The two witnesses in end times

 S - Rev 11:4-6 NIV

They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”[fn]

If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.

 This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.

They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

O - The two witnesses that come in Revelation 11 are two prophets who will stand for 1260 days and prophesy.  They are protected during this time as fire will come from their mouth and destroy anyone who comes to harm them.  They are there to deliver the messages God has for all people and they will capture peoples attention with holding back of rain from above and by turning water to blood and every kind of plague.  

A -  The application for me is to be ready for end times as we are walking in them.   If two witnesses are found in Jerusalem prophesying as these two people I can know for sure end times are here.  This is just enough to know God has end times in his plan already and know how it will go and who will reign in the end as Christ returns and the new Jerusulem comes to earth from heaven.

P -  Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you continue to give me revelation and insight in how I am to go in present times.  I will wait patiently on you as each day goes by and you reveal more and more of yourself to me.  I pray all this in Jesus name,  Amen.

Trust with all my heart

S - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

O - This proverb like all of them are simple and true but can be at times hard to walk in.  The first step in this proverb is to trust in the Lord with ALL my heart.  I know God is worthy of my trust but having placed most of my trust in myself it is a hard habit to break, that is why the second part is so neccessary that I would not lean on my own understanding when making plans or decisions.  The Lord knows when I act by myself I am fallible to making mistakes in judgement.  These mistakes have led me into the circumstances I now find myself, and the way out is not by my own understanding but through trust in the Lord and His directions for me.  I am to submit to him all things and decisions I will now make in order that He will make my paths straight.

A -  The application for me is shift my mode of operation from self centered to God centered.  I must face the daily decisions with God first.  I must renew my committment to trust the Lord with all my heart and then to suspend my actions based on only my understanding.  I am to use my devotional and quiet prayer time to submit to the Lord all my ways and listen for his judgement on the correct path for me to take. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray you would help me trust you with all my heart and stop leaning on my own understanding.  Help me to pause and submit my plans to you and wait for your word and guidance on which ways to go.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

My calling and my provision

 S - 1 Cor 9:24-27   (NASB)

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as [i]to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

O - Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about the his rights as an Apostle, in particular in this chapter about his provision from the Gospel.    Prior to this paragraph he is speaking to His right to receive his provision from the Gospel but clearly says even though he has the right to receive he choses not to burden those that he serves for his provision.  In this passage though he describes how he is to run his race,  to win.  He runs with purpose, to win and winning is winning souls for the Lord. 

A - The application for me is to run my race like Paul does.  I am to run for the sake of the Gospel and serving God's will for me in this world.   My provision will be there.  I must trust in His calling and provision for my life.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your reminder that you have called me to serve you and your Church.  I pray Lord for a refreshing of your calling on my life and clarity on your provision.  I pray specifically for clarity on my business I am Logistics and what you would have me do.   I pray this in Jesus Christ' name,  Amen.

Remember the things God has done

 S -  Deut 4:9   (NASB)

9 “Only be careful for yourself and watch over your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. 

O - My observation is that the people of Israel as they were being led into the promised land and given victory over its inhabitants were reminded to keep the commandments the Lord had given them.   They had already stubbornly not entered the promised land the first time and now they were taking over a land from people who did not follow God but other gods.   He warned them to not forget what God had done for His people to deliver them from captivity in Egypt and provision in the desert.   Through Moses He gave them the law to follow in order to stay right with God.

A - The application for me is to follow the same guidance the people of Israel were commanded.  I  must remember what God has done in and around my life.  The Lord is my salvation and His ways are my ways.  They are written on my heart so I may never forget who He is and what He has done.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your salvation of my soul.  I pray I would walk rightly in you commandments.   I pray that I am reminded they are written in my heart, I need only to look inward and remember what you have done and are doing in my life.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ' name,  Amen.

Resisting temptation

 S - 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

O - This is a key verse for those who have succumb to the temptation of pornography and sexual addiction.  The temptation I face is common to man, and the devil wants to shame us and make us think we are all alone in this struggle and that we will be rejected by God because of our shame.  But this scripture says not only are we not alone, but that God would not let us be tempted beyond which we can handle and will provide a way out.

A - The application for me is to remember this verse when I am tempted to look at pornography.  The temptation is there but I no longer believe I have to give in to the temptation but instead can resist the temptation and look toward God for a way out.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this word, may it be sealed to my heart so that I may refer to it frequently when I am tempted.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name

The coming of the Holy Spirit

 S - Act 2:   (NASB)
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

O - This is at Pentecost where the disciples have just received the Holy Spirit as promised, and they now were speaking in all the tongues of the people who were gathered in Jerusalem.  The people thought they were drunk but Peter stands up and rebukes them and speaks to the crowd letting them know that these men are not drunk but are fulfilling the promise of God that in the last days He will pour out His spirit on the them an they will prophesy.  Jesus promised before he ascended that a help would come and provide wisdom and guidance on how to continue the mission to evangelize the world.

A - The application for me is to realize that we are still in the end game and that Holy Spirit is with us , guiding the way.   We need to only call on the name of Jesus and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances.    

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I repent for my past transgression in which I have grieved the Holy Spirit,  I set out today to rid myself of all the side affects of my transgressions.  Holy spirit guide me and protect me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Walking in the gift of prophesy

 S - Act 2:17-18  (NASB)

‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all [q]mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;
18 Even on My bondslaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.

O - God has a plan for us,  to pour forth His spirit on mankind so that they will no longer speak from their thoughts but rather echo the spirit that is within them.   They will speak of visions and dreams they will have of their future and thus will prophesy of things to come that they may be ready for the last days.  

A -  The application for me is to understand God's promise through the prophet Joel, that we will pour out His Spirit onto us so that we may prophesy.   Part of what I believe is God has intended me to have and learn to walk in this gift, for the service of Church,  and not for my own gains.   I must simply ask for His spirit to be upon me and allow His voice to instruct me in the plans He has for our future.  

P -  Dear heavenly Father thank you for your spirit and your message to me.  I pray Lord you teach me how to walk in the gift of prophesy and that you reveal to me your plans for the future of my family, my ministry, and your people.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Loving and following Christ

 S - John 21:15-17

  (NASB)

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you [f]love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [g]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [h]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [i]love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [j]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you [k]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I [l]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

O -  In this  interaction between Peter and Jesus,   Jesus is helping Peter to understand Jesus' love for Him and the calling that Peter will have.   At this point in time Jesus had already shown himself 2 other times after his resurrection, but had not had the one on one talk with Peter about his denying Jesus 3 times.   This likely weighed heavily on Peter as he had declared in the garden of Gethsemane that he would follow Jesus even unto his death.    I believe this three times repeated question was intentional to relieve Peter of his guilt and re-affirm him in his calling.

A -  The application for me is to recognize I too have denied Christ in my sinful and shameful moments. I believe Jesus words and actions with Peter are for me today also.   Do I love him?  The answer is yes, I do, but I still fall short.   Yes but do I love him?   Yes I do, but I have been disobedient.  Yes, but do I love him.  The answer is yes, and I keep coming back to Christ when I fall short and look for how He desires to change me and give me a purpose.

P -  Dear heavenly father, thank you for the message today.  May it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would heal me of my past, and reveal to me your planned future.  Lord I love you with all my heart, mind, and strength.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Being shaped for Gods service

Being shaped for God’s service

s-Romans 5 NASB

2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 6

28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 12

Dedicated Service

1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

O -  Pauls message to the Romans is complete,  first not to complain in your trials because it helps build you to be the faith driven Christian God is calling you to.   And those God is calling it is for a purpose that He has designed for you and this should give you great joy knowing you are working with rather than against God will.  And lastly through all these trials and in God’s plan,  allow your mind to be renewed or changed because His ways are better than our ways, and through these trials He is helping you to become someone who is able to go reach the world with the good news of His grace and love.

A-  The three verses to me reveal a journey God has had me on,  there is nothing new an revolutionary about it, but it is a reminder that is necessary as a reflect on trials to make sure I recognize He is still shaping me and my heart.   It has caused me to grow in patient endurance and love through all circumstances.

P - Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your leadership and revelation in my life.  The trials I have experienced I needed to become the father, leader, and Christian you are calling me to.  I pray Lord you help these valuable lessons would shape my heart to live, love and lead in the future.  In the quiet moments when I doubt I pray you would give me confidence in your preparation of my life.   I pray all this in Jesus name, amen.

Seek the favor of God, not man

Seek the favor of God, not the favor of man

S - Galatians 1 NASB

10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Paul Defends His Ministry

O-        Paul writes this to the church at Galatia as he is calling them out that they have received the one true Gospel of Christ, and that he is about to rebuke them for departing from the true gospel for one that is reshaped by men’s thoughts.   Later on in this chapter Paul explains that He received the Gospel through revelation and not through man,  and that over the years he has fought to keep the Gospel pure, not influenced by the old Jewish  traditions, or man’s desires.  In his early years in the faith he did not even confer with the Apostles for many years but simply the truth of what Christ revealed to him.   I imagine Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus had a lifetime of impact.  When Christ met him and revealed to him the truth of the Gospel he revealed to him many truths of the kingdom of God that brought great clarity to Paul.  Some might say that his revelations in that time was even greater than that of the Apostles who walked 3 years with Jesus.   While their experience of who Jesus was on earth, and their practical understanding of the ministry was powerful,  Paul’s understanding of the scripture, followed by his revelation of Christ was significant as it came to reaching the entire world (Gentiles) with the Gospel.  

