Through the wilderness

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16

Sometimes everyday life looks and feels like the wilderness. Cold, dark, and lonely places affect us no matter what we believe about God. The thanksgiving comes in knowing that we serve the almighty God of love. Like a tender parent, He touches His children in the frightening darkness and leads us through the hardship. As we see the light and feel His warmth, we grow closer to Him.


Dear God, thank you for your guidance and direction. Please take us by the hand and show us the light. May we reflect your love and glory in the darkness, too. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What darkness are you walking through? Leave a comment so we can pray for you!

Jesus Has Followers in Iraq and Afghanistan

When you said, "Seek My Face", my heart said to you, "Your Face, O Lord, I will seek."

Have you ever considered the fact that God has sent thousands of Christians into Muslim countries that are opening hostile to Christianity?  Believers in Christ are openly working in Iraq and Afghanistan through the military to influence the people and government alike with a new way of honoring God and showing passion for their faith.  Most of the time our faithful military members must rely on their life of compassion and protection rather than words to convey that we in the U.S. feel their pain and understand their entrapment.  While most of us cannot physically be in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can participate in the spiritual battle for these countries by praying for our military members and the Muslim people. 

I believe there are many in these countries who are seeking the way of love to honor God, so we can ask God to give them courage and hope as they fight under the terrible curse of twisted religious ways. God loves the people of these dark countries and He wants to free them from the destructive and cursed ways of worshiping a perverted version of Himself. 

Father,

We know you long to free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from the dark and destructive practicee of their religion.  We see the spiritual battle heating up to boiling over and know that the outcome for the common people may not be good.  Father, we ask that you protect our military members from attacks and ambushes.  Hide them in the shadow of your wings if danger approaches.  I pray that military believers are able to witness to their team members who do not know you and that many understand your calling and turn to a lasting faith in Christ.  Please allow our military to continue the task of proving the compassion the U.S. has for the people of these countries despite the horrendous crimes that have been committed by those who practice evil in the name of god.  Father, we ask in the name of Jesus, that you would not give up the spiritual battle for the people of these countries, even if it means our military has to be on foreign soil, because we know it is your will that all people can be free to choose to know you in truth. 

Help us to know how to pray further for this situation and share it with each other as we support our military and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.  

In Your Sons Name.  

Blessings. 

Light in the Darkness

I was driving to work early this morning and was struck by an image from nature.  It was still dark but the moon was shining bright over the Rocky Mountains.  Glory be what a beautiful sight!!  As I drove towards that image, a small, wispy cloud moved  horizontally in front of the moon.  The moon was shining through the cloud from above, below, and ever so gently through its wispy tendrils.  I could barely take my eyes off it.  While continuing my trek to work and gazing at the moon, the words "light in the darkness" came to mind and made me think of the scriptural truths of the light that Christians bring to the darkness in another. 
I often find myself feeling quite guilty at my human failings and of the fact that others see them.  I can be moody and anxious, and my faith falters at times when I look at obstacles that seem bigger than I.  But this morning as I looked at the light pouring through the cloud, I felt the Lord tell me that it is natural for the light to be filtered through the cloak of humanity.  Glimmers of light are used by God to bring another soul to Him.  Glimmers of light through a struggle can offer hope to another.  Glimmers of light bring joy and peace to someone who is hurting. 
Jesus is the true Light of mankind and we are but a reflection of His light.  We gain His light in our own lives as we pray and read scripture and then practice its truth.  The light of Jesus shines through my character and my life as I live to show others how much He loves them.  The light of Jesus shines through your character and your life as you show others His love for them.   It is the nature of God to move while using a human vessel.   Scripture indicates that when perfection comes in the form of Jesus that the shadows are removed.  I have to believe this is true with light in the darkness as well.  The power of God far outweighs my weakness.  Praise God!! 

1 Corinthians 13: 12  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Lord Jesus,
Be our light and guide on this journey.  I pray that you will draw us to yourself and that your light is evidenced in our lives even if through glimmers.  Let us more and more see you as you are; our Lord and Saviour, the light of the world. 

Blessings. 


Scripture references:  John 1:9; John 8:12, Romans 13:12, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 2:9