Thursday June 30

So, here we are, end of June.  The year will be half way - finished or to go... a month and a half of summer break, then back to it.  We surely could use God's blessings right now.  
So, today we will turn to God's Word and see where we need to go:



(Psa 30:1)  A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple. I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.


(Psa 30:2)  O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.


(Psa 30:3)  O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.


(Psa 30:4)  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.


(Psa 30:5)  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.


(Psa 30:6)  As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."


(Psa 30:7)  By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.


(Psa 30:8)  To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:


(Psa 30:9)  "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?


(Psa 30:10)  Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"


(Psa 30:11)  You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,


(Psa 30:12)  that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Truly oh my Lord God, Heavenly Father, I will give thanks to You forever.  In all things I am blessed because You, my God, my Creator and my Redeemer, You chose to love me.  

Thank you God.

Wednesday June 29

Oh Lord my God, my Heavenly Father,
I praise You, worship You, fear You, love You, and yet I do not know You fully, as deeply as I should.  I pray oh God of gods, please open mine eyes, my heart, my soul, my mind, my body to Your Love and Grace.  
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so lost, so forlorn and confused.  After all this journey, You bring me to a point in my life where I seem to have nothing, to have so little to show for all my labors.  I am impecuniousness, I am without my family and loved ones now, separated by distance and time.  I sit alone most days and wait for Your word in my life.  
Father, my Lord God, I yield.  I surrender all, I bow down with a "poor spirit" and "meekly" "mourn" my sinful nature and my sins, I confess that I  am not worthy of Your Love and Grace, of Your gift of Salvation through Jesus my Lord and Savior... but I submit my lowly self to You Almighty God, all of me, all that I am and have for I "hunger and thirst" for Your righteousness, Your Love. 
Father, Bless me with Your Holy Spirit, to sustain and guide me, to give me direction and Hope.  Holy Father, I need You for I am nothing, less than a worm without You.  
Help me oh my God, my Lord and my Maker.  Help me and fill me, indwell in me and make me Your humble servant.  This world is but an temporary and brief time.  I seek to know Your Love and to be filled with Your Holy Presence.  
This I pray in the name of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Jesus, Your Beloved Son, who died on the Cross for my Salvation and Redemption.  Amen.

Tuesday June 28

Tuesday is a neat day.  For me it seems to be the day that most work gets done, when we plow on, moving with resigned state of mind that we might as well get this done.  What are you going to do today?


Today's meditation is from Charles Spurgeon:



June 28


Morning
“Looking unto Jesus.” - Heb_12:2


It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” 
All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” 
Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument-it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. 
We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.


“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”


Evening
“But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” - Exo_7:12


This incident is an instructive emblem of the sure victory of the divine handiwork over all opposition. Whenever a divine principle is cast into the heart, though the devil may fashion a counterfeit, and produce swarms of opponents, as sure as ever God is in the work, it will swallow up all its foes. If God’s grace takes possession of a man, the world’s magicians may throw down all their rods; and every rod may be as cunning and poisonous as a serpent, but Aaron’s rod will swallow up their rods. The sweet attractions of the cross will woo and win the man’s heart, and he who lived only for this deceitful earth will now have an eye for the upper spheres, and a wing to mount into celestial heights. 
When grace has won the day the worldling seeks the world to come. The same fact is to be observed in the life of the believer. What multitudes of foes has our faith had to meet! Our old sins-the devil threw them down before us, and they turned to serpents. What hosts of them! Ah, but the cross of Jesus destroys them all. Faith in Christ makes short work of all our sins. Then the devil has launched forth another host of serpents in the form of worldly trials, temptations, unbelief; but faith in Jesus is more than a match for them, and overcomes them all. 
The same absorbing principle shines in the faithful service of God! With an enthusiastic love for Jesus difficulties are surmounted, sacrifices become pleasures, sufferings are honours. But if religion is thus a consuming passion in the heart, then it follows that there are many persons who profess religion but have it not; for what they have will not bear this test. 
Examine yourself, my reader, on this point. Aaron’s rod proved its heaven-given power. Is your religion doing so? If Christ be anything he must be everything. O rest not till love and faith in Jesus be the master passions of your soul!


I pray that God's love and protection, His divine Love and Grace fills your day.  Let's love and follow our Master and Savior Jesus and release ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can fill us.  Have a blessed day.

Monday June 27

Last week of June, turning into July! 


Oh Dear God, I am in awe of You and I cannot even begin to understand Your many, many mysteries.  You are my Creator, You are the center and perimeter of my life.  My Lord God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Keeper, my Guide, my Hope, my Comfort, my Love... Almighty God, I submit and surrender all, my life, my family, my time, my gifts from You, all that I am and will be to Your Will.  


I ask for things because I wish to do well for my family, my wife, my children.  I ask for things out of ignorance.  I profess I know nothing and only submit my self to You.  Lord Jesus, hear my prayer.  Holy Spirit, hear my supplications and take them to the Father.  I am without any justification or right other than Your promises and Your Holy Word.  I ask because You directed us to ask.  But, You are my God and I am nothing without You.  I submit my will, my heart, soul and mind to You.  And I stand on Your Promises!



June 27


THE GREAT SHEPHERD
"Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will."-- Heb_13:20-21.


IT IS most comforting that our Heavenly Father is "the God of Peace.'" He is the God of the gentle zephyr, of the evening glow, of the mother's brooding care; and may be trusted by His gentleness and patience to make us great. Bruised reeds are not trampled beneath His feet, and the smoking flax is fanned into a flame. Do not be afraid of God--He is the God of Peace!
He brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep. As our Lord descended into the Valley of Death, He breathed His departing spirit into the Father's hands. He knew that the path of life would unfold before Him. He knew that the Father's welcome awaited Him. And God did not fail Him! However low He went, when He descended into Hades, the Everlasting Arms were always beneath Him; and Him did God raise up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.
And will God do less for the Flock!? There are many of the sheep that have been scattered in the cloudy and dark days. Will every sheep and lamb be recovered, and led to the green pastures and beside the quiet waters of Paradise? Yes, every one! The great Shepherd would not be content if one were missing of those whom the Father has given Him (Joh_10:28-29). Remember His own parable of the Shepherd who left the ninety and nine to recover the one. If you have come to Him by your will and choice, you are included in the Father's gift.
We are secure in the position which His grace has given us. It is secured not only by the promise of God, but sealed by the Blood of the Cross. 
That is the meaning of the words: "The Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant." Note that word eternal, which carries us back to the timeless past, when this compact was made. We may therefore humbly believe that our names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world (Rev_13:8; Rev_21:27). But we are saved to save others! It is thus that we make our calling and election sure (2Pe_1:10).


PRAYER
We thank Thee, O blessed Master, not only that Thou hast cleansed us from our sins, but that Thou hast entered into, and ratified by Thy precious blood, the eternal covenant which has made us Thine for ever. AMEN.

Sunday June 26

I pray that you are a Christian... that is, a Son of God with Jesus's blood sacrifice for your redemption and salvation.  I pray that you have fully accepted through God given Faith that you love God and worship God in fear and love.  
But, in my humble opinion, there are so many out there who say well their religion but do not follow our Lord's commandments.  I am afraid that I must admit I am one of those a lot of the time.  Not by intent, but I guess out of weakness and laziness and self satisfaction.  I ask God to forgive me.  I ask God through the Holy Spirit and Jesus my redeemer to help me and give me His love and grace, to give me His love to pass on.  We must be doers of the Word as well as so called followers.  Consider today's meditation by F.B. Meyer:



June 26


PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is. dead also."-- Jam_2:26.


JAMES IS described as "the Lord's brother" in Gal_1:19. He was surnamed "the Just," and was much respected beyond the limits of the Christian Church for his saintly life. While St. Paul deals specially with doctrine, James is concerned with practice; Paul expounds the wonderful significance of Christ's death and resurrection; James expounds the teaching of our Lord, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul insists on faith as the means of justification before God; James lays stress on the works to which faith must lead.
It seems likely that James had seen Paul's Epistles, for he uses so many of the same phrases and examples, and probably set himself to combat those who abused the teaching of the great Apostle. There were plenty in his time who believed about Christ, and prided themselves in the orthodoxy and accuracy of their creed; and James maintains that this is not sufficient to save the soul.
As far as orthodoxy goes, no creed can be more absolutely orthodox than that held by evil spirits. Repeatedly, during our Lord's life, they acknowledged that He was the Holy One of God, but their belief had no effect on their character; it only filled them with fear and dread.

Jas 2:18  But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works. 
Jas 2:19  You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble. 
Jas 2:20  But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

"Faith without works is dead." It is good to test ourselves. We must see to it that our heart is pure and our way absolutely transparent. In our dealings with those around us, we must always seek to realize our highest conceptions of love and duty. Even when our efforts of goodwill and affection are not reciprocated, we must never lower the high standard of our action, but always keep before us the conception of our Saviour's life in the Home at Nazareth. Be merciless to yourself, but always merciful to others, always bearing the burdens of those around you, always moderating your pace to the weak and weary, as Greatheart did for the pilgrims. Even Rahab was justified by a faith which wrought itself out in beautiful and unselfish action (Jam_2:25; Heb_11:31). Remember our Lord's words in Mat_7:20-21.

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
Mat 7:19  Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
Mat 7:20  Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. 
Mat 7:21  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. 



