Extending My Territory

I remember a favorite prayer I used to pray. Many times I would look out my upstairs window as I prayed and ask God to set angels at the four corners of our property and protect us and keep evil out. I could see the angels with gleaming swords protecting our home and our business. God answered that prayer and I praise Him for His protection.

But I don't pray that prayer any more. 

One day I thought I should but when I looked out my window I could see the apartment where a drug dealer had moved in. I could see houses where alcoholics have been in a gradual decline for a long time. I can see  houses that were very neat with manicured lawns until my elderly neighbors either died or moved closer to family and the new tenants have very questionable values. So I realized that while God had answered my prayer evil had moved in as my neighbor.

I love my neighborhood so I started thinking about extending my area of concern to include the space where I walk my dogs everyday.  Our pastor said our church borders should be about a three mile radius of our church where we should really be involved in our community. And I am certainly on board with that.

But Yesterday in my quiet time I felt God pushing me to ask our church  to sponser a girl in Guatemala. And it struck me that the whole earth is my play ground and my prayers and efforts should reflect the needs of all mankind. That is going to take some HUGE love which is certainly beyond me but not beyond my God.

My prayer now petitions God to lead me to make a difference in the lives that touch mine.... No matter where they live.

the Desires of My Heart

Forgot to run the dishwasher so my favorite coffee mug was dirty. So I grabbed the next biggest cup and headed out to the garden with Psalms and Proverbs in hand. As I was reading I took a sip and noticed that the cup had Psalms 20:4 on the side in a big red Heart. I turned back to by book and was reading when I stopped and realized that the verse I was reading was the one on my cup. "May He give you the desire of your heart."

Then I started thinking about the desire of my heart because I believe God was saying something to me.

Two things I have been praying about is teaching VBS at our church. This is a new thing for me and I really want to impact young people for Christ. And the other is the darkness in my neighborhood. Sometimes I feel like we live in Sodom or Gommoraha. I think These are the things God will grant me. I have already seen Him do some amazing things in these areas and feel empowered to move forward in the work He has given me.

Words for the Wise

Today I started on a journey through Psalms and Proverbs. Our church is reading through the Bible this year and God has really touched my heart as I have read through His word. As we start Psalms today I thought I would do something I have wanted to do for yrs and that is read several chapters of Psalms each day and one chapter of Proverbs. So it will take me about a month to complete these two books keeping me right on schedule. I am recording my thoughts in a journal and will share some here.

Today I laughed when I read that Solomon said that the proverbs were to help one gain wisdom and discipline. After an 8 week study of spiritual disciplines ( Bible intake, prayer, worship, fasting, journaling, silence and meditation, evangelism, serving and stewardship) if I had any doubts about what God asks of me, He made it clear today in my study time.

Today I am overwhelmed by God's mercy because today I am able to worship Him because Jesus died so that I can bow and come into His Presence. My privilege comes at great cost. Lets make the most of every opportunity to visit with our Creator.

LOVING MY NEIGHBORS

Yesterday morning I asked God to give me love for my neighbors. More than just the selfish love where I want to live in a nice neighborhood. But godly love that cares for people who really don't even care about themselves.

Yesterday evening as I walked my dog before Wednesday night Bible study I started praying. First I was Praising God for who He is and then for the people in my neighborhood. As I walked along I saw Jackson's Liquor store at the end of the street. It haunts me how the same people circle through that drive through, some several times a day.

I started praying for those people and asking God to help them break those addictions.

After I spoke those words I met two men walking along together. I heard one say, " Are you going to have one?" My heart almost gave way when I heard the reply, "No, I am trying to give them up- I haven't had one all day. I do take them out and look at them."

I pray for him earnestly that God will give him the strength and will power to overcome.

When we went to Bible Study and volunteers were asked to pray over the prayer requests I prayed for our church to receive that same kind of love for our neighborhood.

I have no doubt that God heard my prayer and every person who is willing, will be used by God to make a difference in our neighborhood.

I Praise God because he hears our prayers and blesses us, especially when our hearts turn outward.

Walking the Dog