PrayerPoints ~ Saturday, February 20th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 10

“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”    Psalm 10:17-18

It may not always seem to be true, but God does hear our desires. God hears the cry of the oppressed. There are times I get impatient with the amount of time it takes for a resolution to come for those who are suffering. It seems like they suffer a lifetime of grief. Other times I take issue with how the situation gets resolved because it isn’t quite the way I imagined it should go.

But we do live in a sinful and fallen world. And while I have a busy imagination, I cannot even fathom how God is going to work most things out. Sometimes He works in an instant but oftentimes He works through years and generations. He has a much bigger picture in mind!

I believe that God also asks us to hear the desires of the afflicted, encourage them, and defend the fatherless and the oppressed. But how often are we just too busy with things to take the time to listen?

I have had an amazing opportunity and privilege to be home with our four kids as they were growing up. Even though life was very busy, I knew it would have been very difficult to fit in a full-time job and remain sane. We didn’t take yearly vacations and we don’t drive fancy new cars, but I always try to be intentional about listening and encouraging those who are traveling through a difficult time. I may not have any answers or be able to offer much in the way of assistance, but the listening part is important. Listening always gives me things to pray for.

As you go about your weekend, practice listening. If you have a tendency to mindlessly scroll through your cell phone while in conversation with others, set the phone down and try to really connect and hear. There are so many distractions available these days that make the hard job of listening to another’s pain easier to ignore but don’t be complacent about connecting with others. God wants us to be His hands and feet and share His Good News of His saving grace but we often need to listen first to make a good connection!

 

PrayerPoints ~ Friday, February 19th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 9

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

Even though it isn’t any fun to be in a position of “trouble”, it is amazing how there are times that “trouble” is precisely what takes to get me on my knees. When life is running smoothly, I can just keep plowing forward by being distracted by the next thing. But, as life would have it, things aren’t always running smoothly for me. And that is a good thing because it keeps me closely tethered to God. And, really, my struggles pale in comparison to many. When I take just a little look around at the things that happen in the lives of people I love, in our country, and in our world,  I am reminded that there is much more trouble in life than what I have experienced. And that shouldn’t come as any surprise:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

For me, knowing the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble is often the difference between surviving and thriving.

 

 

 

 

PrayerPoints ~ Thursday, February 18th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 1

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or send in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on is law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1: 1-3

Whenever I see this Psalm, I immediately sing this song and I figured I just had to share it with you! I hope you will like it! I really like Integrity Music’s Scripture Memory Songs. Don’t hesitate to look up others on YouTube!

He is like a tree planted by streams of water…

Have you heard the phrase “Bloom where you are planted”? It has been useful to me through the years because not every place I have ended up is necessarily a place I chose to be. And even though that may be the case, it doesn’t mean I can’t learn and grow and “bloom” in that place..

You might not be able to really control where the next job takes you or some other diversion that occurs in your life, but you can control where you plant yourself mentally and spiritually. You might find yourself in a new state or maybe even a new country or you just might find yourself in a completely new life circumstance you were not planning on at all.  Even if you find yourself in a hospital or a rehabilitation center you can bloom where you are planted. Whatever your scenario, God can use it to grow you from the inside out and reach others with a message of His saving grace.

When we take the time to focus God’s Word and participate in a healthy congregation, God will strengthen our hearts and souls for our life’s journey.

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:3

PrayerPoints ~ Wednesday, February 17

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 63

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:5

Being satisfied and being content have their place but these concepts are countercultural.  Sadly,I still wrestle with contentment and satisfaction in numerous areas and I feel like I should be a little further in this part of my journey. For me, taking time to consider these concepts is important. Allowing God’s Word to orient me is critical otherwise I let the world and its definition of satisfaction chart my course of contentment.

Inventions and discoveries occur because people are not satisfied with what is out there and that can be a great thing. Here, in the USA, we have so many choices and so many “new and improved” things that it can be challenging to be satisfied with things that maybe aren’t perfect but acceptable. And, in having a preference, does it mean that we can’t be satisfied with what we have even though it may not be our preference? Will we ever develop the perfect thing with so many different preferences that we all have? I feel like there is more of an encouragement to be dissatisfied these days. And I can see that bleeding into my thoughts about other things besides how I like my coffee and what I want to eat today or what I want to wear.

