not these things

 Friday, June 9, 2023 (7:33 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Blessed God,

My apologies. I woke up grumpy. Crabby. Tired. Sleep was interrupted. Restless. Fitful. Thank You that You are not these things! I am asking (Matthew 7:7) that I will not be these things as well.

Here comes the beginning of a smile. Slight that it may be. It’s a start. A reminder that it can trick my brain into being more positive. Thank You God. Yes. Thank You!

You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Holy. Caring. Kind. And none of these change whether I sleep well or not. Thank You that You are constant. Consistent. Faithful. Always.

The smile is increasing. Without my trying to manipulate it at all. Thank You God.

Thank You for Your Word that reminds us of Your unchanging nature. This is Truth on which we can stand firmly and depend. Thank You Father.

Use me this day. Much like You did yesterday. Without my opinion. Just my obedience. Yes Lord. I want to be obedient to Your guidance. To Your will. Your way.

Thank You for the sleep You did provide me throughout the night. Deep enough for dreams to be remembered. Proof that yes indeed I was able to rest.

Thank You for this current opportunity to search Your Word and find Your Truth. Old Testament. New. Proverbs. Psalms. History. All pointing us to Your holiness.

This morning I am particularly drawn to Proverbs 6:16-19. Right now in The Passion Translation. “There are six evils God truly hates and a seventh that is an abomination [atrocity, disgrace, horror] to Him: Putting others down while considering yourself superior, spreading lies and rumors, spilling the blood of the innocent, plotting evil in your heart toward another, gloating over doing what’s plainly wrong, spouting lies in false testimony, and stirring up strife between friends. These are entirely despicable to God!”

This section leads me straight over to A Call to Listen to God (The Life Recovery Bible Hebrews 12:14-15). “Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.”

Again The Passion Translation uses other words to present the same Truth. “In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward holiness, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.”

Yes Lord! Do all You must that we will live according to Your will. And Your way. To Your good and glorious end.

We love You. We need, trust and want You. Live in, with, by, through and for us this day. Which You have made. That we will truly “rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).

Thank You. Praise You. Use us. Amen.

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