cross

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7:33 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I failed. Again!

Cross words led to silence. A minor misunderstanding has become a major blowup. Why? Because I refuse to forgive.

Thank You that I can practice my ridiculousness on You before I drop the iron guard I have placed around myself.

Father, You are so good and I am so grateful to be allowed in Your presence exactly as I am. I honestly feel myself softening. A bit.

Take the word I used earlier... cross. I used it as an adjective. Describing having been annoyed. Irritated. Angry.

I had completely forgotten its use as a noun. Especially with a capital C. Usually preceded by the definite article “The”.

Talk about humbling me back out of myself. Thank You Father.

Thank You that You will use whatever You must to bring me back to obedience to Your Word. It's not enough that I know how or what I am to do or say. No, no. I must actually do all You command.

Forgive? “But what about...?” It doesn't matter. Forgive anyway.

“But, I...” And I sound exactly like a three year old we love.

Mm. And there it is. Love.

Love? “I don't feel like loving.” Love anyway.

Yes. You are right. As always!

Thank You Father that I can tie myself up into all kinds of knots and You are not put off by them. You do indeed know best.

There is a song singing itself to me. We sing it in church. It has to do with The Cross. I can't find it in my searching. Please help me as You always do.

Matt Redman. “For the Cross”.

(9:28 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

I can't even begin to describe the back and forth I'm doing here. I start to make progress in my thinking and my doing. Then CRASH! Four steps back. The childhood Chutes and Ladders game at my worst!

Forgive me. Again!

My feelings got hurt and “Waa, waa, waa”, I want understanding. Or revenge. This is absolutely NOT why You came!

♫You came into a world of shame And paid the price we could not pay Death that brought me life Blood that brought me home... And I love You for Cross I'm overwhelmed by the mystery I love You for the cost That Jesus You would do this for me♫

I believe it as I sing it. And as soon as I'm confronted with discord, BAM! I want to make somebody “pay”!

Forgive me. Yet again!

Oh. I'm starting to see just how very much I need Your forgiveness that I would willingly offer it to another.

Jesus, thank You for Your life. Your willingness. Your suffering. On my behalf. Forgive me for not taking it all as personally as I would like. I tend to push You away. I know I do. Again, forgive me!

♫When You were broken, You were beaten You were punished, I go free When You were wounded and rejected In Your mercy I am healed, I am healed♫

How I ask that You would live this day in and through me.

♫Jesus Christ the sinners friend Does this kindness know no bounds With Your precious blood You have purchased me Oh the mystery of the Cross You were punished You were crushed But that punishment has become my peace Yes that punishment has become my peace♫

Hmm... There's already been the perfect punishment. I can never make another “pay” enough. I have to forgive. And forgive. And forgive again. I need You for that. Teach me. Empower and enable me to do that which I cannot, and often times do not desire, to do. Yes!

♫I will love You for the Cross And I will love You for the cost Man of sufferings, Bringer of my peace♫

Powerful, powerful Truth here. Do all You must in changing me to reflect You more clearly. I love You Jesus. Thank You for Your cost. Thank You for Your cross! Amen.

(674 words ~ 10:16 a.m.)

relentlessly pursued

Thursday, December 8, 2016 (5:31 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I keep making mistakes. There are SO many things I don't know. Can't understand. Haven't figured out. The seemingly simplest things get the better of me. Repeatedly!

Again I turn to Your Word and am once more immediately brought to tears. Thank You Father. Thank You for the opportunity of reading Your Truth and promises.

I definitely have a problem being kind to myself. Second guessing, self-doubt and relentless inner criticism come easy.

(7:01 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You that even though negative attributes quite often seem to rule my thinking, YOU are Truth! Thank You that in the very midst of reading Faith and Reason in Illustrated Bible Handbook regarding Job's struggles, my soul again started singing...

♫All my hope is in You♫

Wanting to continue reading instead of singing, I tried ignoring the prompting. Ever so subtly, there it was again... ♫My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You♫

Thank You Father. Thank You that You will not be ignored!

Here (hear?) again the word “relentless”. Persistent, continuing, constant, never-ending, tenacious, single-minded...

And I give in. To You! Looking up the song I find that it's ♫My Life is in You, Lord♫ Yes! My life... My strength... My hope... it's in You!

I have tears and tissues all over the place right now. My eyes are blurred. Nose is running. Heart is breaking.

I miss my mom and the delight she brought into all of our lives! I constantly fight the turmoil in my head of “What's the point?” and “It's not worth it.”

Father, YOU are the point! YOU are worth it all!

Forgive my shortsightedness. Thank You for taking my emotional weariness and reminding me again of just exactly what we are here for. YOU!

Thank You for an e-article entitled God's Relentless Pursuit of Us in Love by Jim Feiker. Thank You that its opening Scripture reference is one that I know well, but given here in The Message did not immediately recognize.

“Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life” (Psalm 23:6a). Chase after me. Like I often do with misbehaving children. Bringing me full circle to the mistakes I keep making.

Thank You Father that You are permanent. You last. You provide. And I get to keep practicing trusting You and Your promises.

Father, I am asking You right now to fill me with Your Spirit that I would truly live this day as You would have me live it. Joyfully. Lovingly. Hopefully. Through the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

I love You, Dad. Discipline me exactly as You know is best. I am Your child. Train me up in the way I should go (Proverbs 22:6). Teach me to choose the right path that I would not depart from it.

I love You. I want to serve You. Exactly as You wish to be served. Do a miracle in me this day Blessed God. Let me live and use wisely and well all the blessings You have provided. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(526 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)

blessed

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (6:22 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

You bless us. And bless us. And bless us. Thank You.

(8:18 a.m.)

I confess to feeling unsure as to how best to use these blessings.

Thank You that feeling is NOT being! Thank You that just as I started to tell You that I am unsure, I remembered that I am to be sure in You.

(10:41 a.m.)

Mm... 1 Samuel 12:24 New Living Translation tells us, “But be sure to fear the LORD and sincerely worship Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you.” I truly have tears at the very thought.

You bless us. And bless us. And bless us! Let me fully esteem and revere You! Serving You in Truth with all my heart.

It's a process. I will never do it perfectly. I may very often times feel unsure. But in You, I AM sure!

YOU bless and keep us. YOU smile down and show us Your kindness. YOU answer our prayers and give us Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26 Easy-to-Read Version). All our blessings come from You. On that I am very sure.

Thank You for reminding me. Every time I need it most. I am sure in You!

I absolutely LOVE when reading Your Word brings me to tears! Even when they are the shaky “oh my goodness, I don't know if I ever knew this before” signs of emotion.

Romans 8:38 Contemporary English Version begins, “I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love...” Other editions use the words: persuaded, convinced and certain.

Thank You Father that while there are so very many things of which I may feel unsure, being separated from Your love is never to be one of them.

Thank You Father. Praise You. Use me well this day. Exactly as You wish. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(314 words ~ 11:26 a.m.)

surrounded, part 2

2^nd Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2016 (6:06 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for surrounding us with Your love (Psalm 32:10b). We started talking about it yesterday morning and the power of this Truth remained with me throughout the night. Thank You God.

Thank You that in looking at the various translations and paraphrases I saw so many other words describing the same fact. “... mercy shall compass...” Lovingkindness. Compassion. Faithful / unfailing / steadfast / constant / loyal / abiding love. Grace. “... Your kindness shields...”

Reviewing these many renditions, I take notice of the adjectives used in describing Your love. Blessed Father, thank You that You are so very intentional in Your teachings. You mean for us to learn. To trust. To follow You.

Thank You for this Season of Preparation to celebrate Your Son's birth. Thank You for His precious life. Thank You for the supreme cost of Your plan to rescue and redeem Your people.

Thank You for the following two rewordings of Your Truth. Please note the genuine, complete smile encompassing my entire being as I consider myself in this passage (verses 9-11).

The Voice, “But don't be stubborn and stupid like horses and mules who, if not reined by leather and metal, will run wild, ignoring their masters. Tormented and empty are wicked and destructive people, but the one who trusts in the Eternal is wrapped tightly in His gracious love. Express your joy; be happy in Him, you who are good and true. Go ahead, shout and rejoice aloud, you whose hearts are honest and straightforward.”

Words like stubborn and stupid ring so very true in describing me at times. Running wild. Ignoring masters. And then Your Truth reminds us of being wrapped tightly in Your gracious love, to express our joy and be happy in You. To rejoice. Aloud!

Thank You Father. Truly, absolutely thank You.

The Message, “'Don't be ornery like a horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to stay on track.' God-defiers are always in trouble; GOD-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around. Celebrate GOD. Sing together – everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof!”

Oh yes please! Father I long to be a GOD-affirmer. To truly celebrate You and raise the roof in the process. Empower and embolden me to do exactly that. Every time I turn around.

Thank You for time together this morning. Be with us as we use this day as yet another adventure in serving and celebrating You. We love You Father. Thank You for surrounding us in Your perfect, incredible love. Amen.

(423 words ~ 6:52 a.m.)

surrounded

Saturday, December 3, 2016 (6:08 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Good morning. I sit here surrounded by clutter. And so much bigger than that, I am surrounded by Your love!

