B2B Concert of Prayer – Offended #896

Posted on April 20, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 896

cross-of-christ-0104“Offended”

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. (Matthew 11:6)

Have you noticed how intolerant our world society has become toward Christianity and the symbol of the Cross of Jesus Christ? It is ironical that much of the intolerance stems from those who promote tolerance for all religions and peoples – all, except for those who are Christian. Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. (Luke 12:51)

Christians should not be surprised by persecution. Jesus clearly warned us that we will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16-23).

Why does the Cross of Jesus Christ offend? It offends because of its exclusivity. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Just as the Cross of Christ separated the two thieves on Calvary – one to receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and the other to die in his sin – so the Cross continues to be the narrow gate by which all mankind is to enter. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Our carnal nature wants an easy road. It wants ‘heaven on earth’ – now, not later. Our carnal nature is prideful, lustful, and stubborn and it chafes at the idea of dying to self so it is offended by the Cross. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)

Our carnal intellect is offended by the perceived foolishness and folly of the Cross of Jesus Christ. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Jesus says we are blessed if we are not offended by Him. He also says we are blessed when we are persecuted because of Him and that this should be cause for rejoicing. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

We should not view the Cross of Jesus as a commonplace religious symbol. May you see it with a renewed sense of awe and reverence for what it truly represents. May you see in the Cross the enormity of the love God has for you in that Jesus would die on that Cross to pay the price for your sin. May you see the power it represents for forgiveness of sin and for the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

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Concert of Prayer – Distracted #895

Posted on April 13, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 895

focus-distraction-sign“Distracted”

Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. (Luke 10:39,40)

We have created a monster that is destroying our ability to relate to others with depth and meaning. What started out as the Information Age has become the Age of Distraction. We are alerted and interrupted by calls, texts, pokes, tags, emails and tweets. Rather than control the flow of information we have allowed it free access to interrupt us in real-time. It is like taking a drink from a fully open fire hydrant.

Social network distractions are compounded by our addiction to entertainment that is streamed to our hand-held devices wherever we are. Add to this all the to-do tasks and obligations of everyday work and family life and we have a recipe for the mass destruction of interpersonal relationships. Meaningful dialog and conversations between spouses, parents and children, as well as friends and family have become non-existent or infrequent and truncated at best.

Our distracted lifestyle also affects our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This was the difference between Martha and Mary in our reference Scripture. Jesus points out that Mary’s choice to avoid the distractions that beset Martha and focus completely upon Jesus was the correct choice. Do you struggle to shut out the world for a period of time and enter into prayer, worship and communion with our Lord Jesus each day? Do you struggle to enter into the presence of God during church service unencumbered by all kinds of distracting thoughts? I am guilty on both counts.

Are you able and willing to shut off the electronic distraction pipeline to have a meaningful conversation with friends and family? Our ability to actively listen to others and to build effective relationships in the physical as well as the spiritual realm depends upon our ability to control the distractions of life. This is not easy to do and it takes work and commitment.

There is much said and written about ‘time management’. However, the real issue is ‘attention management’. We must not relegate our personal relationships with God and others to a timed checkbox on our to-do list. In order to manage our attention we must say ‘No!’ to some things, albeit good things, but nonetheless things that must be stopped in order to balance life’s priorities. We must be willing to shut off the television, computer, and cell phone during one-on-one time with others. We must shut off our minds to the distractions of the world and press in through worship and prayer during our quiet time with the Lord at home and at church.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:2) Note that it was the psalmist’s choice to calm and quiet his soul. It is a choice we also must make.

May the Holy Spirit counsel you and empower you to make the right choices in controlling your interrupt-driven life. May you enjoy a deeper interpersonal relationship with God, family, and friends as you detoxify yourself from this age of distraction.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Decisions #894

Posted on April 7, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 894

find-your-way“Decisions”

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8)

Life is a series of decisions. Most are innocuous, what to wear or eat or what movie to watch. Some decisions, however, are life changing and impactful, whom to marry, career and job choices, which medical procedure or treatment to take.

