Crooked Paths
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Proverbs 10:9
There is so much in this world, this life, that pulls on us, tempts us to make little compromises here and there. We may think it’s not a big deal…it doesn’t matter that much… or does it? A ship that just takes on a ‘little bit of water’ here and there will eventually roll. It will capsize, totally flipping it’s orientation. We are much the same, before we know it, compromise flips our loyalties from God to self and our motivations change our our ‘non-negotiables’ turn from following the Lord to following what our sinful hearts crave.
Today, we’re going to keep it simple and effective. Pray that our sons and daughters walk in integrity. It’s important. It reveals character and is a testimony to others that we are unwilling to compromise- our loyalties lie with the cross.
Then, pray that if our sons and daughters are taking ‘crooked paths’ that they would be found out. Yes, let them be caught in their compromise and called out on their dishonesty and deceit. Whether they’re deceiving others or themselves, they need to face it, and change it.
“Father, I pray that You would guard (name)’s steps today. Help them to walk with integrity and walk securely, guarded and guided by the Holy Spirit. Lord, if (name) is taking crooked paths, I pray that they would be found out, even today. Don’t let them continue in deceit and dishonesty. You see their heart and mind. I pray that they would learn to be loyal and true to You, most of all. Let their life be a reflection of Jesus living in them. In His name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Wedding Crashers
“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;”
Psalm 15:1-2
We’ve all heard stories of strangers who decide to invite themselves to someone’s wedding. They schmooze with the guests, enjoy the food and music and even get their picture with the happy couple. Everyone assumes they’re a friend of someone else….and afterward, it comes to light that, in fact, they were strangers who simply welcomed themselves into the event. They weren’t on the list, but somehow made their way in because they looked the part.
Some people may think that their entry into Heaven will be much the same. They may not know the Bridegroom personally, but they ‘look the part’ and they’ve convinced others they belong, so, they’ll get in, right?
But here’s the thing, there will be no wedding crashers at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven. The Bible is clear. “Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks truth from their heart.”
The only way we can have a blameless walk is when we walk with Jesus, fully surrendered to Him as our Lord. Colossians 3:1-3 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God”
The only way we can do what is righteous is when the Righteous One lives in our hearts. Psalm 36:10“Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart” Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””
The only way we can speak Truth is by listening to His voice and by learning, studying and memorizing His word. “Sanctify them in the truth, Your word is truth.” John 17:17
God knows ALL of His children and each one will have a place at His table. But those who are ‘imposters’, posers pretending to be His, trying to carry His name, but living on their own terms- they will be excluded. They will not be welcomed to dwell in His tent or live on His sacred mountain. They will not be invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and there will be no opportunity to ‘self-invite’ or sneak in just by ‘appearing’ like they belong.
Are our sons and daughters seeking a blameless walk or are they giving themselves a ‘pass’ on sin? Are they pursuing righteousness or do they expect to simply ‘talk’ their way into the Kingdom? Do they know the Truth enough to speak it with conviction or do they just parrot things they’ve heard that ‘sound good’?
Friends, let’s pray today that our sons and daughters have a genuine, blameless walk with the Lord- one that will give them VIP seating at the Marriage Supper where we can celebrate the Lamb together!
“Lord God, You are our Almighty Father and Jesus, our Shepherd. You know Your sheep. I pray today that (name) would be one of Your own. If (name) has not yet surrendered their heart and life to You, I pray today would be the day. Get their attention, Lord and help them to truly understand the seriousness of following Jesus authentically and intentionally. If (name) is playing games and ‘posing’ as a believer but lacks the real relationship, I pray that today would be the day they get serious about running after You with their whole heart and mind. I pray that they would be burdened to live authentically for you and to share their faith with others. Lord, my heart’s desire is that my whole family would be part of your Kingdom, celebrating the Marriage Supper of the Lamb as true members of Your Church, Your Bride. Lord, work in their hearts today, draw them into a true relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Walk in the Light
John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
Have you ever visited a new place but your first encounter was at night, in the dark? You gain a distorted perception of how things look-if you can see at all, and it’s so difficult to really understand the landscape because you just cannot see. And if you try to walk? Well, it’s hard because you can’t really see where you’re going.
