Pray for President Obama

After being very saddened by Rick Warrens attempt to please men, rather than God with his invocation, I am very thrilled to have found this prayer for our President, by Dr. Al Mohler.

Mr. Warren included "Isa" in his list of names for Jesus, which is a false name for our Lord and Savior. Google it and see what you learn. He also included wording from the Qu'ran, not differentiating it from the Biblical scripture he quoted. My heart cries, "God please show him his error, we cannot mingle error with truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, our one and only true savior."

This is the prayer my heart has needed.

The prayer by Dr. Mohler follows in it's entirety...

Thank you Al for being one evangelical leader and Christian public figure who fears the approval of God more than seeks the applause of men.
Steve
Roms. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-2
"Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.

Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.

Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.

Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.

Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.

Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.

Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.

Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.

Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.

Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.

Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.

Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.

"Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].As Barack Obama prepares to take the oath of office and become the 44th President of the United States, Christians should be thinking about how to pray for the new President. I offer this prayer as a place to start, as we observe the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States together. -Dr. Al Mohler

http://www.stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/

Heavy Heart...

Just a warning, my heart is very heavy this morning, and so this post will be one where I'll be sorting through some thoughts & concerns. It helps for me to write things out, and this is where I've chosen to write this morning. I pray that anyone reading, will know that my love for God and His truth, that He has revealed to my heart through His unfailing word, compels me to write what is on my heart today.

Early on in my walk with the Lord, an old friend of mine shared some of her beliefs with my husband and I, and in those infancy stages of faith, we were not able to distinguish truth from error. We had not spent enough time in the word, to be able to sort out and weigh the things she believed and taught. She and her husband were very loving people, who seemed to be so in love with Jesus and His word, and so we trusted. Those years took us through some very strange times. What we thought was God's will, and His leading actually turned out to be extreme deception, a religion that was taking us further from security in Christ, and leading us to trust in experiences, and feelings. In reality we started trusting our flesh and not our Savior.

Once things had gotten so far, and 2+2 no longer equaled 4, my husband and I, (by God's leading through my husband-THANK YOU LORD JESUS), got into the Word of God like never before. We studied and studied, for ourselves, asking the Holy Spirit to help us understand and learn the simple truth of His word, uncomplicated by man's interpretations and Satan's seductive lies. I wouldn't trade those years for anything, because what God revealed(and keeps revealing) to our hearts has been invaluable. Satan is cunning, he will twist and manipulate scriptures to his advantage. Taking things out of context and making scripture appear to be saying something that it really isn't. We are so thankful, that God our Father has helped us to be cautious and careful when it comes to things that appear spiritual. Using God's word as the filter, through which everything must pass for the Christian, we have since been kept safe from many deceiving teachers, authors, and ministries.

Over the years, we have kept up studying, and watching. We watch all of the trends in the religious world, and as always, we pray for discernment, and review everything in light of God's Holy word, His truth. God has been faithful, He shows error and we steer clear from it. We completely trust Him. We love His truth, because it is His truth alone that set us free from all bondage. When we see so many today indulging in today's culture of deception, we can't help but feel deep sorrow. We also feel a great need to stand for truth, and defend truth, exposing lies when necessary, because too many simply are not.

The thing on my mind this morning, why do God's people keep feeding on junk food, when He has given them the truth, plain and simple, the solid food that will help them grow stronger in their walk with Him? Why waste time on the fruitless works and doctrines of men, which in actuality are the doctrines of demons? We at one time were seduced by doctrines of demons, and the thought of falling into that trap again, brings my heart so much anguish and disgust, that I dare not trust man alone again. It is only the words of my Heavenly Father that I will trust with all my heart, with the discerning guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Do Christians test the spirits as instructed by scripture? Are they aware of false teachers, who come in sheep's clothing but are ravenous wolves in reality? Are they aware that Satan's ministers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness?

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (English Standard Version)
13For such men are(A) false apostles,(B) deceitful workmen,(C) disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as(D) an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as(E) servants of righteousness.(F) Their end will correspond to their deeds.

There is a very great darkness in this time. And it is unleashing itself upon the religious world, and so many blindly accept and take in food, or should I say poison, that contaminates and pollutes their spiritual walk. We are told in scripture, "Satan is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour". He cannot steal the salvation that a Christian has, through faith in Christ alone, no he cannot do that but he sure can make us waste a lot of time, and make us useless to our Master.

