Attitude of a child - a kingdom principle

 S - Matthew 18:1-4

“Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you [b]change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

O - Jesus here is teaching His disciples the character of those who are kingdom minded.   He has chosen children because children rely on their parents for their care and are born humble in heart.   Their belief in their parents as their protector and provider creates a relationship with the parents that is unique.  God wants that unique relationship with us.  He sent Jesus to reconnect with his flock so they would look towards God and not themselves or rulers around them.

A -   The application for me is to lift my eyes up to the Lord.  He is Lord of my circumstances and Lord of my life.  I need to come to him humbly as well as lead those He has given me well.   

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.   I pray Lord for revelation and strength to overcome this Anxiety and hopelessness I feel.    Help me to move forward and do something and not just sit here idle.   I pray all this in Jesus name.

 S - Psalm 68:19-20

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah
20 God is to us a God of salvation;

And to [r]God the Lord belong ways of escape [s]from death.

O -  My observation is that David knows the source of his protection and salvation and cries out to the Lord in his Psalms.   David is a man after God's heart and is an inspiration to those around him.   He danced for the Lord and was unashamed to humble himself before the Lord.

A-  The application for me is to continue to emulate David in my actions and prayers.  I need to humble myself before the Lord and seek His face as I cry out to him in this trying times I am in.

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's reminder through David.  Lord I am at the end of myself and need you to help me every second of the day.  Help me to focus on you, relieve me of this anxiety and give me the confidence to step forward and do what I need to do. 

 S -  Psalm 139:1-6,  13-18 (NIV)

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

...

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

O -  The knowledge that God has of us is perfect.   He knows our every thought and emotion.  He knit us in our mother's womb.   David knows this about God and when he speaks to God he speaks both reverently and like a friend.  

A - David is an example of what I long to be.   The truth is at times I don't feel close to God, when my mind and body don't seem to want to go forward.  I am struggling today to feel God's presence and hear his guidance.   

P - Dear heavenly father I come to you this morning empty of myself,  I ask that you speak into me what I am going to do today and what steps of obedience I am to follow.  

When my spirit grows faint

 S - Psalm 142:1-3, 5-7  (NIV)

I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

Mattew 14

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

O -  My observation is that the heart of  David is one in which we should emulate.  He bares his soul to the Lord in all circumstances and seeks God's refuge and favor.   He asks the Lord to take care of those that are against him and go before him in all his endeavors.    The passage from Matthew on Jesus walk on water struck me this morning as I examine my own faith.   Oh how I am like Peter, excited to follow Jesus in faith, but then my faith fades and I find myself sinking.   Thankfully Jesus grabs hold of Peter and ensures he did not perish.

A -   The application for me is sit humbly at the feet of Jesus,  confessing my weakness and trusting in  his ability to work all things together for good.     Jesus is telling me to trust in him and don't lean on my own understanding.  I must with all my heart mind and strength cling on to the promises of God.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this mornings devotions,  may they be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for help with tough decisions I have in front of me.  I am feeling paralyzed in my thoughts and action and need help getting unstuck.    

The Kingdom of Heaven in me

 S - Matthew 13:31-33 (NASB)

31 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the [r]air come and nest in its branches.”

The Leaven

33 He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [s]pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

O  -   Jesus is telling many parables in chapter 13 that describe the kingdom principles with regard to seeds.  In the parable of the sower He is sowing the gospel or good news of the God's kingdom to come.  The seed is the word of God and when it enters someone it grows and has the capacity to grow larger than anything this world can create and everything in it that one would need for an abundant life.   The kingdom seed planted into a person is like leaven and can amazingly be spread throughout.  

A -  The application for me is to recognize that I have the kingdom of heaven inside me.   God planted his gospel in my heart and I have accepted it.    Even though their are weeds and thorns that might be growing I know God is able to separate out what is not from Him.  I put my trust in Jesus who has taken away my sin with grace and I trust that He is able to lead me in this trying time.

P -  Dear heavenly Father, I am desperately clinging to your robe asking for continued healing from the worries of this world.  I know I have to keep stepping forward.  I pray for my families sake that you help me to find a job and resolve our outstanding debt.  Take away the worries of this world and replace them with your kingdom principles. 

The family of Christ

S - Matthew 12: 

46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 [[an]Someone said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.”] 48 But [ao]Jesus replied to the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.” 

 O -  Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph and fully experienced life like you and me.   But when Jesus started his ministry he was fully the son of God and all of the people that He served and lived with became his family because He was once again reuniting humanity through the sacrifice He would make for all mankind.  He gives us the litmus test that you will know my family because they do the will of the Father.

 A -  The application for me is simple and yet hard.   I am to commit my life to doing God's will daily if not moment by moment.  I can do this because Christ lives in me and the Holy Spirit guides me.  I need to sit at the food of God and seek His will for my life and then obedient follow.

 P -  Dear heavenly Father,  I confess I have had a hard time hearing your voice,  I pray you would speak clearly to your servant for I am listening.   I pray this in Jesus' Christ name, Amen

God's unfailing love

 S - Psalm 109:22-27 (NASB)

But you, Sovereign Lord,
    help me for your name’s sake;
    out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy,
    and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow;
    I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give way from fasting;
    my body is thin and gaunt.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
    when they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, Lord my God;
    save me according to your unfailing love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand,
    that you, Lord, have done it.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
    in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
    to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Matthew 11:28-29

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

O -  David psalms once again speak to my feelings about my own.   He faced trials in the many years before he became King as he was a exile in the the land of Ziglag.   During these times I can see him pleading to the Lord "Help me, save me according to your unfailing love.  He put his trust there in the Lord.    In the second passage from Matthew we see Jesus telling those that will follow him,  come to him and He is gentle and humble in heart and will give rest for their souls.   When we follow Jesus His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

A -  The application for me is to remember daily to plea to the lord for his unfailing love to cover me and help me fight the battles that I have to fight.   If I will present my request to Him , his peace will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.    

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's word from you to me.  I pray that I would be granted the strength and conviction to accept you love and grace, and to move forward each day with confidence in you as my lord and savior.  I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen. 

P 

Keeping our eyes toward God

 S - Psalm 141:8-10

8 For my eyes are toward You, [e]God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not [f]leave me defenseless.
9 Keep me from the [g]jaws of the trap which they have set for me,
And from the snares of those who do wrong.
10 May the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by [h]safely.

O -  David the psalmist communicates so clearly his dependence and even desperation to have God on his side.  He faced many trials and mountain top moments and in the all he always came back to the Lord.   I recognize in David a close relationship with the Lord and his mind focuses on God and he takes refuge in Him.

A - The application for me is to seek desperately the face of God and to pray like David did.  Lord I will lift my eyes toward you and trust in your understanding of my circumstances.  For I know you have plans for me, plans for my future and a hope.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, I am desperate for your presence and your strength.  I pray you help me to walk out today each step I am relying on you to be my strength and shield.   I pray all this in Jesus' name,  Amen.

Gracious refuge of God

 S -  Psalm 57: 1-2  (NASB)
Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.

O -  David consistently cries out to God in troubled times because He knows the heart of God and knows that if he seeks God's face the Lord will provide a covering and a comfort.  This psalm was written even as David was hiding in the cave from Saul, when Saul wandered in.   Now David could have killed Saul then but showing great humility and trust in God did not harm the Lord's anointed one in Saul (though David had since been anointed by Samuel but not yet taken the throne).   

A -  I believe God worked all things together for good in the case of David.   He had been anointed but still was persecuted by Saul.   David did not take the attitude of entitlement but instead took the attitude of humbleness and desperately sought God's covering.    The same goes for me I need to desperately seek God's blessing and covering.   I need to pray for His gracious treatment of me in this time of high anxiety over my finance and employment.   

P - Dear heavenly Father , I come to you once again, desperate for relief from the anxiety and circumstances I find myself in.  I know you love me and have your eye on me,  I ask that you take this burden from me and help me to transition to the next phase of recovery from my manic period.  I ask you to lift this anxiety from me and show me the people to reach out to and jobs to apply for.  I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Present your request to God

 S- Psalm 31:2-5 (NASB)

In You, Lord, I have taken refuge;

Let me never be [a]put to shame;
In Your righteousness rescue me.
2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be a rock of [b]strength for me,
A [c]stronghold to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
For the sake of Your name You will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I entrust my spirit;
You have redeemed me, Lord, God of [d]truth.

...

I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithfulness,
Because You have seen my misery;
You have known the troubles of my soul,
8 And You have not handed me over to the enemy;
You have set my feet in a large place.

Psalm 54

Save me, God, by Your name,
And [c]vindicate me by Your power.
2 Hear my prayer, God;
Listen to the words of my mouth.

O - David writes these psalms possibly when Saul is chasing him or when he later is fighting against Israel's enemies like the Philistines.  David always has such a great way of yearning for God's covering.  For David God is his place of refuge ,  a place to run to when life around him feels uncertain and perilous.  He knows God and God speaks to him,   he is able to remember those times in the past where God has rescued him and rely on Him that He will once again save him.   

A - The application for me is to posture my heart like David did.   Remember that God has got me through many of my past troubles and faithful rescued me from what was perilous times.  The Lord is reminding me I am free and forgiven , no longer weighed down by the weight of my sin; it is from this place that I can present my request to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind.   Not only that He will work all things together for good. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this mornings word.  Though I have feelings and thoughts I struggle with I am thankful for your mercy and love.  I pray that you guide my steps today and speak clearly to me as I walk out the rest of my day.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Seek God and trust in His ways

 S - Psalm 17:6-8 (NASB)

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, God;
Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
7 Show Your wonderful faithfulness,
Savior of those who take refuge [d]at Your right hand
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as [e]the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings

Psalm 35:9-10 (NASB)

So my soul shall rejoice in the Lord;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You,
Who rescues the afflicted from one who is too strong for him,
And the afflicted and the poor from one who robs him?”

Matthew 6:19-21, 25-33

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Cure for Anxiety

25 “For this reason I say to you, [q]do not be worried about your [r]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single [s]day to his [t]life’s span? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [u]seek first [v]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [w]provided to you.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [x]worry about itself. [y]Each day has enough trouble of its own.

O - God is revealing his truth's to us in the old testament psalms of David, and from the Gospels in which Jesus teaches.  Through David we see we are to seek be in the covering and favor of God, not that he doesn't love us already, because He has shown us the greatest love of all by giving His one and only son as a sacrifice that we might have restored relationship with Him.   Knowing this I need to follow Jesus and not focus on the treasures of this world but rather on the relationships he has given me.   I must be willing to give up the treasure I have stored and trust him for His provision.   I need to stop worrying about how I will live, the Lord has his eye on my and even Jesus says worry just about today.

A -  The application for me is to come daily to God with a heart open to listening to what He is asking of me.    I must remember the voice of Jesus and seek to spend time soaking in His truth as these scriptures have shown.   I have cast my cares onto Jesus because I know His yoke is easy and His burden is light.   

P -   My prayer this morning is the Lords prayer that I would embrace the truth in it

Matthew 6

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
[d]Hallowed be Your name.
10 [e]Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
[f]On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day [g]our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [h]evil.[i]’