Let Freedom Ring

The "sweet land of liberty" seems to be an unruly, disobedient lot, so very used to getting their own way.  What say you?

Look at them!  Just look at them!  Protesting restrictions, by NOT social distancing, in the streets; by still flocking to the beach and restaurants; that, if the media broadcasts can be believed.

And COVID cases continue to rise.  Oh, really?!  Isn't that all overblown?

Again, if the news can be believed, take the state of Georgia, for instance, that was one of the first states to "open up".  In just a short period of time, their case numbers shot up forty-some percent.

"Facts, facts, facts," cites Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York state.  Now there's a man with his head on right!

Look at the facts.  Look at the statistics.

Compare this to the more 'obedient' countries of the world where, yes, they have had their relatively fair share of the virus.  Those populaces generally followed the restricted movement orders without undue complaint, although human nature being what it is, wayward and stubborn at best, those temporary restrictive movement laws were strongly enforced by the police and army.  If you went out during the allotted hours of "essential" going out, you'd better have an awfully good reason to be out and be able to prove it.

This has worked.  New cases of COVID-19, although still happening, happen less often.  The statistics, if they are not being manipulated, look not too bad.  The corona tide is being stemmed, hopefully.

So what's all this about freedom?  Freedom to be stupid?  Or, freedom to choose wisely?

This reminds me of a few Bible verses a way back in the Old Testament times when Israel was under the leadership of Moses (Deuteronomy 30:15-20 ESV).  Here he presented a choice to the multitudes of Israelites,

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil...therefore choose life..."

(You can flip to the Scripture and read all the in between verses...)

Why would someone have to strongly suggest for another to choose life?  Most people, I thought, were afraid of death.  Granted in this situation, there was not a plague but one could have easily descended upon them if they hadn't obeyed God's command.   In fact, it did happen to them several times over when they didn't choose wisely.

I don't want to sound too 'sergeant-major-ish" or like an authoritarian dictator, but again, look at the facts and see.  Yes, nowadays much of the information we get is contradictory and/or confusing.  Nonetheless, we can take lessons from all the countries around the world who have been affected and see what they did and didn't do and the consequences thereof.  

On top of that, we can also take lessons from history.  The same "words of wisdom" during other such tragic plagues or viruses, eg. The Spanish Flu, etc, were much the same:  "Stay at Home;" "Wash your hands;" "social distance".  Those things seem to have worked to some degree.

Wouldn't folks rather "be safe than sorry"?

I think all of this is an excellent barometer to check ourselves.  How 'obedient' are we?  How submissive is our heart?  (NOTE:  'submissive' NOT 'subservient')  What is your 'submissive quotient' (SQ)?  Are your SQ and IQ inter-related?  Well, that's a subject for some other time.

The apostle Paul wrote, 

"...all things are lawful/permissible but all things are not helpful/expedient/beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23; 6:12) [depending on which version you use].

First Corinthians 10:23 extends to verse 24 which says,

"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor" (ESV).

We bump into the freedom of choice idea here but does a person need to push their own agenda to the detriment of others?  As followers of Jesus Christ, we do have freedom of choice but we must lather that with God's wisdom, and our obedience to Him and so choose wisely.  This also not to mention, we are supposed to also obey the authorities of the land even in the restrictions for the good and benefit of all citizens whether they go along with our way of thinking or not.  

You can see that Governor Andrew Cuomo is really pulling out most of the stops, explaining things rather well to the New Yorkers; looking at the facts.  They are generally following the protocol too and slowly but surely, even at a snail's pace, they are seeing some positive results.  Ooops, I suppose I shouldn't use the word "positive" when speaking in virus terms.  However, results are looking up and paying off due to a more 'obedient' state populace and from someone who takes sensible, logical action.

Meanwhile, others elsewhere are 'throwing tantrums' in the streets and supermarkets and shops because they are barred entry due to having no mask, for example; choosing death instead of life.  One person even caustically stated something like "...forget about life after death, what about life after birth"?  

People who are not used to having their so-called "rights" incurred upon don't react so well.  Now they are getting a taste of how many others in other parts of the world live, with very few rights granted.  Perhaps they should be sent there to have that defining experience and see if they are so terribly bad off at present after all.

