The Journey Readings: Week 124... and... remembering history...

Chronicles... the history of God's people revisited... written again... after their return from exile...

Remembering history... it's important... there's much to learn...

Remembering past generations... encourages... emboldens us...
to take stands...
fight well...
persevere...
endure...

For those who've gone before... made the way... suffered... fought... so we might have a home... freedom... peace... and a future...

We need inspiration to do the same... to make the way better for those coming behind...

The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to raid their livestock. And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. And Ephraim went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. And he called his name Beriah, because disaster had befallen his house. His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. 

---1 Chronicles 7:20-24 ESV

Just here... in this brief account of Ephraim... heartache... loss... generations building...

And further down this family tree... Joshua son of Nun... who led the Israelites into the Promised Land...

Some things we need to remember... to avoid the same error in the future...

And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon

because of their breach of faith.

1 Chronicles 9:1 ESV

Breaching... broken... faith in God... leads not only individuals... but communities... whole nations... into exile...

An error we do not want to make... taking His Word lightly... playing both sides of the fence... when it comes to His Way and the world's way...

We need to look back... remember... the history of God's people... to see His faithfulness... despite our repeated failures... to live faith-full...

Now the first [of the returned exiles] to dwell again

in their possessions in the cities of Israel were the priests,

Levites, and the Nethinim [the temple servants].

1 Chronicles 9:2 Amp

God's faithfulness to His people... and His promise... freeing them from exile... returning them to their land...

The first to return were priests... Levites... caretakers of the temple...

the first order of business... rebuild the temple...

not the city wall... not a government... nor a militia...

Here we also learn... first things first... God...

put God in the middle... build a place for His presence...

it's most important... to a history... that prospers...

We not only learn important lessons from the people in Scripture...

but if we look back into our own family histories...

with regard to faith... perseverance... struggle... heartache... failures...

we will see God... in His faithfulness... 

pursuing... 

wooing... 

disciplining... 

judging... 

delivering... 

ones He loves...

Remembering history... it's not just an exercise in nostalgia...
but a spiritual discipline... for spiritual lessons...

Learn more about the history of His people...
join The Journey...

This week's readings...
Monday                1 Chronicles 12
Tuesday               1 Chronicles 13-14
Wednesday           1 Chronicles 15:1 - 16:7
Thursday             1 Chronicles 16:8-43
Friday                 1 Chronicles 17-18

forgetting...

In this week's forgetting... I'm reminded He doesn't...

He doesn't forget where we are... or what we need...

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:5-6 ESV

He will never leave us... or forsake us... because of absent-mindedness...

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

He doesn't forget our loved ones... or our prayers for them...

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer,

and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers

of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,

and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, 

rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Revelation 8:3-4 ESV

He doesn't forget our tears... our sorrows...

You have kept count of my tossings,

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

Psalm 56:9 ESV

The only thing He does forget...?
His people's transgressions...

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions,

for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. ..."

Isaiah 43:25

Amen... and... Amen...

The Journey Readings: Week 73... and an eternal perspective...

The Psalms teach us to live... from an eternal perspective...

His city is eternal... this is the place we look forward to living...

On the holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple]

God founded. The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which

the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than

all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). Glorious things are

spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause,

and calmly realize what that means]!

Psalm 87:1-3 Amp

I can't help but think of this as God's ultimate dwelling... the one yet to be revealed...

...pause... calmly realize what that means...

For [Abraham] was looking forward to the city

that has foundations, whose design and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

And His Word says of the faithful who've gone before...

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised,

but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having

acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

For people who speak thus make it clear 

that they are seeking a homeland.

Hebrews 11:13-14 ESV

An eternal perspective reminds us we are currently strangers... exiles... on earth...  pilgrims... moving forward... not getting comfortable where we are...

We are not yet home...

Looking forward... fills us with never-ending praise...

I will sing of the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord forever;

with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness

from generation to generation.

Psalm 89:1 Amp

Knowing the eternal nature of God and His Kingdom... inspire us to sing now... revealing Him to generation after generation... knowing we will never cease singing His praise...

The psalms remind us... He not only endures from this point on...
but He has no beginning...
He is the source of all things... yet has no source of His own...

Lord, You have been our dwelling place and our refuge

in all generations [says Moses]. Before the mountains

were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth

to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to

everlasting You are God.