The single most impactful decision we can make in this life is our decision whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior or to reject God’s plan for salvation and eternal life through His Son. It is our informed decision to accept or reject Jesus – to choose life or damnation for eternity. We are informed because God patiently and lovingly made sure we were fully instructed.

The Lord … is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8)

It is a great comfort to me to reflect how patient God has been and that He instructed and guided me while I was yet a willful sinner living a lifestyle of disobedience to His commandments. If you have yet to decide about Jesus Christ, I encourage you to make that your next decision. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) A decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior will set you on a path of overcoming life as you are born again by the Spirit of God.

The promise of God to His children in our reference Scripture is also a great comfort. There is a ‘peace that surpasses understanding’ that comes from trusting in God’s promise to always instruct, teach, and counsel us while maintaining His watchful eye of protection over us. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love… (Psalm 33:18)

What life changing, impactful decisions are you faced with today? Being an analytical person I have a tendency to suffer from ‘analysis paralysis’ in that I tend to procrastinate making a decision as I study it and all its potential consequences to death. If life were a chess game my opponent would die of boredom waiting for my next move.

In order to make such critical decisions, I have to quiet my mind and hear the Holy Spirit. Be still, and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10) I have to be honest with what the Lord reveals to my heart regarding my true motives for making a decision one way over another. Do my motives reveal a lack of trust in God? Am I motivated by impatience? Or greed? Or the need to be self-reliant? Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Proverbs 21:2) Given the instruction of the Lord regarding the motive of my heart, I need to then choose the path that trusts in Him and brings Him glory – even if it seems illogical to my flesh.

May you be guided in Truth by the Holy Spirit in all your life decisions. May every path you take be illuminated by the Light of the Word of God. May the Lord’s watchful eye of protection always be with you as you fully trust in Him. May you continually learn from Him as you rest in the shadow of His abiding presence.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, (Matthew 11:29)

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Got History? #893

Posted on March 31, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 893

lion paw“Got History?”

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)

The phrase ‘We’ve got history’ is used to indicate a long term relationship between people. David had history. He had a long term relationship with God and he knew that it was God that had delivered him out of danger of the lions and bears that threatened him and the flock he tended. David strengthened and prepared himself to face Goliath by drawing on this history in order to stand firm in his faith and trust in God.

We strive for a life of smooth sailing, free from trials and difficulties, but there will always be the bears, lions, and Goliaths to challenge us. Sometimes we have times of respite between the challenges and other times they come at us in unrelenting wave upon wave barely giving us time to catch our breath.

If you look back on your life journey you will see how the hand of the Lord delivered you through each trial. This is history and it is this history of your walk with God that builds your faith, trust, and strength to face every new challenge no matter how daunting or difficult it may seem.

Is there a ‘Goliath’ looming ahead of you in your life? What is standing in your way that threatens you or your family? What is before you that is casting fear into your heart and soul? What impossible task or problems are you faced with that has you at your wits end?

Take time to remember all the miracles God has worked in your life. Record your history with God in a prayer journal. Encourage yourself in the Lord by periodically looking back through your journal and see what God has done to sustain, provide, and deliver you through difficult times. Then proceed boldly and without fear of the Goliath in front of you, continually trusting in God.

Be still, and know that I am God…remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me… (Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 46:9)

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B2B Concert of Prayer – New Beginnings #892

Posted on March 23, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 892

Orchid “New Beginnings”

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9)

I gave my wife an orchid in January last year. It bloomed for a few months and then went dormant. It appeared to be a green stick in a pot – nothing more. After several months my wife asked if she could throw it away. Its leaves appeared healthy and vibrant so I suggested that she continue to care for it. This week, almost a year later, the orchid has blessed us once again with beautiful blossoms.

This orchid reminded me of how long-suffering our Lord is with us when we are obstinate, disobedient, and fail to bear fruit in our lives for His Kingdom. As indicated in the parable of the vinedresser, God will continue to nurture and care for us for a season seeking to change our hearts.

