"the Spirit of Truth"

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 (6:50 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

We have much to do. Places to go. People to see. And I want to follow You through all of it.

There are lists reminding us to dot our i’s and cross our t’s. Father, I am asking that You guide us.

Mm… and with that I am reading Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Referred to as “the Friend”, “the Spirit of Truth”, “God’s presence at work in the world”, “the Helper”.

We are not alone in this world. You will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). And just like usual, the more I read the more excited [agog] with You I become.

There are Jesus’ words of hope and promises to His disciples. Oh, and look at this! The Gutierrez Bros. sang of this very thing twelve years ago. It’s noted in my Bible at the end of verse eight in Deuteronomy 31.

Complete with music notes, although I don’t remember the tune, ♪The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged♪

This reminds me of the song I often sing from Proverbs 3:5-6. ♪Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path♪

That’s me Dear Lord. Here. Acknowledging You. Seeking Your direction. Asking that You will lead us this day that we will indeed follow.

Mm, we love You. We long to serve You. And we ask that You make it so Dear Lord. Make it so.

Thank You Father. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(298 words ~ 7:55 a.m.)

joyful peace

Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 2018 (6:00 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. I honestly can’t think of what else to say. I love You. My head feels funny. I don’t feel right. And I love You.

I’d much rather focus on “I love You”. And with that I’m going to lie down for a minute.

(8:01 a.m.)

Several minutes actually.

Thank You Father. Sleep happened. I still feel funny. And I still love You. Thank You.

What direction shall our time together take?

Mm, yes. Direction. Guidance. Way. Instruction. Blessed God, I look to You.

Sitting here. Rested. Feeling somewhat odd, yet peaceful. The smile on my face denotes joy in my heart.

Looking to You for guidance leads me straight to Psalm 119:73-77. Thank You Father. Thank You for peace that opens me up to joy.

“You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands. May all who fear You find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in Your Word. I know, O LORD, that Your decisions are fair; You disciplined me because I needed it. Now let Your unfailing love comfort me, just as You promised me, Your servant. Surround me with Your tender mercies so I may live, for Your law is my delight.”

It’s true Father! It’s so very true! Oh and look here… Illustrated Bible Handbook says, “…The Word of God, and its impact in the life of the believer, is the subject of this great work of poetry.” Yes! It is!

Thank You Father. That You for eagerness with which to approach You. Your Word. Life! A quickening in my heart is giving way to truly feeling agog [excited and eager to tell; “en ‘in’ gogue ‘fun’]. Thank You Father.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for this section of Scripture encourages me to want more of Your Truth. “As we obey God’s revealed commands, people will begin to see the changes in our life and praise God. All of God’s work - even His discipline - is done because of His goodness and faithfulness. God wants us to live joyfully. We need to seek God’s will and do our best, with His help, to follow it. As God transforms us, we will become a living testimony of God’s power to transform broken lives.”

Oh, Father. Make it so! It IS because of Your goodness and faithfulness that I get to experience any resemblance of peace and joy. Thank You Father. Use me this day. To Your good and to Your glory.

I love You so very much. Thank You. Amen.

(434 words ~ 8:58 a.m.)

sincere love

Sunday, May 27, 2018 (6:08 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I am here because I love You. I am here because I want to be. I am here to thank and praise You. I am here to learn more of what Your Word has to say about how I am to live my life. Romans 12. 1 Peter 3:8-12.

Mm… Your Word. Your Truth. Such hope. Insight. Mmm, yes Father. Pour Your Word into me that I would come to love as You would have me love.

Romans 12 in the Illustrated Bible Handbook describes “a process of inner transformation which will lead to an entirely new outlook on life.” Oh yes Father!

Reading on from there, “True Interdependence; 12:3-8” and “Sincere Love; 12:9-21”, we are encouraged to “overcome evil with good.”

Blessed God, how I ask You to continue shining Your light on the Truth we are called to live.

The Message, “Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what He’s asked; But He turns His back on those who do evil things.”

Oh Blessed God, oh that I would come to live each day as You would have us live it. With sincere love (Romans 12:9-21). “… of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other; loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds” (1 Peter 3:8).

Mm, yes Blessed God. Do all You must to this end. I love You. I need You I want You. I thank You. Amen.

(334 words ~ 7:59 a.m.)

dogged determination

Saturday, May 26, 2018 (6:32 a.m.)

I am looking to You for strength, guidance, stick-to-itiveness. Yes Blessed God, I am looking to You to provide a dogged perseverance that I otherwise lack.

(8:59 a.m.)

Oh Most Dear and Blessed God,

I love You so much.

(9:47 a.m.)

See? Even in the midst of “I love You so much” something comes along to interrupt us. Now I’m back again. Still asking for a level of persistence that is so completely foreign to me.

(10:19 a.m.)

How perfect is this illustration of how easily I get sidetracked.

Backing up. I LOVE YOU! Yes. I absolutely love You. I love You and I depend on You. Your Word tells me repeatedly how I am to approach our relationship.

I was prepared to say, “With reverence and awe”. Instead I looked up what Your holy Book has to say. John 14:6, “Jesus told him [Thomas], ‘no one can come to the Father except through me.’”

Hmmm…Deep breath. Teary eyes. Lots of emotions.

Father there is an excitement brewing inside that just wants to scream out all the possibilities that are found in seeking You. Every thought, sentiment, gut feeling rattling around inside me yearns to be first in line of consideration.

Blessed God, I need You to temper it all.

I started off this morning, before even opening my eyes wanting desperately for Jesus to “magically” transform my circumstances into something doable.

I knew that I am in over my head. With so much to do and such little time to get it done. Indeed I wanted what I have come to 

(11:00 a.m.)

Are You joking me?

Right in the middle of a thought to You, I jumped and ran again. What better illustration do we need?

Again. Deep breath. Settled thinking. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Wanting desperately for You to lead me through this chaos that is currently my way of thinking.

Now I remember the point I was trying to express.

… I have come to think of all things “magical” as “mercy and grace in Christ’s abiding [abounding] love”. Yes Father. I am in over my head. I have Your Truth. Your promises. Your Word. Your Son. All I need with which to align myself.

I trust You Father. I absolutely need You in every single aspect of this present endeavor. I surrender myself to Jesus’ leadings. Asking to be aligned with YOUR will, not mine. Your way.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he wrote to encourage his young protégé. “To encourage a faithful but discouraged Timothy in continuing to do God’s work” (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE).

In chapter two, A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus, Paul began with these words, “Timothy, my dear son, be strong with the special favor [read here by me as MAGIC ~ mercy and grace in Christ] God gives you in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

The adjoining commentary says, “Paul didn’t tell Timothy just to be strong; he told him to be strong in Christ Jesus. The apostle knew that Timothy could never succeed in his ministry by depending on his own strength. He needed the only power sufficient for godly living - God. The Truth that God gives us the power to live a transformed life is good news, and we need to pass it on to others!”

Father, there is a palpable storm brewing within me. With an underlying calm I have come to know is Jesus.

I liken it to James’ warning of asking You for wisdom. “But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).

Yep! That’s me right now. And is exactly why I am seeking what I have never possessed. Perseverance. Dogged determination. The ability to “Continue!”.

Paul told Timothy to “Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will give you understanding in all these things” (2 Timothy 2:5-7).

A Step 10 devotion on this section assures me that I am not alone in my struggle. “Recovery is a lifelong process. There will be times when we grow weary and want to throw in the towel. We will experience pain, fear, and a host of other emotions.”

Hello! Not alone!

“We will win some battles but lose others in the war to achieve wholeness.” This IS a war! We are told that over and over. No wonder I am experiencing signs of battle fatigue [smile].

“We may get discouraged at times when we can’t see any progress, even though we have been working hard. But if we persevere through it all, we can maintain the ground we have gained.”

Thank You Father. I’ve said it before. I love You. I need You. I long to serve You. Make it so Blessed God. Make it so.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(874 words ~ 11:51 a.m.)

options

Friday, May 25, 2018 (5:02 a.m.)

It’s been a very early morning God. We’ve been talking and trying to go back to sleep for hours. Thank You that we have so many options.

(5:44 a.m.)

Mm, yes Father. Talk with me this morning about options will You?

(6:19 a.m.)

Yes, God. Options.

Three sections in The Message pique my interest. Proverbs 19:21; Matthew 10:21-23 and James 1:5-8. Guide me in the direction You would have me take this morning.

James offers words of Truth, encouragement and caution to his readers. “If you don’t know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who ‘worry their prayers’ are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open” (James 1:5-8).

You are my option Father! I can believe You. Take You at Your Word. And I often do. Work in me that I would truly become bold. Believing. Without a second thought.

Proverbs 3:5-6 immediately comes to mind. ‘Trust in the LORD with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; In all my ways acknowledge You, and You will direct my paths.’ I depend on this Father. I depend on You!

Proverbs 19:21, “We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD’s purpose prevails.” Holy God how I ask that Your purpose prevail for, with, by, in and through us this day. 

Loving You is an option with many. For me it is an absolute necessity. Use me as only You know is best.

While I am drawn to the power of Matthew’s words to his readers, I confess to feeling a question mark above my head. “When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before You’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived” (Matthew 10:21-23).

Holy God, continue Your work in making me a survivor. One who does not quit nor cave in.

I love You. I thank You. I long to serve You. And I ask You, “Make it so Dear Lord. Make it so.”

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(464 words ~ 7:07 a.m.)

"Yes, Father."

Thursday, May 24, 2018 (6:38 a.m.)

Hi God,

It’s five hours after the last time I was here. Thank You that sleep again happened during those hours.

Yes Father. Thank You.

Hmm… Can that be my reply for the day? “Yes, Father.” I noticed myself saying it earlier. I really like the sound of it.

How much better will my attitude be when I thank, rather than repeatedly question You. Far too often my response is, “Why God?”. “Yes, Father” has such a better ring to it.

Thanks for the extra sleep Dad. It didn’t come easily. I actually tossed and turned. And turned some more. I prayed. Read. Sang. Made mental notes. Then finally fell upon, “I love You, Lord.”