A -  This scripture impressed on me the fragility of my own faith and commitment to the Gospel.  I am just as easily influenced by men over time as the church at Galatia may have been.  In the season of this last year I have made it through a trial period in which I have personally grown as a leader but may have regressed as a follower of Christ.  I find myself on the other end thinking about the pleasing of men in my career and worrying about their thoughts as I think about my future.  I am reminded I have given my life to Christ as a servant of the God.   I need only to submit to Him, and trust in his direction to me.

P - Dear Heavenly Father thank you for this lesson and reminder today.  I am sorry I have wasted so much time worrying about what others think or even what I think about my reputation or my future.  I submit myself to you for you to use for your purposes.   I pray that you continue to give me an opportunity to lead in the Navy and shipyard business, and that if it your will that I one day lead Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, that you guide me an prepare me to do so in a way that honors you, and serves the people in the shipyard and in Hawaii. 

Vengeance Invoked upon Adversaries.

S- Psalm 109 NASB For the choir director. A Psalm of David. 1O God of my praise,             Do not be silent!       2For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me;             They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.       3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,             And fought against me without cause.       4In return for my love they act as my accusers;             But I am in prayer.       5Thus they have repaid me evil for good             And hatred for my love.       6Appoint a wicked man over him,             And let an accuser stand at his right hand.       7When he is judged, let him come forth guilty,             And let his prayer become sin.       8Let his days be few;             Let another take his office.       9Let his children be fatherless             And his wife a widow.       10Let his children wander about and beg;             And let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes.       11Let the creditor seize all that he has,             And let strangers plunder the product of his labor.       12Let there be none to extend lovingkindness to him,             Nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children.       13Let his posterity be cut off;             In a following generation let their name be blotted out.       14Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,             And do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.       15Let them be before the LORD continually,             That He may cut off their memory from the earth;       16Because he did not remember to show lovingkindness,             But persecuted the afflicted and needy man,             And the despondent in heart, to put them to death.       17He also loved cursing, so it came to him;             And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.       18But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment,             And it entered into his body like water             And like oil into his bones.       19Let it be to him as a garment with which he covers himself,             And for a belt with which he constantly girds himself.       20Let this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,             And of those who speak evil against my soul.       21But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake;             Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;       22For I am afflicted and needy,             And my heart is wounded within me.       23I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens;             I am shaken off like the locust.       24My knees are weak from fasting,             And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.       25I also have become a reproach to them;             When they see me, they wag their head.       26Help me, O LORD my God;             Save me according to Your lovingkindness.       27And let them know that this is Your hand;             You, LORD, have done it.       28Let them curse, but You bless;             When they arise, they shall be ashamed,             But Your servant shall be glad.       29Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor,             And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.       30With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD;             And in the midst of many I will praise Him.       31For He stands at the right hand of the needy,             To save him from those who judge his soul. Bible Hub

O -This Psalm of David once again shows why David is a man after God’s heart.   When David faced adversity while he was in Ziglag serving a Philistine King,  he responded the same way he did when He was serving Saul.   He served the king well, but a group of Philistine leaders came against him, and said they did not want to go to war with David because they did not trust him.  So David and his men were sent back and told they wouldn’t fight against Israel and Saul.    David’s response was  to go back to Ziglag and cry out to the Lord to once again come against his enemies,  and keep his heart postured toward God,  praising Him, and following Him wherever the circumstances took him.  

A -  How I desire to respond like David more and more as I get older.   As I get older I recognize that I may have used to be a young David who was boldly willing to go up against the Goliath’s,   But I am more of the middle aged David now.  I have a wife, a family, have fought many battles,  but still yet find myself not quite where God wants me to be.   I will follow David’s example and cry out to the Lord, for Him to fight my battles with my enemies, while God deals kindly with me,  saving me from my enemies and restoring me in my weakness.

