waiting to see Jesus

 Friday, May 21, 2021 (6:35 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. Guide me I ask. My thoughts. Interests. Intentions. Actions. Outcomes. Mmm. Yes. All those.

What a concept. Come to You first. Before and above all decisions. Oh Lord. Teach me to seek and follow You, Your will and Your way.

(7:50 a.m.)

Looking around. Stopping at John 6:22. And the words “… crowds began gathering on the shore, waiting to see Jesus” (The Life Recovery Bible, NLT).

I wonder. If I had witnessed Your feeding of 5,000 firsthand, would I be waiting to see You?

Looking much deeper than just this one verse Father I thank You for all I get to learn. Illustrated Bible Handbook. Chapter 6. Jesus’ Discourse on the Bread of Life And a Theology in Brief entitled, Life.

Here again I get to thank You Lord. I go looking around. Seeking to follow You. And You do not disappoint.

The Truth is “in the Bible ‘life’ speaks of far more than existence. Life speaks of relationship with God. Here images like life and death, health and paralysis, light and dark, affirm something essential about the quality of each human being’s existence. Because of God’s love for us, He invites each human being into a personal relationship with Him through which ‘existence’ is transformed into ‘eternal life.’”

Oh yes please! All of this. And just when I think I’ve got a clue, there’s SO much more!

Reading further, “‘Eternal life’ is God’s promise of freedom from endless bondage.” Oh Hallelujah! Just think of that. But the description doesn’t stop there.

We’ve been given Jesus’ own life (Galatians 2:20). Beautifully transformed. We get to experience “rich fellowship” with You as our Father. Now. Not some far off day.

Holy God, by looking at Jesus’ personality, love, and compassion ‘we see the kind of person You will enable us to become.’ Oh that I truly would be one who is waiting to see Jesus. Our absolute Bread of Life.

Again I ask You to guide me this day. Teaching me obedience to Your Word. I love You. I need You. I long to represent You well. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(370 words ~ 9:20 a.m.)

exploring

 Thursday, May 20, 2021 (6:32 a.m.)

Good morning Lord,

How I thank You for the opportunity of exploring Your Word. Mm, yes Father. I thought I was going straight to Colossians 3:18 (The Passion Translation) this morning. Oh, but wait! There’s more (Ephesians 3:18-21).

Oh yes Dear Lord. Just when I think I absolutely know one thing, You remind me of the many other things that I don’t. Praise You God.

Keep me here, [there’s a song trying to sing to me] in the apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus. Written to strengthen their relationships with You and each other.

Oh most dear and blessed Lord God, how desperately we need Your loving Truth to guide and transform us into the Spiritually empowered people You designed us to be. It’s not

And right here Paslty the Singing Songbook takes over. ♪It’s not by might, nor by pow’r, but by My Spirit. It’s not by might, nor by pow’r, saith the Lord♪ (Zechariah 4:6).

Lord God, You know Your plans for every single one of us. They are plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Your Word is rife with Truth and promises. Just waiting for us to confess our own powerlessness.

Blessed God, thank You for this opportunity to explore with You this morning. As my thoughts dart from one Truth to another I ask and seek Your guidance.

In his letter to the exiles, Jeremiah continued writing Your words of warning. You wanted the people of Judah to turn from sin and denial, and to obey Your good plan for them (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE PURPOSE).

Your plans ARE good Father. We so often don’t understand them. And ultimately stray away. Thank You for continually calling us to come back. To You. Your Truth. Your promises. Your faith. Your hope. Your love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

One verse leads to another. Turning to each makes me want even more. Every word of warning or promise leading us on to the next.

Most Holy God, speak so we will listen. Let us hear You deeply within. Powerfully guided and impelled forward by the might of Your Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah (15:16) confessed, knowing that “Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty.” It is absolutely true Dearest Father.

Your words. Your will. Your way.

Your weeping prophet continued sharing Your words of hope and promise. “‘In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,’ says the LORD. ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land’” (Jeremiah 29:12-14).

Holy God, there is no way I had expected to be learning so much of Jeremiah’s faithfulness this morning. I had my own agenda. Thank You for taking me exploring instead.

