Children’s Bedtime Prayer

When I was growing up as a child I prayed this when I went to bed,

 

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

 

Strong words scared some children from wanting to sleep.  I don’t blame them, but I never thought of it that way.  There are some newer less scary versions now that someone created (Probably with God’s help).

 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

May God (or angels) guard me through the night,

And wake me in the morning Light.

Amen.

 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

May the Angels watch me through the night,

And keep me in their blessed sight.

Amen.

 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should live another day,

I pray the Lord to guide my way.

Amen.

 

It’s good that people have other versions of this poem that are less scary.  It’s important to us as parents and grandparents to teach them to love and follow our creator.  God is Love and Love is God.  Matthew 19 says,

“13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Let us see the world through Children’s eyes, let them be told truth not lies.  Give us the ability to come to you like children and follow you through prayer. 

 

Father in heaven, may our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

 

 

Who is your Shepard?

 

          Who is your Shepard?  It’s important to note who you follow and believe in.  In these blogs I hope that we learn from each other.  I have been off quite a few months as we all have been dealing with COVID-19.  It has been around 100 years since the last worldwide epidemic.  Now we are dealing with a new one.  Prayer is important.  The strength of prayer is amazing.  Today, I’m going to break down a chapter in the Bible that most people know or have heard of; Psalms 23.

 

Psalms 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 

          A short chapter with just six verses.  Powerful and meaningful.

 

          “The LORD is my shepherd;” it begins.  God is my Leader and Guide is the meaning of this to me.  To me is important as where God leads you to thinking a different way is just as important.  For God is our Creator. “I shall not want.”  I don’t need anything, everything to make me happy and healthy I have already. Amazing!  We don’t realize but God provides everything we need, we just need to keep our eyes open to see it.

          The second verse is just as powerful.  “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:” God lets me rest in places soft and easy to our bodies, giving us all the food, we need. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” He shows us where the water is pollution free and clear, safe to drink.  Does this allude to the well that never shall run dry that Christ speaks to us in the new testament?  Maybe.

          Each verse gets more and more meaningful as we continue with the word.  The third verse begins, “He restoreth my soul:” Powerful!!  Think about it.  He takes your worries, anger, hatred from you, builds you up to let you know that HE HAS GOT THIS!  Next is “he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”  He shows us the way, the straight and narrow.  Showing us right and wrong so we can go the correct way.  And he’s doing all this for his own name’s sake!  In his name he’s guiding us.

 

          I got chills just writing this.  The next verse begins, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” Meaning even if I’m walking in great danger that could be life threatening.  “I will fear no evil:” I won’t be scared. “for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ For God is here beside us!  His guidance helps me feel safe.  Like a parent holding their children’s hand crossing a street.

 

          These verses are strong.  “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:” People who wish me harm may be close, but God will feed me despite them.  “thou anointest my head with oil;” The Prophet Samuel anointed David King over Israel.  He blesses me/us here by anointing us as his servants or Priests to pass on his word. “my cup runneth over.”  He’s quenching our thirst, the fire of curiosity of wanting to know him and be with him.

 

          “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” If God wills it, I hope this happens.  May I be followed by all that is good and righteous.  “and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  God will make my home with him for infinity.

 

          What do these verses mean for you and to you.  They are powerful words promising protection and guidance if we but follow the Lord God.  Father in heaven, may our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

Where Will You Be?

 Where will you be?

 

Genesis 7:16

King James Version

¹⁶ And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.

Over 100 years it took to build Noah’s Ark and Noah and his family kept the faith throughout.  I have faith that they tried to convert more peoples over to God, but the fear of God had left man.  Finally, the Ark was finished, and God sent the Animals and Noah and his family inside. 

I wonder how many times Noah was laughed at.  How many times did he tell people that water was going to rain down from the heavens?  The faith and believe of Noah for some would be beyond belief, but it's really not.  Prayer, study, and living in Christ's footsteps isn't hard, but it isn't easy either.  God never said it would be easy.

It was God that closed the door to the ark.  Those living on the earth had failed in turning to God and suffered the consequences.  The earth split apart and waters in the earth spouted upward and for the first time in earth’s history, water rained down on it and its inhabitants, leaving only those in the ark safe. 

I picture Pangaea once again splitting apart into the continents we know of today.  Pushing away from that where they were anchored.  Baptizing and cleansing the world of evil.  God’s decision was made.  There were no more chances.

Will we be ready when Jesus comes again and the door to God’s kingdom is closed?

Lord help me be ready for when you come again.  Take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

  

When the Door Closes.

What side of the door will you be on?

When the door closes?

Who will you be standing beside,

When the door closes?

 

When God’s patience has ended,

When He decides it is time?

When our fate is decided,

What side of the door will you be?

 

Will you be on the side of Jesus,

Who offered his life for your own?

Will you be on the opposite side,

When you can no longer atone?

 

What side of the door will you be on?

When the door closes?

Which side will you be standing in,

When the door closes?

 

God’s final judgement will be,

When the door closes.

No further chance will you have,

When the door is closed.

 

D. T. McDade

11 November 2020

God Help Us!

 God Help Us!

 

There are many, many, many verses in the bible about praying.  My last Blog, “Three Times a Day” mentioned Daniel and his arrest and subsequent entrapment in a Lion’s Den.  We pray often and I encourage you to pray often as well.

I remember when I was a student, “God! Let me pass this test.”

I remember when I was really sick, “God! Please heal me!”