How about those who defy the "keep your businesses closed" order, instead of being jailed, be asked to do community service in the COVID wards.  How about that?!  Wouldn't that be poetical justice?

Enough of that sauce.

Let's swing the subject around to an even more vital choice.  The one that is set before us, to choose between everlasting life in Heaven in our after-earth life (speaking of life after death), or. an everlasting 'living' death in Hell.  To accept or reject salvation through Jesus Christ, that is the question, and that is the ultimate life's decision.

Choose everlasting life.

There'd be plenty of "life after new birth" life then.

Let the freedom of having sins forgiven, that "redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:6 ESV); of having been adopted by God, of knowing God's will and purpose, of obtaining our inheritance in Him; a gaining the Spirit of wisdom; access to God's immeasurable greatness and power and much, much more, ring in your heart and life (Ephesians 1).

Choose this freedom with an obedient, submission to God our Maker, heart and mind.  Truly then you will be headed to the for real 'sweet land of liberty"--to be with Christ, in Heavenly places--no matter what 'vehicle' takes you, be it COVID-19, any plethora of ailments or accidents, or the blessed Rapture.

May the grace of God be with Your submissive hearts 'til we meet again.

                                                       ~ERC  May 2020~

Prayer - Lord Build the House

Father, I know that whatever we do, whatever we try to do, we need to do it with Your help and strength because unless You are on board with us, or rather, we are on board, with You, the house will not get built and all our work will be in vain.  Why?  It's because we would be doing it in our own strength.

People who are watching out for us; the watchmen, those who pray for us will also be praying in vain; so to speak.  Father, we do not want that, prayers, that are in vain nor work that we think we're doing for You, to be in vain.  Lord help us to remember to go in Your strength, Your help.  Lead, guide and direct us as we seek Your grace to do what is right in Your eyes.

Lord, even those who go out to work, the breadwinners of families or of themselves, as they are at the job, engaging in their career, that they would do so for Your glory and honor.  May they not become workaholics, by the way they work.  May their attitudes, character and integrity on the job be in and of itself , a witness for You.

May these, Your children, have spent time with You, showing they are truly Your followers, and of Jesus Christ.  In consequence, as they work, their work will not be in vain.

May they not be toiling only for the sake of the money, yes, money is important, but working not from the impetus of greed, or promotion, but Father to be working for Your glory and honor.  They'll be working even among their colleagues or their staff.  They'll be working to gain treasure for You.

In so doing, Lord, You give Your people sleep.  You grant them sleep to those You love.  So Father, may we be aware that we do not become so engrossed in an all time-consuming manner, getting up so early and toiling into the night, so late that we neglect our sleep.  When we neglect our sleep we can become sick, have attitudes and reactions that do NOT glorify You.  Impatience.  Anger.  Words that are not guarded, especially after having asked You to set a watch over our lips and mouths.  How then, when we are tired, exhausted from our labor, how then can we partner with You to guard our lips and mouths?

You grant us sleep.  May we claim that grant and get the benefit of it, and sleep.

Father, we thank You for our children.  You say,

"...sons are a heritage from you, children are a reward."

Quite often we may believe that children are not the reward we had wanted.  Yet, You have given many of us children.  Help us to see that it is in love, You have given us our children.  Especially when they reach the terrible two's or the tempestuous teenage years.  Human nature is the same wherever we go and in every person that needs to be tamed by You.  Lord, help us to see our children as precious cuz they are so in Your sight.

We too, are Your children.  You are gracious and merciful to us.  Help us, in turn to be gracious and merciful to our sons and daughters.  

Lord, as we ourselves have spiritual children, rewards, and inheritance also for You.  As we gain this treasure for You in Heaven, You give us these rewards.  How gracious of You.  What a loving, caring, encouraging, and compassionate God You are!   Thank-you!

May we too watch out for our spiritual children as we do for our biological ones.  As we train our children to be like Your own, in the hands of a "warrior," may their aim be true.

Yes, as parents we often fail.  We get it wrong, because when the baby is born, there is no instruction manual included; expect for Your Holy Bible, if we would only turn to Your words, we could find wisdom.  If we don't then we can ask for it.  you will give it.  

Help us to train our children in the mighty ways of God.  in Your ways, Father and may they be strong and true for You.  When we release these "arrows" into the world, may they, in turn, make their arrows be true for You.

