Anxious?

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?    (Mat 6:24-25)

I am astounded at the "therefore."  Jesus has called His hearers to a point of decision, Mammon or God.  It's a hard choice in that our service to Mammon can be so very very subtle and has roots running deep into our flesh.  We can make the good choice but that only initiates the hard work of "rooting out" Mammon-ness.

But having called them to a point of decision He goes on as though they had indeed made the right choice.  He is telling us, "Having chosen God over Mammon do not be anxious about your life."  then he enumerates many of the things we do ge anxious about.  I hesitate to see this list as definitive (that is limited only to what is here) but rather I am tempted to expand it this way:

"Do not be anxious about those material things you need God to provide so that you may serve and honor Him while you are here."

I am reminded of Abraham when he was called to sacrifice Issac.  I can think of no greater "hard place" to be than the one he found himself in and yet he states:

Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (Gen 22:8)

As i read this I wonder if we might consider that God will provide Himself with what is needed for His children to live in obedience and service.  The twist here is that God is providing it for Himself to us for His glory and honor.  Hope that's not too weird I don't want to start a theological fuss!

But if everything God does (and calls us to do) is for His glory - can't we see that he is providing it for Himself to us so we might glorify Him?

He KNOWS what we need - we THINK we know what we need.  See the difference?

Jesus asks a question we need to prayerfully consider and seek the Spirits guidance concerning:

"Is not life more than.....?"

Isn't it?  Really?

Please know I am aware of how tough a question that is and how so very much works to keep us from accepting this and living it out.  I am especially aware at how parents struggle so very much to raise their children to know this and live this.  We are in prayer for you all - please be in prayer for us as well.

msanders.bc@gmail.com

A Deeper View

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Mat 6:24)

"Money"  mammōnas:  Wealth personified; avarice

Ouch!

Most definitions of avarice say it's "extreme" - excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : greediness.

But is that what Jesus is actually saying?  I don't think so.  I believe He's making a clear comparison between who/what we look to for our providence.  In the context of this, even the slightest "avarice" is extreme.

You don't have to be a greedy-wealth driven person to fit into what Jesus is talking about.  If I am looking to "money" as the answer to my problems and not to God, then I am double-mastered - actually I am serving Mammon.  

Paul writes:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.  (1Ti 6:10)

The author of Hebrews writes:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  (Heb 13:5)

I have to say I am learning what Paul means by, "pierced themselves with many pangs (sorrows)."  I'm getting pang pierced quite regularly.  

I am especially sorry for all the waste of His provision.  Oh boy - let's leave it at that.  But being "sorry" isn't the point.  Repentance is the point.  I have to turn away from that oh so common money thing to Him.  I have to embrace Him and His promise and accept His will for me.

There was an old saying in my pre-disciple days that we "hippies" used - I will leave that to your imagination but - in this case I'll say, "God will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no God."

Jesus presents us with a choice - and for some it's a big and deep choice.  We have to really examine ourselves (a good thing anytime) for what pieces of avarice/mammon are tucked away in our heads and hearts.  

I suggest - from experience (current experience) that we look for envy, dis-satisfaction, grumbling, fear, anger, etc and see it they are connected to mammon.  

Are we dis-satisfied with God's current provision?  Are we fearful of our future known and unknown needs?  Are we, like Israel in the OT when threatened by invasion, looking to make unwise alliances?  Are we, like they, seeking some thing other than God in our need?

It's common to us but it isn't best.  We all know that.  We all know that God is the loving and gracious Shepherd.  We all know that He gave His best to make us His and that this is the greatest provision we could ask for.  We all know these things - but sometimes He loves us enough to take us to a place where we see our sinful seeking in other places.  He does that to halt us in our tracks and bring us back to His way - the only true way.

Sometimes it feels like He is teaching me to be a little child.  I cried in Patti's arms the other night and prayed to Him for to comfort and strengthen us in His Way.  I felt like a weenie - but I realized I was learning to come to Him as a little child who is utterly dependent upon Him for EVERYTHING.

Just goes to show that we can know something - and yet have to KNOW it better - deeper - more childishly.

Let's examine ourselves and ask His Spirit to both guide us and comfort us as we look for those thin, weak places in our walk.  It's OK, He intendeds to fatten them up and build some muscle.  He is never done with us - which really is good news!

You, those of you who can identify and those of you who don't yet - are in our prayers and  we are vaguely but faithfully lifting you up.  Remember it's "OUR Father ------"

Grey day - hopeful heart - a prayer

031113

It's a cold and foggy day, just made for a fire and a good book.  But, maybe for some it's just a grey day.  You know, one of those days where you can only see so far, your a little stressed by the fogginess not sure what's ahead.

Well, as I think about that I realize that even without the fog our ability to see what's ahead is still limited.  It's the shrinking of that ability that makes is seem worse.  So I went to the Word to find some encouragement.  I didn't want to go for all the common, be joyful or don't worry, or fear not verse.  I wanted something fresh - and I think I found it.

We read the scriptures and if we're honest, there are parts that we are so familiar with that we fly right past them.  There are also parts that we may read but we don't expect to gain any great insight from.  The introductions and and endings of the epistles are one example.

But today I found a real gem - at  least for me.


2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ESV
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, [17] comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Read it    s l o w l y.

I realized that it is so easy to get so fixed on the issues Patti and I face and that those we're close to face that I forget - well - you guys.  Of course not knowing your circumstances or needs it's a bit difficult to pray knowingly.  But here in these verses I found a prayer I can pray for us all - all the time - with GREAT confidence.

It would only require a little change to be utterly inclusive.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ESV

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, [17] comfort your  (OUR)   hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

I plan to memorize this benediction - not to be used as some vain repetition but rather as a whole hearted supplication for us all.  I find that for me, it's short, sweet and right on point.

Over the past few days I have been kind of hooked (ok, obsessed) with the whole idea of comfort.  In my initial study I am beginning to see that "comfort" is what we need in distress and not in good times.  So far in the Word I find comfort more mentioned more often in regards to trials than as a blessing that stands alone.   I hope to continue to understand comfort and our need for it and hope to share what I find with you.

But - to close - Please know that there is a scruffy old sheepdog our here going to the throne of grace beseeching our Lord for your comfort and that it enables you to continue in every good work and word.

