"godliness with contentment"

Sunday, November 29, 2015 (5:37 a.m.)

Holy God,

As You continue teaching me more about prayer, this morning I ask You to help me consider the many gifts You have provided and guide me in being happy with them all.

I experienced a level of peace yesterday. A simplicity in doing just the next thing. I was honest with the tasks necessary as well as the time frame and ability I had. Blessed Father, thank You. Thank You for a very matter-of-fact approach to the day.

It is with this same mind frame that I came across 1 Timothy 6:6 (The Message). “A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.” Rich simplicity. Being myself before You. These are thought provoking phrases.

Reading various translations brings an abundance of descriptions:

The Living Bible, “Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you and happy and good.”

Easy-to-Read Version, “Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have.”

God's Word, “A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.”

Common English Bible, “Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have.”

New King James Version, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

New Living Translation, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

The Voice, “This is ironic because godliness, along with contentment, does put us ahead but not in the ways some imagine.”

Worldwide English, “It is true that people are much better off if they live to please God and if they are satisfied.”

New Life Version, “A God-like life gives us much when we are happy for what we have.”

J.B. Phillips New Testament, “There is real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live.”

I heard it said years ago, “Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.” Thank You Father that You keep reinforcing Your Truths in us.

Thank You for another opportunity to look to You, truly asking, seeking and knocking (Matthew 7:7) for the rich simplicity of being myself before You.

I love You. I ask Your presence in all my heart, soul, mind and strength that I would truly love You, myself and others as You would have me love (Mark 12:30-31). Not just today, but always.

I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(431 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)

teach me to pray

Saturday, November 28, 2015 (8:03 a.m.)

Holiest God,

You are good. You alone are God (Psalm 86:10). And I love You. A request by a much loved one to learn more about the Rosary and the Holy Mother brings me right to You. Prayers for healing and health, strength and stamina come along as well.

Blessed Father, my desire is to worship You. Thank You for the freedom with which to do exactly that. Thank You for such ready access to Your Word.

Thank You for the opportunity to join with David's words as I seek (Matthew 7:7) to find how You would most have me pray. Yes Blessed Father, teach me to pray. As YOU would have me pray.  

praxis

Friday, November 27, 2015 (7:49 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You! We had a most blessed day yesterday. Conversations came easily. Food and families came together. Interesting how the dominate word here is food. Empower us to practice moving the emphasis over to family. People. Loved ones.

Yes Father. Help me learn. Relearn. Unlearn. So many emotional strings are tied to our relationship to food, family and traditions. Some of them much healthier than others.

We have selected memories of the good involved in “the good old days”. Teach me Blessed God to fully embrace the good of each brand new day. Yes.

I learned a brand-new-to-me word this morning. “praxis: noun - practice, as distinguished from theory; application or use, as of knowledge or skills. convention, habit, or custom. a set of examples for practice.”

Father, I long to practice the Truth of Your Word. We struggle. We work. Teach me also to trust. Rest. Rejoice.

1 Peter 1:6-8 (New Living Translation), “So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These are trials only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”

Blessed, Holy God, I get to read these verses. Hope brings tears to my heart and eyes. I become eager and excited to tell [agog].

A Life Recovery Bible devotion declares plainly, “Life is rough.” The accompanying comment offers this Truth, “Yet Peter suggests that, strange as it may seem at the time, surrendering to God in difficult times can be a joyful experience. If we trust that God will use our trials to further the process of healing in our life, even the tough times can become times of celebration.”

Yes! Father, put me into the praxis [tradition, custom, habit, practice] of embracing Your ultimate best for me this day. I want to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:30-31). I relinquish myself to Your good and Your glory.

I love You. I thank You. Amen.

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

Be reminded

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 (6:33 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You. Thank You that we get to come before You with such boldness. Fresh out of the gate. Pure. Simple. “I love You”.

Thank You for every single thing You have done to make loving You possible. So much of it goes unseen. Unnoticed.

We're at the time of year for paying particular attention to the details of all You've done on our behalf (Luke 1:26 - 2:20). In turning to Luke I get to read an historic version of Jesus “as a man who cared greatly for suffering and downtrodden people, a man who brought healing to the hurting” (The Life Recovery Bible introduction to Luke).

How blessed we truly are to have the opportunity to learn of Your great love for each of us. Not only do we get to experience it first hand, we also are able to read of it. Be reminded. Remember what we've been taught through the years.

Reading further in the introduction to this particular book, “Luke stressed Jesus' humanity and compassion more than any of the other Gospel writers did. His narrative made it clear that God, through His Son Jesus, reaches out in love to the unlovable of our world.”

Thank You Father. Thank You that because of Your great love for each of us (John 3:16) we are able to come boldly into Your presence (Ephesians 3:12). Wow! I didn't even see that one coming! 

“Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come fearlessly [boldly and confidently] into God's presence, assured of His glad welcome” (New Living Translation). Wow! Father. Thank You. Truly. THANK YOU!

I continue needing to be reminded of ALL the ways You love us. Thank You that through this time together another layer of the doom with which I have been associating myself has lifted. There's a lightness. A brightness, I owe all to You and Your love for us.

Keep reminding me Blessed Father. We are here to celebrate Jesus. Glorify and enjoy You forever. Work in me I pray. With, by, through and for me. All that I would continue, as the Good News Translation presents it, “In union with Christ and through our faith in Him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence” (Ephesians 3:12).

Yes Blessed Father. Remind me that You first loved us that we would in turn love others (1 John 4:19). Let me do that well this day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(423 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

shelter and safety

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 (6:17 a.m.)

Awesome, Amazing God,

It's beautiful outside. Truly beautiful. Thank You. Thank You for such a surprise of color. And for a cloud that remarkably resembles a wing. Fully stretched out in protection.

Blessed Father, thank You. Thank You for the resources with which to find the verse of the psalm I sought in reference to this sight. “He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:4).

Holy God, thank You that I get to believe this. Thank You for the privilege of turning to You, trusting You to “protect and rescue us as a mother bird protects her young” (The Life Recovery Bible comment 91:1-4). Thank You that we can depend on You to never fail. Thank You for being our shelter and safety.

All this from an unusually formed cloud in the sky. Thank You Father. As I go out into this day covered by Your loving protection, will You teach me more about Philippians 4:8? Empower me to 'fix my thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Yes Blessed Dad. Let me live this day fully trusting and believing You to be our perfect shelter and safety. I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask You to equip me to that end. Thank You Holy Father. I love You. Amen.

(259 words ~ 7:15 a.m.)

"Thank You"

Monday, November 23, 2015 (6:51 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

Thank You. There are so very many things for which to say, “Thank You”. And this is such an appropriate week to do exactly that.

I confess to fighting the commercial aspects of all we've allowed most holidays to become. Please work in me to change my tune. As comfortable as cynicism seems to have become for me, I do not believe it fits me well.

I long to lean more toward words like: certainty, confidence, conviction, trust, belief, satisfaction, hope. Yes. Please. In these days leading up to our nation's Thanksgiving Day, let me truly practice thankfulness.

Mm, yes Father. What better way than by introducing me to Psalm 75, via the hymn ♫We Thank You, Lord♫ My thinking has absolutely affected by thanking. Thank You for being in control.

Very simply, the words of this short worship song thanks You for Your love. Care. Faithfulness. Your Son. Your Word. And eternal life. These each are so much greater than any of our circumstances. These are absolutes. Unchanging Truth. Thank You Father.

Thank You that the notation to the choir director preceding Psalm 75:1 is for this psalm of Asaph to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy”. What an awesome reminder of the many ways in which our hope can be demolished.

We are not Your first people to encounter distress. “God says, 'At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the One who keeps its foundations firm'” (Psalm 75:2-3).