Yes, Father. Thinking it led to my singing ♪I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You, O my soul, rejoice!♪ I remember my breathing change. Feeling myself calm and settle down. And here I am several hours later asking that You would continue Your work in me.

Right now I cannot see the forest for the trees. There are so many projects we want to take care of. So much to do. Thoughts. Ideas. Plans. And necessities.

I absolutely need You to sort them out for me. Let my reply when You do be a resounding, “Yes Father”!

Getting to be here with You, pouring over Your Word is such a privilege! Thank You Father.

Following one thought to another verse I am now at Psalm 90. Most Holy Father God, I am confessing the confusion that has taken over our household.

Taking a very quick swerve over to 1 Corinthians 14 and the apostle Paul’s Call to Orderly Worship. I am immediately drawn to verses 33a and 40. Here we are reminded that You are not a God of disorder and confusion, but of peace and order.

How I ask You to align my heart, soul, mind and strength that ‘all things will be done decently and in order’ this day. Yes, Father. I need the ability to follow the council of Your Holy Spirit as chaos continues reigning supreme in our household.

And here again is a sincere and genuine, authentic smile. Back at Psalm 90. The Life Recovery Bible comments for verses 10-12 and 13-17.

Most Dear and Holy God how I absolutely thank You for Your tender care of and for each of us.

“90:10-12 Remembering that life is short and often filled with sorrow, we should ask God how He wants us to spend our days and concentrate on making our life count for something. We have wasted enough time creating our own problems. We should focus now on growing in wisdom and making positive changes in our life so we can accomplish things for God.”

Yes, Father! Please. That.

And “90:13-17 Our restoration to wholeness and health depends on our cooperation with God. Only He can give us the power to be what we ought to be. But God won’t force change on us; we must want change. We must begin through prayer and Bible study. We can ask God to make us willing to change and to give us the strength to follow through with action.”

Oh most dear and Holy God, yes! I am asking You for the willingness to change and the strength to follow through with the action that is necessary. Yes, Father. Yes.

♪I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You. O my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what You hear; may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.♪

Yes, Father. Please.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I thank You. Speak that I will listen. Lead that I would follow. Command that I would obey. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(645 words ~ 8:26 a.m.)

resources

Thursday, May 24, 2018 (12:56 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You.

Thank You for sleep. And unexpected awakeness [wakefulness]. Mm, yes. Father, thank You for words that are somewhat accepted. But not necessarily.

Thank You for songs that just seem to randomly start singing themselves out of nowhere. ♪All Things Bright and Beautiful, All creatures great and small, And all things wise and wonderful; The Lord God made them all♪

Mm, yes Father. Thank You for the resources with which we find things we seek. Definitions to words that may or may not actually exist. Songs that only have a line or two in memory.

Oh most dear and Holy God, thank You that as I look to Your Word in relation to the song above, I am reminded that when You ‘looked over all that You had made, You saw that it was excellent in every way’ (Genesis 1:31).

We are created in Your image. “Excellent in every way.”

Thank You Father for the way that one thought leads to another. Thank You that reading one area of Your Word opens up to reading another.

Turning to Acts 2, verses 41-47 tell of needs being taken care of when Your believers met together. Thank You Father.

Speaking of needs being taken care, I look to You now Father asking for more sleep. I Love You. I long to serve You. And I seek more rest to strengthen and empower me.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(252 words ~ 1:49 a.m.)

God's agape love

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 (6:41 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

I love You. I thank You. I ask You.

(7:23 a.m.)

Yes Father, I am asking You to teach me more of Your agape love.

The more I search, the more I find. The more I find, the more I read. The more I read, the hungrier I get to know more.

Mm, yes. Father I am hungry, eager, itching to know more of how to love as You command us to love. In obedience to Your design.

Most dear and Blessed God, thank You for the desire to know You and Your agape love. Not just to know of it, but to put it into practice.

As we prepare to go out into our day, Father I ask You to continue firming up Your Truth in me. Attempting to devour the various versions of 2 John 1:6, I settle on the Christian Standard Bible.

“This is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: that you walk in love.”

To do this I must know Your command. Which is to love as You would have us love. Obediently. Selflessly. Forgivingly. All foreign to the world’s way of loving.

Continue Your work in teaching me Father. I long to love as You would have me love. Make it so Dear Father. Make it so.

I love You. I thank You. Use me. Amen.

(248 words ~ 8:20 a.m.)

if

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 (3:51 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You. Forgive me. And thank You.

You spoke to me last night and I ignored Your nudgings. It’s taken me many hours to get to “Aha! I know what that was all about.”

Where I willfully disobeyed You was in not forgiving immediately. I knew You were calling me to put away my childish ways (1 Corinthians 13:11). I didn’t realize at the time just how childish they really were.

Blessed God, I’m having my own little “Hallelujah” moment here. My feelings got hurt again last night. Rather than doing anything positive to rectify them I withdrew. Into a hurt, hard, angry shell.

