2 Chronicles 22&23; Revelation 10; Zechariah 6; John 9

John 9 – The story of Jesus healing the blind man on the Sabbath.  The Pharisees were intent on setting a trap for Jesus.  Investigating the healing, they questioned the one who had been healed, as well as his parents and those who had witnessed the healing.

John 9:25b  “One thing I do know.  I was blind, but now I see!”

Sometimes the questions of theology and faith become so complex.  We have grand discussions regarding the nuances of words and their original Greek or Hebrew meaning.  There is certainly a time and a place for those conversations.  However, some days, I think we need to quell the din and simply state…”I was blind, but now I see!”

 

Thank you Father, for your Amazing Saving Grace!  I once was lost, but now am found.  Was blind, but now I see!

Karen

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1 Chronicles 16; James 3; Obadiah 1; Luke 5

**Yesterday, we hosted a surprise 70th birthday party for my dad.  Late last night, my friend called to remind me that I was scheduled for 66 Books today.  I have re-posted John’s words from last year.

 

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

“And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel.”  (1 Chronicles 16:1 NKJV)

David’s love for God is so inspiring to me.  Throughout David’s life, he demonstrated so beautifully his incredible heart for God by: (1) always remembering what God has done for him and for the nation in his prayers and his words,  (2) demonstrating to others how awesome God is by telling them about God, and  (3) showing the glorious riches of who God is by allowing God to use his life for the purpose of bringing glory not to himself, but to God.

Here in 1 Chronicles 16, an incredible and moving event took place in Jerusalem.  The Ark of the Lord has just been brought to Jerusalem and David appoints certain Levites to minister before the Ark, for the sole purpose of continually giving praise and thanksgiving to God.  David then prays a prayer of thanksgiving that is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt prayers ever recorded in human history (1 Chronicles 16:8-36).

David’s offering of praise and thankfulness is public for all the world to see, even today, as we have the privilege of reading his recorded words in the Scriptures.  He is putting God in His rightful place, singing to Him a beautiful love song, thanking Him for His majesty, His provision, and His unfailing mercy, goodness and love.  Words of thanksgiving come pouring out of David’s heart, affirming the goodness of God for all to see.

“For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised”.

“Honor and majesty are before Him;  Strength and gladness are in His place”.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever”.

These words choke me up.  They choke me up not only because they are beautiful words of love but also because I so desire a heart of thanksgiving like David has.  Far too often in my life, praise and thanksgiving are reserved only for holidays, celebrations and when things are going well in my life.  In the absence of gratitude, I often find myself in a place of complacency and independence, taking way too many things for granted.  In short, I become spoiled, living as if I deserve every blessing He has given me.

This makes me wonder just how much more beautiful my life and my relationship with God would be if praise and thanksgiving were a regular part of my daily routine no matter what circumstances I am faced with.  I find that in those times when I have a thankful heart, my mind is removed off of myself and my own little problems and needs, and they are instead focused instead on something far greater than just me.  The more time I spend seeking His face, remembering His works and His promises, proclaiming the good news of His salvation day to day and His wonders among all peoples, the more I love Him.  The more I love Him, the more my life will show it.

Oh God, you are so rich in mercy and goodness.  There is none like you!  You are great and greatly to be praised!  You are to be feared above all gods.  Honor and majesty are before you!  Strength and gladness are in your place!

Lord, I pray that you give me a heart like David’s.  Help me Lord to see every single event, every single person, every single moment through the lens of your perfect and unfailing love.  Teach me to love the things you love.  Teach my heart to break for the things that break your heart.  Give me a heart of praise and thankfulness, not so others would look upon me and declare that I am anything special, but instead so that praise and adoration is ascribed to you and you alone!

Lord, it is my hearts desire for my praise to be genuine and sincere.  I want to give you all the glory.  Take over my surrendered heart and use me.  Take this existence and use it to show the world of your love.  Help me to not waste even one second of this time you have blessed me with on this earth.

I love you and I want to make much of you!  Thank you for loving me all the time!  Unfailingly!

In your precious Name, the Name above all Names, majestic and beautiful Jesus Christ, my Lord.

John (johnd7264)

II Kings 5; I Timothy 2; Daniel 9; Psalm 117 & 118

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  – I Timothy 2:1-2

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”  – Psalm 118:8-9

 

I am a bit of a political junkie.  I majored in Political Science in college. I married another poli-sci major.  I read political blogs.  Sitting here, typing on my computer, I can see, out of the corner of my eye a photo of my family with the former Governor and a photo of my husband with a County Commissioner as they celebrate his win on election night.   My iPhone radio app is used for listening to political talk shows.  I fret about the “direction our leaders are taking us”.    My 8th grader is studying the American Revolution and the establishment of the Constitution, etc.  We are singing the School House Rock version of the Preamble on a daily basis. You could reasonably say that I am a little obsessed with the topic.

Today, I was reminded that I should put a little more effort into praying for our “kings”.  Not just the cursory, “give our leaders wisdom” that I often throw into my daily prayers as a general catch-all!  I should really take time and enumerate “requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving” for those in authority and then I need to sit back and “take refuge in the Lord”, knowing that He is in control and I do not need to “trust in princes”.

 

Father,

Help me to keep a heavenly perspective on our leaders, local, state, national and world-wide.  These men and women need your guidance, your wisdom.  I am thankful that you are in control.  That you love and died for those I agree with and those I disagree with…I can take refuge in you and that I do not need to trust in princes.

Karen

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

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.  He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me.”  II Samuel 22:2-3

“They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.”  Psalm 78:35

“On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!”

Recently, bad weather has become the norm in this part of the country.  Bad news is the only news on the radio.  The value of the currency we use diminishes between our trip to the ATM to withdraw it and using it to pay for fuel or groceries.  People talk about the economy hitting “rock bottom”.

How comforting to know that there is a solid source of peace and strength.  Though the world around may seem to be falling around us, as believers, we can cling to the Old Testament promise…”my God is my rock”!

Thank you Father, for your unfailing faithfulness and love,  Amen.

Karen

Judges 15, Acts 19, Jeremiah 28, Mark 14

When I try to pray at night, I often fall asleep without getting very far.

Christ is in the Garden of Gethsemane and realizes His death is hours away.  Three of His closest friends are with Him.  He is distress, troubled and praying fervently.

“Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping.  “Simon,” He said to Peter, “are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?”  – Mark 14:37

So, tonight, as I fall asleep…I am going to meditate on this verse.