Matthew 19:22 "When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions."

The word “possessions” hit me like a brick on the head when I read this scripture.
What do I possess? What possesses me?  I have just recently finished reading a couple of novels about angels and demons so possession in that sense is still fresh in my mind.  Maybe that is why this jumped out so much at me but whatever the reason, it is worth pondering.

Do I possess my things or do they possess me?  In this story, a rich man asks Jesus how he could have eternal life.  He is sad because Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give away the money and come follow him.  A hard thing to do, I understand.

It is a constant task for me to keep check of my priorities.  What comes first in my heart and my mind?  Do I put my children and spouse ahead of me?  Do I put other things ahead of my God?  Even if I do not worship them, do I cling to them, allowing them to keep me from following God with my whole heart?

This morning I pray that the blessings we hold in our homes, pantries, and bank accounts do not keep us from serving the Lord with all we are and all we have.

Lord,

Help us remember all we have belongs to you.  Guide us in the saving and use of everything you have entrusted to us so that we are good stewards of these blessings.  Keep us from clinging to them; help us cling only to you.  Amen.

Matthew 9:25-26 "But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district."

Jesus never ceased to amaze the people.

The gospel is filled with stories of Jesus touching people’s lives in ways beyond their wildest imagination.  This is one of those stories.

The father, a leader in the synagogue came to Jesus because his daughter had died.  The man knew that if Jesus came and laid is hand upon her, she would live.  The people at his home, preparing for the funeral, laughed at Jesus when he arrived because he told them she was not dead but only asleep.

How often do we laugh at the possibilities?  How often have we received the healing hand of Jesus and been amazed?

The verse that follows me into this day is “And the report of this spread throughout that district.”  How often do we share what Jesus has done with others?

My life has been transformed beyond recognition by the love and mercy of Jesus.  His healing hand has come to me and I am no longer sleeping but very much alive and awake.  I pray for others to receive the blessings that I have received and I pray we will share our stories throughout our world.

Lord,

Help us not be shy about your work in us.  Encourage us to share as your Spirit leads us to so that others will be amazed and come to believe in you.  Your love and mercy are available to all.  Help me share my story through word and action so others will be drawn to you.  Amen.

Zephaniah 3:9 "At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord."

I can barely watch television anymore.

I get so tired of the lies and deception that I hear and read and I cringe at some of the programs that are shown in today’s world.

Please do not misunderstand me.  I do not proclaim to be pure and untouched by the wiles of the world, there are many that call my name too.  We are drawn away from purity with whatever our personal weaknesses may be.  The great deceiver knows how to entice us well.

I long for the day when there is no more deceit and no more lies.  I pray for the day of complete reconciliation and unity of all people in the Lord.  This passage in Zephaniah talks about a day when the Lord cleanses and purifies his peoples.  A day will come when all will speak his name and serve him together.

We do not live in this community today but I work toward that community of Divine love while I wait.  He is coming and I pray that we will all be ready when he arrives.

Lord,

As I wait for the coming of your full glory I pray that you will guide my speech and actions to serve you.  I pray that we, who are your disciples, will be protected from deception and lies and through your Spirit we would serve you in truth and love.  Help us not condemn but love others as you love us until you come again.  I pray through Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.

Galatians 6:9 "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up."

I needed this message badly today.  I know many of my friends likely needed this message today as well.

As we draw closer to the end of a school year, students and teachers are worn and tired.  We are all ready for a time of rest and play, not so much work.  My church is preparing to present the budget to the congregation next week and rumor has it that there is much to be heard.  Our nations still battle each other and there are still battles within the nations.  When do we get rest?

Some mornings it is a struggle to get out of bed and begin my time of devotion but when I struggle, I begin my prayer time in bed and because the Lord is good, he finds a way to get me up and going.  When teaching and learning are beating us down at our home school, prayer and drawing strength from the Lord helps us push through to the end of each day.

Whatever we are being called to do, we cannot do it by ourselves.  We grow weary; tired and worn out.  It is only through God and his Spirit that we can remain strong in doing what is right.  Hear Paul’s words to the Galatians and draw strength from the Spirit today.

Lord,

We can look through history and see your hand in all things.  There have been might struggles but when your people did not give up, righteousness prevailed.  Fill us with your love and light so we do not give up but are renewed and strengthened to continue doing what is right.  Amen.

Psalm 144:3-4 “O Lord, what are human beings that you regard them, or mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a passing shadow.”

There is thunder and a steady rain.  My mood fits this unusual Colorado morning.

It is hard pray when I have clouds of gloom and doom hanging over me.  I come lamenting my worries and frustrations instead of thanking him and praising him.  I come as I am.

I wish I could banish these darker moments of life but I know even in these grumbly moods I learn and grow in the Lord.  In these moments I am drawn to seek him even more.

I come to the Lord this morning, just as I do each morning.  I come as a disciple and servant.  I come seeking renewal in order to be able to give.

I do not fully understand God’s love for human beings but I can only imagine it to be much bigger than the love I have for my own children.  I regard them as precious and I think of them every moment.  This is how God is with us.

My life may be just a breath or a passing shadow but I pray that my breath or passing shadow of a life will be one of love and praise to God.

Lord,

Thank you for the rain.  I know the earth needs it so badly.  I rejoice with the plants in their song of thanksgiving.  You give each of us just what we need.  Help me accept what I receive and learn to love you more through whatever each day brings.  I pray these things through Jesus, my Savior.  Amen.

Mark 6:8-9 "He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics."

The bare bones necessities and nothing more.

What do we take when we go out for the day?  I don’t know your list but here is some of mine:

Purse with wallet and cell phone, Small backpack with emergency medicine, jackets and shoes for the weather, music, Gas in the car...

My husband always has snacks in the car too just in case someone gets hungry.  We are prepared for just about anything.

Jesus tells his disciples to go out and leave all of that behind.  Take your walking stick, nothing else but the clothes on your back.  This was a great exercise in faith. They were to trust in God to provide all they would need for their journey and their work.

What is God asking me to leave behind?  When I go out to do his work do I bring everything and the kitchen sink?  Matthew 6 tells us God cares for the lilies and the birds, and he takes care of us.

Lord,

Help us consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air and help us trust in you for all our needs.  We do not like to pack light when we go out, help us release our need for stuff and look to you instead.  As we do your work, help us see it is your work and not ours, all glory, laud and honor to you O Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 130:7 "O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem."

Hope in the Lord!

When I read this Psalm I wonder if it refers to Israel the nation or Israel the person.  Could it mean both?

The Psalm starts out in verse one saying “I cry out to you, O Lord.”  At verse five it is still written in the first person; “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits.”

I used this scripture, verse seven, in a call this morning that went something like this:

Sally hope in the Lord, Centennial, hope in the Lord, Colorado hope in the Lord, United States, hope in the Lord!  For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

Allow this verse to seep into your heart.  Hear your name in the place of Israel and hear the words speak directly to you.

O ___________, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem!  Hallelujah and Amen!

Lord,

Thank you for allowing scripture to speak to my heart this morning.  Thank you for the printed word that I hold in my heart and my hand as a tool to draw me closer to you each moment.  I pray for those who are not allowed to have the Bible, help them find your word despite the barriers in place.  I pray for those who do not hear your word.  Open their ears and their hearts that they may find hope in you.  Amen.