Good Morning. Was going to skip blog...BUT GOD! He will redeem my time and speak to our hearts if we invite Him to as we still ourselves, empty ourselves and seek his face for a spell. Come Lord Jesus! Speak! Amen! Help me be still, repent and know that You are God and You love me always!
Too many things lined up as God spoke to my heart, even in my hurriedness. My prayer huddle was an awesome reminder of God's patient, forgiving, helping love. And a reminder that I have work to do yet as a sinner saved by grace. That is be still, repent, and know. That requires turning off the noise and focusing on God. If you have the book we did day 5, Contemplative Prayer. Stop. Turn off the noise for a few minutes and abide. he is waiting! Come and know Me and my love is the invitation. And as we do, we begin to be transformed and eventually thrive. Yes be still and abide. God's waiting to whisper to your soul and redirect you.
All our devotionals below and harvest prayer link tie to this thinking. Contemplate and receive God's coreecting, patient, forging, helping love . Come aside and abide for a few and be refreshed in His love. I'm praying for you and me to choose that ! Be still and know! DO THIS !
Michael couldn’t help laughing as Grace hid behind a menu. They were playing a game of hide-and-seek at the table in a café while waiting for the food. The five-year-old thought that if she couldn’t see her father, then he couldn’t see her. It seemed silly at the time, but as Michael reflected on the situation later, he realized it contained an important lesson: Do we believe we can hide our sins from God? Do we think that if we can’t see Him, then He can’t see us?
In Amos 9, this same point is made when God, speaking through the prophet, warns Israel not to think they can escape judgment for their sins: “Though they hide themselves . . . I will hunt them down.” He said, “I will keep my eye on them” (vv. 3-4). Nothing escapes the eyes of the all-seeing, all-knowing God.
But the warning also came with a message of hope. In verses 11-15, God promises restoration: “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls” (v. 11). After suffering the consequences of their sin, God’s people would be restored and given bountiful blessings (vv. 13-15).
Just as God sees our failings, He also sees our repentance, and He’s ready to forgive and restore. As we draw comfort from this truth, let’s hold on tightly to our holy and righteous God, who is full of mercy and grace.
By Leslie Koh
REFLECT & PRAY
What sins are you struggling with? How will you respond to God's readiness to restore?
All-knowing God, nothing I do, think, say, or feel is hidden from You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace, for my hope is in You alone.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
We frequently encounter the metaphor of God’s “eyes” in Scripture, symbolism that speaks of His attentiveness to us. Before the Israelites entered the promised land, Yahweh told them: “If you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God . . . you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing Jordan to possess” (Deuteronomy 4:25-26). Centuries passed, and the people indeed became corrupt. God responded, “I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good” (Amos 9:4). However, this “harm” (His discipline) ultimately was for their good. Although Yahweh said, “The eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom,” He also said, “I will not totally destroy the descendants of Jacob” (v. 8). God’s correction is for our benefit and intended to bring about our repentance. He’s quick to forgive and restore us.
For further study, read Taking Sin Seriously.
Tim Gustafson
UR: Following the Light
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)
“Dad!” my daughter called out. “There’s something making noise in the fireplace!”
I went into the living room to investigate the fluttering sound emanating from inside the chimney. A bird must have decided to explore. I thought that if it found its way in, it would surely find its way out. But after a while, I realized that it was not going to get out on its own.
An online article suggested propping up a flashlight outside the fireplace opening for the bird to follow the light down the chimney. I put a flashlight in place and to my amazement a bird appeared after just a couple of minutes. We propped open the front door of the house and managed to guide the bird outside. I watched it spread its wings and soar up into the trees to freedom.
Jesus told the people of Judea that he was the light of the world and whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have life. Like the bird that followed the light out of the darkness of the chimney, so too can we follow the light of Jesus to new life.
's Prayer
Loving Savior, thank you for being the light that leads us into understanding, hope, and new life. Amen.
Connection Prayer (Great place to start as yuou move to stillness before the Lord and emptying yourself!
Prayer Points
Praise God that he sweeps away your offenses like the morning mist (Isa. 44:22).
Give thanks that God is not unjust and will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you help others (Heb. 6:10).
Confess to him those secret things you do which you know are wrong but just haven’t been able to confess (Ps. 44:21).
Commit yourself to building others up with encouragement and ridding yourself of bitterness and anger, forgiving others as God in Christ forgives you (Eph. 4:29-32).
Ask God to help you be an imitator of him, living a life of love (Eph. 5:1).
Pray that God will give you his strength to “right some wrong” that you have committed against a family member or friend.
LISTEN ONLINE
