so very many ways

Friday, May 29, 2020 (5:53 a.m.)

Holy God,

It’s the day my parents were married. 72 years ago. Interesting that I would wake up to ♪Wild One♪ by Bobby Rydell singing in my head.

Lord, thank You for whichever one of them wanted the other most. We have been blessed many times over by the true, imperfect love they had for each other.

Thank You for an absolutely full day of working over at the home they had built together 65 years ago. There were a lot of memories and realizations in the nine hours I spent there.

Oh and thank You for the prompt and ability to take heart decorations out to their plots at the cemetery. Holy God, You have truly blessed us in so very many ways. How I ask You Lord that we would use these blessings to Your glory and the good of others.

Will You talk with me this morning about loving You, myself and others as You originally intended? With all of our hearts and souls, minds and strength (Mark12:30-31).

Father, I am truly grateful to be considered one of Yours. I long to love better than I do. Oh, look! Tears are ready to fall.

Holy God, Your love for us knows no bounds. And here we are still making baby steps toward loving as You have taught.

Turning to the apostle Paul’s words to the church at Corinth my heart feels split wide open. The Life Recovery Bible describes his PURPOSE as being “to encourage the believers living in Corinth to resolve their problems and honor God.”

Wow! Doesn’t that just sum up what You would have us do on a regular basis? Resolve our problems and honor You.

Along these very lines I turn to chapter 13, verses 4-7 in The Message. Being instructed again. “Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Loves doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always ‘me first,’ Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of Truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.”

You’ve spelled it out for us Lord. You’ve also promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). We’re not called to do anything in our own power or strength, but in Yours (Ephesians 6:10).

So it is absolutely to You I turn, asking for an even deeper understanding and ability to love as You have it all spelled out for us.

Here it is from The Passion Translation. “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.”

I want to love like this Blessed God. How I ask You to continue Your detailed work in me toward this end. Making me a safe place of shelter, always believing the best for others.

You have placed this desire in me Lord. I look to You for this. And so very many other ways of sharing the love with which I was raised. By two imperfect people who loved each other the very best they were able.

Thank You Father. Bless them and all of their offspring. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

(661 words ~ 7:11 a.m.)

Spirit led

Thursday, May 28, 2020 (5:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are teaching us so much. And how truly I thank You for that.

We’ve been taking baby steps toward becoming the people You would have us be. Kind. Loving. Peaceful. Patient. Joyful. Good. Gentle. Faithful. And self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-23). Spirit led.

Oh yes most blessed God, continue Your work in attuning us in obedience to the promptings of Your holy Spirit. And would You just look at this? Galatians 5:16 urges much the same Truth.

The Passion Translation. “As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.” Mm!

The Voice, “Here’s my instruction: walk in the Spirit, and let the Spirit bring order to your life. If you do, you will never give in to your selfish and sinful cravings.”

Blessed God, You truly are bringing order to our lives. Our home. Thank You Lord.

The Message. “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.”

How I ask You Dearest God, continue Your work in changing us each day more into the people You created us to be.

The more versions of Your Word I read, the more deeply I am impacted by Your Truth!

The Living Bible. “I [the apostle Paul] advise you [the churches in southern Galatia] to obey the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to.”

Yes Lord! Make us ready, willing and able to live this day as You would have us. Completely surrendered to You. Your will. Your way.

We love You. We thank You. And we ask You. All this, in Jesus’ precious name. Use us as examples of all You are. Thank You. Amen.

(327 words ~ 5:51 a.m.)

♪More Than I Can Say♪

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 (6:27 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I thank You. When continued sleep just wouldn’t happen, ♪More Than I Can Say♪ kept singing to me.

Father, thank You that I have such ready access to so many versions of the song. Different artists giving their own rendition. Thank You too that a thought just evolved into a wonder.

When I heard this song for the first time on Monday I thought of it as me singing to You. Just now I got the sense that it is You singing to me.

The more I read in Your Word, the louder and more insistent is the song. I can’t even begin to thank You enough for loving me ♪More Than I Can Say♪

Today I am asking You to use us exactly as You know is best. Growing us more firmly rooted in Your Truth and promises.

Lord, we love You. We long to serve You. And we ask that You be glorified through our thoughts, words and actions.

This I pray, all in Jesus’ most dear and holy name. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(190 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

so many songs

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (6:00 a.m.)

