Do You See the LORD Today?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. 16 Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God’s Son, and everything was made for him. 17 God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. 18 He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death, so that he would be above all others. 19 God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.             Colossians 1:15-20 (CEV)

A baby was born yesterday. Actually there was probably several thousand babies born yesterday across the world but this baby was special to me because I had been watching and looking for him. I have known his mother since she was a young girl and now she is a grown woman with a husband and son. His birth was much anticipated and is now much celebrated.

More than 2000 years ago another baby was born. His birth had been foretold for generations. An entire nation watched for Him to be born and yet they did not see Him. He was the Messiah sent to redeem God’s people so that they had an eternal relationship with their Creator, their Father. And they did not see Him. Now before I get all righteous about how I would not have missed my Savior, let’s consider some of the reasons they missed Him:

A preconceived idea about how, what, where, when, and to whom He would come. The 1st century believed God would come with a sword, as a king, to set them free from the Roman Empire. They thought, as God’s children, they would be “special” in the eyes of men and be prosperous and above all others.

Jesus came in perfect love to give Himself as a sacrifice so that all would be saved and live forever with the Father. Jesus came to serve. He teaches me, His disciples, to do the same. I am special to my Heavenly Father because He loves me so very much. A parent loves his/her child from the moment they connect. God loved me before I was formed in my mother’s womb.

Too busy. The people of Bethlehem were too busy with the Passover and the census decree to notice some poor young couple who had to sleep in a barn. Jesus was born and lived right in the middle of God’s people and they were so busy with their lives that they missed the One who would overcome death and this world to give them eternal life. Too often I am so busy trying to fix my problems and reason out solutions to my troubles that I miss Jesus who is right in the middle of it all. He is there to lead me on my life’s path and carry me when I cannot take another step. He is there to provide wisdom, comfort, understanding, strength and courage for each day and I exhaust myself trying to do it alone.

Blind. I have read stories about Doctors Without Borders who come into areas of the world, where what are to us here in the West very common procedures, and fix cleft palates, remove huge tumors, and cataracts and forever change the lives of people who had no hope. Can you imagine living with traumatic cataracts on your eyes since you were a young child and this doctor shows up and does a 30 minute procedure and you can see! All of a sudden you know what yellow looks like. You see your mother’s smile for the first time.

For 40 years I wandered around looking for what was missing in my life. I tried to make people and my career fill that emptiness and didn’t understand that they were a square peg I was trying to fit in a round space. I was blind to Jesus who was right there all the time. Accepting that I was a sinner in need of a savior seemed too simple. Besides, I had went to church all my life and that didn’t seem to help!

When I finally gave up and held out my hands to Jesus, it was like the cataracts fell from my eyes just like they did from Paul’s (Acts 9). For the first time in my life I saw Jesus right there in front of me and now I live to have that kind of relationship with Him every day. I wake up and look expectantly for Jesus in each day. It is a good reason to celebrate every day.

Can You See the Lamb written and sung by Lindell Cooley

 

 

 

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I Need You, LORD

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus said to his disciples: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of what I have said to you. 4 Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. 5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.”                      John 15:1-5 (CEV)

I need Jesus every minute of every day.

  • I needed His strength to get out of bed this morning.
  • I asked Jesus to direct me in what He wanted me to do today.
  • I asked Him to guard my mouth that I would only eat what was good for me today and no un-lovely words would come out of it.
  • I found out a cousin died today and when my heart broke with sadness, I asked God to comfort her family today and in the days and weeks ahead. I also remembered some good times when I was a child that I had not thought about in many years.
  • The simple meals we had today were good tasting I think because we asked God’s blessings and thanked Him for His provision.
  • I had several decisions today that it was good to take just one minute to ask God for His wisdom. The answers have a peace that no matter the outcome, we invited God to direct and so there is an assurance that we are not alone.
  • I thought of my family who are far away and it was a comfort to ask God, who was right there with them, to bless them with whatever they needed and draw them closer to Him.
  • And when I laid down to sleep, any worries or burdens from the day are turned over to Him. It makes sleep much more restful!