You are our hope. As I go out into this day, let me go out continually singing ♫We thank You for Your love, We thank You for Your care, We thank You for Your faithfulness, We thank You, Lord. We thank You for Your Son, We thank You for Your Word, We thank You for eternal life, We thank You, Lord♫

Yes Father, equip me in singing Your praises and heartfelt thanksgiving this day. I love You. I thank You. And how I respectfully ask You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(363 words ~ 7:57 a.m.)

God cares

Sunday, November 22, 2015 (6:05 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You that You are good. Thank You that You care. Mm. Yes. Thank You Blessed Father that You care.

I'm smiling just thinking about the fact that You really, truly do care. What would today look like if I practiced remembering that You care? I want to try and find out.

Let my response to every fear and form of ambivalence simply become, “God cares.” Teach me Father. Show me what it would truly be like to live each moment of every day fully believing and trusting that You do indeed care.

Reading Matthew 6:25-34 I am near tears. Illustrated Bible Handbook tells of this section, “God, a loving Father, meets the daily needs of his children (6:25-31). Freed from the need to constantly worry about the material, Jesus' followers can put God first and live each day for Him (32-34).”

What would THAT be like? To put You first and live this day for You.

Blessedly awesome God and Father, show me how to truly put You first in my life and then to live each and every day for You. I confess You to being good and holy. I confess to loving You. And here I confess to not trusting Your love to be enough to cover my faults.

I see myself as so very far down the rung of any ladder. There's always the inner conviction that no matter what I will never be enough. How's that for honesty this morning?

And You are so perfect. You allow me to ramble, struggle and search. And just like Your Word promises, “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7) I ask, seek, knock and You answer.

Thank You Father. Praise You. How blessed we are to be able to depend on Jesus to do for each of us all that we are unable to do for ourselves. He alone is enough. Why? Because You loved us so much that You sent Him (John 3:16). Why? Because You care!

Thank You Father. Thank You for caring. Use me this day. Exactly as You wish. Empower me to filter every single thought, feeling, circumstance and action through the ultra-fine, purifying Truth that “God cares!”

Thank You God. Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(406 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

right thinking

Saturday, November 21, 2015 (6:15 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

THANK YOU! Thank You that You would have me learn more about right thinking. Thank You that I know You to be good and kind and all the things that intrinsically I am not.

Thank You Father that although I was indeed created in Your image (Genesis 1:26) there are so many times I do not behave thusly. Thank You that because of Your great, abundant love for each of us (John 3:16) You do not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

Blessed Father, this is all so big for me to try and comprehend. I read Your Word and smile. I truly get excited and eager to tell [agog]. I want to live each moment as though I honestly believe and embrace Your promises and truths.

Why is it then that I don't? There is such a battlefield that goes on in my mind. I read Truth. I see beauty. My heart lifts

love others

Friday, November 20, 2015 (6:21 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your call to share that love with others. Thank You for the privilege of praying to You. Asking Your blessings on behalf of others.

Most Blessed God, I come here before You once again confessing, as I ask You to teach me to love others as well as I love myself. I confess that I don't think I love well. Not myself. Nor others. There's a limit. An imbalance.

I no longer want to do too much. Instead I believe I do far too little. I would love to have a clue Blessed Lord. A clue to right thinking.

the best, not the worst

Thursday, November 19, 2015 (6:28a.m.)

Blessed God,

I am here asking (Matthew 7:7). And thanking. And with that I turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:18. In so doing I read “Always be joyful” (v. 16). And here I confess to You. Blessed Father, I don't know how to do that!

I want to heed the apostle Paul's words to the believers in Thessalonica. I long to one day be commended for not only trusting You, but continuing to trust in You. I confess Blessed God, it's getting harder and harder as I watch the world around me.

Let me say right here that I THINK I trust You. I believe You have a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). And it's for good and not for evil. To give us a future and a hope. I remember prayers You have answered far beyond what was asked.

