The Secret of Contentment - God's marvelous love

Saturday, January 31, 2015 (7:27 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I get to read Your Word. Paul's words. Other people's words. And I get to wonder. And wander. Think. Ponder. Dig. And wonder some more.

Where would You have me this morning Blessed Father? Again I am reading Paul's letter to the Philippian believers. I read phrases like, “wholeness of life”, “genuine joy”, “secret of contentment”. Solid concepts.

Mm. “The secret of contentment” it is! Holy Father, there is MUCH written about this. So much more than I could ever hope to learn. Ah, but then comes Your Truth. It's all about You. Your power made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Father, thank You that You are all that You are. Thank You for the way You have of going about getting our attention. Thank You that in all the things I can't do on my own, You are here for the asking.

For all the wonders and wanders I've done so far this morning, thank You for bringing me back to Your Truth. Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering. Ephesians 3:14-21, “When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty strength through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as You trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love...”

(10:44 a.m.)

Yes Holy God! May our roots go down deep into the soil of Your marvelous love. Your marvelous love...

Father, You know the conversations of the last few hours. Conversations filled with unknowingly caused hurts and pain and estrangements. Situations and circumstances we don't understand and wonder about. Occurrences that You are privy to.

You know all that we do not. You know Your plans. They ARE plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).

Blessed Father, I am praying Your Truth on behalf of my friends, as well as myself. It IS in You we trust! You and Your marvelous love.

Picking back up at Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (vs. 18-19).

“Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen” (vs. 20-21).

Most Holy and Loving God, You know full well all You are doing. We trust You and Your “dynamic and unlimited love” (The Life Recovery Bible comment). “Paul prayed that his friends might be deeply anchored and rooted in the soil of God's love.” That is my prayer as well blessed Lord.

You know what You are doing. We trust You. We love You. And we thank You, Father, how we thank You. Do all You must in and with, by, through and for us. We love You. Thank You so very much. Amen.

 (623 words ~ 11:30 a.m.)

Proverbs 16:9

Friday, January 30, 2015 (8:15 a.m.)

Holy Father,

I'm looking to You. There is so much that could be done around here. Take a look around. Pick a place and just do it. But I don't. I might get started but there's no follow through. I just quit. Again and again.

I need Your help. Your guidance. Your will in this. It doesn't have to be so hard. I confess to complicating things.

Thank You Father. Thank You. Turning to the Life Recovery TOPICAL INDEX to look up 'complicate', I found instead “COMPLACENCY (see Procrastination)”.

I look up the verses. I read the comments. I smile. I hope. I want. Father, it truly IS in You I trust! I make plans. I have ideas. And Proverbs 16:9 speaks directly to this.

Blessed Father, I am asking You to 'direct [secure, guide, establish, decide, determine, make able, show me] my steps and make them sure.' While I may think, even believe, my plans and ideas to be sound, YOU know what is best. I look to You. I am asking You to make me able to succeed where my ability leaves me lacking.

It is indeed in You I trust (Genesis 15:6) and I ask You to make me able this day to follow Your lead. I love You. I thank You. And I ask You, Father, how I ask You (Matthew 7:7). Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(238 words ~ 9:32 a.m.)

courage to change

Thursday, January 29, 2015 (6:51 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

You provide our every single need (Philippians 4:19). I look in Your Word and find Truth. Hope. Joy. I look here around me and I see mess. Disorder. Confusion.

My mind wanders. It waffles back and forth between my own desire for a pathway out of indecision and what I think to be true. You are Truth. Goodness. Grace.

I've thought wrong for many years. I haven't used resources wisely or well. I want that to change. I look to You wanting leadership. Insight. Wisdom. Courage.

Yes, Blessed Father. Courage to change. There's a huge battle going on in my mind. There's all I think I know standing in opposition to how things appear. And that's where I call back to You. I want to know You. Your Truth. Your will. Your way. AND have the courage to follow it.

Work in me. Work through me. By me. For me. With me.

Reading Paul's letter to the Philippians, I realize there is SO much more in here than initially meets my eye. It is so easy for me to skim over and miss deep meaning. How would it be to truly live as though You and Jesus have given me “grace and peace” (1:2)?

I know You have. I've experienced it more often than not. But do I live each day as if that is the case? I don't think so. Am I still inclined to harshly judge and find myself incredibly unworthy at most every turn? Why yes. Yes I do.

Blessed Father, thank You for verses in Your Word that speak to me. Loudly. Thank You for the opportunity to see them freshly. Too often I read right over them. And then there are the times that I stop mid-sentence to go back and glean gold.

That is the case this morning. Philippians 1:10. “For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.”

It's been well over a month that I have been using the phrase, “I don't care. It doesn't matter.” Often said out loud. Sometimes just thought very loudly. The Truth is, somethings DO matter! And those are what I long to focus on.

Father, thank You. Thank You for speaking with me. Thank You for drawing out the underlying guck that keeps tripping me up.

Thank You for Paul's words to his friends in Philippi. Thank You for the Illustrated Bible Handbook's description of his prayer to them. He not only wanted them to “abound in love” (v. 9). He prayed they would “have the insight to know 'what is best' that they may 'be pure and blameless until the day of Christ' (10).”

Do all You must Dear Lord that I would live as You would have me live. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

the gift of celebration

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 (8:30 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Thank You that I get to hope. Thank You that I get to pray. Thank You that

(10:20 a.m.)

… I am loved.

By You. By others. Thank You that I get to sit right here. Breathing deeply. Thinking soundly. Loving easily. Thank You Father. Thank You.

Thank You for a brand new day to celebrate. Celebrate. Yes. Thank You for the gift of celebration. Mm. What a privilege. Honor. Opportunity.

Today I have the joy of celebrating and being celebrated. Ah. But is that not our call everyday? “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Oh, but look. It just keeps getting better! The Message version, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him!”

That is my prayer this day Blessed Father. Truly. Absolutely. Wholeheartedly. I want to learn to celebrate You. All day. Every day.

I've prayed this verse before. “Always be full of joy in the Lord.” “Rejoice.” “Be joyful.” “Always be glad for what the Lord has done,” “Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in Him at all times.”

While it all sounds quite lovely. Bright. Pleasing. Lofty. Celebrating seems doable. It's a concept I can get my head around. I am asking You to work in me; teaching me, enabling me, empowering me to “Celebrate You. All day. Every day.”

As I continue with this newfound gift of celebration, I ask You to make it all about You. Singing the song ♫I just want to celebrate another day of living I just want to celebrate another day of life♫ how I ask that You make it so. All day. Every day.

I love You Father. And I thank You. “Cheers!” Amen.

(296 words ~ 11:42 a.m.)

Thank You

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 (8:17 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I thank You. How I praise You. How I ask You to do with us exactly as You wish this day.

We're starting off individually. Each heading for the same goal. Let us learn what it truly is to live in Your Spirit, in Your presence. By Your mercy and Your grace. Hallelujah, Jesus! Work in and through us I pray.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(76 words ~ 8:31 a.m.)

exactly that

Monday, January 26, 2015 (8:52 a.m.)

Hi God,

That's what I've got. Hi. And thank You.

It's pretty outside. I continue to feel better. And once again I am blown away by words and their meanings.

Blessed God, I confess to thinking I know more than I truly do. Thank You for again reminding me that I am NOT 'all that'!

Thank You that right now all I can think of is the singing that is going on in my mind. The words keep repeating themselves. Insisting on being heard.

♫Praise Him with all of the music Praise Him in all of the nations Praise Him with all of creation We praise Him We praise Him♫

Hmm. Praise. My heart is mushy. Mind distracted. I keep looking out at Your beauty trying to capture a solid thought or direction. And again comes ♫Praise Him♫

I look up the word. “(see also Celebration, Gratitude, Worship).” Read Psalms. Breathe in deeply.

(11:51 a.m.)

And praise: 'set a price on, attach value to'; 'to prize'. Prize: 'estimate the value of'.

Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Teach me to do exactly that Blessed God. Praise You for all of Your worth. Yes. Teach me. Show me. Praise You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

 (218 words ~ 12:33 p.m.)

the most

Saturday, January 24, 2015 (7:57 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You. I still don't feel well. I keep waiting. Wondering. Wanting. Is there something different that You would have me do? Guide and direct my heart and mind. I love You. I want that to be what is seen the most.

at Your best

Friday, January 23, 2014 (7:08 a.m.)

Holy, Loving God,

Thank You! The beauty of Your sky continues. Thank You! I first noticed it last evening. ♫Purple mountain majesties♫ at Your best. And this morning? Even more!

Thank You Father. Thank You that in the midst of not having felt well You continue offering such supreme and glorious distractions.

♫For the Beauty of the Earth♫

Psalm 107:8.

feeling better

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 (8:07 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

An hour ago I was excited with the thought of finally coming out here to be with You again. Now? I really just want to go back to bed.

Blessed Father, thank You for the better that I'm feeling. Here I ask for even more.

"Take heart"

Friday, January 16, 2015 (7:36 a.m.)

My Lord,

My loving, living Lord. Thank You.

Thank You that when I think of You I get to remember that You promised things wouldn't always go well (John 16:33a). You came to earth to save us. Teach us. Comfort and guide us. Thank You.

Thank You that any time I find myself getting lost in the problems and troubles of all that goes on around us, You come to my mind. Your promise of abundant life (John 10:10). Your command to love each other (John 13:34). Your gift of peace (John 14:27a). And Your wonderful reminder to not be troubled or afraid (27b).

(8:22 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus, I absolutely love when I come here at Your prompting. I saw the wisps of clouds in the beautiful blue sky yesterday and did not take the time to sit with You and Your Word. All the whole day, late into the evening and earliest this morning John 16:33b has been right underneath my conscious thoughts.

“Take heart.” “Be brave.” “Cheer up.” “Have confidence.” “Be of good courage.” So many ways of reminding us that You have “overcome the world.”

Jesus, thank You! As though John 16:33 wasn't enough, I now have 14:27 to add to the mix. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I give to you not as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Thank You that no sooner was I finishing up with that quote, ♫Turn your eyes upon Jesus♫ starting singing in my soul. Wanting more than the simplicity of the chorus, verses were readily found. ♫O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!♫

Jesus, thank You that we truly can turn our eyes upon You. ♫Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.♫

A particular opportunity of sharing Your loving forgiveness has just come to me. Another custody battle. Each parent wanting the very best for their child. Father God, You know Your plan for what is best. How I pray Your grace, mercy, wisdom and loving forgiveness on all involved. From the family themselves to every single being associated with the proceedings.

Given the privilege of writing a letter speaking to the good of the child, I ask that You Yourself would take over the points You would have me bring up. What a perfect day to be reminded to “Take heart”.

John 16:33 The Voice, “I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order.”

Oh, thank You Jesus. Thank You. I love You. Use me well this day. Thank You. Amen.

(503 words ~ 9:03 a.m.)

far greater

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (7:08 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I have nothing I want to say. Thank You that I even get to tell You that. There's a long list of shoulds going on inside me. Thank You that You are bigger, better, far greater than all the shoulds I can think of.

Mm. I get to sit here. Contemplate Your greatness and be revived. My spirit was flagging. The focus had once again shifted to the everyday trials of our times. It's only when we drink deeply from Your Word and Your promises that the faintest glimmer of hope shines through.

This morning I get to read again and be reminded of the importance of being honest. Under a chapter simply entitled Transparency in the Illustrated Bible Handbook Paul's contrast between the glory of the old and new testaments (2 Corinthians 3) is poetically described.

“Evidence of his [Paul's] ministry is found in the lives of those he has touched with the gospel, for transformed Christians are letters from God, written by the Spirit not on stone tablets but on the human heart.”

Mm. I want to be a letter from You!

According to this author, “Paul says that Christians, 'not like Moses,' can remove the veils that hide us from others. We do so because we know that God's Spirit is at work within us, and 'we are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing splendor, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit' (v. 18).”

When I focus on the problems, irritants and unhappiness surrounding us I lose out on Your luster. Forgive me Father.

“The point is that transparency, an honest sharing of our lives with others, is the best way to 'reflect the Lord's glory' (18). Others will not see Jesus in our facades of perfection. It is the process of transformation that witnesses to the Lord.”

Transform me Faithful Father. Your power is far greater than the pain of the world. I want to live my time here in You. With You. By You. For You.

You are good. You are gracious. You are loving. Kind. Faithful. All the things I so desperately want to be. Work in me as You must to make it so. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

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

Behold!

Monday, January 12, 2015 (9:01 a.m.)

Gonna be honest here...

Father, my heart feels heavy. Lighter. Then heavy again.

There are so many blessings. Things to look at. Consider. Behold.

(9:34 a.m.)

Mm. Yes. Behold.

Revelation 22:7, 12

Luke 2:10

fun

Sunday, January 11, 2015 (8:18 a.m.)

Laughlin, NV

Father God,

Thank You. We had fun yesterday. Ate chili. Interacted with so many different people. Asked questions. Learned lots. Thank You.

Now it's time to leave for home. And it's raining. Father, I ask Your travel mercies on us. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(59 words ~ 8:23 a.m.)

Most Holy

Saturday, January 10, 2015 (8:04 a.m.)

Laughlin, NV

Most Holy, Blessed Father God,

May I just say, “Wow! Would you look at that?” The book of Jude. And the more I read of it, the more readily come the “Wow!”s.

Thank You Father. Thank You for loving us with a love that is far greater and more perfect than is even imaginable.

You love us. Pure and simple. Enough to send Your own perfect Son to die on our behalf. In our place. So that we can have access to His grace, Your love and the fellowship [friendship/communion] of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). Wow, Blessed God. Just, “Wow!”

Thank You. Thank You for the opportunity of sharing in You. Sharing with You.

I am here asking You to guide and direct my thoughts, words and actions this day. Make them acceptable to Your sight.

As we prepare to go out and about. Tasting chili and interacting with others, be our Guide. Our Standard. All You would have us be. We love You. We long to share You and serve You well.

Thank You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(193 words ~ 9:26 a.m.)

swirly

Thursday, January 8, 2015 (7:41 a.m.)

Holy, Awesome God,

Thank You. It's beautiful outside! Bright. Clear. Swirly.

(11:09 a.m.)

Swirly. What a word. Yet quite perfect actually.

Thank You Father. Thank You for Your perfection in our lives. I didn't expect to step in dog poop this morning. Yet, there it was. I still don't know when or where exactly, but poop nonetheless. And thank You for that as well.

Who would have ever thought I'd be thanking You for the opportunity of taking the time necessary to track and eliminate all traces of a mistake? Who's mistake is yet to be decided. Yet here I am smiling. And thanking You.

contemplating You

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 (8:13 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy, Loving, Living God,

Thank You. Thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for coming to save us. Thank You for Your Living Word (Hebrews 4:12).

(8:52 a.m.)

Thank You that I get to come before You. Thank You that Your Word is Truth. Alive and active. Living and effective. Quick and powerful. Full of living power.

Your mercies fall fresh everyday (Lamentations 3:23). Thank You for this time to truly sit before You contemplating You and Your Word.

Mm. Time to contemplate You. Thank You.

Thank You that I get to read verses as though they are completely brand new to me. Psalm 27:4 in The Message particularly right now. “I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in His house my whole life long. I'll contemplate His beauty; I'll study at His feet.”

Contemplate Your beauty. Study at Your feet. Wow! What an honor. And a privilege.

And then, as if all this is not enough, verse 5 (New Living Translation) takes me even further in my hope in You. “For He will conceal me there [in Your temple] when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.”

