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Wisdom Prayer

Labor in Vain?

Labor in Vain?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know that unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. In Jesus name, amen.

How involved is God in your daily affairs? Do you only call out to God at times of extreme need? Or, do you pray, and ask his advice about daily activities?

God is present in every aspect of our lives.

Psalm 127: 1-2 (ESV) has valuable wisdom for all who will listen.

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

If you haven’t already, take steps to integrate God into all aspects of your daily life. It should be comforting news to know that God is concerned about you rest and sleep.

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Wisdom Prayer

Shouts of Joy?

Shouts of Joy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the Lord has done great things for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The great things God has done are a reason to shout for joy.

There is stark contrast between weeping and shouts of joy, yet scripture connects the two.

In Psalm 126:1-6 (ESV) the psalmist mentions the tears. Scripture also says what follows are the “shouts of joy.” Joyful shouts are mentioned three times in six verses.

Restoration would make a people rejoice and shout for joy!

The notes in the English Standard Version related to Psalm 126 refer to the idea that “Some scholars think that this is specifically ‘returned from exile’ (cf. Deut. 30:3), but the expression is more general than that…vv. 5-6 of Psalm 126 refer to the more general type of restoration.”

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.”

In life, people weep for a season and can later experience joy.

If you are in a season of weeping, it may be wise and appropriate to talk to a pastor or other trusted advisor. Prayer is also important. Hebrews 10:25 is about gathering together. Talk, pray, and gather together.

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Wisdom Prayer

Those Who Are Upright in Their Hearts?

Those Who Are Upright in Their Hearts?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are upright in their hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wickedness and evildoers are both referenced in Psalm 125:3-5 (ESV). Yet, there is good news for those who follow the Lord. “Do good, O Lord, to those who are good…”

“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!”

At the end of Psalm 125, we learn about what happens to those who turn to their crooked ways. Are you tempted to follow crooked ways?

Stop and reconsider. God will accept a person with a sincere heart who asks forgiveness of his or her sins. Change direction before it is too late.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Lord Surrounds?

The Lord Surrounds?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who you surround from this time forth and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Imagine trusting God so much that your faith became immovable. Then, consider being surrounded and protected by Almighty God.

Psalm 125:1-2 (ESV) offers this kind of hope.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.”


Have you trusted Almighty God? Do you feel surrounded by his love and grace? If so, rejoice. If not, perhaps it is now time to confess your sins, and ask Christ to come into your heart. Don’t delay.

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From The Author

Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional Customer Service

For a time in my life, I had the pleasure of working as a professional speaker for Fred Pryor Seminars.

After being with the company a short time, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. I was asked to travel to teach in the United Kingdom.

It was a few days before I was about to embark on the two-week swing, when at the last minute, I was told, “While you are there, you need to present an in-house seminar for a company.”

I had never taught the “Exceptional Customer Service” seminar before. I wanted to go on the trip, so I accepted the assignment. Soon I became comfortable with the content. As you might imagine, I spent hours practicing to be ready for the six-hour seminar.

When I finally arrived on site, I was fully prepared to speak to a large group. I quickly learned the company was very small, and less than ten people planned to attend.

Fortunately, I knew my material and related several personal stories about customer service.

I can still see the room where we met. The staff’s sole purpose that day was to take part in the training. The energy in the room was upbeat because the team did not have to work.

The rest of the trip, I taught “Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors,” and “Business Writing for Results.” One morning I went to a theater in the heart of London. I taught Business Writing for Results. There were five hundred people in attendance. I guess you could say, That day, I taught the English a thing or two about English.”

The trip was a success, so much so that a few months later, I was asked to go again.

Want to read more about my time with Fred Pryor? Read how a missed plane turned into a real adventure.

The Night I Drove Over the Continental Divide

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Wisdom Prayer

The Name of the Lord?

The Name of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know their help is in the name of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have you ever felt ganged up on? If not, imagine what it is like when no one is on your side. Standing alone can be scary. Yet, when a person has emotional and physical support, they can feel confident.

We learn from Psalm 124:1-8 (ESV), God was on the side of his people. But for God, the people would have been overwhelmed.

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.”

When the Lord was on their side, Israel was victorious. The Lord was present at the time of need. The people were not swallowed up alive. The flood was kept away. The people were not covered with a torrent of raging waters. They were not swept away. It is like they escaped the fowler’s snare.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

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