Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

An Upright Heart?

An Upright Heart?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who praise you with an upright heart when they learn your righteous rules. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Bible provides God’s Law in the Ten Commandments. If worshipers would be willing to keep God’s law, then the world would be a different place.

Image if, in today’s culture, murder and thievery stopped and children began honoring their parents. Society would change completely.

Although this is not going to happen, there are believers who desire to follow God. These people do obey the commandments. When they fall short, it is best when they ask forgiveness, repent, and turn from their wicked ways.

Psalm 119:4-8 (ESV) is about having a sincere desire to follow God’s law.

“You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!”

Look at your life. Are you even trying to keep God’s law? If there is something that needs to be changed, than make a mental not of it, and start acting in accordance with God’s law.

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From The Author

Words: The Weather as a Metaphor

Words: The Weather as a Metaphor

As a writer, I am fascinated by words.

Dictionary.com defines a metaphor as “A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in ‘A mighty fortress is our God.’”

I once heard a speaker talking about “weather” conditions.

Literally, the weather outside was beautiful, but he was talking all about stormy weather. I finally asked myself, “What is this talk really about?”

The weather turned out to be a metaphor for life.

A beautiful day meant all was well. The bright and sunny skies were a cause for optimism.

A stormy day, in contrast, represented a time when trouble was brewing.

Relationships, jobs, and health take on new meaning when applied to in climate weather. For example, a relationship experiencing stormy weather sounds like it is in crisis.

Consider a workplace said to be experiencing beautiful weather where everyone is getting along until, all of a sudden, things turn cold and overcast.

How is the weather in your life?

Have fun creating your own metaphors.

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

Walk in God’s Ways?

Walk in God’s Ways?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm.

The psalm is an acrostic, meaning there is one section for each of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet.

The law and the statues of the Lord are featured throughout Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:1-3 (ESV) is about those who are blessed.

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!”

Do you walk in God’s ways? Or, have you gone astray? Praise God he is a forgiving God?

When you stumble, remember 1 John 1:9 (ESV).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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Wisdom Prayer

Thank God?

Thank God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who give thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Worship and thanksgiving go together in Psalm 118:28-29 (ESV). In the concluding words of this Psalm, the congregation extols (i.e. praises and exhausts) the Lord.

“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!”

The Lord provides. He saves. He lifts up those who are downtrodden. For all the Lord has done in your life, give thanks, for he is good. Do not loose heart when trials come.

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Wisdom Prayer

Light Shine?

Light Shine?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know you have made your light to shine upon your chosen people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God spoke to Moses and gave Arron a blessing for the people of Israel in Numbers 6:22-27 (ESV).

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons,
saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

‘So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.’”

Psalm 118:27 (ESV) is slightly different than the benediction.

“The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.”

The psalmist provides a powerful confirmation the Lord’s light shines.

Be blessed by the Arron’s benediction and by Psalm 118:27. It is good to have the Lord’s blessing.

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Wisdom Prayer

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 118:26 (ESV) says,

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

The words in the first part of the verse appear several times in the New Testament. Palm Sunday the phrase was used together with shouts of “Hosanna.” (See Matthew 21:9 and Mark 11:9).

Luke 19:38 (ESV) says,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13 and Luke 13:35 also use Psalm 118:26.

Imagine being on the road into Jerusalem when Jesus is welcomed by the crowds shouting the words of Psalm 118:26. Join with them now, and say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

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