Most Blessed God,

Thank You for all the music in my mind. So many songs. One leading right into another. Thank You Lord.

It started yesterday with Bobby Vee singing ♪Wo-oh yay yay Love You More Than I Can Say I’ll love You twice as much tomorrow Wo-oh love You more than I can say♪ A song of which I was previously unaware. Immediately I started singing along, with You as the focus. Thank You Father.

Throughout the night there were songs that I am not remembering now. Much earlier it was what I then thought was ♪Glorious Light♪ only to determine that it’s actually ♪Into MARVELOUS Light I’m running Out of darkness, out of shame♪

Oh most Blessed God, how deeply and truly I thank You for the songs You sing into my heart. My soul. My mind. And even my body Lord. I find myself swaying with the Truth that comes from singing the songs right back to You.

♪I once was Fatherless A stranger with no hope Your kindness wakened me Awakened me, from my sleep Your love it beckons deeply A call to come and die By grace now I will come And take this life, take Your life Sin has lost it’s power Death has lost it’s sting From the grave You’ve risen Victoriously♪

Oh yes, Most Dear and Blessed God, keep singing to me I pray. So many songs.

We love You. We long to serve You. And we ask You to bless us and keep us this day that we would glorify You as only You know is best.

Thank You for Your love. And Your continued care. Use us. We love You. Amen.

(291 words ~ 8:21 a.m.)

choosing Jesus

Memorial Day Monday, May 25, 2020 (5:57 a.m.)

Holy God,

Tears are already falling. Patriotism. Gratitude. Graduation parades instead of ceremonies. Oh! And a six year making the decision to choose Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Thank You Father. Praise You God.

How quickly You change my focus. Originally planning to confess my crankiness in great detail. Turning sharply instead to wanting to know more about choosing Jesus.

Oh Dearest God, here I get to turn to Ezekiel 34:16 and have my heart boosted. Thank You God. Praise You Jesus. Found in The Life Recovery Bible under the title The Good Shepherd. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Starting at verse 11, “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep… I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who and fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes - feed them justice!”

Oh yes, Blessed God! The very last sentence of the comment for this section reminds us, “No matter what our circumstances, we can be assured of God’s constant care and concern for us.” Praise You Lord.

Father, how gratefully I thank You for Your blessings and Your constant care. With this deeply seated Truth, I ask You to use us well this day. Make sure we honor and mourn the military personnel who have died while keeping us free to worship You.

You are so good God. And we are truly grateful. We love You. We thank You. And we ask You to do in, with, by, through and for us exactly as You alone know is best. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(299 words ~ 7:13 a.m.)

still thanking You

Sunday, May 24, 2020 (4:24 a.m)

Holy God,

Thank you for Who and ALL You are.

(6:20 a.m.)

Almost two hours later and I am still thanking You.

(7:15 a.m.)

So many distractions. My mind wanders. Then back I come to You. Still thanking You. Yes Lord. I am still thanking You. Every single time we turn around there is at least one thing for which to thank You.

There are so many changes taking place with us. Travel opportunities. Learning to communicate more lovingly and effectively. Sorting through long held onto items. Even a curious looking skin lesion.

Through it all Father, especially through the fear and uncertainty I eventually choose to say, “Thank You!” Yes Lord. Thank You for Your presence. For Who and all You are.

Omnipotent. Omnipresent. All powerful. Always present. Father, how truly we thank You.

It’s looking to be a fairly busy day. How I ask You to keep us grounded. In You. Your will. And Your way. Thank You Father. We love You so very much. Use us. Amen.

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

many types of dreams

Saturday, May 23, 2020 (5:24a.m.)

Holy God,

Good morning. I love You. Thank You for a lot of work yesterday. As well as some sleep, rest and dreams.

Job 33:14-18. “But God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in bed. He whispers in their ears and terrifies then with His warning. He causes them to change their minds; He keeps them from pride. He keeps them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.”

Father I ask You to alert me to the times my dreams are from You. With something specific You want me to know.

Catherine Segar's e-article on crosswalk.com shares her experience with five types of dreams.

1. Warning dreams are not nightmares, they’re assignments to pray.

2. Recurring dreams are to be taken seriously and committed to prayer. Ask God what they mean and follow His direction.

3. Waking dreams linger fresh in our minds as we wake up for the day. Commit it to prayer. Sometimes it helps us make decisions.