You say,

"Blessed is the one who has their quiver full."

Heavenly Father in this past couple of generations people have not wanted to have many children.  They see them as a burden, such a responsibility:  financial, physical, emotionally, etc.  Yet, Lord, change that mindset.  Yes, money's important.  We must look after our children well.  However Lord, You said You would supply our needs.  Supply them.  Prove Yourself to the faint of heart but stretch our faith too.

When we see that many of Your children have many of their own biological children, foster children and/or have even adopted some; their quivers are very full Lord.  There are stories of 10, 20, even 40 children!  This is a huge blessing and reward and inheritance!

Society balks at this and gets very suspicious as to what the couple is doing with so many children?!  What are they trying to do?!

Nevertheless, Lord, may Your people who have so many children, who indeed have quivers filled with little ones, may they ever rely on you in faith, in hope and with Your great depths and heights of wisdom, to bring up these children in Your wisdom and admonition.

Shine the love of Jesus upon these young ones, so they "in turn, will be able to show that same love of God to others, especially as they grow up and have families and lives of their own.

Bless parents, Father, bless them.  It's not an easy task!  It's not easy to raise a child, and its certainly NOT a job for sissies.  This is not just about the financial side of it.  It includes the emotional toll, the spiritual and mental sides.  When the children are young it's a lot of physical work; physically exhausting.  Then as they shoot up in age, older and more able to reason, embarking into the teenage years, its quite the mental exercise of calisthenics, keeping abreast of our offspring and the age they live in.

We know You had a time of it with the children of Israel and can understand all our emotions that often fluctuate between frustration, anger and then the times that bring hope and joy.  Father, we can only turn to You for wisdom and strength for our fixed hope is in You.  Let us not be put to shame, let not parents nor their children be put to shame especially when they go up against the enemy Satan and his minions.

Satan messed up Adam and Eve but You have used Your redeeming grace to rectify that havoc wrought by him.  Yet, he still persists and loves to rip families apart; family that is the nucleus of society, that family unit, that Satan tries his best to destroy.  However, Father, You set people in families (Psalm 68:6).  

You set Adam and Eve, in a family of their own and asked them to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).  Similarly, may there be many more "Adam's and Eve's" coming together and obeying just such  a commandment.  Take away their fears, focus their hearts and minds upon You.  May they lean upon You and Your resources.

Add wisdom to bring their children up to fear You; the One True God and Your Son Jesus Christ.  May they come to salvation through Jesus Christ.  Continue to build Your House, Father God.

"May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace..." (Psalm 144:12 ESV).

I ask all this in the name of Jesus and by the power of His blood.

                                                           ~ERC  May 2020~
                                                 Originally prayed 24 April 2020


Prayer based on Psalm 127 and 144:12

Mother's Day 2020 - Mother's Shoes

Mother's Day...a day to honor one's mother...if you have one.

I've been a mother for nigh on to 30 years but I still forget I'm one.  The "real" mother is MY Mom!  Now, that's a mother!

Only she, is "Mother", right?

That's how most of us feel about our Mother.  There's only one of a kind in the whole wide world, and it's MY mother!

Mother's Day is an extra special day to honor such mothers and is intended to be joyous.  Nevertheless, some of us no longer have our Mom around.  In very recent years, like about a year and a half ago or so, I lost my Mom and since then several friends have had to go through the same painful experience of losing theirs.

Worst still if our Mom's have left us during this COVID-19 time where funerals are banned and so too, almost the burial!  "A non-event," a friend remarked.  That makes it all the more tragic.  At least some of us got to say a more "proper" good-bye before the "Stay-at-Home" sentence was conferred upon us.

Yes, the memories linger.  The impact of our Mother is a sweet fragrance scenting the air and remembrance of the relationship and person whom she was. No, we don't turn them into a goddess, but we still want to turn to her and feel her, and say, "Hey, do you know what?'.  Or, "guess what?"  Or, "Mom, what do you think of this, or you'll like this or that".  

But, hey, she's not there!

A mammoth vacuum and chasm has opened up and been left behind in her wake.

So, what can you do?

Who to turn to instead with your grief and tidings and questions?  Mom?  Oh no!  She's not there.  And your mind keeps on vaulting back and forth.

