[Friday's Devotional] - What’s it all for?

At the start of the week I posed a question: what am I wearing this armour for? In other words, what am I actually meant to be doing once I've got it all on? What activity is so dangerous, that God would ask me to wear all this gear?

What did you think we are meant to be doing?

Witnessing? No.

Speaking? No.

Serving? No.

(Not that we are not meant to be doing these things but none of these are suggested by this passage)

The answer is: to PRAY. The answer is right there in the text, you put all the armour on in verses 13 -17 and then what?

'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people'. V18

So clearly prayer is a much more dangerous activity than most of us would suspect. And certainly much more dangerous than our often sedentary approach to prayer would betray.

Samuel Chadwick famously said 'The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying… He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray'.

To put on the armour of God is to prepare for the battle but prayer is the battle itself. Prayer is the purpose for which we are armed.

As you begin to pray, put on the armour of God, for you are going into battle, you are engaged in a dangerous, life-changing activity. No time spent in prayer is wasted time.

Eugene Peterson in his translation of this passage reminds us that 'we are up against far more than we can handle on our own' and of prayer he says,

'prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out'

So let's pray….

Sheila Bridge

 

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 115:1-11, Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 1:27-2:11

[Thursday's Devotional] - Wielding your weapon

Today we come to the one part of our armour that is not for defence but for attack. The word of God is to be in our hands and we are to use it.

May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands (Psalm 149:6)

¹²

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

We are to remember that God's words are not just marks on a page, carried on the wind of the Spirit they are words that 'do stuff', they work! They might bring conviction, or conversion. They can bring healing and used in the way that Jesus used them (Matthew 4) they can repel lies and keep us from sin.

There is a key issue here: you can't use the word of God if you don't know the word of God. A sword in the hands of someone who's hardly ever held one is more likely to be a hindrance than a help. Get to know your weapon: study it, practise applying it, memorise it, and above all keep it close. You never know when you might need it.

Sheila Bridge

 

 

Read the Bible in a year:  Proverbs 23:29-24:4, Zephaniah 1:1-3:20, Philippians 1:1-26

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Hiding behind the door

Go on, be honest: did you ever hide behind a door or the sofa when Dr Who was on? (or something equally scary?)

 

Today we are looking at the protective pieces in our suit of armour: the shield, the helmet and the breastplate. 

 

For shield, don't think little circular object. The Roman shield was the size of a door! It was huge and oblong and big enough to get your whole body behind it. It was highly effective as a portable protective device for one person but virtually impenetrable when combined with other shields. There's a lesson in that. Paul tells us what the shield can do 'extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one'.

 

Where and what might be the flaming arrows in your life at the moment? Maybe it is inner accusations 'you're not good enough', 'God could never use you' or maybe it's stuff that someone else is throwing at you, unreasonable expectations or demands?

 

Hold up your shield of faith and if necessary get a few others around you to hold up theirs around you too.

 

Your helmet and your breast-plate remind you who you are and how God sees you. He declares that you are his, you are saved, you are made righteous and acceptable. These facts need to protect both your heart and your head.

 

Give thanks to God that he has provided so many pieces of equipment for your protection. It is clearly his intention that you be kept safe.

 

Sheila Bridge

 

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 114:1-8, Nahum 1:1-3:19, Ephesians 6:1-24 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - In Those Shoes?

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.   Ephesians 6:14-18

 

'In the right pair of shoes, a girl can conquer the world' goes the slogan, usually advertising a completely impractical pair of 'killer heels'. Hmm! I'm not so sure.

 

But I am sure that footwear matters. Just run through your day in your head, imagine doing it all in barefeet.  The school run? The supermarket? The gardening? The business meeting?

 

Give thanks for actual shoes (yes, really, because so many people in the world don't have any shoes) and ask God to help you slip your feet into a peaceable readiness to take the good news to other people.

 

Remember: you may be armed for battle but, wearing the right shoes, you are always standing in peace.

 

Sheila Bridge

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 113:1-9, Isaiah 65:17-66:24, Ephesians 5:8-33

 

[Monday's Devotional] - What are you wearing today?

If you are reading through the Bible in one year, you will read Ephesians 6 in the course of the week. This week's devotionals are all around the theme of The Armour of God taken from that chapter.

Paul closes his letter to Ephesians with an image that would have been a familiar sight to his readers: a Roman soldier dressed in armour. You are to wear armour, he says, because you are also engaged in a fight.

