The O's of God, Day 2

The O's of God, Day 2

Omnipotence is defined as the almighty God's expectation for human beings to obey Him, and He holds them responsible for their thoughts and actions. He has created all things and sustains them by the Word of His power. He is the all-powerful Lord.

Interesting how our thoughts are just as important as our actions. That God can sustain all things by the Word of His power. Are there things that have died because of our words? Are there things that are being sustained because you speak life into them? Who speaks life into you, who sustains you?

Omnipresence is defined as the nature of God who is not like the other idols and God's that can only be worshiped in one place or that are dead and buried. God reveals Himself in the Bible as the Lord who is everywhere. God was present as Lord in all creation, and there is no escaping Him. He is present in our innermost thoughts. Even as we are formed in the womb, He knows all the days of our future.

Omniscience is defined as the knowledge of God, who knows our thoughts from afar. He is acquainted with all our ways, knowing or words even before they are on our tongues. He needs to consult no one for knowledge or understanding. He is the all-knowing Lord who prophesies the events of the future.

The following Psalm is one of my favorites. Take a moment to read it. If you can print it out, put it somewhere that will remind you of who God is and who you are because of Him. Read it often, commit it to heart, believe it.

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Please Continue to pray for Kathy L. this week.

Lord, today I pray for the elections. That you will be in this moment with us, our thoughts and our actions. Will you hep us to focus on you and your Word. If we haven't voted yet, Lord, I pray that you will help us to vote so that it pleases you. Lord, I pray that we understand our importance as Christians in deciding who will be our leaders. Mostly, Lord, I pray that you be honored in this election.

Anger Day 4

Day 4

Taking action

Yesterday I made a comment stating how I wanted somehow to say that your anger is okay, but it isn't. I want to clarify if you will let me.

On day 1, I defined anger for us. What I want us to remember, is that the initial emotion, the first prompting of anger is okay, it is there for a reason. What is not okay is when you choose to remain in that and it becomes more than a prompting, it becomes a vehicle for rage, revenge, wrath. I want to be very clear here that there is a huge difference between the two.

In the Bible, there is a story about Jesus going into the temple and angrily overturning tables. At least that is how I always interpreted it. I wanted to use it to show you that anger is okay for us if we are using it for good. What I found is that the story is told of Jesus being TROUBLED. I don't think they are really so different, but what I learned is that when we are troubled, that is when we need to act on the nudging and prompting from God. Not when we are in a full fit of anger (either in our hearts or outwardly expressing it) How unsettling it is that I still have not found a loop hole for us. We really are not supposed to be angry, we are not supposed to let it get that far. We are supposed to be troubled and take care of it then, not later. So this changes a few things for me. It means to me that being angry means to be still angry. You are being so you are still there. Troubled means you were prompted and took care of it. So what happens to those of us who are past troubled and now in the angry stage, we must put away all anger. Below are a few things I hope will help you, one day at a time, until you can recognize it earlier and move away from it sooner, before it becomes anger. I am sorry I couldn't make this more comfortable, but we also read that we are not to let the sun go down on our anger, so today sounds like the best day to take care of those ugly wounds you are holding onto. Now is better than later. I hope you have a chance to take care of it so that you can go to our Lord completely. I hope this doesn't sound like a guilt trip either, I am feeling strongly about the fact that we all need to move from this weeks study ready for the next emotion to tackle and if we are uncomfortable now, it's not going to get any easier next week. The entire purpose of this new series is to find freedom and the last thing we need to do is feel a heavy burden and weight, so let's take care of it while it is fresh and move on.

Here are a few things to do

When you are prompted and troubled, allow yourself the time to ask for God's wisdom and protection from anger.

Don't allow anger to be in control of you. Make sure to confront the situation when you can be rational.

Acknowledge that is okay to feel anger, but that it is not okay to BE angry. Be willing to be the first to resolve the issue.

Try to understand what it is that angered you. Is there something that God may need you to see, do?

Give the other person a chance to step away as well, don't push the issue, they need space to be rational as well.

Take the time to find out what may be triggering your anger and make changes so that it will stop occurring.

Start here:

make a list of what angers you. What is a solution that would help you not be angry?

Ask the lord for guidance on those issues.

Reconcile the unresolved situations that you have responded in anger.

Make a sign, either with a verse or a helpful hint you learned this week. Place it somewhere you tend to get angry. (in car during traffic, children's room, kitchen, office, maybe all the above.)

Read a book or article about anger, being sure it aligns with the Word of God.

Make a list of the things that are troubling you and what actions you should take before it begins to anger you.

