Gracious protector

Protector of my Soul – Maranatha Singers

Even when I call on the name of the Lord and I do not have an answer, I am not worried because I have the assurance that God is ever gracious. In the end, I know that He has the best intentions for me, He is my protector and He is merciful.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful. – Psalm 116:4-5 ESV

At times, His helps comes when I humble myself. It is like when I am low, He helps, and when I am cast down, He lifts up. Even when it comes to salvation. Did it not start with conviction? Am I not beside myself when my soul reveals just how evil I am and how living my own life is simply hopelessness. Just then, at that moment, the Holy Spirit arrives and lifts me up. I am not too sure why God’s help is neither welcomed nor appreciated until the soul is taught its need. Is He not my gracious protector?

The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me. – Psalm 116:6 ESV

So do I join the resolution of the Psalmist? One of his resolutions was to devote himself to the worship of God and to do so publicly. I have learned that good resolutions are not carried out quickly. Resolutions can become debts and debts should be paid and there should be witnesses to said debts being paid.

I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people. – Psalm 116:14 ESV

I am not too sure what this means to those who confess to be secret disciples. I am being encouraged to come into the light and own my Redeemer. I pray that I can do this sometime, every day, as God has appointed my way.

A model to follow

Romans starts off with a strong message that describes both the obligation of the Gospel and the ESV actually uses that word, and the eagerness of the Gospel, which is also a word used in the ESV translation.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,^[d] both to the wise and to the foolish.So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,^[e] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:14-17 ESV

This is a model for disciple-making disciples. It is my model for today.

Prayers requested

Kitty Wells- I Need the Prayers

When Paul starts to pray for those who are following Christ in Thessalonica, I love the fact that he stops and asks them to pray for him and those who work with him.

Finally, brothers,^[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[b] as happened among you. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV

It is a request that I should be honouring today. There is a power in the word of God and it should be heard and by the power of the Holy Spirit, obeyed. The idea is not just by happenchance but with speed, direction and focus. I must pray that the word of God will be honoured and that many others will make a decision to follow Jesus.

Praying for others is so important for their eternal welfare too. My mom is 93 years old and I love knowing that she is praying for me. She is praying that I stay faithful and stay in the love of God – just like Paul prayed.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

I cannot be a disciple if I do not delight in following the steps of Christ.

At the end of the day, my statement to God describes His love for me and my prayer for tomorrow.

You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
    and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
    and bread to strengthen man’s heart. – Psalm 104:14-15 ESV

The oil strikes me most because I know the refining and crushing process it must go through to be the precious oil that it is. May I be found praying for others as much as I desire to be prayed for so this fruit of our labour may be shared with both of us.

The Holy Spirit wants us to focus on Jesus

Jesus, Come Be The Center (feat. Meredith Mauldin) – UPPERROOM | Live From Upper Room

The Holy Spirit does not seek attention for Himself. His ministry is to get people to focus on Jesus.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. – John 16:13-14 ESV

Words matter in the opening sentence of this verse – “into all the truth.” It is not bringing me to truth, it is the fact that He will guide me into what truth is – point the way and to lead me on my way to truth.

For me, as a disciple, that is unknown territory. The Holy Spirit will take me by the hand and step by step guide me into this territory and unfold the treasures that are there.

“Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire.

Enable with perpetual light

The dulness of our blinded sight.” – Rabanus Maurus

I think how many times the Holy Spirit took Jesus to places. How He took Simeon to be at the temple just as Jesus was brought in for His dedication. Even Paul – yes you can go here, no you cannot go there. I have to admit, to be a disciple of Jesus means a great deal of self-denial as I am called to follow Him completely.

When the enemy has surrounded us

Michael W. Smith – Surrounded (Fight My Battles)

I heard this song for the first time this morning. I am fond of Michael W. Smith and his music and was surprised how I might have missed this one. Bethany Harris wrote a great post on Sixty-six Books in a Year and made this song come alive in meaning as she shared her thoughts. I wanted to share it too and speak into some of the thoughts Bethany shared.

Let’s face it, the enemey is always surrounding us. We live in a fallen world. There is evil on every side. It might be sickness, temptation, sorrow, tragedy, loss, personal relationships, economic difficulties, personal failure and the one that comes to us all – death. As Elisha’s servant asked, “What should we do?,” the answer is found in faith.

This is where I, a child of God, become aware of God’s presence in my life. God is glorified, and I the disciple am strengthened. I have assurance and peace even in the midst of evil. I have found myself dedicated to live godly knowing my Lord will give the victory. I know it is time to don my armour.

At the end of the armour description in Ephesians chapter 6 there is a final weapon that many fail to mention and I am not too sure why – it is prayer.

Jehoshaphat gives an excellent model of prayer in the context to battle.

O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:6-7,12 ESV

First thought: “Are you not God in heaven” – I have to first focus on WHO God is – His character and His ability.

Second thought: “Did you not, our God” – I am to focus on WHAT God has done, especially in my own life.

Third thought: “O our God, will you not…” – I need to focus on what God can and will do for me, presenting my request to Him. If needed, I best remind myself of the promises He has given me.

What do you think of the words in the prayer where Jehoshaphat stated, “Abraham your friend?” God’s friendship with Abraham was the basis for his assurance that God would come to their aid.

I come back to the question of what is a disciple of Jesus and I am called back again to the Great Commission. I also ask myself what is discipleship. It seems I rarely find a someone at the front of the church use the word disciple. They will use evangelise, teach, baptize etc. but that is not the command. The only command is to make disciples. Even the word “Go” is not a command.

Disciples have been adopted by God, disciples are being formed by God, and disciples are empowered by God for life and mission.

I am adopted by God, He is my friend and Father. I pray that I can walk remembering He surrounds me first and thereafter I have no concerns. When I call on Him, He will answer.