Category: April

Fighting Our Giants

On By Judy GlasserIn April1 Comment

We all have them –

things we battle against.

Sometimes its family members.

Sometimes its our boss.

Sometimes its our friends or situations in our lives.

A lot of the time, we fight against desires that grow within us…

lies that have rooted themselves in our brains…

unwillingness to change….

rebellion against giving God first place in our lives.

What are your giants?

As we read historical account of David and Goliath, I noticed that the Giant Philistine came out every day for forty days to take his stand against the Israelites.March 31 2016 fighting our giants

Our giants also make themselves evident very regularly.

They are persistent.

We can’t miss them…..even when we try.

And, just like David, we need to put on the armor of God and let him fight our battles.

We often forget what David knew and counted on, ” the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam 17:47).

There is only one way to successfully fight out giants –

and that’s with God on our side.

The battle is yours, Abba Father.

Battles on Every Side

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

Yesterday….

Today……

Tomorrow.

We all have our own battles to fight every day.

Relationship issues….

Money problems……

Health struggles…..

Work situations….

And more.

Every day.March 29 2016 battles on every side

As we read through 1 Chronicles, we see the Israelites fighting physical battles against their enemies on all sides of them.  They went to battle with their spears and swords.

We also have a sword to help us fight our battles – the Sword of the Spirit.  God’s word.  The Bible.

God’s truth pierces through the lies and sin of our cultures, helping us forge ahead on the good path God has planned out for us.

March 29 2016 battles on every side bThe Bible is our map for today, tomorrow and the rest of our time here on earth.  God lights our way as we read and meditate on his revelation to us.  As we memorize God’s word, he is arming us with powerful weapons that he can use to bring us victory.

God wants us to have victory in our lives.

And he can give us victory.

Are we giving him the room and authority in our lives to do that?

Please give us victory Abba Father.

Psalm 16, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

When I am close to you, I feel safe, my God.

You represent everything that’s good in my life, dear Father.April 29 2015 Psam 16 2015

I love to spend time with people who love you, God.  Those who are too busy running after their own desires will never find their security in you.  They will only suffer the consequences for their choices.

As for me, I refuse to consider anything in my life to be more important than you.

You are everything I need, dear Lord.

I can rest in you.

I want to be exactly where you want me to be.  That is where I find joy.

Thank you for teaching me your truth.  I am writing your words on my heart so your truth can guide me day and night.

With you, I have nothing to fear.

So I sing praises to you, secure in your love and grace.  I know you will never abandon me.  You walk close beside me every day.

I am filled with joy knowing that you are with me today, tomorrow, forever.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Sword Fighting Class – It Takes Effort!

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

‘My child, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,”

We are memorizing Proverbs 2 together – one verse a week.  We know this is possible with God’s help.  Proverbs 2 1st page - this one

The next verse is:

“and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding…..”

This verse has very active words in it.  Calling out!  Cry aloud!

This doesn’t sound like it’s describing me sitting here quietly, reading my Bible.

This sounds like I need to be seriously and intensely asking for insight and understanding.  These words indicate a significant effort on my part.  Growing wise, increasing my insight and understanding is obviously not a passive activity.

It’s evident that God’s wisdom isn’t going to just doesn’t ‘sink in’ as I sit in a chair at church or turn the pages of my Bible.

We’re calling out and crying aloud, dear Father!

 

 

Psalm 40, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

When I was faithful in seeking you, God, you lifted me out of the slimy pit of my rebellion and sin.

Out of the mud of my bad choices.Apriil 27 Psalm 40, 2015

Out of the mire I got stuck in by trying to do things ‘my way’.

I am now solidly planted on you, my Rock.

And now I have a new song of praise to sing to you.

I pray that many others will also decided to put their trust in God.

You, oh God, bless those who trust in you.  We are wise when we put you first in our lives and don’t follow the example of others who are only focused on themselves.

You have great things planned for us, the faithful.

You have done many awesome things – there is nothing to compare you to.

You don’t want us to just read the Bible – you want our eyes to be open and our minds to be obedient.

You don’t want us to just give our money to the church – you want us to care about the things you care about.

