Friday slowdown

I wish that I could find a video of this particular song with a performance by the Oslo Choir, but at least this one has the audio. (grin)
Here are the lyrics for you:
God has got all power
In His mighty hands
He´s the great I Am
Awesome in His greatness
He´s so wonderful
He´s the God of all miracles

His power - that the winds and the waves obey
His angels - watching over us night and day
Alpha Omega, The Ancient of Days
King of kings forever He shall reign

The power - God has got all power
Miracle working power in His hand
The power - ressurrection power
God has got all power in His hand

Don´t you be discouraged
Hold your head up high
You can make it if you try
Let your heart take courage
Just keep holding on
Jesus said we are never alone

The power - all the power that you need
Yes, all things become possible when you believe
Faith is the power and His word is true
God has put His pow´r inside of you

Power - God has got all power
Power - miracle working power
Power - that the winds and the waves obey
Power - ressurection power
Power - all the power that you need
Power - wonder working power
God has got all power in His hands

Proverbs 28:12 While you're hiding

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

We are all familiar with the children's game of hide and seek. It's a light-hearted game and rarely goes beyond the playful exclamations and counting, of running about and finding the hidden players.

Far different is the hiding that is necessary when wicked people are in control of a situation or of a country. Religious persecution is routine in some countries, and we've talked before about how precious the Bible is to people in these areas. It is a rare blessing for them to be able to gather with other believers and worship and praise God. We've noted how blessed we are to have freedom of religion in many parts of the world.

It's easy for those of us in the free world to denounce the leaders of countries who allow persecution. It is easy to point the finger at those in our own country who seem bent on reducing our cherished freedoms. Much harder is the effort to see within them, a person loved by our Father. But they are there, and they are loved.

Even when we see humanity at its worst; when we see baseness, immorality, or intolerance, we need to remember that this is a person (or persons) who needs the working of the Holy Spirit in their life, and that we can best help them by praying for them. Hearts can be changed, and then lives restored to their full potential, if only an individual will turn to God.  And prayers for them are the will of our Father. Paul tells us:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:1-5

In Ezekiel, chapter 9, we see a plan from God that marked those who were sickened and disheartened by the sin of the world. These people were to be marked, and then saved from the destruction (judgment) that was to come. If we are disheartened and distressed by the sin in our world, we need first to separate ourselves from the sin, and then to pray for the sinners.  There's an excellent example for us to follow, in the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel --- Daniel is imploring God to turn away His fury from the wickedness of the land. He includes himself in the equation, asking forgiveness for himself and his countrymen, and praying that the unconverted neighboring countries will be blessed. Check out verses 16 through 19, and you will see.
Jesus gave us another example to model our lives upon, in Matthew 5:44-45:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We don't know for sure what the future may bring for those of us who are Christians, or for our children and our grandchildren. But if we do have to go into hiding, and worship and praise in secret places, we will need to remember these verses . . .  and pray for those who "despitefully use" us. God will help us to pray, and He will watch over us as we do.

Proverbs 24: 3-6 Blueprints and Power Tools

³ By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.

⁵ The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
⁶ Surely you need guidance to wage war,
    and victory is won through many advisers. 

These verses speak of building a house, but after some study, I think this could be a metaphor for building a life. Let's think about it for a while today.
Those of us who have had the experience (I started to say good fortune, but while you are in the midst of it, it doesn't seem so great) of building a home, have seen the steps involved in putting it together.  Let's face it --- there are certain steps to follow, and a certain order in which they must be completed.  You don't go and buy lovely lamps and framed artwork, before you lay the foundation and get the structure "in the dry" (walls up, and a roof on it).

Solomon is unrolling a blueprint for us here in these verses: our life should be built with wisdom, on a foundation of understanding.  Over the last few months we've learned about wisdom from Solomon -- to seek it, to value it, to use it. Did you also know that wisdom and understanding can be power tools for us?  You see, those that increase in wisdom are "strengthened with all might."

Check out what Paul says in Colossians 1: 9b,11:
⁹ . . . We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, . . . ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 
Once He helps us to establish a foundation, then we can fill each chamber with treasures . . . patience, kindness, contentment, joy, and more.
And there are more "power tools" in our toolbox. The last two verses today speak of our strength, our waging war, and our achieving victory. We know there are verses that mention being at war with Satan, and we know that we can have true victory over him: Ephesians 6:11 is a trumpet call to battle --  Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 
 
But, you say, I'm tired of the battle. I'm weary. I've tried so hard, and I don't think I'm winning. 
It may be health issues that you struggling with; it may be family or friends relationships that cause you heartache; you may be at war with the devil on any number of issues.
Grab your power tools! I don't mean to trivialize this -- I have struggles too, and my heart aches sometimes, and yes, I cry out to God for help. I even whine sometimes, and then have to ask Him to forgive me.
Here's what I should do, instead --- these power tools are right here for my asking:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  II Cor. 12:9


“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” II Pet. 1:3

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” II Cor. 9:8

These are precious promises. I hope they help you, as they have helped me.