4. Decision dreams provide options or questions. Pray for wisdom and courage to make the right choice.

5. Dreams of encouragement lift our spirits when we need them most. Write them down. Refer to them often to combat discouragement.

Dreams can warn. Heal. Encourage. And instruct. You enable us to understand and make changes. Thank You Father.

Guide and direct me throughout this day, won’t You please?

God is bigger

Friday, May 22, 2020 (6:21 a.m.)

Holy God,

There was already a glitch. A failure to function. Followed by some frustration. Thank You that You are bigger than it all.

And with that Truth? The biggest smile. Along with a chuckle. Searching “God is bigger” I come across a song. By VeggieTales. ♪God is Bigger♪

It sings of You being bigger than the boogie man, Godzilla and monsters on TV. The chorus reminds us ♪’Cause I know that God’s the biggest And He’s watching all the while So, when I get scared I’ll think of Him And close my eyes and smile!♪

What a great idea. Think of You. Close my eyes. And smile.

Father, I love You. I thank You.

We’re on our way out to get started with the day. Time is a factor. With hopes of accomplishing more than usual.

Even as I consider going out and taking care of business, my mind goes back to singing a similar song. Chris Tomlin’s chorus. ♪Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other Our God is Healer, awesome in power Our God! Our God!♪

Beginning with a glitch and ending with a praise, how I thank You Father. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for us this day. All that You know is best. We love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(234 words ~ 7:10 a.m.)

relief and reminders

Thursday, May 21, 2020 (5:51 a.m.)

Holy God,

Sleep wasn’t great. There were a lot of internal distractions. Disney music of hope [Moana] mixed with overwhelming thoughts of things not done. Too much thinking.

Father God, how I thank You for the relief You did provide. The reminders to pray.

(6:40 a.m.)

Mm, yes Most Blessed God, how I thank You for the relief and reminders that come from You. I am asking that You would lead and guide me as only You can Dear Lord.

Have me pay particular attention to the things that are from You. I have a list of things left undone. Partially because I don’t want to risk making a mistake. I truly believe I could turn avoidance into an art form.

Work in me Dearest God. By me. Through me. For me. With me. You are able. Yes!

Here is the verse I need to remind me. Ephesians 3:20. “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”

And The Life Recovery Bible comment for this section? Equally affirming.

“3:14-21 …Paul prayed that his friends might be deeply anchored and rooted in the soil of God’s love. As we learn how much God loves us, we will become confident that He is able to do far more in and through us than we could ever imagine. We can bank our recovery on this Truth! We may feel that our life is hopeless and beyond recovery. But through God restoration and healing are possible. When we are grounded in God’s love, recovery will follow.”

Oh yes Most Blessed God. Yes. Please! Do all You must ‘according to Your power that is at work within me.’

“I can’t. God can. I’ll let Him.” The first three abbreviated steps of twelve. I love You Lord. I need You. And again I ask You, do ALL You must to Your glory and the good of others.

I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(350 words ~ 6:56 a.m.)

"perfect sense"

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (6:39 a.m.)

Holy God,

You gave me songs again. I wasn’t too sure about the first one. And then it made perfect sense to me. As I sing it to You!

♪I don’t remember what day it was, I didn’t notice what time it was, all I know is that I fell in love with You And if all my dreams come true I’ll be spending time with You♪

How cool is this Lord? When I take my own thoughts and filter them through Your Word, smiles and peace come far more easily. Thank You Lord.

♪Every day’s a new day in love with You With each day comes a new way of loving You♪ It’s so true Lord. Thank You God.

(8:13 a.m.)

There was an unexpected phone call. My feelings went all over the place. And I just found myself thinking, “now nothing makes sense.”

Thank You Father, that Your Word pulls me straight make to You. And then the second song of the day sings out. ♪On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand All other ground is sinking sand♪ Yes Lord!

And now? Back to the one ‘perfect sense’ verse I found earlier.

“The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense?” (1 Corinthians 1:18-20).

Oh most dear and blessed God, I look to You. Asking You to bless and keep us in Your divine, holy care. The ways of the world do not make good sense. Thank You that the way of salvation is perfect!

