Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Read this devotion from Chuck Swindoll this morning ~ gives us much food for thought:

A Puritan's Prayer
by Charles R. Swindoll

Some years ago I was given a book of Puritan prayers called The Valley of Vision. I have worn out one copy and had to purchase another. I recommend this volume to you. Read the following prayer from the Puritan's pen slowly (preferably aloud).

O LORD,
I am a shell full of dust,
but animated with an invisible rational soul
and made anew by an unseen power of grace;
Yet l am no rare object of valuable price,
but one that has nothing and is nothing,
although chosen of thee from eternity,
given to Christ, and born again;
I am deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state,
of the vanity of creatures,
but also of the sufficiency of Christ.
When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,
When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.
When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.
When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,
When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,
When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;
I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,
Instead of thee I look to man's approbation,
and am by nature an idolater.
Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.
Convince me that I cannot be my own god, or make myself happy,
nor my own Christ to restore my joy,
nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, and rule me. . . .
Then take me to the cross and leave me there.

1. Arthur Bennett, ed., The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions (Carlisle, Pa.: The Banner of Truth Trust, © 1975, 1988, 2003).

Reprinted by permission. Day by Day, Charles Swindoll, July 2005, Thomas Nelson, inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the company of the upright, in the congregation."

Psalm 111:1

Really??? With your whole heart? How often have we said or thought those words when we're at Church, Bible Study or with our Christian friends, but don't really mean them? The rest of the week proves it. We halfheartedly serve the One who gave His life for us. We give Him token praise and worship, forgetting that all we do in life ~ in our home/office or with our families ~ should be with an attitude of worship. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. And in Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will."

When the Psalmist penned the words in Psalm 111, he really meant them. His desire reflected in this prayer was to fully give his entire all in serving His Savior ~ his life ~ his desires ~ his attitude and his actions. His focus was on the greatness of His God. Never once did he focus on himself. His focus was praise. Is that yours? If not, it can be.

If this is the desire of your heart, then today you can begin a fresh start with Him. Remember His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great.

Make this Psalm your prayer:
Praise the LORD, I choose to give thanks to You today, LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation; wherever I go today.
I praise You that Your works are great and studied by all who delight in them. They are full of splendor and majesty and Your righteousness endures forever.
Thank You for making Your wondrous works to be remembered: gracious and merciful are You my God.
I praise You for providing food for those who fear You and for remembering Your covenant.
I praise You for the power of Your works You show to Your people.
I praise You that Your works are faithful and just and all Your precepts are trustworthy ~ established forever and ever.
I praise You for providing redemption for all who will believe and always keeping Your covenant promises. "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45
Holy and awesome is Your Name!!! May my life reflect the holiness of who You are. (Psalm 115:1)
Thank You that the fear (reverence, adoration) of You is the beginning of wisdom and for those who practice it, good understanding (wisdom) is theirs.
Thank You Father that Your praise endures forever!!!
In Jesus Name!!!

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Want to be STRONG today ~ put on God's armor and you WILL stand firm in Him!!!!

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."


"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."


"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."


"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."


"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."


"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."


"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Ephesians 6:10-18