Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

Taste and See?

Taste and See?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who taste and see the Lord is good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Years ago, I attended a Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie at Angel Stadium in Orange County, California. Prior to the event, there was a group in the audience that shouted, “God is good.” Others responded from around the stadium, “All the time.” The first group joined by hundreds of others thundered back, “All the time, God is good.” It started again as more people joined the call and response.

Imagine singers praising God with the words of Psalm 34:8-9 (ESV):

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!”

The English Standard Version regarding Psalm 34:8 says,

“The verb taste (V. 8) which in the OT [Old Testament] is commonly used in the literal sense, is a metaphor of personal experience; the NT [New Testament] uses this metaphor widely (e.g. John 8:52; Heb. 2:9; 6:4).”

Personally experience God. Ask Jesus into your heart if you have not already done so. Take refuge in him.

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From The Author

Want to Go To the High Sierra?

Want to Go To the High Sierra?

“Yes, I’ll go.”

One summer, in the mid-1970s, I agreed to go on a backpack trip to the High Sierra with David Gould, my debate partner from high school, and his brother, Marc. Marc had four or five other friends who planned on meeting us in the mountains.

With seven or eight of us going, we had a lot to prepare. On the weekends, we took shorter practice hikes near Griffith Park Observatory and on Mount San Gorgonio.

Since this was my first backpacking trip, I borrowed a Kelty backpack. I took a regular sleeping bag, fishing gear, and Mountain House meals. I also found an old hat.

We made our gorp, better known as tail mix. We would take a mixture of salted mixed nuts, raisins, M and M’s, and granola. For lunch, we would eat sliced salami and crackers.

Once in the mountains, we would hike from early in the morning until about noon. One sunny afternoon, we finished hiking for the day and set up camp next to a mountain stream. Everyone sat in the shade playing cards. I lost one game, so I had to wait for the next one to start.

Wasps busing around our heads during card game didn’t seem to bother anyone, but it gave me an idea. What if I used my hat to stun a wasp, and use it for fish bait?

I finally got one, put the wasp on a hook, and went fishing. That is when I caught a trout. As soon as I showed the others my fish, everyone threw down their cards and ran to get their rods and reels.

That night, we had plenty of fresh trout. I can practically taste them.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Wisdom Prayer

God Has Delivered?

God Has Delivered?

Dear Lord, I ask for wisdom for those God has delivered. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God hears the prayers of the faithful. It is affirming when God answers prayer positively. Yet, he can answer prayer with “yes;” “no;” and “wait.” There are a lot of other gradations in between.

Psalm 34:4-7 (ESV) is about when God answers prayers and delivers:

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

Ask the God of the universe to intervene in your life. Pray. Now.

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Wisdom Prayer

Praise Continually?

Praise Continually?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who magnify the Lord and exalt his name continually. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There is something to be said about gathering together to worship God. Imagine being with kindred souls singing praise songs. Experience a personal revival. Yet, because of health concerns, some people have opted out of attending Sunday church services, hymn signs, and revival meetings. As an alternative, they have been watching television preachers and other programing.

David, the psalmist, in Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV), shares about praising God alone and with others.

“I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!”

Take a moment and think about what David meant when he said “continually.” Praise God continually for one day. Before retiring that night, count the blessings. Then repeat one day at a time.

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Wisdom Prayer

Of Nations and Kings?

Of Nations and Kings?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for world leaders that they would know you are in control. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Some cable news outlets offer extensive coverage of international affairs. BBC World News and other channels offer programming that covers and reports on the decisions made by world leaders.

Psalm 33:10-12 (ESV) has something to say about who is really in control:

“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”

Later in Psalm 33:16-17 (ESV) the psalmist has more to say about those on the world stage:

“The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

Pray government leaders and royalty turn to Christ and pay homage to Almighty God. 

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Wisdom Prayer

Shouts of Joy and Music?

Shouts of Joy and Music?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who praise your name with shouts of joy and music. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever fallen into depression?

Are feelings of anxiety becoming overwhelming?

Then maybe it is time to turn on calming music to soothe the soul. This may not fix all that ails a person, but one’s outlook on life can improve when music is combined with shouting for joy to the Lord.

Psalm 33:1-3 (ESV) gives us a great example:

“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

Develop a playlist of hymns and praise songs. Find yourself without the latest technology? Fear not. An old-fashioned hymnal can bring to mind words and melodies to lift the spirit. May God bless those who are hurting, and may sacred music provide healing and restoration.

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