(9:00 a.m.)

New Century Version for Psalm 32:10 tells us, “Wicked people have many troubles, but the LORD's love surrounds those who trust Him.” Thank You Father!

I have the privilege of sitting here surrounded with various renderings of Your Truth.

always!

Friday, December 2, 2016 (6:02 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. I woke up singing. And thinking. ♫We need a little Christmas Right this very minute♫ And I need to love and forgive freely. Always.

(6:25 a.m.)

As I sit here looking up our current traditions and their origins, Father again I turn to You asking (Matthew 7:7) that You would guide my search. It is You I long to honor and glorify. Not only during this season... always!

Hmm. Always - “at all times; on all occasions”. Yes, Father continue Your work in me that I would come to know You. Really, truly know You. At all times, on all occasions.

Holy Father. Thank You. Thank You that I get to look to You, read Your Word and be filled with the hope that comes only from knowing You.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for John 17:1-26 speaks of Jesus as “our high priest and intercessor (Hebrews 8:1-6).” It goes on to tell how that in this final prayer of His, “He makes God's will known to us and our heartfelt needs known to God.”

Thank You Father! Thank You Jesus!

When I awoke this morning singing ♫We need a little Christmas♫ It was YOU I knew we needed. You, wrapped up in the Spirit of Christmas. You, Who can speak to our souls that have ♫Grown a little leaner, Grown a little colder, Grown a little sadder, Grown a little older♫

Thank You for this uninterrupted opportunity of sitting here, reading Your Word and being reminded that “Jesus' words and deeds reveal God's mercy, justice, glory, truth and His desire to establish a personal relationship with each of us.”

When I sing of needing a little Christmas, this is exactly what I mean! You supply our every single need. Always!

“Jesus intercedes with God the Father on our behalf, bringing our needs and requests continually before God. He prays that we would know His perfect joy, be protected from all evil, grow in truth and holiness, and show love toward all people.”

The song reminds us ♫For we need a little music, Need a little laughter, Need a little singing Ringing through the rafter, And we need a little snappy “Happy ever after” Need a little Christmas now♫

YOU meet our every need! Always.

Thank You Jesus for this Advent Season. Continue Your work in causing us to remember that it's You Who provides perfect joy, protection from evil, Truth, holiness and the ability to show love towards all people.

We DO need a little Christmas. One only YOU can supply. Thank You Father. Thank You Son. Thank You Holy Ghost.

I love You. I thank You. And I need You. Always! Thank You. Amen.

(458 words ~ 7:58 a.m.)

Master Builder

Thursday, December 1, 2016 (7:26 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I've already made mistakes this morning. And it's still early in the day!

There are things I am undecided about yet I continue attempting to forge through. I confess to You Blessed Father, I don't know when to “Be still and wait” (Psalm 37:7) or “run with endurance the race that God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1b).

There is an excitement in my soul right at this very moment. A genuine rush of adrenaline to be sure.

(10:52 a.m.)

Many phone calls and much conversation. Let me still my mind again...

Father, there is so much prayer needed for relationship restoration. You are our Master Builder (Hebrews 3:4). Do all You must Dearest Lord.

Much earlier there was an extremely unpleasant phone call from a seemingly angry young man. Father, I quickly realized how vitally unprepared I am to give an answer to exactly what I believe (1 Peter 3:15).

(12:42 p.m.)

I absolutely need Your help in this regard.

An obscene phrase, considered by many to be the most vile, was repeatedly hurled at me. An offer to pray on his behalf was met with accusations of racism and other angry outbursts. His counter to the proffered hope we find in Jesus was, “What I need is money!”

Gracious Jesus, Loving Father, Connecting Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14) all I could think to do was breathe and attempt to stay calm. I absolutely confess to not having a clue of what to do next. Heart racing, voice rising I didn't even send up a prayer on my own behalf.

Having been recently studying with You about this hopeful season of Advent I thank You for allowing me to maintain a sincere desire to share Your Message of hope and forgiveness to someone so seemingly angry.

All these hours later I sit here asking You Father to bless and keep (Numbers 6:24) this stranger-to-me. He is not a stranger to You. You are the Master Builder! Build his life to Your specifications.

Hebrews 13:2 just came immediately to mind. We are to “show hospitality to strangers”. This is a scary time to even consider this command. Welcoming kindness to telemarketers is definitely a place I can begin.

Build me into the everything (Hebrews 3:4) You would have me be Blessed God. I love You so very much. Thank You for this new opportunity of sharing Your hope with a very hurting world. Embolden me to speak for You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(422 words ~ 1:46 p.m.)