I don't know why the thought of being placed by You out of reach on a high rock comforts my soul so much right now. There are lots of different verbs used for this Truth: set, lift, take, keep, secure, put, raiseth. For some reason the thought of being placed by You is the most tender. Loving. Cared for.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the gift of contemplating You this morning. Make me aware of the JOY to be found in this day. We love You so very much and truly long to become the people You have for us to be.

Use us well. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(327 words ~ 9:46 a.m.)

better, not bitter

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 (8:11 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You!

This morning I come before You to celebrate the day the three kings “entered the house where the child and His mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before Him and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

The Day of Epiphany. Three Kings Day. A day to celebrate the coming of the wisemen. Three songs in The Celebration Hymnal speak of gifts, adoration and gladness.

Having followed the ♫star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright♫ they arrived. Worshiping. Bowing down before Him. Kneeling. Adoring. Fearing not.

Oh and here is the clutch to my heart. Quoting the song ♫Adoration♫ ~ “Fearing not to enter His presence in poverty, Bearing no gifts to present as your own. Bring truth in its beauty and love in its purity – These are the off'rings to lay at His throne.”

You are teaching me to do that! Last night truth and love were spoken here in an effort to overcome dissonance. It wasn't easy. A resolve to honor Your Word was paramount. We pushed through to the resolution of being better, not bitter.

Father, thank You. Thank You for Your love for each of us. Thank You for Your Word of Truth. Thank You for Your ♫westward leading, still proceeding♫ Guide us to Thy perfect light!

You are the God that none of us can be. You absolutely know what You are doing. Thank You for the JOY that is mentioned in Matthew 2:10. The wisemen experienced it upon seeing the star that led them to Your Son.

“They rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” “...were thrilled with ecstatic joy.” “overjoyed beyond measure.” “an extremely great rejoicing.” “how happy they were, what joy was theirs!”  

with so much love

Monday, January 5, 2015 (10:00 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

It's a whole new year. And the JOY with which I had planned to finally come before You has been overshadowed by distressing news from a very dear, life-long friend ~ cancer.

Holy God, You are good. You are holy. You know what You are doing. How I ask You to be with both she and her husband as they meet with medical teams today.

While in church yesterday we heard You referred to as sympathetic. This was an unfamiliar idea to me. To think of You sympathizing with our weaknesses provides me with even more hope. Hope I long to share with others.

Father, Your Word has verse after verse regarding Your power. The apostle Paul told of Your grace being sufficient and Your power made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I ask You Father, be all that You are for my friend and her husband. Be everything they need.

We look to You. Friends of friends calling on Your blessed name on their behalf. I depend on You. You alone! Circumstances turn ugly. satan comes along wanting to get our focus off You. Don't let it happen. You alone are good. Holy.

We learned yesterday that You are our life source. We are to stay out of the center which is where You reside. We are to feed on You. Take our sustenance from You.

We were reminded in song that ♫Your Love Never Fails – There may be pain in the night But joy comes in the morning... You make ALL things work together for our good♫ We have Bible verses and songs, teachings of Your Truth and inspirational hope that comes from various other sources.

Turning yesterday's bulletin over just now I get to read and be in awe of Your provision yet again. In a blurb entitled “The Storms of Life” Charles Stanley presented the need for Your presence in all things.

“When life gets hard, we tend to get upset and wonder how soon the difficulty will end. But God wants us to focus on Him in times of trouble. As we do, we will discover He is doing important spiritual work during these 'storms'.”

Blessed, Holy, Father God, this is exactly what I pray. Do Your important spiritual work. Be where my heart is right now. With my friend and her husband as they learn what the medical teams suggest.

Knowing and believing and trusting You to be far greater than any diagnosis or prognosis I ask the Truth of Matthew 14:14 on their behalf. “When He [Jesus] went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick.”

Work Your will here Father. Bless them. Keep them. Smile down on them and show them Your kindness. Answer our prayers and give them Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26 Easy-to-Read Version).

This I humbly ask with so much love. Thank You. I Love You. Amen.

(500 words ~ 11:41 a.m.)