Psalm 90:1-2 Amp

Remembering Him as our Endless Creator... and realizing how fragile we are... causes us to seek Him for guidance on how to live out our lives... which He already sees from beginning to end...

So teach us to number our days,

that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 Amp

We should never forget the eternal nature of God... never-ending... without beginning... tireless... here we find encouragement for the pilgrimage...

To see suffering... pain... hardship... from an eternal perspective... reminds us we are traveling through... to an incorruptible Kingdom... where we truly belong...

An eternal perspective... encourages us to seek His wisdom as we go through life... and blesses us with the hope needed to persevere...

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty;

the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power;

the world also established, that it cannot be moved.

Your throne is established from of old;

You are from everlasting.

Psalm 93:1-2 Amp

What can the Psalms teach you...?
Join The Journey and find out...

This week's readings...
Monday...             Psalm 98-101
Tuesday...             Psalm 102-103
Wednesday...        Psalm 104
Thursday...           Psalm 105
Friday...                Psalm 106

remembrance... pure satisfaction...

Remembering today... He is... pure satisfaction...

satisfaction... 1 a: the payment through penance of the temporal punishment incurred by a sin b: reparation for sin that meets the demands of divine justice 2 a: fulfillment of a need or want b: the quality or state of being satisfied: contentment c: a source or means of enjoyment: gratification 3 a: compensation for a loss or injury: atonement, restitution b: the discharge of a legal obligation or claim c: vindication 4: convinced assurance or certainty

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dict. (11th Ed.)

So... color me surprised by this definition...

As I approached this remembrance... I had in mind... the quality or state of being satisfied... contentment...

A day when I heard of those unsatisfied... seeking satisfaction from things... like food...
revenge... 
change... 
financial security... 
to see the first definition of satisfaction as... the payment... of the temporal punishment incurred by sin... turns my heart to the real reason... He is... pure satisfaction...

He is... the One who takes away the sin of the world...! 

I think of my own need to be satisfied when it comes to food... comfort... assurance... but now I see ... truly see... He knows... our true need... 

The only thing able to satisfy our souls completely...? 
Forgiveness of sin...

Our greatest dis-ease... is not physical... or emotional... it's spiritual...

That's why when He saw the faith of the paralytic's friends... how they broke through a roof... to get to Him... He gave the man what He truly needed... what would truly satisfy... even though it's not what anyone expected...

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,

"Son, your sins are forgiven."

Mark 2:5 ESV

We feel the dissatisfaction... in all areas of life... but fail to recognize its true root...

Consider areas of dissatisfaction in your life...

What do you turn to for satisfaction...?

What is it you think you need in order to be content...?

Now... consider what He says you need...

what He came to do...

could you find forgiveness... complete forgiveness... satisfying...? the key to every unfulfilled desire...?

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:3-8 ESV

It is because of His love... that He sent His Son...

Do you hear the satisfaction in the soul of the psalmist...?

physical satisfaction...

assurance...

provision...

Do you believe it to be true...?

If He said it... it must be true...

Let's try... for the next few days... to start each day with a prayer...

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14 ESV

What better confirmation of satisfaction... than joy...? gladness all our days...?

I praise You Lord... as Pure Satisfaction...

muddled...?

A day beginning with inexplicable joy... has become a muddle by its end...

A puzzle really... because I've seen His faithfulness... throughout the day...

First... the joy...
then provision of unsought help... in completing my list of to-dos...
finally... peace... in the midst of problems...

But... somewhere... along the way to evening...
I've forgotten... to remember...
or... let my list... and its order... muddle my heart...

Taking on the responsibility... of the things He's called me to... rather than rolling it onto Him... fully trusting His faithfulness... to get it all done...

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

Psalm 37:5 ESV

Lord... forgive my anxiety... 

and lack of thankfulness... for Your faithfulness...

Thank You...

remembrance... great faithfulness...

The need of remembrance... continues...

Remembering today... His... great faithfulness...

God is faithful, by whom you were called

into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV

The One who called us into fellowship with His Son... is faithful... 

Faithful to help us maintain fellowship with Him...

He is faithful in the area of temptation...

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,

but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,

that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear... 

He will not leave us without an escape...

Remember His great faithfulness in the time of temptation...