PRAYER
Help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to add to our faith, brotherly kindness, and pardon the unkind word or impatient gesture; the hard and selfish deed, the failure to give kindly help where we had the opportunity. Enable us so to live that we may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow and need, and add to the sum of human happiness. AMEN.


Lord, I pray for your inner peace, for your grace, for your gifts of faith and hope, for your blessings of love and that you will bless me with your Holy Spirit to sustain me.  In Jesus's Holy Name, amen.

Saturday June 25

June 25


THE RECEPTIVITY OF FAITH
"'Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith."-- Heb_10:22.
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith."-- Eph_3:17.


FAITH IS our power of appropriation. 
The pity is that we are so slow to make use of our Lord s resources! He does not force Himself upon us. Though He brings with Him gold tried in the fire that we may be enriched, and white raiment for our clothing, and eye-salve for our blindness; and though He knows how urgently we need these things, He will not force them on our acceptance. Rather, He stands and knocks, as a travelling merchant knocks at the door, who has wares to dispose of, and we need to open the door and receive the gifts which are offered, without money and without price (Rev_3:18-20; Isa_55:1-2).


Faith is our reception of the spiritual to make good the lack of the physical. 
It is a drawing on the Eternal for the deficiencies of our earthly pilgrimage. 
Probably when we look back on our present life, we shall find that our deficiencies were permitted, and even assigned, that we might be driven to avail ourselves of the fullness of the Lord Jesus (Joh_1:16; Eph_3:19). 
We were allowed to wander in the sultry heat, that we might know Him as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land; we were exposed to wild tempests and storms, that we might make for alcoves and harbours in Him that we should otherwise have missed.


It has been truly observed that Job's rebellious moods arose when he thought that God was afar off, but there was a difference when he realised that God was suffering with him. Remember that you are not divided from God by a deep chasm. He knows your sorrows. In all your afflictions He is afflicted. We have not a High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. When Jesus saw the sisters weeping, He not only succoured them, but entered into their distress, and wept with them.


Are you weary with burdens that are crushing you?
 Is your lot cast with them that hate peace? 
Is your heart oppressed with loneliness? 
Take Jesus into account. Don't face your difficulties alone, but meet them in the fellowship of your Saviour. Have faith, i.e., reckon on God. Let the Lord Christ dwell in your heart, and He will be responsible for all, as you reckon on Him for all.


PRAYER
O Lord, I open my nature, and since my capacity is small, I pray that by love and faith, by patience and suffering, Thou wilt enlarge my heart, that it may be filled with all the fullness of God. AMEN.


May God, through His Son and the Holy Spirit, indwell in you and me today.  


Lord, I surrender all and ask you to indwell in me, that You bless me with the Holy Spirit!

Friday June 24

Do you have inner peace, the deep peace with yourself and the world?  That means you have accepted many things of course.  The most important has to be accepting Jesus as your Redeemer, Savior, your Lord.  Today's meditation is on this point.



June 24


THE BASIS OF PEACE
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."-- Rom_5:1.
"Having made peace through the blood of His Cross."-- Col_1:20.


THE BASIS of redemption and peace was laid on Calvary, when our Lord died for the sins of the world. In Lev_17:11, we learn that "the life, or soul, of the flesh is in the blood' (R.V. marg.); from which we infer that the forth-flowing of the blood of Christ was the forth-pouring of His soul as a sacrifice for sin.
It may be asked: Granted that the blood of Christ represents His soul which was poured out for sinful men, how did this marvellous act of self-sacrifice constitute a basis for peace? The full answer to that question is impossible in our present limited knowledge. It is one of the secret things which belong to the Lord our God, hidden from us now, to be revealed when we are full-grown.
But never suppose that the shedding of Christ's blood was necessary to make God love us, to appease His wrath or wring from His unwilling hand an edict of redemption. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.'" The Father does not love us because Jesus died, but He went to the Cross because of God's love for us who chose us to be joint-heirs with His Son.
But there is one condition to be fulfilled. The access into Peace is open only to those who believe. We are justified by faith; we have peace through believing. The Apostle says that "through our Lord Jesus Christ we have now received the Atonement" (Col_1:11). The redemption is accomplished; we have but to receive it. The atonement of peace is made, it is only for us to take it. "For as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." As we receive eternal life, and the Holy Spirit with open and thankful hearts, relying on the Divine assurance by faith, we enter into the great inheritance of Peace, and the gifts of God in Grace and Nature become our own.


PRAYER
O Most Merciful Lord, 
Grant to me, above all things that can be desired, to rest in Thee, and in Thee to have my heart at peace. 
Thou art the true peace of the heart, 
Thou its only rest; 
out of Thee all things are hard and restless. 
In this very peace that is in Thee, 
the one Eternal God, I will sleep and rest. AMEN.


I pray that you and I will be given this gift.  I know that with faith all things are possible.  God bless you with His Peace today!