My  Mom would have turned to the Lord in prayer.  He's always there and you don't have to wait for a certain time of day to connect.  His ear is always open and attentive to our cry.

Godly mothers are treasures and the impact they've had on their offspring's life is priceless.  There is a saying by one Ron Lessin who postulates about the influence of one life;  he said the influence is like,

"... a series of ripples that broaden and reach across the water.."

Mom's life lived for Christ did leave behind an influence for good that did reach many lives over the years, and not just the lives of her own children. 

The best implant of my Mom's was to give me a love and respect for Jesus.  He was her best Friend and so became mine too.  

There were other facets of impact too such as always thinking the best of me (and others).  She was a good listener too.  

Now I realize.  

Now I realize how good a friend she was too.  No doubt we could all practically write a book about our Mom's.  Sure, they likely ticked us off now and again, but overall, they have been a blessed person in our lives.

May those of us who are mothers, pass on just such a legacy to our own children and grand-children and broaden our ripple effect wherever we go; being a Mother to the motherless to boot.  Let our future generations declare this epitaph, musing on our Mothers' most meaningful and monumental moments and memories of the far reaches of her mindful influence and impact.

It's an immense task to fill Mother's shoes but we mothers must carry that torch....

                                       HAPPY (sort of) MOTHER'S DAY 2020

                                                             ~ERC  2020~

P.S.  The image above is of the saying by Roy Lessin in its entirety and is entitled The Impact of One Life.

A Mother's Day Song by Bryant Oden

Continue to Praise

Eureka!  I've been hunting for just such a verse for a couple of years and have finally, "struck gold"!

Of course it's been there all along, nevertheless, it feels like a fresh revelation this morning.

Curious as to which verse?

Well, to satisfy that curiosity, here it is...

"Let this  be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD..." (Psalm 102:18 NIV).

That latter part, "a people not yet created" or in the good ole KJV,

"...the people which shall be created, shall praise the LORD."

So, what's so earth-shattering about that?

A couple of years ago I learned that Mormans believe that "heaven is full of millions of spirits awaiting an earthly body" (link:  Childbearing and Childrearing Practices in Mormanism)  This belief explains why this religious group has among the highest birth rates in the USA, according to the article.  They dutifully procreate bodies for all those waiting spirits.

Then there are those others who believe in reincarnation as do those of the Hindu belief where when one dies and the spirit of a person or creature from the animal/insect/reptile sector, re-incarnates into another person/animal/insect/or reptile.  It could go either way up or down the chain of dominance to a higher or lower state of being.  This is dependent on one's behavior in the current life or sometimes even in a past life.

Similarly, the Buddhists, who prefer to use the term "rebirth," believe that the "mental continuum" of a particular lifespan of a person or one of the other of God's creatures (actually, they don't believe in God), will be imputed into another upon the instant of death of the living creature and the corresponding, instant of conception, of the next creature to reap the cululative experiences, knowledge of life, and  to reap the consequences of good/bad deeds of the predecessors and pre-possessors it had once inhabited.   (Please check out this link for further explanation on this topic from my Burning Quest series; Burning Quest Part 9.)

So saying, these spirits would be considered eternal and definitely not created or kept in a vault for spirits prior to having a body prepared for it, according to the respective beliefs mentioned.  There may be other varying degrees of beliefs on this topic which will not be discussed herein.

Can you see my excitement upon my finding Psalm 102:18?

"...a person not yet created..."

A person who is "brand new".

Hadn't been created, yet.

It's helpful to connect with Genesis 2:7 where we read about God breathing the "breath of life" into Adam.  It was at that point that Adam became a living creature.  This, after all the rest of creation had been created.

That was Adam's moment of beginning to live:  spirit, soul and body.  The three belonged to each other, never to have waited in a heavenly reserve, never to have been used before nor to to be used again by anyone else nor by any creature.  It was the "breath of God" breathed into him that gave Adam, and subsequently, the rest of us, our 'being-ness'.

Each individual person has their own, "freshly minted", so to speak, spirit, soul and body; compliments of God's divine supernatural power.

Without delving too much further into technicalities of the Truth, what was the purpose for which God would continue to create new generations of people?  According to David the Psalmist, it was so they could "praise the LORD".  One generation praises and then teaches the next generation.  There is overlap and continuance; thus the praises never cease.

