Category: Prayer

Strange…that Name

How ironic that the name too holy to be written or fully pronounced by humans should be used that way. That a name written by Jewish worshipers as G_D , YHWH , or Hashem (“the Name” in Hebrew) should now be a curse.

How unusual it is that the taxi driver who spoke no English in an Asian country where only 1.5% of the population identified as Christians would even know the name. That he would clearly pronounce the name conveying supernatural power with such strong emotion. Had the driver known the back story of the person called that, would he have been fearful of a Indignant God’s reaction to the spoken dishonor?

That the taxi driver, when paid extra and asked to carry six cumbersome bags of luggage up the 3 flights of stairs in the heat of a summer night, would say “Christos!” with such insult. Poor driver, he may only have heard those words as a epithet of contempt. He probably knows nothing about the godly human life behind the name.

Christos, short for Jesus Christ.

Also known as THE:

Anointed One, Messiah, Redeemer, Son of the Living God, Son of Man, Immanuel, Savior, King of Kings–titles that speak of mystical power and supreme authority. Names that speak of the love of Father God to adopt some unworthy children from a death camp by paying the sin ransom of one perfect human life–His Only Son’s life, Jesus.

Perhaps the most tragic misuse of language is to speak the word for God’s greatest blessing to mankind as an expression of cussing. Just another one of the many actions against a Holy God by people who are clueless about God’s nature and feelings.

I am sorry Jesus that You are continuing to receive shame from us. It would hurt my feelings and anger me to have my name used as an expletive over and over again by people who know nothing about the real me. Forgive us and open our minds to know the truth about You.

Almighty God,

Please help me to remember the reality of Your identity. Having no experience living close to royalty, I’m sure I do not approach You with the dignity You deserve. Help me to show You honor and respect in more ways than just the words I utter. Lord, refine my finite mind to better know Who you really are and who I really am because of You.

I do know Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, is coming back to claim His own. I desire to show His importance before the crowd of humanity gathers. But even that I am powerless to do without Your help. Please help me proclaim Your Son’s worth to those around me in the careful way He would.

Because the day is coming when every human will acknowledge Your power… Both those who chose to believe in Your goodness to replace their wrongs and those who chose to believe their own goodness would satisfy a righteous Supreme Being. I ask these things in Jesus Christ’ priceless name.

AMEN

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus., who gave himself as a ransom for all people .” 1 Timothy 2:5,6

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth., and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10,11

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;” and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.” Revelation 1:7

Unshakeable Peace

Opening the brown envelope, I see the black and white image for the first time. Many years have passed since this picture was taken. In fact, it has been more than 2 decades since the laughing man walked on the earth.

The remarkable part of the moment in time is the expression on the children’s faces. Young and vulnerable as they are, the boy and girl show no fear – only assurance and delight. Their daddy is with them to protect from all harm: roving coyotes, strangers who steal children, and loud sounds in the night. To be sure, they could fall down and skin a knee, but they know their daddy always makes the situation better.

Frequently frightened, Davey and Mary are confident in their safety. All is good because that man is near, and they belong to him. Whatever scary creatures come their way, will have to go through the smiling man who adores them first.

Though a child no longer -with extensive experience in the ups and downs of human life, disappointments have clouded my once optimistic attitude. My mind clicks through discouraging scenarios: world-wide wars, economic depression, killing diseases, shouting angry people everywhere, and once loving relationships now estranged. I glance again at the calm happiness on the children’s faces, and I envy the peace and joy I see.

Yet, I know my protector, Jesus Christ, is with me, and he is not a mere man.

Forgive me God for not looking for you in the situation; for not remembering you will never forsake me to issues too big for me to handle alone.

Forgive me, for choosing to worry rather than tell you my concerns. You encourage me with your words in the Bible, and I can talk to you in prayer. Sorry, I have acted like I have forgotten who I am and to Whom I belong!

