highest degree (take 2)

 Friday, June 30, 2023 (6:02 a.m.)

Holiest God,

I started thanking You yesterday for Your holiness. Aware that there is nothing higher than You I turned to 1 Chronicles 29:11. Lord, thank You.

Thank You for the ways Your Word speaks to us. Leading. Guiding. Directing. Reminding. Yes. You remind us of Your greatness and Your glory.

David’s Prayer of Praise tells us, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things.”

Thank You Father for everything You do and have done. Praise You for all You are. 

David knew You are the “source of all true success.” His prayer “ascribes all greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty” to You. “It recognizes that [You are] the source of all riches and honor; [You are] sovereign over everything” (The Life Recovery Bible comment). Thank You God that You are!

In You we have hope. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to hold us tightly.

Reading this verse in other translations, a phrase from a song began singing to me. First came the lyrical find. Then a lasting smile. Thank You God.

♪… and I will adore You… [Revelation Song] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, holy, holy is He… Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty Who was and is and is to come With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings You are my everything and I will adore You…♪

Oh yes Blessed God. Keep me adoring You and all You glorious works.

♪Clothed in rainbows of living color Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder Blessing and honor, strength and glory And power be to You the only wise King… Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder At the mention of Your name Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water Such a marvelous, mystery… With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings You are my everything and I will adore You, adore You Holy, holy, You are holy♪

Thank You that You are. Live in, with, by, through and for me this day [which You have made (Psalm 118:24a)]. Do all You must that I will truly “rejoice and be glad in it” (24b).

I love You Father. I need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(413 words ~ 7:01 a.m.)

highest degree

 Thursday, June 29, 2023 (5:46 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You that You are… most holy. 

1 Chronicles 29:11

arduous

 Wednesday, June 28, 2023 (6:31 a.m.)

Good morning Dear Lord,

The word for much of last night was arduous. Thank You that we have You to turn to when things in this life appear much too difficult to endure or accomplish.

Yes. Thank You that even in stating that, a song begins. ♪… Nothing is too difficult for Thee… Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing Nothing is too difficult for Thee♪

As it turns out, I didn’t even know the name of this song I have sung for years. ♪Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens And the earth by Thy great power… by Thine out-stretched arm♪

Not only that, the lyrics come almost word for word from Jeremiah (32:17). Thank You that NOTHING is too arduous for You!

2 Corinthians 9:8

Joshua 1:9

Grace and tools

our awesome God

 Tuesday, June 27, 2023 (5:46 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You that You are our awesome God. Who reigns from heaven above. With wisdom, power and love. Thank You that You ARE our awesome God!

I intentionally sang upon awakening this morning. And with the song came a smile. Then a verse (2 Timothy 1:7). And the reminder to stand firmly and stay our minds on You and Your Word.

Father, how I thank You for the blessings You provide. Like right here Lord. A deeper reading of the apostle Paul’s final letter.

(7:14 a.m.)

As we prepare to go out into this day [which You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) that You would empower us to Your good and to Your glory. Father, we love, need, trust and want You.

Use us as only You know is best. Strengthened. Loved. With sound minds.

Fan into flames the spiritual gifts You gave to us (2 Timothy 1:6) when we first came to believing You to be the good, good God that You are. Yes. Our awesome God!

h.o.w.

 Monday, June 26, 2023 (5:37 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! I came to You honestly yesterday. Openly. Willingly. And You did not disappoint! Thank You Lord.

Thank You that we get to be honest with You. We do not have to try and hide our true selves from You. It would do no good anyway.

Being honest with You opens us up to Your Truth. Your Truth which ultimately sets us free (John 8:32). Thank You Father.

I want to live this day [which You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] joyously. Gladly (24b). Smiling as I consider all You are and do for us.

Because I can do nothing of value on my own, I look to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7) that I take note and follow You.

And just like that [snap!] I’m singing. Psalty the Singing Songbook’s ♪If Any Man come after me, Let him deny himself Pick up his cross, and follow me Into life eternally. Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus, He is the way, truth and life♪ (Matthew 16:24).

Thank You Father. I noticed yesterday that it’s been almost half my life since I became absolutely aware of the need to change my thinking. My words. My actions.

You did that Lord. You led me to the help necessary for making life altering changes. Thank You. Praise You.

You now our hearts (Matthew 12:34c). Our minds (v.25). Keep working at molding them to Your liking.

I love You. I need, trust and want You. Do all You must to Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(277 words ~ 6:44 a.m.)

less than glad

 Sunday, June 25, 2023 (7:22 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m confessing to feeling less than glad this morning. Not quite sad. Something in the middle there.

Rather than trying to pretend it away, I’m bringing it right to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Turning to You. Wanting You to be glorified. Mm. Thank You for bringing my thoughts back to You.

Yes Lord. I want You to ♪Be Glorified today♪ In my life. Through my thoughts, words and actions.

This degree of sadness is more than I want. Do all You must Dear Lord.

Apathetic. Laodicean. See Revelation 3:15-19.

And now? A smile. And tears. Ephesians 3:14-21.

(8:15 a.m. - church service)

♪Here is where I lay it down This Is My Surrender… do whatever You want to do … Your way is better♪

Forget the past, press on toward the goal which is heaven (apostle Paul, Philippians 3:12-14). Live eternity even now. Man wants us to be ashamed.

(8:48  a.m.)

I know what it is God. I’m wanting to protect myself. From hurt. It’s fear.

(9:17 a.m.)