Then, the next morning, everything looks so different in the light! You see your surroundings and can view longer distances. You gain a perspective of how things relate to one another in the geography and you can navigate with confidence because you can make sense of things so much better. You can see where you’re walking and you see clearly because in the light of day, things make so much more sense!
Before we knew Christ, our view of life was distorted and our understanding of our place in this world was difficult to discern. Our ability to comprehend the bigger picture was skewed and darkened. We were walking in spiritual darkness. But, when we accepted Christ as our personal Savior and trusted in His death and resurrection as the full and complete payment for our sin, the fog lifted, the light filtered through and we gained an eternal perspective that was shadowed in darkness before.
Then there is the difference between natural light and artificial light. “Natural light is full spectrum and dynamic. Full spectrum means that light contains all the colors of the rainbow. Dynamic means that the intensity and mix of colors changes with the time of day.(1)” Artificial light mimics natural light, but will never be able to fully replicate it.
We’ve all seen people who go to church and play the part. And sometimes, they can fool us...for a while. They know the lingo and are ‘good people’. But they lack the light of Christ in their life. They can’t replicate it on their own. Their ‘religion’ is an imitation of Christianity, but without the light of Christ, they will never radiate a true reflection of the Savior.
Do our sons and daughters truly, honestly and authentically walk with Christ, or are they following an artificial imitation? Do they see with healthy spiritual eyes, or are they straining in an artificial light that dims their sin and deceives their perception of God’s expectations?
Oh, we WANT them to walk in the light of Christ, don’t we? Eternity hangs in the balance and nothing artificial will stand.
Today, let’s pray:
That their spiritual eyes are opened to the light of Christ and in that light they truly discern the imposters and poor imitations that surround them. Pray that they see clearly those false religions and false teachers trying to imitate light and vye for their affections.
Pray that the Holy Spirit stirs in their heart a desire to turn away from “religion” and, instead, walk in true relationship with Christ, desiring to live in His lightm truth, and genuine communion with Him.
Pray without ceasing.
1. Natural light versus artificial light. Sunlight Inside. (2017, June 4). https://www.sunlightinside.com/light-and-health/natural-light-versus-artificial-light/.
Don’t Be Directionally Challenged
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,” Psalm 1:1
We’ve all heard stories of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We’ve also heard stories of those who narrowly avoided disaster because they changed locations just a few minutes before the event. Responses like “What a blessing I was not there….” “I feel so fortunate that I left just before…”
When we choose to walk uprightly, the blessings are not random and the protection isn’t circumstantial. Our intentionality to walk with God protects us from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked.” God promises us blessings when we choose to walk with Him.
Are our sons and daughters being intentional in their walk with the Lord, or are they just ‘assuming’ they’ll end up in the right place. Are they mindful of their steps and who they ‘walk’ alongside? It matters, oh friends, it matters so much!! We can’t ‘hope’ that we’ll end up in the right place, we need to continually be checking our direction.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters would not walk with the ungodly but would be intentional each and every day to seek the Lord and His direction in their life. Pray God’s protection over and around them today.
“Father, You see (name) this morning. You know where they are headed, even if they have yet to step out the door. I pray that You would impress Your word on their heart. Help them to walk in Your truth. Keep their feet from stumbling and make their steps firm- following after You in everything. Guard and guide them, Lord, and keep (name) always mindful of You. Give them an undivided heart, so they follow you willfully, joyfully and faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
How are they walking?
Deuteronomy 5:33 “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”
Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, “
It matters how we walk. It matters where we walk. When we’re mindful of our steps, we avoid danger and guard our safety. When we step outside of those parameters, we put ourselves at risk. Oh, we may think we’re fully in control, but there are factors we cannot control that make the danger greater. When our children were little, we didn’t let them run into the street. Yet as adults, some are doing just that in their spiritual lives.