This is paramount to David.  He enjoyed praising God and wanted others to have that joy too.

Shall we all "praise God from whom all blessing flow"?  Don't forget to teach your next generation.

Continue to praise Him.

                                                          ~ERC  April 2020~

Based on Psalm 102:18

Sing along, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,  as sung by The Martins

Prayer - All May Praise You

Father God, be gracious unto us and bless us and make your face shine upon us.  We want Your ways to be made known unto us and Your salvation among all nations.  As harvesters go out among those nations may Your salvation be known to the peoples of the earth in ways that they can understand and culturally relate to.

I ask for many harvesters to go out into the field to gather the harvest that's already ripe.  Lord, while You are at it, may there also be that important  follow up discipleship, not just the gathering in of the harvest but the bringing Your newly adopted children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ironically, the harvest needs to take root and to grow (Hmm, how do harvested plants root and grow?  You Father are in the miracle business), to expand their faith, to know what it is to revere You; adore You; to commune with You; build a relationship with You; to be blameless and righteous, not just in Your sight but in the sight of all men.

As they relinquish any addictions, bad habits they have, may they become more Christ-like and have their "cravings" be for You alone.  May all peoples praise You, oh Father God, being glad and rejoicing, singing for joy, that You have done this, in their lives.  Rejoicing too, that You are the Ruler of their lives, not the evil drink, or drugs or gambling or pornography or illegal money-making careers, or the hard-core lump of unforgiveness and bitterness against someone, that may have had a grip on their lives.  Loosen their shackles.

Now that these chains have been broken by You and Your Son Jesus Christ, may they be filled with Your Holy Spirit  instead.  May You be their ALL.  May they go back to You again and again when the temptations threaten to overtake.  Then they too will bring in other harvest because of their profoundly changed lives; that transformation honed by You.

May that potential "new harvest" be astonished at what has been effected in the lives of their family member, friend, neighbor, colleague, and so on, and, in turn, be drawn to You, not to that person but drawn to Jesus through them.

Oh Lord, bless us all to the ends of the Earth.  Those who fear You, whom You have chosen to be Your children; may we all praise You.

I ask in the Name of Jesus and by the power of Jesus' blood.

                                                            ~ERC  2020~

Prayer based on Psalm 67

Sing, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Lord's Day Devotion - Devotional Prayer - Blessings & Prosperity

Heavenly Father blessed are all of us who fear You, who walk in Your ways because there will be blessing and prosperity upon us.  At least that's what we read in Psalm 128.  I find it very interesting to see what the author of that Psalm considered prosperity and blessing.  One was to have a fruitful wife; another to have sons; and still another, that in a person's old age, to be able to see their children's children.

Some children seem to be what you would call blessing and prosperity.  I even know an African gentleman by the name of "Blessing" and then many Chinese men have the name "Prosperity" (in Chinese).  However, how many people want You to pour blessing down from heaven so they can have what they consider a comfortable life without the encumbrances of children, but You LORD, You value children.

The Psalmist remarked that children seemed to know how to praise You better than adults do.  In the New Testament, the petulant religious leaders wanted to silence the people from praising You.  Jesus said that if that happened the rocks would cry out instead (Luke 19:40).  There were other remarks that "out of the mouths of babes and infants You have perfected  praise" and "established a stronghold" (Psalm 8 & Matthew 21:16)!   In still another passage Jesus admonishes His disciples for trying to prohibit mothers from bringing their little blessings to Jesus.  Jesus said,

"Suffer (or let) the little children come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." (Mark 10:14 KJV).

There you see Jesus had the object lesson, that children were a blessing not a curse.  

In Proverbs, Father, Your word exhorts us to go to the ants and consider their ways and to be diligent and wise (Proverbs 6:6-11).  Lord in this case, direct us to the children and see how they praise You.  Sometimes they are so sweet to see as they sing their hearts out, with joy beaming from their faces, singing such songs as the all time favorite, "Yes, Jesus loves me!"

How sweet on their lips, this praise.

Very little guile.  Unadulterated, unmotivated  by thoughts of getting something back for all their passion.  This too, an object lesson for us adults.  This is blessing and prosperity for all.