P- Lord,  my heart’s desire is to be a man after your heart,  if I could be even a small likeness of Christ, and follow after David’s example I would be content.  I pray Lord that you would come against my enemies at work that would not want me to be successful in my service of you, and to have your presence at the shipyard.  Lord I pray against spirits of darkness, deceit, and jealousy that are binding some people.  I pray that you restore my heart, mind and soul in this season of waiting.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Rely on the Spirit when sent amongst the wolves

Rely of the Spirit when you sent amongst the wolves 

S-Matt 10 NIV

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.(B)   17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(A) and be flogged in the synagogues.(B)   18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(A) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.   19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.(A) At that time you will be given what to say,   20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(A) speaking through you. 

O - This is the first time Jesus sent his disciples out to do the ministry by themselves that he had been equipping them for.   He told them how to go (in pairs),  to bring nothing with them just the clothes on their back and sandals on their feet.   Seek out welcoming places stay, and heal the sick, and call back the lost sheep of Israel to God.  In these verses He warns them of the harsh things that will happen to them, but reassures them that the Spirit of God will help them by giving them the words when they face accusers.   

A -  The application for me is to trust in God’s spirit in me to help me through the trials I face.   An agreement to “go” when sent by Christ, is. an agreement to pick up my cross and carry it like Christ did before me,  to be obedient to my call, like Christ before me was, and to speak of God’s love, grace, mercy and Truth.   

P - Dear Heavenly Father, you message is loud and clear to me.   I pray for a refreshed spirit, and healed and rested body, and uplifted soul so that I might “go”.    I am ready, send me.   I pray this is in Jesus name, Amen. 

Dealing with false witnesses and going to War

 Dealing with false witnesses and going to war

S-Deut 19 NIV

Witnesses15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.(A)   16 If a malicious witness(A) takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime,   17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges(A) who are in office at the time.   18 The judges must make a thorough investigation,(A) and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,   19 then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party.(A) You must purge the evil from among you.   20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid,(A) and never again will such an evil thing be done among you.   21 Show no pity:(A) life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.(B) 

 Going to War20

 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,(A) do not be afraid(B) of them,(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with(D) you.   2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.   3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted(A) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.   4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you(A) to fight(B) for you against your enemies to give you victory.(C)” 

 Going to War20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,(A) do not be afraid(B) of them,(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with(D) you.   2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.   3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted(A) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.   4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you(A) to fight(B) for you against your enemies to give you victory.(C)”   5 The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in(A) it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.   6 Has anyone planted(A) a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it?(B) Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it.   7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.(A)”   8 Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”(A)   9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.   10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.(A)   11 If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject(A) to forced labor(B) and shall work for you.   12 If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.   13 When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.(A)   14 As for the women, the children, the livestock(A) and everything else in the city,(B) you may take these as plunder(C) for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies.   15 This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance(A) from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.   16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.(A)   17 Completely destroy[a] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you.   18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods,(A) and you will sin(B) against the Lord your God.   19 When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?[a]   20 However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees(A) and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls. 

O-  This the book of instructions to the Israelites before they go to war and take the promise land.   It dealt with both the rules of how they are to maintain themselves a good and faithful society that trusts and follows God, as well as directed specific activities they should do to keep themselves as free from sin as possible.   Here we se a series of verses on how to deal with liars.  It is discussed in terms of dealing with false witnesses.  This comes right after the section on justice.    The next group of text informs the Israelites on how to go to WAR.   It discusses to leave behind those who have concerns for their life, their family, or just plain faint hearted is excused.  For the rest the lord is with them and they need to understand the Lord with defeat their enemies and not them.    They are to show no mercy and leave anyone alive in the land they go because they are not of God and will become a cancer among the Israelites.    The principle is this,  go to battle knowing the Lord is with you, don’t be faint hearted and trust in Him to defeat your enemies.    Lastly leave no remnant of the past behind because the cancer that remains though small will for sure cause death later.

A - The application for me is real and it is today.  Today I face giants,  Markle, Williamson and Greene regarding my future at PSNSY.    Dave has been a cancer in the department that has caused a good leader to behave poorly in how he chose to lead me as his operations officer.   I need to understand that Dave is a false witness and needs to be dealt with.  I will give this to the Lord, but remain available to be the tool that God uses to correct Dave.    In terms of the battle I go in with a group of people not present but that have my back, and I know God has their backs.   I will not be fainthearted,  I will stand my ground, and trust in the Lord.  I have nothing to fear, because He is with me, therefore I have no reason to be defensive, or strike out in anger, but simply need to be a good and active listener.   The Lord will strike down those in His path for my life. 

P - Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would be with me today, let my words be your words,  guard my heart and mind from my flesh.   I pray you would go before me and defeat my enemies.  Give me the courage to be humble and not reactive.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen.