encouragement – Page 10 – Blue Collar Theologian

December 2020 Prayer

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Thank You Lord that You are bringing to a close this wild, crazy, tumultuous and humbling year that is 2020!

Lord God, thank You that although to most of us this was a really hard and difficult year, we know that Your Greatness and Your Goodness prevailed. Lord God, for those who have lost loved ones this year, I ask that You comfort and strengthen them. Lord God, thank You for new life for those who experienced the birth of a child, grandchild, niece, nephew.

Lord God, thank You for the children who were adopted and placed into loving foster care families. Lord God, may we be reminded that new life, physical and spiritual is occurring all the time. Open our eyes to see Your beauty in the midst of the flames, rubble and ashes.

Lord God, help us to end 2020 well. Lord, thank You for using 2020 as a means to show us the things to come. Lord God, prepare us for the growing hostilities, persecutions and costliness of being Jesus followers in 2021 and beyond.

Lord God, prepare our hearts for Christmas. While everyday is Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Thanksgiving may we be even more mindful and in awe that with the arrival of Christ, man could look in the face of Holy God and live. May we never forget that to those under the Law, seeing God meant fear and death. May we fear You Lord, not out of a sense of doom, gloom and punishment but fear You out of respect, love, devotion, worship. Lord God, fearing You is the beginning of both wisdom and worship. May we worship You even in the midst of our trials, struggles and hardships.

Lord God, again, prepare us for this new year by helping us end 2020 well. Lord God, thank You that we will be better equipped to handle and respond to changes because of what we have went through in 2020. Prepare us to endure!

Lord God, thank You that Your church is a Body. Thank You that we do not have to go to the Church Building to be purified, we are purified, made clean by Your Spirit in person not in place. Lord God, may we be reminded that what You long for is not sacrifice but a pure, humble, obedient and repentant heart.

Lord God, reveal to us our hidden and habitual sins. Lord God, may You use this new month to help us reflect on 2020 holistically. May we seek to grow in You this month asking You to prepare us for 2021. Lord God, no geopolitical agenda will change hearts. Only You, our Triune God changes hearts, minds and behaviors. Lord God, may we be reminded that good theology moves from the head, to the heart to the hand. May we think on You, be stirred in our hearts to action with our hands.

Lord God, prepare us to stand for You. Thank You that absolute truth exists. Thank You that Truth, Peace and Justice is a Person and His Name is Jesus. Thank You Jesus that when You administer Your Judgment that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Lord God, may hearts be turned to Christ while there is still time!

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Thank You that You hear and answer prayers. Lord God, speak to this reader through Your Word making clear to them whatever it is they are seeking. Lord God, prepare us and grow us to be an even more devoted and faithful pray-ers. Lord God, no government, no think police can stop the silent prayers offered by Your faithful people. May this encourage us and motivate us to pray with power, boldness and perseverance!

Lord God, for those who are discontented in their prayer life, I say, “good!” Anyone Lord who is content in their prayer life and in their time spent with You is probably not in the best spiritual condition. You have given us a heart that longs and desires You. Lord God, may this holy dissatisfaction continue to drive us to You! May we desire to grow and become like You as well as interceding for others.

Lord God, once again, prepare us for this new month, prepare us to celebrate Christmas and prepare us for what we will face in 2021. Thank You Lord that over this past year You have impressed on me what truly matters most: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. I love You Lord and I love you reader. In Jesus’s Awesome and Mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer 2020

Father God, thank You that NO matter where we live for those of us who are in Christ EVERYDAY is Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost!

Lord God, no matter where we live may we stop and give thanks to You today. Praise You Father that You command us to give thanks in all things NOT for all things.

Lord God, 2020 for most of us has been the hardest year ever. It is a fight to be thankful and to see Your Hand working in our lives. Lord God, this Thanksgiving, help us to reflect on all the ways You have sustained us. Lord God, for those of us who are unable to meet and gather with family and friends due to COVID restrictions, I ask that You will help our hearts to not be bitter, angry or frustrated. Lord God, thank You that You are still in the heart changing business, both for the unbeliever toward salvation and the believer toward sanctification, transforming us more and more into Your holy and glorious image!

Lord God, for those who suffering the loss of a loved one I ask that You bring them comfort. Lord God, for those who are alone feeling isolated and shut out I ask that You fill them with the peace of Your Presence.

Lord God, thank You for WordPress. Thank You for the community that You have given us on WordPress. Lord God, while we may not be able to raise our voices together proclaiming Christ is King in person, may we do so with boldness and authenticity online. Lord God, may we be an army of believers coming together to encourage, praise and thank You our Triune God.