The Lord…is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

I am also reminded by this orchid that there are new beginnings that come following seasons of dormancy. What appeared to be alive but merely existing is now vibrant again and bearing beautiful fruit. Have you ever felt that way – alive but merely existing, marking time with little hope of a brighter future? May this orchid’s new beginning this year be a sign of hope for you as it is for me. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Another lesson from this orchid and our parable today is that God has never left us alone to wither and die in isolation. Even when He seems distant, He is by our side protecting and nurturing us. He sends His ministering angels to watch over us. He prompts our brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside as ‘vinedressers’ to encourage and exhort us with the real food and water of His Word.

If you are in need of hope and encouragement, know that the Lord makes all things new. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelations 21:5)

If you are seeking God for a new beginning, continue to seek, ask, and knock. Continue to place your hope in Him and do not rely on or resort to the methods and practices of this world in a feeble attempt to manipulate your circumstances and ‘help God out’. Seek His kingdom and righteousness first and abide in His presence continually. Trust Him and He will give you perfect peace as He brings you out of the wilderness.

And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. (Job 8:7)

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B2B Concert of Prayer – The Measure You Use #891

Posted on March 16, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 891

picture-blog-measuring-cups-300x176“The Measure You Use”

…For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

This Biblical principle of measurement is as true and solid as the principle of sowing and reaping. This Scripture is often used in reference to the giving of material goods and while that is one aspect of this teaching it is not the only thing Jesus was talking about. Jesus began His discourse leading up to our reference verse 38 talking about loving our enemies. He exhorts us to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us. (vv 27, 28) He is speaking about measuring out love to more than only those who love us in return. He is speaking of measuring it out pressed down, shaken and running over to those that the world would say do not deserve it.

The world cannot understand this principle and Christians who follow this teaching of Jesus are called ‘suckers’ and ‘doormats’. Jesus addresses this in verses 32-34 where He talks about how this makes Christians different from those that are of the world and do not follow Him.

Jesus continues His discourse speaking of measuring out good, mercy, and forgiveness. (vv 35-36)

Christians are to be ‘Christ-like’. We are to exhibit the character of God by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. Here Jesus tells us that God is kind and merciful – even to those who are ungrateful and evil.

He goes on to exhort us not to judge or condemn but rather to measure out forgiveness. Remember when Jesus taught us to pray to the Father He stated ‘Forgive us…as we forgive others’ (Matthew 6:12)

Every one of us can recall at least one individual who has ‘done us dirty’ in the past. How do you feel about them today? You may say you have forgiven them but do you love them? Can you speak blessing over them and pray for them with a sincere heart? Would you measure out good to them should the opportunity present itself?

For many of us, forgiveness equates to avoiding. We act out our ‘forgiveness’ by making sure we never cross paths or speak to the other person again. We behave as if the other person does not exist, yet God wants the exact opposite from us. If we truly forgive as God forgives, we will be proactive in reaching out to the other person in love. The world says ‘sucker!’ while Jesus says ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.

What measure do you use in measuring out forgiveness, love, blessing, prayer and good? The truth of God’s Word says that same measure will be used by God for you. Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap… (Luke 6:38)

May we have the grace to give a full measure of love and forgiveness to others as God has abundantly measured His love and forgiveness to us through the death of His Son, Jesus. May the Holy Spirit empower us with grace and mercy to be a blessing to those who are hateful toward us – not for our glory but rather to glorify God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – His Way #890

Posted on March 9, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 890

my-way-no-way-300x225“His Way”

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The house I have been renovating was broken into recently and all my power tools were stolen. To add insult to injury, they even stole my frozen pizza from the refrigerator. I confess that my response – my ways and my thoughts – following this event were definitely not the same as that of the Lord. I wanted vengeance. I wanted my tools back so I could stay on schedule for moving in this year. I wanted my pizza.