When I embrace the truth of how much I need my LORD, I begin to see Him in the tiny moments of my life the way I used to see Him in the mega-moments. And praise comes more readily to my lips. Does this mean that my life becomes this Utopia here on earth? Hardly. But even in the difficult moments (or weeks!) I can know that I am still connected to His vine and know His peace that is like nothing I have ever known. I can begin to understand how Paul wrote that he rejoiced in his weaknesses because it was in those terribly weak times that he realized just how God showed just how very strong He is (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

I Need Thee Every Hour written by Annie S. Hawks & Robert Lowry, sung by Sam Robson

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The War Has Been Won

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!”       John 3:16-17 (CEV)

The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done
by unknown author, 1695, translated by Francis Pott, 1832-1909

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the Victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Death’s mightiest powers have done their worst,
And Jesus hath His foes dispersed;
Let shouts of praise and joy outburst.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

On the third morn He rose again
Glorious in majesty to reign;
Oh, let us swell the joyful strain!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

He closed the yawning gates of hell;
The bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let songs of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee.
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

My friend BeckyLynn continues on her journey toward heaven as I am writing this. Yesterday she wrote of her Final Battle and how the enemy, Satan, has tried to send nightmares and other lies to undermine her in attempt to dissuade her that all her sins are forgiven and she will enter into God’s glory very soon. This disgusting bottom-dwelling-scum-eater Satan would also make me forget the truth and desire to punch and stomp on him for attacking this beautiful child of God. And then I remember The Truths of God – and I smile.

We are children of Yahweh. Jesus said, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.” Luke 8:21 (NLT) I am not a stepchild or grandchild of God. I am His child. I am a sister of Jesus Christ. And that makes Satan crazy! He has been thrown out of God’s Kingdom. He has no standing. He will never be reinstated or readmitted. I was bought with the ultimate price. There is no greater price that God could pay. There is nothing more to be paid. The perfect sacrifice is done and I have chosen Jesus who told me that I can never be taken out of the Father’s hand (John 10:28-30).

We battle, not like the world, but like spiritual warriors in a spiritual combat. The name of Jesus alone is so powerful that all, everyone and everything, must bow down. No exceptions. The Good News of my salvation is made to protect my mind from the lies of Satan. The righteousness of Jesus is like a breastplate over my heart. The truth of God is a belt that holds all that I know together. My relationship with Jesus are the shoes of peace that I walk in through all of this life’s rocky paths. God’s Word is a sword that I swing away like a skilled slugger to shut up Satan’s twisted lies. And God’s gift of faith is the shield that surrounds me every day. Like a well-trained soldier, I must workout every day in study, prayer and worship so I am spiritually fit for whatever battleground I must walk.

This may be Saturday but Sunday morning is coming. I have always had a wonderful video in my mind of Satan and his minions having a great festival and feast that began on Friday night as Jesus laid in the tomb. It continued with its revelry and debauchery throughout Saturday as they shouted and told their stories of how Jesus went on His last journey meekly, said little, and even forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. Oh how they laughed and made fun of our LORD. In the wee hours of Sunday morning, just as the sky begins to lighten, it’s quiet now in Satan’s banquet hall. Everyone is snoring as they sleep off their drunken hours. Satan slumps on a soft, satin-covered couch. And then there is a barely perceptible rumble. Then a little stronger shake and a goblet falls over, spilling its contents. Satan sits straight up with a wild-eye look around the cave. “No. It can’t be!” he whispers. And the whole place begins to shake and break apart. “NO! NO! This isn’t FAIR!”

Wherever I am, and whatever is going on in my life, it may seem dark like it was on Saturday night – but Sunday is coming! All through Scripture up to and including Revelation 20:13-15 where it describes death and Hades thrown into the lake of fire, the second death, I know that I know who wins the war! I know that I am in the Army of God on the winning side! And that is what makes Satan so crazy because he knows his time is running out.

“Do not be afraid, little flock,” Jesus said, “because the Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.”       Luke 21:32

Now take a few minutes and read or sing along with the choir. ALLELUIA!

The Strife is O’er sung by The King’s College Choir, Cambridge, England 2011

 

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Faith Requirements

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus said to his disciples:

There will always be something that causes people to sin. But anyone who causes them to sin is in for trouble. A person who causes even one of my little followers to sin 2 would be better off thrown into the ocean with a heavy stone tied around their neck. 3 So be careful what you do.

