Psalm 130:5-6

Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,  and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord  more than watchmen wait for the morning,  more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Lord, I admit I'm a most impatient child! Even though You promise special blessings for those who quietly wait, it's a very difficult assignment for me! I'm living in a fast-paced world where we drive fast cars through fast food restaurants, gobbling the grub as we speed down the freeway. Instant cash at ATM's and instant information on the internet provide for instant gratification. And I wonder why waiting is hard! Please dear Lord, slow me down! I want off this race track! Rather than speeding to keep up with everyone else, worrying about my security, career and relationships, I want to deliberately depend on Your provision and protection. Instead of pursuing power, prestige, and possessions for pleasure, I want to down shift, allowing You to take me to everlasting happiness. Zooming through life I miss out on opportunities to serve You; consequently, also losing the rich rewards You pay Your workers. At break-neck speed my perception is poor and my vision distorted as in the darkness of night. I simply can't see clearly! Going at a slower, safer speed I'll begin to see You for who You really are: loving, kind and reliable. I'll come to depend on You for power, provision and protection. I'll learn to trust Your principles, promises and purposes. Concentrating on Your goodness, I'll find peace and hope in Your Word, the Bible. Please fill me with patience to endure the long, silent night of my soul, eagerly expecting the definitive morning when the Son will rise and warm my heart with heavenly hope for Your namesake. Amen.

Most of us are waiting for something - a promotion or pay increase, a diagnosis or cure, a birth or a death, a trial or a verdict, a wayward child to come home, to overcome an addiction or bad habit, to win the lottery or lose a few pounds, for a voice at Verizon to pick up the phone or a computer to respond ... What are you waiting for? Are you impatient, like me, trying to devise your own schemes and plans to get ahead? I encourage you to slow down and go with God. In His Word you will find the only Way to peace and everlasting happiness.

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1 Give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. NLT

Thank You, Lord, for showing me the secret path to the high throne of heaven. It is not through weeping or working. It isn't through studying or serving. Offering my time without heartfelt devotion is inadequate. Presenting my talent without wholehearted dedication is insufficient. Halfheartedly giving my treasure out of obligation is inappropriate. You don't want religious ceremonies and showy performances. The only walkway to the peace, contentment and security of a throne-life is to follow You with all my heart. It will please You when, by faith, I humbly come to the foot of the cross admitting my faults and failures allowing the bond of Your blood to fix and fortify me. Realizing the high price You paid to correct my defects will give me a deeper desire to walk Your way. I'll willingly give up family, friends and freedom in order to spend time getting to know You better. The more I know You, the more readily I'll abandon my ambitions in order to do Your will. Forfeiting my comfortable lifestyle and social status to suffer hardship will perfect my faith, make me shine purer and brighter, and draw others to You. Believing that I am who You say I am: a chosen child who is holy and blameless in Your sight, today I choose to freely set aside my dreams and desires to follow You to the throne room of heaven where I'll have access to Your almighty power, divine authority and perfect guidance. Claiming my proper position beside You, my eyes will constantly be drawn to You, my strength will only come from You, and my actions will be wholly pleasing to Your name. Hallelujah! Amen.

God is ready and willing to show you the way to the throne room of heaven where you will find peace, contentment, and security in all circumstances. He promises to share the secret path with the humble. (Psalm 25:9, 14) He doesn't care how much you weep or work; study or serve. He doesn't care how good or bad you've been. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor; neat or unkempt. All He wants is your whole heart devoted to following Him wherever He goes at any cost. David Wilkerson writes, "This is the sacrifice every believer must make if He is to know the mind of God. The Lord never shares his plans with those who hold onto their own devices. Why would He direct anyone who's determined to go their own way?" "Dear saint, the throne room is now open to you. Accept what Christ has done, and boldly take your position with him, by faith. He accepts your resigned will. Now, ask Him to open the eyes of your understanding. And confess, 'I believe what the Lord says about me: that I'm a conquering prince. I also believe that I'm where He says I am: in the throne room of heaven. I'm sitting with Him in a place of authority over all of Satan's works. Hallelujah, Amen." World Challenge Inc., Publications, Time Square Pulpit Series August 2, 2004

Psalm 119:49-55

Psalm 119:49-55 Remember your word to your servant,     for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this:     Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully,     but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,     and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked,     who have forsaken your law. Your decrees are the theme of my song     wherever I lodge. In the night, Lord, I remember your name,     that I may keep your law.