Watching church online and Pastor John [New Hope Oahu] finished by encouraging us to “Be prepared rather than scared.” Yes please Lord. Continue Your work in me.

Use us in memorizing Your Word that we will stand firmly on and stay our minds on It. Lord, we love You. We need You. We trust and want You. Do all You must in making us into the people You created us to be.

Now, back to the song that I was singing at 3:23 this morning. ♪Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me Let there be peace on earth The peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now. With ev’ry step I take Let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment and live Each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me♪

Yes. Please. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(365 words ~ 9:39 a.m.)

a simple thank You

 Saturday, June 24, 2023 (5:13 a.m.)

Holy, Holy, Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Yes, Father. Thank You for the honor, the privilege, the opportunity of coming before You. With thanksgiving in my heart.

Oh yes Dearest God. Beginning with a simple thank You and the next thing I know I’m singing. Again. And smiling.

Blessed God, You are so incredible good to us. Thank You for Your Word that reminds us of Your goodness.

Psalm 100:1 prompts us to sing of Your mercies. Shouting happily to You. Making a joyful noise. All of which take me to three different songs. All with the same message.

Thank You God for every single smile that comes across my face. And my heart. Thank You that songs so often follow.

♪I Will Enter His Gates with thanksgiving in my heart I will enter His courts with praise. I will say, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” He has made me glad. He has made me glad. I will rejoice for He has made me glad…♪ (Psalm 100:4; 118:24).

Thank You Father that You HAVE made us glad! Grateful. Loved. Always Delighted. Let us remember well the absolute gladness You provide.

I want very much to ♪Make A Joyful Noise unto the Lord, all the earth, Make a joyful noise unto the Lord… Make a loud noise, and rejoice, sing praises! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord♪ Yes! (Psalm 98:4).

Father God, thank You for the blessings You provide us. ♪I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing… With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness, With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations♪ (Psalm 89:1).

You open our hearts, our souls and our minds to the blessings You provide. You make us aware of all we have in You. And it all begins with a simple thank You.

Use us this day Dearest God. To Your good. And for Your glory. May we represent You well in all we think, say and do.

I love You Lord. I need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

 (383 words ~ 6:18 a.m.)

Always Delighted

 Friday, June 23, 2023 (5:21 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You are so good. And we are so glad. Grateful. Loved. And stalled at the moment.

I want to find words that best describe what I am when I’m glad in You. Grateful. Often. Loved. Always. This morning I’m stuck on the last two letters.

With this being the case, I turn again to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). And You do not disappoint!

Philippians 4:4 reminds me that I am always to be delighted. In You. Yes Father! I want very much to remember that I am gratefully loved, always delighted.

Rejoice. Take pleasure. Be filled with joy. Celebrate. Delight. “Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad” (Contemporary English Version). Yes, please. Blessed Father God, I want to always be glad!

Illustrated Bible Handbook says this, “Chapter 4. Joy in the Lord A Plea for Perspective; 4:2-9. Paul speaks of joys that are found through relationship with the Lord (4). In Christ we have release from anxiety, for we can express every need to God and experience peace (5-7). In Christ we can concentrate our attention on the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (8). In Christ we can put godly living into practice, and have the assurance that the God whose presence means inner peace will be with us (9). What a wonderful perspective to maintain on life, and what a source of constant joy!”

It’s all so true. When we actively, intentionally set our focus on You there is no limit to the blessings You provide.

Thank You for Your presence Father. Your existence. Your being with us. Reminding us of the joy [gladness] we have in You.

Use me this day [that You have made (Psalm 118:24a)]. I long to truly rejoice and be glad in it (24b). Exactly as You know is best. Do all You must that You will be glorified in, with, by, through and for my thoughts, words and actions.

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

"Let's celebrate and be glad today"

 Thursday, June 22, 2023 (5:13 a.m.)

Awesome, Glorious, Good and Gracious God,

Thank You

(5:40 a.m.)

Yes. Thank You. You provide so many reasons for us to be grateful. Thank You.

Use me this day [that You have made (Psalm 118:24a)]. I want to “rejoice and be glad in it” (118:24b). Mm, yes. We have so many reasons for rejoicing!

Your Word for one! We get to turn to it repeatedly. Waking. Sleeping. And all the hours in between.

(6:40 a.m.)

Take just now for instance. I came before You and started singing. First it was ♪Our God is an Awesome God♪ Followed almost immediately by ♪I love You For So Many Reasons♪

And now? ♪Dance With Me I want to be your partner Can’t you see?♪ Thank You Father that I truly am beginning to see!

Turning to Psalm 118 in the Contemporary English Version of Your Word my smile is huge. Both inside and out. Thank You God.

“Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because He is kind and always merciful” (v. 1). Mm. Yes. You are!

Reading down to verse 21 I’ve begun singing another song. ♪Sing praise, sing praise His love endures Forever♪

Thank You Lord that Your love DOES endure forever! ‘My power and my strength come from You Dear LORD. You HAVE saved me!’ (v. 118:14).

“The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone. The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us. This day belongs to the LORD! Let’s celebrate and be glad today” (vs. 23-24).

Yes. Yes. Yes! “Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because He is kind and always merciful” (29). You are. And I am grateful.

Use me this day Dearest Dad. Exactly as You know is best. Thanking. Praising. Celebrating. And being glad.

I love, need, trust and want You. Do all You must Blessed Father. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(332 words ~ 7:04 a.m.)