I went so far as attempting to mentally justify that anger. I had a list right in front of me of all the things I had accomplished during the day. Why was I being singled out for the one thing I hadn’t taken care of?

And there is where I stayed. Hashing and rehashing why it was okay for me to not accomplish this one task.

In my own bitter and resentful way I tried repeatedly to get my point across. I held onto the hurt while trying to prove I had done a good enough job for the day. I fell asleep holding on to my right to be angry.

Mm, good enough. Tried my best. But had I really?

You were calling me to put down my hurt feelings. And I refused. Thank You for not leaving me alone in them.

Awake at 3:32. Waiting to see the clock with three threes, I immediately started rebuilding my case for bitterness. After all, I had done my best. Tried my hardest. Or had I?

It took less than four minutes for me to fully realize I was still reacting to a hurt from more than fifty years ago. “An A-? Why wasn’t it an A?” The tears stinging my eyes, oh and now falling, make me fully aware of just how deep this slight still pains me.

Thank You Father. Thank You that I get to choose forgiveness. Thank You that You love me even when I refuse to immediately obey You.

Thank You that You do not give up on us.

(5:35 a.m.)

Mm, yes. Thank You.

There is a slight smile on my face. And absolute peace in my heart.

I get to read Your Word. An e-article titled “Obeying God” from InTouch Ministries leads me to Hebrews (5:7-8; 11:8). Joshua (1:7-9). Psalms (32:8; 62:1-2, 5; 119:105). John (4:34; 6:38; 8:28-29). Romans (10:9). 2 Corinthians (6:2). Philippians (4:19). And corresponding comments in The Life Recovery Bible.

Your Truth is not falling on deaf ears here. Thank You Father.

With all the examples of obedience to You cited in these verses, my head nods in agreement. This morning I am in a place that I can not only agree with Your call to obedience, but accept it as well. Thank You for Your work on me here.

InTouch Ministries affirms my thinking by asking challenging questions. ‘What types of situations have I found it most difficult to obey You?’ When I am feeling prideful. Believing that I have every right to feel as I do.

‘Can I think of a time when the Lord’s instructions were made very clear to me?’ Oh my goodness yes! ‘Did I respond in faithful obedience to You?’ More often than not, no.

‘How have You taught me to trust that Your plans are best for my life?’ By never leaving nor forsaking me (Deuteronomy 31:6).

And herein lies the crux of this entire situation. I had a choice last night. I could trust and obey You. Forgive and show love. Or not.

“If we don’t trust the Lord, we won’t obey Him.” Well there You have it! “Anytime we’re tempted to disobey in a particular area, that’s the point at which we don’t trust Him” (Obeying God). Forgive me Father.

In my immaturity (1 Corinthians 13:11) I momentarily believed my decision to obey You to be optional. It never is okay to sin in my anger (Ephesians 4:26).

Thank You that You keep speaking to us Father. Even when we behave as willful [won’t full] children!

Thank You that as early as 3:36 in the morning I can have such an AGOG moment that I can’t wait to come pour my heart out to You.

Thank You that “if we have an obedient spirit, we’ll recognize our heavenly Father’s discipline as a loving act of protection and respond with gratitude” (Obeying God).

Thank You that I get to know You as the loving, protective Father that You are. Use me exactly as You wish this day.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I thank You Father. Amen.

(827 words ~ 6:33 a.m.)

grateful love

Monday, May 21, 2018 (6:42 a.m.)

Blessed God,

We love You. We are grateful. And we look to You for guidance.

Mm, yes. Holy God we are so incredibly grateful for Your love. Guide us in using and sharing Your perfect love (1 John 4:16-21) with others.

You amaze me Father. There are times I actively resist being here with You because I have nothing particular to say. Then all I seem to ever have to do is sit gratefully before You and You spur me on to wanting more and more of Your Truth.

Thank You Father. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Thank You for Your love. Your perfect love that calls us to love others (1 John 4:7-8). The more I read in Your Word the deeper the gratitude in my heart grows. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the grace of which the apostle Paul wrote to his faithful brother Timothy. The Message presents his grateful love with these words. “I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective [abuse] and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing - didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

Treated mercifully. Didn’t know what he was doing. Grace mixed with faith and love. Poured over him and into him. “And all because of Jesus.”

How completely blessed we truly are to have this perfect love of Yours poured over and into us. Let us use it well this day. To Your good and to Your glory. Focusing on Your merciful, forgiving, redemptive power.

Teach me Your fine art of forgiveness Father that I will come to better share it with others. How I love You. How I thank You. And how I look to You for guidance.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(363 words ~ 8:06 a.m.)

ideas

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (5:51 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You woke me up with an idea about how to possibly work with a special needs boy today. Thank You Father. Thank You for never leaving us alone with our own thoughts or ideas.

Thank You that Your way is so much bigger than ours. Your plan always better than ours. Tune me in to hearing from You more clearly.

How I love You Father. I read and hope in Your Word. The more I seek, the more I find. Thank You.

I read of ideas. Of Hannah’s and Samuel’s obedience. And I land at Psalm 62:5, “I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” Mm, I find peace as I ponder waiting quietly before You.

The Passion Translation says, “I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the One I love, waiting as long as it takes for Him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and He will not fail me.”

Oh that we would each come to know You so personally and dependently. Thank You for loving us, blessing us, keeping us as only You can. Use us exactly as You wish in sharing Your perfect, redemptive love with others.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

all in all

Friday, May 18, 2018 (7:20 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that You are all that You are.

(10:08 a.m.)

Mm, yes Father. Thank You for all You are. 

(12:11 p.m.)

I keep going away. And coming back.

Unexpected interruptions. Phone calls. Simple tasks. Thank You that You are here during it all. Waiting. Patiently. Knowing my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength.

Mm. Yes. Thank You that You not know only know all. You are all.

My reading this morning continues bringing me back to 1 Corinthians 15:21-28. I confess to it seeming completely new to me. My own understanding of it is limited. And still I thank You.

Thank You for the learning that is yet to come. I am thrilled to hope in Your Word.

I read of resurrection. New life. Power. Authority. And I smile. Breath deeply. Hope. And smile again.

Christian Standard Bible tells us, “When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all” (v. 28).

I compare these words to Contemporary English Version and smile some more. “After everything is under the power of God’s Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son’s power. Then God will mean everything to everyone.”

I wonder Father. What would it be like for You to mean everything to everyone? To truly be our all in all?

The Message challenges my thinking this way, “When everything and everyone is finally under God’s rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God’s rule is absolutely comprehensive [all-inclusive; all-embracing] - a perfect ending!

Mm. A perfect ending. Your perfect ending. Yes Father. Continue Your work in fitting us in to Your perfect ending. You meaning everything to everyone. Being our all in all.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(333 words ~ 1:43 p.m.)

learning to trust God in change

Thursday, May 17, 2018 (6:33 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You. Thank You for change. And trust. And learning. And learning to like change. And learning to trust change. Yes Holy God, thank You that because of our relationship with You we get to learn to trust change.

I noticed it last night in a longer than average car ride home. I was aware of my muscles tightening. I remembered to change my breathing. More deeply in through my nose. Counting slowly. And releasing through my mouth. 

(7:03 a.m.)

Doing some more reading and realizing that it is YOU we are to trust. Always. During change. Or when things stay the same. Thank You Father.

Reading Your Word and breathing in deeply, I look to You asking that You would continue Your teaching in me. I love learning to recognize when I am feeling afraid and trusting You to calm my spirit.

It truly is an adventure I am learning to relish. Relax and be amused. Rejoice. Always. (Philippians 4:4). Yes Father, thank You for changing me. My heart. My soul. My mind. And my strength. All changes that lead me back to trusting, hoping and rejoicing in You.

Thank You Father. I love You. Use me today. Exactly as You know is best. In change and all. Amen.

(223 words ~ 8:06 a.m.)

Jesus' perfect joy

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 (6:27 a.m.)

Hi God, 

Something’s off. I don’t quite know what. I’m looking to You first. Asking that You would align my thinking with whatever joy You have for me to discover this day.

Yes. Joy.

(7:47 a.m.)

Scouring Your Word, I look for the nugget of Truth I would take with me. Reading about the joy of the LORD being the Jewish exiles strength (Nehemiah 8:10) makes me wonder all the more.

Turning over to the book of John, I read again of Jesus being the True Vine (John 15). Chapter 16 tells us about The Work of the Holy Spirit and Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy. This morning finds me settling in on The Prayer of Jesus (Chapter 17).

Jesus spoke of His followers being filled with His joy (v. 13). It’s verse 15 that offers me so much hope this morning. “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” Yes please. Keep me safe.

My mind keeps focusing on all of the things I have not done these last few days instead of what has been accomplished. Unhealthy view. Much too hard on myself. Phrases that are used to describe me more often than not.

The smile that keeps coming to my heart and my face again stems from Jesus’ prayer. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony” (v. 20). Mm. Yes. Jesus prayed for me.

Thank You God. Thank You that reading The Life Recovery Bible comment for this chapter gives me hope and helps me smile. “…Jesus intercedes with God the Father on our behalf, bringing our needs and requests continually before God. He prays that we would know His perfect joy, be protected from all evil, grow in truth and holiness, and show love toward all people…” Oh yes please Dearest Father.

Know Jesus’ perfect joy, be protected from all evil, grow in Truth and holiness, and show love toward all people. Make it so Blessed God. Make it so.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(370 words ~ (8:47 a.m.)

the breath of God

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 (7:33 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You that I get to breath in deeply, smile and think of You as I do. There is a settled, sense of peace that gives way to the start of joy. Just because of breathing in. And smiling.

9:07 a.m.

Reading Your Word. Focusing on on my inhaling and exhaling. Hoping. Thank You for how it all works together for Your good (Romans 8:28).

Blessed God, I am asking You to use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. As I inhale deeply, becoming more aware of Your presence and Your power, how much I truly thank You.

“God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath and life to everyone in all the world” (Isaiah 42:5). As I consider the Truth of Your mighty breath in me, I ask You to continue teaching me to use it well.

