our Anchor

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 (8:13 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You for being our Anchor.

(9:45 a.m.)

Right now may I please just say, “Wow!” and again, “Thank You!” Looking into Your Word, I find two translations that reaffirm my faith and trust in You not only as our hope for salvation but as our Anchor as well. Hebrews 6:19 in the New Life Version and again in the New Living Translation.

Backing up to verses 13-18, the stage is set for what is to come in verse 19. Under the subject title God's Promises Bring Hope we read of Your promise to Abraham. We are reminded of the promise and the oath You gave to Abraham of blessing him with “descendants beyond number” (v.14, see also Genesis 22:17).

We are told in this section that “These two things [Your promise and oath] are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us” (18b). Mm. Yes. Hope! Hope in You. Hope in Your Word. Hope in Your Son.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary” (v.19, NLT). “This hope is a safe anchor for our souls. It will never move. This hope goes into the Holiest Place of All behind the curtain of heaven” (19, NLV).

Father God, thank You for this hope. The hope of Your goodness and Your grace. The mighty hope that allows us to cling to You in times of discord and situational upsets.

We are currently battling situational upsets. I can't put my finger on what exactly is going on here so I'm honestly going with what we were learning in church on Sunday. “Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

It IS Your Spiritual Armor with which we need to gird ourselves. Something isn't quite right around here. Our hope HAS to be in You. Always, only in You as our Anchor.

Thank You Father. Do in and for, with and through each of us that we will truly be the people You would have us be. I love You so very much Dearest Lord. And again I thank You for absolutely being our Anchor. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(429 words ~ 10:17 a.m.)

mighty fortress / hedge of protection

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 (7:24 a.m.)

Most Blessed Father,

Thank You for Your presence in our lives. Thank You that You are our 'mighty fortress'. Thank You that You 'are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble' (Psalm 46:1).

Recently I have been praying Your 'hedge of protection' for myself and loved ones. Thank You Father that You are not only that, but so much more.

Because of the love You have for Your people, I get to look to Your Word. I am able to turn in the Scriptures to find verses not only to cling to but on which to stand as well. Thank You for this honor Dearest Father. Thank You for this supreme privilege.

We are duly blessed by Your availability. Psalm 46 describes You with words that help us know that we do not need to be afraid of outside forces. Psalm 91 goes on telling of the protection and safety we have in You.

Thank You Father for being our mighty fortress. Our hedge of protection. It is only when we call on the power of Your most holy name that we can find rest from that which would do us harm. Thank You Father.

Use us this day to point the way to You. As You build, shape, shield and keep us safe, teach us to share You well with others. We love You Father. We thank and praise Your holy name. And we ask that we would be good stewards this day. Thank You Father. Thank You Son. Thank You Holy Spirit. Live in us we pray. Amen.

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

laughter and love

Wednesday, July 24, 2013 (7:48 a.m.)

San Clemente, CA

Most Holy Father,

Thank You! Thank You for the love with which You surround us. Love which so very often leads to laughter.

Thursday, July 25, 2013 (7:56 a.m.)

Yes Father. Thank You for the laughter and the love You provide us to get through our days here in this world.

Blessed Father, I'm not going to lie... some days are so very much harder than others. Far too often I let the seemingly bad or scary things take precedence over the good. Thank You that we have Your Word to remind us of where to put our focus!

Yesterday I again came to Psalm 100 in The Message. I love it when Your Word makes me smile. Once again the first two verses of this particular psalm did exactly that!

“On your feet now – applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence” (Psalm 100:1-2).

Father, thank You for this privilege. This wonderful opportunity of being Your people! “Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make Him. We're His people, His well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: 'Thank You!' Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. For GOD is sheer beauty, all generous in love, loyal always and ever” (Psalm 100:3-5).

Father, this is Truth I want to remember and use well this day. Thank You for loving us. How I ask that I applaud you with the laughter and love You so rightly deserve. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(271 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

He's the One

Monday, July 22, 2013 (7:11 a.m.)

Awesome Father God,

Thank You! You provided us safe travels yesterday. Safe travels and loving hugs. Oh that it were true Dearest Father, to find emotional and physical healing in the love and hugs of friends.

Blessed Father, we are surrounded by people who are hurting. For one reason or another. In one way or another. And all we can do is look to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking on their behalf (Matthew 7:7-8).

I look to You Dearest Father. I hold onto the words I find in Your Word. The ones that have seared themselves into my heart and mind. Words such as Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the One who will keep you on track.”

You're the One alright! Father God, how truly grateful I am to be able to turn to You in every instance. So very often I get confused. I try to figure things out. I want to do good. And then I remember. You're the One who will do good in and through us only when we get out of Your way and ask You in to do just that.

