presence

 Friday, April 30, 2021 (6:30 a.m.)

Holy God,

Yesterday did NOT go as planned! Song wasn't found. The prayer left unfinished. Adjustments were made. And again I thank You Lord.

Thank You for the presence of mind to realize I had choices at every turn. Yes Father. You are working in me in ways of which I’m not even aware.

Take this very moment for example. Psalm 16:11. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Yes! Amen to that.

Holy Father God,

(7:30 a.m.)

And just like that, the phone rang as it did yesterday. Lord, thank You that You provide what is needed for us to put people over projects. Continue your work in me I pray.

Back to what I am learning about this morning’s gem. Illustrated Bible Handbook, “Psalm 16. This beautiful psalm expresses satisfaction with personal relationship to God. God alone is the source of all good (1-4), the One who assigns our place in life (5-6), and the One who guides us by His presence (7-8). The final verses (9-11) express David’s expectation of resurrection, and are also messianic references to Christ (cf. Acts. 2:24-31; 13:35-37).”

Oh most Holy God, the more I read, the more I ask You, continue “granting me the joy of Your presence.” Keep my focused on YOUR will and Your way. I long to live this day sharing Your love along the way.

The Passion Translation tells us, “Because of You, I know the path of life, as I taste the fullness of joy in Your presence. At Your right side I experience divine pleasures forevermore!” (Psalm 16:11).

A footnote here explains even more. “b. 16:11 Jesus was pierced in His side with the spear of man’s hatred. Eternal pleasures are found hidden in the wounds of Christ, where Jesus responded to the world’s hatred with sacred blood and water flowing from His side. Forgiveness and grace splashed on the dirt. We are now seated with Christ at His right side.”

Mm. Man’s hatred met with the eternal pleasures of forgiveness and grace. Let me rise to the challenge of meeting all that comes my way today with Your loving forgiveness and grace.

I want very much to represent You well this day. Reflecting Your love. Forgiveness. And grace. Yes please. Make it so. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(422 words ~ 8:16 a.m.)

My Heart Is Yours

 Thursday, April 29, 2021 (6:05 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! I got to go back to sleep. Thank You, Lord.

And here, eight minutes later, I thank You again. Words and music and the name of the song [My Heart Is Yours] I sang to You much earlier this morning.

My heart IS Yours, Blessed God! Truly Yours.

Oh. Not the song I thought.

especially prevalent

 Wednesday, April 28, 2021 (6:18 a.m.)

♪Holy, Holy, Holy!

♪Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity♪

Dearest, Blessed, Loving God, how truly I thank You. Thinking there would be nothing new for me to learn as I considered finding the Scripture reference in Revelation, how surprised am I! Turning to The Passion Translation, again I get to truly be delighted.

Praise You Lord. Yes. Praise and thank You Lord.

Footnotes for 4:8 send me to many different verses. Especially prevalent are 2 Corinthians 5:19 and 1 Timothy 3:16.

As I read comments for Your Truth in The Life Recovery Bible, Father I honestly can’t begin to ever thank You enough. Other people throughout the ages have experienced Your forgiveness.

And right there begins another song. ♪Your forgiveness is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears Like holy water on my skin♪

Because Your Word speaks Your promises and Truth, we get to readily sing of it. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. Change. All the things You offer us. In YOUR strength and power. Not ours!

You call us to come (Isaiah 55:1-13; Matthew 11:28-30). You provide us peace for the taking (Philippians 4:9).

Human that I am, I tend to complicate matters. Often. Yet there You are. Faithful as always. Available to do all of which I am unable on my own (Philippians 4:13).

Daddy God, I am asking that You continue Your perfect work in fining [clarifying] and refining [clarifying again] me as You alone know is best. Doing all You must that I will truly come to heed Micah’s warning to Your people.

Presented here from the International Children’s Bible. “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).

Yes please, Lord. All You must in changing me as only You can. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank and praise You. Use me. Amen.

(375 words ~ 7:42 a.m.)

work

 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 (5:30 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the work You do in our lives. The work You do in our relationships. Mm, yes Lord. Thank You for who You are and all You do.

You change us Lord. Our hearts. Our souls. Our minds. Our strength. With Billy Joel again singing in my head [♪Tell Her About It♪] I turn once more to Paul’s letter to the Philippians (2:13).

You amaze me, Father. The mercy and grace and peace You offer us is free for the taking. So often we complicate it. And right here I consider Lamentations 3:22-23 and start singing ♪Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me… Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me…♪

So many verses. Micah 6:8; Philippians 4:8. So many songs. You just keep speaking [and singing] Your Truth to us. Working in us to ‘desire and do what always pleases You’ (Philippians 2:13).

Blessed God, I’m asking You to continue Your good work in and with us. Changing us to “Do all things without grumbling and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves]” (v. 14).

I look to You Father, wanting to listen and hear Your voice. Your direction. And our time together here just keeps getting better. Thank You Lord.

The Passion Translation. Isaiah 30:20-21. “Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, He Himself will be there with you. He will not hide Himself from you, for your eyes will constantly see Him as your Teacher. When you turn to the right or turn to the left, you will hear His voice behind you to guide you, saying, ‘This is the right way; follow it.’”

Oh yes Lord. Let me hear Your voice! I love You. Guide me exactly where You would have me go. Do all You must. Your love is perfect. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(335 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)

cattywampus

 Monday, April 26, 2021 (5:56 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed, Glorious Father God,

I love You. And I thank You. It’s to You we can come. No matter the circumstances.

(6:44 a.m.)

Like in the middle of the night when my thinking gets all cattywampus [thanks Mom!] and You remind me of Your Truth. Verses come to mind and settle my thoughts.

Psalm 91:4. “He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” It’s so true Dearest God.

There I was. Thinking of things of which to be afraid. The word cattywampus came to mind and I smiled. Remembering, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. And thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6).

(7:28 a.m.)

The longer I’m here with You the bigger my smile and more peaceful my heart grow. Thank You Father. Each verse adds perfectly to the next. Praise You Lord.

“If you do this [pray, tell, thank], you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (v. 7 The Living Bible). It’s so true Lord. Thank You!

Cattywampus thinking one moment. Peace that passes all understanding the next.

“And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about” (8). Oh Dearest Lord, continue teaching me to do this. Readily. Without hesitation!

Verse 9. “Keep putting into practice all you learned from me [the apostle Paul] and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” Yes, Lord. Do all You must that I will keep practicing Your Truth.

I love You Lord. I thank You. And I ask You to continue changing my cattywampus thinking. Praise You, Father. Amen.

(359 words  ~ 7:54 a.m.)

I'm learning

 Sunday, April 25, 2021 (4:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! There are times I can’t figure something out. I’m learning to leave it alone. Many times it all seems to come together on its own. Thank You God. I credit You!

(8:23 a.m.)

Mm, yes Blessed God. I absolutely credit You with all I continue learning. About You. Myself. And the world around me.

Holy Father, You are so good. And I am incredibly grateful. When I remember to be. Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally to me. Nor does forgiveness.

Because of Your Word of Truth I am learning to practice Your teachings.

Thank You. Praise You. Continue Your work in me Blessed God. I’m aware of Your teachings when my heart quickens and I dig deeper.

Right now I’m looking at “Wise Sayings of Solomon A Manual for Living” (The Message). Proverbs 1:1-6, 7; 12:1; 18:15. As well as “The Making of GOD’s People” Micah 4:1-4. And John 6:43-46.

It’s Galatians 3:2-4 that has my rapt attention. “Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!”

Taking this Truth to The Life Recovery Bible comment “3:1-14 …We can be sure of the Holy Spirit’s presence when we begin to change. Knowing God and being in a right relationship with Him enables us to know His will and follow it. But trying to follow God’s laws in our human strength will never bring us into right relationship with God.”

Oh, hello! Thank and praise You, Jesus! How often do I slip back over to rule following over trusting and believing Your presence in my life? Continue teaching me I pray. That I will keep learning Your will and Your way for my everyday.

I love You. I want You. I need You. And I ask You. Keep doing all You know is best that I will continue learning. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

contentedness

 Saturday, April 24, 2021 (7:35 a.m.)

Good morning Lord,

Thanks for extra sleep. Yes. And thank You for dreams. And songs. And rest. And all the many things You provide us.

Oh, look. Here’s a smile. A simple, sweet, contented smile. Mm, thank You Lord.

Blessed Father God, You allow us such joy. Especially when we stop long enough to actually take it in.

Thank You for Your teachings. Your call to pay attention to the things that matter.

Waking up with Billy Joel music in my head, I find and read his words. Reminding me again, ♪You’re Only Human… You’re allowed to make your share of mistakes♪

What a perfect song to prompt me to remember the importance of fully embracing failure!

♪You better believe there will be times in your life When you’ll be feeling like a stumbling fool So take it from me you’ll learn more from your accidents Than anything that you could ever learn in school Don’t forget your second wind Sooner or later you’ll get your second wind♪

Lord God, You know my heart. My needs. My interests. And You supply all that is necessary to meet them.

Searching Your Word to express the contentedness I am experiencing, I land at Proverbs 17:1. The Passion Translation. “A simple, humble life with peace and quiet is far better than an opulent lifestyle with nothing but quarrels and strife at home.”

Thank You Father. Your Word speaks such Truth! “Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of sacrifices with chiding, (or with arguments).” Wycliffe Bible.

Continue Your work in shaping us into the people You would have us be. We love You. We thank You. Use us. Amen.

(289 words ~ 8:29 a.m.)

love more; fear less

Friday, April 23, 2021 (7:38 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

How 

(8:31 a.m.)

truly delighted I am to experiment and try new things!

Thank and praise You Father. You provide us so much opportunity. Work in me this day that I will genuinely come to love more and fear less.

♪Have Thine Own Way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still♪ (Isaiah 64:8).

Holy God, I love You. ♪I Honestly Love You♪ Use me this day exactly as You know is best. Loving more; fearing less.

Thank You for all You do. Praise You for all You are. Do all You must with us this day. Amen.

(129 words ~ 8:53 a.m.)

filled

Friday, April 23, 2021 (6:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

This is odd. I’m looking for things I am not finding. And there are songs that keep coming to mind.

It seems as though I’m ♪Looking For Love in All the Wrong Places…♪ Mm, how completely true is that?

How often do I look to other people to provide me with what only You can? It happened again last night. I wanted some positive affirmation and felt disappointed instead.

Over two hours later I was still talking with You about it. You brought one particular “Aha!” Truth to mind and I remember smiling and falling straight to sleep.

It’s been awhile this morning and I am looking to remember that “Aha Truth.” Another smile just came as I recalled playfully twisting John 8:32 to fit the occasion. 'And you will know the Truth and the Truth will let you sleep.'

That’s exactly what happened so much earlier this morning. Will You please remind me what it was?

All of this review to get back to the first song of this morning. ♪I’ve Been Redeemed… by the blood of the Lamb… blessed by the Holy Ghost I am... ♪ And right here is a missing line.

What’s up with me missing so many things this morning? OH! This is what it was!

Huge smile! The “Aha Truth” that set me free and let me sleep was that I had failed big! Thank You for reminding me just now.

I was preparing to tell You that with everything I’m missing how grateful I am that You still love me. Even when we miss the mark of our attempts. We can fail big and we are still accepted and redeemed.

Thank You Father for the ability to seek and find (Matthew 7:7) the missing line of this hymn. Not listed in either of our hymnals, You helped me remember I could look it up on my phone AND find correction to what I was singing.

As much as I AM blessed by the Holy Ghost, the phrase is really ♪… filled with the Holy Ghost I am All my sins are washed away I’ve Been Redeemed♪

Blessed Holy Father God, how deeply and truly I thank You Lord.

You provide the peace we need to sleep. To remember. To sing, smile, stand firm and stay our minds on You. Your Truth. Your love.

Thank You. Praise You. Use me. I love You. Amen.

(411 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)

eternally

 Thursday, April 22, 2021 (5:59 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

How truly I thank You Lord. You love us. Always. Eternally. Perfectly. Thank You that You do Dear God.

(6:29 a.m.)

The peace and calm I experience as I search Your Word is real. True. Genuine. Appreciated! Mm, yes. Father how deeply I appreciate You. Your Truth. And Your promises.

Thank You Lord that we have so many Biblical translations from which to choose. At this moment it is The Voice. The apostle Paul’s benediction in his second letter to Your believers in Thessalonica.

Blessed Lord, I truly can ask nothing more than these words written so long ago. “Now may our Lord Jesus (the Anointed One Himself) and God our Father (who has loved us, comforted us eternally, and given us a good hope by His grace) bring comfort to your hearts and strengthen your wills to accomplish every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

Oh yes, most dear and blessed God. It is to You, Your hope, Your grace that I turn this morning. Seeking to be marinated in Your Word. Let it get deep into all of my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and all of my strength that I would genuinely come to love You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31) as You would have me.

It is absolutely You I long to serve Dearest Lord. Taking my direction from Paul’s call to the Thessalonians (v. 15) to 'stand firm [strong] and hold tight [fast] to his teachings whether by what he said or what he wrote' (Christian Standard Bible).

It IS Your Word, Your Truth, Your grace, Your hope, Your joy I want to share this day. Eternally. Thank You Father. Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(301 words ~ 7:22 a.m.)

TEARS!

 Wednesday, April 21, 2021 (9:24 a.m.)

Holy God,

THANK YOU! 

I have tears. Huge tears. My heart is breaking wide open. Because You provided me a want. Not a need. Yet something that speaks deep within my soul.

Six minutes and fifty seconds in to a 7:19 video. “That’s why we’re here young squire. Never forget that” [Dr. Rollie Guthrie to resident Angus Leighton on Code Black].

Lord God, thank You. Praise You. Use me. Knowing why I am here. And never forgetting that. I love You. Amen.

(79 words ~ 9:31 a.m.)

bits and pieces

 Wednesday,April 21, 2021 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

You gave me bits and pieces of a memory throughout the night. Enough that I was able to put it all together.

(7:25 a.m.)

I confess to You Father the side track I just took in trying to find the TV phrase You gave me during the night. It was satisfying. Exciting. And now gone. Thank You for having given me what I needed at that time.

Put my focus back on the Scripture (John 3:34-36) You have for me. The apostle John telling “all people everywhere” (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE AUDIENCE) about John the Baptist’s introduction of Jesus.

Holy God, Your words are so much more important than the inspiring television [Code Black] quote that fleetingly flashed through my mind between sleeping and waking. Even this confession reminds me of the verses (1 Peter 1 :24-25) I read before bed last night.

The more I search Your Word, Lord, the deeper is my understanding. The greater my excitement.

The apostle Peter quoted the prophet Isaiah in his effort “To show us how to live well in a shattered and hopeless world” (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE PUROSE). Thank and praise You Lord.

“As the prophet (Isaiah 40:6-8) says, ‘People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away. But the Word of the Lord will last forever. And that Word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

Oh Dearest God, how I thank You for the bits and pieces You provide here and there that make us truly whole!

Confessing wholeheartedly to You right now, I DO still want to remember the quote You briefly provided me so much earlier. If that be Your will I’m asking. If not, provide me the practice in just letting go of that desire.

These are John the Baptist’s words according to The Message. “The One (Jesus) that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think He rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to Him so He could give it away - a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness and an angry darkness at that.”

Oh, most Dear and Blessed God, how I long to “get in on everything, life complete and forever.” Mm, yes. I want to avoid the darkness. The angry darkness at that!

I know that my desire to recall the words from earlier have everything to do with the insightful kindness I remember from the character [Dr. Rollie Guthrie] portrayed at the time. A soft spoken, Truth telling individual who went out of his way in encouraging others.

Mm, yes Father. I am asking You to work in me that I will come to represent in real life something I’ve mostly witnessed through fictional roles. Even the description of this nonexistent individual is one I aspire to.

“Warm, genuine, reassuring… gifted when it comes to connecting… enjoys taking people under his wing, often guiding them with meaningful anecdotes that illuminate complicated situations… a man of faith… when things get tough, he looks to his faith to guide him.”

Yep! I’m asking Father. Embolden, empower and enable me in being the woman You created me to be. Loving. Kind. Wise. Complete. In You!

Do all You must. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

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

TRUTH

 Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (6:23 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

How very much I thank You Lord! We get to come to You seeking (Matthew 7:7) and expecting Your Truth. Mm, yes. Your Truth!

I noticed my thoughts going in a negative direction just now and I remembered to ask myself, “What is the lie?” A question I learned yesterday.

(7:17 a.m.)

Dearest Father, because You are great, glorious, good and gracious I get to rest In Your Truth. I am able to turn from (Revelation 3:19) the negativity that would have me believe and build on the lies satan tells us.

Yes, Jesus! I get to choose You. Because of Your teachings I am here believing You instead of a lie. Thank and praise You Lord.

John (16:12-15) tells us You promised The Holy Spirit to Your disciples. Amplified Bible says, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father - the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.”

We don’t have to be afraid. We don’t have to be alone. We get to ask ourselves, “What is the lie?” And counter that with “What is the Truth?”

The Truth is You are great. Glorious. Good. Gracious. Always. And You call us to trust and believe in You. Praise and thank You for reminding me of Your Truth.

The smiles keep getting bigger. International Children’s Bible. John 14:1, “Jesus said, ‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. And trust in Me.’”

And why should we trust You? Because You are the Way and the Truth and the Life (v. 6)!

Use me today exactly as You know is best. In Truth. Your Truth. The Truth of which You spoke (John 8:32) that releases true freedom into our lives.  Thank and praise You, Lord. I love You. Amen.

(394 words ~ 8:11 a.m.)