First Prayer for 2007!

"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us,
Yes, establish the work of our hands."
(Psalm 90:17, NKJ)

This is what I read this morning, and I felt I really needed it to make an impression on me, so I did this. It is also my prayer for you for the coming year. May you, firstly, know what the Lord would have you do, and then, may the Lord's blessing over all that you do.

"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus. [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]." (Ephesians 2:10, Amp)

My New Year Prayer!

"For You are great and work wonders! You alone are God.
"Teach me You way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.
"I will confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole (united) heart; and I will glorify Your name forevermore." (Psalm 86:10-12, Amp.)

This is my prayer for 2007, as I seek the Lord's direction. I face this year with many unknowns and wonderings what the Lord wants me to do.

It will be a year of new beginnings, with many new challenges, many new adventures, many new opportunities. There are so many good directions one could go, but knowing the RIGHT one, is what I find a challenge. Oh, how easy it would be to head off down the wrong road, only to find it comes to a dead end!

So I guess what I need is wisdom to make the RIGHT choice. This reminds me of what it says in James:

"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
"Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge of the sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
"For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [for being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." (James 1:5-8, Amp.)

May I not and may none of us, be double minded. But let us pray that God will direct and unite our heart to fear and honor His name. And we will confess and praise God with our whole and united heart, and not be tossed about by a double-mind!

The Bitter-Sweet of Christmas!

Here is another thought for those who face grief, sadness and hardship this Christmas. I guess, life is bitter-sweet!! In the times of pain and hurt, God sends a special sweetness. And we see that especially when we look at the Christ child.

Did he receive lots of presents from Santa?... NO!.. but he did receive gold, the gift for a king, and frankincense, perfumed resin used in the anointing oil of the priests, and myrrh, a spice used for embalming dead bodies. Strange gifts for a baby.

But the gold reminds me that Jesus is the King of kings... the frankincense, that He is our High Priest, advocating for us before the Father, ... and the myrrh, speaks of a suffering servant, and the Lamb of God, our perfect sacrifice, Who takes away the sin of the world.

Did they hold a big party in the palace for the new King who was born... NO WAY!! But the angels celebrated in heaven and announced on the earth the good news that the Saviour had been born.

And he was not born in a palace as is fitting for a King, but in an animals' stable and His bed was a feeding trough. He took the lowest of low places. And as it says in the Word, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." This was the God of the universe come to earth, Immanuel, meaning God with us!!


These thoughts are echoed in this carol:
(Sung to the tune of "Greensleeves")

What Child is this, Who, laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading:
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
the Cross be borne, for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
come peasant, king, to own Him,
The King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!


And the words of Isaiah:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)