Keep me singing Your Truth back to You this day. ♪Oh, I love You More Today Than Yesterday But not as much as tomorrow…♪ All the while being reminded that ♪My hope is built on nothing less Thank Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name♪

Oh yes Bless God, empower and embolden me in trusting Christ The Solid Rock! I love You. I long to serve You exactly as You alone knows is best. Do all You must to this end Dearest Lord. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(432 words ~ 8:43 a.m.)

"Be G.L.A.D."

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 (6:36 a.m.)

Holy God,

You just sent me another reminder. And I am grateful. Yes Father. You prompted my memory toward the importance of being glad. Grateful. Loving. And Devoted.

On any given day, my mind takes me in a number of different directions. I quite easily think about the scary things. And have to work at getting back to the good. Thank You that You are ever near to remind us of Your Truth. And Your promises.

This morning I’m brought to the book of Joel. The prophet You sent to warn of impending judgment. Urging Your people to admit their sins and turn back to You.

Most dear and blessed God, I keep thinking that this is what is really going on with this current COVID-19 pandemic. What more is it going to take for us as a people to realize that it’s YOU Who is truly in charge?

Blessed Lord, I love You! Deeply. Truly. And I thank You for guiding me into Your Word this morning.

The Message. Joel 2:21-24. “The Trees Are Bearing Fruit Again Fear not, Earth! Be glad and celebrate! God has done great things… Be glad in your GOD. He’s giving you a teacher [the Holy Spirit] to train you how to live right - Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as He used to do. And plenty of food for your body - silos full of grain, casks of wine and barrels of olive oil.”

Illustrated Bible Handbook tells us, “The answer to Joel’s generation is an affirmation of fruitfulness and a promise that Zion’s people will yet rejoice in their God (21-24). Then God will repay for the years the locusts have devoured, and Joel’s generation will know that there is a God in Israel. Those who are His people will never be put to shame.”

Father, I read of The Locust Plague. The Invasion; Call to Repentance; The Locust Army; Return to God; God’s Answer; A Day of Salvation; The Nations Judged and God’s People Blessed (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

And now the last section of the book in The Life Recovery Bible. Blessings for God’s People. We can’t lose sight of Your promised blessings.

The comment for 3:16-21 again offers us hope. “God has planned a good future for all who trust in Him. Restoration and recovery will be complete; salvation will be forever. With this hope for the future, we can find the courage we need to persevere through our problems today (Romans 8:18-21). Since the final goal of the recovery process is assured, we need not fear the hard times that may still lie ahead.”

Holy God, You are Who reminds and enables us to truly “Be GLAD!” Here I ask You to do all You must to this end.

I love You. I thank You. And I ask You to do all You must in making me truly grateful, loving and devoted. To You. Your will. Your way. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

'near antonyms'

Monday, May 18, 2020 (7:04 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You! Before coming straight to You, I opted for some momentary distractions. A check of weather, emails and social network. Even completing a crossword. For all these distractions, I thank You Father.

They allowed me to get outside of my head again. The inner thinkings and trappings that tend to lead me away, rather than to You.

Looking up the word distractions I find myself experiencing its ‘near antonyms’ as I read Your Word. Holy God, only You can create such calm and peacefulness in a mind that so often leans toward the troubles of the world.

We are invited to read of Your divine wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:26- 2:16). Contrasted with the foolishness of mankind (vs. 1:18-25). Holy God, how I ask You to change our focus. Let us come to trusting and depending on You, rather than our human leaders.

We are here to be Your servants Lord. I think us to still resemble the Corinthian believers [infants in the Christian life] Paul had written to in chapter 3, verses 1-4.

(8:16 a.m.)

As much as I do believe and trust You Dearest God, I realize I must confess to You the fear I am harboring. There is a virus running rampant throughout the world. One false move and “Bam!” we could be taken out.

We wash our hands. Wear our masks. Stay six feet apart. All the while wondering if this is really enough to keep us safe? The longer the distancing order lasts the deeper the longing to see and hug loved ones grows.

I know You to be good God. And here comes the best smile of the day so far. Chris Tomlin again. Oh, now there are tears as well.

