January 2, 2011

 Psalm 37 

 This Is The Year! 

Psalm 37

Don't worry about the wicked.  Don't envy those who do wrong.  For like grass, they soon fade away.  Like springtime flowers, they soon wither. 

Trust in the LORD and do good.  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.  Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the LORD.  Trust him, and he will help you.  He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.  Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. 

Stop your anger!  Turn from your rage!  Do not envy others - it only leads to harm.  For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

In a little while, the wicked will disappear.  Though you look for them, they will be gone.  Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security.

The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance.  But the LORD just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right.  But they will be stabbed throught the heart with their own swords, and their bows will be broken.

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much.  For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly.

Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever.  They will survive through hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

But the wicked will perish.  The LORD'S enemies are like flowers in a field - they will disappear like smoke. 

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.  Those blessed by the LORD will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will die.

The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Once I was young, and now I am old.  Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread.  The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.  For the LORD loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly.

He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish.  The godly will inherit the land and will live there forever. 

The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong.  They fill their hearts with God's law, so they will never slip from his path.

Those who are evil spy on the godly, waiting for an excuse to kill them.  But the LORD will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are brought before the judge.

Don't be impatient for the LORD to act.  Travel steadily along his path.  He will honor you, giving you the land.  You will see the wicked destroyed.

I myself have seen it happen - proud and evil people thriving like mighty trees.  But when I looked again, they were gone!  Though I searched for them, I could not find them!

Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace.  But the wicked will be destroyed, they have no future.

The LORD saves the godly, he is their fortress in times of trouble.  The LORD helps them, rescuing them from the wicked.  He saves them, and they find shelter in him.   

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Thoughts.....

Happy New Year!  I pray this new year will find you with renewed hope and a wonder of possibilities for what you and the Lord can achieve.  May you embrace his peace and be happy as you venture together.

The Lord gave us this Psalm to remind us that although our troubles may seem as many, our achievements with him will be greater.   

I have a tendency when I read a Psalm to read it rapidly, almost skimming the thoughts, but not entering into the gift, nor do I unwrap it slowly to cherish the present it is.  As do I, so do many others.  So I encourage you to spend some time reading every sentence completely and holding it for a moment.  Ask the Lord, "What does this mean my for my life.  What significance does it hold for me.  How can I best apply it to my life?".  Is there an action you must take?  Maybe it is just knowing, or acceptance, or walking differently, making different choices, learning more about the Lord through reading his Word more...the Bible, learning more about who he is to know how you can live your life to the fullest with him and in him....and he in you.  Maybe he is calling you to do something specific for the Lord.

Is there a feeling with any specific sentence?  Pain, sorrow, joy, elation, sincere thankfulness....gratitude, acceptance, willingness to receive, considering yourself worthy, love?  Read each line again and again, if you have to, to get the intent of each thought.  It's remarkable how much peace we can have knowing our Savior's intent for our lives...the fullness of his love for us.  It will provide a moment to bow down and worship the ever living ever loving Savior...our God...Holy Spirit.  It will lead to many more moments to do the same. Which will in turn shower many blessings upon us.  For which we will express our gratitude.  The proverbial cycle of love....circle of life.

Every once in a while I have time to read a book to clear my mind and take a vacation albeit for only a few hours.  Recently I read 'Thursdays at Eight' by Debbie Macomber.  'Cute story about a group of gals who got together thursday mornings to share their journey through life after having met in a class to learn how to journal.  Upon encountering a new year they each decided to choose a word to embrace...a thought...that would be their focus for the new year.  It gave pause for thought for myself.  It sounded like a good idea.

I learned some words somewhere, at some point in my life, that have been reverberating through my conscience lately.  When I read Debbie's book, I decided to try and find those words....yeah...I did (!).  'Tenagona' is from the Shona language for 'achievable'.  'Amani' is Swahili for 'peace', and 'makena' means 'happy one' in Kenyan.  If I have to choose one, I choose 'Tenagona'...'achievable.'  However, I must say, I pray it brings about 'amani' and makes me a 'makena'!  I want to achieve the ability to bring God glory, and joy, and thankfulness for my life by the way I choose to live, and love, and give...to him and in his name...while I walk with him.  I want to achieve rightness with him.  No one else...him.  All my dreams of being one with him, dreams for others, and my material dreams will then be achieved.

