Monthly Archives: July 2024

Trust

‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

(There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.)

Lord God my Father,

I trust in you and believe you will slay evil. Help me to trust your time and not be anxious. Help me to know my place and action and protect me from the evil that lives in my nature.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Powerful quiet

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to gain the strength to be obedient to your asking. Give me strength over my sin desire and allow me to outrun the darkness chasing me. Help me to find your strength in the stillness.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Reflection of light

Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.

Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.

Lord God my Father,

Keep me so close, Satan has no access to my thoughts. Keep me protected and at Peace with you alone so darkness fears me and only your Light shines from me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Dedicated

Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. 12He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 

God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you.

 “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. 

Lord God my Father,

Keep me close and protect my heart from leaving your desire. You are my perfect leader, help me to follow every command you ask of me. You help the weak, Lord God I am weak in all things, hold me up and strengthen my resolve to live your will. Help me to know your balance and desire for my thoughts.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Servant

So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, 

Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. 34This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.

After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord.

They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me strength to hear you without distractions. Remove my evil desires and allow me to rest with you. Keep me from getting arrogant and keep me in service with you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Godly together.

“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! 33For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Lord God my Father,

Protect me from falling in my thoughts and actions. Keep me near so I am under your direction at all times. Restore me to your design for me and give me strength to stay on your task. Thank you for my wife who carries you with her and bless our lives together, may we encourage our children to seek you as well.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

His way

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 

Lord God my Father,

Protect my heart from deceit and keep me focused on your Truth only. Keep me from growing arrogant and turning from you. Bless me with a spirit that shares you well.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Protected and blessed

God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to live by your design and keep me in search of you alone. Allow your peace to bring a stillness that I can hear you well with. Keep me from acting out in a way that brings judgement.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Quiet tongue

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return

So, I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

3A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.

The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?

Lord God my Father,

I am no more special than anyone else yet you made me unique. Help me to use my gifts for your glory. Thank you for today’s task and help me to see the meaning of it. Keep me still so I can hear your thoughts above my own.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Blameless

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Lord God my Father,

Open my heart and allow your love to pass through me and bring peace. Help to live your will alone and be blameless. Protect me from the evil desires of my sin nature and help me to rely on you for all things.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen