All I have is His

““It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ””

Matthew 21:13 NIV

I was reflecting on this verse today and began to think about my heart attitude while praying.  God desires are a humble heart willing to do and sacrifice for His glory.  A heart that will take great riches and use them to glorify Him.  How many times do I seek to gain from my prayers? How many times do I seek to buy a sacrifice rather than giving until it hurts?  A sobering thought in suburbia tonight.  All I have is His...feeling humbled.

Look for the "why"

Scripture: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Observation: it's not what but why.

Application: things aren't always what they seem.  Look at the why or the heart behind things to gain clarity.

Prayer: Father, teach me to act from the heart and to look at the why in myself and others.  Amen.

Struggling with being more "human"

Scripture: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

1 Peter 3:8 NIV

Observation: we are all called to be this way as Christ followers.

Application: Focus less on cause and effect, justified vs. unjustified, or deservesd or undeserved, for Christ showed no partiality to our own sin.  Be like minded in grace showing sympathy, compassion and humility.

Prayer: Father, I struggle with some of the more "human" traits of compassion, & sympathy when the situation seems "fair".  Give me Your eyes and heart, that I may learn to behave differently and my first instincts would become love, grace, mercy, and sympathy.  Amen.

First

Scripture: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

Psalm 63:1 NIV

Observation: do I long for Gid in this way?

Application: do not wait for all other things to fail before relying on God.  Seek Him first in all things.

Prayer: Father, be my hearts desire.  Be first.  Amen

Change catalyst

Scripture: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

Romans 7:24-25 NIV

Observation: God is the change catalyst.

Application: I can't but God can, that is the nature of change.  He is able to do all things and spark changes in me that I fail at in my own power.

Prayer: Lord, keep changing me!  Amen.

Mercy

Scripture: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Observation: "in his great mercy"

Application: God loves us why?  Because He is merciful.  We can't earn it, He chose to give it.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your mercy. Teach me to be merciful to others!  Amen.

Perfect will

Scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 NIV

Observation: His will is perfect.

Application: Things in this world may not make sense, but God's will is perfect in purpose and practice.  Surrender.

Prayer: Father, Your will is far superior to anything.  I pray that each day You would show me Your will and that I would obey. Amen

But to save...

Scripture: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17 NIV

Observation: God desires to save us.

Application: Realize that God loves us and desires to save us from this world.

Prayer: Father, thank You that even in the fallen brokenness of sin, You still love and desire us.  Amen.

We are the body

Scripture: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

Observation: many parts make up 1 body.

Application: we need each other if we are to live out God's plan.  Don't go it alone!

Prayer: Father, I often run from people because I don't know how to respond in situations. I'm not good at small talk and I often feel as if I am being put under a microscope.  Help me get through that awkwardness so that I can have people vested in my life and I in theirs.  Amen.

"Minecast"

Scripture: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Observation: God wants us to trust Him with our burdens.

Application: My daughter loves to play Minecraft.  She can talk about it for what seems like an unlimited amount of time.  The other day, I was expressing some worry over something and she quoted this verse to me.  I was humbled, proud, and ashamed all at once.  Instead of seeking to find solutions first, I should trust that God already has it figured out and skip the stressing out part!

Prayer: Father, thank You for using my little girl to speak life into my life through Your word.  I pray that You would continue to write Your word on her heart and to help me live Your word out.  Amen.

Pray to not fall into temptation

Scripture: “On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.””

Luke 22:40 NIV

Observation: Jesus told them specifically what to pray for.

Application: We are vulnerable to temptation and must seek God to avoid it.

Prayer: Farher, keep me from temptation.  Amen.

Mind, body, and soul

Scripture: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Psalm 134:2 NIV

Observation: physical action as worship.

Application: Worship is not just spiritual but physical and mental.  Tune in with all 3.

Prayer: Father, wrap my mind, body, and soul up in worshipping You.  Amen.

Grace for others

Scripture: “Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.”

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 NIV

Observation: All have sinned, and I am no exception.

Application: Remember my own sin and need for Jesus.  Extend immeasurable grace to others not because they have earned it, but because I need it in Christ. Do not be proud or pretend to be better than others.

Prayer: Father, help me to see people how You see people and to give much grace.  Amen

Slow to speak

Scripture: “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

Proverbs 21:23 NIV

Observation: it is often better to say nothing at all.

Application: sometimes it is better to be silent...especially when no one is interested in listening.

Prayer: Father, give me wisdom on when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Amen.

Troubles

Scripture: ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NIV

Observation: Troubles are expected, do not be surprised or distraught when they come.

Application: Troubles are not beneath anyone and we should all expect them, knowing fully that He has overcome.

Prayer: Father, I don't know why I am often surprised by trouble.  Teach me to remember first that Jesus overcame the world and thereby my troubles are fleeting, a vapor shorter than even this earthly life.  Amen.

Worry and desire

Scripture: “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

Mark 4:18-19 NIV

Observation: worry, desire for wealth and other things are key indicators of why we may be unfruitful.  The root cause is a heart that does not trust God (worry) and is more taken with the immediate pleasures of this world (desire).

Application: Pray!  Ask God to help with worry and desire.  Spend time meditating on scripture, commit to seek Him first.

Prayer: Father, grow my faith and choke the seeds of worry, stoke a fire of desire for Your word that burns so intense that it would consume all other desires and turn them to ash.  Do this for Your glory.  Amen.

All things

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

Colossians 1:16 NIV

Observation: everything means everything.

Application: if it is here, He made it.  It is not up to us to like it or dislike it, He made for for Himself.

Prayer: Father, teach me to appreciate the full splendor of Your creation, not just the parts I choose.  Amen.

Satisfaction

Scripture: “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV

Observation: Contentment and satisfaction are gifts from God.

Application: Stop wanting more and rather than seeking the next shiny object, be content with now, this very moment.  Life is fleeting, seek the Lord and find satisfaction in Him.

Prayer: Father, we live in a society that exemplifies earthly possessions.  Teach me to seek after You and not chase after things.  Let my joy be found in You alone.  Amen.

Don't compare

Scripture: “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Ecclesiastes 4:4 NIV

Observation: Avoid comparing oneself to others, be content with the lot given.

Application: Beware the motivation of actions and make certain they are pure in motive.

Prayer: Father, teach me to not compare myself to others and instead to follow You.

God wants to be our priority

Scripture: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Observation: God doesn't want to be one of many, He wants to be the only.

Application: Seek after God as the only priority...everything else will fall into place.

Prayer: Father, make You my priority and let the rest fall where it may.  Amen.

Pray for others

Scripture: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,”

Colossians 1:3 NIV

Observation: A prayer life focused on others is an essential part of being a Christ follower.

Application: Confide in one another so that we may earnestly pray, not for our own sake or glory, but so that God would be honored, glorified, and lifted up because of His faithfulness.

Prayer: Father, You made everything and all things are Yours.  Teach my arrogant heart to seek others first and not focus on myself.  Be lifted high Lord, that You would shine in spite of me.  Amen.

Whatever happens

Scripture: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel”

Philippians 1:27 NIV

Observation: Whatever happens...that is all encompassing.

Application: Christ necessarily changes us so that we can stand firm, changed through Him.

Prayer: Father, Change me daily, that I may become shaped to Your plan and let me realize that it cannot be the other way around.  Amen

Purpose

Scripture: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

2 Peter 3:10, 18 NIV

Observation: Pursuing Jesus is a worthwhile cause.

Application: Invest in "kingdom stuff" for this world is passing away.

Prayer: Father, help me to let go of the things of this world, so that things not of this world would become my joy and my purpose.  Amen.

Go to the banquet

Scripture: ““Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ””

Luke 14:23-24 NIV

Observation: God wants us all to come to the banquet.

Application: When God calls, drop everything and listen.

Prayer: Father, teach me to hear You and obey with conviction.  Amen

Find me

Scripture “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”

Proverbs 8:17 NIV

Observation: He does not hide from those who seek Him.

Application: Seek Him daily and He will be found.

Prayer: Father, let my thoughts and heart seek after You daily.  Amen.

Apply

Scripture: “Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.”

Psalm 119:124 NIV

Observation: Have an attitude that seeks to learn.

Application: Be open to change, to apply God's word to life.

Prayer: Father, give me the eyes to see how to apply Your words to life.  Amen.

Community

Scripture:“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

Observation: We are not alone in our struggle, we the body are experiencing suffering together.

Application: encourage one another and stand with another in support of the cause of Christ.

Prayer: Father, continue to open my eyes to the importance of community.  Amen.

For His glory

Scripture: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17 NIV

Observation: All our actions are to be done in His name.

Application: I am only able because He had made me so.  To Him be the glory!

Prayer: Father, may all things be done for Your glory, so that I cannot boast.  Amen

Heirs according to the promise

Scripture: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:29 NIV

Observation: God provided a way for all to become heirs through Christ.

Application: Live life as children if the promise.  God is our Father and salvation has been purchased for us through Christ, renewing a right relationship between God and men. 

Prayer: Father, teach me to live worthy of a child of the promise, to seek to please You in all things, and knowing Your love even when I fall short.  Amen

Be loved without fear

Scripture: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:18 NIV

Observation: Fear is a distraction that causes us to distrust that God can love us so much because of our sin.

Application: God's love is a perfect love, a love that is incapable of failing or leaving us.

Prayer: Father, let me not test Your love, but rather welcome it, rely on it, and rest in it.  Amen

God loves me...believe it in 2016

Scripture: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Observation: His love seeks after U.S.  He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that we could be reconciled to Himself.

Application: Don't fight God's love.  Embrace it!  Don't listen to all the lies that our minds believe about what we have done that is unforgivable.  He Loves us for who we are now and for who we can be and for who we will be.  Come as you are...

Prayer: Father, thank you for Your love.  I pray that as I begin a new year, I would come to know Your love even more.  Not just a little more, but tremendously more. Train my heart to know instead of doubt, to trust instead of run, to marvel instead of seeking logic.  Tear away the things that keep me blinded.  Amen