1Kings 2; Galations 6; Ezekiel 33; Psalms 81&82

Son of man say to the house of Isreal, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them.  How then can we live?”

Ezekiel 33:10-11

I remember being at this crossroad in my life;  my sins were weighing me down.  I had changed my ways; began to live a more respectful life, given up the partying, lying and cheating.  We looked like the all American semi-dysfunctional family.  A divorced mom of three, remarried with aspirations of having more children with my second husband, but I was weighed down and burdened.  I wanted something more but didn’t know what it was.

I worked with a woman who befriended me;  at times I would have told you that she was argumentative, stubborn and just a bit self righteous.  But like sandpaper on wood, my irritation toward her little comments and questions began to smooth out.  After awhile I wanted to spend my lunch hours with her and eventually she became a very close friend.  I didn’t know at the time that God was using her in my journey towards salvation.  Looking back it is so clear, but at the time there were days when I would walk out of her office with steam coming out of my ears. 

One particular day I remember very clearly; I was sharing a story about one of my children being caught in a lie and the punishment that insued.  She listened intently as she always did and when I was finished she gently asked me whyI had thought what my child had done was wrong and by what standard did I use to back up the punishment?  I was confused and embarrassed.  I asked what she meant.  She agreed that I was correct in admonishing my child for lying but why was the child wrong in telling a lie.  I answered; “because lying is wrong” to that she replied; “who says so?”

Hummm…she had me.  I wasn’t a Christian, I didn’t read the Bible, but…I knew that it was one of the Ten Commandments…is that what she meant?  I believe that  moment was my first encounter with conviction.   It wasn’t just beacuse of this one story that this occured; it was after several months of  her getting to know me and listening to my stories.  She then explained her question and said that if I wanted my children to know why lying was wrong then I would have to explain to them “why” it was wrong and “who” said so.  In other words not just wrong in our home but that it was a sin and if left up to world view as opposed to biblical world view then  it would be harmful to my children their whole life unless I taught them about God’s why. 

Years passed and I accepted Christ.  Would you like to guess the first thing that came to mind?  It was that day in her office.   That was the day that I probably said those exact words in my heart; “My offenses and sins weigh me down, and I am wasting away because of them.  How then can I  live?”    

Father God I praise you for my friend and others who were your instuments in my journey toward you.  Thank you for loving me so much that you placed her in my life to show me how to turn from my evil ways.  Her name wasn’t Ezekiel and she wasn’t a prophet, but she was your faithful servant.  Father I just ask that you prepare in me the foundation  and heart of a faithful servant who will be an example and witness for others when they ask; “How then can we live?”   In Jesus Name. Amen.

Cindi (rustiqueart)

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1 Kings1; Galatians 5; Ezekiel 32; Psalm 80

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:1,16,22-23

A watch rests in my jewelry box. The pendant  belonged to my grandmother, who was born in 1887. The gold is tarnished. It doesn’t keep time. The chain is broken. Yet every so often I take it out and attempt to adorn myself with a useless relic from the past.

I think about how the yoke of sin still sparkles deceptively in my life. My old nature tries to put a strangle hold on me. I know wearing this collar of temptations can only lead to ugliness and discord.

This sin/repentance cycle repeats over and over. I pray. I transcend, rather than descend into the baser instincts. Each time I shun more quickly wrong actions. Covered in prayer I throw off everything that hinders my walk with Jesus.

To live in the Spirit is one of my greatest desires. I imagine myself wearing a new necklace fashioned by the Holy Spirit, that shines with happiness, peace, patience, love, kindness, gentleness, self-control and faithfulness.

One day I will be perfect. On that day I will be festooned in pure white garments of praise. I need no other adornment than to reflect my Savior’s love.

yicareggie

2 Samuel 24; Galatians 4; Ezekiel 31; Psalm 79

How many times do I offer God that which costs me nothing?

the scanty leftovers of my time…

the skimpiest sum I can manage to fumble  inconspicuously out of my pocket…

a begrudging, grumbling obedience…

service IF it is convenient, promisingly fruitful, or is particularly of a nature that others might well see…

O God, You don’t force us to serve you, much less love You…
But now that we have come to know You, or rather to be known by You, through Your Son… We are no longer under law.  How much more then ought our offerings be worth since we are now conscious of grace; grace that’s free and yet so very very costly.

HELP US O GOD of our salvation,
for the glory of Your name;
deliver us, atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake.
Psalm 79:9

God, it hurts to be exposed.
To realize how seldom I realize how great You are.

How many good things I try to keep to myself…
Forgive me.

You are worthy, for You have given extravagantly…

Give me a heart ready to be poured out before you.
To spend myself lavishly to bring You all the glory.

