Surprises

God, thank you for surprises from loving people, but thank you more for the surprises you grant to me each and every day. Surprises like pennies on the sidewalk, beautiful pink and orange sunrises, your voice at unexpected moments, the blooming of a flower, the beauty in a child's eyes, a hug from someone special, a door held open by a stranger, kind words from friends and colleagues, the feeling of your presence that makes my heart want to burst wide open, laughing with friends until I cry, having your voice leap off the pages of your WORD, wild leaps of faith where I think I just might fly, the taste of chocolate, the feel of swimming in water, and a million other secrets and surprises just between us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Breathing

"Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD." -- Psalm 150:6

If you're breathing then you are qualified to praise and worship the Lord. How many times have I used my words carelessly? How many times have I prophesied my own trouble? How many times have I eaten the fruit of my own mouth? Oh, to let my words be few; let them be choice words; selected just for you!

Today's prayer: "God, I praise you today for everything you are and everything you've done. I praise you today because I'm breathing in oxygen you created with lungs so wonderfully made. I purpose this day to be selective and choosy when spending my words. I shall value them as gold coins. Help me not to waste a single one. Today, I choose PRAISE!"

Bad Hair Day

"What are you looking at? You've heard, "If you hang out at the Barber Shop long enough you are going to get a haircut." If you allow your eyes to see things they shouldn't, you will eventually wind up doing it. Satan gives a very bad haircut, and in the long run it will turn out to be an expensive one (see Proverbs 13:15; Judges 2:13-15). Don't have a bad hair day." (from the Elijah List, 12/7/08)


Today,'s prayer: "Abba, keep my eyes on you. Don't let them stray for a moment. Keep my eyes in the WORD and away from advertisements and commercialism; two things that run rampant this time of year. I purpose this day to give honor to you and not to the god of mammon. Forgive me in the areas where I've already blown it and set my path aright. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Brokenness

John 12:24-25: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

Most of us would rather live without any seasons of pain. I know I would. Brokenness hurts! Yet during such times, the Lord often does His greatest work in our lives, reshaping and realigning us for His divine purposes. Jesus beautifully explains the principle of brokenness in John 12:24-25, where He compares our life to a single grain of wheat. If we hold a kernel in our hands, nothing will happen. If we carefully place it in a jar or on a shelf for safekeeping, it will just sit there indefinitely. In its safety, the grain will essentially be useless. However, if that kernel is placed in the soil where its protective layer is stripped away, something amazing happens. Before long, a little sprout will emerge from the earth and start to grow into something different, useful, and beautiful. Moreover, that new stalk will produce more grains that can be planted, and the stalks they produce will do the same. It's an amazing cycle of life, wherein a single kernel can lead to countless stalks of wheat. But it has to start with the brokenness of one grain.

Today's prayer: "God, I don't want to sit on a shelf in a jar being "safe." I want to be put in the ground and have my protective layer stripped away so that I can sprout wings and soar like an eagle for you! So, I say, plant me in your soil, water me with your rain, and shine your SON on me. Go ahead. This single grain of wheat cries out for multiplication."

Comfort Zone

Genesis 12:1-2 "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing."

I love the KJV rendering of God's command to Abram, "Get thee out of thy country." God tells Abram to leave his country and his family and his father's household and go to a land that He will show him. God calls us to obedience in the same way, and often times He will say "Get thee out of thy comfort zone." Some of God's biggest blessings (and challenges!) come when we step out into the unknown, leaving behind everything familiar to us, to walk in faith. Abraham must have felt like an alien. I've known that feeling. God calls us to something new and we're "out there" all alone saying, "Wait, surely this is not what God said." Feeling like an alien is usually the first indication that we're in the right place with God. I've learned that stepping out into the unknown is where God does some of His best work. It's a place where blessing (and testing) flow hand in hand.

Today's prayer: "God, I'm out here. Yes, it's a strange land -- not much familiar in sight. Must be the right place, and though I don't see any road signs I sense your presence; your confirmation; your urging. If I strain my eyes I can still see "my comfort zone" -- way back there where I left it. Just a few more steps and it will disappear completely, dropping below the horizon."

Fear

Joshua 1:9 "I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

If God has "commanded" -- called and commissioned us to do something, then He is sure to go with us. Where does our fear come from? I think Beth Moore hit on this. To some degree, we are all afraid of failing. We're afraid of letting God, ourselves, and others down. We somehow want to hide our "humanness." We may not speak our fears out loud, but Satan watches our actions. He can read us like a book. Satan sets the trap -- the very thing we're afraid of doing; the very thing we're afraid of becoming, and the very area in which we're afraid we might fall -- he sets up the circumstances to try and trip us up. But praise GOD -- He tells us to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. We scream, "I can't. I won't. God, what if I fail you?" And, He lovingly echoes back, "I am the potter and you are the clay and I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU!"