He is faithful in the process of sanctification... in growing us up... maturing our faith...

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,

and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV

With all He calls me to do... remembering His great faithfulness... is essential...

Apart from Him... I can do nothing...

"...Whoever abides in me and I in him,

he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me

you can do nothing. ..." ---Jesus

John 15:5 ESV

What He began... He must complete...

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you

will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

Trusting His great faithfulness... 

I allow Him... to do through me...

only what He can... because I can't...

Listening for the next step... I take it...

But... He is the One responsible... 

for establishing... and guarding... 

what He began in me... and you... 

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you

and guard you against the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Even in our faithlessness... He is great in faithfulness...

...if we are faithless, he remains faithful ---

for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

His Spirit in us... He cannot deny... 

even when we fail in faithfulness...

When we do fail... He is faithful to forgive...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

His great faithfulness... should inspire... encourage... our own faithfulness...

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Today... in taking steps... of faith...

I remember... His... great... faithfulness...

and my need... for it...

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The Journey Readings: Week 72... and... remember to remember...

I approached the reading of the Psalms this last week a little differently... I asked Him to provide a theme... a single lesson to learn from the psalms read... and He did...

Psalm 77... the first psalm read in Week 71...

I earnestly remember God; I am disquieted and I groan;

I muse in prayer, and my spirit faints [overwhelmed].

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 77:3 Amp

The psalmist... in the midst of a very difficult... trying... time... earnestly remembers God...

remember... to bring to mind or think of again... to keep in mind for attention or consideration... to retain in the memory... record, commemorate...

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th Ed.)

To remember God... His character... His wonders of old... His works and mighty deeds (both past and present)... is an important part of our faith journey... an essential spiritual discipline...

This is no casual remembrance... it is an exercise in meditation... an earnest... intentional... recollection... of who He is... and all He's done in the past...

Remembering Him... in the midst of crisis... protects us from our own imagination... and its tendency to play the What if...? game...
What if the worst happens...?
What if it's terminal...?
What if we lose everything...?

Remembering Him... His deeds... His wonders... keeps us steadfast in the storm... and bold in the day of battle...

Another important aspect of remembering... is teaching...

Teaching the next generation to remember... who He is...

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; 

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable 

(in instruction by numerous examples);

I will utter dark sayings of old [that hide important truth]---

Which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, but we will tell

to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

His might, and the wonderful works that He has performed.

Psalm 78:1-4 Amp

Teaching the next generation to know and remember Him... protects them from rebellion... keeps them close to Him... focused on Him... instead of the world...

If the next generation doesn't know who He is... or what He does... they will not know Him to be trustworthy... they will not know He is personal and active in their lives...

The psalms record... commemorate... the need to remember... to remember...

Join along in The Journey readings... find what you need to remember... to stay faithful...

This week's readings...
Monday               Psalm 87-88
Tuesday               Psalm 89
Wednesday          Psalm 90-91
Thursday             Psalm 92-94
Friday                 Psalm 95-97

remembrance... generous grace...

Remembering today... His generous grace...

...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more...

Romans 5:20 ESV

Why...?

Why any beauty...? in the world we broke...? corrupted with sin...?

Why the steadfast seasons...? providing continuity to our lives...?

Storms... that's what we deserve...

But even in storms... 

emotional...

physical...

natural...

supernatural...

there is grace to be had...

Storms turn our hearts to Him...

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;

you consider it to take it in hand.

The victim commits himself to you...

Psalm 10:14 

There have been some storms lately... around the world...

How many have recognized His grace...?

Do you see His grace...? in your personal storms...?

...where sin abounds...

grace increases all the more...

Remembering His generous grace...

what it means to me...

and to the world...

For from his fullness we have all received,

grace upon grace.

John 1:16 ESV

Lord... such grace immeasurable... in seasons and storms...

Open my eyes and heart... so I never miss Your generous grace...

wondering about... His unfailing Word...

Remembrance... of His unfailing Word... left me wondering...

The after-school ministry... and the teaching of Bible to sixth graders... is coming to a close for the school year...

A time when kids are wound up... and those who serve them are wearing down... counting days...

The sowing... scattering of seed... on this rough terrain... can be challenging... and at times seems... well... fruitless...

As I looked over the sanctuary filled with 150+ children waiting to be picked up... Kinder through 6th...  the activity level high... the noise level even higher... I remember... the remembrance of His unfailing Word...

