May your heart cry out to God all day long through times of sacred retreat (Psm 84:2,4). #HeartsOfPraise #Prayer #SacredRetreat
Come to Your Personal Cathedral of Prayer & Praise
HERE IS ONE MORE THOUGHT FOR THE PRAYER SENTRY ON THE WALL
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Are we hungry for time with God? Are we hungry to enter into the courts of heaven, to be with God daily, living every moment before him? P.T. Forsythe said of Psalm 84:2, “Prayer brings with it, as food does, a new sense of power and health“ [You may not remember what you ate six months ago, but it nourished you. In the same way, scripture and prayer nourishes your soul]. Forsythe continues, “We are driven to [prayer] by hunger [we faint for spiritualfood], and having eaten we are refreshed.” *
Lord, my heart cries out for you in the morning watches. It cries out all day long for sacred retreat. Lord, may this old prayer sentry enter into his personal cathedral of praise to worship and commune with you (listen, talk, be silent and meditate).
In the course of calling plays the quarterback steps up to the line, sees things he did not expect and then calls an “audible.” He makes an adjustment to changing circumstances.
For reasons that are hard to share at this time, I have to, “Call an audible” and step away from posting for some time. How long, is in the Lord’s hands. Some, who know me personally, will understand.
One of the greatest joys in my life, next to knowing Jesus and standing by my beloved wife, is to spend time with God each day, listening, writing and praying. Right now those times are more challenging. The last thing I want is for my blogging to become a chore, something I have to do.
I will continue spending time with God, listening and praying. Life throws too much at us to “stand down.” I will continue to pray for my family and friends, who are dear to me. I will continue to pray for my beloved country; she is in deep need of revival in our churches and awakening in the land. I am just having to adjust how and when I can grab that time.
Thank you for signing up to receive my posts. I didn’t want to just disappear from your inbox with no explanation.
Worship God; point all men to him (Psalm 100). #Worship #GiveThanksToGod #KnowGod #ComeToGod
Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving; His Courts With Praise
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Some might try to make the case that only God‘s righteous ones could genuinely appreciate this Psalm of thanksgiving and joy. But it seems that this is a call to all men to worship the Lord, to enter his gates and courts with thanksgiving and praise. Entering into his temple was never intended to be reserved only for the religious elite.
Here, as in Romans 1:19–21, God makes it clear that all men were created by him and can clearly see him and know him. God desires to fellowship with us. His love endures to all generations past, present and future. God is no respecter of persons. His faithfulness extends to all. The door is open to come and worship. All may come and know him. Lord, use this old sentry to point men to you.
Worship well in thanksgiving to God for his goodness and blessings (Psm 100). #Doxology #OldHundredth #APsalmOfThanksgiving #Worship
QE11, Celebrates 70 Year Reign (With Outtakes of 1953 Coronation)
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
“Old Hundredth” – A song paraphrased after Psm 100 and put to music in 1562 by William Keith, Scottish clergyman. It would have been sung by the early Pilgrims who settled in America; probably the only hymn of theirs still printed in hymn books today. It is a favorite Psalm read everywhere at Thanksgiving.
“Old Hundredth” is titled, “All People that on Earth do Dwell” * and set to the tune we all know as the “DOXOLOGY.“ A favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, it was used in her 1953 coronation and in her celebration of an unprecedented 70 year reign (video above).
Watching the video one might say, “Too much pump and high church.“ Before we criticize, consider – God might say, “Well Done” and be surprisingly pleased. Is there anything to regal for him? Lord, in my daily personal place of worship, may I wax worthy in my prayers, devotion, worship and daily coronation of you as my Monarch, my Lord, my King.
_____________
* Psalm 100 was paraphrased and set to the 1547 tune we know as the “Doxology.” It is titled, “All People that on Earth do Dwell.”
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always,For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host, Be praise and glory evermore.
Only the touch of God will/can save a nation from godless influences and ideologies. Let the sweet aroma of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening lay thickly before God as a dense fog covers a deep autumn morning.
Shall we believe in prayer for America as the blessed missionary to India, Amy Carmichael (CIRCA 1930s), did for her beloved India mission?
The persistent intercessor will not shrink to give a few solemn moments to consider these thoughtful words from Amy Carmichael on the power of prayer? May we be encouraged in our prayers for America by her words, taken from her own autobiographical writings, Gold Cord, 1932.*
“The true India (as America) is sensitive and very gentle. There is a wisdom in [India’s] ways, none the less wise because it is not the wisdom of the West. This [alien] spirit which traffics in children [inside Hindu temple walls] is callous and fierce as a ravening beast; and it’s wisdom descended not from above, but it is earthly, sensual, devilish. And this spirit, alien to the land, has settled upon it and made itself at home in it, and so become a part of it that nothing but the touch of God will ever get it out. We want that touch of God: ‘Touch the mountains and they shall smoke’ (Psm 144:5). That is why we write.”
