Guard Their Steps, Lord.
Psalm 37:23-24 “The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
We cheered when our sons and daughters took their first steps, but now we pray as they walk on their own. We can’t hold their hands to ensure they take careful steps. We’re not there to catch them if they fall. We need to entrust them to the Lord. He can guide their steps so much better than we ever could. Today, let’s pray that He does just that.
“Lord, today I pray that (name) would trust in You and find their delight in You. Make (name)’s steps firm. Ensure that they move alongside You and in the direction of Your will for their life. I pray that in every moment of every day, You would hold (name) close and would surround them with Your protection. Be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. Keep (name from stumbling) but if that happens, Lord, I pray that they would cling tightly to Your hand and trust that You will hold them up and keep them secure. Grow them, strengthen them and mature them in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Sunday Worship: Standing on the Promises
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
Russel Kelso Carter (1886)
Pray it again!
God doesn’t tire of hearing our prayers. It’s important that we keep bringing our heart’s burdens to Him and lay them before Him. It’s not repetitive, it’s persistent, committed and trusting. We trust that He hears us and we are confident He will answer in His time and according to His will. Take time to review our prayer points from the week and pray them again.
Pray that our sons and daughters would be emboldened by the knowledge that our God is Sovereign, Almighty and always present with them. There is NO enemy that can overcome Him and no obstacle too great for Him to remove. Pray that they see God part the Sea for them and know that He will fight for them, they need only stand and be still.
Pray that our sons and daughters would cry out to God for help when things are difficult and they are ‘sinking’. Let Him be who they run to first and always.
Pray that in their crying to the Lord, they practice patience, understanding that He really does hear them and will answer.
Pray that they would have confidence that God would rescue them and give them a firm place to stand, no matter the crisis and no matter the time or day or night.
Pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own. Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.
Pray that our sons and daughters would: Be on their guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; and be strong
Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of where and with whom they stand. Pray that they refuse to stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
Where are you standing?
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,”
Have you ever been to a concert or sporting event? The crowd gathers outside, waiting for the venue to open. All around are people standing and waiting, pressing closer and jostling for position. When the moment comes and the doors open, the crowd starts moving-pushing, and, ready or not, you’re carried along with them. You couldn’t resist if you wanted to. The force of the group is too strong to push against and, like it or not, you’re headed in a direction that may, or may not be where you want to go.
Or, maybe you’re standing in the aisle of a store, looking ‘smart’ and someone mistakes you for a store employee. They approach you and ask about inventory or a question about the merchandise. All you were doing was standing there, but your location and stance gave the appearance of belonging and participation.
Oh, and then there are those who get arrested for their proximity to the crime. “But, I was just standing there!” That doesn’t serve as a valid excuse and it doesn’t exonerate that person. Their ‘standing’ was interpreted as ‘participation’ and they were implicated along with those who were actively participating in the crime. “Just standing” can be “just dangerous”.
As parents, we have all kinds of warnings for our kids “Don’t stand too close to the edge!” “Don’t stand in the street!” “Don’t stand too close to the fire!” “Don’t stand on that chair- it’s not strong enough!” But, friends, it’s not just the physical location about which we need to warn them. Our sons and daughters need to be mindful of where they stand spiritually as well.
Does their location give the appearance of supporting something questionable or ungodly?
Are they surrounded by others who will ‘carry’ them along into things that are not wise or perhaps spiritually dangerous?
Have they chosen to stand where they might be mistaken for someone who does not stand on Godly principles?
How, where and with whom we stand is important. Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of these and they don’t stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
“Lord, I pray for (name) today. Give them strength to stand in wise places where they will represent You well. Encourage them, Lord, to step away from people, places, and events that would challenge their testimony or tempt them to sin. I pray that You would give them good discretion, make their spiritual feet strong to hold them steady in the tide of evil that is pulling us more each day. Father, I pray that (name) would stand with You and not crumble to or be carried off by the ‘crowd’ of popular opinion. I pray this all in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Stand Firm, Be Courageous
1 Corinthians 16:13 “ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
The 2015 movie “Cinderella” was a remake of the classic Disney story. It included visually stunning sets and characters that pulled us into the story. Of course, the protagonist met opposition, unkindness, cruelty and injustice. That’s part of what made the story memorable. She rose above, despite all of the hardships. In the midst of the struggle, Cinderella remembered the words of her beloved mother, “Always be courageous and kind”. Those words set the tone for her reactions and responses and they were foundational to her character. Despite the hardships, she remained courageous and kind. Yes, it was just a movie, but there were some valuable lessons shared and, more than just a storybook ending, the morals of forgiveness and kindness were evident.
Our lives don’t resemble a storybook. We can’t script how others respond nor can we craft the plot twists in our favor. But we have a good Father who has given us words of wisdom to live by. It’s not complicated. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would:
Be on their guard- the Enemy wants to pull them down. They need to be aware, be ready, and put on that spiritual armor.
Stand firm in the faith- they have to know what they believe and how to defend their faith
Be courageous- they will face oppression and opposition. But God is with them. They need to believe it!
Be strong- God is on their side! He will equip them for the battle- and there will be battles. They need to grow in their faith and be rooted in Scripture.
Our Heavenly Father is with us and watches over us. Jesus has planned a glorious future for us. The Holy Spirit lives in us, teaches us and comforts us. So, despite the hardship of this temporal life, we can trust that God is working everything out for our good and His glory. Why not commit 1 Corinthians 16:13 to memory today….and encourage your sons and daughters to memorize it as well.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Pray without ceasing.
Therefore, Stand Firm
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
“Therefore” Whenever a verse of scripture begins with that word, it’s always good to back and see what the prior verses say, because the ‘therefore’ indicates that there is something good, something powerful, something that brings encouragement and deliverance!
What could position us, as believers, to stand firm? What could empower us to work for the Lord, giving ourselves fully?
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 say “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore!! Because we have victory in Jesus, we can stand firm. Because we have victory in Christ, we can be strong enough to let nothing move us. Because we have victory in Christ, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
Do our sons and daughters live with this confidence? Do they know the power that accompanies the victory that Jesus provides...have they embraced that victory? Do they live in light of the ‘therefore’?
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own. Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.
“Father, thank you for the victory we have in Jesus. Thank you that the sting of death is not something we need to fear any longer. Jesus, You are our Victory in this life and for eternity. Praise You for your wonderful gift and provision of forgiveness, mercy and grace. I ask that You would infuse (name) with confidence today. Equip them to serve You well, with their whole heart and mind and to be an effective witness. Help (name) to stand firm in their faith and to grab hold of the confidence You provide. May our family be a testimony to others of the goodness and life-giving presence of God. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
A Firm Place to Stand
Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Today, let’s pray these things:
Pray that our sons and daughters would cry out to God for help when things are difficult and they are ‘sinking’. Let Him be who they run to first and always.
Pray that, in their crying to the Lord, they practice patience and understand that He really does hear them and will answer.
Pray that they would have confidence that God would rescue them and give them a firm place to stand. Let them desire that firm place that God provides and not the instability that this world offers.
Pray without ceasing
Stand by the Sea
Exodus 14:13-14 ”Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.””
Do our sons and daughters stand firm when they face opposition? Oh, the Israelites could write a book on this (well, they kinda did). They faced opposition often, they were the underdog in so many fights, yet, with God on their side, they had nothing to fear.
So, when Pharaoh let the Israelites go from Egypt, his agreement was for a brief moment, then he quickly changed his mind. Yet, that was part of God’s plan.
He rallied the chariots and horses, commanded his troops and they set off after the Israelites to drag them back to Egypt and a life of slavery. But, the pursuit was part of God’s plan.
When the Israelites reached the shores of the Red Sea, they had nowhere to go. They were blocked by the Sea in front of them and had the Egyptian Army bearing down on them from behind. It’s understandable that they would be afraid, sink to their knees in despair and assume the worst. Yet, they had seen God act miraculously on their behalf already! Moses’ command to stand firm and watch the Lord deliver was an invitation to stand on the front row and see God do amazing things.
And amazing things DID happen. God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk across on dry land...of them!! Many scholars estimate the Israelites numbered over 2 million. Can you imagine 2 million men, women and children, along with their belongings, walking through the sea with walls of water on either side, not a muddy foot in the bunch? Miraculous!!
Each one reached the other side with dry, clean feet and a heart full of hope. And when they were safely across, God threw the Egyptians into a tizzy, they panicked, they were confused...and then they were overcome by walls of water, no longer held back by supernatural hands.
The Israelites only had to stand firm, believe that God would do it, and then watch while He did.
