Remnant Seekers

The fair maiden rose early in search of her beloved

2011-08-16T21:05:00.014-05:00

The fair maiden rose early, dressed in exquisite silk and purple. Her cheeks are comely and her eyes sparkle with the beauty of rubies. Her hair smells of fine myrrh as the gentle breeze flows through it.

Gold chains hang around her neck. They are a prized possession because her soul mate gave them to her long ago. Sophia, whose name means wisdom, is heartbroken, and now she roams the streets looking for her lost love. He abandoned her a long time ago and now Sophia can be seen wailing and weeping calling out for him.

She desires to be held close to his bosom, and her heartaches for the touch of his tender caress once more. At one time, he loved her more than life itself but he was drawn away, enticed by another’s beauty.

Her grief keeps her searching and seeking after her beloved, her sorrow is one that cannot be contained. Only his return can quench her tears. The memory of him and the joy he once brought to her life keeps her looking for him.

She, being weary, falls to her knees and sobs in extreme anguish. “Sophia” someone calls to her, but she cannot hear their voice. Her heart is closed to all but his memory. As she rises from her knees she asks a passerby, “have you seen my beloved?”

Her cries are unheeded by most that pass by. There is no comfort that can be given to her because she refuses it. She wonders where her beloved could have gone, she cannot find him because he has traveled to a distant land.

She is determined to continue the search even if it means spending the rest of her life trying to find her lost love. She seeks after him with great care and diligence because he is the only one she has ever loved. She calls his name continually but receives no answer to her cries of desperation. Long hours she spends searching but to no avail.

“Alas” she says, “I will go to the ends of the earth if need be.” Sophia returns to her home she once shared with her love and sells everything she has to continue her search. She tells herself she must continue searching for him. The days turn into months and the months turn into years, still she cannot find him.

She will never abandon her search for him who her hearts longs for. She believes, hopes that one day she will find him again. Her love for him is eternal. He is her soulmate. She believes that if he sees her again his desire for her will return to him.

She remembers how their love burned as bright as the star and that is the only hope she has to hold onto. She believes the love she has to offer her beloved will turn his heart to her again. She travels to distant lands in search of him but does not find him. The joy they had keeps her searching. One day she hears a rumor of where he was last seen.

Through the fire and storms she passes constantly seeking him. She anxiously awaits the day of their reunion as she reaches the place he is supposed to be at. She arrives in a town called Despair. She sees a man lying in the gutter. Her heart leaps within her chest, could this be my love? Could this be the man my heart has longed to see again?

She reaches down to him and can scarcely believe her eyes, the man she once knew looked destitute and lost. Dressed in beggar’s clothes, hair unkempt, he had been here for a quite some time. The man looked up when he felt Sophia’s touch, their eyes locked, and she realizes she has found him that her soul has ached to see for so long.

Tears fill his eyes as he turns in shame and says, “I do not deserve to be your love again because I abandoned you.” She replies, “Beloved I love you with a love that is not of this earth come and be restored.” She takes his hand in hers, and together they leave this land of barrenness to a new land full of promise.
Proverbs 1:20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square
Proverbs 4:8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

The goodness of God is amazing

2011-06-08T14:17:00.002-05:00

The Lord God's tender mercies are new each and every morning. Bless his holy name for allowing me to draw breath another day. Joy fills my countenance because his goodness surrounds me. His vast riches are never ending and my soul rejoices because of his boundless patience towards me. His love is eternal and for this reason these lips of clay will forever sing of his glory.

He has delivered me from darkness and set my feet upon the path of light. My heart rejoices in the truth of my God. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the name of the Lord will be praised. My eyes will forever be fixed upon him, he alone guides my steps, and his direction in my life is what keeps me from stumbling. My hands will be lifted in adoration and my mouth will declare of the grace that he has shown me.

The Lord God, he is God and by his word he orders my steps. Therefore my heart will be kept pure before him, and his word is hidden within it. If not for his mercy this man would still be on the road to eternal separation. There is no fear in me when darkness comes because his presence lights the way, therefore my heart will not grow weary, nor will it faint. He always keeps his word and knowing that he will never leave me or forsake me makes my heart glad.