All Powerful God,

Help me, Almighty God, to see you as you really are-Conquerer of evil, time, and isolation. The One who voluntarily gave up powers and abilities to live a human life filled with poverty, prejudice, and pain to secure my right to be called a child of God. The only human who was raised from death to sit beside His Father in heaven. The same One who lives now to help God’s children.

Help me, my Redeemer, to listen for your words of wisdom and encouragement. To remember that I am your sheep and belong to the Father. That no matter how overwhelmed I am, you know the way forward. Shepherd, you know I often think I know the way. Please pull me back to follow you instead.

My Lord, help me to show a childlike trust in you – whatever comes in life. I want my eyes to shine with joyful delight as I watch to see what you will do next. Because You are my peace…

Amen.

People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming]. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them. Mark 10; 13-16 Amplified

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, in everywhere you go; He is the One who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5,6 Message

“I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33 Message

God Who Is—is Triune

Absolute God,

I admit there is so much I don’t understand about you. Please help me wrap my head around the clues from the Bible. When Moses first described you to humans, he said, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”Deuteronomy 6:4

Although you are one God (as opposed to the religions of that time that had multiple gods), you are three persons totally united in one being: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I’ve heard people name this structure of godliness as the Holy Trinity.

From what I’ve read in the Bible, I understand the information in this way: Unlike human families, each member of the Trinity is equal in power and share the same qualities. Each is all powerful, is always present, is all-knowing, and is eternal. But the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit individually have their own personality and identity.

It is a mystery that I don’t fully comprehend. I shouldn’t expect to understand it fully when you are God and I am not. Please correct my limited understanding, my Lord, as I journey through this life looking to you.

Though the years I’ve heard people compare your reality of three persons in one being to different earthly objects. Saint Patrick used the 3 lobed shamrock leaf to illustrate it. Others have compared the children’s state of matter to the Trio of God- Water as a solid=iceberg , water as a liquid=flowing river, and water as a vapor=misty fog. Each form is still water.

Business corporations are often led by a three-fold executive group having the titles of chairman of the board, chief executive officer and chief operational officer.The leadership members each have different roles, but they achieve the business mission working together. I see how these pictures of one in three repeat a pattern, yet they do not adequately describe a Triune God of the Universe.

This human accepts that you are three persons in one eternal entity. But Lord, the most amazing thought to me is that you three perfectly agree on everything. I have never seen three people totally agree in my life.

Human beings primarily focus on differences we have with each other. In fact we enjoy talking about disagreements– husbands versus wives; children versus parents; friends versus acquaintances; workers versus supervisors. Like herds of animals we often only get close to those who look and think like we do. Sadly, human families often use the “differences” between members as justification to break relationships.

But you, God Who Loves Contrasts, reached instead for those who are different to bring into your circle for companionship. Amazing. I have so much I need to learn from you about personal relationships. Perhaps, the fact that three persons could agree with each other 100% of the time about everything alone proves you are God!

Once I was only a member of a human family, but now because God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit united in a plan to expand their family, I am a member of Elohim’s family.

The Holy Father sent his only son to earth to be born and live a human life without doing wrong to begin God’s plan of redemption.

Jesus Christ, the Holy Son gave up his home in heaven to be born to a human woman making him a Son of Man and Son of God. He lived his 33 years without ever committing a sin but was punished by death on a cross. This sacrifice uniquely qualified him to ransom other sinful lives with his spotless life. That way, others condemned to die could live forever with God.

When the Father raised the Son from the tomb of the cross to sit on his right side in heaven, his earthy children missed having God’s presence close. Then the Holy Spirit came to live within the children of God that had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s presence was again within, around, and whispering encouragement to them. The Spirit lived within their minds and hearts equipping them to live abundantly.

What a compassionate plan you made, my God. But this child of your mercy has so much to learn. As you have done and continue to do so much for me, I don’t want to dishonor you in any way because I am called by Jesus’ last name. Please help me to learn your ways whether I prefer your ways or not. I confess to you that my default setting is to behave in my selfish way and seek my own will for my own personal good. Make me pliable in your in your artistic hands to finally be the complete creation you see in me.

