Lord, please keep me humble while learning thy precepts. Spirit, please guide me to learn and apply what you see fit for me this day. (1Cor 8:2)
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Reflecting Up
It is not for modesty — but for Glory’s sake.
If there be any good that come from me, my words or the work of my hands: It is not I, but Christ from within; with the Holy Spirit as my guide.
I’ve found if compliments to me are given, I may receive them for just a bit. Then, rather than reject them, reflecting them upward to the heavenly.
For I know too well who I have been apart from God. I know the (old) man I still wrestle with inside. And, while glad for the praise, I more adore finding ways I can give proper attribution to the One from whom all good gifts come:
To God be the glory, through Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit given.
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Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward
Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward
Scripture, when compared to itself, is without contradiction.
Penned by many men;
Preserved over thousands of years;
Widely accepted as inspired word of God.
When I don’t understand,
or even find myself in doubt
about something within the Bible –
I pray, but more than that:
I give the benefit of my doubt to God
rather than myself and the limits of my knowledge.
To do otherwise, would like eating an apple
from a certain tree and making this choice:
Do I have faith in God to guide me
into good and away from evil,
or do I prefer my own ability
to know the difference apart from God?
I have, at times in my life, questioned
validity and accuracy of the Bible as God’s word.
And while I still have questions of the Bible
I no longer question the Bible. Or God.
And now without doubt of God or His word,
the Bible is become to me more than a book.
It is a guide, a counselor, a mirror, a sage…
The more I read, the more I love each word and page.
Image via Pixabay
As Sirens Go By – A Clarion Call to Pray
As Sirens Go By
There are moments
I cannot deny.
I lose my focus,
I’ll tell you why.
A siren cries
and it’s coming near,
Its call gets louder
Somewhere there’s a tear.
This sound is a #PrayerTrigger
to the one called to pray.
Hope for the waiting,
Safety for those on the way.
Protection for those in danger.
Healing for those in pain.
Patience for those affected.
Salvation for any that are slain.
Before the echo of distance,
Just beyond it’s shrill,
Praying for all in its path and to its end:
Father, rescue them, if it be Your will.
Photo via DollarPhotoClub
Path of My Day(s)
Path of My Day(s)
A prayer,
A song of worship,
Much time in God’s word (2Tim 2:15)
A bounty of nourishment,
A thanksgiving (1Th 5:18)
Before another voice is heard.
Then onto service (Rom 12:1)
And to this day’s work,
My purpose not deferred.
I am a whosever (John 3:16)
Therefore whatsoever (Col 3:17)
No matter what has occurred.
Entering the night’s rest
Cleanse me with mercy (Lam 3:22-23)
And if I may, awaken renewed.
Personal Note: This is not so much a routine, but a template for my day, from beginning through end. It is the path I aspire to always travel.
Photo via Pixabay
Continuous Improvement – Better Than Delayed Perfection
Continuous Improvement is better than Delayed Perfection – Mark Twain
Novice to Expert is more than a single step. The way things change these days, it might be a lifelong journey.
Improving is one of the key pieces in how we work at SmallBizTracks. Once we embrace a beginner’s mindset, we can learn – and then improve as we apply what is learned. Improving a little bit at a time allows you to modify, measure, and master as you grow.
Small steps often lead to big results. To be sure, small steps make change easier to navigate.
Always Carrying
I’ve done my best at always having a Bible at the ready. For a long time, I would have a small Bible in my pocket. The writing had become too small for my eyes.
For the past few years, I’ve carried a thin Bible behind the small of my back. Like a sword in its sheath, my Bible is ready to share with others or protect myself.
It is true, my mobile devices have Bibles to read, most often YouVersion or BlueLetterBible apps. You can connect with me on the former here: Mike Sansone on YouVersion
But if I’m at Panera and someone from across the way sees me studying God’s Word, they are more likely to recognize the book in front of me. My taps and swipes on a phone look like I’m texting or on Facebook.
If you ever join me for coffee, bring your Bible. (Don’t worry, I often bring extras).
Intercession Schedule: Praying for Pastors
I recently wrote about a burden on my heart to be praying for pastors, along with leaders and workers in the ministry. I’ve created and am practicing a weekly routine that helps me focus each day.
Sunday – Praying for Passion
I pray for pastors to find and follow a renewed passion, allowing them to preach and teach however the Holy Spirit guides them. I also pray for a zeal and love for Christ, His bride, His Kingdom, and the lost and hungry.
Monday – Praying for Family
I pray for the time and opportunity for a focus on the family. Praying for a protection of love and health, for a time to build a stronger bond away from work.
Tuesday – Praying for Personal Pursuits
I pray for time for the worker of the Gospel to re-create and recreate. Praying also for personal development in pursuits of physical or mental refreshment. Most importantly, for time during the week for the worker to find time for personal intake and conversation with God.
Wednesday – Praying for Preparation
I pray for preparation of heart, mind, and body as the coming weekend approaches. Praying for unctions of message and methods to be clear, for distractions to be minimal, and for workers and assistance to be plentiful.
Thursday – Praying for Health
I pray for the health of pastors and workers, along with their family’s physical needs. I pray for peaceful and plentiful sleep.
Friday – Praying for Provision
I pray for provision for the pastor and ministry worker: provisions of time, of sustenance, of materials and resources, of finances, and again for workers and assistance.
Saturday – Praying for Protection
I pray for a hedge of protection to be placed around the pastor and ministry worker as the weekend gets in high gear. I pray for protection of his family, for his conversations, and against spiritual attacks of many kinds.
Side Note
The list above is simplified and general. There are often specific prayers for specific people. If you are considering praying for your pastor, ministry leader, missionary, or worker – and I pray you are burdened so – please use this as desired.
And pastor … there is a prayer cover over you. Daily. And then eternity!
Praying for Pastors
A burden on my heart grows. I can feel the tears welling up – almost from within my cheeks. A burden to pray. Every day. For my pastor(s).
Every day I must pray For Pastor:
- For protection.
- For provision.
- For preparation.
- For renewed passion.
- For health.
- For family time.
- For their personal pursuits.
I am blessed to count many pastors and ministry leaders as friends. Having once stood behind the desk, and now with a view from a pew, I have a sense of the trials and turmoil associated with such position.
Pastors are under continual spiritual attack, threats, and temptation. Oh, that we might pray daily for the person and practice of the pastor.
Oh, that we might.
Daily.
This burden I have is not to win over the pastors in my life. Or even to thank them (though I am grateful). The burden is a gift from God. He loves my pastor(s) more than I can ever imagine.
Yes Pastor, I love you. But … this one is for God.
It’s All ‘Free Time’
“What do you do in your free time?”
It’s a question that raises my eyebrows. All of my time is free time.
Work: I love what I do and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t. I’d do something different. It’s a choice. Freedom.
Non-Work: I read. I write. I organize, tidy, unclutter, and generally tinker with how to improve life. Kind of like what I do for work, but without billable hours. It’s a choice. Freedom.
Escapes: I call it Sleep. I don’t set an alarm. If I oversleep, I’ve still got the sun beat by a couple of house. It’s a choice. Freedom.
Others: I am free to watch all the movies I want. I can watch all the ballgames I want. I can eat whatever I want. I can wear anything I want. But I don’t. Want, that is. It’s a choice. Freedom.
What do I do in my free time? Whatever I want. And to me, it’s all ‘free time’.
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