We have to be mindful of how we live our lives and how and where we choose to ‘walk’. We can’t just claim Jesus’ name as an ‘identity’, a symbol of belonging or strategically-arranged social connection or spiritual insurance. If we desire the good that God gives, we must be willing to submit to His commands and obey. He desires that we walk according to His Word and His will.
Jesus made it clear. We need to walk in obedience. There is no middle ground. We must choose sides and we must walk with intentionality toward the cross, toward self-sacrifice, toward giving up our own desires in order to embrace Him. It comes with a cost in this life, but with great reward in eternity. The question is, will we trust Him? Do we believe that He means what He says? And if we do….do we live like it? Can other people discern where our loyalties lie by the way we walk?
God required Israel to:
Fear Him - respect and be in awe and yes, truly fear Him- He is God, there is no rival or equal.
Walk in obedience- not in rebellion, but to submit and walk in the ways that He ordained for them.
Love Him- have true affection for Him
Serve Him with all their heart and soul- not half-hearted and not in name only.
And why did God require this of them? Because they bore His name. They were His nation, His children, and His chosen people. He wanted to bless them extravagantly because He loved them. But they needed to obey. It’s the same with us. God so desires our obedience and allegiance to Him and He wants to bless us, spiritually. But we have to walk with Him. Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
What do we most desire for our sons and daughters, really? Where have we focused our encouragement of them? A degree? A job? A relationship? An income?
Friends, THE most important thing we need to do is encourage our sons and daughters to honestly walk with the Lord, to love Him and to serve Him.
When we stand before the Throne, nothing else will matter. Nothing. Either they love Him, or they don’t. Either they give their heart to Him, or they are an enemy of the cross. There is no middle ground….and they cannot claim our faith. They must make it their own. How and where they spiritually walk right now is important- it has eternal consequences.
Do you have a sense of urgency? You should. Time is short.
Today, let’s pray that list for our sons and daughters, pray in all seriousness and with a sense of urgency. The enemy wants to steal the hearts of this next generation. Let’s do everything we can to stand in the gap and plead God’s protection and preservation over them. Pray that our sons and daughters would:
Fear Him - respect and be in awe and yes, truly fear Him- He is God, there is no rival or equal.
Walk in obedience- not in rebellion, but to submit and walk in the ways that He ordained for them and obey by studying His Word.
Love Him- have true affection for Him
Serve Him with all their heart and soul- not half-hearted and not in name only.
Pray without ceasing.
Saturday Prayer Review
Prayer isn’t a ‘one and done’ event. We need to continually bring our praises, thank you’s, burdens and pleas to the Throne. God wants to have a constant communion with us, an open, honest, vulnerable conversation that allows Him into our deepest thoughts and concerns and builds a trust and understanding with Him. Today, review our prayer points for the week and lift them up to the Lord once again. Know that He hears and will answer in His perfect time.
Pray that each day God would guide our sons and daughters steps.
Pray that our sons and daughters, first and foremost, would commit their lives to Jesus Christ and trust Him as their Lord and Savior
that they live for Jesus and not for themselves.
that they would bear fruit that reflects His preeminence in their lives.
Pray that they keep in step with the Spirit- walking in the Way that He shows them, obeying what He calls them to do and honoring Him with their choices.
Pray for God’s protection over our sons and daughters.
Ask God to help them be discerning and to love His Truth.
Pray that the Lord would help them grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Pray that our sons and daughters would seek the Lord’s will for their life and follow the steps He’s planned for them.
Pray that our sons and daughters look to Jesus and follow after Him, walking as He did and measuring their steps to match His
Pray without ceasing.
Follow His Steps
1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
Remember walking through the snow with our little ones? We would tamp down the snow with our boots and clear a path for them. We didn’t try to outpace them or take steps that were too far apart, making it impossible to follow. When we took measured, steady steps it was easier for them to follow because they could see the path we took and step into our footprints and follow along.
