Day 24

Today's Reading: Matt 24; Gen 24; 1 Cor 8; James 2; Job 24; Ps 24; Prv 24; Jsh 24; Isa 24; Ac 24

Prayer Leads Us Deeper

Twenty three days and I am more excited about reading the Word daily than I've ever been before. I thought I might get weary of it as I have in the past with other ritualized reading plans. But, no. Rather, I am reading the scriptures with a level of interest and enthusiasm that I did not expect but am happy about.

Another difference I am seeing in myself is a hunger to pray. I'm understanding the purpose of prayer better and this is bring me to a place where I no longer feel like the prayers stop at the ceiling. I am excited to continue learning and growing and experiencing prayer times that are not just religious ritual but purposeful true communication with my God and Savior. To see how worship, prayer, and intercession are separate but yet married to each other and supporting each other has given my prayers a new depth of flavor and intimacy with God.

You might think, based on the above, that I've never read the Bible much or prayed much. Actually, I have. But, it's been years of desert walking with few oasis experiences--lots of "trying to do it right" and lots of...not. I don't know if you, dear reader, can understand what I'm talking about. If you can't, I probably can't explain it sufficiently for you to grasp. If you can, you get it and I encourage you to not give up. Keep seeking. Keeping reaching up because God is reaching down. He wants intimacy with you as much as you desire it with Him. I will pray that you find it.

Today's Reading: Matt 23; Gen 23; 1 Cor 7; James 1; Job 23; Ps 23; Prv 23; Jsh 23; Isa 23; Acts 23

Intercessory Prayer Part 2

Previously, I mentioned having found an article with Andrew Murray's 31 day guide to intercessory prayer. I had used the "day 1" last Monday to pray for my church. That prayer session as great and so I figured I'd start on Dec. 1 and follow the guide through each day for the month.

I also purchased the book "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets on audible.com and started listening to it today. WOW! What an eye-opener! I will be listening to it over and over. Another book I purchased on Audible.com was "Lioness Arising" by Mrs. Bevere. I suspect it will also be a great listen and add to what God is teaching me about prayer and intercessory prayer. I'm very excited about what God is doing and how He is teaching me and drawing me closer to Him in a more intimate relationship. 

Today's Reading: Matt 22; Gen 22; 1 Cor 6; Phlmn 1; Job 22; Ps 22; Prv 22; Jsh 22; Isa 22; Acts 22

Immorality in the Body of Christ

It is a sad fact that today amongst those professing to be Christians, immorality reigns. Those of the Body of Christ behave as immorally as those still belong to Satan. They are sexually immoral, having sex without marriage or as adulterers and dare to suggest it is acceptable in the eyes of God because the Church is silent. To the Christians of Corinth, Paul wrote that while they are still to be sharing the Gospel with those unsaved neighbors, they should not be associating with professing believers who continued in their immorality. It is true, scripture says, that we are not to judge those who are not Christ's flesh. But, we are to judge each other and disassociate from any believer who is living immorally. Why? Because if we appear to approve of their immorality, they will continue to be lost in their sins and as a result burn for eternity. It is necessary for us to make clear their dire situation in order to allow them to find their way back to a right standing with their Savior.

Our attitude is not to be one of superiority but rather of grave concern. Our pray should be for their restoration and salvation. We must encourage one another to continue to work out of salvation with fear and trembling.

I Cor 5:11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Today's Reading: Matt 21; Gen 21; 1 Cor 5; Titus 3; Job 21; Psalm 21; Prov 21; Josh 21; Isa 21; Acts 21 AND Psalm 119:137-176 and Psalm 119

Day 20

Today's Reading: Matt 20; Gen 20; 1 Cor 4; Titus 2; Job 20; Ps 20; Prv 20; Jsh 20; Isa 20; Acts 20 AND Psalm 119:113-136

God's Temple

The temple of God is not in Jerusalem. It is not made of brick, marble, or gold. The temple of God is made of flesh and bone. We, believers in Jesus Christ, are the temple of God. (I Cor 3:16) This does not mean, as some pagans would suggest, that we are gods or God. It does mean that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive God The Holy Spirit indwelling in us. Thus, we have an intimate relationship with our God. God the Holy Spirit indwells us to mark us as His own, to love us, to teach us, to fill us with hope, and to empower us to preach the Gospel and to be sanctified and made holy. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit in us, we grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.