Father, teach us to praise in such a way, in innocence, humbleness and integrity from the sincerity of our innermost beings, from our hearts and minds, that are in one accord.  As we rise from our beds each morning, go about our daily work routines, and then bed down once more at day's end, help us to praise You with all our hearts, souls, minds, will, and emotions, in communion with You.

As one Nancy Leigh DeMoss quotes one Charles Jefferson,

"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies."

We can see many reasons to praise You.  The greatest mercy of all time was how and when Jesus bought our pardon.

On this Lord's Day, as we go to meet the Savior, together with others of Your children (except during this quarantine time, of course where we meet virtually):  our brothers and sisters - in - Christ, meeting to remember Your Son, Jesus' sacrifice for us and to give Him praise.  Let us give that unmitigated praise in child-like abandon.  May our sacrifices of praise be acceptable in Your sight oh Lord God.  

Partake then, of the bread; drink, of the cup, and so remember Him in His death and resurrection for us who gave us every reason to praise Him.

In Jesus Name may we have peace to praise.  We ask for Your blessings daily and we Your children bless You back; for we are Your inheritance, Your blessing and Your prosperity.

                                                         ~ERC  May 2020~

Prayer based on Psalm 128

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow

Prayer - Inheritance

Heavenly Father, I give thanks to You, my Lord and Maker; the God Who is the righteous Judge of all the earth.  Oh, Lord God, most high.  I give thanks to You because of Your righteousness and love, and that they endure forever; that love that is unconditional and unfailing.  I also thank-You because we do not need to fret; we  do not need to worry about what evil men may do to us or because of those who are envious of us. 

When they do wrong, we know that we can trust in You.  You are our faithful God.  We can trust in You because You do good and help us live in the land and enjoy safe pasture even amidst lifes' troubles.

May we always delight ourselves in You as we commit our way to you, as we trust in You, as we make You our righteousness.  Make Your righteousness shine upon us, like the dawn, as the sun rises, giving light and warmth.  Shine as the sky glows amber and deeper shades of orange, pinks, purples; mist rising up, refreshing dew upon the earth, know that we acknowledge You are still "in charge" of us, as you even arise up for us, like the sun, with your justice and righteousness.

Father, we come before you to "be still", to wait patiently before You.  When men succeed in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes against Your people, Lord, we wait patiently for You to help us.  We often feel that these kinds of troubles, when the wicked succeed, that it is not good for us.  However, in Romans 8:28 You say,

"...all things work together for our good..."

Thankfully, You don't say those things ARE good, rather, they WORK TOGETHER for our good; like a piece of embroidery.  Underneath are all the tied-off knots of thread.  It doesn't look so nice.  Nevertheless, the finished product on the "right" side, is a work of art and beauty.  You are "stitching" similarly  in our lives.

Help us to refrain from anger and to turn from our wrath because we know they lead to evil.  Let us to learn to forgive and bless those who persecute us.  Not an easy task Lord, especially when it may all have ruined our lives (Your children's) as we knew it.  

Homes, workplaces, businesses pillaged, burnt, destroyed.  Livelihoods gone!  Our reputation's shredded.  How to forgive?  How to bless those wicked, evil deeds?

Yet, You ask it of us!  Like You, oh Father.  "Like Father, like Son,"  and on  to us, your redeemed children.

On the cross,  Your Son, Jesus said, 

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34 NIV)

May Your son's and daughters be able to find the grace to forgive like that.

LORD, we do know what the end of those wicked ones will be.  You, the righteous Judge will do right in Your accounting on Judgment Day.  However, we do fear for even those people, those men and women, because Hell is an awful, awful place as we learn from Your Scripture.  

Perpetual fire.

Hate.

Destruction.

Agony and torment.

Isolation:  enforced "social distancing" at its worst.

It will last forever; an everlasting 'living' death.

Father God, we do not wish that upon anyone.  Indeed, I cannot tell it enough, 

"You are not willing that anyone should perish..." (2 Peter 3:9).

Rescue the perishing.

Help us to be meek, Father, so we can inherit the land and enjoy abundant peace as we set foot upon the land, making good our inheritance, as we store up true treasure for You in heaven.  May we bring more sons and daughters into Your kingdom because of our testimony and Christ-like walk upon this earth.  I do not say this out of pride, rather, Father, may it have been a reflection from our attitudes, and character, emanating from Your Holy Spirit's work within us, revealing to us the right path to living our lives honoring You.  This as we strive to enter and walk that narrow way You have set before us followers of Jesus Christ.