Correct any followers of mine who sin, and forgive the ones who say they are sorry.4 Even if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, “I am sorry,” you should still forgive that person.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith stronger!”               Luke 17:1-5 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10

The gospel passage of the lectionary texts this week begins with verse 5 but leaves out the context, the reason that the disciples asked for God to make their faith stronger. I’m sure there will be many sermons preached this week about how strong faith will move mulberry bushes and mountains but if we look at Acts and the pastoral letters we find that it wasn’t mountains but hearts for which the disciples needed great faith.

“Correct and forgive” without conditions is what Jesus said that caused the disciples to doubt the amount of their faith. And it is that unconditional love and forgiveness, grace and mercy, that trips me up also.

God does not lower His standard when it comes to what is sin and what is not and too often I see that part of the equation quite readily. I do not sin by accident. I know right from wrong. And as Jesus pointed out (Matthew 7:2-4), I see the speck of sinful sawdust in my friend’s eye quite easily compared to the 2 x 4 that is sticking out of my eye. Both are in need of correction but God always corrects with love and restoration. It is His desire that correction is followed by the encouragement that I have been forgiven and receive all that I need to move forward. That is a mountain that is moved off my shoulders! And as a disciple of Jesus, I am to go and do the same. Help my neighbor up and dust them off and point to the Father who forgives without hesitation and be the hands and feet that bring God’s love and mercy to them.

Psalm 137 could be a modern day country song: “By the streams of the Mississippi River we sit and weep as we remember how our country used to be.” (and then my husband left me and my dog died… I’m sorry I couldn’t resist singing the rest of the song!) I can certainly sing a sad song but then I remember the words of Jesus again: “All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed, Jody. No bigger than that period you typed in.” All things are possible with our LORD.

2 Timothy 1 reminds me *of the faith that I have seen in those who have gone before me. My mother who lived through the depression and dustbowl storms of the Midwest. My grandparents who fought in WWI, the “war to end all wars.” And my great-grandparents who came as frightened young children from Europe on a ship to find a new life with new possibilities. Faith that was certainly no bigger than a mustard seed gave them the strength to hold on and believe that God would bring them through fear, famine, and wars.

That tiny bit of faith that I have isn’t about moving Mt. McKinley. It’s about moving my heart into compassion, just like Jesus. It is about forgiving and loving when I cannot do it within myself but with that tiny faith in Jesus Christ, He can move my heart.

How Great is Our God written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, & Ed Cash, sung by Darlene Zschech

 

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Today the 27th = Proverbs 27

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[Scripture is from the CEV]

Don’t brag about tomorrow!
Each day brings its own surprises.
2 Don’t brag about yourself — let others praise you.            Verses 1-2

An angry person is dangerous, but a jealous person is even worse.

5 A truly good friend will openly correct you.
6 You can trust a friend who corrects you,
but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies.              Verses 4-6

When you are far from home, you feel like a bird without a nest.
9 The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good,
but true friendship is better still.             Verses 8-9

Be cautious and hide when you see danger—
don’t be stupid and walk right into trouble.       Verse 12

The steady dripping of rain and the nagging of a wife are one and the same.
16 It’s easier to catch the wind or hold olive oil in your hand than to stop a nagging wife.

17 Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.          Verses 15-17

I have often written that one of the Bible study exercises that I do is to read the Proverbs chapter that corresponds with the day of the month it happens to be. This has been a wonderful way to study especially when I have been traveling and do not want to add my study books to the bulging weight of my luggage. With a Bible version on my phone or Kindle/Nook, I have all that I need to spend time listening to what Jesus wants to teach me today.

It’s good to dig in and spend time reading a chapter in the Bible and then pull a concordance and follow some related texts and then Google 2-3 commentaries and see what others have said on the chapter. And pull it all together with prayer and meditation on the verses that I originally read. But, frankly, most days I think God wants me to just read like I did today, identify verses that are straightforward teaching and consider how I am doing at applying His commands in my day-to-day, real life. Most days I can say without hesitation, “Yes, LORD, I need to work a bit more on that!”

God did not make His commands and precepts convoluted or obscure. He is a perfect parent who sets the rules of His home in basic declarative sentences. God wants me to succeed; He doesn’t try to make my life difficult and set me up to fail!