M(S)S

SHIP 005

SHIP 005

Duties
Prayer

Jesus said, "When you pray . . . ," not "If you pray. .  . " so it's a pretty good bet He expects us to be praying people.  And why would we not be.  Having access to the Throne of Grace is a great blessing and wonderful opportunity.  But, prayer can be tricky.

Huh????

Well, what is prayer?  Monologue?  Dialogue?  Petition?  Supplication? Praise?  Adoration?

Yep - that's it.

But for many folks it's a strange thing.  They struggle with the whole thing wanting to be sure they are heard and answered so they struggle to "get it right."

OK - a few basics.  Remember "who" you are talking to.  Remember you have every right to go to Him?  Remember that all prayers are heard and answered?  Graciously, there is no such thing as a "bad" prayer.

Jesus gave us a model to follow:  Matthew 6:7-13.  It's a very simple model.
Note the :  OUR Father part!  You are never praying alone!
Hallowing His name - thank You - thank You - You are the only God
Calling for His will to be done here - submission of all - especially "me"
Our daily needs - characterized by "bread"
Protection - from ourselves and "them" ;-}
Forgiveness- to receive and to give

We can even go to Paul for some direction:
Philippians 4:6 ESV
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

"prayer" - think worship
"supplication" think seeking, asking, entreating
"thanksgiving" - think acknowledging the source of ever blessing with gratitude
"let your requests be made known to God" - think - needs, desires, wants, questions, comments, etc.

In Matthew the model is "sandwiched" between two very important things:
Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

and

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Vss. 5 and 6:  Simply, prayer is between you and Him.  We may indeed take part in public prayers but Jesus wants us to understand that we need to talk with God when we talk with God.  We don't want to entertain or impress - we want to talk with the one who love's us best, knows us best and wants what is best for us.  We need private prayer - !!!!

Vss.  14-15:   Ouch - but if we go to Him with a lack of both the desire and willingness to be forgiving than we are usurping His perogative and putting ourselves in His place.  We do not come to Him as equals but as adopted children, blessed beyond measure.  Harboring a refusal to forgive poisons our hearts and hence our thoughts and then our prayers.

Now, about the, "do not be anxious about anything" part in the Philippians passage.  it certainy enjoins us to not be sinfully anxious but anxiety is common for fallen - even redeemed fallen men and women.  I refer you to, Triumphing Over Sinful Fear, by John Flavel if you reallly want to gain a better understanding.

But, to continue, there is an aspect of the term used here that refers to, seeking to promote one's interests.  It may be that Paul is using this term in a broad sense to include both sinful fear and self-promoting prayer.  

Here's my struggle, maybe it's yours as well.  Consider that I have a need - perhaps a big need and it troubes my heart.  Now, God has promised that He will provide for my common needs - the basics.  But this need, though not fundamental, seems to me to be overwhelming.  I run the danger of this "need" distracting me to the point that i only see it.  This affects my praying.  I begin well but find myself "hung up" on this one thing becasue "to me" it seems more important than any other need and more important than what I've been promised.  So my praying is distracted and uneasy.  

I've also been brought to a point where I have to confess that I am wanting to live by sight much more than faith.  I really want to ask for an immediate answer and find myself praying more about how I desire God to solve the issue than submitting to His will in it.  I even find myself telling Him how He can meet the need - oh presumption yu are a curse.

"It's hard to be focused when you think your hair is on fire!"  Or - "It's hard to remember that the original intent was to drain the swamp when you're up to your elbows in alligators."  

Anxiety is common.  ANXIETY is not healthy either physically or spiritually.  But how many of us are able to just say, "God's in control," and move on?  Not many of us.  This is because our faith s weaker than we thought.  Not to worry - think mustard seed.  But god desires to grow our faith and how can He do that unless we find ourselves in a position where we have only Him?  

Faith is either true or false.  Weak and strong are measures of faith that is true - faith that is.  If you didn't have faith you couldn't have weak or baby faith.  So please do not make this "anxious" thing some self-condenmnatory hammer.  You believe and you are lerning to believe better, broader and bigger.  That is a good thing.

I have several clients who struggle with praying.  They are in situations and circumstances where there are lots of inner and outer distractions.  They begin their prayer well and then find themselves circling around one or to issues.  Here's what I suggested for them.
1.  Make a list - stick to the list.
2.  Read the Psalms as prayers.
3.  Find an mp3 or something where the Psalms are sung and sing them.
4.  When the big anxiety issue pops in your head - pray then - asking God to calm your heart and help you wait His pleasure.  This is my favorite.
5.  Ask Him to help you see why this "thing" is such a biggie for you - this is a very intersting thing to do and leads to some real insights into our deeper needs.
6.  KEEP A JOURNAL DAILY OF HOW HE HAS BLESSED YOU AND THOSE YOU KNOW- NOTHING IS TOO SMALL!
7.  I had a mentor who when he was ovewhelmed with things would simpy go out into the woods, sit on a log and pray, "God, it's Travis," and then just sit and enjoy his surroundings.

May God bless you in your prayers and from your prayers and keep you from sinful fear.

Finger Thinking 010313 Doom and Gloom?

Finger Thinking 010313
Doom and Gloom

I have no problem with the "doom" thing.  He's got me covered on that.  But the "gloom" thing is another matter.

Maybe it's just me and our circumstances :-X  But I don't need any more worry than I develop all by myself.  How about you?

My situation - and that of some folks very dear to me - are bad and looking like (I said looking like) they are not going to get better - I conjure up the getting worse part without any encouragement - thank you very much.

So what do we do with the "gloom" part?

First - don't let it get it's hooks into you.  If He is in charge everything is really ok whether we feel it is or not.  It's very easy to get caught up in the "The sky is falling...," thing and once it has you it doesn't let go so easy.  Also keep in mind that "fear" sells and the more afraid I can make you the more I can sell you.

For me avoiding all the fear mongering is as much a part of resisting the devil and changing the channel when a V's Secret commercial comes on.  Remember the devil is a roaring lion and what he wants to do is get you to run from him right into the rest of the pride.  (It's the lionesses that do most of the killing).

Second - get your head in the Word - I don't much care where you start but get into it and get it into you.  Of course the Psalms are wonderful in helping us see that God works for His and that what we face is not new.

