Affliction and Joy

“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”  1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Affliction and joy wouldn’t seem to go together.

Lord, thank You for doing what doesn’t make sense and wouldn’t be possible but for the power of Your Word.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Life Skills

source: wewantedtheirwings.wordpress.com

He comes to us
in our affliction

bringing life
to what was death

giving joy
by His Spirit

 
increasing faith
with every breath.

Stirred Up

“Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:  All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me.  And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.  Who is there  among you of all His people?  May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!’ ”  2 Chronicles 36:22-23

God will move in the ways He chooses to fulfill His word.

Lord, please stir me up today.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Going Up

Mad cyclone
thejakartapost.com

I see you there
among My people
and I am with you
as you go

stirred up
by My Spirit
proclaiming My name
so all may know.

No Longer A Burden

“Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: ‘Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built.  It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.'” 2 Chronicles 35:3

What a relief it must’ve been to put the holy ark back into the house of the LORD.

Lord, we thank You that You are not a burden for us to carry, but indeed it is You who carries us.  And here is a simple poem . . .

Let Me

source – virtuesofscripture.blogspot.com

You don’t have to carry
Me like a burden
the weight of judgment heavy
on your mind
but let Me into
your heart as Savior
where I’ll be Light and Strength
My yoke, loving kind.

 

 

*Special prayer request for our blogger friend Bee (Queen of Everything). Bee is undergoing back surgery today. Thank you for keeping her in prayer!

Torn

“Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”  2 Chronicles 34:19

Prophetic words and visions have been given about America.

Oh Lord, may we tear away our pride and humble ourselves, weeping before You in the state we find ourselves in.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Now That We’ve Heard

torn cape
source: http://www.studiocreations.com

We tear away at our pretense
and weep before You Lord
for You are great and we have wondered
far from Your word.

Oh may we be humbled
by what we’ve just heard
and seek for Your mercy
here upon this earth.

Imploring

“Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers

and prayed to Him, and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom.  Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.”  2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Manasseh was over the top when it came to sins, yet still God listened and forgave him.

Oh Lord, let us humble ourselves greatly and pray. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Only Jesus

Mary Magdalene by Ary Scheffer 1795-1858
source – wikipedia

What kind of heart can be broken
a million times a day

over what we do
over what we say

and yet listen and forgive
when we humble ourselves and pray

only the heart of Jesus
is made that way.

Will Your God Deliver You?

“Now therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this, and do not believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers.  How much less will your God deliver you from my hand?”  2 Chronicles 32:15

In Hezekiah’s day, it wasn’t uncommon for a king who sought God to call for his entire nation to fast and pray.

Lord, we cry out to You , for we know only You can intervene in our lives.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Deliver Us

Oh Lord, make us a bowed down people
humbled under Your hand

bow_down.gif
source – micahklutinoty.blogspot.comhumbled under Your hand

make us a bowed down people
who in Your presence cannot stand

laid out by Your Glory
lips hushed while You speak

to our hearts crying out for mercy
for all to repent and seek.

All His Heart

“And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart.  So he prospered.”  2 Chronicles 31:21

All of my heart would equal a whole heart.  And a whole heart can only exist when He’s made it that way.

Lord, I’ll serve You with all my heart today, trusting You to keep healing me so I can serve You with even more of my heart tomorrow.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Increasingly Whole

god-gives-new-heart
source – histhrone.blogspot.com

Seeking You with
all my heart
serving You the best
I can this day
knowing You are
healing and increasing
what my whole is
as I pray.

Providing Atonement

“For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone

who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.”  2 Chronicles 30:18-19

Indeed, God did provide atonement  for everyone . . . through Jesus.

Thank You Lord, for cleansing us so we can come to You forever.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Purification

home use pressure washer – wikipedia

I love You, Lord Jesus
please take away my sins

I long to be with You
purified of them

only You can atone for me
cleanse me and set me free

I love You, Lord Jesus
heal my iniquity.

Sudden Events

“Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly.”  2 Chronicles 29:30

It’s really hard to stay prepared for anything . .. by ourselves.

Lord, we thank You for preparing us for all that lies ahead.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

A Sudden Rejoicing

Lightning striking Atlanta
wikipedia

The day can start
with me unaware
of all that will happen
that needs covered in prayer

but God’s always working
His Word in me
so I can rejoice
in what happens suddenly.

Returning

“Then the men who were designated by name rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them and gave them sandals, gave them food and drink, and anointed them; and they let all the feeble ones ride on donkeys.  So they brought them to their brethren at Jericho, the city of palm trees.  Then they returned to Samaria.”  2 Chronicles 28:15

I once was held captive by sin, ransacked and naked, starving and bereft of hope.

Lord, thank You for saving me, restoring me and returning me to the place I belong . . with You.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Brought Back                                       

Love clothes me
and feeds me
and fills up
my flaws.
Love anoints me
and establishes me
in the presence
of all.