Acknowledging God

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD

Tom Barnard (also with permission - Tom just has some very good thoughts I feel should be shared)

“May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart

be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

(Psalm 19:14 NLT)

I know of no better way to begin each day, to start each new task, to open each meeting, to introduce each sermon, and to approach God in prayer than to voice this prayer of David. When I say these words, I humbly acknowledge the sovereignty of God in my life. I affirm Him as Lord, Rock, and Redeemer. I announce my total dependence upon Him. I confess that if I were to follow my natural instincts, I would lose my way, but if I seek His Holy Spirit to guide me, my path will be clear. When I say this prayer, I admit that I am unable to accomplish anything truly significant without God’s presence and grace and blessing. I bow at the feet of Jesus—the very Throne of God. I lift my heart heavenward. I look up into the face of a Heavenly Father and seek His guidance in everything I say and think and do. I want my life to be a sanctuary of praise. My greatest need is to sense that He is pleased with my efforts. That is why I begin today…and every day…with His name on my lips.

Although a new year has begun, it is not too late to embrace David’s prayer as your prayer. You can catch up on God’s plan for you. I pledge to give earnest effort to begin everything I do and say this year with a petition acknowledging God in my life. I believe Jesus would be pleased to hear these words from you as well. Let’s covenant to follow this pattern of prayer throughout the new year.

Instead of offering my personal prayer for you to read at the end of the day today, let me quote another Thomas—the one more commonly known as Aquinas.

“Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards;

unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out; upright hearts, which no

unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,

understanding to know Thee, diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee,

and a faithfulness that may finally embrace Thee. Amen.”

Thank you for reading this devotional for January 2, 2009. If you know of someone who needs affirmation today,

send this devotional to them and invite them to make David’s prayer their very own. Suggest that they can subscribe to this

free publication by sending their name and email address to Dr. Tom Barnard at barnard22@cox.net. Be sure to tell them that

back copies of these devotionals may be accessed and downloaded at the following web site: www.emfsprayerandpraise.com.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Perfect Resolution

A Perfect Resolution

Tom Barnard (copied by permission)

H

ow should you approach the New Year in terms of making resolutions? Are you tired of making the same, old resolutions each year, only to fail…again? Is there an approach to resolution-making that makes sense? Pastor David Jeremiah believes there is. In his book, Turning Points, he offers a way to approach the annual tradition of making the Perfect Resolution:

“Instead of trying to start something brand-new this year, consider taking something

you’re already doing to the next level: living with passion for God.”

What a novel concept—“to go further on the road you’re already traveling with Christ.” Why didn’t I think of that? “I’m already a Christian,” you say. Good for you! “I attend church.” Awesome. “I tithe my income to God’s work.” Outstanding. You are part-way there. Consider going all the way.

The Apostle Paul offers a suggestion. Here it is, in his own words, in 1 Corinthians 15:58:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Hymn writer Johnson Oatman, Jr., had the right idea when he penned these words in 1898:

I’m pressing on the upward way; New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day,

Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay.

Tho’ some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world, Tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the upmost height, And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson was called the “poet laureate” of the Victorian Period in England. In his oft-quoted work, “In Memoriam,” he spoke of how to approach the end of one year and the start of another:

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless, coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

You have just read “Tuesday Morning” for December 30, 2008. To receive this publication regularly, send your name and email address to Dr. Tom Barnard at barnard22@cox.net. Back copies may be read and downloaded at: www.snu.edu, and www.emfsprayerandpraise.com