Got Obedience?



Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

 Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite authors/preachers.  I have read his devotional:  My Utmost for His Highest for over twenty years.  I read that he was greatly influenced by Charles Spurgeon who is another one of my favorite author / preachers.

Today's devotional really convicted me.  And what is particularly noteworthy is that over the years I can recall this particular devotional (October 10) as one that sort of grabs me by both shoulders and gives me a good shake.

The main point of Chamber's devotional today is that God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you obey what you know already.

Friends, If you have been in a 'spiritual rut' lately, I challenge you to examine yourself closely.  Is there a shred of disobedience in your life...?  If so, I urge you to repentance...!

It is all a matter of the heart.  Pray for God to change your heart and He will...!

Heavenly Father,  Lord thank You for the timeless advice of your servant: Oswald Chambers.  Thank You that the work You did through Him over 100 years ago is still impacting society today.   Father God I pray it would impact MORE of society TODAY.

Lord, I stand convicted, AGAIN and AGAIN.  Every year when I read today's devotional I have a 'defining' moment.  Help me to be more obedient.  Help me to be more bold for YOU   Father I fall short every single day but You lift me up time and time again.  Thank You for the work You have already done in my heart, and PLEASE CONTINUE to transfom me.

PRAISE YOU, JESUS. 

And it's in Your Precious Name I pray: JESUS,  Amen.

Thankful Friday

1 Thes 5:8.......   Give THANKS in all circumstances.  For this is God's WILL for you in CHRIST JESUS...!

While I try to be constantly Thankful, I most definitely fall short of the mark pretty much on a daily basis.   On Fridays I like to take a few moments of reflection and count some of the blessings for which I am VERY GRATEFUL for.  The following is not a complete list but is a good starting place.


I am grateful for my Precious Family...!  

I am grateful for God's Provisions for my family...!  We have a roof over our heads and food in our pantry!

I am grateful for a Purpose...!   As a Christian I am called to be salt and light to a dark world!

I am grateful for the Challenges and Trials in my Life...!   Struggles sharpen and strengthen us.  They draw us closer to God...!

I am grateful for a Renewed Spirit to be in The Word and spend Quiet Time with my Lord...!   God is opening my eyes and showing me things every single day!  Praise Him...!

And I am MOST GRATEFUL for God's Son, JESUS, who died for my sins and made it possible for me to have Everlasting Life...!

Father God,

Thank You for these wondrous blessings that I do not deserve...!  You are such a graceful and merciful God...!  I love You, Lord.  I pray blessings on my precious family today and and ask You to help me be a good steward of my blessings.   I love You, Lord and pray these things in Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Thought Life: The road to sin starts in your mind.

I sat down this morning and prayed for what to pray about this morning...  Does that sound crazy...?  I do it all the time.   This morning God spoke an immediate answer:  Thought Life

I did a quick Internet search for 'scripture verses about thought life' and found this link from David Britton.

I also did a search for 'fiery darts' and found this excellent commentary from David Patterson.

My thought life is definitely something I struggle with.  I cover myself in prayer constantly and recite scripture verses like Philippians 4:8 and  Proverbs 4:23.

I also pray over Elijah, Connor and Monica's thought lives.

I believe that the thought life of a Christian Believer is the battlefield of an ongoing, fierce spiritual battle between the forces of Good and Evil.   We must constantly be on guard against the enemy and his firey darts.  The bible says Satan stalks about like a hungry lion seeking to kill, steal, and destroy...!  Don't give the enemy a foothold in your heart and mind by entertaining unwholesome thoughts.

The road to SIN starts in YOUR MIND...!

Heavenly Father,  I lift up my thought life to You today, Lord.   Guard my heart and keep my thoughts pure and holy.  I pray a layer of protection over the hearts of family: Elijah, Connor, and Monica too, Lord.

Bless us Lord.  Draw us close to You.  Give us a greater hunger and thirst for Your Righteousness.  Help us to give OUR BEST for YOUR GLORY...!  Allow us to be iron, salt, and light to each other and those around us.

We love YOU, Lord.  And pray these things in Jesus' name, AMEN.

New Classes Starting Today!

Today both Monica and I have new classes starting.   Monica has Art classes and I have Tennis classes.  My prayer this morning is that God will allow Monica and I to be salt and light to the generation of young people we will be engaging today...!

We are blessed beyond measure to have an opportunity to interact with so many young people.  To God be the Glory...!  We lift HIM up...!

Elijah...

Elijah playing with toys, 2009

Lifting up my son Elijah today.  Praying for his heart to be open to the Lord's leading.  Praying for obedience.  Praying to be the kind of parent the Lord has called me to be.  Praying for the discernment about when to discipline and when to encourage. 

Heavenly Father,

Help me to be be a better dad.  Lord I submit to You and I lift my son Elijah up to You.  Help him to have a heart for You and the things You Love.  And Lord I pray that Elijah despises the things that you hate.  Lord I lift up our family to You.  In Jesus' name, Amen