BIG stuff

 Tuesday, August 31, 2021 (7:25 a.m.)

Holy God,

There’s BIG stuff going on in the world today. BIG stuff! I look to You to manage it all.

War and weather devastations. Fire evacuations and closures. Lord, it all appears so insurmountable! Thank You that with You, nothing is impossible. Yes Lord. Thank You that I can find a Bible verse and a song telling me exactly this.

Luke 1:37. An angel speaking to Mary. “Not one promise from God is empty of power. Nothing is impossible with God” (The Passion Translation). Thank You Father.

I confess right here I don’t know what Your promises look like. My own imagination takes me in many varying directions. Thank You for always bringing me back to the Truth of Your Word.

Reading a page on the internet [2. God Is in Control] concerning Your absolute sovereignty, I am buoyed and comforted in many ways. Not the least is a poem by A.M. Overton entitled “He Maketh No Mistake.”

Thank You Father that You do not make mistakes! Thank You that You continue leading and guiding us always. Thank You for the reminder that You call us to “surrender to Him the right to do what He chooses to do, whenever He chooses to do it, in any way He chooses to do it, for any He purpose He wants to accomplish, and to use any person He chooses” (Lehmann Strauss quoting from Peg Rankin’s Yet Will I Trust Him).

You’ve given us verses to stand upon:

James 4:8

Psalm 73:28

Isaiah 30:20

Hebrews 12:6

1 Chronicles 29:11-12

John 13:7

1 Corinthians 13:12; 10:13

Proverbs 3:12

1 Peter 4:16

And songs to sing:

♪Ah, Lord God♪

♪Great Is Thy Faithfulness♪

Lead us this day Lord God as only You can. We love You. We need You. We want You. We trust You. Use us as only You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(336 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

"stuttered 'life' chorus"

 Monday, August 30, 2021 (6:02 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. There was a song just now. And a smile immediately followed. I’m here to accept the challenge. And to ask You how to make it so.

What would it be Dearest God if I were to live each moment believing that ♪This is gonna be the Best Day of My Life My li-i-i-i-i-i-ife♪?

Reading about the writing of the song, it’s comforting to learn American Authors band members “were inspired to write the song to ‘make people happy and make people feel positive’…” To look up. And become aware of epiphanies.

The changes the band took together in completing this song adds to its charm for me. Thank You God. Thank You for people who care deeply for other people.

Words used in the write-up concerning the song’s completion were: experimenting, excited, learn, opened up, ideas. And “stuttered ‘life’ chorus.”

Lord, this phrase resonates with me. How often do I stutter through life? Standing firmly on Your Truth one moment. And then hesitating the next.

Work with me Lord. In. By. Through. And for me. I want to truly live the possibilities You provide. Decisively. Resolutely. Determinedly. Purposefully.

Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly on Your Word. And staying my mind on Your Truth and promises. Yes Lord, I accept Your challenge of allowing this to be ♪The best day of my life My li-i-i-i-i-i-ife I’m never gonna look back, whoa I’m never gonna give it up, no… I hear it calling outside my window I feel it in my soul..♪

Yes Lord. Challenge accepted! Do all You must in making it so. I love You. I need You. I want You. Use me as only You know is best. Thank You. Amen.

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

every topic

 Sunday, August 29, 2021 (5:57 a.m.)

Holy God, 

Thank You.

Another pop song sang me awake this morning. A woman’s voice. Barbra Streisand? And a Gibb brother. Barry, not Andy. A word. Apologize. And a phrase. Who’s sorry now?

“What Kind of Fool?” leads me to Your Word. Thank You Father that You speak to us about every topic imaginable.

The Passion Translation. Romans 1:21; see also Psalm 19:1-4. And Worldwide English (New Testament). Mark 7:20-22.

Lord God, I ask You to lead me this day in not behaving as any kind of fool. Use Your Truth in guiding and directing me to being sensible and wise.

I love You. I want to serve as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(131 words ~ 7:58 a.m.)

waking up

 Saturday, August 28, 2021 (7:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m just waking up. Take me in Your Word where You would have me.

(7:27 a.m.)

Ephesians 5 it is!

“Be imitators of God in everything you do,” (v. 1). Mm, yes please God! I confess to the far too many times that I do not mimic You. Being filled with Your thoughts, love, deeds and character (The Passion Translation footnote).