Too often we sink to our knees and focus on the trouble. We look at the impossibilities rather than looking at our Omnipotent God. Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters would be emboldened by the knowledge that our God is Sovereign, Almighty and always present with them. There is NO enemy that can overcome Him and no obstacle too great for Him to remove. Pray that they see God part the Sea for them and know that He will fight for them, they need only stand and be still.
“Almighty God, Lord of the Universe, You have no rival and You have no equal. There is none that could ever challenge You or interfere with Your plan. I pray that You would give (name) the courage to stand in faith and believe that You can and will work on their behalf. I know they may be facing a Red Sea, yet You are mighty and able to part that sea and show them the way to deliverance. If they see the enemy bearing down on them, help them to focus on You, not the threat. Encourage them with Your faithfulness and power. Remind them they are loved. You have a plan and sometimes, when things look bleak, it’s not because You’ve forgotten, but because You want to show Yourself mighty and Sovereign. Show yourself to (name) today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Saturday Review
Today, take some quiet time to sit at the feet of Jesus and talk to Him.
Pray that our sons and daughters avoid walking with the wicked, would not stand in the midst of sin and would not sit with those who would mock Christ by their words, actions and values.
Pray that their associations and locations would show others, without question, that they belong to Jesus.
Let’s pray that our sons and daughters choose what is better and, each day, quietly sit with Jesus to listen to and learn from Him.
Pray that in their ‘sitting’, our sons and daughters would know they are seen and loved by God. They are never alone and they hold a value and purpose greater than they could truly comprehend.
Pray that they sit on the “Rock” and find rest in the Lord.
Pray that Godly friends would uphold them and help carry the burden with them until the battle is won.
Pray that our sons and daughters would understand they don’t need to be strong on their own- God will sustain them and provide brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with them...and ask the Lord to help them accept that help, encouragement and support.
Finally, pray that our sons and daughters would live in adoration of Jesus, their Lord and Savior.
Pray without ceasing.
He Sat Down
Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Today, take time to meditate on this verse. Ponder the words that exalt our Savior and speak of His glory. Soak in the impact of Jesus’ act of sitting down.
In our humanity, we sometimes look at ‘sitting’ as a mark of indifference or inaction. Sometimes it is even a symbol of protest. But Hebrews tells us that when Christ completed the will of the Father, He sat down. The action was complete. He suffered and died in our place on the cross. He paid the penalty for our sin, taking all of the sin of the world past, present, and future from every tribe, nation and language, and satisfied the ransom for us with His blood. He severed the power of sin and death an forever breached the gap that stood between God and man. His act of sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven signified it was finished, complete and sufficient.
When a Sovereign sits on the throne, their rule and authority are visibly affirmed. They are taking their place of leadership and authority. All others bow to the. Jesus’ presence on the Throne is our confidence that our redemption is complete.
Can we even imagine the majesty of Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, in all His glory? Oh, friends, we need to!! We need to know that our Victor reigns!! There is nothing left to do - He paid it all for us!!
Today, take time to pray in adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, pray that our sons and daughters would live in adoration of Him as well.
Jesus is Lord!
Pray without ceasing.
Sit on the Rock
Exodus 17:10-13 “So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Even though our sons and daughters are young, it doesn't mean they don’t grow weary. Physical weariness can happen to anyone. Young to old all grow weary. The young ones fall asleep anywhere- it’s cute and everyone understands. Yet, as we grow older, there is less tolerance for being tired, so we hide it. But it shows itself in other ways. You can see weariness in someone’s eyes. Their posture may become bent, their gait slows and their energy level loses its ‘sparkle’. Physical weariness isn’t difficult to spot. Spiritual weariness is more subtle and often better hidden. But it happens..to young and old alike. We need to be aware. And we need to be ready to offer support.
When God instructed Moses to hold his arms in the air to ensure Israel’s victory, it must have been invigorating...for the first few minutes. But as the minutes dragged into hours, Moses struggled. The physical drain was immense, but the spiritual burden was just as great. Israel’s success was dependent on Moses' obedience. If he let his arms fall, Israel would fall as well.
So, rather than berate him for getting weary or simply using words to urge him onward, Moses’ friends came alongside him, helped him sit down and, while he rested on a rock, they held up his arms for him. They carried the weight while he rested...on the rock.