I remember when I was in trouble, “God! Please get me out of this!”

Lately I’ve been praying a lot, “God! Please give me a new subject to blog.”

LOL.  My brother and I had a deep discussion about prayer one day and both of us said “Why wait?” 

Let’s pray before we even start something and place it in God’s hands.  “God, I’m going to do this or that.  I put it in your hands and ask your guidance.”  I bet this would work from the start and God would make it easier.

Why do we wait until it’s too late?  The Israelites would turn away from God then cry out, God why have you forsaken us?  Please help us. God save us.

Not turning away from God would have been better.  Whenever the Israelites listened and followed God’s instructions EVERYTHING was fine. 

Okay!  So here goes nothing, something, everything!

God, Father of us All, I commend this and my Pops Stop blogs to you.  I dedicate it to you and pray that you help me find ways to reach my friends, family, folks that read it so they will find ways to get closer to you.  Thank you, God, because I know you have already answered my prayer.

Lord help me to pray to you more often.  Take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow you and your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

 

 

Three Times a Day

 

Three Times a Day!

 

Daniel 6:10-28

New King James Version

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

¹¹ Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹² And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[a]does not alter.”

¹³ So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is ^[b]one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

¹⁴ And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he ^[c]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ¹⁵ Then these men ^[d]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” ¹⁷ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

¹⁸ Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no ^[e]musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep ^[f]went from him. ¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. ²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried out with a ^[g]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

²¹ Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! ²² My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

²³ Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

²⁴ And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

²⁶ I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.  For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.

²⁷ He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the ^[h]power of the lions.

²⁸ So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

 

Three times a day, Daniel prays.  Why can’t we do the same?  Prayer is a powerful thing.  Prophets, Priests, Holy Men, even Jesus prayed to God.  Miracles have happened because of prayer.

Daniel was arrested as we see because of his faith and that he kept on praying to God our Creator instead of an idol.  Can we possibly do the same?  I believe so if we pray God will protect us and guide us.  God never said worshipping him would be easy.  In fact, worship of God is extremely hard even in this day, and age.  There are countries where worshipping God is punished by death and/or imprisonment.

People are suffering because of their belief and faith.  It’s not easy.  By praying and worshipping God consistently we should be living examples.  People should be able to see our joy in worshipping God and come through him.

At my age, getting on my knees to pray isn’t easy.  Let me change that.  Getting down on my knees is very easy, it’s getting back up that gives me pause.  You don’t have to get down on your knees to pray, but it does help to humble yourself to him. Even I’m learning and trying to do this… Pray three times a day.  The best times for me to get on my knees to pray are when I’m getting up for the Day and when I’m going back to bed at night.  That’s two times, but what about the third.

I’m learning to speak and pray whenever I’m alone.  When I’m driving to places, when I take a walk to exercise.  I’m learning and challenge you to remember to kneel at least occasionally to pray.  It’s a different position that does help me at least feel closer to God.

Lord help me to pray to you more often.  Take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow you and your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

Memories

 Memories: Like the Corners of My Mind.

 

Memories.  God blesses me with little memories of his verses from the Bible.  When I was young, I made it a point to memorize Bible Verses.  Now that I am older, those verses come to me in times of need. 

Psalms 23

The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want….

John 3:16

For God so Loved the world….

Even Genesis 1

In the Beginning, God created….

These verses and more I learned and have taken to heart.  Now as I write this blog, I’m reminded of the verses I’ve learned.  They are the foundation of what my faith needs.  I am also reminded that I stopped trying to learn verses long ago and should start again.  I’m doing so by reminding myself of the ones I have already learned. 

How good is my memory of these verses?  So far, I’ve found it surprisingly good.  I’m amazed at what I remember at a time when memory is beginning to fade in other things.  God watches over me as always.  He guides my steps when I allow him too (to my regret when I don’t) I’m always learning.

God is Great and will guide us if we let him.  If we take him at his word and read his word our life turns out better than we expect.  We should pray always in the things we do for him that made us to guide and help us.  Show us what direction he wants us to follow. 

Remembering that He gave his son to save us.  We could at the very least open the Good Book to read and study.  Just because a verse confuses you or you don’t understand it doesn’t mean the meaning won’t come to you.  Sometimes it must grow on you, in you, and around you to come to light.  So, Read it. Learn it. Live it. 😊

Lord help me to ready and learn your word.  I don’t always remember what you have taught me.  Please help me remember your words. Take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow you and your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.

Giving Everything to God

 

With ALL Our Heart, Soul, and Mind!

 

Matthew 22:37-40

³⁷Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Wow!  Heady stuff.  To love God with everything you have, Heart, Soul, and Mind.  Just think if we did this our body would probably follow their lead.  I could use a healthier body.

What can I do to attain this?  Read and study the word of course helps but praying is a major factor.  Do we just pray when we’re in need, or do we have an active relationship with God? 

In Ephesians 6:10-18

New King James Version

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the ^[a]wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of ^[b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Praying for everything, all the time, even and especially when things are going well. Praise God, thank him for what he has given us all.  With the word and in prayer, we should be able to begin our transition giving our all to God. 

I don’t see us just sitting on a cloud playing a harp.  One man’s heaven could be another’s hell.  I do think in heaven we’ll be serving God still in one capacity or another and enjoying what we do.  God has a plan for all of us, it is up to us to pray and follow where he leads.

Lord, I know I don’t always follow where you’re leading me, sometimes I fight it.  Please take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow you and your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.