When things are not going our way and we are tempted by rebelliousness, when we are tempted to turn away from God, we should all read Psalm 78. There is evidence of how much the Lord did for the children of Israel and they were still complaining, they still rebelled against God. We are today the children of Israel. No matter how much the Lord has done for us, when he says to wait we become rebellious, we are tempted to turn away from him, but, we should not complain, we should be thankful when things are not going our way, when God commands us to wait, for it is for our own good, this should be the time when we fall on our knees, and give thanks to God for all that he has done for us, and trust him to  give us what we need when we need it. Scripture reminds us, that again and again they tempted God, yet many a time he turned away his anger, but they tested and provoked him so much that he became angry, that he was like a drunken man just awaken from sleep, and he was furious with his inheritance. My brothers and sisters in Christ God is merciful, but he warns that his Spirit will not always strive with us. Therefore, let us provoke the Lord to anger, let us be mindful of all that the Lord has done for us, and all that he is able to do for us, and trust him, by walking faithful as he commands.

“O Lord, let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you; show me the road that I must walk, for I lift my soul up to you, teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God, let your good spirit lead me on level ground.” Lord, I will lift my prayers up to you, and I am confident that you will heed my supplications, and answer me in your righteousness; for you, O Lord, is great and greatly to be praised. There is no end to your greatness. Thank you the Lord!

Where are you this morning? Are you on the hill or in the valley? Who has convinced you that the Lord is the God of the hills and not the God of the valley you find yourself in? Wherever you are this morning, whether on the hilltop or down in the valley, know who is your God, and who is in control. Many times God allows us to see the world from the hilltop, and it’s all good, but when we are down in the valley, we feel all alone, we are convinced that God has forgotten us, but be still and know who your God is. The same God who showed you goodness from the hilltop, will bring you out of the valley. If you find yourself in the valley this morning, you are in a good place, it may seem hard, but you are in good place. When we are in the valley, its times to focus on the goodness of the Lord, think of all that he revealed to you when you were on the hilltop, and you remind yourself, that if God was able to show you vast and beautiful things, that he will do it again. My brothers and sisters in Christ, the valley is your place of new beginnings, your valley is a place of recognition, your valley is a place of solace, your valley is a place of turmoil, and your valley is a place of humility, a place where we all must enter as some point in our lives, most times unwillingly. If God brought you deep down in the valley this morning, know that our God is a God of the hills, but he is more a God of the valley. Have faith, be strong in the Lord, learn as much as you can when you are in the valley, because valley experiences are valuable reminders of where we have been, and keeps us steadfast on the path we are traveling. Thank you Lord this morning for my hills and my valleys.

I was having this conversation with a co-worker yesterday who wanted to set the clock back, and I found it so funny I had to share, because, I would love to move the clock forward. How about you? I would love to hear from you on this.

Are you willing to stand in the gap for someone this morning? My brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior are required to stand in the gap for someone else, to stand in breach of the wall between them and our God, lest they be destroyed. It’s time to walk the walk. It’s time to make a sacrifice for those you know and love who have not yet come to know the Lord as their Savior, who are not aware of their vulnerability, their continued disobedience to God. Who is God calling you to stand in the gap for this morning? Is it a member of your own family; is it your best friend; is it a co-worker; is it that enemy, yes, that enemy that persecutes you? Maybe you are the only person who will be able to stand on their behalf. Will you be willing to offer yourself as a sacrifice so that God will change his plans to destroy them? This is what Jesus did for all of us when he died on Calvary. Know that when we stand in the gap for others, God moves because of our willingness to stand in the place of others. Here I am Lord, willing and able to stand in the gap for my brothers and sisters so that you will not destroy them. Thank you Lord, for your mercy is great upon those who fear your name.

Lord, there are so many this morning without work, without food to feed their families, so many who are disoriented, they don’t know if they are coming or going, they are blinded and confounded by lack. Lord, it is not your will for your children to perish, it is not your will for your children to suffer lack, we know that you are a God who provides, and we know that you do not always come, but you send help. May all those who cry out to you recognize this and put aside pride and hypocrisy and allow others to help them. Lord, you spread good tables before us, but many are still hungry, because they refuse to sit down and eat, the table may not be spread like in a banquet hall, but when you provide for us Lord, no matter the source, humble us so that we may partake of your provision. Lord, not my will but thine be done. Amen!

Almighty God, you have safely brought us to the beginning of this new day, open our lips that we may praise you, guide our feet so that we may follow you, speak to us and let us listen, for you oh Lord, will lead us this day, we believe that you will provide all that we need, because you promised us new mercies each returning day, you promised to hover over us whilst we pray, so keep us from presumptuous sins, lead us far away from evil and deliver us from those who seek to harm us. Lord, bless our homes, our families and our friends, and be never far from us, comfort those who morn, heal those who are sick and hurting, provide for the homeless and the destitute, give hope to all those who are lacking in faith, and above all, set us free O God from the bondage of sin, so that we may live our lives in peace, the peace that only you can give. Lord, you promised to hear the petitions of all those who call upon you, hear our prayer this morning O Father, for we ask all these things in your powerful name. Amen!

Dear Lord, I ask you to be with us, that you lead us, and guide us, as we light lamps that others may be able to see. Lord, many of us as Christians are walking with lamps that are not trimmed and burning, our way is dark, and therefore we allow others to stumble. We are not diligent in prayer and worship, we fail to give you the glory in the face of others, because of shame or fear, we don’t step out in faith as we ought to, we are worried throughout the day and fearful of tomorrow, we are burdened by presumptuous sins, we carry on in ways that are not acceptable in your sight, we think thoughts that are not lovely towards our neighbors. Lord, I pray this morning, that you will break every yoke, loosen every chain, banish every veil under which we hide and are burdened, and set us free oh God, from anything, which will prevent us from walking uprightly, that will keep others from seeing by our lighted lamps, all of the good things that you have in store for all those who love you, and are obedient to your calling. Give us courage to pursue, and the grace to accomplish the work you have set before us, that will bring honor and glory to your name. Accept these our prayers O Father, for Your Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen!

Psalm 19: The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul, help me O Lord, to uphold your laws; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent, show me how to use my testimonies Lord, to bring others closer to you; the statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart, thank you, Lord, for gladness of heart because I uphold your statutes; the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes, Lord, help me every day to do what you command, so that I will not stumble; the fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever, teach me to fear you O Lord for all of my days; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether, more to be desired are they than gold, much more than fine gold, and by them your servant is enlightened and in keeping them is great reward. Lord, cleanse me from secret faults and keep me from presumptuous sins and let them not have dominion over me. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen!

Lord, we thank you for your great mercies and promises which you deliver each day, give us grateful, thankful hearts, so that at all times and in all places we will give you thanks. Lord, we have made it through yet another week with your aid, and we thank you for health and strength to work, continually set tasks before us which demands our very best, and when we fall short O Lord, let us not look at our shortcomings as disappointments, but an opportunity to acknowledge our dependence on you to lead us to greater accomplishments. Lord, we can do nothing in our own strength, but we can do all things through You who strengthens us.  So therefore, we will thank you in advance for faith and courage to finish the good works you have prepared for us to do, and continue on in faith, believing, that with God all things are possible. Thank you Lord!