• About

Philippians 3: 12-14

~ Not that I have already obtained all this…

Philippians 3: 12-14

Tag Archives: Prayer

Day 10 -Your gates will always stand open…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession. Isaiah 60:11

Peace will reign in the future of glory for Jerusalem! There will be no need to shut the gates to protect the City because she will have no enemies. The splendor bestowed upon the City by the Lord will turn the enemies to servants. Only those who come to bring glory and honor will show up.

“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Revelation 21:24-26 NIV

If only we knew what the future brings, we would lie down in peace and rest. We worry about our days, we do not rest at night. We know not who is for us or who is against us.

God in His mercy and grace, has endowed us with His splendor, His Son.  He is our Redeemer, our Deliverer, our Defender.  His Presence in us makes us safe, gives us hope, opens the way for blessings.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, You are my Light and my Salvation, You are the stronghold of my life. I do not need to fear or be afraid (Psalm 27:1).   I trust in You, Lord!  Your Presence in me draws others to You and prepares a way for great blessing. My future in You does not compare to my past and those who once thought ill of me, will seek me out. I praise You God for Your compassion for me!

You’re the Hero of My Story Click on the link to pray with song.

 

Day 9 -I will show you compassion…

11 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.”  Isaiah 60:10

The Prophet announces to the nation of Israel that foreigners, those who gave their allegiance to other deities, even they will come to help them restore Jerusalem. The Lord had oftentimes allowed Israel to suffer the consequences of her disobedience and still He loved and favored Israel. And in His favor He shows compassion.

When we find ourselves broken down, in disarray or in need of restoration, we often expect or at least hope that those around us, who know us best, would come to our aide. That’s the natural. The supernatural is when God steers the way of strangers, those far away from us, and leads them to edify us, bring us harmony or renewal.

Often times as a result of our disobedience, we find ourselves estranged from God, hiding from His presence, as if we could ever be able to do that. (Jeremiah 23:24)

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 NIV

Can you imagine that those who do not know you will come to assist you in rebuilding, restoration, repair; even those in high places?

Will you believe that even though we may have fallen short at times, God’s favor is upon us and He shows us compassion?

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I am awed at your goodness and your mercies. Though I fail You, you’ve never failed us. And in my brokenness and in my need, You use whomever You need to use to bring healing, refreshing and renewal to my life.  Thank you for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8) .

You Make Me New Click on link to pray with song.

 

Day 8 -Bringing your children from afar…

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 60:9

The Prophet Isaiah continues to declare the coming days of glory for Jerusalem as a result of Jerusalem arising, shining and recognizing that the light, the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Deliverer had come.  As a people who as wanderers became a nation, Israel was not seen as much. The time will come when those from far away will look to Israel and will return their inheritance. All this because God has brought splendor to the nation.

There was a time when others did not even take a second look at you because you were distraught and in disarray.  But soon they will be looking at you and will return to you what belongs to you. The darkness will not be able to contain your children and it will let them go! All this because God has brought splendor to your life!

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to seek me out and save me. Thank you that Jesus died for the Jewish nation and “not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.” (John 11:51-52)
Thank  you for loving us so much that we are called your children and although the world may not look to us know they will when your Son is once more revealed. (1 John 3:1-2) We ask that your light will also come to our children and our children’s children. Help us to declare their salvation without hesitation and with courageous faith.

Then They Will Know  Click on the link and declare God’s salvation with this Song!

 

 

Day 7 – Like clouds…

09 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“Who are these that fly along like clouds,
    like doves to their nests? Isaiah 60:8 NIV

The Prophet Isaiah describes the multitude of people approaching the City of God, Zion, as so dense that they look like clouds. He describes them further as returning, as doves to their nests, meaning they have been there before.

Well God created mankind. It was from Him that we came and it is to Him that we return. Some to remain in His presence and some to be judged and separated eternally from Him. The time of judgment is not yet.God’s love is so great that He desires that no one should be separated from Him eternally. (Matthew 18:14) God desires that the multitudes like clouds come to Him.

God has given us the charge, the commission, the honor and the privilege to usher others unto His Presence. We have come to know the light, let us let it shine through us.

“Let it shine?”, you ask. We often do not “feel” that there is much light in us because of our circumstances, our limitations, our self image. We plan to shine when we’ve overcome our circumstances, gotten rid of our limitations and improved our self image.

God does not call you to arise and shine because you are ready for it. He calls you to arise and shine because He’s ready for you to come and allow His light to shine through you.

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV

If everyone who has a made a commitment to follow Jesus would reach one other person, then multitudes like clouds  would be added to the Body of Christ. 

To dispel the darkness around us, we need to at least reach one. Invite.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love so great that you sent your Son to reach us. Thank you for your love so great that you desire that all those whom who have created will be saved through calling on the name of your Son. Forgive us because “how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:13-14)

Lord, give us the words to preach–publicly proclaim, the good news of Jesus. At the very least give us the boldness and the courage to invite others to come to You.

For the Sake of the World  Click on the Link to Pray in Song

Day 6 -Proclaiming the praise of the Lord

07 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple.
Isaiah 60:6-7 NIV

What a sight? Herds of camels everywhere and from everywhere, loaded down with treasures from those proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Camels from places where the inhabitants lived in tents. Camels that bring gifts from people who made their living by plundering, trading, and the keeping of flocks.

Kedar and Nebaioth were descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Ishmael was a half brother to Issac. The descendants of Ismael and the descendants of Issac, both children of Abraham, contribute to the dissension in the Middle East today.  They don’t get along.

Imagine that the gifts of those whom you don’t get along, those with whom you do not relate, will be accepted as offerings on God’s altar. They will adorn God’s temple. 

God’s  temple, God’s house, no longer built with stones but with you and I (Ephesians 2:19-22), adorned by gifts brought by those proclaiming the praise of the Lord.  Gifts accepted as offerings on God’s altar.

As we arise, shine and bring light to the darkness, we are not alone. Others close by and others far away will also arise and shine. Some closer than a brother and sister and others with whom we have not even related will rise and shine. And we will be God’s dwelling place

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

As children of God we do not have to pray the same way, sing the same, preach the same or serve the same. As long as we are proclaiming the praise of the Lord, our gifts will be accepted. 

Why then do we look down on other children of God?  Why do we seek to point out our differences? Do we not realize that we as “living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”?

As we proclaim the praises of the Lord, let us seek the unity among His children.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us that is no respecter of person but accepts all and blesses those who are committed followers of Your Son, Jesus.  Help us to rejoice as we witness your children from different congregations worship You with their gifts. Let your love abound in us as we proclaim your praises.

Make Us One Click on the link to pray in song.

 

Day 5 – Throb and swell…

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.  Isaiah 60:5 NIV

The Israelites had gone through slavery, wandering in the desert, exile and even defeat on occasion. They may have forgotten the promises of God, they couldn’t possibly think that they would ever become that blessed nation through whom other nations would be blessed, ( Genesis 26:4). The prophet Isaiah is awakening them to the truth. It’s going to happen. Get up and get going! Look up and look about you! You’ll be awed.

So many times we keep our head down because we want to hide within ourselves. We’ve gone through so much that we’ve lost our oomph. Other times we are fearful of what we are going to see if we look up. Perhaps we want to pretend we are not present so that we do not have to answer for the need that is around us. We’ve lost our oomph.

Yet when Jesus comes,  when we commit to follow Him, His glory envelops us and we carry His presence wherever we go. We can look up and be radiant; our hearts beating as if to explode, joyous, and in awe. We get our oomph back. Why?

What God said He would do He does. He brings salvation, redemption, transformation, resources, provision, acknowledgment and His generosity will make your heart throb.

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 in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

That’s it, you see. We can’t possibly imagine what God has for us as His obedient children. We serve a God who gives. He gave His only Son for us. (John 3:16)

The gift of salvation through His Son Jesus leads us to sometimes think  that is a big enough gift. And yes it is HUGE. Still God is a HUGE God with a HUGE love that surprises us in a HUGE way.

Throb and swell! Brace yourself. God does what He says He is going to do. He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

God does what He says He is going to do, when we do what He asks us to do. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Bring the whole tithe (Malachi 3:10). Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Go! Make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy:

Pray.

Heavenly Father, I exalt you because You are a faithful God. Your promises are yes and amen. (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forgive me for not being faithful to You in my obedience of your commands. Give me wisdom, courage and oomph to do what I need to do. I want to position myself to be awed, to swell and throb as I receive the blessings You have promised to those who obey You. Work in me the will to pray, serve, give and go as You have commanded.

We Carry Your Presence  Click on the link to worship in song.

 

 

Day 4 – Look about you…

05 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
    All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters are carried on the hip. Isaiah 60:4 NIV

In today’s modern world everywhere you look people are focused on their technological devices. People walking, sitting, eating, all with their heads down looking at their cellular apparatus. Meanwhile around them, the world passes them by.

Others walk with their heads down burdened by the concerns of life and the worries of unresolved challenges.

“Lift up your eyes and look about you” is a command, an imperative. Whatever has you looking down, stop! Lift up your eyes! Look about you! 

You have come to know the one who gave His life for you. You have the hope of glory, Jesus Christ in you. Lift up your eyes! Look about you!  

Walk with you head lifted up towards the God of glory! (Psalm 24:5  Psalm 24:7) He will lift up the burdens from you and bring redemption.  (Psalm 121:1-2)

God is bringing the lost, the marginalized, the young–those still being carried as babies, “your daughters carried on the hip” and the old into your sphere of influence. Lift up your eyes! Look about you! 

As you share the love of Christ, the hope of salvation, you will receive new strength and you will bring life to others.

Pray.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for being distracted. Forgive me for focusing on the wrong things. Help me to lift my head up. Help me to lift my eyes up. This year, I will look about me. I pray your Holy Spirit will give me discernment to see the people. Truly see. Help me to see those whom You are gathering and bringing so that I may bring then the good news. Let me not dismiss even the young ones. I thank you, God for saving me that I may save others. Thank you, God for Jesus in my life that I may bring Him to others.

Light to the Nations Click on the link to sing your prayer.

 

 

Day 3 -Nations…and kings…

04 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by MarilynHartman in Devotional

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Prayer

Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:3 NIV

We all dream of traveling, of going to far away places. Some of us get the opportunity to do so. We plan. We prepare.  When the big day comes, we are brimming with anticipation and great expectations. So what are we waiting for? The nations are at our doorsteps.

Jesus commanded His disciples to Go!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

And the prophet Isaiah is saying, “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”  

Nations – people; kings – those in authority. People from all walks of life, those in authority, those who rule, all these will be drawn, approach, be attracted to YOUR light. They will note that a new thing is happening.

See the dawn breaks the darkness, as the bright sun rising appears over the horizon. As you shine brightly  through your life that pleases Christ, you shatter the works of evil, you break the darkness.

Arise and shine like the SON!  As you GO amongst the people, as you live like children of light (Ephesians 5:8),  those who are in darkness will want what you have, they will COME. Even those whom you thought will never give you the time of day, will be drawn to Jesus in you.

A unique way to summarize this, “GO, they will come!”

“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” (Ephesians 5: 8-10 MSG)

Get on with it, GO! Do what pleases Christ, and the people will come. And when that day comes when we are reunited with the Father, when we are at home with Him, He will fill us with joy and eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16:11). Let us not get held back by the sorrows of this world or tempted by its pleasures.

When we as individuals gather together as the Church, the Body of Christ, when we rise up, take our part, when we shine as the light of the world, when we arise, shine and the Lord rises upon us, the whole earth will be filled with His glory AND Nations will come to your light,   and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:3 NIV

Am I adding my gifts to the gifting of others? Am I doing my part to bring light, to bring Jesus to others?

Pray Ephesians 5: 8-10.

Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming me from darkness and making me light. Thank you for rescuing me from the murk and sending Christ to lead the way. I want to please you. I want to do good, live right and be true to your calling on my life. I want to go so others can come to the light, your Son. Help me to serve more, to go more. As your Son did for me, help me to do for others.

Lights Shine Bright –  Click on the link to be inspired through song.

Go Light Your World – Click on the link to be inspired through song.

Image

Getting Ready for 2017

Featured

Tags

Devotional, Prayer

2016 will be history in 31 days.  We begin a New Year. Some of us are busy getting ready for the Christmas Holidays and others are planning are new year’s eve celebration. Some have taken some time to reflect on what 2017 will bring.

We plan, we journal, we reflect, we ponder. And yet, we have no idea how 2017 is going to turn out. Yet there is one who knows. One who holds our future in His hands.

In the Book of Amos in the Hebrew Scriptures it is written, “For sure the Lord does not do anything without making His plan known to His servants who speak for Him.”

“His servants who speak for Him” – His prophets. I believe that what the Paul says in Ephesians 4: 11 -13 is true for today.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Christ has given the church, us, prophets as a gift so that we will be equipped for works of service….

Prophets – “His servants who speak for Him”.  “For sure the Lord does not do anything without making His plan known to His servants who speak for Him.”

Let us pray and call upon the name of the Lord that He will make known His plan for 2017.

“Heavenly Father, I am asking You, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know you better. I pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in your holy people,  and Your incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19). Reveal Your secrets unto us as You did to Daniel (2:27-30).

As we prepare ourselves for 2017, Holy Spirit manifest yourself in our lives with the gift of prophecy and empower us to align to the plans of our Creator. Align our steps to your path and lead us. In Jesus’ name.”

 

 

 

Posted by MarilynHartman | Filed under Devotional, New Year

≈ Leave a comment

Image

Day 21- I am with you always…

Featured

Tags

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Devotional, Fasting, Prayer

“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NIV

Jesus commanded His disciples and us to mobilize and develop learning believers among all people groups by teaching them everything He had commanded. His command came with a promise. “I am with you always.”

Jesus had gone to the cross, was buried and was risen on the third day. He met with the women who had heard the news from the angel of the Lord and comforted them. Then He met with His disciples in Galilee. There Jesus told His disciples that all authority had been given to Him.  As a result, He was sending them to go, form learning believers, baptize them and teach them.

Teach–educate, instruct, school, tutor, coach, train, show or explain to them how to be followers of Jesus.

It is not a tract, a short speech, a ‘come forward-raise your hand-repeat after me–you’re in’ moment. Sure this may be the “go”.  The “make disciples of all nations” and  the “teaching them to obey everything” it’s a process.

It’s a committed process, a sometimes up & down process, a sometimes overwhelming process, but through it all, Jesus says, “I am with you always.”

Most importantly, teaching those who make a commitment to follow Jesus to obey everything He commanded us is a rewarding & satisfying process. It is rewarding because obedience is a place of blessing. It is satisfying because teaching someone to obey Jesus’ commands affects the present and eternal future of that person.

Who has God placed in your heart to “go”?  To whom are you teaching His commands? Have you ever been tempted to give up on showing someone how to be a follower of Jesus?

Through it all, Jesus says, “I am with you always.”

Pray Matthew 28:19-20

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to show me how to live in obedience to You.

Jesus, thank you for your willingness to be obedient to the Father and take up my cross and pay for the consequences of my sin so that I could be free.

Holy Spirit, empower me to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus have commanded us. 

I praise You, God, for You are always with me until the very end of age.

We are the Light of the world! (Click on the link to worship in song)

Posted by MarilynHartman | Filed under Devotional

≈ Leave a comment

← Older posts

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016

Categories

  • Deliverance
  • Devotional
  • Musings of a troubled Soul
  • New Year
  • Snapshots of Despair in a Journey of Hope
  • Teaching
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Philippians 3: 12-14
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Philippians 3: 12-14
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar