From my newest book, Soul Songs for Summer, the texts for July 4 through July 11
July 4 Scripture
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn f rom their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
Today we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the audacious early Americans who saw a vision for this country and acted upon their instincts. They sought independence from tyranny and looked to establish a new model for self-government. One could argue that we have fallen into the trap of big government, and our freedom has produced license and division. However, we today celebrate what is good about this experiment. Few of us, given a choice, would abandon the original dream. However, even these words from ancient Israel serve us well. We need to evaluate, repent, keep what is good, refine what is not working, and pray for our freedom to last well into the future.
Prayer:
Almighty God, our founders called upon Your name as they established this country. Admittedly, many were deists, not Christians in the total understanding of that term, but they recognized the need for Your guidance. Today, I call upon Your Name to preserve what is good, to honor those who caught the vision. I thank You for those who valiantly serve to preserve our heritage, safety, and vision. Today, I pledge myself to pray for local, state, and federal leaders that they may seek Your wisdom which is far greater than mine. Let them rule as Jesus would. In His Name and for the good of the nation and the world, Let us see peace for all mankind, under Your law, Amen.
July 5 Scripture:
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word, I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning; more than watchmen for the morning.
(Psalm 130:5-6)
Sometimes we need to patient and persistent in prayer. Mothers often pray for their children, especially their grown children who seem to abandon their faith after leaving the home. It may take years for children raised in a sheltered environment to live responsibly on their own.
Or perhaps we have prayed for physical healing to take place. Remember what Paul wrote to the Romans in Chapter 5: We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-4)
Prayer:
Almighty Father, Giver of all good gifts, I thank You that Your Holy Spirit comforts me when I am learning patience. Summertime is a good time to remind me that You are in control of all things, and that You have a Divine purpose in mind which calls me to pray for myself and for others. Mostly, continue to teach me patience, endurance, and mercy as I move through this process, so that perhaps I can counsel someone else who faces difficulties as I once did. Use me, Lord, for You have brought me through dark places so that I can rely on Your mercy and grace to face the exigencies of this mortal life and to help others to see their pathways, too. Amen.
July 6 Scripture
For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:23)
The core of Christianity is our relationship with God achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus. Nothing else but this relationship can bring us to correct worship of Almighty God. We cannot earn our way to heaven by being a “good person,” or by following laws. We can never make ourselves acceptable to Holy God. What a difficult concept for many to understand. Salvation is a gift of grace to those who repent of their sins and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. No list of good works or church attendance or other acts we accomplish counts when we face God’s judgment after death. Let’s not be confused about that.
Prayer:
Almighty God, I thank You for the saving grace of Jesus’ sacrifice for my soul. I thank You for the heart-change that Your Spirit makes in my life as I grow more Christlike in my life. I will never merit salvation; it is amazing grace that saves my soul and that of other saints You have called to Yourself. Thank You for the reformers who made this truth so clear. I cannot earn my salvation through good works. Keep me close to Your Presence, for it is Jesus’ sacrifice that brings me into a relationship with You for now and for all eternity. Use me to spread the word of my relationship with You to others as I count my salvation as the best-ever gift in this lifetime. Jesus paid the price of redemption. I am Yours forever because of Your mercy. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray. Amen.
July 7 Scripture
The next day, Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”…Ane Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. Is it hard for you to take good advice?” (Exodus 18: 13-27)
There are several lessons to learn here. One, the relationship between in-laws and the younger generation is sometimes difficult; Love on your in-laws. Someday you may be one! The second lesson: sometimes the tasks we take on are too big for us alone. BURNOUT! Jethro suggested training others to do part of task. It’s a fascinating story and very good advice. Enjoy reading “the rest of the Exodus chapter 18 story. It’s fascinating!
Prayer
Lord, May I refine my tasks! You are not impressed by my works-righteousness, or my supreme parenting skills. You want me to sit at your feet like Mary did, not be busybodies or workaholics like Martha in the Lazarus story. (Luke 10:38-41) Let others be blessed to help out sometimes. That includes in-laws. Keep them part of your children’s lives. Amen.