Jesus does the same for us. He set an example that we can and should follow. He came to earth, God in the form of man, and lived among us, showing us how to obey. He walked this Earth as a real man, dealing with all of the struggles, pressures and conflicts that come with life here, yet He was God, too, and set a perfect example. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What example are our sons and daughters following? Who’s steps do they imitate. Are they following in the footsteps of Christ or of someone else?
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters look to Jesus and follow after Him, walking as He did and measuring their steps to match His.
“Heavenly Father, You are so good to give us the example of Jesus. His stride is not too long, His steps are manageable and His expectations are realistic for us. I pray that (name) would be diligent to follow in His steps. Help them to watch and step carefully so that they remain faithful to Jesus. Let their life reflect a commitment to following Him. I pray that today, they would be mindful of where they step and why. Lord, let others see that (name) is committed to You in every way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Who Directs Your Steps?
Jeremiah 10:23 “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”
Look around at the ‘inspirational messaging’ that’s being pushed these days. It often goes something like this: “You can do anything you want to do!”, “Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it!”, “Your only limit is your mind!”.
Ah, these are such inspirational words and it’s likely, on occasion, we’ve encouraged our sons and daughters with some similar things. Yet, when we do, what we’re saying isn’t necessarily Biblical advice. In fact, sometimes it’s quite the opposite. Often, the ‘inspiration and motivation’ are self-focused, not God-focused.
If we are believers, it’s not up to us to determine our steps. God has a plan for our life and we are called to lay down our lives, our dreams, our goals and, instead, seek the Lord and His will for our lives. Proverbs 20:24 says “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”
Look at Genesis and the story of Joseph. He likely envisioned himself a shepherd for life, settling down and raising his family alongside his many brothers and their children. He didn’t plan on his brothers betraying him and selling him into slavery. He didn’t ‘dream and achieve’ a life of bondage and imprisonment in Egypt. But, oh, he dreamed!! He dreamed exactly what God intended him to and God used those dreams to position Joseph as the second most powerful man in Egypt and, as such, save the nation of Israel. Did it play out how Joseph would have envisioned it? No, not at all. Yet, God did more than Joseph or his family could have asked or imagined - and it brought glory to God.
Then, consider Esther. Nearly every little girl dreams of being a princess, but Esther’s dream came about much differently. She was forced into the King’s harem and in the process, had to hide her identity as a Jewess. Yet, God placed her in the palace ‘for such a time as this’ and used her mightily to save His people. She never could have planned her steps to get herself into the presence of the King- that would have brought death, not life. She never could have had the impact on a Kingdom without God’s hand and protection. There is no way she could have single-handedly saved a nation without God upholding her and providing the strength and wisdom to accomplish His purposes.
Friends, God’s plans far exceed our own. Our limited minds cannot fathom or begin to imagine the vast impact of what He chooses to do with us, in us and through us. That is true for our sons and daughters as well. Let’s be careful that our ‘hopes and dreams’ don’t distract our sons and daughters from God’s intentions for them.
God’s plan for all of us was set in place before the world was even created. If left to our own imagination, our lives would be a feeble attempt at making a difference and being successful...and in no way would resemble the amazing story that God weaves for us! We need to encourage our sons and daughters to seek the Lord, fully, completely, and without ceasing. His plans and goals for them are far better than anything they could imagine and what He calls them to is exactly what He’s created them to do. Their path is already determined, it’s up to them to believe and obey.
Pray today that our sons and daughters would seek the Lord’s will for their life and follow the steps He’s planned for them.
Pray without ceasing.
Is it true or does it just ‘sound good’?
Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”
The simple believe anything.
Have you ever heard someone say “…..And, if you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you!” That’s a phrase that’s been used over and over to point out someone’s gullible nature or to bring to attention that someone is perpetrating an obvious ‘con’. Yet, back in the early 1900’s, a man named George Parker actually convinced people he had the rights to sell the Brooklyn Bridge...and he did it over and over, convincing and conning money from so many people. These people lost their money and their pride and Mr. Parker got rich...and was arrested, many times, yet he continued to deceive people.
How could people be so gullible? It may seem obvious to us that this man’s scheme was a con, but he was so convincing that others didn’t ask questions, they just easily followed his story. They didn’t investigate, they simply followed along….and they paid the price.
Do we fall victim to spiritual cons? Do we allow ‘good stories’ and ‘promises of generous blessing’ to tickle our ears? Are we following a ‘Pied Piper’ who sounds good, yet lacks spiritual depth and Biblical truth?
Spiritual gullibility is a thing. Friends, there are believers who fall for anything that sounds good. It ‘tickles their ears’ but dulls their spiritual sensibilities. They find the Truth uncomfortable because it calls out their sin. Instead, they seek out teaching that soothes their conscience, satisfies their need for ‘importance’ or ‘recognition’ and gives them opportunity to ‘prove’ their spirituality through giving and works.
Satan is a deceiver and he is also a user of Scripture. He knows the Bible, friends, and he will use whatever schemes needed to pull us away from following Christ and aligning our beliefs with Scripture. He will convince us to compromise; he will lure us with temptations. He knows our weaknesses and leans on them with the most deceptive tactics. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He prowls...he lurks and conceals himself to convince us to let our defenses down.
But Christ is stronger; He’s already won the battle! We are called to stand firm and abide in Him. Colossians 3:2-3 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” We are hidden with Christ in God. That’s a picture of spiritual protection and belonging that can shield us from falling prey to Satan’s schemes. But we have to abide. John 15: 4, 7-8 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Then, we are called to know His Word, so that we can avoid sin, identify deception and run from temptation. Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Our alert and sober mind is only possible when we listen to and learn God’s word, memorizing it in our hearts and minds.
When we pursue Christ and remain in Him we gain wisdom and knowledge through His word. And by doing so, we infuse our hearts and minds with spiritual insight and discretion. Christ equips us to stand firm. Eph. 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”
Today, let’s pray for God's protection over our sons and daughters. Let’s ask God to:
Help them to have great spiritual discernment.
Pray that their spirit is uneasy with unsound teaching and deceptive leadership and that they would run from it.
That they would love God’s Truth and commit to memorizing it and studying it.
And, finally, pray that the Lord would help them grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Pray without ceasing.
Schoenburg, D. P. E. (2018). The Brooklyn Bridge - "If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you". NYC Walks. https://nycwalks.com/blog/the-brooklyn-bridge-if-you-believe-that-i-have-a-bridge-in-brooklyn-to-sell-to-you/.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
Have you ever watched a marching band? They keep in step with one another, following the lead of the drum major. They all move in sync with each another and to the rhythm of the music. Those who choose to be part of the band understand that it’s not a solo performance, but the success of the band depends on everyone keeping in step and following the director.
As believers, when we “live by the Spirit” it is a similar calling. God gifts each of us differently, but we are all called to follow Him and use our gifts to bring Him glory and honor as a family of believers. Living by the Spirit is a descriptor of our motivation and our goal. When we live by and for something, it is our focus and our purpose. If we are believers in Christ and trust in His death and resurrection as payment for our sin, we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. God calls us, He draws us and He stirs in us a desire to follow after Him. We’re not living ‘solo’ but for God.
Romans 6:8-11 “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
When we cast the ‘old’ aside and live for Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us a calling, a purpose, and helps us bear fruit. We no longer live for ourselves. We’re no longer bound by sin and death- they don’t rule over us any more. Are we still impacted by them? Yes, as long as we live in this fallen world, we’ll battle sin and we’ll face death...physical death. But we no longer face spiritual eternal death and sin doesn’t rule over us! We are alive in Christ!! The Holy Spirit indwells us and we are made more like Christ each day because of the Spirit’s work in our heart and mind.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
When we become believers in Christ, we live by the Spirit who indwells us. He transforms us. We begin bearing fruit that reflects Christ in us. Galatians 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Oh, that our sons and daughters would live for Christ and keep in step with the Spirit!
