opportunities of joy

Friday, December 16, 2016 (4:03 a.m.)

♫Sweet, Little Jesus Boy♫

Good very early morning. Thank You for the rain. Thank You for the blessings. Thank You for the many opportunities of joy. Thank You for memories. And traditions.

Thank You Jesus.

(7:28 a.m.)

Oh my gracious! I fell back to sleep. D-e-e-p sleep. Complete with a dream I still remember in detail.

Jesus, thank You! Thank You for added rest. And a touch of whimsy. Thank You that while I have no idea where our time together may take us, I know I am grateful.

Yesterday You provided me with a multitude of reminders that the word for this third week of Advent is joy. Written versions of it showed up in the most unexpected places. Thank You!

Thank You also for the amount of times I noticed myself saying, “Yea!” throughout the day. I found myself smiling every time I noticed. Thank You.

Thank You for the work You are doing in me. How I ask that You would continue growing me.

(8:42 a.m.)

Just as I was prepared to go deeper with You and the Truth of Colossians 2:6-7 circumstances rushed me over to Revelation 22:20b. Blessed Jesus how I thank You for being eternal. Infinite. Outside of time and space.

I try to keep track of all the thoughts running through my head at any one given time. You DO it! Thank You Jesus. Thank You for leading me first from one section of Scripture, then to another. Yet having them all underlying linked to You.

Oh holy Jesus, thank You for Your Truth. Your promises. Your coming. Your birth. Your life. Your teachings. Your suffering. Your death. Your resurrection. All leading us to Your promise in Revelation 22:20a, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

To which I wholeheartedly plea, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20b). Please. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(316 words ~ 9:46 a.m.)

GIVE!

Thursday, December 15, 2016 (8:16 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

I was prepared to jump up and start running around here. Probably much like a chicken with its head cut off. Instead I will sit here and ask that You would order my day.

The moment I decided to take this time, a song began in my heart. ♫Ask and it will be given to You... with good measure, pressed down...♫

Oh. Would You just look at that! It's GIVE!!!!!

Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

So here I am, ready to ask You to order and direct my day and I receive the command to give. Thank You Father. Oh, praise and thank You!

While I am still asking Your guidance and direction today, I am now asking that You guide and direct me in the actual giving of myself. To tasks. To others. To purposes You choose for me.

The Message says this, beginning with verse 37, “Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.”

Doesn't that near-perfectly represent all I was about yesterday?

And now verse 38. “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Oh YES Blessed Dad. Teach me to GIVE! Freely. Openly. Readily. Eagerly.

Illustrated Bible Handbook Judging Others; 6:37-45 tells us, “Relationships with others are to be free of judging, filled with forgiveness. The promise is that, as God's people set a new pattern of life, others will begin to respond in similar ways (38).”

You have so very much to teach me Father. Help me be a better learner!

“For this kind of life self-examination, not criticism of others, is important (39-42). Actually, it's never necessary for us to judge others. As time goes by, each life produces its own fruit: good fruit comes from those with good in their heart, bad from those who have evil stored within.”

Oh, look, here's a bonus I didn't expect. Foundation for Life with Others; 6:46-49. “The foundation for life with others is not just knowing what Jesus says but practicing it. How clearly the words of Jesus in this chapter call us to live a life of constant love for one another.”

Blessed Jesus, I absolutely cannot do anything good without You. Guide, direct, empower and embolden me to Your will this day. Work in, with, by, through and for me as only You can. I love You and I long to represent You well. Do all You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(486 words ~ 8:47 a.m.)

"YEA" saying

Thursday, December 15, 2016 (4:23 a.m.)

Blessed God,

(5:25 a.m.)

I am not yet awake. And still working on being grateful.

Father, thank You for the blessings You provide. Warmth. Shelter. Challenges. Hope. Love. Joy. Thank You for this Advent season. Thank You for the things of which to be aware.

Dearest Dad, I confess to cutting myself off. Setting myself apart. Not wanting to get too close to any one or any thing. Trying to figure things out, so I can keep myself safe.

