I Love Yellow

08 Aug 2018 3 Comments

by Barbara in The Lighter Side Tags: , , ,

The Lighter Side

sunflower-Pixabay

I love the cheerfulness of yellow and its mood-elevating, smile-on-your-face, soul-satisfying effect.

I love the bold, brazen, bronzy glow of the sun and it’s paler yellow beams sprinkling the earth like suspended salt from a shaker.

I love buttery golden corn kernels eaten from the cob, messy and delicious, salty and warm—a  special summer gift.

I love the yellow smile of daffodils, proclaiming the arrival of spring just before forsythia wave their golden arms. I love sassy black-eyed Susans, and audacious sunflower faces grinning at the sun, and delicate, lemony, buttercups—joy-surprises along the path.

Speaking of lemon… I love lemonade, pale yellow, sweet and tart—the best is fresh-squeezed, sold at Amish markets.

And what about lemon cookies, lemon sherbet, lemon drops, and lemon meringue pie?

Have you noticed that a sunset is more astonishing when its purples and pinks are embellished with streaks of yellow-gold accenting its beauty?

Has your heart fluttered at the flit of a swallow tail butterfly dancing by—or the sight of a gold finch lighting on a branch—or the first golden flash of a lightning bug in the early evening?

What yellow do you love? White-petaled daisy centers? Yellow plastic pails on a sandy beach? Is it the color of your favorite team? Please share!

Image from Pixabay/Ulleo
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The Kingdom, the Power, the Glory—Forever

01 Aug 2018 2 Comments

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , , ,

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This powerful closure to the Lord’s prayer is footnoted in many Bible translations, but too profound (and familiar) to be overlooked. Let’s again bring our prayer request to God and, by His grace, find release in this glorious closing statement. This is the ultimate bottom line.

Whatever our burden, concern, request, we acknowledge God’s kingdom as our priority.

Father, you know my thoughts and my heart and what I would like to happen. You know how I’m hurting and longing for a change in this circumstance, but right now, I elevate your kingdom above this kingdom. I want your righteous standards, your purity, your light, your methods, your thoughts to be preeminent.

I trust you as King and Ruler to do what is good—for the bigger picture, the greater good, and your eternal purposes. To that end, I lay down every inferior suggestion and imagined scenario and put my trust in you. Rule in this troubling circumstance—and also in my heart.

We dare pray like this because the power—all power—unlimited power is His. When He doesn’t respond as we wish, it’s not due to impotence or indecision. Just the opposite. He has the power to do better and more than we have asked and knows how to bring exceedingly great blessings.

Our Father, God of power, might and wisdom, you are omnipotent. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). I will to put my trust in you, for you are able and you do all things well.

The end result of all we pray must be God’s glory—His magnificence, beauty, splendor, brilliance, grandeur, wonder. If His glory isn’t our chief goal, what is? Our glory? We worship Him as our Father and King because He is worthy.

Father, it’s not about what would bring resolve to my loved one’s situation or blessing his or her life, but about your glory. Lord, be magnified—be magnified in the midst of this mess and in my heart and soul.

Forever. God’s kingdom will never end, His power never wane, His glory never fade. What will change is our awe as we see His kingdom more clearly, trust His power more fully, and behold His glory more openly.

I pray that this walk through the Lord’s Prayer has enabled you to profoundly trust our Father. My hope is that He has been magnified in your eyes and the heaviness of your prayer concerns has lightened.

Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us how to pray. Amen.

Lead Us, Deliver Us

25 Jul 2018 Leave a comment

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , , , ,

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If you’ve been waiting to read what I’ll say about “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” so have I. It’s easy to get mired in the theology of the request, and I did. I referenced my notes from when I spoke on the Lord’s Prayer, but finally decided to simply talk about how I pray this for myself and others and leave the studying for your personal pursuit.

This may be the easiest and most passionate appeal we pray from the Lord’s Prayer—who doesn’t want to avoid temptation? It’s also a humble acknowledgement that, even when it’s the obvious choice, we need help to escape. In the previous verse we prayed for forgiveness. Now we pray that we won’t be in the position to again fall.

When Jesus told us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” He knew whereof He spoke. Two chapters earlier we’re told, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (4:1, italics added). He knew the pain involved in resisting temptation.

