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.

Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Send us O Lord.   We are a complacent  people, giving in to our comfort and self.  We are filled with excuses and justification of why we can’t  obey Your Word when You say “Go!”    Show us Lord the way…direct our paths for Your glory…drive us out of the four walls of the Church into Your Church – the world.   Give us Your passion for the lost…Your fire for the perishing.      Send us O Lord.

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.

I Corinthians 3:11 ” For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Anchor us O Lord.  We are flailing and thrashing alone in the ocean of life…about to go down for the last time.  Rescue us Lord and support us with You love and mercy.  Let us be grounded by Your Word and have security in Your promises.  For the only firm foundation we have is a Christ-shaped one that the Church can be built on.   Anchor us 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.

II Corinthians 6:2 ” For He says, ‘In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Isaiah echoes this verse in Chapter 49, verses 8 and 9, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ ”  Today the Lord is extending His favor towards you…offering His grace and kindness in order to deliver your soul from the guilt and punishment of sin.  He’s uncovering and revealing to you the sin in your life…He’s shedding light upon your spiritual blindness and beckoning  you to come out of the darkness and be free.

Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Every one of us has missed the mark in our relationship with God.  No one is found right before Him,  for even our “good works” are like filthy rags  in His eyes.  We are a  desperate, sinful people, living in a dangerous, evil world…unable to save ourselves…incapable of  redeeming our souls.

Ephesians 1: 18-19 ” I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. “

As Paul prayed this for the Church in Ephesus, I too pray this over you today.   I ask the Lord to shine a light on His Word that you may have understanding and confidence in His purpose and plan for your life.  I ask that He show you very plainly that you are a precious child of His, and an heir of heaven.

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.