Reliable

From My Utmost For His Highest

Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.

We should pray from GBC and all other things in that way. It is not "God help me..." -- it is "God will You..."

He is the only one who is completely reliable.

Trust

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

Sometimes I think the best way to pray is not to say anything, but to simply put myself in the presence of God and trust Him. Today, let's not just lay our concerns for ourselves or GBC in front of the Lord, let's lay our whole selves, and rely on Him.

Satisfied

G.K. Chesterton once said

The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.

Are you satisfied when God responds to your prayers in ways that you do not understand or even hear? When you pray today, and when you pray for GBC, ask God for satisfaction with His response, regardless of what that response might be. God knows what we need far more than we do.

Prayer For All Times

2 Chronicles 14:11 -- Then Asa called to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, there is no one besides Thee to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in Thee, and in Thy name have come against this multitude. O LORD, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee."

Thsi should be our daily prayer -- we are always those "who have no strength." Pray for GBC today, pray that all the planners would have the kind of reliance on the Lord that ASA here describes.

Pray especially as one of the GBC planners has experienced a deep personal loss, pray for comfort and peace.

As One

From Oswald Chambers

If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you "may be one" with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.

God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— ". . . that they may be one just as We are one . . ." ( John 17:22 ). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?

When you pray, quiet yourself. Clear your mind of troubles and fill it with scripture. Try to merge with God. Let Him guide you in your prayers for GBC today.

Boast In The Lord

Psalm 20

1. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!
2. May He send you help from the sanctuary, and support you from Zion!
3. May He remember all your meal offerings, and find your burnt offering acceptable! Selah.
4. May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel!
5. We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand.
7. Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
8. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stood upright.
9. Save, O LORD; may the King answer us in the day we call.

Reistrations for GBC are pretty low right now -- to the point that it is a little worrisome. Maybe God is trying to remind us who is in charge even for this conference. GBC will be a success, and we will have nothing to do with it. When you tell people about it -- when you pray about it -- make sure it is God's. Proclaim your reliance on God to make this a success.

Perspective

For most people blogging is a hobby, a rather serious hobby, but a hobby nonetheless. This little liturgical prayer seems appropriate.

God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I think that is a great prayer for bloggers. It is particularly apropos as one of the current needs for the conference is the entertainment and downtime schedule. Won't you join me in praying this prayer for GBC and all related issues this day?