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus knows, He helps, and sees the perfect purpose.

God tests us to build us up. Satan tempts us to tear us down. When the tests come, Satan will appear on the scene and tempt us to despair, bitterness, fear, anger, self-pity, unforgiveness.  Lord, “deliver us from the evil one.”

How better can we pray for the situation we’ve been bringing to God as we walk through the Lord’s Prayer? It is probable that the burden we carry stems from a yielding to temptation.

Father, please don’t lead my loved one into temptation, but deliver her (him) from the evil one. Open a way of escape. You are the Faithful One, ever-present to help in the time of trouble. Help this one who is dearer to you than she is to me and open her eyes to see your deliverance.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 

Graphic from pachurch.ca

Debt Forgiveness

17 Jul 2018 4 Comments

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , ,

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Today we’re taking our prayer request to a new level—one that is probing and deeply personal. We ask for forgiveness, for ourselves, for the ones we’re praying about, for those involved in the pain that has brought us to our knees.

I’d rather pray for bread.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Debts. I have debts. Plural. I owe my friend $5 when I was short for the lunch tab. I owe a reciprocal dinner. I owe others for acts of kindness too many to count and too thoughtful to match. I owe visits and emails, words of gratitude and patient listening, encouragement and caring about your story. And that’s just on this plane.

I owe God my life. I am straddled with a debt of forgiveness I can’t pay—a life I cannot purify enough to make worthy, thoughts that dwell on unhappiness more than on Him, service I’m not selfless enough to give, praise that forgets my faltering ego and exalts Him, trust that usurps my fears, worship that is not minimized by mood.

So, I inadequately come to the One who paid all these debts and more, and offer nothing as I ask Him to forgive me—again. I receive sweet mercy and astounding grace. And then I remember the qualifier—forgive as I have forgiven my debtors.

Is there someone I’m holding accountable to me? Does my attitude say you owe me? Am I waiting for reparation?

My forgiveness for others will never be as free and full as what I receive from my Father, but I can make my heart right by releasing my offenders from their debt, like I’ve been released from mine. And then I make forgiveness choices—to not rehearse the offense, to not repay the evil, to bless the offender, to live at peace, to refuse to take the offense that’s been given.

How does this apply to the situations we’ve been praying according to the Lord’s prayer?

Lord, my loved one may not be asking, but I’m asking, please forgive his (or her) sins. Bring him to the place where he will marvel over the magnitude of your forgiving grace. Cut away roots of bitterness that want to take hold. I release from debt, those who have hurt him, who have hurt me. Bring a miracle of healing that only forgiveness can release.

Graphic from vimeo.com/hunterstreet

Give. Us. Daily. Bread.

11 Jul 2018 4 Comments

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , , , ,

Wheat.During the past weeks we’ve prayed about a specific situation according to the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. We asked God’s name to be honored, His rulership to reign above our desires, and His will to be done. The focus of these first three requests has been on God’s greatness: His holiness (hallowed be), sovereignty (kingdom come), and wisdom (your will be done). The next three focus on our smallness. As we bring our request to Him today, let us ask,

“Give us today our daily bread.”

This seemingly simple request is actually heavy with meaning.

Give us. These words recognize two things—the Giver and the need. In the self-sufficient place I live, I need reminders of both. I drive to one of 35 grocery stores within fifteen minutes of my home where I find a dazzling array of selections and pay for them with cash, check or credit. I empty my bags (always plural and more than I expected), pushing my purchases into already full cabinets. I confess, “Give us today our daily bread” never passed my lips.

Our request for daily bread is not determined by need but by acknowledgement. It is not our jobs, our ingenuity, our labors that supply our needs—it’s all from God, the One who gave us work, talents and strength. It’s all grace and deserves daily appreciation.

It is different when we pray for something outside our ability to provide (such as the request we’ve been praying through the Lord’s Prayer). Then it is easy to feel our need because we are powerless to change the situation. Our cry, “Give us today our daily bread” is honest. The need hurts and only God can supply the remedy.

Today. What we presently need—we’ll be back again tomorrow.

