Daniel 9:3 “Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.”

I am not Catholic but I became aware of a call from the Pope to spend a day of prayer and fasting today regarding the state of affairs around Syria.  As I sat in my quiet time and sipped my coffee I suddenly remembered my plan to fast.  The realization slowly came to me that this would not be easy to accomplish.  I had already blown the beginning of the day but that doesn't mean I should give up.  I thought maybe I could go for a walk or sit in my church and pray during lunch and then I remembered my husband needs to work today so I have the kids; sigh.  I will fast and pray but it will not look or feel like one of depth.  I take heart in knowing there are many praying over this troubled situation and not just today.  When we turn to the Lord our God in prayer, He longs to hear our deepest hearts desires.  He longs to commune with us and speak to us about his desires as well.  When we step away from our normal routine I think it helps us get in touch with the Divine.  When we cleanse our bodies and spirits of daily toxins, we are better able to function.  Let us pray...

Lord,

You know our hearts and our worries; you know our words before we even speak them.  Guide our prayers and words as we lift them to you this day.  Hear the prayers of many and shower your mercy on us.  May your kingdom and purpose be fulfilled.  Amen.

Hebrews 7:24-25 “but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

This passage in Hebrews brings peace and comfort to my soul this morning.  I have known for many years that Jesus is my intercessor to God but hearing again this morning helped me relax in the arms of Love instead of feeling the need to grovel.  I do not need to bring my own sacrifice to the table for my sins, Jesus has done that already.  So I come in joy and peace, I come in praise and thanksgiving and I bring whatever I can offer as a thank offering for the gift of salvation and the eternal grace He offers to everyone.  As our church prepares to welcome a new pastor I hope we remember she comes to the Lord just as the rest of us do; she comes as a sinner redeemed through the sacrifices of the eternal High Priest Jesus.  Some people are called to serve as priests or pastors but they can only serve for a blink of an eye because they are human.  Jesus priesthood lasts forever and the blessing for today is that because he lives forever, he always stands in the gap for us; he will always be the gateway to grace and forgiveness.  Join me in basking in the grace of our Lord!

Lord,

Thank you for your eternal grace and love.  Thank you for scripture to remind us that we cannot achieve perfection; thank you for sending your eternal High Priest, Jesus the Christ who continues to bridge the gap forever. Amen.

Isaiah 55:12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

I have a few favorite coffee mugs that I like to use.  When I open my cupboard in the morning the messages on the mugs wait for me.  Faith... children... Jesus; which cup today?  I chose the one with fireworks on it with a message to celebrate Jesus.  This verse in Isaiah encourages us to continue the celebration.  Regardless of what is going on in our lives and our world one thing is constant and unchanging; God loves us and Jesus is our redeemer.  This is cause for celebration and so I search for joy in my heart this morning.  I ponder blessings and joyful things to bring my heart to a place of true and deep joy in the Lord.  Let us lay down our burdens at the door and kick off our shoes.  Come out into the fresh air and dance with me in joy for the love of the Lord.  Listen for the songs of the mountains and hills for they burst into song.  Look at the trees and join them in clapping hands to praise our Lord.  As we do this, we will be filled with his holy peace; what a blessing!

Lord,

Thank you for your beautiful words this morning.  Thank you for celebrations and the reminder to step out in your joy.  We have much to be joyful for, help us see it anew.  Release us from burdens so we can dance in joy and be filled with your holy peace this day. Let me join the songs of the mountains and clap my hands with the trees in praise to you.  Amen.

Matthew 7:26 “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”

I have not been to the beach in quite a while but I can still remember the feel of the hot sand under my feet.  When you walk in the sand it shifts under your feet so it is a real workout to get to wear you are going.  I don't know any kid who doesn't love to play in the sand.  They build sand castles or sand sculptures with their shovels and buckets and whatever other tools they can find.  I have even seen pictures of competitions with huge elaborate sand sculptures that I cannot fathom making myself.  No matter what we build with sand or on sand it is only a matter of time before the waves and winds tear it down.  Sand is not stable; it is a shifting sea of tiny pebbles.  If we want a stable foundation we need to build on solid rock.    This passage reminds us that Jesus is the solid rock for the foundation of our faith.  Hear his words and act on them so that we are not fools building our house on the sand!

Lord,

You are the rock and the cornerstone of our faith.  Without you our faith will tumble into the ocean and wash away in the waves.  Open our ears to hear your words for us today and guide our steps in wisdom, not foolishness.  Help us build on you, acting on your word, living as you call us to.  Amen.

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.”

I hope someday I am wise.  I remember years ago my oldest daughter telling me that gray hair was a sign of wisdom and in a strange way I think she may be right.  The experiences we live through and learn from in this life can bring us wisdom as we change and grow from what we have learned.  The task is learning from our experiences.  The nations are at each other’s throats again and I wonder if nations can ever be wise.  We live in a nation that does not stand by.  Since the inception of the United States, we have been a nation who has fought for what we believe in.  The struggle is I am not sure we know what we believe in anymore.  Is our nation living as a wise people making the most of our time?  I cannot answer this in truth, I do not know.  I must release the nations and their actions to God.  I pray that He will use the nations to serve His purpose regardless of their own agendas.  As I turn to look at my own heart, do I live as a wise person or unwise?  Am I careful how I live, making the most of my time?  As I prepare for another day I keep these questions tucked in my mind so that I can question and seek to live in wisdom.  As I pray for wisdom in the battle of nations I also pray for wisdom in the battle of souls.  I trust and know that evil will not prevail for the Lord is good.

Lord,

You know our hearts and you know the hearts of the leaders of nations.  I pray for all of these souls this day.  Guide each of us in wisdom and not in our own agendas.  Help us make the most of the time serving you and your kingdom with all we do so the days of evil can end forever.  All glory and honor to you, our true Ruler and King.  Amen.

Habakkuk 2:3 “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie.  If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”

There is much unrest in the world today.  I hesitate to watch or read the news because it causes distress in my soul.  The Middle East has been a tumultuous place for eons and will be until the end that Habakkuk writes about and I watch our nation with trepidation.  People have been looking for the end almost since the beginning.  I confess I am no different.  I do not look forward to the unrest and trials of the end times, I do not look forward to the dark days before end times but I am not convinced that we are not in the dark days now.  The hope I hold in my heart is this:  There is still a vision for the appointed time.  With all that is happening in the world there is still a plan.  With the darkness that seems to reign in power, there is still a Higher Power that rules above all.  I put my hope and trust in the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.  No matter what the nations and leaders in this world decide to do, I know who the Master Orchestrator is and I trust that His vision will surely come.

Lord,

Let us not lose hope in our hearts.  Thank you for this passage in Habakkuk to remind us that you are the true God and your vision will come in the appointed time, we simply need to wait.  Strengthen our faith where it is weak so that we may stand in your glory in your appointed time, and guide to do your work in the world while we wait.  Amen.

Matthew 8:29 “Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God?  Have you come here to torment us before the time?’”

Whenever I read scripture about Jesus and demons I am taken aback.  How many stories are there where Jesus provides healing, teaching and service to people and yet they do not see and do not believe?  They question him, they doubt him and in the end they kill him.  The stories in scripture that tell of Jesus dealing with demons often clearly state the demons know who he is.  Not only do they know him, they are terrified of him.  This story in Matthew is a prime example.  These demons have been tormenting people so much that no one could pass through this way at all.  As soon as Jesus arrives they are shouting out to him, but not in torment and fierceness but in fear.  He casts the demons out with one word – “Go!”  I don’t know about you but when I read this passage, I remember who is the all-powerful and the ruler over all things.  I remember that he loves me and you and that at the end of the day, he redeems us all.  Let this story encourage you and strengthen you for the Lord is our God!

Lord.

Thank you for your almighty strength and your unending mercy.  Help this story soak into our hearts so we recall it with ease when we feel tormented or fearful.  You have power over everything and you chose us to be your children.  Let us claim the peace and love you give.  Amen.