 Scripture: '... If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection... " Psalm 63:5-8 MSG Application: What we call insomnia may not always be a bad thing… if we turn it into a time of exclusive listening to the Lord. Prayer: Father, if we are sleepless, fill us with refreshing words of encouragement and peace. Amen.  "So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the wilderness. There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them." Ezekiel 20:10-11 NLT "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”-- “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." Mark 1: 1-4 NIV "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left [Jesus] until an opportune time." Luke 4:13 NIV Application: We go into our personal wildernesses because we’re captives to something self-destructive. This affects everyone. We stay in that wilderness because we continue in that self-destruction, which is sin. We get out of that wilderness by following a straight path. No wandering around, seeking some “new” revelation, pill, fad, or trick that other people say will help us. Chances are, they’re also trapped I their own wildernesses. There’s only one way to escape that has survived the test of time for everyone who really commits to it: Daily, we read God's Word. Daily, we listen to His voice. Daily, we take steps in a straight path. When we learn what the Good News is for us personally, we emerge from our wilderness. But we can't be overconfident in ourselves; just as sin held us captive once, sin will tempt us again. The Way to stay out of our wilderness is the same as the Way we got out: Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Prayer: We take our straight steps one day at a time, dear Lord. We follow Your Word, praying for ourselves and everyone who struggles to get out of their wildernesses. Amen.  Scripture:
"But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said, and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home." 1 Samuel 8:19-22 NLT "On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords." Revelation 19:16 NLT Application: In every nation, and in every era, there's a leader who is looked back upon and regarded as great. History seems to overlook the flaws of that leader, but that leader certainly had flaws. Nevertheless, there is a Leader Who is flawless, and He is the Leader of all the Leaders. Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords. The Good News is that He reigns right now. Prayer: Jesus Christ, we don't despair when flawed people who rule over us on earth, because everyone falls under Your rule. Amen. |