Third - pray (or maybe first ;-}).  Pray that you won't be distracted from Him and His work by all the hoopla and fear mongering.  Again, the Psalms - read them, pray them, sing them - they are good!!! 

Also dive into the book of Acts - there is real insight and assurance and comfort there.  If God got them through all they faced He'll get us through too.

Fourth - FELLOWSHIP ! ! !  It's about time the body began to take better care of itself instead of going to war with the culture.  "We" - believers - need to take a lesson from the book of Acts and start taking better care of one another.  That includes sharing our needs and fears and encouraging one another.  Isolation is a killer and it is definitely not "being one" as He prayered we would be.  To be alone in your fear and concern is about as smart as being locked in a room with a hungry lion - who do you think's going to leave the room?

We get together and pretend we'll all just fine and then we go home and it all crashes down.  Ok - so maybe it's just me (and some friends) that experiences that.  But any review of the "one anothers" in the Word should convict us that we've surrendered, refused, rejected, lost -- or something -- the "oneness" and all the encouragement and comfort that brings.  

I'm not talking "pity parties" but sound and safe gatherings where we can share and seek, seek and share TOGETHER about real specific things.  Why don't we do that?  who came up with the idea that any of "us" were ok without the rest of "us?"

I spent some time today with a dear friend discussing real issues that the "fear" factor is raising.  We didn't chew on the big scary things we're hearing and seeing.  But we did have a sound and encouraging conversaion about trusting God in the middle of whatever mess is coming. 

Yeah, we did some, "What will you do if," stuff.  We even got into standard, "had you been in Nazi Germany......," discussion.  But what was so wonderful is that we both abdicated our choices to Him and His will.  We worked hard on discerning the boundaries by which a believer is constrained.  For me it was a wonderful and powerful time of sharing and encouraging.  It really meant a lot.

When all is said and done we have to come back to the main and plain:

Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Let us pray and consider how we might come together and encourage one another in this.  Let us pray and consider being not an institution but a body of believing men and women seeking to serve and submit to Him while we await His dispelling of the gloom.

We need one another.  He knew that.  He prayed for that.  Let's do that!

Anybody in Greensboro - or close by up for that?

sheepdog.ms@gmail.com

2013 - I See a Bad Moon Rising

Ok - this isn't a very happy blog - but it is what it is.  I hope you will be convicted to draw closer to Him, dive deeper into His Word and pray like you've never prayed before.

I keep hearing, "Bad Moon Rising" playing in my head (yeah, I'm that old).


2013

I'd love to give you some sage advice and encouraging words but I just can't find any.  Things are bad for many of us and there is no confidence that (baring His coming)they will do anything but get worse.

We see the evil of men, especially men (not to leave out women) in power and we see their godless intentions being worked out.  Oh, we tried to beat them at their own game but, well, it was always their game so winning was not an option we had.  We've expended countless effort and rediculous amounts of wealth trying to beat a rigged house.  And now we will have to experience the consequences of it.

While we have been saying to the unbelieves, "No, you can't do that," and trying to halt the doward spiral of a world which we have been told has no way to go but down, we have forsaken our imperative and compromised our indicative (thanks David).  We have not been what we were called to be and hence we have been doing what we were never called to do.

What part of, "Christ the Redeemer," do we not get?  We redeem nothing and yet we have wasted so very much of His provision trying to.  We are called to be His and to do His will.  But, no, we have our own ideas and instead of simply and faithfully obeying Him we poured ourselves into - well - playing in their gym on their court by their rules.

Now we will reap what we have sown.

I am concerned that those who follow Christ will now, similar to the days of Rome, have to submit to a godless authority or pay grievious consequences.  While we have spent decades saying, "You can't....."  we have lost the voice to say, "We won't....."  And now we will have to say "We won't...." and they, like Rome will exact their pound of flesh - actually, several pounds (how much do you weigh?)

We have been so wrapped up in the myth of a Christian America (sorry folks, our revolution was a direct violation of scripture) that we have not given the needed attention to being individual Christians.  We have picked a fight with flesh and blood when we are clearly taught that that is not the true fight.

Not only have we picked a fight that was not ours but at the same time we have groveled pleading, "Please like us --- we're not so bad --- see all the cool stuff we do that you like."  We have YouTubed the gospel to the point that it's meaningless.  We have so focused on "fighting" to keep sinners from sinning that we have ignored our own sins.

Folks, it's time to flee to Pella.  Here's an interesting thing.  In the battle with Rome in 70 a.d. most believers thought it was the biggy and they booked it out of Jerusalem to Pella.  Well, they caught a lot of flack for that so in 132 a.d. when Simon bar Kokhba led his revolt against Rome we hung in there and fought.  All was hunky dory until the High Priest declared Kokhba the Messiah.  Well, then we dropped our weapons and said, "No!"  But it was just a little too late.  Our "No!" didn't matter.  We had sold out to culture and nationalism - patriotism and ended up having served "another evil."

Well, we didn't seem to learn from that one.  And now, our "No!" is meaningless.

Now I'm reading about folks buying lots of guns and ammo.  What do you plan to do follower of the Prince of Peace?  Kill someone in Jesus's name?  Are we going to do another "Peasant's Revolt?"  Another "Revolution?"  I'm not.

Oh, don't get me wrong I will, for prayerfully considered reasons, defend myself and my family but I'm not getting into an unholy war in His name.  If I am told I must offer sacrifices to Caesar (or the modern equvilant) I will not.  But I've got to have a lot of His help determining if and when I'm being told I have to do that.  The tough part is being sure that what I'm being forced or coerced to do is indeed a denial of Christ.

The issue is, "Who do I have to accept as sovereign?"  Christ or the ruling forces?  At what point can I say in good conscience, "No, it goes against my faith and would be tantamount to a denial of my Lord."

Now, however I get there and make that decision it will have to be my prayfuly considered decision.  I will have to examine everything prayerfully and scripturally and then stand to the consequences.  What I can not do is form some weird "movement," some crusade into which we pour and waste more lives, effort and money.

You know, regardless of our corporate calls for being united in refusing to deny our Lord it will always come down to you and me.  We will each have to stand before Caesar's alter and the bowl of incense and make our own decision.  When we say, "No!" we will say it individualy - only He will be with us.

