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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

The Importance of the Tribe of Benjamin

"In the fortress of Susa there was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the grandson of Shimei, and the great-grandson of Kish."  Esther 2:5 GWT

The tribe of Benjamin had almost been wiped out (Judges 20:46-47).  Yet God made sure some remained.  Why?  What did it matter?  

If Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin, then Esther was, too.  These two prevented the wholesale slaughter of the Jews, and this is still celebrated today (Purim).  

Another important person from this tribe is ... Paul.  Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament.  I'd say it was important for the tribe of Benjamin to survive, wouldn't you?  

Lord, thank You for preserving those who are important in the big scheme of things to the spread of the kingdom.  Help me to be instrumental in that spread.  Show me what to do for the kingdom today.  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.

The King Gives A Banquet

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

After 7 years of researching the subject of heaven in the Bible, I now notice things in Scripture that I never saw before.  Pretend the following verse is a glimpse of the future, rather than an even in history:


"When it was all over, the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden.  The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.  Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king's generosity."  Esther 1:5-7 NLT

Wow.  Now that's a party.  And this is only the beginning of what the King has in mind!

Lord, I look forward to the great feast on the day of Your return.  Come quickly!  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.

Anxious For The King To Come

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

Anxious For The King To Come

Lord I long to see Your face;
Be with You; feel Your embrace.

That's what gets me through each day;
Nudges me along the way.

I can't wait for You to come;
Come down here and be at home.

Steve Hemphill

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.

Honor & Revere The Word of God

Nehemiah 8 was in my reading today, and verses 3-5 really got my attention:


Nehemiah 8:3-5 "He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.  Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.  Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet."  NLT

All Israel stood on their feet for 4 hours listening to the Word of God being read to them.  Wow.

When Ezra opened the Bible to begin reading to them, everyone stood to honor the Lord.  Wow.

Do you honor the word of God?  Do you even read it?

I've heard some of the "old-timers" say that when they were growing up, one of the church leaders would begin the worship service with a reading from the word of God.  As he did, everyone stood to honor God.  I wish we still did that, but notice how far Israel went to show their honor and commitment to Him:  they stood there listening for 4 whole hours.  ...

Lord, help me to cherish and honor Your teachings throughout my life.  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.

Take Courage, & Fight For Your Families

One of the verses in my reading this weekend was this one:


Nehemiah 4:13-14 "So I set [armed men] behind the wall in places where it was least protected; I even thus used the people as families with their swords, spears, and bows.  I looked [them over] and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."  AMP


Your family is under attack.  Whether you know it or not, they are.

Satan uses a variety of methods to alienate your children, upset your spouse, and nurture jealousy, anger, and bitterness between members of your family.

The question is, "What are you going to do about it?"

I have a suggestion:  Prayer.

Lord, I pray for the protection of my family from the strategies and tricks of the devil.  Make us deaf to his words of hatred, animosity, anger, fear, slander, jealousy, and bitterness.  Help us to have an atmosphere of love, peace, humility, gentleness, kindness, and encouragement in everything we do.  Deliver us from evil. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Remember, Satan and his forces are defenseless against your prayers!

Your Servant,

Steve

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's Help IS Coming (On HIS Schedule, Not Yours)

Nehemiah 2:6-9 " The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, 'How long will you be gone? When will you return?' After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.  I also said to the king, 'If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.  And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.'  And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king's letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me."  NLT

Many times in Scripture a few short verses will cover a long period of time.  It might be weeks, months, or even years.  As I was reading through Nehemiah this morning, this observation made me realize that although I am quite anxious for the Lord to come through and deliver me from my own difficulties, He is looking at it from the long-term viewpoint.  He is helping.  He has sent help.  He is on the way.  It just doesn't arrive on my expected schedule.

Have you ever read a book that was so good that you eventually picked it up and read it again?  It's very rare for me to do this, but it has happened a time or two.

I once read an adventure story that was quite interesting and engaging.  I eventually picked it up and read it a second time.  On the second read, I noticed lots of things that I didn't see the first time.  During the first reading, I was so anxious to see how it turned out that I missed some details the author had included that truly enhanced the story.  As I read it back through much more slowly, these tasty nuggets added a whole new flavor to the story, making it even more enthralling than it had been the first time through.

Think about it:  that's how God views our lives.  He knows how it's going to turn out.  He knows that in the end He delivers, we win, and everything's ok.  So he's enjoying the nuggets of the many details of our growth and maturing process along the way, thoroughly tasting and reveling in every minute part.

So, be patient, and learn to enjoy the journey of your own life's story.  Enjoy the moment.  Cherish all your relationships.  Have some fun along the way.  Smell the roses. Before you know it, it'll be over, and you'll wish you had...

Your Servant,

Steve


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.

Be Strengthened and Encouraged, Because God's Hand is On You!

