purely and simply

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 (6:34 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. Pure and simple. Mm. Now there's a thought. What would it be to live purely and simply?

(7:25 a.m.)

Indeed! How I ask You to teach me to live “for only one reason and purpose”.

Jesus is our reason and purpose. Purely and simply. That said, how much must change for our lives to represent that Truth?

(8:52 a.m.)

And here I once again wind back around to Isaiah 40:3.

Searching information about living purely and simply for Jesus, I followed an internet trail to All About... Jesus Christ - The Purpose of the Gospel of Mark. Here it declares, “The purpose of the gospel of Mark is purely and simply an announcement of the words and works of Jesus... In his work, Mark gives reference to the Old Testament only once”.

And which reference is that? Chapter one, verses two and three. “In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said, 'Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way (Malachi 3:1). He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for Him!” (Isaiah 40:3)'”

Looking at the quote from Malachi, I got to read and be reminded that “Precious metals are refined by the searing heat of the furnace. Cleansing of filthy fabric requires the use of caustic soap” (The Life Recovery Bible comment for 3:3-4).

This section goes on to encourage us that “God often uses the fire of difficult times to ready us for His restoration work.” Thank You Father for this valuable reminder of the importance of recognizing our powerlessness and turning to You for deliverance of our destructive patterns.

Holy God, I look to You to walk with me on the path You have set for me. Empower me in clearing out the obstacles that blind and deafen me to Your will and to Your way. I love You. I long to serve You.

Once again I ask for Your power and strength to “Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots” (Isaiah 40:3-4).

Enable me in living this day purely and simply, for only one reason and purpose. Jesus! Yes. Please. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(409 words ~ 10:20 a.m.)