And then my focus shifts. Over to the scary, horrible things that take place in day to day living. I see all the things [and people] I don't trust. There was a time, it seems so very long ago, that I truly did think the best, not the worst (Philippians 4:8-9 The Message).

Here I have to leave. Going in with a much loved one for more tests. Blessed Holy God, You know my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. I confess to You right now that I don't! I absolutely do not know all for which I am capable.

Here I ask You to do in and through, by, for and with me all that I am completely incapable on my own.

I love You. I long to serve and represent You well. I cannot without the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Help me dress securely in Your armor and hold me steady to Your will and to Your way.

I love You. I thank You. I ask You. And I praise You. Oh how I praise You Blessed God. Be with us as only You can. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

  (342 words ~ 7:14 a.m.)

what is good

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 (6:06 a.m.)

(6:48 a.m.)

Holy God,

Talk with me this morning about what matters to You. Again, my focus has shifted to what is important to others. Let's bring it all back to You, shall we?

Mm, yes. There's a big deep breath. A complete sense of calm. A return to looking at You.

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (English Standard Version)

Just as I was ready to ask You what this really means, I looked up at the Easy-to-Read Version. “Human, the LORD has told you what goodness is. This is what He wants from you: Be fair to other people. Love kindness and loyalty, and humbly obey your God.”

At first glance it sure looks easy enough. Of course, I love kindness. Oh but looking more deeply at it do I really “do what is right [just] to other people”? When it comes right down to it, do I truly “love being kind to others”? And honestly, when do I actually obey You?

There are so many ways of presenting these three seemingly simple instructions. “Act with justice, treasure the LORD's gracious love, live [walk] humbly, trusting [obeying] your God” (International Standard Version).

Blessed, Father God, I find fault with myself. Yet I do little to change it. I struggle with wanting to find a healthy balance between doing way too much and far too little. I read Your Word. Get excited about change. And slip right back into comfortable, easier patterns.

I come before You once again, asking (Matthew 7:7) wholeheartedly that You would do all You must in and with, by, through and for me that I would truly aspire to doing what is good.

The Message paraphrases it, “But He's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”

Yes. Please! Empower and enable me to take You seriously. Do all You must to make it so blessed God. I love You. Make me able to do what is good. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(406 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

"I want to want"

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 (6:33 a.m.)

Most Blessed Father God,

Thank You! Praise You. Bless You. Keep You.

I've been absent lately. Physically, as well as emotionally. Thank You that You not only know my heart, but also, my mind. You've watched me struggle with disappointment. Disillusionment. Sadness. And the pure and simple fact that I miss my mom! And dad.

But it's been so much longer since he's been gone from us. And he didn't do too much of the cooking. Yes. The holidays are coming up and I'm wanting again to run away and try to hide from them. I could make an endless list of all the things I miss.

Things I'm not willing to put the time or energy into trying to recreate. But the overwhelming sadness that continues attempting to steal my joy keeps my mind fully aware of wanting to do only that which will create lasting value.

This is where You come in. Again. Always. As You ought. YOU ought to be that for which we are most thankful. You are Who we are to love and celebrate with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30).

Blessed Father, You've kept me company again these past many nights. Beginning last Thursday while alone in the house deciding to nurse a grudge or not. THANK YOU that You showed me Your much better way. Forgiveness.

Mm. Yes. Father. It is Your loving forgiveness that even allows us into Your presence. Feeling guilty for choosing not to come before You all these days was enough to keep me away even longer.

Early this morning, it was while considering the grief I've been attempting to run away from that I coined the acronym “G-od r-eally i-s e-xtremely f-aithful”. Thank You Father that You are.

On the tails of that came one for guilty. “G-od u-ltimately i-s l-ovingly t-rue”. Thank You again.

It is all the gr~ words that brought me back here to You. Yesterday I realized I was growling. Grumbling. And occasionally grinning. It was the grins that truly made me grateful.

I could feel them. I even took five minutes to write out my feelings yesterday and wanting to smile was one of the things that came out. Actually, “wanting to want” came up more than once.

Thank You Blessed Father. Thank You that in this world of tribulation [distress, suffering, trials, frustration, affliction, troubles, oppression, disease] we get to take heart [be: brave, courageous, confident, certain, encouraged, undaunted, filled with joy, of good cheer / comfort, unshakable, assured] because Your Precious Son has overcome [power over, triumphed over] the world (John 16:33).

Most Holy God, I confess to the far too many times I lose my focus. It so easily shifts from Your promises and Truth to the devastation and fear I see in the world. Thank You that You are bigger. Better. All the things we need You to be.

Forgive my selfishness Blessed God. Keep working Your blessed hope in me. Let me not lose sight of all that matters to You. Help it matter to me.

I love You Dearest Lord. Work in me this day that I would glorify and represent You well. I want to want all You have for me.

Change my focus. Put it back on Jesus, where it so rightfully belongs. I love You. I want You. Help me serve You as You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(574 words ~ 8:18 a.m.)

  

brand new

Monday, November 9, 2015 (8:19 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for time with family. Thank You for new ways of doing things. New attitudes. New experiences. Yes Father. The prepping for this trip was a perfect example of the Truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17.

The Best Choice

Sunday, November 8, 2015 (6:41 a.m.)

Most Dear and Awesome Father God,

Thank You! Thank You for pain. Thank You for problems. Thank You for the profound hope that we find only in You. Yes, Father. Thank You. Thank You that You are so much bigger than all of our circumstances.

Holy God, I confess the negative energy I have spent considering all the things over which I have no control. I've hashed and rehashed decisions and choices I've made recently. The negative light I've painted of myself does NOT represent You well at all.

Thank You that You call us repeatedly back to Your Word. Thank You that as I was speeding along just now to one certain psalm, another stopped me. Psalm 16. The Best Choice.

Again, I am confessing the self imposed gloom I have created for myself lately. Replaying mistakes and fear of things yet to even transpire. My thinking has been horribly skewed. What ifs. Should haves. All lead me deeper into a darkening hole.

Ah, but YOU are so much more faithful than fear! “Forsaking ALL, I trust Him”. It took me a moment to remember this particular acrostic yesterday. Thank You for reminding me.

Thank You for leading, guiding, directing and encouraging us to put all of our faith, hope and love in You. In this particular instance, I AM putting all of my eggs in Your One holy, trustworthy basket. Thank You for such hope. The true joy and optimism I have been refusing to consider possible.

All brought together for me in this special psalm by David. “Protect me, LORD God! I run to You for safety” (Psalm 16:1). Following down to my own penciled blocking of verse 8, I collect verses 5-7 as well.

“You, LORD, are all I want! You are my choice, and You keep me safe. You make my life pleasant. And my future is bright. I praise you, LORD, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, Your teachings fill my mind.”

And they did. Last night. I considered all the ways You have been working in, with, by, for and through us and I was truly AGOG! Amazed. Grateful. By our glimpses of You.

Continue Your plan Blessed Father. Get me fully onboard with You. No lingering thoughts left at the station. Do all You must that “I will always look to You, as You stand beside me and protect me from fear” (v. 8).

You are so good. So holy. The choice I long to make is the one that is Your best for me! “You have shown me the path to life, and You make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at Your right side [the place of power and honor], I will always be joyful” (v. 11).

Make it so Blessed God! Do all You must that I will indeed make the best choice! I love You. I thank You. And I humbly pray this in Your Son's most holy name. Amen.

(499 words ~ 7:51 a.m.)

"YOU do it!"

Saturday, November 7, 2015 (8:31 a.m.)

(10:36 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Here I am. Starting again. Wanting You to know how very much I love You. Blessed God, thank You for the work You are doing in each of us around here. Thank You for the doubts I have that lead me to discover that You really, truly do know exactly all You doing in and on our behalf.

Father, thank You for the rapid fire changes that continue taking place. Changes in attitudes. Personalities. Relationships.

I am here asking (Matthew 7:7) You to keep up Your good and faithful work in, with, by, for and through us all. We are definitely a group of flawed people. Flawed people desperately seeking better.

I absolutely believe You are in the business of better. Thank You. Thank You that You allow us to process and progress through our sometimes difficult journey toward better.

Take even right now for example. One moment I'm content thinking better and suddenly better becomes best. I honestly believe You want Your best for each of us. Your absolute and total best. That's a pretty difficult concept for me.

Yesterday I confessed fear to You. And today, doubt. Thank You for the freedom with which to come before You. Practicing honesty all the way.

Days ago I wanted to persecute myself for what I saw as pure laziness. I sat. Laid around. Did little. Next to nothing. And believed myself to be squandering precious time.

In truth, was I actually resting? Truly recharging? Something not at all wasteful?

Blessed Father, I absolutely have doubts. Mostly about my own inabilities and misuses of time. Continue straightening out my thinking Dearest God.

You alone are good. Holy. Perfect. I look to You to set my standard. I am harsh on myself. Perhaps unnecessarily so. Do in and with, by, through and for me all those things You would like to see change.

Quoting a much loved preschooler from many years past, Father I wholeheartedly ask “YOU do it!” All the changes I want to make. The myriad of things I would have be different. YOU do the work in me that will make it all possible.

I love You so very much. I long to be the woman YOU would have me be. Yes, Father. Again I look to Your Word seeking comfort and direction. Psalm 94:19. “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.”

Blessed Father, I am asking You for the the ability to be truly loving toward myself this day. Patient. Kind. Gentle. Forgiving. Nurturing. All the ways You are.

Yes Father, empower and enable me to truly trust and allow You to be all You truly are. I look to You. In every doubt and challenge my cry is to You. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(484 words ~ 11:49 a.m.)

growing

Friday, November 6, 2015 (6:16 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

I am confessing fear to You right now. Fear of making mistakes. Fear of …

And with that out in the open I got to twist my way back around to Your Truth. And the book of Colossians. In The Life Recovery Bible I read the two subheadings of THE BIG PICTURE.

A. THE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST (1:1-2:23)

B. CHRIST'S POWER WITHIN US (3:1-4:18)

While reading the overview of the book, I smile. Relax. Breathe deeply. Hope. “We can trust Christ to save us, and we can trust His power to help us with our struggles as we live each day as it comes.” Isn't that the very same thing I tell other people?

Reading further down the page, “PURPOSE: To show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life.” How is it that I can know and believe something so much and still forget it so often?

Thank You Father for reminding me this morning to search for the Truth found in Colossians 2:7. “Let your roots grow down into Him [Christ Jesus] and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.”

I hadn't forgotten. Your Truth resides in me. Yet there are times like these that I desperately need the reminders to look harder. Deeper. More intently. At Him.

Blessed God, I love You. Thank You for the opportunity to continue growing through every struggle we come across. Thank You that You are so good. So holy.

Thank You that I get to take You with me out into this day. How I ask You to bless us and keep us. Cover us as You know is best. Keep me following only after You.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to equip me perfectly for the growing You would have me do in, through and by Your Son's most perfect roots. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(357 words ~ 7:05 a.m.)

 

Omni-

Thursday, November 5, 2015 (6:28 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Holy. Blessed. Loving. Perfect. Omni-.

Holiest God, I confess. I don't even know how to proceed. The awe and wonder with which I long to worship You isn't here right now. There's a surliness I seem to have picked up hours ago.

I turn to You.

(7:09 a.m.)

Yes. With my ♫soul wearied and troubled. No light in the darkness I see. There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free♫

I got side-tracked once more. Again choosing to look at all that has yet to be done. Rather than what has already been accomplished.