In Genesis 1 the story of how everything began is told. How “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”(v1)

How you created light from darkness by speaking (v2), “And God said,’Let there be light’ and there was light…”

How the Triune God created human beings (v26). “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…'”

My God who created me, like a light prism, would you enhance my natural state? As your light shines through this shell of me, please bend that light by the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to reflect your qualities in dazzling colors to the surrounding darkness.

All Sufficient God, I can never thank you enough for who you are- holy and completely balanced, just and impartial, loving and compassionate, my providing father, my first-born perfect brother, and my trusted counselor.

I thank you Father God, that you sought me out and loved me. I thank you Lord Jesus for giving your life as a sacrifice to make a way for an imperfect person to belong to the family of the Perfect God.I thank you Holy Spirit for living with me to help me as my personality traits are bent to display my heavenly families’ moral code.

Now, I ask these things for myself and others in the name of our Redeemer, and according to your will. May you, the Great I AM, be glorified for all you are by the glistening reflection of yourself in your child’s eyes.

Amen

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:29-30

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

“…To God’s elect… who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” 1 Peter 1:1-2

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

Really Know You

God of Everything,

Although I have never seen you with my eyes or heard your voice with my ears, I know with every bit of my being that you are real.

A few of my friends don’t believe you exist because their five senses have not reported your presence to their brain. It’s funny to me because it seems so paradoxical that they could believe in atoms, molecules, viruses, and black holes in space, yet refuse to accept an invisible God.

For years now, I have believed you are there, but I don’t know enough about you. I want to be acquainted with all your traits as I know my close friends like Joe.

Saying Joe’s name I immediately think of his blue green eyes, easy grin, teasing sense of humor, his direct way of speaking, a quick temper for injustice, and a compassionate heart for those who are ignored or abused. I know all this about someone I don’t even see that often. But about you, who are always with me, I actually perceive little.

Lord, you have a distinct personality, but for most of my life I have thought of you only by your titles – my benefactor, creator, the Heavenly Father that spoils me. In essence I only noticed you for what you could do for me. I call you my God. But I never cared enough to observe what motivates you, what you enjoy or what makes you angry. Have I hurt your feelings by my lack of interest in you?

Regretfully, I only cared about your ability to provide and protect me. In other words you only mattered because of your power to help the most important person in the world – me! What a lousy one-sided relationship this is -you initiate the closeness and do everything for me, yet I take your feelings and friendship for granted.

Forgive me Holy God. Help me to develop this end of our relationship, for I already know some of your characteristics:

The intricate elegance of earth’s environment you created shows me that you are an artist who enjoys color, texture, and contrasts. But I want to know more about you…

The fact that you would reach out to those who have rejected you over and over proves to me that you are extremely patient. But I want to know more about you…

The truth that you notice and love creatures far beneath your class is highly unusual. You offer membership in your close family when you are perfect, and I am so flawed which demonstrates an affection that dwarfs the most dedicated human love I have ever known. But I want to know more about you…

From the Old and New Testaments I see evidence that your high commitment to love is balanced with the same level of commitment to justice. Wrongs must be punished. The unsolvable riddle was how to love and accept humans into a relationship with you when they continued to do wrong. Still, even that problem didn’t stump you…

Perfect love and perfect justice needs were met when your son, Jesus Christ, lived a human life without ever doing one thing wrong, was punished by a criminal’s death, and rose from the dead to sit at your side once more. His sinless life could then redeem my sinful life to become your child. I see how his good could substitute for my bad, but I am amazed that you would solve this unsolvable problem by suffering the death of your son. The mystery of your love for me drives me to evolve because you have invested so much in my adoption.

Father, would you correct and adjust my sight to really see and know you for your unique personality traits?

When I read the Bible, please help me notice your subtleties described in your Son’s words or in your dealings with other humans.

As I bring you my worries or failures in prayer, help me hear and apply your words in my heart and actions.

Please see that I want to grow closer to you. Help me to be a person that projects respect and love to you by more closely following the character pattern you left for me in Jesus Christ. Amen

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8