I sought the Lord in prayer asking Him, why us? Why now? What good can come of this? The Lord spoke to my heart that His ways are not my ways. I did not fully comprehend this response until I delved into the context of this Scripture which is clearly understood from verse 7. let the wicked…and the unrighteous man…return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7) God’s ways and thoughts are compassionate and forgiving while ours tend toward revenge and bitterness.

The young men, a sixteen and a seventeen year old were arrested. They had been on a crime spree robbing home after home looking for drugs or items of value that could be used to buy drugs. They even vandalized a Middle School and tortured a local farmer’s sheep with pitch forks and a bow and arrow. The Sheriff referred to the sixteen year old as a ‘bad seed’.

I saw the faces of these young men on the nightly news several days later and the Lord reminded me again that His ways are not my ways and it was then that He answered my prayerful questions of why me and why now. I should be in intercessory prayer for these young men. God wants their hearts to turn toward Him and I should pray for their salvation.

God’s Word encourages us that He loves us and works all things for our good. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) The insurance settlement was sufficient to replace the essential tools necessary to finish the home renovation. My body enjoyed a one month respite and rest from not working on the house and my cholesterol levels are probably better off without having eaten that pizza. …All things work together for good…

We speak in Christian circles about divine encounters – those moments when our paths cross with others and there is an opportunity presented to pray for, with and/or to share the Gospel with them. Perhaps this robbery event was one such divine encounter. God wants everyone to come to salvation – even those considered to be a ‘bad seed’. The Lord is…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

I have learned and continue to learn that the Lord is faithful in His love and that His Word is rock solid Truth. No matter what life circumstances come our way, we can rest in the knowledge of the Truth of His Word. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) As the Holy Spirit prompts, please join with me in praying for the salvation of these young men.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – A Love Relationship #889

Posted on March 3, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 889

sought the lord“A Love Relationship”

Uzziah…did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…He set himself to seek God…and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper…But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God… (2 Chronicles 26:3-5;16)

Many marriages fail because they were never based upon a true love relationship. They may have married for money or sex or power and position. They may have married out of duty – doing the ‘right thing’ for their unborn child. Regardless of the reason, if the marriage is not founded on the bedrock of a true love relationship, for better or for worse, etc. then it is in jeopardy of failing when the currency of the original transaction is gone. As Christians, we are the ‘Bride of Christ’. Jesus truly loves us. Is His love reciprocated in our relationship with Him or are we transacting along some other line?

Pagan worship in ancient times, and perhaps to the present day in some parts of the world, involve sacrifices being made to their ‘god’ not in worship based upon love, but rather to appease their ‘god’ and obtain favor. Things were given in order to receive. Pagan worship was more of a ‘business transaction’ along the lines of extortion.

It sounds harsh, but are many of us much different? It all boils down to the motive of the heart. Why do you serve Jesus? Uzziah served until he became powerful and prosperous, then he acted as if he did not need the Lord anymore. Do we seek the Lord wholeheartedly while we are in desperate need and after He blesses and makes a way for us, do we then take Him for granted and neglect Him? Do you become embittered and question His love for you during protracted times of trial? Is the true motive of your heart to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness or the blessings that He can provide?

Simon tried to buy the Gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17-21) His heart was not right before God. Are you playing church, obedient with monetary tithe and offerings, serving here and there yet lacking a deep, loving, personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord? You cannot buy or transact through works into this relationship. It is similar to buying lots of things for your children, but never being there for them on a personal level based upon love. The things you give become empty and meaningless. Your children want you and your love – not your things. So does God.

Is your prayer life powerful and effective? Some Jews attempted to exercise God’s power by proxy: ‘In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches…’ (Acts 19:13-16) They lacked the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and were beaten.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord and take stock of your walk with Him. How close a relationship do you have? Are you close enough to Jesus to hear and feel His heartbeat? Can you discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life? Pray for a steadfast heart that seeks Jesus not for what He can do for you, but rather for who He is to you – your Lord and Savior. May your relationship with Him be based upon true love now and for eternity.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Wishing and Hoping #888

Posted on February 23, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 888

fingercross prayer“Wishing and Hoping”

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

I recall a song from 1963 made popular by Dionne Warwick that talked about wishing and hoping and thinking and praying. We have blurred the defining lines between the words ‘wishing’ and ‘hoping’ in our society. The Oxford English Dictionary even defines wishing as a strong desire or hope. We use the terms interchangeably as in ‘I wish it will rain’ and ‘I hope it will rain.’ These blurred definitions are like praying with our fingers crossed.