Yes, God is sovereign but tell that to all those before us who were slaughtered, burned, starved, exiled, imprisonned ---etc.  Oh, they know it much better than we do - but we will be learning.  It will not be fun it will not be easy but He will be in charge of every moment of it.

I worry that those for whom serving Christ has been a comfortable thing will soon find it almost unbearable.  I fear those who have poured out only a little life for Him will stumble when all of it is demanded.

It may not be "lambs to the slaughter" time but the fleecing has begun.

Maranatha - Oh my sweet Lord!!!

Promises of God: Principal and Less Principal

The Puritans viewed God's promises as being noted in several categories.  These were (in general):
Legal
Evangelical
General
Principal (and less principal)
Direct (also deduced or implied by consequences)
Absolute/Conditional

They firmly believed that we were to engage these promises in our prayers.  To seek the promisor for that which He promised.

Today - unfortunately - there is little distinction between the promises on the basis of their context and intent.  Hence we suffer from a mis-appropriation of these promises in our prayers.  I would have us look at one category, that of the Principal (and less principal) promises of God

The Principal promises all concern the promise of righteousness and the remission of sins.  Herein we have the, if you will excuse to term, ultimate promises, the aim of the coming, death and resurrection of Christ.  These, for me, are the promises beneath which all other or in which all other promises must be viewed, considered, contemplated and sought.  Outside the context of redemption the "promises" are either mute of very bad news.

In seeking God's provision or keeping of His promises men tend to prioritize them on the basis of their "felt-needs."   This is not unexpected because the flesh is still strong in us and it would have itself comforted.  But, it is not been,   nor will it be the purpose of God to satisfy our fleshly desires (which we tend to elevate to the level of needs.)

His promises "fulfilled," - are those regarding our salvation and all that contains - we do not need to seek them.  We do however need to start with those fulfilled promises in order to qualify or govern our seeking all the others.  To seek the provision of what God has promised apart from those principal and fulfilled promises creates the danger of praying in the flesh - or worse, for the flesh.

Directly related to the Principal promises are what is referred to as the Less principal promises.  Among these we find promises like the deliverance from affliction, safety in danger, health and even prosperity.  It is hoped that one does not have any difficulty in seeing why these would be principal yet "lesser," promises.

The lesser-ness of these promises, for me, is seen in the overall purpose of the redeemed to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  With that is the duty of the redeemed to serve God in His purposes whether those purposes are agreeable to our "flesh" or our comfort.

The question to ask is, "Would I stand in the way of God's principal promises to others (as if I could) in order to have a lesser principle promise met in my life?  Or, "Would I balk at adversity and a lack of comfort if that was His means of blessing me and/or others?"

 Getting practical I ask, "Will I pray for prosperity if, in my lack of it, I grow in dependence upon Him and others are blessed by His faithfulness in my lack of it?"

"Will I pray for health if, in my dis-ease I am a witness to Him?"

"Will I pray for anything that might hinder my being conformed to the likeness of His Son?"

Or will I always begin with, "Lord I know that Your grace is sufficient for me and Your strength in made manifest in my weakness?"  Or to put a fine point on it, will I always begin my prayer not just with the words but with the intent of the words, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done"?

"If it be Thy will," is not some prayerful cop-out.  It is not some
"covering our bets" in the matter of faith.  No indeed, "If it be Thy will," is the greatest statement of faith a believer can make.  Especially when under trials and difficulties.

"If it be Thy will," is the declaration by the believer that not only is God sovereign but that God is - in our belief - only good.  AND that whatever is part of His working out His purpose in the world and in (or through) our lives is THE greatest good.

There is a spirit (I use that word guardedly) of evil presumption abroad in the world when it comes to the promises of God.  Men and women are encouraged - sometimes commanded to pray with a spirit of presumption with little regard for the will of God as we find it in the Word.

It is God's will that I enjoy health and wealth - it is His promise to me.  But for me to presume I may have it here and now and now there and then is hubris of the most malignant sort.  God owes us nothing.  Too many pray as though He did.  In that praying I worry that they can't see that their very presumption minimizes what God has done for us in Christ.  It just smacks of a "Not good enough God."

May we pray for health and even wealth?  Certainly!  But we must remembers that our God is a good God and that the bread we seek may indeed be a snake we should avoid.

We must always consider that though we may not "like" the circumstances He has placed us in - they are for His glory, the edification of His Body and our conforming into the likeness of His Son.

If you struggle in keeping the Principal promises clear and correctly prioritized seek His help - whether in healing, correcting or refining.  The flesh will demand what it wants and sometimes through the warping of the Word of God its demands seem legitimate.  We must pray that this delusion be removed from our thinking, that our flesh be subdued and that our understanding and appreciation of ALL the promises of God to ALL His people are ALL important but not all "our" priorities align with His fulfilling His will (which is the fulfilling of His promises).

As I work with men and women who dearly desire to be conformed to His will I am never surprised to find a battle between hubris and humility.  Indeed I can find it all the way back to Adam - Let us sincerely pray for the sincere ability to pray - "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," and for the hearts to accept the answer whatever its form.

In the wilderness Satan confronted and tempted Jesus with the promises of God.  Seems he still using that trick - only we keep falling for it.  If you d not know the Word - the context of the promises - you'll fall for it every time.

Hate One Love the Other

I've been reading a lot in the old Puritans about dealing with sin.  Last night we rather sleepless because I couldn't get it out of my mind.  No, I wasn't obsessing but I was struggling with the issue.

We are to hate sin and to mortify (kill) is - battle it throughout our lives here.  It is a battle that will not end until we are with Him were He is.  So we need to be about that works so we can honor and glorify Him - right?  It's all part of conforming us to His likeness - Rom. 12.

But I was struck with a concern over focusing on sin as opposed to focusing on Him.  Would it not be true that if I learn to love Him and work on loving Him more I will indeed still mortify sin?  Do I have to operate from a position of animosity and hatred toward sin or may I not operate from a desire to love Him.

OK - maybe it's not and either/or but as I consider hating sin I find that I am more prone to operate in my own strength - trying to please Him by "not" sinning - more of a "work" orientation.  When I consider loving Him more in thought and deed I have a greater comfort and enthusiasm - a greater strength other than my own.