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.  Ephesians 6:14-18

I'm guessing that on most days our choice of what to wear is decided by a) what will be comfortable or b) what will look good.  Not many of us 'dress defensively' (at least not until the cold and rain of winter sets in). Paul encourages us to wear spiritual armour and I have found it a helpful habit to begin my prayer time each day mentally running through this check list.

One weapon: the word of God which is the sword of the Spirit.

Two items of clothing: one to hold everything in place, the belt of truth and one to help me move from place to place, the shoes of peace.

Three items that defend me: the helmet, the breastplate and the shield.

God has provided everything necessary for me to be protected and effective. 'Putting on' the armour of God reminds me that I'm not meandering about aimlessly but I am purposefully engaged in battle. I can be engaged joyfully and cheerfully because I know ultimately that the outcome of this battle has already been settled but never the less, I am in a battle: 'a life or death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels' (v13 in The Message)

Two thoughts for today and one question to think about during the week:

STAND -  vvs 13 and 14 have the word 'stand' in three places. Our position must therefore be important. I think it's not literally standing but rather it means 'not yielding, not fleeing, maintaining our ground'.

Where are you being tempted today to give up on a situation? Don't give up, stand your ground.

TRUTH – we are held together by the fact that the Good News is true. It's not an interesting idea, it's not one of many possible things that people believe. It is the truth. What's more it holds us, we do not cling on to it.

Think of one aspect of God's nature – what does difference does that truth make to you today?

Finally be asking yourself all week: what am I wearing this armour for, what am I actually meant to do once I've got it on? What activity is so dangerous, that God would ask me to wear all this gear? (I'll give you my answer to that question on Friday)

Sheila Bridge

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 112:1-10, Isaiah 63:1-65:16, Ephesians 4:17-5:7

[Friday's Devotional] - From Death to Life

In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God.  You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God.  Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

 

But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you.  God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.  God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.  You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.  This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.  It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.  God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.  

Ephesians 2: 1-10 [CEV]

 

There are so many lies in the world today it is great to reflect on the truth of the passage above.  Through nothing we have done (or can boast of) we have been saved by the grace of God and raised from death to life with Christ Jesus.

 

Perhaps we should be walking round with a smile on our faces today?

Amen

 

Dave MacLellan

 

 

Read the Bible in a year:     Psalm 110:1-7            Isaiah 55:1-57:13        Ephesians 2:1-22

 

 

[Thursday's Devotional] - Chosen Children

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

Ephesians 1: 3-10 [The Message]

How does it make you feel today to know these things?:

-          you were in God's mind before he laid the foundations of the earth

-          you are the focus of God's love

-          God has adopted you into his family through Jesus Christ

-          God took pleasure in planning your adoption

-          he wants you to join the celebration of his lavish gift-giving

-          you are free – in spite of all that has happened since your birth

-          you are not just a little bit free – but abundantly free

Thank you Lord for all you have planned for my life, for adopting me as your child and giving me abundant freedom to live a live enriched by your blessings.  Amen.

Dave MacLellan

Read the Bible in a year:     Psalm 109:21-31        Isaiah 51:17-54:17      Ephesians 1:1-23

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Bearing Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5: 22-26 [NIV]

If I could wish for 9 gifts, it would be hard to think of 9 better than those mentioned above in Galatians 22.  These are the fruits of the Spirit – by crucifying our sinful nature and being ruled by the Spirit we can find evidence of these fruits in our lives.  Does an apple tree grow oranges?  Do you find plums on a pear tree?  Neither can you expect to find an abundance of Spiritual fruits in a life ruled by human nature.

We are encouraged to make sure we get 5 portions of fruit or vegetables every day to improve our physical health – it strikes me that 5 of the above spiritual fruits would be good for our spiritual health.

Let's see more of these fruits in our lives today.  After all, there is no law against them!

Amen

Dave MacLellan

Read the Bible in a year:     Proverbs 23:10-18      Isaiah 49:8-51:16        Galatians 6:1-18

[Tuesday's Devotional] - The Internal Battle

If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.  The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.  But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.

People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds.  They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again:  No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

Galatians 5: 16-21 [CEV]

Have you ever met someone who was "hard to get along with"?  The reality of the conflict in the world between good and evil (God and the Devil) means that people are living in turmoil – and sometimes that rubs off on the relationships they have with everyone around them. 

We have the Spirit which guides us and tells us what we should do – but we also have our human (sinful) nature which prompts us with other things to desire.  The result is a battle inside each human – I find that it is usually easy to find something positive (and negative) in everyone I meet.  Hardly surprising, as I can find positive and negative aspects of "being me".

