continuously

 Thursday, April 25, 2024 (6:07 a.m.)

Holy God,

THANK YOU! You alone are good (Matthew 12:35, Psalm 14:3). Thank You that You are.

Thank You that You remind me continuously of Your presence. Your grace. Your glory. And greatness (Psalm 145:5-8). 

It’s when we place our focus on You, Your Truth, Your promises that we practice trust. Thank You Lord.

It’s in You we find our hope (Romans 15:13). Yes! ♪All of my hope is in You My Life Is In You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it’s in You I will praise You with all of my life I will praise You with all of my strength With all of my life With all of my strength All of my hope is in You♪

I’ve been collecting phrases recently. “Be prepared, not scared.” Liz Curtis Higgs offers me another. “He gave us His Son, His Spirit, and His Word. Friends, we are good to go.”

I want to continuously stay my mind and stand firmly on Your Word. “Be(ing) alert and aware, not afraid.” Yes. You tell us repeatedly “Fear not.” 

Lord God, I want to practice being strong and of good courage (Joshua 1:9a). Not afraid or discouraged (9b). For You are with me wherever I go (9c).

“Jesus looked at them [His disciples] intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God’” (Mark 10:27. See also Ephesians 3:20). Thank You that I get to continuously practice trusting and believing that all You say is true.

Work in, with, by, through and for me that I will love as You would have me love. You. Others. Myself. Wholeheartedly. Soulfully. Mindfully. ♪With all of my strength…♪ (Mark 12:30-31).

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

(320 words ~ 7:37 a.m.)

permanent yet changing

 Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (6:03 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! The moon was beautiful last night! Well worth our going out to gaze upon and contemplate it. Thank You Lord.

My plan was to come before You bemoaning our combined wakings throughout the night. Thank You for taking me instead to thankfulness.

Searching “contemplate moon” I find paintings and a song with these words. Reading e-articles I am reminded that while the moon is permanent, it appears to change each day.

Lord, You are so good. ♪You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes There may be pain in the night [THIS is the song I was thinking of so much earlier!] But joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5) And when the oceans rage I don’t have to be afraid Because I know that You love me Your Love Never Fails♪

Thank You Father! Following this full moon contemplation into Your Word (Isaiah 30:26) I am thrilled to read the title of this section (vs. 18-33). Blessings for the LORD’s People. Thank You Father for the blessings You provide us.

Under the Principles of Judgment Illustrated Bible Handbook describes the woes to those who reject trusting in You. “The poetic warnings [30:1-31:9] are interrupted by a great passage of promise: God will bind up the wounds He inflicts: Jerusalem will weep no more (30:19-26). Grace, not judgment, is nearest to God’s heart!”

Again I say, thank You God! “The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter - like the light of seven days in one! So it will be when the LORD begins to heal His people and cure the wounds He gave them” (Isaiah 30:26).

Yes Lord. As beautiful as the moon was last night in all its fullness, it will be different tonight. You won’t. ♪You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes♪

Thank You that with every mistake I make I get to smile ♪’Cause You make all things, work together for my good (Romans 8:28)… You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes…♪

Thank You Lord. Use us exactly as You know is best. We love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(347 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

search and change

 Tuesday, April 23, 2024 (5:58 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. Singing [and smiling] has already begun. ♪Search Change My Heart, O God Make it ever true Change my heart, O God, May I be like You♪

Psalm 139:23-24, 51:10.

(6:52 a.m.)

Sitting with You Lord is an absolute gift. To my heart. My soul. My mind. And my strength. Thank You Father.

As I stay my mind on Your Word, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to keep teaching me to stand on it. Thank You for continuously reminding me to turn to You. Your goodness. Your grace. Your greatness. And Your glory (Psalm 145:5-8). Yes Father. Thank You.

You keep me calm. ♪You Make Me Brave♪ I need You. I trust, want and love You.

(7:33 a.m.)

The Message for Psalm 51:10. Starting at verse 7. Following through to 15.

“Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to create holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels Your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I’ll sing anthems to Your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I’ll let loose with Your praise.” 

Such Truth. Such wisdom. Encouragement. Power. Yes! Search and change my heart Oh God and I’ll let loose with Your praise. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(310 words ~ 7:45 a.m.)

very present help

 Monday, April 22, 2024 (6:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). Our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1a). A very present help in trouble (1b).

(6:50 a.m.)

Mm, yes. Thank You.

I get to sing. ♪Hey! Look Me Over♪ (Psalm 139:23-24) and ♪Believe For It♪ Seeking You in it all.

Father, thank You. You take what I have to offer and give me more in return. Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises.

You provide hope. You ♪move the immovable Break the unbreakable God, we believe God, we believe for it… From the impossible We’ll see a miracle… You said it I believe it You said it It is done… Yes, Lord God, we believe for it♪ Continue Your work in us I ask (Matthew 7:7).

Guide me in my thoughts, words and actions. I want to represent You well. Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly on Your Truth. Staying my mind on Your promises.

Use me as You alone know is best. Loving You, others and myself with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

Thank You Father. I love, need, trust and want You. Amen.

(202 words ~ 7:33 a.m.)

beyond the obvious

 Sunday, April 21, 2024 (5:27 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are good. I am glad. Life is strange. Different than I ever expected. My feelings get hurt over the seemingly smallest things. Thank You that You are so much bigger than every single issue I encounter in this life.

Thank You that I can find You when I look beyond the obvious. Yes Lord. I like the way You take my random thoughts and lead me into Your Word. Thanks Dad.

(7:03 a.m.)

Thank You God. Yes. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

(7:33 a.m.)