Achieving my dreams of oneness with him, will help me be right with others as well.  I think I do this pretty well right now.  But there are a few who don't ask God if I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, or even if they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, that cause concerns....for God.  It may effect me, but it will not harm me.  I am, as are you, if you have given your life to the Lord in the fullness to which he desires, protected fully.  Nothing anyone does to any of  us can effect the outcome of our salvation.  How we act or react can.  So I encourage you to keep your focus on God and your hearing fine tuned.  As the scriptures tell us above, the Lord saves the godly.  In the meantime, find a word that will allow you to focus on your future with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  On how you want to live your life for a frutiful outcome for your year.  How will you live your life this year? 

I've highlighted in the text some commands given by David on behalf of the Lord.  Read through the text, yet again, to see if you can find more commands to help you along lifes way. 

Then, read through the text again to find the blessings.  This is the exciting part!  Look at all the fun stuff the Lord is going to give those of us IF we receive him into our hearts, love him, worship him, follow him, and obey him.  Now I know we are not supposed to give to get....but it's still Christmas (!).   But I love to receive his love and gifts...any time of the year.  Look at the promises he makes to us!  Can you feel his love?  Can you feel his hearts desire for you?  Can you feel his arms embracing you in the fullness of that love?  Can you hear him say, "I'm giving you this just because I love you?"  Well done, good and faithful servant. 

As you read the Bible this year, or anything that gives directives on how to love and give to the Lord, take to heart those words given.  Read them and reread them.  Realize that many are called, but few are chosen.  Realize he is calling you.  Will he choose you?  What will you do to make sure he does?  What will your word be?  THIS is the year...this is your moment.  Will you shine for him?  Will you achieve his dreams for you?  Or merely your own by yourself....struggling step by struggling step?  What are his dreams for you?  Read Psalm 37 again....you'll see.  Read about all the promises he has for you and the fulfillment in the New Testament.  Try even a book or chapter at a time this year, if just sitting and reading is too much.  See who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is...and all he has to give you.  Forgiveness of sins, life everlasting...and so much more.  Why would you want to live any other kind of life?  He loves you so much.  Can you love him just a little?  He'll be forever grateful.  So will you. 

Make this year tenagona....know amani....be a makena....loving the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is like unto it....love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Will you love yourself this year enough to ask the Lord to come into your heart and life?  I hope so.  Do it today.  Do it now!  Receive him into your home....your heart.  Become one with him today.  Your life will never be the same.  Alleluia!

***

Let Us Pray

Thank you, God, for giving me so much love....the gift of Jesus.  Jesus, today I choose to accept you into my life.  Please forgive me.  Please cleanse me of sins, and memories of events and people that have hurt me, and make me whole.  Now please, dear Lord, be my Savior.  Come into this newly cleansed body of mine and help me have a new life in you in this new year.  Help me to keep my focus on you and make my dreams achievable....tenagona.  Bring me your peace....amani....that passes all understanding.  May we both be a happy one....makena.   May I cherish you always and follow you all the days of my life.  I bow down to you now, Lord. I worship and adore you.  I praise you and I thank you.  Help me to raise you to new heights of glory...show me how.  I want to honor you and obey you.  I want us both to have a full and prosperous life to give glory to your name.  May we both know joy.  I know you want me to experience joy as another wonderful gift from you.  May those gifts be many....may my gifts to you be many as well.  Thank you, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, for loving me and those I love so much.   And thank you again, Mary, for saying 'yes' to God....for giving us the Son of God and Son of Man.  For giving us an example of what can happen if we only say 'yes' to God.  Together with him we can change our world....even the whole world.  Let there be love....and let there be peace on earth....and let it begin with me.  Alleluia!  Amen! 

Achievable, peace, happy one.  Tenagona, amani, makena. 

A Morning Resolve *

I will try this day to live a simple, sincere, and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.

In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.

And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For Today *

Give me strength to live another day;

Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;

Let me not lose faith in other people;

Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;

Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;

Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;

Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;

Grant me this day some new vision of your truth;

Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness; and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls, in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   

For the Unemployed *

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.  Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

***

More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

*** 

Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

***

  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

 ***

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In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

  ***

    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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*Prayers:  A Morning Resolve and For Today are from Forward Day By Day, as is For The Unemployed, which is from The Book of Common Prayer.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

 *