This is not Your best for me. How well I know that. My feelings have been so close to the surface. Very easily hurt. I can be acutely aware of how You would have me respond to circumstances yet I dig in deeper instead of just letting go.

Help me please. I long to enjoy time spent with You and with others. Silence the naysaying that continues taking place deep in my soul. Holy Father God, I long to be a “YEA” sayer!

(6:36 a.m.)

Yes, God, please empower me in saying, “Yes” to You.

Yesterday I repeatedly and doggedly grunted, “No!” every single time You reminded me to simply forgive and let go of the slights I perceived as grudge worthy. Forgive me for not simply forgiving another.

Father, You are so good. So kind. Your love is perfect. Do all You must in preparing me to reflect You well. I haven't been.

A hymn of COMMITMENT AND OBEDIENCE entitled ♫Yes, Lord, Yes♫ speaks to this and references Samuel's willingness to obey You (1 Samuel 3:9). Again, not who I was yesterday!

♫I'll say yes, Lord, yes to Your will and to Your way. I'll say yes, Lord, yes, I will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me, With my whole heart I'll agree, And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes♫

Make it so, Blessed God! It sings so beautifully. My desire and intent are actually in accordance to Your teaching. It's in the execution that I fail most.

I lean more towards the Immaturity and Call to Spiritual Growth referenced in Hebrews 5:11-14. “There is so much more we would like to say about this [Christ is Our High Priest]. But you don't seem to listen, so it's hard to make you understand” (v.11).

I WANT to not just listen Most Holy One. I want to obey! Truly. Make it so. Rid me of the attitudes that make me say, “nay” instead of “YEA!”.

I genuinely long to point all our blessings back to You with the greatest most resounding “YEA!” of all time.

I love You Father. Help me be obedient to Your call this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

choosing to trust

Wednesday, December 14, 2016 (5:33 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I don't feel good. There's discomfort. Unease. Nothing to worry about. Just uncomfortable. Thank You that even in the midst of feeling off I get to look to You. Knowing, trusting, believing that “this too shall pass”.

While this phrase isn't found in Your Word, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us to “never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed everyday day.” Thank You Father.

Thank You that while my head feels dizzy and there are waves of chills I don't understand, making the choice to entrust my life to You is comforting.

Verse 17 tells us, “For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!” I like when You remind me of Your promises and Truth. Thank You.

“So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (v. 18). Yea! Thank You God!

While a comment for this section in The Life Recovery Bible helps us remember, “... the body's physical deterioration and eventual death are inevitable, as are the distressing trials that accompany life on this earth” it also points us to hope.

The very next line declares, “... our spirit is being renewed, preparing us day-by-day for the overwhelming glory and blessing we will experience in the presence of God throughout eternity.” Talk about something to look forward to! Thank You Father.

Yes. At this very moment I still don't feel good. And the glory here is that You are still God. Thank You that I get to choose to trust that You know exactly what You are doing.

Lead me today in all regards. Thank You for letting me know, believe and trust You. Thank You for loving me that I can in turn love You back. I do! Thank You. Be with me I pray. Thank You. Amen.

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

life lessons

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 (7:16 a.m.)

Holy God,

I woke up thinking these words, “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!” (Psalm 23:1). What a wonderfully comforting Truth.

Father, how I thank You for knowing me. Loving me. Leading me.

“He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most” (vs. 2-3).

Yes please. Help me do what honors You the most.

I love You so much. You keep teaching me life lessons.

And with that, it's time to go for the day. Please come with me. Pointing me exactly where You would have me go.

Thank You for guarding and guiding me (v. 4). Providing my needs as You know is best (5). Thank You that “Your goodness and unfailing kindness are with me all of my life” (6a).

Use me as You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(165 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

in the moment

Monday, December 12, 2016 (5:34 a.m.)

Holy God,

Can You keep me in the moment today? My thoughts tend to swirl ahead, behind, all around.

Even as I considered the very first word I paused, knowing that of course, You can do absolutely everything! Father, thank You.

Thank You that I get to know You. And trust You!

How blessed we are to have ready access to Your Word. Thank You for the privilege of breathing in deeply as I think about just what I am reading here.

(7:07 a.m.)

