BOLD

Proverbs 30:29 & 30 Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any…

When I was a sin follower I was bold.  I pursued sin in open fields, devoured it and did not turn back.  I did what ever was necessary to get my fill; I lied, stole, cheated, hid, deceived, abused.  So addicted was I to the taste of sin nothing else really matter.  As a reward sin locked it’s fingers of steel around my neck and tried to press the life out of me. 

Now I am a Christ follower and I want to be bold.  I want to pursue obedience in open fields, devour it and not turn back.  I want to do whatever is necessary to obtained the prize set before me.  I must; be honest, upfront, transparent, forgiving and healing.  Everything matters!   I stand in the grip of your grace and love. 

Lord, Lion of the tribe of Judah, make be bold for your kingdom.  Amen

You will have plenty…

Proverbs 28:19 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Thank you Father for the opportunities you have given me.  Thank you for the measure that is mine.  Instead of thinking about what I would do if I had greater opportunity, help me to do all I can with the opportunity I have.  Instead if thinking about what I would do with more money, help me to do as you will with the money I do have.  Instead of planning to do greater ministry when… help me to minister to those around me in need today.  You have blessed me to be a blessing today.  Father I strive to be the man you called me to be, to give all that you have called me to give and the work the mand that is mine. Amen

Avoid the Vomit!

Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

How many times have I done foolish things?  How many times have I made the same mistake?  I turn to others in times of trouble instead of turning to you.  I depend on my stinking thinking instead of seeking and obeying your wisdom.  I let me emotions lead me instead of my knowledge of you.  This is a fight! No fighter who makes the same mistake repeatedly can win.  I must win! If nothing changes, nothing changes.  Help me to learn from my folly, to avoid the vomit of my life, to grow wiser and stronger day by day.  In Jesus name, amen.

A man with no walls

Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Its been difficult to rebuild or repair the areas of my life that have been broken into.  When the violence and choices of others left me desperate for care and reassurance of my value, immediate options appeared.  Options boasted relief but instead deliver a hook; the hook of addiction.  Addiction steps in and instantly starts the coup, taking control of all decisions and governance of my life.  In what seems like seconds pain leads to more pain, misery to more misery and abuse to self-abuse.  There was  no direction, no compass, no guide.  Your word has been a place of safety and healing.  Your love has lifted me.  You have given me the strength to thwart the enemy’s plans and regain control over myself, my actions and my choices. 

 Where there are still broken walls in my life, areas unguarded and open to attack, I pray your strength and wisdom, I pray for your healing and protection.  May I never again be a man with no walls.  Amen

It’s all about rescue!

Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

Get up, get ready, get dressed, get going, get there, get busy, get done, get home, get clean, get relaxed, get some (maybe), get sleepy, get up… get lost in getting.   What about rescue? 

I am so grateful for the opportunity you have given me to change lives; to rescue others with words of hope and smiles of grace, to give a portion so that they might live a portion of their lives not worried about living a portion of the day.  To give my time, talent and thoughts to those who think they have no time for thinking about anything more than dying.  Rescue!  You rescued me and gave me a reason to recover.  Life is worth living because of the rescue.  Adversities are worth overcoming because of the rescue.  The fight I face is because of the rescue and defeat is not an option because of the rescue. 

I will not faint in the day of adversity for my strength is not small, my strength is in you.  I will rescue the one being dragged off to death. I will save the one stumbling to the slaughter or I will die trying.  It’s all about the rescue!

Are you a man skillful in his work?

Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Today I am challenged as a man.  Challenged to do more with the gifts, talents, and abilities you have given me.  Skill is acquired by practice and preparation.  When skill meets opportunity, influence is increased.  What does it mean to stand before kings?  It means influencing the influencers, having favor with the powerful, and ultimately doing more for your kingdom, God. 

Father, help me to always keep your kingdom in mind.  It’s the kingdom that we preach.  It’s the kingdom that we teach.  It’s the kingdom that we are putting the word out about.  At the end of it all, every talent given and turned into a skill, every skill used that increases influence, every time you put us in places of power, it’s all about the kingdom. 

Father, may your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name,  Amen.

No is Okay!

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

I remember being in a youth choir and singing passionately, God is in control!  That simple fact is so hard to remember when things don’t go my way.  Every now and again, even as an adult, I struggle with hearing no; no you were not chosen, no you cannot have what you desire, no it’s not your time.  I have come up with a saying to teach the lesson I am still leraning.  No is okay!  I must remember, Lord, that you are in control.  Every yes and every no ultimately comes from you.  I pray, press, and prepare, but the answer belongs to you.  Some trust in money and some in strength, but I will trust in you.  You are my God and my guide.  Your plans for me are sure and you designate my times.    Light your path up for me, like a runway at night, I pray? I love you. Amen.

Integrity

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him

Day by day walking in integrity takes maximum effort.  Lying, cheating, stealing and getting-over is all so easy and so easily justified.  Ill-gotten gain is indeed sweet at first, but I want the blessed end.  I strive so that my children and children’s children will know and love you, God.  I strive so my children will choose to follow my footsteps on the difficult path of integrity; one foot in front of the other, step by step, day by day; making the right choice, no matter how difficult. 

The payoff of integrity may not always be cashed by me, but I pray that my children will always reap the benefit.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Plans vs Purpose

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Father, you have a plan for me and you know it well.  I trust you completely.  In the midst of the bemusement of life, the ebb and flow  of situations and circumstance, may I always find myself anchored in you.  When the torrential winds whip and the rain runs all to shelter, may I always run to you.  Let me always take delight in your purpose and plan for my life.  Let me always take delight in your word.  Help me to be planted in your purpose, unshakeable, unmovable, unstoppable.  I want your purpose for my life, that’s why I strive.

In you

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe

Searching for somewhere to hide. To safely and in rest abide.  To change the evil found inside. Nowhere to hide, nowhere to hide. No rest elsewhere have I found. Only pains, sorrows, and frowns.  I search and search the world around. Nowhere to hide, nowhere to hide. The shame I felt, relief unreal. Like eating crackers for a meal. Like hoping four sides make a wheel, unsatisfied, unsatisfied.  But then you found me, said come in, In spirit and in truth began. You cleansed me made me new inside. In you I hide, In you I hide.