“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
~ John 14:21
Prayer Life Pause: Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You and keep Your commands. May my love for You be displayed in my words and actions that I might live in Your and the Father’s manifest love for me. In Jesus; name, amen.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
~ Reginald Heber
“[T]here is nothing in us or done by us at any stage of our earthly development because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake or we cannot ever be accepted at all. This is not true of us only “when we believe,” it is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live… It is always, on His “blood and righteousness” alone that we can rest. There is never anything that we are or have or do that can take His place or that take a place along with Him. We are always unworthy, and all that we have or do of good is always of pure grace.”
~ B.B. Warfield
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, thank You for accepting this humble sinner for Christ’s sake. His love and sacrifice are the only sufficient grounds for my salvation. Help me to always cling to Christ. In Jesus name, amen.
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.”
~ 1 Kings 19:3
The reason given in chapter 19 for Elijah’s fear and running is that Jezebel was in pursuit of him for his life (vs. 2). Elijah, in fear for his life, flees to Beersheba in Judah. From there, God’s prophet becomes depressed and despondent believing he was the last of God’s covenant people (vs. 4, 10). Yet, it was in this moment of utter despair, that the Lord comes to Elijah, strengthens him and reveals to His servant there were many more “seven thousand” who were still faithful (vs. 18). And it also in this moment, Elijah was to go and anoint Elisha to succeed him as God’s prophet (vs. 16).
From Elijah’s perspective, he was running from something. But from God’s vantage point, Elijah was running towards something. Elijah thought he was fleeing Jezebel, but he was in fact running towards God’s service. The road wasn’t easy and there was even great despair, but in the end, God was there. Sometimes it helps to pull back and look at our circumstances, not from our own view point, but from the high view point of heaven. To put on our “spiritual” glasses and try to see ourselves, not running from the things of this world, but running towards God’s will.
~ apl
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, move me ever towards You that I might know and sense Your presence going before me in every step I take – trusting Your hand of love and mercy guide me along the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Helper has come,
He who stays,
to convict the world,
showing God’s ways.
Spirit of Truth,
He who reveals,
indwelling the heart,
faith, eternally sealed.
~ apl
“Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up”.
~ Psalm 5:2-3
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, may the prayers of Your people reach You early in the morning that we might start all of our days in Your presence and with Your power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“[F]or with God all things are possible.”
~ Mark 10:27b
This verse is the summum bonum of the Christian’s hope. Hidden deep in the truth of these seven little words is the greatest treasures of the Lord. Here lies the key that unlocks the power, glory and love of the living God – with Him all things are possible! There is no trial too great nor petition too small that God cannot affect. Nothing stays His hand. No need goes unnoticed. With God every concern can be comforted, every affliction assuaged, and every trepidation tamed. The real question is: Do we believe it? Does our faith carry us to the sure arms of a strong God with whom all things are possible? Do you rest in the assurance of this truth as one who belongs to Him? May we experience the hope, grace and love of the God of all things.
~ apl
Prayer Life Pause: Dear Jesus, may I take my every care and concern to You for in You lies all the grace, power and majesty of God to guide and strengthen m all my days. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
~ William D. Longstaff
Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, please continue to shower me in Your holiness that I may reflect it in my thoughts, words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer Life 