Ezra 7:28 "And Who has extended His mercy and steadfast love to me before the king, his counselors, and all the king's mighty officers. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go with me to Jerusalem."  AMP

Do you feel week and discouraged?  Everyone does at one time or another.  Be encouraged that God is in control and knows what's best.  Be strengthened by the knowledge that nothing happens without His permission.  Have faith that He still loves you--in spite of the difficult circumstances you currently face.  Be patient as you wait for the deliverance from Him that's sure to come.  Continue to hope in His promises, and rest assured--He always delivers.  He loves you.  More than you can ever know.

And smile.  It makes you more attractive.

Your Servant,

Steve
steve@cbs-digital.com


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

Credit God for Your Success, Or It'll Come Back to Haunt You!

Get the picture:  The enemy Assyrian army had already conquered most of the world--winning every single battle.  They were a fine-tuned fighting machine, accustomed only to success and victory.  Who was the next nation to conquer?  King Hezekiah and Jerusalem in Judah.

With a perfect tract record, they felt invincible.  But they'd never been up against a people who prayed to the living God, the true Creator.

So they boasted to their enemy, a pitiful little city, surrounded by the powerful Assyrian army, and expected little or no opposition.  In fact, they even thought it possible that Jerusalem might give up without a fight.

But King Hezekiah was a man of faith--faith in the One True God of all.  And he was also a man of prayer.  He prayed to God, and God delivered.  He send "an" angel.  Now, before you get disappointed in that, you need to remember that God's provision is always sufficient.  Always.

That one powerful angel killed the enemy army in one night.  And everyone around heard about it.  In fact, Hezekiah became famous for his miraculous answer to prayer.

But humans are often most vulnerable right after great victory.  And Hezekiah was no exception.  Notice what 2 Chronicles 32:25 says:


"But Hezekiah did not make return [to the Lord] according to the benefit done to him, for his heart became proud [at such a spectacular response to his prayer]; therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem."  AMP


His victory (which was really God's victory) led to pride, which alienated him from the very God who had just saved him.  Don't let that happen to you.  Give God the credit He deserves for YOUR success, or it'll come back to haunt you in a bad way--an ETERNAL way.

Your Servant,

Steve

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

Hezekiah's Faith in the Face of Adversity

Today, I read 2 Chronicles 32:7 in the Amplified version, and was encouraged by Hezekiah's faith in the face of great adversity in his world--much like the world I feel like I'm facing today...


"Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there is Another with us greater than [all those] with him."  AMP

This statement of faith is even more impressive when you understand the context, and what had happened in Israel leading up to this moment.

Get the picture:  The Assyrian army had defeated every other army they had faced.  They were the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.  All victories.  No losses.  No worries.

But now they were up against the people of the living God, not a group who prayed and bowed to idols.  But Sennacherib (what a name) considered God to be just like all the others gods of the people he'd faced--and defeated.  Bad assumption.  Now he was up against the Creator, the Living God, the True King, and he didn't stand a chance.

His many victories in battle had swelled his pride and blurred his vision.  He felt invincible.  He was wrong.  But it didn't seem like it at the time.  He had won every battle, set his sights on Judah, and now had the capital surrounded with his might war machine.  He was honed, confident, and already gathering the spoils in his mind.  He'd probably heard about the gold items in the Temple, and could already taste the metal.

His army was also skilled at psychological warfare, whipping the people of Judah with insults and boasts designed to tear down their morale.  But it didn't work on one man--one important man:  the king, Hezekiah.

Picture this:  an undefeated army masses outside the locked gates of Jerusalem, an enemy much less formidable than many they'd faced previously.  They offer the people a chance to surrender and pay tax to Assyria forever, and one man (Hezekiah) stands up and says, "Guys, have courage!  Dont be afraid of this bully from Assyria.  Forget the facts (they are undefeated, bigger, stronger, well-armed, and confident).  We have someone on our side that guarantees victory:  The Lord God.  And He is greater than any army."

Who do you think won this battle?  Read the answer in 2 Chronicles 32.  And let this story give you courage to face your own battles today.

Your Servant,

Steve


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.

Uzziah's Machine Invention to Defend Jerusalem

This morning my daily reading included a verse that really got my attention:  2 Chronicles 26:15.

Nestled in the story about King Uzziah, I noticed something I'd never seen before (which happens on a regular basis).  "In Jerusalem he made machines invented by skillful men to be on the towers and the [corner] bulwarks, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped till he was strong."  AMP

Wow.  Skillful men under the authority of the King of Judah who had invented a new and better way to shoot arrows and throw large rocks at the enemy.  It was somehow mounted on the corner of the towers, and rained down destruction on their enemies.  I found that fascinating!  

Don't forget to ask the Lord what you can do for the Kingdom today...

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.