Today's prayer: "God, in what areas am I most afraid of failing? Help me submit to the potter's hand. Help me press through the fear of man and the fear of failure. You've already accounted for my failure in your plan. You've even accounted for my stupidity. And yet, you still say, I will never fail you. This lump of clay can only respond with thank you, thank you, thank you."

Embedded Impurities

One of my favorite Bible teachers, Beth Moore, says that we all have embedded impurities, things from our past, areas of sin, temptation, or weakness, that even though we may not have "acted" on them in years, they're still there. Part of God's sifting or purification is to shake those things loose, to bring them to the surface one by one so that they can be purged. At any one point in our life, something can happen to shake one of them loose and it rears it's ugly head. Woe be unto us if we're not prepared to deal with it. You can just bet that the timing won't be the ideal time for us -- e.g. we may be at the "height" of our ministry and bam, out of nowhere we get hit. It is to our benefit to work with God to get those things out in private time with HIM before they are exposed in public time, all because we didn't deal with them. God will often allow private time for correction first and if we don't take heed, public correction is sure to follow.

Today's prayer: "Oh God, it scares me sometimes to think what hidden things are still embedded within me. And yet, I want them out! When someone "bumps" me I want only YOU to spill out. I submit to your purging -- go after those things that are embedded; show them to me; and help rid me of them once and for all."

Sifting

Luke 22:31-32: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

In this passage, the first use of the word "you" is plural, meaning all of us; and the second use is singular, referring just to Peter. Like others, I have been through some seasons of sifting in my life. We can be sure that if we're being sifted then there is something in us that NEEDS sifting. But, Praise God! While we're being sifted, Jesus is praying for us. If anyone is going to pray for me, let it be Jesus. I know his prayers are heard and answered. Notice the scripture says "and WHEN you have turned back" -- this gives me courage because it doesn't say "IF you turn back." After our season of sifting we are strengthened (that is, able to make use of our bitter experience for the fortifying of others) and in turn, can strengthen our brothers.

Today's prayer: "God, the seasons of sifting are unpleasant, but more bearable knowing that Jesus is praying for me. I have places I want to "go" in you -- so what must "go" in me in order for that to happen? It scares me to even ask, but ask I must because an unrefined life is not much of a life. Sift away; oh, but please do it quickly. I promise to cooperate."

Morning

Isaiah 50:4-5: "The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back."

After reading Isaiah 50:4-5, I began to ponder if I might be missing something. Does the LORD give us supernatural ability to hear Him in the morning? Does time spent with God first thing in the morning provide direction and/or corrections to our day that we would otherwise miss? I confess to being a morning person in most areas, but not in my prayer/devotional time. I'm blessed when I can squeeze in 15-20 minutes. In fact, I prefer long evening sessions of prayer, worship, & devotion. It's my bedtime routine and one I'm not likely to abandon anytime soon. It's my "cup of warm milk" and it gives me restful sleep. And yet, I wonder if God is leading me down this morning path; a path fresh with the morning dew. I purpose today to try an experiment and see where He takes me.

Today's prayer: "God, you are my morning and my evening and everything in between. I want to yield to your voice and follow it wherever it takes me, so I say YES, please lead me there and I will follow. Shake up my routine and help me explore new heights and new depths in YOU."

Rebuke

Matthew 16:23 "But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men."

This scripture came to me last night and I couldn't help but wonder how often many of us (me included) have played the role of "stumbling block" -- not minding the things of God, but the things of men. Jesus rebukes Peter in front of the disciples, probably because they also needed to hear it. But notice, that in Jesus' rebuking of Peter he does not say, "I'm done with you" or "I don't love or value you." Jesus rebuked the "spirit" speaking through Peter and not Peter himself. I'm convinced it was in love and with complete restoration in mind. Jesus was in relationship with Peter and had poured much encouragement into him (i.e. he had first paved the road with love).

Today's prayer: "God, forgive me for the times I've been a stumbling block. Keep my eyes on the things of God and off the things of men. Send others to rubuke me, in love, whenever it is necessary. Lead me to good, solid, accountability relationships; relationships that exhort and encourage and come along beside me. And, yes, I'll take the rebuking too, especially if the road has first been paved with love."

Intercession

Habakkuk 3:1-2 "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth. Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known..."

Habakkuk 3 is entitled a prayer of Habakkuk. It is a meditation with himself, an intercession for the church. Prophets were praying men; this prophet was so (He is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, Gen. 20:7); and sometimes they prayed for even those whom they prophesied against. Those that were intimately acquainted with the mind of God concerning future events knew better than others how to order their prayers, and what to pray for, and, in the foresight of troublesome times, could lay up a stock of prayers that might then receive a gracious answer, and so be serving the church by their prayers when their prophesying was over (excerpt from Matthew Henry Complete Commentary).

Today's prayer: "God, I have heard of your fame. I have seen it declared. Your glory invades the earth. Today I intercede for your church, your bride. I call upon the One who sits enthroned above the earth and ask you to renew your works in our day; and in our time make them known. Come quickly to our aid; defend us against our foes; bring hope to your people."