Most dear and holy God, thank You for reminding me to: ♫turn my eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, So the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace♫

Yes Most Holy Father, adjust my focus. Let me see through Your vantage point. ♫His Word shall not fail us – He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell♫

And there it is... “a world that is dying”. Far too often that is exactly where I put my focus. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to work in me, altering my gaze again to “His perfect salvation” so I would truly tell of it to others.

I'm confessing to You a sense of overwhelming and crushing sadness. I don't want it. So I am truly looking to You. Omni-present, -benevolent, -potent, and -scient. You, Who is All-Present, All-Good, All-Powerful, and All-Knowing.

You know Your best for us. Each and every single one of us. I do not. Thank You that I don't have to! That's exactly why we have You. We get to come. Trust. Believe. Ask. Hope. Depend. And that is what I am choosing right now.

You do all You want with, in, by, for and through me this day. I love You. I long to serve You. And my only request is that You “Make it so, Dear God, make it so.”

In all of Your Omni-ness, make me exactly as You wish. I love You. I need You. And I wholeheartedly thank You. Amen.

(381 words ~ 8:14 a.m.)

Your abundance

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 (7:53 a.m.)

Holiest God,

Thank You! Thank You for shelter. And warmth. And Your tender care. Thank You for Your abundance.

(10:03 a.m.)

And with those thoughts of Your abundance came an extended phone call. Blessed Holy God, thank You for the healing work You continue doing in the lives of these two siblings. Thank You that it is the mighty, holy power of Your Word that set in motion the groundwork for this restorative relationship.

(11:54 a.m.)

And, we begin again.

Thank You Father that even with [or is it, especially because of?] the various interruptions of our time together this morning I am all the more reminded of where the restoration of this kinship began. With Your gracious, generous abundance.

My first conscious remembrance is when I truly recognized myself in the Truth of Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41-43. Or was it when 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 became real to me? I do know that the crowning moment was the day The Message undeniably convicted me in my behavior toward this particular other.

We are absolutely unable to see to remove a speck from another's eye when there is a board in our own (see Matthew and Luke above). The clear and concise list of what love is and all it is not that the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth is still true today.

Yet I continue coming back to one of the days I experienced Your magnificent abundance more than any other. Following a horrendously childish display of verbal push and shove, knock down/drag out, hit 'em below the belt screaming, I was tearfully humbled by reading Paul's words to the Philippian believers.

“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately” (Philippians 1:9 The Message).

Praise You Father! Bless You. Thank You. It is absolutely, without any doubt whatsoever Your abundance that provides us the ability to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength and our neighbors as ourself (Mark 12:30-31).

Keep working Your mercy and grace in Christ through each of us I pray. You are good. Holy. Deserving of all glory and honor. Use us well this day. Exactly as You wish.

I love You. I thank You. And I ask (Matthew 7:7) this in Your abundance. Thank You. Amen.

(399 words ~ 12:41 p.m.)

awesome

Tuesday, November 3, 2015 (4:49 a.m.)

Most Holy, Awesome God,

Thank You that You are indeed awesome.

(5:18 a.m.)

How interesting that as I sit here reading Your Psalms, considering so many evidences of Your awesomeness, stronger grows the feeling of wanting nothing more than to dissolve into a puddle of tears. Tears of joy. Celebration. Praise.

Oh, yes. Most dear and awesome God, You are so very deserving of our praise. Even when it comes through as near sadness.

I confess to You blessed God, my emotions are a mess. I keep making mistakes. Seeing Truth right in front of me and not recognizing it for what it is.

Thank You that You are so very much bigger than every single mistake we can ever make. Bigger. Better. Stronger.

Guide me this morning into the Truth You would have me find here in Your Word. Prepare my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength to take Your Truth with me into this day.

A doctor, a skilled man of medicine, took extra, precious time to share Your Truth in his exam room yesterday. Unexpected. Unhurried. Enlightening. Truly appreciated. See? Here come the tears again.

