Prayer Journal – From A Pastor's Heart

Come on now. Don’t deny it. You’ve been thinking about that annual summer vacation to the beach, Disney World, Pigeon Forge, etc. Vacations are a good thing. We all need our physical, mental, and spiritual batteries recharged!

Question. When you go on vacation, do you plan for those special daily times to build your relationship with the Lord? Do you take your Bible, journals, and books so you can feed your soul? Can you say when you have returned that you and your family love the Lord more or less? Do you research the area before you arrive to find a solid Bible preaching/teaching church where you and your family can worship on Sunday morning?

I will submit to you without reservation, the best parts of our vacations over the years have been our time in the mornings in the Word and prayer. Vacation must not be a time to leave the Lord at home. Vacations should be a time where everyday distractions are removed, and you can enjoy His presence and His precepts!

I hear so often from so many that due to their work, school, recreation, and church schedules, they struggle to get time in the Word and prayer. And believe it or not, it shows (I know by experience in my own life). Vacation is a time for you to unplug from all the aforementioned things and be refreshed. What better way to do so than to meet with Jesus everyday as an individual, as a couple and as a family. Even Jesus Himself went apart from the crowd to meet with His Father (Matthew 14:23).

Furthermore, because you are in such a relaxed mode on vacation, that’s even more reason you need the Word of God to ward off the attacks of your flesh, the world and the devil. I promise you, they never take a vacation.

And finally look at the effect the intake of the Word will have upon you:

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

⁹⁷Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. ⁹⁸You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. ¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. ¹⁰²I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. ¹⁰³How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:97-104)

So, as you plan for all the places you will eat, recreate, lodge and relax, be sure to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). By the way, He’s the One Who gives you the strength, provides the funds, and watches over you for your vacation.

Don’t take a vacation from the Lord when you are on your vacation!

Once again, here are a few links that I believe will be worth looking into. As we move to the end of this week, and begin the new week on Sunday, prepare your heart through meeting with God in prayer and Bible reading to worship Him in a powerful way on the Lord’s Day!!

Jesus Genie – Paul Tripp asks, “When you receive blessing, how do you define blessing? Be honest – what do you want from God? Or maybe this is a more provocative way of saying it: what kind of Messiah do you want Jesus to be?”

My Prayer Journal – My wife has said on numerous occasions, “If the house were on fire, besides my Bible, this is the one item that I would not want to leave behind!” Here’s a great post on a way to lift the level of your prayer life, your relationship with God!

Earth’s Largest Water Reservoir Found Hidden Under the US and Water Deep in Earth’s Mantle – Good information in reference to the Flood (Genesis 7:11).

The Joy of Running a 5K – How much I have missed running due to surgery recovery. I understand this post completely! Wearing my running shoes in the house even if I can’t hit the country roads yet!

I Will Rise – What joy to know that Christ came to be born, to die, and rise from the tomb that we might live!!! Watch, listen and give thanks with a grateful heart to our Awesome God!! The best, indeed, is yet to come!!