Today, Dearest Father, there are so many of our friends and family who are hurting. Feeling discouraged. Alone. Afraid. Come in to each of us that we would readily point to You saying, “He's the One who will keep you on track.”

Father, You are so very good. So kind. I continue looking in Proverbs and am again reminded how our 'own soul is nourished when we are kind and destroyed when we are cruel' (11:17). Continue Your work in me Blessed Father, making me loving. Joyful. Peaceful. Patient. Kind. Good. Gentle. Faithful. And self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-23).

You're the One who can do that. Through Your Holy Spirit. How I ask You to continue softening hearts, making them obedient to Your call. Settle down deep into the minds and souls of those of us in desperate need of Your saving grace. Infuse us with the strength that only comes from Your mighty power within (Ephesians 6:10). It is Your strength we need to face each day. You're the One to provide that needed strength.

Make us aware of Your presence. Provide us with everything that is necessary to truly love You with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength (Mark 12:30) that we will then come to 'love our neighbors as ourself' (v. 31).

You're the One, the ONLY One who can do that in and through each of us! It is in Your Blessed Son's most holy name I pray, asking You to BE the One with each of us most Holy Father. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(478 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)

riches

Friday, July 19, 2013 (6:54 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for kindness. Blessings. And riches. Yes Father. You are the Provider of riches untold. You give us peace. Patience. The fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

There are many variables involved in the next few days. Tentative plans had been made and are in the process of being changed. We give them all to You Dearest Lord.

Jesus' half brother James wrote to believers urging them to live out their faith in ways that honored You. One of his encouragements was 'to recognize the fleeting nature of life' and 'to acknowledge God as sovereign in men's affairs' (Illustrated Bible Handbook James 4:13-17).

This teaching coincides with David's experience of not being the builder of the temple he had dreamed of building for You. Still he praised You in the presence of Your people (1 Chronicles 29:10). He recognized You as “the source of all true success” (The Life Recovery Bible).

David's prayer “ascribes all greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty to Him [You]. It recognizes that God is the source of all riches and honor; God is sovereign over peoples, tongues and nations. These are essential truths. We must daily affirm the truth that God is our source of strength. We are helpless on our own, but God is more than able to help us overcome the problems that assail us” (29:11-12 commentary).

Amen Dearest Father! You ARE the source of our strength! “Both riches and honor come from You. You rule over all. Power and strength are in Your hand. The power is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all” (v. 12).

It is to You I look this day. Asking that You would use us to bring glory and honor to Your most holy name. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your guidance. Thank You for being “more than able to help us overcome the problems that assail us.” Keep teaching us how to trust and depend solely upon the riches that come only from You.

Father, thank You. Use us well this day. I love You. Amen.

(372 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)

all the time

Thursday, July 18, 2013 (6:19 a.m.)

Loving Father God,

Thank You that You are good. All the time. I said it throughout the night. And slept as a result. “God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.”

It's so easy to remember and believe when things are going well. When all is as we would have it. But what about when the bottom drops out? When a late night phone call tells of the ultimate tragedy. A child of a loved one's friend has taken their own life. In our particular case right now, more than one loved one is experiencing this particular torment.

Father, how I come to You on their behalf. You ARE good. All the time! How do we as Believers come alongside and offer Your loving faithfulness when circumstances are as painful as this?

Here is where I absolutely lean into Your Word. I depend on its Truth. Romans 8:26 speaks of a time when we won't “even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.” This is where I am Father. In desperate need of Your Holy Spirit making the concerns of my heart known to You.

You are so good. All the time. I too often take for granted the readiness with which we are welcomed into Your presence. At the times we need You most, Your loving kindness is always available. Thank You Father.

Thank You that we can be assured that “the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will” (Romans 8:27). When circumstances are that which we can't even begin to comprehend, Father how I ask You to manifest Your promises to those not yet ready to embrace them.

Slights, hurts, devastations, losses too easily color our outlooks bitterly. Father God, intervene on our behalf. Take our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) that we would truly stand firmly in Your love.

The Message presents the power of Your Spirit as this, “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good” (Romans 8:26-28).

It is the power of Your Spirit on which I lean right now. There is no possibility of making sense of this any other way. I choose to ♫trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge You, believing that You will direct our path♫ (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Father God, thank You that You have called us to love and be loved by You. Thank You for the work You want to do in and through each of us. Empower me to share the Truth of Your goodness, all the time.

Bless and keep those not yet ready to accept Your invitation (Revelation 3:20). Do what You must to bring the joy of Your love fully into our lives.

I love You, Father. I thank You. Amen.

