WOW!

 Saturday, November 30, 2024 (4:42 a.m.)

Blessed God,

It’s the last day of another month. Transitioning into the Advent season. I’m confessing to feeling a little wobbly with the seeming speed with which the days [weeks, months] seem to just fly by.

Thank You that I am not alone in this thinking. WOW! I even get to bring You my feelings of wobbliness. Thank You Father.

You truly ARE such ♪a Good Good Father♪ It IS who You are! Thank You Lord. I don’t have to pretend to be any different than who I am. Blessed and loved by You. WOW!

Father God, my mind seems to be blowing apart right now. In the very best of ways of course.

All the things I thought I had to say to You are taking a back seat to You readying my heart to receive more of Your Truth. Thank You.

Directed to Isaiah 42 The LORD’S Chosen Servant. How is that I am still amazed every time I see You work?

Yesterday I confessed disappointment in not meeting my own set goal. Hours later the job was done. You did that. In, with, by, through and for me.

Just now I confessed my feeling wobbly. Unsteady. Not prepared. And You bring me straight to the second part of Isaiah. Your message of hope to Your hurting people. Isn’t that what this next season is to represent to us?

WOW! There it is again.You never ceasing to amaze me.

Do all You must again in using me exactly as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(284 words ~ 5:27 a.m.)

And still loved!

 Friday, November 29, 2024 (11:21 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God and Father,

I am currently inside, watching the wind gusting outside. Thank You Lord. It reminds me of the disturbance taking place within me at the moment. Fits and starts of activity. Followed momentarily by peace and calm.

I’m confessing disappointment to You Lord. My own. With myself.

I set goals I haven’t reached. Completely attainable. Or so I thought. Did I do the best I could? I don’t know. I like to think so. The fact remains. I am feeling disappointed Lord. Discouraged.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. And we were truly blessed. The day after tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent. And I am nowhere near ready to even begin thinking about the the whirlwind of activities that could generate.

(12:11 p.m.)

Truly I am grateful to You Dear Lord. Turning to You and Your Word I get to again read Your Truth. About Your prophets. And Your plans. Coupled with their doubts. And discouragements.

Reading about Elijah in 1 Kings 19, I am reminded that we are all only human. Less than perfect. Fallible. And still loved! Thank You Lord.

And here You do it again for me. Having me turn exactly where I need to be. Exactly as another whirling gust blows by.

Romans 5:3-5. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”

Mm, yes! Thank You.

Oh! Even better…

The Life Recovery Bible devotion for this section. “Step 10 Repeated Forgiveness We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

“We may grow impatient with ourselves when we continue to commit the same sins over and over again. This may cause us to get discouraged…” This could very well have been written just or me! Thank You.

Thank You too for the opportunity to keep learning. To continue coming to You. Exactly as I am. Mistakes and all.

“… Each time we admit sin and accept God’s forgiveness, our hope and faith have a chance to be exercised and grow stronger.. We no longer have to hide in shame every time we slip. We can admit our wrongs and move on. God’s love for us is reaffirmed every time we rely on it. In this way God helps us hold our head high no matter what happens.”

Okay Lord. I’m banking on this. Do in, with, by, through and for me all that You know us best. Provide exactly what I need to move forward. In YOUR time.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You wish. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(498 words ~ 12:47 p.m.)

perfectly timed acceptance

 Friday, November 29, 2024 (4:42 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You. And I thank You. You are good. Great. Gracious. Glorious (Psalm 145:5-8). And Your mercies are new everyday (Lamentations 3:23).

Thank You that we were able to experience Your loving kindnesses yesterday. Safe travels. Unhurried time spent with family, friends and much loved ones.

Father God, You have been teaching me acceptance for decades. Of circumstances. Myself. And others. I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) that You will continue Your work. In, with, by, through and for me. Making me into the woman You designed me to be (Psalm 139:14).

How perfectly timed is the music in my head. First, waking with ♪I’m Yours♪ And just now, ♪Unusually Unusual♪ 

Thank You Blessed Father, for helping me learn to like and accept the masterpiece I am (Ephesians 2:10a). Created anew in Christ Jesus (10b). To do the good things You planned long ago (10c).

Father, I want to follow Your plan. I confess to many times rushing right passed You with my own agenda. Temper me to Your will and to Your way.

Yes Lord. Keep teaching me to continue learning to walk in Your will and Your way. Fully esteeming and revering You and obeying Your commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13) as I go.

The preacher/teacher of Ecclesiastes wrote “to show us that life is God’s good gift to be enjoyed responsibly, not a puzzle that must be solved” (THE BOTTOM LINE The Life Recovery Bible). I want to follow You Lord.

The Message shares his findings quite simply. “I saw the hard work God has given us to do. God has also given us a desire to know the future. God certainly does everything at just the right time. But we can never completely understand what He is doing. So I realize that the best thing for people is to be happy. They should enjoy themselves as long as they live” (Ecclesiastes 3:10-12).

Yes Lord. Teach me to accept Your perfect timing. Glorifying and enjoying YOU as long as I live.

I love, need, trust and want You. Do all You must in using me as You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(364 words ~ 6:16 a.m.)

Giving Thanks

 Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28, 2024 (4:48 a.m.)

Loving Lord God,

Thank You! A day set aside to give thanks. That is exactly what I want to do today. Give You thanks. And praise.

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Yes. Teach me how Dear Lord. Teach me how.

You do NOT disappoint! I ask. You answer. Thank You God.

The Passion Translation. “Let joy be your continual feast” (v. 16). YES! If I’m going to feast on anything today, let it be JOY!

A comment for this verse tell us, “The Aramaic can be translated ‘Be joyous in every season.’” Yes please Father. I want to be joyous.

“Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus” (vs. 17-18). Do all You must to make this true in my life.

Another comment, “Verses 16-18 identify three areas of our lives we must focus on: (1) unbounded joy, (2) praying continually, and (3) giving thanks to God no matter what happens in our lives. These three virtues combine to form the wonderful expression of Christ’s life within us.” Yes Father!

The Message says, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

Lord, thank You for every single time I smile. They are reminders to me of Your goodness. Grace. Glorious greatness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:13b-18 in J.B. Phillips New Testament we are reminded to “Live together in peace, and our [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] instruction to this end is to reprimand the unruly, encourage the timid, help the weak and be very patient with all men. Be sure that no one repays a bad turn by a bad turn; good should be your objective always, among yourselves and in the world at large. Be happy in your faith at all times. Never stop praying. Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. If you follow this advice you will be working out the will of God expressed to you in Jesus Christ.”

That is quite the tall order there Lord. Thank You “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13).

♪Ah, Lord God, Thou has made the heavens And the earth by Thy great power; Ah, Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens And the earth by Thine outstretched arm Nothing is too difficult for Thee Nothing is too difficult for Thee; Oh, great and mighty God, Great in power and mighty in deed Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing Nothing is too difficult for Thee♪ (Jeremiah 32:17).

Thank You Blessed God. Keep me singing, smiling, standing firm and staying my mind on You. Your Truth. Your power. Your wisdom. Your hope. Every single thing we have in You.

Use me as You know is best. Loving You, others and myself. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31). Let’s go get some coffee, yes?

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

(550 words ~ 5:40 a.m.)

"if... then..."

 Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (6:02 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for rain. Warmth. Truth. Freedom. 

Hmm. You’re good! (Great. Glorious. Gracious ~ Psalm 145:5-8). I’m thanking You one moment and searching Your Word of Truth the next. Thank You. Again.

John 8:32. Jesus speaking. “You are truly my disciples IF you remain faithful to my teaching. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(6:46 a.m.)

Reading an e-article in Life Hope & Truth, under the section “Choose righteousness” I find words describing slavery as a choice. Either to unrighteousness and confusion. Or “by obeying Jesus Christ as our Master, trusting fully in Him.” Yes, please!

In doing so, we are to hear and obey the truth. Wholeheartedly serve You. Freed from the world’s confusion.

International Children’s Bible. John 8:36. “So IF the Son makes you free, THEN you will be truly free.” THAT’s the kind of freedom I’m talking about! Free to be me. In, with, by, through and for You!

Do all You must to Your good and perfect end. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen!

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

gloriously good God

 Tuesday, November 26, 2024 (7:49 a.m.)

Most Good and Glorious God and Father,

I’m back because I want to be here with You more than anywhere else. Dad, I have tears. So many tears. So here I am. Bringing them all to You.

Thank You that You are so gloriously good. Yes! I cry. Come to You. And You soothe. And calm.

Psalm 56:8. 

New Living Translation “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.” Thank You!

The Message “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear in Your ledger, each ache written in Your book.”

EasyEnglish Bible “Every time that I am upset, You know about it. Put all my tears in Your bottle! Yes, write down every tear in Your book.” Yes! Thank You God!

The Life Recovery Bible comment “56:8-13 As we keep our thoughts focused on God and trust Him, we will find, as the psalmist did, that God is on our side. Even when our struggles are most difficult, God knows all our pain, and He will do His part. We, however, must fulfill our responsibilities of being obedient to God’s revealed will. His program is always best for us in the long run.”

Yes please, most gloriously good God. You know Your plans for me. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Again I want to step aside and allow You to “play through” my thoughts, words and actions.

I love, need, trust and want You as the One, True gloriously good God that You are. You change my focus. You take what I have to offer and turn it into what You know is best.

Even knowing, trusting and believing how very good You are I am never ceased to be amazed by how very much more You are. And do on our behalves.

Thank You for Your empowering nudge to bring You my hurting heart. The more I turn to You the bigger my smile becomes.

Searching Scripture regarding SADNESS in The Life Recovery Bible I am drawn to “Step 12 - Our Mission” You saw my delight as soon as I started reading Isaiah 61:1-3.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me…” Yes! You are. “He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted… To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.”

Yes! Yes!! Amen, yes!

I brought You my hurting heart, You gave me a simple smile. And from there will grow singing, strength, and stamina. 

You do exactly all You know is best in, with, by, through and for me as only You are able. I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

descriptors

 Tuesday, November 26, 2024 (5:28 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy, Loving Lord God,

Thank You that You are so much more than all these descriptors. Thank you that I get to keep learning. New to me words. Recovery from mistakes [today is TUESDAY, not Monday as I was originally so certain]. Thank You Father. Oh look! Another descriptor.

Yes Lord. Thank You for mistakes. And Your lessons in forgiveness. Thank You for delights and excitement. Thank You for ALL the various projects that need attention around here. Thank You for rest. And sleep.

Here’s another brand new to me word! Zizz. Another word for doze and drowse. Thank You that there’s so much more that we don’t know than what we do.

I heard “Gloriosky!” used yesterday. What a reminder of days gone by. Thank You that other words for it are: wonderful; great; hurrah!

Thank You that just as I was about to fuss with myself over my interest in words, You reminded me of the most important Word of all! Your Son. “Jesus Christ, the Word of life” (1 John 1:1c).

Talk about the ultimate descriptors! “Jesus Christ, the Word of life.” Yes! “Gloriosky!” Keep reminding us of the great and wonderful Truth there is to be found in Your Word.

Use me and all my scattered thoughts as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You most Dear and Blessed God and Father. Thank You. Praise You. Gloriosky! Amen.

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