traditions of celebration

 Monday, December 28, 2020 (6:00 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy Father God,

We love You Lord. It’s the fourth day of Christmas. And again I want to learn and know more of Your Word. Your Truth. And Your promises.

We’ve made traditions of celebration. What of them are based on You? Your love. Yours for us. And ours for You.

(6:41 a.m.)

Blessed Lord, I read. And hope. I remember the fearfulness that so easily overtakes me. And then I turn. Look to You. And ask (Matthew 7:7). Do all You must in teaching me not to be afraid.

No sooner asked then answered. “Lifelong journey with Jesus” were the words that just jumped off a Circle of Hope introduction page. Father, thank You that with Jesus I do not need to fear (Psalm 23:4).

Told this way in The Passion Translation, “Lord, even Your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for You already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of Your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for You are near.”

Amen Blessed God! Oh that I would learn to live this Truth. On my “lifelong journey with Jesus.”

I love You Lord. I long to live this day as You would have me. Loving You, others and myself. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31). Do all You must in making it so.

I love You. I need You. I want You. And I ask You. Keep me with You on this journey Lord. As we work toward sorting through the traditions of our celebrations. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(289 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

and the greatest of these

 Sunday, December 27, 2020 (5:16 a.m.)

♪On this third day of Christmas Dear Jesus gave to me…♪ “faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Holy God, there is so much You have for us to learn. To practice. To know. And all too often, we miss it. Thank You that Your love is not dependent on our ability, but rather Your mercy and grace.

(6:44 a.m.)

As I sit here reading Your Word I am filled with such excitement Lord. There is so much hope to be found in believing Your Truth. Thank You God.

The Message tells us, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering in a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!” (1 Corinthians 13:12). The hope we find in trusting Your Word keeps me reading. Wanting to learn. Practice. Love. As You direct.

“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love” (v. 13). Yes please God.

Teach me that I will truly know, trust and believe that the best/greatest of these is indeed love. Your love. Keep me practicing Lord. Exactly as You know is best.

I love You and long to serve You. Be glorified God. Thank You. Amen.

(270 words ~ 7:18 a.m.)

2nd Day of Christmas

 Saturday, December 26, 2020 (6:00 a.m.)

(7:07 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God, how deeply and truly I thank You. You provided us the opportunity to wholeheartedly enjoy the season of Advent. And now? The Twelve Days of Christmas. Thank You God!

(7:27 a.m.)

Lord, I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to continue teaching us to be the people You would have us be. Grateful. Loving. Kind. Yours.

Do all You must to this end. We love You. And long to glorify and enjoy You forever. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

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

♪all things♪

 Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2020 (7:30 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! For the gift of Your Son. For the love He came to bring. For music. And the hope that You do indeed ♪make all things work together for my good♪ (Romans 8:28).

comfort and joy

 Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2020 (5:26 a.m.)

Good early morning Lord,

We’ve been awake for hours. Appreciating Your provisions. Warmth. Comfort. And joy.

(7:08 a.m.)

Still rather early and we’ve already eaten. Taken care of business. And are truly thankful to You Lord.

Getting to research ♪O tidings of comfort and joy♪ I don’t think I’ve ever before paid this close of attention to the words in all of the verses. Thank You Father for the musical gifts you provide to people that last throughout the ages.

(10:21 a.m.

The more I read about the history of this carol the more excited I get about singing it again. I had NO idea that “the phrase ‘God rest you merry’ means ‘may God grant you peace and happiness.’” Thank You God!

Thank You for letting me learn new to me things. Six verses singing the whole Christmas story. And the seventh, with such good advice.

♪Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace, This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface O tidings of comfort and joy♪

You are teaching us Blessed God. We give you thanks and praise. You provide us comfort and joy.

Use us this holiday season to share of Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:1-20). We love You Lord. And we thank You. So much! Amen.

(240 words ~ 1:11 a.m.)

Your Love

 Wednesday, December 23, 2020 (5:46 a.m.)

Holy. Holy God,

Thank You for Your Love. Your Love that came into the world as a newborn, in a manger.

(7:28 a.m.)

Mm… Your Love, Father. I get to read about it in compellingtruth.org. Learn that You not only give love, You are the source of it. You created it. It’s because of Your love that we are able to love (1 John 4:19).

Most Blessed God, thank You that I get to read and learn and hope and pray and want to know more. Yes Lord. I want to know more about Your Love.

Let me quote from the site noted above. “Even when Jesus knew we would fail (Romans 5:8) and even before we were born, He gave His life as the ultimate expression of His love.

“God is love. He created love, created us to love Him, and extended His love to each of us. Our challenge is to accept His great love (Ephesians 2:8-9) that we may experience His love in our lives today (John 10:10) and for eternity (John 3:16).

Teach me to live Your Love this day. I love You, Lord ♪And I lift my voice To worship You Oh, my soul, rejoice! Take joy my King In what You hear Let it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear♪

Mm, yes Lord. Teach and use me. Exactly as You know is best. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(254 words ~ 8:03 a.m.)

♪Star of Wonder♪

 Tuesday, December 22, 2020 (5:24 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

We got to see a ♪Star of Wonder♪ last night. Two planets appearing as one unit in the early evening's southwestern sky. Nicknamed the “Christmas Star” we actively searched for it.

Thank You Father for another spot of joy this current Advent season. Thank You too for the bright star I saw in the eastern sky the other morning which prompted my singing. As well as the awareness to be on the lookout for this rare occurrence.

Mm, yes. ♪Star of wonder, star of light Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light♪ Yes Lord! ♪Guide us to Your perfect light♪

Oh! Here I get to read Phil Wickham’s lyrics. Ones I don’t know. And are singing deeply in my soul.

♪God of wonder, God of light God is with us here tonight. Holy Savior in this manger Come to set the world right♪ Yes! ♪Come to set the world right♪

Blessed Lord, You truly are the ♪Gift of wonder, gift of light Gift of royal beauty bright Heaven’s glory here before me Born to bring the dead to life♪

Oh most Holy God how I thank You for sending Jesus to be ♪Born to bring the dead to life♪ Thank You that the sight of a star can lead us to Your Truth. And Your promises.

Here I turn to The Life Recovery Bible’s RECOVERY THEMES for the book of Matthew. “The Importance of Hope: Without hope we are miserable; hope is the driving force behind all recovery. If we had no hope, there would be no possibility of recovery. Understanding who Jesus is gives each of us a hope that can transcend even our deepest despair. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see and hear the message of hope that is available to everyone, not just a select group of people. Jesus’ resurrection forms the basis of our hope because in it God demonstrated His power over death.” ♪Born to bring the dead to life♪

Oh yes Blessed Savior. You truly were born that we would live. In You. With You. By You. Through You. And for You. Do all You must to this end Dearest Gift of all.

I love You. I long to serve. Exactly as You know is best. Faithfully. Without fear. Eternally. Use me Lord. I love You. Amen.

(403 words ~ 6:39 a.m.)

love and live

Monday, December 21, 2020 (5:18 a.m.)

♪Sweet Little Jesus Boy♪

Thank You Lord! Thank You for so many memories associated with this song. Thank You for the multitude of artists that have covered it through the years. Each with their own voice. Their own style and rendition.

Oh Dearest Lord, thank You for Your birth. Your life. Your death. Your resurrection. All that we could ultimately choose to love and live with You.

There’s a lot of heavy thinking going on here this morning, Lord. Things to discuss. Decisions to make. Choices abound. Thank You that You are ever present with us Lord. We don’t have to do anything without You.

(6:31 a.m.)

How prefect is it that during this Advent week of love I am directed to John 15:10. And while reading it another song starts singing. ♪This Is My Commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full♪ (John 15:12).

Thank You Lord. I get to read and sing Your Truth. This from Jesus, “I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]” (John 15:9 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition). What comfort. And joy. Thank You.

We are to keep Your commands and abide in Your love and live on in it (v. 10). Illustrated Bible Handbook answers the question of how we abide in You.

“We obey His commands. And the command Jesus emphasizes here is ‘love each other as I have loved you.’ We have been chosen by God to bear the fruit that comes from a life of love.”

Hmmm… a life of love. Yes please Lord. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I would truly live the life of love You have for me.

“I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing” (11).

Can I even imagine what a life like that would look like? Joy. Delight. Gladness. Full. Complete. And overflowing.

Lord God. ♪Sweet Little Jesus Boy♪ Change us into the people that You came to save so we don’t continue singing ♪We didn’t know Who You was♪

I love You Lord. Use me this day. Exactly as You alone know is best. Amen.

(398 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

Advent week of LOVE

 Sunday, December 20, 2020 (5:39 a.m.)

Blessed God,

It’s the Advent Sunday of LOVE. Mm. What a thought. It ties so nicely back to yesterday’s open ended prayer of John 3:16.

Yes Lord. I had left here with every intention of coming right back. Distractions abounded. And here I am. Finally. Thank You Lord.

Yes. Thank You that even while I’m off taking care of details somewhere else, I am never without You. What comfort. Hope. Peace. Joy. And now love.

Four weeks of preparing to celebrate the arrival of Your Son. Praise You Father. Yes. Thank and praise You.

The Message tells us, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”

You love us Lord. All of us. This is the year we struggle at times to remember Your presence with us.

“God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again” (v. 17).

And this is where the singing starts. ♪Hallelujah Jesus♪

Oh look! The smile on my face just got bigger. I feel it deep within my being. Recognizing the song I’m singing as one I chose years ago for this exact season. ♪Keeper of the stars Lord of time and space I will live my life Lifting up Your name Hallelujah Jesus♪

Father, I love the way You tie the meditations of my heart (Psalm 19:14) together with the music in my soul. Praise You Lord.

♪Lover of my heart God who came to save Thank You for the cross And the life You gave Wonderful Powerful Jesus is Your name… You are the Everlasting God… My Lord beautiful You are♪

I am asking You (Matthew 7:7) to use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. It’s the Advent week of love. Let me represent it and You well. Actively preparing for the coming of Jesus.

♪Author of my life Friend of sinful man Holy mighty God Ever great I am… Hallelujah Jesus… Jesus is Your name♪ Praise You Lord. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(393 words ~ 7:14 a.m.)

3:16

 Saturday, December 19, 2020 (5:58 a.m.)

Blessed, Daddy God,

Thank You!

Sleep happened. Yay! It came in spurts. But it definitely happened. Thank You Lord.

(8:13 a.m.)

At 3:16 a.m. I smiled as the numbers nudged me toward reciting “For God so loved the world…” Realizing I had slept for three more hours I was encouraged.

♪Hallelujah Jesus♪

 Friday, December 18, 2020 (6:03 a.m.)

Blessed, Precious Holy God,

In a world filled with uncertainty, thank You that You are sure. Thank You that we can come to You. Depending on Your power.

You have given us so much. All of it to share with others. I confess my reluctance. I want to hold tight. Stand back. Be afraid. It’s what comes naturally to me. Thank You God that You are so much bigger than my greatest fear!

I come to You this morning on behalf of so many suffering souls. Dearest God, we know You to be good. Generous. Giving. Gracious. Merciful. Loving. Kind.

We have no answers outside of You. Your will. Your way. Your plan. Your provision.

Loved ones are hurting. Scared. People unknown to us are overwhelmed and overworked. We turn to You Lord. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Your goodness. Your grace. Your blessings. Your presence. Your comfort. Your power.

♪Hallelujah Jesus♪ is singing to me. Bits and pieces at a time. Reminding me that You are ♪Keeper of the stars Lord of time and space♪ How desperately I long to ♪… live my life Lifting up Your name♪

With tear-filled eyes and spirit I fully lean in to believing You to be ♪Lover of my heart God who came to save Thank You for the cross And the life You gave♪ Holy God, I hurt for others. We need You so much.

(7:32 a.m.)

The tears are now falling. Reading Your Word, I am associating it to us personally. Presently. Globally.

Hebrews 13:18-21. The Message. “Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.”

We need You Lord. Desperately.

“May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please Him, Make us into what gives Him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.”

Yes! ♪Wonderful, powerful Jesus is Your name Hallelujah Jesus… My Lord beautiful You are Author of my life Friend of sinful man Holy mighty God Ever great I am… Hallelujah Jesus… Jesus is Your name♪

Do all You must Blessed God. We are desperate. And grateful to Who and all You are. Praise You Father. Use us as You know is best. Thank You. Amen.

(460 words ~ 7:49 a.m.)

Your Word

 Thursday, December 17, 2020 (4:38 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

There is so very much on our minds. So many needs. Genuine needs, not just wants.

Hospitalizations. Deaths. Potential financial and governmental ruin. Chaos. Crisis. Confusion. And Your Word!

Yes Lord. Your Word. Your glorious, healing, Life-giving Word. Praise You Father.

Yes! Praise, thank, worship and adore You!

“For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts. There is not one person who can hide their thoughts from God, for nothing that we do remains a secret, and nothing created is concealed, but everything is exposed and defenseless before His eyes, to whom we must render an account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

What good would it ever do for me to pretend my way through any day? You know my thoughts already.

A footnote for The Passion Translation tells us, “Soul and spirit are the immaterial parts of every person that makes us who we are, joint and marrow are the physical aspects of our existence. All of this combined forms our humanity. God’s Word has the ability to uncover our hidden aspects and make them known.” Again I say, “Thank You God!”

Because You know us, we get to choose to be honest. Real. Vulnerable.

I woke up thinking about gifts. Your gifts to us. Being free to be ourselves in Your presence is absolutely something to be treasured. Valued. Held dear. Thank You Father.

Earlier I found myself reading in The Message (Joshua 1:5-9). And thanking You for the reminders You provide us there. Reminders of Your presence in all our matters.

“I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! …Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take.”

Right here Lord, I confess the fear that keeps me bound. Fear of making a mistake. Catching a lethal virus. Not being or doing enough for Your Kingdom. I am asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) for Your strength. The courage that comes from knowing and trusting You.

Keep reminding me Blessed Lord, that You truly are with me every step I take. I love You God. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I will live this day honestly, openly and willingly as Your child.