(599 words ~ 7:28 a.m.)

wonderfully holy

Monday, July 15, 2013 (6:55 a.m.)

Holy Father God,

Thank You for being a wonderfully holy Father and God. I didn't expect to find it written in Your Word, but here it is. Exodus 15:11. “Are there any gods like the Lord? No, there are no gods like You – You are wonderfully holy! You are amazingly powerful! You do great miracles!”

How perfect is that! Your people of Israel got to watch firsthand as You rescued them from the oppression of the Egyptians. You marked their way to and through the Red Sea, yet they were still afraid (Exodus 14:1; 10). Thank You Father for reminders such as these that Your people doubted, feared, complained (v.11) before trusting and obeying.

I confess to You the feelings of fear and bitterness that far too often run rampant over my thoughts. I keep mental lists of past slights and make decisions based on what will most likely hurt the least.

Thank You that Yours is a far better Way than that! We are called to trust, obey, forgive, rejoice. Things we are unable to do on our own. Thank You Father. Because You are wonderfully holy, You have provided us the privilege to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

Much too often I forget just how wonderfully holy You are. And even here, I haven't yet seen the tip of the iceberg to Your wonders and holiness. Thank You Father. Thank You that You keep me coming back for more praising and rejoicing. I love You. I want to serve You well with all the glory and honor You deserve. Make it so Dearest Father. Make me astutely aware and acknowledging of Your wonderful holiness.

I love You Father. I thank You. Amen.

(299 words ~ 7:43 a.m.)

a great day

Sunday, July 14, 2013 (6:56 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Good sleep was had. That doesn't happen everyday. It's a joy when it does. Waking up, I hear church bells chiming. The air outside feels cool. Birds are chirping. And I am quoting a country song, ♫It's A Great Day to Be Alive♫

Thank You Father. While it IS a great day to be alive, it's far greater when we are alive in You. The church of Sardis is remembered for this. “This message is sent to you by the one who has the seven-fold Spirit of God and the seven stars. I know your reputation as a live and active church, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1).

Jesus, I get to sit here and be grateful for Your Word; Your life, death and resurrection. Too often I resemble those who just go through spiritual motions instead of standing firmly in the faith we have in You. Thank You for Your call to righteousness. “We don't have to follow the crowd; we can follow God instead” (The Life Recovery Bible).

“Now wake up! Strengthen what little remains – for even what is left is at the point of death. Your deeds are far from right in the sight of God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again. Unless you do, I will come suddenly upon you, unexpected as a thief, and punish you” (Revelation 3:2-3).

You encourage us to make better choices. Live better lives. Forgive. Be grateful. Love. It's a great day to do all these. Work in me to make it so. I love You, Father. I love You, Jesus. I love You, Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your work, Your sacrifice, Your love on our behalf. Have Your way this day. Amen.

(299 words ~ 8:04 a.m.)

surrounded by love

Saturday, July 13, 2013 (7:41 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You for the love with which You surround us. I turn to Your Word (Deuteronomy 33:12) and get to read some of Moses' words. “The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside Him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm.” What a comfort Your presence is.

Reading in Psalms there is more mention of those surrounded by Your love. Such peace and hope surrounds us every time we come to You with confessions of sin and public praise of Your goodness and grace. Father, You are so good to us. Thank You.

“For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love” (Psalm 5:12). Peace. Comfort. Hope. Joy. Thank You Father.

Psalm 33:20-22 says, “We depend upon the Lord alone to save us. Only He can help us; He protects us like a shield. No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting Him. We trust His holy name. Yes, Lord, let Your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in You alone.” Yes Lord. Thank You for surrounding us with Your love.

In Psalm 32, David speaks of confessed sin and Your forgiveness bringing joy (vs. 1-6). He acknowledged You as his hiding place (v. 7) and shared Your promise to “instruct you [says the Lord] and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress” (8).

Today is the anniversary of my mom's birth. All the days of my life she surrounded me with her love. How blessed I am to know that. All of this is true because of Your forgiving love that encompasses us all. Such truth is not to be taken lightly nor for granted.

On this day that I get to set aside special time to remember her loving and generous ways, I am even more blessed to be able to turn to Your Word and get serious counsel.

“Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line! Many sorrows come to the wicked, but abiding love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. So rejoice in Him, all those who are His, and shout for joy, all those who try to obey Him” (Psalm 32:9-11).

As I shout for joy and try to obey You, I wholeheartedly add a huge “Happy Birthday, Mom! And thank you for surrounding us with your love all the days of our lives.” Thank You Father for teaching us that all the true love we experience is begun in You.

Let me use Your lessons and Your love well this day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(469 words ~ 8:54 a.m.)

distracted

Friday, July 12, 2013 (7:44 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I did it again! I attempted avoiding sadness. At first I didn't see it coming. It started with just wanting to sit. Then watch T.V. Once I began 'eating my feelings' I knew I was in trouble. Still I didn't turn immediately to You. Thank You that in Your presence is the very first place I wanted to be this morning.

Father, thank You that the distractions I formerly chose to placate myself no longer hold the power over me they once did. Faced with the sadness of distressing news, I often do choose You over food. Thank You Father. That is You again at work here.

A young family is going through huge changes. I didn't immediately notice the affect the news had on me until much later. A much loved one has lost a sole surviving son in a tragic death. And all this on the heels of the much anticipated birth of our second grandchild.

How have I not yet thanked You for the miracle of another very healthy and successful home birth? To say I have been distracted is such an understatement. But no excuse!

Ah, distracted. Your Word even tells of others who were distracted ages ago. Thank You Father! You spoke to Moses concerning the People of Israel, telling him to instruct them to wear tassels on the corners of their garments to remind them to 'not get distracted by everything they felt or saw that would seduce them into infidelities' (Numbers 15:37-41). 

You knew Father. You've always known who would be faithful and who would get distracted. Thank You for providing us with such wonderful reminders.

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Colosse declaring Christ as the only real source of power in our lives. At one time they all had their backs turned to You (Colossians 1:21). Through Christ's death and resurrection we were all brought over to Your side and our lives put together, “whole and holy” in Your presence (v. 22).

Our thoughts and actions, when our life is unmanageable and spinning wildly out of control, are what separates us from You (The Life Recovery Bible). It is when we “stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted” (Colossians 1:23) that we find peace in and with and through You.

In showing Your people how to live, James wrote of catching 'a glimpse of Your revealed counsel - the free life! - even out of the corner of an eye, sticking with it and not being a “distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action.” That person will find delight and affirmation in the action' (James 1:25).

Sitting. Moping. Random eating and T.V. viewing will NOT provide me the peace I can only find in You. Thank You Father! Thank You for Your love and Your constant reminders of Your goodness and Your grace. Let me use them well this day. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(512 words ~ 9:37 a.m.)

blame

Thursday, July 11, 2013 (6:18 a.m.)

Incredibly Awesome Father God,

Thank You! Thank You for Your presence in our lives. Thank You for Your call to forgive and to love others. Thank You for Your reminders of the necessity of forgiving ourselves as well as those around us.

Blessed Father I hadn't really noticed the degree of bitterness I have been harboring lately. My thoughts and emotions have wreaked havoc over the smallest perceived slights. Simply put: I've wasted a lot of time blaming others for my own hurt feelings.

Father, thank You! Thank You for not abandoning me to my own devices. Thank You for reminding me again and again that while I may not be able to control what other people think, say or do I can absolutely choose to turn to You. In so doing I get to ask You for more grace, forgiveness and love to offer to others instead of blame.

Even here though, it is not me but You working in and through me which reminds me that 'it is not by might, nor by power but by Your Spirit' (Zechariah 4:6) that we overcome the hurts and losses we face every day. Blessed Father God, thank You.

Thank You for the words Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. He wanted them to know that we aren't changed into living as Your people by altering our external behaviors. It's only by You working on us from the inside out (2Corinthians 5:17) that we are able to truly embrace the positive habits You would have us hold dear.

It's also through this particular letter (5:18-6:2) that he speaks of Christ's great sacrifice on our behalf. He encouraged the Corinthians to fully accept all the love Jesus has so generously offered to each of us.

Through choosing to follow what is clearly Your “program for healthy living” (The Life Recovery Bible) we can look to and lean on You every single time our self esteem takes a beating (6:8-10). We are to live to please You, not ourselves or others. We do this most effectively by not withholding forgiveness but by offering Your love and grace instead. Every single time.

Father, thank You for once again opening my eyes to the amount of blame I've been attempting to shift around here. Rid us of the unproductive wastes of time, energy and resources we have been uncontrollably spinning lately. Teach us to truly love You, each other and our own selves as You would have us love. Thank You for loving each of us so very much.

It is in Your Son's most precious name I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(446 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)

humbled again

Monday April 22, 2013 (8:15 a.m.)

(9:55 a.m.)

Most Holy Father,

I feel guilty. I haven't taken care to eat well and exercise regularly and now I believe I am suffering the consequences. Cold? Flu? Allergies? You know. And that's what I need most. You to know everything there is to know about everything.

I confess to having avoided You. I took the time to read suspense. I spent hours upon hours discovering 'whodunit' and why. I am not at all surprised to find myself unsatisfied in the process.

