Living Waters Prayer Point Day Five: Friday July 27, 2012

Hosea 10: 12  NLT
I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
    and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
    for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
    and shower righteousness upon you.’


God plead with Israel to turn from their wayward path and to come back to Him.  He promised as they did so He would rain upon them with showers of righteousness.  This year has been a dry year.  The grass has been brown and the rains few and far between which have led to bans on water usage and burning .  Last night and today were different though as a nice steady rain has showered our region with needed precipitation.  The rain caused some roofs to leak and puddles to walk through, but the benefits for our dry land out weigh side effects.  

God tells us to plant seeds of righteousness and we will receive a harvest.  Israel had turned from the ways of God so they were hardened toward the things of God.   The Lord advised, "plow up the hard ground of your hearts" and seek the Lord.  Sometimes we don't even realize we have hardened ourselves about something for which God is trying to get our attention.  Sometimes we find we've compromised and have gotten to the place where we don't recognize it.  As we desire revival for our church and our homes our prayer needs to reflect that we need the Lord in every part of our life.  We need Him to show us the areas that we have allowed ourselves to become blind to, the areas we've gotten hardened to.  

Seeking the Lord is something that we all can engage in actively and in so doing we become receptive to God's prodding concerning our life.  We become aware of seeds of righteousness and compromise.  We can see God's blessing.

I used to love sitting on the porch with my father during a rain storm.  I listened to the rain on the roof, and smelled the freshness of the water in the air.  It seemed to wash over me and minister peace to my spirit.  God's Spirit is like that too.  When we rest in Him, when we seek His face, He shines upon us.   He brings us righteousness and changers our life course. His rain brings godly change and peace.


Seek Him today, Let Jesus deal with your heart and your issues,

Living Waters Prayer Point Day 4: Thursday July 26,2012

<sup>This week a major cult group made their yearly rounds in our neighborhood.  Though they don't know the Lord and their doctrine leads people astray,  it struck me that they are at least very diligent to preach their gospel.  I've read books about how those in satanism and witchcraft regularly pray (not to God) against ministers of the gospel and their families.  I wonder if we can be diligent to pray for our leaders.  Listen to this verse.


Hebrews 13:7-19  NIV
17</sup> Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.¹⁸ Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

Some worry about this verse.  We've all heard about misuse of power and authority...or about doctrinal error creeping in to the picture.  Yet the truth here is evident.  God desires that we know our leaders and have confidence in their calling and love.  Even harder for some is the exhortation to submit to the authority of your Pastor.  We want to do our own thing and we'd rather think of our Pastor simply as a friend rather than a person of authority.  Yet God tells us through His word we should honor and be willing to obey our leaders in matters of the church.  That doesn't mean we don't have a voice, but it does mean that we lay our pride down and submit even when we'd rather have our own way.  Maybe we are asked to step down from ministry for awhile, maybe someone else gets the position in church we wanted, maybe we are asked to do a chore that we'd rather not have to do temporarily to help out in a time of need, maybe our suggestion is heard but not taken at the moment because the Pastor feels led of the Holy Spirit in a different way,  maybe we are corrected in someway.  I'm not talking about an abusive use of power or doctrinal error, but simply a willingness to  yield to the authority God has placed.  How we respond in these situations is key to our character development and shows our maturity.  Do we get angry and grumble, do we gossip and declare that Pastor is not spiritual, or do we pray and yield?  


Father, I pray for (LWF..Pastor John or place your Pastors Name here) and his wife (Sis Ruth or place your pastors wife's name here). I pray for my Pastor and his family.  I know their are many pressures that come upon a pastors family.  Give direction about what course to take and help him yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit in all things.  Refresh his spirit and shake off the dust of discouragement.  Bless financially so that he and his family can give their full attention to ministry.  Draw him close to Your heart so He can hear Your voice clearly.  Help me to make his job a joy as I yield to the Holy Spirit and also to my Pastor in areas where he is called to help me. 

Living Waters Prayer Point Day 3: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

 Living in His presence....the house of God


Psalm 27 is an amazing chapter that gives hope to the reader and encourages trust in God.  The portion we will look at today talks about the thing David most sought after from the Lord. 

Psalm 27:4 NLT

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.

The house of God David referred to was the literal temple in Jerusalem.  The presence of God abided there especially in the Holy of Holies.  I know that this verse can be looked at in two ways.  The New Testament teaches us that we are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit abides in us.  We are able to come through prayer and praise right into the throne room of God.  Also the verse reminds us that there is something special about the house of God where God has placed us.  When God's people prepare their hearts and have a loyal heart toward their local house God can do wonderful things. 


King David knew that the presence of God had to be premium in his life if he was to fulfill his true destiny. His also knew that God's presence doesn't come without a person seeking it.  Many folks today desire God's presence and that is a good thing, but we have to remember there is a price to that presence.  God doesn't play favorites, but there are people who take the initiative to spend time with Him who experience His presence and His power.  Believe me our Lord knows your schedule.  He knows your work schedule and family obligations.  You may not feel as if you have a lot of time to give, but when you purpose to spend some quality time with Him He will bless you.  At present I work a secular job along with ministry and it really tires me out....but in it God has given me a time at work where I can spend time with him and still fulfill my obligation to work.  He will make a way for you too.  You don't have to be like someone else...God will draw you to Himself. 

Living Waters Prayer Point Day 2: Tuesday July 24,2012

Recently I've read a series of verses that talk about things God delights in concerning His people.  It is exciting.  Let's talk a look at a few of these verses and see how we can be a people in whom God delights.

Proverbs 11:20   New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁰ The Lord detests people with crooked hearts,  but he delights in those with integrity.

No one can say that they are perfect so don't be discouraged. We can be assured that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.  If we will yield ourselves to Him He will work godly character in our lives.  Integrity is willingness to do the right thing even when it hurts.  It doesn't put on a face for show, but rather is steady and true in all situations.  Integrity, like the fruit of the Spirit, grows by exercise.  When we choose integrity we grow in the Lord.  Is there an area that the Lord is dealing with you about right now?  It is not always easy to do the right thing, but the Word tells us God delights in us when we walk uprightly.  

Proverbs 12:22 NLT
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight

Dealing in truth is a discipline that reaps good rewards.   Who among us hasn't been tempted as children to lie to our parents to get out of getting into trouble or to tell what is considered a little white lie to save us a little pressure.   God delights when we are people of truth in spite of difficulty as as a result.  God delights in us when we are people of our word.  

Father, we thank You that You are able to help us please You in all things.  When we think we can't accomplish Your will we know that Holy Spirit will help us as we yield to Him.  We desire to be a people of integrity....a church of integrity and truthful in all things.  When things are tough, when it is hard to do the right thing we want to rise up and please You by doing what is right in Your eyes.  We know that Your Words and Your ways are always the best for us and for those who we minister too.  In Jesus Wonderful Name we pray.  Amen.

Living Waters Prayer Point Day One : Monday, July 23, 2012

New Living Translation (©2007)
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Sometimes when we look at our circumstances we can't imagine that God really has a plan for us.  Things may look dismal or just plan normal.  Frustration may try to set in as we read this promise from God's Word.  God's people were going through a time of dryness because many had rejected Him, yet He was drawing them back and assured them that He thought good thougths about them every day. 

God is drawing our church to Him at this time too.  We've went through many things in the last little while.  Yet God has promised a year of Restoration.  We felt His presence today as we worshiped and as God spoke His encouragment to our souls. 

Let God comfort you, Let him whisper His promise and purpose in your ear in worship, and rest in His hope. Speak His Word over your life and over Living Waters Fellowship.

New Living Translation (©2007)
For I know the plans I have for you,"  (insert your name and Living Waters Fellowship of Watertown, NY )says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Nehemiah: Leadership Principles

I hope you've enjoyed reading the book of Nehemiah along with me over the past several days. I know I've gleaned many new things that I'm still mulling around. We all are leaders in some capacity or another so reading the book of Nehemiah can give us some godly principles to use in our daily life. Here are a few that I saw.

Seeing God's Heart
Nehemiah's heart was touched when his brother brought news of what was happening in Jerusalem.  He  was in the palace with an influential position.  He could have let the conversation go or simply prayed a quick prayer that God would help, but instead his concern became a desire for action.  He allowed himselfl to see God's heart concerning the danger Jerusalem faced without a wall of protection, and began to pray for the favor of God to go to  Jerusalem and make a difference.  If we are going to do anything for God we have to allow Him to share His dream with us and desire to see it come to past. 

His Life of Prayer
Throughout the book of Nehemiah we see Nehemiah praying to God for help and wisdom.  His first prayer was to ask God for favor with the king and to be allowed to go to Jerusalem and work on the wall.   "Strengthen my hands" was a prayer he prayed when he realized his enemies wanted him to give up the  task. He also asked God to remember those things he did for the people.  Each step of the way we see Nehemiah praying.  Some folks thought Nehemiah's prayers to be bold and brash, but if one is going to do something to change the world they must know who they are in Christ and be willing to seek God at every turn.

Steadfastness
Nehemiah would not come down off the wall despite all the distractions that the enemy sent his way. The book of Nehemiah is a roller coaster ride of a book.  Just when it seems like one crisis is contained Nehemiah is having to put out another fire with enemies, supposed loyal officials, false accusations and even physical threats and attacks.  He had to build moral among the workers, assign protection details, and stay steady while a steady stream of voices made it seem he should come make a deal.  Anyone who desires to be a successful leader will have to develop similar tenacity in times of trial.  People who desire to make a difference cannot be moved because some obstacles come their way.  Prayer and steadfastness go hand in hand.  Do you fall apart at the first sign of trouble?  Steadfastness is learned project by project trusting God each time more and more.

Righteousness
Nehemiah was a voice of right and wrong. Some that read the book may cringe at his insistence on right living before God.  He told the people that they should not marry folks that were foreigners and served other God's. He was adamant about not allowing the Sabbath to be profaned.  He invited Ezra and the scribes to read the Word of the Lord aloud to the people so that they would know what was right and wrong.   He wasn't afraid to rock the status quo.and speak up even when the offenders were the rich and powerful.   Godly leaders have to keep themselves pure and also be wiling to speak. 

 

Nehemiah 13: Keep bad influences out

The first verse talks about not allowing Moabites into the congregation. My first thought is the book of Ruth which tells of King Davids Great-Grandmother who was a Moabite who was better to her mother in law than ten sons and through her linage both King David and the Messiah were born. The difference being Ruth accepted the Lord leaving behind idol worship. This chapter talks about how Nehemiah had to re-establish proper influence and behavior in Judah. Wrong influences can lead us down a wrong path. We are to guard a path being careful what influences we allow in our life. There is a delicate balance between ministry and allowing bad influences. The High Priest Eliashib was closely aligned with Tobiah who had fought against the building of the wall. He had even given Tobiah rooms in the storehouse rooms of the temple and caused defilement. It is hard to believe that someone who was suppose to safe guard the house of God would instead cause it to be in jeopardy. The high priest was too blinded by his connection to Tobiah to see the damage being done to his people. He also had allowed his son to marry Sanballat the Horonite's daughter. The very people who hated that God's people were succeeding. When we connect with people who do not serve the Lord we run the risk of falling away from God just as King Solomon did when he married many foreign women. Perhaps we think we can handle it, but it the end it causes us to fall away.