's the pivotal question in this movie and also the pivotal question before us today. And I believe the answer is a resounding: "No! I can't be what you want me to be, but I can be everything God created me to be." Coming out of the box ...

Today's prayer: "God, how many times have I echoed the words of John Cusack's publisher? Forgive me. Help me to see the value you created in individuality. And, keep me true to my own unique purpose in You. Amen."

Shut The Door

"But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." -- Matthew 6:6

Jesus was always wandering off alone to pray to the Father. I'm sure if he had a prayer closet he would have shut the door. Our pastor urged us to do the same -- to enter our prayer closet AND shut the door! Let the storm rage outside the door. We cannot fix people. We must leave them to God. [good teaching last night Pastor Shawn!]

My Steps

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" -- Psalm 37:23

God orders my steps .... all of them!

Today is the Day of Salvation

"For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." -- 2 Corinthians 6:2

The Greek word for salvation is sozo, and it is used numerous times in the New Testament. It means “to save or make well or whole,” and, according to Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, also means “to save, deliver, heal, and preserve.”

When you pray, pray believing that TODAY is the day of "sozo" -- the day of salvation, healing, and deliverance. Always pray believing that TODAY the answer will come. And if it does not, keep praying, for when tomorrow arrives, it will again be TODAY and TODAY is the day of salvation or sozo.

Plan A: Pray like the answer will come today.
Plan B: If the answer does not come, keep praying.

Searching

"But God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in bed." -- Job 33:14-15

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." -- Proverbs 25:2

I love dreaming with God. In fact, bedtime is like a treasure hunt. God uses dreams to speak to us, warn us, and give us direction. These dreams can take us on a wild ride and most nights they certainly do! But what I love more than the dreams is the searching. God wants us to search out the messages he conceals in our dreams. The searching is often more important that the actual meaning of the dream because the searching leads us to seek Him, to read the Word, and to pray! 

Today's prayer: "God, I love how you speak in dreams and visions of the night, but don't let me ever get so caught up in their meaning that I miss the most important part -- seeking your face!"