Lord God, thank You for the gift of salvation. Prepare us to serve You in eternity by giving us practice in this life. Lord God, thank You that even though Your way is narrow and unpopular, it does indeed bring satisfaction, joy and life! Thank You that we may cast our cares on You. Thank You that Your burden is light compared to the anxiety, fear and death the world offers. Lord God, thank You for helping us to discern Your truth from all the lies. Thank You that You have preserved Your Word from generation to generation. And even if all the Bibles in the world were burned or destroyed, thank You Jesus that NOTHING will ever change the Good News of who You are and what You have done.

Lord God, thank You that You will not abandon us or leave us alone. Lord God, thank You that You desire for us to know You and to draw close to You. Thank You Jesus that You are only a thought a way! May we fix our minds on You each and every day.

The more that we practice thanking You each and every day, the more we will decrease and You will increase. Lord God, may we pursue goodness rather than greatness. May we share and encourage people in Christ while there is still time.

Lord God, thank You that You hear and answer prayer. Thank You that You are God and that we are not. Thank You that while we may not know the end of our own stories, we know the end to Yours, and You win! May we NOT lose sight that You are our Overcoming, Victorious and Soon Returning King. Thank You Jesus for Your presence in our lives and interceding on our behalf before the Father.

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are good and that Your love endures forever! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

November 2020 Prayer

Father God, praise You that You are God and You are in control. Praise You Lord that You know what we will face. Praise You for knowing our needs and how to meet them!

Lord God, prepare all people who will be affected by the USA election. Thank You Jesus that You are King and that no earthly ruler will EVER replace You. Lord God, help us to be calm citizens on this earth looking forward to Your kingdom that is coming!

Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are sovereign over the weather. Lord God, be with Your people who are in the path of wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, blizzards.

Lord God, help us to trust You more this month! Help us to dig into Your Word and delight in You. Praise You Jesus for giving Your people a new identity and position. May we live in a manner that honors and pleases You. May we bring You glory this month. May we desire what You desire more this month. May we choose to love even when it is hard and difficult.

Help my heart Lord to honor You and others with my words. Oh how short I fall on this! Lead us Lord. Guide us. Stir our hearts to prayer and praise. May we be reminded that praise changes our focus from looking at what’s in front of us to You and who You are. May we meditate on Your Greatness and emulate Your Goodness. Praise You Lord for this reader! Praise You Lord for Your love and care for us.

Holy Trinity, Father, Son, Spirit thank You for Your Greatness, Goodness and Presence in our lives. May we be known for our love for You and others this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 51

      7       Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
      wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
            8       Let me hear joy and gladness;
      let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
            9       Hide your face from my sins,
      and blot out all my iniquities.
            10       Create in me a clean heart, O God,
      and renew a right spirit within me.
            11       Cast me not away from your presence,
      and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
            12       Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:7-12 ESV

This is David’s well-known psalm of repentance after Nathan confronted him with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12).

In verse 10 the word create (bara) is the same word used in Genesis 1 where God created (bara) the heavens and the earth. “Strictly used, this word describes what only God can do; to create ex nihilo, out of nothing” (Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary, 2005, p. 432). David is commanding God to create a new heart in him. “Derek Kidner writes, ‘With the word create he asks for nothing less than a miracle.’ He desires what only God can provide” (Boice, p. 432).

Robert Altar translates the first half of verse 11 as “Do not fling me from Your presence” stating “this Hebrew verb has a connotation of violent action for which the conventional translation of it as “cast” is too tame” (Altar The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary vol 3, 2019, p. 134). Fling/cast is a hiphil in Hebrew which is a verb of causation. David is asking God not to cause him to be violently or forcefully flung/cast away from His presence.

I cannot help but to think that David had King Saul in mind when he says in the next half of verse 11, “and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” I want to be clear, David is not worried about losing his salvation; however, he is worried about losing God’s Presence, anointing and fellowship like King Saul did in 1 Samuel 16. James Boice states, “Today most commentators recognize that David is not talking about eternal security or the fear of losing his salvation at all. He is only acknowledging that he is unable to live a holy life without God. Therefore, he needs the help and power of the Holy Spirit every single moment if he is to be able to overcome temptation and follow after godliness” (p. 434).

In verse 12 David commands God to restore (hiphil, imperative) to him the joy of His salvation. David knew that his fellowship with God had been broken and needed God to cleanse and restore him. David, again, did not lose his eternal salvation, but he did lose the joy of it. What’s true of David is the same with us, there is NO joy when we are living in sin. There is no peace when our relationship with God is broken.