There are indeed many who draw the bow and wield the sword towards us, Your people.  Many around the world are persecuted for their faith in Jesus.  Give them courage and help them endure.

However,  there are times when we must live in the knowledge of, and have confidence in, Your Word which is a double-edged sword, dividing the hearts and marrow (Hebrews 4:12).  That sounds rather painful, having our very own souls and hearts thus "invaded" but this from Your Hand which is merciful, we know it's for our own good and betterment.  May this same Word of God continually be hidden in our hearts so we don't sin against You (Psalm 119:11), and may Your Word be our only weapon against the wicked ones, for their own good and betterment as well.

Lord, it's general knowledge that the wicked often gain great wealth because of their nefarious dealings.  Lord, when we look in comparison to when we follow Your will and ways, and Your righteousness and observe that we may even live in poverty, not having much, just enough (or not) to get by...it may make us tempted to do wicked things to help make ends meet, or to gain great wealth.  Remind us Lord of Your Holy Spirit and Words which tell us the path to LIFE and true treasure is to follow You and Your will and ways to have a righteous life.

Your Scripture also tells us our inheritance will be forever.  We will endure forever with You  and eternal riches in Heaven.  Even in times of disaster, or such things as a corona virus spread world-wide; of famine; of pestilence, etc., our inheritance is still ready and waiting there for us, kept safely with and by You in Heaven; our everlasting life.

Father, there are many of your "made righteous" sons and daughters who do have great worldly wealth and who do give generously.  Help us not to let our "wealth", whether mega-bucks or mere dribble,  create greed for more; not to be stingy in giving but to be generous as You guide our stewardship of fiances, time, and/or energy You have blessed us to oversee.  May we mimic Your generosity.

May we give as You have given and continue to give  Thank-You for the monetary blessing You have given us.  May we, in turn, bless others as the needs arise and how You direct.

You are a generous God.  May You delight in our ways like a father looking down upon a child to see what he or she does and how they do it, enjoying the sweetness, goodness, and ingenuity of their child.  As the child does right, may you smile upon us Lord and keep our steps firm so we won't falter or fail.  Uphold us Father with Your mighty hand.

As we get older, as we age and our footsteps get weaker; we'll know that You have not forsaken us.  You will not ever forsake us.  May we ever be faithful to You with all the "inheritance" You give us throughout all our years and remaining time on planet Earth.

May our children not ever have to go begging, ever.  May they be blessed, to bless others.  May they not allow any wealth they may attain be squandered with riotous living; spending not selfishly but selflessly.  May they turn from evil, from any temptation of doing evil, rather turn, and do what is right, just and fair for others, and be blameless in Your sight.

We know You love those who are just and will not forsake Your faithful ones because You are the ever faithful one.

Protect us and our offspring forever from those who are wicked.  Again, Lord, we know the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever and ever with You in Heaven.  Set a guard upon our mouths, so that they will always utter wisdom and righteousness.  May that be wisdom that comes from You.

If we lack wisdom, we know where we can get more...from You.  We need only to ask.  Thank-You for such provision.  When we get it may we use it.

May our tongues only speak what is just (vs 30) and may Your law Father, be in our hearts-written upon that new heart of flesh You put in there-so that our feet will not slip.

Father, let not the righteous be condemned when they are brought to trial.  Even though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous seeking their very lives, wishing to pull them from limb to limb, Lord.  Lift them up.  Give them dignity.  Help Your righteous people to wait for You.  To wait for You to exalt us and give us that vindication and inheritance You've promised.

OH Father, come soon!  Come quickly, the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"

Consider the blameless.  Observe the upright, so we may have peace in our lives.  We know there will be everlasting peace to come.

Father we also like to have peace in our lives now.  The peace of God that never fails despite the storms of life.  We know that our salvation comes from You, Lord.  You are our stronghold in times of trouble and You deliver and will deliver us from the wicked.

We can assuredly say this because the righteous take refuge in You, their Inheritance.

                                                         ~ERC  April 2020~

Prayer based on Psalm 7 & 37

Sing along, The Lord is the Portion of My Inheritance