As I watch people who say they are Christians, and then feed on things that are contrary to God's truths, I can't help but wonder? Why dear Christian are you doing that? Are you prepared to stand against Satan's lies? Are you spending enough time in the Word, so that you will recognize the lies that are abounding in this age? They are everywhere, the lies. Sometimes I get so weary in heart, when I see the so many who name the name of Christ blindly following after the lies. When I see Christians dabbling in things that are not of the Lord, letting these false teachers plant their thoughts and ideas in their heads, I just don't know what to think anymore. I cry out in desperation, "God help us, please help us!!! Please turn our hearts to you dear God, help us to be satisfied with what You have given us, and not ever think that man's ways or doctrines could ever give us any satisfaction or rest."

We who are born again, the saved, the redeemed, we have a Good Shepherd who will lead us to the green pastures, to the clean waters, to the best for us to help nourish our spiritual lives and help us grow strong in our walk with Him. Why aren't the best things ever enough for us Sheep? We are so completely stupid, just like real sheep. No wonder we are called sheep, it is the most fitting description of what we are, and we are in need constantly of our Good Shepherds care.

*"A hungry, ill-fed sheep is ever on its feet, on the move, searching for another scanty mouthful of forage to try and satisfy its gnawing hunger. Such sheep are not contented, they do not thrive, they are of no use to themselves nor to their owners. They languish and lack vigor and vitality."

*"But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move in onto them and there find peace and plenty."

*"This life of quiet overcoming, of happy repose, of rest in His presence, of confidence in His management is something few Christians ever fully enjoy."

I see a trend today, Christians are allowing themselves to be influenced by a very deceptive culture that has nothing to do with true Biblical Christianity. It is my prayer, that the true sheep, come out from among them, follow our Good Shepherd, Jesus learn from Him and be satisfied.
_________________________________________________________________
*the above quotes come from a precious little book titled-
"A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23", by- Phillip W. Keller

"He leadeth me beside still waters..."

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." -JR Miller

I stumbled upon this prayer, on another blog, and just had to share it today.

My dear husband recently came to the defense of Christian friends, who have chosen to follow God's leading for their family, to home school their children, and to give up the wife's income in order to obey God's calling. A few co-workers have come to him, my husband, with their questions. We find it fascinating, that they ask my husband, because we've homeschooled our children all along, with our first graduate just last year. And so their questions about another family, actually reveal their questions they probably have about us, and our choices.

An observation of mine, I believe men who question such a decision, do so, because they are made to "think outside of the box" that they have grown so comfortably in.

The questions- "How could they do this? She makes so much money?" "Why would they do this?" "How could they sacrifice one whole income to do this???" It has simply amazed us that it is men, who sometimes have the most opposition in their hearts to the idea of a wife staying home and caring for her own children, and being his helpmeet as intended in scripture. It sounds absolutely freakish, and not at all normal to them.

His calm, wise answer to these men, "I personally believe it is the best investment a Christian family can make, in the lives of their children for mom to be home, and teach her own children." Put so simply and confidently, because honestly he has witnessed firsthand the spiritual fruit in so many lives, especially in his own children. Our God is faithful...

I am so extremely thankful, that long ago, the faith that God established in our hearts, helped us to trust and obey His calling for me to stay home with our children, and to teach them. God has so graciously supplied all of our needs (more abundantly than we deserve), and exceded our expectations when it comes to making it possible year after year for me to be here, the keeper of our home.

I thank my Heavenly Father for revealing His plan for us, and for helping us all along the way. We know beyond a shadow of doubt each day, that it is His provision alone that has allowed us to continue on this path, and it is to Him alone who deserves all praise!

We have seen His hand, so many times, (I cannot even count them all), how He has worked things out, blessing and providing in the most surprising ways. Our confidence lies completely in Him, and not in ourselves. That is the only way it will work for any family -relying completely upon Him and His ways, and not our own. We can honestly testify, that "He MADE us lie down in green pastures, He LEADS us beside still waters...", our faithful, good Shepherd. That is a perfect description, of what life has been like, following our Father. There is a peace that really does pass all understanding, when a life is rooted and grounded in Christ, just simply trusting and obeying Him daily, hourly, actually moment by moment.