There is a lot of spiritual symbolism in that, and a message we can carry to encourage our sons, daughters, friends and others. Rather than simply share ‘words’ or ‘kind thoughts’, let’s encourage those who are weary by offering them a seat on the Rock. Take them to Jesus in prayer and encouragement. And don’t just ‘drop them there’ but stand with them, hold them up, be the strength they need to remain until the battle is won.
Today, let’s pray the following for our sons and daughters:
That they would gladly take their seat on the Rock.
They would find rest in the Lord.
That when life is hard, Godly friends would uphold them and carry the burden with them until the battle is won.
That our sons and daughters would understand they don’t need to be strong on their own- God will sustain them and provide brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with them...and that they would accept that help, encouragement and support.
Pray without ceasing
Sitting Unseen?
Psalm 139:1-2 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
Have you ever sat in a room full of people and felt invisible? You can be surrounded by others, yet feel so alone. Maybe you scan the faces, but there is no one familiar and you can see no common ground that might offer an opportunity for conversation. You may even think, “I could get up and leave, and no one would notice...or care.” And then, across the room you spot someone you know. They see you and their eyes light up! Suddenly, you don’t feel so alone. You have a connection that gives you value and purpose among all the others surrounding you.
Sometimes, as believers, we can sit doubting our value and struggling to know our place. We can feel invisible and alone in a world full of achievers and beautiful people who seem to grab the spotlight and have so much more to say or contribute than we think we do. Yet, God looks through the masses of people and sees us. He SEES us!! His eyes light up and He says “THAT is my beloved!” He sees us sitting there and He wants us to understand without a doubt, that we are His dearly beloved child whom He loves desperately and completely and who deserves and receives His undivided attention.
God sees the ‘sitters’. They’re not invisible to Him.
Today, let’s pray for our sons and daughters that in their ‘sitting’ they would know they are seen and loved by God. They are never alone and they hold a value and purpose greater than they could truly comprehend.
“Lord, daily You search (name) and You know them. You know when (name) sits and when they rise. You perceive their thoughts from afar. I pray that You would be preeminent in (name)’s thoughts today. Don’t let them sit in despair, questioning their purpose or value. Don’t let them sit in darkness, struggling to find Your light. Let them sit, intentionally taking quiet time to talk to You and be encouraged and strengthened. When they rise, Lord, guide (name)’s steps to accomplish what You have purposed for them to do today. I pray that they would know they are seen and loved. Lord, encourage their heart today with the knowledge that Your eyes look at them with such great affection and undivided attention and You will protect and guide them so they won’t stumble or fall. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Be a Mary.
Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
How often, when asked “How are you?”, do we respond “I’m busy!” It seems like a fact of life these days. We run from one thing to the next just trying to keep up. And the same applies to our spiritual lives. We are busy running to church, to Bible study, to this or that ministry and we just can’t sit still. Idle hands are the “devil’s workshop”, after all….right?
Far too often, we value being ‘busy’ for God over taking time to quietly sit at His feet. In fact, if we’re honest, we might feel some guilt if we’re sitting too long. If we’re accomplishing things, checking the boxes and serving well, then our commitment and spiritual maturity will be validated, right? Yet, that’s not what God asks of us. He wants us to sit at His feet and listen. He wants our full attention and focused heart and mind.
There is no doubt we’ve modeled service to our sons and daughters. But we have to ask ourselves, have we modeled the intentional practice of sitting at the Lord’s feet to listen to Him and learn from Him? We need to continually practice that and then encourage that as well.
Martha served committedly, but Mary chose the better option, that which would impact her for eternity. She stopped and took time to focus on Jesus. Only Jesus.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters choose what is better and, each day, quietly sit with Jesus to listen to and learn from Him. Take time today to slow down, sit down and listen to Jesus.
“Lord, help me to sit and listen to You. Remind me today to do more than just pause, but to take time to sit down with You, listen to You and enjoy quiet time, just me and You. I pray that (name) would learn the practice of sitting and listening to You, too. As life gets faster and crazier, our hearts and minds need that quiet practice of sitting at Your feet, undistracted by all that’s going on in the world and in our lives. Help us to be a “Mary” in this world that would cheer us on to be a Martha until we collapse. Lord, make us mindful and draw us to sit down and listen.. In Jesus name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
But, I Was Just Sitting There….
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,”
The progression of Psalm 1:1 is insightful. Look at each of the actions, walking, standing and sitting. There is little argument one can make against someone’s association, and even guilt, if they are choosing to walk with those who are wicked. They are present and participating.
Then, if we stand with someone, we’re still taking action, of sorts. We are aligning ourselves with that person, giving our support and approval. We’re taking a stand, making a point and being a part, not apart.
But sitting. Hmmm. One might argue “I was just sitting there….” Ah, but where we sit matters. Someone who opts to fly first class sits in a place that, just by its designation, tells others that person has some measure of ‘importance’ or special privilege. If someone purchases ringside seats at a boxing match, their seat location tells others they are interested and invested in what’s going on in the ring.
So when we sit in the company of others…mockers, we’re part of their group and we are joining in on their companionship, even if we’re not actively participating. We are associated by our choice of seat. We could get up and move, but if we choose to remain seated, we choose to immerse ourselves in that company and the environment it creates...and we choose to be viewed as one of them.
Friends, we must pray pointedly and earnestly that our sons and daughters don’t just avoid walking with the wicked or standing in the midst of sin, but that they make the intentional choice to not sit with those who would mock Christ by their words, actions and values. Let’s pray that their associations and locations would show others, without question, that they belong to Jesus. We want them to get the ‘good seat’ that proactively aligns them with the Lord.
“Father, thank you for Your love and concern for us. You so beautifully wrote your Word to us so that we would understand all You desire for us and all You ask of us. Lord, I pray today that (name) would be very mindful of where they choose to sit and who they choose to align themselves with. If they plant themselves without discretion, I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would make them uncomfortable so that they would get up and find another seat. Lord, keep them from danger, keep them from evil, keep them from abiding others who would mock Your name. When they take their seat, let it be with full intention to honor You with their life and their location. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Sunday Worship: Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place, so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
I would look upon the past
For His love has been so gracious
It has won my heart at last
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Where can mortals be more bless
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And when weary find sweet rest
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
There I love to weep and pray
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day
Bless me, O my Savior, bless me
As I sit low at Thy feet
Oh, look down in love upon me
Let me see Thy face so sweet
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus
Make me holy as He is
May I prove I've been with Jesus
Who is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness
Hymn by Joseph L. Hall, 1868
Saturday Review
We’ve reached Saturday! It’s a great day to go back through our prayer points and talk to the Lord one more time. Repeating a prayer or request isn’t redundant, it expresses to the Lord just how important it is to you and how much it weighs on your heart. He loves to hear His children pray!
Pray that even if God puts our sons and daughters in hard places, that they would be willing to be used by Him. Pray that they would have boldness to live for Christ!!
Pray Philippians 1:20 for our sons and daughters asking the Lord to give them courage to live for Him, whether in life or in death, and to live with eternity in mind. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Pray that our sons and daughters wisely decide where they will sit. Let’s pray that they do not choose to sit with the wicked - opting to be present and surrounded by darkness. Let’s pray that they have discretion to sit under teaching that is Biblical and God-honoring, not just what ‘sounds good’ or ‘looks pretty’. Finally, we need to pray that they choose to sit at the feet of Jesus daily as well as with those who love Him and want to live for Him.
Finally, pray that our sons and daughters would take time to sit and talk to the Lord. Pray that they would love the Lord their God with all their heart, all their soul and all their strength. And pray that His commands would be on their hearts so that whatever they choose to do and wherever they go, He is present and preeminent in their thoughts and in their hearts.
Pray without ceasing.
It Matters Where You Sit
Psalm 26:4-5 “I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.”
Remember the days of walking into a restaurant and hearing the hostess ask “smoking or non-smoking?” The restaurant tried to separate those who did not want to be exposed to the smoke and smell, so we had a choice of where we wanted to sit. But sometimes, the ‘non-smoking’ section was just the very next table...there was no wall or separate room, just an invisible ‘line’ determining the difference between smoking and non-smoking. The smoke still drifted over and the smell permeated the air. The food, the clothing, even the hair smelled like smoke despite the fact that no one at your table was smoking. When that happened, the waitress was called over and the whole group moved, once again, to find a spot where the air was clear and the meal wouldn’t be ruined. Where we sat mattered.
