I Kings 2:1-4 When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, "I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go." Last words make you so want to listen to what they have to say about real life. No formulas from David, just beautiful rhetoric from a man who lived a dangerous, courageous life with a heart for God. I wonder what David thinks at the end of his life about his failures to trust God. 66LL says about this book: "Your desire to be effectiver, to depend on biblical principles for success in your family, church, career, and friendships is legitimately strong." Okay, stop right there. I would say that my Christian life was spent depending on biblical principles and it was legitimately strong. But.... keep reading this: "But when that desire is stronger than your desire to be holy and to depend on My power for becoming more like My Son, whether you succeed or fail in other ways, then you will not advance my plan...." Okay, that makes me so want to stop and evaluate. I think there was sin in my life---distance from people, jealousy over other's success, being so hard on myself I was really unkind to myself, and the laundry list goes on...---my point is that there was relational sin I overlooked all the time cause I couldn't straighten it out nor could I get out of the relationships I was in. I never really took a look at how I came across to people nor did people really tell me. I thought everything was okay until four years ago when I hit a crisis I couldn't overcome. I hadn't been naming my evil. Really didn't know how. I was more interested in succeeding and I was. But success is not the signpost that everything is all right. "Success is not greatness."
Prayer for Annette tonight - She is so on my heart as she recovers from her surgery. She wasn't feeling well tonight. God, would you strengthen her on the inside where it really counts - Eph 3:18
ReplyDeletePrayer for Cici - in her cry for holiness like all of us. We all seem to be drinking from the proverbial fire hose as we deal with the fray of our hearts! Psalm 81:10 - open her mouth and fill it with Your words.
Prayer for Deborah - Isaiah 66:2-3 "To this one I look, Deborah, who is humble, contrite of spirit and trembles at His Words. May she tremble well, whatever that means.
Prayer for Sylvia - HE is so the lifter of your head Psalm 3:3. So deeply touched by the ways you embrace suffering and trust. God's angel armies guard you. HE is with you and continues to deliver you and you so honor Him. Psalm 91:15-16.
Prayer for Britt. He has his 3rd interview tomorrow with another scholarship. He didn't get the 1st one, finds out about the full ride to UT this week, and tomorrow is for a smaller stipend. God formed Britt---Fear Not, Be Bold. God has summoned him by name. He is Mine---God will take care of Britt and provide for him. Isa 43:2
Prayer for our family as we face financial needs - we are back in foreclosure again. 2Kings 6:16-17 There are more with us than with all that we are up against. God open our eyes to see!
Prayer for Angie --- praying for rising courage as she does her job well. May God work a work of faith with power in her beautiful heart of obedience. 2Thes 1:11.
Prayer for Michele H ---who so longs to live seeing things in God's Word Psa 119:18---may He open the eyes of her heart as she so desires.
Prayer for Michelle K - Eph 1:18 may her eyes be enlightened to know the HOPE to which she is called --- she so lives by that! And the incomparable great power toward Michelle this day!
Prayer for faithful Mary Lou - that her beautiful love for the Word of God will be sweeter with each passing day. Psal 119:47
Prayer for FG---God has called her by name. Inscribed on the palm of His Hands. I Peter 1:16 - the beautiful cry of her heart that we all hear is that You would please keep her holy!
Prayer for Donna - and the faithful desires of her heart. May she see things from your perspective. Psalm 37---the perspective psalm. May she trust you and delight in You.
Prayer for Nise. She is such a joy to all of us as she embraces Your Word and Your Life. Phil 3:10 is so real to her---may she know You and Your power this very day.
Prayer for Kim U - Haven't heard from her in awhile but she's steadfast in whatever she's doing. Psalm 27: 13-14 - show her Your Goodness today God!
Prayer for Kim D - Clothed with strength & dignity, encourage her God! Proverbs 31:25. Help her to smile at the future.'
Prayer for Janet - What beauty pours out Psalm 51:2 When we don't know what to pray, thank you that you are! Romans 8:26. We've been so blessed to have her show up here.
Prayer for Humble Happy Holly - She's reading chronologically so she doesn't show up here but she's with us. I love this girl! I pray Deut 32:2 that God's Word would fall like rain this day on her hungry thirsty heart for Him!
