Humble, pray, seek and repent

And my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I'm alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I've chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. 2 Chronicles 7:14 The Message

Today, let's humble ourselves, pray, seek His presence and turn away from our thoughts, actions and words that don't line up with His heart. 

Today, as we sit on the other side of the world, somewhat removed from terrorist activity, political and economic instability, let's pray for this world. Bobbie Houston in her book, The Sisterhood says,

"I believe that the weapon the church of Jesus Christ must bring to this current global table of unrest and crisis is prayer. It's a weapon that many outside of the faith may never truly understand nor ever appreciate - but regardless of whether they do or don't, prayer is what engages the spiritual realm that is so often at the core and cause of today's problems." (Bobbie Houston, excerpt from Chapter 21 - The Sisterhood)

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6:18 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way,

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 The Message

Throughout today, whenever prompted by the Holy Spirit, let's pray for this world, that we will humble ourselves and seek our Heavenly Father in all we do.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Holy Spirit

[It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me]. Job 33:4 AMP

The Spirit of God.....

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV

.... by His Spirit ....

It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 AMP

.... The Spirit Who gives life ...

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 AMP

.... The Holy Spirit has been given to us ...

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! Romans 8:14-15 AMP

Question for today, the Holy Spirit - what does He mean to you in your day to day life? How does He impact what you do and how you do it? Let's welcome Him into our day and be led by Him today.

This worship song - Holy Spirit you are welcome here - by Kim Walker Smith is a great way to surrender and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you through the day.

Jesus' prayer for us

Something a bit different today. A passage to meditate on and ask God how it applies to you. It is part of Jesus' prayer to God the Father in John 17. I suggest that as you read this scripture, have a pen and paper near by and write down what God says to you. He loves you and He loves all He created. He wants to see every person reconciled and restored back to Himself, living life abundantly - in Jesus Name.

I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world. 

I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 

Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth. 

Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching. 

That they all may be one [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.

I have given to them the glory and honour which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one; I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognise that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.

John 17:14-23 AMP

And one more passage to meditate on ....

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lamp-stand and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognise and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 AMP

Our world needs to see God's light.

Desire for God's word

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP

There are many things we can choose to read today - the latest update on our elections, the news of chaos in so many parts of the world, facebook or other social media posts, or a 'light' read to help us escape the realities of this world. Whatever you choose to read today, I encourage you to read God's word too. It brings us life.

And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God. Luke 4:4 AMP

A few years after I became a Christian my daily bible reading started to become very spasmodic. I certainly wasn't reading my bible every day. I was far from purposeful in reading God's word. I tried various reading plans but was unable to stick to any of them. As I didn't want to be religious about reading the bible every day, so I just let it go. 

And then life changed with Victoria's diagnosis, I was in desperate need of God, and I started to read His word every day. I found comfort, encouragement, understanding, love and much much more in His word. Over recent years that desperation has changed to a wonderful desire. A desire and expectation to  see how God is going to speak to me through His word each day. It really has become what sustains me.

I pray that you don't have to have the sort of wake up call that I needed, to increase your desire for God's word. But my question for today is, where do you honestly think your desire for God's word is at? Is there room for more? If so, why not ask God to give you that desire and show you how to implement that desire in your life?

And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favour]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul). Acts 20:32 AMP

Fresh Strength

But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 The Message

What a beautiful phrase, fresh strength. But you know it is more than a phrase, it is a gift that God is offering to us today. To you. To me.  All we need to do is trust Him.

Oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength. Ephesians 1:19 The Message

Trust that He will provide all we need. Trust that He has a bigger plan and it is good. Trust that He loves us no matter what we do, or don't do. Trust that Jesus did die for us so we could have a daily relationship with our heavenly father now, and eternal life. Trust that Jesus did come so that we could live life to the full. 

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breath! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 The Message 

Trust that His strength will sustain us no matter what is going on and for as long as it takes to see the manifestation of His power. Keep trusting.

We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:11-12 The Message

Question for today, do you need some of God's fresh strength? If yes, take a moment to humble yourself, ask for His strength in you, and receive it. Be expectant that He will give you all you need to get through this day, and to actually thrive in this day.

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from GOD, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1-2 The Message

Who do you put your hope in?

For in You, O Lord, do I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15 AMP

Today, some scriptures about hope - with the underlying questions - what or who are we putting our hope in?

And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You. Psalm 39:7 AMP

When we are waiting for something, it can be very difficult (an understatement) to keep wholeheartedly putting our hope in God.  Especially as time passes and we are still waiting.

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God. Psalm 42:5 AMP

Hope in God. How do you do that when all around you looks hopeless? For me, here are just some of the things I have done over the past 5.5 years to keep my hope in God, 

1. Reading God's promises over and over until they are a truth in my heart. 

2. Spending time worshiping God, pouring out my pain and letting His Spirit minister to me.

3. Putting a guard over my mouth and not speaking out the circumstances, rather speaking God's word.

4. Positioning myself (or rather let God position me) with people who speak faith and can 'hold my arms' up in times when I am weary.

5. Keep reminding myself of where my hope is - every-time those negative thoughts come - declaring it our loud ...

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Psalm 71:5 AMP

Question for today, what is your hope in today? Are you having difficulty putting your hope in God? If so, why not ask Him to gently bring you to that place where you can fully hope in Him. Let Him be your guide, take time to listen and obey.

But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 AMP

Our weaknesses

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26-28 The Message

There have been many times in my life when I have been tired in the waiting. So tired that I didn't know what to pray. So grateful that other people were standing in the gap for me. And so grateful that God's Spirit was praying exactly what I needed to pray. What peace it brings to know that even when it comes to praying, we don't have to do it alone. Another version puts it this way,

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Romans 8:26-27 NLT

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. Often the world today tells us to hide our weaknesses, don't let anyone see them. But that is not how our God works. No, He wants us to come to Him with our weaknesses. He wants us to acknowledge that we need Him. And why? Because when we say we need God, we are saying we can't do it alone, we need His wisdom, His grace, and we are letting the power of Christ work through us.

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

If we keep trying to do it all ourselves, where is the room for Jesus in our lives? Where is the room for the Holy Spirit's leadings?

Questions for today, what are your weaknesses? Have you given them to God? Are you letting Him bring His grace and wisdom into those areas of your life? Sometimes pride and a lack of trust can stop us talking to God about our weaknesses, which is a bit funny if you think about it, as He knows everything about us anyway. Wherever you are at, today, let's take a step closer to Him in our areas of weakness, and acknowledge our complete need for Him.

But He said to me, My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP