* Giving Back What is Due

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God,

to walk in his statutes, and

to keep his commandments, as at this day.

(1 Kings 8:61)

For this prayer, I would like to focus our attention on reciprocity.     God has done such an awesome thing for us that we really do owe Him our all.  But God, being the God that He is; rich in love, grace and mercy, allows us the choice to decide if we will reciprocate that same love. 

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  Jeremiah 31:3

No, we can never repay the debt that Jesus paid for us, but we can love Him with all that we have and live the life that is required to see Him in peace. 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

Jesus further demonstrated His love for us by sending back the comforter; the Holy Spirit

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  John 15:26

We can put our total confidence in God; in the one that did this astounding act of love for you and I.   However, we should ask ourselves the question, just as King David did:

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?  Psalms 116:12

Just as in any relationship, there is a give and take; it should be an equal exchange, but knowing that we can never repay this debt, we can wholeheartedly give our all.

There a peace that comes with it.  When we trust and abide in God's word, we know that we are living this life to live eternally with our heavenly Father.   It puts everything else in its proper perspective!  Even as we do what's necessary to live this earthly life; our ultimate goal is to live again in heaven and so we should work continuously toward that goal.   Jesus said this thing is so simple:   

If you love me, you will keep my commandments,  John 14:15  

God is so serious about His expectation of us.  He tells us in His word His expectation of us: 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  Matthew 22:37 

As with any relationship, when we love someone with our all, it becomes easy to do that which is right by and pleasing to that person.  In this case, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our love should triumph over any urge or desire to do anything contrary to God’s will or not do those things that God expects of us.  At some point, we have to become accountable for our actions and make that conscious decision that I’m going to serve God with all of my heart, my mind and my soul and then, as Mark and Luke added, all of our strength; which means we give it more than lip service.  We serve God with all of our being. 

We reciprocate His love.

It becomes more than a Sunday morning experience; more than a duty or an obligation; we worship, serve, and live a lifestyle pleasing to him because we love Him!   

If you are serious regarding your relationship with God, it is time make up our minds, roll up our sleeves, stop being distracted by people and situations and serve the Lord in the manner that He requires!

So lets pray for a renewed, continuous commitment to God for a relationship that is grounded in love and trust!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this day.  Thank you for Your sovereignty in that You allowed us to wake up this morning.  Thank you for one more opportunity to come before you in prayer and supplication.     

Thank you for the life You've given us, for our health and for our strength.  Thank You Lord for being in our right mind; for having a mind to serve You.  .  We come to You, heavenly Father, with thanksgiving in our hearts knowing that it is You and only You that is able to supply our every need; to equip us to run this race, to defeat everything that comes up against us, everything that is not like You and in so doing allow us to come out victoriously.

In your word, You tell us that the battle is not ours, that it belongs to You.  Lord help us to trust You and stand firmly on Your word; to place ourselves squarely on the solid rock so we’re not so easily shaken when the storms of life come upon us.

Lord, You said in Your word that You know the thoughts that You have for us; thoughts of good and not of evil.  Help us Lord to see what You have for us and to walk in that direction.  Help us Dear Lord to make the right choice; that is to choose You in all of our ways.  Our heart says yes Lord, we will serve You and it will not be a duty or an obligation but a lifestyle!

Lord, we ask, in the precious name of Jesus, that You right every wrong in our lives and that You propel us forward in You, that you position us in Your will; give us constant refreshing to lay aside every weight and every sin; to grow in our relationship with You.  Touch us Lord, just a touch from You will make everything all right.  Regardless to what we see in the natural, no matter what we experience, increase our trust in you to believe that in You everything is already alright.  Open our eyes Lord so we can see in the spirit the things that You have for us, the plan and the purpose You've designed for us.   We know Lord that we are not saved to sit but that we have a mighty work to do through You.  Prepare us for the Your vineyard.  

Thank You heavenly Father because there is a secret place in You where You hide us from our enemies.  Thank You God for Jesus who You sent here to save us and wash our sins away.  Through His blood, healing is available.  In the name of Jesus is the power to come up against every bad and evil thing that comes against us.  It is through Your Holy Spirit residing in us that we have the power to run this race. 

Thank You Lord because we have someone in You to call on when we’re in need.  

Help us, dear Lord, to strive for mastery in this race; for endurance to remain to the end.  Help us Lord to bring and keep our mind and our bodies under subjection to Your will; help us to change our mindset to have Your mind; knowing that Your will is good, it is perfect, and it is acceptable; that You are the final authority in our lives.  

 Give us a mindset to say ‘use me Lord, if You need someone, Lord, send me, I’ll go!  

For all Your many benefits unto us, we owe You Lord, though we can never repay You for all that You've done for us – all we can do is give You a yes and be obedient to You and Your word.  Lord You've given us everything in Your word to keep us and sustain us, You've given us Your precious gift of Your holy spirit and You said If we delight ourselves in You that You will give us the desires of our heart, You said if we commit our ways unto You and trust You that You will bring to pass those things that You have declared.  Because You said it in Your word, Lord, we believe it.   And if our faith is not where it should be in You, Lord, I pray that You help our unbelief!

If ever we needed You before, Lord it’s now - even as we wait on and receive instruction from You.  Open our heart and ears to hear and receive Your word.  You are our precious redeemer, and we pray that You bind us closer Lord to You.  We pray that You send Your power, because we can’t make it without You and we can’t do it without You.   Lord, help us to be strong and of good courage knowing that You will never leave us nor forsake us.  You’ll be with us, You will lead us and guide us in the direction that we’re to take.

Lord we acknowledge before You that we just can’t do without You, we can’t win without You, we need Your power and Your strength.  We realize that it is no goodness of our own; nothing that we can say or do, but it's You Lord, in Your sovereignty, that keeps us and allows us to accomplish Your will in our lives.

Help us, oh Lord, to stay on the path that You have set before us; not veering to the left or to the right.  Help us Lord to meditate on You and Your word day and night.  Help us Lord even as we meditate on You, to hide Your word in our hearts so that we won’t sin against You.  Help us to keep our focus on You; You said Lord in all of our ways to acknowledge You and You will direct our path. 

And now, Lord we pray that You continue to be with us, that You lead us and guide us, give us wisdom and knowledge to speak and act according to Your will.  Help us to walk upright before You, help us to present ourselves to a dying world as ambassadors, as beacons on a hill, as shining lights, and servants;  all for Your manifested glory; never forgetting that we are saved to help save and to be a blessing to others.  

We ask all these things and we thank You for all things, in the precious name of Jesus, Amen 

Peace and Blessings to You,

I am a SERVANT of God,

Elder Candy