Sequestered or Sanctified?

Psalm 118:8 :It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."


A lot transpires in a week. (since last week's post). Emptier shelves, Longer lines and minute by minute updates interrupt our stream of conscious causing us to reassess life. 

Cancelled, postponed, shut down, off limits, unavailable. The anticipated events in our lives are deleted from the calendar. 

Major and minor league sports, high school sports, concerts, conventions, meet-ups, church meetings, assemblies, public amusement parks and historical sites...even school! 

The list goes on. 

We are told to communicate virtually, isolate, hunker down, socially detach, board up the house...well, not quite that. 

When we are told to shut it down, God reminds us to sanctify. 

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth."

When we are told to forget about doing this or that, God tells us to have faith. 

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whooever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

When we are told things are without precedent, unpredictable and the pressure is on, God gives us peace. 

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

God's is for us; His will and sovereign plan remain steadfast. He, the Lord is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. We can go about our daily walk with Him in the midst of our side-lined days, our self-quarantine and cancellations. 

God shows up. Always. 

Will we? 

Maybe you have abandoned plans to know God more. Maybe you have postponed, set aside that talk you needed to have with Him. Maybe your hurt and pride have become like a virus, a venom allowed to keep surging through your veins. It hardens the heart. 

But God! He is our refuge! He remedies, redeems, revives us from ourselves, our sin, our apathy, our fear. For God is Love for our condition, our very critical condition if we do not recognize His sacrifice, accept His perscription for Hope. 

Lord, A national and world-wide pandemic is a scary and very serious thing. This virus continues to mutate and move in ways we do not yet understand. Lord, I pray for those gifted to find ways to halt it, cure it, sequester it, be given grace and wisdom in the process. I pray for Your protection and for our patience during this outbreak. I pray for those most vulnerable. Encourage us Lord and guide us to encourage one another, serve one another and be creative in the ways we can do, be good to one another and continue to be about Your plan. May understanding and compassion, fellowship and furthering Your Gospel be foremost on our minds and hearts as we approach Passion Week and Easter morning. Lord change us, mutate us to transcend all that this world wants to destroy, All for Your Glory, Amen. 

"Praying Through"

Deuteronomy 31:8a And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you...

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you've received certain scriptures from the Lord, but you really didn't see the connection until a prayer was answered?  Suddenly, you recognize not only the puzzle pieces of scripture,  but how they were being pieced together within your prayers.

Without details here, let's just say I am earnestly praying for my beloved son. Some things are given, some things are taken away and some things GET in the way of sound judgment; discarded.  Anger,  impulsivness and may I add a little arrogance, are not good companions for our emotional health. I've certainly had my share of days like that. Life is learning, growing, making a few bad choices and making some better choices.

I knew I couldn't fix this one, didn't really want to. This decision he made as an adult, he'd have to live with. That didn't mean though, that I did not intervene spiritually. I've never stopped praying. I never will.

Random scriptures stopped me this week, ones I pondered over, prayed over and posted on my Facebook wall.

MONDAY: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them."

and in this verse, I prayed.

TUESDAY: Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor."

...and in this verse I prayed again

WEDNESDAY I Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Praying Lord, for a softened heart...

THURSDAY:  This day, I posted a picture of my son when he was a baby, helping his dad out. The caption I put, though silly at the time, turned out to be very prophetic, and an exclamation point to an answered prayer later on that evening. My son received a restoration, finding his own humbleness to redeem what he disregarded and lost.  

It was quiet evident that God is hearing my prayers and working on my son's heart in His own way and in His own timing.  I know, I recognize through the scriptures God gave me this week, the wisdom words to pray over, to pray through.

...and I pray my son will someday see the evidence before him and the beautiful puzzle pieces of love and purpose God has for him too. 

Praying through scripture is powerful. God's Word is Truth. 

Lord, thank you for giving me these powerful scriptures this week in which to focus my prayers and my heart towards the things that concern me for my loved ones. The gift of the Holy Scriptures coupled with The Holy Spirit gives insight into how to be, how to live, how to love, and how to pray. I am grateful and thankful for this wisdom which brings me  the promise, that a heart will be restored as well. 

Amen. 

Wisdom, Yes, There is an App for That!

Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me." 

Wisdom. It's knowing the right thing to do and/or say at the right time and pleasing God as you do it. Wouldn't it be great if there was an app for that?

Well,  actually there is. It's called God's Word, The Holy Scriptures, The Bible.

In Proverbs Chapter 8, all the downloadable info and instructions are there.

Wisdom is omnipresent. Wherever our spiritual soul dwells,

...the highest mountain
                                    ...a crossroad, freeway
                                                                       ...our living rooms and kitchens
                                             
Wherever out paths take us,
                                            ...a city council meeting,
                                                                                  ... a doctor's office,
                                                                                                                 ...a coffee house
Wisdom is for all men, for men to teach to their sons.

There is no virus in God's wisdom. It is not crooked or preverted.

Some may try to buy wisdom, but silver and gold to not equate with it's value.

Wisdom does not sit at the same table as pride, arrogance, evil and ugly, mean words.

Wisdom hangs out with discretion and knowledge. (That's praying and studying).

Wisdom is powerful, yet understanding,
                                                             rich yet righteous,
                                                                                          honorable and just.

Wisdom watched and applauded as the heavens and earth whirled together at God's commanding breath. Like a construction site Superintendant, Wisdom oversaw the building of the foundations of creation,the depths of the sea, the rising up of the pillars of mountains, the rooftop skies above and the flowing rivers that sustain life.

Wisdom rejoiced in all Creation.  

Wisdom knows who loves, who seeks after Him, and those who are diligent...
Those who are humble, who are true...

WILL FIND ME!

"Listen, says Wisdom. Keep my Ways, He instructs. Do not neglect Me. Watch for me. I hang out where you can find me. Are you looking in the right places? Are you only going so far where you are comfortable, set in a routine, afraid you may have to give something up to get me?

Maybe so.

But in return, this is what I give you...
                                                            LIFE!

If I am not what you seek, I'm afraid your injuries become fatal."


Lord, every minute of every day, decisions in life affect us. To have the promise of Godly discernment, counsel and wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. I seek Your wisdom and I ask that you provide a generous portion in these times. Lead me to the righteousness of your Word and inscribe onto my heart Your Truth. I long to do the right thing at the right time and above all else, please You, my Lord and my Savior. Amen.