Lord, My God, My Holy One! Thank You for writing Your Words of hope on the tablet of my heart. My comfort in these troubling times is this: Your promise preserves my life. No matter what happens in this nation or in the world, I will not die! Jesus is the most wonderful life-giving, life-saving, almighty Name. In Him, I am safe, sound, and secure forever. I am absolutely confident that NOTHING can come into my life without first going through You, then through Jesus, and when it gets me, it finds me full of Him. The arrogant who mock You unmercifully will also hold me and my beliefs in utter contempt, but I will not turn from your righteous instructions. Puffed-up, self-promoting politicians with people pleasing agendas make me mad. Living large and loving it, this nation is like a cemetery full of stiff, cold cadavers. Lord, in Your wrath, remember mercy! Etch Your ancient words on my mind so that I can quickly recall them and remain calm when You unleash Your fury. While this country is corroding, and corruption is erupting all around me, I believe You are filling the whole earth with the knowledge of Your glory. According to Your promise, You work ALL things for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. I believe You love me and have called me; therefore, though the economy fades, my financial portfolio collapses, my job is eliminated, and the government steals my money to subsidize slackers, I will sing joyfully because I know Your Name will triumph in the end. To You be the power, honor, and glory forever and ever. Amen.

As the days get darker, in the pitch black of night, the name of Jesus is my light and my salvation. Knowing His powerful name is my hope, my joy, and my peace. The name of Jesus means, "God saves." Jesus is the very Word of God. (John 1:14) Are these not vibrant, life-giving words of hope? Will you join me on this journey, beloved? God's Word is our only hope, joy and peace.

Ephesians 5:4, 17

Ephesians 5:4, 17 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT

Thank You God my Father for clearly differentiating between appropriate laughter and inappropriate laughter. In Your home there is no tolerance for vulgarity. Laughing at obscene stories, foolish talk and coarse jokes is forbidden. Unfortunately, the world we live in is full of entertainment that is morally repugnant. The movie and television industry either makes comedy of that which is holy, right, and good, or has us cracking-up at the crude, profane, and disgusting. Magazines promote passion and pleasure, while radio blares blaspheme. This momentary humor is merely a short-lived vapor that passes quickly, leaving a void in the soul that will lead to the brink of destruction. Forgive me for finding this kind of filth funny. Godly laughter on the other hand is an expression of our heartfelt appreciation for the generous gifts You've so graciously given us. As we hang out with You in Bible study and prayer, we'll be entertained with wholesome stories that will build up our character. We'll be amused and amazed by Your transforming touch of greatness on our lives. We'll laugh at things that are good, right and true. Encouraging words that are lovely and admirable will put a smile on our face and a song in our heart. This life-giving laughter will fill the hole in our heart with love, joy, and peace that will lead us to everlasting hope. Please dear Lord, give me a deeper appreciation for the good gifts You've given me. Help me to avoid being amused by immorality, and anoint my lips with praiseworthy words that will make a soul stooped over from the weight of sorrow smile because of Jesus. Amen.

