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Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

My friend David and I have known each other since we attended Los Angeles High School. Over the years, we have had a favorite question we would ask each other: “Where do you want to be in five years?”

I remember how we would encourage each other as we shared our dreams for the future.

Back then, David wanted to be an attorney. On one occasion, I remember our discussing the idea of his joining the military after law school and his becoming a Judge Advocate General. I vividly remember his long-term goal. He wanted to be a member of the United States Supreme Court. David was elected Chief Justice at L.A. High, and he served for two terms in student leadership.

Back then, I also wanted to be an attorney.

As life would have it, neither of us ended up getting law degrees. Rather, David became a successful political accountant, and I became a college professor.

Recently, we revisited our favorite question. I will say there was something comforting about us discussing our dreams after all these years.

What are your hopes and dreams for the next five years?

There is an expression that has been around a while, “I am not where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be.” This quotation can help us realize that life is a process. Be encouraged.

Your dreams for the future may change. But I suggest that every so often you ask a friend, “Where do you want to be in five years.” Be prepared to listen.

Hopefully, he or she will ask you the same question. Be prepared to share.

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 Meant It For Good?

God Meant It For Good?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who recall how, although Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers, God used it for good.

Ever feel like things are not going your way? Imagine Joseph’s thoughts as he is being sold into slavery by his brothers.

Decades later, we learn in Genesis 50:20 (ESV) what Joseph says to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Psalm 105:16-25 (ESV) recounts Joseph’s story.

“When he summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the Lord tested him.
The king sent and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free;
he made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions,
to bind his princes at his pleasure
and to teach his elders wisdom.”

Joseph was faithful to God even with all the twists and turns in his life. Given Joseph’s story, will you trust God when the twists and turns take you in a direction you do not expect? Have faith.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

He Remembers His Covenant Forever?

He Remembers His Covenant Forever?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know you remember your covenant forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God made a promise to Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham. The promise involved land.

Genesis 12:6-7 (ESV) says, “Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”

Psalm 105:7-11 (ESV)

“He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
saying, ’To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance.’”

From these verses we see God’s promise was fulfilled. Ever doubt God? Stop and reflect. Although it took generations for the offspring to inhabit the land, God was faithful. Trust God, for he is faithful!

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Who Me? Give Thanks?

Who Me? Give Thanks?

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

Don Moen wrote the praise song, “Give Thanks.” The refrain is as follows:

“Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son”

Psalm 106:1-3 (ESV) begins with a statement of praise.

“Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!”

Are you in the mood to praise and/or give thanks to God? If not, take time to reflect on all God has done. Realize if he has been faithful before, he is trustworthy to be faithful today, tomorrow, and always.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Seek the Lord’s Presence Continually?

Seek the Lord’s Presence Continually?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who seek your presence continually. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The word “continually” in part means repeatedly, constantly, repetitively, and persistently. Do these terms describe how you seek God’s presence in your life?

Psalm 105:1-4 (ESV) encourages the faithful to give thanks and seek the Lord.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!”

Are you making it a habit to be thankful, sing to the Lord, tell of his wondrous works, rejoice, and seek the Lord? If you do, you are to be commended. If not, renew your commitment to seeking the Lord. It is time to start: now.

Tell me what you think below.

Are you making it a habit to be thankful, sing to the Lord, tell of his wondrous works, rejoice, seek the Lord, and remember all he has done? If you do, you are to be commended. Renew your commitment to seeking the Lord.

It is time to start now.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Will You Sing to the Lord As Long As You Live?

Will You Sing to the Lord As Long As You Live?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who will sing to you as long as they live. In Jesus’ name, amen.

John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” refers to a heavenly choir.

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.”

In Psalm 104:31-35 (ESV) God look causes the earth to tremble, and his touching mountains causes them to smoke. In verse 33, the psalmists and “Amazing Grace” have some ideas in common.

“May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!”

Choose to live a godly life. Allow yourself to freely worship God. Sing now and forever more.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.