So check your thoughts on contentment and satisfaction. I know these verses have given me a lot to think about the last day or so. I have been pondering what is enough. If stripped of those potential “chariots and horses” from yesterday, is God enough? When things go as low as they can go for me, will God meet me in my needs and be enough? I know He will but I have been spoiled by not only having my needs met but also by having my material preferences available to me a lot of the time. Burger King says you can “Have it Your Way” but I don’t know that this idea has been good for us to get accustomed to. We get a barrage of messages every day that promote selfishness and even simple advertising jingles can promote dissatisfaction!

As always, I would love to hear how these verses impact you and what you are learning in your journey as you contemplate satisfaction and contentment in light of God’s Word!

 

 

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we bring nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

 

 

PrayerPoints ~ Tuesday, February 16th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 20

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

Do you find yourself trusting in chariots and horses?

I hate to admit it, but sometimes I do. My chariots and horses might look like:

  • My own “wisdom”
  • Don’s job
  • My abilities
  • Our bank account
  • My health
  • Our possessions
  • Our education
  • Don and our kids
  • Our retirement account

I am not saying any of the above things are bad but they can be a place where I put too much trust. And does trusting in God mean that any one of these things won’t fail me? Hardly.

Does life run more smoothly because of them? Maybe. But more than likely they give me a false sense of security. How much is too much and what exactly is enough? And what problems do all of these “things” cause for me? Do they interrupt my ability to trust in God? Do they make me more complacent about things of true value and prevent me from having a deeper trust with God?

If all these things were stripped from me, I would certainly find myself in a hurting place. Not all of those things are equally important to me, but I think they do represent some of the things that I might put too much trust in. Sometimes these things sneak into our lives and take top spot before we even know it.

The longer I know God and see Him in action, the stronger my trust grows. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I don’t stumble at times.  Quite honestly, there isn’t anything that is more worthy of my trust than God. Those other things will all fade away.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

PrayerPoints ~ Monday, February 15th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 138

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life”                                                 Psalm 138:7a

Trouble comes in so many different forms. I have found myself in troubled places all along my life because life is life and trouble is a part of this life.

Sometimes I put myself in the path of trouble in a moment of rebellion. Sometimes I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and trouble found me. Sometimes, well, sometimes life happened and there I was, troubled over what was going on around me. I may or may not have been powerless to change my circumstances, but they were troubling all the same.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life”

I did not research all that went into Psalm 138 and the circumstances that preceded David writing it or what he was recalling as he penned these words. But I can relate in my own way. Even though there are times God actually preserves my life, there are also times He preserves my sanity by  the words of a friend, an unexpected gift, a solution where none seemed to be found. All of these things contribute to the preservation of my life.

As I dig deep and explore who I am and how I am made, I am always amazed how God intricately weaves all of my past and uses it to impact who I am today. He continues to shape and mold me as only a loving Creator can. He will not abandon the work of His hands!

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8

 

PrayerPoints ~ Sunday, February 14th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 136

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.“                                     Psalm 136:1

Love is in the air these days.  I remember the parties in elementary school where we exchanged valentines. In our early years of homeschooling in Nebraska, we started out making little valentine notes for everyone in the family. And we often did something to give away (Don’s co-workers, special neighbors) because it was fun to do something for others on Valentine’s Day. When we moved to Evansville,  we continued making little valentine notes for everyone in the family but we also met a homeschooling friend who coordinated some super cute Valentine Day parties–all the kids and the moms were invited and it really was a fun family afternoon.

There is a bit of rebel in me (in case you hadn’t already noticed) that doesn’t like the expectation and, sometimes, disappointment that often comes along with the hyped-up romanticism of February 14th. You are loved whether or not you receive anything for Valentine’s Day! And if you haven’t heard it from someone yet…

Happy Valentine’s Day!

