the gift of FAITH

 Friday, April 4, 2025 (6:27 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

There are so very many things I don’t know. Indecisions. Uncertainties. And I’m choosing to bring them all to You Dear Lord.

An internet search has me smiling. Pointing me even further toward You. Directing me to acknowledge doubts and fears, trust in Your wisdom and love, seek Your guidance and strength through prayer and faith while focusing on Your promises rather than circumstances.

Thank You Father. I get to talk with You about all of which I am unsure. Thank You for reminding me what a gift we have in fearing You; not people, places or things.

Yes! Teach me to Fully Esteem And Revere You as You know is best. “Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity” (Proverbs 28:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

Thank You. Yes. Thank You for these feelings of uncertainty.

A blogpost on Strategic Renewal has much to say about trusting You. “Friend, as you go through uncertain days - realize the gift you’ve been given. Faith, not certainty, is the single most important ingredient to a life pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6).”

Mm, yes Dearest God. Continue reminding me of the importance of FAITH [Forsaking All I Trust Him]. David knew this when he commanded, “O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).

Thank You Father. You settle my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. You remind and enable me to love You, others and myself as You would have me (Mark 12:30-31). Do all You must that I take full advantage of every single gift You provide. Starting with faith (1 Corinthians 13:13).

I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Use me exactly as You know is best. Leading, guiding and directing me every step of the way. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(347 words ~ 7:32 a.m.)

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.)

so much hope

 Monday, March 30, 2025 (5:31 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You! Sleep. Songs. Rest. Hope. You’ve been providing them all. Thank You.

Yes Father. Thank You for the hope we have in You. Mm. Yes. Hope in You.

(6:30 a.m.)

Many songs have come to my mind and heart so far this morning. They are currently being outshined by Your Word of Truth and promises. 

Searching for lyrics to one, I find another instead. Allowing myself to just drop the quest, I am again reminded of the peace I experienced yesterday.

Realizing the limit to my patience I took a good hard look at what I wanted to accomplish. What was my goal? Making sure the grandsons were safe.

Father, thank You. I very much appreciate the ways You are changing my focus. Not only enabling me to set healthy boundaries, empowering me to maintain them as well. 

Not by my will. But Yours. Being still. And knowing that You are God (Psalm 46:10a). Resting, hoping, trusting in You. Thank You that my hope truly IS in You!

(7:10 a.m.)

Here is the verse I want to take with me into the day Dear Lord. Psalm 25:5. Going up and beginning with verses 1 and 2a.

“O LORD, I give my life to You, I trust in You, my God!”

How I thank You for reminding me of what I woke up praying. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7a) that You would make me a better learner.

“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your Truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves. All day long I put my hope in You” (Psalm 25:4-5).

Such Truth. So much hope.

Allow me the bold obedience You provided Joshua when You commanded him to “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

That is the strength I need. I want to be strong in Your mighty power. Dressed in Your armor (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Do all You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You Dear Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(371 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

"right"

 Saturday, March 29,2025 (5:04 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You

(5:18 a.m.)

As You can see, I don’t even know where to start Lord. My heart is full of reasons to thank You. I want to get it “right”. What is “right” with You?

Psalm 100

(6:12 a.m.)

Deuteronomy 6

Psalm 37:3-5, 8

Thank You for the opportunity to explore Your Word. 

(6:13 a.m.)

Galatians 6:9 [verse 7 = “get what you plant”]

Matthew 6:5-15 ♪Father, let Your Kingdom come Father, let Your will be done On earth as in Heaven Right here in my heart♪

 

Lord God, there is Truth written in Your Word. Promises. Hope. Love. Joy. Calls to obedience. These I long to follow.

Yes!

I have opportunities to do right today. To rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24b). Seeking first Your Kingdom (Matthew 6:33). 

I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within me. Completely encompassing me in Your glorious goodness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Father, I want to represent You well. Loving as You would have me love (Deuteronomy 6:5). Fearing as You would have me fear (v. 3) Disciplining as You would have me discipline (Proverbs 22:6).

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Desperately. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(220 words ~ 6:49 a.m.)