Author: dianafmurphy@gmail.com

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

I have read this passage many times and missed a big chunk of the message. Yes, I pray for our leaders both government and church leaders. The part I missed is the reason Paul gives us for doing so. First, he suggests that it helps us “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  Of course, that is good, and it pleases God, but look at the last section.   God wants all people to be saved and to know the truth!

Perhaps, if we prayed for our leaders with this is mind our prayers would be more fruitful for the Kingdom. Our leaders need Jesus, too and it is evident that some have no interest in the things of God or His truth. That doesn’t change their need. We don’t have access to most of our government leaders, but God does. And our prayers could make a difference for their eternal destiny and the destiny of the Nation.

I believe the only way our Nation can be saved from losing our freedoms is through the Church and the prayers of God’s people. I am thankful for those in government who carry the voice of truth and they especially need our prayers for wisdom and endurance.

Our history is rich with accounts of government leaders who depended on God and sought His wisdom in prayer. I think of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who led our Nation in challenging times. Both recognized their dependence on God for successfully leading a nation. We need more leaders like these.

I read King Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings, upon the dedication of the temple, and was impressed by his intercession for God’s people. King Solomon recognized God’s promises to His people and prayed for mercy and forgiveness for them when they would stray from God. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we had government leaders who prayed for the people they govern? I’m sure there are some who do.

As James says, “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Living by this verse could change the world!

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

 my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:7-11

This world in which we live isn’t looking very inviting: war, inflation, open border, weak government administration, and the list could go on. Anyone who is awake and sane knows things are not right. What to do? Of course, let our voices be heard with our representatives at both local and national levels. Make your approvals and disapprovals known to them. But if we want to remain sane and satisfied, we must look beyond this world.

David, in Psalm 16, asserts that God is his refuge and his sustainer. He chooses to “set the Lord always before” him. He trusts God to keep him safe so he can rest secure. He does not fear the grave because he knows God will fill him with joy in His presence. David looks forward to eternal pleasures with God.

This Psalm is a Messianic psalm. The Apostles Peter and Paul, both quote it in the New Testament when referring to Jesus’ resurrection. David did not see the Messiah in his days on earth, but he knew a Savior was to come someday. Praise God and Hallelujah the Savior has come! He lived to show us how to live and died to show us death is not the end. Death was defeated on the third day when Jesus rose from the dead and walked with his disciples long enough to prove He really was alive!

If we are Jesus’ disciples today and remain faithful to Him, we have the assurance, as David did, of enjoying joy and eternal pleasures with God after this life. So, in the midst of this world’s trouble and trials we “set the Lord always before” us. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Happy Resurrection Day!

“The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).

“And when the Israelites heard that they (Reubenites, Gadites, half-tribe of Manasseh, verse 10) had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them” (Joshua 22:11-12).

 

I just finished reading the book of Joshua and noticed the difference in the way the Israelites responded to the two events mentioned above.  The first event was the ruse dreamed up by the people of Gibeon when they realized God was helping the Israelites take over the land. The Gibeonites pretended to be from a far country and asked to make a peace treaty with the Israelites.  Apparently, they didn’t want to go to war and risk their lives. So, they dressed in old, worn-out clothes and carried stale and moldy provisions with them to trick the men of Israel.

The Scripture says, “the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua made a peace treaty with them, but in three days they learned the truth.  The Gibeonites were their neighbors and they’d been tricked!

Fast forward to Joshua, chapter 22.  The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, but before they could settle there, they were required to help the other tribes take possession of the land on the west side of the river.  After they had accomplished that, Joshua blessed them and sent them back to settle in their land on the east side of the Jordan. Before they crossed the river, they “built an imposing altar there by the Jordan” (Joshua 22:10).

Their brothers’ response: get ready for war! Without finding out why the two and a half tribes had built this “imposing altar” they took off, ready to fight.

The reason the altar was built is found in verses 24-29. They knew most of the Israelite tribes were on the west side of the Jordan River and future generations might question what the Reubenites and Gadites had to do with the Lord. The altar was built as a witness between the tribes of the west side and the tribes of the east so that future generations would know that all the tribes worshipped the One and only God. It was not to be a place of worship. That was at the Tent of Meeting in Shiloh. Rather, it was a place of remembrance and commitment. They named the altar “A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.”