Find someone to hold you accountable. Who will be willing to help you find alternate ways of dealing with a situation than retaliation or holding in your anger. If it is a real problem, find someone who will pray for you.

Continue to pray for Kelly M. this week. I look forward to hearing your feedback, praises and prayers for tomorrows devotional. Praises and Prayer.

Zion

Zion

Day 1

Zion- The city of David and the city of God.

Zion is referenced in the Bible both physically and theologically.

Zion in the physical sense includes the ancient Jebusite Fortress, the hill on which it stood, the Temple and the Temple area in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is known also as the land of Judah. There is also reference to the people of Zion. This refers to the entire nation of Israel.

As a religious or theological reference, Zion refers to Israel as the people of God. It is God’s spiritual kingdom, church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

The following passage was sung as the people would go UP to Jerusalem for each of their feasts.

Psalm 125:1-4
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
They will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.
The wicked will not rule the godly,
For then the godly might be forced to do wrong.
O LORD , do good to those who are good,
Whose hearts are in tune with you.
But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
And let Israel have quietness and peace.

Day 2

Looking up

Isn’t it great when we have things to look forward to? I know it is much easier to obtain a goal if I have something tangible to remind me of that goal. I wasn’t there, but I am guessing that as the people of Jerusalem traveled to their homeland for the feasts, they must have enjoyed watching Mount Zion get closer and closer as they looked up. I think of the last two years we have packed our 3 children into our minivan for a family vacation during Christmas. How we had so many luxuries inside let alone the fact we had a vehicle. We had a picture in our minds, a final destination (Disneyland) in our hearts. In the ancient days, many people walked. Along with them they brought their children who were not so easily amused by the rough terrain and beauty that surrounded them. They were probably bored so they sang together and they had something to look forward to as they watched the mountain draw near. Psalm 125 was one of the songs they would sing. That journey was not an easy one, and they did it several times. The same thing is true with our faith. Although we will face trials, it really isn’t that bad if we consider our reward. But, how do we keep focused when there is nothing to set our sights on. It is important to remember that if we trust in the Lord, we are like mount Zion, we can’t be moved. We cannot be defeated, we will last forever. The Lord will surround us and protect us now and forever.

Day 3

Revelation to Relationship

In the Bible we see that God revealed his Word at Mount Sinai. It wasn’t a destination for the people, it was just a place, or a stop along the way. Then the people would continue on their journey towards Jerusalem, or Mount Zion. When they got there, they would take what they heard at Mount Sinai and they would put it into action. They would flesh out what they had learned. They would turn their revelation into relationship with God.

What does this thought make you think of? There are many symbolic examples similar to Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Here are a few I am thinking of.
Revelation at Church to flesh out on Earth
Revelation in Prayer to flesh out in our lives/others lives
Revelation at School to flesh out in our relationships and careers.
Revelation at Bible study to flesh out in our walk with God
Revelation through this study to flesh out in our lives and journey towards heaven.

Day 4

Go Forward, reaching the goal

To reach our goal for spiritual maturity, we should take what we have learned the last 26 weeks through this devotional and flesh it out, put it into action. We should grow spiritually or move forward, closer to the goal each time we learn something new about God and our relationship with Him. I am the first to admit that I would rather feel all cozy and safe by hearing the Word of God and learning about his Word than actually putting it into action. But when I read that the land of Zion was overflowing with milk and honey, I want to be there, I want to see it myself. I want the revelation to flesh out in my relationship with God. I know that there should be a visible difference in our lives, a path, from where we were and a goal to where we are going. I know that sometimes, my destination has many stops along the way, some places I need to go through before I make it to the goal. I don’t want to be cozy in one place, I want to keep moving, keeping looking forward to the goal.

What progress has this group helped you make in your spiritual walk with God? What is your goal for spiritual maturity?

We must go from the hearer to the doer. Mount Zion symbolizes our relationship with God, what he wants from us. The desire, the yearning to see him, to want to be with him, to reach that goal. It symbolizes the destination we are all getting closer to each day. We must be like Mount Zion, unmovable in our commitment to be more like him each day. We must have faith that God will surround us and keep safe now and forever, but we must be willing to move forward and take risks for His glory.

Day 5

Don't miss it!

I don’t want to miss God’s will in my life. I want to keep going on my journey. Head for the Hills. Go through some of the hills until I reach the highest mountain. If I am given all these opportunities to hear the Word, which God orchestrated for me, then I do nothing with what I have learned, I am missing the mark, denying my blessings, God’s will in my life. I truly believe that this can happen. He sent people in the dessert to wander for 40 years until they could get it right. He isn’t going to treat me any different. If I am to truly be in relationship with God, I need to do what he calls me to do. Zion, it is our letter Z, fitting for the last letter in the alphabet, it’s symbolism should be our main goal, to be with God in eternity. The final destination. Most of us are educated far beyond our obedience with God. We are fat with the word, but we keep it to ourselves. What are we going to do to day to live a life that shows our commitment to God, to reaching our goal. What are we going to focus on?

Psalm 125:1-4
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
They will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.
The wicked will not rule the godly,
For then the godly might be forced to do wrong.
O LORD , do good to those who are good,
Whose hearts are in tune with you.
But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
And let Israel have quietness and peace.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for this series, Words of Worship. Little did I know that you would wreck me in so many places in my life. But what a blessing it has been. What a relief that you were in our midst along the way. Lord, I only pray that I will be able to please you as I push on in this journey, this faith walk that has many trials and many blessings. Be with me and the others as we move forward in our relationship with you, as we put our faith in your promises. Lord, will you surround us today and forever. And May we be like Mount Zion, not movable.

If you have a

The Wise Women of Abel

Day 1
The Wise Woman of Abel
Her Character : Rather than passively waiting for someone else to save her city, she had the wisdom and courage to act quickly and decisively.
Her Sorrow: That her city, though faithful to the king, was besieged by his army because it had been infiltrated by a rebellious leader.
Her Joy: That she was able to successfully intercede for the town, thus averting disaster for many innocent people.

2 Samuel 20:14 - 22
14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba.15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’” 17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes. 19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” 20 And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Dear Lord, I only dream of being called the wise woman of my town. Please work in me to be ready to recieve your gift of Wisdom. I used to think that being smart is wise, I know that it takes more than that. A heart of bravery and rightfulness. Self-control and obedience. So Father, I ask today that you work in each of us to give us these qualities in our characters to fight the battle ahead. I ask that you be glorified in our lives, actions and hearts. Praise you for what you have purposed in our lives and for giving us the desire to be the wise person of our town, home, workplace, small group, Moms club, friendship, relationship. Wherever we desire to be more like you, I pray that we make it happen by focusing on you and your great love.

Day 2

In this passage, the wise woman turned to her fellow citizens, urging them to act. In just moments, a mans head came careening over the wall. Disaster was averted. The men in this story appear to behave only in conventional terms: mobilize the army, build a siege ramp, violently smash the city walls, squelch the rebellion. But the woman looked for another solution, one that would keep the peace and spare lives on both sides. Because she acted wisely and well, interceding on behalf of her people, innocent lives on both sides of the city walls were spared.


Okay, Lord, this one was for me. I had to ask myself if I would avert disaster or behave as the men in this story. I don’t always choose to think of everyone else in time of trouble. What a great life it would be to be known as the Wise Woman of anywhere? I don’t think people typically put the word wise with the thought of me. Lord, I ask that I continue to seek your will in my life. I know that you will determine the gifts and when you will give them, but how wonderful it would be if I had wisdom. So Lord, I am guessing that there are many reading this right now that also want to be wise in their actions. Please will you show us what we need to do and help us to hold our tongues when it is not the right time.

Day 3

Read Samuel 20:15 - 22 ( see day 1)

In your own words, describe what you think it migt have been like for a mother with several small children within the city walls of Abel.While it is unlikely that you or your family have ever been in this situation, many households today are held captive by abuse, financial misfortune, grief, or illness - whether physical or mental. Do you know someone in a similar situation? A child? Another Woman? A teen? What can you do to help? Are you in one of these situations? Who can you go to for help?

What do Joab’s words reveal about his reaction to this brave woman (20:17)
Have you ever been in a situation where the wise thing to do also required bravery? Did you do it? Why or why not?

What might have given the town of Abel the reputation described here? What does this tell you about its inhabitants?
Where do you go when you need answers?
What is your reaction to what the town of Abel did with Sheba? Do you think the bargain they struck with Joab was a good one? Why or why not?

The facts of this story are physically brutal and disturbing, but the facts of life for many today in our society are just as brutal. How can you be a wise woman in your corner of the world?