No, I don't for a moment suggest we ignore sin but rather that we replace it with that which is done, thought, considered, etc. for the purpose of living out a love for Him.

I guess I'm trying to get my head and heart around the difference between addressing sin our of hate for sin and addressing sin out of love for Him.  We are told that we should draw near to Him and flee temptation/sin.  It's a no brainer that we should flee from temptation and sin in His direction.

We must battle sin but we must battle it in and with His provision.  to do this well we need to get obnoxiously close to Him.  Loving Him has to remove tolerating sin - right?  Drawing closer to Him in our knowledge, understanding and  practice would have to decrease our weakness and vulnerability - right?

I would suggest that we (I) begin by making use of three disciplines of the faith.  the first is prayer.  to be constant (consistent) in prayer is critical for our well being and our intimacy with Him.  In prayer we are actually conversing with Him, relating to Him and acknowledging His sovereignty.  That's something we can't really do too much.

The second discipline is to be in His Word.  In the Word he exposes - reveals all we need to know about Him and His plan for us.  The Word is the source of both our understanding and appreciation of His sovereignty and love - not to mention all His other attributes.  We need to be careful however that we read with intention and purpose.  that being that we grow in our knowledge and understanding which will have a powerful effect on our trust in and faithfulness to Him.

The third disciple is giving.  OK - we need to give $ to support His work that demands $ but not all His work demands $.  So, give the $s you can.  But giving is sooooo much broader.  Giving for us is always about using His provision to us for His purposes.  he provides for us so our needs can be met - but He also gives to us so we might be meeting the needs of others as well.  This is bigger than $s.  This is time, patience, compassion, admonition, correction, comfort, encouragement, etc.

Money is "coined life."  it represents a period of our time and effort for which we are compensated.  So - giving of our time and effort is just as acceptable as giving our money.  Money is just time and effort in coin or paper.  We need to be giving what $ we can but even more so (to me) we need to be giving of our lives (time and effort) to Him.  Not an either/or but a both/and.

Why these three?  Well they are fundamentals - basics - a good starting point upon which all other duties depend.  They are the fundamental acknowledgment of the grace and mercy He has for us.  Each of them in their own way shapes and molds our minds and affections (feelings) toward Him.

As we grow in our regularity in these disciplines we will find two things.  First I believe we will find a greater discontent in sin and a greater sensitivity to temptations.  What we "do" will become more precious than serving our own desires.  Secondly, we will find a new sense of His use of us - a greater sense of our ministry - a greater confidence in doing what He puts in our hands to do.

Yes, we are to hate sin - but not to the detriment of loving God.  I believe that the more we love Him intentionally and actively the more the light of His countenance will obscure the deceitful appeal of temptation.  I believe that loving Him more and more - actively - will naturally result in a a "hating" of sin in the Spirit instead of the flesh.

Think about it -

Michael "sheepdog" Sanders
ms@tc2v1.com

This and That 110912

"Preserve my understanding from subtilty of error, my affections from love of idols, my character from stain of vice, my profession from every form of evil. May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Thy blessing, and in which I cannot invite Thy inspection. Prosper me in all lawful undertakings, or prepare me for disappointments.  give me neither poverty not riches. Feed me food convenient for me lest I be full and deny Thee and say, Who is my Lord? or be poor, and steal. and take Thy name in vain." Puritan Prayers

My heart aches to carve this prayer upon it.  Oh, how I desire to make it mine and to slowly and deliberately let it, with the help of the Spirit, so alter my mind that I care for nothing but Him and His.

How far have I come that such a prayer seems alien to me?  How far have I to go until such thoughts come to my mind and such words to my lips.  My failure in this overwhelms me and troubles my soul.  I may pray it or the like - but words are words - it is the Spirit in and of this prayer I crave.

Michael "sheepdog" Sanders
ms@tc2v1.com

This and That: Pour it all out to God!

Pour out to God in prayer those fears which the devil and your own unbelief pour in upon you in times of danger. Prayer is the best outlet to fear: where is the Christian that cannot set his seal to this direction?   Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart (Kindle Locations 669-670).

Psa 118:5 
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.  ESV

In times of danger – no matter its magnitude – fear is natural.  Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the acting upon it.  What greater thing could we do than to go to our Father with all our fears.

Isn’t Christ, our intercessor and Great High Priest, seated with the Father speaking of us and for us?  Does not Christ appreciate and understand our weaknesses and vulnerabilities’?

If, as we see in the quote above, Satan knows and exploits our fears, does not our Father know more and better?  In all things fearful is it not enough that nothing can separate us from the love of God?  Surely upon that assurance we can stand.

But we are weak as babes in our walk with Christ – as we should be. Though we lived in the wiles of the Devil and the fantasies of the flesh, we do not know living in the security and power of our Lord.  So we tremble and quake as Satan and our budding/immature faith both work to our distress.

Trusting God is not something that just comes.  It is gained by experience, informed by His Word and enhanced by His Spirit.  I have trusted God in many situations and yet every new situation raises the hair on the back of my neck.

I wonder, “God was faithful there and then but this is here and now.”  Even though I know that when it was then and there for me, He was already readying here and now for me.  But I still fear.

I’ve noticed something, though, about that fear.  It is characterized by the question, “What am I (or we) going to do”?  Perhaps that’s where we get tripped up.  We face a circumstance and supposing we must or can do something, we start with ourselves.  Seeing no help for or in ourselves, we fear.  Because we are already afraid we think we don’t have faith.  Because we think we don’t have faith we doubt God will help us.

Perhaps we’re starting at the wrong place.  Perhaps we need to take the circumstance (and our fear) to Him immediately and ask Him what we need to do (if anything).  Perhaps we need to slow down, examine the circumstance and take our thoughts and concerns to Him and have a talk. 

I wonder if at times I irritate Him (LOL).  I try to take circumstances to Him and leave them with Him but it doesn’t work very well.  I’ve found that I need to stay before Him and take the time to pour out my ideas and thoughts concerning the circumstance.  If I don’t, I find myself fretting and distracted.  So I try to go to Him and just babble out my ideas, my tangential concerns, my solutions, my fears.  It seems that this process has a quieting effect on my soul.