(Just so, there is an alien spirit in America that has attached itself and made a home for itself in our land. It is a spirit of dissidence, strife, murder, sexual perversion and who knows what else. Only the touch of God on our land will root it out.)
Carmichael continues, “We write for those who believe in prayer – not in the emasculated modern sense, but in the old Hebrew sense, deep as the other is shallow. We believe there is some connection between knowing and caring and praying, and what happens afterward. Otherwise we should leave the darkness to cover the things that belong to the dark. We should be forever dumb about them, if it were not that we know an evil covered up is not an evil conquered. So we do the thing from which we shrink with strong recoil; we stand on the edge of the pit, and look down and tell what we have seen, urged by the longing within us that the Christians of England [our homeland, of America] should pray.
‘Only pray?’ does someone ask?
Prayer of this sort never stops with praying. ‘Whatsoever he saith onto you, do it’ (Jhn 2:5), is the prayer’s solemn afterward. The prayer we ask is no trifle. ‘Arise cry out in the night; in the beginning of the night watches pour out thine heart like water before the Lord; lift up thine hands toward him for the life of the young children [sold into temple trafficking].’
(So we continue crying out in the night, in our morning watches, for the heart and soul of America. May we continue to pour out our hearts like water before the Lord; lifting up Holy hands for the spiritual life of our beloved nation.)
Carmichael: “The story of [India’s rescued] children is the story of answered prayer. If any of us were tempted to doubt whether, after all, prayer is a genuine transaction and answers to prayer no figment of the imagination – but something as real as the tangible things about us – we have only to look at some of our children [saved from temple trafficking]. It would require more faith to believe that what we call “the Answer,” came by chance or by the action of some unintelligible combination of controlling influences, then to accept the statement and it’s simplicity – God heard; God answered.”
The story of America’s next great awakening will be written in the prayers of God’s people; in the incense that arises to the great prayer rooms of heaven. Let the sweet aroma of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening lay thickly before God as a dense fog covers a deep autumn morning.
Give thanks for God’s merciful, forgiving nature (Psm 99:6–9). #GiveThanksToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
God our king is holy; he is separate, set apart from men. But this monarch is also merciful and forgiving. He answers prayer. He listens to the pleas of the intercessor. He speaks to his people and they listen. When they ignore him, he punishes them. But he forgives them at the first sign of sincere repentance.
Yes, God is exalted as holy. But his arm is not so short that he cannot save, nor his ear so dull that he does not listen when we call (Isa 59:1).
Psalm 99 gives rise to Psalm 100.
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Lord, I give thanks for your mercy, for answered prayer, for listening when I call unto you. I give thanks for your forgiveness.
Honor, respect God’s name with your words and with your life (Psm 99:1–5). #RespectTheNameOfGod #HonorGodsName #RespectTheHoly
“KAVOD” (honor, respect)
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In our home we had just one rule for our kids growing up. “You’re a Christian, you belong to God; you’re a Hollar, you belong to me.” In other words, if you always honor the name, you’ll never be in trouble.
God‘s name is synonymous with his nature. His name is “Holy.“ He himself is “holy“ How loosely and randomly we describe things as holy. “Holy cow; holy mackerel; holy smokes,“ Et.al. I’ve heard much worse. There is only one holy. He is the THE HOLY. “Holy” describes God’s nature. He is set apart – sinless, morally perfect, in every way honorable.
Any other use of “holy” is degenerate. To carelessly invoke God’s name is to besmirch, soil the very fabric of his nature. Be certain, the next time you use God‘s name, that it is done with the honor and respect ascribed to him. The only acceptable use of God’s name is to honor and bow low at its use. Lord, may this old sentry honor your holy name with his words and life.
Exalt The faithfulness and loyal love of God (Psm 98:1–9). #JoyToTheWorld #FaithfulAndExalted
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Sing a song of joy. Exalt God‘s power and majesty. The Lord has come. He has shown his salvation and righteousness to the nations. He has fulfilled his promise to faithfully & loyally love. “Joy to the world…Let heaven and nature sing“ – X3 (times 3). He is thrice exalted.
He came as promised once. He will come again as promised (Acts 1:10,11). He came to save. He will come again to judge. Sing to the Lord. He has done wonderful things. Lord, the heart of this old sentry exalts the Lamb of God…the Lion of Judah. He will fulfill all he has promised.
