Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Praying for the Reader


Most High God, Creator, Immortal One...

Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lovely Savior, God with us...

Would you please engage us where we may feel alone, tired, or discouraged?

Emmanuel, refresh us by revealing to us the glorious Light of your presence.

Whisper in our ears the Living Word that we need. Please help us place our ears by your mouth. Let your speech be heard in our quiet places, and give us wisdom to know what to do about it all.

May we see your glory and rejoice that you are the God who neither leaves us nor withholds what we need.

We choose to praise you Lord, and we anticipate your faithful revelations for our good and for your awesome glory.

Through Jesus Christ, the Lamb who links us with your holy presence...

May it be.

Scriptures:
Revelation 5:12-14; Revelation 19:16; Hebrews 13:5-6; Isaiah 50:4; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19; Psalm 23; Psalm 91: 14-16.

Bringing Distractions to the Light


It is luxury to be able to spend solitary time with God. My devotional times are usually rich...that is, if I am really present. If I am persistently distracted, I do well to present the distractions to the Lord for our mutual scrutiny.

I want the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to please my heavenly Father, my Redesigner. So attending to hovering preoccupations, instead of batting them away, positions me to acknowledge lurking worries or hopeful dreams and release them to the Lord.

Since I want to please God and to live a healthy, holy life, I prepare myself for hearing God's instructions. I get quiet with the Holy Spirit, invite His discernment, and cover my mind and spirit with the armor of God. And, oh, how I need Wisdom's input. As I present myself, I repeatedly experience my Lord Jesus Christ, who is good at loving me well and gently revealing hidden things so they can be bathed with His Light and Life.

Choosing to be vulnerable with the living Christ, who understands all my struggles, opens doors to His transforming Light. Trusting God to accept and attend to these concerns is like giving the house keys to the Master Craftsman for His rennovation.

I am never disappointed in God's final work. After all, I get to trade ashes for a crown of beauty, and can anticipate discouragement will be transformed into a life of praise!

Scriptures:
Eph 6:10-20
Ps 19:14
Isaiah 61:1-3

For Your Consideration:

Do you have any distraction or nagging thought that you need to share with Jesus?

How might working together with the living Christ for healthy change become more viable?

What transformations of grace might you celebrate?

Friday, February 6, 2009

"Morning Star"

A brilliant star followed us home tonight. Perhaps the lone bright light was the north star. I didn't know for sure. I gawked through the car window with renewed delight in God's sky.

Was it a star like this one that took the eastern stargazers to the Christ child? Years of observation, study, and curiosity prepared them to recognize God's sign so they could discover a miracle. How exquisite was God's timing in bringing these camel riders across rough terrain to worship a king!

Nature's distinct whispers reveal God's character. But God does not usually use dramatic sightings like unusual stars or Red Sea crossings to guide me. I might find erruptions of the Lord's grace and guidance in a quiet reading of the Scriptures, the grin of a child, the perseverance of a coworker, encouraging words of a friend, or an answered prayer. But whenever I follow the rays of God's love, I find a brilliant star shining. A star that doesn't merely follow me, but guides me home.

And in the "Morning Star's" presence, I, too, worship the King.

"I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I'm the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16, The Message).


For your Consideration:

How does God draw your attention toward enjoying His majesty and love?

Can you find or write a worship song to express your delight to our wonderful King?