Laughter speaks louder than words. Can people recognize that you are from the family of God by the things that make you laugh?  Be careful to understand the difference between biblical laughter and worldly laughter. One brings Him the glory, the other defamation.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Ecclesiastes 3:4 There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Loving Father- Thank You for divinely appointing times to weep and mourn, as well as, times to laugh and dance. When everything around me seems to be falling apart, the only way to find stability and security, peace and joy is to climb up on Your great big lap, pour out my heart, and trust You to work out the details for my good and Your glory. You are the Creator of tears. They are absolutely precious to You! Collecting them in a bottle, You carefully record each and every one of them in Your book. I'm worn out from sobbing and You know it. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with tears. Overwhelmed by the heavy weight of the burdens You've laid on my back, tears have become my steady diet while proud people knock on my door wondering where in the world You are. Overcome by pain and problems, I cry out to You for grace and mercy. Amazingly, in the midst of complete chaos and confusion, You hear my heart-shattered soul weeping for release, and come to my rescue. Lovingly You pick up my crushed spirit, and carry me into Your splendid home. Trusting You to tenderly wipe away my tears, my multitude of hurts begin to heal. Gradually, You fill the hole in my heart with love and laughter. With the anguish gone, I can jubilantly jump down from Your great big lap to dance, laugh, and celebrate Your love that is better than life. My lips glorify You, O Lord, the Creator of laughter and tears, who graciously restores broken hearts for the glory of Your name. Amen.

There is a time to weep and mourn, and a time to laugh and dance. Read through the Psalms and look at the sorrows that made this man after God's own heart weep: He mourns over sin - his own, as well as, the sins of others; in physical anguish, when his bones are crushed, he agonizingly pours out his heart to His Father in heaven; distressed in times of loss, defeat and discouragement he expresses heartfelt sadness. There is an appropriate time to weep and mourn. On the other hand, God doesn't want us to constantly sulk. He created laughter and dancing and ordered time for them too. The Psalms are full of appropriate times for laughter and dancing - usually after deliverance. Discover them and let your heart sing.

Proverbs 15:13

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bone.

Father in Heaven- I praise You for Your incredible ancient wisdom. A casual glance at the world, with its wars, hatred, violence and evil makes me sad. Every day I see and hear horrible accounts of hurting people who in turn, inflict injuries on others. It grieves me that so many people in my community are crushed and hopeless. Yet, in the midst of crisis and catastrophe, there are stories and images that provoke a chuckle and a smile. Thank You for the great gifts of laughter and cheer. A merry heart is used to bring healing and wholeness to that which would otherwise be brittle and broken. You know we need a good dose of cheer in these difficult days to bring a smile to our faces. A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down curing a crushed spirit and broken heart. Please dear Lord, help me to unwrap Your enduring joy, peace and contentment when everything else around me seems to be falling apart. I don't have to stay in the dark dungeon of despair. Since You sent Your Son to rescue me, my glum days can change to glad days. With my heart, soul and mind focused on living happily ever after in the kingdom of heaven, I'll naturally smile and warmly greet others with a kind and encouraging word. Please make me a bubbling fountain of laughter where people can come, drink and be healed for Your namesake.  Amen.

Who can you offer a spoonful of sugar today?  There are hurting people everywhere. Take time to stop and notice them. Smile and offer them a kind word of encouragement. It may just be the medicine they need to cure their crushed spirit.

Psalm 33:1-4, 21

Psalm 33:1-4, 21 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;         it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp;         make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song;         play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true;         he is faithful in all he does.  In him our hearts rejoice,        for we trust in his holy name.

Creative Composer and Conductor, You've written a symphonic song in my soul fit for a King. My heart is the harp that harmoniously believes You. Mastering the magnificence of Your mercy, my mind makes a marvelous accompaniment. With clean hands, pure motives, and my eyes on You, I'm able to perform a concerto of thankful praise worthy of Your holy ears. Long before Handel, Mozart or Beethoven, You orchestrated a work of unequaled portions. Your Holy Word is a classical masterpiece that perfectly expresses truth and righteousness. Larger than life, it contains drama, death, rebirth, strife, and resistance. The fact that it is still published, respected, recognized and read worldwide after thousands of years is a testament to its power and impact. The more I read it and know it, the more impressed I am with it, and the more I appreciate it.  Please dear Lord, help me to develop an exquisite taste for the harmonization of Your Holy Composition. With my eyes fixed on You, my ears tuned to You, and my heart set on You, I'll use every endowment I possess to rhythmically pursue You. My heart will be full of holy joy and goodness as I earnestly love others in Your name, meticulously playing each self-contained movement as an opus of divine praise. Watching from Your lofty throne in heaven, You won't miss my glorious showing of grace. In unison with You, my heart will perform the Hallelujah Chorus because of Your holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest on me, O Lord, because I put my hope in You. Amen.