(6:31 a.m.)

Oh look! I just wandered off. Completely leaving this open-ended. Maybe that is my best way to start off this morning. Just asking that You and I go off together. Me holding onto Your right hand as You guide and direct my steps. Yes. Let’s try that shall we? You lead. I’ll follow. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(563 words ~ 6:38 a.m.)

truly knowing and trusting God

 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 (6:17 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. Thank You that we get to be this personal with You. Mm, yes. You know us. And we in turn are provided opportunities to know You. Thank You God. Thank You.

Guide my reading and my thinking this day I pray Dear Lord. It is my desire to truly know and trust You.

(7:51 a.m.)

Oh yes Dearest God. Trust. Belief. Hope and faith in Your love, mercy and grace. Use us Father.

(8:38 a.m.)

Lord God, how deeply I thank You for Your continual invitations for us to come to You.

Illustrated Bible Handbook titles a section of Your Word (1 Peter 1:7-9) as The Purpose of Trials. This under the heading Chapter 1:3-12. Our Living Hope. Oh yes Blessed God. You truly are our living hope! Thank You!

Searching to know You better I turn to a hymn I don’t know at all ♪Like a River Glorious♪ It’s associated with Isaiah 48:18. The third verse expresses so much about You.

♪Ev’ry joy or trial Falleth from above, Traced upon our dial By the sun [SON!] of love; We may trust Him fully All for us to do - They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.♪

Oh Dearest Lord! Theses verses from Isaiah (48:17-18)! “The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling like waves.” Mm, yes God!

And it just keeps getting better! Reading The Life Recovery Bible comments, my head nods in agreement. “48:12-17 Amidst the uncertainties and turmoils of life, we can derive comfort from knowing who God is.”

Why do we get to know You? Because You bid us “Come.” So many different verses remind of Your invitations to Your people. Thank You Lord.

John 5:39-40 tell of Jewish leaders who knew Your Scriptures backwards and forwards, but didn’t know You. How I ask to know You better.

Empower me in living this day as described in 1 Peter 1:8-9. “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. Your rewards for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” Oh, yes please!

Reading a psalm by Asaph (73) I recognize myself. “Truly God is good…(v. 1). But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness (2, 3).”

Lord, I continue to be amazed when I relate so closely to what was written so many millennia ago. Your Word of Truth is exactly that. TRUTH! Thank You Lord.

Seeing myself so vividly in verses 21-23, I cling all the more tightly to You. “Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was foolish and arrogant - I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You. Yet I still belong to You; You are holding my right hand.”

As I continue through to the end of this psalm I ask You Father to remain the strength of my heart (v. 26). Keep me near to You (v. 28a). “I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.”

Yes please Lord. I long to truly know and trust You as You so perfectly designed. Do all You must to Your glorious end.

I love You. I need You. And so importantly I trust You. Use me Dear Lord. As You alone know is best! Thank You. Amen.

(676 words ~ 9:53 a.m.)

Exactly as we are.

 Tuesday, December 15, 2020 (5:08 a.m.)

Praise You Father,

Yes! Praise, honor, worship and adore You. Especially when I don’t feel like it.

Most dear and blessed God, how genuinely I thank You for loving us. Exactly as we are. Yes Lord. Exactly as we are.

Thank You for providing us Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations. While becoming joyful is truly one of my greater goals, being honest with You ranks even higher. Yes Lord. The desire for honesty, openness and willingness with You sets my stage each day.

Before ever getting out of bed my mind starts swimming. So many thoughts, my head practically spins. It’s only in coming to You and Your Word that I begin to settle. Reminded of those who have gone before who were willing to write Your Truth.

Holy God, today I feel sad. In this third week of Advent directed toward joy, I confess sadness.

(7:14 a.m.)

And again I get to say thank You. Singing started. Then came a smile. Followed by a deep sense of peace. As well as just a hint of joy. Real joy. True joy. Not pretend because I’m supposed to joy.

Thank You God. ♪Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul… Oh my God, I trust in Thee Let me not be ashamed Let not mine enemies triumph over me♪ Psalm 25:1-2. We visited this section just the other day.

I read. I smile. I allow myself to hope. In You! Thank You Father.

Lead me to where You would have me go this day. Discovering whatever joy it is You have prepared for me. I love You. I will be on the look out for You and all the joy You promise us.

Thank You for allowing [encouraging] me to come to You exactly as I am. ♪… without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!♪

Reading the end of The Life Recovery Bible comment for the Scripture (John 6:37) assigned to this hymn has me smiling again. “6:32-40… Until the end of time, Jesus will work toward the healing and recovery of all the broken people in His world. Our part is to turn to Him and believe in His power to help us.”

Here I am! Believing in Your power. Use me. Exactly as You know is best. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(419 words ~ 8:03 a.m.)