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King David's prayer for the Lord's favor and blessing in Psalm 17:1-9 is beautiful and rich:
David's prayer is very telling of a heart that
1) desires to live in right standing with the Lord, 2) invites the Lord's correcting gaze, yet 3) boldly comes before the Lord asking for His favor and blessing. We can gather from this that blessings cannot come down if we are not willing to be rid of the things that dirty us. Repentance is not a popular topic, however the Lord delights in those who come to Him with their sin. He looks lovingly upon those who lay their troubles and tainted lives at His feet. Inevitably, unrepentance blocks blessings. Most assuredly, repentance restores right standing. And fountains of favor will flow when our filth flees. Turn to Him and seek His face so times of refreshing may come to you. (Acts 3:19) A Prayer for Favor and Blessing (written to pray for yourself) Lord, I confess that I often do things on my own power, for my own glory and in my own will. Change that for me, Lord. Realign me with Your perfect will. Give me a repentant and humble heart willing to walk in Your ways. Do not let me settle into self-glorifying mindsets, attitudes and habits. Father, bind up my brokenness and restore me to You. Release me from any darkness and bring me into the light of Your wisdom and favor. Anoint me with Your oil of joy and refresh me in You. Crown me with Your beauty so I may walk free from the ashes of this world. Clothe me in Your garments of praise so I may be lifted from despair. From the crushing and pressing things of life, bring new growth, fresh purpose, and restored power. Make me like an oak of righteousness, deeply rooted in Your love, planted by You and for the display of Your splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3). Father, my desire is to live within Your love. I am desperate for Your touch. Wrap all of me in all of You. Bless me and keep me in Your perfect care. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Kaylene Yoder Author & Writer at KayleneYoder.com
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Ox Strong Women”, “No one could possibly be the same after the “Derecho/Covid Season.” Do you think you are better or bitter from what you’ve gone through?
Let me draw you back to the story of Adam and Eve. Eve used to have the best part of every day be her walk with God. Well, that was until she took her eyes off “pursuit of God” and on to living for today. Like Eve, do you feel like God is withholding good from you? Is your focus on “loss”, or “pursuit of God”? It’s through the hard times that we can reflect the image of God.
The Sh’ma Yisrael from Deuteronomy 6:4,5
Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. In Mark 12:28-30 our Lord called this the greatest commandment. Like many of you, I have spent much of my life working behind the scenes to help my husband and children live a full & happy life. Sometimes gratitude was expressed, sometimes not. Looking back on those years, my heart is filled with the love that motivated me. Even though they had no idea how deep the love was or how much time I spent thinking about and planning how to bless them in some small way. We are told to love God in a way that is all consuming. With everything we have. This love for Him is to motivate everything. And He sees every act of love for Him, every decision we make for Him, every sacrifice we make, every song we sing to Him, every prayer we pray. He knows it all. He really does. What you do may be hidden from your family, but not from God. And what we do for the least of these, we do for Him. May our Father who sees what is done in secret encourage each of you in this season. He sees you. Gloria Doty Dear Ox Strong Ladies,
I sat down and wrote some of my thoughts to you for these times. Then I was reminded of how encouraging Psalm 46 is in the Passion translation. The Passion Bible was written by a Wycliffe bible translator from Witchita, Kansas. May God use these words to encourage you! Paula God on Our Side 46 For the Pure and Shining One, by the prophetic singers of Korah’s clan A poetic song to the melody of “Hidden Things” 1 God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble-- more than enough and always available whenever I need you. 2 So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. 3 For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you. Pause in his presence 4 God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places. 5 God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. 6 When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. 7 Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence 8–9 Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For he brings both ruin and revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war. 10 Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. 11 Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence Song: Follow link to Whom Shall I Fear (The God of Angel Armies) By Chris Tomlin 2 Corinthians 1:8-11a For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer... This scripture absolutely blows my mind. The great Apostle Paul who had a life-changing encounter with the risen, glorified Jesus, who had the transcendent experience of visiting the third heaven, here describes a time that he was brought to the brink of despair. He speaks of being so utterly burdened beyond his strength that he despaired of life itself.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever looked down and your toes were on the edge of the pit of despair, of giving up, of throwing in the towel? I have, and I find it comforting that Paul, a man of great faith, experienced these feelings. He also gives us some insight into how to persevere through difficult times. 1. Remember, our God can raise the dead. Our own effort to deal with things is pretty puny compared to that. 2. Our God is a deliverer. Remember the times He has delivered you and trust that He will do it again. 3. Ask for prayer support. As a word of personal testimony, it is during times of despair that I have had the most amazing encounters with God. He meets us there and peels our toes off the brink. Gloria Doty (641) 990-2739 Psalms 73:25 has become my life verse. "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever," This is the verse I prayed before marriage, asking Him not to send the man until I could make God my portion. God sent manna to the children of Israel to meet their daily needs--a portion for each's sustenance--everything needed for that day. He has always meant to be our "portion" for the day--what we need to thrive, not just survive. Remember it can't be anything or anyone else. I would be so glad to join you in prayer, if you are comfortable in sharing. Our men were not meant to meet all our needs, and neither can a friend. He alone is to be our portion.
Prayer thoughts for our men from Philippians 1:9-11.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. V9, Guide my husband's heart. May he love what you love and hate what you hate. V10, Guard my husband's integrity. For generations to come, may he be remembered as a man who walked with God. V11, Grant fruitfulness in my husband's life. May God's kingdom grow in and through him during his time on the earth. |
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January 2021
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