But just recently, I’ve discovered that I rise from prayer too swiftly.  I’ll pray and then get into bed and I’ll just go on trying to fix the problem in my head.  I think that, at those times, I need to get back on my knees and continue the conversation – obviously, I wasn’t done (or maybe He wasn’t). 

Ok – for those of you who are thinking, “Do I have to be on my knees,”  I’ll just tell you that I do.  As I’ve intentionally worked on my prayer life, I’ve discovered that it just feels more like prayer when I’m kneeling.  Do I have to?  I don’t think I have to for Him – but I do for me.  That’s just me – and we all know I’m just not right. 
Prayer is worship – but it is conversational worship.  I speak, He listens.  How He responds is unclear to me – I haven’t heard voices yet.  But I trust Him to respond because He always has.  Either through the Word, a change of circumstance, another believer, a random sermon I hear, a random book I read, or even a random thought, He answers.  Oh, I know none of those things are really “random.”  They are intentional and purposeful – so maybe utterly unexpected is a better term.  But the point is, He answers.

Concerning the verse I used above.  Notice that the writer says that God set him free.  The term distress has the sense of “tightness,” like when your chest gets tight when you are anxious.  Now the writer doesn’t say what his freedom looked like.  Was the circumstance changed or was his anxiety relieved?  But would we complain of either?  I hope not.

Don’t let yourself think that you should only do this for the “big stuff.”  Make it a habit to do it with everything.  “Pour,” it all out to God.  What seems trivial today may loom large tomorrow, so you may as well get a head start on it. 

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:7

1Pe 4:7  The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  ESV
1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things has drawn near. Be of sound mind, then, and be sensible to prayers;  NASB
1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. KJV

Three translations?  Yeah, wasn’t that happy with the ESV.

Rationale:  The end of all things is near.
Yeah, I know, the end has been near for 2000 years – but it’s just a close as it ever was.

Look, God delays to condemn because He desires to save.  What that means exactly, I don’t know but:

2Pe 3:8-10  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

All we can do is know that He knows “when” and that He will keep us in Him for “then.”

But I think we all agree that it can come none too soon for us who believe.  However, if you could trade the salvation of Uncle Fred for Christ to come now would you send Uncle Fred to hell just so you could benefit?

I also wonder what has happened to our belief that He could return at any minute.  We want tornado warnings, ice-storm warnings and food contamination warnings so we can be prepared and safe.  But what about our warning others of the judgment to come?  Have we fallen into the trap of, “I’m saved – so come Lord,” without any concern for those who aren’t prepared?

Somehow the fact that without the Gospel, without faith, His coming will be the end of hope for so many seems to have eluded us.  Is it the idea of predestination – of election that makes us so unconcerned?  Or is it we are saved so who cares?  Or is it that we do not want to pay the price for being His witnesses?  I think the answer is,

“Yes!”  Three times, “Yes!”

So, God has His “elect.”  So no one is going to hell that isn’t supposed to – right?  But what of His command that we preach the Gospel?  Consider the following:

Mar 16:15  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1Co 9:16-17  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  (17)  For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

Well, I’ll forgo a rant on these passages.  But where has our mourning and concern for the lost gone?  Where has our desire to be His instruments gone?  Why aren’t we sharing the Good News any more?

Sometimes I fear our attitude is, “The end is near, to h***with it.”

Be self-controlled:  to think and act soberly, discreetly, to use sound judgment and moderation.
Not controlled by the self but rather in control of one’s self.

Be sober minded: OK, “minded” is an editorial addition – the Greek just says sober meaning watchful, discreet:  to refrain from the abuse of it (alcohol) which leads to intoxication.

The whole idea here is that of diligence, watchfulness, awareness, sensibility; as opposed to unsound and intoxicated.

And we are to be so, “for the sake of your prayers.”

Paraphrase = the end is near – be sound minded and clear headed in your prayers.

With the situations we see around the world it is imperative that we pray - and pray more than ever - for His will to be done - His people to be faithful and for each of us to be ready to be His witnesses, to actually share the Gospel regardless of the cost.

Wow - He's awesome!

Had a "business" meeting I was anxious about.  I was getting a little obsessed about it and kept rehearsing it in my mind.  of course this made doing anything else very difficult.

So I prayed - I simply told God that I was really tired of  "chewing" on it and that it was distracting me from other things he had given me to do.  I told Him quite plainly that I needed Him to take it out of my mind.  I told Him that I had concluded that it was something He had to deal with because obviously I was not getting anywhere.

The next day and then the morning of the meeting every time the meeting came to mind I found myself distracted away from it to do something constructive - something I could do.

Patti asked me how I was doing and I had to tell her that every time the meeting came to mind I seemed to forget it almost immediately.  it was like nothing I've ever experienced.

I went to the meeting with very little so say - and that I felt very calm about.  I said my "thing" and shut-up.  Once i had said my "piece" I was encouraging and gracious and calm.

What was so very interesting is that when I made my points there was no opposition or argument.  I said what I believed I needed to say and the meeting went on to other things.  that was absolutely un-expected.

Now maybe "my piece" was just ignored of blown-off but that was of no concern to me.  I had a peace and confidence that could only have one source.

Oh, the ramifications of the meeting and "my piece" may be used to injure me but ya know, I really can't work up any true concern about it.  I left the meeting in His hands and he did, in my view, a great job.  so, I'll leave the results of the meeting with Him as well and just keep doing what He hands me to do.

Now I know me well enough to know that I'll find something else to get all anxious about - but I also know that I'll have that meeting to remember and rest in.

Peter's pen is in edit and This and That(s) are in the works - thank you all for at least peaking at the blog - it's a real encouragement.
Michel
ms@tc2v1.com

This and That: Coveting 092312

I consider covetousness as the most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin, by which professors of the gospel, in our materialistic society, are hindered in their spiritual progress. A disposition deeply rooted in our fallen nature, strengthened by the custom of all around us, the power of habit, and the fascinating charm of wealth-is not easily counteracted.  

The language of faith, when in exercise, will not be, "What is most conducive to my temporal ease and prosperity?" But "What will give me the best opportunity of glorifying him, who has bought me with his blood, and called me out of darkness into his marvelous light?

John Newton July 1725 1807

Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Rom 7:8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.

Eph 5:3  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Col 3:5-6  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  (6)  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Covetousness:  pleonexía; from pleíōn, more, and échō to;  to want more.

