REFOCUS ME

REasons to REad God's REvelation

Today we will look at REfocus.

Psalm 119:37 "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word."

Dear Lord, it seems like refocusing is a daily necessity. I want to come to that place in my walk and faith that I can stay focused on what matters most. What matters to You. What you want for my life. Help me to be focused in Your WORD, so like the verse above, you will preserve my life. Everything we need for life and practice is found in your Word, dear Lord. Keep me focused and when I stray, prick my heart and cause me to stop and refocus on YOU. I love You. Amen.

REasons to REad God's REvelation ~ So God can . . . .

REscue Me
REexamine Me
REpair Me
REfuel Me
REplenish Me
REinvigorate Me
REfocus Me

Amen

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The Honor and Horror of a Kiss

Psalm 2:12 (ESV)
”Kiss the Son…..”

Father we recognize the Biblical symbolic representation of a kiss as showing homage, affection and friendship toward someone we highly value. In relation to a King it was a way of demonstrating respect. So we are not surprised that Jesus was honored in this way and was certainly worthy of such adoration.

However Father, we are stunned that such a noble jester was used to identify Jesus by his betrayer Judas.

He was listed among the 12, he sat in seat of honor at the Last Supper, he held a trusted position as their treasurer, and he was personally involved in the ministry of Jesus. Yet, under this guise of devotion he became the Devil’s tool in a multifaceted conspiracy against Jesus.

Luke 22:47-48 (ESV)
⁴⁷ …… there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Father, I do not believe Jesus was surprised by the depravity of human nature nor of the deception that lurked within the heart of Judas. But he had to be saddened that a man of such privilege as a chosen disciple and apostle would succumb to the depth of such selfish ambition. Deception is evil in it’s every expression.

But none of this would hinder or prevent Jesus from sacrificing his life for the souls of men including those who conspired against him with such hostility and hatred.

Thank you Lord Jesus for love that knows no measure and mercy that knows no bounds. And I pray with the Apostle Paul for all of us: “…may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)

Amen

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He's Holding My Hand

Dear Lord,
I'm late again. Late posting here. I wanted to thank You for being in control of my week. It's been a week of surprises starting with a sudden job interview. I don't know where this adventure will take me (or us) but if You are with me, I'll be okay. I have to admit, I was a little over whelmed with everything I've had to put in order this week, but it's come together in spite of my misgivings. The most amazing thing is how You have been admonishing me to trust You. Hold Your hand. Rest. Fear not. Be anxious for nothing. I've been a little anxious, a little fearful, but I'm holding on, Lord, and so are You. Thank You also for those You've put in my path to encourage me in this new endeavor. You always know just what I need.
Amen

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Request for Humility

We live in an age of self promotion. Because of that, humility has become a rare commodity. Now humility is not putting ourselves down, but realizing that everything we are and have comes from God, and that we need to look at it realistically.

Father,

Help us to remember who we are. Help us to realize that everything we are and have is based on Your creation and Your salvation. Help us live, not to glorify ourselves, but You. And help us not to deny the real strengths you give us, but to recognize them as from You, to be used in your service,

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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REINVIGORATE ME

Week six in REasons to REad God's REvelation

Today is REinvigorate Me. Psalm 119:28 "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word."

Dear Lord, how many times my soul is filled with sorrow at the condition of our world and the hatred and violence that is ever common on the news. In our world, in our country and our neighborhoods. Some times it hard to see the sunshine behind the clouds, but in this wonderful verse you have promised our strength comes not from our circumstances but from YOUR WORD. You tell us over and over again, you are with us, and will never leave us. We know the end of the story and there will come a time when we will reign with You in Your Kingdom. But until then, Lord help me saturate myself with the Word of God. Then and only then will I truly be reinvigorated. I love You. Amen.

Amen

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Mocking Jesus

“The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus...” Matthew 27:41 (NLT),

“Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment ….Then they knelt before him in mockery ……. ³¹When they were finally tired of mocking him..…” Matthew 27:27-31 (NLT)

“….the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.” Matthew 27:44 (NLT)

“The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.” Matthew 27:39 (NLT)

Father I am both astonished and marvel at the love, mercy and patience of Jesus during the humiliation he endured by those who mocked him. He was not just another man considered to be a criminal, a false Messiah, a false prophet, a blasphemer who claimed to be God. He was God incarnate, your beloved Son, the Lord of glory and Savior of the world.