Oh most dear and blessed Father, how I thank You. I come to You and You call me to “Wake up, wake up; put on your strength” (Isaiah 52:1). And where does that strength originate? You!

Oh Lord God, how I ask You to do in, with, by, through and for me this day all that You know is best that I will truly live by Your Spirit’s power. Making “the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:16).

Not acting thoughtlessly, but trying to understand what You want me to do (v. 17). Not drunk with wine, because that would ruin my life. Instead letting the Holy Spirit fill and control me (18).

“Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 19-20).

Yes please Father. I long to represent You well this day. Sensible and wise. I love You. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(263 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)

priceless provisions

 Friday, August 27, 2021 (7:20 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for rest. And sleep. And dreams. And more sleep.

Yes, Lord. Thank You for the blessings You provide us. Thank You for all You are and do.

Thinking of the priceless provisions You supply, I begin again with the essential three from the other day. Food. Shelter. And clothing.

Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:35). God as “our shelter and strength; …a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need Him” (Psalm 46:1 Good News Translation; The Message). And love, “which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14).

These are the attributes I long to put into action this day Lord. I confess to not knowing how. So I come to You asking to be filled with Your Holy Spirit, that I would readily share with others all that You have so freely given to me.

Cue the music for ♪Freely, Freely you have received - Freely, freely give; Go in My name and, because you believe, Others will know that I live♪ (Matthew 10:8).

Lord God, I want this to be true of me! ♪God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name, I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name; And in Jesus’ name I come to you To share His love as He told me to♪ Yes! Please.

♪All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus name, In earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name; And in Jesus’ name I come to you To share His pow’r as He told me to♪

Precious provisions, indeed. Food. Shelter. Clothing. Love. And power. You supply our every need! Thank You. Praise You. Embolden me in sharing them freely. And well. I love You. Amen.

(288 words ~ 8: 24 a.m.)

"Liar!"

 Thursday, August 26, 2021 (5:33 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You reminded yesterday that satan is a liar (John 8:44). Thank You!

"good and worthy of praise"

 Wednesday, August 25, 2021 (7:01 a.m.)

Good morning Lord,

Thank You for keeping me company after such a scary dream. Not wanting to close my eyes again, I found myself wandering the house. Singing church songs from my childhood.

Gloria Patri. Doxology. The Lord’s Prayer. And much more recently Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome Here.

Blessed, Holy, Father God, thank You that we don’t have to go through any moment of any day afraid and alone. No! With You we get to be brave. Confident. Accompanied. Among others.

Lord thank You for every opportunity You provide us to sing Your praises. Even [especially] in the midst of fear.

Yesterday You reminded me again to look at, dwell on and “continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). Like the daddy picking up his kindergarten daughter from school, without a cellphone conversation going on. No Lord. He was present with her. Listening as she shared her day with him. What a blessing! And important reminder.

Father, I have a project I want very much to complete today. It’s work Lord. A LOT of long overdue labor. I am asking You to lead me in this enormous endeavor.

Thank You for taking me in Your Word to places I didn’t expect to go. Psalm 117. A two verse psalm of praise. And Philippians. Chapter 4. Joy in the Lord A Plea for Perspective; 4:2-9.

That’s me Dear Lord. Wanting to see things as You would have me see them. With unending awe and wonder.

I love You Lord. I need and want You. Work in, with, by, through and for me this day. Staying focused on the job at hand. Praising and glorifying You the whole way. Thank You. Amen.

(298 words ~ 7:44 a.m.)

♪the glory of Your goodness♪

 Tuesday, August 24, 2021 (6:37 a.m.)

Loving, Awesome, Father God,

Thank You for the joy we find each morning. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Surprises. Yes Lord. Thank You for Your goodness and Your grace.

We found unexpected growth in the garden yesterday. Some favorable. Other? Not so much. Thank You for technological advances [“an app for that”] that allows us to readily identify our finds.

Lord God, You are so great. Glorious. Good. And gracious. Thank You for the many ways we see evidences of You at work. Every single smile I experience can be traced back to You. Thank You for the glory of Your goodness.

I believe there’s a song there. Somewhere. I just can’t easily find it.

This is where I turn to You Lord. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Fully trusting and believing that You know what is absolutely best for this day. Put my focus where You want it. Bible verses and song lyrics as well.

Hebrews 11:1-2 came up. As did Colossians 2:6-7 and Habakkuk 3:1-2. Guide me where You want me Dear Lord.

And just like that [SNAP!]… the song! Thanks Dad!