“Many think that the way to joy or a good time is by sinning. They think that godliness is dull. Actually the opposite is the case. Sin brings sorrow. Righteousness brings rejoicing. Allowed to continue, sin will remove every good thing from our lives—joy, health, wealth, and at last even life itself. Only righteousness will restore them” (Boice, p. 434).

“The fact that the psalmist prays for so many things [in vv. 7–12] indicates how many things he knew he had lost when he plunged into sin” (Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms, 1969, pp. 405-406).

Father God, thank You that Your saved and redeemed people never need to fear losing their salvation. Thank You for the gift of salvation by grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Trinity, for those who have lost the joy of their salvation due to sin or looking at current events, I ask that You will lift their minds, hearts and hands to You. Lord God, thank You that when we confess our sins to You that You will forgive us. Lord God, forgive us for the times when we put the things of this world before You. Lord God, restore to Your Body the joy of Your salvation, whether we are gathering together in person or online. Lord God, in these ever changing, challenging and tumultuous times, I ask that we will desire to dwell in Your Presence, growing in Your character and serving You with passion, authenticity and boldness until You call us home. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Paula

No matter how many times I type and delete this post asking God to give me something better or more eloquent to say, about how amazing and wonderful Paula is, nothing better is flowing out of me. I do not want this post to be about me but about Paula. With that said, here it goes!

Paula and I first crossed paths in January 2008 in a fundamentals of Physical Therapist Assistant course at Central Pennsylvania College. To say Paula was NOT a very big fan of me would be an understatement! As Paula told me yesterday she thought I was “loud and annoying.”

The next class Paula and I together was an oral communications class with like six other people. Paula had NO choice but to hear my “loud and annoying” voice (yea God!). Through this class, Paula and I became friends.

As our classes advanced Paula and I became study partners. Now you have to understand, I am NOT science nor math minded at all! So, to help me learn the origin of muscles, their insertions and primary functions, I made color coated poster board charts of each region of the body and then tacked them all over the walls of my townhouse. The first time Paula saw my work of art all she said was “overachiever!”

What I appreciate the most about Paula and her husband Mike is their heart for Jesus. Paula, Mike and I over the years have had many beautiful, hard and at times heated talks on what it means to live for Christ.

Paula and Mike’s daughter was born on September 17, 2011. It still excites me that Katie and I have the same birthday! (I was 30 when she was born. Less than two years later Paula gave birth to Chris). In November 2011, I found out my dad had stage IV lung cancer. Paula and Mike rallied around my family praying for us. Paula was constantly checking in to see how we were doing. I cannot express in words how much this meant to me!

Paula is one of the most authentic, real and optimistic people I have ever met in my life. Paula is consistent, loyal, funny, a real salt of the earth woman. There is no fakery with Paula. She is who she is. Paula never compromises her faith, nor does she shy away from calling sin, sin. I am SO thankful for my friend Paula!

In the beginning of 2018 Paula was diagnosed with cancer. Paula has been a warrior and fighter for her husband and her children, enduring chemo and radiation. Paula has never waivered in her faith and her love for Jesus. On Monday September 21, 2020 Paula was in the hospital with liver failure. As of yesterday, September 23, 2020 Paula was sent home from the hospital on hospice.

Only Jesus knows what the future looks like for Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. With tears in my eyes, I humbly ask that you would keep the Weimer family in your prayers.

Father God, thank You for Paula. Lord God, I ask that You surround Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris with Your Presence. Lord God, give the Weimer family peace. Holy Spirit, thank You that when we do not know how or what to pray, that You make our prayers known to the Father. Thank You Jesus for interceding on our behalf. Lord God, I ask that You comfort Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. Remind each one of them that You know them and that You see them and that You will not abandon them. Lord God, give Paula and Mike courage. Lord God, I ask for Your grace and mercy to be upon each one of them. Lord God, keep the Weimer family in perfect peace. May we never take our time with our loved ones for granted. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Identity

Today, September 17, 2020 is my 39th birthday. I LOVE my birthday! The reason why I love my birthday is NOT to receive gifts or attention, but rather to take time to reflect and celebrate with others what God has done in our lives. I have always loved having people gather on my birthday NOT to celebrate me but as to thank and celebrate all those who love, encourage and care for me. Folks, I have made SO many mistakes in my life. Each year that God gives me is an opportunity to practice worshiping, loving and serving Him on earth before I am called home to worship, love and serve Him for eternity.

This year I am reminded now, more than ever that my identity is in Christ. As believers our identity is rooted in Galatians 2:20-21 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (ESV).

I want to encourage you my dear brothers and sisters that no matter where you are living, no matter your familial role or material status, no matter your political affiliation, your race, sex, gender, ethnicity, occupation you are a Christian before anything else. What I mean by this is that I am a Christian woman, Christian daughter, Christian wife, Christian blogger, Christian American, Christian Caucasian. Christian is the word that defines me, it is unchangeable.

If you live in a country where you are allowed to vote, as a Christian it is your civic duty to do so. It is not Christlike to put your political views before your identity in Christ nor is it Christlike to ruin Christian relationships because someone has differing views.

I have no idea what your identity looks like but I pray that you will take time to reflect that whether you are Christian Filipino, Christian Black, Christian male, Christian single that Christian is what comes first. May we be known for our love and not our divisions and infighting. As a people who have been “crucified with Christ” it is paramount that both our identity and unity be wrapped up in the One who gave His life for us.

For those who are longing for a new identity, or longing to be a part of something bigger than what this world has to offer, I pray that the Holy Spirit will turn your heart and mind toward Him.

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for drawing us to Yourself and pointing us to Jesus. Jesus thank You that we may pray in Your Name knowing that our prayers and petitions are heard by our Heavenly Father. Teach us Lord to put You before any earthly title. Teach us how to manage the tension that our differences cause. Teach us to be Kingdom focused while also being god honoring citizens on earth. Thank You Father for this reader! Thank You for their love, care and encouragement. Lord God, may this reader know that Jesus loves them and so do I! Amen.

September 2020 Prayer

30 August 2020 Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, Conestoga, PA; photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn

Lord God, I pray for the kids all over the world who are starting school; whether in person, online or hybrid. Lord God, give the parents of the students grace and mercy when it comes to the teachers learning how to teach at this time. Lord God, may teachers give themselves grace and mercy as well. Lord may parents and teachers NOT take their frustrations out on their children/students. Lord God, thank You for the advancements in technology that make distance learning possible, even when things do not work the way we would like. Lord God, I ask that You help the students focus and concentrate whether learning online or in person wearing a mask. Lord God, my heart breaks for the world that these young people are entering today.

Father God, I ask that You comfort Your people all over the world who are hurting. Lord God, I ask that You will come near the brokenhearted and fill them with the peace of Your Presence. Lord God, this life is NOT easy. The world that we knew last year at this time seems so far away. Lord, may we long for You more than we long for the past. May we fix our eyes on You and not look too far back, forward or sideways. Thank You Jesus that You are the Author and Perfecter of our faith!

Lord God, it does not take a genius to see that the United States is falling. Lord God, I ask that You will strengthen Your people all over the world. As the United States goes, so do many other countries. Lord God, when it comes to identity may we come to depend on You more and more and not depend on the world and its political systems. Lord God, may we live as good citizens in this world until You call us home.

Holy Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit transform Your people into Your image and remind Your people that ALL people are created in Your image. Lord God, help us to live holy and blameless lives. Thank You for this reader. May You stir in them a desire to grow closer to You in this new month. Thank You for the gift of time You have given this reader and myself. May we make the most of the time You have given us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

We’re Here and It’s Getting There

black home area rug — Photo by Kelly Lacy on Pexels.com

Praise the Lord progress has been made since I wrote “Under Construction”. After working on cars all day, covered in grease and sweat, Nathan would drive out to the house and spend hours beating tile for very little reward. Beating/ripping up/removing tile is the most difficult work I have ever done in my life and an experience I will NOT repeat!!!!

While the house was out of commission, Nathan and I stayed with my dad. I have to give my dad a public, “thank you!” for allowing us to stay with him for six weeks! When I gave the leasing office notice that we would be moving out, I never dreamed that we would end up staying with my dad! While I LOVE my dad, I have not lived with my dad for over 30 years (my folks separated when I was six, divorced when I was twelve and I will be thirty nine next month just to give y’all some context!).

As many of you know, my mom lives in Florida. On June 29, 2020 my mom arrived in Pennsylvania. So now my mom, Nathan and I are staying at my dad’s house, talk about strange!! (This is where I have to thank God that my parents are able to get along. I did not appreciate this when I was younger.) At this point Nathan and I have been with my dad for a month and all of us are ready for our departure.

On July 11, 2020 Nathan, mom and I were finally able to move in! While many projects have been completed, there are still more projects and deliveries scheduled for the Fall. There is one project that needs to be scheduled for next Spring. In all honesty, authenticity and transparency, this is the project that eats at me because I want it done now or at least in this calendar year. How sad/selfish/entitled on my part! No wonder the Lord said to Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds'” (Jer 17:9-10 ESV).

