"Come!"

Saturday, 9-17, 2011 – Ezek. 42, 44: Rev. 22

S=Scripture; O=Observation; A=Application; P=Prayer

“Come!”

S – Rev. 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”

And let him who thirsts, come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A – We get invitations to all sorts of events, you name it there’s an invitation for it. When we plan for an event we make out an invitational list of names and we hope that everyone that we have invited will be able to attend and that they will want to come. We do everything within our power to convince them that they should attend this event, and that they don’t want to miss out. We send out cards, we make calls, we text, we even put it out on facebook! We muster up as much enthusiasm as we can in hopes that all will come to the event planned. Sad to say not everyone will come. There may be perfectly good reasons and some not so good excuses why the invitation was declined.

There is one invitation none of us want to decline, the invitation from the Spirit and the bride. This is the most life changing invitation you will ever receive. You will never be the same if you accept. You don’t need to prepare anything, you don’t need to bring anything, you don’t need to go out and purchase a special outfit for the occasion you “come” as you are. If you accept the invitation you will be transformed and be made new. The invitation is not limited to age, gender, color, race or size. Everyone is invited to attend! And look at what the invitation says, “and let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely!” Wow! A new set of clothes and when I’m thirsty I can drink until I’m full and best of all eternal life! But wait, there’s a stipulation at the bottom of the card. I must “respond” to the invitation from the Spirit and the bride in order to be let into the event. Will you come? The Spirit and the bride are inviting you and they say, “Come!”

P- Lord your return is eminent. You are coming soon. Help me to redeem the time for You are coming quickly. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Make me Your “wedding planner” the one who will send out the invitations and invite all to “Come!” Not leaving anyone out. Freely I have received. Freely I want to give, by inviting all you place in my path to “Come!”

MY GRANDBABIES

Ezekiel 40,41; Psalm 128, Revelations 21

S=Scripture=Objective. A=Application, P=Prayer

S-Psalm 128:1,6 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.”…and may you live to see your children’s children.”

O-The Psalmist is saying that if we love and honor God, and walk in His ways than we will live long enough to see our grandchildren.

A-Walking in God’s ways means living a life filled with compassion, grace, forgiveness and mercy for our fellow man. We do this because of God’s great love for us. We need to re-present Christ in all we do and say…I know I fail at this often…but God is full of second chances. Our reward for living a life revering God and walking in His ways is that we will live long enough to see our children’s children. Don’t get me going on grandkids…they are the sweetest gift that God could ever give us. I know how much I enjoy mine I believe that many a person came to know Christ through the loving prayers of Grandparents.

P-Oh God, help me to walk in Your ways, acknowledging who You are and what You have done for me.

DRY BONES

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

S - Ezekiel 37:3  He asked me, "Son of Man, can these dry bones live?"

O - The prophet saw lifeless dried out bones; God saw an army resurrected.

A - There is a place of hopelessness, where all seems lost.  Ezekiel saw a valley filled with useless bones.   But when the breath of God was prophesied over them, the bones became covered with flesh once again and came to life.  Thus, God breathes hope and life into those who have lost all hope.  Dry bones can live.  The Spirit of God can make all the difference in the world to those who believe that desolation and despair is all they have left in this life.  Speak life to those you know.  Breathe on them with the breath of God.

P - Lord, use me to breathe your breath  into those who are like the dried bones in the valley.  Give them hope, Lord, and new life, in Jesus' name I pray.

An Intimate Shepherd

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/13/11 Exekiel 33-35; Revelation 18 - An Intimate Shepherd

S - Exekiel 34: 11-12 MSG, God, the master, says: From now on I myself am the shepherd.  I'm going looking for them.  As shepherds go after their flocks when they get scattered, I'm going after my sheep.  I'll rescue them from all the places they've been scatter to in the storms.

O - The Lord is speaking of His flock, Israel.  But I believe we can take this as a personal word as well.

A - Jesus is our Shepherd.  He cares intimately for us.  He is interceding for us even now. We have One over us who even sends us God Hugs - intimate expressions of His care and love.  While traveling to Phoenix recently by car, we experienced 4 amazing sunsets... gifts to this Vermont girl who so loves nature and beauty in God's creation.

P - Lord, thank you that you are an intimate Shepherd.  I so love that you know all about me and you love me as I am. As your word promises, please rescue us in the storms of life; show us your Care and Concern.  Thank you for the amazing Shepherd that you are. Amen.

Constant Vigilance

Sunday, September 11, 2011 – Daniel 1, 2; Revelation 16

S: Revelation 16:15 – Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
O: The Lord will return at a time we don’t expect it; blessed are those who live in expectation of his return and aren’t caught naked for the world to see their shame.
A: Constant Vigilance. It is so easy to be lulled into believing that “I’ve got time”. I can still play in my sin a little. “Other people are doing it so why can’t I”. This is dangerous ground. The Word is full of warnings to us as believers that we must be ready; that He will come as a thief in the night. I remember when I had made it through my first year clean and sober I was at a meeting one night and this older gentleman called me to his side to give me some “advice”. I was so excited thinking that he was about to give me some profound wisdom on how to stay free from my addiction. This is what he said “Constant Vigilance”. It is time to stop living our lives as though we’ve got time. It’s time to get real and ask for help when we need it. It’s time to face off with those things in our lives that are hindering our walk. It’s time to live as though every day could be our last. It’s time to look at ourselves and ask “what am I doing for the Kingdom of God today”. Am I a good witness? Am I spreading the Word or the sickness of the world?
P: Father God examine my heart Lord. Reveal to me those areas of my life where I fall short. Change me Lord into the person YOU would have me be. Let me be found ready when you return – ready to dance with the lover of my soul into eternity. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wait For Him

Saturday, 9-10, 2011 – Lam. 3-5; Rev. 15

S=Scripture; O=Observation; A=Application; P=Prayer

Wait For Him

S – Lam. 3:25 “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.”

O – I am reminded that as I prayerfully look to the Lord for any of my needs or the needs of others, I can expect good things from Him and, I can expect a good outcome of any situation, as I wait on Him.

A – I think of that commercial of the people who sustained some sort of injury popping their heads out the window yelling out to all the world, “It’s my money and I want it now!” We live in the microwave generation, instant gratification. We seem to have lost the art of patiently waiting and travailing in prayer. Although the Lord can instantly deliver us from whatever situation we find ourselves He doesn’t always. There are given situations when answers cannot be instant when only over the course of time can the answers come. In these kinds of situations we can only wait it out and yes, travail in prayer, but in our travailing and in our waiting as we seek Him we can expect a good thing, a good result, a good response. It may take time, it may take a continual seeking after Him through the trial, through the situation, through the dilemma…but, wait for Him and while we wait we can expect a good response because the Lord is good to those who wait and to the soul who seeks after Him.

P – Heavenly Father for those of us who may be faced with problems so enormous there doesn’t seem to be a way out or an answer sufficient to help our cause or that will turn our situation around we turn to You and humbly ask for Your mercies. We wait and seek your face for our hope for a good thing is in You. Amen.

DO WHAT’S RIGHT

Lamentations 1,2; Obadiah; Rev. 14
DO WHAT’S RIGHT

S=Scripture=Objective. A=Application, P=Prayer

S-Obadiah 15b “…As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”

O-Obadiah announces the destruction of Edom. The people felt safe for they lived in the mountain fortresses. They were proud full because they had many wise men among them.

A-When we see calamity, such as tropical storm Irene, and see and hear of the destruction to many families, neighbors and towns; how do we respond? Do we say…”well they were not very smart to build/buy homes so near the river.” Or do we reach out to them and help in any way we can, prayer, shelter, food, clean up? They are victims and do not need my judgment, but could benefit from my help. How would I want to be treated or looked after? Obadiah clearly says as I do, it will be done to me.

P-Father teach me to be kind and loving …to be quick to help my fellowman in times of need. Give me Your compassion, and love for this hurting world.