strengthened by Your Spirit

 Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (5:15 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that I get to come before You. Feeling out of sorts. You are who I trust with my heart. My soul. My mind. And strength.

(5:22 a.m.)

Thank You that I can turn to Your Word. Actively seeking Your Truth.

(5:53 a.m.)

Much searching. Reading. And now finding.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth Ephesians 3:14-21.

I’m confessing feelings of sadness Father. In such sharp contrast to the hope, peace, joy and contentment I experienced with You yesterday. That “all’s right with the world” spark that took me easily from one task to another.

Thank You that by looking to You, seeking You first (Matthew 6:33) I am heartened. Strengthened by Your Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

Mm, yes. Father speak to me that I can hear what this means.

“ …spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality],” (Amplified Bible).

Paul prayed “that from His [the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (v. 15)] glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit” (New Living Translation).

Let’s go with The Message shall we?

“I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God” (vs. 16-19).

Yes please! That is how I want to live and love. Fully. In, with, by, through and for You. Strengthened by Your Spirit.

I don’t yet have the hope filled passion and drive I was so keenly blessed with yesterday. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to make me strong with power in my heart through the Holy Spirit (New Life Version).

Mm, yes! Fill our souls with the power of Your Spirit (The Voice). Making us very strong in heart because of the fullness of Your glory (Worldwide English - New Testament).

Lord, I can do none of this on my own. It is in You I trust. To You I look.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Strengthening me by Your Spirit as I go. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(434 words ~ 6:49 a.m.)

so much hope

 Monday, March 30, 2025 (5:31 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You! Sleep. Songs. Rest. Hope. You’ve been providing them all. Thank You.

Yes Father. Thank You for the hope we have in You. Mm. Yes. Hope in You.

(6:30 a.m.)

Many songs have come to my mind and heart so far this morning. They are currently being outshined by Your Word of Truth and promises. 

Searching for lyrics to one, I find another instead. Allowing myself to just drop the quest, I am again reminded of the peace I experienced yesterday.

Realizing the limit to my patience I took a good hard look at what I wanted to accomplish. What was my goal? Making sure the grandsons were safe.

Father, thank You. I very much appreciate the ways You are changing my focus. Not only enabling me to set healthy boundaries, empowering me to maintain them as well. 

Not by my will. But Yours. Being still. And knowing that You are God (Psalm 46:10a). Resting, hoping, trusting in You. Thank You that my hope truly IS in You!

(7:10 a.m.)

Here is the verse I want to take with me into the day Dear Lord. Psalm 25:5. Going up and beginning with verses 1 and 2a.

“O LORD, I give my life to You, I trust in You, my God!”

How I thank You for reminding me of what I woke up praying. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7a) that You would make me a better learner.

“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your Truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves. All day long I put my hope in You” (Psalm 25:4-5).

Such Truth. So much hope.

Allow me the bold obedience You provided Joshua when You commanded him to “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

That is the strength I need. I want to be strong in Your mighty power. Dressed in Your armor (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Do all You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You Dear Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(371 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

"right"

 Saturday, March 29,2025 (5:04 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You

(5:18 a.m.)

As You can see, I don’t even know where to start Lord. My heart is full of reasons to thank You. I want to get it “right”. What is “right” with You?

Psalm 100

(6:12 a.m.)

Deuteronomy 6

Psalm 37:3-5, 8

Thank You for the opportunity to explore Your Word. 

(6:13 a.m.)

Galatians 6:9 [verse 7 = “get what you plant”]

Matthew 6:5-15 ♪Father, let Your Kingdom come Father, let Your will be done On earth as in Heaven Right here in my heart♪

 

Lord God, there is Truth written in Your Word. Promises. Hope. Love. Joy. Calls to obedience. These I long to follow.

Yes!

I have opportunities to do right today. To rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24b). Seeking first Your Kingdom (Matthew 6:33). 

I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within me. Completely encompassing me in Your glorious goodness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Father, I want to represent You well. Loving as You would have me love (Deuteronomy 6:5). Fearing as You would have me fear (v. 3) Disciplining as You would have me discipline (Proverbs 22:6).

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Desperately. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(220 words ~ 6:49 a.m.)

grounding

 Friday, March 28, 2025 (7:25 a.m.)

I’m looking to You Blessed God. Seeking to become the me You created me to be.

Singing has been happening so far this morning. Many of the same songs from earlier in the week. With one new addition to the list.

This one helped me smile. Thinking it was ♪Here we [I?] go again♪ I grinned when it turned out to be ♪Here You Come Again♪

(7:56 a.m.)

THIS is awesome! Reading about what it is to look to You I come to Psalm 34:5. Oh! But wait… there’s more!

Verse 4. 3. 2. 1. Yes! “A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane…” How many times do I wonder what insanity feels like?

Father! Thank You for the Truth and the grounding of Your Word.

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:1-3).

The eagerness that comes over me as I continue reading is building. Lord, You are so very good (Psalm 145:7a).

“I prayed to the LORD, and He answered…” 

[Cue new music! ♪I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered…♪ 

Trust in God]

“…me. He freed me from all my fears” (v.4) Oh, and I have them Father. I could easily sink from the weight of them. 

Thank You that “Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; He saved me from all my troubles” (5-6).

Father, when I allow fear to live rent free in my head I do feel desperate. Thank You again for Your promises.

“For the angel of the LORD is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the LORD, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing. Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD” (7-11).

Yes please Father. Fearing [Fully Esteeming And Revering] You is how I want to live. Do all You must that I come to trust in You (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The apostle Paul prayed “ …that God, the source of hope, will fill you [the church at Rome] completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Hmm… confident hope.

From whence does my help come? “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:2).

Thank You Father. Thank You for grounding me. Thank You for giving me just the smallest taste of what life in, with, by, through and for You is like.

Just yesterday I associated the word taste to what we experience with Your goodness. Your grace. Your love. Just the smallest taste of examples. While discussing my thinking, ♪Sabor a Mi♪ seemed the perfect song for this theme. Finding Luis Miguel’s English translation makes it even more so. Thank You Lord.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(592 words ~ 8:45 a.m.)

 

never-ending

 Thursday, March 27, 2025 (5:37 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy, Loving Father God,

Thank You for the never-ending list of words that describe You. It amazes me how one word [never-ending] can change one song into two.

(6:51 a.m.)

Waking with what seemed a loud and direct command from You. ♪Don’t Stop Praying Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door And let your knees wear out the floor Don’t stop believing …♪

(7:14 a.m.)

I confess distraction Dear God. I think I know what I want to say here with You and then I run off to something else.

It [distraction] happened to me in the car yesterday Lord. A light turned green. And I proceeded through the intersection. Thank You for keeping me safe. Without incident. The green light was meant only for those turning left.

Realizing the red light I was running, the language out of my mouth was anything but glorifying. Forgive me the shame, embarrassment, danger, distraction I encountered.

Father God, I love You. Thank You that Your grace is never-ending. Thank You that Your Truth keeps poking my heart.

Allowing the word never-ending to sing into my soul I immediately found the lyrics to ♪Reckless Love♪ Father, thank You for the various directions reading about this song has taken me already this morning.

First to 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. Then the whole chapter. Father, thank You for the reminder that it is to You we need to come. Staying still. Standing firm. Knowing. Trusting. Believing that You ARE the ♪Good, Good Father♪ we have experienced You to be.

Your apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to strengthen their relationship with You. And one another. Thank You that we have his words of encouragement and prayers on their behalf.

How I ask to be included with his prayers for spiritual wisdom (Ephesians 1:15-19) and growth (3:14-19). “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely [never-endingly] more than we might ask or think.”

Yes! Work Your will and Your way in, with, me, by, through and for me. I want to pay close attention to Your leading. Undistracted.

Another song is starting. ♪Un… something or other♪ YOU take charge of its finding if it’s coming from You.

I love You Father. I need, trust and want You. Use me as only You know is best. Thank You. Praise You

♪… undefeated…♪ So many songs with this title. ALL not the one. Oh, but You are GOOD Father. Great. Glorious. Gracious! (Psalm 145:5-8).

♪You are my Champion Giants fall when You stand Undefeated Every battle You’ve won I am who You say I am You crown me with confidence I am seated In the Heavenly place Undefeated With the One who conquered it all♪

Yes! You are GOOD Father! Thank You that You are! My list of thanks to and praise for You truly is never-ending. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(506 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)