Yes, thank You Lord.

I want You. Your thoughts to overpower my own. Thank You for allowing/encouraging me to follow where You lead.

Right now? 2 Corinthians 10:5.

(7:42 a.m.)

And this time together with You just keeps getting better and better. Thank You God!

The Message. “The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way - never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”

Yes Father! Build my life. Obediently into maturity.

I need You Lord. I love You. I trust and want You. You know Your best for us. Continue guiding my thoughts and steps. Far beyond the obvious.

Thank You that You do. Illustrated Bible Handbook. 2 CORINTHIANS “Chapter 10. Appeal, Not Command Meekness and Gentleness; 10:1-6… Paul is engaged in a spiritual warfare, so he can never rely on worldly methods. It requires divine power to demolish the inner strongholds and bring hearts and minds into an obedient relationship with the Lord.”

There’s that reference again. Obedience. To You. Keep capturing my fearful thoughts and bringing them to You for Your good. Your grace. Your glory. Your greatness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Use me. Amen.

(383 words ~ 8:19 a.m.)

taking pleasure

 Saturday, April 20, 2024 (5:22 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

You blessed us with sleep. Rest. Visits from a baby brother. Beauty in the sky. Yard work.  And a swim. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for Your Word Dearest Lord. Your Word filled with Your Truth and promises. Your Word on which to stand. Delight. Take pleasure. Rejoice. Enjoy. Follow. Obey.

♪(Don’t You Know) It’s Time To Praise the Lord In the sanctuary of His Holy Spirit So set your mind on Him And let You praise begin And the glory of the Lord Will fill this place Praise the Lord, praise the Lord He lives within The praises of His people He loves to hear us Call upon His name So set your mind on Him And let your praise begin And the glory of the Lord Will fill this place Praise the Lord♪ Yes! Praise You Lord!

(6:15 a.m.)

Psalm 37:4. Just when I thought this one verse was enough for the day, I find and read more!

Evangelical Heritage Version. Verses 3-5. “Trust in God’s Goodness Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on [shepherd] faithfulness. Take pleasure in the LORD, and He will grant your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the LORD. Trust in Him, and He will act.”

Delight ourselves in You. Enjoy serving You. Do what YOU want. “Be happy that the LORD is your friend” (New Life Version). Seek happiness in You. “Take great joy in the Eternal! His gifts are coming, and they are all your heart desires!” (The Voice).

Let me seek and find my pleasure in You and Your kingdom most dear and blessed God. Your Word teaches. Let me learn. Deuteronomy 4:29-31. Jeremiah 29:13. Matthew 6:33.

I love You Lord. I need, trust and want You. Do all You must that I will serve You as You know is best. Taking my pleasure in You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(335 words ~ 7:05  a.m.)

claiming trust

 Friday, April 19, 2024 (4:47 a.m.)

Most Dear and Awesome Father God,

I love You. I’m working hard to not be afraid. To stop avoiding unpleasantries by putting my head in the sand. I want very much to stand firmly on Your Word. Staying my mind on Your Truth and promises.

You are good. You know what You are doing in our lives. I depend on Your faithfulness. I say these things because I want desperately to believe them.

I started out yesterday by singing ♪You May Be Right♪ Thank You that You ARE Lord. You are right. I make mistakes. And You are right! In all You are and do.

Thank You that we have Your teachings to buoy us. Deuteronomy 32. The Song of Moses (31:30-32:47). Illustrated Bible Handbook “The song which Moses now teaches to Israel has an important purpose. It will serve as a testimony, and as a witness against the people (31:19)...”

Father, I read Your Word and hope. I claim trust in You over every fearful thought. Thank You Lord.

1 Peter 1:17-23 speaks Your Truth into my being. The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us that it’s impossible to earn Your favor and acceptance. Reminding us that we can’t measure up to Your standards on our own. “He [YOU] accepts our limitations, forgives our sins, seeks to help us learn from our mistakes, and helps us progress toward a more godly life.”

Moving back to Moses’ song, again I depend on Your Truth Dearest Lord. “Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants” (Deuteronomy 32:1-2).

♪You may be right♪ echoes again. Thank You that You aren’t wrong. I get to choose to believe and trust You.

“I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” (vs. 3-4).

Father God, thank You for every single smile that comes to my face. Reminding me that in some way, shape or form I am trusting You.

“An important part of spiritual growth is learning to worship God. An important part of worship is praise. Moses takes time to praise God for who He is - glorious, strong, perfect, just and fair, faithful, upright. We also need to take time to rejoice in who God is and praise Him for His greatness. He is the Rock - our foundation for a stable life. His work in our life is perfect. We need to recognize God’s ability to help us and then allow Him to do His mighty work on our behalf” (32:3-4 comment).

Thank You for all the ways You get my attention back on Your Truth Blessed Father. Reading. Reflecting. Hoping. Praying. Trusting. Believing.

“As we go about the rebuilding process, we need to be assured of God’s protection and guidances. These verses (32:11-13) from Moses’ song should offer just the certainty we need. God will protect us as we seek recovery and guide us toward a life filled with joy and freedom” (TLRB comment).

Yes Lord. Your Word reminds me again that while I don’t know what tomorrow [or even today] holds, I DO know the One who holds it!

Thank You that I am able to claim trust in You. Wholehearted dependence on Your Word. You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29). I depend on this being true.

Thank You for loving and guiding us Dearest God. Continue Your work in our lives. We love, need, trust and want You as Lord (Philippians 2:11) over every single aspect of our lives. Use us as only You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(675 words ~ 6:47 a.m.)