Blessed God, You amaze me. You really, truly never cease to amaze me. Thank You for the little awarenesses. Thank You for glimpses of Your goodness and Your grace which abound for us to be aware.

I love You so very much. I sit here in complete awe of the work You are doing and experience even more tears. Thank You. Praise You!

Your Word speaks loudly to me this morning. Exodus 15. The work You did for Your people and their ungracious response. Holy Father, thank You for reminders that I am not alone in the continued mistakes I make.

Thank You especially for repeating the lessons I so desperately need. Like referring me from the Old Testament into the New. “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope” (Ephesians 3:20).

Yes Blessed Father! Glory be to You!

Use me as You wish this day. Work in and through, by, with and for me as You know is best. I love You. I long to serve You. Strong in Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

Thank You. Praise You. Worship and adore You, most dear and awesome God. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(412 words ~ 6:00 a.m.)

looking heavenward

Monday, November 2, 2015 (5:05 a.m.)

Most Dear and Awesome God,

Blessed Father, thank You. Thank You for the star-gazing interest my earthly dad fostered in me so many years ago. Thank You for whatever it is YOU want to do with it now.

Thank You for the willingness to get up out of a cozy, comfortable bed to traipse along outside in the cool, darkness of the very early morning. Thank You Father for the late night decision to set out the blanket sleeper for extra warmth.

Blessed God, I don't know what You may, or may not want to teach me about my interest in looking heavenward. Mm. I guess that is what You've been having me do all this time isn't it? Look heavenward.

I'm limited. I see only this side of all that is out there. Even with our telescope and new set of binoculars there is only so much we can take in.

Blessed, Holy Father God, thank You that You are limitless. There is no end to You. To all You have created. To the love You have for each of us. And with that love is Your mercy and grace.

Speak with me this day. As I continue looking heavenward, adjust not only my vision for seeing, but my ears for hearing evidences of all You have for us to enjoy. You, the Lord our God, are one (Mark 12:29).

Looking at the various translations for this verse, I like they way The Voice says it, “Jesus: The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Eternal One is our God, and the Eternal One is the only God.'” Mm. Yes. The Eternal One.

As I continue looking heavenward, remind me what I am truly seeking. You. The Eternal One. Thank You Blessed God. Thank You.

Use me this day. Exactly as You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(318 words ~ 6:19 a.m.)

feeling better

Sunday, November 1, 2015 (6:35 a.m.)

Most Holy Blessed God,

Thank You. I feel so very much better than I did last night. Not knowing what happened to make me feel that bad that fast, I am extremely grateful for feeling better now. Talk to me this morning about what You would have me learn.

Right now I guess I really want to practice being grateful. You give us so much, I want to share Your bounty with others.

Thank You for the honor and the privilege of coming before You with Your Word. Psalm 63:5 New Living Translation, “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy.”

Truly, I love when I'm thinking, reading, sitting, watching and seemingly out of nowhere a song starts singing in my mind. Thank You for the freedom with which to sing praises to You, Dear God. Thank You also for the Wycliffe Bible rendering of this phrase, “and my mouth shall praise with lips of full out joying.”

See? Another word I never knew. Joying. And a different way of expressing the importance of singing praises to You. “With lips of full out joying.” Doesn't that bring a smile to my face! Thank You, God.

Yes, Father. Thank You for another chance to practice being grateful.

In fact it was that word [grateful] that brought me to this verse in the first place. The Message “If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection” (Psalm 63:6).

And as if all this isn't enough for which to be grateful, there's the Truth found in verse seven. “Because You've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play. I hold on to You for dear life and You hold me steady as a post.”

Thank You Blessed God. Truly, I am grateful! And joying. Use me well this day. To YOUR good and to YOUR glory. I love You and I desire that to be easily seen by others. Bless us and keep us Blessed Father that we will in turn seek to glorify and enjoy You. Forever.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(362 words ~ 7:52 a.m.)