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ..."

Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV
(my emphasis)

Literally... the thought made me laugh...

one of those cynical little laughs...

I thought...

Really...?!

The Word planted... this year... in this soil... will not return to You void...?

The thought made me wonder...

Wonder at the possibility of the truth of this Word...

Wonder at the prospect of where it would sprout first...

Who would find a meal in the seed planted...

Who would go on to plant it in other places...

An unexpected encouragement... at the end of a challenging day... of hauling seed... casting it on what seemed to be unfertile soil...

The thought that it would not return to Him void... empty... was wonder-full...



remembrance... unfailing Word...

In the pre-dawn dark of the day... listening to the rain fall down... I remember... His Word does not fail...

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ..."

Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV

With the challenge of Romans 8... knowing I can't... but He can...

I find peace... strength... in remembering that what He says...

does not return to Him empty...

What He says... always accomplishes His purpose...

Whether it's the promise in His written Word...

or the one spoken in your heart... 

the specific call...

the hopeful visions... 

the prophetic word...

Resting today... in the wonderful fullness of His Word...

and the sound of the rain... reminding me... to remember...

His Word... never... fails...

"... Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will never pass away. ..." ---Jesus

Matthew 24:34

Where do you need to trust His Word... today...?

Remember... His Word... will accomplish the purpose... for which He sent it...

Father God... I rest... trust in... Your Word... today...

It is not up to me to make it happen... it is Yours to accomplish...

all I need do... is follow...

feeling the need to remember...

Feeling the need to remember... in the midst of challenges... and changes...

Remember...
who He is...
what He has done...
what He promises...

I will [earnestly] recall the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will [earnestly] remember the wonders

[You performed for our fathers] of old.

I will meditate also upon all Your works

and consider all Your [mighty] deeds.

Psalm 77:11-12 Amp

remembering... His awesome deeds...

Sitting on the porch... in the warmth of the setting sun... preparing for the coming morning's Bible study...

Tell about a time God showed up and did something surprising and unexpected in a seemingly hopeless situation...

--- The Story Participant's Guide

And I did... through my pen... in my journal... recorded an awesome deed... a miracle that overwhelms... fills my heart with awe struck faith... more now than at the time...

At the time... too stunned to fully appreciate... feeling more like those disciples on the mountain... just before the Ascension... the ones who doubted...

But now... at a distance... it astonishes... encourages... reignites a war-weary faith...

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

O God of our salvation,

the hope of all the ends of the earth

and of the farthest seas...

Psalm 65:5 ESV

What about you...? Do you need to remember... His awesome deeds in your life...?

Ask Him to remind you... where He has worked wonders for you...

We often forget... way too fast... in the heat of the most current battle...

Allow Him... to remind... encourage... refresh...

He is awesome indeed...!

forget not...

At the end of a long day... it's hard to remember... all His benefits...

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

and forget not all his benefits ---

Psalm 103:1-2

A time needed... to encourage self's soul... Praise Him...

...who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases...

Psalm 103:3

Praise Him... as Healer... 

There is no dis-ease He cannot relieve... even when it's self-inflicted...

... who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion...

Psalm 103:4

Praise Him... as Redeemer... 

You can't dig a pit... deeper than His reach...

... who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:5

Praise Him... as the One who satisfies... 

There is no hole... no hunger... no desire... that He can't fill...

At the end of a long day... forget not... all... His... benefits...

Praise the Lord... O my soul...

limits...

Feeling pressed to the limits...
time crunches...
things not quite right...

Feeling... just... pressed...

Practicing... praise...

Remembering Him...
His presence...
His teaching...
His discipline...

And... counting... on... holding... fast...

Count it all joy, my brothers,

when you face trials of various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith

produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3 ESV

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when it seems like it all won't get done...

When it seems like it all won't get done...
check to see if you are doing what He's called you to...
or what you want to do...

Then if it is His call...
remember it's His to do...
His to manage...
His to provide the strength...

Now may the God of peace... equip you with everything good that you may do his will... through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

And if it is not His call...
ask for His mercy... and forgiveness...
complete your current commitment...
then stop doing it...
ASAP...

mighty to save... [from October 29, 2013]

Greater is the One in me...
than the one in the world...

