Golden Bowls December 26, 2009

Where do prayers go?  Do they just float upwards?  Does God hear them and then move on?

Revelation 5:8 says, “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Golden bowls….my prayers, our prayers are incense in golden bowls.

Prayers are precious.  Prayers for those who are hurting.  Prayers for the lost.  Prayers for wisdom and strength.  Our prayers are in golden bowls.

Thank you, Father.

He’s Working for My Good July 31, 2009

I fret and fuss and get stressed out.  However, I know that he is working in all things for my good.  I have been called according to his purpose.  He foreknew me, he predestined me to become like his son.  He has justified me and will also glorify me.  (from Romans 8:28-30)

May I bring honor and glory to his name as I work for him.  “…nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 8:39)

Why do I fret and fuss?  It makes no sense to be saved so completely and cared for so powerfully and yet, worry about tomorrow.  May God forgive my lack of faith.  I pray that he will strengthen me in his might.

What an awesome God we serve.

You May Have to Wait July 27, 2009

Do you ever feel like God is not answering your prayers or worse, not even listening? I can remember as a girl asking my dad if I could go somewhere with my friends and waiting for an answer. And waiting. And waiting. My friends would poke me and try to get me to hurry him along. I knew better. I would motion for them to wait. And wait. He was thinking and would not be rushed. I would get my answer, when my dad was ready for me to have it.

I came across this verse the other day during my daily reading:

³⁷ “So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.” 1 Samuel 14:37

God doesn’t work on our timetable. But he never has. He will answer when he is ready.

Let None of His Words Fall to the Ground June 24, 2009

I Samuel 3:19, “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.” 

What a beautiful word picture.  “…let none of his words fall to the ground.”  The words of the Lord are to be hidden in our hearts.  In the midst of our busy, sometimes chaotic world, let none of his words fall to the ground.  For me, this means staying in the word, continually reminding myself of what his words are.

This will become part of my language in prayer.  I will pray, for myself and my family, “May we not let any of your words fall to the ground.”