Yesterday Patti and I went looking at computers.  Hers, being about 6 years old is on its last legs and we are selling stuff to get her a new one.  Between editing my blogs and working on her photography it’s about time she had a new machine.  Being able to do this is a blessing.

But – the looking, for me, was crushing.  I did not realize the covetousness that yet lingered in my heart until we started the search.  Trying to get an answer to, “what is the bare minimum she needs?” from a salesman was like pulling teeth.  Of course he recommended the “on sale” super machine with all the bells and whistles she doesn’t need.

However that wasn’t the problem.  The problem was that as we looked I found myself growing dissatisfied with my computer.  Now my computer meets all the needs of which I can think.  Needing little more than a machine on which I can do my writing and the occasional Power Point presentation I actually probably have more than I need.  That’s just the fact.

Yet as I looked I lusted and as I lusted I could literally feel myself slipping into turmoil over not being able to have the latest and greatest, coolest and neatest.  Why?  Well, at the root is my fallenness.  Next is my lack of examining me heart for this covetousness.  Finally it is the good old:  1Jn 2:16 “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions.”

I did not have a need, I knew I did not have a need and yet somehow I felt irritated that I could not get what I did not need.  I felt insufficient, less than, hindered, hampered even cheated.  Now, is that nuts or what?  Well, it’s nuts but it is also sin.

How can we (ok, I) begin to root out this, as Newton calls it, “most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin?”

Newton writes, “The principle of this evil is so strong in us, and so powerfully nourished by almost everything around us, that it is seldom suppressed, but by a course of sharp discipline.”

Newton writes well when he writes: 

I am where he has placed me; and the calling in which his mercy found me, (if it be a lawful one,) is that in which, for the present, I am to abide, as the best for me. When it ceases to be so, I may depend upon him to appoint me another. But, until then, I desire to be contented with such things as I have, and to be thankful for them. He knows my frame, my feelings, my needs, and my trials; he permits, yes, invites me to cast all my cares upon him. He assures me that he cares for me, and therefore I only wish to do or to suffer according to his will today, and to leave the concerns of tomorrow in his hands. While I live-may I live for him! And when I die-may I go to him! May his grace be sufficient for me-and all shall be well."

The key in the above quote, at least for me is his comment, “I desire to be contented with such things as I have, and to be thankful for them.” 

Since James tells us that, Jas 4:1  “. . . .Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”  I must conclude that it is my “passions,” that is “pleasures” that are the, or at least a, source of my stumbling.  So I have to ask, what brings me pleasure?  Is it staying in vogue?  Keeping up with the Joneses?  Having the latest and greatest? 

I have to confess it must be.  And I must repent.  But repentance comes hard for it, in this case, must be continuous and consistent.  I must fix my heart and mind on engaging this failing and examine as minutely as possible what I allow to bring me pleasure.  What makes me feel OK, safe, secure, valuable, meaningful and good enough?

Here again, Newton provides a key: 

“He knows my frame, my feelings, my needs, and my trials; he permits, yes, invites me to cast all my cares upon him. He assures me that he cares for me, and therefore I only wish to do or to suffer according to his will today, and to leave the concerns of tomorrow in his hands.”

I would only add one thing to this; that I remember and be grateful that He provides me with not only everything I need as I need it but, what I want if I need it.  So as well as wishing to do or to suffer according to His will, I also wish to have or not have what He wills.  Everything outside of that can hardly be counted a blessing.

A favorite, and until now obviously meaningless prayer of mine has been.  “Dear God please do not allow me to want that which You do not want me to want.”  I have to take that prayer more seriously, trusting Him to work in my mind and heart to make it so.

Jesus asks us: Mar 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  From this I must learn to ask, when I sense covetousness stirring, “Of what benefit would this be to my soul?”

If our Redeemer and Sustainer can be counted on to provide a way out of temptation how much more will He provide what we need, be it computers, cars, cash or cookies, for us to effectively do the work He has given us to do?

So, if like me you struggle against covetousness.  If it surpasses you by sniping or ambush press your attack in the strength of the Lord.  Say, “No, no, a million times no!”  And trust that your desire to overcome, to be free of this, “most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin,” is His as well.

This and That – Us in Him 0908112

Well – tomorrow night is the night, 6 pm is the time and Caribou Coffee is the place.

We are prayerfully offering Him an opportunity for Him to bring folks to a place and time where they can learn of Jesus.  We’ve worked very hard to stay out of His way in this and to only move when we were confident in His leading.

Of course all the typical fleshly stuff has raised its head.  Will anyone come?  Will they come back?  Who will come?  Will it be “successful?”  Who do we think we are?  Where do we get off starting a study?   But – we’re pretty familiar with all these questions and the doubt and fear that come with them.  For the three of us, they are old nasty companions.

What I’m asking of you – is that you pray that we will not forget for a minute that this is an offering to Him, for Him and about Him.  “We,” are just secondary instruments for Him to work His providence.  It ain’t about us – it’s about Him.

Don’t think for a second that your prayers are a requested as some “vote for us” kind of thing.  We know many things we need to be careful about but YOU know some we don’t.  It is those things we ask you to pray about.

Oh, EGO – (whatever that really is :-&).  Pray that our flesh will not interfere with our service !

We all have hopes and dreams concerning the study.  Our imaginations run hot and cold.  Pray that our imaginations will be sanctified by His Spirit and that they do not become, in any way, the controlling factor in this.  This must be His work or it will not work!

Pray that in all ways and all circumstances He will be glorified in what we are doing.  We know He has equipped each of us and us as a team to do works of ministry.  Pray that we do not forget that our gifts are His to be used for His glory and honor.

We have invited, “The wondrous, the wondering, the wandering and the wounded.”  Pray that we are enabled to be with and for them what He needs us to be.

We are keeping in mind:

2Co_4:1  Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

2Co_5:18  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co_9:12  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

And

Heb 13:18  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Evangelistic Insight ???

Psa 36:11  Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

The message at worship today had a plethora (cool word) of really great points and insights.  It was a wonderful morning.

Not only was I personally blessed but I had a lot put in my “hopper” to consider and pray over.  One thing in particular ended up on the top.  It was the opposition to the Gospel.