He is the Light...
that destroys the darkness...

The Savior who breaks...
the bonds of sin and death...

Stoops down... in mercy and compassion...
to redeem His lost creation...

So great is His love...
Mighty to save...

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:11-14

revival... does not happen... without repentance... [from July 5, 2013]

A spirit... soul... cannot be revived... refreshed... without a recognition of sin... and a turning from it...

We pray for revival... for churches... friends... family... whether it be a renewed relationship with God the Father through Christ by way of the Spirit... or it be an initiating of the relationship that raises the dead... but sometimes I think we forget... what must come first... repentance...

Repentance... can't happen without sin being revealed... acknowledged... and grieved over...

How often do we pray for revival in the life of a loved one... but as pain and strife enter their lives... we pray for healing... removal of the difficulty... release... escape... when this might be the pain... or difficulty... God has allowed... to get their attention... capture their heart...?

Unfortunately... pain... grief... despair... coming to the end of ourselves in it... is often the sole experience that brings us to our knees...

Some wandered in desert wastelands,

finding no way to a city where they could settle.

They were hungry and thirsty,

and their lives ebbed away.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way

to a city where they could settle.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

for he satisfies the thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom

prisoners suffering in iron chains,

for they had rebelled against the words of God

and despised the counsel of the Most High.

So he subjected them to bitter labor;

they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness and deepest gloom

and broke away their chains.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

for he breaks down gates of bronze

and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalm 107:4-16

(emphasis added)

Perhaps our prayer... for those in pain... should be for them to cry out to the Lord in their trouble... for His purpose in the pain to be realized... for His will to be accomplished... in the unseen realm...

And for those of us struggling... like me over the last week or so... be open... to the Spirit... to counsel... reveal... and be willing... to grieve... turn... and... receive...

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:7-10

As hard as it is... to endure... or watch others suffer... we need to seek God... in His Sovereignty... ask Him how to pray... ask Him... to help us focus on the eternal... and not just... the needs of the flesh...

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Do you know someone who's suffering...? are you...?

How might you pray... in a way... that transforms... hearts... for eternity...? and His glory...?

battling [from February 27, 2013]

Sometimes... maybe ALL the time... a time of prayer... becomes a battleground...

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus...

He is always wrestling in prayer for you,

That you may stand firm in all the will of God,

mature and fully assured.

Colossians 4:12

(my emphasis)

Today... I was Epaphras... wrestling in prayer... for one to stand firm...

wrestling... laboring... struggling... all translations of the Greek... which means... to contend with adversaries... fight...

A spiritual battle... an unseen battle... yet real nonetheless...

The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world.

On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:4

Intercession... a battle whose outcome has eternal consequences... an arena we need to enter fully equipped... and fully aware...

cling... a word that catches... [from January 13, 2013]

This morning... in my preparation for the day... I came across a verse... that stuck... a verse that prompted the deeper study... of a single word...

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

cling... a sticky word... 

The Hebrew... dabaq... defined... to cling... cleave to... to stay with... to be joined together... to pursue closely...

What does it look like... for a soul... to cling...?

Merriam-Webster... paints this picture... to hold together... to adhere as if glued firmly... to hold or hold on to tightly or tenaciously... to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence...

But... what does it look like...?

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Love... compels us to cling... with both hands... and all of self... 

We can only cling... to one thing at a time...

A soul that clings to God... 

lets go of everything else... 

including... control... 

the soul who clings to God... 

goes wherever... He goes...

But... our strength... alone... 

is not enough... to cling... 

powers pull... try to tear us away... 

so He... with His right hand... upholds... us... 

His strength... makes it possible... for a soul to cling... 

When we desire... to be near... to pursue... tenaciously... 

He... makes... it... possible...

My soul clings to You...

Your right hand upholds me...

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Is it your desire... to have a soul... that clings... to Him...?

What do you have to let go of... to cling...?

feeling wrong [from November 6, 2012]

What do you do... when everything you do... feels wrong...?
Find a reason to rejoice...!

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

[Note... this is current... 2014's journey...]

This week's readings for The Journey... 

Monday                     Exodus 40

Tuesday                     Leviticus 1-3

Wednesday                Leviticus 4:1 - 5:13

Thursday                    Leviticus 5:14 - 6:30

Friday                        Leviticus 7