Help me God, to be resolute.
Choosing not the easy route.
Fearing not that I might suffer,
To say with David, “I will not offer
burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
That you might be my everything.

amy in peru

2 Samuel 23, Galatians 3, Ezekiel 30, Psalm 78:38-72

“Are you so foolish?  After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”  Galatians 3:3

I admit it!  I am a really slow learner!  On a regular basis, I slip back into my “foolish” way of thinking.  It is so easy to be judgmental (of others and myself) and to focus on “observing the law.”  Just typing the word judgmental, I recall getting caught up in the fact that the word judgment was spelled incorrectly (judgement) in a verse written on a restaurant bulletin board one time.  I don’t think I enjoyed my meal because I was so fixated on this error.

I waste so much time and energy … and do damage to myself and my relationships … when I allow myself to head down that doomed (and foolish) path. I do this in big ways and in small ways.  I do this nearly every day.  Frustration over clothing not folded “properly.”  Feeling guilty at the grocery on Sunday morning (even though I went to church on Saturday night) and judging those around me for not being at church.  (I told you I was a little crazy!)  I get impatient with myself when I don’t live up to some “ideal Christian” standard … with all pure actions and a Christ-like attitude about everything that comes my way.  Then I am reminded.  It isn’t all about me!  It is about Him!

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”  Galatians 3:26

Father, remind me of the folly of living life on my own power and under the law.  Help me to set myself aside and to live a life clothed in Christ.  –  Amen

byhisgracekml

2 Samuel 22; Galatians 2; Ezekiel 29; Psalm 78:1-37

Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. (2 Samuel 22:1)

What an awesome privilege to be able to read the prayers and words of David, so many centuries after he lived on earth.  I love that God’s Word has given us a record of compositions, songs and prayers that came from the heart of a that man after God’s heart.  His words are breathtaking to read!  And his dialogue with God is something I never tire of, particularly in 2 Samuel 22 which is the final swan song of David’s beautiful heart for God.

In this beautiful prayer, I am captivated by these words and I love to meditate on them and consider them:

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.”  (2 Samuel 22:2-3)

The Lord is a rock.  A place of salvation .  He is my foundation.  I could rest in Him and trust in Him.

The Lord is my fortress.  He is the protector of my heart and my very life.

The Lord is my deliverer.    He delivers me from all times of temptation.  He is mighty to save and His mercies never cease.

The Lord is the God of my strength in whom I could put my trust.    He protects me from the enemy.

The Lord is my shield and my salvation.  I could rest in Him because He has delivered me from my sins.  He has torn the veil and given me access to Him by the beautiful gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on a tree for me.

The Lord is my stronghold.  He is my strong tower.  From His heights He allows me to see the big picture as my eyes could see it.  He is my vision.

The Lord is my refuge.  He is my Savior.  He is the one who saves me from violence.

David recognized God for who He is and he recognizes God in absolutely every experience in life!  And He gives me 20/20 vision on who God as I meditate on these intoxicating words.  I am reminded of just how awesome He is.  His poetic expression of gratitude is so profoundly expressed in these words.  And I fall in love with God all over again as I read them.

Lord, you are so awesome!  Your word is a treasure chest that is greater than the greatest that life could offer.  You are timeless and I am so grateful to have the privilege of reading this beautiful prayer over and over again, thousands of years after they spoken to you from one of the greatest hearts that ever lived.

My beautiful Savior, it is my prayer that you give me a heart like David.  I so desire to have a heart like the sweet psalmist of Israel for all I wish to do is lavish my love and praises to you all of my days.  But God, I get distracted by this world.  Anxieties for me are huge and I need to rid my heart of all things that are keeping me from trusting in you alone.  Forgive me Lord, but I am human and my heart is often times inconsistent and wayward.  I need your help and I ask you to what is necessary to develop me into a man that rests and trusts completely in you.

I cannot express my thankfulness to you for your Word and how it speaks to me.  Your Word is life giving!  The words open up my heart and my mind.  They open up life.  The let me live.  And my desire is to live for nobody but you.  All the “comforts” and things I cling to in the world are nothing but emptiness compared to you.  There is none like you and it is only in a loving relationship with you that I am able to really live.

I will praise you my loving Savior.  You are merciful and forgiving.  You are mighty and just.  You are omniscient and altogether lovely and good.  You are my rock, my fortress, my reason and purpose for living.  You are the hope that makes my dreams pleasant.  You are my God and I love you with all of my heart!

Thank you for loving me so unfailingly.  Thank you for breathing life into me and giving me abounding joy found in you.  My desire is to lift you on high and make much of you and I confess my desperate need for you.  It is with a heart of gratitude and praise, that I kneel before you and cry out to you, Abba Father!

I love you, Jesus!

John (johnd7264)