mind of Christ

 Thursday, August 31, 2023 (5:06 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that we can come before You with every concern. Right now? My attitude. Yes Lord. I’m here asking You to adjust mine.

Thank You Father 

(6:09 a.m.)

Indeed! Thank You God.

Confessing to You that I am off track. Out of alignment. I get to come before You empty of my will. Ready to be filled with Yours. The smile came immediately. As did the tune. And just as easily? The song.

Thank You Jesus!

♪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. He said, “Freely, Freely You have received; freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live♪

Oh yes Blessed Lord Jesus. Let this be so!

♪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♪

It is absolutely Your work in, with, by, through and for me that changes everything. Too often I forget this very Truth. Forgive me Lord.

Thank You for the honor and privilege of reading others’ experiences with attitude adjustments. Thank You for leading me to Paul’s Message of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2) that originated with You.

(7:25 a.m.)

Thank You Lord for the opportunity of bringing You a spirit of ennui [apathy, boredom, indifference] and having You change it. You are able to do all the things I cannot.

Confessing to You my desire for an attitude adjustment allowed me to read Your Word. As well as others. Reminding me that to have the mind of Christ I must yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

Yes Lord! Hallelujah Jesus! I get to bring You a lack of enthusiasm and You trade it for excitement. Eagerness. And joy.

Thank You God. Praise You Jesus. Do all You must in using me exactly as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. I am grateful to be Yours. Amen.

(371 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)

Magnet and steel

 Wednesday, August 30, 2023 (5:44 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for Your goodness.

(6:41 am.)

Thank You for the privilege of sitting in Your presence. Searching to find references of You as a Magnet. And us as steel. All because of another song I’ve never before paid any attention to.

♪… (With You I’m not shy) to show the way I feel (With You I might try) my secrets to reveal For You are a Magnet and I am steel♪ Yes Father! You are THE Magnet. And I am definitely drawn to You. Like a moth to a flame.

Thank You for the ways You work in us. By us. With, through and for us. Often without our even being aware. You do this. Because of Your goodness. Your mercy. Your grace.

Blessed God, I thank You for the opportunity to sit and ponder Your existence in our lives. That invisible force that leads. Directs. Guides. And ultimately draws us to You.

Searching Your Word I come to the apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. Here from Contemporary English Version. The second chapter of Romans. Initially drawn to verse four, I continue reading. Beginning with the chapter title.

“God’s Judgment is Fair Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things” (v. 1). Yes Father. I am guilty of this.

We know You are right in all Your ways and still we resist (2). “Do you really think God won’t punish you, when you behave exactly like the people you accuse? You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of His patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know the reason God is good to you is because He wants you to turn to Him?” (vs. 3-4).

Much like my being the steel to Your Magnet of which I’ve been considering. I relate You singing the first lyrics to me ♪Now I told you so you ought to know It takes some time for a feelin’ to grow But you’re so close now I can’t let you go… For I am the Magnet and you are steel♪

Yes Lord! You ARE the Magnet and I am steel. Continue Your blessed work in drawing me toward You that others are drawn as well. You have ♪secrets to reveal♪ over which we have no control.

“But you are stubborn and refuse to turn to God. So you are making things even worse for yourselves on that day when He will show how angry He is and will judge the world with fairness” (v.5).

Father, work in each of us I pray. Doing exactly as You know is best. We love, need, trust and want You as Lord of our lives. Use us to Your good and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

♪For Your Love♪

 Tuesday, August 29, 2023 (6:47 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for Your love. Nice! An immediate song.

Yes! ♪For Your Love, oh, I would do anything♪ It’s so easy to sing. And begs the question… would I really?

Your love calls us to forgive (Ephesians 4:32). Love our enemies (Luke 6:27a). Do good to those who hate us (v. 27b). Bless those who curse us (28a). Pray for those who hurt us (28b).

Father, these are never my first reactions. Forgive me.

Thank You that Your Word leads and guides us to Your will. Your way. Thank You for changing our hearts and our minds.

This morning I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to do all You must. In, with, by, through and for me that I would TRULY ♪do anything for Your love♪

Blessed God, You are so good. Faithful. Loving. Forgiving. All the things I can never be on my own.

Thank You for reminding me that “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Mm, yes Father. I want very much to be able to truthfully represent the apostle Paul’s own words to the believers in Philippi.

“I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstance: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength” (The Voice Philippians 4:12-13).

Mm, yes. Thank You Father, for Your love. I want so much to do anything for You and it. Thank You for loving us. Use us for Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. We love You. Amen.

(294 words ~ 7:57 a.m.)

seeking and singing

 Monday, August 28, 2023 (5:56 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. I confess distraction right now.

(6:17 a.m.)

And in so doing, I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You again to shift my focus. Back to You where it so rightly belongs.

Thank You Lord that Your Word calls us to ♪Seek Ye First the kingdom of God And His righteousness; And all these things shall be added unto you. Hallelu, Hallelujah!♪ (Matthew 6:33). Mm. Yes. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the privilege of confessing ourselves to You. No matter the need. We admit our failings and You supply all that is necessary in bringing us back to Your will. Your way.

Thank You that with the singing also came a smile. And a renewed eagerness to stand firmly on Your Word. Staying my mind on Your Truth and promises. Praise You for Your works Dear Lord.

Reading David’s words in Psalm 27:4 has me singing a different song. ♪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… To all generations♪

“The one thing I ask of the LORD- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, and delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in His Temple” (Psalm 27:4).

