Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God… You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today. Deuteronomy 29:9-15 NIV
You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words
I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. Psalm 119:57-59 NIV
A vow is binding. This is serious. Give me focus to understand the gravity of my ‘yes.’ How much joy You have Lord when I can give me all in search of Your love, Is there any part of my heart that resists?
…all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:6-7 NIV
All are welcome to this house of prayer. Who will accept the invitation?
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:1-11
Before going into public ministry, the gauntlet was laid. The lies were strong and convincing using Your Word in temptation. Prepare my heart as in times of uncertainty, the harvest is abundant right now.
Take my heart and form it to Yours. Take me to another place in my call to evangelization. Expose the lies and hold me close in Your love. Take my mind, transform it. Take my will conform it to Yours to Yours O Lord. May it be done to me according to thy Word.
Sixty-six books in a year 