Prayer for Bob (my husband) - 2Tim 4:7 He is strong and courageous and may he fight the right battles. Fight the good fight of faith! Finish today's course well! I believe in you!
So whom have I missed? Is Jamie out there or Erin or Shonda or Karen? Anybody else out there reading with us?
Such a privilege from God to walk with you all and hear your heart cries for holiness. You stir my faith! God is stirring us all, disturbing where we lead unexamined lives, offering His matchless grace! Jonah 2:8
Thanks for your prayers, Bev. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm a little weary of all of the relational squabbles, killing, and sinful strategizing of people to get what they want and to put themselves in the best positions. I'm probably tired of it because of the ongoing relational problems in my own life.
66 LL was so helpful in explaining this book. I LOVED the words you quoted, Bev, from Crabb about desiring holiness over being effective. I never could have articulated it that, but that's what my struggle has been over the past year, both with myself and with other people. I knew something wasn't right in me, and I saw and experienced that it wasn't right with certain other people.
I love how simply he defines Solomon's mistake - desiring effectiveness more than holiness. "Success is not greatness." Success should not, and cannot, be my goal. It has been for the vast majority of my life.
I feel like God's Word and Crabb's book are illuminating a ton of wisdom that I need to get inside of me. (Deut. 6:6)
May the Lord bless each one of your prayers for all of us, your heart goes more beautiful by the day. Was wondering about Annette, had lifted her to His throne. Have prayed for Britt...for God's perfect will for his life, for God sees the bigger picture and the end of the story and what it will take to get Britt to that point. Praying for your finances. I am reading chronologically too, but I am keeping up with you all and what you post and I am reading 66 LL...they so bring joy to my heart and make me think and stand in amazement and awe of our great God. I have posted on FB that everyone should read it, along with thier daily Bible reading. Bless you and love you...Mary Lou
ReplyDeleteOh....how I've missed you ladies. And what a beautiful day to log on to comment, and read Bev's prayers over us. God is so good.
ReplyDeleteLife has gotten incredible busy, yet as things begin slowing down, know that my heart and prayers have been with you all.
Today's reading, Ch. 2 verses 1-4 truly jumped off the pages at me. I could not help but rejoice as David gave humble and straightforward advice to Soloman. "Be strong; observe what the Lord your God requires; walk in His ways and keep his decrees and commands; so that you may prosper in all that you do; if your decedents watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel."
What INCREDIBLE advice and charge to give a child before a big transition in life, this advice has truly stirred by heart today.
This "advice" can speak to each of us today, as we face the life God has led us to live. Lets be strong and walk in His ways, keeping the Lord's commandments and we will surely prosper as children of the Lord most high. And may we be blessed with His peace and be reminded of His spirit that lives within us.
Love You Ladies. Be encouraged today.
-Kim D.
Oh Bev. Thank you for the prayer. I do tremble before my LORD. He is Holy. I fear Him and I am in awe of Him. The whole earth is filled with His Glory. Keep silence before Him. Can you hear the angels flying around His Throne shouting "Holy, holy, holy?" His eyes burn into me. He sees me with eyes that sear and search my heart. I cannot hide from His Glory. My hand cannot cover my eyes...it is blinding.
ReplyDeleteI tremble.
I bow low.
My face touches the ground.
My enemies do not even threaten me as I stand here in His Glory. He speaks and lightning flashes! He breathes and winds are released into the atmosphere, raining down raindrops, snow...and warmth at His command.
I could not stand in His Presence without the blood of Christ covering me. Christ has worn my sin and I am as white as snow. Whiter than snow. And the whole earth is filled with His Glory...
And I stand amazed in His Presence...holding tightly my Love Letter from Him. My beautiful Bible...His Word...Truth.
"David ruled Israel for forty years—seven years in Hebron and another thirty-three in Jerusalem."
ReplyDelete33 years as ruler over Jerusalem.
Christ was 33 when he was crucified...
And of His kingdom there shall be no end.
"Inscribed on the palm of His hand"...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bev. The Lord gave me that verse years ago. It holds a special place in my heart.
FG
So good to hear from you Kim D. We missed you!!!
ReplyDeleteI confirm. All above told the truth. Let's discuss this question. Here or in PM.
ReplyDelete