Are you a temple of the Most High? If not, you can be!

Today's Reading: Matt 19; Gen 19; 1 Cor 3; Titus 1; Job 19; Ps 19; Prv 19; Jsh 19; Isa 19; Acts 19 AND Psalms 119:81-112

Day 18

Today's Reading: Matt 18; Gen 18; 1 Cor 2; 2 Tim 4; Job 18; Ps 18; Prv 18; Jsh 18; Isa 18; Acts 18 AND Psalm 119:57-80

Day 17

Today's Reading: Matt 17; Gen 17; 1 Cor 1; 2 Tim 3; Job 17; Ps 17; Prv 17; Jsh 17; Isa 17; Acts 17 AND Psalm 119:33-56

Be Strong in Grace

Strong grace? Grace is a soft word. It is a word that is a balm to the wounded heart. It doesn't "feel" strong. But Paul tells Timothy to be strong in grace. Why? Probably because he was and would continue to face opposition and challenge. It would be tempting to be anything but grace-full. It would take strength to stand firm in the grace of Jesus Christ. The same is true for us today, dontchathink? Are you strong in grace?

You may notice that I have added a portion of Psalms 119 to my reading list. I have decided to read a portion of it very night. This will allow me to meditate on the value of meditating on the scriptures just as David did. In the past, to be honest, I have avoided reading this Psalm. I mean, it is long! But, there is much to chew on in that Psalm so it's time to give it it's due.

Today's Reading: Matt 16; Gen 16; Rom 16; 2 Tim 2; Job 16; Ps 16; Prv 16; Jsh 16; Isa 16; Acts 16  PLUS Psalms 119: 1-32

Intercessory Prayer

I found an interesting website on prayer today. It has articles (some with audio option) on different aspects of prayer and intercession. One article was originally written by Andrew Murray and is a 31 day guide to how to develop an habit of intercessory prayer. Day one, which is where I started today, is to pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. I prayed this not only for myself and my family but also for my church. Another article is a good read on how to live an effective prayer life.

Tonight, mother, John, and I met Mother Pearson at the church for intercessory prayer. Hopefully, others will come to future sessions but tonight it was the four of us. Where two or more are gathered...we had a good session, praying for each other and for the church, Pastor and his family, and members of the church.

Today's Reading: Matt 15; Gen 15; Rom 15; 2 Tim 1; Job 15; Ps 15; Prv 15; Jsh 15; Isa 15; Acts 15

Giving Account

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. So warns Paul in the 14th chapter of Romans. He was speaking to Christians. Sometimes we forget that even Christians will have to account for themselves before Christ. We think that accepting Him as Savior is a "get out of jail free" card that gets us off the hook. Not so. Oh, our sins are forgiven and our salvation paid for by Jesus on the cross. But, we still have a day of reckoning.

What will we have to answer for? Idle words. Being a stumbling block. Missed opportunities.

We will have to explain why we laughed at the off-color joke our co-worker told. (Or, for the off-color joke we told!) We will have to explain why we were careless about our actions around weaker Christians and caused their faith to crumble. We will account for why we did not share the gospel or show mercy or forgive another or.... We need to be sober of spirit, mindful and connected to the Spirit who will guide us in all righteousness and holiness.

Today's Reading: Matt 14; Gen 14; Rom 14; 1 Tim 6; Job 14; Ps 14; Prv 14; Jsh 14; Isa 14; Acts 14

Women and Modesty

A few days ago my reading included 1 Timothy 2. Verses 9 and 10 have, in decades past (and in some churches, even today), been used to impose legalistic standards for women. It has lead to women having to wear "modest" clothes that are at least a century out of date along with ugly shoes and hair coverings. Is it necessary for women to dress thus in order to be "modest" and, by extension, holy? I suppose if the alternative is $200 hairdos, low-cut bustlines (and Victoria Secret bras), short hemlines, and 5 inch heels then yes, the outdated attire is more holy. Much more.

But, are we stuck with only those two choices? Looking around fundamental and pentecostal churches, it would seem so. But, no, these are not the only choices. What we, ladies desiring holiness, need is to understand the intention of what Paul wrote. If we chew on it, meditate and pray, the Holy Spirit will guide us to appropriate attire. The first requirement for "appropriate" is a right heart. See, if we are doing it just to look holy then we are doing it for the wrong reason and it means nothing. With a right heart, a heart seeking after God and a desire to be holy as He is holy, we will come to a style that is godly without being antique.

