“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

There are five great principles that Paul was praying for His flock to receive in these three short verses:

1. That your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. This is a prayer that as you get to know the Lord and understand His will for your life, that your love for Him will grow and fill you to overflowing.
2. That you may approve the things that are excellent. As you grow in your faith and love for the Lord, He will give you wisdom to make right decisions and help you know how to please Him in everything you do.
3. That you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. In Spanish, the word sincere means “without wax”. When a pottery vessel was fired in a kiln and a crack or flaw appeared, the crevice could be filled with wax and then painted to make it appear perfect. But a vessel that was flawless after going through the fire was much more valuable. It was marked as a “sincere” vessel–one with no wax-filled imperfections. The Lord is working to make each of us perfect and without blemish. Sometimes we have to go through fiery trials to temper our resolve, but when He is finished with us, we will be the most valuable vessels of honor, fit for His most noble purposes.
4. That you may be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit works in you to make you perfect, He will develop fruits in your life that will exhibit your righteousness to the world. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) This prayer is that you will be filled with all the best fruits that delight your and God’s heart.
5. To the glory and praise of God. Finally, as the Lord develops love and wisdom and perfection and fruits of righteousness in your heart, your entire life will become a praise to God. He will receive the proper glory not only from you, but from those whom your life and light touch as well.

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:15-17)

Be a light! Live for the Lord! Laugh for joy! Love well! For you are loved by God.

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This morning I read about the priestly garments that Moses was instructed to make for Aaron and his sons. I saw something interesting in Exodus 28:9-12,29,

“Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel…And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial…So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.”

Aaron bore the names of his brethren on his shoulders and over his heart as a memorial for both him and the LORD. As their high priest, he was to remember that he was bringing the spiritual needs of his people before the LORD’s mercy seat. But also, the LORD was remembering the covenant and the promises He had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob each time He saw the names of the sons of Israel come before Him. The Lord is also calling us to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We should remember to continually bring the names of our family, friends and fellow believers before God’s mercy seat in prayer.

Is there someone you have been praying for, even for a long time? Don’t give up! Continually bring their name before God’s throne. Indeed, Jesus has made the example for us. He prays for us to the Father. In John 17:9,20 Jesus said, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours…I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word…”

You might say, “I’m just not good at praying; I don’t know how to pray well.” It’s okay. Just say what you can, just speak their names to God. For,

“likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit it, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Don’t just pray a generic prayer…pray for people! Continually lift their names as a memorial before the Lord. Keep their names over your heart and on your shoulders daily. And don’t stop there. Remember the names of those around you who are lost. The Lord loves to be reminded that He came to seek and save those who are lost. Believe for the salvation of all Israel! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  May you be empowered and emboldened in your prayers for your brethren and lost souls today and every day!

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I thought to the Lord, “Sometimes, this is how I feel when I pray.” I feel like I am wandering through a fog, trying to listen for the voice of the Lord, but my thoughts are like static that interferes with my spiritual insight and hearing. I feel unsure about what is the right way to go or confused about which decision is best according to God’s will for me. I have a hard time keeping my prayers focused; I feel like I am stuck in the doldrums.

But the Lord does not want things to be hard for us to figure out. He has made His will simple and easy to understand. He wants to be found by us. He told His people in Isaiah 42:16,

“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.”

It is at times like this, when we feel like we are stuck in the doldrums, that we need to press in and believe for a breakthrough. The Lord is not standing far away, taunting you to come find Him on your own. He is close to you, reaching out His hand to catch you if you stumble.  Don’t be afraid to move forward; the Lord will not let you stray from His path. He will take you by the hand and lead you or re-direct you to be within His will, even if you are not aware of His hand on you.

And as you find Him, as you feel His presence around you, then you need to press in to reach His heart. Grab ahold of Him and don’t let go until He blesses you. He will envelop you in His arms and calm you and give you a peace about the right way to go.

That foggy night as I waited and prayed, I realized that the sun was peeking over the horizon. I could make out the shapes of buildings emerging through the dim light. Things became clearer and clearer as the rising sun caused the fog to dissipate. I thanked the Lord for visiting me in my dark moment and for allowing Himself to be found by me. And these verses in Proverbs 4:11-18 set the tone for my day,

“I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run you will not stumble…But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”

May you be encouraged and blessed as you seek the Lord, even through the fog of distractions around you. And may the light of the Lord’s love break through your dark moments like a sunbeam, dispelling all your doubts and fears.

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“Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them…” (Psalm 65:1-3)

Is your praise and prayer awaiting Him? It is easy to run to the Lord when troubles arise and we need His help with something. But it is different to come to Him with praise and prayers in advance, before the storms of life fall upon us, knowing that when the trials inevitably come He will already be there with us. It is energizing to look forward to meet with Him when all is going well and we have no pressing needs to ask Him for. It is like standing in the foyer of His throne room with a bouquet of flowers “just because you love Him”, eagerly awaiting His arrival. It is a special treat for Him and a blessing for you too. And He will never turn you away. He will always invite you in to sup with Him and tarry a while in His presence.

Are you approaching His holy presence in anticipation of His visitation? Do you have iniquities that are prevailing against you that you need cleansing for? Are you being patient to allow Him to work in the way He sees best for you? Or do you send up a quick prayer and then hastily run on your way?

For those who prevail to enter His throne room, He has promised wonderful rewards as mentioned in Psalm 65–atonement for sin…being satisfied with the goodness of His house…answered prayer…your raging storms calmed…blessings of growth (spiritual)…abundance of good things…renewed joy and singing in your spirit.

Spend time in prayer and worship before the trials spring up. Wait on the Lord with eager anticipation! Praise Him in advance for the good things He is already working on in your life. Let your praises go up like a fragrant bouquet to Him. Pray Psalm 65 as a template to ask the Lord for the provisions you need in your life. Then, when He visits you, you will be blessed in ways you can’t fathom. (I’m preaching at myself too).

May you shout for joy and sing to the Lord today! And be sure to declare to others what good He does for you when He visits you.

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“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1

The answer to this is found in the following verses in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” And here are the specific things God calls us to do:

1. To abstain from sexual immorality
2. To be faithful and respectful to your husband or wife
3. To be honest in your dealings with others, because the Lord avenges those who have been defrauded
4. To be holy and filled with the Holy Spirit
5. To love one another, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ
6. To lead a quiet life
7. To mind your own business
8. To work with  your own hands

When we do these things, we not only please God and provide for our own means, but our lives become a testimony to those who are outside of the faith. The Lord pours into us all that we need so we are not lacking any good thing.  But this does not mean that we are to become hermits, closing ourselves off from the world. So, how do we lead a quiet life and mind our own business but still maintain our witness and influence?

The secret to leading a quiet and peaceable life is found in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Our first and foremost calling to sanctification is to be people of prayer! We are to pray, entreat the Lord, intercede for others, and thank God for His saving power and provision. We are to pray for our leaders whether we like them or not. We are to pray for God’s Word to go forth into the hearts of all people. We are to pray for the salvation of our family, friends and loved ones. And we are to even pray for our enemies. Prayer is the key to walking in faith and pleasing the Lord and being holy people. Prayer is the key to enjoying a quiet, peace-filled life. Prayer is the key to becoming sanctified witnesses toward those who do not yet know the Lord. Finding that quiet place with the Lord every day empowers us to live out loud to the world!

May you be people of prayer today. Find quiet time to spend with the Lord. Press deep into His presence. He is already there waiting for you with open arms.

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