Searching “in the moment”, Living Bible led me to Luke 12:36. Reading verses above and below I am reminded in Illustrated Bible Handbook of the importance of Watchfulness; 12:33-48, as well as Do Not Worry; 12:22-32.

Oh, how I thank You Father. Thank You! I keep inching my way up the pages. The Rich Fool; 12:13-21. On Guard; 12:1-12. And now a THEOLOGY IN BRIEF, Money and the Christian.

They all serve in reminding us that our confidence is to be in You and how very much You care for each of us. We are to live generously. Free from fear of others and materialism.

Even here I turn another page and read Dangers to Be Faced; 12:49-59. “Jesus does not promise an easy life... [He] speaks of the storm about to break over them and the necessity for each person to make his own decision about what is right.”

Comments for this chapter in The Life Recovery Bible point to Your deep and personal care for our thoughts and feelings. “True freedom and contentment cannot be found in the things we own... [they] are found by depending exclusively on God and obeying Him... Trusting God's supreme providential care enables people in recovery to live one day at a time.”

Mmm, one day at a time... in the moment.

Another TLRB comment, 12:32-34, “The heart represents all that motivates us – our thoughts, ideals, inclinations, priorities, convictions, worries, and fears. If we want genuine recovery in problem areas of our life, we must first release our heartfelt attachments to the dependency or compulsion we are struggling with. The things we value most and spend time and money pursuing – that's where our deep attachments and personal identity can be found. Our checkbooks and date books are barometers of our heart condition and our progress in recovery.”

Hmm... “checkbooks and date books... heart condition... progress...” Verse 34, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”

Oh Blessed Father, let my treasure, heart and thoughts be on You! Every moment of this day. Keep me in YOUR moment Blessed God. I love You. I want to serve You. Make it so I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(455 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)

pleased and content

3^rd Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2016 (7:39 a.m.)

Incredibly Awesome God,

Thank You! You are working in me. I was keenly aware of it yesterday. I experimented. Had some success. Made a few mistakes. Rested. Regrouped. And went away feeling pleased. And content.

Holy Father God, how I thank You for the genuine joy You provide to my heart. Beginning much earlier this morning as I made the conscious decision to practice smiling. I confess to You Father, I honestly forget to smile.

Thank You that You often remind me of the importance of not taking things too seriously. A simple smile breaks the negativity that many times takes up far too much space in my mind. Thank You for the change that comes with smiling.

Simply turning the corners of my mouth up instead of down settles my soul. It reminds me to breathe in deeply. To consider You and all the opportunities You provide us. Father, how I thank You.

Thank You too for this particular season of Advent. Two weeks ago we thought about the hope that is ours to come. Last Sunday we were reminded of being surrounded by Your love. Today we begin a week of considering “a grace note of joy”. Thank You Father.

How glad I am to be reading in Deuteronomy 6. A chapter subtitled, A Call for Wholehearted Commitment in one Bible and The Most Important Commandment in another. Love the Lord Your God is used in yet one more.

No matter how we phrase it, it all comes back to being quick to hear (“Shema”) that You alone are the only true God (6:4) and that we must love You with all our heart, soul and strength (v. 5). Thank You for reminders Father. Reminders to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Your laws (6) and repeatedly talk about them to our children (7).

When we talk about You and Your unconditional love for each of us, how can we help but smile? Keep reminding me Blessed God. It is still not my first, go-to facial expression.

(12:05 p.m.)

Thank You for the privilege of reading and contemplating Your Word. As I prepare to leave here for now, I ask that You would continue teaching me the value of joy. And risk! An important word that just again came back to mind.

Let me use well the lessons I am learning in experimenting and not being afraid. Empower me to take the risks You would have me take. As well as remember the importance of Deuteronomy 6:12. The verse that started this whole line of thinking.

“When you take it all in [cities you didn't build, houses you didn't buy, wells you didn't dig, vineyard and olive orchards you didn't plant (vs.10-11)] and settle down, pleased and content, make sure you don't forget how you got there - GOD brought you out of slavery in Egypt.”

Yes, Father! Make sure I don't forget! I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(500 words ~ 12:14 p.m.)