God is the only one who can clam the raging storms that try to sink me in the depths of despair. His love upholds me, and he gives me the strength to endure any trial that comes my way. He always makes a way of escape so that my feet will not falter from the path of righteousness. This man can walk in faith and free from doubt because the hand that made the world is upon me for good.

The fire will be embraced when it comes because it is an opportunity to refine me into a man with a pure heart, it will make me stronger. God will uphold me as the fire is passed through so that it does not consume me. Therefore my heart will not faint within me because God is with me.

God is so good to me, therefore he can have his way with my heart because this man trusts he always has only good prepared for me. He is the potter and I'm the clay being molded into a vessel fit for the Master's perfect use. My heart has learned through the years that God will give me the best he has to offer. Therefore Lord lead on, lead on!

The goodness of my God is amazing and it's so refreshing to be able to trust his word.

Be encouraged and live without fear

2011-06-05T22:01:00.002-05:00

From the cover of darkness the enemy launches his fiery arrows, seeking to penetrate our hearts, his purpose is to enflame and excite our desires. Our flesh craves all manner of wickedness, and if we run after those things they will only leave us with pain and anguish. Satan's design is to cause us to become despondent, and through that despondency he will try to destroy us.

If we allow him to feed us the lies that we can never change, that we will always be subject to the whims of the flesh, he will have won. His plan is to wreck our lives, and if possible to cause us to be ineffective for the Lord Jesus Christ. However if we walk in the spirit, we can have victory over our flesh, we can control our evil desires.

It's in these moments of weakness if we will cry out to Jesus, he will give us his strength to endure all things. It's in our weakness that he is made strong, but we must look to him and cling to his truths to overcome that which plagues our flesh. Even in the midst of our sorrow if we will allow Jesus to bring us his peace, which passes all understanding, we can receive the power to break the yoke of bondage that holds us captive.

We can not continue to allow the enemy to dominate us, we must, absolutely must look to Christ. It's only through leaning on Jesus each and every day that we can achieve freedom to walk without the guilt and condemnation that comes from falling to sin. That sin will separate us from God the father, and only Jesus can bridge that chasm and bring us back into right standing with God.

It's only through Jesus that we can have continual victory over our flesh and sin. By relying on Christ we gain the confidence that is needed to run this race called life. We can then have faith that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, his rod and staff will bring us comfort. It's only by trusting in Christ can we walk through the fire and not get burnt. It's only through Jesus we can speak to the storm, that's designed to bring fear, and have complete expectation that it will cease.

It is the word of God that will shine the light through our blackest storms that life brings. It's through the word of God that we can have hope our situation will change. The Lord alone is the one who can raise up a standard against the enemy when he comes in like a flood to drown us. God is our fortress, our refuge, our high tower and there is safety under the shadow of his wings.

Through God's enduring mercy he will deliver us from the destruction that rages all around us. God's love for us brings reassurance to our hearts and therefore we can be at peace in knowing there is nothing we can do that will separate us from his love. If we let his presence surround and cover us when we stumble and fall, it will be easier to get back up and let forgiveness cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness.

To have the victory that Jesus obtained for us on Calvary, we must mediate upon his word daily, we must hide his word in our hearts so we do not sin against him. In his word there is victory and he gives us the ability to walk high above all the things that try to hinder us. If we will walk in the power that the Holy Spirit gives us, we will not fulfill the desires of our flesh, and though the storms howl and rage around us we will endure. We will endure, not because of anything we have done, but because of the grace and mercy that God has given us.

We can have confidence in knowing that God will not allow us to become shipwrecked upon the reefs of despair, if we will only depend on Jesus. God has said that he will not allow anything to come upon us that we can not endure, he will give us the strength to overcome that which seeks to overpower us. When these situations come, we must remember how King David encouraged himself in the Lord.

How do we encourage ourselves? By remembering the times that God has delivered us from certain situations, how he saved us from eternal damnation. How he performed this miracle called life and gave it to us. How he provides for us each and every day, how he woke us up this morning and his mercy allowed us to draw breath today. These memories will being comfort to our hearts and gives us peace.

We can also take great comfort of how he has exchanged all our filthy rags for his garments of righteousness. God's benefits are many, and if we are his children those benefits are ours. Therefore it's up to us to gird ourselves through his word because his word protects our hearts and our minds from the thoughts that the enemy tries lay upon us.

