blessings all around

 Sunday, August 23:2020 (5:43 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy Father God,

Thank You for all the blessings You provide. Family. Friends. Phone calls. Learning. Blessings all around.

Blessed Lord, it is so very easy for me to fall into the never ending trap of discontent. Thank You that You call us to more. Better. You.

Yes Lord. You call us to know, trust and depend on You. To learn Your will and Your way. And to obey. Mm, yes. ♪Trust and Obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey♪

Thank You Father. I come to You aware of our brokenness. Having the choice of looking at problems, or potential solutions. Thank You that Your Word of Truth calls out to us.

Turning first to the book of Joel (2:13-14) and then to Ephesians, Chapter 5; Living in the Light. Reading Your Word often surrounds me with such a blanket of hope. A true sense of being comforted. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that the prophet Joel wrote to warn Your people “of impending judgment, and to urge them to admit their sins and turn back to God” (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE PURPOSE).

The introduction of this book reads much like our newspapers today. “Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes - natural catastrophes of all kinds - have a way of making us feel helpless. We can do nothing to stop them. We can only do our best to avoid them and pick up the pieces after they have occurred.”

When we turn to the writings of Joel (2:12-13), again we find hope. “A Call to Repentance That is why the LORD says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead tear your hearts,’ Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and eager not to punish you.”

RECOVERY THEMES of this book list: The Power of Confrontation; The Importance of Forgiveness; God’s Power Is Limitless; and God’s Power within Us. Your power not only surrounds us but resides in us as well.

Lord God, how I long to lean into and fully depend on Your indwelling power. Believing, trusting and obeying Your call to us.

The Message tells us, “You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true - these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it” (Ephesians 5:8-10).

Living in the light. By the Spirit’s power. How I ask You to teach me more about forgiveness. And provide all that is necessary in its realization. Not just an ideal. No Lord, make it so I become a ready forgiver in every sense of the word.

I love You Lord. How I ask You to do all You must to Your good and to Your glory this day. Thank You. Amen.

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