July 8 Scripture
I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for the Lord only makes me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
Sometimes I struggle to fall asleep. I either want to rehearse the events of the day, or plan for the next day. I slept great when I was busy raising kids and teaching 125 high schoolers a day. I was always tired. But now, in retirement, I am often awake far longer than I sleep. It’s not that I worry; I know God is in charge and that He works out all things to His glory and honor. I’m not worried about finances, although they are limited. I’m not worried about my health or that of my family. Sure, at eighty-almost-six I have aches in several places. But, hey, that’s just life, right? So, I allow myself to get up and read at 1:30, or I pray for those who come to mind, and I write from 4:30 to 6:00 a.m. or so. Then, I need to keep house and tend to hubby’s beginning the day. One thing I don’t “worry about” is God’s eternal care for me and those I love. I can trust Him for all that and enjoy the quiet solitude when I can’t sleep.
Prayer:
In the quiet, You bring to mind Your verses and songs and hymns which assure me of Your Presence and care for me and Your chosen ones. In the quiet, You remind me of Your peace that passes all understanding and that I can rest in You. Then the REM sleep will be most effective, right? I’m glad You allow me to function on less sleep now. The quiet is such a contrast to the noise and hustle and bustle of the usual days’ activities. I know I can rest in You in every circumstance. I can even nap! Thank You for being in charge so I don’t have to be. Amen.
July 9 Scripture
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time, He may exalt your, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter:5:1-10)
Assess your ability to recognize that the devil may tempt us and wiggle his influence into our lives. Examine priorities, decisions, routines, time-wasters. God calls us to be humble. Then, He can exalt us when it is appropriate. Watch out for pride of accomplishment. It is like a roaring lion. Watch out for the subtle sins that become everyday practices. Remember God’s high standard…we are to love Him first and love our neighbors as ourselves. What gets in the way of Sunday worship, or prayer time, or the daily reading of His Word? Are we looking for God to confirm, strengthen, and establish us so that He gets the honor and dominion forever and ever?
Prayer:
Lord, give me an accurate accounting of my time and priorities. Assess my lifestyle and help me refresh what is important from Your perspective. Protect me from Satan’s advancements. Let me never drift away or lose the enthusiasm for Your kingdom. I read in Hebrews 5:11-14 that I must mature in my faith walk! Keep me authentic in my Christian practice and witness. I love You, Lord. Amen.
July 10 Scripture
He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)
My mother had a collection of angel figurines, wrote a book about angels in the Bible, and was convinced she had a guardian angel. I have a more guarded view of angels after reading scripture accounts. They’re not little cherubs or ladies with halos and glittery gowns. Most in the Bible are male messengers! Now, I’m not naïve enough to think that the heavenly hosts can’t play the harp and sing pretty songs. I’m as excited as the next people to see how the angels worship God on His throne, but I do take comfort in verses such as this one. Yes, Jesus referenced angels caring for children. They certainly need protection, don’t they? And verse 4 of this Psalm says: He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. Is that eagles or angels? Almost spelled alike! So, I guess I can take Him at His word, right?
Prayer:
Lord, I know of Your faithfulness. I know I can call on You at times of distress. I know You keep me from pestilence, protect me in the darkness, and in my difficulties. I may not logically be able to explain it, but I know it’s true because You said so. Help me to always trust in Your Almighty blessings whether I’m asleep or awake. Your presence is with me when I stray or I’m in need of Your care. What comfort You bring to the sheep of our flock. I pray to always heed Your gentle nudging or your abrupt times when you carry me in Your comforting arms when I lack the strength to walk on my own Thank you, Lord for loving me in all circumstances. Amen.
July 11 Scripture
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock and there is no wickedness in Him.’
The older I get, the more I love this verse. The summertime is when we enjoy the virtues of plants growing their way to harvest. Luscious fruits are ready for the taking, bouquets of every hue grace our tables, and fertility is at its highest. Just so, the seasons of life come to us, don’t they? I am in my “senior years,” and because we now live in a senior living facility, I see those who probably were “old” when they were twenty. You know the types. They complain about everything, not recognizing the honor and wisdom that comes from a life well-lived. I hope to be that green and fresh tree, still bearing fruit in old age. I started to write books after I retired. This one will be my thirty-ninth book when I complete it, and I have ideas for several more. I’m not ready for the winter of my regrets. How about you?
Prayer:
Lord, keep me vital and strong so that I may serve You and count my blessings rather than my excuses for giving up on life and all it can bring. Keep refreshing me so that I don’t bore others with complaints and regrets. You bring me the gift of abundance. Yes, keep me vital and green so that I can testify to Your goodness and blessings and, as Psalm 23 reminds us, I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.
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