reconciliation

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 (6:37 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy Father,

Will You speak with me this morning about reconciliation? Just yesterday I read somewhere that it is more important than resolution because while one (reconciliation) deals with relationships the other (resolution) focuses on problems. I think I have a problem with a relationship. I need Your help.

(9:52 a.m.)

Following what I believe to be Your lead (Mathew 5:23-24) I left here 'to be reconciled with my brother'. While it doesn't feel any different, I'm going on in faith that we are indeed 'okay'.

I have to confess to You Dearest Dad, this everyday life business is way harder than I ever expected it to be. I have what I believe to be great ideas and interests and attempts and ambitions and for the most part they fall along the wayside for lack of commitment on my part. I can waver and avoid with the best (or is it 'worst') of them. Change this in me please.

(11:11 a.m.)

Because I keep getting distracted by thinking You are leading me this way or that, I am going to get up, get busy and keep asking You to bless me and keep me (Numbers6:24-26). Father, I love You. I want to be Your obedient daughter and for just right now, I have no idea what that looks like. Work in me I pray. I love You. Amen.

(236 words ~ 11:15 a.m.)

ABC

Monday, April 1, 2013 (7:28 a.m.)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 (5:11 a.m.)

Amazingly Beautiful Christ,

I readily accept and admit that I am a sinner (Romans 3:23). I believe You came and died for my sins (John 3:16). I confess with my mouth that You are Lord (Romans 10:10).

I have spent days feeling guilty for not loving, being, wanting and doing enough for You (Mark 12:30). These are all things I have imposed upon myself. Thank You that I get to turn in Your Word (The Life Recovery Bible) and read that I am "Declared “Not Guilty” BIBLE READING: Romans 3:23-28".

This particular devotion speaks of falling short of our own personal ideals. “At some time, all of us have held high ideals. We have used them to define what we think life should look like. But most of us learned early on that we couldn't measure up to them. Worse yet, we have fallen short of the expectations of others and the desires of God. Oh, the weight of guilt we carry! Oh, the pain to think of how we have disappointed those we love! Oh, the longing for some way to make up the difference between what we are and what we should be!”

And that is where I quit every single time. I see the vast distance between who I am and all that I ever wanted to be. I declare myself weak. Lazy. Uncommitted. And then I start building walls to protect myself. I don't want to get hurt so I refuse to care. I look at life from my own vantage point and hide myself even more.

Father, again I thank You for the love You have for us. A love so big and perfect that I can't even begin to understand it.

The Living Bible uses these words for Romans 3:23-24, “Yes, we all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal; yet now God declares us 'not guilty' of offending Him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in His kindness freely takes away our sins.”

You have given me such an enormous gift which I absolutely don't deserve. Help me us it wisely this day. Your love. Your forgiveness. Your power. All in the form of Jesus. I accept Him as my Savior. I believe Him to keep His promises. I confess Him to be Lord.

♫Lord I lift Your name on high, Lord I love to sing Your praises, I'm so glad You're in my life, I'm so glad You came to save us. You came from heaven to earth, to show the way. From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay. From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high♫

Thank You, Amazingly Beautiful Christ. Thank You, Always Bountiful Creator. Thank You, Love and Lord of my life. Surround me with all grace and glory (Romans 5:2) that I would use them well this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(498 words ~ 6:27 a.m.)

no worries

Holy Saturday, Mar 30, 2013 (7:31 a.m.)

Still nothing.

I think. I pray. I get excited to be here. And then, nothing. No words. No praise. No joy. No hope. No worries.

Blessed Father God, You took away my worries! For that I am grateful. Extremely, immensely grateful. Thank You. Thank You that in You I have hope. Joy. Peace. They are deep in my heart. Not readily accessible at the surface. All seems buried deep inside. Truth bubbles forth.

(8:33 a.m.)

I search Your Word. I read Your Truth. And the next thing I know I've fallen back asleep. Again focused on You. Father thank You. Thank You that I get to relax and be refreshed by Your promises. I confess to struggling with apathy. I get easily distracted. Very little seems worth putting my interest and energies toward. I seek Your Truth. Your guidance. Your lead. Trusting You to do in and through me that which I am currently unable (unwilling?) to do myself.

This has been Holy Week. A week of hard reflection. I take none of it lightly. You sent Your One and only Son (John 3:16) to die on my behalf. I read. I think. I become appreciative. And at the very same time ashamed. Such a sacrificial gift. One of which I am not worthy.

All I can do is turn again and again to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Trusting and believing that You alone art God (Isaiah 37:16). Father, thank You. Jesus, thank You. Work in me this day that I would use well Your sacrificial gift to humanity.

I love You. I trust You. I thank You. Amen.

(278 words ~ 10:19 a.m.)

no words

Good Friday, March 30, 2013

I have no words today. Please read my heart.

Jesus' message

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2013 (7:26 a.m.)

Awesome, amazing Father God,

You sent Jesus with a message. A message of servanthood (Matthew 20:28). ♫He yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in♫ You sent Him with the message of love. And forgiveness. Of repentance. Compassion.

(54 words)

closer

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 (10:02 a.m.)

Thank You Father!

Knowing that I'm not feeling peppy and happy and energetic I started humming. What I thought was ♫Take It to the Lord in Prayer♫ turns out to be ♫Just A Closer Walk With Thee♫ Just confessing to You how I'm feeling brings me markedly closer to You. Thank You Father. Thank You!

Thank You that because I WANT to be closer with You I got to turn to 2Corinthians 7:11 (The Message) and read, “And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart.”

As I look to The Life Recovery Bible I find encouragement to my mood in this comment. “When we admit our failures to God and others and do what we can to follow God's will, wonderful changes take place in our life.” While I know it's not just in confessing that I get to experience a closer walk with You, I thank You for the reminder that I must do what I can to follow Your will.

Father, I admit to being resistant to repentance. I'm willing to confess, yet reluctant to change. Work in me with this, won't You?

Your Word, Your love for us 'purify and revitalize our life and emotions in a remarkable way'. We get to have our relationship with You renewed. We are so blessed. We have opportunity in You that we cannot find anywhere else. Thank You.

Thank You for reminding me through a song of my sincerest desire for ♫Just a closer walk with Thee, Precious Jesus, hear my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be♫

With that said and believed, do with me as You wish this day that I will bring glory and honor to Your name. I love You so much and I truly long to serve You well. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In Your most holy name I pray. Amen.

(361 words ~ 11:21 a.m.)

remind

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (7:35 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for the ways we are reminded of it. Remind. Cause to remember. Mm, Father. I think of the love You bring into our lives and I am grateful. Peaceful.

(44 words)