♪Water You turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind There’s no one like You, none like You! Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise There’s no one like You, none like You! Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other Our God is Healer, awesome in power Our God! Our God!♪

How I thank You for singing Your power and Your presence into my heart. I can easily get lost in my own fearful thinking. Thank You that You are ever here to remind me, ♪And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?♪

It’s in You we live and move and have our being! You are not an unknown, unnamed god (Acts 17:23). You are the God who made the world and everything in it (v. 24a). You, Yourself give life and breath to everything, and You satisfy every need there is (25b).

My smile returns with the chorus. ♪Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other…♪

Father, there is so very much crisis and chaos going on in the world. How I ask You to use us to Your glory and the good of others. I have no idea what that looks like.

As I turn again to the verse that brought me here in the first place, I notice a giggle as I realize I was reading in chapter three, rather than seven. Learning to not label mistakes as right or wrong, I instead ask You to use it all Father.

Our Access to Divine Wisdom; 2:6- 10. Application of Divine Wisdom; 2:11-16. Evidence of Unspirituality; 3:1-4. As well as: The Divine Perspective; 3:5-9. The Divine Foundation; 3:10-15. The Divine Priority; 3:16, 17. And Focus on Jesus; 3:18-23 (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Oh most dear and blessed God, do all You must in making us right with You. The apostle Paul told the believers living in Corinth, “I am saying this [Instruction on Marriage] for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible” (1 Corinthians 7:35).

Mm, yes Lord. Let me serve You. With as few distractions as possible. You are good. You are holy. You are worthy. And we need You. Oh how desperately we need You Lord. Do all You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(739 words ~ 9:07 a.m.)

Yours!

Sunday, May 17, 2020 (6:03 a.m.)

Holy God,

What to say? Thank You? Guide and lead me? Truly, Father, how to start?

I love You. I’m glad I’m Yours. Hmm. Yours. Yes! Thank You Father that I am Yours! Here I ask You to take me into Your Word, where You would have me this morning.

Finding a hymn from long ago, I am intrigued. Wanting to know more.

Singing the very verse I had remembered from the other day. Song of Solomon 6:3 ♪I Am His, and He Is Mine♪

I smile as I read the topical index of this particular hymn. INNER PEACE AND JOY. And once more, I say thank You God.

Thank You that You are able to take control of my thoughts. Direct them where You would have them go. Straight into Your Word.

To the verse above. As well as Colossians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 3:22-23; Romans 8:38-39. Go with me as I read.

Mm, the smile I get from reading The Life Recovery Bible’s comment in Colossians. “3:1-3 Paul isn’t urging us to deny the harsh realities of life; he is simply reminding us of where our focus should be [on the realities of heaven].”

The smile gets bigger the more I read. “When our eyes are on Christ, we see this life from a different perspective. We realize that there is hope, even when everything seems dark and hopeless. As we look with an eternal perspective, the struggles of recovery don’t disappear; rather they are seen in the proper light.”

As I continue reading and believing, hope begins to ignite. “They [the struggles] no longer have the terrifying power that they once did. When we keep our eyes on Christ and His promises for recovery, no obstacle is too great for us to overcome.”

Thank You Lord. How deeply and truly I thank You!

1 Corinthians 3:23, “and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” Yours! I am Yours. Thank You God.

Illustrated Bible Handbook expands. “In Christ, all has been given to us - life, death, the present and future, and many different leaders to serve us. All this is ours because of Jesus. He should be the focus of our lives, and be the One of whom we boast.”

As I continue reading of who and what I am in You, I find myself all the more grateful. Yes Father, I just “heard” myself think again of how truly blessed we are. Lord, You have kept us safe. Relatively unaffected. And very aware.

THIS is the moment we have! The day You have made (Psalm 118:24). We are guaranteed no specific amount of time here on this earth. We are however tasked to “rejoice and be glad” in it all.

Lord, I love You. Thank You for reminding us of the importance of not taking one single moment for granted.

Your Word tells us, “Today I give you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

We are Free to Choose. We are told often that You would have us choose You. Life in You. With. By. Through. And for You. Oh that I would indeed choose You Blessed God.

(11:13 a.m.)

As I come back before You to finish up our time together, Father how I thank You for Your ever present, never ending love.

Romans 8:38-39. Paul’s words to the church of Rome. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Why? Because we are Yours! Thank You Father. Use us this day. Exactly as You know is best. 

We love You. We thank You. Amen.

(755 words ~ 11:24 a.m.)