Boldness

Acts 4:13-14 "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since the man who had been healed was standing right there among them, the council had nothing to say."

Today's prayer: "God, I pray for boldness in the midst of persecution. Though I am an ordinary woman and have no special training, I ask for a great boldness that comes as a result of spending time with you. And when (not if) the people are healed, the "council" will be silenced. Yes, Lord, let it be unto me as you have said. Amen."

The Heart

"Those who flee temptation generally leave a forwarding address."

I came across this quote recently and it struck me how our flesh can be so clever. When old habits continually knock on our door we need to step back and find out the "root" cause. David penned the following, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." [Psalm 139:23]

The only way to deal with the flesh is to kill it and if there is still pain there, then it isn't dead.

Today's prayer: "God, search my heart. Expose the deepest parts. Bring to the surface anything lurking there that needs to die. For only in dying to my flesh will I truly live."

Priorities

Deuteronomy 6:5: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

I've always heard the statement: God first, family second, and everything else third. Recently, I heard someone break it down further: God first, spouse second, children third, church family fourth, and your personal ministry fifth. This has caused me to reexamine my priorities. God obviously comes first: Deuteronomy 6:5 "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." If all one’s heart, soul, and strength is committed to loving God, He is the number one priority. If you are married, your spouse comes next after God. A married man is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Christ’s first priority—after obeying and glorifying the Father—was the Church. Here is an example husbands should follow: God first, then his wife. In the same way, wives are to submit to their husbands “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). We can draw from this the principle that her husband is second only to God in her priorities. If husbands and wives are second only to God in our priorities, and being that a husband and wife are one flesh (Ephesians 5:31), it stands to reason that the result of the marriage relationship—children—should be the next priority. Parents are to raise godly children who will be the next generation of those who love the Lord with all their hearts (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4), showing once again that God is first in our priorities and all other relationships should reflect that. Deuteronomy 5:16 tells us to honor our parents so that we may live long and things will go well with us. No age limit is specified, which leads us to believe that as long as our parents are alive, we should honor them. We can conclude from this that parents are next in the list of priorities after God, our spouses, and our children. After parents comes the rest of one's family (1 Timothy 5:8), then fellow believers. Romans 14 tells us not judge or look down upon our brothers (v. 10), nor to do anything to cause a fellow Christian to “stumble” or fall spiritually. Much of the book of 1 Corinthians is Paul’s instructions on how the Church should live together in harmony, loving one another. Other exhortations referring to our brothers and sisters in Christ are: “…serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13); “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32); “…encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11); “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Finally comes the rest of the world (Matthew 28:19), to whom we should go and bring the Gospel, making disciples of Christ among them. In conclusion, the scriptural order of priorities is God, spouse, children, parents, extended family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the rest of the world.

Today's prayer: "God, you are my number one priority. Your face will I seek. You know my heart beats for ministry, but how often has my family taken back seat to my personal ministry and volunteer time? Forgive me and help me find balance in all things. Teach me your ways so that I will be wise and have the understanding that comes from you. Thank you for words from others that challenge my 'status quo' "

Refuge

"Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place..." Psalm 91:9

The hiding place of God's protection is the mountain of holiness; just as He hid Moses in the mountain, so shall He also hide me.

Today's prayer: "God, hide me away. Today, I need to be hidden. The enemy bears down, but I know he won't follow me up the mountain. Step by step I climb .... until all I see is your face. No need to look back; the enemy can't breathe at this altitude. I've crossed the 'snake line' -- victory is now assured."

Resurrection Power

Mark 16:17-18 "These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them."

My heart's cry is to be involved in something that's impossible, to have signs and wonders accompany those who believe. A normal Christian life should be supernatural. That's how we know we've tasted of the resurrection power of Jesus that abides and dwells in us as born-again believers.

Today's prayer: "God, saturate me with your presence. Let me walk in your resurrection power, casting out demons, speaking new languages, handling Satan, the lying snake, with safety, receiving no harm from the venom of serpents and poisons, and placing hands on the sick and watching them recover. Give me so much of you that everywhere I go, I cannot help but drip with over-saturation. Your presence is like honey. Honey is golden like your glory; it is thick like your presence; it is sticky enough to get "stuck" on others; pure honey lasts a long time; and it tastes sweet, just like your Word."

Reputation

Mark 8:34-35 "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

I heard a speaker at a conference this weekend say that when we start walking in the glory, many will drop us like a hot potato. Jesus made himself of no reputation and we are called to do the same.
Today's prayer: "God, I give to you my reputation. Help me not to care what others think of me. Help me not to even ponder it in my heart. Help me to not have an opinion of another's opinion of me. I have to follow hard after you. Where else would I go Lord? I can never go back. I must only go forward."

Revival

Revival is not born out of mass movements but out of a series of solitary decisions.
Today's prayer: "God, I want to be a history maker! Shake everything that can be shaken in me. I don't want a religious routine, I rather want the high adventures of being a radical forerunner who will gladly give up all for You. Fill me with Your glory to touch this world for Jesus!"