I'll end with this portion of scripture from Provervbs 3:5 & 6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

A Tribute to My Parents-

Yesterday I attended a hearing with a friend of mine. I think it's a good thing, to step out of my routine, and see what's going on around me, right here in our little community. It was such an eye-opening experience. I'm sure it almost becomes routine to those, whose professions call them to this scene on a weekly/monthly basis, however often it occurs. Being able to help a friend who has been fostering children in her home for a few years now, has really made me realize just how blessed I am to have had the parents that God gave me. So many parents today, are struggling, not equipped to do what is necessary to keep their families together, healthy and strong.

But that wasn't the case for us, we had a wonderful home life, thanks to my parents.
I've always had a deep love and respect for my parents. But lately, I've gained a deeper respect for both of them. Life was not perfect in our home, (honestly, who has a "perfect" home?) but when these two people committed themselves to one another, for better or for worse, and managed to raise 6 children in an environment that was so rich in love, that is no small thing. Our family has been through many things over the years, but, their persistence and love, kept us all together. They stayed together, they weathered the storms of life together, even when at times those storms were extremely harsh.

What a gift to grow up, with parents who love the Lord Jesus Christ. My mothers tender care, was evident daily in our lives. She gave herself so unselfishly, constantly caring and giving so much to us each day. My father as well, gave himself so unselfishly, working so hard to provide for us. His profession was not an easy one, and often he worked for hours outside, (I'm thinking of the many long hot humid days as probably the worst part that he endured for us), he did what was necessary to provide for his wife and children, as a painting contractor/carpenter. I can remember the pride in my little, heart, when I would have the opportunity to see a home my Father had finished painting, ...simply amazing! "My Dad did that!!!" He loved creating, he could take an old worn down home, and turn it into something refreshed and renewed with his skilled hands.

Some of my most favorite memories from childhood, were the days when I would stand beside my Dad at church, and hear him singing the hymns so joyfully!!! How sad that so many churches want to separate children from their parents during worship. Children need to experience worship time with their family all together. I am so thankful to have those memories, because it has been years since I've heard my Dad sing. I can remember his hand on my little shoulders, as he held the songbook with the other. Sitting close to him, and usually falling asleep, resting my head on his lap. Precious memories that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Mom was and still is the most excellent home keeper. Our home was always spotless, she worked tirelessly cleaning, doing laundry, cooking the most savory meals, and all the while with a song in her heart. I can remember many, many times, hearing her singing while she worked "... I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!"

She spoiled us kids. She never made us help like we should. She had a very early introduction into the world of serving and work, being the oldest child of a sharecropper. She started babysitting and cooking at age 5. Her life has been one of work, and serving. Yes she did have the opportunities to play, but not as much as other children. Responsibility was placed upon her little shoulders at such a young age, and she bore it well. So, because of this, she was just a little too easy on us when we were kids. She didn't want us to have the same kind of childhood she had. We should have done so much more to help her out, and help her with her load. She never complained, never begrudged her daily life. At least if she did, we never knew of it. She was always happy, always ready to do whatever needed to be done for us, her family. We were so extremely blessed.

Her small acts of love, made our time at home precious. Nothing could be sweeter than to awake to the aroma of fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls, the softest and best ones in the whole wide world. Sometimes she would just mix up cookie dough, and we'd just eat the dough, never baking any cookies, wow what a treat!!! How wonderful it was to snuggle up beside her, when she read to us from the Bedtime Story book. To see her, as she read those precious stories, when tears would flow from her eyes, as she read the portions of the stories that were the most tender and heart wrenching. Lessons of God's love were learned from those stories, and Mom made them even more real, when she put her heart into the telling of each one.

What blessings, what joy, and how thankful I am to have had these two people be my parents. I love them dearly, and I am so thankful to God my Heavenly Father, for watching over them and us, as we waded through those days together, anchored in His faithful, steadfast love.

Introduction

I am a blessed woman. I love the life God has given me. I love the people He has placed in my life. As I look back, I can see God's hand upon everything, all the happenings, all the twists and turns, He was and is the One orchestrating all the goings on, in this blessed life of mine.

One could easily think, that by blessed I mean everything has always just been hunky-doory, no troubles, a life of ease. But that is not what I mean at all. Life is hard, we all know that. But it is much different when you have a loving Heavenly Father, who is faithful every single day and moment of your life. Hardships are easier to endure, when you have Him leading, guiding, loving, caring, supplying and proving His faithfulness over and over.

And so I attempt to share some of what God has led us through, here in our simple, earthly life. So much has been experienced, by this little family. Life certainly has not been boring, and I am thankful for that. Our lives are full of joy, because the giver of true Joy and contentment abides in our hearts.