It's through God's lovingkindness he has given us what we need to run this race that's set before us. Our responsibility in turn is to walk before him in integrity and purity by living a sin free life. We must hunger and thirst after his righteousness, we must spend time with him each day. We must drink from the wells of living water and be filled with the fresh power of the anointing that only the spirit can give us.

Therefore be encouraged this day and live without fear because God is with us and will see us through to the end of our days.

Redemption in the midnight hour, the forgiven thief's story

2011-05-10T21:55:00.057-05:00

Three years had passed since the Nazarene had performed his first miracle in Cana of Galilee. At a marriage feast, he changed water into wine. Since then the whole land of Palestine had been breathlessly talking about Yeshua from Nazareth. That was the first time I had heard of this remarkable man who operated in the supernatural power of HaShem.

I tried to keep track of his mighty works but lost count because the miracles he performed were so many. I had always wanted to meet him and see for myself what this man was about but life always seemed to get in the way. Now I would finally get the chance to see him. I watched from a narrow slit on the outer wall waiting to catch a glimpse of Yeshua, as I did my mind drifted to what my mother had told me.

When I was younger, my mother often read to me the 45th Psalm, she said it spoke of the coming Messiah’s beauty. “Fairer than the sons of men” was how my mother said the sons of Ko'rah had described him. My cousin Eliyahu had seen Yeshua three years prior, and his description was fairly accurate. I remembered what he had said about him during last year’s Passover meal.

Eliyahu said when he had seen Yeshua that he was “somewhat tall in stature, with a very reverent countenance. His hair was the color of chestnut, full ripe, and plain, which flowed to his ears. In the midst of his head was a seam or partition in His hair, after the manner of the Nazarenes. His forehead was plain and very delicate looking. His face was without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a lovely red.

His beard was thick, in color like his hair, not very long, but forked. His look was innocent and mature. His eyes were grey, clear, and quick. When Yeshua spoke he was very temperate, modest, and wise. A man whose beauty surpassed the children of men.” Eliyahu also said, “I have never seen a sweeter or more serene countenance.”

I was startled from my daydream by a Roman, who was shouting at Yeshua. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes beheld the sight of him. He was truly “fairer than the sons of men.” In my mind, I wondered was this really the Messiah our nation had been waiting for? Our religious teachers had told us that the Messiah would come and free us from the oppression of Rome, but here stood this man in chains about to be scourged.

I continued watching through the narrow slit in the wall of my cell as I saw the Romans slapping and mocking him. One of them tied a rope and put it around his neck. It was pulled so tightly the Nazarene's head jerked violently forward. He fell upon his knees, gasping and choking, struggling to breathe.

The other Romans who witnessed this began laughing callously at the merciless show of brutality upon the condemned Nazarene. The Centurion ordered one of the Lictors to grab the rope, and together they dragged Yeshua around the courtyard. As they did the people watching this horrific punishment began spitting on the fallen man. It seemed to me that the Romans were being unusually brutal in their punishment of this man then any before him.

Yeshua disappeared from my view as a crowd of Roman soldiers surrounded him. I could see them mercilessly beating and kicking him. Next I heard a soldier shout, “get out of the way, get out of my way” as he handed the Lictors two hideous looking devices, which would be used on Yeshua. The men stood there with evil cruel grins on their faces as they inspected the weapons of torture that would soon be used on him.

I could not see clearly, but it looked as if one of the flagrums had a hook at the end of it. Terror filled my heart for Yeshua when I saw the "scorpion" as the Romans affectionately called the hook on the end of the flagrum. I had only heard of the massive amount of damage the scorpion incurred on someone's body, it was something terrible indeed.

When I had finally seen Yeshua again I could tell that his face was swollen and blood was pouring from a broken nose. My heart was broken for the Nazarene because of what was coming next. The Centurion ordered that Yeshua be led to the whipping post. The center of the courtyard could still be barely seen from my narrow slit in the wall.

I watched as one of the Roman Lictors chained the condemned man's hands to the metal rings that hung from the top of the post. The Centurion then walked over to where the Nazarene was chained and ripped the clothes from off his back. His olive colored skin was exposed to the blistering heat of the sun. The Nazarene was now naked for all to see his humiliation and shame.