Today, let’s pray these things:
Pray that our sons and daughters, first and foremost, would commit their lives to Jesus Christ and trust Him as their Lord and Savior
Pray that they live for Jesus and not for themselves. Pray that they would bear fruit that reflects His preeminence in their lives
Pray that they keep in step with the Spirit- walking in the Way that He shows them, obeying what He calls them to do and honoring Him with their choices.
Guard Their Steps, Lord.
Psalm 37:23-24 “The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
We cheered when our sons and daughters took their first steps, but now we pray as they walk on their own. We can’t hold their hands to ensure they take careful steps. We’re not there to catch them if they fall. We need to entrust them to the Lord. He can guide their steps so much better than we ever could. Today, let’s pray that He does just that.
“Lord, today I pray that (name) would trust in You and find their delight in You. Make (name)’s steps firm. Ensure that they move alongside You and in the direction of Your will for their life. I pray that in every moment of every day, You would hold (name) close and would surround them with Your protection. Be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. Keep (name from stumbling) but if that happens, Lord, I pray that they would cling tightly to Your hand and trust that You will hold them up and keep them secure. Grow them, strengthen them and mature them in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Sunday Worship: Standing on the Promises
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
Russel Kelso Carter (1886)
Pray it again!
God doesn’t tire of hearing our prayers. It’s important that we keep bringing our heart’s burdens to Him and lay them before Him. It’s not repetitive, it’s persistent, committed and trusting. We trust that He hears us and we are confident He will answer in His time and according to His will. Take time to review our prayer points from the week and pray them again.
Pray that our sons and daughters would be emboldened by the knowledge that our God is Sovereign, Almighty and always present with them. There is NO enemy that can overcome Him and no obstacle too great for Him to remove. Pray that they see God part the Sea for them and know that He will fight for them, they need only stand and be still.
Pray that our sons and daughters would cry out to God for help when things are difficult and they are ‘sinking’. Let Him be who they run to first and always.
Pray that in their crying to the Lord, they practice patience, understanding that He really does hear them and will answer.
Pray that they would have confidence that God would rescue them and give them a firm place to stand, no matter the crisis and no matter the time or day or night.
Pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own. Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.
Pray that our sons and daughters would: Be on their guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; and be strong
Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of where and with whom they stand. Pray that they refuse to stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
Where are you standing?
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,”
Have you ever been to a concert or sporting event? The crowd gathers outside, waiting for the venue to open. All around are people standing and waiting, pressing closer and jostling for position. When the moment comes and the doors open, the crowd starts moving-pushing, and, ready or not, you’re carried along with them. You couldn’t resist if you wanted to. The force of the group is too strong to push against and, like it or not, you’re headed in a direction that may, or may not be where you want to go.
Or, maybe you’re standing in the aisle of a store, looking ‘smart’ and someone mistakes you for a store employee. They approach you and ask about inventory or a question about the merchandise. All you were doing was standing there, but your location and stance gave the appearance of belonging and participation.
Oh, and then there are those who get arrested for their proximity to the crime. “But, I was just standing there!” That doesn’t serve as a valid excuse and it doesn’t exonerate that person. Their ‘standing’ was interpreted as ‘participation’ and they were implicated along with those who were actively participating in the crime. “Just standing” can be “just dangerous”.
As parents, we have all kinds of warnings for our kids “Don’t stand too close to the edge!” “Don’t stand in the street!” “Don’t stand too close to the fire!” “Don’t stand on that chair- it’s not strong enough!” But, friends, it’s not just the physical location about which we need to warn them. Our sons and daughters need to be mindful of where they stand spiritually as well.
Does their location give the appearance of supporting something questionable or ungodly?
Are they surrounded by others who will ‘carry’ them along into things that are not wise or perhaps spiritually dangerous?
Have they chosen to stand where they might be mistaken for someone who does not stand on Godly principles?