Such indignity and insult to the Creator of the universe and King of Kings is beyond imagination. And yet as Isaiah prophesied: “….He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NLT)

The Apostle Peter reminds us of the grace of Jesus under the fire of suffering when he wrote: “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NLT)

Father words fail me in adoration and worship of such loving grace, but I will say with the song writer:

Hallelujah What a Savior!!!

Amen

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Hope

Dear Lord,
It's been a rough few weeks. We've had some really discouraging days, and in the midst of it all I came to realize that I really hate marriage conferences, especially when my husband and I are struggling. They didn't tell us anything new, and after most of the sessions I was doing all I could to fight back the tears. I came home discouraged. We still weren't getting along and it felt as though nothing could ever make it better. Deep inside I was terribly angry and I've come to realize that I often nurse those bitter thoughts by justifying them rather than giving them to you, Jesus. I don't immediately cry out for help. Instead I often dig in my heels and hold onto my pride as tightly as I think my husband hangs onto his, and that only takes us farther down a road that neither of us wants to travel. Tonight, I thank you, Lord, for walking the road with us, for turning us back in the right direction, and giving us hope.
I pray that you would use us as an encouragement to not only our friends, but our children as well. Please forgive my anger and unforgiveness. Thank you for loving me when I am unlovable and undeserving, for filling me with Your spirit, and making me able to love others even when I find them (temporarily) unlovable.
Amen

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3 dollars worth...

Lord, may our prayer never be this. May we want all of you, God. May we want to be transformed by your Holy Spirit. Explode our souls! Give us ecstasy! Lord, we pray for new birth in You.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,

but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk

or a snooze in the sunshine.

I want ecstasy, not transformation.

I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.

I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

— Wilbur ReesT

Amen

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Undiagnosed Illnesses

One of the great frustrations in life is to suffer from an illness that doctors cannot seem to diagnose. I have experienced this in my own life, my wife's, and those of various of my friends.

Father,

I pray for those who suffer with chronic illness, particularly those who struggle to identify what it is. I pray that you will give them your peace. I pray that you will give the doctors wisdom in knowing how to treat them and lead them to doctors who can help. I pray more than this, that You will be their Healer and bring about that healing in any way You see fit. And if it is Your will that they should continue to suffer, I pray You will give them Your strength and Your peace to deal with the situation.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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Lent: Week Three

Father, make us a people of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. May we be known in our families, communities, and workplaces as people of compassion toward others. Work in us in such a way that the world becomes thirsty for the living water they see flowing out of us. Amen

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REPLENISH ME

We are at week six in REsons to REad God's REvelation.

REplenish Me Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Dear Lord, I am running the course. I want to be energetic in my response to Your commands. You have set my heart free and I love that I don't get weary as you have promised to replenish me and set my heart free to run the race set before me. To see the finish line and not give up. I love you Lord. I love your Word. Amen.

Amen

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Simons Cross

Matthew 27:32 (ESV)

"As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.”

Father as I think about this passage and consider this man Simon I marvel at his unique honor and incredible privilege to help carry the cross of Christ. In doing this, though so reluctantly, he stands alone in history as the only one to serve the Savior in this way.

On Simon’s garment, arms and hands must have been blood from Jesus’ lacerated back which dripped from the cross prior to Simon shifting it to his shoulders. What was an infamous moment for Simon became glorious for all time. The emotions Simon felt as he carried the cross must have nearly overwhelmed him. And I am sure that as he thought back, later in life on this sacred event, he must have bowed in humility and worship of such a holy memory.

Christ’s cross became Simons cross as it does for all of Jesus followers. And Father may we say with the Apostle Paul: “….God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 6:14 (KJV) Yes Father it was a glorious cross Simon carried and a glorious cross we serve because of the Glorious Christ who sacrificed his life for us on it.

Amen

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Prayer for Migraine Sufferers

For weeks now I have had a migraine that has affected the vision in my left eye.
I have been to a neurologist and have had an MRI. As I await the results, I pray ...

Lord have mercy on those who suffer from migraines and headaches.

May your healing presence comfort those affected.
May wisdom be granted to doctors and others.
May faith arise and peace encompass each in our need.
May life flow out of death and healing from pain.

In all things we confess our trust and belief in the name of Jesus.

Amen

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Not a Fireman

Sometimes we can see God as a fireman, someone to come and rescue us when we really get in trouble. But God would have us trust Him not just for the big catastrophes, but for our ordinary, everyday needs in life, our daily bread.

Father,

Help us learn to trust You, not just in time of disaster, but in all the ups and downs of life. Help us remember there is no problem so small it cannot be brought to You. Help us trust You with all of our lives and live them in constant dependence on You. For You are the One we need so we that can face with confidence all life throws at us.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

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