I love You Father. I long to live more fully for You. By, with, in and through You. As only You can provide.

♪ Breathe on me Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do… ♪

Mm, yes. Breathe on me. In me. By me. Through me. For me. As only You can. Thank You Father. I love You. Use me. Amen.

(242 words ~ 9:34 a.m.)

cannot resist

Monday, May 14, 2018 (7:44 a.m.)

Holy God, 

Thank You. I don’t seem to have much more than that. Am I resisting?

And here comes the smile. Yes. Father, thank You.

Antonyms for resist are: give in to, yield to, submit to, welcome, accept. Mm. And this phrase…cannot resist: LOVE, adore, relish, have a weakness for, be very keen on, like, delight in, enjoy, take great pleasure in; informal be mad about, get a kick/thrill out of, cannot help wanting.

Yep! These are all descriptions of what comes naturally when we still ourselves enough to focus back on You. Thank You Father.

Considering the importance of delighting in and enjoying You, I turn to Psalm 37:4. “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Long inhale. Deep exhale. Lots of thought.

Asking myself, “what is my heart’s desire?” I look again to You.

Blessed Holy God, as I lean in to being delighted and happy with You I truly ask You to take hold of my desires and actions this day. Guide me. Lead me. Change me. Exactly as You know is best.

I cannot resist Your goodness. Nor do I wish to. Thank You for Your love. Your presence. Your instructions. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(218 words ~ 9:03 a.m.)

cleansing and freedom

Saturday, May 12, 2018 (8:32 a.m.)

Holy God,

Strange dreams. SUCH strange dreams! Father, I am looking to You to shake off the lingering effect. Thank You that we get to come before You asking even this.

(9:12 a.m.)

Mm, thank You Lord. Thank You that I get to look to You. Ask You to change my focus. And You do. Reading in Your Word, I continue flipping between what You said to Moses, Zechariah, and Micah.

Breathing in deeply, I ask You Father to truly teach me to “Judge fairly and honestly, and show mercy and kindness to one another” (Zechariah 7:9).

Throughout the book of Leviticus You told Moses to tell the Israelites many things. The Life Recovery Bible’s THE BOTTOM LINE tells us it was to show Your desire to have personal fellowship with those who turn to You. “Only through the channels of worship and personal obedience to God can we fully experience the cleansing and freedom He offers.”

“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18). Oh that I would come to live this command Dearest God.

So here I am, still in the aftermath of such a strange and vivid dream, leaning heavily on Your Word. And here comes the faintest smile. The Life Recovery Bible’s THE BOTTOM LINE for Micah, “PURPOSE: To warn God’s people of the destructive consequence of disobedience and to offer peace to those willing to obey God’s revealed will.”

Holy God, how I thank You for Your Word. Your Truth. Your cleansing and freedom. International Children’s Bible tells us, “The Lord has told you what is good. He has told you what He wants from you: Do what is right to other people. Love being kind to others. And live humbly, trusting your God” (Micah 6:8).

Mm, yes Father. Do what is right to other people. Love being kind to others. Live humbly. Trust my God. Yes. Make it so Dear Lord.

I love You. I thank You. I ask You. Empower and enable me to do all that You wish. Thank You. Amen.

(365 words ~ 10:39 a.m.)

"Wake up!"

Friday, May 11, 2018 (6:21 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. I’m off to a sleepy start this morning. It feels like every single fiber of my being is slowed.

(7:58 a.m.)

Mm. Thank You Father that I get to sit here and read deep into Your Word, even about this. Sleepy. Slowed. Some verses I’ve never explored. Ezekiel 23:5-8, The Adultery of Two Sisters. 1 Samuel 14:36, Saul’s Foolish Oath and the priest advising, “Let’s ask God first.”

Oh, but it’s David’s confidence in Your faithfulness that indeed wakes me up this morning! Complete with a smile on my face and lightness in my heart and my soul.

Thank You Father. Thank You that I get to sit here. Reading. Hoping. Thinking. Asking. Yes asking that I would echo David’s words (Psalm 57:7-8; 108:1-2).

“I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe. Ready to sing, ready to raise a God-song: ‘Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! Wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!’” (The Message).

The Life Recovery Bible comments remind us of the importance of sharing our thankful, grateful hearts with God and others. Letting “our joy spill out as a message of hope”. Mm, yes, Father.

Even as I began the day so sleepily and slowly, I am fully aware that my heart truly IS filled with joy. Thank You Father. Use me this day as only You can. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(252 words ~ 8:45 a.m.)

humility

Thursday, May 10, 2018 (6:49 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed, Holy Father God,

I confess to You. I fell short last night. So far short. You call us to forgive. And I instead withheld.

Not only did I withhold forgiveness, but love, patience, kindness, understanding… Why? My feelings got hurt. I felt embarrassed. Then “Bam!” Up went the wall.

Thank You Father. Thank You for all You continue teaching us about Your will and Your way.

Even in the midst of feeling embarrassed I knew You to be calling me to humble myself. Let go of my pride. I confess to not obeying immediately. It took until very early in the morning. And again I say, “Thank You!”

