Archives: Watchword

A bit of scripture, short meditations and stories, prayers, news and maybe a touch of humor.

Lord, Give Me Wealth

WATCHWORD:

Oh, Lord, that you would bless me, indeed. That you would enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from all evil and harm. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

 

Meditation:

 Lord, Give Me Wealth

What do we make of the prayer of Jabez? Is that what we strive for, enlarged territory, wealth, acclaim? Is that how we pray? Lord give me wealth so that I can be a better Christian. Really?  Lord expand my territory so that others will give me the acclamation that I deserve. There’s a worthy prayer!

Is that what the spirit, deep in your heart, is seeking? God‘s power, presence and guidance to elevate your own personal life? And when you ask God to keep you from all evil and harm, are you just trying to avoid the pain of adversity, and difficult times that God has designed as part of your training as a child of God?  Is that what dwells in your heart of hearts?

Those are awfully tough questions, but, too often, being honest with ourselves is kind of a last resort. We’d rather not look too deeply at times because then we would be forced to admit I am a sinner needing the grace of God. What was Jabez praying for, at the core? To elevate himself?  Dig more deeply.

Let’s not confuse the requesting prayers we often offer to the Lord, that would make our life more comfortable, or would introduce meaning that we could imagine would be crafted by a special gift from God. Jabez is asking God to bless him, which means that he has confidence that true blessings come from God‘s grace and goodness and have nothing to do with his own personal efforts.

The enlargement of territory is not a request for material prosperity, for fields and property. Rather it’s a request for greater opportunities to serve God, to have a greater spiritual influence, to be equipped to be a true disciple of the most high. Jabez goes on to pray for God‘s constant presence, his guidance and his strength in daily living, to lift this prayer to the Lord, requests for graces to the only He can give? Does this prayer complement our own? Or, do our own desires, our own needs, our own comfort, take precedence? Or, does the content and meaning of this prayer actually take on power as we surrender our lives fully and totally to the Lord? That is called Redemption.

 

Closing Prayer:

Oh, Lord, that you would bless me, indeed. That you would enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from all evil and harm. Amen.

 

Do You Love Me?

WATCHWORD:

He Is Your Life — So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.  Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. Colossians 3:1-4  Message Version Continue reading

Suddenly, He Was There! 

WATCHWORD:

13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?” They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”19-24 He said, “What has happened?” They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. Luke 24:13-27 Message Version Continue reading

I See His Blood

WATCHWORD:

 

Meditation:

I See His Blood

For this devotional, let us in prayerful meditation consider this poem by Joseph Mary Plunkett, “I See His Blood Upon the Rose.” We are truly saved by Christ’s sacrifice, it is His blood that elevates us to become a child of God. His resurrection makes possible a blessed earthly life, with the promise of a rich eternal life with Him. His blood upon the rose was shed for you and me.

 

I See His Blood Upon the Rose

I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.

His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.

How do you feel as you read the poem? Do you feel a sense of closeness to the creator of all things, and yet a nearness to be on pathway that are trod of His feet, His creative feet?  Does it add dimension to our view of the common place of garden, forest, sunset and storm? How does it make you feel in the privacy of your heart? And his tears, His tears for us, for our denials and our sinful acts, fall gently on us, the land and the seas and we all grow in the love that His tears represent. Amen

Mary’s Sword

WATCHWORD:

27 That day the Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, he took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation,31which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:27-35 Continue reading

Many Turned Away

A Devotional for Wednesday of Holy Week

WATCHWORD

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.”  65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” John 6:60-67 Continue reading

Thy Will

Devotional for Monday of Holy Week

WATCHWORD:

[Context — They had traveled a distance, from the hillside outside Gadara, with the memory of the miracle feeding of the crowd still fresh in their minds, now they stood outside Bethany. The journey had been eventful and amazing. The evening with that tax-collector in Jericho, restoring sight to that blind boy, and then climbing the rugged road toward Jerusalem. Even the disciples wondered who was this man they had followed for years, this carpenter, this miracle-worker? They had gotten word of the illness of Jesus’ friend, but that was days ago, now, here they were, Bethany, and Lazarus had died while they were still in Jericho. These friends and followers wondered, what now? A life restored? Another miracle?] Continue reading

Cost of Discipleship, Part 2 

WATCHWORD:

“Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 20b …you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. 21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young. 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:18b,20b-27 Continue reading

Cost of Discipleship, Part 1

WATCHWORD:

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.28a “But don’t begin until you count the cost.

33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:25-28a, 33-35 Continue reading

Express Your Joy

WATCHWORD:

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy, I will draw living water from the Wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 Continue reading

God’s Watchword

WATCHWORD:

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1

And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,  in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace. Micah 5:4-5

6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Continue reading

Who’s in Your Bed?

WATCHWORD:

In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Continue reading