Peaceable Wisdom

 

SCRIPTURE

 

 

James 3:17-18

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

Romans 12:18, 21

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men…

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(NASB)

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are some who hover around ______’s life who are simply not peaceable. The sting of their judgment penetrates like a biting wind. And although they offer accusations with a religious cloak, they are far from gentle or merciful. And the fruit of the seeds of their words are far from peaceful and much closer to the evil accusations of the enemy. I pray that you would keep ______’s heart in peace today Lord. I ask that you would help him to release ownership of their words, judgments, and responses, and embrace his own heart and actions only. May he do those things that make for peace, whether or not they are accepted. May you protect him from the evil judgments around him, and move him to simply do what is right, from his heart. And Lord, I ask that as he steps forward with courage and does what he knows pleases you, that he would overcome the evil judgments with the good of your grace. I ask that you would fill ______ with your peace today Lord. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Stand up, march forward and do good ______. Do good no matter what anyone else says. Do it with courage. Do it in the face of accusations, misunderstanding, and judgments. Overcome their evil with your good. And rest in his peace.

 

 

Groan Your Desires to God

SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:26-28 (selected)
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words… He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(NASB)


PRAYER

Lord, at times ______ finds himself in such a place of pain and confusion that he is not even sure how to pray. His soul aches for both your will and his heart’s desire. Swirling around the mix is a healthy dose of people’s sinful actions and the attendant consequences that flow. Making sense of it all, and articulating a prayer that is in line with your will, and will work good from the chaos just seems beyond him. Thank you that your Spirit takes ______’s deep heart and conveys it accurately in a prayer that is according to your will. Thank you that you will take everything in this man’s life and work it together for his good. I ask that you would help him to feel your Spirit groaning with him, pushing together in a direction that will ultimately work your perfect purpose and plan from the imperfection that surrounds his life. Hear his desire for your will Lord, and honor that with an answer that makes his heart leap. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

He knows your heart and his. He can do this friend, he can work the magic of good from even this. Groan your desires to God through His Spirit, and watch him weave the sovereign tapestry for your good and his glory.

Calming the Emotional Storm

SCRIPTURE

 

Proverbs 4:23

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

(NASB)

 

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

(NASB)

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, there are times when ______'s mind throbs with a constant pounding of unwelcome thoughts about past events, present concerns, and an uncertain future. It is as though his thoughts feed an emotional swirl of regret, anxiety, and worry. The emotions trigger more thoughts, which feeds more emotions until the swirl has become a downward and darkening spiral. I pray that at this moment you would set him free Lord. Transform his thoughts. Renew his mind. Refocus the lens of his mind onto those good and beautiful gifts you have given. Allow him to bask in your forgiveness and healing from yesterday, your strength and wisdom for today, and the hope of his desires and dreams for tomorrow. Cause his heart to swell with gratitude for the love he feels from you, the faith you are building in him, and the bright hope you put on his horizon. May ______ feel the storm within him calm, and the sun of your grace begin to warm his soul. And tonight may he fall into a peaceful sleep, secure in your care. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Dear friend, rest your weary mind on his love, and grace, and forgiveness, and compassion, and wisdom, and strength, and hope. Rest your thoughts, and watch your emotions follow. You are his.  He is always near.

 

Nourishing the Soul

SCRIPTURE

 

1 Peter 1:24, 2:2-3

"People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever."… So get rid of all evil behavior, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, crave the pure spiritual milk of the word so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Oh Lord, ______'s heart has felt the violence of imperfect people, and the loss of those he loves. Coping with this pain sometimes drains his reserves, and leaves him weak and spent. Please feed him with your words of life. Well up within him a longing for the milk of your word. Lead him to those passages of scripture that will strengthen and sustain his spirit. Make those words sweet to his taste and nourishing to his soul. He knows well that people fade from his life like flowers of the field, so Lord, make him know equally well that your words of life will never fail him. Make him to lean upon you. At this moment Lord, I ask that you would reach his deepest places with the sweet sustenance of your truth. Amen.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Feast upon his eternal words, dear friend. Savor the taste, and texture of his truth. It will never fail you.

 

A Humble Heart

SCRIPTURE

 

1 Peter 5:6

"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor."

 

 

PRAYER

 

Lord, I ask that you would keep ______'s heart soft and easily molded by your hand. I pray that he would not be occupied with the need to be honored by people, but that he would long for your approval and smile. I pray that his humble spirit would so groom the substance of his heart that when the heat of adversity comes, it would soften his heart like wax rather than harden it like clay. May that softness take away some of the pain of your work, and give you an open space to work in his life. And I pray that as others see the clear marks of your shaping hand, that he would receive honor at just the right time. Amen.

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Concentrate on cultivating a genuine humility in your own heart. Leave the honoring to God. He will work his miracles in his own time.

 

The Love of a Father

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 103:8-14

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us,nor remain angry forever.10 He does not punish us for all our sins;he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear himis as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.12 He has removed our sins as far from usas the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,tender and compassionate to those who fear him.14 For he knows how weak we are;he remembers we are only dust.

PRAYER

Lord, there a few things that inspire as much wonder and awe as the vastness of the heavens you created. And yet that endless expanse of height is a picture of something far more powerful and precious to ______, your unfailing love for him. That love moves you to mercy. You forgive him. You have thrown his sins as far away as the east is from the west. You are his tender and compassionate father. Lord, you know his weaknesses, every one, and yet love him still. I pray that you would come to him with this strong and tender love, and fill him up to overflowing. As he gazes into the sky on a clear night, may he feel overwhelmed by the vastness of your love. And may he feel with sureness that your love is indeed unfailing, no matter what. Amen.


ENCOURAGEMENT

No matter whose love may come and go from your life, our Lord’s love will never fail. Never. Lean on his unfailing love.

A Shepherd's Care

SCRIPTURE

 

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.

 

PRAYER

 

You are ______’s shepherd Lord. You love him deeply. You know his pain. You understand, when those around him could not possibly. You see every empty place, every heartache, every moment of aloneness, every fear, and the despair that sometimes envelops it all. You are his shepherd. You know the real needs that even he does not comprehend. As he comes to know your shepherd care, he feels your tenderness and strength flow together in a way that answers his cries and meets his needs. The pain remains, and his aching soul still throbs, but it’s different knowing your care, more secure, more at peace. I ask that at this moment you would fill ______’s heart with a quiet reminder of your shepherd care. May he feel your presence, your protection, and your healing. And may he be overwhelmed with the knowing that all his needs are met in you.

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 

The great shepherd offers you all that you truly need. Rest in his care. Rest.