My ideas on the subject have evolved over time as I have prayed and meditated and at times fallen for legalistic attitudes which then lead to more prayer and more meditating. I've gone through (and come out the other side) of seasons when I would not wear pants. Jewelry and make-up, for me, was less of an issue. I have worn make-up and jewelry but ultimately gave them up. Not, mind you, because I thought or think they are heathen  (heatheren in the Southern vernacular). Make-up makes me feel like I'm wearing a mask -- like I'm covering up Tina and pretending to be someone else. Jewelry is just more "girly-girl" than I am. I opt for pants to church for the most part because it is more modest than dresses if I end up prostrate before the Lord at the altar.

My advise to young ladies generally is something like this: Necklines don't need to be jaw high, just high enough to not show one's "ladies" to men who are not our husbands. Hemlines should be low enough so that we are not mistaken for a lady of the evening or Vegas showgirl. The wearing of jewelry and make-up is a personal choice but should be done with class and a delicate touch. They are, after all, for highlighting, not covering up. Don't be a distraction to men. Respect yourself and expect men to do the same. You are a treasure that should be unwrapped on your wedding night -- not by every man within eyesight.

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."

Today's Reading: Matt 13; Gen 13; Rom 13; 1 Tim 5; Job 13; Psalm 13; Prov 13; Joshua 13; Isaiah 13; Acts 13

Birthpains

Was discussing with my family today questions about what God approves of and what He does not. Issues like: does he approve of wars, atomic bombs, and artificial insemination? Often it is said that God approves because He gave us the wisdom to create bombs and He told the Israelites to go to war against other peoples.

We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the same God today as He was in the Old Testament. The same God who fought for the Israelites in the Old Testament is the same God who told the disciples to turn the other cheek and is the same God who will come again on a white horse for the final battle. How does all this make sense?

We didn't come up with anything earthshaking. But, something did come into my spirit that I thought warranted writing down: from the time of Adam's fall until now evil and violence and sin have increased more and more. It seems that we are at the peak of the crescendo or at the moment of a woman's birthing labor where it is the most intense. The birth pains of the world have been growing in intensity and are reaching -- have reached? -- the point of birth -- the moment when new life begins.

Time is short. Are you ready?

Today's Reading: Matt 12; Gen 12; Rom 12; 1 Tim 4; Job 12; Ps 12; Prv 12; Jsh 12; Isa 12; Acts 12

Day 11

Today's Reading: Matt 11; Gen 11; Rom 11; 1 Tim 3; Job 11; Ps 11; Prv 11; Jsh 11; Isa 11; Ac 11

Intercessory Prayer

 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--

for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Tonight before church, I spoke with Mother Pearson at church and we've arranged to meet at the church on Monday evenings for intercessory prayer for the church. Mom, John, and another lady are going to join us. Mom, John, and I all felt lead to add fasting to this activity by fasting on Monday's in prep for the prayer meeting Monday evenings. I'm very excited about this opportunity.

I've been thinking about the Cleansing Streams Discipleship program that I'd wanted so much to do. Pastor Sherwood had promised to bring it to HPWC so I and some others could work the program. He never did. Now, it is outside my reach. But, that doesn't mean that the desire to effectively minister healing, deliverance, and free to people is out of reach. Far from it. I can gather the knowledge, develop the skills, and receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit without going through a specific discipleship program. I think the Holy Spirit will bring me what I need--moving to NMBPHC was the first step in that process...that I believe with all my heart.

Today's Reading: Matt 10; Gen 10; Rom 10; 1 Tim 2; Job 10; Ps 10; Prv 10; Jsh 10; Isa 10; Ac 10

Of Whom I am the Worst

We all have a past....a "BC" -- Before Christ. In Romans 9, Paul calls himself "the worst of sinners".  He did do some pretty awful things. But, then, so did I. And you. People talk about how this person or that is "good" versus how evil so-and-so was/is. Well, frankly, without the shed blood of Jesus covering us...we are all just a stinking rotten bunch of unholy Hell's angels. Not a one of us -- I don't care how many "good things" you do -- not a one of us deserve mercy from God.

