Innermost Being Blog

Focus on Me

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

These are troubling times. If you are not disturbed, you’re not paying attention.

As a follower of Christ, there have been many times that I have wished for God to speak to me in a way that left no doubt that it was him. I have asked to hear his voice audibly, like Samuel did.

If you aren’t going to speak to me outloud, God, could you at least make it really clear that it is your voice in my head and not my own??

I no longer watch mainstream news on TV, but I watch YouTube videos and read content on Substack. People are obsessed with covering everything that DJT says and does, and not without reason. The things he does, the things he gets away with, are disturbing to anyone who still has a working moral compass. We want to shout it from the rooftops, “This is not normal! This is not right!”

And yet….because we pay so much attention to him, DJT sucks up all the oxygen in the room. That’s exactly what he wants. He believes he is the center of the universe and that everyone should exalt him.

Last week, I noticed that there was incessant speculation about DJT’s absence from the public eye. Was he sick? Was he dead? He says he wants to get to heaven! Is he sincere? Wait, he’s fundraising off of it!

In the midst of this, I heard the words, focus on me. Three simple words. Focus on me.

I have been encouraged this year by the 23rd Psalm. I’ve memorized and prayed it in the middle of the night. The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. No matter what happens, I belong to him. He is sufficient.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. No matter how dark things get, even when it seems like evil is winning, I need not fear because God walks with me. His presence comforts me.

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflows. God provides everything I need. Even in the midst of adversity, even when the enemies of truth surround me, I rest in his protection.

Thank you, God, for reminding me that I need to keep my eyes on you and to listen for your voice. You are in control. You restore my soul.

Your Father Knows What You Need

by Innermost Being, posted in Prayer

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

Jesus described God as a father – as your Father. God is neither male nor female. But God is attentive and caring like a parent is (or should be).

When we pray, we often tell God everything that is happening in our world as if he doesn’t know. I am guilty of this. I lay down to sleep and immediately start telling God about all the bad things that are happening. It is as if I am telling him that he should be concerned about the things that concern me. As my pastor put it, God doesn’t need our intelligence briefing. He knows.

God wants us to come to him with our needs, even though he already knows what they are. He doesn’t even mind it when we lay our burdens at his feet.

In teaching us how to pray, Jesus said that our Father knows what we need before we ask, therefore…

  • Praise his holy name
  • Pray for more of him
  • Let go of our ideas about how things should be and ask for his will to be done
  • Ask him to provide our daily needs
  • Ask for forgiveness
  • Pray for deliverance from temptation

God is omniscient, all-knowing. He knows what we need. He knows what our future holds.

Father God, thank you for loving a sinner like me. You are my ever-present help in times of trouble. Help me to let go of my worries about this broken world and to trust your omniscience and omnipotence. I pray for those who are suffering and for the oppressed. Amen

Praying for Justice and Peace

by Innermost Being, posted in Prayer

When asked how people should pray for the United States, David French said to pray for peace and justice; grace and mercy.

Red states versus blue states. Us versus them. Division. Discord. Name-calling. Blaming. This is the state of America today. The country has been torn apart at the seams.

Mr. French described peace as a band-aid and justice as the stiches. Peace without justice is a temporary fix for what ails us. We will never have lasting peace as long as injustice abounds. No justice, no peace.

Pray for justice for the poor, the sick, the homeless, the oppressed, and the marginalized.

Mr. French noted that justice should be holistic. Justice requires balancing the needs of immigrants who are fleeing danger with the needs of legal residents. Justice is impossible without the due process of the law.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

The Lord calls me to live in peace with others. His love and peace must rule in my heart. And yet… I am also called to stand up for justice. That’s what Jesus did.

Jesus had compassion for the sick and the marginalized. He defended the woman the crowd wanted to stone for adultery. He spoke out against greed, hypocrisy, and self-indulgence.

I must also speak out against injustice. I can’t ignore the fact that immigrants are being mistreated by our government. I can’t ignore the fact that the nation’s leaders are breaking laws, firing people who stand on principle, and denying due process.

The United States is in great need of spiritual healing. Pray that God will change the hearts of the people and our leaders.

The Joy in Observing Nature

by Innermost Being, posted in Word Prompts

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

I love nature and make a habit of observing it. The beauty of nature and the varieties of animals and plants populating our planet bring me joy. Nature is where I find peace.

We live fairly close to a state park that has a “Wildlife Loop” where we can see bison, pronghorns, wild burros, bighorn sheep, deer, and elk. This spring, we went to see baby bison, which are called red dogs because of their cinnamon color. Babies of any species bring me joy.

I am fortunate to live close to many good trails because my favorite way to observe nature is on foot. When I hike, I often stop to look at wildflowers or to listen to birds or squirrels. I also look for cool rocks.

I have been observing and identifying wildflowers for about fifteen years. I feel joy when I find a new flower. I went on a trip all by myself to search for fairy slipper orchids this year. When I saw them, I was delighted!

I love learning about plants and animals.  Nature is good for my mental health!

Humble us, Lord

by Innermost Being, posted in Prayer

In an episode of The Good Faith podcast, David French spoke about five ways to pray for America: for justice, peace, mercy, grace, and reconciliation. Before we can be open to these things, we need to be humbled, and we need to uphold the truth.

Heavenly Father,

The people of the United States need to be humbled. We continually disobey your commandments to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our leaders are either corrupt and cruel or cowardly and complicit. Most of the people who claim to worship you instead bow down to a false god, a man of lawlessness who claims to be the only one who can save this country.

Americans have always been so proud of our country and of our democratic government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Now, we are throwing away our democracy. Today, we no longer uphold the truth that all men are created equal and are endowed by You with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Lord, we were known around the world for our generosity. Now, our leaders cut off humanitarian aid to foreigners, even destroying food intended for malnourished children. Now, our leaders plan to reduce health and food assistance for the poor so they can grant tax cuts to the wealthy.

We thought we were such an exceptional country that Ronald Reagan called the US a “shining city on the hill.” It was you who inspired these words when you said to your followers: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can not be hidden.”

The USA is not a shining city on the hill. It never was. There’s nothing new to see here. Today, we build cages to imprison migrants, as we once built internment camps for Japanese Americans. The country has once again been overcome by darkness, fueled by the hatred of people of color.

We have a wicked past. White Americans murdered Native Americans and stole their land. The country’s economic prosperity was built on the blood and backs of slaves. The government may try to erase the sins of our past, but they are not hidden from you.

Lord, show us our brokenness. Bring us to our knees. Search our hearts and reveal the sins that break yours. Heal this country.

Amen.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves..

Matthew 23:12 NIV
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted