Strengthening My Foundation

I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.  The cords of death encircled me, and the pains of Sheol took hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I plead with You, deliver my soul.” Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; indeed, our God is merciful. The Lord protects the simple; I was brought low, and He helped me. [Psa. 116:1-6]

Holy Spirit I need to absorb and make this scripture a foundation within my heart: Ephesians 1:17-19—that the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which he has called me, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for me and others who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.  Let me receive this Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I can apply Your principles to my life. 

Holy Spirit teach me to understand and apply the wisdom You have allowed me to learn whether through Your word, through experiences, others speaking or testifying, and from the leading of Your Spirit too. 1 Timothy 2:8-10(The Message)—Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.  And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. 

1 Timothy 4:1-11—The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know  the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.  If you point these things out to the brothers [and sisters], you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of good teaching that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. For we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.  But I especially urge you to do this, ….Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)