Praying for Our Nation's Leaders

Psalm 130:7

I am praying for leaders to be elected who know right from wrong and are willing to stand up for righteousness according to God's Word.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20

Garments of Praise

We are made in the image of a beautiful God, but our culture makes us feel "less than" if we don't fit a certain mold. Most of us obsess over "store-bought" beauty because we feel unsettled as we compare ourselves with others.

Mike Bickle wrote: "The glorious news is that the beauty of God is not just something He possesses—it is something He imparts through redemption to his bride."

David prayed that God would "beautify the humble with salvation" (Psalm 149:4). The Message phrases it this way: "Because God delights in his people, He festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!"

Thank you, Lord, that when we come knocking at your gate, at the end of ourselves, you not only receive us, but you honor us with beautiful garments of praise.

All Who Are Thirsty

For I will pour out water on the thirsty land

And streams on the dry ground;

I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring

And My blessing on your descendants;

And they will spring up among the grass

Like poplars by streams of water.

Isaiah 44:3-4

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

The Knobs

I live in the Ohio Valley where I have a view of  a high ridge called "Floyd's Knobs".

It is beautiful in the autumn when the colorful hardwoods are cloaked in mist. And it is a peaceful sight as I walk in the evenings with the sunset glowing behind the treetops.

Something about that ridge, standing on tip-toe, reaching for the clouds, makes me think of one of the songs of David that the people sang going up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles: .

I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth
Psalm 121

Still Waters

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.