While I was reading this afternoon I came across Psalm 36 which I used in the P & Me blog today.  As I read the rest of the Psalm, verse 11 jumped off the screen.

Here is a good description of the problems we might have while we seek to share the Gospel.  The first problem is us.  If we do not remember from whence He has bought and brought us we will run the danger of an arrogant spirit.  We will fall into the “us” and “them” trap.  We will come, not in the humility of Christ but the arrogance of the flesh.

Ok, maybe – maybe we can see ourselves as better off than the unredeemed sinner but there is nothing we can claim that will ever make us “better.”  If Romans 7 doesn’t convince us of that, nothing will. 

Yes, there is bad news before the good news but the good news is about Him not about us.  Actually the only power in the Gospel is Him.  Our, “How I came to Jesus,” story may be powerful but that’s not the Gospel.  He is the Gospel.

The world thinks we think we are “good” people because we are believers.  The world thinks that because “we’ve” somehow (arrogance??) conveyed that idea.  I am called (don’t want to impose my view on you) not to oppose evil in the world – but rather to proclaim the coming of the Savior.  I am not the overcomer of sin – not even in my own life.  Rather I am the proclaimer of good tidings of great joy.  Maybe if we presented the Gospel with more “I was” than “you are” in it we would avoid any appearance of arrogance.

The second part of this verse is tough.  To be honest, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve held my tongue or stated something “safely,”  I’d be rolling in $.  My sin – my problem – that He can overcome.

But we all know the feeling of discomfort when we are talking about our faith.  Do I say this, do I say that?  We don’t want to offend but folks we have to accept that the cross in all its meaning is, well, offensive.

There is insight in the words of Paul:

1Co 1:21-24  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  (22)  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  (23)  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  (24)  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

AND

2Co 4:8-10  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  (9)  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  (10)  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Consider Psalm 36:11, as you pray for the opportunity,  wisdom and call to share the Gospel with others.  These are two biggies that can hinder His work through us as we go about His work,  at least they are for me.

Be being prepared!

Do Thou be with me, and prepare me for all the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity, the losses of substance, the death of friends, the days of darkness, the changes of life, and the last great change of all. May I find thy grace sufficient for all my needs.      Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 97-99).  . Kindle Edition.

“Be prepared!”  Not a bad motto at all! 

In this prayer our Puritan friend shows us that we do not have to wait for the need of His graces and mercies to be overwhelming to bring them to Him.  He knows our future for He has numbered our days and nothing in our lives now or in the future can catch Him unaware.  He is here now that there then.

So, as our unknown prayer partner does,  let us pray for the needs yet to be seen, to be prepared for their coming be they pleasant or not.

Notice the writer firsts asks that the Lord prepare them for the, “smiles of prosperity.”    Now that is a rare thing to see, a prayer to be prepared for the good stuff.  I know I just don’t think of that regularly in my prayers and yet it is exactly that which becomes a trap for me.

We have all experienced that decrease in attention to our relationship with Him when things are ok, good and/or great.  We seem to lose that sense – no, that certainty of, our dependence on Him in all things. 

It’s like we get our gas tank filled by Him and then we don’t need to stop by until the tank gets low.  When we “run out” of whatever blessing He gave us we run looking for the blessing He will give.  I know I have to fight that! 

Two things come to my mind.  The first is the Manna in the wilderness and the second is the passage that tells us His blessings are , “new every morning.”  I wonder if we would benefit from seeing His blessings as a “today” kind of thing.

He tells us to pray for our bread, “this day.”  We are told that whatever troubles we are facing they are sufficient for, “today,” as a focus of concern.  Today is the only today we have – “this is the day the Lord has made,” – “let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

So we live and work and pray for today.  But as He is in tomorrow (weird ) He knows and cares for us there.  We can come to Him, trusting Him that there will be a tomorrow and accepting that we will be no less dependent upon Him then than now.  And we should ask Him to prepare us for whatever may come.  We may and should ask Him to strengthen our hearts and minds and our yieldedness to the Holy Spirit.

We naturally ask Him to carry us and prepare us for the hard parts.  

Let’s not forget to ask Him to prepare us for the good parts as well.

Puritan Prayers - recommended

Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as saviour, master, lord, and king. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 37-39).  . Kindle Edition.

How blessed we are to have recorded for our benefit the honest searching prayers of those who have walked with Him before us!  How clear and deep are these pools of grace.  How sweet the waters held within.  How simple and yet mighty are these petitions.

If we but borrow these might not our prayers be altered, made higher from a lower place?  Might we not find in them that for which our hearts yearn to express?  Might we not more readily seek the Holy Spirit of God with a greater hunder and yearning?  Might we not be blessed beyond measure?

I believe these prayers are ours not by divine inspiration but by His providential preservation.  From Him to them and down to us they come to raise us up and join us to the saints now in His presence.  In them we are joined with the hearts of our forefathers in the faith and in them we find the depth of our need expressed.

They need to be prayed not merely read.  They might be prayed slowly, reflectively seeking how they might call from our hidden or murky needs. 

Who knows from what specific circumstance they were prayered?  And yet, who cares?  I do not need to know the writers need but rather to find his expressed need my own.

What assurance we find here:  that we are not alone in our struggles; we are not alone in our need.  That we are not alone and never have been in seeking to be more faithful servants, submitted to the King.  Indeed there is nothing new under the sun, not even our weakenesses and fears as His servants. 

We are told to be bold and of good courage and yet we shrink and cower.  It is in prayers like these that we see the remedy for this.  We see that we need only seek Him, to pound upon the door insistently while we await His providence.   He will find us, He will answer the pounding for so He has promised.

Borrowed prayers are not some spiritual form of plagiarism.  Not when we ask Him to make them our own.  Not when we ask Him to use them to dig deeply into our hearts and minds and where we find a lack of one thing asked for we cry out louder for its provision.

Often I do not know the “what” or “how “of my prayers.  I am confounded by the cacophony of the flesh.  Yet in borrowing these prayers I find the cacophony stilled and silent and I hear my need expressed. 

I recommend this little book to you all.  To keep by your bedside or bettr yet to keep with you at all times.  Some of the prayers will instantly lift your spirit and heal your wounds, while others at first may not touch your heart, they will as He makes you ready. 

Puritan Prayers