Father, thank You that Your Word is Truth. Thank You that there is LIFE in You. In Your Word (Hebrews 4:12). In Your Truth.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013 (7:31 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Would you just look at this... feeling guilty. Yep. That's me. One minute I'm thinking I'm “all that” and the next... flat on my face. Humbled again.

Father God, I HATE making the mistakes I make! My outcome so very rarely matches my intentions. They (intentions) are usually so good. With great anticipation of the goodness that will follow.

Thank You Holy Father that through all the messes I create You are here, reminding me that “ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). I can choose to focus on the mistakes I make. The pridefulness with which I approach so many of the endeavors I undertake, 'cause "oh won't this make me look good?" OR I get to put my attention back on YOU where it so rightfully belongs!

So here I am, once again, finally choosing to “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens...” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18a). Even, make that ESPECIALLY, when I am humbled again. Keep reminding me Dearest Father that “this IS the way You want us who belong to Christ Jesus to live” (v. 18b). Thank You Father. Remind me.

Forgive me for taking my own sweet time in putting You first in my day. Bless us and keep us, making Your face truly shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lift Your face to us and grant us Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

I love You so very much Dearest Father. Shine through me this day I pray. Thank You. Bless You. Amen.

(391 words ~ 7:58 a.m.)

concern

Saturday, July 6, 2013 (7:49 a.m.)

Most Blessed Father God,

I have a HUGE concern that I am practically making myself sick over. Your Word tells me, “Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6).

I made a mistake. I got distracted. I tried to do too many things at one time. I lost focus, just for a moment. And now I don't know what to do.

Father, You are good. You are kind. You are everything we need in our lives. I am asking You to guide and direct me in this present situation. I know You to be holy. Compassionate. Forgiving. Loving. Work in and through our circumstance. Bless us and keep us. Make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lift up Your face to us and grant us peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

It is You, Your will, Your way that we need. Father, how I thank You for Your mercy and Your grace. Settle Your Holy Spirit here among us, providing us the courage, strength and power with which to proceed.

We love You Holy Father. We long to glorify and enjoy You. Do through each of us that which we will not or cannot do on our own. I love You Father. Be glorified here today. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(234 words ~ 8:11 a.m.)

quiet beauty

Tuesday, July 2, 2013 (6:03 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

It's been a while since I've paid attention to the early morning sky. You've got quite a bit of quiet beauty going on out there. Thank You for calling me out to join You. ♫Come to Jesus♫ was a nice touch! Thank You.

Thank You also for the work You did in us around here yesterday. A bit of a problem was discussed, teamwork ensued and the yard looks much better for it. Thank You Father for the inclination for helping a neighbor with her lawn as well.

Help is something I'm asking right now. Someone's very friendly pet appeared here yesterday during the heat and the yard work. We opted to shelter her for the night. Father, guide and direct us in how best to help reunite her with her people.

(140 words)

You raised me better than this!

Monday, July 1, 2013 (7:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. I want desperately to get past this ridiculous bit of grudge holding I'm doing. It reminds me so very much of cutting off one's nose to spite the face. I seem to be going from bad to worse here.

A feeling got hurt. There was some frustration. Communication became ineffective. Reminders of grace were replaced by an air of civility. Yuck! It all reeks to high heaven. And even that hasn't jolted me back to better behavior.

So where do I go? Where I started to come last night. To You. Blessed Father, You raised me better than this! You truly brought me From Death to New Life (Ephesians 2:1-10). And I keep slipping back to old behaviors.

My feelings get hurt. I start building a defense for myself in my mind. I hold tightly to grievances, be they real or just perceived. I won't let go of the hurt. I feel wronged and I just don't want to take it anymore. Is this more than a mere miscommunication? Or is it really just as easy as letting go and letting You be God?

Yeah. I like that I idea! In my own strength and power I've tried to set things straight. Intellectually I know what You would have me do. Forgive. Trust You. Offer grace. Every single time I am unable to do what You have raised me to know is the better way, I have the choice of allowing Your Holy Spirit to work through me to Your end.

Forgive me Dearest Father for once again squelching Your call to what You have raised me to. 1Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not smother the Holy Spirit.” Far too readily and easily I do exactly that. Time and time again. Father, I love You. Forgive me.

Paul wrote to the people of Ephesus to strengthen their relationships with You and with each other. We need that right now Dearest God. You are so rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). You love us so much. You raised us up with You and seated us with You in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (v. 6). This is something I cannot continue taking lightly.

Forgive me I pray. I love You. Empower me to trust and serve You far better than I do. Truly, You raised me better than this! Amen.

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