As I closed my eyes, I could see the instruments of torture, the deadly flagrums. It was the Roman's favorite tool of brutality and death. It was a nine strap; lead tipped whip embedded with pieces of jagged sheep bone from a ram's forehead. These flagrums had killed many condemned men before they could even be crucified. I knew that the Nazarene would probably not survive the scourging that awaited him.

The Roman Lictors towered over him, and they had twisted smiles on their faces. One stood on Yeshua’s right side and another was on his left. They were positioned at just the right angles to inflict the most damage. The Centurion shouted the order and the scourging commenced. The Romans took turns inflicting their vicious and cruel punishment upon him. The cries of agony escaped Yeshua's parched lips and echoed throughout the courtyard, they were bone-chilling cries.

Each lash, of the flagrum, was designed to bite and grab the flesh ripping it open. With the first blows upon his body, deep stripe-like lacerations appeared. Blood immediately started spewing from the gaping wounds. With each devastating strike, the lashes violently ripped his flesh apart. The scorpion was taking a huge toll on him as long ribbons of bleeding flesh hung from his body, while smaller pieces fell to the ground.

The blows landed indiscriminately on his body slicing through his delicate skin. The Lictors alternated blows from his bare shoulders down his body to the soles of his feet. Soon muscle, nerves, and sinew were exposed as a result of the scourging. My mind could not fathom how this Nazarene could endure such inhumane punishment being laid upon him.

To these eyes, the Nazarene appeared near the cusp of death, yet he never begged for its release. The blood was cascading from the gruesome wounds on his body spraying all over the Lictors, they were covered in it. As the Lictor on the right turned to land another merciless strike upon Yeshua, I could see his face. He had a look of blind rage, full of hatred and cruelty. He looked like a madman, and he was covered in innocent blood from his head to his feet.

Then I saw the Nazarene look up at the Lictor. The Nazarene’s gaze could not be held by the Lictor and his eyes quickly shot towards the ground. The Lictor turned his head in shame; it seemed he finally realized the man he had been beating was indeed innocent. I thought I could faintly hear a gasp of horror escape from the Lictor when he saw the blood he was standing in. What happened next seemed a miracle as the expression on the Lictor’s face changed. It seemed to me as if his anger was being washed away by the blood he was standing in.

After the Lictors finished flogging Yeshua, I could not believe he was still alive. His body was so torn, bloodied, beaten and disfigured that he no longer looked like a man. He looked more like a beast who had just ascended from the abyss, what a terrible sight he was. Tears filled my eyes, and I began to silently weep for the Nazarene. As I stood looking in unbelief, a Roman soldier thrust a crown of thorns upon Yeshua’s head. The punishment of the Nazarene was barbaric and inhumane. My eyes had never witnessed someone being so cruel to another person in this manner before.

The thorns pierced his forehead grabbing the flesh and tearing it open. The Roman, who put the crown upon Yeshua's head, then took a stick and pushed the thorns into his scalp. Blood gushed from these wounds down his face and cheeks eventually falling to the ground. The Romans started beating and kicking him again. They also started yanking the beard in tufts from his face.

I felt the earth start quaking as if in revulsion to the taste of his blood. One of Romans kicked the Nazarene in the face and then commanded him to get up, but he could not summon the strength to do so. A Roman standing nearby rushed over to him and grabbed his hair pulling him to his feet.

Next one of the Romans put a purple robe on his shoulders and placed a reed in his hand saying, "a king of such royalty deserves a robe." They began to mock him, bowing at his feet in feigned obeisance they said, "hail King of the Jews." Then they began spitting on him and violently punching him in the face.

One soldier blindfolded the Nazarene then the other Roman soldiers struck him with their fists while saying, "tell us who just hit you." One soldier struck him so hard his head recoiled with great intensity. The Nazarene's head hung down as though this blow had finished his torture. Two of the Romans grabbed his arms and pulled him to his feet. However, he could not stand and immediately fell to his knees. The soldiers yelled and cursed at him. One of the Lictors grabbed a flagrum and started beating him again.

I could feel anger welling up inside of me. My heart was moved with compassion for Yeshua. The next sound I heard was the creaking of my cell door. I was startled for a second as the jailer said, "it's time." As I turned and started out of my dank cell, the fear of death flooded over me. I could hear the frenzied mob screaming as the jailer led me toward the courtyard. I could hear them yelling, "crucify him."