Thank You that You forgive us. Readily. We repent and turn from our indifference (Revelation 3:19). And You lift us up ♪higher and higher♪. Thank You Father.

James 4:10 (New Living Translation), “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.”

Just look at how The Voice paints this very same verse, “Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head so you can stand tall.”

Mm, yes! Thank You Father. I knew I was to respond to all perceived slights through Your power and Your love. I couldn’t muster it on my own. Not until I was truly willing to humble myself. Thank You for softening my heart enough to make it willing to obey You.

Thank You that I also get to read Peter’s words to the Jewish Christians who were suffering for their faith; showing “us how to live in a shattered and hopeless world” (THE BOTTOM LINE The Life Recovery Bible).

“…And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in His good time He will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour” (1 Peter 5:5b-8).

Your Word just goes on and on with Truth and warnings. The more I read, the more excited [AGOG] I become. Attempting to devour the eight references The Message has for humility, I actually heard myself think, “I can’t stand it! [in a GOOD way] There’s just SO much Truth!”

Oh, bless You Father. Thank You. Praise You. Use me this day. Exactly as You wish. In humility. Forgiveness. And Your love. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(459 words ~ 7:54 a.m.)

searching and seeking

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (7:00 a.m.)

Beloved, Blessed, Holy Father God,

Thank You. I am here asking Your blessings on some much loved ones. Challenges are no surprise to You. Thank You that nothing shocks nor stuns You. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the peace that comes into my being as I focus on searching Your Word and seeking Your face. You continue to amaze me. Thank You God.

Thank You that I get to know You as our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Because of Who and All You are, we do not fear (v. 2). We look to You. We trust and believe You and Your Word.

Most Holy God, You have been working in me. Creating a clean heart. Renewing a right spirit (Psalm 51:10). Here I ask that You would use all that You are doing in and with, by, through and for me to Your good and to Your glory.

The changes You are making are subtle and somewhat startling. Continue as You know is best.

Tying our time together now with the verses I considered yesterday I ask You to keep working deeply within. Because “not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself” (Mark 12:32) knows when the heaven and earth will disappear (v. 31) Your Word tells us to “stay alert and keep watch” (33).

Reading in 1 Thessalonians 5, I ask You to keep me on guard. Not asleep. Alert. And sober (v. 6).

Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica commending for their trust in You. Encouraging them to continue trusting. And assuring them of Christ’s return. He went on urging them to “encourage each other and build each other up” (v. 11).

Paul’s Final Advice and Final Greetings to the Thessalonians never cease to quicken my heart and encourage my soul. Thank You Father for the privilege of searching Your Word and ‘seeking the LORD while he can be found, calling on Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Mm, and one verse further. Nope. Take it to the end of the chapter. Verses 7-13 are filled with hope. Ending with this Truth, “This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD’s name; it will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.”

And that is exactly what I came before You searching and seeking this morning. Your power and Your love. Mm. Yes! Thank You, Father.

Use me this day EXACTLY as You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(421 words ~ 8:45 a.m.)

angels watching

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 (6:44 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You.

(7:57 a.m.)

Mm, yes. Thank You.

Even before the early morning shaker we experienced here, I was already singing ♪All night, all day Angels watching over me my Lord♪ I confess Bless God, I know very little about angels. I’ve used the reference of guardian angels. Again, I can’t speak of them first hand.

Thank You that even when I don’t know something specifically I can always turn to You and Your Word to learn more. Thank You Father.

This morning I find myself reading Mark 13:32-37. 

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Monday, May 7, 2018 (7:00 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! You are changing us. We pray and ask and pray some more. Then we notice the ways things are different.

Our circumstances. Situations. And our ultimate reactions to those changes. Thank You Father.

Thank You that You stay constant. YOU do not change. Oh, but how You change Your people. Our hearts, our minds, our souls. Thank You Father.

As I begin to consider all the changes You are making in us, the song ♪Ch-ch-ch-changes♪ surprisingly continues to loop through my thinking. Thank You even for my confusion over this.

Your Word grounds me. Excites me. Makes me eager [AGOG] to share.

1 Chronicles 29:18 The Living Bible, “O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel! Make your people always want to obey you, and see to it that their love for you never changes.” Oh, yes. Please!

And now this in the same translation, “From: Paul, the slave of God and the messenger of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know God’s truth - the kind of truth that changes lives - so that they can have eternal life, which God promised them before the world began - and He cannot lie” (Titus 1:1-2).

Yes Blessed God, You change us. And You stay the same. Continue Your necessary work in each of us. Unlocking us into the people You would have us be.

Thank You Father. Continue changing us as only You can. Thank You. We love You. Use us. Amen.

(272 words ~ 8:23 a.m.)

"He's my God"

Sunday, May 6, 2018 (7:57 a.m.)

Blessed Lord God,

Thank You for the fun of being awake at 5:06 on 5/06. Yes. Smile! It’s the little things that seem to cause the biggest smiles for me.

Thank You Father for the smiles You never cease to provide. I love the way The Message puts it. Psalm 43:5, “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”

Yes! You are my God. You put smiles on my face. Yes. You just did again.

