Desire

Today, I pray God's Word from 1 Kings 8:58 -- "God give us the desire to do Your will in everything and to obey..."

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NL

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Powerful Prayer

The Book of Psalms is packed with powerful prayers. These words I read and prayed this morning:

"... let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair. Help us, oh God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of Your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of Your name." Psalm 79:8b-9 NLT

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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We Owe

Today, in the United States of America, it is a sacred day of remembrance of those who gave their lives for ours. Let us never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice and especially let us live in memory of Jesus who gave his all to give us eternal life. Let us also pray for those who have lost loved ones and and let us pray for the USA and the world.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Perfect Peace

I love my mom's voice. Often talking with her is a highlight in my devotional life. She so often quotes a Scripture verse that stregththens my soul. Today was no different. She gave me a shot of inspiration from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Darkest Hours

In our darkest hours we find out who we are but more importantly we prove Who's we are.

A saint is anyone who belongs exclusively to God.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Settling In

We are finally feeling as if we are just now settling in after our move seven miles across town. Pictures paint our blessed reality. "God your goodness is great." Psalm 31. Lucy's house is almost in order. 🐶 🏡 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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3 Words

These three words Jesus The Peace-Speaker spoke to the Galilee sea storm are filling my heart today as I pray:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Keep Promises

I am praying Psalm 76:11 today:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Cult Observation

Today, in a local restaurant I watched from a distance as three members of a local cult put the full court press on a humble individual. It seemed there was desperation in his face and I prayed deeply in my spirit for him and for them.

Don't mistake what I am saying please.  I am not the judge of such things but knowing their message was not of The Real Jesus, my heart hurt for them as they offered him -- a man seemingly suffering the side effects of his human rebellion against God -- a dose of their empty religion for his gasping soul. 

How I wanted an in-road to the conversation but the four left and this time God provided no open entry for me to speak Hope. Still, I prayed and I am sure my prayer mattered.

A second thought I had was in the form of a petition of prayer for those of us who do have Hope for the seemingly hopeless. Oh, that we would have equal boldness as Jesus-believers that those lost in the leadership of cults possess. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Mark 4

The seed in the Parable Jesus told of the Soils has three realities:

1. The seed has potential

When was the last time we stopped to realize the potential of God's Word within us?

2. The seed goes through a process 

Give the Word of God time and do not be discouraged during the process. As the process is underway, remember with God all things are possible. Live by faith over the long-haul, not feelings over the short-term.

3. The seed produces

We cannot understand the miracle of the seed or the mysteries within the seed, nevertheless, the seed, yes, God's Word will wondrously produce a holy harvest. 

* My paraphrase of devotional thoughts shared by Pastor Adrian Mills, our Execitive Pastor, at our all staff retreat day. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Holy Hem

Lord, please hem us in on all sides with the atmosphere of Your holiness. Be our protection that we might be Your projection. You are so worthy of all of our worship and all of our praise. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Beautiful Name

Yesterday, I posted a song titled "Beautiful One" and today another song of worship that constrains the word "Beautiful", yes it's titled "What a Beautiful Name!" Deep water for my own soul. I plan to implement this song in my sermon response on Pentecost Sunday at our local church.

 https://youtu.be/Lb45hUGnmqQ

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Beautiful One

This song of worship has been on my heart today. Hope it lifts your heart, too:

 https://youtu.be/v9bC9CRv9oU

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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The Bride

I was privileged to speak at a Bible study this week on the idea of the church being the bride of Christ. It came so plainly in my thoughts, that for anyone who claims to believe in Jesus yet says they do not love the church, they are essentially saying they do not love themselves because they are her.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Reclaimed/Redeemed

My Twitter post for Wednesday says it all!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Psalm 143

Psalm 143 is so powerful for us to pray still today. Verse 7a is as real and as relevant of a prayer petition as I have ever heard -- as honest a cry to our Holy God for help as I ever heard:

"Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens." NLT

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Dead / Alive

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Precious Ladies

This was my post on Instagram for Mother's Day 2017:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Praying the Psalms

If you are familiar with my faith, you know I believe in praying as my own The Old Testament Book of The Psalms. Here's my latest inspiration doing just that:

"WorshipOnlyGod!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Today Pray

During our local church's dawn patrol prayer gathering for men, my son, Grayson, led us this morning. This was a portion of his prayer focus for us:

Grayson prayed that we would deal with just the 24-hour period before us -- today -- and not get caught up in worrying about the far-off future. We are not even promised tomorrow.

This passage was where my prayer was focused:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Jesus / Victory

Dearest Jesus:

If we are to have victory in our lives it will only be reality if You are our Life.

Lord, give us victory in our hearts.

Lord, give us victory in our minds.

Lord, give us victory in our souls.

Lord, give us victory in our strength. 

Be Life to us and within us, Jesus.

Only by Your Holy Name do we find hope for the human dilemma and only by Your Holy Presence are we changed from victims of defeat to victors of triumph.

Amen and Amen.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Peace in the Valley

The day was almost over when I realized I had not taken time to load my blog post for Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Nevertheless, just before I retired for the night, the lyrics of this old classic gospel song were suddenly on my mind. I pray the words will minister to you as they do to me.

https://youtu.be/jJ9ilQvHGAM

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Brainstorming Vs. The Mind of Christ

As I talked with a pastor seeking counsel in leadership of their local church today, these words flowed freely from my mouth: "Human brainstorming is no substitute for the Mind of Christ!"

It's all true! Very true!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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MORE

I shared this song with a friend yesterday. On a previous email he made a powerful statement: "It is better to know God than to know answers." Truly, this song is a testimony of my own heart to know God more. 

https://youtu.be/-gNeJJo9y_I

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Have Faith

God never says "you figure it out" but always says "have faith in me."

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Sabbath Blessing

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Life Savior

In the sanctuary of our local church, we have a tall, white, beach life-saving chair. (It even has a lifesaving ring attached to the seat.) I had the inspiring chair constructed as a visual reminder of our Life Savior, Jesus Christ, and that we also are called into His lifesaving work.

Today, in my devotional reading, Psalm 18, verse 16, spoke to my heart reminding me of the great debt of love I owe to Jesus, the One Who saved me from the deep waters of destruction.

Psalm 18:19 also humbled me:

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Examine Yourselves

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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Project Galilee

Save the date: 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT 

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Your Presence

The words of David's heart-wrenching prayer after his sin involving Bathsheba is recorded of course, in Psalm 51. There are many strong cries in his desperate prayer, nevertheless, none are stronger then verse 11: "Do not banish me from Your presence, and don't take Your Holy Spirit from me (NLT)."

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

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