True peace comes from submitting to the Spirit – not submitting to the instant gratification that our human nature tells us we should submit to.  A life controlled by our human nature is a life of pain, conflict, hating and bitterness.  Not at all the life we were created for.

There is no shortage of immorality, idolatry, occult practice, hatred and bitterness visible in our world today.  Share the peace that comes from a Spirit-filled life with someone you come into contact today. 

"Preach the Gospel always – use words if necessary" [attributed to Francis of Assisi].   
Amen

Dave MacLellan

Read the Bible in a year:     Psalm 109:1-20          Isaiah 47:1-49:7          Galatians 5:7-26

[Monday's Devotional] - Freedom in Christ

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 [NIV]

Sometimes Christians are tricked into thinking that they are in slavery – the reality (and our identity as freed slaves) can be hidden through the trickery of Satan.  Through false teaching and accusation, Satan can trick Christians into believing that they are not good enough – that because they still fall victim to temptation and fall short of the perfection of Christ they cannot be good enough to please God and they are therefore going to be condemned by Christ at the time of Judgement.  This can cause Christians to wallow in self-pity and prevent them from living out the life of freedom that Christ has won for them.

Faced with these thoughts (as I have been and I am convinced many others have been too), it is comforting to dwell on the words of Romans 8:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2 [NIV]

     

Who you are should determine what you do - you are not a slave to sin or a slave to the Law.  Too often we are convinced that what we do makes us not quite good enough. 

Your relationship with God through Christ allows you to live the abundant life God put you on this earth to live.  Eternal life does not start with death – it begins here and now.

"The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall.

Freedom and slavery are mental states." – Mahatma Gandhi

Maybe today you can make a change in your mental state when you realise your true identity?

Lord, nothing I can do can make you love me more – and nothing I can do can make you love me less.  Thank you for loving me just the way I am.

Amen.

Dave MacLellan

Read the Bible in a year:     Psalm 108:6-13          Isaiah 44:24-46:13      Galatians 4:21-5:6

[Friday's Devotional] - Jottings from My Journal – Day 5

 

Today we come to the last of my personal jottings from my daily prayer journal.  I hope they have been a help and encouragement to you in your walk with God.

 

Micah 6:8 – What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NKJV)

 

Father help me to live as your child, longing for the same things you long for in my life, to act justly and work for justice; to demonstrate mercy by being merciful and by walking humbly with you.

 

Keep me faithful in my daily walk with you – in the times set aside as now; and in each moment of the day to be conscious of you in constant communication with you and enjoying your company and doing your will.

 

2 Cor. 5:5 – He has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee  (NKJV).

The Holy Spirit is the down payment of your promises to me Father – in this is my confidence.  Father help me not to put my confidence in myself for, as v.7 says, we walk by faith not by sight.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Ps. 107:33-43;  Isa 38:1-40:31;  Gal. 2:11-3:9

 

[Thursday's Devotional] - Jottings from My Journal – Day 4

 

All through this week I have been sharing personal jottings from my daily prayer journal in the hope they will be a help and encouragement to you in your walk with God.

 

Proverbs 21:2,3 – Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (NKJV)

 

Lord I know you know my heart better than I do myself – help me to act from pure motives and for my deeds to please you.  Keep me from vain and empty religious practices.

 

2 Chr. 31f  King Hezekiah is faithful through his reign, both in deed and heart.  But his son Mannaseh undoes all the good work of his father.  Then he is humiliated and imprisoned by Assyrians he humbles himself and repents and God restores him.

 

2 Cor. 2:1-11  In this passage Paul urges forgiveness towards a wayward member of the church in Corinth.

Father forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel, put in me a spirit of forgiveness, not just a readiness to forget, but to truly forgive.  Father I pray this day that I would hear more of your heart for the future.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Ps. 107:23-32;  Isa 36:1-37:38;  Gal. 2:1-10

 

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Jottings from My Journal – Day 3

 

This week I am sharing personal jottings from my daily prayer journal.  I hope they will be a help and encouragement to you in your walk with God.  Here's another day in late August.

 

Psalm 103 - 

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

(NKJV)

 

Lord, these verses remind us that you are to be so blessed.  May I never forget all the good things you give to me.  Renew my strength, my vision, my enthusiasm for the work you have called me to.  Thank you that you have separated me from my sins to a distance beyond measure.

