Thursday, May 26, 2011

Creation Celebrates

Wind-whipped waves beat against the rocky shore
Seagulls sail through the open sky
The evening sun radiates deep orange across the waters
Creation celebrates the majesty of God

Sing praise, sing praise
Glorify the Lord with me
All creation sings and glorifies His name

Rushing waters cascade from the mountain opening
Crystal clear waters flow
Refreshing pools churn at the foot of the cataract
Creation celebrates the majesty of God

Sing praise, raise the banner high
Glorify the Lord with me
All creation sings and glorifies His name

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Handling Anger

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

The old fashioned tea kettle came to a boil and whistled as steam streamed out of its opening. We are sometimes like that tea kettle. We are all guilty of allowing ourselves to react to negative circumstances or people’s unfavorable actions by allowing our emotions to boil over. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says that anger rests (stays for a prolonged time) in the bosom of fools. It also says in Ephesians that we are to be angry without committing sin. This means that anger in and of itself is not sinful. It is how we handle our anger that counts.

The Lord wants us to give our anger to Him. When we surrender our negative emotions to our Heavenly Father, we open our hearts to receive His wisdom. He will help us to address the issue at hand calmly and with a spirit of kindness. We can speak the truth in love to that person who has wronged us. We can forgive our enemies. We can stay calm when that crazy driver cuts us off.

God is working His character in each of us. He is smoothing out our rough edges like a rock in river bed. The Holy Spirit’s current flows over us and removes our sharp edges. Let’s submit our hearts and lives to Jesus. Let’s allow Him to correct us. Let’s learn to be slow to anger. And when we are angry, let’s draw near to the Lord so we know how to handle every situation.

Dear Father God,


I ask you to help me to handle my anger wisely. Teach me to love others. I choose to forgive anyone who has wronged me, and I ask for you to mold me and make me into the person you desire me to be. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

I Delight in You

I delight myself in You
You will give me the desires of my heart
Your purposes for me shall prevail

I will trust in You
And stand upon Your promises
Sure as cat's feet is Your word to me
Strong as carbon steel are your precepts

I delight in You
Your name is a mighty tower
The righteous run to it and are safe

Lord I put my hope in You
I will not be ashamed
No, I will not be ashamed

I delight myself in You
And You will give me the desires of my heart
In Your perfect time

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Banquet for the Soul

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He told them to ask the Father for their daily bread. While this definitely refers to physical provision, I believe it is also a request for God to provide for spiritual nourishment. There was a time in Israel's history when the Lord supplied the Israelites with manna that rained down from heaven. They found this special bread sprinkled on the ground each day. They were told gather 1 omer (about 4 pints) per person and were commanded not to store extra for the future except for the Sabbath. Some of them did not heed God's instruction and the manna became infested with worms and stank on the following day. The Israelites found that, when they followed the Lord's command, their needs were fully met by the Lord each day.

God wants to meet our physical needs, and He promises to do so; He also desires to provide spiritual nourishment to His children. It is important for each of us to establish a quiet time each day. During this time we are to feast on God's word and pray to the Lord. The Lord wants to speak to us. He desires to build us up spiritually so we can face each day filled with the encouragement that comes from the Lord. During our quiet time, the Holy Spirit will strengthen us; He will show us things to come. The Lord will rain down His word and His presence so that we will be satisfied spiritually.

Won't you take time each day – perhaps ten to fifteen minutes to start with – to spend with the Lord. He is waiting for you and He will bless you as you give yourself to Him. You will find that your whole day takes on a new light of joy and expectancy. Let us draw near to Jesus the bread of life. He is a banquet for the soul.

Dear Father God,


I thank you for sending Jesus the bread of life. I ask You to give me my daily bread. I choose to find nourishment in You by setting aside some time each day to get to know you. Thank you for satisfying my spiritual needs. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.