The men of Israel put down their weapons and praised God for the faithfulness of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh.

I think there is a lesson for us today. The leaders of the Israelites were quite willing to accept those strangers and accept their lie as truth, without ever inquiring of the Lord.  But when they questioned the actions of their own brothers, they were ready to fight them.  Later, they learned the truth.

Finding truth isn’t always easy. God is truth so we start there.

“See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (Psalm 119:159-160). 

“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river” (Joshua 3:8).

I can only imagine what that experience must have looked like and how those priests must have felt to take that first step into the flooded Jordan River. The Scripture says “as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” Was there a sound as the water piled in a heap? What does a “heap” of water look like anyway?

We are not told much about this miracle except that it happened and the whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the priests who carried the ark stood firm in the middle of the river on dry ground! God demonstrated His mighty power and the people obeyed. What might have happened if the priests had refused to take that first step? The nation would not have reached the promised land. The priests were to step out first and then to stand firm.

The Apostle Peter tells the early Christians and later Christians, as well. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The saints of God, Christians, are a priesthood. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). We live in a nation of lost people who are waiting for us to take that first step into the Jordan. I’m not sure what that first step might be, and it may be different for different people. We all know those who are lost without Jesus. Could it be they are watching and waiting for us to take that first step to show them the way? Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to show someone we care about their soul?

I was reminded as I read about the priests carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan River that they were carrying God’s law and the Seat of God’s very Presence. We, as Christians carry God’s word and the Holy Spirit within us. We are the priesthood that God uses today to bring the lost into the Kingdom. May we be found faithful!

God loves the lost so much He died for them. Am I willing to share that news with them?

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

As I looked for a “love” verse to send to my grandchildren this morning, I chose the above verse from 1 John. What a reminder of the greatest love one can know and the greatest measure of love one can know. The word “lavished” is translated “given” or “bestowed” in other translations, but I like lavished. It reminds me of when children are allowed to pour syrup over their pancake, they usually pour a lot! They lavishly cover that pancake until it floats in the syrup!

Isn’t that what God does for us? He not only loves us unconditionally, but he loves us abundantly. God, the Creator, became God, the Savior. Our rebellion didn’t stop His love, but our repentance enables us to experience His love. Our obedience makes us His child. It is my prayer you are a child of God. He longs for everyone to become His child. We can love Him because He first loved us. If you, like me, received no Valentines today, don’t despair. Read the book of First John. It is a Valentine from the heart of God through the words written by the Apostle John.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

One evening last week I felt a sore throat coming on and that achy feeling was setting in. In my mind I knew it would be a couple days at least of resting and gargling and hoping for the best.  I cancelled my sub jobs and decided I would pass the time with Hallmark movies and chicken soup.  Alas! The next day brought nausea and my movies and chicken soup became more like blanket and bucket for two days: too sick to even look at a movie!

Thank God, I can eat again and feeling a little better each day. Yes, I tested positive and am glad to say my isolation time is over. I’m looking forward to a haircut tomorrow. And the weather is predicted to be warmer. Maybe in a few days more of this snow will melt. It’s been almost a month since the ground was bare.

Sickness teaches us we are not in control of our lives. Not really. We are all dependent upon God for our very breath and we ought not forget that. Also, I was reminded of the many folks who deal with chronic sickness and pain every day of their lives. How thankful I should be for good health and the physical abilities I enjoy every day! In my gratefulness I bring many names of those with health needs before the Heavenly Father in prayer. He is the Healer!

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything ese” (Acts 17:24-25).

At Christmas my daughters and I put this puzzle together. It was challenging enough to be fun and we finished it in just a few days. Looking at all those doors prompted my mind to think about what may be behind those doors.

We have a new year ahead of us. There will be new experiences, new friends, new problems, new opportunities, and new obstacles. Each new day is like opening another door and stepping into whatever is on the other side. We cannot see ahead of time what lies beyond the door but thank God He is faithful and will walk through every door with us.

Later, as I reflected on the idea of all those doors, I thought maybe the doors represent “opportunities”. Maybe it is up to me to decide which door to choose. Some of the doors were painted with bright colors and adorned with flowers. Others looked a bit drab and uninviting. Some doors required walking up steps to reach them while others were street level.

This past year I took time to take a few meals to someone I didn’t know very well. She had broken her leg and was in a cast for quite some time. I would drop off a meal, spend a few minutes talking with her, and after several weeks we were becoming the best of friends. She now goes to church with me, and we enjoy our time spent together. If I had not stepped through the door and prepared a little extra food for someone who needed help, I would not have a new friend!

I have always been a bit of an introvert. Hmmm.  Okay, I’m a lot introvert. It’s hard for me to step into new ventures on my own. How many wonderful opportunities have I missed because of my fears? Perhaps many. Not knowing what’s on the other side of the door can be scary.

And then there’s the decision about which door or opportunity to choose. We can’t choose them all. Do we choose based on how inviting or attractive it is? Do we choose based on how easy or hard it may be to go through the door?  As a Christian I know God provides ways we can serve Him.  He is at work in this world and wants us to join Him in His work. It takes faith and much prayer to serve where God wants us to be. He gives us opportunities of service. He opens doors for us to walk through. Will we follow His leading? Even if it’s difficult and uninviting will we be faithful?

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me”

(1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

Happy New Year!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

The words glory and praise have been on my mind recently.   The shepherds experienced the glory of the Lord around them and were terrified. The angels declared glory and praise to God and the shepherds were compelled to find the Messiah.  Upon their return they also glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard!

The Apostle Paul writes about our salvation in the first chapter of Ephesians. He states, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Eph. 1:4-6). Paul mentions “to the praise of his glory” twice more, indicating we are saved for the purpose of bringing glory and praise to God!

What an awesome thought! Before the world was created God chose us to be “holy and blameless in his sight”.  The Baby in the manger is the fulfilment of God’s choice to save us. It is up to us to accept God’s offer of love, proven at the cross and the empty tomb, so we can live to the glory and praise of God!

Merry Christmas!

Remembering to Give Thanks

Give thanks to God for all you have to face
Remembering we have nothing without His grace.

Give thanks for children who enrich and complicate our lives
Remembering God has made you His child to thrive.

Give thanks for your children’s children whether girls or boys
Remembering they are grandparents’ crowning joys.

Give thanks for shelter from the heat and cold
Remembering even without it, God shelters our soul.

Give thanks for clothing whether cotton or silk
Remembering Christ’s blood covers our guilt.

Give thanks for food that nourishes life
Remembering God’s Word gives our life Light.

Give thanks for friends both far and near
Remembering their love and concern is so dear.

Give thanks for Jesus, our glorious Savior
Remembering it’s through Him we live forever.

Give thanks for Christmas, Jesus’ birth
Remembering without Him there’s no hope on earth.

                                                   — Diana Murphy    —     Written in 2002

May you have peace, joy, and gratitude this Christmas!

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

I have waited for the Lord to give me a writing prompt. Apparently, my ears and eyes have not been attentive to His prompts. No wonder I feel like I’m in a slump. I’m missing God’s glory and the blessings all around.

I attended the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) this past weekend and was encouraged by the speakers and reports of how God is working around the world. Getting away from the busyness of home has helped me focus more on the goodness of the Lord.

I saw friends from far and near and was reminded of the many blessings that come my way through the friendship of other Christians. I shared prayers of blessing and encouragement with a widowed friend who has served God for many years and with a Polish couple serving the Lord in their country as well as another country. God is growing His Kingdom all over the world.

“ .  .  . because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5: 9b).

I entered the prayer room, chose a section where I could sit for awhile to pray and reflect. Revelation 5:12 was displayed on the wall and marked in a Bible nearby.

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

On the table were seven jars of different colors of sand representing each of these qualities. Those who came to pray were asked to focus on one of the qualities and then put a spoonful of the corresponding sand into a large container, creating a beautiful layering of colors. A beautiful picture of God! He is all we ever need. When we seek these qualities for ourselves, we do not allow God to work through us. Pride takes over humility. Greed takes over gratitude. Oh, how we need to surrender to the Lamb who was slain!

God is working all around the world and giving men and women the resources to build up the Kingdom through sharing the gospel message. His resources are without end and He is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise!

Thank you, God!

Happy Thanksgiving!