 

In 2 Chr. 26 – Uzziah did what was right as a new young king, but as he prospered he became prideful and arrogant.  Father forgive me for my pride and arrogance.

 

In 2 Ch 27 Jothan did what was right but in Ch 28 Ahaz did not and worshipped other gods. 

Father how easily do we turn from the one true God.  Keep me focussed on you and keep me from falling away.

 

2 Cor 1:3 – God is the God of all comfort. (NKJV)

God comforts us in our troubles (tribulations) so that we can comfort others.  As we suffer for Christ so we also know his consolation (comfort).  As partakers in Christ's sufferings we are also partakers in his consolation.  Father may I always be conscious of your presence and your comfort that I may bring others into the experience.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Ps. 107:10-22;  Isa 33:1-35:10;  Gal. 1:1-24

 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Jottings from My Journal – Day 2

 

All through this week I am sharing personal jottings from my daily prayer journal in the hope they will be a help and encouragement to you in your walk with God.  Here's what I wrote one day in late August.

 

Ps 102 – this psalm speaks of God's permanence, though other things may pass away, he will endure – that is very reassuring Father.

 

2 Chr 24 – This tells the story of Joash who started well as king following the guidance of the priest Jehoida, but by the time of his death Joash was listening to bad advisers and had turned away from God.  It is sad how people can start keen, enthusiastically and with a heart to do God's will in their lives, but then they fall away.  Father help me to finish well!

 

1 Cor 16:13,14 – Watch, steadfast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love (NKJV)

Father this is a great text – it could be the m2o text for 2012 and be used for five daily devotionals. 

Father help me to be watchful and to discern my situation and all that goes on around me.  Help me to hold fast to faith even when things are hard.  In the face of difficulty or opposition help me to be brave and strong and to do everything in love.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Pr. 22:17-27;  Isa 30:19-32:20;  2 Cor 13:1-14

 

[Monday's Devotional] - Jottings from My Journal - Day 1

 

I try to set aside some time each morning to read my bible and talk with God.  One of the tools I use to help me focus is to write in my journal.  Usually I write down verses that have struck me as I have read them and then I turn them into a short prayer that I write out.

 

What I write in my journal can be very private (so I have had to do a little editing!) and it is always personal, but I had a sense that I should share some of my recent "jottings" which I hope may help others in their walk with God.  I am currently using the bible reading plan we encouraged members of m2o to use in 2011 to read the bible in a year to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James translation of the bible into English.  So these jottings are based on my readings from this plan in late August.

 

Proverbs 21: 2 – Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.  But the LORD weighs the hearts. (NKJV)

 

Father protect me from myself, from dependence on my own thoughts and plans.  Keep me mindful always of your heart, your purposes, your plans, that I may walk in them and not in my own way.

 

2 Chronicles 23:16 – Jehoida made a covenant between himself and the people and the king, that they should be the LORD's people. (NKJV)

 

Father I covenant with you to be a faithful servant, diligent in seeking your face and doing your will.  In my own strength I cannot do this but I ask that you fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit that I may have your power within me to fulfil this promise.  Father keep me resolute to keep this covenant.

 

1 Cor. 15:58 – Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  (NKJV)

 

Paul's promise here is for what I have covenanted above - thank you for the promise that as I am faithful to this, nothing I do is in vain.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Ps. 107:1-9;  Isa 29:1-30:18;  2 Cor 12:11-21

 

[Friday's Devotional] - Behind all wisdom is God

And the inhabitants of this coastland [the Israelites and their neighbors] will say in that day, See! This is what comes to those in whom we trusted and hoped, to whom we fled for help to deliver us from the king of Assyria! But we, how shall we escape [captivity and exile]?
Isaiah 20:6 [AMP]

This was a declaration by God about the future of the Israelites and their neighbours because they trusted and depended on Egypt and Ethiopia.

Today, do not depend on your own wisdom or the flesh i.e. the strengths and wisdom of man or other people or things.  What will happen if the money, person, friend, bank, job, health system, pension scheme, etc, you depended on is not there?

In this modern world, we tend to depend on advancement in technology and everything that shows and glorifies man’s wisdom and power. Yes all these things are helpful and good. But we should never forget that behind all we can do and all there is, there is God!

Have you never heard a farmer who doesn’t know God boasting about how he has worked hard, used his farming skills, applied the latest technology and invested his money to produce a bumper harvest and because of all this, he is successful?  Does he not know that without rain, water, air, soil, sunlight, etc, all his wisdom is in vain?  Does it not “click” in his mind that for him to have the energy, strength and breath to do all he does everyday, it is God’s grace at play?