The comment in The Life Recovery Bible, “43:1-5 As we work through the recovery process… we must look to God, our only dependable source of strength and encouragement. As we turn our life over to Him and seek His wisdom and strength, we will find the help we need. We must learn, as the psalmist did, to find strength by reading God’s Word and allowing Him to restore our joy. As our relationship with God grows stronger, we will discover the means for reconciling our broken relationships.”

Strength by reading Your Word. Allowing You to restore our joy. You provide our every need. Thank You Father!

“O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise Him for His wondrous help; He will make me smile again, for He is my God!” The Living Bible.

Yes. You are my God! I am so grateful. Thank You Father for every smile You bring to my heart, my soul, my mind and my countenance. Use me this day. Exactly as You wish. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(300 words ~ 9:42 a.m.)

so very thankful

Saturday, May 5, 2018 (6:37 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Again I am singing ♪Be Thankful for all He has done, Be thankful from the bottom of Your heart. Be thankful, come on everyone, ‘Cause Jesus is good to you [/me]♪ And I am, Father. So very thankful!

We were able to experience family at its best last night. Extended loved ones all joining together to celebrate the birth of their matriarch. Such great love and respect were expressed. Genuinely. Freely. Simply. Pure love. And respect. Amazing!

What a tremendous example was set for us. Thank You Father. Thank You.

You are so good to us. You provide us with blessings. Opportunities. Examples. And hope. So much hope. Thank You God.

I’m reading again (1 Chronicles 16:8-12) of King David’s enthusiastic, joyful, wholehearted worship of You. Illustrated Bible Handbook stresses that his “dancing before the Lord on that occasion was no mindful abandon.” It involved his “emotions and his intellect, and would continue to find expression in the king’s commitment to do the will of his God.”

How blessed we are to have such examples Father. Which circles me back to the celebration we were invited to witness last night. One of the finest samples of a Proverbs 31 woman that I know.

“A Wife of Noble Character (vs. 10-31) Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life.”

True that! We’ve actually heard him say words to this effect. Reading of all this idyllic Old Testament woman represents, I am aware of knowing no one more suited to this example.

“… She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night… When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her…”

Yep! Truer words were never spoken, Father.

Thank You for such a fine and personal demonstration. Use me this day to share Your love as freely as was shown to us last night.

Thank You Father. We love You. Use us. Amen.

(397 words ~ 7:56 a.m.)

being thankful

Friday, May 4, 2018 (7:05 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

THANK YOU! Yes, Father. Thank You for hope. Thank You for change. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your care.

Mm, yes! Even before opening my eyes; my heart, soul and mind were singing ♪Be Thankful♪ to You. Although initially humming “grateful” to the toe tapping beat, I was thrilled to be reminded of Your presence in our lives.

I recognized a change in dynamics around here yesterday. How sincerely I thank You for taking me from gloom to grateful. You never cease to amaze me. With hope when I least expect it. Thank You!

I have three main choices of Scripture this morning. 1 Peter 5:6-7; Isaiah 51:12-23; and 1 Chronicles 16:8-12. Guide my focus as You wish.

David’s Song of Praise. Also billed as David’s Psalm of Thanks (1 Chronicles) is the basis for the Psalty song my heart is still singing.

♪Be thankful for all He has done, Be thankful from the bottom of your heart. Be thankful, come on everyone, ‘Cause Jesus is good to you… Yes, Jesus is good to me! I’m thankful for the night and the day. I’m thankful when I go to bed and pray. I’m thankful ‘cause I learned to obey. Yes, Jesus is good to me!♪

Oh, how very thankful/grateful I truly am. There is a tide turning around. Six months of illness is definitely waning. Thank You Father. Thank You for all we have been learning throughout the entire process.

Thank You that The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us, “16:8-13 In times of victory or defeat, recovery or relapse, God remains the same. Our response to Him in all circumstances should include thanksgiving and praise.” I confess the various times this to be so much easier than others.

“There is never an inappropriate time to seek God; indeed verse 11 enjoins us to ‘keep on searching’ for His strength. This imperative must be observed by each of us in recovery.”

In recovery. That is absolutely our present state. And we are definitely seeking Your strength. Thank You for Your all-knowing provision of our every, single need.

The comment is Isaiah also fits us perfectly. “51:12-23 God is in control of our life, yet we don’t fear Him as we should. Instead we fear people - people who don’t really have authority over us. We are tempted to retreat from God’s ways and lapse back into dysfunctional patterns, just to please others. We should strive to please God because He has the power to bless us for seeking His will or to discipline us for disobeying.”

Yes. This is us. Seeking Your will. Asking that You would truly ‘bless and keep us; make Your face shine on us and be gracious to us; turn Your face toward us and give us Your peace’ (Numbers 6:24-26).

Oh Yes, most blessed Father! Thank You for singing to me this morning. Thank You for reminding us that ♪Jesus is good to me!♪

Use us this day exactly as You wish. With our whole hearts, souls, minds and strength. We love You. We thank You. And we long to serve You. As YOU wish! Thank You. Amen.

(549 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)