Praise is appropriate and fitting of anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart. Even if you can't play an instrument, you ARE the instrument. You are part of God's Great Symphony. You will accompany Him beautifully when your heart is in unison with His. His Word is the most famous composition ever written. If you haven't developed a keen interest in it, Mozart's biographer says in his book that "The masterpieces of the Romans and Greeks please more and more through repeated reading, and as one's taste is refined - the same is true for both expert and amateur with respect to the hearing of Mozart's music [or classical music]." The bottom line: the more you know a piece the better it becomes. The same is true of your Bible, God's Holy Composition, the more you read it and know it, the more impressed you'll be with it, and the more you'll appreciate it.  Before you know it, you'll have acquired an exquisite taste for it, and be filled with holy joy! Live a life of praise by following the most Creative Composer and Conductor of all time!

Psalm 77:13

Psalm 77:13 Your ways, O God, are holy.         What god is so great as our God? Isaiah 40:25 To whom will you compare me?         Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Hosea 11:9 I am God, and not man-         the Holy One among you.

Holy God, There is none like You! You are vastly different and far greater than Your creatures. Who can grasp Your unlimited wisdom? Who can comprehend the depths of Your love? Your awesome love and absolute justice are above my limited understanding; they are holy. Your exquisite love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens; Your faithfulness to the skies. You sit enthroned above the earth. You stretch out the heavens like a canvas, making a gigantic tent for Your home. Gazing down on us from Your high and lofty view, we must seem like molecular organisms. Yet in Your vastness, nothing gets lost or goes unnoticed. I can't possibly appreciate Your astronomical loyalty. Your power is that of the Almighty; it can be compared to no one else's. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains - unattainable, majestic, and beautiful. Your justice and mercy are deeper than the ocean - inaccessible, pristine, and titanic. In Your transcendence, You reduce princes to paupers. I stand in awe of Your magnificent holiness. Please dear Lord, expand my view of Your preeminence. Gasping at Your supremacy, I'll tremble in Your awesome presence, fearing You and You alone because You alone are the Lord God Almighty, and You alone are holy, holy, holy. All glory, honor and praise belong to You, the One Great God, who rules and reigns over all the earth from heaven above. Hallelujah! Amen.

Take some time alone with God today, meditating on His holiness. Read Psalm 36:5-9 and

Psalm 57:1-2, 5

Psalm 57:1-2, 5 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Be merciful to me, O Bird of Paradise. Be merciful to me! It's a jungle out there! Conceal me under the cascading plumage of Your beautiful wings high in the branches of Your holy habitat. Perched in the shadow of Your presence with a bird's eye view of the world, I'll trust You to fulfill Your purpose for me. Close to You, an agency of heavenly angels will surround me with sounds of love and faithfulness. O beautiful Lord, my soul is safe in You. With my heart hanging on You, I'll be prepared for rainy seasons when problems pour down, tribulations thunder, and spiteful words strike. In anxious moments and frightening storms, from beneath the warmth of Your ornamental feathers my tongue will be Your glory. My soul will awake with the morning songbirds and sing of Your boundless mercy and unfailing truth. My prayer O Lord, is that You will be high and lifted up in my surroundings when I sing of Your grace in turbulent times. Waiting for the wicked world to pass by, my actions and attitudes will crown You with glory and honor and majesty while You work out Your perfect plan in the stress and strife. O that my performance will resonate to all the earth that You are the prettiest Bird of Paradise worthy of all man's praise. Hallelujah! Amen.

What trouble is chasing you? Picture God as a beautiful Bird of Paradise inviting you to take cover under the shadow of His wings until the problem passes. Fly to Him and be safe. In the shadow of His presence exalt Him and let His glory be seen throughout the earth in you.