Okay, so this may be far off, but I read this and think of safety and refuge. Where do you go to be safe. Sheba apparently did not make the right decision in his wanting to hide from Joab’s people. To be wise would be to know where and when to take refuge. Many times women who suffer from depression or grief do so because they have taken refuge in their hearts and soul instead of leaning on God and other women who can carry their burden. A while back, I attended a girlfriends night out and the facts were presented about how important it is that we all carry one-another’s burdens and fellowship with other women. I encourage you to look at things a bit differently today. Do you know someone that really needs to see God’s love? Can you be used today? Can the Lord actually use you to reach out to someone who has taken refuge into their heart and souls and need to be released from that very thing today? Are you needing to be released? I encourage you to let someone know if you need prayer and help, to be released from bondage.

Lord, I ask at this very moment, you give us an opportunity to be used by you. Bring to our remembrance someone who needs freedom from their pain. Let us pray for them and somehow let them SEE you through us. In your word, you show us that you have used the least of the least to do mighty things. You have given each of us a purpose. Help us not to be too busy or blinded today with the things and tasks at hand, help us to see those around us who need you today. I know this very thing is a stretch for most women, you made us Lord, so give us a challenge today to be a link to your BODY in our part of the World. Many of us are from different areas, so I pray specifically for the areas of Florida, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Jordan, Iowa, Texas, Nevada, Washington, California, Africa, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri. May we affect your kingdom in a mighty way today.

Day 4

Her legacy of Prayer

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; ~Proverbs 2:3 - 6~

Reflect on 2 Samuel 20:16 - 20
Praise God for his wisdom, which far surpasses anything we might imagine.
Offer thanks that true wisdom has nothing to do with intellectual ability but everything to do with humble dependence on God.
Confess any laziness that keeps you from searching out God’s wisdom for your own life.
Ask God to help you treasure his wisdom so that you are willing to actively seek it out.

How many of you were used by God yesterday? Did you seek out opportunities to be a blessing in someone’s life? Did you hear his soft whisper of nudging to be an encouragement to someone who needed it? I hope many of you slowed down enough to be used. I had several opportunities to hear his whisper, at times I would think “no, that is not it” then remember that I did not want to miss the opportunity. Funny how I fit it all in to my usually chaotic schedule. I believe I was used most during a 10:30 pm phone call. Praise God that I was willing and able to answer that call. If you have a story of yesterdays events, please let us know, it encourages us and it also glorifies God.

Day 5

Lift your heart

Wisdom has nothing to do with how many “gray cells” you possess. You can be smart as a whip but still full of foolishness. Take a few moments to reflect on this passage from the book of Proverbs (3:13-18):
13Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.
16Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

This Mother’s Day, why don’t you ask for something far more valuable than any earthly thing, ask for wisdom in your life. Here are a few ways you can cultivate this gift from God:
Pray for it, remembering it is a gift from God, your creator.

Read and meditate regularly on Scripture
Surround yourself with wise people - listen and learn from them. (consider meeting regularly with a spiritual director or a mentor-ship program in your church)
Make quick obedience a hallmark in your spiritual life; it leads to wisdom.

Okay, so this crazy thought came to my mind just now (yes another one) and because I can, I will bounce it off you. God is the source of wisdom that brings life, wealth, honor, and peace. He is so powerful, yet seems to be able to manage all existence, it is a true revelation that he knows all that has happened and all that is to come, so why do we worry again? It is not going to help us in any way. We should spend each and every moment praising God that we were in His plan to begin with and rejoice no matter where or what or how or why, because he knows it all and if we are called to be more like Christ, then we must remember that His will is the ultimate one and we will struggle through life until we decide to fully submit ourselves to our God and His plan. Okay, so I know I should have come to this realization earlier and maybe I am not quite expressing it correctly, but take a moment to consider his vastness, every working part of the entire universe is his and he definitely cares about it working properly so that his will can be completed. Man, I have never felt so empowered to go out there and share his love and make sure people know that they might as well give in, there is no other way around it. When we realize that only one person can be in control and it can’t be us, since we know so little compared to our God, I think we might stop sweating the small stuff and start being a body of believers that affect the world for His will. Okay, so that is that. ,

God, I am in awe today of this new revelation and I pray that somehow my words will melt away and whatever it is that you are trying to use me for today will become clear to all who are reading this and that they will read your words. You can heal our body and minds, why not our writing. So thank you for your grace and your love and for creating me. I praise you for trusting me with your creations. I pray right now for a rising up of your Spirit within our souls and I pray for wisdom and time for each of us to meditate on your word. I pray for obedience in our lives so that we may complete your will and our purpose here on earth. I pray that those who are wise will overwhelm us in our lives with their presence and I pray that you will be glorified in all we do. I pray that we treat wisdom like Gold, for it is a gift from you and you are our King. Amen.