The Life Recovery Bible’s introduction for this book tells us, “Like Jeremiah, we experience circumstances that are far from ideal. Many of us are suffering for our own mistakes. Jeremiah suffered innocently at the hands of selfish people. We may know how that feels, too. From a human standpoint Jeremiah was not very successful. But in God’s eyes he was one of the most successful people in all of history. Jeremiah remained faithful despite terrible opposition. We may also experience opposition and suffering. Even so, just as He did for Jeremiah, God will fulfill His purposes for us if we are faithful to Him and His program.”

Increase my faithfulness to You and Your program Dearest Dad. Exactly as You alone know is best. I love You. I want to serve You as You so perfectly planned. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(676 words ~ 8:17 a.m.)

expectations exceeded

 Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (7:13 a.m.)

Holy God,

The morning’s activities are different than expected. Thank You God.

Yes Lord, thank You for the opportunity to roll with the punches. To weigh various options and choose the best response.

Father God, You are so good. Your Word is filled with such Truth and promises. Thank You that we get to come before You. Always. Just as we are. Flaws and all.

Bless You Father. Praise You.

Turning to Your Word, I want to learn more about expectations. The Passion Translation. Psalm 40:5; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Colossians 3:21.

Lord, I read and become excited. Eager. Agog. The hope I experience is real.

“O Lord, our God, no one can compare with You. Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with You! And You think of us all the time with Your countless expressions of love - far exceeding our expectations!” (Psalm 40:5).

Taking this verse to The Life Recovery Bible I am genuinely in awe of You Lord. Starting with verse one, I feel at peace.

“I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry.” The mere image of You, the Creator of the Universe, caring enough to turn to me and hear my cry is overwhelming. Praise You God.

The recovery comment here says, “40:1-5 God’s timing is always worth waiting for. If we look to Him for help, He will rescue us from destruction and despair and from the things that hold us down. He will also bring stability to our life so we can move forward again with confidence and joy. If we are to experience God’s best for our life (which exceeds anything we can imagine), we need to rely on Him alone and avoid any entanglements with those who could lead us away from God and His plan for us.”

Rely on You alone. I did that yesterday. A tiny mistake evoked huge negativity. Profanity immediately exploded out of my mouth. Catching it as it rolled off my tongue, I consciously countered it with, “Thank You. Lord. Praise You God.”

Confessing to You right now how stilted it felt initially, I am extremely grateful for the practice Dearest Dad. Start small and build from there. This I pray today. Continue exceeding my expectations. As only You can.

I love You Lord. I long to represent You as You so rightly deserve. Lovingly. Truthfully. Adoringly. Do all You must. In, with, by, through and for me. As You alone know is best.

Thank You. Praise You. Worship and adore You. Amen.

(441 words ~ 9:11 a.m.)

Sleep. Wake. Pray. Repeat.

 Tuesday, May 18, 2021 (6:18 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God.,

Thank You for the privilege of coming to You on behalf of others. We have loved ones with health issues Lord. Waking at 11:58, 2:45 and 5:08 I remembered to pray. Thanking You. Praising You. Asking You to bless and keep each of them Dearest God.

Thank You Father that Your Word repeatedly tells us, “Come to me.” And when we do? Such peace. Faith. Hope. Love.

Blessed, Holy God, thank You for sending Jesus into the world. Thank You for His examples of love and healing. Thank You for our opportunity to read of His miracles.

Right now, starting at Luke 7:6-7 I keep reading more. Chapter 7. The Role of Faith. Oh, Blessed God, how I long to live each day with the faith of which Your Word teaches.

There is always more for us to learn. How to love as You would have us. With forgiveness. And repentance. Lord God, make me a better learner I pray.

Father, You are great. You are glorious. You are good. You are gracious. We are made in Your image (Genesis 1:27). I ask that I represent You well this day. Not worrying about anything. Instead praying about everything. Telling You what I need. And thanking You for all You’ve done (Philippians 4:6).

Yes Lord. Bless and keep our loved ones. Bringing us ever closer to You. Looking again to Numbers 6:24-26, I quote here The Life Recovery Bible’s comment.

“6:24-26 The simple words of this blessing reflect God’s desire for all His people. He is the source of all blessings, grace and peace in life; only through a relationship with God can we hope to experience the fullness of life described here. The blessing seems to build to its final word - peace (shalom). The Hebrew word for peace means much more than an absence of conflict. God offers this to anyone who is willing to follow Him and especially to those whose lives have been bruised and broken.”