You don’t want us to just close our eyes to pray and start down our list of requests.  You want a relationship with us.  You want a conversation.  Most of all, you desire listening ears and a softened heart.

Here I am , Lord.

I desire to do your will.

Your words are written on my heart.

We love you, dear Father.

Psalm 121, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

I lift my eyes up to the mountains, to the clouds, to the warm sun.April 25 pslam 121, 2015

My help comes from the Lord who created all of these things.

He does not let me stumble.  He never sleeps – he is always caring for me.

The Lord watches over me – I can feel his presence.  He is standing right behind me, not letting anything harm me.

My Lord watches over my life – protecting me.

He watches me day and night, today and tomorrow….forevermore.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Our Foolishness

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

Our bad choices.

Our rationalizations.

Our blind spots.

How do we react when we realize that we’ve been foolish?April 26 2015 our foolishness.

One of King David’s redeeming qualities was his ability to admit his foolishness and genuinely repent.  He sometimes had trouble seeing his sin because he was lost in his own head – focused on his own plans.  So we read that God brought people into David’s life to help him see his bad decisions.

When David finally realized his foolishness, he was always repentant.  And we see God forgiving David over and over….and over.

Just like God forgives us- over and over…..and over.

Dear Abba Father, Please help us to be quick to recognize our sin and foolishness and quickly repent from those choices.  We know that repenting means to turn away, to stop doing what we’re doing.  We need your strength for that, dear Father.  And perseverance.  We are looking for wisdom and insight like it as silver, dear God.  We are searching for understanding and knowledge like it was hidden treasure.  We know all wisdom and understanding comes from you and you generously give it to us when we ask.  We are asking now.  Thank you.  In the awesome name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

A Wise Woman

On By Judy GlasserIn April2 Comments

We’ve been hearing a lot from God about wisdom lately, haven’t we?  James 1 was full of directions to us regarding wisdom.April 15 2015 a wise woman

And now, in 1 Samuel, we read the story about a wise woman who saves a city.  How does she do that?

She was wise in her approach to Joab, she didn’t let emotions get in the way, and she had a good suggestion which she was willing to follow-through.

She speaks truth into the situation.  Joab is going to ‘take down’ the city in order to get one man.  The wise women spoke to Joab, reminding him that this was a peaceful city with a strong history of faithfulness to Israel.

And Joab agrees to just take the man and leave the city alone.

Just like that.

A wise woman speaking truth saved the lives of the people living in that city.

Please give us wisdom, Abba Father.

Psalm 3, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn April1 Comment

There are so many thoughts and feelings fighting within me, dear God.

There are problems and situations rising up all around me!

I find myself often thinking that you aren’t in control of this.  That you aren’t going to work this one out for my good.

But I know, dear Lord, that you protect me.April 14 2015 Psalm 3

I know that your power within me can lift my head up high so I can see you.

So I can focus on you.

When I call out to you, you always answer.

I can sleep at night because you are with me.

I have no fear because I know that you love me and give me strength.

Deliver me from all the things that distract my attention away from you.

As a wave of other people’s voices washes over me, dear God, help me to hear only yours.

I know you will deliver me, God.

You have proved your faithfulness to me.

May your blessing be on us, your people.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Psalm 51, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

I ask for a pure heart, O God!

A heart that is focused on you.

Keep me close to your side and grow your spirit within me.

Bring back the joy I felt when I first asked you to save me.April 11 2015 Psalm 51, 2015

Give me a faithful heart so I remain very near to you.

Then I will tell others about your saving grace.

I will share the truth you have revealed to me.

Please lift the burden of my guilt from me, O God.

Help me live in your grace and I will sing of your goodness forever.

When I open my mouth, Lord, let it be to praise you.

I know you don’t want me to just ‘show up’ at church because it’s the right thing to do.

I know you don’t want me to give money to the church just because it’s the right thing to do.

I know you don’t want me to read the Bible just so I can check it off of my reading plan for the year.

You want my heart to be broken open,

repentant,

humbled,

willing to be filled with truth by you,

my joy renewed by your grace.

Thank you, Abba Father.