so many gifts

 Saturday, February 27, 2021 (7:33 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You Lord. You have provided us with so very many gifts.

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary. An entire day spent at home together. Reminiscing.

Lord God, we are both fully aware that we are only still together because of You. Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises. Thank You Father. We are so incredibly grateful.

More than 45 years ago, long before I truly knew You, Your Holy Spirit led me to purchase a book [Total Woman] that completely changed the trajectory of my life. Prior to fully embracing the Truth I found in those pages I was becoming hell-bent on having things my way.

Lord, You used that book to open my eyes to another, better way. I could learn to accept, adapt, admire, and appreciate this man You had brought into my life. OR I could choose the path of demanding he change.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the women who have gone before me with insights and successes at happier, healthier marriages than those I knew first hand. You guided and directed my heart. You did this for us.

Two other books from which I’ve gleaned helpful understandings remain in our home library. What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage, as well as The Surrendered Wife. Thanks Dad! They have proved invaluable.

Learning to practice these entirely contrary to popular beliefs allowed me to be ready to speak Your Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) when necessary some 27 years ago. A decision that not only saved our marriage, but completely restructured it.

Thank and praise You Father! It’s only because of Your love for each of us that we not only survived that particular trial but learned to thrive through it instead.

Having practiced standing on Your Word prior to that great challenge is the only reason I was able to open my Bible instead of hurling it across the room, aiming directly at this dear husband’s head. Lord God, You knew Your plan (Jeremiah 29:11) and we have been supremely blessed with so many gifts from You these ensuing years.

Thank You for Your immediate prompting to turn and adhere to Ephesians 5:22. “You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord.” Key words being, “as you do to the Lord.”

Father, I confess to having prefaced that example of obedience with the words, “This goes against EVERYTHING I myself believe!” Lord God, You did the work in, with, by, through and for us that we were completely unable to do ourselves.

Having the opportunity to practice submitting again just last month, we were blessed once more by Your goodness and Your grace. With all the reminders of Your gifts to us, we are jointly thankful Lord.

Thank You for the years You have allowed us to learn and grow together. We love You Father. We are grateful. Use us as You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

The name of Jesus

 Thursday, February 25, 2021 (6:19 a.m.)

Holy God,

I finally got to sleep last night. How? The name of Jesus. That is truly the last thing I remember.

I had tried reading. Praying. Asking for solutions to the world’s problems. Thanking You for our blessings. And ultimately just saying, “Jesus.” Over and over again.

Thank You Father for the sweet sleep that came from simply acknowledging Him as Lord of all. Not having to say another word. Just “Jesus.”

Jesus, there is travel planned. Windy 

easily recognized

 Wednesday, February 24, 2021 (6:29 a.m.)

Most Blessed Holy God,

Thank You for waking me with music I easily recognized. First a note. Then a word. An entire phrase. And finally the whole song.

Worthy. Holy. Jesus. ♪Open up my eyes in wonder… And I will BUILD MY LIFE upon Your love…♪

Oh most dear and blessed God, You take such tender care of us. You let us struggle. Doubt. Wonder. And grow.

Thank You Lord. Praise You Father.

I confess to You right here the conflict in my mind. I know You are good. Yet I grow weary in the waiting (Galatians 6:9). Thank You that You know the conditions of our hearts, souls, minds and strength. Even before we utter a word to You.

Because You sing to me, I truly do take heart. Turning to Your Word, I am reminded that “those who are mature in their faith can easily be recognized, for they don’t live to please themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in their immaturity” (Romans 15:1).

Father, here I confess to leaning more toward wanting myself pleased.

(3:55 p.m.)

All these hours later and I am still thanking You Lord. A decision to go without television today has been an excellent resolution.

Having You wake me up singing Your Truth has carried me throughout this day. Thank You Father.

♪And I will BUILD MY LIFE upon Your love, it is a firm foundation And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken♪ Praise You Lord.

Use me as You know is best. You are good. Holy. And I want You to be easily recognized in, with, by, through and for me Lord. I love You. I need You. I want You. And I thank You. Praise You Father. Amen.

(306 words ~ 4:17 a.m.)

having fun

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 (7:15 a.m.)

Holy God,

I just woke up thinking about having fun. Tell me more about this please.

Mm, yes Father. Guide me in Your Word to learning more about the freedom we find in ‘humbly aligning ourselves with Your authority’ (Illustrated Bible Handbook James 4:6-7a). That same freedom that points the way to truly enjoying You.

Reading a web page titled “Are Christians Supposed to Have Fun?” provides me insight. Thank You Father.

(8:50 a.m.)

Thank You for Your Truth. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for people who love You. And teach me.

Lord God, I want to have fun with You. Fun that You approve. Fun in which You delight.

The contented smile on my face and heart seems to settle and get bigger simultaneously. I read of fun killers being fear, discontentment, and anger. Oh Lord, keep teaching me.

Reading further I learn that “fun, like everything else we do, grows” out of our hearts. We are reminded that we are to bring glory to You in everything we do.

Because Jesus came to set us free, we get to “laugh loudly as well as enjoy deep and intimate fellowship” with You and others. Father thank You.

Thank You that because Jesus is the source of power in our lives we are able to follow Paul’s words to the believers at Colosse. “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically [wholeheartedly, gladly, willingly] as something done for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).

Yes Lord. Let me live this day for You. Having fun in the process. As a sign of worship, respect and obedience for who and all You are.

I love You Lord. I long to glorify and enjoy You forever. Starting now. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(305 words ~ 9:22 a.m.)

Thanks and praise!

 Monday, February 22, 2021 (7:32 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. I’m not yet sure exactly for what.

We have Your Word. Yes. Thank You for Your Truth and promises found within. Thank You for the hope that keeps us coming to You.

Lord God, You know Your plans, Your best for us. Thank You for Your reminders to give You thanks and praise. Mm, yes. Thanks and praise!

Here comes genuine eagerness. 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 David’s Song of Praise. Yes! We’ve been here recently. And every single time it seems brand new.

Thank You Father. Praise You Lord.

Illustrated Bible Handbook describes this psalm David gave to Asaph, the worship leader. “Its words recall who God is, and tell of what He has done for Israel. The central theme is the goodness, the glory, the greatness, and the majesty due God’s name.” Oh yes Dear Lord, yes.

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes sing His praises. Tell everyone about His miracles. Exult in His holy name; O worshipers of the LORD, rejoice!” (vs. 8-10)

Holy God, I have no idea what today will bring. Verse 11 calls us to “Search for the LORD and His strength, and keep on searching.” I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) for the courage and wherewithal to do exactly that.

This song of David’s reminds us that no matter what we are feeling or experiencing You are good. You remain the same. And we are to give You thanks and praise. We are reminded that even as the Israelites wandered the wilderness, You were there. Never having left them alone.

“God uses the difficult times to work out His plan. Sometimes crises and emergencies occur that seem beyond God’s sovereign control. We can be sure that even in such times God is there and in control! We must learn to rest in our knowledge of God’s goodness and love” (16:14-22 The Life Recovery Bible comment).

Yes Father. While I don’t have any idea what all You are doing I get to choose to trust You to be the ♪Good, Good Father♪ that You are. Thank and praise You Lord.

Yes. Thank and praise You as You use me this day exactly as You know is best. Thank and praise You that I get to say that I don’t know and I don’t understand and still You are good.

Do all You must for us Lord. In us. By us. With, through and for us. We love You. And we offer You all our thanks and praise! Bless You. Keep You. Amen.

(449 words ~ 8:40 a.m.)

And...

Sunday, February 21, 2021 (6:00 a.m.)

Good morning Holy God,

Thank You for rest. And hope. And warmth. And fun. And… The list is endless.

Mm, yes Blessed God. There is always something else for which to give You thanks.

Thank You for such ready access to Your Word Dear Lord. This morning I ask You to guide me to the readings You have for me.

Matthew 15:28 it is! Reading [studying, examining, comparing] this one verse in various translations has me wanting it to be true of me all the more.

A Canaanite [Gentile] woman is boldly and courageously speaking to Jesus on her daughter’s behalf (vs. 22-27). The racism of that time did not deter her from desperately “seeking an end to her family’s torment” (The Life Recovery Bible devotional Faith).

Oh most dear and blessed God, I long to have faith and determination like her. To have Jesus say to me, “‘Woman, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in My power] is great; it will be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that moment” (Amplified Bible).

Blessed, blessed God, You know the needs of our family and loved ones. This “person of great trust” (Complete Jewish Bible) is such a wonderful example of not giving up.

“She believed God was the only one who could help her, and she would not be deterred” (TLR devotion). Oh the faith!

Continue Your work in me Blessed God. Do all You must. I want to trust and believe with the dogged determination she had.

I love You Lord. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

redemption

 Saturday, February 20, 2021 (7:21 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. My heart is downcast. My thoughts? Discouraged. And still I get to come to You. Receiving Truth and hope from Your Word.

Praise You Lord for Who and all You are. Thank You that Your blessings are not dependent on our worth. Thank You that we can come to You broken. Hurting. Saddened. And still You love us.

Thank You that You provide music [♪I’ve Been Redeemed♪] to our souls that remind us of our redemption in Your Son. As well as songs that sing of the power of His blood. ♪ There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder working pow’r In the precious blood of the Lamb♪

Again I say, “Thank and praise You Lord!”

Being able to talk and sing openly and freely with You reminds me of Your presence. Your power. Your plan. Whatever that plan may be. It IS for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Father God, I am asking You to guard my heart, soul, mind and strength this day. Work in, with, by, through and for me that I will truly come to ♪be free from the burden of sin…♪

As I read and sing of being freed from my passion and pride, living ♪daily His praises to sing♪ my heart expands with Your joy and hopefulness as I consider the ♪pow’r in the blood♪ Thank You most dear and holy God.

I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank You. And I ask You to use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

worthy of love and praise

 Thursday, February 18, 2021 (6:24 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Praise You.

Friday, February 19, 2021 (6:42 a.m.)

And I’m back.

I left here yesterday with every intention of quickly returning. First there was this, then that, and always something else.

I didn’t forget. I chose other things. That doesn’t sound good at all does it?

Forgive me Father. It’s always better when I put time with You first. And stay here. Undistracted.

Dearest God and Father, I love You. You are indeed WORTHY OF LOVE AND PRAISE. That’s a phrase I just read in The Celebration Hymnal SONGS AND HYMNS FOR WORSHIP.

(7:53 a.m.)

Reading in and of Your Word Dearest Lord, I confess to my thoughts being scrambled. Distracted. Attention is scattered. All over the place really.

Father, I want to know You more. And I ask You to take hold of my heart, soul, mind and strength right now.

Back to an earlier statement. It led me to straight to singing. ♪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♪

It’s so true Lord. I DO love You!

Finding this song in the hymnal was exciting for me. Reading the referenced verse (Psalm 18:1) leads me to wanting to know so much more. 

The eagerness with which I am filled at this moment is exactly what I was asking. Lord God, I love when You make me truly agog with You. Thank You Father.

The Passion Translation reads, “Lord, I passionately love You and I’m bonded to You, for now You’ve become my power!” You are Lord! 

You are so very “worthy of love and praise.” Teach me how to love and praise You as You so rightly deserve.

A footnote for this verse says, “David doesn’t employ the common Hebrew word for ‘love,’ ‘ahav, but instead uses the Hebrew word for ‘pity’ or ‘mercy.’ How could David have mercy for God? The word he uses, raham, is the word used for a mother who loves and pities her child so much it manifests with a deep love and emotional bond.”

Lord God, this is the kind of excitement I’m talking about!

“This concept, although difficult to convey in English, carries the thought of embrace and touch. It could actually be translated ‘Lord, I want to hug You.’ Haven’t you ever felt like that?”

Yes! Right at this very moment. My guard is down. My desire is up. Oh how I want to hug You!

Thank You for being our personable, approachable God. So worthy of our love and praise.

Teach me Father. Use me. Bless me. Keep me. Do all You must that I truly come to glorify and enjoy You forever.

Thank You. Praise You. Worship and adore You. “I love You, GOD- You make me strong” (The Message). You do! I'm grateful. Amen.

(498 words ~ 8:59 a.m.)

created to create

 Wednesday, February 17, 2021 (7:34 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Here’s a thought I’ve never had before. Let me ask You Your take on my findings. Are we created to be creative? Some quick searches tell me so.

(8:21 a.m.)

Reading Your Word, I am asking You to do a mighty work in me these next 40 days of Lent. Two different Bible Verses (Genesis 1:27; Romans 12:2) in The Life Recovery Bible each have a devotional entitled Self-Perception following them.

Father, I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to continue Your work in, with, by, through and for me that I will truly come to live each day as You would have me. Creatively. Grinning. Giggling. Loving. Sharing.

Oh most dear and amazing Father, You just keep filling me with Your Truth! How I ask You to keep working in me that I will truly use it all for Your good and Your glory!

Illustrated Bible Handbook has a THEOLOGY IN BRIEF directly related to Genesis 1:20-31 (days five and six) that teaches about Human Nature: Man in the Image of God. Lord, use imperfect me as You so perfectly created.

You alone know Your best for each of us. Quoting the Apostle Paul’s words to Your church in Rome I ask You to make them true in me.

“Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship” (Romans 12:1 The Passion Translation).

Mm, yes Blessed God! Make these next “40 Days of Renewal” accomplish exactly that. Do all You must.

I long to “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around [me], but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how [I] think. This will empower [me] to discern [Your] will as [I] live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in [Your] eyes ”(v.2).

Yes Lord. Do all You must. I love You. I trust You. I need You. I want You. And I thank and praise You for all that is to come. Yes Lord. How I thank and praise You!

Melt me. Mold me. Use me. Exactly as You have planned. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(402 words ~ 9:06 a.m.)

"I am redeemed"

 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 (7:28 a.m.)

Blessed, Loving, Holy God,

Thank You! In You, I am redeemed! Thank You. Praise You.

(9:01 a.m.)

Oh most dear and blessed God, I don’t have the words it takes to even begin thanking and praising You for Who You are and all You do. Lord, You are loving. Kind. Merciful. Faithful. All the things we are not. On our own.

But in the strength of Your Son’s mighty power (Ephesians 6:10)? We are redeemed (Psalm 107:1-2). Oh Hallelujah, Lord ♪I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed Praise the Lord!♪

Today I am asking You to do in, with, by, through and for me all the things that You alone know are best. Empower and embolden me in actually living the Truth of Your promises.

Philippians 4:13 tells me, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Oh yes Dear Lord, I want to trust You with all I am.

The Message says it this way, “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Yes Dear Jesus, live in me. Strengthening me in all the ways You know I need.

I love You. I thank You. And I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to use me. Fully. Redeemed. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(230 words ~ 9:33 a.m.)

changed thinking

 Monday, February 15, 2021 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

You “changed my whole way of thinking” yesterday. That’s another one of those things my mom used to always say. Thank You Father for the people, places and things You put into our lives.

(7:09 a.m.)

Lord God, You know my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. You know the thoughts concerning others that keep me from fully loving them. And ultimately You in the process.

I saw You work yesterday. When You absolutely did for me what I have been completely unable to do for myself for a number of years.

You changed my way of thinking about two others. Holy God, I have been unsuccessful in trying to see two particular ladies differently. Without asking, dreading, attempting, any effort on my part at all, You just completely intervened on my behalf. And Father I am truly grateful.

You did this in me Lord. Just one look yesterday. That’s honestly all it took for me to “see” a completely different person standing before me.

I confess to You the bitterness You have seen in me all these years. And I thank and praise you for the freeing work You did in changing my entire attitude. [Cue Chris Tomlin’s lyrics]

♪My chains are gone I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love, amazing grace♪

Oh most Dear and Blessed God how deeply and sincerely I thank You. This is truly a perfect example of mercy and grace in Christ’s abiding love if I’ve ever seen it.

One moment I’m reading of Your grace, mercy, peace, Truth and love (2 John 1:3) and the next I’m turning to 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.”

You did exactly that Blessed God. You worked so deeply within my twisted self that I absolutely experienced Your “Truth that lives in us and will be in our hearts forever (2 John 1:2).

Thank You Father. Praise You. Use me this day exactly as You know is best. I love You. Amen.

(378 words ~ 8:10 a.m.)

lots of love

 Sunday, February 14, 2021 (7:27 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that I got to wake up throughout the night knowing that I am surrounded by love. Lots of love. Mm, thank and praise You Lord. So much. So very much!

The Voice sent me to Colossians 4:2. “Pray, and keep praying. Be alert and thankful when you pray.”

And from here? The Apostle Paul’s “Encouragement for Prayer” (vs. 2-5). Oh that I will learn to “turn to God in prayer, [and] embrace the power sufficient to meet all our needs in recovery” (4:2-3 The Life Recovery Bible comment).

Reading a section in The Voice concerning family life I get to learn how “family life has changed since Paul’s day.” Holy God, how I thank You for the people You have used throughout the world to teach us.

Having addressed “the family” back then as: a husband, wife, lots of children, servants, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others. In Paul’s urging, “Each member is to be responsible to the whole, and love and respect are to serve as the guiding principles within family relationships.”

Oh, most dear and Blessed God, I can’t even begin to thank You enough for the love You have presented in my life. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to continue Your work in, with, by, through and for me that I would learn to love as You would have me.

This short discourse in The Voice goes on to tell us “Paul and Peter both use the term ‘submission’ within family and church relationships as a description of order and support.” The more I read Lord, the greater grows my desire to live and love as You designed us.

Do all You must, as only You know is best, that I willingly share all the love You have provided. I love You and want so much to love You better. Use me Lord. Shrouded, protected and openly sharing Your love.

Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(342 words ~ 8:50 a.m.)