Oh, amen, amen, Dearest God! Your peace. Your shalom. Your healing. And wholeness. This I pray in Jesus’ most holy name. Praise You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(381 words ~ 8:02 a.m.)

♪I’m Still Standing♪

 Monday, May 17, 2021 (7:24 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

♪I’m Still Standing...♪ I saw this song performed last night. And woke up still singing it this morning. Here’s a contented smile to go along with the peace I’m experiencing deeply within.

I find it so interesting Lord. How often do I fight You on various nudgings? And when I finally give in? There's contentment. Peace. Joy. Power.

Let me get behind You Lord. You lead. I’ll follow. Straight into Your Word. The Passion Translation. John 8:10. Mm, You comfort and amaze me. Thank You.

Yes Lord. The singing continues building within. ♪I’m Still Standing better than I ever did Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid♪ Not on my own, mind You. In. With. By. Through. And for You.

As I consider the strength and Truth this song can provide, I change only one word. ♪And I’m Still Standing after all this time Picking up the pieces of my life without You on my mind♪

I wonder. Was this how the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11) felt after her encounter with Jesus? The ebbing and flowing of His powerful presence experienced deeply within herself?

Jesus had told her accusers, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her” (v.7). “And then He bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust” (8).

A footnote right here explains that Jeremiah (17:3)’s prophecy for “those who forsake God (spiritual adultery) will be written in the dust” was being fulfilled. These accusers “were guilty of having forsaken God, the fountain of living water, and yet were so anxious to stone this woman to death.” How often do I do the very same Dearest Lord?

“Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd, one at a time, beginning with the oldest [priests] to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of Him” (John 8:9-10a).

I want to be as brave as that woman Lord. Still standing. Firmly in Your presence. Continue Your work in me to this end.

I love You. I need You. I ask You to do all You must in reworking me into the woman You would have me be. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(400 words ~ 8:54 a.m.)

healing hope

 Sunday, May 16, 2021 (7:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. We are a people in need.

I’m here this morning asking for healing Lord. We have friends and family in pain. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual. And mental pain Father. So very much pain.

I turn to Your Word Lord. Your Word of Truth. Of hope (Psalm 25:5; 130:5). Mm, yes. Your healing hope.

Thank You that our hope is in You.

(9:48 a.m.)

Yes, Lord. Truly in You!

I look to Your Truth for words on healing hope and I find myself singing. ♪All my hope is in You… My life… My strength… My hope is in You, Lord In You, it’s in You… I will praise You with all of my life I will praise You with all of my strength All my hope is in You♪

Thank You that we get to come to You seeking Your healing hope. Yes Lord God. I am seeking healing from the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual pains we each undergo on any number of occasions.

Blessed God, how I thank You for the way just one word of Your Truth [hope] leads me to singing. And then to a whole ‘nother set of Scriptures. You are so incredibly good, Dearest Dad.

How I ask You to work in, with, by, through and for me this day as I not only take in the power of Your Words but share them as well. This section of Proverbs from Easy-to-Read Version:

“An insulted brother is harder to win back than a city with strong walls. Arguments separate people like the strong bars of a palace gate. Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings” (Proverbs 18:19-21).

Holy Father God, how I ask You to use me in sharing the healing hope that You offer to each of us. Your healing hope that teaches, empowers and enables us to love You and others as much as ourselves. With all of our hearts, souls, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

Mm, yes Father. Do all You must that we will truly come to live Your Word as You originally designed.

We love You. We need You. And we ask You to continue Your work in changing us into Your loving people. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(427 words ~ 10:33 a.m.)

bees

 Saturday, May 15, 2021 (8:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

Bees. That’s what I woke up thinking. Spending time looking into the importance of them has me asking You to guide me in Your Word this morning Lord.

Judges 14:8

Psalm 118:12

Dearest Lord God, I had no idea of all I’m learning this morning. Your perfect design. My mind is truly boggled.

Father God, You bless us. Thank You for the times we are fully aware of Your omni-benevolence [(with reference to a deity) perfect or unlimited goodness]. Thank You too for those times we don’t have a clue.

Blessed God, I’m asking You to use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. I love You Lord. And I want to give You the glory You so rightly deserve.

Do all You must. In, with, by, through and for me. I love You. I thank You. Praise You Dear Lord. Amen.

(157 words ~ 9:39 a.m.)