Judges 21:25 ” In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

Have you ever gone to a committee meeting that has no set head person?  Lots of ideas get bounced around…many people express their opinions…emotions can run high, but without someone to run the meeting, not much gets accomplished.  That’s what it’s like without  leadership in our world today…we’re all just out there “doing our own thing”.  But the problem with that is,  what I think is just and prudent to do, you may think is inappropriate or outrageous.  What happens in the end is chaos, conflict, and confusion.

Romans 12:2 ” Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Change us O Lord.   We are a people more concerned with keeping up with fad and fashion  than allowing our character to undergo a metamorphosis…a renewing of our minds to become more like You  This corrupt world has us believing that we can’t do anything to change ourselves…that we are just victims with no hope.   We need to become a radically different people…a people rejecting the status quo and reaching for Your plan and purpose  for this nation and world.     Change us O Lord.

Isaiah 50:4 ” He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”

Wake us O Lord.   We have walked so far from You that many no longer hear Your voice.  We are an apathetic and disengaged people…thinking someone else will kindle the fire within us.  Our spiritual lethargy squelches our passion and excitement to read Your Word and obey.   Lord, stir Your people…let us shake off our indifference and give you our undivided attention.  Wake us up O Lord.

Colossians 2:2 ” My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God…”

Unite us O Lord.    Join us together as one Nation,  one World.  Let us stand together , oblivious to color, race or religious background.  Lord help us to lock arms together for the good of all, and in one voice,  declare that you are God.  Unite us O Lord.

Psalm 10:1 ” Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? “

We just think God is far off or even worse – hiding from us when times are tough.  But it’s only our own apprehension and doubt that causes us to question.  In Psalm 46:1 it states, ” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The Hebrew meaning for the word ever-present is – to be exceedingly present or found, emphasizing the speed, completeness and might of the Lord’s help.   The  truth is…God has never left, nor will He ever leave you.  Just because we think He’s not “doing anything” does not mean He’s not working in ways we aren’t aware of… for He’s still in control of the entire situation and will work things out for the good of those who love Him.

Lamentations 3: 55-57 ” I called on Your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close Your ears to my cry for relief.’ You came near when I called You, and You said, ‘Do not fear.’ “

The Hebrews conceived of death as a giant pit.  And when we’re in the darkest deeps of that pit mentality and emotionally…when depression and disappointment have taken over our lives, we have only one thing we can do.  Out of the very depths of that hole  we must cry out to the Lord… for  He will hear us, listen to our pleas, and bring peace as only He can.

Psalm 4:8 ” I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Have you ever gone into your child’s bedroom and just watch them sleep?  The picture is one of total security and tranquility  as you listen to their soft even breathing.  They are perfectly content and safe in their warm little bed with not a care in the world.  We too should be able to sleep with the same sense of well-being  and trust… for our Heavenly Father is watching over us.  So tonight be reminded…the Lord will be watching you sleep and smiling.

Job 7:11 ” Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”

Only the Lord may know the personal suffering and grief you’re going through today.  And it’s perfectly OK to be completely honest with God and tell Him how you feel…even to the point of yelling at Him.  For the Lord has very broad shoulders and will never take offense…for only He can truly understand.

Philippians 3:9 ” …that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

There’s the Law of works and the Law of faith.  The Law of works tell you that if you’re perfect and do enough good works down here on earth, you can somehow “work” your way into heaven.  But in the end,  the only thing you’ll  see is depression, anxiety, and discouragement…for no one can live a perfect life, and despite  how many good works you do, it’ll never be enough.  On the other hand the Law of faith frees us from that condemnation  and  self-loathing  that loves to torture us when we fail.  Within the Law of faith there is not only that freedom,  but saving grace and mercy… all in the name of Jesus.

I Corinthians 12:12 ” The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.”

“No one will miss me…nobody will even realize I’m not in Church.”  The enemy does it all the time – convincing us that we don’t count, that we aren’t important enough, or that no one will even notice if we’re not in Church.  But if someone took your brain, or your heart, or your lungs you’d notice real quick!  Just like the human body, the Church is composed of many working parts, each with a specific task, but all working together for the common good of the body.  No one  part can function separately  from the body…it will die.  Never allow the enemy to persuade you that you aren’t important, or that your presence in Church is insignificant…you are very needed within that Body of Believers for it to function well.