Friends, where we ‘sit’ in life matters too. Even if we’re simply ‘present’, but not participating, we’re surrounded by what goes on around us. If we sit by the side of the pool, we’re bound to be splashed. The excuse of ‘well, I’m not swimming...I’m not IN the pool’, doesn’t work. If we choose to place ourselves in the company of others who make poor moral decisions, use coarse language, and live like the world, we’re choosing to passively align ourselves with, and show approval for those things. One cannonball will leave you soaked and, swimming or not, you’re all wet. You look like you’ve been swimming. There is little that distinguishes you from others who are actually in the pool. Where you sit matters.
And we don’t need to be mindful of just the ‘world’. There are plenty of discretionary opportunities in the church and among believers, or those who claim to be. Not all who claim to be believers will live like they are. Some ‘talk’ a good game, but their words and life are a twisted mess of deception. They use their power, position and words to manipulate and control. They speak to gain a following, not to honor Jesus. They tickle the ears but darken the heart. The love of Christ is absent. When we choose to sit under these people, to listen, learn and follow, we risk dampening the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. When we sit too close, our ears and hearts grow numb to Truth. Where we sit matters.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters choose their seats well. Let’s pray that they do not sit with the wicked, opting to be present and surrounded by darkness. Let’s pray that they have discretion to sit under teaching that is Biblical and God-honoring, not just what ‘sounds good’ or ‘looks pretty’. Let’s pray that they choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and with those who love Him and want to live for Him.
*Disclaimer* This does not mean we cease to be salt and light to those who are unbelievers. This does NOT mean we cloister ourselves to remain ‘untainted’ by the world. We’re not called to live in a ‘bubble’. But there is a difference between going out, sitting down and engaging with others who need the Lord and who need to *see* God in us, vs. choosing to align oneself with people and activities that do not please the Lord, excusing bad behavior and acting without wisdom or discretion. We’re called to be in the world, but not of it. 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Pray for discretion. Pray that our sons and daughters choose their seats well. It matters where they sit.
Pray without ceasing.
Don’t Just Sit There…
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
What do we do when we sit? Really? Think about it. Sitting is usually a pretty passive event. Oh, we sit and work, sure, but other times, we just plop down and we ‘sit’, but do very little.
In the book of Deuteronomy, God had some other ideas about what the Israelites could do with all that ‘down time’.
The Israelites were just about ready to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. But before they stepped foot in the land, God wanted to remind them of the most important things they needed to embrace, remember and practice. He instructed Moses to give them commands and decrees so that their children, grandchildren and generations to come would always remember and always fear the Lord, who did so many miracles on their behalf.
And what were those commands? Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.
And how were they to remember?
These commands are to be on your hearts
Impress them on your children
Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road
Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads
Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
God was trying to tell the Israelites that He wanted to be a part of their conversation throughout the day, regardless of what they did or where they went. Even when they sat at home, He was there and, friends, He’s with us as well when we’re sitting at home, or in the car, or wherever we plant ourselves. Will we make him a part of our conversation?
Here’s an interesting observation. The word ‘sit’ in our English language means to physically ‘sit’ with our backside in a chair, but it also means to ‘be present’ as in babysit, housesit, dogsit, etc. It’s a companionship of sorts. God wants that companionship with us- and He wants to be the topic of conversation.
Today, when you sit down, think through the three letters of the word ‘sit’: “S” stop, “I” inquire of the Lord, and “T” talk to HIm. Then, go on and talk to the Lord. Pray for your sons and daughters that they, too, would take time to sit and talk to the Lord. Pray that they would love the Lord their God with all their heart, all their soul and all their strength. And pray that His commands would be on their hearts so that whatever they choose to do, He is present and preeminent in their thoughts and in their hearts.
“Lord, too often we sit and do ‘nothing’. Too often we let our minds wander to empty things. Or, we let clutter in and it crowds out what You're trying to say. I pray that today, as (name) sits down, you would bring a peace to their heart and a reminder to their mind to spend time in prayer with You. Help them to stop, inquire, and talk to You. Help them to love you with all their being. Lord, I pray that their relationship with You would deepen so they’re longing to spend time in talking, praying and listening to You. Let them sit in Your presence and soak in the Truths of Who You are and What a relationship with You truly means. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Courage to Live…or Die
Philippians 1:20 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
A classic question that is often asked of children is, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. The answers vary from ‘ballerina’ and ‘princess’ to ‘doctor’ or ‘army guy’. Sometimes you get funny, unexpected responses, like the student who wanted to ‘be’ the dump truck…(not just drive the truck, but BE the truck).
But few, if any, would have said ‘I want to die for my faith’. That’s sobering and probably not the sort of conversation that we would think to have with our children. (Yet, there are belief systems out there that train their children from a young age that giving their life for their god is honorable and rewarding.)
But at some point, we as parents, need to have those serious conversations. We need our sons and daughters to understand that following Christ requires them to be ‘all-in’. They will spend their life on something, will it have eternal value? Have we trained our sons and daughters to understand and fully believe that a life surrendered to God is a life well-lived? Have we communicated the seriousness of the choice set before them: life with Christ or eternity without Him? Here is the real question, would our sons and daughters be willing to give their life for Jesus?
Oh we have so many hopes and dreams for our sons and daughters, don’t we? But we need to look beyond this temporal life and consider our hopes and dreams for their eternity. Our sons and daughters may be called to hard places where life is fragile or where followers of Christ are viewed as enemies worthy of death. It seems foreign to us, yet God calls people to these hard places to be salt and light. And for some of us, that may become a life that is lived by our son or daughter. Are they willing? Are we willing?
Today, let’s pray Philippians 1:20 for our sons and daughters and ask the Lord to give them courage to live for Him, whether in life or in death, and to live with eternity in mind. And lets pray that the Lord gives us courage, as parents, to support them wherever God calls them.
“Father, I pray for (name) today that they would eagerly live for you in an expectation of pleasing You in all they say and do. I pray that their sincere hope today, and every day, would be that they would honor You. Give (name) an eternal perspective that sees beyond this day, week or year, that pushes past the five-year plan and the retirement goals to the value of eternity at Your right hand. Lord, help them to truly understand how fleeting this life is and make them willing to lay down their life for You. Wherever You lead, I pray that (name) would following, willingly and with full trust in You. Lord, help my desires for them to align with Yours. I pray that I would not get distracted by accomplishments and successes but would pray daily for their spiritual maturity and willingness to serve You with their life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
With Boldness, No Matter What
Acts 28:31 “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
Let’s be honest, we don’t like to see our sons and daughters struggle and, if we could, we would change it. When we see them face difficulty accompanied by frustration or pain, we want to step in and take it away. But...what if…..what if God designed that difficulty to create circumstances that would allow them to boldly share Jesus with others? What then? Would we still wish and pray it away?
Your challenge today is to read all of Acts 28 as if you were the Apostle Paul’s parent. Yep, you read that right… imagine he was your son….now go on and read the chapter. What do you see? What are your feelings about what he’s facing? What would you have said...or done on his behalf? And when you get to verse 31… what would your perspective be?
Paul was arrested and, eventually, sent to Rome where he remained imprisoned until his death. He was under house arrest, yet took every opportunity to talk to others about Jesus. Jews and Romans alike were saved and transformed by his ministry. Roman guards became brothers in Christ. God used Paul’s imprisonment to get the gospel to Rome and to the Gentiles.
God had a purpose and plan in Paul’s hardships and Paul understood that. He trusted God more than he trusted his experience and more than he regretted his circumstances. He wasn’t imprisoned by his attitudes and despair. His faith in God’s plan gave him boldness to share the gospel and a spiritual freedom that no government or official could take from him. He was willing to go and share boldly wherever God placed him.
Friends, sometimes God puts our sons and daughters in hard places because He intends to use them in ways that, otherwise, would not happen. Rather than fuss, fret, and try and interfere, let’s pray with boldness that our sons and daughters would have boldness for Christ!!
Yes, this is hard. No, we don’t like to see our children (grown or not) in hard places. But do we trust God? Can we trust Him with what is most precious to us? Of course we can. Absolutely. They are safer in His keeping than they ever were in ours. Trust Him and pray for boldness.
“Lord, I know that you may take (name) to hard places or into difficult circumstances. Help me to trust You. I pray that my “parent heart” would not stand in the way of Your plan. Give me wisdom, Lord, to know what to say and when, or to sense when You are putting a hand on my mouth and heart to bring peace and quiet so you can work. I ask that you would give (name) boldness to speak of Jesus to those around them and give them eyes to see spiritual opportunities that hard places and circumstances may cultivate. Lord, I know time is short and those You will add to Your Kingdom may be nearing completion. Use us to spread the truth of Jesus, the joy of salvation, the ministry of mercy and grace to those around us. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”