Is it not plainly clear to him that this is precisely what God is saying in the “parable” in Isaiah 10:15 below?

Shall the axe boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him who wields it back and forth?  As if a rod should wield those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift itself up as if it were not wood [but a man of God]!

Read the entire Bible or just the Book of Job and the message is the same.  Sometimes when people can’t see this in the Good News Book, God permits certain things to happen – not to teach them a lesson, but that we might seek and find Him for His desire is for all to know that He loves us and wants to give us protection.

Never boast in who you are or what you have. If you must boast then boast in what God has done in your life. Give Him all the praise and glory for He will never share His glory with anybody!

Farai Mutsambiwa

Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 22:7–16, Isaiah 20:1-23:18, 2 Corinthians 11:1–15

[Thursday's Devotional] - Petition prayer

On December 8^th 1944, US Army General George S. Patton asked his Chief Chaplain, James H. O'Neill for a “good prayer” for weather.  It had been raining continuously since September 1944 and a real breakthrough for him, seemed to hinge on good weather.

 

Since the Chaplain didn’t have a pre-written standard prayer for weather he had to compose an original which went as follows:

 “Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend.  Grant us fair weather for Battle.  Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations”.

http://www.pattonhq.com/prayer.html

 

Reading through the scriptures one can see that this prayer had the hallmarks of King David’s Psalms, and the prayers by most of the people in the bible who received answers from God.

 

Today why not write down a petition to God based on Psalm 106 and make your request known to Him.  Praise Him for “He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!^”

Return to Him His words that “Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord?”. Ask Him to remember you “[Earnestly] remember me, O Lord, when You favor Your people! O visit me also when You deliver them, and grant me Your salvation!”

 

Of course, after the General and his troops prayed that bible-based prayer, and quoting the words of Chief Chaplain, James H. O'Neill, “On December 20, to the consternation of the Germans and the delight of the American forecasters who were equally surprised at the turn-about, the rains and the fogs ceased. For the better part of a week came bright clear skies and perfect flying weather. Our planes came over by tens, hundreds, and thousands. They knocked out hundreds of tanks, killed thousands of enemy troops in the Bastogne salient, and harried the enemy as he valiantly tried to bring up reinforcements”.

 

Today, be encouraged, prayer works!  Did He not promise in 1 John 5:14–15 that if we pray according to his will i.e. what we know is acceptable, promised and written in the bible, He will surely respond?  So do not be discouraged if He hasn’t answered for a long time, He will. Remember Job and the troubles he went through until God spoke with him? Who knows, maybe He has been waiting all along for the right moment to speak with you.

 

Did He not say in Philippians 4 v 6 that:

 

“by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God”?[AMP]

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 106:16–31, Isaiah 17:1-19:25, 2 Corinthians 10:1–18

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Seed time and harvest

[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 [AMP]

 

In the passage above, Paul is applying the principle of sowing and reaping established by the Lord, at the beginning, in Genesis 1 vs 11 and 8 v 22.  This is New Testament.  It is a principle we can learn from farmers. They watch seasons, they prepare the land, they plant by faith, they have patience to wait, and whilst waiting for the harvest, they do not keep on “breaking up and harrowing the soil”. And who taught the farmers?  The Lord Almighty who is wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom (Isaiah 28 vs 23 – 29).

 

You have sown your prayers. You have sown your words i.e. spoken to the mountains in your life. You have sown your money to bless people and to preach the gospel and you have done this out of love first for your God and secondly for your neighbour who doesn’t know Jesus Christ and who does not have food, shelter, clothing, etc.

 

As you wait for your harvest which God has promised above (not me!), do not break and harrow the soil again. Don’t say I have spoken to the mountains but they are not moving. Because of this recession, I am finished. I have been praying for years but God does not answer me.  Quit murmuring. Rather, pray more for your faith not to fail in times of trials and temptations. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Give Him praise, for His goodness, tender mercies and loving kindness that endures for ever. Soon, the little seed sown in faith (when the skies were blue) will break through the surface. 

 

To those who eat all their harvest, stop it! Set aside some seed and sow in the Kingdom. Remember God is the One that sets the season for us to sow, not us. It is His instructions that we follow. Let us make the choice to follow whatever He says even if it does not seem to make sense. And let us do this ONLY through faith activated by love.

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

 

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 106:1–15, Isaiah 14:1-16:14, 2 Corinthians 9:6–15