Look to the glorious return and presence of our God & King (Psm 97:1-9). #TheGloryOfOurGod #JesusWillReignOverEarth #RejoiceInTheLord #GodFlipsTheScript
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
No need to panic. No need for God‘s righteous ones to wring their hands. Be anxious for nothing. The Lord is king and his return flips the script. The glory of the Lord, his presence, his epiphany is announced in creation (ominous clouds, blazing fire, flashing lightning, earthquakes, mountains shaken).
God is always at work in and through the affairs of men. None of what happens on earth surprises God, nor alters his plan.
When God shows up he flips the script. Idol worshipers will know in an instant that they were wrong. Every lesser god, every lifeless stone, wood, metal Idol will bow down to the supreme Lord of the earth. All of his godly ones will rejoice. Lord, I am emboldened in my spirit to stand strong in the Lord my God.
May trust in God be revealed in a heart of rejoicing (Psm 97:10-12) #RejoiceInTheLord #SeeMyJoySeeMyTRUST
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In the midst of disappointments, setbacks, and failures, do God‘s righteous ones have anything in which to rejoice? Rejoicing in disappointment may seem like a nonstarter. But TRUST in God in the midst of setbacks is certainly a possibility.
TRUST, like love or faith cannot be seen. But acts of love, acts of faith, can and should be seen. TRUST is manifested, seen, observed, in the life that rejoices in God’s grace and mercy, even in the midst of disappointment. Lord, may my heart of TRUST in you to sustain me, be seen in a spirit that finds JOY in you.
Do not fear unjust leaders; trust in God (Psm 94:20,21,23). #StandInFaith #TrustInGodAlone
Unjust Leaders Will Shall Not Stand
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Unjust, corrupt and villainess leaders who seek, through power and legislation, to destroy the righteous, will themselves be destroyed by the power of God. All of their sin and evil intentions will be turned against them and destroy them.
By whose hand will their destruction come? By the hand of the Lord our God. Ultimately the righteous have much to watch to look forward (vv12-15). The ungodly have only destruction to which to look forward. Lord, I stand in the traditions of faith looking to you for justice against ungodly men.
Strength to go on is found in the Rock, our God (Psm 94:16-19,22). #Fortified #GodIsAMightyBulwark #AMightyFortressIsOurGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The Psalmist closes his plea to God for deliverance from injustice (unjust men) by answering his own question, “How long, O Lord, will I suffer?” (vv3,4). He says, I don’t know, “How long,“ but I know WHO…The LORD GOD!
The LORD GOD protects me and stands up for me against evildoers, or I’d be decimated. If I’m close to falling, his unfailing love grabs hold and supports me. When doubts creep into my mind, he is quick to comfort me and renew my hope and cheer. Lord, you are my mighty rock, my fortification (vv22). My strength and hope is in YOU.
Trust God to relieve the righteous, avenge the wicked (Psm 94:8–15). #TrustGod #ThinkTwice #ThinkAgain
“Think Again”
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I remember growing up thinking I could somehow outsmart my parents. I thought I could do things and not get caught. WRONG! Mothers especially seem to have a sixth sense about things. So it is with God. He created man; his eyes, ears and thought processes. God knows the wicked. He knows full well how they mistreat others and ignore him.
The righteous may suffer, but in the end God will instruct, comfort and relieve them. Not so the wicked – all that awaits them is God‘s justice and fury. The wicked ought to “think again” about God’s engagement with our lives. They have nothing to which to look forward. The righteous have everything to which to look forward.
Lord, sustain this old sentry amidst any suffering or injustice. I depend on your comfort and ultimate relief.
Look to the Lord for your deliverance (Psm 94:1–7). #VengenceIsTheLord’s
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The Psalmist knows well the intensity and earnestness of the one overwhelmed and victimized by the wicked. “How long, Oh Lord?“ will be there cry. Man strains under the load of the wicked, who seem never to be held accountable for their oppression of the righteous. “Enough!” Is our cry
Who among us has not felt some injustice, things over which we have no control?* The wicked, the thoughtless give God or others no thought. They act like God pays no attention or does not exist at all. The righteous cry out for the scales of justice to finally be tipped against the thoughtless and wicked. Lord, avenge the careless wicked ones and deliver your righteous ones from oppression.
* Some things over which we have no control:
Health problems, financial woes, insensitive people, barking dogs, decisions and choices of others, death. All things over which we may seek the Lord‘s deliverance.