So let’s get back to the verse for today:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.“

I think it is important to “give thanks” because He is good — even though everything happening in our life may not feel good. Giving thanks should not be dependent on our circumstances because God’s goodness is not dependent on our circumstances.

He is good.

His love endures forever.

So while these Hallmark holidays may come and go and our circumstances might be discouraging or downright devastating at any point in our lives, God’s love remains, steadfast and pure.

His love endures forever.

PrayerPoints ~ Saturday, February 13th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 139

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”        Psalm 139:23

It’s interesting, I don’t recall that I have had a lot of anxious feelings during my life but I have experienced them more often in the last five years or so. I am not entirely sure what is behind them but I have noticed an increase. I also know a growing number of people who struggle with debilitating anxiety. You know, the kind of anxiety where one cannot get out of bed and enter into the day. That is some tough stuff.

I am sure people struggled with that level of anxiety in my earlier years but I don’t ever recall hearing much about it. I am so thankful that we are in a time where this can be discussed and treated. There is nothing like a good psychologist and psychiatrist, supportive family and friends, and God’s healing touch to help a weary traveler get back on their feet.

Once I did have a meltdown of epic proportions. I remember saying something like this to Don, my husband, “I wish I had a broken arm or leg because then you could see there is something wrong.” It was during a season of very young children mixed with some chronic sleep deprivation. There was illness mixed in with other things and I was overwhelmed at the thought of him going on a particular business trip. It felt very strange to ask him not to leave but I had to. He actually had a really bad cold too so it was better that he stayed home. Even if he wasn’t able to help with the kids, I knew he would be nearby and accessible. It made all the difference in the world to me.

Sleep deprivation makes a huge impact on the psyche and I believe it was at the root of my situation. But there are also so many crazy things happening in our lives and in our world that sometimes, sweet peace seems very elusive.

As I read through Psalm 139, I love the reassurance that God knows my thoughts, that He hems me in, and He created my innermost being.

Are there particular phrases that bring comfort to you?

 

PrayerPoints ~ Friday, February 12th

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Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 52

“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others.” Psalm 52:7

As I read through this Psalm, no one in particular came to mind. Until I got to the above line.

Then I came to my mind.

And I wondered,  “how close am I getting to either of these two points?” Indeed, they are related but they stand alone just as powerfully. I can trust in my own wealth. And I can also grow strong by destroying others. Keeping both of those in check is a full-time job.

I have been studying for a business degree for about 16 months. I am on the home stretch with only 8 weeks left. Woohoo! It has been a lot of work. It’s been interesting to consider little businesses (like mine) and huge multinational corporations. In the business world, it is easy to see how people grow strong by destroying others. But in my little world, my words can do it too.

What am I chasing after and who am I crushing in the meantime? Sometimes I think of the rich and famous and powerful in this world and how they are being selfish little piggies. But more often I reflect on my own actions and my own heart and the struggles I have with stuff.

What about you? Have there been things you have pursued so intensely that you have crushed others in the process?

 

 

PrayerPoints ~ Thursday, February 11th

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Todays’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 140

“Rescue me” Psalm 140:1a

Have you ever surveyed your circumstances and mumbled this? Screamed this? Cried this?

Rescue me!

This year, I have heard of more situations that warrant this cry for help than ever before. I suspect it is because many of my “peers” are in a stage of parenting that is challenging. Small children, small problems but those big kids – oi! They find themselves in the midst of BIG problems  and some they have run headfirst and boldly into because they have no clue what they are doing.

Your willingness to listen to a friend may be the lifeline they need as they move to the next step of seeking help for their situation. And if you are the one in need, seek out someone who can walk through this time with you. Being honest about your circumstances is very vulnerable place to be but it also provides the best way for someone to work with you to get you the help you need.

Sometimes we need to be rescued from the hands of others and sometimes we need to be rescued from ourselves. Quite often, I have found myself in the latter situation.

I like this Psalm because the situations David uses here are so easy for me to visualize. As I read through it, I am reminded of God’s provision and care and defense for those who are in need of rescue ~ which is, incidentally, each and every one of us!