love, mystery and surprises

 Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (5:35 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! You gave me a day of delight yesterday. Filled with love, mystery and surprises.

Father, thank You for the apostle Paul’s teachings of what love is and what it is not (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Thank You for his prayer for the congregation at Philippi. Especially chapter one, verse nine in The Message. You have such a fine way of changing my entire heart, soul, mind and strength.

Thank You for speaking to me through Your Word and other people all these years. Thank You for the opportunities You provide us to love and to be loved. How I ask (Matthew 7:7a) You here to make me even more aware and obedient to Your leadings.

♪You were Provider then

You are Provider now

You are the Same God♪

Blessed Lord, this morning Paul’s words to the Romans (12:2) are ringing especially true to me. Here from The Heart of Paul (a relational paraphrase). Just when I was going to start with “And…” I looked up to verse one. Let’s begin again.

“With a vision, then, of the ultimate fulfillment of all things, I urge you, my brothers and sisters, to offer your whole self to God with no strings attached. Genuine worship is a reasonable response for you to make to Him. And don’t pattern your life after the culture around you; rather, permit the Spirit of God within to transform your being and behavior by uniting your deepest thoughts and feelings with your actions so that you demonstrate God’s intention which is positive, acceptable and fulfilling.”

Positive. Acceptable. And Fulfilling. Oh my!

Father God, I thought we were going to talk together about yesterday’s lovingly tear-filled breakfast together as a family. Or the generosity of one sibling purchasing the other’s groceries. Maybe even that wild weather we experienced with paintball sized raindrops that actually went, “Splat!’ as they landed.

But no. Romans 12:2b it is.

Checking Illustrated Bible Handbook I read, “Only by refusing to be squeezed into the ways in which people of this world relate to others will we be able, together, to experience the good and pleasing will of God for us.” Yes please, Father.

Lord God, I am again asking 

♪Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter; I am the clay

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still♪

(Isaiah 64:8)

You are so very good. Completely full of love. Mystery. And surprises. Use me exactly as You know is best. Representing You and Your love through the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

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

(462 words ~ 6:37 a.m.)