May voices be lifted up to God in prayer and praise (Jer 16:19-21). #TheJeremiahPrayer #ComeBoldlyBeforeTheThronOfGrace #ThePrayerOfARighteousMan
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Just as Jeremiah prays God‘s strength over Judah, so I pray over my family, my church, community, state and nation.
THE JEREMIAH PRAYER
“Lord you are our strength and fortress, our refuge when trouble comes. Past and present leaders have and are perpetrating on us a foolish heritage. They worship man-made idols and ideologies. Lord, may we see your power and your might. At last we will know and understand that you are the Lord Jehovah.“
Lord, I lift my voice with so many other sentries on the wall, in a chorus of prayer to the living God on behalf of our beloved nation.
Pay attention and seek the Lord in uncertain times; know his promise of hope (Jer 16:14-18). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #SeekTheLordNow #PayAttention
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In the midst of a prophecy regarding the coming remedial judgment (versus final judgment) there is a promise of hope. For those who speak for God, those who are listening to God’s voice and those who are repentant of sin, there is a promise. A promise of hope for better days. In the final judgment there will be no turning back.
There will be those who will proclaim through these days, “God delivered us through the judgment.“ But everyone who defiled the land with worship of pagan idols and evil intentions will be hunted down by evil men. Their punishment will be double for their rejection and defiance of God. But there is yet hope for the recalcitrant who is paying attention and turns to God.
Lord, may we seek you while you may still be found. May we call on you while you are still near (Isa 55:6).
May we see a shaking in the church, revival; an awakening of national proportions (Jer 16:11-13). #Revival #SpiritualAwakening #TurnNowToGod
“Don’t Want To Hear It God!!”
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When God‘s idolatrous people can’t figure out what has made Jehovah God so angry (v10), God explains clearly. Their ancestors worshiped and served other gods (who are no gods). They abandoned Jehovah. Now this present generation does even worse sin and “stubbornly“ follows their own evil desires; don’t even pretend to listen to Jehovah. They had persisted in idolatry for many generations, till now it has become national apostasy; national defection from the faith.*
It seems very much that in America we have seen a national defection, a disconnect from godly values, from our moral and spiritual moorings. I fear that my beloved nation has crossed the red line of apostasy and defection from faith. The nation has hung up on God. #SpiritualDoNotCallRegistry
Lord, in your mercy, would you send an awakening of national proportions to America and a shaking of the church in fresh winds of revival.
Send Fresh Winds of Revival
* SIGNS OF DEFECTION FROM FAITH
> Twisting and perversion of the truth of Scripture to fit a personal agenda
> Pride, arrogance and division among the people
> More Focus on the things of the world then on things above
In the last days there will be many who fall away from the faith – even some of the best among us. (E.g. 1T 4:1; Heb 3:12).
Joe Biden made the claim that his campaign, yea even his presidency, was/is “a struggle for the soul of America.” But for him, or any other politician, that claim is merely political hyperbole, campaign rhetoric. It is a strategic word game to get votes.
There is in fact a real struggle for the soul of America. But it is not a struggle between the powers of two political parties. It is a struggle between the forces of good and evil.
The only way the soul of America may be won for the good is by a true and national repentance.
Live a godly life made exceptional by the grace of God (Jer 16:10). #GodlyExceptionalism #NoExceptionToTheRule
Exceptionalism Depends On God’s Grace
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah was to exhibit extraordinary behavior to act out and explain God’s displeasure with Judah, his people (vv1-9). The people denied God. Yet, in verse 10, they ask indignantly, “Why is God unhappy with us? What have we done – how have we sinned against him?“ They were religious in their outward actions but far from God in their hearts.
Far from being the exceptional people God intended them to be, they thought they were the exception to the rule. They believed God was obligated to protect and provide for them. Exceptionalism does not make one an exception to the rule – in this case devotion to God. Lord may I live my life as a child of God, made exceptional in repentance by the grace of God.
I believe in “American Exceptionalism.” But America is not an exception to the rule, free to live in defiance of God and his Word. Her “Exceptionalism” is a God-given attribute. She needs to turn from her sin and act like it. May repentance be the rule of the day.
Take seriously sin and drifting from God (Jer 16:1–9). #PainfulSnub #Repent #TurnNowToGod
Really God? Join The Party!
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
There are times when God will ask hard things of his messengers, sometimes extreme things. His purpose is to wake people up, to jolt them into reality. Therefore, Jeremiah was told he could not marry and have children in a culture where this was obligatory. He was not to mourn the dead – unthinkable among the Jews at that time. Nor was he allowed to participate in festivals, joyful events.
All of these things were to show the drastic nature of God‘s intentions to judge a wayward and sinful people. The destruction would be thorough and complete. It would (and did) happen in Jeremiah‘s lifetime (v9). Woe to those who think they can snub their nose at God. Lord, keep old sentry alert to the seriousness of sin and drifting from God.
Be fearless and courageous for God‘s truth (Jer 15:19–21). #Fearless #Courageous #StandForTruth
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah bears a gentle but straightforward rebuke from God. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself Jeremiah.“ God challenges Jeremiah to “man up,“ speak truth for God and trust him for the results. In doing this Jeremiah would influence many (more than he knew) and he would not be influenced by them.
Barnes’ Notes – “Flattering prophets will perish with those whom their soft speeches [have led astray]. But those faithfully speaking the truth of God will save them both.“ Lord, I am inspired to stand faithful in/for your truth, to fear no man’s actions against me.
May the persecuted messengers of God know his comfort (Jer 15:15–18). #TheBleedingHeart #SufferingPersecution #BrokenHeartedWatchman
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The messengers of God, the bold intercessors for righteousness (those watchmen on the wall) may be seen as cold hearted harbingers of judgment. Not so.
Jeremiah, having understood that his intercessions would not change God‘s plan of judgment (vv10-11), he begins to lament. He sees his life as having been fully consecrated to God. But, he has been suffering insult and persecution as God’s messenger of judgment.
Jeremey’s delight had been to consume and be consumed by God‘s word. He reminds God how he has separated himself from the sins of the people, even railed against those sins. Yet, no one listened and still judgment was inevitable. Jeremiah laments, “How can I go on? When will my suffering end?”
Lord, it is clear, you hear the cries of the watchmen on the wall. Comfort our bleeding hearts* for our own beloved country and countrymen.
_________
* “The phrase bleeding heart is used to describe one who shows excessive sympathy for another’s misfortune. [Before it was used as a political barb], the term appears in literature describing sincere emotional outpouring, even taking on a literal association with the heart of Jesus Christ.” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Trust in God – 100% (Jer 15:10-18). #100%TrustInGod #NoPlanB
He Ruthlessly Perfects
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
How many a faithful servant of God does not, at one time or another, come to God with questions about his/her own work or ministry and their effectiveness at either?
Most, if not all, would like to think that their ministry will be the one that notoriously breaks through the wall of darkness. When the work falters, they come to God seeking answers. It may seem like God himself is as unreliable as a dried up brook. But God is able to withstand the questions of the open, sincere and faithful heart.
Lord, you may not always explain why. But you know what you’re about and will always stand with your faithful ones. There is no “Plan B.”
Consider the words of – Dale Martin Stone
How He ruthlessly perfects…
When God wants to drill a man, and thrill a man, and skill a man; When God wants to mold a man, to play the noblest part, When He yearns with all His heart to create so great and bold a man, …that all the world will be amazed; WATCH His methods! – WATCH His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects whom He Royally Elects!
How He hammers him, and hurts him, …and with mighty blows, converts him …into trial shapes of clay which only God understands.
While his tortured heart is crying, and he lifts beseeching hands, How he bends but never breaks, when His good He undertakes. How He uses whom He chooses, and with every purpose fuses him, …by every act induces him, to try His splender out; God knows what he’s about.
Stand fearlessly for the truths of God (Jer 15:10,11). #AgsinstTheTide #FearlesslyDevotedToTruth
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Having heard God‘s response to the prayers of God‘s people (which was, God would not listen), Jeremiah dives headlong into a lament of his own with God. “I should have died at birth. It is such sorrow, depressing, to be hated by everyone, everywhere. I have done nothing to deserve the ire of everyone, yet they all curse me.“
Sometimes the man or woman of God must stand alone against the tide of unrighteousness. It is not an enviable position. But, stand you must, if you are to honor God. It is not you the people curse. It is (heaven forbid) God and his truth. God will see you through. In the end they will seek you to plead their case (v11).
Take seriously the consequences of sin; repent now (Jer 15:5–9). #Consequences #Repent #TurnNowToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
If Judah (the people) were holding out, expecting God to overlook their sin, the words of this passage put that idea to rest. God‘s plan is to severely punish his people. No one will weep for their demise, nor feel sorry for them.
Because God’s people abandon God, he will turn his back on them. They will undergo severe punishment. They will be sifted like grain. Young men and children will die, mothers be left childless, because they refused to change their evil ways. Lord, it is clear. Even the watchman on the wall must take seriously sin’s consequences.
The Prayer Sentry 