And just where has the time gone! Whew!

I'm been doing some tangible ministry work this week and therefore, I am behind in my blogging. I do apologize for not writing until now.

I believe now that we are living in the end times. The intensity of demonic forces is stronger than I've ever seen it. This week, I have heard stories of many things - things that break your heart to know. We have to get our minds rightly focused on our God. Too many of us are falling for the lies of the enemy and believing his false report.

Without digging deeper right now, I want to ask you to do something for yourself and for those who identify themselves as Christians. I want you to pray that we all do the following things:

1. Pray that we go to the Lord and ask Him to show us who we are right now - expose the lies of the enemy and the sin that lurks beneath the surface.
2. Ask the Lord that He show us who we are created to be - we are His workmanship - Help us to see how far we are from the mark set for us.
3. Ask the Lord to help us become "A+" students of His Word - we need to know the "Basics Instructions Before Leaving Earth"
4. Ask the Lord to help us become "A+" doers of the Word - we need to apply the principles to our own lives
5. Ask the Lord to help us where we are weak, chastise us where we are wrong, give us discernment where needed and help us to endure in a spirit of obedience to Himself.

I could go on, but then, I don't think you'd read the whole post. My heart desires that you pray, pray, pray.

When Jesus came into Jerusalem, He got straight to work. He did not bask in the fanfare of the cheers of Hosanna from the great multitude. Instead, He went to the temple. It was time for a cleansing!

Jesus went into the temple and "cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, 'It is written, MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER; but ye have made it a den of thieves.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)

Reading over this passage reminded me of just how HOLY our places of worship really are. I know that we like to gather there and catch up with one another - we love to fellowship with each other. But, Jesus says here that the temple is the house of PRAYER.

When we ENTER our local places of worship, do we pray? What's the first thing that we do when we walk in? Are we looking around for our favorite seat or looking for someone that we need to do business with? It seems to me the suggestion here is that prayer should be what we are about when we enter our places of worship. And, while it may seem ridiculous to ask this next question, I'm going to do it anyway. While we are there, do we pray? Is prayer a part of your worship experience. I know that prayer happens, but the question is - do you pray? Do you pray for the preacher? Do you pray for yourself? Do you pray for your loved ones while you are in your place of worship.

Does it not make you stop and think about your actions just two days ago (presuming you attend church on Sunday)? I think we could all stand to have a bit more reverence for the things of God. So, let us all work towards that end. It's something to PRAY about!

I feel as if I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I went to bed on-time. I tried to sleep but there was an annoying little noise that kept waking me. About every four minutes, there it was. I finally got up to investigate. I’d just had some repairs done to my commode. Apparently, more repairs were needed. I decided to turn off the water supply to the commode to no avail. It didn’t work. I tossed. I turned. The commode ran. We both had very active nights.

I finally got up – put on my “Calm Mind” CD. Afterall, in the midst of all that tossing and turning I was having a few thoughts about the day. I prayed. I asked for peace. I waited. I was still up…So, I got up – again. This time, I prayed, read my Bible, took some rather good notes and then read this other Scripturally-based book, which made me cry. Fantastic author. Now, I’m spiritually convicted and emotionally spent. I thought that after some time of this study and reading that I would surely sleep. I turned off the light, laid down. Heard the commode – still running that marathon – couldn’t sleep.

At some point, the Lord took mercy on me and I feel asleep. Of course, just in time to see the sun rising. And, to hear the ringing of my alarm. I’m exhausted. Pray my strength today!
(Oh, and yes, I did call the plumber – I have an appointment today!)

I counted three dead animals in the road today on my way to work. Three furry little creatures were not able to make it to the other side. As I drove past, careful not to hit them, I began to wonder why there were so many. I do commute to work but these animals were all in a concentrated area. All three were recipients of a deadly interaction with the road and a multi-ton vehicle.

It amazes me how, as a prosperous nation, we quickly overlook such events. And, perhaps, in light of the week I’ve had with the death of a fellow co-laborer, I’m a little sensitive. But, these creatures are God’s creation. There is something to be gained by taking a little time to reflect on the fact that something that was here is no longer here.

Sometimes, I think that some of my activities are sooo very careless. I’m not watching and being alert as I should. Perhaps these furry little animals were struck because of the time change from daylight savings time to standard time – they crossed as usual but didn’t take into account that something was different. Perhaps by an admitted large stretch of my imagination, they and the drivers were “careless.” Perhaps they were not watching as they should. My point is this: we have been lured into a false sense of security. We need to watch and pray, but at times, that seems like the last thing we do. It should be the first.

We need to watch and pray. Although we may not be trying to “cross the road” we are trying to make it into Heaven. We need to watch and pray so that the subtle tricks of the enemy do not have the opportunity to rob us of our reward. Watch and pray so that our loved ones make it into eternity with us. Watch and pray so that we flee from hurt and danger.

We need to stop depending on somebody else to “do something” about the situations and circumstances ravaging America. Who is standing up for God? The elected official in Georgia is being called “crazy” because he dared to call a prayer session for rain in the midst of their drought. Who is publicly standing with him? We need to watch and pray. Don’t you recall a time when homosexuality and promiscuity were not suitable for primetime television but now, that’s all you see. More and more television programs are embracing this lifestyle of illicit sex as okay – when God clearly says it is not. And, then we wonder what happens when someone, something or some belief lies dead in the figurative road of life – Christians need to watch and pray.

As many times as we have “crossed the road,” each day is a new one. We are to be careful – we are to watch and pray. This applies not only to ourselves, but to our loved ones. God desires that not one be lost – we need to extend the umbrella of Christian love to our brethren – we need to make ourselves available to help them make it to the other side in a spirit of community.

Will you join me in watching and praying? It begins on the inside – in your quiet time, alone with God. Watch and pray.