How, where and with whom we stand is important. Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of these and they don’t stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
“Lord, I pray for (name) today. Give them strength to stand in wise places where they will represent You well. Encourage them, Lord, to step away from people, places, and events that would challenge their testimony or tempt them to sin. I pray that You would give them good discretion, make their spiritual feet strong to hold them steady in the tide of evil that is pulling us more each day. Father, I pray that (name) would stand with You and not crumble to or be carried off by the ‘crowd’ of popular opinion. I pray this all in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Stand Firm, Be Courageous
1 Corinthians 16:13 “ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
The 2015 movie “Cinderella” was a remake of the classic Disney story. It included visually stunning sets and characters that pulled us into the story. Of course, the protagonist met opposition, unkindness, cruelty and injustice. That’s part of what made the story memorable. She rose above, despite all of the hardships. In the midst of the struggle, Cinderella remembered the words of her beloved mother, “Always be courageous and kind”. Those words set the tone for her reactions and responses and they were foundational to her character. Despite the hardships, she remained courageous and kind. Yes, it was just a movie, but there were some valuable lessons shared and, more than just a storybook ending, the morals of forgiveness and kindness were evident.
Our lives don’t resemble a storybook. We can’t script how others respond nor can we craft the plot twists in our favor. But we have a good Father who has given us words of wisdom to live by. It’s not complicated. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would:
Be on their guard- the Enemy wants to pull them down. They need to be aware, be ready, and put on that spiritual armor.
Stand firm in the faith- they have to know what they believe and how to defend their faith
Be courageous- they will face oppression and opposition. But God is with them. They need to believe it!
Be strong- God is on their side! He will equip them for the battle- and there will be battles. They need to grow in their faith and be rooted in Scripture.
Our Heavenly Father is with us and watches over us. Jesus has planned a glorious future for us. The Holy Spirit lives in us, teaches us and comforts us. So, despite the hardship of this temporal life, we can trust that God is working everything out for our good and His glory. Why not commit 1 Corinthians 16:13 to memory today….and encourage your sons and daughters to memorize it as well.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Pray without ceasing.
Therefore, Stand Firm
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
“Therefore” Whenever a verse of scripture begins with that word, it’s always good to back and see what the prior verses say, because the ‘therefore’ indicates that there is something good, something powerful, something that brings encouragement and deliverance!
What could position us, as believers, to stand firm? What could empower us to work for the Lord, giving ourselves fully?
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 say “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore!! Because we have victory in Jesus, we can stand firm. Because we have victory in Christ, we can be strong enough to let nothing move us. Because we have victory in Christ, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
Do our sons and daughters live with this confidence? Do they know the power that accompanies the victory that Jesus provides...have they embraced that victory? Do they live in light of the ‘therefore’?
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own. Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.
“Father, thank you for the victory we have in Jesus. Thank you that the sting of death is not something we need to fear any longer. Jesus, You are our Victory in this life and for eternity. Praise You for your wonderful gift and provision of forgiveness, mercy and grace. I ask that You would infuse (name) with confidence today. Equip them to serve You well, with their whole heart and mind and to be an effective witness. Help (name) to stand firm in their faith and to grab hold of the confidence You provide. May our family be a testimony to others of the goodness and life-giving presence of God. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
A Firm Place to Stand
Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Today, let’s pray these things:
Pray that our sons and daughters would cry out to God for help when things are difficult and they are ‘sinking’. Let Him be who they run to first and always.
Pray that, in their crying to the Lord, they practice patience and understand that He really does hear them and will answer.
Pray that they would have confidence that God would rescue them and give them a firm place to stand. Let them desire that firm place that God provides and not the instability that this world offers.
Pray without ceasing
Stand by the Sea
Exodus 14:13-14 ”Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.””
Do our sons and daughters stand firm when they face opposition? Oh, the Israelites could write a book on this (well, they kinda did). They faced opposition often, they were the underdog in so many fights, yet, with God on their side, they had nothing to fear.
So, when Pharaoh let the Israelites go from Egypt, his agreement was for a brief moment, then he quickly changed his mind. Yet, that was part of God’s plan.
He rallied the chariots and horses, commanded his troops and they set off after the Israelites to drag them back to Egypt and a life of slavery. But, the pursuit was part of God’s plan.