Thank You, thank You Father. Confessing distraction took me straight to asking. Seeking. Then singing. Continue Your work in, with, by, through and for me this day. Use me exactly as You know is best. Rejoicing and being glad (Psalm 118:24b).

I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Do all You must Dear God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(300 words ~ 6:58 a.m.)

fabulous fun

 Sunday, August 27, 2023 (6:51 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! I got to have fun yesterday. Bouncing. Jumping. Playing. Fun, Father. SO much fabulous fun!

Thinking about it now I remember well the moment I SAW what I had been missing all these years. How often does this happen in other areas Lord?

Convictions.

Saturday, August 26, 2023 (6:12 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You.

Isn’t this unexpected? Convictions. Speak with me about these please.

Interesting. I come before You with an open heart. And here You are to fill it. With Your Truth. And so many of my own” but, what about…” questions.

Thank You Father. Because You are God and I am not, You have all the answers. You know Your plan. You know Your will. And Your way.

I get to follow Your Truth to Romans 14:5. And from there? A broader spectrum. A wider view.

Illustrated Bible Handbook. Chapter 14:1-15:13. Principles of Life Together

Mm, Father. The Life Recovery Bible. CHAPTER 14 The Danger of Criticism CHAPTER 15 Living to Please Others

How I ask (Matthew 7:7) that we, as Your people, would come back to living each day as You would have us. Rejoicing and being glad (Psalm 118:24b).

Oh, this just keeps getting better and better!

Romans. CHAPTER 11 God’s Mercy Is for Everyone (vs. 25-36). CHAPTER 12 A Living Sacrifice to God CHAPTER 13 (1-7) Respect for Authority. (vs. 8-14) Love Fulfills God’s Requirements.

Holy God, we live in a political climate of name calling. Radical extremism. Fearmongering. Bring us back to You Dear Lord.

Let Your Truth speak “love and respect” to our hearts. Our minds. Our attitudes.

Again I turn to the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers. Paul, himself a former persecutor of early Christians because of his convictions.

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing to knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

Oh yes Blessed God. Teach us to truly live as You would have us. Empowered and enabled by the convictions that You alone place so deeply within.

We love You Lord. We absolutely need, trust and want YOUR will to be done. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(388 words ~ 7:14  a.m.) 

difference

 Friday, August 25, 2023 (5:28 a.m.)

Thank You God,

I woke up singing again. Two immediately identified songs. Each with day in the title. One described as bad. The other good. A smile accompanied the contrast.

Thank You Lord for the ways You get our attention. First thinking I was singing of a bad dream, You quickly provided the correction.

In no time at all ♪You had a Bad Day♪ morphed into ♪Good Day Sunshine♪ Thank You Father. I like smiling with You. Especially when I consider the difference just one word makes.

Help me use my words wisely and well this day. Let kindness be the goal. With all I encounter. I want very much to become the woman You created me to be. One who “is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 31:25).

Father, I love You. I am grateful to the way You work in our lives. Changing our tunes. Putting our focus directly on Your goodness. Your grace. Your presence here with us. John 16:5-7. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Galatians 4:6.

And just like that [SNAP!] ♪I Got the Spirit in Me♪ started singing. Lord! How did I never know that these lyrics are so perfectly about You?

♪No more trouble in my life My heart’s desire has been fulfilled I don’t get frightened or worried I got the Lord by my side I get down and I pray…♪

While unable to find the lyrics or facts concerning this song, watching the video has me dancing along. Lord God, thank You for the visual prompts of another soul trusting and worshiping You.

Use me Lord. As You know is best. Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly and staying my mind on Your Word of Truth and promises.

♪I get down and I pray So much joy in my heart Can’t explain it Nothing on earth can hold me down Yes I’m gonna shout Gonna give Him praise♪

Thank You Father. Lead. Guide. Direct. Empower and enable me. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(350 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)

focal shift

 Thursday, August 24, 2023 (5:19 a.m.)

Good morning Lord,

Or is it?

We are already having mishaps. Little ones really. Challenges. Inconveniences. Reminders to pray.

Thank You Father that You provide for us a much needed focal shift. Yes! A change in what it is we’re focusing on.

I could absolutely start off listing the mistakes that have already taken place this morning. You know? Like the automatic coffee maker brewing our pot at midnight.

Thank You for reminding me to pray and thank You instead. Thank You for Your presence in all our circumstances.

(7:02 a.m.)

Yes Lord. Thank You for the blessings. Such as indoor plumbing. And peach colored clouds. A very quiet bird just sitting on a wire. And bright yellow flowers in the yard.

There are so very many things for which to give You thanks and praise. Thank You for Your work in changing my attitude all these years. From doom and gloom to cheerfulness. Delight. Elation. Joy.

Yes Father. It’s when we turn and ask (Matthew 7:7) You for that which we cannot achieve on our own that Your Truth and power shine brightest.

I’m smiling. Inside and out. Not for all the things that have gone right so far this morning. No! I am grateful for Your presence here with me as they don't. Reminding me to pray.

Always being joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Never stop praying (17). Being thankful in all circumstances, for this is Your will for those who belong to Christ Jesus (18).

Thank You Lord for Your guidance. Your Truth. The strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). All that enables us to trust You to shift our focus. Onto You where it so rightly belongs.

Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. Mistakes and all. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(316 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)