Listed below is a bold prayer from someone (David) who was known for seeking after God's Heart. Are you willing to pray this prayer with me?
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14 NLT
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Interesting Questions - with Surprising Answers
One of the most beautiful written collection of prayers and songs of all time are found in the Bible in the Book of Psalms. Many of these Psalms were written by David, the famous King of Israel. In these Psalms, we read of David’s heartfelt joys, sorrows, and questions.
Two of the questions that he recorded in one particular Psalm are immediately followed with a somewhat surprising answer. David begins Psalm 15 with these two questions: “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1 NLT).
Most readers would probably expect the answer to include a list of “religious accomplishments” like … spent hours in prayer, faithful in attendance at worship gatherings, or memorized hundreds of Bible verses. But the Psalmist instead answers with a list of examples of healthy interaction in interpersonal relationships. David writes,
“Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:2-5 NLT)
Once again we clearly see the way we treat others directly affects and reflects our relationship with a Holy God! David’s questions raise another question in my heart … Have my interactions with others this week represented someone who is regularly drawing near to a Holy God? How about you?
Two of the questions that he recorded in one particular Psalm are immediately followed with a somewhat surprising answer. David begins Psalm 15 with these two questions: “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1 NLT).
Most readers would probably expect the answer to include a list of “religious accomplishments” like … spent hours in prayer, faithful in attendance at worship gatherings, or memorized hundreds of Bible verses. But the Psalmist instead answers with a list of examples of healthy interaction in interpersonal relationships. David writes,
“Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:2-5 NLT)
Once again we clearly see the way we treat others directly affects and reflects our relationship with a Holy God! David’s questions raise another question in my heart … Have my interactions with others this week represented someone who is regularly drawing near to a Holy God? How about you?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Finding Strength in God
Life has a way of wearing a person down. Deadlines, disappointments, and difficulties in relationships are just a few examples of the challenges of life that can lead to discouragement or even worse depression.
One of my heroes in the Bible, King David, had his share of setbacks and challenges in life. On one particular tough time in his life, he and his friends were so disheartened that they wept until they could weep no more.
At the depth of his discouragement, the Bible records that David "found strength in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). This is a reminder to me (and hopefully you) that as humans we don't have the answer within us but that the answer for life's challenges rest in God!
One of my heroes in the Bible, King David, had his share of setbacks and challenges in life. On one particular tough time in his life, he and his friends were so disheartened that they wept until they could weep no more.
At the depth of his discouragement, the Bible records that David "found strength in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). This is a reminder to me (and hopefully you) that as humans we don't have the answer within us but that the answer for life's challenges rest in God!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Description of God
From time to time, I hear people say they don't like the portrait of God that they see portrayed in the Old Testament (the portion of the Bible that was written before Jesus lived on the earth). It is interesting to notice that the individuals during the Old Testament time period who knew Him well described God with glowing descriptions.
Listen to the most loved King in Israel's history, David, as he described God in one of his Psalms: "But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness" (Psalm 86:15).
I don't know about you, but that description is very inviting to me!
Listen to the most loved King in Israel's history, David, as he described God in one of his Psalms: "But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness" (Psalm 86:15).
I don't know about you, but that description is very inviting to me!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
A Great Prayer
The following is an excerpt from a beautiful prayer that is recorded in the Bible written by David:
1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.
2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
4 Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
6 Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.
8 No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
None can do what you do!
9 All the nations you made
will come and bow before you, Lord;
they will praise your holy name.
10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
11 Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:1-11
1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.
2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
4 Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
6 Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.
8 No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
None can do what you do!
9 All the nations you made
will come and bow before you, Lord;
they will praise your holy name.
10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
11 Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:1-11
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tears on Prom Night
Today was a day of both joy and sadness. My wife and I joined other parents in taking pictures of a group of 20 young bright, well-dressed, smiling teenagers preparing for their high school prom. A special night for special young people who all seem to be headed for a bright, promising future.
Following that joyful experience, I drove to my favorite coffee shop to collect my thoughts for tomorrow morning's message. While reading my Bible and firing up my lap top, I noticed a high school girl all dressed up and yet sitting all alone with her camera. I continued to reading my Bible watching other prom dressed couples walk by from a local restaurant, hoping that someone would join this young woman sitting all alone and yet ... no one did. She eventually stood up, walked away passing my table taking with her some very sad eyes. I encouraged her with the following words that seemed to fall extremely flat, "I hope you have a nice evening!"
As she walked away, I continued to read my Bible and I read the following words that were originally a prayer to God (a Psalm) from a guy named David: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalm 56:8)
And then I turned a few pages and read another Psalm of David that read, "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry ... But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”" (Psalm 40:1, 16)
I looked around hoping that I could somehow catch this sad, young lady to share with her the good news that although she might feel all alone on Prom Night, that God loves her and if she will seek Him, she can find lasting joy much deeper than the happiness of prom night. Although I couldn't find her, my prayer is that the LORD will reach down and touch her heart (and all those who feel alone) in a special way on this night!
Following that joyful experience, I drove to my favorite coffee shop to collect my thoughts for tomorrow morning's message. While reading my Bible and firing up my lap top, I noticed a high school girl all dressed up and yet sitting all alone with her camera. I continued to reading my Bible watching other prom dressed couples walk by from a local restaurant, hoping that someone would join this young woman sitting all alone and yet ... no one did. She eventually stood up, walked away passing my table taking with her some very sad eyes. I encouraged her with the following words that seemed to fall extremely flat, "I hope you have a nice evening!"
As she walked away, I continued to read my Bible and I read the following words that were originally a prayer to God (a Psalm) from a guy named David: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalm 56:8)
And then I turned a few pages and read another Psalm of David that read, "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry ... But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”" (Psalm 40:1, 16)
I looked around hoping that I could somehow catch this sad, young lady to share with her the good news that although she might feel all alone on Prom Night, that God loves her and if she will seek Him, she can find lasting joy much deeper than the happiness of prom night. Although I couldn't find her, my prayer is that the LORD will reach down and touch her heart (and all those who feel alone) in a special way on this night!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Seeking God
I came across this amazing verse in the Bible. It read "The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God." (found in Psalm 14:2)
It appears that the God of the universe is longing to find those who will truly seek him. I want to be one that he finds searching for him. How about you?
It appears that the God of the universe is longing to find those who will truly seek him. I want to be one that he finds searching for him. How about you?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Eager to Listen to Questions
One of my heart's desires is to listen to and hopefully help others who have questions about God. It is not that I think that I have all the answers, but I love listening to questions and then seeking to help find answers.
Not only do I learn from the process (which in turn deepens my faith), but I love to help others develop and deepen their own faith.
So if you have any questions about God, I would love to hear what they are! Do you have a question?
Not only do I learn from the process (which in turn deepens my faith), but I love to help others develop and deepen their own faith.
So if you have any questions about God, I would love to hear what they are! Do you have a question?
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