But, God is Mercy. He is full of mercy and grace and love. Praise God for it, too! That mercy is unwarranted and freely offered...but it isn't free. It cost Jesus a great deal. And, it will cost you and I as well. The cost to us is surrender. The cost to us to commitment. The cost to us is intimacy with Him as His Bride.

Are you willing to pay the price?

There are areas in my life where I have desired to develop as the development of them would bring me into closer intimacy with God. Disciplines such as prayer, interecession, fasting, silence/solitude...these have been disciplines I've ached in my spirit to develop but have failed. I won't give up trying.

Some years back a Pastor loaned me his copy of the Autobiography of George Muller. My response to that book was...and still is...I want to be like that! Mr. Muller was a Prayer Warrior with a faith in God's provision that is awe inspiring. More recently I learned of another Prayer Warrior -- Rees Howells. I want to read the biography of his life -- Intercessor. I found an audible recording of it online today but I also want the book. These are men who blazed the trail and set examples to follow. Forget your sports or hollywood idols -- check out Men of Faith who's lives set examples of what we can be -- how we should be in relation with our Savior.


Today's Reading: Matt 9; Gen 9; Rom 9; 1 Tim 1; Job 9; Ps 9; Prv 9; Jsh 9; Isa 9; Acts 9

Day 8

Today's Reading: Matt 8; Gen 8; Rom 8; 2 Th 3; Job 8; Ps 8; Prv 8; Jsh 8; Isa 8; Acts 8

Day 7

End of week one. Not as hard as I thought it might be. But no time to get too self-confident or puffed up...the proof is in the perseverance over a length of time.

Today's Reading: Matt 7; Gen 7; Rom 7; 2 Th 2; Job 7; Ps 7; Prv 7; Jsh 7; Isa 7; Acts 7

The Face of an Angel

"Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.....All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel."

Stephen was the first of seven chosen as deacons whose job it was to make sure food was distributed fairly. That might seem like a lowly job for someone known to be "full of God's power" but quite the opposite. No job should be beneath us. Stephen not only served tables but he moved in power and grace and miraculous signs. Who else is said to have appeared to have "the face of an angel"?

Today's Reading: Matt 6; Gen 6; Rom 6; 2 Thess 1; Job 6; Ps 6; Prv 6; Jsh 6; Isa 6 ; Acts 6

Love, Admire, Trust, and Depend

Driving is a great time to think, meditate, or pray. Today's subject was "being an effective Christian". Most of my several decades of Christian walk have felt rather ineffective. Perhaps you know what I mean: unanswered prayers, decidedly un-noteworthy ministry efforts, and generally always feeling like you just aren't quite getting it right. Ineffectual. Not, truly, due to a lack of effort or want-to or love for God. Just, lacking that something something that some other Christians have.

Satan would love for us to believe that those of us seemingly trapped into this perpetual ineffectiveness are just doomed as second-class Christians. Bridesmaids who just aren't quite good enough to be the Bride. We reject this hogwash. Or at least, we try to. But, some little bit of it manages to stick. We try not to be jealous of the Christians for whom answered prayers -- downright miracles -- are the norm rather than the exception.

We can change things. We can join the ranks of the effective Christians. We don't need a secret decoder ring or to learn a special handshake. There is no Bible Code that will unlock special top secret secrets that will let us into the inner circle. Nope. The great mystery is no great mystery at all. Communion.

Communion with God through Bible reading, meditation, prayer, fasting, and giving. Driving home today I found myself repeating four words: love, admire, trust, and depend.

Love: read and meditate on the word; pray; share God's love with others.
Admire: meditate on His attributes; worship Him
Trust: pray believe He will answer; give ...trusting there will be more where that came from
Depend: make Him your source for wisdom, love, provision...

I'm doing some spiritual housecleaning with the intention of living a more effectual Christian life. Care to join me?

Today's Reading: Matt 5; Gen 5; Rom 5; 1 Thess 5; Job 5; Ps 5; Prv 5; Jsh 5; Isa 5; Acts 5

No Poor Among Them

Early Christians took care of their own. The first deacons were selected to serve by making sure food was distributed fairly. Those who had gave freely to those in need.

Acts 4: 34-35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Why does not the modern church....no...rephrase that....why does not the modern Christian do likewise? Why have we decided that it is no longer necessary to give to those in need? 

