Obedience and Faithfulness

Today's Oswald Chambers Devotional was good... http://utmost.org/god%e2%80%99s-purpose-or-mine/

He stated that although we may have a 'lofty' goal in mind for ourselves, achieving that goal might not be God's purpose for us. God's will is for us to be obedient, period. The Process, 'striving for the prize', is God's will for us... It was surprising to me to learn that our 'success' is not necessarily God's will.

Our 'obedience' is God's will.

We must be 'faithful', not successful. So don't feel like a failure if you did not come in first place. Don't feel like a failure if your plans fail.

This hits very closely to home with me because as a young man I always used to equate my win-loss record in tennis with my self-worth.

Oswald's devotional this morning is definitely worthy of at least a two day discussion. More tomorrow.

Father God,

Thank You for another day of life. Thank you for my sweet, precious son Elijah as we celebrate his fifth birthday today. Wow, what a joy and blessing it has been to have him for a son.

You are an awesome God. I am so unworthy of your kindness, generosity, mercy, and goodness. Lord You are doing a work in me and are far from being finished. Lord, by Your grace, with your enabling, I will be obedient today. I will be faithful.

Lord you keep pushing me out of my comfort zone. PRAISE YOU, JESUS for stretching me and making me into much more than I ever thought I would be. And I know you are not even close to being finished with me yet.

Thank you for the saints who have gone before us and lived lives of note. That great cloud of witnesses prove that all things do work for good for those who are called to Your purpose.

I Love You Lord. I thank you for calling me. I thank You and Praise YOU for my sweet wife who motivates me to press on. Lord I pray blessings on this house.

Father God I love you. And in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Prayer Today..

Father God...

Thank You Lord for another day to impact this world for You. I cover my precious family in prayer this morning. I especially pray a blessing over my wife for a productive and effective day. Lord Jesus I ask for blessings on my tennis camp ministry this week.

I pray for the Holy Spirit to empower me and that I present a compelling and effective witness for you, my King. Lord today is all about You and Your Glory.

Father God there are so many prayer needs out there. I stand in the gap for America today Lord. I lift up our armed forces to you, Father. I lift up our leaders. I pray for Godly influence in their lives.

Lord I pray for President Obama and his family. I pray that you will turn his heart to heaven. I pray for his wife and children. Lord if they are persuaded for the Kingdom then perhaps they will have some influence on their daddy. Father God i am believing that You are in control of it all and You have a Divine, Master- Plan...

Lord I humble myself to You and Your will for my life, whatever that may be. I am ready Lord... Send Me to be used by You.

I love You, Jesus. In Your Sweet, Precious name I pray, Amen...