♪There’s nothing worth more that will ever come close No thing can compare, You’re our living hope… Holy Spirit, You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for To be overcome by Your presence, Lord Let us become aware of Your presence Let us experience the glory of Your goodness…♪

Yes Holy God and Spirit! ♪The glory of Your goodness.♪

I’m asking You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within me this day that I would truly ♪be overcome by Your presence, Lord♪ Thank You. Praise You. Hallelujah! Amen.

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

names of God

 Monday, August 23, 2021 (6:43 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy Father God,

Thank You! There was a lot of restful sleep last night. Intermingled with some pain and tenderness.

I injured my side while reaching the other day Lord. It seems to be feeling worse instead of better. I’m bringing it to You Most Blessed God.

(7:41 a.m.)

Almost an entire hour has been spent here in worship with You. Searching the internet for Your many other names, I find myself feeing both peaceful and joyous at the same time.

King of Kings. Lord of Lords. And those are just the tip of the iceberg! Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide.” Jehovah-Rapha, “the God who heals.”

And then there’s the song [♪Jesus is Alive♪ ] I woke up singing. With ALL the variations available, Ron Kenoly’s is the one I’m quoting here.

♪Hallelujah, Jesus is alive… He’s the Alpha and Omega The first and last is He … The Lamb of God...♪ 

Thank You Father that with all the names there are for You, “Daddy” can be one of them. I ask You to lead and guide me this day. Exactly as You would have me proceed.

Being careful and cautious is quite important. As is considerate. Remembering to breathe, to seek and find balance, and to take courage.

WAIT!!!! That’s the song! With all the chills covering my body from head to toe. That’s the song!

Lindy Conant and the Circuit Riders ♪Take Courage the harvest is ripe Lift up your voice ‘cause Jesus is alive♪ Yes! Thank You Lord.

We are to live out our days sharing Your love and glory. Embolden and empower me to Your good and glorious end. Do all You must in reminding me to ♪Take Courage… ‘cause Jesus IS alive♪

I love You. I want You. I need You. And I thank You. Oh, how deeply and truly I thank You. Use me. Praise You. Amen.

(322 words  ~ 8:31 a.m.)

seeking balance

 Sunday, August 22, 2021 (6:40 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I love You. I want to know and serve You. Talk with me please.

Acts 17:25, Revelation 4:11, John 13:14-17, Mark 9:35, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 13.

Balance! That is something I’m looking to You to help me find. Yes Lord. I am seeking the spiritual balance You have for me. Where shall we look?

Your Word. Always. Spirit-strength (Galatians 5:23a The Passion Translation). Wholeness. You.

Guide me please Dear Lord.

I behaved badly yesterday. Fear of mistake making led to name calling. And You stepped in. Immediately reminding me that my behavior was completely unacceptable to You.

Thank You Father. Wanting to save face wasn’t to be. No. You required my confession to the other. Along with a request for forgiveness. Praise You Lord.

It is only Your work in my spirit that allows me any modicum of joy. You prove it time and time again.

I ask You to continue Your work in [with, by, through, for] me that I will indeed serve You well this day. As You alone so rightly deserve.

I love You. I want You. I need You. And I thank You Lord. For never leaving us alone. On our own. Use me this day as only You know is best. Praise You. Amen.

(234 words ~ 8:26 a.m.)

And You did!

 Saturday, August 21, 2021 (7:06 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. Yesterday I asked You to guide me through the day. And You did! All day long.

Because of Your omnipresence in our lives, we get to come again to Your Word and be reminded of Your faithfulness. Your promises. Lord God, how I thank You that You are so good. Great. Glorious. Gracious.

I am very often none of those! Take yesterday for example. I prayed with You. Asked Your presence. And promptly became snarky on several occasions. Thank You Father for not leaving me alone in my unpleasantness.

No. You reminded me in more than one instance that I could choose which demeanor I would put on. I could indeed ‘be meaner’ [see what I did with the sound of that word?] or kinder. Kindness won out. Every time.

Holy Father God, thank You for the choices You provide us every single moment. Turn here? Go there. Do this. Say that. You promise to never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8).

Thank You Lord that this morning I am able to turn again in Your Word and read of Your faithfulness to Your unfaithful people (Ezekiel 16). As well as the hope Your promises bring (Hebrews 6:13-20).

