Journey Forward Thoughts for 22 August 2014 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3, 11, 12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. In these quiet moments of the morning, I wait in eager expectation for the voice of the Lord to touch my heart. I do not wait with the expectation that he will do the things I ask, for I have stopped asking that the Lord perform for me, so that I know he is God. He is my God, and my Salvation, and my expectation is to feel his presence, his peace. I want to feel the joy of just knowing that he is right here with me, going through the things that trouble me, and giving me comfort along this tortuous pathway called life. I would have never chosen it like this, yet, he lets me know that grace does not come with comfort like a new car, but his comfort is so much deeper than the superficial comfort that I want to experience. I find myself at peace once more, not because everything is going my way, but because he has spread his comfort over my soul. I used to want protection, and to some degree I still want that, so that the enemy cannot taunt me, yet the taunting is a constant, reminding me that I am not worthy, that I am not enough, and that God does not have time for the likes of me. Yet in the face of this, I feel the shroud of peace overwhelming my soul, for the grace which reveals Gods favor is still present. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who while in prison, soon to be poured out like a cup offering, offered praise and was filled with joy, for he knew without a doubt who his Savior is. Jesus is my Savior, my delight, and my teacher, and mighty God. He hears words that my soul lifts up, that never cross my lips, yet are directed heavenward in the morning. My requests are heard, and I wait, knowing that my Lord will hear my prayers, that he will hear yours. I believe that we spend way too much time looking for physical proof of his pleasure over us, and miss the whisper of his grace, that is more than sufficient for the day. I will proclaim my love for him from the rooftop, from the mountaintops, for He is my God, and he is your God, and He wants for us to Worship him in Spirit and in Truth, and the worship of him is to honor him for who he is, not what he does for us. So today, I will Worship, I will praise, I will honor his Holy name, for He is worthy to be praised. For this, I come to him in the Morning, and direct my prayers to him and him alone. I know he hears my prayer, and my hearts concern for the healing of those I love. I could do no more than offer all those I love, to him. Heavenly Father, please hear the words that come from the depths of my heart, not the superficial words, that sound more like Im trying to make a deal with you. Forgive me for that. But Lord, I offer my heart, and all I am, to you this morning. May my life be a reflection of what your love is for those on this earth. But Lord, in my love, my heart is so burdened for their healing, for their comfort, that I cannot stand to see suffering. Can I take their suffering for them? Will you give me comforting words to reflect your glory to them. I surrender to you: my lovely Donna, my friend Dwight, Katrina, Makenna, Johnny, Kent, Angie. Lord, wont you touch them today. Lord, for: Betty, Rheba, Codi, Pam, Craig, Sammie, Kelly, Terry, help them to see your face today. Lord, please lift up: Melinda, Collin, Trevor, Camryn, Jeremy, Tony, Phyllis, David, Mike, Pam, Dennis, Tim, Tammie, Patrick, Shane, Robert O., Leslie. Please pour out your favor on: Tracy, Abraham, Bishop Japheth, Will, Karina, John, Patty, Jeff, Laura, Mike, Megan, the ministries of the state school, and Prayer Stop. Father, please hear the cry of our heart, as we all lift our thoughts and words of praise to you, in Jesus name. Amen. Pastor Andy
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 11:09:58 +0000