When the Israelites reached the shores of the Red Sea, they had nowhere to go. They were blocked by the Sea in front of them and had the Egyptian Army bearing down on them from behind. It’s understandable that they would be afraid, sink to their knees in despair and assume the worst. Yet, they had seen God act miraculously on their behalf already! Moses’ command to stand firm and watch the Lord deliver was an invitation to stand on the front row and see God do amazing things.
And amazing things DID happen. God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk across on dry land...of them!! Many scholars estimate the Israelites numbered over 2 million. Can you imagine 2 million men, women and children, along with their belongings, walking through the sea with walls of water on either side, not a muddy foot in the bunch? Miraculous!!
Each one reached the other side with dry, clean feet and a heart full of hope. And when they were safely across, God threw the Egyptians into a tizzy, they panicked, they were confused...and then they were overcome by walls of water, no longer held back by supernatural hands.
The Israelites only had to stand firm, believe that God would do it, and then watch while He did.
Too often we sink to our knees and focus on the trouble. We look at the impossibilities rather than looking at our Omnipotent God. Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters would be emboldened by the knowledge that our God is Sovereign, Almighty and always present with them. There is NO enemy that can overcome Him and no obstacle too great for Him to remove. Pray that they see God part the Sea for them and know that He will fight for them, they need only stand and be still.
“Almighty God, Lord of the Universe, You have no rival and You have no equal. There is none that could ever challenge You or interfere with Your plan. I pray that You would give (name) the courage to stand in faith and believe that You can and will work on their behalf. I know they may be facing a Red Sea, yet You are mighty and able to part that sea and show them the way to deliverance. If they see the enemy bearing down on them, help them to focus on You, not the threat. Encourage them with Your faithfulness and power. Remind them they are loved. You have a plan and sometimes, when things look bleak, it’s not because You’ve forgotten, but because You want to show Yourself mighty and Sovereign. Show yourself to (name) today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Saturday Review
Today, take some quiet time to sit at the feet of Jesus and talk to Him.
Pray that our sons and daughters avoid walking with the wicked, would not stand in the midst of sin and would not sit with those who would mock Christ by their words, actions and values.
Pray that their associations and locations would show others, without question, that they belong to Jesus.
Let’s pray that our sons and daughters choose what is better and, each day, quietly sit with Jesus to listen to and learn from Him.
Pray that in their ‘sitting’, our sons and daughters would know they are seen and loved by God. They are never alone and they hold a value and purpose greater than they could truly comprehend.
Pray that they sit on the “Rock” and find rest in the Lord.
Pray that Godly friends would uphold them and help carry the burden with them until the battle is won.
Pray that our sons and daughters would understand they don’t need to be strong on their own- God will sustain them and provide brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with them...and ask the Lord to help them accept that help, encouragement and support.
Finally, pray that our sons and daughters would live in adoration of Jesus, their Lord and Savior.
Pray without ceasing.
He Sat Down
Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Today, take time to meditate on this verse. Ponder the words that exalt our Savior and speak of His glory. Soak in the impact of Jesus’ act of sitting down.
In our humanity, we sometimes look at ‘sitting’ as a mark of indifference or inaction. Sometimes it is even a symbol of protest. But Hebrews tells us that when Christ completed the will of the Father, He sat down. The action was complete. He suffered and died in our place on the cross. He paid the penalty for our sin, taking all of the sin of the world past, present, and future from every tribe, nation and language, and satisfied the ransom for us with His blood. He severed the power of sin and death an forever breached the gap that stood between God and man. His act of sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven signified it was finished, complete and sufficient.
When a Sovereign sits on the throne, their rule and authority are visibly affirmed. They are taking their place of leadership and authority. All others bow to the. Jesus’ presence on the Throne is our confidence that our redemption is complete.
Can we even imagine the majesty of Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, in all His glory? Oh, friends, we need to!! We need to know that our Victor reigns!! There is nothing left to do - He paid it all for us!!
Today, take time to pray in adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, pray that our sons and daughters would live in adoration of Him as well.
Jesus is Lord!
Pray without ceasing.