Blessed Lord, again I am asking You to accompany us into this day. Guiding and directing us through every single detail. Enabling and empowering us to stay true to You and Your ever correcting Word.

I love You. I thank You. Continue Your mighty and powerful work in each of us I pray. Use me exactly as You know is best. Amen.

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

spiritual restoration

 Friday, August 20, 2021 (5:54 a.m.)

Holy God,

Good morning. Can we talk this morning about forgiveness? Or is it correction? Rectification? Hmmm…

I make mistakes, Lord. Far more often than I’d prefer. And then of course, me being me, I come down hard on myself. Where in Your Word shall we go together Lord?

And here it is. Spiritual restoration. Yes Lord. That is exactly what is needed every single time I believe myself to be so unworthy.

Cue the music! Absolute easiest find ever. Thank You God. Phil Wickham’s Cannons. ♪I’m so unworthy, but still You love me♪ How truly blessed we are Dearest God.

I want to live this day in Your presence. Completely immersed in Your goodness. Your grace.

Last night I read a translation of Galatians 5:22-23 that was new to me. I immediately latched on to The Passion Translation’s rendering for “self-control.” Blessed Lord, I have tripped over this aspect of the fruit of Your Spirit for years.

I am not regularly self-controlled. Nor temperate. See mention of mistakes above.

“Strength of spirit” with a footnote stating “spirit-strength” is the description I can so heartily embrace. It takes the focus off of my actions back onto the fruit that grows from Your love.

“But the fruit [harvest] produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue [aka goodness], faith that prevails, gentleness of heart and strength of spirit.”

Dearest God, as You work in, with, by, through and for me this day, I am asking You to do everything You must in restoring my spirit to all You would have it [and me] be. Humble. Prayerful. Seeking Your face. Repenting.

Use me as You alone know is best. Living the Truth of Your Word by the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Father, I love You.

Empower me in obeying 2 Timothy 2:22 (The Living Bible). “Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.”

Romans 12:2 (Contemporary English Version). “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him.”

Yes please, Dearest Lord. Restore my spirit to what You originally designed. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(443 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

"I matter"

 

Thursday,  August 19, 2021 (5:32 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m singing it again. Same song as yesterday. Thank You, Lord

♪Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night♪

I didn’t have the words. Just the tune. Wafting through my being.

Holy God, You are so good. You reminded me that I matter. 

(6:56 a.m.)

And here I am again.

Different computer. Too much glitching on the other one. And still I matter.

I very well may not know what exactly I am here for in any given circumstance. Yet, still I matter.

Thank You, Father. I’m asking You to lead and guide me in Your Truth this morning.

♪And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never alone♪ Pleased? With me? Exactly as I am?

New song. ♪Just As I Am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me♪ And why was that? Because I matter. To You!

Father, I am asking You to take charge of this entire day. Start to finish. Like the cars that drive themselves. Let me go along for the ride of my life. With You fully taking care of every detail.

How do I master that kind of trust? Without attempting [or even wanting] to take back control.

You are good. And again I sing ♪You’re a Good, Good Father It’s who You are, it’s who You are And I’m loved by You It’s who I am, it’s who I am♪

This I believe. My head and heart both tell me it’s true. So I’m asking You to teach me how to live out Your loving Truth. Trusting You to be enough to meet all my needs.

Oh, this is where I confess. I don’t even know what those needs are Blessed God!

I get lost in the musts. And the wants.

(7:42 a.m.)

Most blessed and holy God, how deeply and truly I thank You. I ask the questions. You provide the answers. Every single time.

What are my needs? 1. Food. In this particular case? Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35). 2. Shelter. That’s You, Dear Father. Psalm 91 makes this clear. And 3? Clothing. Colossians 3:14 spells it out very plainly for us.

“And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Oh yes Blessed Father. I believe this completely!

A writing entitled “Christian’s Basic Needs” sums it all up with the Truth of 1 Corinthians 13:13. “Always remember, Faith is our food, Hope is our shelter and most important is LOVE which is the garment that protects us in all situations and struggle in our lives. For love is from God and His love will never fail us."

Father God, as I go into this day fully trusting that I matter I ask You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within me. From beginning to end. Empower me to stand firmly on Your mighty and powerful Truth.

Remembering at every single turn I take “Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

I matter because You say I do. I’m inviting You to provide every single thing I need to glorify and enjoy You this day. Thank You. Praise You. I love You. Use me as only You know is best. Amen.

(582  words ~ 8:12 a.m.)