Today's Reading: Matt 4; Gen 4; Rom 4; 1 Thess 4; Job 4; Ps 4; Prv 4; Jsh 4; Isa 4; Acts 4

Help Me Rediscover You

I was listening to music at work today on my Pandora radio. I love that site 'cause I get to listen to my mix of music -- which tends to run the gambit from Hymns to Ballads to Skillet. Today one song in particular struck a chord. It usually does but today even more so. The song is "Rediscover You" by Starfield. Here are the words that got stuck bouncing around in my head:

I wanna to learn to pray, the way that David prayed.
I want my soul to burn, when I hear Your name.
I wanna feel like new.
I wanna hunger for You.
Bring me back to life like only You can do.
Cause I don't wanna stay the same.

That is pretty much where I am at the moment. Coming back to life after being buried alive and hungering for God in a new and fresh way. Hungering for a better prayer life. Hungering for a --well for a soul that burns with the fire of the Spirit. I want to feel the way I have felt before when the Spirit Fire burns in my belly and I know He is using me for something. The flame is being fanned.

Today's reading: Matt 3; Gen 3; Rom 3; 1 Thess 3; Job 3; Ps 3; Prv 3; Jsh 3; Isa 3; Acts 3

What Will They Say?

Funerals. If the Lord tarries, we will all have one. Sometimes, I wonder what folks will say about me at mine. I'd hope that at my funeral people will comment on such things as: “she was a bit of a know-it-all but she was also very compassionate” or “she had an opinion about everything but she was always willing to give from her garden or chicken coop to anyone who was hungry or listen to someone who needed a caring ear” or “she had a bunch of yappy dogs but she also had a place for a lonely human to sleep in out of the weather and a kind generous heart.” I hope folks will celebrate the good and laugh about the negative.

What's even more important, though, is what will Jesus say about me when I stand before Him? I sure hope to see a smile on His face. I would love to hear Him say something like, “girl, you are one stubborn lady but you done good”. Then, I imagine, He’ll take me to the Father and tell the Father something like, “She came close to breaking under persecution, but she held tight to My hand. The tears she cried on the school bus and in her bed at night I took and made a beautiful dancing fountain. She struggled with the fasting thing but she kept trying. We communed together as she read the scriptures and prayed. And, oh, did you see her dance and sing in worship? Scoffers might have ridiculed but she was beautiful wasn’t she!

At least, that’s what I hope happens. I mess up a lot. I could list so many ways that I’ve tried and failed to do what “I should”. Every time I set my mind to try again, those are the weapons that come against me….the age old echo of countless failures. But, as I’m sure you’ve heard it said, it’s not how many times you fall that matters but rather how many times you get back up. We are only a failure if we don’t persistently get back up. So, I’m getting back up.  

What do you hope will be said about you?  

Reading today: Matt 2; Gen 2; Rom 2; 1 Thess 2; Job 2; Ps 2; Prv 2; Jsh 2; Isa 2; Ac2 (And, in Family Bible Study, the book of James.)

Professor Horner, Day One

I don't know about you, but my intentions are generally better than my follow through. That includes a very important part of my life: my relationship with God. I know that in order to have a close relationship with God there are things I need to do -- like read the scriptures daily. I certainly desire to do so. But, alas, I falter and fail miserably and then feel guilty for yet another failure.

This blog may prove to be either a testament to another failure; or, a testament to a journey taking me closer to God and deeper into the Spirit. I've often said that I desire to hear God's heartbeat. That can only happen as I continue to hunger after and seek after Him. Only by pressing on and not giving up, will I obtain what I seek.

I have, just about five minutes ago, signed up on Bible Study Tools for a reading plan known as Professor Horner's Reading System. It requires reading 10 chapters per day -- yeah, 10 chapters. It appears to be a very dynamic reading system that isn't just a plan to read through the Bible in a year. Rather, in the course of a year, I'll be reading various books multiple times...some more than others. It is said that it will awaken a deeper insight to how scripture interprets scripture. It will be a challenge. You will have a front row seat to observe the experience. I hope that along with my success (please God help me!) that this blog will encourage you, dear reader, to begin your own journey.

Today, I read: Matthew 1; Genesis 1; Romans 1; 1 Thess 1; Job 1; Psalms 1; Proverbs 1; Joshua 1; Isaiah 1; Acts 1