Did you ever notice God is more about process than speed? I want this burden to be gone today but God gives me grace today. I need to subdue the desire to cover it all, to solve the problem and be finished with it, and ask only for what’s needed today.

Our. Not my needs alone, ours. I own your need and share your hardship. We are in this together.

Daily. I want to be confident in God’s provision—it is always enough for the day, like manna in the wilderness.

Bread. I don’t ask for the desserts of life but for what is needful to live well. “Lord, give me what nourishes and sustains me. Satisfy me with your gifts of perfect, timely provision.”

The significance of praying for our daily bread explodes when we consider a conversation Jesus had in John 6. He said, “I am the bread of life.” I believe Living Bread is encompassed in the request for daily bread since no other petition in this prayer pattern includes spiritual or emotional needs. Both “breads” are needful daily and are supplied by a gracious Father.

Let our prayers intentionally focus on the Giver, our daily need and His daily supply.

Lord, you know what’s necessary for my loved one. You understand his (or her) needs better than I do, so I ask you to give him what he needs for today and help me to not worry about his future. And, Lord, it’s not only for his bread I pray, but for all the lives who touch his and are affected by him. Work in me, that I may care as passionately for others as I do for me and mine. Give us today our daily bread.

Lord, satisfy me today with Yourself. Let me—no—let us eat of the Bread that fills our longing souls. Give us today our daily Bread.

Your Kingdom, Your Will

03 Jul 2018 Leave a comment

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , , ,

kingdomCome1I hope you’re discovering sweet release as you apply each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer to a specific prayer request. Today, the answer you seek has the potential to enter the “more than we ask or imagine” realm when you bring your burden before our Father and pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

God’s kingdom is the place—the only place—where His will is perfectly performed. There is no hindrance, no interference, no objection. His will is embraced and trusted. It’s not like earth where so much gets in the way, like us, and even our prayers.

Do you sometimes sound like me?

“Lord, here is my loved one and this is the dilemma. Would you please…?” Even when I don’t verbalize my wishes, I have them, both acknowledged and in my subconscious. I am not short on suggestions for ways God could fix this—but my proposals are inferior to His ways.

Are my prayers limiting or do they release answers that are above what I ask or imagine? A Kingdom of God mentality will align my prayers with God’s will.

“Lord, I want your kingdom to rise in this situation—for righteousness to reign and sin to flee. Father, shine your light on this mess and let your glory glow. I want your will to be done, even if I don’t understand it, like it or agree with it.

And as I pray, Lord, may your kingdom reign in my heart without resistance. Spirit, keep this truth before me: your ways and thoughts are always higher than mine and everything you do is initiated by astounding love and fathomless faithfulness.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth—in this situation—as it is in heaven. Amen.”

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory … for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21

Hallowed be your Name

26 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

by Barbara in The Lord's Prayer Tags: , ,

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What concern did you choose to pray through the Lord’s Prayer pattern? As you bring that request to God, can you place His honor above your desires and say, “Hallowed be your name”?

Hallowed is not a common word. My only recall of its use is “hallowed halls” of a university, which implies respect or a revered tradition one wouldn’t think of changing. Both thoughts are applicable to today’s prayer. Synonyms for hallowed are holy, blessed, sacred, revered.

We do not ask God to make His already-holy name hallowed, but that His name—who He is, His glory—takes precedence over the answers we seek. My mind has considered many wonderful ways God could answer my prayer, but now it is still, acknowledging what is important—the glory of His name.

Lord, be sanctified in my heart. In the pain I carry, in the circumstances that need your intervention, in the life of my loved one—above all, above the solution I long for, may your name be hallowed.

This means my child’s struggle, my husband’s issue, my friend’s restoration, my personal disappointment—whatever tearful burden I’m bringing—is secondary to His name being revered. Nothing is more important.

As the first of six requests, “hallowed be your name” is rightly positioned, dictating the priority of our desires. Asking that His name be honored is a request that God Himself, with all the attributes of His divine nature, be held in highest esteem—His power, wisdom, sovereignty, authority, omniscience and all He is.

When you cry out to God with your burden, may your greatest longing be for God’s will, purposes, and plans to be revered more than your personal wishes and desired solutions.

Lord, may your name be hallowed above the desires of my heart.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:9-10)

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