perfect example

 Thursday, April 3, 2025 (6:13 a.m.)

 (5:15 a.m.) ♪Heaven Is a Wonderful Place Filled with glorious and grace; I wanna see my Savior’s face ‘Cause Heaven is a wonderful place♪

(6:13 a.m.) ♪Jesus Is Coming Back Jesus is coming back…♪

I’m trying a different approach with You this morning Lord. I walked first. Finished up yesterday’s undone tasks. Got some things ready for later. Still trying to find “our” [Yours and my] groove.

(6:48 a.m.)

Clearly, THAT wasn’t it!

Blessed, Holy, Loving Father God,

I confess to You a fidgetiness that I haven’t experienced for a while. And… I’m thanking You for it! I’m much preferring it to the gloom I’ve undergone the past several days.

Yes Lord. I MUCH prefer hopefulness. The anticipation of joy [♪In Jesus Name♪]

Here’s a PERFECT example of how my brain has been working lately. I first noticed it a few days ago. There has been a slowness for it to connect with what I’m doing at any given moment. A quick second time delay of sorts.

Father, thank You that at this very moment I am feeling absolutely AGOG with You! It’s been more than a while since I have genuinely felt excited and eager to tell of Your goodness. Your grace.

Yes. I’ve gone through the motions. Practiced showing up. Doing all I could. All the while, keeping my heart still. Waiting for You to show me my next steps.

Plenty of those steps have been to rest. Wait. Rest. And wait some more. Thank You for keeping me behind You. I make far too many mistakes when I rush out in front. Getting completely ahead of Your perfect pace for me.

I’m a   s l o w   mover. Thank You for reminding me yet again that “YOU made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it” (Psalm 139:13-14).

All the things I think, consider, wonder about… You know them all! “O LORD, You have examined my heart and know everything about me” (v. 1). Provide every bit of courage I need to go out and live this day as You would have me. Rejoicing and being glad in it (Psalm 118:24b).

Father, I had the opportunity on Saturday to be reminded that “Mary kept all these things [the shepherds’ telling of the angel’s appearance and assurance concerning the birth of Jesus] in her heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2:19).

Illustrated Bible Handbook states, “The miracle is not for the shepherds alone. Their report of the angels’ visitation is something for Mary to ‘treasure up’ and ‘ponder in her heart’ as the long years roll by.”

Thank You Father for reminding me that I am able to do much the same. You provide the blessings. The treasures. And the ponderings. Thank You that You do.

With all the singing You have going on in my heart, mind and soul already “Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You… Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing” (Psalm 143:8, 10)!

Blessed Father God, I could not have orchestrated this prayer with You. Thank You for Who and ALL You are and do. Use me exactly as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You.

♪I speak the name of Jesus over you In your hurting, in your sorrow I will ask my God to move… I pray for your healing That circumstances will change I pray the fear inside will flee In Jesus Name I pray that a breakthrough Would happen today I pray a miracle over your life in Jesus name I pray for revival For restoration of faith I pray that the dead will come alive in Jesus name In Jesus name♪

Yes dearest God. It is in Jesus’ name that I pray all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) to You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen!

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

believing

 Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (4:15 a.m.)

Blessed Lord God,

Thank You. There was sleep. Some dreams. A song. 

(5:31 a.m.)

And time. A whole lot of time.

(5:56 a.m.)

Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7a) that You teach me to use well the time You have provided me. I can very easily waste it. I’d much rather not.

I want to love as You would have me love. You. Others. Myself. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

You know the plans You have for me. The ones that are for good and not for evil. To give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). 

You are the foundation on which I want to stand (Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 3:11). Firmly. Knowing. Trusting. Believing.

Which brings me all the way back to the song with which I awoke. ♪We Believe in God the Father We believe in Jesus Christ We believe in the Holy Spirit And He’s given us new life We believe in the crucifixion We believe that He conquered death We believe in the resurrection And He’s comin’ back again♪

Mm, yes! I believe You Lord. Help my unbelief! (Mark 9:23b-24).

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

(220 words ~ 6:21 a.m.) 

 

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.)