Tag Archive | prayer

New Year 2017

Jan2

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. – Genesis 3:7

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. – Genesis 3:21

Adam and Eve at the realization of their nakedness, due to sin (disobedience to God), clothed themselves in fig leaves. The leaves would not have lasted long, since removing them from the vine would cause them to wilt, turn brown and deteriorate. The uselessness of our trying to cover up our sin.

But God . . . clothed Adam and Eve in animal skins. (God’s ways are always better). I thank Dr. Steve Thompson for pointing out last Wednesday night, that God sacrificed the first animal. The skins that Adam and Eve were clothed in came from an animal sacrificed because of sin. God sacrificed an animal in the Garden and also sacrificed His Son for the sins of all mankind.

From beginning to end God demonstrates his love for his creation — man and woman.

How about making 2017 the year you turn from sin to God? He made the provision through His Son, Jesus Christ. Today! Pray – asking forgiveness for your sin and your need for a Savior. Believe – Jesus died for you, was buried and arose from the dead three days later. Confess – Jesus as Lord! Live – as if He is your Lord.

May God bless your 2017 as you live for Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

For You Are God

Dec18

Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
For I am Your servant. — Psalm 143:10-12

You are my God and I am your servant. Teach me Your will. Lead me. Revive me. Protect me. All for the sake of Your name. Your glory. Your will. Your purpose. Your righteousness. Your lovingkindness.

Amen

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Wait and Seek

Nov10

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him. — Lamentations 3:25

Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. — Psalm 27:14

Are you?

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water. — Psalm 63:1

Will you make this your prayer?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

“I’ve Arrived”

Nov7

is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; — Numbers 16:9

Is it not enough for you or too little for you? How do you feel about where God has you serving now?  Do you believe you deserve more or better? Are you so righteous and holy that you should dictate where, when and how you should serve?

There have been many who have fallen because their ministry has become theirs and not God’s anymore. They have reached that righteousness level where dependence upon God is not priority. A bad place to be but all of us are capable of going there.

On a personal note: one of my greatest fears is that my head will swell thinking that the ministry given to me by God has anything to do with me. I express this to the Lord all the time and pray that He keeps me humble. (That’s another one of those prayers like asking for patience).

The warning is found in Numbers 16. If you are serving the Lord God I recommend you read this chapter.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Lord, Show Us

Oct14

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” — Exodus 33:18

Have you ever asked? Have you ever seen the glory of God manifested in your life?

I have seen glimpses of His glory and look forward to seeing my Lord in His full glory one day. Can you say that?

Oh God, show us your glory, I pray!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

A Quick 40 Days

Oct13

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for  this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” — Exodus 32:1

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go  down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” — Exodus 32:7-8

40 days and the people of Israel were ready to give up. God looked at 40 days as quick. We need to be in the presence of the Lord daily for we so easily and quickly turn away. Gird yourself with the Word and enter into fellowship with the Lord because we need His reassurance daily.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Worship (3778)

Sep20

 

Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

— Psalm 95:6

Will you join me?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Broken And Contrite Heart

Sep10

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

— Psalm 51:1-17

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

— Psalm 34:18

Continually seeking Him,

         Sharon

Isaac and Rebekah’s Prayers

Sep9

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. — Genesis 25:21-22

Two phrases here stood out to me this morning, “Isaac prayed on behalf of his wife” and “She went to inquire of the Lord”.

In this self-centered, self-focused world it is refreshing to read how a husband prayed for the desire of his wife, according to God’s will (that man should procreate).

And I find it so true to life that sometimes when we get what we desire it isn’t always pleasant or as we expected. As is the case with Rebekah. But don’t miss this. Where did she go in her distress? To inquire of the Lord.

Today we are so quick to pray for ourselves and our desires, for things of this world instead of for the ways or purpose of God. When was the last time you prayed sincerely for your significant other (spouse, fiance, boy or girl friend)? Or your parent, sibling, mother-in-law? Do we even know their spiritual desires or needs?

When was the last time you went to God first with your distress, worries, problems? Or is your significant other, best friend, co-worker, therapist, etc. the first one you run to?

We have an all knowing, all loving God who would love to hear from us on a daily basis. Even a minute by minute basis sharing our burdens, desires, requests for His will in our lives as well as in the lives of others.

Who do you know that needs your prayers today?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Eyes Wide Open

Sep8

Abraham’s wife and her maid, the mother of Abraham’s son Ishmael, did not always get along (to say the least). Sarah finally said, enough is enough, and went to Abraham to have her and Ishmael sent away. In great distress, but in obedience to God, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.

When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let me see the boy die.” And she sat opposite him, and  lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God  opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink. — Genesis 21:14-19

Have you been there? I’m sure you have because life is not always kind. You are at the end of your rope, as Hagar is, and so you just distance yourself from the ones you love and focus on the situation before you. Have we forgotten the promises of God as Hagar did?

Moreover, the angel of the Lord said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” The angel of the Lord said to her further,

“Behold, you are with child,
And you will bear a son;
And you shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has given heed to your affliction.

“He will be a wild donkey of a man,
His hand will be against everyone,
And everyone’s hand will be against him;
And he will live to the east of all his brothers.” — Genesis 16:10-12

God made His presence know and when she was reminded her eyes were open to God’s provision.

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.

Our focus needs to be on God so we can see His provision. His way. His purpose. Seek Him through His Word where His promises will encourage us, strengthen us and lead us for our good and His glory. And when our focus shifts, we must seek Him in prayer to return our hearts to Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon