Give Me Strength

•August 19, 2015 • Leave a Comment

Oh Lord,
how can I stand against anything
when some days I can barely stand?
How can I fight
when I am weak?
How can I stand up
for truth and justice
when so often I get things wrong
myself?

Thank you
that it is not up to me,
I am not left with just my strength,
my power,
but, as ever,
you equip me
for all you call me to.

You are the one who gives me strength,
if I put on the equipment
that you give me.

And so
I keep praying
and stand
in you,
with you in me
and in all you give me.

You Are My Vision

Ephesians 6:10-20 (CEV)

The Fight against Evil

10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

14 Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. 15 Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 16 Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

18 Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. 19 Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. 20 I was sent to do this work, and that’s the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.

Posted in bible, faith, God, justice, Lectionary, Religion, theology
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Springs in Dry Valley – Psalm 84

•August 18, 2015 • Leave a Comment

O Lord,
I sing when I am with you,
in your presence,
I am safe and secure.

I rely on you for my strength,
my purpose,
my hope.

When life is a dry valley,
you are the one
who brings water,
flowing,
refreshing,
life-giving.

Lord,
I long to be with you,
rather than anywhere else.

I come
and sit
and revel in your blessings.

Psalm 84

Psalm 84 (CEV)

The Joy of Worship

84 Lord God All-Powerful,
    your temple is so lovely!
2 Deep in my heart I long
    for your temple,
    and with all that I am
    I sing joyful songs to you.

3 Lord God All-Powerful,
    my King and my God,
sparrows find a home
    near your altars;
    swallows build nests there
    to raise their young.

4 You bless everyone
who lives in your house,
    and they sing your praises.
5 You bless all who depend
    on you for their strength
    and all who deeply desire
    to visit your temple.
6 When they reach Dry Valley,
    springs start flowing,
    and the autumn rain fills it
    with pools of water.
7 Your people grow stronger,
    and you, the God of gods,
    will be seen in Zion.

8 Lord God All-Powerful,
the God of Jacob,
    please answer my prayer!
9 You are the shield
    that protects your people,
    and I am your chosen one.
    Won’t you smile on me?

10 One day in your temple
is better
    than a thousand
    anywhere else.
I would rather serve
    in your house,
    than live in the homes
    of the wicked.

11 Our Lord and our God,
you are like the sun
    and also like a shield.
You treat us with kindness
    and with honor,
    never denying any good thing
    to those who live right.

12 Lord God All-Powerful,
    you bless everyone
    who trusts you.

Posted in bible, church, faith, God, Lectionary, Religion, theology
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Which Choice?

•August 17, 2015 • 1 Comment

A new place,
a new way of living,
a new way to be.
Decisions, decisions.

How will I live
in this strange place?

Do I bring what I know,
trust
and have always followed,
the God who has always
walked with me?

Or will I be distracted
by all that is on offer here?

I’ve got to make a choice –
to follow God
or not,
to worship him
or not,
to live his way
or not.

A choice to make
today,
every day.

Who will I worship?
Who will I follow?
Who will be my God?

What choice will I make?

Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18 (MSG)

The Covenant at Shechem

24 1-2 Joshua called together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He called in the elders, chiefs, judges, and officers. They presented themselves before God. Then Joshua addressed all the people:

2 “This is what God, the God of Israel, says: A long time ago your ancestors, Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor, lived to the east of the River Euphrates. They worshiped other gods.

14 “So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God.

15 “If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”

16 The people answered, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods.

17-18 “God is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept his eye on us all along the roads we’ve traveled and among the nations we’ve passed through. Just for us he drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land.

“Count us in: We too are going to worship God. He’s our God.”

Captain of Israel’s host, and Guide
Of all who seek the land above,
Beneath Thy shadow we abide,
The cloud of Thy protecting love;
Our strength, Thy grace; our rule, Thy Word;
Our end, the glory of the Lord.

By Thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray;
We shall not full direction need
Nor miss our providential way;
As far from danger as from fear,
While Love, almighty Love, is near.

Charles Wesley

Posted in bible, faith, follow, God, Lectionary, Religion, theology
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