God has made a way for me with this house in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. The fact that I have any agitation about waiting for a patio is horrific! My attitude reminds me of a quote by John Hartley, “Greed prevents a person from enjoying what he has, for it drives one to spend all one’s energy on getting more” (Leviticus, 1992, p. 445). Greed causes discontentment and dissatisfaction. Left uncheck greed can cause one’s heart and mind to become desperately sick.

I want my eyes focused on our Triune God, the Gift Giver and not the gifts He gives. In all honesty, the gifts are meaningless without the Giver! How quickly I can forget this. Praise God for His conviction and for giving us the ability to self-reflect!

Lord God, forgive us for the times that our focus is not where it should be! Lord, forgive me, forgive us for all the times that we do not give You the thanks and praise You deserve. Thank You Lord God for all the things that You have done for us over these past few months. Lord God, now more than ever may we seek to align our hearts with Yours. Father God, thank You for this reader. Thank You for allowing this reader to journey with me and for not giving up on me when I mess up! Lord God, I do not know what greed, discontentment or a disquieted spirit looks like for this reader; however, I ask that they will humbly and sincerely allow You to prune any area that is hindering their walk with You. Lord God, confession is good for the soul! Thank You Lord for all the object lessons that You have given me with this house that correlates to the life of faith. Lord, reveal to us our hidden sins. May we never take Your forgiveness, mercy and grace for granted. Lead us and teach us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

June 2020 Prayer

planet earth — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom 8:26b-27 ESV)

Thank You Holy Spirit for interceding on our behalf both individually and corporately. Lord God, there is so much anger and unrest, both justified and unjustified. Lord God for those of us in the United States, lead us to respond to what is happening in a manner that does not bring shame to Jesus’s Name.

Lord God, fill Your people everywhere with courage, faith, hope and love. Lord God, there is NO room for racism both on this earth and in the Kingdom that is coming. Lord God, Jesus said that He “did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matt 10:34); however, Jesus also called and commanded us to love You and love others (Matt 22:36-40). Father God, help us to reconcile that You have not come to bring peace, and that even when times are chaotic, stressful, hostile and angry we are still called “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep o[urselves] unstained from the world” (Jas 1.27).

Lord God, may we never waiver in our pursuit for justice. May we never tire of seeking and living Your Truth. Lord God, may we grow closer to You this month. Lord God, I do not even know what to say or how to pray other than to say, “thank You that You are in control!” Lord God, help Your saints everywhere to hold on, to persist and to endure. Lord God, may we be aware of what is going on in the world, but may we not become fearful, scared and/or numb.

Lord God, protect and provide for my brothers and sisters who are being afflicted with locusts. Lord God, prepare and protect my brothers and sisters who are in the midst of or entering the rainy, hurricane, monsoon, typhoon season. Lord, for those who are in the midst or entering the dry season, may You be in their midst as well. Lord God, thank You that You are our Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who Provides.

Father God, for those who are believers in Jesus Christ, may we never forget that peace is a Person and His Name is Jesus. Lord for the reader who does not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, may today be the day of salvation. Holy Spirit, continue stirring hearts all over this world to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior while there is still time. Thank You Jesus, for the ability and opportunity to pray in Your Name. Please watch over this precious reader today and in this new month. Lord God, only You know the beginning and end of each day, month and year. We love You, we are trusting You and it is in Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Hi, May!

down angle photography of red clouds and blue sky — Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

Father God, thank You for this new month! Lord God, thank You that You are in control. Lord God, thank You that You know our needs even more than we do. Lord, I ask that You strengthen this reader. Lord God, I ask that You meet the physical, financial, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of this reader. Lord God, thank You that You provide for us even when we do not see or feel it. Lord God, help us to become more like Jesus.

Father God, I ask that You give all nations and governments wisdom when it comes to how they handle COVID-19. Lord God, be with all people who are working day and night to serve and help others in this time. Lord God, may all people everywhere, exercise wisdom and common sense when it comes to being out in public. Lord God, helps us to be agents of peace and patience. Lord God, help us to draw closer to You. Teach us to discern Your Truth from all the lies and fear that are bombarding us.

Lord God, I specifically pray for East Africa. Lord God, be merciful on our East African brothers and sisters as they deal with the coronavirus and locusts. Lord God, impress on Your people, for those who have abundance, to consider the plight of those all over the world, even and perhaps in their own backyard who are suffering.

Lord God, teach us to value the things that You value. Teach us to love how You love. In all things may we seek to bring You glory. Thank You Jesus for the ability to pray in Your Name. Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us this day and in this new month. Triune God, thank You for who You are and for all the ways that You are working. Amen.