First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Confession time. I fall short in this area, I struggle with it a lot. I mean, on a good day I might be able to make supplications for the politicians, but thanksgivings?  That’s really tough.

And, God doesn’t stop there.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

I don’t do well in that area either.  Sometimes I have a hard time loving the people I love and praying for my friends much less my enemies. (I’m just being honest here).

As I think about what these commands (yes, I said commands) mean and how I can obey them, I’m reminded of Jesus’ dying words and I am ashamed.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:34)

For they know not what they do.  Those without Christ are blind to the truth, they can only do what is right in their own eyes.  If anyone needs our prayers, it is them.

Will you join me in this prayer?  “Lord, help me to pray for those, who in Your wisdom, You have put in authority over me, so that, as Your word says, we can live in peace.  And help me to love and pray for my enemies, so that You will be glorified.”

Sandra

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Let’s not kid ourselves.  There is nothing good in us other than what we receive from the Lord.  We are simply clay pots –

•breakable  •disposable  •replaceable

But, when the Lord fills us up with the treasure of His word, with the joy of our salvation, and the beauty of His love, we become a precious thing.  We become valuable and cherished.

Clay pots that God has filled with treasure.

• A light in the darkness.
  • The glory of Christ.
    • A worthy vessel of the Holy Spirit.

How lovely is that?

Sandra

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We fix our hair and put on our make-up.  Every morning its the same – we begin our day with our beauty make-over.  Creams to plump out the wrinkles, little bottles of color to hide the gray, shades of bronze and tan and rose to make us glow.  We apply our potions, look in the mirror and think to ourselves – “hmmm, I look good!”.  But then, come around 6:00ish in the evening, we come dragging in, not looking quite so fresh.  That’s the thing about our own beauty efforts, the results are only temporary.  Even the best of beauty products can only hide the imperfections, and eventually, it all fades away.

Here is the best part.  When Christ comes into our lives as our Lord and Savior, He doesn’t change us.  I repeat…

Jesus does not change us.

Unlike our make-up, He doesn’t just make us look and feel and act different – He makes us a brand new creation! He doesn’t cover our past sins, He eradicates them – every one of them.

Remember the words from Psalms 103:12? “as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”

If you find yourself living in the shadows of your past, if you keep going back to God, rehashing those old failures from days gone by, stop it.  You are wasting your time.

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,    and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12

Sandra

A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Psalms 40:1)

Who among us can pray this Psalm to the LORD?

When you carry your burden to Him, do you wait patiently, or do you fret, question or even doubt?  How often have you taken it to the altar and laid it down only to pick it up again?

Take heart.  Even when your patience (faith) fails, the Lord hears your cries, He delivers you from confusion and gives you peace.  Can you even number the times He has lifted you up and shown Himself to you?  Can you begin to count the times He has delivered you from your enemies?

Look again at the Psalm – the Lord doesn’t just wait for our prayers to come to Him, HE INCLINES toward us!  He doesn’t merely listen when we speak, He bends down, He stretches toward us to hear even our silent cries.

When doubts come, pause and pray.  Remember His promises, His faithfulness, His goodness. Wait patiently on the LORD.

Sandra