Tuesday, September 2, 2014

He's God, We're Not - Grace up to selfishness. Humble down and Grace up.


God esteems His WORD above His Name.
"For you have magnified YOur word above all Your name." Psalm 138:2d

Perfection is God's job, not ours. It is God who perfects, corrects and directs us -
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalm 138:7-8

Our prayers NEVER direct God. They are to be informed and formed with and by Him, as we pray.
"without ME you can do nothing" John 15:5c (we cannot even pray without Him, thank God)

Praying for selfish wants and desires is praying amiss.
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covent and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because yo do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:1-3

So, LORD what MUST we do? Please purify our hearts and Grace us up to our selfishness. Yes, Humble us Down and Grace us up.
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord , and He will lift you up.  Do not speak evil of one another, brethren." James 4:7-11

I have no idea how much grace I need. I need so much grace, it's miraculous that there's enough left for everyone! He's awesome.
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

God of ALL grace, ALL love, ALL peace, ALL mercy, ALL forgiveness, ALL comfort, ALL redemption; Giver of all that is good and needed, Lover of our souls, Defender of our lives, Befriender of ALL, Healer, Teacher, Lifter and God of ALL comfort -- for outside of You there is no comfort at all. We come to YOU to form and inform this prayer. We ask for those suffering physically who love and trust You that You will heal their bodies, build their faith, surround them with comforters and good medical teams chosen by You. Please lift the spirits of all those who love and need them. Please let this current affliction bring Your heart joy as Your children of all ages, cling to You through it all. Oh God, may they be lifted now and see You caring for them now. May they know Your presence. We ask that those presently in comas might receive Jesus and believe. Thanks for giving us a place to age, abiding in You, in Your heart of boundless goodness.
Would You help us GET RID OF SELF SEEKING PRAYING? We do it without even knowing it.
May the fruit of righteousness crown our prayers. For this we simply need Jesus and the Holy Spirit Himself to intervene, interrupt and intercede. We give You thanks.
Please forgive all our words that were NOT SOWN IN PEACE. You know and heard them all. Replace them in the future with graceful, grateful, good and great words of praise, hope and encouragement.
We love You LORD and do not deserve Your eternal patience with us, but are so grateful for it.
We pray peace to Jerusalem. Please cause Your word to go forth today so many will be saved.
We ask all of this in the matchless name of our Savior and Friend, Your Son, Jesus. Amen.


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