My eyes could now clearly see the Nazarene as the heavy gate swung open. His face and body were so marred with gaping wounds; the skin was hanging from his body. You could see pieces of muscle and intestines protruding from the massive wounds.

The Romans laid the roughly hewn cross beam upon his raw shoulders, and I could see the wood splinter into his already ragged flesh. The Centurion barked out commands as the march to Golgotha commenced, which was to be the place of our execution. As we started our slow march toward death, the Nazarene fell down numerous times.

Each time he summoned the strength to carry on, though I could not fathom how. He seemed determined to reach the hill to die, my mind still could not comprehend how he was enduring this punishment. If he died from the terrible wounds inflicted upon him it would have been more merciful, then what waited at the place of execution.

As we got closer to the hill, that was nicknamed "The Skull," he fell for what appeared to be the last time. The Romans knowing he could no longer carry his cross went into the crowd and forcefully compelled a young man to carry the Nazarene's cross.

The young man put the beam upon his shoulders, and I saw the stranger who wore the thorns look at him with gratitude. I wondered how this Nazarene could possibly show love after what he had been through. As the young man put the cross on his shoulders, the blood of the Nazarene ran down the man’s back. As we continued our march towards Golgotha, the crowd started spitting on us again. They mocked us, some laughed and said, “he saved others now let him save himself.”

The hill was still quite some distance away, and my cross grew heavier with each step. It seemed like an eternity before we reached the place death awaited us. My knees grew weak at the heaviness of the cross beam I was carrying. I was so tired and exhausted. At that moment I saw the Nazarene, in front of me summoning the strength to go on. It was in this moment I determined to press on and face death as fearlessly as Yeshua was.

Finally, we reached the hill, and I knew this was the point of no return. I looked at the beaten and bloodied stranger again wondering why the people who sought his death were filled with such hatred for him. What had he done to deserve the death of a thief such as myself? Then a revelation flooded my mind, and I recognized him to be the king and messiah our people had been waiting for.

I knew in my heart the Nazarene did not deserve this kind of death. I surely deserved my death, but he did not. My mind was firmly made up that this man was innocent and undeserving of a common thief’s death.
When we got to the top of the hill, they laid the cross beams on the ground, and they shoved us onto them.

The Roman Centurion commanded the hammer and nails be brought to him. I had to close my eyes when I saw the five inch nail being pressed against Yeshua's hand. The ting of the hammer striking the nails brought more tears to my eyes. The sound that escaped his lips, from the excruciating pain, replaced the sound of the hammer striking the nails.

The Romans raised our crosses up to the sky as the mob started screaming at the Nazarene, who wore the thorns, "you claim to be the son of God come down off that cross." Then the man on the right side, who was crucified with us, began cursing and reviling the Nazarene, but I spoke in his defense. Then I turned to the Nazarene and said, "remember me." He looked at me with love in his eyes and said, "today surely you will be with me in paradise."

Then I hung my head down and died. When I opened my eyes the Nazarene was by my side. He took my hand and said, "I’ve got someone I would like you to meet." He took me to his father, and I fell down at his feet in worship. Yeshua knelt down beside me. He took me in his arms, he told me he loved me, and that he had endured the shame of the cross for me. Then I recalled the words; I had spoken to him just before I died, "remember me Yeshua, remember me."

If you enjoyed reading this please check out Joseph L. Parker Freelance Writer and Nature Photographer on Facebook for more stories of encouragement and inspirational photos.

My soul yearns for you God

2011-04-25T16:49:00.000-05:00

My soul yearns for you O God, there is none other who could ever satisfy my soul like you. My eyes long to see the salvation of this flesh, that tries to keep me bound to the natural order of things. I could try to attain worldly gain, but it only brings more pain. The comfort my soul seeks is found only in you. You bring mercy and kindness by your hand and you lead me beside the still waters.

My heart will meditate upon your ways because they are life to this decaying flesh. Your words brings consolation to my mind, it soothes the beast lurking within me. Only you can bring the peace that passes all understanding. Your presence is the only thing that can assuage the appetite of my soul. Therefore I will kneel before you because you are my King and my Lord. My hands will be lifted in praise to you alone.

My mouth will sing of your goodness, and your praise will forever be upon my lips. You have revealed your mercies again to me each day you allow this man to draw breath. My heart will rejoice because you have preserved my life. It's an honor to serve you each and everyday, therefore I will draw closer to you through your word. Your blessings to me have been many, my heart is so grateful for the grace you have bestowed upon me. O God my trust will be in you alone.

My heart is appreciative that you never turn a deaf ear to my prayers, even when I slip and fall. Many times you have delivered me from the hand of my enemy, and kept him from devouring me. You have brought me through the flames and did not allow me to be consumed. You did not let the flood waters drown me in despair. You rose up to defend me and all my enemies were scattered by your presence. O Lord my God you are so good to this undeserving man.

You washed my garments in the blood of Jesus, making me pure before you. Having justified and made me spotless by his precious blood now enables me to stand your presence. Through your kindness you allow me to approach your throne in my time of need, without your grace where would this man be? You have provided for me all the days of my life.

You sent the rain to water this dry heart, what good things you have worked on my behalf. My soul will sing the song of a gratified man, this praise will be glorious and lifted to you alone. May it be as a sweet savor that fills your nostrils, look upon your servant and be well-pleased father. You are now my high tower and there is safety in the shadow or your wings, you have carved me in the palms of your hands.

You have renewed my spirit and brought life once again to all my flesh. You have healed my broken heart, and caused anxiety to flee from my soul.

You have delivered me from darkness

2011-04-21T20:56:00.001-05:00

O Lord you alone are worthy. It was by your hand that this man was delivered out of the kingdom of darkness. You saved my soul from destruction, therefore my heart will forever be grateful for what you have done.

With my mouth I shall declare your goodness to all who will listen. May the praise that is release from these lips of clay be as sweet perfume before you. Most of my life had been spent searching for a love like yours, only to find it was right in front of me all the time. Now my heart will dwell forever in your presence.

From the days of my youth your hand has been upon me guiding my steps. You have been by my side, constantly speaking to my heart, gently calling me to come unto you. You pursued me when my heart was full of hopelessness and despair. You dispelled the darkness that surrounded me when you called me to yourself.

In the times this man willingly turned from you, oh how you must have shed tears of agony over my poor choices. Yet you never stopped reaching out to me even when the desires in my mind consumed me. Even though this man had abandoned you, you never abandoned me. Even at my lowest point you were there to ensure that my heart would find you again.

By your goodness you led me to repentance, and you kept me from total destruction when my enemies were many. You called me and marked me as one of your own before the foundation of the earth. You led me onto the path of restoration, and you kept my heart from becoming hardened.

My soul will forever be grateful. My heart is so very thankful that you grafted me into the olive tree of everlasting life. You have given me drink from the fountain of living waters. Salvation has come to my soul and all eternity will be spent in your presence. You have a purpose for me and it will fulfilled by your mercy and grace. My mouth will spread the word of life that you have given to me.

Blessed is the God of life who has given me the ultimate peace, the kind that surpasses all understanding. You have silenced the storm of turmoil in my life, and you alone have given me the strength to stand in the face of the raging tempest. You stoked the dying embers of my heart into a blazing inferno, and now that fire consumes me, purge all unrighteousness from me.

This lowly man will stand upon your word because it will keep me until the time of your coming. How my heart looks forward to seeing your face. Thank you for sending your holy son to take my place upon that old rugged cross, dying a gruesome death in my place. My rightful destiny before that occurred was to live a life eternally separated from you.

O Lord God you who are merciful saw fit to give this servant a life that was undeserving. When my sin was as black as night you still loved me and cared enough to send your very best.

Worthy is the lamb

2010-12-02T01:41:00.000-06:00

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Worthy is the lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. Through all my pain you are with me Lord and I will prevail against it. I will triumph against all odds with you by my side. You give me the strength to overcome all obstacles that stand in my way. No matter the cost to myself I will follow you. No matter where you lead I will you because you will lead to the living waters that quench my thirsty soul.

You are my Lord and my king to you I will forever sing. You are so worthy my God of all my praise. No matter the circumstances that I face I know that they will never be faced alone because you are with me. You always provide a way for escape for me if my eyes will look for it. You never allow anything to come upon me that is more than I can bear. For that I am eternally grateful to you. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul.

When I walk through the fire you promised that it will not burn me. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I can rest assured because you are right by my side. You said you would never leave me or forsake me and you one I can trust to keep his word. You will cause me to mount up with the wings of eagles and cause me to soar above all my problems. Lead on dear Lord and I will follow.

You keep my feet from slipping down the path that leads to death. You have saved my soul from that which sought my destruction. You gave me new life and put a new song in my heart. You have given unto me the power that is needed to walk above all my sorrows. You have given me the garment of praise that causes the spirit of heaviness to leave me. Blessed be your glorious name father, for there is none that can even come close to comparing to you. Everything else pales in comparison to the beauty my eyes behold in you.

My mind can not ever fathom how you could love a wretched man such as myself. What am I that you would be mindful of me? I did nothing to deserve your love yet you gave all of yourself to win me back to yourself. How can I ever repay that kind of love, there is nothing, no price that I could ever give back to you for that. My Lord, my Savior, my God and my King. I fall to my knees in worship to you and honor the sacrifice that you gave to me.

Thank you for your mercy that you have given unto me, thank you for all that you give. Even when I was at my worst you loved me. Still there are times when I willfully rebel against you, please forgive my ignorance when I do. My mind is still unregenerate and longs to do what it desires. But you are giving me that which is needed to lay aside my fleshly desires and walk closer to you. Oh God I am so unworthy, I am so unclean as I stand before you. I am thankful that you have cleansed this heart of mine and now I can stand before you clean and righteous.

Glory, glory, glory to your name oh Lord God. Thank you Jesus, thank you for loving me so deeply. My words can not even begin to describe the gratitude that is in my heart. I will spend all eternity giving you thanks for the redeeming power that you displayed on my behalf. Praise you Lord, and thank you!
　

Bless my children

2010-11-27T22:32:00.003-06:00

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Lord bless my children and keep them safe both night and day. Send your angels before them to prepare the way, because life is fraught with dangers of all kinds. Therefore watch over them and keep them from the evil that is in the world. May your word be established in their hearts, cause them to remember your teachings in their times of troubles. Bring remembrance to their hearts of all the goodness you have in store for them.

May they be filled with your Spirit, as this will cause them to be an overcomer in all things. May their hearts be filled with goodness and mercy. Give them the words to say when they need your wisdom, so that they may be ready to give an answer when need be. May they speak with wisdom because there is good counsel in your words. May they overflow with love and mercy to those in need.  May they be instruments of your righteousness. Help them return good for evil, because vegeanance belongs only to you Lord.

Lord may they forever be singing your praises and glorifying your name.  You bring freedom to them through the song that flows from their hearts.  May their hearts have a sense of security because you are their God. Keep them safe under the shadow of your wings. Fill them with the confidence that they can do anything they set their minds. Help them to understand that as long as they seek you that you will cause them to prosper. Only you will cause them to be abundantly satisfied, because only you can fill the longing they have.

May their souls be filled with the oil of gladness, and cause sorrow to be far from them.  May their hearts be filled with the love that forgives and binds up wounds. Let them be filled with the desire to pray and intercede for a lost and dying world.  May they be used by you Lord to minister to the lost and the saved. Use them to glorify your name because they are your servants, servants of the most high God.

May they find solitude in your word because you are a safe haven from a world filled with wickedness. Give them restful sleep and keep their enemies from troubling them during this time of rest. Guide their paths in all things, so that their feet do not stumble. Let those who might seek their destruction be crushed. May they always see the miracle of life that you have given them through Jesus Christ.

This is my prayer and my plea that I send up before you Lord. Watch over them as I will not be able to do so forever. My time here with them is short, but you will watch over them after I am gone. Take care of my children father.

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Copyright Joseph L. Parker

My heart will not be troubled

2010-11-26T19:38:00.002-06:00

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My heart will not be troubled because of evil and the toilers of iniquity. There are times when my eyes behold how they laugh and mock me. My eyes behold how they succeed in life while this man continues to struggle and suffer. They are in need of many things and the end of their days are made known through your word. My prayer is that you will change this man's heart towards them. Jesus said to love those who spitefully use me and to love my enemies. Give me the strength to do what you require of me Lord. Real riches are only found in you Lord.

Lord your understanding has opened these eye so that I may cease from anger and wrath. My prayers will go before you on their behalf because they trust in earthly riches that will fade. My heart knows what awaits them. My desire is to show them your love and mercy because these are things you have revealed to me. Let this man be a witness that burns in the darkness. Let me be a vessel that is fit for your use father.

Set my heart be set ablaze with compassion for the unrighteous. Let my hands be upon the plow, reaping the great harvest for your kingdom. With the passing of each hour your returns draws ever closer. When you return to take us home may you find me ministering for your glory. You will find these lips of clay speaking truth to the world. When the trumpet of glory sounds the hands of these treasures I will take and bring them with me.

I claim the real riches of souls as my inheritance, these are the treasures that will be stored up in heaven. My heart will rest in the knowledge that you are ever faithful. You bring comfort to my heart. In the days of famine you will provide for me. You will hide me in the shadow of your wings and give me rest from the heat of the day. Therefore my heart will not faint when the battle seems to go against me. I will stand strong when the storms of life beat against me. There is wisdom to be found in your word and I will rely upon what you have said in it.

Though at one time I was as a filthy rag in your sight, but you redeemed me and now this man can stand clean in your eyes. My heart is fixed upon you. You have revealed the way for me to go by shining your light in the darkness. You always turn your ear to my prayers, and will give me what I ask for in faith. Let my words be as a sweet savor that rises before you. Hear my words and attend to my cries Lord.

My delight is in you and all your ways. My heart trusts in your word and you will give this man the desires of his heart. My desire is for those who are don’t know you to be with me in glory forever. This will be done according to the faith you have put in my heart. Those you love and desire to be with you are all that matters in the end. When at last your face I will see to my knees I will fall, in gratitude of what you have done for me. My thanks will be in the glory that I will forever be giving you in all eternity.

Copyright Joseph L. Parker

Renew the fire

2010-11-21T22:16:00.003-06:00

Lord send your rain because our nation has become dry and barren. We have abandoned the principles our country was founded upon. We have left you and chased after other things. You have been removed from places where you rightfully belong. My heart desires to see your hand of salvation working in America.

Let the fire of holy desire burn within our spirits. Make us a people that's willing to stand in the gap for those in need. We humbly submit ourselves to the purging of sin from our lives. We repent of our wickedness so please come and heal our land like you promised.

Our nation is in desperate need of your healing touch father. That's something we can only get from seeking after you. Give us the strength because in our weakness we have failed you. Cause us to rise up with boldness to take back this land for you Lord. Reach down from heaven and restore the love our hearts used to have for you.

Restore us to the place from where we have fallen. Renew the fire of our first love, which was you. We seek the promise of revival fires to reignite the passion we once held for you. Send your rain and cleanse us so we may stand upright before you once more.

You have called the righteous to be the salt of the earth, but we have lost our savor. Forgive us for letting the cares of this world crowd you out. Great and mighty Lord transform our hearts, that have become cold and hardened, into ones that are filled with compassion. Do not cast us off and leave us to our own devices. Cause our hearts to remember how we chased after you while we were in times of sorrow.

We have forgotten what you have done on our behalf, and the result has been a very high price that we have paid. We can not continue denying you because doing so will ultimately destroy us. All our efforts are vanity because without you all we accomplish is fruitless. Turn from your fierce wrath and in your anger do not forever drive us from your sight. Do not turn a deaf ear when we cry out to you.

O Lord send revival, send down your rain and water our hearts. Forgive our nation for the innocent blood that we have spilled. In our greed we turned from your ways. We have become arrogant and haughty and the world mocks us because we have deceived ourselves. We have replaced love with hate, peace with war, we murder our brother for our own gain. We have become a covetous people seeking our own pleasure. We gladly trade our integrity and character for fleeting moments of pleasure.

Remember the covenant you swore to our fathers and do not forsake us. Revive us and let the fire of your word rain down on us and make us clean. Only you have what we need and have been searching for in other things. Breathe your breath of life upon the dying embers of our hearts. Have mercy on us Lord, for we have become a rebellious nation and have strayed far from you.

Copyright Joseph L. Parker