So today I am looking at these 11 verses and pasting them into my life. I am going to keep it simple and real and sit at the Teacher’s feet and listen to how I can live my life more fully obedient and glorify Him in every step.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus, author unknown, sung by Bill Gaither Vocal Band

 

 

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Believers May Weep

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.               Psalm 30:5 (HCSB)

I am weary from my groaning; with my tears I dampen my pillow and drench my bed every night.               Psalm 6:6 (HCSB)

I have written before about weeping and mourning as seen in Jesus’ life and so as His disciples we, too, weep and mourn. I am writing about it again today because I wept last night when I received an email from a friend who said his beloved wife, who has fought the good fight and run her given race well, was ready to go Home and asked that we pray that God would take her quickly. I prayed that prayer and also asked God to comfort her husband and her parents and children and grandchildren as they let go of her hand so that she may give both of hers to Christ. Her chain of grace is long and winds through many countries as she was a beacon of God’s Light to the world. I will miss her testimonies and proclamations to fulfill our God-given calls to “go into all the world.”

Weeping can be an act of releasing emotions that would otherwise fester and infect my heart and spirit. It can wash my spirit of anger, frustration, despair, confusion and ungodly sadness. By ungodly sadness I mean sadness that I clutch and hold on to like a mask to hide my real face. Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He saw the generations who had continued to reject God’s messengers and even His own Son. I see this as Jesus releasing His human emotions into the hands of the Father, acknowledging that the Father would keep His promises and continue to call His children home.

Weeping can also be a release of joy when God has manifest Himself so wonderfully that my spirit cannot contain my reaction and words fail me. I have wept as I looked out over Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains and a single flower opening in spring. I have wept as I looked into the face of each of my children and grandchildren for the first time. And I wept as I watched my son open his eyes and smile as he drew his last breath on earth and saw – something or Someone.

I may drench my pillow with tears as I struggle in the pain of this world but because of God’s promises, including His perfect promise in Jesus Christ, the night of tears always gives way to a day of joy. So if you are crying out to God with tears of sadness, do not stop your prayer (conversation) with God until He shows you the joy of His promises. Like Jacob of the Old Testament, do not let go of God until He blesses you (Genesis 32:25-27).

Agnus Dei written and sung by Michael W. Smith

 

 

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A Bit of Wisdom

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

When you and someone else can’t get along, don’t gossip about it. 
10 Others will find out, and your reputation will then be ruined.

11 The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver.
12 Listening to good advice is worth much more than jewelry made of gold.       Proverbs 25:9-12 (CEV)

Some days (or nights) I do not spend time reading a chapter or two in Scripture. I may have a cold or my arthritis is especially bad. Or I just may be exhausted from the rigors of the day. When that happens, turning to Proverbs and the chapter that corresponds with the day (it’s the 25th of the month so I go to Chapter 25) is a wonderful way to look at a bit of wisdom from God and mull it over as I relax and go to sleep. I often wake up with a new perspective on life.

James wrote in his letter to the church that if I needed wisdom to simply ask for it and God would give whatever measure I needed – do not doubt that He will (James 1:5-6)!

So today is one of those days when I turned to Proverbs and was given a bit of wisdom. God’s wisdom is like a pinch of salt or pepper or garlic. It goes a long way to flavor every facet of my life.

Thank You, LORD, for Your faithfulness and great love. Even now, Your bit of wisdom is covering my life. I can’t wait to hear more from You! May I have ears to hear and a heart to receive!

In the Secret written and sung by Andy Park

 

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Who is My Enemy?

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

You will help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling;
5 you will punish my enemies for their evil deeds.
Be my faithful friend and destroy them.

6 I will bring a gift and offer a sacrifice to you, Lord.
I will praise your name because you are good.
7 You have rescued me from all of my troubles,
and my own eyes have seen my enemies fall.                      Psalm 56:4-7 (CEV)

There is evil in this world. I have made a choice to be a disciple, a follower, of Jesus Christ. So what leads me away from Jesus is my enemy. Do I have eyes to see who and what that is?

Myself. I have to take some ownership here of poor decisions that I make without any help from Satan or anyone else in my life. There are times that I just plain “want what I want” and refuse to listen to wisdom. I surely can be “my own worse enemy.”

How do I combat that? Grow up! Learn from my mistakes. Realize that I always have a choice. Hoping for a different outcome in a situation that I have been in before and yet make the same choices is just – dumb! I will make mistakes but how about some new mistakes?! I will fall into sin but let me not keep repeating and repeating the same sin!

Satan and his buddies. This life, this world, is Satan’s playground and he just loves to wind me up and drag me into his pot holes. He likes getting me off away from the influence of other Believers and distract me from spending time with my Heavenly Father. He wants to drown out the voice of God with his many and varied voices. He will take a truth and just twist it a bit to deceive me. Remember how he went after Jesus in the desert? He quoted Scripture to Jesus! He took a passage and just twisted it a bit to make it wrong and he does the same to me! He tries to distract and get me to swerve off God’s path.

It is so important that I heed the warnings to stay with the fellowship of Believers in Jesus Christ and not try to navigate my life like a Lone Ranger. Every day I must put on my armor of God and enter into my day prepared to recognize and defeat the enemy at his games.

As I spend time with Jesus I see the faithfulness and power of God. Like David against Goliath, the victory comes because I know and believe in the power of God; I’ve seen it in my own life.

Jesus told them:

I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.19 I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you.20 But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!                          Luke 10:18-20 (CEV)

And so I will walk each day with confidence because of Who is my LORD, my loving Father. I choose this day to serve Him (Joshua 24:15). Satan is defeated before he even begins because of who I pledge my allegiance to. My flesh has no power because in the weakness of my flesh, I ask Jesus to be my strength. My enemies are defeated because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in this world.

I am a Friend of God written and sung by Israel Houghton

 

 

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The Bottom Line

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.                1 Timothy 6:6-19 (NIV)

Lectionary texts: Jeremiah 32:1-15, Psalm 91, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31

The texts this week could be summed up for me in the well-known verses of Proverbs 3 that say I should trust God and not my own understanding. Good words. Wise words. But when this life is kicking me in the ribs and kidneys and I am finding it hard to raise my hands in praise, I reach back and just cling to three simple principles that, above all else, I know to be true. These three points have been stated over and over and over and over throughout Scripture from beginning to end.

God loves me. Before anyone knew I existed, God knew and loved me with the love of a perfect Father. Because His love is perfect, He doesn’t give me everything that I ask for. He gives me what I need and what is best for me.

I love God. Through good and bad, joy and the darkest of days and nights, my love for God is there. I no longer pout and slam shut the door to my life like a petulant child but pull out a chair and call God to come and talk to me like an adult. I want our relationship to work so that means I have to put in the time and effort to make it work. God is always there before me showing me how to communicate and love.

God is all about His Kingdom. The first two points about love lead to the third point about the eternal plan to be together for all eternity. It’s about family taking care of each other and welcoming each other home.

The Scripture today, like any other passage, can reveal layers upon layers of “good stuff” but all points lead back to God’s great love and plan for His children. Joshua said, “Choose who you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said, “Abide in me” (John 15:4). Paul said, “Three will remain: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Jesus is coming back for His Bride. Am I ready in my beautiful gown? Will I be surrounded by a long Chain of Grace, people who have joined hands with me to meet our Bridegroom?

Whether this week is filled with blessings or days in a difficult journey or some of both, let us keep these simple principles in front of us and allow God’s Spirit to grow their roots of faith deep and strong.

The Anchor Holds written by Lawrence Chewning and sung by Ray Boltz

 

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Make A Change

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love;
according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.
2 Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight.
So You are right when You pass sentence;
You are blameless when You judge.
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

6 Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9 Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

18 In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on Your altar.                                       Psalm 51 (HCSB)

In my prayers I have often cried out to God to change my circumstances. And yet, I continue to live my life the same. It is said that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and yet expecting different results.” If I am expecting God to make a change in my circumstances, then I need to have an open heart and spirit to receive the change!

I must be willing to take responsibility, ownership, of past choices. I need to bow my head and ask forgiveness for not listening in the past and going my own way instead of listening to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

“Create in me a new and clear heart, God. I let go of my old, prideful heart and accept the heart that You desire to transplant into me. A heart that is humble and willing to follow You, and only You, LORD. Then I can lead others to You, LORD. This is a holy and worthy sacrifice of praise to You.”

I Give You my Heart written by Reuben Morgan, sung by Holly Dawson (Hillsong)

 

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