The Sacrifice of Praise

http://www.billosborne.com/blog/

The Sacrifice of Praise

Another day; another week; 

thankful You my soul to keep.  

The praise I offer You today 

is for the future of my way.  

Right now I thank You for all You do--

all to help see me through--

the bumpy road that lays ahead; 

so I can peacefully rest upon my bed.  

Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

A Sunday Prayer Poem

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A Sunday Morning Prayer Poem

I worship You on Your day, Lord.  

I magnify Your Name.  

I hope in You; 

I trust Your plan; 

I yield to Your judgment.  

I long for Your embrace.  

I love You.  

Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

Job's Friends Believed in the Health & Wealth Gospel--a False One

Job and his friends discussed his problems at length.  The friends were convinced Job had hidden sin, provable by the calamity now upon his life.  Job continually declared his innocence.  They continually declared his guilt.  Job ended up being right, and they were wrong.

In the middle of this interesting bantering back and forth, as I read through it last week, I noticed that Elihu (and his friends) obviously believed in the "Health & Wealth" gospel:  If you love & obey God, nothing bad will happen to you:


"If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.  All their years will be pleasant."  Job 36:11 NLT

What's wrong with this thinking?  Lots.

First of all, it proved to be false in Job's life (obviously).

Secondly, it proved invalid in Jesus's life: He was God's only Son, never sinned, yet lots and lots of bad things happened to Him.

Finally, it was proved wrong and faulty reasoning in the life of every apostle and most of the history of the church recorded in the New Testament.

You never read of a church in the New Testament, "This group was righteous, so everything went smooth in their lives."

But you do read in the life of Daniel, Moses, Joseph, David, and others of their true heart, servant attitude, and total commitment--followed by years of living in captivity, wandering in the desert, being in prison and slavery, or running from God's appoint king--who was trying to kill unjustly.

Rest assured.  Bad things do happen to good people.  Regularly.

Lord, give me strength, patience, and wisdom to face the difficulties I must.  Help me to honor you as I endure, patiently waiting on Your intervention.  May I always offer you the sacrifice of praise--even before you deliver me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.


Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

God Is Working His Plan Through You

As Job was discussing his own plight and circumstances with his friends, he makes a stunning statement revealing his commitment to God and God's power over his life and circumstances:

"He'll complete in detail what he's decided about me, and whatever else he determines to do." Job 23:14 The Message

God has a detailed plan for you and your life.  You were created for good works:

"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."  Ephesians 2:10 AMP

You have a specific and unique kingdom purpose and destiny.  Find your gifts, and use them for God.

Lord, open my eyes to my own gifts; then give me strength to attack my tasks with great enthusiasm.  Help me to fulfill my kingdom destiny--to Your glory.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

Faith in the Face of Ferocious, Fantastic, Flagrant Suffering

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In the middle of his horrific trial, Job held on to his faith in God's master plan:


"But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]."  Job 23:10 AMP


Wow.  What faith.  What devotion.  What submission to God's purpose--even in the greatest of suffering.

Lord, help me to have the faith of Job as I face my own trials and suffering.  Remind me that Your eternal purposes and rewards with far outweigh any temporary pain and inconvenience I am currently experiencing.  Show me what to do for the kingdom today; lead me each step of the way.

Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

A Gentile Prophesied The Truth

In the book of Esther, Haman hated Mordecai, the Jew, because Mordecai refused to honor Haman.  God orchestrated an interested set of circumstances where

a) Mordecai saved the king's life,
b) the king had overlooked honoring Mordecai for saving his life,
c) Haman became trusted advisor of the king,
d) the king discovered that Mordecai hadn't yet been honored for saving his life,
e) the king asked Haman, trusted advisor, what to do to honor someone special,
f) Haman thought HE was the one the king was planning to honor,
g) Haman suggested putting that man in the kings clothing, riding the kings horse, and yelling to everyone that they should honor that man, and, finally,
h, Mordecai was that man, and Haman had to do the yelling.

After coming home all depressed and dejected, and relating the turn of events that had just happened, his wife made an unusual statement:


"When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, 'Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.'"  Esther 6:13 NLT


Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.

Living On Faith

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Living on Faith

God is King upon His throne; 

     All the world is His alone.  

The end of my story--He knows well; 

     I'll be saved from the pit of hell.  

The problem is:  my daily life; 

     It's full of pain, hurt, and strife.  

Distracting me from my true place; 

     A child of God's unmovable grace.  

So, learn I must to live each day; 

     Walking toward Him each step of the way; 

Focused on what I cannot see.  

    Living on faith; staying on my knees; 

Praying my way to the throne--if you please.  

Steve is author of a book featuring an in-depth study of heaven called, "My search for the Real Heaven." It's available @ Amazon.com and on His www.PrayerThoughts.com web site.