WATCHWORD:
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
Matthew 6:9-13 The Message
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10. NIV
Meditation:
Meditate on God’s Word
Do we ever really take time to truly meditate on the Word of God? I mean really dwell on words, phrases, settings, meanings. When we personalize the Word and make it ours? It is not an easy task to translate the Holy Word of God into our everyday life, but I think the full power of His Word is unleashed when we truly make it ours, personal, in the midst of our conversation with God.
In a recent Jesus Calling, the passage, Psalm 139:7-10, was cited and that caused me to wonder about taking those Words deeper into my personal life. You know, letting the scripture guide your conversation with God. This is what I came up with. Give it a try, you have the Master of the Universe helping you!
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”
No, Lord, I can’t run away from you, I can’t hide from you, for you are right here, in my very being. I trust you, Lord. there’re times when I think I have walked away from you, when I ignored your very presence in my life. Times when I have been faced with a dilemma and, yet, I never called on you. Forgive me Lord. You are a strength that I have at my disposal, which, too often, I ignore. Times when I made the wrong decision because I have not trusted you. I truly am sorry.
“If I go up to the heavens, you are there, if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
I love this assurance, Lord. When I am filled with joy and happy beyond words, forgive me if I do not realize these wonderful feelings are a gracious gift from you, and not of my own doing. You were there in that amazing sunset, in the embrace of that loved one, in the beauty of those flowers, gifts from you. Forgive me for not expressing the gratitude that they deserve. And, Lord, when I try to physically handle the heavy loads, all by myself, when you were there watching and ready to help, inspire me, Lord, to call on you.
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Lord, this is the amazing part of your presence in my life. It doesn’t matter the circumstance, the geography, the emotional chaos, you got me, your right hand holding me fast. I often stumble, and you got me. When I do something stupid, you turn me around. Should I run away and get lost, you are my compass. When I experienced the loss of a loved one, you took me in your arms and assured me that my loved one is waiting for me.
What more can I say, except thank you, thank you, thank you. You are my Lord and my Savior, you are my God and I ask only that the awareness of Your Presence be a constant throughout my life. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Sometimes The Message Version of scripture cuts to the chase and tells it like it is, such as 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 –
3-6 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
Go, fight, win!!!
Closing with The Shepherd’s Prayer:
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Amen.
I just experienced a revitalized mindset in my journey after reading today’s Watchword! Very refreshing to unplug and simply be with God. Keep those inspirational moments coming in 2022.
Thank you, Carol. I do appreciate comments. I try to work on the basis that God is in Charge and any inspiration that results in words that build up — those are from Him. Thank you, Lord.
Stan