Prayer and Meditation

 Prayer and Meditation

Women's Early Morning Prayer
February 24, 2011

Job 2:1-13
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,
and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord...

No matter what we must endure or what we struggle with now, remember that God has His hand on your life.  Job was a man of integrity.  He walked a straight and narrow road before God and was therefore blessed of the Lord for his upright living.  The devil was offered Job by God, to test Jobs integrity.  In other words God said to Satan, whatever Job has he is willing to let go of and still honor me.  

The devil stirred up Jobs life taking everything "tangible/natural things" from children, to land to cattle and even physically impacted Jobs body.  Job refused to quit living and he refused to curse God.  Now he did curse the day he was born but he wouldn't speak against God.  I suppose Job thought that it was him, that he was the reason for this situation (maybe Job thought he was the blame).  Even when the one he loved so dearly had encouraged him to quit, to just curse God and die, Job would not do as his wife demanded.  See, Jobs wife wanted his suffering to end.  I imagine that as his wife she could not bear watching him suffer.  Instead of looking for the positive and finding motivation to encourage Job to live beyond his pain and suffering, she thought carnally, seeking a quick fix to end what brought hurt, discomfort and pain. 

The message I want to impart this morning is this, remember no matter what happens in your life, no matter what darts are thrown, no matter what trials and long suffering you must endure, God's hand is still on your life.  No matter the good, the bad or the ugly, God has to grant Satan permission to enter into your life.  The enemies' job is to seek, destroy and sway you to quit.  God wants to see if you are a person of integrity.  Integrity means soundness of ethical and moral character.  Integrity for God is to be entirely sold out and submitted to him no matter what "Stuff" he removes, keeping your focus on loving God and striving with Him no matter the battle, no matter the struggle, no matter the disappointment.

Again remember, God's hand is on your life and no devil in hell can remove it.  Be steadfast and unmovable.  Keep your integrity and passion for God even in the midst of pain, persecution and the pressures of life. 

Be ye reminded, God allowed it but the IT does not have the right or the power to take your life so do not give it up (IT being your life)...hold fast to the hand that preserves you.

Psalm 27:12 (NLT) - Wait patiently fo the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 (NLT) - So be strong and courageous all you who put your HOPE in the Lord.

James 5:7-11

7 - Dear brothers and sister, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return.  Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring.  They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
8 - You, too, must be patient.  Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.  

9 - Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  For look - the Judge is standing at the door!

10 - For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11 - We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.  For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance.  You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

PRAYER:

Most Holy, Gracious and Loving God, we come to you this day giving your name glory.  Lord we bless you for allowing us another opportunity to hear from you.  Lord we bless you that you continue to be present in all aspects of our living, even those things which you have hidden from us.  We thank you Lord that you grant us new mercies each day.  We give your name praise for being our help and strength in times of hardship and struggle.  Lord we thank you that you improve us daily by, in and through your word.  Thank you for being a strong tower.  Thank you for keeping us through test, trials, affliction, persecution, sickness and brokenness.   Thank you for another day to live life to the fullest.  Thank you that although you allow satan to stir up troubles in our lives to try and prove us, yet we are not moved.  Thank you that you have given us inwardly a heart that seeks after you.  Thank you that you grant us peace even in times of trouble.  Thank you that through our trials we grow stronger, more trusting and even gain more peace.  Now Father, let us be living examples of a people committed to live our lives according to your purpose.  We bless you in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Go in peace and remember to share not only this word, but A WORD (God's word), allowing it to serve as encouragement for someone on today.  Don't wait for tomorrow to come.  Don't wait for your situation to improve.  Don't wait for someone to run to you...but run with God's word and share it with those in need as well as those living in darkness.

God Bless you Abundantly!

God's Servant,

Stacie