The fact is that wishing is an expressed desire for something as in, ‘I wish I get the promotion and raise.’ Hoping however is the expectation and assurance of something desired as in, ‘My hope is in the Lord, who provides all my needs.’ (Philippians 4:19) From these two expressions we can see the object of focus differs. One focuses on worldly things, the other on God.

A wish is uncertain. A hope founded on the Truth of God’s Word is a certainty. A wish cannot be counted upon. You cannot ‘take it to the bank’. Hope in the promises of God is assured even though it may not be seen. …Now hope that is seen is not hope… (Romans 8:24)

Wishing has no ties with faith. They are polar opposites. Faith and hope however, go hand in hand. May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, GW)

Perhaps it is a general lack of faith in God that is endemic in our society that has given rise to hopelessness and which has even permeated the church causing ‘finger-crossed prayers’ to be lifted up. …Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)

Prolonged trials and sufferings of life can drain our hope – if we take our eyes off of Jesus. Peter had faith to step out of the boat and walk on the water toward Jesus. Peter sank when he took his eyes off the Lord and focused on the storm. (Matthew 14:29-30)

Hope in the Lord brings perfect peace in the midst of our storms when we keep our minds stayed on Him because we trust totally and completely in Him and Him alone. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

God’s Word exhorts us to not only rejoice in the Lord, but to also rejoice in our sufferings and in hope which results from suffering producing endurance and character. We are to be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. (Romans 5:3-5; 12:12)

Uncross your fingers. Study God’s Word and let the Truth therein soak and permeate your heart. May the Holy Spirit encourage your heart and infuse you with assurance through hope and faith. May He equip you to ‘stay the course’ and persevere through the storms of life. May you have confidence in God’s love for you and that His plans for you are the best. …we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end… (Hebrews 6:11)

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Not by Bread Alone #887

Posted on February 16, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 887

bread bible“Not by Bread Alone”

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna … that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and nights. (Matthew 4:2-4) That is when Satan tempted Him to ‘take matters into His own hands’ and satisfy His hunger. Jesus responded by quoting our reference Scripture from Deuteronomy. God will let you and me hunger also. He will allow us to experience hunger for anything that we have come to rely upon in place of Him so that we may know that we live not by the things of this world but rather by every Word of the Lord.

We all have survivalist tendencies to some degree. In the extreme, there are those among us that could literally be placed in the middle of a wilderness area equipped only with their wits and intellect and they would manage to survive off the land. They know how to recognize real food that will nourish them from the counterfeit food that would poison them.

The Word of God is our spiritual food. It nourishes our soul and empowers us to live by the Spirit rather than by our physical desires. The Word of God is real food and we need to learn to recognize it from the many false, nice sounding doctrines that abound today.

Far too many of those who profess to be Christians simply do not take an interest in studying God’s Word. They are content to be spoon fed small morsels during Sunday services, trusting that what they are being served is real food. They will believe virtually any doctrine stated by anyone who prefaces their statement with ‘God’s Word says…’ This is especially true if the statement is appealing to their worldly desires.

Bank tellers are trained to identify counterfeit money by repetitiously handling real money. Similarly, the more time we spend reading and studying God’s Word, the better able we become in recognizing the counterfeit.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

…but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

What are you hungry for that the Lord has allowed you to be denied for a season? This time of fasting from what you desire and hunger for is a time to go deeper in your relationship with God. It is a time to satiate your hunger and thirst with the real food and living water of the Word of God. This is the season of preparation and the Lord will see you through it and bring you into a ‘good land…in which you will lack nothing’. (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

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