Lord, Let Me Daily Search Your Word!

Amos 8:12
People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.

Lord, I love your word! I love my daily word search! I love that you speak to me daily from your word. Lord, there is a whole world of people out there searching for you but they never find you because they are staggering around looking in all the wrong places. Please use me to guide them in the right direction. Use me to send them to your word! In Jesus' name, amen. <3

We Can't Manipulate God!

1 Samuel 6:1-3 The Ark of the Lord remained in the Philistine territory seven months in all. Then the Philistines called in their priests and diviners and asked them, "What should we do about the Ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its own country." 
"Send the Ark of the God of Israel back with a gift," they were told. "Send a guilt offering so the plague will stop. Then, if you are healed, you will know it was his hand that caused the plague."

Lord, just like these Philistines, so many unbelievers seem to think they can bargain or bribe you to get into heaven. They totally miss that all they need is a broken and repentant heart.

Psalm 51:16-17
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Lord, I pray that you would grant many unbelievers this broken and repentant heart this weekend as they attend Easter services at different churches. I know that you are the only one who can give this kind of repentance. I pray that there will be many, many new believers this weekend. In Jesus' name, amen. <3

God Is Not In The Ark

1 Samuel 4:22 Then she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured."

Lord, these people thought that since the Ark had been captured then you were no longer with Israel. But we cannot put you into a box! Not even the Ark! As long as there is even a tiny bit of faith you are there. You have promised never to leave or forsake us.

Lord, please forgive me for trying to put you into a box and expect you to do things the way I think they should be done. After all, you are the original out of the box thinker! Please teach me to think and pray out of the box.

Help me to remember that just because I am not seeing e-mails or getting calls for interviews doesn't mean that you are not preparing the perfect job for me. Help me to trust in YOU! Don't let me listen to my fears and insecurities. In Jesus' name, amen. <3

My Deception Factory

1 Samuel 2:22
Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

Lord, I pray that you will forgive me for not taking any real actin for my kids not doing school. I need YOU to empower me in this area. Please show me what to do. For far too long I have been ineffectual in my role as teacher. Lord, help me to change that, please.

I think I've been listening to the wrong voices when it comes to this. I've been allowing them to tell me that there isn't much left for the kids to learn at this point. What a lie!!

Lord, it's crazy how deceptive my own heart can be! I'm so glad that I have you to show me when I am deceiving myself! I know you had a reason for letting me go on like that for so long.

Lord, if I was so completely fooled on this, what else am I deceived about?? Please show me. In Jesus' name, amen. <3 

Pouring Her Heart Out

1 Samuel 1:15-18
"Oh no, sir!" she replied. "I haven't been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don't think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow." 
"In that case," Eli said, "go in peace! May the God of Israel grant you the request you have asked of him."
"Oh, thank you, sir!" she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

What a beautiful picture of someone pouring her heart out fully to you, Lord! Hannah didn't care who was watching her. She dumped out all her anguish and pain to you. I bet she said a lot more than just what is recorded here. She probably had a lot to say about Peninnah.

Lord, help me to run to you to pour my hear out. Don't let me infect other people with my discouragement, frustration, or anger. It is so ingrained in me to want to go vent to someone else about these things. The world tells us that is the proper thing to do. But your word tells me not to copy the customs and behavior of this world. Lord, help me to get better at pouring my heart out to you. I know that means you are going to give me opportunities to do that. Which means friction with other people. I don't relish that prospect, but I do want to grow closer to you and better at doing your will. In Jesus' name, amen. <3